USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 53
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Mr. Shaw a republican in politics is one of the most progressive men in the village and particularly an ardent advocate of good roads and a first class school system. He has been sought to fill several important local positions, among them being that of a member of the village council, to which body he has belonged for several years. He is also a member of the school board and at present is serving his third term as township treasurer. In educational mat- ters his influence is deeply felt and he is secretary of the board of trustees of Savannah Academy. In addition to belonging to the Ohio Funeral Directors Association he also is a member of Sullivan Lodge, No. 579, I. O. O. F., and
of Ashland Camp. Being as deeply interested in religious affairs as in those pertaining to politics and business, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his family also belong, and is active in the various departments of church work, particularly that of the Sunday school. Mr. Shaw is one of the county's progressive, intelligent and substantial citizens, noted for his earnest- ness and honesty. At intervals he likes to withdraw from the business world for recreation, and finds pleasure in fishing and hunting, and particularly in driving a good horse.
PETER M. REDDING.
Peter M. Redding, prominent in the financial and industrial circles of the city of Ashland, was born in Ashland county, December 21, 1843, a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Dinges) Redding, the father a native of Germany, where his birth occurred in 1811, and his mother, of the same country, born in 1814. United in marriage there in 1837, during that year they came to the United States, locating in Ashland county, where he followed his trade of carpentering until he departed this life in 1897, his wife, who survived him by two years, entering into rest in 1899. They reared the following children : Peter M .; Philip, whose birth occurred here in 1845; Magdalene; Redding Houserman, born here in 1851; George, born here in 1853; and William, whose birth oc- curred here in 1858.
Upon acquiring his education in the common schools of this city, Peter M. Redding was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner, and upon completing his trade continued as a journeyman. Subsequently he engaged in the contract business, in which he has been very successful, many of the foremost buildings of this place standing as monuments of his skill and workmanship, among them being the opera house, Ashland College, the Myers plant, the residences of F. E. and P. A. Myers, and also the dwelling house of S. Grabill. Moreover he constructed the Presbyterian church building, the edifices occupied by the Disciples of Christ and the United Brethren, and in addition many of the older buildings which now stand as landmarks in the city. In this business he actively engaged until 1889. After the death of Mr. Kagey he represented
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the widow's interest until 1907, when her son, Herbert B. Kagey, became affiliated with the firm and later David Shearer, and the enterprise is now being conducted under the name of Shearer, Kagey & Company, this firm being one of the most substantial financially in this part of the state.
In August, 1862, Mr. Redding enlisted in Company A, Mclaughlin's Squadron Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, which was comprised of two hunderd men, the governor of the state having granted Major Mclaughlin the privilege of en- listing two companies, and at Mansfield, the squadron joined Sherman's brigade, which was made up of the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Battery, the brigade having been organized by Senator John Sherman in 1861. During that and the following year, they saw considerable service scouting in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1863, Mr. Redding was with Burnside at the siege of Knoxville, and in 1864 with Sherman from Kenesaw Mountain throughout the Atlanta Campaign, later serving with Kilpatrick's Cavalry on Sherman's march to the sea. On March 1, 1865, Mr. Redding was captured and lodged in the prison at Salisbury, North Carolina, later being transferred to Danville, Virginia, and from there to Libby prison, Richmond, where he remained until April 2, 1865, one day before the fall of that city, and he was among the last to leave the old tobacco ware- house that was used for prison purposes. He received an honorable discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, June 20, 1865.
Mr. Redding's marriage with Miss Melinda Roland a daughter of Henry and Susan (Brubaker) Roland, was solemnized January 9, 1866, and to them were born five children : Vernon, born in October, 1866; Elizabeth E. Gongroer, born in 1870; Henry Newton, whose birth occurred in October, 1876; Frank, a sol- dier of the Cuban war, born in 1879, who departed this life at the Bellevue Hospital, New York, in 1898, shortly after returning from the expedition; and Lester, whose birth occurred in 1882. All the children have been graduated from the Ashland high school. A democrat in politics, Mr. Redding has always been a stanch adherent of the principles of his party and loyal to its candidates. He was a member of the council of Ashland when the first sewer was put in and Union street opened. He attends divine worship at the Methodist Episco- pal church and his upright walk and honesty, together with his industry and enterprise, have justly won him the reputation of being among the city's worthy and substantial business men.
MARION DANIEL HUFFMAN.
The agricultural interests of Lake township find a worthy representative in Marion Daniel Huffman, who lives on section 23. His farm comprises one hundred and four acres of land that extends across the line into Washington township, Holmes county. It is an attractively situated property bordering on Long lake and constitutes one of the pleasing features of the locality by reason of the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. Mr. Huffman was born in Washington township, Holmes county, January 31, 1861, his parents being
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Henry and Barbara (Heffelfinger) Huffman, who were also natives of the same township, the former born June 1, 1838, and the latter on the 16th of February, 1838. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of Mr. Huffman were natives of Alsace, France. His father's parents were Henry and Eva (Miller) Huffman, while his mother was a daughter of Martin and Barbara (Oligher) Heffelfinger. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Huffman spent their last days in Loudon- ville where the father died March 26, 1909, and the mother passed away on the 14th of March, 1907. Their family numbered eight children as follows: Martin J., a resident of Loudonville; Marion D .; Margaret, the wife of John Beary, of Washington township, Holmes county; Henry G., who is living in the same township; Emanuel E., of the same locality; Alice B., the wife of Fred Beck, of Green township, this county; and Fred W., and Charles A., twins, residing in Loudonville.
The public schools afforded Marion D. Huffman his educational privileges nor was his training at farm labor meager. From an early age he assisted his father in the work of the fields, remaining upon the home farm in his native township until his marriage. He then removed to Green township, Ashland county, in 1887, living there for two years, after which he took up his present abode upon his farm in Lake township. This place comprises one hundred and four acres of rich and productive land, most of which lies in Lake township, although twenty-two acres are across the line in the township of his nativity. Long lake, a beautiful little body of water, forms an attractive feature of his place and affords good fishing. Mr. Huffman devotes his time and energies to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here and also to the raising of stock and both branches of his business are proving sources of profitable income. For ten years he was the secretary of the Washington Township Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company, and during that time the business of the company was increased from two to seven million dollars. He is widely recognized as an enterprising business man whose force of charac- ter, ready adaptability and unfaltering determination are the salient features in his success.
In 1887 Mr. Huffman was married to Miss Alice M. Moats, who was born March 23, 1863, on the farm which is still her place of residence. It was also the birthplace of her father, Jacob Moats, whose natal day was May 8, 1827, and whose life record covered the intervening years to April, 1881. . He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Bittinger) Moats, natives of Pennsylvania, who, on coming to Ohio in 1829, entered land from the government during the Jackson administration, the original deed signed by the president being now in possession of Mr. Huffman. The little pioneer cabin erected by John Moats is still standing as one of the landmarks of this part of the county and a mute witness of the transformation that has been wrought as the county has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all of the evidences of a modern civilization. Both John and Elizabeth Moats spent the remainder of their lives upon this farm, being closely identified with the early development and progress of this part of the county. They had three children: Jacob, the father of Mrs. Huffman ; Mrs. Christina Molter and Mrs. Susanna Eiman. Jacob Moats was reared on the old homestead place which his father had secured from the
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government and gave his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. His wife, who was born in Washington township, Holmes county, December 9, 1837, was a daughter of Louis and Magdalena (Sprang) Kelser, who were natives of Alsace, France. The mother of Mrs. Huffman still survives and was married a second time in 1889, being now the widow of Solomon Wolf. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Moats were born five children : William A., living in Indiana ; John L., who died in Iowa; Anna L., the wife of John Sillix, of Kansas City, Kansas ; Martha Jane the wife of Howard Baney, of Wayne county; and Mrs. Huffman. The last named by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Harry G. and Grace L., aged respectively nineteen and eleven years and both still at home.
In community affairs Mr. Huffman has always taken a deep and active interest. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and for nine years filled the office of justice of the peace in Lake township, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial for they were based upon the law and equity of the case. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Newkirk and are loyal to its teachings and its purposes. Their lives have ever been honorable and upright, winning for them the merited confidence and esteem of all who know them. They have always lived in this locality and their life history is, therefore, an open book to their many friends and acquaintances ..
WILLIAM O. WHITMARSH.
William O. Whitmarsh, who for a number of years conducted a thriving mercantile business in Savannah, but is now living retired in the village, was born in this vicinty November 1, 1857, a son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Masters) Whitmarsh. The father departed this life when his son William O. was but three years of age, while his mother, who still survives, is residing in this city.
At an early age William O. Whitmarsh found employment among the farmers of this locality and during the winter seasons obtained his preliminary education in the district schools, while later he pursued a course of study at Savannah Academy. When twenty-one years of age, preferring a business life rather than one of husbandry, he entered the employ of John R. Bailey, a general merchant of this city, for whom he acted in the capacity of clerk for several years, in the meantime manifesting considerable business ability and acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various departments of the enterprise. In partnership with John McWilliams he established the firm of Whitmarsh & Mc Williams, doing a general merchandise business and in this connection he remained for several years when Mr. McWilliams severed his connection and moved to Colorado. Mr. Whitmarsh conducted the enterprise alone until February 1, 1909, when he disposed of his interests to Vinton E. Rudy and is now practically living in retirement. During his active business career, through his enterprise and good judgment, he acquired an extensive patronage and built up a concern which stands high in the commercial circles of the city. Since
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withdrawing from the mercantile world he has not become altogether inactive but devotes much of his time to superintending his farm which is located nearby and therefore easy of access and, in caring for its various departments, he finds both recreation and pleasure.
On June 26, 1884, Mr. Whitmarsh wedded Miss Sarah J. Carothers, daughter of David and Amanda (Murphy) Carothers, natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. They have two children : David C., who is a student in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey ; and Elizabeth, who is pursuing her studies at the Savannah Academy. Politically Mr. Whitmarsh is a republican, active in the affairs of his party and has frequently been a member of the republican county committee and a delegate to the county, district and state conventions. In local affairs he favors public improvements, is always aggressive in advocating plans for beautifying the city and is a strong advocate of fine school buildings and well kept thorough- fares. He has served efficiently as township treasurer and clerk, also as village treasurer and was a member of the Savannah council for a number of
years. At present he is a member of the board of education and also of the board of trustees of the Savannah Academy. With the members of his family he attends the Presbyterian church, of which he is treasurer, his zealous Christian spirit making him active in religious affairs, and as superintendent of the Sunday school he is a power for good in inculcating into the youth the principles of Christianity so essential to enable one to live a moral and upright life. Sunday school work is his specialty and in this department he is active throughout the entire county and has been treasurer of the County Sunday . School Association for the past four years. His wife is also an energetic church worker and being a refined and cultured woman exerts a telling influence in church circles. Mr. Whitmarsh is a man whose endeavors for the betterment of the community are of the highest worth and he is not only held in high esteem as a business man but also as a moral and spiritual force throughout the community.
CHARLES T. ALLEMAN.
Fate has ever accorded success to tireless energy intelligently directed. It has been along the lines of well defined labor that Charles T. Alleman has won his prosperity, making him one of the representative merchants of Jeromeville. He was here born on the 7th of February, 1846, and has ever made his home in this town. Moreover he is the oldest living resident of Jeromeville. His parents were Herman and Katharine (Ingmand) Alleman. The father, who was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1813, spent his last days in Jeromeville, where he passed away April 14, 1878. Twice he enlisted for service in the Civil war and on the 6th of December, 1861, he was appointed second lieutenant of Company B, MeLaughlin's squadron of cavalry. He served with that command for a year, at the end of which time he resigned but after ten days spent at home he reenlisted on the 14th of October, 1862, and was appointed
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES T. ALLEMAN
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sergeant of Company H, Tenth Regiment of Ohio Cavalry, with which he served for two years, being honorably discharged October 7, 1864, from the general hospital, where he had been for some time as the result of an injury sustained by a fall from a horse. He had come to Ohio in his childhood days with his parents, the family home being established near Madisonburg. He was a chairmaker by trade and after his marriage most of his active life was spent in Jeromeville, where he conducted business as a chairmaker and under- taker. At that day all caskets were made by hand and he did much work in that. direction. He was also justice of the peace here for several years and likewise served as mayor. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. He was twice married and by the first union had two daughters: Mary, who became the wife of Absalom Martin, but both are now deceased; and Sarah Jane, the wife of Robert King, a resident of Kent, Ohio. After the death of his first wife the father married Katharine Ingmand, who was born January 9, 1818, and died May 6, 1877. Her entire life was spent in this locality, her people coming here before the Indians left. There were five children of the second marriage: Elizabeth Adelaide, who died unmarried; Charles T .; Martha, the wife of Ezekiel Lybarger, a resident of Kendallville, Indiana; Emma, the deceased wife of Asa Lybarger; and Edmund I., of Jeromeville, Ohio.
Charles T. Alleman largely devoted his time to the acquirement of an edu- cation until seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in response to the country's call for troops. Constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he joined Company A of the Ninety-sixth Battalion of the Ohio National Guard on the 18th of August, 1863, for a period of five years. He was mustered into the United States army in May, 1864, for one hundred days' service and was discharged therefrom on the 10th of September, 1864. During that period the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac under General Butler and Mr. Alleman participated in the battle of Petersburg and minor engagements. When the war was over he returned home and worked with his father at the cabinet- maker's trade and also in the furniture and undertaking business. After the death of his father he conducted the furniture and undertaking business on his own account for many years. He was about forty-five years of age when he established a general store, adding a shoe department, dry goods, notions and groceries. In this enterprise he met with success, securing a large and profita- ble trade and later he admitted his son, George Edgar, to a partnership under the firm style of C. T. and G. E. Alleman. Mr. Alleman of this review owns the block in which they carry on business and also two dwellings on the same block. He is a wide-awake, enterprising business man,, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. As the years have gone by his capable management and keen discernment have been manifest in the excellent results which have attended his labors. Moreover he is known as a most re- liable business man, winning success through persistent, earnest and well directed effort.
On the 7th of December, 1867, Mr. Alleman was united in marriage to Miss Rose Yanders, who was born November 21, 1851, at Miami, Ohio, a daughter of George and Margaret Yanders, who were natives of Germany. Her father, who was born July 20, 1820, died on the 10th of March, 1897. The
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mother, whose birth occurred in October, 1809, passed away April 2, 1895. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alleman have been born six children: George Edgar, who wedded Miss Bertha Pearl Hines and is associated with his father in business ; Bertha M., the wife of W. D. Funk, a resident of Funk, Wayne county ; Minnie G., who passed away at the age of thirteen years; Margaret E., who died when fourteen years of age; Rena C., the wife of Clarence Carl, a hardware merchant of Jeromeville; and Lucy B., who is the wife of Walter C. Plank, of Jeromeville, Ohio.
In his political views Mr. Alleman is a stalwart democrat, having stanchly supported the party since age first conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was justice of the peace in his township and was mayor of the village for several years, giving a public-spirited administration. His public service was characterized by the same stalwart qualities which have been manifest in his business life and therefore he won the commendation and approval of his fellow townsmen. He formerly held membership in the Grand Army post here until it was disbanded because of lack of members and he has long been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, which finds in him a stalwart supporter. His life has ever been in conformity with its teachings, winning for him the high regard of his fellowmen.
CHARLES J. WONER.
Charles J. Woner is assistant postmaster of Ashland, a position of consider- able responsibility, owing to the fact that this is a first-class office and receives and dispatches more mail than any other town of its size in the United States. He was born April 7, 1867, in Canaan, Ohio, a son of J. D. and Rebecca (Irvin) Woner, who were natives of Wayne county, Ohio, and were married in 1865. The father learned the harness-maker's trade in early life and continued to follow it throughout his remaining days. In 1873 he purchased a farm of sixty acres and while engaged in agricultural pursuits he also continued to His last days were spent upon the farm, where he manufacture harness.
passed away in 1873, while his wife died in 1895. Their family numbered three children : Charles J .; Ora E., who was born July 7, 1869; and George J., born June 13, 1871. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Woner had responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in 1861 as a member of the One Hundred and Third Regiment of Ohio Infantry. He was on duty for three years and six months and made an excellent record by his loyal support of the old flag in the cause it represented.
Charles J. Woner pursued his education in the public schools but when a lad of only thirteen years began providing for his own support by farm labor. He was thus employed until twenty-two years of age, when he established a shorthand school, having previously studied stenography. He conducted this in 1889 and 1890, when he sold out to Mr. Bixler, since which time the school has become widely known. In the latter year Mr. Woner entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company at Cleveland as a
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stenographer, remaining there for ten months, after which he became private secretary to Thomas W. Dewitt, general superintendent of the Wells Fargo Express Company at Cleveland. Later he was made agent for the same company at Ashland in 1893 and continued to acceptably fill that position for eleven years, or until 1904, when he resigned and became a representative of the J. A. Black Stock Food Company. In 1906 he was appointed assistant post- master of Ashland and has since occupied this position. He is a capable official, reliable and trustworthy, systematic and accurate.
In his political views Mr. Woner has always been a stalwart republican and ever a stanch supporter of the gold standard. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He was married May 23, 1893, to Miss Mary J. Downing, of Wooster, Ohio, a daughter of Paxton and Elizabeth Downing. Their only child, Charles, died at the age of four years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woner are well known in Ashland where they have many warm friends who hold them in high regard because of their many substantial and commendable traits of character.
UPTON ANDRESS.
Upton Andress, an attorney at law practicing in Hayesville, was born in Montgomery township, Ashland county, Ohio, on the 12th of September, 1855, and has spent his entire life, covering fifty-four years, within the borders of the county. His parents were Samuel D. and Sarah (Hildebrant) Andress, who were also natives of Ashland county, where they spent their entire lives as farming people. The father died in 1902 at the age of seventy-six years, while the mother passed away in 1880 at the age of forty-four years. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Mary (Fry) Andress, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in this county and for many years Henry Andress engaged in business as a teamster and hotel keeper at Jeromesville. At length he purchased a farm in Montgomery township and later sold that property and bought the farm which is now in possession of Upton Andress. There both he and his wife spent their remaining days. They reared a family of five sons and five daughters, includ- ing Samuel D. Andress, who married Miss Sarah Hildebrant, a daughter of Peter Hildebrant, who was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the early settlers of Ashland county, locating two miles north of Hayesville. He and his wife both died on a farm about three miles northeast of Hayesville. Their family num- bered six sons and six daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Andress were born eight children : Lilly L., the wife of Henry Stoom of Ashland; Upton; Mary C., the wife of John A. Wharton, living three miles west of Ashland; Dillman, a resident of Hayesville; Mrs. Anna L. Reading, the wife of C. H. Reading, of Akron, Ohio; B. F., living in Hayesville; Ella D., the wife of John H. Teeple, of Akron; and H. E., who was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School with the class of 1895 and is now an attorney of Akron.
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