USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 44
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Mr. Shinn is in thorough sympathy with various movements which have been contributory factors to the growth and progress of the city and is inter- ested in all those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He belongs to Andrews Post, No. 132, G. A. R. and in 1899, at Youngstown, Ohio, was elected commander of the state department. He belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and in politics is an ardent republican, who has done effective work for the party. For two years he served as a member of the republican state central committee and was its secretary. For fifty-two years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served on its board of trustees since coming to Ashland, acting as its president at this time. The principles which have governed his life and shaped his conduct are such as ever awaken and inspire confidence and regard and he stands today as a man among men, honored and respected by all who know him.
WILLIAM F. EMERY, M. D.
Dr. William F. Emery, who in all of his professional relations has been actuated by a sincere and earnest desire to be of real benefit to his fellowmen, has come to be recognized in Ashland as a physician and surgeon well worthy an extensive patronage. He started upon the journey of life at Rowsburg, this county, September 22, 1872, his parents being Zachariah and Margaret (Weikal) Emery. The father, a native of Ashland county, was left an orphan in early childhood and went to the home of an aunt, by whom he was reared. After attaining his majority he wedded Margaret Weikal, who was a native of Pennsylvania and when a young lady came to Ashland county with her parents, who located on what was known as the Rowe farm near Rowsburg. The maternal grandfather, William Weikal, became very well-to-do there and owned extensive tracts of land, his holdings making him one of the most prosperous residents of the community. Late in life he took up his abode in the town of Rowsburg, where he resided until his death. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Emery they took up their abode on a farm near Rowsburg, where they resided until their son, Dr. Emery, was in his sixteenth year. They then removed into the village, where the father has since lived retired. For many years he was actively engaged in business pursuits and through his well directed enterprise and diligence he accumulated the competence that enabled
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him to put aside active business cares in his later years. In 1895 and 1896 he was first assistant sergeant at arms in the state capitol. In politics he is an ardent republican and in religious faith is a Lutheran. For many years he has been an officer in the church and has always been loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. While he now lives in the village, he still owns the farm and derives from it a good rental.
Dr. Emery was reared at home to his seventeenth year and then started out to make his own way in the world. He has largely educated himself and after attending the district schools he entered the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, where he pursued a normal course. Still unsatisfied with the educational opportunities that he had thus far been able to enjoy, he entered Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, where he spent two years as a student, during which time he determined to take up the study of medicine and make its practice his life work. Therefore, in the fall of 1893, he entered the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, and on the completion of a four years' course he was graduated with the class of 1897.
Having now qualified for the practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. Emery located in the village of McZena in the southern part of Ashland county, where he practiced for three years and on the 6th of March, 1900, he removed to Ashland, where he has since continued. Although yet a young man, he has built up an extensive practice and is ranked among Ashland's prominent physicians, his wide knowledge well qualifying him to cope with the intricate and complex problems that continually confront the physician. Furthermore he keeps in touch with the profession through his membership in the Ashland County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Union Medical Society of the sixth consular district.
In 1897 Dr. Emery was married to Miss Artie A. Myers, a daughter of Daniel Myers, who lived in Perry township near Rowsburg. Dr. and Mrs. Emery became parents of two children but only one is living, George Myers. The Doctor holds membership in the English Lutheran church and in fraternal lines is connected with Mohican Lodge, No. 85. I. O. O. F., Excelsior Camp, No. 3287, M. W. A., and Ashland Tent, No. 515, K. O. T. M. In his relations outside of professional lines he is found to be a genial courteous gentleman, interested in those things which are essential to the welfare and progress of the community, while in his chosen life work he is giving his patients the benefit of conscientious service and of careful preliminary training.
JOSEPH A. SHEARER.
Joseph A. Shearer, one of Ashland's prominent citizens, is a man whose business ability and administrative qualities have enabled him to attain consider- able distinction in its political circles, being at present county clerk of Ashland county. To this position he was elected by a large majority, indicating his popularity and also the fact that he has a host of friends throughout the county. His birth occurred in Montgomery township, this county, September 30, 1877, a
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son of John and Henrietta (Hammett) Shearer. His father was born in the same township May 14, 1839, and there he was reared and remained until some time during the early '50s when, becoming inspired by the news of fortune- making in the gold fields of California, he went to that state, making the trip by way of Cape Horn. Remaining there for about two years, at the expiration of that time he returned to this county, where he has since been residing, identi- fied with merchandising and farming interests. He is now living on an excellent farm in Montgomery township, near Ashland, the property being his own. Politically he is a democrat, at all times upholding the policies advocated in the party's platform, while religiously he is a stanch supporter of that denomina- tion of Christians known as the Disciples of Christ. The grandparents of the subject of this review on both sides of the house were among the early settlers of this county, his paternal grandfather, William Shearer, having come here from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, some time during the '30s, while his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Eliza (Mallott) Hammett, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Richland county, also settled here about that time. His
mother, a native of Richland county, was born in the year 1857 or 1858.
Under the parental roof Joseph A. Shearer was reared, acquiring his educa- tion in the public schools, and after completing his studies, being then about nineteen years of age, he at once began his career as a school teacher and for fifteen terms, covering a period of about nine years, he followed that vocation. He followed the profession with a considerable degree of distinction until the fall of 1905, when on account of his excellent judgment and administrative ability he was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of county clerk, to which office he was elected by a large majority and assumed his duties in August. 1906. In November. 1908, he was reelected and has since been trans- acting the affairs of that responsible official position. Mr. Shearer is affiliated with a number of fraternal organizations and is a member of Montgomery Lodge. No. 355. K. P .. and Vermillion Camp. No. 7607, M. W .A., of Hayesville. He is a man whose excellent demeanor together with his abilities have won him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come into contact, and the capable service which he has rendered the county in the position in which he is now officiating has won him wide popularity and gained him the reputation of being one of Ashland's most useful and beneficial citizens.
L. B. ASH. M. D.
In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, Dr. L. B. Ash has made for himself an enviable name and place, being now ac- counted one of the successful physicians and surgeons of Ashland. His birth occurred in Wayne county. Ohio. September 22. 1855. his parents being Josiah and Nancy (Beidler) Ash. both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Wayne county with their respective parents and after attaining adult age were married there. Josiah Ash then turned his attention to general farming, with which he was identfied during his active life. His last days
L. B. ASH
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were spent in Goshen, Indiana, where he died in 1898, at the age of eighty-three years while visiting his son, Dr. E. E. Ash, of that place. . In politics he was an ardent democrat and was recognized as one of the local leaders of the party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and secure the adoption of its principles. For years he served on the election board in his district and for a considerable time he was township trustee and for a number of years a member of the board of education. He was always interested in educational progress and was, moreover, an active worker in the Lutheran church, thus giving his aid and influence to those movements which tend to uplift and benefit humanity. His wife died on the old home farm in Wayne county in 1885, when sixty-seven years of age. She, too, was a consistent member of the Lutheran church. In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, three of whom became physicians. Six of the number yet survive, namely: Martha, the wife of Andrew Mumaw, of Mount Eaton, Ohio; Samantha, the wife of Wade Naftzger, of Wooster, this state; Joseph, a miller of Defiance, Ohio; Minda, the wife of E. J. Worst, of Ashland; L. B., of this review; E. E., a practicing physician of Goshen, Indiana. Dr. W. N. Ash passed away in Mount Eaton.
While spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Dr. L. B. Ash acquired his primary education in Smithville (Ohio) public and high schools. At seventeen years of age he began his career as a teacher and for twelve terms was identified with educational work, doing good service for the schools with which he was connected. In 1879, he went to Belmore, Ohio, where he engaged in the drug business and while following that pursuit he began reading medi- cine with Dr. Pooley, of Toledo, Ohio, as his preceptor. In the fall of 1884 he entered Toledo Medical College and completed his course by graduation in the class of 1887. In the meantime he disposed of his drug business prior to entering upon his collegiate course, and immediately following his graduation he came to Ashland, where he began the practice of his chosen profession, which he has followed continuously and successfully since. Ile is a skilled practitioner and has built up an extensive practice, being today ranked among Ashland's most prominent physicians. Anything that tends to bring to man an understanding of the complex principles which underlie the work of the medical fraternity is of in- terest to him and he has carried his studies and investigations far into the realms of scientific knowledge. He keeps in touch with the continuous advance of the profession through his membership in the Ashland Medical Society, the Sixth District Medical Association, which comprises eleven counties, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In 1878, Dr. Ash was married to Miss Sarah A. Rumbaugh of Wooster, Ohio, and they have one son. Ray C., who is now practicing medicine in partner- ship with his father. After pursuing a three years' course in the Ohio State University he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago and was there graduated in 1904. In the fall of that year he married Miss Gail Arnold of Ashland, and they have one child. Wilma. Dr. Ray C. Ash is also a member of the different medical societies, to which his father belongs and is one of the popular young physicians of this section.
Aside from professional relations Dr. L. B. Ash is connected with Ashland Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A, M., and has likewise taken the degrees of the chapter.
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He is also a member of Montgomery Lodge, No. 355, K. P., and of the Uni- formed Rank, and for the past twelve years has been surgeon of the Eighth Regiment. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the Lutheran church, while his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He never seeks nor desires office, however, although he keeps well informed on the political questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do. His time and attention are largely given to his professional duties, which he discharges with a sense of conscientious obligation and with marked ability that has gained him prominence in his chosen calling.
ALLEN B. RICHARDS.
Allen B. Richards was for two decades identified with the educational in- terests of Ashland county and various other sections of the state but since 1898 he has given his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, making his home on a well improved farm of one hundred and ten acres, located in Troy township. He was born in Sullivan township, Ashland county, December 6, 1860, and in the paternal line is of German extraction, while in the maternal line he comes of Scotch ancestry. His paternal grandfather, John Richards, was a very promi- nent farmer and influential citizen of this section of the state and lived to be eighty-eight years of age. His son, Samuel W. Richards, the father of our subject, was also a prominent farmer and dairyman, owning an extensive tract of land. He was a man of strong character and influence in the community and took an active part in all pubile affairs. He wedded Miss Mariah McMil- lin, who was a native of Richland county.
Allen B. Richards spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm in Ashland county, early being trained to the duties of the farm and the dairy. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study at Ashland, Ada and Oberlin Colleges, where he qualified for teaching. In 1878 he entered the profession and was thus engaged until 1898, or for a period of twenty years, five years of this time being spent as a teacher in the Rochester (Ohio) schools and three years in the Nova high school, while the remainder of the time was spent in the district schools of Ashland and Lorain counties. He was progressive in his methods of instruction and became a very successful as well as popular instructor.
As above stated, Mr. Richards retired from educational work in 1898, since which time he has devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising on a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Troy township, which he owns. He is also a breeder of Jersey cattle and each branch of his business is proving a profitable source of revenue to him. In addition to his home farm, which is well improved, he also owns sixty acres in Lorain county. Aside from his busi- ness interests, Mr. Richards also finds time to devote to matters of a public nature. He is a stockholder in the Nova Banking Company, is chairman of the Nova Farmers Institute, one of the most progressive institutes in the state, while as a member of the Nova board of education he takes a deep and active interest in order that his own and other children may receive an education suited to
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the demands of the time and start out in life well equipped for the strenuous service of this exacting age.
Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Simmons, on the 6th of May, 1888. Her father, Jesse Simmons, came with his parents to this state from Maryland, the family home being established in Tuscarawas county, where they lived for a time but in 1834 removed to Troy township, Ashland county, and settled on the farm which is today owned by our subject. Mr. Simmons wedded Miss Effie Andrews and was engaged in farming throughout his entire life. He was a man of wide influence, prominent in public affairs, so that when death claimed him in May, 1900, the community lost one of its most highly esteemed citizens. The mother still survives. The daughter, Mrs. Richards, was provided with excellent educational advantages, her early educa- tion, acquired in the public schools, being supplemented by study in Savannah Academy. She engaged in teaching prior to her marriage. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Richards has been blessed with five children, Wade E., Leland D., Ella H., Esther A., and Theodore W.
The political views of Mr. Richards accord with the principles of the republican party and in its work he is very active, frequently serving as a delegate to party conventions. For several years he has served as justice of the peace. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee and as class leader. For a long period he acted as superintendent of the Sunday school and is now assistant superintendent and a teacher in the school, while Mrs. Richards is also active in various departments of church and Sunday school work. An atmosphere of education and refinement predominates in their hospitable home and their children are provided with good books. Mr. Richards is progressive in his ideas regarding public improvements, especially good roads and good schools, and all measures that are calculated to benefit his home locality.
F. R. MARKS.
The man who recognizes opportunity and then bends every energy toward the accomplishment of his purpose wins success. There is no secret method by which prosperity is attained. Its basis is always effort-unrelaxing effort- a statement which finds verification in the life record of F. R. Marks and thous- ands of other successful men. He is today a prominent factor in commercial circles in Ashland, where he has long been known as a dealer in stoves and tin- ware. He forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution and as the years pass so utilizes his advantages that he has come to be known as one of the leading and representative citizens here. His birth occurred in Monroe township, Richland county, Ohio, May 5, 1844, his parents being Abraham and Sarah (Young) Marks. The father was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1802, and the mother's birth occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1808. Abraham Marks lost his parents when he was an infant and he was reared by his guardian, Mr. Mykrantz, who became one of the early
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settlers of Ashland county. Thus Mr. Marks spent his youthful days here and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Sarah Young, who had come to Ashland county, then Richland county, with her parents in 1814. Following his marriage Abraham Marks entered eighty acres of government land in Mon- roe township, Richland county, and began the development of a new farm, which he continued to cultivate and improve until his death in February, 1865. His political views accorded with the principles of the democracy and he there- fore gave to the party his stalwart support. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church and he was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. His widow survived him for more than forty years and passed away in March, 1905, in her ninety-seventh year.
F. R. Marks spent his youthful days on the home farm and acquired his education in the public schools. His father was one of the founders and active spirits in promoting the Lutheran school known as Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, and F. R. Marks held a scholarship for that college but the breaking out of the Civil war changed the course of his life. Educational in- terests were put to one side and with patriotic ardor he offered his services to his country enlisting as a member of Company B, One Hunderd and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Before the regiment was fully organized he was transferred to Company A of MeLaughlin's Squadron of Cavalry and was made bugler of his command. He served in that connection for three years. Having enlisted August 1, 1862, he was mustered out after the close of the war June 23, 1865, at Concord, North Carolina. He participated in all of the engagements in which MeLaughlin's Squadron took part and was with Sherman's army on the celebrated march to the sea. Through almost three years he participated in some of the most strenuous campaigns of the war but was never in the hos- pital during that time and whenever roll was called responded to his name, being ready for duty.
When hostilities had ceased and the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Marks took up the pursuits of civil life. He worked from July, 1865, until February, 1866, on the construction of a reservoir for the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at Lucas, Ohio, and at the latter date came to Ashland, where he apprenticed himself to the tinner's trade. On the expiration of his term of indenture he returned to Lucas. where he conducted a tin shop on his own account for several years or until March, 1871, when he removed to Boydton, Virginia. There he conducted business for five years and in 1876 he went to Washington. D. C., where he worked as a journeyman for two years. In 1878 he arrived in Ashland and for a year thereafter worked at his trade as a journey- man in this city. In the meantime he had carefully saved his earnings and on the expiration of that period he engaged in business on his own account, forming a partnership with A. J. Burns, which continued for three years. . This connec- tion was then terminated by mutual consent and Mr. Marks bought an interest in the firm of Pille & Knoth, the firm style being then changed to Pille, Knoth & Marks. In 1885, however, Mr. Marks withdrew and purchased the stock of Hugh Burns at sheriff sale. He then founded his present successful business and in the intervening twenty-four years he has built up an extensive trade in stoves and tinware. He is the only exclusive stove dealer in Ashland and in
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connection with the sale of the goods which he handles he does slate metal and composition roofing and was the first to introduce slate roofing into Ashland county. He is the patentee and manufacturer of a slate trimming machine which has received universal endorsement and is today not only widely used among the slate roofers of this country but also of foreign countries. He is today ranked among Ashland's foremost business men and is a stockholder in and vice president and director of the Ashland Steel Range Company.
Mr. Marks has been married four times. On. the 5th of September, 1868, he wedded Miss Caroline Markley, of Ashland, and unto them were born four children but only one is now living, Blanche, the wife of Reginald Warren of Ashland. Mrs. Marks died in 1878 and on the 31st of August, 1880, Mr. Marks wedded Mrs. Nelson Maize, who in her maidenhood was Miss Susan De Shong, of Ashland. Following her demise Mr. Marks was married January 8, 1898, to Miss Miranda Myers, of Ashland, who died April 22, 1906. On the 30th of August, 1908, he wedded Mrs. Mary E. Aleshire, formerly a Miss McClung, of Chambersburg, Pike county, Illinois, who at the time of their marriage was editor and publisher of the Gibsonburg Derrick.
Mr. Marks is a member of the Ashland Board of Trade and is interested in all the measures instituted by that organization for the upbuilding and prog- ress of the city. He is also connected with the Business Men's Club and is a member of Ashland Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., Mohican Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F., and Andrews Post, No. 132, G. A. R., of which he is a past com- mander. His views on the temperance question led him to give his political support to the prohibition party and he is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has long been honored as one of the leading business men and prominent citizens of Ashland. In manner he is ever genial and courteous and though his time is largely occupied by the details of important business interests, he always finds time and opportunity to devote to those of his friends whose calls are purely of a social character. IIe is a thorough exemplification of the typical American business man and gentleman.
GEORGE W. MILLAR.
George W. Millar, known as one of the prominent and successful farmers, stockraisers and dairymen of Orange township, is the son of Thomas and Rachel (Wangner) Millar. His father who was a soldier of the war of 1812, was born in the north of Ireland and came to this country when fourteen years of age. In Baltimore, Maryland, in 1817, he wedded Rachel Wangner, a native of York county Pennsylvania, and in 1825 they became residents of Washington county, that state, where they resided until 1830, when they removed westward to Rich- land county, Ohio, taking up their abode on a farm, where one of their sons now ยท resides. With characteristic energy and determination Thomas Millar began the work of clearing away the forest and preparing the fields for cultivation. In due course of time he had placed his land under the plow and annually
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