USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 8
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Mr. Holmes' first entrance into the oil busi- ness, with which he subsequently became so closely identified, was in the capacity of book- keeper for W. L. Porter, at a yearly salary of $600, which then seemed to the young man al- most a fortune. His business relations with Mr. Porter were of the most satisfactory nature, the most cordial personal feelings being mutually entertained by both throughout Mr. Porter's life. Mr. Holmes held the position until 1881, when, on account of close application to his duties, his health became impaired and his phy- sician recommended a change of climate. He then visited the West and engaged in mining for a short time in Colorado. His health became restored, but he did not advance financially, and he returned to Lima no richer in pocket, but
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better prepared to stand the stress of business life. In 1882, soon after his return, he was of- fered the secretaryship of the Lima Iron Fence Company, a position he held for three years.
In the meantime the value of his father's estate had been much increased, on account of the general progress and development of the city. In 1885 he undertook, for the Holmes es- tate, the building of the present Holmes Block. At that time he was residing with his mother on the old homestead. On account of the general municipal progress his property had become too valuable for business purposes to justify its retention as a place of residence. It was there- fore decided that a fine business block could be erected which would return a large income in rentals, although, at that time, it was a con- siderable distance from Lima's business cen- ter notwithstanding which, contracts were se- cured with desirable tenants for long-term leas- es, on low payments. Mr. Holmes had a debt of $3,000 with which to contend, and it requir- ed all his business ability to accomplish the erec- tion of the business block, which was satisfac- torily completed in 1885.
It was soon after the completion of this work, and while Mr. Holmes was unemployed, that the first oil well was opened at Lima. He was offered a humble position with the Trenton Rock Oil Company-a corporation supposed to control nearly all the oil territory of any value in Ohio-and this he accepted, his work being that of a notary whose business it was to ac- knowledge oil leases. As this work occupied but a short period, he was soon out of employ- ment; but later, from a chance conversation with a friend, Mr. Holmes secured one of the earliest valuable oil leases in this locality. As a diversion and as an experiment, the friends, both then out of employment, went into the country with the idea of securing an oil lease which they hoped they might be able to sell to some investor. The result was that, after a long day spent with a farmer, who had little faith in the oil business but was of a friendly, accommodating spirit, they secured a lease upon his farm. This lease proved one of the most valuable taken in Allen County, and the well subsequently drilled upon it was really the pio-
neer in the opening up and extension of the oil field here.
The operation of this lease was conducted, through a business combination, with parties in Olean, New York, who subsequently dealt with Mr. Holmes in connection with many other leases. At this time he was associated with Frank and Charles Coss, practical oil men, formerly of Olean. New York. While final prosperity came, the early days of Mr. Holmes' oil enterprises were filled with discouragement. When the' old J. K. Speer, well was drilled, which daily produced 700 barrels of oil, and was followed by the John Ridenour well, whose capacity was 1,000 barrels a day, Mr. Holmes soon acquired sufficient capital to meet all his liabilities.
The history of the oil operations in this sec- tion, with the great promise of financial pros- perity to hundreds of those, who, like Mr. Holmes, had gone into the business with small capital, and the quenching of hope and extin- guishing of opportunity, is too well known in these days of publicity, to recount the tale, with its many details of the greed of the great Oc- topus which brought ruin to many happy homes. In Mr. Holmes' case, before he could sell any of his oil, the Standard Oil Company decided that they had made a mistake in considering that the product was of any value whatever ex- cept as fuel, and they therefore lowered the price, day after day, until the time came when 42 gallons of this oil brought the sum of 15 cents. Under these conditions, the various oil producers outside the Standard felt themselves justified in combining for self-protection, and each man's property, including that of Mr. Holmes, was turned into the company at a value which was established by a board of appraisers. He was one of the incorporators and, later, a director in what was known as the Ohio Oil Company. This company continued one year but was forced to sell to the Standard Oil Com- pany.
Prior to the sale of his interests, Mr. Holmes had become associated with S. M. Jones in taking up a large block of territory in the western section of Allen, and the
eastern section of Van Wert County,
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forming what became the Geyser Oil Company. Although this venture did not prove as satisfactory as anticipated, Mr. Holmes made money out of it. Immediately afterward he became interested near Marietta, and later in valuable holdings of the Silurian Oil Company, of which he was a member, and in both of these connections he was eminently successful. For six months after this he was on the leasing ,force of the Ohio Oil Company and, while the work was exhausting, in that it ex- posed him to all weathers, he secured 100 leases in one month, on farms ranging from 40 to 800 acres. When the Manhattan Oil Company was organized, he was invited to enter the employ of this organization and as its object ( an effort to build up a market for Ohio crude oil outside the Standard) appealed to him, he consented to enter its service for a short time. His connec- tion with the company, however, covered a per- iod of 10 years; first as cashier, then as secre- tary, and finally as general manager. There is little in connection with the oil industry with which Mr. Holmes is not perfectly familiar. He has watched the business from its beginning. has suffered from the rapacity of competitors, has assisted manfully in protesting against in- iquitous business methods, and through sheer ability and brave persistency has reaped finan- cial success where many others have failed.
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His oil interests are by no means all that have claimed Mr. Holmes' attention. For a number of years, with W. L. Mackenzie he was interested in the Fidelity Lumber Company and, with Mr. Mackenzie, he organized the Fidelity Coal & Supply Company, which has grown into an enterprise of large importance. He con- tinues to be president of this company, being its main directing head. Its great warehouse at Lima has a frontage of 500 feet on the C., H. & D. Railway, and 200 on the L. E. & W. Railway. He is a stockholder and director in The Hall & Woods Company, of Lima, opera- ting the Model Mills : a director of The Ohio National Bank, at Lima, and is one of the in- corporators and directors of the South Side Building & Loan Association. On the Holmes farm he has erected several hundred houses which he has sold to good tenants, on easy monthly payments. He has retained large real
estate holdings and is an extensive operator in realty.
In 1882 Mr. Holmes was married to May R. Harley, who is a daughter of Dr. L. G. Har- ley, of Wayne County, Ohio, and they have had four children, viz. : Van Cleve, Branson Harley, Donald (deceased), and Frank H. The eldest son, having completed his course at Amherst College, is now in business in New York City. The second son is a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and is also cultiva- ting a remarkable musical gift, being under the instruction of noted teachers of the violin, at Detroit.
For many years Mr. Holmes has been deep- ly interested in the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and has been prominently identified with its work. He has served as president and director of the organization at Lima, and has devoted time, money and effort to many other charitable and philanthropic enterprises. Not being a man who heralds his beneficences, much of his practical helpfulness is known only to the recipients. He is a member of the Presbyter- ian Church and has served as a member of the session.
ILLIAM W. CURTIN, a well- known and highly respected citizen of Lima, interested in the produc- tion of oil, is a son of Erin who has made his fortune in the oil fields of America being at this time largely interested in the most productive wells scattered through the oil belt of the United States. Mr. Curtin was born August 1, 1842, in Cork, Ireland, and was reared in that country to the age of 15 when he came to America. For the following eight years he was employed in New York and vi- cinity, but in 1865 he located in Venango Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, where on April 11th of that year he engaged in the oil industry, and has prospered beyond his most sanguine expecta- tions. He operated first in the Pennsylvania field as a contractor and producer, but in 1886 extended his operations to the Findlay and St. Marys fields, and in 1900 located at Lima. In addition to several wells which he operates in Ohio, he has a number in Indian Territory, the
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output from which brings him in a considerable income.
Mr. Curtin was united in marriage July 13, 1866, to Rebecca Kells, a native of Ireland. Four children were born to this union, viz. : E. R. Curtin, vice-president and general superin- tendent of The Manhattan Oil Company, of Lima; Annie Bell, wife of N. J. Loveless, of Bradford, Pennsylvania; James A., who is in the oil business; and John F., a mechanic. Mrs. Curtin died November 4, 1900, and Mr. Curtin was married on the first of the March follow- ing to Wealthy Riddle, of Allegany County, New York. Mr. Curtin is a director of The Lima Trust Company.
UGUSTUS E. WEGER, one of the prominent business men of Delphos, the leading photographer and also the junior member of the undertaking firm of Jauman & Weger, was born April 20, 1878, at Newcastle, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Frank A. and Margaret Eliza- beth (Deitzel) Weger.
George K. Weger, the paternal grandfather, was born in Germany. He came to America in 1852, locating in Baltimore, Maryland, where he followed the trade of cooper. His son Frank A., the father of Augustus E., learned this trade also and worked as a cooper for some years in Baltimore and then removed to New- castle, Pennsylvania. Here he was married, in 1871, to Margaret E. Deitzel, who was born in that place, and was a daughter of Michael Deit- zel, a native of Prussia. They had five chil- dren, viz. : Katie, George, Augustus, Mary and Frank. Mr. Weger removed from Newcastle to Pittsburg and in 1878 came to Delphos as foreman for the Pittsburg Keg & Barrel Com- pany, with which concern he continued until he joined interests with H. Goette in the hoop and stave business.
Augustus E. Weger has spent the main part of his life at Delphos, being an infant when his parents came here. He was educated in both the English and German departments of the parochial schools and, after completing the tisual course, received private instruction at
Delphos. For a time he assisted his father in the hoop and stave factory, later turned his at- tention to other activities, but in 1899 definitely decided to become a practical photographer, having always had an inclination in this direc- tion. He has been in the business for himself for the past three years and until September 23, 1905, was alone. On account of needed ex- pansion and great press of business, Mr. Weger then admitted Mr. Fry to partnership and now the firm stands Weger & Fry. The well-equip- ped studio is located on Main street between Second and Third streets. Mr. Weger is a na- tural artist and in giving way to his inclina- tions but followed what promises to be a prom- ising and prosperous career. An enthusiast in his work, each year finds him better able to compete with those who have elevated the pho- tographic art to the level of other artistic achievements.
Since September 21, 1905, Mr. Weger has also been connected with another line of busi- ness, being the junior partner in the undertak- ing firm of Jauman & Weger, funeral directors and embalmers. Their quarters have been fit- ted up with all modern conveniences and their business is conducted in a quiet, orderly manner. Mr. Weger devotes his whole time to his stu- dio, Mr. Jauman attending to the undertaking department.
Mr. Weger is a member of the Church of St. John the Evangelist at Delphos. He be- longs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Catholic Knights of America.
OSEPH AARON STATES, president of the Allen County Agricultural So- ciety and formerly county commis- sioner for several terms, is one of Mon- roe township's most respected citizens. He resides on his highly improved farm of 160 acres situated in sections 21 and 22. Mr. States was born on this farm April 20, 1848. and is a son of Daniel and Jane (Jennings ) States.
Daniel States was born in Lycoming Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, April 14. 1810, and was a son of Peter and Susan ( Praul) States. The fath- er of Peter States, Daniel by name, was born in
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France; while the father of Mrs. Peter States was born in England. Our subject's parents came to Monroe township, Allen County, in the spring of 1835, locating in section 21. With eight others, he was a voter at the first election held in the township, which they all had as- sisted in organizing. He entered 120 acres of land and on this farm, developed from the wilderness, he reared a creditable family, which through his efforts in promoting educatioal, re. ligious and social movements, enjoyed many advantages which even older localities did not present. He was a man of great public spirit and was so admirably qualified for leadership, that he was frequently called upon to take a prominent part in public affairs. He served 14 years as township trustee and treasurer, was one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, built the first schoolhouse on his own farm, and, through individual effort and per- sonal expenditure, inaugurated the making of good roads and the building of bridges, in this way setting a creditable example and earning the grateful remembrances of those who came after.
On April 1, 1833, Daniel States was united in marriage with Jane Jennings, who was born June 16, 1810, and died January 20, 1873. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Betsey (Milick) Jennings, a granddaughter of John Milick, a native of Pennsylvania, and a cousin of Governor David Tod, of Ohio. Seven chil- dren were born to this union, as follows: John, deceased, of Crawford County, Kansas; George and Susan, who died in childhood ; Mar- garet, deceased, who was the wife of Scott Harris, of Monroe township; Mary J., de- ceased; Joseph Aaron, of this sketch; and Huldah R., wife of Ephraim Tussing, of Van Wert County, Ohio, also deceased.
Joseph Aaron States attended the district schools and was reared on his father's farm, where he received his training as a practical ag- riculturist. His main business in life has con- tinued along the same lines-general farming and stock-raising. He has so frequently been called upon by his fellow-citizens to accept var- ious offices of trust and responsibility, that in later years the larger portion of his time has
been absorbed in attending to duties of a public nature. In political sentiment he has always been a stanch Democrat. In 1882 he was elect- ed by his party county commissioner and, through reelection, he served continuously in this important office for six years and one month. For three years he was township trus- tee and for 20 years has been a member of the Board of Education. He has always taken a deep and intelligent interest in county organiza- tions of all kinds, and has given support to those which, in his opinion, are calculated to advance the general welfare. In 1903 he was elected president of the Allen County Agricul- tural Society, and under his wise administra- tion, it held the most successful county fair during its existence. He is a man of enlight- ened views, business capacity, unquestioned in- tegrity and, withal, one of the genial, whole- souled men whose friendship is well worth the having, and whose citizenship honors his com- munity.
On September 3, 1867, Mr. States was mar- ried to Mary J. Powell, who was born March 6, 1842, near Spencerville, Ohio, and is a daughter of David and Sophia (Walden) Powell, natives of Juniata County, Pennsyl- vania. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. States was Amos Powell, who was born in Wales and with his family, was an early settler in Allen County. To Mr. and Mrs. States were born these children: Anna V., wife of Joseph G. Hersh, an attorney, of Lima ; William C., of the Lima Cigar Company, who has one son, Earl; Arthur L., a farmer of Monroe township; Sam- uel E., who died in 1877; and Mary Lucretia, who married Jesse Vance, a farmer of Monroe township, and has two children.
ONES & WILLIAMS. This firm con- ducts a large and complete undertak- ing business at Lima, with quarters on the southwest corner of the Public Square, the members of the firm being John D. Jones and Cary C. Williams.
This business was established at Lima in December, 1900, by the gentlemen mentioned.
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They have a well-equipped establishment, em- ploy strictly modern methods, including the lat- est processes of embalming, and as a firm stand very high in public esteem.
JOHN D. JONES, senior member of the firm, has been a resident of Lima, for the past 23 years. He was born at Piqua, Miami Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1852, and is a son of William H. Jones, a tanner by trade, who died in that place in 1859.
Mr. Jones was the youngest of a family of eight children and was left fatherless at the age of seven years. After completing his schooling he went to Troy, and there learned the harnessmaker's trade. In 1872 he removed to Hartford City, Indiana, where he engaged in the harness business for one year. He then lo- cated at Montpelier, Indiana, where he entered into partnership with a Mr. Dick, under the firm name of Dick & Jones. Later he bought Mr. Dick's interest and conducted the business 1 alone, remaining in business at Montpelier for a period of 10 years. In 1882 he came to Lima and here also engaged in the harness business until 1900, when he sold out and with his son-in-law, Cary C. Williams, embarked in his present enterprise as an undertaker and em- balmer.
Mr. Jones was married in August, 1874, to Alice Seal who died in June, 1878, leaving one daughter-Alberta-now the wife of Cary C. Williams. In 1884 Mr. Jones was married (second) to Sarah I. Meeks, who is a daughter of Amos Meeks, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. Both of her grandfathers came here at a very early day and bought land from the government. Mr. Jones is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and is serving on the official board.
CARY C. WILLIAMS, the junior mem- ber of the firm was born in Defiance County, Ohio. He may be said to have almost grown up in the undertaking business, as his father was an undertaker for many years and he assisted from boyhood. He is a graduate of the Chi- cago School of Embalming.
Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Alberta Jones, who is a daughter of John D. and Alice ( Scal) Jones.
ENRY G. WEMMER, one of the busi- ness men of Lima, who has contribut- ed much to the importance of this city as a commercial center, was one of the organizers of The Deisel-Wemmer Company, which is known all over the United States in the cigar manufacturing line. Mr. Wemmer was born in Germany in 1865.
Mr. Wemmer was reared and educated in his native land, coming to the United States in 1884. His uncle was established in a cigar manufacturing business in Delaware, and Henry G., remained for a time with him, thence going to Marion, Ohio, and finally to Lima. In 1891 he became associated with Henry Deisel, a personal friend and a practical cigarmaker, and the firm of Deisel & Wemmer was thereby formed. The partnership continued until 1902 when the immense growth of the business made incorporation advisable. The present officers of The Deisel-Wemmer Company are: Henry Deisel, president; William J. Wemmer, vice- president ; Henry G. Wemmer, general mian- ager; and Robert J. Plate, secretary and treas- urer.
From a small beginning, in 1891, this busi- ness has become one of the largest in its line in this section, and probably is the largest house in the world manufacturing and selling direct to the retail trade. Our subject looks after the jobbing trade, and handles the 14 traveling salesmen who are constantly employed. The goods manufactured include several excellent brands of cigars, but the specialties are the "General Stark" and "San Felice." The latter is composed of a special blend of leaf and a particularly good wrapper, sells at five cents, and has a universal popularity.
In addition to his interest in this great and still growing business, Mr. Wemmer is a di- rector and stockholder in The Lima Trust Com- pany, and is interested in other successful busi- ness enterprises.
Mr. Wemmer was married in 1894 to Rica Sauter, and they have had three children- Esther and Pauline, who are living, and Edna, who died at the age of eight years.
Mr. Wemmer is a member of the Lima Club and of the Elks. He is a liberal, broad-
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minded citizen, whose abounding energy has been notable not only in his personal business association, but in his interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of the city.
AMES A. PARK, oil contractor and producer, and proprietor of a large and well-appointed livery establishment at Spencerville, is one of this city's valued public men and substantial citizens. Mr. Park was born near Willshire, Ohio, May 25, 1865, and is a son of Samuel W. and Sarah A. ( Philbee) Park. On the paternal side, Mr. Park comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and of German extraction on the mother's side.
Samuel W. Park was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and died in Ohio in April, 1903. In 1845, at Newark, Ohio. He married Sarah A. Philbee, who was born in Germany in 1826 and was three years old when her parents emigrated to the United States. They made the six-weeks voyage on a sailing vessel, enduring hardships innumerable. She died in Ohio in 1893, after a long and useful life, having been permitted to see her family of 10 children grow to intelligent maturity and to establish happy domestic circles of their own. Her own passing was the first break in the family circle. She left behind her hus- band, her 10 children, 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The children are : Alexander ; Louisa, wife of Charles Bowman, of Van Wert County ; Elizabeth, wife of Wil- liam McMichael, of Van Wert County ; Cath- erine, wife of T. C. Bowman, of Van Wert County ; Ellen, wife of G. W. Stetler, of Van Wert County; Jennie, wife of E. F. Hunter, of Van Wert County; William, a resident of Van Wert County, who married Anna Roys- ton; Samuel, who married Hulda Royston and resides at Lima ; James, of this sketch ; and Ben- jamin, who married Myrtle Lewis and lives at Spencerville.
The family record reaches back to the days of the Revolutionary War, when our subjects' great-great-grandfather was a lieutenant under
General Washington. He was of Scotch birth as was also his son, Col. Robert E. Park, who was an early Governor of Connecticut. The grandfather of our subject was born in New Jersey in 1789 and moved to Ohio in 1831. His son, Samuel W., at one time owned the land on which now stands the Ohio State Peniten- tiary, at Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. On his mother's side, Samuel W. Park was first cousin to John R. McLean, the distinguished editor and publisher of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
James A. Park was reared on the farm of his father in Van Wert County until the age of 14 years, attending in the meantime the local schools and subsequently the Van Wert High School, earning his expenses by serving as a clerk in a dry goods store. With an idea of becoming a teacher, he then attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and there was under the instruction of his own cousin, Professor Park, a noted educator and a compiler of var- ious acceptable text-books. During the suc- ceeding three years, he followed the profession of teaching and, had his health not become im- paired, he might have reached the same dis- tinguished position in the educational field as that filled by his cousin.
Finding it necessary to adopt another line of activity, Mr. Park went into the hardware business at Ohio City, Van Wert County, and while residing there filled out the unexpired term of George Banter, as postmaster, a period of two years, under the first Cleveland adminis- tration. Mr. Park then engaged for a time in a livery business at Decatur, Indiana, removing then to Portland, Indiana. During his resi- dence there he was elected city clerk and sub- sequently county surveyor of Jay County. In
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