USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 55
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was obliged to endure many hardships and privations to which it had not been accustomed in the old country. The parents of our subject died on the home farm in Liberty township, the mother not many weeks after the settle- ment was made. They were quiet, industrious, home-building, worthy Ger- man people and were respected by all who knew them.
Frederick Kuhn was a hardy youth of 18 years when his parents settled on the pioneer farm in Liberty township and upon him fell a great deal of the hard work which was necessary in the clearing and cultivation of the land. His education was more liberal than was afforded many of his companions, as he had been thoroughly trained in the schools of his native land. From the peaceful pursuits of the farm, Mr. Kuhn went into the army in the second year of the Civil War, enlisting on August 12, 1862, in Company F, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He was honorably discharged from the service, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, July 1, 1865. During nine months of army life, he served as a pro- vost guard, under Colonel Mathews. He participated in many of the great battles of the war, which included Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Mis- sion Ridge, and in innumerable skirmishes in which many of his comrades were either wounded or captured by the enemy. Mr. Kuhn was fortunate enough to escape all dangers, although always at the post of duty, and returned to Mercer County, practically unharmed.
Upon his return home he resumed farming in Liberty township, where he continued to reside until August, 1906, when he turned over the active work on the farm to younger hands and, with his estimable wife, retired to the quiet and comfort of a home he had purchased in Celina. Mr. Kuhn still retains his well-improved farm of 140 acres in Liberty township and also owns an excellent farm of 80 acres in Jefferson township, Adams County, Indiána.
On February 8, 1866, Mr. Kuhn was married to Wilhelmina Welle- meyer, who was born February 25, 1842, in Prussia, Germany. In 1852 she accompanied her parents, Frederick and Mary ( Brune) Wellemeyer, to Amer- ica, and was reared in Auglaize County, Ohio, where they were early settlers. To our subject and wife were born seven children, the five survivors being : Mary W., who is the wife of G. P. Hoeper, of Hopewell township; Frederick T., living on the home place in Liberty township, who married Mary D. Linn and has three children-Clarence R., Bertha C. and Hugo W .; Philip W., living on his father's farm in Adams County, Indiana, who married Fanny B. Sielschott and has one child, Florence S. W .; and Elizabeth M. and Rebecca, both living in Celina. Mr. Kuhn and his family belong to the Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, in which at various times he has held office. Politic- ally he is a Democrat. During his long residence in Liberty township he
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assisted in all public improvements and furthered the cause of education, serv- ing a long time as school director.
HENRY BRACKMAN
HENRY BRACKMAN, whose fine farm of 110 acres is situated in section 15, Recovery township, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, April 18, 1837, and is a son of John and Agnes (Dorgeloh) Brackman.
- The parents of Mr. Brackman were both natives of Germany. At the age of 15 years, John Brackman became an ocean sailor and followed the sea until he was 22 years of age. In order to escape service in the German Army, he came to America and settled at Baltimore, where he worked on the railroad then being constructed between Baltimore and Washington. From there he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, later going to Alabama where he worked through the winter, returning in the spring to Cincinnati, making the trip on a steamboat running between New Orleans and Cincinnati. In the latter city he married and there he continued to make his home. In the summer time he worked on the steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, while in the winter time he was employed in railroad and canal construction work. In the spring of 1836 he came to Marion township, Mercer County, where he entered 80 acres of wild land for himself and 80 acres for his friend, Frank Evers, paying $100 for his 80 acres. The land had been entered two years before, in 1834.
Mr. Brackman built a round-log cabin on his land, which, as prosperity came to him through hard work, was replaced by a hewed-log house. On this farm his children, six in number, were reared. He died in 1873.
John Brackman was married (first) to Agnes Dorgeloh, who died in 1838, leaving one child, Henry, the subject of this sketch, who was then one year and seven months old. A cousin, Catherine Dorgeloh, came to take care of the infant and she subsequently became Mr. Brackman's second wife. Five children were born to this union, of whom the survivors are: Theodore and Catherine, who live on the old farm in Marion township.
Henry Brackman attended school in Marion township and remained at home until his marriage. His first farm was one of 45 acres, located in Mar- ion township, to which he added until he owned 125 acres, which he sold in 1882, when he bought his farm in Recovery township, which then consisted of 160 acres. Later he sold 50 acres of the farm to his son. He has always carried on general farming and is considered one of the successful agricul- turists of his neighborhood.
On June 14, 1864, Mr. Brackman was married to Agnes Dahlinghaus,
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daughter of Bernard Dahlinghaus, and they have had nine children, as fol- lows: John, residing on a farm of 50 acres which he purchased from his father, who has six children; Frank, deceased at the age of 25 years and 6 months, at Belleville, Illinois, who was one of the professors at St. Peter's Institute and also organist in the Catholic Church; Mary, who married Aloys Guggenviller, resides at Wendelin and has five children; Annie, who is the wife of August C. Eifert, a county school examiner, and the mother of four children; Joseph, who married Rosa Bruns, has one son, Raymond, and re- sides with his father; Minnie, who lives in Fort Recovery; and Henry, also single, who is a teacher in the school of St. Joseph's Church and is also church organist. The whole family belong to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
For many years Mr. Brackman served on the Board of Education. He has also been supervisor and trustee of the township, and is a very highly valued citizen.
BERNARD JOHNSMAN
BERNARD JOHNSMAN, a representative agriculturist of Jefferson town- ship, who owns a fine farm of 80 acres, situated in section 34, township 5 south, range 2 east, was born April 14, 1834, in Prussia, and is a son of Christopher and Christina (Borgman) Johnsman.
Bernard Johnsman was 26 years of age when he came to America. He had obtained a fair education in the public schools of his own land and had performed his military duty by serving three years in the Prussian Army. As his parents were dead, nothing prevented his seeking a home and friends in another country. The first place in which he settled after reaching the United States was Lockland, near Cincinnati, where he remained three years, but after marriage he removed to Minster, Auglaize County. There he worked three years on a farm, and then came to his present place, buying these 80 acres in 1867. Here Mr. Johnsman has developed a valuable farm and carries on general farming and stock-raising.
At Lockland, Ohio, in 1863, Mr. Johnsman was married (first) to Clara Lutz, who died in 1868, leaving two children, Clara and Henry, both now deceased. The latter lived to be 22 years old and the former reached her 29th year. Mr. Johnsman was married (second) to Katie Huelsman, and they have had 10 children, namely: John, a farmer in Jefferson township, who married Della Mckinsey and has two children, both deceased, Bernard and Walter Bernard; Clemmens, a cavalryman in the United States Army, now stationed in Oregon; Andrew, Frank and George, who assist on the home farm; Mrs. Caroline Hill, residing at Fairmont, Indiana, who has one daughter, Thelma ; Mary, who married William Harlet and lives in Celina ;
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Elizabeth and Christina, who are at home; and Catherine, who died in infancy.
In politics, Mr. Johnsman is a stanch Democrat. He belongs to German social organizations at Celina. He is a worthy member of the Catholic Church and devotes a part of his income to religious purposes and is a reliable and upright citizen.
HENRY KUHN
HENRY KUHN, a representative citizen of Liberty township, for 13 con- secutive years its efficient treasurer, and for a long period a successful agri- culturist in this part of Mercer County, resides on an excellent farm of 80 acres, which was a tract of woodland when he first came to it. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 3, 1831, and is a son of Henry and Mar- garet (Bollenbacher) Kuhn.
The parents of Mr. Kuhn came to America with their children when Henry was between 15 and 16 years old. They wished to establish a home in Ohio and settled on an uncultivated, uncleared tract of land in Liberty township, Mercer County. Probably the long journey and unaccustomed hardship undermined the health of the mother, for she died six weeks after reaching the pioneer home in Liberty township. The father, assisted by his sons, cleared the land and developed an excellent farm, although it required years of industry to accomplish it. The father died also on the home farm in Liberty township. Of his children, four survive, as follows: Frederick, formerly of Liberty township, now a resident of Celina; Henry, of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of John Herzog, of Hartford City, Indiana ; and Caro- line, wife of John Duer, living near Decatur, Indiana.
Henry Kuhn grew to man's estate in Liberty township, attending the district schools and assisting his father on the farm. He married Maria Duer, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and they have had six chil- dren, as follows: William, of Black Creek township; Rebecca K., wife of Ephraim Camp, of Kalamazoo County, Michigan; Emma J., wife of Frank Landfair, of Black Creek township; Adam, of Liberty township; and two deceased.
Mr. Kuhn is a representative member of the Democratic party and on account of his sterling character and good citizenship has frequently been called upon to accept important and responsible township offices. He has served as trustee and was then elected treasurer and was reelected for 13 con- secutive years, a very unusual occurence. He is one of the leading members of the German Reformed Church.
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JACOB LEININGER
JACOB LEININGER, a most highly esteemed resident of Liberty township and one of the old settlers of this locality, resides on his valuable farm of 160 acres, on which he located more than 50 years ago. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, November II, 1832, and is a son of John and Margaret Lein- inger.
The parents of our subject were born in Alsace, now a part of the Ger- man Empire, and came to America about 1826, locating in Stark County, Ohio, where they lived until 1833, when they removed to Mercer County. They were early settlers in Washington township and there they spent the rest of their lives.
Jacob Leininger was reared in Washington township and his school opportunities were only those afforded by the pioneer schools of the time. When he came to Liberty township the native timber still stood on his pres- ent farm and years of hard work ensued before the land was entirely cleared. It is now a fine property, valuable from every point of view.
Mr. Leininger was married in young manhood to Catherine Kettenring, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Henry Kettenring, who brought his family to America when Mrs. Leininger was a child and settled in Holmes County, Ohio. At a later date the family moved to Washington township, Mercer County, where Mrs. Leininger was married. To this union IO children were born and eight of these are still living, as follows: Mar- garet, widow of Frederick. Betzel, residing at Fort Wayne, Indiana; Theo- bald, of Black Creek township; Christina, wife of Andrew Harb, of Black Creek township; William H., also of Black Creek township; Mary, wife of Frederick Schaadt, of Van Wert County; John, residing on his father's farm; Phebe, wife of Henry Brehm, of Liberty township; and George S., of Black Creek township.
Mr. Leininger is one of the substantial members of the Democratic party in Liberty township. The only office he has ever accepted has been that of township trustee. For many years he has been a member of St. Paul's Evan- gelical Church. He is one of the township's representative mien.
WILLIAM H. BRYAN
WILLIAM H. BRYAN, a representative agriculturist of Washington town- ship, residing on his well-improved farm of 124 acres situated in section 3, was born May 2, 1852, in Ridge township, Van Wert County, Ohio, and is a son of William Patterson and Rebecca (Leathers) Bryan.
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William P. Bryan was born in Pennsylvania and removed to Van Wert County just after attaining young manhood. In December, 1866, he moved to Mercer County, and resided with his eldest son, Daniel Bryan, until his death in January, 1867. He was married in Allen County, Ohio, to Rebecca Leathers, who died in 1863, when our subject was II years old.
William H. Bryan was about 14 years of age when he accompanied his brother to Mercer County, with whom he remained for one year and then entered the employ of the Spriggs family, with whom he remained for six years and seven months continuously. During this time he was well trained in all kinds of farm work and was prepared to farm on his own account, which he did for two years on rented land. On February 27, 1873, he bought the old Hiram Shaw farm of 160 acres, which he still owns. Gradually he accumulated land until he owned 244 acres. In 1903 he advantageously sold 40 acres and has given 40 acres each to his two oldest sons. In association with his eldest son, Mr. Bryan also owns 80 acres of good land in Michigan. In addition to carrying on extensive operations in general farming and stock- raising, Mr. Bryan spent 13 years in the contracting business, mainly in the line of building turnpike roads. He has constructed many miles of these ex- cellent highways in Mercer and Auglaize counties. He has always been a man of enterprise, through sound sense and excellent business judgment has made his business ventures successful.
In April, 1877, Mr. Bryan was married to Mary E. Fennig, who is a daughter of John Fennig, and they have five children, as follows: John Gar- rel, who married Sadie Culp and lives on a farm of 40 acres given him by his father ; Charles A., who resides at home, also owning a farm of 40 acres given him by his father; Daisy B., who married Earl Dumbauld, lives in Jefferson township and has had two children, Marie and Guy, the latter of whom died aged 6 months and 17 days; Ethel, who married Henry Boben- moyer and resides with her father in Washington township; and James, who lives at home.
Although, as noted above, Mr. Bryan has always been a successful busi- ness man, he has met with some misfortunes. On May 14, 1886, a terribly destructive cyclone swept through Washington township, which leveled all his farm buildings, his fine orchard and destroyed 40 acres of timber.
JOHN ROETHER
JOHN ROETHER, whose death occurred in 1885, was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Union township. He was born April 17, 1835, and was a son of William Roether.
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William Roether, the father of our subject, came to Mercer County from Mansfield, Ohio, about 1852, locating on the farm which is now oc- cupied by the widow of our subject. He was the father of nine children, namely: Isaac, deceased, who resided in Richland County, Ohio; Abram, who lives near McComb in Hancock County; Levi, who was killed by a train ; Daniel, deceased, who was a physician at Bluffton, Indiana; Henry, a physi- cian, who is a resident of Adrian, Michigan; Mrs. Hannah Zern, of Auburn, Indiana ; Elizabeth, widow of Daniel Lemunyon, residing at Mendon; John, the subject of this sketch ; and a daughter, deceased.
John Roether came with his parents to Mercer County when about 17 years old. He attended school and assisted his father in clearing and im- proving the farm until the time of his marriage. He was married in October, 1859, to Almira Hamilton, a daughter of Hon. Justin Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Roether became the parents of five children: Alice, who married W. A. Bedell, resides near Mendon and has five children-Della, Ada, Norma, Buell and Emory; Orrilla, who married William Parrott and died in 1892, leaving two children-Lawrence and Lee, the latter deceased in 1900; Etta, who married George Ballinger, resides east of Montezuma, and has one child, Glenn; William, who married Cora Krugh, a daughter of John Krugh, of Union township, resides on the John Bedell farm in Union township, and has a daughter, unnamed; and Floyd, who is unmarried and lives with his mother. Lawrence Parrott, a grandson, has made his home with Mrs. Roether for the past five years.
Hon. Justin Hamilton, the father of Mrs. Roether, was born September II, 1796, and died February 19, 1863. 'He was a son of Hugh and Isabelle (Knox) Hamilton, the former born October 31, 1770, and the latter, Decem- ber 25, 1772. Hugh Hamilton lived and died in New York State. He was the father of six children: Justin, father of Mrs. Roether, and Justus, his twin; William, who was justice of the peace for several years in Union town- ship; Leonard; Lucinda and Isabelle.
Hon. Justin Hamilton came to Mercer County in 1822 and was among the county's very earliest settlers, the country still being in a very wild state, and was inhabited by friendly Indians, who were very often of great assist- ance to the pioneers. He was for many years a teacher and was one of the best educated men of the day. He was a surveyor and laid out the town site of Mendon, part of which was on his land. He served as an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas and was twice elected to the Legislature (in 1831 and 1832) from the district composed of the counties of Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams. He was selected to read the bills in the Legislature, owing to his special ability as a reader. He was a very prominent man and his advice was often sought by others, being fre-
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quently called upon to aid and assist others in various ways. He was married in Kentucky and came to this country in a covered wagon drawn by a span of oxen. He built one of the first corn-mills in the county, which was about 1835, which mill is still standing. Mr. Hamilton was married May 14, 1820, to Eliza Rhodes, who was born February 28, 1798, and died November 24, 1887, in her 90th year. Justin and Eliza ( Rhodes) Hamilton were the par- ents of eight children, namely: Isabelle, born October 19, 1821, who first married a Mr. Noble, and after his death married Lewis Brewer-both she and Mr. Brewer are now deceased; Justus, February 19, 1823, who married Mary Jane Panabaker-both now deceased; Lucius, born April 2, 1825, and died on a part of the old home place, who married Mary Miller, who now re- sides in Celina; Charlotta, born August 16, 1829; Justin, deceased, who was born October 27, 1831, married Eliza Snavely, who resides in Mendon; Eliza Lucinda, who married Austin Barber and is now deceased, as is her husband also; Emily, born April 8, 1838, who is the widow of Andrew Snave- ly-she resides in Center township, aged 68 years; and Almira, born August 28, 1841, who is the widow of John Roether.
SEBASTIAN LEISTNER
SEBASTIAN LEISTNER, a representative citizen of Rockford, was born in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, March 1, 1844, and is a son of John Andrew and Barbara (Leistner) Leistner.
John A. Leistner and wife, who were natives of Bavaria, Germany, came to this country when young and settled in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio. They were married in 1836 at Trenton and in 1853 moved to Mercer County, locating in Black Creek township, where Mr. Leistner entered 240 acres of land north of Chattanooga and placed the same under cultivation, making this his place of residence until his death, which occurred in August, 1894. Three sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner: John, a resident of Chattanooga, who is engaged in farming; Barbara, who married William Adams and died October 22, 1892; Andrew, residing in Chattanooga where he owns a farm; and Sebastian, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Leist- ner died November II, 1892.
Sebastian Leistner spent his early childhood days in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, and when he was nine years old his parents moved to Mercer County, where he was reared and educated. Mr. Leistner offered his service to the government at the outbreak of the Civil War, but was rejected on ac- count of his youth and his inability to pass the physical examination. Mr. Leistner owns two farms in Black Creek township.
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RESIDENCE AND FARM BUILDINGS OF CLEMENT VALLANDIGHAM HOOD
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Mr. Leistner was married January 13, 1867, to Mary Ann Knight, a daughter of Peter Knight. Her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, when she was quite small. Later they entered and settled upon land in Black Creek township, Mercer County, Ohio. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner : Augusta, wife of John L. Davidson, of Van Wert, who is engaged in railroading; Annie E., who married Harry Rutledge and resides on a farm in Black Creek town- ship; and William Andrew, who married Bell Cook and resides in Rockford. Mrs. Leistner died August 21, 1897. In 1899 our subject retired from farm life, taking up his residence in Rockford, where he purchased the house in which he now resides. Recently he built a house on the lot adjoining. Mr. Leistner's second marriage was with Mrs. Mary Williams, a daughter of Joab and Sevilla Borton. She had two children by her first marriage: John Williams, who married Grace Stober and resides in Black Creek township; Ada, who married Clarence Skinner and resides in Lima, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Leistner are both members of the United Brethren Church at Rockford. Politically, he is a Republican.
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CLEMENT VALLANDIGHAM HOOD
CLEMENT VALLANDIGHAM HOOD, a prosperous farmer of Union town- ship, was born June 29, 1863, near Spencerville, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Elmira (Rider) Hood.
George Hood was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 18, 1831, and is still living at the age of 75 years. His parents moved to Lima, Ohio, when there were only a few houses in the place and from there they moved to Spen- cerville and in 1867 became residents of Van Wert County. His father Rob- ert Hood, grandfather of our subject, died soon after locating in Lima, and his wife died in Spencerville. Robert Hood was the father of seven children : Milton, deceased; Mary L., deceased, who was the wife of George Hutton; Minerva, who married George Lane; Emma, who married August Gilmore; Josephine, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Heaster; Rose, wife of Isaac Fogel; and George, the father of our subject. George Hood married Elmira Rider, who died in 1873. She was a daughter of Isaac Rider, a native of New York State, who was one of the very earliest settlers of Allen County, resid- ing at Spencerville. George Hood is now residing at Middlepoint, Ohio.
Clement V. Hood received his education in the township schools of Van Wert County, attending school during the winter months and working on his father's farm in the summer. He remained on the farm until he was 21 years of age and then worked on the railroad as a machinist for about eight years. After his marriage, he located in Union township, Mercer County,
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where he has since resided on his 100-acre farm. He is classed among Mercer County's best citizens.
Mr. Hood was married November 28, 1891, to Ida Griffin, a daughter of Claudius Griffin, of Union township, a full sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hood is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Spencerville. Views of Mr. Hood's residence and farm buildings accompany this sketch.
JAMES PEARSON
JAMES PEARSON, one of Washington township's prosperous agricultur- ists, owns 56 acres of highly cultivated farm land, 221/2 acres being located in section 4, and 321/2 acres in section 9, Washington township. He was born in East Bradford township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1844, and is a son of James and Sarah ( Wagonseller) Pearson.
James Pearson, father of our subject, was of Welsh descent and was a blacksmith by trade, having learned the trade from his father, William Pear- son, who was a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania. James Pearson, as well as his father, died in Chester County.
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