USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 33
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$1.25 per acre, and on that farm he and his wife died. Their children were as follows: Jacob; Sarah, who married Joseph Frank; Elizabeth, who mar- ried John Sayers; and Isaac, who married (first) Cordelia Beauchamp, and (second) Martha Emerson.
Jacob Selby married Mary A. Winter, a daughter of Bradley and Eliza- beth Winter, who were pioneers in Franklin township, Mercer County, com- ing from Pennsylvania. They owned a farm on Chickasaw Creek, on which our subject's parents lived for a short time after their marriage. After the birth of two children, Jacob Selby and wife moved to the Selby home farm, which had come into Jacob's possession, and there the rest of the children were born, the family being as follows: Elizabeth, who married Charles Smith of St. Marys; Wilson; Janet, who died aged four years; Emma, who married Edward McGee and lives on the home farm; Sarah A., who married I. W. Rush, and resides at Toledo; and Cynthia, who died aged eight years. The father died in 1893, the mother having passed away in 1889.
Wilson Selby was reared in Franklin township and attended the country schools. He continued to live on the home farm for a number of years after his marriage, but later settled on his present farm. In the division of the property, his father gave him 160 acres of the old home farm, 80 of which he still owns, and later he purchased an additional 20-acre tract. Mr. Selby is considered a very successful farmer, raising wheat, oats, hay, hogs and horses, in fact, carrying on general agricultural and stock-raising operations.
In November, 1881, Mr. Selby was married to Sarah Jane Miller, a daughter of Calvin and Cynthia (Preston) Miller, and they have five children, as follows: Russell, who married Lillian Monroe, lives at Bradford, Ohio, and has one son, Cleo Donley, born January 31, 1904; Floyd, who married Blanche Ester and is an oil driller in the Indian Territory; Virdie, who mar- ried George Preston, resides at Bradford, Ohio, and has two children, Grace, born in October, 1903, and Wilma, born July 18, 1904; Mearle, born July 20, 1887, who married Della Gilliland; and Oma, born November 18, 1889, who is attending school.
Mr. Selby and family are well known throughout their neighborhood, the families on both sides having been established here for so long a period. Their hospitable home sees many visitors and the passing stranger is made welcome in the friendly manner which marks the sterling character of one of Franklin township's representative households.
HENRY STANLEY STANBERY
HENRY STANLEY STANBERY, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Center township, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, February
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2, 1850, and is a son of Stanley and Minerva (Bowen) Stanbery, and a grand- son of Amos Stanbery.
Amos Stanbery was born on Long Hill, Morris County, New Jersey, October 4, 1787, and was a son of Samuel Stanbery, who was born on the Scotch Plains of New Jersey, June 26, 1754. Amos Stanbery was a resident of Greene County, Pennsylvania, for some time, but in 1840 moved to Mercer County, Ohio, locating near St. Marys, where he remained the rest of his life.
Stanley Stanbery, the father of our subject, was born in Whiting town- ship, Greene County, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1818. He came to Mercer County about 1840 and located near Neptune, where he was justice of the peace for a period of 18 years. He also served in several other local offices. The country was new and uncultivated, which necessitated clearing of timber lands, and hunting was fine-deer, wild turkey and other game being plenti- ful. Many immigrants traveled the Fort Wayne road, and as there were few houses between St. Marys and Fort Wayne many families stopped at the home of. Mr. Stanbery for accommodations, and beds were made on the floor for them. Stanley Stanbery was married (first) to Minerva Bowen, who died in 1855, leaving five children, namely : Mrs. Mary Davis, who lives in Oregon ; Mrs. Sarah Davis, also residing in Oregon; Anne, who died at an early age; Henry Stanley ; and Mrs. Jane Kisner, who died in Iowa. Mr. Stanbery was married (second) to Mary Harrison, of Zanesville, Ohio, and they had five children, namely: Inez, who died in childhood; Charles, who lives in Okla- homa; William; Lizzie, who died shortly after her marriage with Calvin Staeger ; and John, who resides in Kansas.
Henry S. Stanbery was reared on his father's farm in Mercer County, attending the district schools of Center township, and the Neptune schools for one year. He has always lived in this township, with the exception of two years which were spent in Jefferson township. He farmed the home farm for one year after his marriage, but in 1880 he moved to his present farm, which is located in section 24, a part of which he rents. The buildings on the place when he took possession consisted of a log cabin and a log barn, which have since been replaced by a fine home, barn and other buildings. He has cleared all of the 60 acres, of which only a small strip was cleared when he acquired it.
Mr. Stanbery was married in 1872 to Irene Copeland, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Susan (Flemming) Copeland. Mrs. Stanbery has just recently made a visit home attending a family reunion, both of her parents being still living. Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery are the parents of 10 children, namely: Walter, a resident of Chicago, Illi- nois, who married Myrtle Keyser, and has one child, Kenneth; Minerva Florence, who married William Black, and lives in Illinois; Emma and Edith, who live at home; William, who married Ida Newcomb and resides in Center
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township; Laura, Inez, and Salome, who live at home; Virgil, deceased; and Robert, who lives at home. Mr. Stanbery is a Democrat politically and has served his township in various offices. He was township trustee for two terms, township assessor, two terms, school director for 13 years and county supervisor for some years. He refused the office of justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery are members of the United Brethren Church.
G. J. C. WINTERMUTE
G. J. C. WINTERMUTE, M. D., who stands in the front rank among the medical men of Mercer County, has been a resident of Celina since 1880. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 22, 1841, and is a son of Arason and Virenda (Wayland) Wintermute.
Arason Wintermute was born January 10, 1809, in the State of Pennsyl- vania, and came to Ohio with his parents, who were among the early pioneers of Muskingum County. Arason grew to manhood in that county and in 1828 was married to Virenda Wayland, who was born March 22, 1807, in Madison County, Virginia, her parents being early settlers of Muskingum County, Ohio. Four years after his marriage, Arason Wintermute and family moved to Licking County, where they became respected and useful members of society. The mother died September 2, 1883, and the father, October 17, 1889. A strange coincidence about their last days was that each, after a visit at Celina, fell ill on the way home, at Columbus, and each died at the home of a daughter in Licking County. Of their 12 children, seven still survive.
The subject of this sketch grew up on his father's farm and had the usual country-school education. In 1860 he entered Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, having earned the money to take this course by teaching school, but he remained only until the spring of 1862, when, with other students, he enlisted in the Union Army, entering Company C, 86th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He served from May 25 until September 27, 1862, during this period per- forming faithfully the duties demanded of a soldier. On April 15, 1863, he was given a position in the commissary department, connected with the rail- road service, with headquarters at Nashville, and remained in the South until October, 1865.
After a period spent at home, he decided to try farming and in the spring of 1866 went to Howard County, Missouri, to try the experiment, remaining there until the fall of 1870, when he became a partner and business manager in a mercantile enterprise in the vicinity. During the two years in which he managed the store, he had access to the medical library of his partner, who was a physician, and thus he first became interested in medicine. Fortunately
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HON. C. G. O. MILLER
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his partner and preceptor was a man of thorough knowledge and by 1874 the young man was ready to take his first course of lectures, which he did in the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis. In 1875 he was graduated in medicine and surgery at the Cincinnati Medical College. In 1892 he took a post- graduate course at the New York Post-Graduate College.
After becoming a physician, Dr. Wintermute lost interest in his agricul- tural pursuits and, after selling his farm in 1876, went East, visiting the Cen- tennial Exposition at Philadelphia, on this trip, and finally located for practice at Lewis Center, Delaware County, Ohio, in August of that year. He con- tinued to practice there until 1880 and then settled at London, Madison County, but soon recognized the superior advantages offered at Celina, and on November 10, 1880, established himself here. Dr. Wintermute made no mistake in doing so, for his ability and skill were soon recognized and he now is in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice and possesses the confi- dence and esteem of the community. From 1894 to 1901 he was in partner- ship with Dr. J. E. Hattery under the firm name of Wintermute & Hattery. Dr. Wintermute is now serving as coroner of Mercer County.
On October 5, 1880, Dr. Wintermute was married at Covington, Ken- tucky, to Mary Ella Darrah, who was born September 4, 1862, near Hannibal, Missouri. Dr. and Mrs. Wintermute have four children, namely: Georgia Ray, born July 20, 1883, who took a special course in the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware, and is the wife of Dr. F. M. Hellwarth, of Van Wert, Ohio; Leta Virenda, born October 18, 1885, who also took a special course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; Kathryn Lawson, born February 8, 1888, who is a graduate of the Celina High School; and Anielka Louise, born June 10, 1897. Mrs. Hellwarth has a decided talent for paint- ing, and has some beautiful pieces of hand-painted china that she has exhibited at fairs. Dr. Wintermute and family have a beautiful home on the corner of Main and Anthony streets, Celina.
Dr. Wintermute is interested in all bodies of a scientific nature and be- longs to the Mercer County Medical Society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and the American Medical Association. His fraternal relations include the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In the Masonic order he has taken advanced degrees, being a 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish rite, and a Knight Templar, in the York rite. He belongs to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Celina.
HON. C. G. O. MILLER 1
HON. C. G. O. MILLER, mayor of Celina and formerly probate judge of Mercer County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has been a prominent
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citizen for many years and closely identified with many of the most import- ant interests of this section. He was born March 19, 1847, in Saxony, Ger- many, and accompanied his parents to America in 1852.
Mr. Miller was but five years old when the family located at Somerset, Ohio, and eight years old when settlement was made at New Lisbon. The family remained there for three years and then removed to Upper Sandusky. In 1859 Mr. Miller became a resident of Celina, where he attended school until he was 17 years old and then enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a: member of Company D, 193rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. Alexander Gable. Mr. Miller served through 1864-65 and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio.
After the close of his army service, Mr. Miller returned to Celina and to the school-room and subsequently taught school. In 1870 he entered the mercantile establishment of August Fanger in the capacity of clerk, and re- mained there for five years and then again taught school. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace for Jefferson township and served efficiently, hav- ing commenced the study of the law in the previous year. In 1877 he was ad- mitted to the bar and his promotion was rapid, in 1884 being elected prose- cuting attorney of Mercer County. His administration was such as to bring him into great prominence and his reelection followed in 1887.
Mr. Miller has been a life-long Democrat and in 1893 he was chosen by his party as a member of the election board, on which he served two terms. In the meantime he managed a large practice. In 1896 he was elected city solicitor of Celina and in November of the following year he was elected probate judge of Mercer County. He entered upon the duties of his office as mayor of Celina, on January 1, 1906. It will thus be seen that his name has been linked with military, judicial and civic services in his adopted country, and he stands, to-day, as one of the representative men of Northwestern Ohio.
In 1880 Mr. Miller was married to Edna D. Bradley, of St. Marys, Ohio, daughter of Dr. Joseph Bradley, a prominent physician there. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Celina Lodge, No. 199; he is also a member of Celina Lodge, No. 399, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
GEORGE FELVER
GEORGE FELVER, justice of the peace and one of the best known citizens of Liberty township, resides on his well-improved farm of 100 acres, situated in section 22. He was born December 18, 1858, in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Hines) Felver.
Isaac Felver accompanied his parents in childhood from New Jersey to
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Mercer County, and was reared in Black Creek township. When the Civil War broke out he entered the service and remained through four years, during which period he participated in many battles and endured great hardship. After his return he located in Liberty township for a time and then removed to Dublin township, where he died. In politics he was a Democrat. The sur- viving members of his family are as follows: Theodore, residing in Nebraska ; Mary A., wife of M. Potts, residing in Ohio City, Ohio; George; Amos, re- siding in Rockford; Della, wife of Henry Hole, residing in Liberty town- ship; Harriet, wife of Joseph Hinkle, residing at Rockford; Silas, residing in Liberty township; Ida, wife of Samuel Fass, of Ohio City; and Maud, re- siding at Celina.
In George Felver is found one of Liberty township's most enterprising men and public-spirited citizens. Reared and educated here, the main interest of his life have always been associated with this part of Mercer County. He settled on his present farm in 1888, and, in addition to being one of the repre- sentative agriculturists, he has taken an active and intelligent interest in all public affairs and on numerous occasions has been advanced by his fellow- citizens to important local offices. For six years he served as a trustee of Liberty township, is a member of the School Board, and is serving his first term as justice of the peace, his decisions in this office giving universal satis- faction.
Mr. Felver was married to Caroline Bauk, a native of Mercer County, and they have had eight children, namely: Charles, Anderson, Dorothea, Floyd, Gladys, Ralph, Florence and Lucile. Politically Mr. Felver is identi- fied with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ABRAHAM JONES
ABRAHAM JONES, a well-known citizen and successful farmer of Gibson township, lives on his farm of 40 acres, situated in section 24, which is a part of the old homestead farm of 100 acres, on which his venerable father still lives. Mr. Jones was born May 10, 1854, in Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Minerva (Keltner) Jones.
James Jones was born in Butler County, Ohio, and accompanied his par- ents to Mercer County when 10 years of age, his father, Abraham Jones, be- ing a pioneer. James Jones was married July 4, 1849, to Minerva Keltner, who was a daughter of Abraham and Betsey (Wirtz) Keltner. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, and was reared near Rose Hill. Almost immediately after their marriage, the young couple moved to Gibson township and estab- lished the present home. Here 15 children were born to them, as follows :
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Hiram, who is a farmer in Miami County, Ohio; Nancy, wife of Jackson Pearson, living in Darke County; Abraham; Susan, wife of Amos Robbins; George, a resident of Weston, Ohio; Mary, wife of George Parant, residing in Oklahoma; Martha, wife of George White, living near Wellsburg, Indiana; Frank; Abigail, wife of George Garretson, living at Ansonia, Darke County; James, who resides in Recovery township; Albert and William, residents of Gibson township; Jacob, who is married, and lives at home; Cora, wife of Washington Stump; and Sarah, who died aged one year. The 14 survivors of this large family are mainly scattered in different homes, but all are near enough to have pleasant family gatherings very frequently. The old house gave way to the present one in 1892.
Abraham Jones has always lived in Gibson township and still remains under the old home roof. In 1883 he was married to Alice Emmons, who died in the following year, leaving one child, Alva.
CHRISTOPHER SCHUNCK
CHRISTOPHER SCHUNCK, a retired banker, who for 30 years was presi- dent of the Citizens' Bank at Celina, owns a valuable farm of 440 acres situ- ated in Jefferson township. He was born March 30, 1830, in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Peter and Eva ( Meckel) Schunck.
Peter Schunck was also born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, whence he came in 1860 to the United States. He engaged in farming in Mercer County, Ohio, until his death in 1865. He had four children.
Christopher Schunck was reared in Germany and received a good educa- tional training. He came to the United States in 1848, accompanying an uncle, settling first in Mercer County, but shortly afterward going to Mis- souri. He lived at St. Louis until he completed an apprenticeship to the cooper's trade, when he returned to Mercer County and worked for several years at his trade and then bought a farm of 80 acres in Granville township and moved upon it.
That Mr. Schunck was a man of sterling qualities was definitely shown when, in 1858, he was elected to the responsible office of county commissioner and served so capably for two terms that he was elected county treasurer and served two full terms in that position. In 1873 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket as a member of the Board of Public Works, but with the balance of the ticket, with the exception of Governor William Allen, was de- - feated. He then retired from public life and embarked in a grain business for four years and subsequently built a stave factory, which he operated several years very successfully. In 1874 he was elected president of the Citizens'
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Bank of Celina, and for 30 years stood at the head of that sound financial institution. Although retired from the presidency, he still has an interest in this bank, since incorporated as the Citizens' Banking Company.
Mr. Schunck has been twice married. By his first marriage, to Margaret Schunck, he has four daughters, all of whom are Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Mr. Schunck's second marriage was to Bernadine Gottemoller, daugh- ter of Henry Gottemoller, and they have one son, John B., who is practicing dentistry at New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Schunck is a member of the Cath- olic Church.
DAVID OVERLY
DAVID OVERLY, a retired capitalist and a respected and esteemed citizen of Celina, was born December 24, 1831, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Ann Amelia (Bixler) Overly.
The Overly family originated in Germany, where the grandfather of our subject, Martin Overly, was born. In young manhood he emigrated to America and settled in Ross County, Ohio, where he married. Later he re- moved to Darke County, and at last to Mercer County. He became the father of these children: William, Martin, Daniel, Zachariah, Thomas, Polly, Nancy, Katie and Susan. William Overly, the eldest son, was born in Ross County, Ohio. His occupation through life was farming. William Overly moved to Darke County, Ohio, with his father and was there married. He was the father of II children: Margaret, Mary, Martha, Elizabeth Ann, Jane, James, David, John, Wilson, Kelsey and Henry. The family came to Mercer County in 1832.
David Overly was reared in Mercer County and was educated in the dis- trict schools. In 1849 he went to St. Marys, Auglaize County, where he re- mained for six years, during this period learning the blacksmithing trade and becoming an expert workman. In 1857 he located in Celina, opened a shop of his own and for many years continued to work at his trade, meeting with deserved success. He gradually acquired property and owns the home and shop which he built on the corner of Fayette and Sugar streets. He is looked upon as one of the city's substantial men. He has made his own way in the world and attributes the independence that he now enjoys to the careful, in- dustrious and temperate life he has led.
On August 3, 1854 Mr. Overly was married to Sarah J. Seaman, who was born in Morgan County, Virginia, and died in Celina, Ohio, August 7, 1895. They had no children of their own, but an adopted son, Franklin (Trotwine) Overly, filled a large place in their hearts until his death in 1888. Mr. Overly also reared a daughter of his wife's sister-Belle (Hinkle) Overly,
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who married Orrin Miller and with her husband resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Mr. Overly was married the second time, in August, 1897, to Mrs. Isabelle McClain, daughter of Moses Ferguson, both of whom were born in Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Ferguson emigrated to America when his daughter (Mrs. Overly) was two years of age. He died of cholera at St. Marys, Ohio, shortly after his arrival there. Mrs. Overly was reared and educated at St. Marys. By her first husband (Jacob Pohlman) Mrs. Overly has one son, Arthur Pohlman, who resides in Denver, Colorado, where he is the manager of a large mercantile establishment.
Mr. and Mrs. Overly are members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Celina, of which the former has been a member for over 40 years. Mr. Overly has been permanently identified with the politics of Mercer County and for six years was a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors. He has also served as a member of the Village Council of Celina-for several terms. He is a member of the Masonic order.
JOHN REGEDANZ
JOHN REGEDANZ, a well-known and successful agriculturist, residing on his excellent farm of 99 acres, which is situated in section 21, was born on this farm in Hopewell township, Mercer County, Ohio, July 10, 1861, and is a son of William M. and Dorothea Regedanz.
The parents of Mr. Regedanz were born in Germany. The mother died in Hopewell township, in 1886, but the father still survives and lives at Celina. He was one of the early settlers in this section, coming when the whole country in this vicinity was still one great forest, with here and there a small clearing where some other pioneer had erected a rude log cabin. For many years he industriously worked to clear his farm and put it under culti- vation and it is now a valuable property. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Celina.
John Regedanz was reared in Hopewell township and since completing his schooling has devoted himself to general farming. He has long been ac- counted one of the township's most progressive and successful agriculturists.
On February 26, 1891, Mr. Regedanz was married to Alma Muthert, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late William Muthert. Mr. and Mrs. Regedanz have the following children : Hazel R., Freda C., Lena C., Mabel, Florence and Albert W.
Mr. Regedanz is a Democrat. Since boyhood he has been a member of
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the Lutheran Church. His reputation is that of an honorable upright man, who in every way is a first-class citizen.
CLARENCE E. MARSH
CLARENCE E. MARSH, prosecuting attorney of Mercer County, and one of the leading members of the bar at Celina, was born January 13, 1877, and is a son of the late Hon. Archelaus D. and Mary J. (Thompson) Marsh.
The father of Mr. Marsh was one of the leading men of his day in Mer- cer County. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 19, 1843, and was the only son of James P. and Ellen J. Marsh. He was reared in High- land County until the age of 25 years, when he removed to Brown County, where he prepared for the bar and was admitted to practice in 1872. Two years later he located at Celina and entered into partnership with John W. Loree, with whom he continued for 22 years. At the time of his death, in 1904, he was a law partner of his son, the subject of this sketch. An extended record of his life, including his political career, will be found in another part of this work.
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