USA > Ohio > Logan County > History of Logan County and Ohio > Part 115
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experience Mr. Frantz has settled into a flourishing business which must bring him competeney and comfort.
R. S. GILCREST, M. D., physician ; De- Graff ; was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., (., Ang. 5, 1823. His father, Robert Gilerest, was a native of Washington Co., Penn., while the paternal ancestry was Scotch-Irish ; his mother, Jane (Fleming) Gilerest, was also born in Washington Co., May 22, 1:94; but early moved with her parents to Harrisburg, Penn., where she remained till her marriage, March 12, 1816 ; they removed to Knox Co., O., in 1822 ; the father was an officer in the war of 1812, and being a man of good busi- ness capacity he was often chosen to fill places of honor and public trust. Dr. Gil- crest was reared in affluence and when the financial crash of 183; came his father lost so heavily that in 1844 he was almost destitute ; this occured when young Robert had just at- tained his majority and it became a severe blow to his pride. At length he determined " whatever is honest is honorable!"-which became the motto of his life. Il-health drove him to Texas where he rented a saw- mill with all the appurtenances, 360 miles from nearest market, Galveston ; he retained the $5 he had when he arrived, and man- aged the enterprise with success. The see- ond winter his partner pocketed the entire winter's earnings and decamped, leav- ing him nothing ; finding an old medical library he improved his nights at this and do- termined upon his life-work ; he arrived at Cincinnati without money, but labored zeal- ously to obtain enough to take him to the seat of Kenyon College. He worked his way through the entire medical course, studying with Dr. Thrall, at this place, and taking two courses of lectures at Western Reserve C'ol- loge at Cleveland, O., graduating in the spring of 1853. April 15, of that year, he be- gran his practice at De Graff, O., where he has since resided and been fuby employed when able to work. Notwithstanding a laborious practice he has kept abreast with advanced medical science and general literature ; he is held in high esteem by his fellow practition- er, and he was made a delegate to the American Medical Association which con- vened in May, IS; 1, in San Francisco, Cal .; he crossed the Rocky Mountains for this purpose,
visiting all places of interest to tourists. Ang. 31, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Philena Brooks, of Columbus, O., who died in De Graff, Nov. 18, 1854, and with her was buried in the same grave, their infant daughter, Mary, but 2 months old at time of' her death. In 1854 he married Miss Anna B. Brooks ; they have one daughter, now ar- rived at maturity. Dr. Gilerest has two farms near De Graff which he superintends2 and because of his interest in agriculture has been made President of the County Agricul- tural Society. He owns a farm in lowa from which his father has reaped the benefits for many years. Dr. Gilerest is a member of Logan Co., Medical Society ; Ohio State. Medical Society ; the American Medical Association, and honorary member of the C'al- ifornia State Medical Society. For several years he has only practiced as counsel phy- sician because his health has prevented hard work.
B. S HUNT, M. D., physician; DeGraff; was born in Shelby Co., O., Oct. 11, 1850. His parents, H. R. Hunt and Ann (('onover) Hunt, were natives of Butler Co., but came to Shelby Co. in 1836. His paternal ancestry were among the settlers of Vermont, while the maternal forefathers were English. Both his parents are still liv- ing in Shelby Co., on the farm where Dr. Hunt passed his youth. He had the advan- tages afforded by the public schools. Hle engaged in the occupation of teaching until the year 1824, when he commenced reading medicine, at first with an allopathic physician for nearly a year, then with I. E. Beebe, M. D., of Sidney, O., a physician of the Homeopathie school. In the fall of 1825 he went to Cincinnati, O., and took three courses of lectures at the Pulte Medical College, graduating Jan. 12, 18:5. Immediately after- ward he settled in De Graff to the practice of his chosen profession, with results very flatter- ing, promising much for the future. Dr. Hunt married Miss Josie Woolley, whose carly home was in Champaign Co. They have one son- Ora by name, at the present writing two years of age.
W.M. IL. HINKLE, Postmaster ; De Graff; was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Sept. 30. 1848. His parents, George and Mary (Sultz- baugh) Hinkle, were natives of Pennsylvania,
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and are still living. His father moved to Ohio in 1855, and settled on a farm in Union Tp., Logan Co. It was on this farm that Mr. Hinkle passed his youth till 20 years of age, when he went to Illinois and passed one year in the Northwestern College. He then rented a farm, which he worked during the summer months, and superintended dur- ing the winter while he was engaged in teach- ing ; and so passed a half-dozen years. Mr. Ilinkle married Miss Esther Sager, Nov. 4, 1844, whose early home was in the county while the major part of her youth was passed in De Graff. They have one son-Earl G. Ilinkle. In the fall of 18:5 he came to De Graff and bought out a confectionery and res- taurant, to which he gave his attention for a single year, when he disposed of this business to enter into partnership with T. J. Smith iu the boot and shoe trade. This partnership was dissolved in the fall of 1878. In the fol- lowing April he received the appointment of Postmaster, and in the charge of the office at De Graff he is still to be found. Beside this he commeneed the study of medicine with Dr. Galer in the fall of 1818.
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AD HENDERSON, farmer; P. O., De Graff. Addison Henderson, (known only by his nickname, Ad,) was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Oct. 29, 1822. His father, Samuel Henderson, who lived to be nearly 90 years of age, was a native of Virginia. The pater- nal ancestry is of a hardy type, and lived to be near a hundred years of age; of Irish descent. His mother, Mary (Conrad) Hen- derson, was born in Penn., and probably of German descent. When Ad was about 13 years of age. he came with his parents to Springfield, (., and two years later moved to Logan Co., and settled in Pleasant Tp. He went two miles to school for all the learning he ever received ; he was compelled to feed stock on the way to and from school ; he says he had to work too hard to learn anything. There was so much work to be done that he went to Bellefontaine not more than twice a year; when he reached his majority he received the outfit customary for boys at that time : "a freedom suit, horse, saddle and bridle." This outfit can only be described by himself. He remained with his father after attaining his majority till his marriage, which occurred May 22, 1851. Miss Emily J. Strayer was the bride
of his choice, and the event has proven the wisdom of the choice; she was born in Berk- ley Co., Virginia ; they have three children : Anna, born April 12, 1852, and now the wife of Wm. W. Hamer, living in Fowler, Ind. ; Wm. E., born Sept. 26, 1854, and married Miss Clara Riker, now living in De Graff ; and Mary L. still at home. After his marriage Mr. Henderson moved to the farm on which he is now residing, numbering 143 acres. Success has enabled him to add to this two other farms, which together number 180 acres. He turned his attention more to feeding stock for market than the growing of cereals. It is true, he raises large quantities of corn, but this is for -feeding rather than for market; nor is he satisfied with any happy-go-lucky style of feeding. Ile has reduced it to a science, claiming to know how much pork ean be made from a bushel of corn. Since this is no secret of his it may be well to give his experience, showing that the amount varies from ten to eighteen pounds per bus- hel; the lowest in winter the highest in summer. On this account he feeds in sum- mer, at which season he keeps from three to four hundred hogs. Mr. Henderson was in the army in '64 in the 132nd O. V. G., and went through the experiences of that regiment at White House Landing, Bermuda Hun- dred. before Petersburg and Richmond, and at Norfolk. He is a Republican in politics, with no desire for political preferment.
S. P. HUSTON, farmer; P. O., DeGraff. S. P. Huston was born in Hamilton Co., O .. July 16, 1826. His father, Pant Huston, was born in Derry Co., Ireland, and his mother, Mary (Carothers) Huston, was born in the State of Pennsylvania. Accordingly the na- tivity is Scotch-Irish. His father was a farmer, and came to Logan Co., and settled on a farm in Miami Tp., when the subject of our sketch was but two years of age. On this farm he passed his youth, until he moved to his present location on the adjoining sec- tion. Mr. Huston was married in the fall of 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Bowman. At the time of his marriage he was engaged in teaching school. Her early home was in Pennsylvania, though in early life she came to Ohio and made her home in DeGraff. They have four children-one girl and three boys- Ella, now the wife of Frederick Melhorn,
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living in Sedgwick, Kan .; Andrew B. Ilus- ton, who will be oll enough to vote for Garfield, though not old enough to vote at the State election; William P. and Clarence Ev- erett Huston. Mr. Huston's farm embraces 95 acres, all arable and under a high state of cultivation.
. W. JAMES, cashier F. & M. Bank; De Graff: was born in Clark Co., Ohio, in the voar 1813: the remote paternal ancestry were Welsh: his father, Lewis James, was a native of Penn., and died when Mr. James was but 2 years of age. At the ago of " years, with his stop-father, he came to Ohio, and found a home in Logansville, Logan Co. Mr. James had only the advantage of the public schools in his near vicinity; yet, judging from his success, one may unhesitatingly say, these advantages were all improved. In 1802 Mr. James enlisted in the service of his country as a private in the 45th O. V. 1 .; his regiment was placed under command of Burnside in the Department of the Ohio; with Gen. Burnside he crossed the mountains of East Tennessee and engaged in the siege at Knoxville; then followed that long campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta under Sherman, which concluded with the battle of Jones- boro: here the army was divided, and the 15th returned in the Department of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas, In an on- gagement at Nashville he received a severe scalp wound, the ball cutting through his hat and erushing the outer surface of the skull; he was mustered out after three years of active service; he was but a private when he entered, but had arison to let Lieut, and Quartermaster of his regimet when mustered out; after the close of the war he returned to the farm for two years; then he came to De Girall' and engaged in the dry goods busi- ness under the firm name of James & C'o., and afterwards with R. T. Youngman & Co., altogether about four years; but disposing of his interest in this business he embarked in the grain trade, which, with an interval of about one year, has ever since engaged his attention ; besides, since Det. 15, IS;9, he has hold the position of cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants Bank, located at De Graff. In 1566 Mr. James married Miss Harriet Baughman: they have two children-Bertha M. and Addie.
W. C. JOHNSON, merchant ; DeGraff ; was born in Port William, Clinton Co., O., in 1840. His father, Mormon dobuson, was a native of the State of Pennsylvania. About a score of years ago he was drowned in the Bokengehalas creek, which flows near De- Graff into the Miami river. His mother, Eliza (Barclay) Johnson, was born in the State of Ohio, though her ancestry is of Irish na- tivity. When Mr. Johnson was twelve years of age, he came with his parents to Logan C'o .. when they settled in Quincy of Miami Township : after a brief stay they moved to West Liberty, only remaining, however, about two years. Then after nine years in Belle- fontaine they returned to Miami and settled in De Graff, where they continued to reside, and where Mrs. Johnson is still living. Mr. Johnson early learned the trade of a plas- tører, but on coming to De Graff ho engaged in the grocery business. After a single year he transferred his business to Quincy, but at the end of seven months he sold out and went to Sydney to take charge of a hotel. Next we find him clerking in the dry goods store of J. S. Fleming, in Warren Co., Ind., where another year of his eventful life was passed. Then he moved to Stark Co. to engage in his early trade ; thence to Paulaski Co., to en- gage in the grocery business, but after two months sold out and went to Tippecanoe to work a single season at his early trade, Ho now returned to De Graff, where he has since lived, or made his headquarters while travel- ing. About two years since Mr. Johnson established himself in the grocery business. Ilis establishment is strictly groceries, of which he has a full line, displayed with good taste, and his business is flourishing. Dee. 11, 1$68, he married Miss Mary O. Neil, of De Grad. They have two children-Charles M., 10 years, and Edith, 6 years of age. Mr. Johnson and his son are members of the M. K. Church. Now in the prime of life he is regarded by his fellows as an upright busi- ness man, a faithful and consistent Christian.
3. A. KOOGLER, M. D., physician; Do- tiraff. M. A. Koogler was born in Green Co., O., Feb. 22, 1848. His father, Matthias Koog- ler, was a carpenter by trade, and a native of Green Co. while his mother was a native of Virginia: their progenitors were Germans. When his father moved to Logan Co., which
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was in 1851, he settled on a farm in Miami Tp .; it was on this farm that Dr. Koogler passed his youth, until 18 years of age, when he came to DeGraff to attend school. We next find him in the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity at Delaware, where he remained but a short time, going from thence to Wittemburg College. He located in Springfield, Ohio, where he remained two years. In 18:1 he commeneed the study of medicine under Dr. J. A. Brown, of DeGraff, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia in 18:4. After graduation he immediately loca- ted in DeGraff, and has rapidly developed a fine practice, holding at the present time an enviable place, in the estimation of the public, a- a medical practitioner. In 1823 Dr. Koog- ler married Miss Clara V. Lippincott, of De- Graff. A fact connected with the Doctor's life we neglected to mention-he was a sol- dier in the late war-a faet which one may well remember with pride; he was only 16 years of age when, in 1864, he ran away to enlist: though it was but for a hundred-day service in the 132nd O. N. G., he yet saw eon- siderable active service; the regiment was first ordered to Washington, Arlington Heights, Bermuda Hundred; thence in the operations on James River, around Peters- burg and Richmond; thenee to an intrenched camp near Norfolk.
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JOHN KELLY, JR., liveryman; DeGraff. John Kelly, Jr., was born in Monroe Tp., Logan Co., March 23, 1852. His father, John Kelly, Sr., and his mother, Permelia (Downey) Kelly, were both born in West Virginia, and lived among the pioneers of Logan Co. Until he was 25 years of age Mr. Kelly, Jr., passed the time on his father's farm. At that time he commeneed speculating in stock-buying and shipping cattle. sheep and hogs; from his father, however, he inherited a natural propen- sity for trading in horse-flesh, and for more than a dozen years he has been engaged in this direction. For a brief time he engaged in the livery business at West Liberty, but in February, the present year, he bought out the same business in De Graff. His experience has made him a good judge of horse-flesh, thus eminently fitting him for his work. His stable and carriage barns have been fitted up under his personal supervision, and are neatly ar- ranged and well adapted to their purpose, and
here he is always ready to oblige his custom- ers with a neat and substantial turnout for riding or driving.
A. C. LEACII, farmer ; P. O., Quincy. A. C. Leach was born in 1821, on the same farmed now owned by him, and also the farm that was originally entered by his father. He is the son of John and Ellen (Campbell) Leach ; his father was born in 1292, and died in 1860; his mother was born in 1:88 and died in 1864 ; both came from Pennsylvania in their childhood with their parents, and were married in Adams Co., O. John Leach was in the war of 1812 on what was called the "General Call" from five counties, and was out about three months. Ile settled on the farm that is now oceupied by his son, A. (". Leach, about 1815. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for nine years. and a little incident will serve to show the confidence the people had in his justice. A doctor by the name of Lord, of Bellefontaine, held an ac- count against a certain man named Hanley ; this man being poor did not employ legal as- siatanee, while Dr. Lord did ; after the man of legal lore had spoken his piece, Squire Leach asked Hanley to defend the case, his remarks were something after this sort : "1 have not much education, but I am not afraid but what Squire Leach will do me justice, if the Lord is on the other side." A. C. Leach was married to Miss Rosanna Kirk- patrick, of Acams C'o., O., in 1845 : she how- ever, did not live but about five years, and Mr. Leach deemed it best to marry again which he did in 1851, to Miss Sarah Johnson, of Shelby Co., O. The family of children consists of two boys and one girl. He has held the office of Trustee of the Township fourteen years, and has been one of the sup- porters of the interests of the township in which helives. He was raised in the United Presby- terian Church, and as a member of that body has been a standard-bearer for right, and has been an Elder for twenty-eight years. His farm consists of 167 acres of fine farming lands, un- der a good state of cultivation, with comfortable buildings, good fences, and everything per- taining to a well regulated farm. In his youth he did not have the advantages for an education except a few weeks in the winter, and some winters, not at all ; but Mr. Leach is a persistent reader of the newspapers,
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keeping his mind well stored with useful knowledge.
C. A. MILLER, jeweler; De Graff: was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1858; his father, William Miller, is still living in Bellefontaine. During the late war, he was employed in the quartermaster's department in the State of Kentucky, at Lexington, and young Miller was with hun, bring then but a child. 1868-69. Mr. Miller was in Evansville, Ind., but soon returned to Bellefontaine; be- ing a jeweler by profession, his son had a nat- ural taste for that line of employment, and when the father returned to the latter place, he commeneed working with him ; here he remained till 18;8, when he came to De Grall' to engage in business for himself. Ilis line of goods is far more complete than would be expected in a place of its size, while his ex- perience and native tact enable him to do anything in his line in the way of repairing or manufacturing.
I. MCALEXANDER, lumberman: De Graff; was born in Adams Tp., of Cham- paign Co., O., Feb. 24. 1813; his father, David Me Mevander, was also born in that county, while his grandfather, John Me Alexander, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolu- tion, was a native of Virginia; the ancestry on the paternal side is Scotch, while the ma- ternal descent is German; his mother, Eliza- beth (Idle) MeAlexander, was a daughter of Henry Ille, Esq., who was originally from the State of Virginia, and also participated in the war of the Revolution. The MeAlexan- der family lived for a long time on a farm on the line between Harrison and Adams Tps. of Champaign County, and here the subject of our sketch passed his minority; upon at- taining his majority he hired ont to S. Il. Thatcher as fireman and engineer in the saw- milling establishment so long controlled by that gentleman, and remained for a period of 0 years. ,lan. 14, 18;2, he married Miss Enuly Inez Thatcher, daughter of his em- player, and they have one daughter- Dora Belle Me Mexander. For three years longer he continued in the milling business with the Thatcher Bros .; he then purchased a farm near De Graff which he worked for the fol- Jowing four years, when an opportunity was offered for trading his farm for a third interest in the saw and planning null and lumber yard
of the Thatcher Bros .; having availed him- self of this opportunity, he engaged in this business for which his experience so well adapted him, and in this occupation we still find him.
S. K. NEER, Hardware ; De Graff: was born in Concord Tp., Champaign Co., in 1855. His father, Jesse Neer, and his mother, Mrs. E. (Shriver) Neer, were natives of that county though their ancestors were from Virginia. His father was a farmer, but when young Neer was about 23 years old the father came to De Graff to engage in the milling business, which he followed till his death, which occur- ren when Mr. Neer was but 8 years of age. Besides the advantages of the public schools he attended the Business College at Oberlin one year. On his return he entered Farmers' and Merchants' bank, as assistant cashier, which position he held for about five years. He bought out L. H. Cretcher in the hardware business in 1825, in which he is still engaged. His stock is quite extensive, being also of the best quality. Mr. Neer married Miss Kate Frantz, of De Graff, and they have two children-Homer and Harry Neer.
PAUL F. PETERS, florist: De Graff. Paul F. Peters was born in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, March 25, 1855. llis father was a florist to Prinz Heinrich, 6ith, and from him learned the art of floral culture. The laws of the land demanded two years of military ser- vice, and to escape this demand he left for Brazil in 18;3. Here he worked as florist, having charge for a year and a half of a large garden belonging to Prisher & Co., and after- ward about the same length of time for other parties, making rose culture a specialty. He then came to Cincinnati, (., where he re- mained two years. Next, for seven months he had charge of the farm and flower gardons of Kentucky University at Lexington, Ky. Then for six months was in partnership with his brother in Cincinnati, growing flowers for the general market of that city. This part- nership being dissolved he came to De Graff, where he is now engaged in his favorite work. Having devoted the attention of his past life to the work of the florist, he is enabled to make of it a grand success.
DAVID A. PLATT, merchant ; Quincy, was born near West Liberty, Logan Co.,
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O., Oct. 3, 1844 ; son of David P. Piatt, and Sarah (Askren) Piatt. His father and mother both moved with their parents to West Liberty, when they were children, the father from Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., and his mother from Fa- yette Co., Penn. The dates of their birth being -the father Aug. 25, 1806, mother's, Feb. 12, 1806; they were married Nov. 19, 1829. Mr. David P. Piatt, was a member of Kreider Lodge. F. & A. M., and in assisting in the care of some member's family, contracted the disease of small-pox, of which he died, Feb. 12, 1865. He was a farmer for sometime in West Liberty Tp .; he however traded his farm for property in Quincy, and went into the business of store-keeping. He held the office of Justice of the Peace, and several minor offiees. The post office was kept in his store from the first of its opening: after his death the post office was kept by Miss Isabel Piatt until 1877. When David A. Piatt was but one year old he came with his parents from West Liberty to Quincy, and on Nov. 8, 1866, married Miss Rose Anna C'astenborder ; they now have four children living, the names and dates of birth in order are - Lulu Belle, Oct. 2, 186%; Ora Estelle, July 20, 1820 ; David Corwin Nov. 3, 18;6; Princess Joanna, July 28, 1829. . He commenced keeping store in Quincy, March 8, 1813, and as he had only the advantages of a common school education, he has had to do a large amount of reading and studying, to keep pace with his business and the times. He entered the late war in March, 1862, enlisting under Cap. Nicholas Trapp ; and was in the service for three years, in the Ist O.V.I. and was in a number of battles, always ready for duty, and came out of the many engagements without a wound. As a soldier, he acquitted himself with honor to his country. And to-day we find him in comfortable circumstances, keeping a store well stocked with goods pertaining to a first- «lass grocery, a member of I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 285, also a member of the Baptist Church: he is not satisfied with being a member only in name, but carries it into his business, and adheres to the golden rule.
GEO. G. POOL, farmer; P. O., De Graff. Mr. Geo. G. Pool was born in Shelby Co., O .. one mile north of Sidney, May 13, 182%, son
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