USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 28
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WARD CLIFTON ZELLER, M. D.
WARD CLIFTON ZELLER, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon who is in the active practice of his profession at Rockford was born in Darke County, Ohio, March 5, 1874, and is a son of Dr. B. F. and Emily B. (Bauder) Zeller.
Dr. B. F. Zeller, father of our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and came to Clark County, Ohio, in boyhood, when about 15 years of age, accompanying a brother-in-law, Andrew Mouk. He remained in Clark County until the beginning of the Civil War, when shortly after Fort Sumter was fired on, he enlisted in the 44th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and participated in many of the most decisive battles of the war, including that
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of Corinth. After his army service was over he went to Iowa, where he' taught school. Later he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the class of 1875, and then settled at Stelvideo, Darke County, Ohio, where he successfully practiced for five years. His next location was Versailles, Darke County, where he remained several years, and then went to Texas, where he spent some years at Uvalda, returning then to Ohio. With the exception of a period spent at Crab Orchard, Kentucky, as physician at the summer resort there, Dr. B. F. Zeller has resided ever since in Champaign County, Ohio. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Dr. B. F. Zeller was united in marriage with Emily B. Bauder, a daugh- ter of Levi and Cynthia (Allen) Bauder, the latter of whom is a granddaugh- ter of Gen. Ethan Allen. Dr. and Mrs. Zeller have three sons, Henry Rush, a graduate of the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus, who is in the active practice of medicine at St. Paris, Champaign County, Ohio; F. Arthur, also a physician, graduating in the same class with his brother at the Ohio Medical University, who is located at Union City, Indiana; and Ward Clifton. The family presents the interesting spectacle of all the sons adopting the father's profession.
Ward C. Zeller after graduating from the High School at Christians- burg, entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada and received his diploma with the class of 1894. In the following year he entered the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus, and was graduated in the winter of 1896-97. He first located for practice at St. Paris, Champaign County, Ohio, after having taken an examination for assistant surgeon of the United States Army, which necessitated his remaining in Washington City for six months at the army museum. Passing this examination successfully, he received an appointment in the Philippine Islands, but later resigned this office and returned to St. Paris. His rank while in the service was that of Ist lieutenant, with the salary and allowances of that rank.
Dr. Zeller continued to practice at St. Paris until 1905, when he turned his patients over to his brother and, after assisting his other brother to estab- lish a practice at Union City, left there in July, 1905, and came to Rockford. He found here a hearty welcome.
In 1892 Dr. Zeller was married to Jennie Smith, who resided at No. 51 King avenue, Columbus, and is a daughter of John and Sarah Smith. The mother of Mrs. Zeller was a Gregg, a grand-niece of General Gregg, of the Confederate Army, and a member of the prominent Gregg family of Bourbon County, Kentucky. The father of Mrs. Zeller served in the Union Army dur- ing the Civil War.
Dr. and Mrs. Zeller have two sons: Arthur Clifton, aged 13 years; and
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Harold Nye, aged II years. Both are bright, intelligent youths and it will be interesting to note, in their future careers, whether they inherit the pro- fessional leanings of father and grandfather.
In political sentiment, Dr. Zeller is a Republican but is too much occupied with professional duties to permit of much activity in public affairs. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at St. Paris and to the Sons of Veterans camp at Christiansburg. He possesses the personality of a physician and wins confidence in the sick room and hearty esteem among his fellow- citizens.
TRUSSTEN BRUCE SNYDER
TRUSSTEN BRUCE SNYDER, who resides on his fine farm of 120 acres located in Section 18, is one of Union township's most progressive and repre- sentative citizens. He was born August 23, 1876, and is a son of George and Mary Ann (Lytle) Snyder.
George Snyder was born in Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, about 60 years ago, and lives about a mile and a half from the subject of this sketch. George Snyder's father was born in Hocking County, Ohio, and was one of the pioneers of Mercer County; he first located in Van Wert County and afterwards moved to Mercer County, settling in Union township, where he still resides. The mother of our subject was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and is still living. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Snyder; Clarence Fideles, who married Cora Groupe and resides on a farm west of his father's place; Etta, who married John Yeoman and lives in Indiana seven miles south of Decatur; Winnie, who married O. H. Krugh, of Union town- ship; and Trussten Bruce.
Trussten B. Snyder was reared on his father's farm in Union township and received his education in the township schools, attending during the winter months and working on the farm during the summer. For the past 10 years Mr. Snyder has been located on his present farm, where he has been engaged in general farming. He is also interested to a considerable extent in raising stock. He has 50 acres of his land in corn, 30 acres in wheat and the remainder in hay and pasture; the farm is one of the best improved in the township.
On May 20, 1895, Mr. Snyder was married to Effie Hays, a daughter of L. P. and Cleopatra (Webb) Hays, both of whom were natives of Mercer County. Mr. Hays died in 1904 at the age of 64 years. Mrs. Hays is still living at the age of 66 years. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : Dora, deceased; Effie, wife of our subject; Icy, deceased; and Oscar, deceased. Mrs. Hays and her daughter are the only members of the family living.
JOSEPH SAGER, M. D.
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Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Leland, born January 20, 1897; Bernice, born September 21, 1899; and Victor, born November 12, 1902. Mr. Snyder is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
JOSEPH SAGER, M. D.
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JOSEPH SAGER, M. D., of Celina, whose portrait accompanies this sketch is one of the State's eminent physicians and surgeons, a valued contributor to medical literature and a careful, thoughtful, skilled man of science. Dr. Sager was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 19, 1839, and is a son of Shem and Mary (Nonnmaker) Sager and grandson of Gabriel Sager.
Gabriel Sager was born in Baden, Germany. After emigrating to Amer- ica, he settled first in Pennsylvania, and then removed to Virginia, where he held slaves until he united with the Mennonite Church, when he freed them. During the War of the Revolution he served under General Washington as a private in a Virginia company. He married a sister of Captain Young, who was a staff officer under General Washington.
Shem Sager, the father of our subject, was born in 1782 in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1810. During the War of 1812, he served first as a private and later as an orderly to Gen. An- drew Jackson, being present at the battle of New Orleans. For his second wife he married Mary Nonnmaker, who was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1806. She died in 1854, followed by her husband in 1857. They had eight children. All of the seven sons served with distinction in the Civil War.
The boyhood of Joseph Sager was passed in Fairfield County. During 1857 and 1858 he was given educational opportunities at Findlay, Ohio, after which he taught school. In 1859 he entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. J. J. Updegraff, a noted physician and surgeon at St. Louis, Mis- souri, and later he attended two courses of lectures at what was then known as the McDowell Medical College of that city. In 1861 he entered-the Union Army as a hospital steward and was taken prisoner at the battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, in January, 1862, being held a prisoner of war for four months at Island No. 10. In April, 1862, after effecting his escape, with a comrade, he made his way, with great difficulty, to New Orleans, where he reported to Gen. Benjamin F. Butler who was in command of that city. The latter assigned him to duty at St. James Hospital, where he remained until the spring of 1863, when he was transferred to the United States steamer "Tennessee," in the capacity of surgeon's steward. By the close of the war the young student had acquired practice and experience, which years of col- legiate training could scarcely have afforded him.
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After his return from the army, Dr. Sager attended a course of medical lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, and received his diploma from this institution. Since then he has taken several post-graduate courses-in 1871 at Starling and in 1880 and 1881 at the Medical University of Balti- more. Dr. Sager engaged in practice at North Washington, Ohio, until 1884, when he came to Celina. Here he engaged in a general practice, but made a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. He still continues an active practi- tioner and few in this section enjoy more fully the confidence and esteem of the public.
Dr. Sager was married (first) to Miss Shumaker, who died in 1886. His second marriage, in 1888, was to Jennie Krisher, who on the maternal side was related to Bishop Harris, formerly a noted divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Sager died April 16, 1905. On May 5, 1906, Dr. Sager was again married, to Mrs. Gabie Williams, of Celina, but at the time a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; she is a daughter of David Lininger, of Celina. Dr. Sager and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Sager is surgeon for the Cincinnati Northern Railroad and belongs to the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, which he has served as presi- dent; to the Mercer County Medical Society, of which he is president ; to the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the National Association of Railway Surgeons and the American Microscopical Society.
Dr. Sager holds many advanced views, which a long course of practice and scientific study have developed. In a number of valuable contributions to various medical journals and others embodied in lectures before medical bodies, he has made clear to the less observant student the scientific value of his researches and the soundness of his opinion. He has a large and representa- tive following.
ELI T. HASTINGS
The subject of this sketch was born in Sussex County, Delaware, Novem- ber 10, 1845. His parents were Wateman W. and Eleanor E. (Collins) Hastings. The father was the son of James Hastings, whose ancestors came to America from England early in the 18th century. The mother was the daughter of Solomon Collins, who was of Irish descent.
Wateman Hastings moved with his family to Mercer County, Ohio, in August, 1846, and settled on a farm three miles south of Fort Recovery. In the family are four brothers and three sisters, viz: Eli T., James, Zachary T., Mrs. Ella Ralph and Mrs. Frank Lowe, of Fort Recovery; Mrs. William Hamline, of Celina, Ohio; and Charles W., of Reynolds, Washington.
Eli T. Hastings remained on his father's farm until 1864, when at
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the age of 18, during the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the U. S. Army, serving in the 156th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. After returning home at the expiration of his term of enlistment, he engaged in teaching school for some time. On September 12, 1871, he was married to Elmira E. Davison, daugh- ter of James and Mary Davison. They have two sons and three daughters, viz: Carrie A., Mary E., J. Frank, Roy D. and Hope H. The daughters live with their parents. Roy married Gertrude Graham and lives in Youngs- town, Ohio. Frank, a graduate of the University of Michigan, is practicing medicine in Hancock, Michigan.
In 1881 Mr. Hastings engaged in the retail shoe business in Fort Re- covery, he retired from the business in 1905.
In politics he is a Republican. In religion he is a firm believer in the principles of Christianity. He was raised in the faith of the Congregational Church, to which he and his family still adhere.
GEORGE W. FRISINGER
GEORGE W. FRISINGER, a prominent citizen of Mercer County, who served six years as county commissioner, resides in a fine home at Rockford and owns some 190 acres of improved farming land in Dublin township. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, May II, 1853, and is a son of Nathan and Jane (Ryan) Frisinger.
Nathan Frisinger, the father of our subject, was born July 3, 1816, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and was a son of William and Catherine (Harp) Frisinger, the former of whom was born in 1794, in Virginia, and was the eldest child in a family of II children. His father, who was a tailor, a miller and distiller, also served as a soldier in the War of 1812, but died soon after his return from the field.
William Frisinger, our subject's grandfather, was reared on a farm and also learned the tailoring trade. While still a young man he settled in Cham- paign County, Ohio, and was the founder of the family in this State. During an early visit to Illinois he also purchased land there. In 1827 he located permanently in Mercer County, one and a half miles east of Rockford, pur- chasing at first 160 acres of timber land. This he partially cleared and then improved the cleared portion in such a manner and to such an extent that he made an excellent farm. Later he added 60 acres to this farm and here he spent the rest of his life, dying in April, 1837. He was one of the earliest settlers in Mercer County and he and his family saw much pioneer hardship.
In 1817 William Frisinger married Catherine Harp, who was a daughter of Peter Harp, and they had II children, as follows: Nathan, the father of
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our subject ; Peter, a prosperous farmer of Dublin township; John, deceased, who was a farmer in Dublin township; Sarah, deceased at 14 years of age; Elizabeth, deceased at six years; Jacob, deceased, who was a well-known farmer of Dublin township; Ann, deceased at II years; Cynthia, deceased, who was the wife of the late Jeremiah Dull; and Lydia, Catherine and Will- iam, all deceased. The mother of this family came of Dutch ancestry, was born about 1800, in Pennsylvania, and died in 1854. For many years she was a consistent member of the Baptist Church.
George W. Frisinger remained at home assisting on the home farm until the age of 21 years, in the meantime obtaining his education in the public schools. After marriage he remained one year on the home place and then inherited and partly bought a farm of his own to which he has added at vari- ous times until he now owns 190 acres in Dublin township. He continues general farming and also is interested in the buying and shipping of horses.
On November 10, 1874, Mr. Frisinger was married (first) to Lida Archer, who died June II, 1886. She was a daughter of Henry and Lucinda Archer. One child survived her, Merritt, who is now operating a farm of 180 acres for his father. Merritt married Nellie Miller, daughter of Peter A. Miller, and they have two interesting children, Lowell, aged six years and Donald, aged three years. In March, 1887, Mr. Frisinger was married (sec- ond) to Lillie McDonald, who died five months later. She was a daughter, of Dr. McDonald of Rockford. On January 10, 1888, Mr. Frisinger was married (third) to Rena A. Hesser, a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Hesser, born at Lincoln, Nebraska, April 29, 1871. Her father was born in 1848, near Red Key, Indiana, and her mother in the same place, one year later. Mr. and Mrs. Frisinger have two children: Rolla Nathan, who was born February 19, 1890; and Stella Marie, born May 29, 1896.
Mr. Frisinger is one of the county's prominent Democrats and wide- awake politicians. He has been elected to responsible office a number of times and served six years as township trustee, was for II years a member of the Board of Education and in 1896 was the Democratic candidate for county commissioner. He was elected to that office and approval of his services was shown by his re-election in 1900. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for a number of years.
WILLIAM EICHAR
WILLIAM EICHAR, formerly a member of the board of trustees of Hope- well township, where he is a respected and prominent citizen, resides on his finely cultivated farm in this township, although his 400 acres of land extend also into Dublin township. He was born February 3, 1842, in Hopewell
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township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Buck). Eichar.
Jacob Eichar was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied his father to Hopewell township when the country was practically a wilderness. The Eichars were truely pioneer settlers. Jacob Eichar was a man of sturdy strength and great industry and he was also a man in whom his fellow-citi- zens placed the highest confidence. He faithfully served the township as a trustee and in other offices and during his active life was a leading man of his section. He died in 1898 and the three survivors of his family of children are: William, Lafayette and Peter, all residents of Hopewell township.
William Eichar was reared in Hopewell township, which has always been his home. His education was obtained in the district schools and his attention has been given to general farming and stock-raising.
On May 2, 1861, William Eichar married Altha Rutledge, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, June 23, 1838, and is a daughter of John and Altha (Matthews) Rutledge, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter in Virginia. She accompanied her parents in 1852 from Perry to Mercer County, where they passed the rest of their lives, dying in Hopewell township. Mrs. Eichar has one surviving sister and two brothers, namely : Jehu, living in Minnesota; Mary, widow of David McChristy, now resides in Black Creek township; and John, a resident of Rockford, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Eichar have four children living, namely: Leonora, wife of Martin Weisenborn, of Hopewell township; John A. and Joseph E., of Hopewell township; and George, of Dublin township. Mary J. is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Eichar are consistent members of the Society of Friends.
In political sentiment, Mr. Eichar is a Republican. He has served as township trustee for a number of years. Both he and his wife are well known among the old settlers of the township and enjoy universal respect and esteem.
CALVIN WILLSHIRE RILEY
CALVIN WILLSHIRE RILEY, a well-known citizen of Jefferson township, residing on his homestead of 128 acres, in sections 3 and 34 and also owning another fine farm of 154 acres near Celina, was born at Celina, Ohio, April 16, 1860, and is a son of Calvin E. and Gabrilla (Brandon) Riley.
Mr. Riley was about two years old when his parents moved from Celina to the country home where he was reared, a beautiful location on Lake Mer- cer, some three and a half miles east of Celina. He attended the Old-town district school near his home, and later the Celina High School and still later the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. When he was 18 years of age
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he began to teach school and spent one year at the Old-town school and another year at the Harmon school. With the exception of the year 1888, which he spent running a creamery at Fort Recovery, Mr. Riley has passed the whole of his married life on his present homestead farm. In the spring of 1882 he erected his commodious and comfortable frame residence and substantial barns. With these and other extensive improvements he has added greatly to the value of his property. In September, 1906, he purchased another farm, be- coming the owner of a very valuable property of 154 acres, situated near Celina. In addition to farming his own lands, Mr. Riley farms for his father and thus operates some 300 acres. He makes stock-raising a feature of his work and specializes in raising horses, sheep and hogs.
For the past 15 years Mr. Riley has also been interested in the oil business and at one time owned a one-fourth interest in four strings of oil tools. He spent a part of the years 1905 and 1906 in the Illinois field, where he has land leased. He also has some oil leases in Mercer County. His many business interests are handled with great capacity, his progressive and enterprising methods bringing him success in almost every line.
On June 13, 1881, Mr. Riley was married to Fannie E. DeRush, a daugh- ter of William DeRush, of St. Marys, Ohio. They have three children, viz : Robert A., Calvin E., Jr., and James H.
Mr. Riley is not a very active politician but he is much interested at all times in the educational progress of his community and has been willing to serve as school director because he has thought he could be of value. He is a member of the Masons and the Maccabees.
JONAS WEIST
JONAS WEIST, a well-known citizen and successful farmer and stock- raiser, residing on his valuable property which consists of 80 acres of land in Hopewell township, Mercer County, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, De- cember 3, 1841, and is a son of Samuel and Lydia (Miesse) Weist.
The parents of Mr. Weist were of German ancestry, born in Pennsyl- vania, whence they came to Ohio and settled in early days in Fairfield County, where they lived until death.
Jonas Weist was. reared on his father's farm in Fairfield County, and from his youth has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was formerly much interested in the raising of sheep but latterly has not given that industry so much attention. During the Civil War he went out from Fairfield County to assist in driving the raider Morgan from Ohio. In the spring of 1869 he removed from Fairfield to Mercer County and settled on a farm of
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160 acres, which he cleared from the woods, 80 acres of which he still retains.
Mr. Weist was married (first) August 28, 1861, in Fairfield County, to Catherine Crider, who became the mother of six children, the four survivors being as follows: William H., residing in Hopewell township, who married Emma Clutter and has four children-Nellie, Glenn, Pauline and Orly; Lanassa, who is the wife of Samuel Hayes-they reside in Dublin township and have two children, Bert and Maud; Charles D., who married Pearl Mur- lin, has one child, Carl, and lives in Union township; Clarence, a practicing physician at Columbus, who married. Mary Davis. Mr. Weist was married (second) to Sarah Nuding, born in Hocking County, Ohio, a daughter of the late Frederick Nuding.
Politically, Mr. Weist is a Republican. He served six years as town- ship trustee and at present is a member of the Board of Education of Hope- well township. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
S. V. SLABAUGH
S. V. SLABAUGH, a well-known citizen of Hopewell township, where he owns a finely developed farm of 95 acres, situated in section 14, is the present treasurer of the Mercer County Mutual Telephone Company, of which utility he was one of the leading promoters. Mr. Slabaugh was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 5, 1854, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Higgy) Slabaugh.
Jacob Slabaugh was of German ancestry and was born in Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Higgy, who was born in Switzerland. Her parents came to America in her childhood and settled first at Buffalo, New York, and then removed to Licking County, Ohio, where she married. Her death took place in Fairfield County, just across the line from Licking, in which latter county Jacob Slabaugh died in 1898; both were interred in Licking County.
S. V. Slabaugh was reared in his native locality and was mainly educated in the schools of Licking County, for a short time only enjoying the advant- ages offered at the Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio. He then taught 14 winter terms of school in his native county, and in the spring of 1888 set- tled in Hopewell township. He served several years as clerk of the township and has always been active in public affairs although an independent voter, identified with no particular party.
Mr. Slabaugh married Alice Jeffries, born in Licking County, a daughter of Jerome Jeffries. They have three children, namely: Raymond M., Virgil L. and Edith M., all at home. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Center township, in which Mr. Slabaugh is a class leader. He is
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recognized as one of the progressive, far-seeing men of the township, one whose modern ideas have proved very serviceable and acceptable to a large body of his fellow-citizens.
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