History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 35

Author: Scranton, S. S
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 35

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On November 26, 1901, Mr. Schlosser was married to Theresa C. Schaefferling, of Piqua, Ohio. A daughter, Juanita Maria, was born to them on the Ioth of November, 1906.

Mr. Schlosser has business interests at Celina, outside of his profession, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank. He is serving as deputy State supervisor of elections.

Mr. Schlosser was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church. He has

CALVIN E. RILEY

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long been very active in its various social and benevolent organizations and is a member of the Knights of St. John and of St. Joseph's Aid Society.

CALVIN E. RILEY

CALVIN E. RILEY, president of the Commercial Bank Company of Celina, and a member of a distinguished family of Mercer County, was born at St. Marys, Ohio, October 9, 1830, and is a son of James Watson and Susan (Ellis) Riley.

James Watson Riley was identified with Mercer County for many years. A sketch of the father of our subject will be found in this volume, with the leading events of the life of his father, Capt. James Riley ; extended mention of James Watson Riley will also be found in the historical part of the work.

Calvin E. Riley, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, spent the early years of his boyhood in St. Marys. When he was nine years of age, his father's family moved to Celina and later to Lima, subsequently returning to St. Marys from which place the family moved to Columbus. In early man- hood Mr. Riley returned to Celina and first engaged in farming and milling, later being interested in milling and also in a mercantile business. Later he moved on a farm and was engaged in farming until he once more took up his residence in Celina, where he has continued to live ever since, giving a good deal of attention to the developing of oil properties in Auglaize and Mercer counties.

In 1888 he became a partner in the private banking business of Godfrey & Milligan. In 1893 the business was incorporated and on January 1, 1901, it was merged into the Commercial Bank Company of Celina. This financial institution has a capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $10,000. Its officers are : Calvin E. Riley, president: C. D. Hierholzer, vice-president; J. B. Puls- kamp, cashier; Ashley M. Riley, assistant cashier; and E. J. Hierholzer, teller. The board of directors is made up of the officers of the company.

On April II, 1854, Mr. Riley was married (first) to Gabrilla Brandon, of Celina, who died in 1885. In 1886 Mr. Riley was married (second) to Mrs. Susan A. Harris, a daughter of Guy Shaw, of Alexander, New York, a member of a distinguished military family of that State. Mrs. Riley died at Celina, July 31, 1904, at the age of 70 years. She was a lady of beautiful Christian character and a devoted member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Riley had seven children by his first marriage, viz: Willshire and Fannie, deceased; Calvin Willshire, a farmer of Jefferson township; Robert Ells- worth, physician and a druggist of Celina; James Zura, a hardware mer- chant of Celina; Ashley Melville, assistant cashier of the Commercial Bank

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Company; and Grace Lucinda, wife of Byron Griffith, a partner with his brother-in-law, James Zura Riley.

Politically Mr. Riley is a Republican, but has never consented to hold office. Socially he is a Mason and belongs to Celina Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M., and to the Royal Arch Chapter.

JOHN SCHNARRE

JOHN SCHNARRE, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a well-improved farm located in section 23, Center township, was born on the home farm in this township, which lies just north of his present location, October 7, 1859, and is a son of Casper and Mary ( Rodard) Schnarre.

Casper Schnarre was born in Germany and came to America when a young man, locating in Mercer County, being the first of his family to settle here and was one of the earliest pioneers of Center township, where he pur- chased a farm. He made a clearing and erected a log cabin, afterwards add- ing a frame addition to it, in which John Schnarre, our subject was born. Casper Schnarre married Mary Rodard, also a native of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the same ship with him. Mr. and Mrs. Schnarre be- came the parents of 10 children, namely : Henry, deceased; Mrs. Mary Gar- wick, deceased; Caroline, who married Fred Fisher and resides in Auglaize County ; Amelia, who married Charles Paglow and lives at St. Marys ; John; Julia, who died in childhood; Sarah, who married Frank Fisher, of St. Marys ; Casper, who resides in St. Marys; George, who lives on the old home place, in Center township; and Jennie, who married Charles Aschbacher. Casper Schnarre, the father of this family, died May 19, 1898, at the age of 80 years.

John Schnarre was reared to manhood on the home farm in Center town- ship, which he and his brothers assisted in clearing. After his marriage he lived for one year at Neptune, at the same time continuing to farm the home place. He then went to Franklin township, where he rented a farm for six years, after which he moved to the farm of Charles Paglow, in Auglaize County, where he remained for four years. He then purchased a farm of 53 acres on the old Fort Wayne road, where he still resides. In 1892 he bought 18 acres of the home place. There were but three rooms to the house when he bought the farm, to which he has added four rooms, making a very _ comfortable home. He has made other improvements to his property in the way of erecting outbuildings, there being no buildings of this nature on the place when he acquired it, but an old buggy shed and a granary.

Mr. Schnarre was married March 5, 1882, to Sarah Baker, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Levi and Susan (Pratt) Baker,

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now residents of Neptune. Mr. and Mrs. Schnarre have had three children, namely : Josephine, born in 1882; a child that died unnamed in 1885, and Ralph Odean, who was born in 1898 Politically, Mr. Schnarre is a Demo- crat.

WILLIAM E. WILSON

WILLIAM E. WILSON, one of the leading business men at Fort Recovery, proprietor of the Fort Recovery lumber yards, was born March 28, 1856, in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and is a son of William and Rosanna (Mills) Wilson.

After the death of our subject's mother, in 1858, the father removed from Michigan to Fulton County, Ohio, where he subsequently was married to Mrs. Ann (Latham) Creghlo, and they continued to reside there until the death of the father in 1891. He was a wheelwright by trade. His widow still lives in Fulton County.

When our subject was about 15 years of age, he went to Clayton, Mich- igan, where he was in the employ of the general mercantile firm of G. V. Hawkins & Company, for two years. He then entered a commercial college at Adrian, Michigan, where he completed a six-months' course in bookkeeping and business methods, but in the following year, 1874, he embarked in farm- ing, operating a rented farm of 120 acres in Eaton County, Michigan, until 1877, following which he worked for some two years on a farm, by the day. In 1879 Mr. Wilson went to Lake County, Michigan, and embarked in a gen- eral mercantile business in a lumber town in that section, which he conducted until 1881, when he sold out to Wall & Sipley, a large lumber concern there, and then became bookkeeper for this firm. The failure of the firm in 1883, which was precipitated by the failure of the Cadillac Bank, threw him out of employment, and he then moved to Cadillac and there accepted the superinten- dency of Cummer & Son's planing-mill, and remained with that firm for two years, He subsequently served in the same capacity for Dunham, Peters & Company at Chase, Lake County, Michigan, a large manufacturing firm, for which he later went out on the road and was their traveling representative until the spring of 1889, when he came to Fort Recovery.

Mr. Wilson is one of the progressive, enterprising business men of this town. After locating here, he established the lumber business, in partnership with George A. Reuter, and has been sole owner since November 5, 1904. He gives employment to from seven to 10 men and does a general planing-mill business and sells lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors and blinds, cement, coal and building blocks. His partnership with George A. Reuter continued from 1889 until 1904.

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In the fall of 1881, Mr. Wilson was married to Ella E. Williams, in Lake County, Michigan. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of Charles I. Williams and was born in Allen County, Ohio. They have two adopted children, twin sisters, Minnie D. and Maude D.

Mr. Wilson has taken an active part in public affairs for a number of years and while a resident of Lake County, Michigan, was treasurer of Yates township for some two years. For nine years he has served as treasurer of the Board of Education of Fort Recovery and has been a member of the Board of Public Affairs. For a long period he has been prominent in Masonry and is serving as master of Fort Recovery Lodge, No. 539, F. & A. M. Mr. Wil- son is a valued member of Pisgah Congregational Church at Fort Recovery. He stands very high in public esteem, not only as a man of business capacity but also of business integrity.

WILLIAM HAIR

WILLIAM HAIR, a trustee of Hopewell township, and one of its promin- ent citizen, resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres, situated in sec- tion 21. He was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1832, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth F. (Fenicle) Hair.

The parents of Mr. Hair belonged to old established families of Penn- sylvania. In 1837 they came to Ohio, settling in Wayne County, where they remained until 1844, when they removed to Richland County.

William Hair was five years old when his parents settled in Wayne County, and about 12 when they removed to Richland County. His education and training through boyhood was such as pioneer youths usually received. For a number of years he operated a saw-mill, although his main business in life has been farming. In 1860, accompanied by his family, Mr. Hair came from Richland to Mercer County, and in the following year settled on the farm where he still resides, having developed it from the forest. He has long been one of the leading citizens of this section, for a number of years has served as township trustee, for eight years was township treasurer, and for three years a justice of the peace.

In Richland County, Ohio, Mr. Hair was united in marriage to Margaret Pitcher, who was born in that county, and they have had six children, namely : Mary A., wife of Charles Stevenson, residing in Michigan; Sarah E., wife of Charles Smith, residing in Hopewell township; Jacob, residing in Hope- well township; Ida, wife of Frank Lacey, residing in Hopewell township; and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hair are members of the Church of God, in which Mr. Hair is an elder.

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GIDEON LE BLOND

GIDEON LE BLOND, deceased, was in life one of Celina's most enterprising and successful business men and prominent citizens. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, and was a son of Evera C. Le Blond, who was born in Paris, France, May 22, 1789, and came to the United States in early manhood.

Gideon Le Blond was six years old when his parents moved from Knox to Richland County, where he was educated and where he entered into a mer- cantile business with his father. They continued in business at Belleville un- til 1847, when our subject removed to St. Marys, Ohio, where he carried on his mercantile concerns until 1856. He then settled on a farm adjoining Celina, where his family resided up to 1864, during his absence as a soldier in the Civil War. In 1861 he went out as captain of Company H, 7Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and continued in command until December, 1862, when im- paired health compelled him to resign and return to the peaceful pursuits he had left in order to assist in the preservation of his country. During his years of arduous service, Captain Le Blond participated in many serious battles, notably those of Shiloh, Clarksville and Fort Donelson.

In 1864 Mr. Le Blond re-entered business, embarking as a dry goods merchant at Celina, but five years later he sold out and entered into partner- ship, in 1869, with the late Abner Davis, in the hardware and grain business, under the firm name of Le Blond, Davis & Company. This firm was in active business life for 22 years. Thus Mr. Le Blond's career as a business man proved his ability and likewise his integrity. The concerns with which his name was associated were successful on account of their honorable dealings and enterprising spirit.

In 1841 Mr. Le Blond was married to Jane Patterson, who died in 1868. She was born at Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio. Their children were: John P., Elizabeth, Francis C. (deceased), James W. (deceased), Ida (deceased), and Charles G. In 1871 Mr. Le Blond was married to Mrs. Emily P. Ayers.

JOHN P. LE BLOND, the eldest son of the late Gideon and Jane (Pat- terson) Le Blond, has been in business at Celina since 1864, formerly as a merchant, but since 1901 as assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Celina. He belongs to a family whose business achievements and good citizen- ship have made it a notable one in this section of Ohio.

SAMUEL DIXON

SAMUEL DIXON, proprietor of the "Oak Grove Stock Farm," which con- sists of 90 acres situated in Liberty township, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, January 25, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Amroy (Price) Dixon.

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Henry Dixon was born in Jackson County, Ohio. For a number of years he resided at Rockford, Mercer County, following the occupation of an auc- tioneer. He served with credit during the Civil War. At one time he was elected to the office of constable. His death occurred in January, 1892. He married Amroy Price, daughter of Isaac Price, who entered government land in Liberty township at a very early day, and is reputed to have been the first justice of the peace appointed in Mercer County. Mrs. Dixon accompanied her father from New Jersey to Ohio.

Samuel Dixon has spent the larger part of his life in Liberty township, and obtained his education in the schools of Mercer County. From boyhood he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has always been a lover of horses. He has paid particular attention to this branch of farming and has done much to develop it into an important industry of this section. At pres- ent he owns seven stallions of note. The horses raised on this farm are of the strains known as: Belgian Shires, Hackneys, French Coach and Hamble- tonian trotting horses.

Mr. Dixon was united in marriage with Christina Herman, who was born in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Jacob Herman. They have two children, Mary M. and Virgie.

Politically, Mr. Dixon is affiliated with the Republican party. He is one of the township's progressive, public spirited men, one who is a hearty sup- porter of all movements calculated to be of general advantage to his fellow- citizens.

EDWARD H. MERSMAN

EDWARD H. MERSMAN, a leading business man of Celina, president of The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company, which is exclusively engaged in the manufacture of furniture, was born in 1872 at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is a son of J. B. and Mary (Maag) Mersman. J. B. Mersman was born in Putnam County, later resided in Indiana and subsequently returned to Put- nam County, where he was engaged in the planing and sawmil business for some 12 years, finally removing in 1900 to Celina, where he established a factory for the manufacture of extension dining tables, both medium and high grade. In 1901 he sold his business to his sons, Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman, and Henry Lennartz. They continued the business under the firm name of Lennartz & Mersman Brothers until May, 1906, when the firm name became Mersman Brothers & Brandts. The following September the business was incorporated under laws of Ohio with a paid-up capital stock of $150,000, under the present style of The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company. Henry Lennartz disposed of one-half his interest in 1904 to Edmund Brandts

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 1 389

and in May, 1906, the remainder of his business was purchased by Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman and Edmund Brandts. At the present time the company manufactures dining tables exclusively, an annual business of over $200,000 being done. Employment is given to 125 men in the factory and Io traveling salesmen represent the company on the road. Shipments are made to nearly every State in the Union and to Canada. At the present stage of growth, it will only be a few months until the company will have the largest dining table factory in the United States. Edward H. Mersman is president ; Walter J. Mersman, vice-president and superintendent ; and Edmund Brandts, secretary and treasurer.

Edward H. Mersman was reared at Kendallville and LaGrange, Indiana, securing his education mainly in the latter place and becoming an employee at the bed factory at LaGrange as soon as he left school. Later he was employed in a planing-mill and a sawmill, removing later to Ottoville, Putnam County, where he continued in the same line until he came to Celina. Here in con- junction with his brother, Walter J. Mersman, and Henry Lennartz, he pur- chased his father's business and has continued the same successfully ever since.

In 1895 Mr. Mersman was married to Rosa Grewe, a daughter of Henry Grewe, a retired resident of Delphos, Ohio. They have one child, Marcella. Mr. Mersman is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio. In politics he is a Democrat.

EDWARD A. DIBBLE

EDWARD A. DIBBLE, a representative citizen of Center township, was born December 1, 1831, in Essex County, New York, and is a son of Lyman and Eliza Jane (Smart) Dibble.

Lyman Dibble was born March 2, 1804, and was a son of Levi Dibble, a native of Vermont, whose parents had immigrated from France in the 18th century and settled in New England. Lyman Dibble was reared and educated in New York, but in 1837 he moved to Champaign County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming for eight years. He then came to Mercer County and lived for several years in Jefferson township, and then moved to Center town- ship, where he purchased 80 acres of farm land from his brother Luman, who had made the original entry. To this he added 40 acres and built a log cabin on the place, which was later replaced by another, which was built by his son Charles, in 1850, who still resides there. Lyman Dibble remained on this farm until his death, which occurred July 24, 1869, at the age of 65 years. On February 17, 1831, he married Eliza Jane Smart, who was a native of Vermont, born February 7, 1813, and died August 6, 1898, at the age of 85

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years. They were the parents of the following children : Edward A .; Charles F .; Rebecca, who married James F. Moore of Mendon; and Frances Ann. Mr. Dibble was a life-long Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edward A. Dibble grew to manhood on the home farm in Center town- ship, he being about 15 years old when his parents moved to Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 56th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., at Celina, Ohio, and served until August 4, 1863. He participated in the battles at Port Gibson, Champion Hills and the siege of Vicksburg, receiving no injuries in battle, but contracting rheumatism and scurvy, from which diseases he has suffered more or less ever since. His monthly pension of $8 was increased three years since to $12.

Mr. Dibble was married November 30, 1854, to Mary Kumpf, a daugh- ter of George and Catherine Kumpf. The former was of German and the latter of French ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Dibble have had the following chil- dren : Alton, who lives at home; Annie, who resides at home; Susan Jane, who died while her father was in the army; Levi, deceased; George S., resid- ing at St. Marys, who married Jane Springer, and has four children-Hazel V., Flossie B., Artie Belle and Harold; Ida Belle, who lives in Lima, Ohio; William Henry, residing at Celina, who married Ida Belle Steele, and has three children-Donald Steele, Glendale and Opal; an infant, deceased, un- named; LeRoy S., an employe in the L. E. & W. R. R. offices, at Lima, who married Ida Matilda Hays; and Catherine, who died aged about eight years.

Mr. Dibble has always been an active Democrat. He was a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors for six years, served also as township trus- tee, supervisor, and school director, and was a member of the Board of Edu- cation. As an infirmary director, his record shows the faithfulness of his ser- vices and the economical manner in which he guarded the interests of the county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was class leader for several years. Formerly he was a member of the Neptune Post, G. A. R., in which he filled all the offices but quartermaster and chaplain ; and when that post passed out of existence, he joined Kiesler Post, No. 83, at St. Marys.

GEORGE BOLLENBACHER

GEORGE BOLLENBACHER, JR., a representative farmer and stockman of Liberty township, where he owns a well-cultivated farm of 120 acres, was born September 19, 1864, in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Adam and Christina (Koch) Bollenbacher, who were natives of Germany.

MR. AND MRS. AARON JONES AND FAMILY

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Adam Bollenbacher came to Mercer County with his parents when about 12 years of age, his father, George Bollenbacher, being one of the pioneer settlers. Both the grandfather and the father of our subject were men of sterling worth and led busy agricultural lives in Liberty township as long as they lived. They were Democrats in politics and the family has always been identified religiously with the Evangelical Association. The mother of our subject owns a 60-acre farm in Liberty township, but resides with her son,. Frederick Joseph Bollenbacher, on the home farm. Of the large family born. to the parents of George Bollenbacher, nine survive and he is the second in. order of birth.

George Bollenbacher, Jr., was reared on his father's farm in Liberty township, and was educated in the schools of District No. 3. He has always. given his attention to agriculture and has the reputation of being one of the most successful farmers of his locality. In 1889 he settled on his present farm, which shows the effects of careful cultivation. He engages in general farming and raises a great deal of first-class stock.

On April 22, 1888, Mr. Bollenbacher was married to Caroline Miller, a daughter of Philip Miller, of Van Wert County, and they have five children, namely: Walter, Tona B., Clarence W., George E. and Nora R. The mem- bers of the family belong to the Evangelical Association.

Mr. Bollenbacher has always been a Democrat but has accepted no office other than that of school director of District No. I, and has been a useful member of this School Board for some time. He stands well with his neigh- bors and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him, making no great show of public spirit, but being always ready to help along public im- provements when they are needed.

The children of George Bollenbacher are all anxious to secure good edu- cations. The oldest, Walter, who finished the common-school course, has been a student at the Rockford High School for two years past. The other children are attending school in District No. I.

AARON JONES

AARON JONES, who is a large manufacturer of drain tile, at Burketts- ville, belongs to an old and numerous family which has been established in Ohio since the grandfather's time. He was born January 18, 1855, in Gib- son township, Mercer County, Ohio, on the old home farm, and is a son of Edward and Mary Ann (Rood) Jones.

Abraham Jones, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer in New Jersey ; before he was married and had a family, he moved to Butler County, Ohio,

.21

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where he engaged in farming and manufacturing brick. At a later date he re- moved to Darke County and settled in what is now Gibson township, Mercer County, being among the first settlers. At that time this whole country was yet covered with a heavy growth of timber. He died on this farm when about 65 years old. His wife, Rebecca Pierson, a native of Butler County, Ohio, sur- vived him many years, dying at the age of 92. Of their large family these names have been preserved : Sallie Ann, who was the wife of Isaac Foster; Edward, father of our subject; Washington and Francis (twin) ; Margaret, who was the wife of Amos Keller; Abbie, who was the wife of Jacob Replogle; Betsey, who was the wife of Benjamin Misner; and James, the only sur- vivor, who married Minerva Keltner and now lives on the homestead farm in Gibson township.

Edward Jones, father of our subject, was born on the farm in Butler County, Ohio, and was a boy when he accompanied his father to the farm in Darke (now Mercer) County, but was old enough to give assistance in the erection of the round-log house which constituted the first home, and in the clearing of the land. At the age of 21 he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Rood, a daughter of Aaron and Phebe (Carter) Rood. She was born November 30, 1821, on a farm in Connecticut and lived in the house in which she was born until she was 18 years of age, when she accompanied her par- ents to Darke (now Mercer) County, Ohio. Her mother lived to be 94 years of age. She was the only daughter in her parents' family, her three brothers being : Alpha, Lauren B. and William Henry. The Rood brothers well known residents of this county, are large farmers and successful brick manu- facturers. To them is credited the making of the first brick in this county.

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History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 35

Author: Scranton, S. S Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 786

Author: Scranton, S. S
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786