USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 53
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Beiersdorfer is a very able business man and an enterprising, valuable citizen.
In 1882 Mr. Beiersdorfer was married to Sarah Ungerer, and they have three children, viz. : Leona, Frank and Hazel B. With his family he belongs to the Catholic Church. He is also an active member of the Knights of St. John, and is a member of the German Independent Aid Society.
WESLEY W. BEAUCHAMP
WESLEY W. BEAUCHAMP, M. D., a leading medical practitioner at Rock- ford, was born in Franklin township, Mercer County, Ohio, August 13, 1863, and is a son of Martin Luther and Sarah Ann (Johnston) Beauchamp.
The Beauchamp family was established in Mercer County by the grand- father of Dr. Beauchamp, who was a native of North Carolina. The family originated in France, fled to Scotland on account of political troubles and later crossed the ocean and made a home in North Carolina. Wesley Beauchamp, the grandfather, was one of the pioneer settlers at Montezuma, where he died in 1852. He acquired a large amount of land, his farm including a large part of the present site of St. Marys. Wesley Beauchamp had three sons and four daughters, namely : Monroe, William and Martin Luther, sons, and Cornelia, Isabel, Catherine and Calista, daughters. The sons have all passed away. Monroe died when about 21 years of age. William moved to Shelby County and later to Darke County, Ohio, where he died in 1905. Cornelia, deceased, was the wife of Isaac Selby. Isabel was married (first) to Salathiel Hale and later, to Morris Kelly, now deceased; she resides in Franklin township, Mer- cer County. Calista also resides in Franklin township, and is the widow of George Miller. The father of Dr. Beauchamp was born in 1830 and died January 29, 1878, at the age of 48 years.
The mother of our subject was born February 25, 1839, and was the eldest daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Peck) Johnston, both of whom were natives of Enniskillen, Ireland. John J. Johnston accompanied his parents to New Brunswick in childhood, and later they came to Franklin town- ship, Mercer County, as pioneer settlers. The great-grandmother of our sub- ject died at the age of 90 years. John J. Johnston was about 21 years old when he came to Mercer County ; he died in 1897 in Shelby County, aged 80 years. The children born to John J. and Elizabeth (Peck) Johnston were six daughters and two sons, all of whom survive, as follows: Sarah Ann, the mother of Dr. Beauchamp, who was born in Mercer County and is still a resi- dent there; Jennie, residing in Shelby County, who is the widow of James Weymer, deceased June 30, 1906; Barbara, wife of Finley Wilson, residing in
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Shelby County ; Mary, wife of Joseph A. Wilson, residing in Miami County ; Martha, wife of Reuben G. Singles, a grocer at Piqua, Ohio; Emma, wife of Charles A. Hetzler, of Sidney, Ohio; Samuel P., of Shelby County, who mar- ried Martha Campbell; and Stephen T., of Piqua, who married Ella Davis.
There were three sons and three daughters born to Martin Luther and Sarah Ann (Johnston) Beauchamp, as follows: Laura, who died in girlhood; John, who is a farmer, residing in Franklin township; Wesley W., of this sketch; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Gordon Botkin, of St. Marys; Hortense, who died in 1900, aged 28 years; and Herbert K., who is a practicing phy- sician at Phoenix, Arizona-he is a graduate of the Indiana Medical College, at Indianapolis and formerly practiced at Keystone, Indiana.
Wesley W. Beauchamp received his literary training in the schools of Montezuma and Celina. In 1892 he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1895. In April of the same year he entered upon the practice of his profession with Dr. A. Stephenson, at Fort Recovery. One year later, in April, 1896, he came to Rockford and was in partnership here for three and a half years, with Dr. Kirby. In April, 1905, he gave up practice on account of failing health and spent a year at Piqua, recuperating. In April, 1906, he returned to Rockford, where he has prac- ticed ever since, meeting with satisfactory success. He is preparing to take up special work in diseases of the eye.
On July 4, 1895, Dr. Beauchamp was married to Hattie C. White, a daughter of Cornelius S. and Sarah E. (Brubaker) White. They had one child but it died in infancy.
Politically Dr. Beauchamp is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Shane's Lodge, No. 377, at Rockford. Personally he is a man of pleasant address and bears the marks of a student. As man and phy- sician he is held in very high esteem in Rockford.
VALENTINE W. BREHM
VALENTINE W. BREHM, a well-known citizen and representative farmer and stock-raiser of Liberty township, residing on his valuable farm in section 16, was born January II, 1861, in Montgomery County, Ohio. His parents were John and Mary (Lower) Brehm.
John Brehm, who is now a resident of Liberty township, was born in Ger- many. After coming to America, he resided for a time in Montgomery County, Ohio, but came to Mercer County in 1872. The mother of our sub- ject died when he was a boy.
Valentine W. Brehm was reared on his father's farm until he reached
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manhood, and was educated in the public schools. He has always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and is numbered with the successful farmers of Liberty township. He settled on his present farm in 1893, finding it little more than a timber tract then, but he has developed it into a very valuable farm.
Mr. Brehm was married on December 24, 1885, to Sophia Alt, a daugh- ter of John Alt, a well-known resident of Liberty township. Mr. and Mrs. Brehm have two children, Philip J. and Annie L., both of whom have been' educated in the local schools and reside at home.
Mr. Brehm is a stanch Democrat. He is a man who takes a great deal of interest in the public school system and has given his time to serve as school director of District No. 5. Both he and his good wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
E. J. BROOKHART
E. J. BROOKHART, attorney-at-law at Celina and referee in bankruptcy for Mercer County, was born August 8, 1881, in Hopewell township, Mercer County, Ohio, some five miles north of Celina. He is a son of J. C. Brook- hart.
The father of E. J. Brookhart was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, but has been a citizen of Mercer County for many years. He still occupies and operates his farm in Hopewell township.
E. J. Brookhart was reared on his father's farm and was mainly educated at Mendon, graduating from the Mendon High School before entering upon the study of the law. In 1903 he was graduated in law at the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and in March, 1904, he entered into practice, locating at Celina. In February, 1906, he was appointed United States referee in bank- ruptcy for Mercer County, the duties of which office he has efficiently filled ever since.
On December 25, 1902, Mr. Brookhart was married to Dora Mont- gomery, a daughter of Dr. West Montgomery, of Ada, Ohio, formerly of Mercer County. Mrs. Brookhart is a talented musician and has been the leader of the choir of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church ever since taking up her residence at Celina. Both she and Mr. Brookhart are very active in church circles, he being a member of the board of stewards and she, of various benevolent organizations connected with its philanthropic activities. Mr. Brookhart still retains his membership in his college fraternity society of Theta Nu Epsilon.
In politics Mr. Brookhart is a Republican. He takes a lively interest in
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public matters and is one of the influential local managers, serving at present as chairman of the county executive committee.
JACOB HUWER
JACOB HUWER, one of Butler township's prosperous farmers, residing on a farm of 120 acres in section 29, was born at Cranberry Prairie, Mer- cer County, Ohio, September 10, 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Kart) Huwer.
Jacob Huwer, Sr., owned a fine farm of 160 acres and always followed agricultural pursuits. He died April 25, 1906, and his wife died in 1874. They had seven children, as follows: Jacob; Mary, who married Peter Stachler, of Dayton, Ohio; Kate, who married Henry Wolfe; Annie, who married Charles Bier; John; William; and Fred, who died from the effects of a rattlesnake bite, when six years old.
Jacob Huwer, our subject, was reared on a farm at Cranberry Prairie, and after his marriage lived on a farm of 85 acres near this point, which he sold in April, 1903, and purchased his present place. He resides in a fine, large brick house.
Mr. Huwer was married on August 8, 1882, to Maggie Rindler, a daughter of Constantine Rindler, and they have had 13 children, as follows : Christine, deceased; Jacob, who married Dina Spoltman; John; William; Mary; Christine (2) ; Henry; Leo; Charles, who died aged three years and six months; Roman, who died aged seven weeks; Clara, who died in infancy ; Raymond and Carl. Mr. Huwer is a member of the Catholic Church and also of St. Joseph's Society. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN TENNENT
JOHN TENNENT, a well-known contractor of Celina, where he has re- sided for the past 17 years, was born at Gettysburg, Darke County, Ohio, August 14, 1856. He was reared in his native town and was five years old when his father died. At an early age he was bound out on a farm where he remained until 21 years of age; thus his educational advantages were very limited. After leaving the farm, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming near Gettysburg. In 1889 he moved to Celina, where for the past 15 years he has been engaged in general contracting. Mr. Tennent has built 37 of the finest residences in Celina, seven of the village's business blocks, the Celina Free Public Library
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and many minor buildings of the village. He was recently awarded the contract for erecting Celina's new public school building.
Mr. Tennent was married in 1886 to Lyda Martin, of Piqua, Ohio, and has seven children, namely: Maud Pearl, who married Otis Monroe of Montezuma, Ohio; F. C., who is in partnership with his father; H. C., of Greenville, Ohio; Jennie and Sallie (twins) ; Guy and Emma. Politically, Mr. Tennent is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Gettysburg and a member of the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Celina.
BERNARD BORGER
BERNARD BORGER, a well-known resident of Celina, where he was en- gaged in business for a number of years, and a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors, was born October 27, 1854, in Granville township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Katherine E. (Ronne- baum) Borger.
The father of Mr. Borger was born in Germany and came to America when 21 years of age, locating immediately in Cincinnati. He worked there until 1835 when he bought government land in Granville township, Mercer County, and walked the distance between Cincinnati and Wapakoneta, car- rying his purchase money, $300 in silver, in a bag on his back. He lived to become one of the large landowners in Mercer County. He married Kath- erine E. Ronnebaum, who was also born in Germany, and they had seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Three are living at the present time : Bernard, of this sketch; Frederick, of St. Henry; and Mary, wife of Henry Dorger, a farmer in Granville township. Henry, Joseph and Frances died, leaving families. The father and mother lived to a good old age, the former dying March 17, 1887, aged 74 years, and the latter surviving the death of her husband but six days, being aged 72 years. They were most worthy people and were honored and beloved by those who knew them.
Bernard Borger was educated in Granville township and followed farm- ing there until June 15, 1891, when he removed to Celina, where he ran a grocery store for one year, later was in a lumber business and then clerked in a hardware store for seven years. On January 1, 1901, he became a mem- ber of the Board of Infirmary Directors of Mercer County, and has been clerk of the board ever since. While residing in Granville township he served as trustee, and was always interested in the educational affairs of his neighborhood. Since retiring from business, he has given the larger part of his time to looking after his valuable real estate interests.
Mr. Borger was married October 20, 1885, to Mary A. Depweg, a
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daughter of Barney Depweg, and they have one son, William J., who is a clerk in a wholesale and retail hardware store in Toledo.
Mr. Borger is a member of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the Knights of St. John, uniform rank, and is also a member of St. Joseph's Society. His residence is on West Logan street, Celina.
AUGUST FRAHM
AUGUST FRAHM, a well-known farmer of Hopewell township, who re- sides on his excellent farm of 80 acres situated in section 7, was born Sep- tember 29, 1856, in Hopewell township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of John H. and Sophia (Smith) Frahm.
John H. Frahm and wife were natives of Germany. They emigrated to America about 1852 and became early settlers in Hopewell township, Mercer County. John H. Frahm became a prominent citizen of the town- ship and county, serving in the former as a trustee and in the latter as county commissioner for six years. He was a stanch Democrat in his political views and a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. He died in April, 1899.
August Frahm was feared with his brothers and sister on the home farm in Hopewell township, and they were all educated in the public schools, our subject enjoying also a short period of instruction in the Celina schools. He owns a good farm and the greater part of his time is given to its further improvement.
Mr. Frahm was united in marriage with Anna Copman, who was born in Germany, and they have three children, namely : Lizzie, Rudolph and Ricka.
Politically Mr. Frahm is a stanch Democrat. He has served as school director of District No. 4 at various times, and has proved a valuable mem- ber of the board. In 1900 he was made land appraiser in Hopewell town- ship. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is a trustee and also a deacon. Like other members of his family, he is held in high esteem throughout Hopewell township.
JOSEPH McDONALD
JOSEPH McDONALD, who resides on his valuable farm of 80 acres in Jefferson township, situated in section 2, township 6 south, range 2 east, was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 21, 1835, and is a son of John and
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Maria (Baker) McDonald and a grandson of Joseph McDonald, a native of Scotland, who came to this country when quite young and settled in Miami County, Ohio.
John McDonald, father of Joseph, was reared in Darke County. He married Maria Baker, a daughter of Lewis Baker, a prominent farmer of Darke County, who had been a soldier in the Indian Wars.
Joseph McDonald was reared and educated in his native county and in 1851 accompanied his parents to Mercer County. They located in Jefferson township, in which township he has ever since resided. He has lived on his present farm for 47 years, having taken possession shortly after his marriage.
On September 10, 1869, he was married to Lydia Smith, who was born at Celina, Ohio, and is a daughter of Matthias and Elizabeth (Molder) Smith, both of whom were natives of Germany, but were married in Mans- field, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have had 10 children, six of whom are still living, namely: Hettie, who lives at home; Lizzie, who married Ward Raudabaugh, resides at South Lebanon, Ohio, and has one child, Mabel Margaret; Arthur, who lives at home; Lucy, who lives at home; Grace; and Mabel. Grace received her early education in the country schools, then graduated from the Celina High School and has since taken a course in the Ohio State University at Columbus, graduating in the class of 1906. Prior to entering the Ohio State University, she taught school in the country for one year, and is now teaching at Nelsonville, Ohio. Mabel graduated from the Celina High School in 1906.
JOSEPH PAX
. JOSEPH PAX, one of Mercer County's progressive farmers, residing on a well-improved tract of 120 acres in Jefferson township, situated in section II, township 6 south, range 2 east, was born in Germany, November II, 1861, and is a son of John and Josephine (Ast) Pax.
John Pax and family came to America when Joseph was five years old and located in Franklin County, Indiana. There were six children in the parental family, as follows: Joseph; John; George; Mary, deceased; Mrs. Lena Hartman; and Anna, who is the wife of Pius Pfister. Prior to his death, in 1896, John Pax sold his farm and went to live with his son Joseph.
Joseph Pax was reared and educated in Franklin County, Indiana. After his marriage he moved to Cincinnati and spent the following 10 years in Hamilton County. He then purchased a farm in Jefferson township, Mer- cer County, where he has since resided. He has made many improvements
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on the farm since he came here, one being the building of a Io-room frame house, in 1904.
Mr. Pax was married in 1887 to Louise Wilhelm and they have reared a family of 10 children, namely: Jacob, Anthony, Cecilia, Elma, Leo, Lena, Emma, Oscar and Walter (twins) and Albert. Mr. Pax and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
FRANK PUTHOFF
FRANK PUTHOFF, a representative agriculturist of Jefferson township, resides upon his farm of 120 acres, favorably situated in section 3, township 6 south, range 2 east, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, February 26, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Long) Puthoff.
Henry Puthoff was born in Germany and spent his earlier life there. After the death of his father, he came to Mercer County, Ohio, with two brothers, and later sent for his mother who had remained in Germany. She lived many years after joining her children and died at the age of 84 years. Henry Puthoff died in 1873.
Frank Puthoff was reared in Marion township and attended the neigh- boring schools. On October 4, 1864, he was married to Catherine Brandy- wine, a native of Auglaize County, Ohio, who is a daughter of Herman Henry and Caroline (Johns) Brandywine, the former of whom was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Puthoff have had 10 children, namely: John, who married Mary Knapke, and has four children; Elizabeth, who married Michael Reusch and died June 5, 1897; Katie, who married George Ineichen, lives in Indiana and has five children; Benjamin, who married Coletta Wourms, in October, 1905; Mary, who married Thomas Durbin and has three children; Henry, who married Mary McGill, October 10, 1905, and lives in Colorado; Jacob, who married Magdalena Buehler, in February, 1906; and Andrew, Joseph and Caroline, all living at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Puthoff lived for nine years in Auglaize Coun- ty with his father-in-law, and then bought 80 acres of his present farm. The family continued to live in a log cabin until 1881, although Mr. Puthoff kept continually improving his land. The cabin still stands on the place. In 1881 he erected the present commodious and comfortable frame residence. Mr. Puthoff served his school district for 15 years as director and took a great deal of interest in advancing the usefulness of the schools. He is a worthy member of the Catholic Church at Celina.
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ADAM BETTINGER
ADAM BETTINGER, a successful farmer of Butler township, who owns 80 acres of excellent land, situated in section 28, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, September 8, 1834, and is a son of John and Barbara (Swartz) Bet- tinger.
The parents of Mr. Bettinger were both born in Germany, where the father owned a small farm. Desiring more land, he decided to emigrate to America, and with his family took passage in 1846 on a sailing vessel, which landed them at the port of New York after a long voyage. John Bettinger . settled on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio, four years later removing to Lucas County, where he died in 1856. His widow died in Lucas County in 1871.
Adam Bettinger continued to live in Lucas County until 1866 and then returned to Seneca County, where he rented a farm for a few years. In 1869, after investigating the farming land in Mercer County, Mr. Bettinger bought his present farm in Butler township, 40 acres of which were im- proved. He erected the house and barn himself and made all the other im- provements, which have converted this into one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Bettinger has always been a hard worker and through his enterprise and industry has accumulated a fine property.
In 1861 Mr. Bettinger was married to Mary Omlor, daughter of Theo- dore Omlor. She was born in Germany and was two years old when her parents brought her with them to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Bettinger have had 13 children, namely: John, who married Lizzie Rhein, lives at Cold- water and has six children; Frank, who married Josephine Albers, lives on his farm of 110 acres in Butler township; and has six children; William, who married Carrie Rahe, deceased, has one child; Charles, who married Kate Hoenning and has two children; Jacob, unmarried, who lives on the home farm; Catherine, who married John Wentzel, lives at Dayton and has one child; Mary, who married Ora Rhoades and lives at Dayton; Rose, who married Frank Fullenkamp and lives at Celina; Stephen, who lives at home; and Joseph, Joseph (2), Anthony and Margaret, who are deceased.
Mr. Bettinger is a member of the Catholic Church. He has always been an active citizen of the township and for 21 years he served as a mem- ber of the School Board.
JOHN BREHM
JOHN BREHM, one of the old and respected residents of Liberty town- ship, who has resided on his present farm of 100 acres, situated in section
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IO, for the past 34 years, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 10, 1828, and is a son of Fettus Brehm.
The parents of Mr. Brehm were intelligent German people ivho afforded their son good educational advantages. He learned the trade of baker in his own land, but he came to America when 20 years of age and since then has been entirely engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived in Montgomery County, Ohio, until 1872, when he brought his family to Mercer County and settled on his present farm in Liberty township. He still retains 100 acres but has given farms to his children and has been liberal to the church.
In Montgomery County, Ohio, John Brehm was married to Mary Lower, and they had eight children, five of whom are still living, as follows: John C., Caroline (wife of John Deitsch), John Peter, Valentine W. and Henry C. Henry C. Brehm, the youngest son of our subject, is a prominent citizen of Liberty township and one of the leading Democrats. He has served four years on the township School Board and in 1900 served on the board of election. On June 27, 1889, he married Phebe Leininger, a daugh- ter of Jacob Leininger, of Liberty township, and they have four children, namely: Margaret C., Walter E., George J. and William H., all grand- children of whom our venerable subject may well be proud.
John Brehm's second marriage also took place in Montgomery County, to Margaret Bollenbacher. They had three children, the two survivors of this marriage being: Mary, wife of Andy Bauer; and Elizabeth, widow of Jacob Bauer.
All through the years of citizenship, Mr. Brehm has consistently sup- ported the candidates of the Democratic party. He is one of the leading members of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church.
JOHN H. YANEY
JOHN H. YANEY, whose' fine farm of 85 acres of excellent land is situ- ated in section 23, Butler township, is one of the representative agricultur- ists of this part of the county and a very highly respected citizen. He was born in Butler township, Mercer County, Ohio, September 16, 1859, and is a son of Benjamin and Martha Ann (Monroe) Yaney.
Benjamin Yaney was born in Pennsylvania. In boyhood, his father having died, he accompanied his mother to Mercer County, Ohio, among the early settlers. His whole mature life was spent in this county; he died when our subject was only three years old. His widow survived but seven years, dying when John H. was 10 years and 15 days old. From then until his marriage, our subject resided with his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Jane Mon-
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roe. He worked on her farm and attended the district schools and grew into a well-trained young manhood.
On April 6, 1880, Mr. Yaney was united in marriage with Abigail Lucretia Johnson, a daughter of Gratz M. Johnson. She was born in Clear- field County, Pennsylvania, September II, 1856, and died on Sunday, June 24, 1906, the birthday of her daughter, Lucretia Velma, and was buried on the birthday of her son Floyd. Her age was 49 years, 9 months and 13 days. She was 13 years old when she accompanied her parents to Mercer County and resided with them near Montezuma until her marriage. She was a lady of beautiful christian character, a faithful member of the United Brethren Church from the age of 20 years, a devoted wife and mother and a kind and sympathetic neighbor.
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