USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
Shortly after reaching Minster, Peter Gast was united in marriage with his first wife, Gertrude Eilerman, who died when her sixth child was born. The children of this marriage were the following: Joseph, Henry, Dena, Clara, Mary and Anna. Later, Peter Gast married the widow of Joseph Inecanke, and they had four children, namely: Barney, Catherine, Clem- mens (deceased) and Ferdinand. The last named now conducts a grocery business at Chickasaw. Peter Gast died in 1895 at Celina. His second wife is also deceased.
Henry Gast was reared on his father's farm, removing from Auglaize to Mercer County, in 1866. He had been identified with all the important public movements in this section and has been the enterprising promoter of many of Chickasaw's leading business activities. When a very young man, he helped to repair the old plank road that then ran through Chickasaw, which was then but a village, and later, when the old road was transformed into a turnpike, he helped in constructing that also. Later he acquired a half interest in the grain elevator at Chickasaw, which he subsequently disposed of. He also owned and operated both a sawmill and brickyard and it was in these plants that he made the lumber and the bricks with which he has done a great deal of building. He owns the only brick block in Chickasaw, in which he conducts his business.
As mentioned, the founder of the present general mercantile business conducted by our subject was his uncle Mathias. His successor was Joseph
725
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Gast, the elder brother of our subject, who later admitted Henry to partner- ship and when Joseph finally withdrew Henry became sole proprietor. Up to this time the business had been carried on in the old quarters, but such ex- pansion soon took place that Mr. Gast found it necessary to enlarge his ac- commodations to meet his increasing trade. He then erected his present two-story, brick block, a handsome structure, with cement sidewalk in front. Mr. Gast enjoys abundant patronage from the town and surrounding country, as he carries a large and carefully selected stock of high grade shoes, dry goods, notions, men's furnishings, and a large line of queensware. Mr. Gast is a painstaking and courteous merchant and commands the confidence of the community as to the quality of his goods.
Mr. Gast was married (first) to Mary Schwietermann, who was a mem- ber of one of the very prominent families of this section, and was a sister of Harman Henry Schwietermann, of Franklin township, formerly county com- missioner of Mercer County. Mrs. Gast died May 16, 1888. Seven children were born to this marriage, as follows: Louis, deceased; Regenia, deceased; Rose, who is a saleslady in a large mercantile establishment at Dayton, Ohio; Frank, owning a large barber shop in San Francisco, who safely passed through the earthquake of April 18, 1906; Julius, who is in business at Chick- asaw; Henry, who has charge of his father's livery business at Chickasaw; and Maria, a very competent and intellectual young lady, who very ably as- sists her father in the management of a part of his business. Mr. Gast mar- ried (second) Mrs. Elizabeth Stelzer, and they have one son, Leo. Mrs. Gast takes a great deal of interest in the management of the business and Mr. Gast attributes much of his prosperity to her excellent judgment. She thor- oughly understands the business and manages very efficiently when Mr. Gast's many other interests claim his attention.
Mr. Gast and family belong to the Catholic Church and he is a member of St. Joseph's Society. He has always been a liberal contributor to church finances as well as to the upbuilding of the town along educational lines. Mr. Gast stands as one of the representative men of the southeastern section of Mercer County.
ETHAN H. FAST
ETHAN H. FAST, a well-known agriculturist of Hopewell township, now serving his second term as a member of the township Board of Education, belongs to an old family of this county. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, January 5, 1867, and is a son of Abraham G. Fast.
Abraham G. Fast was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a lad of nine years when his parents came to Mercer County and settled in Center
726
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
township. His home for many years has been in Hopewell township, sec- tion I.
Ethan H. Fast was educated in the schools of Hopewell township and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and now owns a well-culti- vated farm of 60 acres. He has always taken considerable interest in public questions in his locality and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow- citizens in large degree. He is serving his second term as a member of the Board of Education and gives a large amount of time to the proper per- formance of the duties of this office.
Mr. Fast was married to Allie Crane, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late E. S. Crane. They have had six children, namely : Herbert E., Hazel, Laird G., Myrtle V., Earnest Fidelis, who died aged 17 months; and Irvin A. Mr. Fast is a member of the Church of God and holds the office of deacon.
JEREMIAH ALLEN
JEREMIAH ALLEN, a representative citizen and successful farmer, resid- ing on his well-improved farm of 80 acres, which is situated in section 20, Union township, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War, in which he spent over three years. Mr. Allen bears a distinguished name and comes from the same stock as did Gen. Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. He was born in the Dominion of Canada, just opposite Oswego, New York, and is a son of Enos and Eliza (Van Meere) Allen.
Nicholas Allen, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Vermont. He married Annie Gear and they reared a family of children. After her death, Nicholas, with two of his sons, Hiram and Simon, went West and these sons participated in the battle of Lake Champlain, in the War of 1812. Two sons and a daughter of Nicholas Allen remained in Vermont. The latter became the wife of Nathan Harvey. One of the sons was Enos, the father of our subject.
Enos Allen was born July 5, 1805, and died May 26, 1893, aged 87 years, II months and 10 days. He lived in the vicinity of Middlebury, Ver- mont, until manhood, when he moved to the northern part of New York and settled on the shore of Lake Champlain. Subsequently he crossed over to Canada and resided there for almost 20 years. He then moved to Ohio and settled in Dublin township, Mercer County, near where the present Perry homestead is located. He married Eliza Van Meere, who was born in Canada, March 19, 18II, and died December 22, 1875, aged 64 years, 9 months and
727
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
3 days. She was a daughter of John and Hannah ( Harrington) Van Meere. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. The latter was a native of New York. Eight children were born to Enos Allen and wife, as follows: Jeremiah, our subject, who was the eldest; Justin S., born January 27, 1835, who married Almira Moore and resided two and one-fourth miles from his older brother, in Union township, where he died July 17, 1896, aged 61 years and 18 days; Diana, born January 25, 1837, deceased March 24, 1876, aged 38 years and 2 months, who was the wife of John M. Drake, of Union township; Phoebe, born June II, 1839, deceased August 3, 1899, who was the wife of Joseph B. Drake, of Union township, who still survives; Eliza Jane, born September 6, 1841, deceased November 1, 1879, aged 38 years, I month and 25 days, who married Elias Pritchard, of Union town- ship; Deborah, born April 5, 1844, who is the widow of James Vance and lives on the old home place; and Samantha, born November 1, 1864, and Har- riet, born September 19, 1868, who died unmarried.
Jeremiah Allen obtained his education in Canadian schools and grew to man's estate a practical farmer. In 1855 he moved to Mercer County, Ohio, followed by his father in the following year. He settled where he now lives, when the whole surrounding country was covered with timber. A cabin of logs had been commenced, which Mr. Allen was obliged to finish before it was habitable and when it was completed it had a loose board floor, one window and one door, which the greater part of the time stood hospitably open. He immediately began clearing his land with a view to cultivating it, but had made only reasonable headway when the Civil War broke out. Although born in Canada, he was a true and loyal American at heart, the blood of brave military ancestors coursing through his veins, and he soon resolved to enter the army and defend the liberties for which his family had fought in times past.
After making arrangements for the comfort of his family during his absence, Mr. Allen enlisted on September 10, 1861, in Company A, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. W. Heath and Col. Thomas Worthing- ton, and was mustered in at Camp Lincoln, near Columbus, by John R. Eady, mustering officer. In February, 1862, the regiment took the train for Cin- cinnati, went from there to Paducah, Kentucky, thence to Savannah and on March 20, 1862, reached Pittsburg Landing. On the following day the regi- ment moved to Shiloh, pitched tents and was then drilled until it went into battle on April 6th and 7th, both Company A and the regiment giving good account of themselves and losing heavily. The regiment reached Corinth on April 30, 1862, where Mr. Allen fell sick and was furloughed home on May 3rd. As soon as he was able to get about, he returned to his regiment, reaching it on June 19th at Lagrange, Tennessee. The next move of the
728
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
regiment was to Lafayette, in the same State, where Mr. Allen was in a skirmish on June 30th, on the picket line, in which John Harper, of Mercer County, was wounded and subsequently died from its effects, and Captain Heath and a number of others were taken prisoners, Mr. Allen and Eli Heath being the only ones of the detachment to escape.
The 46th Ohio fought and won laurels at Vicksburg, Black River, Jack- son, and Lookout Mountain and the severe battling at Mission Ridge deci- mated the ranks. The survivors went on to Knoxville, raising the siege there, then marched back to Scottsboro, Alabama, where the weary and footsore soldiers went into winter quarters. On May 1, 1864, the 46th Ohio, in march- ing trim, started on the Atlanta campaign, which included participation in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek. Mr. Allen took part in the battle of Atlanta on July 22nd, when Captain Heath, was killed as was also General McPherson. John Hicknell, of Union town- ship, also fell in this battle. History tells of the fierce second battle of Atlanta on the 28th of July, of the repelled charge on August 3rd and of the second charge when the 46th Ohio, with other invincible regiments, made a successful capture and held the works for 20 days. From Atlanta, Mr. Allen's regi- ment was sent to Jonesboro, where an attack was made on the enemy in the rear, subsequently falling back from Lovejoy Station to East Point, where final preparations were made for the great "March to the Sea." After a faithful service of three years and 10 days, Mr. Allen received his honorable discharge on September 20, 1864, and reached his Ohio home on the last day of that month.
Mr. Allen resumed the clearing of his land, which he speedily accom- plished, and soon proved himself as good a farmer as he had been a courage- ous soldier. He now has a very valuable property and all the excellent im- provements have been placed here by himself. He is no longer very actively engaged in the operation of his farm, but still overlooks and advises those who do the actual work.
Mr. Allen was married (first) to Alma Bloomer, whose father had died and whose mother was married (second) to Smith Allen, who was an uncle of our subject. Mrs. Allen was born August 4, 1839, and died December 10, 1876, aged 37 years, 4 months and 6 days. Seven children were born to this marriage, as follows: Jehiel, born May 21, 1858, residing at Spencerville, Ohio, who married Laura Stettler-two of their three children survive; Lucy, wife of Thomas Miller, residing near Mendon; Norma, wife of Milo Miller, residing at Cary, Ohio; Lydia Ann, born September 25, 1865, who died October 25, 1882, aged 17 years and I month; Alla, born August 30, 1868, who married C. M. Tomlinson and resides in Mendon-their one child is deceased; Ella, born October 23, 1870, who died April 3, 1890, aged 19
.1
729
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
years, 5 months and 10 days; and Eliza R., born August 1, 1874, who died April 21, 1876, aged I year, 8 months and 21 days.
Mr. Allen was married (second) to Mrs. Cynthia Heath, who died Feb- ruary 12, 1889, aged 50 years, 3 months and 24 days. Mr. Allen was mar- ried (third), on May 3, 1898, to Annie Magoogan, who was born January 28, 1848, and is a daughter of Aquilla Magoogan, of Marion County, Ohio. The Magoogan family is of Irish extraction.
Mr. Allen is a stanch Republican. He is a valued member of McKendree- Murlin Post, No. 319, G. A. R., at Mendon. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN STUKENBORG
JOHN STUKENBORG, an enterprising and successful farmer of Butler township, who resides on his farm of 80 acres in section 32, was born at Egypt, Auglaize County, Ohio, May 1, 1852, being a son of Henry and Agnes Stuk- enborg.
The parents of Mr. Stukenborg were both born in Germany and when about 21 years of age both came to America. They were passengers on the same vessel crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and were married shortly after get- ting settled. Eight children were born to this marriage, the two survivors being our subject and his sister, Mrs. Caroline Rahe, of Minster, Ohio. The father married a second time and had seven more children. His death oc- curred in 1882.
John Stukenborg was reared in the village of Egypt and obtained his education there. When he was 21 years of age, he started to learn the black- smith's trade but could not continue on account of a weakness of the eyes. He then hired out as a farm hand, going to St. Johns when about 22 years old, and farming has been his main occupation ever since. Immediately after his marriage, he moved upon his present farm, a property he had purchased in 1877. At this time it was covered with timber and Mr. Stukenborg put in some years of very hard work clearing it and making the many improve- ments, which mark it now as one of the best farms in the township. In addi- tion to carrying on a general line of agriculture, Mr. Stukenborg raises sugar cane and has installed a modern cane presser which enables him to turn out excellent molasses. In all things he is one of the progressive men of his locality and one of the most prosperous.
Mr. Stukenborg was married at St. Johns, Marion township, in 1878, to Maggie Elking, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Elking, natives of Ger- many. Eight children were born to this marriage, as follows: Henry, a
730
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
resident of Indian Territory; Frank, who operates a threshing machine owned by his father; Caroline, who is the wife of Charles Cumbarg, of Jefferson township; Charles, who died aged 14 months; and Benjamin, Charles, Ed- ward and John, living at home.
Mr. Stukenborg is one of the leading members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Coldwater and was a member of the building committee when the church edifice was erected. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Society. He is a man of sterling character and is very highly esteemed throughout Butler township.
ALOIS JOHN WILLKE
ALOIS JOHN WILLKE, M. D., who is practicing medicine at Maria Stein, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 8, 1865, and is a son of Gerhard and Theresa (Schaper) Willke, both natives of Germany.
Upon coming to this country, Gerhard Willke and wife settled at Cin- cinnati, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are still living, as follows: Anna, who married Thomas Unger and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Caroline and Alois John.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in Cincinnati, attend- ing the schools of that city. After some study under private teachers, at the age of 23 he entered the Medical College of Ohio, now known as the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, and was graduated after three years of study. After his graduation, he was appointed interne physician of the Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, after a competitive examination. On October 1, 1893, he came to Maria Stein and engaged in the practice of medicine.
Dr. Willke was united in marriage on May 8, 1894, to Caroline Vander- horst, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kroger) Vanderhorst. Five chil- dren have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Willke: Ada; George; Marie; Lucille; and Edgar. Dr. Willke built his residence shortly after locating in Maria Stein. He and his family are members of St. John's Catholic Church. He is a member of several medical societies.
AUGUST RENTZ
'AUGUST RENTZ, whose valuable farm of 138 acres is situated in section II, Marion township, was born on his present farm, May 29, 1873, and is a son of Xavier and Barbara (Fecher) Rentz.
Xavier Rentz was born in Germany, December 2, 1830, and is a son of Anthony and Agnes (Baumgartner) Rentz. When he was nearly two years
-
731
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
of age, his parents embarked on a sailing vessel for America, but the ship was wrecked and the passengers lost all their possessions and barely escaped with their lives. Finally they were landed at Charleston, South Carolina. The grandfather of our subject finally brought his family to Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, and in 1847 removed to Mercer County, settling on the farm now owned by our subject. The brick house first built is still standing. A family of 12 children were born to Xavier and Barbara Rentz, of whom six are now living, namely: John, an instructor in a large Catholic school at St. Paul, Minnesota, who married Mary Rosenberger; Theresa, who is the widow of Barney Mestemaker; Anthony, residing in Marion township, who married Mary Heyne; Anna, who married Andrew Stammen and lives at New Weston, Darke County; August (2), who is our subject; and Henry W., who married Elizabeth Pleiman. The following are deceased: Joseph, at the age of six months; Mary, aged 33 years; Joseph (2), a very promis- ing young man, whose death occurred at Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 26 years ; Frank; August, aged three and a half years; and Xavier, aged two months.
August Rentz was educated in the local schools and has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He bought his farm from his father, who had received it from his father. The first purchase was of 106 acres just one year after he was married, and the second purchase, of 32 acres, was made in 1905. He is accounted one of Marion township's best farmers and has made many substantial improvements here.
On April 26, 1893, Mr. Rentz was married to Anna Rose, a daughter of Henry and Bernardina (Knoeber) Rose. Mr. Rose was born in Germany, came to America when 26 years of age, and worked first on a railroad in New York. Later he lived a few years at Cincinnati and then came to St. Johns, Mercer County, where he married Bernardina Knoeber, a native of that place. They then purchased and moved to a farm of 20 acres at Sebastian, where Mr. Rose now owns 230 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have eight children, namely: Bernard, who married Regina Schuckman; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Bernard Froning; Herman, who married Elizabeth Weber ; Henry, deceased, who prepared for teaching; Anna and Cecilia (twins), born April 14, 1872; John, who married Mary Unrost; and Elizabeth, who resides at Chickasaw with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Rentz have six children, as follows : Alfred Xavier, Roman Henry, Narbet Harman, Florentina Elizabeth, Bernard Ferdinand and Richard John.
Mr. Rentz and family belong to the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw. He is a prominent member of St. Joseph's Society.
1
732
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
Mr. Rentz is one of the representative men of Marion township and is a member of the School Board.
EDGAR E. STEPHENSON
EDGAR E. STEPHENSON, of the firm of Estry & Stephenson, dealers in hard and soft lumber, planing-mill supplies and building materials of all kinds, at Celina, is one of the representative business men of the village. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1855.
After completing his education, Mr. Stephenson taught school for a short time and then went into the sewing machine business at Bluffton, Indiana, where he remained for two years and then became interested there in the stave and heading business. He continued to be concerned in business of this kind at Bluffton and Montpelier, Indiana, for six years. In 1880 he located at Celina, and was at the head of the Nimmons heading plant for 12 years. In 1892 he bought out Mr. Timmonds' interest in the lumber firm of Estry; & Timmonds, becoming the junior partner, and the business has continued, expanded and prospered under the management of the present firm of Estry & Stephenson. Mr. Stephenson is a careful, able business man and enjoys the confidence of the public.
In 1877 Mr. Stephenson was married to Sarah J. McCleery of Bluffton, Indiana, and they have two children, viz. : Mary, wife of N. W. Monroe, of Celina; and Hugh, living at home.
Mr. Stephenson is a prominent member of St. Paul's Methodist Episco- pal Church at Celina and is a member of the board of trustees.
REUBEN BUCK ยท
REUBEN BUCK, whose valuable and well-improved farm of 200 acres is situated in section 31, Jefferson township, is one of the oldest men in Jefferson township and one of the most highly esteemed and best known men in Mercer County. He was born August 18, 1825, in Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth Buck.
When he was a boy, Mr. Buck's parents moved to Richland County, Ohio, and it was there he spent his early life. In 1839, when he was about 15 years old, his parents moved to Mercer County and settled in an 80-acre timber tract in Hopewell township, which his father had purchased, and which had to be cleared before crops could be raised. At that time the country was nothing but a forest wilderness and the family were compelled to endure many
733
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
trials and hardships incidental to pioneer life. Mr. Buck assisted his father in erecting a round-log cabin for the family to occupy, in clearing the farm and in making many other necessary improvements on the place. About two years after his marriage, he moved to Jefferson township, where he has since made his residence.
Mr. Buck married Jane Lincoln and they are the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom but four are now living, namely: William, a farmer of Jef- ferson township, who married Margaret Rohr and has seven children; Mrs. Henrietta Whelan, who lives in Idaho; Emanuel, who married Maggie Ansel- man, has one child, Carrie, and lives on the home farm; and Mina, who mar- ried John Yaney and lives in Butler township. Mr. Buck has always taken a great interest in the politics of his community, and has served as township supervisor and also as a member of the School Board.
HENRY GEORGE RAWERS
HENRY GEORGE RAWERS, M. D., who for the past 13 years has been a resident of Chickasaw, where he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, was born in Ahaus, Germany, February 1I, 1867, and is a son of Barney and Gertrude Rawers.
Barney Rawers and his wife were both natives of Germany; the former was engaged as a weaver in Ahaus, Germany, at the time of the birth of our subject. Barney Rawers with his wife and four children came to America in the early '70's and settled at Coldwater, Mercer County, Ohio, where they purchased a farm and where they still reside. They were the parents of the following children: Henry George, the subject of this sketch; John, who married Elizabeth Longenhauf and resides at Coldwater; Gertrude, who mar- ried Theodore Tekamp of Chickasaw; and Bernard, who married Minnie Shierholt. Theodore Tekamp and Bernard Rawers conduct a general store at Chickasaw.
Henry G. Rawers received his early education in Germany. Upon com- ing to this country with his parents at the age of 12 years, he first attended. the academy at Coldwater, Ohio, for about three years. He then went to the Ohio Normal University at Ada, for two years, after which he taught school for a number of years at Burkettsville. He next studied medicine with Dr. Arlington Stephenson, of Fort Recovery, for three years, and then entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. One year later he entered Rush Medi- cal College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. After graduating, he practiced medicine at Malinta, Ohio, for three years
39
734
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.