USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 63
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On January 17, 1867, Mr. Fast was married to Loverda Doty, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, June 3, 1850, and is a daughter of Thomas and Rhoda (Hinkle) Doty. The Doty family settled in Auglaize County in early times and when the mother of Mrs. Fast first came there the present busy town of St. Marys had but a few log houses. Mr. and Mrs. Fast have had 13 children, the seven survivors being: Ethan H., of Hopewell town- ship; Thomas Sherman, also of Hopewell township; Mary A., wife of Charles Rickets, of Hopewell township; Rhoda R., wife of Michael Wilson of Union township; and Dee W., Myrtle B. and Icy Sciota, all at home. All the mem- bers of this family, including children and grandchildren, are members of the Church of God.
Mr. Fast has been very prominent in the development of this section, encouraging educational progress, moral movements and material improve- ments. He has served at various times on the School Board of Hopewell township. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at St. Marys. Few men of this section are better or more favorably known.
ELMORE GREEN UPTON
ELMORE GREEN UPTON, who is engaged in operating his 80-acre farm in Union township, was born on the old Upton farm, just 60 rods from where he now resides, March II, 1856. He is a son of John and Martha A. (Hus- sey) Upton, grandson of Edward Upton and great-grandson of Edward Up- ton, Sr.
Edward Upton, Sr., lived and died in Hardin County, Kentucky, where many of the Uptons still reside and where is a town named after the family. Edward Upton, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1800, and came to Mercer County in 1834. In the early '50's he moved to Richland County, Illinois, and settled on the line of Jasper
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County, where he died in the period of the Civil War. He married Annie Murlin, a sister of Daniel Murlin, and 10 children were born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity and moved West, with the exception of John Upton, the father of our subject. These eight were as follows: Margaret, who married Thomas Perry and lived in Richland County, Illinois; John; Isaac, who married Cynthia Malick, a daughter of Uriah Malick; Mary, who married Ebert Trainor and lived and died in Illinois; Sarah, who married John Pope and died in Illinois; Jane, who married William Redmond; Thomas, who married Maria Trainor; and George Washington, who is mar- ried and resides in Brookhaven, Mississippi, being the only surviving member of the family. Daniel died at the age of 17 years.
John Upton was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, May 17, 1824, and in 1834 came with his parents to Mercer County, where they settled on a farm now occupied by Hugh L. Hamilton, and where they subsequently bought 160 acres of land. He was married to Martha A. Hussey, a daughter of William and Jane Hussey. She was born July 25, 1829, in Highland County, Ohio, near New Vienna, and when 10 years old came to Union town- ship, Mercer County, with her parents, who settled on what is now known as the Gallman farm, where they passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Hus- sey dying in 1865 and his wife, in 1890, in her 82nd year. Martha A. Hus- sey (Mrs. John Upton) was one of a large family of children, as follows : Mary and Sarah, who died in infancy; John M. and Martha A. (twins), both of whom are living at the age of 77 years; Eunice, who died in young woman- hood; Lydia, who married Simon Miller, of St. Marys, Ohio, and has been deceased for 20 years past; Henry, who married Sarah Shepherd and was killed by a team in 1882; Alfred, deceased in 1904, who married Mrs. Riblet, a daughter of Abram Miller; Rachel, who married George G. Parrott-both deceased for many years; William H., who married Marjorie Nelson-he was a lieutenant in the Union Army in the Civil War; Etta, who married Philo Nottingham and after his death in the Civil War, when a member of the Union Army, married his half-brother, Matthew Nottingham, and subse- quently died in Michigan; and Jennie, residing at Boulder, Colorado, who is the widow of Isam Brewer Robbins, a captain in the Union Army in the Civil War, deceased in the spring of 1890.
Ten children were born to the parents of our subject, namely: Viola J., who married George Groce and resides at South Park, Indiana, near In- dianapolis; Athelia, who died aged two years; Elmore Green; Ida M., who married J. S. Smith and resides at South Lima, Ohio; Etta L., who married John N. Jones and resides in Willshire township, Van Wert County ; Minnie, deceased in 1890; Emma E., who married George Monroe, a resident of Spencerville, Ohio; William E., a resident of Van Wert County, who married
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Mrs. Mina Robinson, whose maiden name was Williams; Thomas E., who married Gladys Donart and resides at Mendon; and Winnie Lee, who mar- ried John Sidney Winney and resides in Ohio City, Van Wert County, Ohio. Our subject's mother is living with her daughter, Mrs. John Sidney Winney,. at Ohio City.
Elmore Green Upton was reared and educated in Union township, at- tending the district schools during the winter months and assisting with the work on the farm. He has always been engaged in farming and is recognized as one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers of his township. He was married January 18, 1882, to Lettie A. Green, a daughter of William and Louisa (McEvoy) Green, the former of whom, a soldier in the Civil War, lost his life while serving on the "Sultana," which was blown up on the
Mississippi River. A daughter, Daisy L., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Upton, December 12, 1882. Mrs. Upton died II months from the late of her mar- riage. Mr. Upton's second marriage occurred in February, 1885, to Mrs. Amelia McLaurin, a daughter of Jesse and Calista A. (Hurd) Beale, the lat- ter a native of Maryland. Mrs. Upton had one daughter by her first mar- riage, Edith McLaurin, who married Z. M. Watts, of Mendon, Ohio, and has two children, Walter Wiley and Stanley. Both the daughters are graduates of the Mendon High School, graduating with the class of 1901.
Mr. Upton is a Democrat in politics and has served his party in various- capacities. He is centeral committeeman from Union township, served as delegate from Mercer County to the recent State convention at Columbus and supported the local option plank at the convention. He has frequently served as delegate to county conventions. He was a member of the School Board for a number of years, being a member of the board when the joint High School was organized. He is now president of the School Board. He is a. member of Mendon Lodge, No. 586, F. & A. M., and is a liberal supporter and member of the Baptist Church.
JOHN D. KREMER
JOHN D. KREMER, whose fine farm of 120 acres is situated in section 36, Marion township, was born on his father's farm in Marion township, and is a son of Frank John and Mary (Seitz) Kremer.
The Kremer family has been established in Marion township since about 1836, when the grandparents of our subject, accompanied by the great-grand- father, emigrated from Germany and. settled as pioneers here.' Frank John Kremer, who was the youngest son of Dietrich Kremer, came into possession of the homestead farm of 160 acres, to which he subsequently added until he
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is now one of the largest landowners in Marion township. He married Mary Seitz, who died in 1886. The parents of our subject had II children, three of whom are deceased. The survivors are: John D., of this sketch; Eliza- beth, who married John Kleinhenz and lives at St. Rosa; Catherine, who mar- ried Frank Evers and lives in Granville township; Anton, who married Mary Evers and lives in Granville township; Joseph, who is preparing for the priesthood at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena; and August, Anna and Frank, all at home.
John D. Kremer was reared on the home farm and went to school in his native township. On November 6, 1895, he was married to Elizabeth Menker, who was born at Maria Stein, Mercer County, November 2, 1874, and was a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Thaman) Menker. Henry Menker was born in Germany and came in young manhood to Mercer County ; here he later married Catherine Thaman, who was born in America. They had these children: Elizabeth; Joseph, who married Frances Tobe and lives at Maria Stein; and Mary, who resides at home with her father, her mother hav- ing died November 21, 1893.
Mr. and Mrs. Kremer had eight children, namely: Roman, Edward, Lawrence, Cornelius, Sylvester, Clara, Herbert and Werner, all of whom sur- vive except Sylvester, who died October 25, 1904. Mrs. Kremer died Sep- tember 14, 1906, aged almost 32 years.
Mr. Kremer belongs to a family of good farmers. He purchased his property from his father in 1900, since which time he has been successfully carrying on a general line of farming. His improvements are excellent and his home is a comfortable frame residence of II rooms. With his family he belongs to the Catholic Church and he, like his brothers, is a member of St. Joseph's Society.
FRANK JOHN KREMER
FRANK JOHN KREMER, a representative citizen and large landholder of Mercer County, resides on his well-improved farm of 220 acres, situated in section 13, Marion township, and owns also another farm of 40 acres which is located across the Roeckner turnpike, and 15 acres more, at St. Johns. Mr. Kremer was born on the farm he now occupies, March 10, 1849, and is a son of Dietrich and Elizabeth (Bieter) Kremer.
" The parents of Mr. Kremer, accompanied by the grandfather, Henry Kremer, and their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, came to America and stopped at Cincinnati, Ohio, where the second child, Mary, was soon after born. Eliza- beth was two years old at this time. She subsequently married Gerhard Stammen, and Mary married Henry Fonderher .. The rest of the children,
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as follows, were born in the first old log house that was built on the present farm: Caroline, who married Henry Will; Anna, who married John Reich- ert; Philomena, who married Joseph Kramer; Catherine, who married John Biehler ; Frank John, of this sketch; and Agnes, who married Joseph Roeck- ner. The father died in March, 1886; the mother in 1880.
Prior to this marriage, Dietrich Kremer had served three years in the German Army. He then followed farming in a small way before coming to America. A short time was passed at Cincinnati, to enable the mother and baby Mary to gain strength for travel, when the family came on to Minster, Auglaize County, where they lived until the father selected a farm in Mercer County. His first purchase was 40 acres of the present farm on which he put up a rough log house, which he later replaced with a better one and still later with a comfortable frame one." To his first purchase he later added 120 acres and when he died left an estate of 160 acres.
Frank John Kremer still resides on the farm settled by his father when he came to Mercer County in 1836. At his father's death, in 1886, he re- ceived 160 acres, and to this he has added until now he is one of the largest landowners in the township. He has made many improvements in the way of erecting substantial barns and other farm buildings, and in remodeling his nine-room residence. He is considered a very successful agriculturist.
Mr. Kremer married Mary Seitz, who died in 1886. She was born in America and was a daughter of Max and Anna (Fecher) Seitz, who were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kremer had II children, three of whom are deceased, namely: Henry, Joseph and Mary. Those living are: John D., who married Elizabeth Menker and resides in Marion township; Eliza- beth, who married John Kleinhenz and lives at St. Rosa; Catherine, who married Frank Evers and lives in Granville township; Anton, who married Mary Evers and lives in Granville township; Joseph, who is preparing for the priesthood, having spent five and a half years in a college in Indiana and being now in his fifth year at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena ; and August, . Anna and Frank, who are at home. The sons all belong to St. Joseph's Society. Mr. Kremer, with all his children, belongs to the Catholic Church, and his 16 grandchildren are being brought up in the same faith. He has never taken any very active part in politics, but has served as school director in his district. As a good citizen and honorable, upright man, he is held in high esteem in his community.
DANIEL FENNIG
DANIEL FENNIG, a representative farmer of Washington township, re- sides upon his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres in section 10. He was born
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in the house in which he lives, March 27, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Holtser) Fennig.
Jacob Fennig was born in Germany but the greater part of his life was spent in America, as he came here in young manhood. He settled first at Mansfield, Ohio, but later moved to Mercer County. He married Catherine Holtser, who was born in Switzerland, and came to the United States at the age of seven years. She died November 1, 1905, having survived her hus- band since 1877. They had nine children.
Daniel Fennig is the youngest but one of his parents' children. He obtained his education in the local schools, was reared to be a practical farmer and has remained on the homestead farm.
Mr. Fennig was married on May 22, 1895, to Susan Betz, who died March 15, 1906. She was a most estimable lady and was a daughter of John and Mary (Walters) Betz, who were pioneers of Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Fenning had three children, namely: Raymond, Foster Andrew and Forrest Lowell.
Politically Mr. Fennig is a strong Democrat. He is a prominent man in his township and has served as township trustee since 1900. He has also served as supervisor. Mr. Fennig belongs to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington township.
HARRY A. JEWETT
HARRY A. JEWETT, township trustee, leading citizen and substantial farmer of Jefferson township, residing just east of Celina, was born two miles east of his present home, the old Jewett homestead, now the Samuel A. Nick- erson farm, December 22, 1872, and is a son of Adams and Augusta (Baker) Jewett.
The Jewett family was one of the early and prominent ones in the set- tlement of New England. The Jewetts who apparantly founded the family in America were sons of Edward Jewett, who was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, in 1580, and became a clothier and also a manufacturer of woolen goods. At Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, he was married on October 1, 1604, to Mary Taylor, daughter of William Taylor.
Joseph and Maximilian Jewett, sons of Edward Jewett, landed at Bos- ton, Massachusetts, December 1, 1638. They spent the rest of the winter at Salem, Massachusetts, and in 1639 helped to found Rowley, Massachu- setts. Our subject is descended from Joseph Jewett, the older of these brothers.
Joseph Jewett was married at Bradford, England, to his first wife, Mary Wallinson, on December 1, 1634. They came to the Colonies with a
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large body of Puritans and settled as above stated. This wife died April 12, 1652. On May 13, 1653, he married Mrs. Ann Allen, widow of Bayzaam Allen, of Boston, who died February 8, 1661 ; his death followed on the 26th of the same month. Joseph Jewett had six children born to his first marriage and three to his second. His fourth child, Nehemiah, became the father of Benjamin Jewett, who was born October 4, 1691, and who was, accidentally killed when his son Benjamin was 10 days old.
Benjamin Jewett (2), son of Benjamin and grandson of Nehemiah Jewett, was born January 12, 1716, and became a well-known citizen. He worked as a blacksmith at Manchester, Massachusetts, and later at Berkeley, Connecticut, where he died in 1801. He married Hannah Butler and they had 13 children.
Daniel Jewett, the third son of Benjamin Jewett (2), was born at Man- chester, Massachusetts, February 24, 1744, and learned the blacksmith's trade under his father. In 1769, when 25 years of age, he married Zilpah Hibbard, a daughter of Capt. Zebulon and Hannah (Bass) Hibbard, of Wind- ham, Connecticut. In 1774 they moved to Putney, Vermont, where they lived all the rest of their lives on a farm. Mrs. Jewett died March 19, 1829, aged 83 years. He was then 85 years of age but he insisted on following his wife to the graveyard, and as the weather was inclement he contracted pneumonia, of which he died II days later. All through the Revolution he was a very active "Liberty Man" and raised a company of militia, of which he was lieutenant. At the battle of Bennington he was taken captive by the British, who kept him a prisoner for six weeks and then carried him to Ticon- dergo, where he was recaptured by the patriots. After the end of the war he was still a prominent figure and was chosen a member of the Vermont Legis- lature for 17 terms. He had 10 children.
Luther Jewett, the second child of Daniel Jewett, was born December 24, 1772, and became a physician, commencing his practice at Putney, Ver- mont, in 1797. He married Betsey Adams, a daughter of Ephraim Adams. Later he removed to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where he opened a drug store and continued in medical practice. He received his degree of M. D., from the medical department of Dartmouth College, in 1810. In 1814 he was elected a Member of Congress by the Federal party and served from Decem- ber 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817.
In 1816 the first wife of Dr. Jewett died, leaving eight children. In the following year he married Nancy Chamberlain, who was born in 1777, at London, New Hampshire, and died January 21, 1856. Two children were born to his second union.
After his return from Congress, Dr. Jewett was ordained a minister by the Congregational Church, and on February 28, 1821, he was installed
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pastor of the church at Newbury, Vermont, where he lived from 1828 to 1832, in the meantime editing and publishing the Farmers' Herald. For a large part of the time, some 15 years prior to his death, he was a member of the State Legislature. He was a man of great power of mind and was eminent as a physician, a preacher and a statesman. His death took place at St. Johnsburg, Vermont, March 8, 1860.
Hibbard Jewett, the eldest son of Dr. Luther Jewett, and the grand- 1 father of our subject, was born in Putney, Vermont, November 9, 1799. He studied medicine under his father and then attended Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in 1820. He set- tled at Dayton, Ohio, in 1827 for the practice of Medicine, which he continued until his death, October 26, 1870. He was very prominent in the community, not only as a physician but also as a citizen of high ideals. In the disturbed period preceding the Civil War, he was a pronounced abolitionist. His house was mobbed the night of January 23, 1841, because he had held an abolition meeting there. He was president of the Central Ohio Insane Asylum for 17 years, and after his death his library of seven hundred volumes was presented to this institution. On May 20, 1828, Dr. Jewett was married to Sophronia Adams at Keene, New Hampshire. They had nine children.
Adams Jewett, son of Dr. Hibbard Jewett, was born at Dayton, Ohio, February 9, 1840, and was baptized by Rev. Ethan Allen, on July 3rd follow- ing. He attended the public schools at Dayton until he was 16 years of age, when he entered Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he remained a student from 1856 until 1859. The year 1860 he spent at the New York Agricultural College, Ovid, New York. In 1861 he settled on the Jewett farm, on the north bank of the Grand Reservoir, in Mercer County, about three miles east of Celina.
Adams Jewett was married November 7, 1867, in Auglaize County, Ohio, to Augusta Baker, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Wade) Baker, born March 31, 1846, at Hardin, Shelby County, Ohio. The seven children born to this marriage are: Sophronia Adams, wife of C. K. Hight; Hib- bard J., who is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, now stationed at Gibsonburg, Ohio; Harry A., the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Ed- ward Mack; Ethel, wife of Shelby Stearns, of Bluffton, Ohio; Lou Edna and Howard Herman, students at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. The father of this family died from an attack of "la grippe," at his home near Celina, January 19, 1899, aged 59 years. He was a thoroughly educated man and was also a practical farmer.
Harry A. Jewett has spent his life in the neighborhood in which he was born and was educated in Jefferson township. In 1897 he was married to
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Luella Piper, a daughter of George Piper, and they have. two children-La- Voone and Eugene F.
Mr. Jewett has been a lifelong Democrat. In 1903 he was elected town- ship trustee on the Democratic ticket, and has given efficient and satisfactory service ever since. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church in his locality and a liberal contributor to its needs. His only fraternal connection is with the Woodmen of the World.
There are few citizens of this locality who can trace more clearly a long and honorable ancestry than can Mr. Jewett. The name may be found on many a page of history of which loyal Americans are proud, and it has always stood for temperance, education and religion.
JOSEPH WARREN ROEBUCK
JOSEPH WARREN ROEBUCK, one of Union township's progressive citi- zens, who is engaged in general farming on a farm of 140 acres located in section 2, was born four miles west of Mendon, Ohio, February 15, 1867, and is a son of Warren and Harriet (Lytle) Roebuck.'
Warren Roebuck was born in Dublin township, Mercer County, Ohio, near Rockford, and died in 1870 at the age of 31 years. His wife was a daughter of Brooks Lytle, who came from Pennsylvania and was among the pioneers of this section of Ohio, locating in Union township, Mercer County. Mrs. Roebuck died in 1883. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roe- buck: William, who married Sarah Hill and lives on a farm in section 2, Union township; Vena, who married Hick Guin and lives at Van Wert, Ohio; Amanda, who married Ralph Grandstaff and lives at Van Wert, Ohio; Cur- tis; Harriet; and a child that died in infancy.
Joseph W. Roebuck was reared in Union township and attended the township schools. His first purchase of land was one of 20 acres; later he bought 40 acres more and in 1906 added another 80 acres. Mr. Roebuck first came to this farm in 1886 as a hired hand, receiving $13 per month until 1890, when he received $15 per month. In the spring of 1890 he put out a spring crop on his uncle's place and was able to marry in the fall. After his marriage he lived two years on his father-in-law's farm. He then returned to the Benjamin Goodwin farm, his present place, where he has since lived, engaged in general farming and also raising some stock. He has 40 acres of land in corn, 20 acres in wheat and the remainder in oats and grass.
Mr. Roebuck was married in 1890 to Phebe Ann Daring, a daughter of Joseph and Julia Ann (Keffer) Daring. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck, namely: Rolly, Curtis and Edith, deceased; and Dora,
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Lottie and Marie, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck are members of the Church of God. He is a Democrat.
ADAM SCHNEIDER
ADAM SCHNEIDER, a highly esteemed citizen of Fort Recovery, was born in Germany, April 15, 1858, and is a son of Fred and Catherine (Fenter) Schneider.
Adam Schneider was reared and educated in Germany and worked on a farm until about 23 years of age, when he came to America and located in Fort Recovery, in 1881, where three brothers of Mr. Schneider had located in 1872. The eldest brother Fred, who had served in the Franco-Prussian War, came to America in 1871 and died in Georgia in 1884, where he had gone for his health. Charles, another brother, runs the Wayne Hotel at Fort Recovery. Peter, the third brother, is now a resident of Colorado.
After Mr. Schneider located at Fort Recovery he worked for a few months in a gravel pit and then assisted his brother Charles, who was pro- prietor of a saloon and pool-room in Celina. He also worked some time for his brother, Peter. In 1884 he opened a saloon at Fort Recovery and con- tinued in that business until the fall of 1905. In 1888 he erected the large brick block on Wayne street, which bears his name. His brothers have also erected some fine buildings, Peter Schneider and Dr. Adams having built the Opera House in 1888; and Peter also built the Wayne Hotel and a fine brick residence on South Wayne street. Charles Schneider erected two fine busi- ness blocks. In 1895-96, Mr. Schneider erected his large brick residence, containing 10 rooms and a bath, which is located on a tract of 23 acres just outside of the corporation of Fort Recovery. It is considered one of the finest country homes in Mercer County and stands on an elevation, about 100 yards back from the road; the lawn is beautifully and artistically laid out in flower beds and presents a very attractive appearance. The house is beautifully finished and furnished and has all the modern improvements and conveniences. In 1893 Mr. Schneider took a trip to his old home in Ger- many to visit his mother, two sisters and a brother. His mother died since this visit. He remained in' Europe four months, in which period he also took a trip through France.
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