USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 45
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In 1877 Mr. Beams was married to Malinda Kester, a daughter of John Kester, and they have seven children, namely: Lawrence A., who married Blanche Fell, lives in Washington township and has one child; Laura, who married George Bailey and has three children; John, who resides at home, unmarried; Flora, who is the wife of Del Cummins and the mother of one child; and Ross, David, and Lily Echo, still at home.
ROBERSON GREEN BURCH
ROBERSON GREEN BURCH, one of the excellent farmers for which Butler township is justly noted, resides on a fine property of 116 acres located in section 23. He was born in this township, July 17, 1842, and is a son of Barton F. and Catherine ( Allen) Burch.
The Burch family is of English ancestry and was founded in America at an early day by some seven brothers of the name who located in the State of New York. Zebulon Burch, the grandfather of Roberson G., was an old and substantial resident of New York and there lived to the age of 71 years.
Barton F. Burch came to Ohio from New York and located on a farm near Cincinnati, where he was subsequently married to Catherine Allen. Her father, Joseph Allen, a native of England, settled first in Maryland upon com- ing to this country, later removing to Ohio. About 1840 Barton F. Burch came to Mercer County and rented farming land for some years, but later entered 80 acres, paying $1.25 an acre for the same. This tract he cleared, built a comfortable log cabin and with the help of his sons, improved the land into a fine, productive farm, on which he died July 16, 1871, when almost 67. years old. His wife died November 1, 1876, aged 75 years.
Roberson G. Burch was reared in Butler township and passed his time until he was 21 in assisting his father and in attending the district schools. The opening of the Civil War found him ready to offer his services to his country, and as soon as he had attained his majority he did so, on October 8, 1862, entering Company H, 56th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served
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for one year, participating in the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted 41 days, and in which he was seriously wounded in the left knee; and the battles of Champion Hill and Port Gibson.
After his war service was over and he had received his honorable dis- charge, Mr. Burch returned to Mercer County and began working on a farm by the month. He bought his first piece of property in Jay County, Indiana, which he later traded for a 40-acre tract on which his home now stands, later purchasing 80 additional acres. He carries on general farming and stock- raising.
On August 27, 1889, Mr. Burch was married to Lesta Olive. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burch are members of the Christian Church at Montezuma.
REV. HENRY GOLDSCHMIDT, C. PP. S.
REV. HENRY GOLDSCHMIDT, C. PP. S., who has been pastor of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg, in Gibson township, for the past seven years, was born September 1I, 1866, in Baden, Germany, and is a son of John and Agnes (Seirer) Goldschmidt, who were natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives.
Father Goldschmidt spent his early boyhood days on his father's farm, which he left when about 15 years of age to enter a professional school at Freiburg, Baden, Germany, where he remained for several years. In 1887, after leaving his position, he came to America and entered St. Charles Semi- nary, at Carthagena, Mercer County, Ohio, as a student, and in 1888 began to study for the priesthood. He was graduated from the seminary and or- dained a priest in 1899, in which year he became assistant priest in the Cath- olic Church at Glandorf, Putnam County, Ohio, where he remained for six months. On August 10th of that year Father Goldschmidt took charge of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg, where he has since been located.
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HENRY GOECKE
HENRY GOECKE, one of the leading business men at Maria Stein, en- gaged in undertaking, furniture dealing and brickmaking, who is also treas- urer of St. John's Catholic Church, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of John B. and Mary (Asman) Goecke.
John B. Goecke was born in Germany, May 29, 1826, and in 1835 ac- companied his parents to America. They landed at Baltimore and at once came to Auglaize County, Ohio. At the age of 15 years, John B. Goecke
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started to learn the carpenter's trade at Minster, and subsequently became an expert wood-carver. He made the beautiful altar of St. John's Catholic Church at Maria Stein and that of St. Mary's at Cassella. He bought land and owned the site on which the town of St. Johns is built. In a fire which destroyed his property in 1850, he lost a considerable amount, having no in- surance, but he was able to leave his family in comfortable circumstances. He was a good Catholic and was a liberal, charitable man. His death oc- curred in 1885. Politically he was a Democrat.
In 1849 John B. Goecke married Mary Asman, who was born in Ger- many, and they had these children: Henry, Elizabeth, Katherine, Agnes, John, Rosa, John (2) and Joseph.
After leaving school, Henry Goecke learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked successfully. Since 1883 he has been engaged in undertak- ing and furniture dealing at Maria Stein. He also has a brickyard and burn- ed the brick used in the construction of St. John's Church, the convent of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood and other buildings. Mr. Goecke also owns a hardware store. All these different lines of business are conducted carefully and he is one of the town's capitalists. He owns some 15 acres of good land and two valuable town lots in addition to his other property.
In 1876 Mr. Goecke was married to Katie Pulskamp, who was born September 10, 1855, and is a daughter of Hon. Herman and Mary (Schaffer) Pulskamp. Judge Pulskamp was born at Martzen, Germany, July 25, 1830, and at the age of 15 years accompanied his parents to New York, going from there to St. Peters, Indiana. In 1848 he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Herman learned the wagon-maker's trade. In 1852 Herman Pulskamp was married in Cincinnati to Mary Schaffer, who was a native of Germany and a devout Catholic. To this union were born: Katie, wife of our subject ; Her- man, John B., Bernard, George Edward, Mary, Louise, Joseph and Frederick. The mother of these children died July 1, 1886, and two years later, Judge Pulskamp was married to Mary A. Frey.
In 1861 Judge Pulskamp came to Maria Stein from Cincinnati. He has been justice of the peace a number of times, has also served as township clerk and in 1875 he was elected county treasurer. This necessitated his re- moval to Celina. In 1882 he was elected probate judge and served through two terms and held other offices. His death occurred August 21, 1891, at Celina. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church.
Mrs. Goecke resided at home until her marriage. She was carefully educated and is a lady of beautiful Christian character and the beloved mother of a large family, as follows: John H., who died July 18, 1878; Justina Maria, who married B. Tangeman, lives at Maria Stein and has two children, Leonard and Ludmilla; John Edward, who assists his father in business;
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Herman Frederick, who married Louise Menker, October 17, 1906, and as- sists in the hardware store of his father at Maria Stein; Agnes Matilda, who died April 15, 1888; Albert John, who died June 26, 1888; Clara Ann; Anna Maria; Martina Mary, who died June 18, 1894; Hildegard Maria; and Alma Maria.
In 1887 Mr. Goecke was appointed treasurer of St. John's Church, a mark of the greatest confidence that could have been shown an intelligent, upright, able business man. He has been promiently identified with the af- fairs of the church for many years and can give many interesting details of its growth from a mission to its present prosperity.
In politics he is a Democrat. For II years he was postmaster at Maria Stein and for seven years held the office of township treasurer.
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JOHN G. DUES
JOHN G. DUES, formerly supervisor of Butler township, and one of the township's leading citizens, resides on his well-improved farm of 70 acres, situated in section 30. Mr. Dues was born October 30, 1858, in Butler township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Anna Dues, ex- tended mention of whom will be found in the sketch of our subject's brother, Barney Dues, appearing elsewhere in this volume.
J. G. Dues was reared in Butler township, which, with the exception of a period of two years, has been his home all his life. These two years were spent at Celina, where he erected a comfortable home, which he occupied dur- ing his residence at the county seat.
Following his marriage, Mr. Dues rented a farm in Butler township for a number of years. In 1899 he purchased 100 acres of land to which he sub- sequently added 30 acres, on which property he erected a commodious frame residence and substantial barn and other buildings. Later he sold 60 acres of his land and moved from the new buildings to his present home at the other end of the farm. Mr. Dues has erected three residences, these being his former farm residence, the residence in Celina and still another in Philo- thea, all of which he has sold. He carries on a general line of agriculture and is numbered with the township's good farmers. He has always taken a good citizen's interest in local affairs, in which his judgment is frequently con- sulted, and for three years he served efficiently as supervisor.
On October 3, 1882, Mr. Dues was married to Catherine Will, a daugh- ter of George Will, and they have had II children, namely: Barbara, who married Henry Harms and has one son, Harold; John, who married Phil- omena Brown and has one daughter, Ursula; and Frank, Benjamin, Rudolph,
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Joseph, Henrietta, Matilda, Leona and Philomena, all at home, and Pauline, who died aged eight months. Mr. Dues is a leading member of the Catholic Church.
CHARLES W. MACKENBACH
CHARLES W. MACKENBACH, M. D., physician and surgeon at Cold- water, was born in Jay County, Indiana, December 14, 1869, and is a son of, C. A. and Catherine (Kantrenen) Mackenbach.
Charles W. Mackenbach was reared in Jay County, and received his early education in the public schools, later attending the normal school at Portland, Indiana. He then took a course in bookkeeping in Wilt's Business College, also known as the Miami Commercial College, at Dayton, Ohio, and upon his return to Portland he became bookkeeper in the Citizens' Bank, where he remained for three years and then held the same position with the C. A. Barker Lumber Company, following bookkeeping for 10 years. After a course in pharmacy at Valparaiso, Indiana, in 1897 he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1900. He began medical practice at St. Marys in the same year, remaining there until May 20, 1905, when he removed to Coldwater and opened up his present office. Dr. Mackenbach is unmarried. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees.
ANDREW SMITH
ANDREW SMITH, a prominent citizen and representative agriculturist of Hopewell township, Mercer County, resides on his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres, which is favorably situated in section 20. He was born in Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, March 10, 1844, and is a son of Frederick and Eliza- beth (Garlag) Smith.
The parents of Mr. Smith were born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and subsequently came to America. The mother was born March 21, 1808, and died in September, 1847, the same year that they settled in Mercer County, Ohio. Frederick Smith, who was born April 8, 1807, survived his wife many years, his death occurring June 30, 1906. He was then in his 100th year, being the most venerable resident of the county. His first years in Hopewell township were occupied in clearing up his farm in section 20, it being situated right in the midst of the woods. He contracted a second mar- riage and of his children the survivors are as follows: Henry, George and Andrew, all farmers in Hopewell township; Lena, wife of Frederick Stedcke,
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of Hopewell township; Frederick, of Hanover, Michigan; Caroline, wife of George J. Smith, of Hopewell township; and Susan, wife of Jasper Cole, of Celina.
Andrew Smith was three years old when his parents came to America, and in the same year, 1847, was deprived of the care of his tender mother. He grew up amid pioneer surroundings, went to school at intervals, when ses- sions were held in the log schoolhouses in the district, and assisted all through youth and manhood in the clearing and developing of the home farm of 80 acres. He has always been numbered with the good farmers and enterprising agriculturists of his locality. He is a man of practical ideas and has always shown an interest in the advancement of education, the establishing of re- ligious bodies and in the making of good roads in his neighborhood.
On October 13, 1867, Mr. Smith was married to Nancy McGilvery, who died June 13, 1868. He was married (second), on November 21, 1869, to Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Shelby County, Ohio, July 21, 1851, and is a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Kraft) Smith. The parents of Mrs. Smith were born in Germany and they resided for some years in Shelby Coun- ty, after coming to Ohio, later removing to Celina, Mercer County, and sub- sequently to Hopewell township. Mrs. Smith has five surviving brothers, as follows: George J., Charles, Philip, Henry E. and Benjamin F., all resi- dents of Hopewell township.
Our subject and wife have seven children, namely: Catherine, wife of Lewis Anselman, of Liberty township; Mary E., wife of William Clay, of Auglaize County ; Ida J., wife of Frederick Stroh, of Auglaize County; Con- rad E., of Hopewell township; Margaret, wife of Joseph Bollenbacher, of Liberty township; Charles A., of Hopewell township, and Charlotte B., wife of Joshua Hoenie, of Hopewell township.
In politics Mr. Smith is identified with the Democratic party but he oc- casionally votes independently. Both he and his wife are valued members of the Evangelical Association. They are widely known and their hospitable home welcomes many warm personal friends.
S. A. BOWMAN
S. A. BOWMAN, vice-president of the Citizens' Banking Company of Celina, and one of the prominent and valued citizens of the village, was born in 1857 in Allen County, Indiana, where he was reared and schooled, his edu- cation being completed at Fort Wayne and Valparaiso.
After leaving college, Mr. Bowman engaged in teaching school for about two years and then embarked in a drug business at Zanesville, where he con-
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tinued as active manager for some three years before coming to Celina, but continued as owner of the business for some years thereafter. Mr. Bowman has made Celina his home since 1889 and during all the intervening period has been identified with the Citizens' Bank, first as bookkeeper, later as assist- ant cashier and subsequently as cashier and for some years has been its vice- president. He is largely interested in real estate in Mercer County and also in Allen County, Indiana, and owns stock in telephone and other enterprises.
In 1882 Mr. Bowman was married to Eva Counterman, a daughter of Jacob Counterman, one of the early pioneers of Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have one son, Harold C., a student in the Celina public schools.
In politics Mr. Bowman is identified with the Republican party and on numerous occasions has been a delegate to State and National conventions. In 1904 he was an elector from Ohio and cast the electoral vote for Theodore Roosevelt. He is interested in all civic matters of a public character and is one of the trustees of the Free Public Library of Celina. Mr. Bowman is one of the leading members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Celina and a member of its official body, and for several years has also been one of the board of district stewards.
GEORGE HOWICK
GEORGE HOWICK, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a farm of 160 acres located in section 23, Center township, was born in this township, April 6, 1848, and is a son of Stephen and Eva (Minehart) Howick, the former a native of Surrey County, England, and the latter, of Fairfield County, Ohio. In the sketch of our subject's brother, David Ho- wick, appearing elsewhere in this volume, will be found further mention of the parents.
George Howick was reared on the home place where he remained until after his marriage, when he moved to his present farm, where he has since resided. His farm which is all in one body lies on the north side of the road. He has cleared a greater part of the land and made many improvements, building a house and other buildings.
Mr. Howick was married 34 years ago to Frances Cantwil, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John Cantwil, who was a resident of Center township. Mr. and Mrs. Howick have had 10 children, namely: Albert, residing in Center township, who married Kate Pitzen and has one child, Eugene; Mary (twin to Albert), who married Benjamin Hoyng and resides in Utica, Ohio; Annie, who married William Craft, of Center township; William, who lives at home; John S .; Grace, who married John Holtmann, of Center township;
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and Ethel, Rose, Daniel and Bernard, living at home. Mr. Howick is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Catholic Church at Celina.
JACOB LINK
JACOB LINK, proprietor of a general store at Chickasaw, was born at Cassella, Mercer County, Ohio, November 18, 1875, and is a son of Anton and Catherine (Cron) Link, who were both natives of Cassella, Ohio. Anton Link was engaged in the sawmill business at Cassella for two years, after which he opened a general store which he operated for some time. He is now a resident of Carthagena, where he is engaged in running a general store. He married Catherine Cron and they have had II children, namely: Jacob, John, Elizabeth, Charles, Aloys, Anna, Joseph and Mary, Catherine, Francis and Anton, who are deceased.
Jacob Link lived with his father in Carthagena until about 15 years of age, and worked in his father's store. He then attended St. Mary's Institute at Dayton, Ohio, for two years. At the age of 18 he became a traveling salesman for a cigar jobbing house, in which business he remained for the. following eight years. He then returned home for a period of two years, and next opened a general store at Philothea, which he operated for one year. After selling out, he came to Chickasaw and engaged in the general mer- chandise business, in which he still continues.
Mr. Link was married November 25, 1903, to Margaret Boeke, a daugh- ter of Herman and Catherine Boeke. One child has blessed this union : Catherine, who was born November 18, 1904. Mr. Link is a Democrat in politics and in 1904 was a candidate at the primaries for the nomination for county recorder. Mr. Link and his wife are members of the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw, Ohio, and he is a member of St. Joseph's Society of that church.
JOHN L. BUCANON
JOHN L. BUCANON, a trustee of Butler township, and owner, with his wife, of 69 acres of fine farm land, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, Octo- ber 23, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Esther Ann (Swartz) Bucanon, na- tives of Ireland, where the father of our subject died in 1857. Our subject's mother married, as her second husband, Anthony Kuhn, and moved to Butler township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1868.
John L. Bucanon was reared in Butler township and has passed the greater part of his life in agricultural pursuits. In March, 1906, Mr.
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Bucanon moved from his farm to Coldwater and purchased the street sprink- ling privilege, which he operated during the summer of that year, returning to the farm on October 18th.
Mr. Bucanon was married (first) to Eliza Burch, who died after 18 years of wedded life, leaving one son, Alonzo, who makes his home with his father. . On the 19th of May, 1898, our subject married Mrs. Isabelle An- drew, widow of William Andrew and daughter of Martin and Hester Ann Burch, of New York State. She was the mother of six children by her first marriage, as follows: Stella, who is the wife of T. G. Brandon (a teacher in Butler township) and the mother of two children; Charles; Robert, who married Pearl Buck and has one child; Fanny; Eva and Annie. Mr. Bucanon was elected township trustee in 1902 and is now serving his second term. He has been a member of the School Board for seven years. He is a member of the Christian Church.
JOHN GRIER
JOHN GRIER, residing on a well-developed farm of 120 acres situated in section 19, Butler township, is a native of Ireland and was born about 1836, although he has no record of the actual date.
After the death of his father, Mr. Grier came to America, being then about eighteen years old. He landed at New York in 1854, having made the voyage on a sailing vessel, which took about 31 days. He obtained his first work in a straw-hat factory as bleacher and later as presser. Afterwards he went to Newark, Ohio, and worked in a house-furnishing store for a time, and then returned to New York, where he remained about three years and then came back to Ohio and settled on a farm, which he had purchased several years before. He cleared the farm and made a great many improvements and now has one of the finest farms in Butler township.
Mr. Grier was married (first) in New York during his early residence there and he and his wife had one child, Catherine Patton, who died aged three months. He was married (second) to Caroline Walters, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, but was reared in Mercer County. They became the parents of seven children, namely : John James, who died aged 21 years; Cath- erine Ann, who lives at home; William Edmond, residing in Jefferson town- ship, who has one child; Mary, who married Robert Larmore and has one child; Ralph, residing in Mercer County, who has one child; Amy Caroline, who lives at home; and Hugh Arthur, who died aged 15 years. Mr. Grier is a Republican and has served as school director and supervisor of his township. In religion he was brought up a Presbyterian, but is not united with any church at present, as no church of that denomination is located near his home.
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FIRST RESIDENCE, AND PRESENT RESIDENCE AND BARN OF HARVEY BEOUGHER
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HARVEY BEOUGHER
HARVEY BEOUGHER, a well-known citizen and successful farmer of Jefferson township, whose 80-acre farm is located in section II, was born near Logan, Hocking County, Ohio, March 27, 1842, and is a son of Benjamin C. and Catherine (Cook) Beougher.
Benjamin C. Beougher was born near Millville, Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated, removing to Hocking County after his marriage, where he became a representative farmer.
Harvey Beougher remained on the home farm until he was prepared to start a home of his own, in 1872, making his home with his parents, but ac- casionally working for neighboring farmers as was the custom. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the Civil War and was in the army for one year and seven months, a member of the 58th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. He saw some pretty hard service but returned at the close of his term of enlistment without having suffered any serious injury. He resumed farming in Hocking County, where he remained until 1875, when he located in Mercer County, having purchased 80 acres of uncleared land in Jefferson township in 1866. Here he built a log house and entered upon the clearing and ditching of his land, which he continued until the whole tract of 80 acres was ready for cultivation, except nine acres reserved for timber. In 1899 Mr. Beougher built a commo- dious frame residence which has made a comfortable home for his family. In 1892 he erected his substantial barn which is, without doubt, one of the very best in the township. His other improvements are of the same character and they make his property a valuable and pleasing one. He carries on general farming and raises some stock.
On March 24, 1872, Mr. Beougher was married to Eva Lohr, a daugh- ter of Noah Lohr, who is a minister in the United Brethren Church, located in Hocking County, Ohio. They have had 13 children, namely: Cora Alma and Lela Ada, both deceased in infancy; Homer Ellis, who died aged 18 months; Sanford, minister of the Christian Church at Montpelier, Indiana, who is married and has two children; Charles, a resident of Jefferson town- ship, who is married and has three children; Elmer J., also residing in Jeffer- son township, who is married and has one child; Chester Orn, who is married and resides in Celina; Ida, who married William Monroe and lives in Jeffer- son township; and Lawrence, Zina D., Maud Blanche, Jesse and Bessie E., who resides at home.
Mr. Beougher has given his children educational advantages and they are respected members of society in Jefferson township. The family belong to the Walnut Chapel United Brethren Church in Jefferson township, of which he is one of the trustees. In politics Mr. Beougher is a Republican. On a
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