USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 83
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family and is also deceased. Elinor died at the age of four years and Esther Eliza is the only living representative of the children of that marriage. After the death of his first wife Mr. Coulter wedded Miss Elmina Hill, a daughter of Harvey and Abigail (Coulter) Hill. They became the parents of six children : David and Mary, who died in infancy; Jonathan; Jane; Thomas W .; and William N. Jane is the wife of J. T. Robeson, now residing in Perrysville. Thomas makes his home in Chicago, Illinois, and William, in Mansfield, Ohio, while Samuel died in 1893. Mr. Coulter was a man of cheerful disposition and optimistic spirit who always enjoyed a good joke and a hearty laugh. His own genial nature was contagious and his kindly and sympathetic spirit won him the respect, good will and love of all with whom he came in contact.
BYRON A. HOOT.
Byron A. Hoot, one of the leading barbers of Ashland, who conducts a large and elegantly appointed shop, is a native son of Ashland county, born July 4, 1867, his parents being John B. and Frances (Campbell) Hoot. His father was born in Reedsburg, this county, in March, 1839, a son of Nathan Hoot, who located here at an early date, coming from Pennsylvania and settling on a farm near Reedsburg. Subsequently he removed to Ashland with a brother and they engaged in the shoe business for several years, later disposing of their interests and locating in Galion, where the grandfather of our subject established himself in the same enterprise, in which he continued until he departed this life.
John B. Hoot, his son, after receiving his education in the public schools was apprenticed to the harness and saddlery making trade under William Ilger, of this city. and after becoming a journeyman he entered the Union army, serving throughout the conflict. Later he removed to Orange, this county, where he rented a saddlery shop for many years, often employing in the neigh- borhood of seven men, and he was acknowledged throughout the county as being unsurpassed as a saddler and harness maker, the goods of his making having been ' shipped to all parts of the country. Upon leaving Orange, he removed to Mt. Vernon where he engaged as foreman of a saddlery shop for ten years. In 1903 he retired from active life and took up his residence in Columbus, Ohio, where he now resides. In politics he is a republican, always loyal to the candidates of his party. and. being a man of pleasing personality and excellent traits of character, he is surrounded by many friends. Now as he enjoys the comforts secured by active life. he may look back without regrets, knowing that his youthful and manly energies have been in every respect well spent. His wife was a native of Montgomery township. this county, born in 1842, and was a daughter of Henry Campbell, also a native of this county, whose father came here from Pennsylvania at an early date and was one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers of Montgomery township, where he pursued agriculture for many years, but during his later days lived in retirement in the city of Mansfield, Ohio. Mrs. Hoot departed this life in 1905 in her sixty-third year.
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Byron A. Hoot was reared under the parental roof, receiving his education in the public schools, and at the age of thirteen years, anxious to participate in the affairs of the industrial world, he was apprenticed to a barber, with whom he completed his trade. Later he traveled for three years, working as a journeyman in various cities, finally returning to Ashland in 1885, where he established himself in business. He opened a shop in the National Bank build- ing, where he remained for eighteen years, in the meantime becoming popular for his high-class work. At the expiration of that period he removed to his present location on Main street, the third door below Orange street, where he has since been conducting his enterprise. He is one of the most skilled men of his trade in the city, his shop being one of the largest here, and his business has been so successful from the outset that he is not only recognized as an expert tradesman but, also as one of the city's most substantial business men. Starting out in life with practically nothing he has made his way in the world little by little, until now he has an elegant establishment, which is one of the most fre- quented here. He employs three men and his enterprise has been so lucrative as to enable him to own an elegant residence on Claremont avenue, his dwelling being one of the finest in Ashland.
In 1891 Mr. Hoot was united in marriage to Miss May E. Brubaker, daugh- ter of John W. Brubaker, deceased, who was a native of this county, and to this union have been born two children : Lorene Frances and John Weldon. Mr. Hoot is a member of the Ashland Board of Trade, in the affairs of which he is active, and is a man deeply interested in the welfare of the city and is always ready to further any measures designed for its advancement. He is a conserva- tive business man, industrious and enterprising, and he well deserves the reputation he enjoys as a worthy and representative citizen.
FRANK P. STINE.
Frank P. Stine, who followed agricultural pursuits for many years and who is now holding the responsible position of county commissioner of this county, was born here April 6, 1861, in a log cabin which was the home of his parents and was located near the site of his present modern residence. He is a son of Leonard and Hannah (Bishop) Stine. His father came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, with his parents in 1834 and settled on the property which is now owned by the subject of this review, the original purchase con- sisting of one hundred and ten acres in Sullivan township, which was bought from the government for the sum of two hundred dollars. The elder Mr. Stine and his father made the journey to this state in a covered wagon, which also
carried their household effects. The land on which they settled was then in an undeveloped condition and thickly covered with timber and undergrowth. Their first work was to provide a place of shelter and for this purpose they con- structed a log cabin. After having comfortably housed themselves they at once entered upon the work of clearing the land in order to make it ready for crops. Mr. Stine, through his hard work, perseverance and patience, prospered
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in the undertaking and soon converted the woodlands into fertile fields from which, year by year, he derived such harvests as to enable him to add to his property from time to time until he became one of the largest landowners in the vicinity. He was well known as a man of affairs; his integrity was never questioned, and being a man of sterling qualities of character he had the respect of the entire community and was one of its most influential factors. He died in November, 1876.
On his father's farm Frank P. Stine was reared, daily engaging in the routine of agricultural life during the summer season and in the winter attend- ing the district schools where he acquired his education. After he was married he still continued to follow farming and stock raising on the home place, and in course of time became so successful as to acquire sufficient means with which to purchase the interests of the other heirs, becoming sole owner of the property. He continued in the occupation of farming until 1905, when upon the solicitation of his many friends he became a candidate for county commis- sioner, to which office he was elected at that time and reelected in November, 1908. Being a man of exceptional administrative ability, he is thoroughly qualified to handle public affairs and through his conservative business judgment he has served with extraordinary efficiency in this capacity and is acknowledged to be one of the most careful men with regard to public expenditures.
On the 16th of March, 1885, Mr. Stine was united in marriage to Miss Ida Hoot, daughter of Benjamin and Frances (Campbell) Hoot, and to this union have been born four children, namely : Leon B., Evan F., Estella and Alva. In politics Mr. Stine is a democrat and is very active in behalf of the welfare of his party. Being a deep student of public matters he is considered one of the most efficient men in the community as an adviser in political questions. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is associated is lodge No. 579, I. O. O. F., in which he has been very active, and he belongs to the Congregational church, his wife also being a member of that organization. Both contribute largely to its support and are among its most zealous workers. Mr. Stine has the confidence and respect of all who know him, and his home bears the reputa- tion of being one of the most hospitable in the county, its doors always standing open for friends and acquaintances.
MICHAEL OTTO.
Michael Otto was at one time a citizen of Ashland county and his many good qualities gained him classification with the leading representative and valued residents of the community. In his business affairs he won substan- tial success through well directed effort and became the owner of three hundred and two acres of valuable land on sections 27 and 34, Mohican township. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1818, and his parents were Mathias and Anna Elizabeth (Hardman) Otto, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven sons and five daughters, which number included Michael Otto, who was
MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL OTTO
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about five years of age when in 1823 his parents removed to Wayne county, Ohio. About a year later they came to Ashland county, which was then a part of Wayne county, and established their home near Jeromeville. Michael Otto attended the public schools near his home and at thirteen years of age he lost his father and soon afterward started out in life on his own account. He began by working at the blacksmith trade and followed that pursuit until 1843, when he purchased a farm in this neighborhood. At different times he bought and sold a number of farms and in 1854 he purchased the property now owned and occu- pied by his widow on sections 27 and 34, Mohican township. He had two hundred and sixty acres in the home place to which Mrs. Otto has since added forty-two acres, making a total of three hundred and two acres. He carefully developed the fields and brought the land under a high state of cultivation and as the years have passed the farm has become recognized as one of the best in this section of the county.
It was on the 22d of February, 1838, that Mr. Otto was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Emerick, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1821. She was only ten months old when her parents started for Ohio, making the journey in a big wagon with all of their effects. They located in Lake township, Ashland county, near Rochester Mills on Mohican creek, and there Mrs. Otto spent her girlhood days and remained up to the time of her marriage. Her parents were John and Mary (Troutman) Emerick, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born on the 3rd of July, 1780, and the latter in 1781. They removed westward to this county in 1822 and the re- mainder of their lives was spent here. The death of Mr. Emerick occurred July 22, 1848, while his wife survived him until the 30th of August, 1883, when she, too, passed away. In their family were nine children, John, Jacob, Dru- silla, Mary, Andrew, Christina, George, Mrs. Otto and Dr. Alexander Emerick. All were born in Pennsylvania with the exception of the last named, whose birth occurred in Ashland county in 1825. Mrs. Otto is the only one who yet sur- vives. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children: John, who died and left a widow with three children-Emily, now deceased, Walter and Mina Belle, the wife of Howard Scott of Jeromeville; Cornelia VanNimman, deceased; Harmon, who died leaving five children-David, Graber, Mary, Martha and Florence; Mary, the wife of David Horn, of Lake township, by whom she has two children, Alta and Maude; Mrs. Elvira Pierce, who died leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Arminta Eberhart; David, of Wooster, Ohio, who has two children, A. I. and Opal ; Cyrus, living in Plain township, Wayne county, who has one child, Olive Robinson; Laura, who became the wife of A. R. Ryland, and at her death left two sons, John W. and Otto Brant; Michael, of Plain township, Wayne county, who has three children, Fay, Edith and Adair; George Lee, of Mohican township, who has five children, Cyrus, George E., Dewey H., Pearl and John B.
The death of the husband and father occurred on the 22d of December, 1884. He had been a stanch democrat in his political views and had held some minor offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was a good Christian man and throughout his entire life displayed many sterling qualities. He provided well for his family and was devoted to their entire
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happiness. Mrs. Otto still occupies the home farm which is equipped with fine large buildings, giving ample shelter for grain and stock. Her home, too, is a commodious dwelling and everything about the place bespeaks thrift, comfort and prosperity. For the past forty years she has been a member of the United Brethren church at Lake Fork and she gave two hundred dollars to assist in building the house of worship. She is an especially bright woman with clear, active mind at the age of eighty-eight years. She comes of French ancestry, her grandmother having been a native of France. Few women retain, to such a degree, an alert and active mind or display such excellent business ability as does Mrs. Otto. She has long resided in this part of the state and her sub- stantial qualities are widely known to all, while among those with whom she has come in contact she is held in the highest regard, receiving the good will and esteem which should ever be accorded those who have advanced thus far on life's journey.
HARVEY W. HOLMES.
Harvey W. Holmes, now owning and operating a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Milton township, was born on the 28th of December, 1850, his parents being William and Sarah Ann (Whistler) Holmes, the former a native of Harrison county, Ohio, and the latter of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
William Holmes, whose birth occurred May 15, 1818, was but a child when he accompanied his father on his removal to Richland county, Ohio. In early life he started out to make his own way in the world, locating in Crawford county, Ohio, where practically the remainder of his life was spent. On at- taining his majority he became engaged in farming and stock buying in Vernon township and subsequently removed to Leesville, where he continued the stock business and also conducted a general store. In 1872 he purchased a home- stead on the Galion road in Whetstone township and there resided until death claimed him in 1899. Naturally of a strong constitution, active by disposition and habit, simple and correct in his manner of living, his days were filled with honor, health and happiness. He prospered in his business undertakings by reason of his intelligently directed industry and unfaltering energy, accumulat- ing a handsome competency as the reward of his labor. For more than forty years he was identified with the Evangelical Lutheran church and to the end of his life remained an earnest, active and zealous adherent of this denomination. Kindly of heart, genial and jovial in manner, he made many friends among those with whom he came in contact and to those in need his aid was most generously yet unobtrusively given. There was no more highly respected or esteemed citizen in Crawford county than William Holmes nor one who held a warmer place in the affections of those with whom he was associated. His faith was shown by his works and his daily life was an exemplification of the virtues and nobility that adorn human life and character and constitute the likeness between the human and the Divine. In July, 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes cele-
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brated their golden wedding anniversary, which proved to be one of the happiest and most momentuous occasions of the kind ever known in the county. Their family numbered nine sons and three daughters, of whom the two eldest children have passed away. The surviving children are as follows: Harvey W., Jacob, Albert, Calvin, Charles W., William, Mrs. Lulu Majors and Mrs. Cora Morrow.
Harvey W. Holmes has devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and, like his father in spirit energy and thrift, is a self-made man whose success is the direct result of his own perseverance and industry. He is now the owner of a neat and valuable tract of land of one hundred and seventy acres in Milton township, Ashland county, which is equipped with all the improvements and accessories of a model farming property of the twentieth century, including a handsome and com- modious residence and substantial outbuildings.
Mr. Holmes attributes his present prosperity in large measure to the as- sistance and encouragement of his estimable wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda E. Weller, her parents being Ludwick and Anna G. (Bickhart) Weller. Her father, whose birth occurred in Germany, December 19, 1821, married Miss Anna G. Bickhart on the 3d of November, 1846, and in 1854 the young couple crossed the Atlantic to the United States. Mrs. Weller was also a native of the fatherland, her natal day being June 14, 1827. Ludwick Weller was called to his final rest on the 6th of April, 1900, while his wife passed away on the 14th of March, 1909. Their children were eight in number. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holmes has been born one daughter, Gertrude Pearl, who is now the wife of Harry Renkenberger.
In his political views Mr. Holmes is an unfaltering advocate of the democ- racy, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. His life in all of its relations has been actuated by high and honorable principles and he commands the respect and admiration of all who know him.
J. ALLEN MILLER, D. D.
Dr. J. Allen Miller, ex-president and dean of the theological department of Ashland College at Ashland, Ohio, was born on a farm near Frankfort, Indiana, August 2, 1866, a son of William S. and Mary (Mohler) Miller. His father was a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Lancaster county, that state, and both were among the early settlers of Clinton, Indiana, having located there in early life. There they were united in marriage and spent their remaining days. The elder Mr. Miller, upon his arrival in Indiana, secured a farm upon which all his life he was practically engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. In politics he was a stanch republican and although never an office seeker he filled a number of public positions and was quite influential in the politics of the community. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the German Baptist church, in which they were prominent workers, and their moral and spiritual influence was deeply felt and instrumental in con- tributing to the welfare of the community. Mr. Miller was of a retired dispo-
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sition and quiet manner, one who did not fancy coming before the public and although he was an ardent worker in the church in which he officiated as deacon his ministrations were of a quiet and reserved kind, designed for the good of the cause of Christianity rather than to exalt his own name and court the reputa- tion of being prominent. After a beneficial career he departed this life when sixty-three years of age, while his wife passed away many years before him when thirty-six years old.
J. Allen Miller was reared at home under the heightening influence of spiritual parentage and in the public schools of his native place he acquired his preliminary education, subsequently attending the Valparaiso Normal School, now known as the Valparaiso University, where he prepared himself for teaching. In his eighteenth year he took up that profession, being assigned to a place in the public schools and while thus engaged he decided to take up the study of theology. In 1887 he repaired to Ashland, where he completed his college course in the class of 1891, being graduated with the degree of B. A. At Hillsdale, Michigan, he took a post-graduate course, later pursuing his studies at Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the degrees of A. M. and B. D. He completed his education at the University of Chicago. In 1894 Mr. Miller took charge of Ashland College, where he remained for two years and on the termination of which period he spent the same length of time in study. Return- ing to Ashland in 1898, he was made president of the college and performed the duties of that responsible office until the year 1906. His services in that capacity have been invaluable to the institution since through his efforts he has raised an endowment for the college approximating seventy thousand dollars and installed the present well equipped labratory, the equal of that in any institution in the country. In fact in every particular he has entirely rejuve- nated the institution, at the same time winning for himself the reputation of being one of the state's most prominent and efficient educators. In addition to attending to the duties of his office his excellent services have been felt in a wider field and he has served the local church as pastor for the past thirteen years, his ministrations being of the highest character, his sermons imbued with learning and at the same time with that uplifting degree of superiority which makes the Christian religion felt as one of the heart and not alone of the intellect. In 1906 the denomination honored Mr. Miller by electing him moderator of the general conference held at Winona Lake, Indiana, and at present he is presiding officer of the board of foreign missions.
In 1896 Dr. Miller wedded Miss Clara Worst, daughter of E. J. Worst, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume, and to this union were born two children : Caryl Elizabeth and John Allen, Jr. Dr. Miller is a republican in politics and although he is not an aspirant for public office he takes consider- able interest in public affairs to the end of securing clean and pure government. The high office in which he officiates speaks sufficiently for his usefulness and as an educator, being one of the most experienced and thorough in the state, his influence in that direction has made a profound impression, particularly in enhancing the value of moral and spiritual living. He is a man the grandeur of whose character is due to the fact of his reflecting the qualities of the Christianity he teaches and his life thus far has been spent in the greatest
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usefulness to mankind. He will always be remembered, with his fellows who have devoted their energies to the same exalted vocation, as a real benefactor of mankind.
ORRA BEARD.
Orra Beard is senior partner in the livery firm of Beard & Harvey, at Loudonville. He was born ten miles west of Wooster, in Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, January 20, 1854, and comes of an old New York family. His parents were Aaron and Adaline (Sidle) Beard, who were also natives of Wayne county and continued to reside there until the death of Aaron Beard. His widow remained upon the farm until about two years ago, when she came to Jeromeville, this county. The father passed away April 24, 1905, at the age of seventy-seven years, having spent his last days on the farm which had been entered from the government by his father and which at his death passed to his son Cyrus Beard. On the demise of the latter it came into possession of Aaron Beard and so continued until after his death, when it was sold on the 11th of February, 1906. It originally contained one hundred and sixty acres but afterward two acres were set off for a schoolhouse and cemetery. Later fifty acres were purchased adjoining that tract and afterward seventy-five acres across the county line in Mohican township, Ashland county. Aaron Beard also had forty-five acres of the quarter section which adjoined the old homestead on the north and- likewise owned one hundred and nineteen acres about a mile east of the home place. He was one of the extensive farmers of the neighbor- hood and a man of good business ability whose enterprise and industry were im- portant factors in his successful business career. His family numbered ten children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of the eldest daughter.
Orra Beard, whose name introduces this review, remained upon the old homestead farm where his birth occurred until he was twenty-eight years of age, working with his father until twenty-two years of age, after which he carried on the farm on his own account for six years. In the spring of 1882 he came to Loudonville and established his present livery business, in which he has since continued with the exception of three years which were devoted to shipping stock. He raises, buys, sells and ships draft horses, finding this a profitable source of income and he also owned a good livery stable on Water street until the disastrous fire of 1901, which destroyed his barns. He then erected his present barn, which is fifty-six by ninety-one feet and he now has about fifteen work horses in his livery and usually has on hand a number for sale. He continued alone in business until 1908, when he admitted his son-in-law, Joseph T. Harvey, to a partnership, under the present firm style of Beard & Harvey.
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