USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 59
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Casper F. Porman attended the district schools of Preble county after coming here with his parents in 1874, receiving most of his education in the school at Enterprise. He started to work early in life, working as a farm hand when only thirteen years of age. giving his money to his parents until he was seventeen years old. Following this he began working for himself, and upon the death of his father took charge of the home place. He farmed this place for four years, and then moved to Twin township, where he rented land for two years. In 1895 Mr. Porman purchased the old Simmie House farm of one hundred and sixty acres. and in 1902 he sold a portion of this farm and purchased twenty-four acres in section 25. of Harrison township, and there he has made extensive improvements. This farm is located on the old National road, and Mr. Porman has built an all-modern house on this
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place, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, and in 1901 erected a large and commodious barn, forty by sixty feet. In 1913 he erected another residence and barn and outbuildings about as fine and substantial as the one he lives in as a home for his tenant. In addition to this, Mr. Porman has kept all his farm buildings, fencing, etc., in a thorough state of repair, and his farm presents an attractive appearance and reflects credit upon its owner. Mr. Porman now owns one hundred and nine acres of land that has been built up by him to a high state of fertility, although when he got it it was so badly run down as to be of little value. Throughout his career as a farmer he has kept high-grade live stock at all times, and makes a specialty of small grain.
In 1901 Casper F. Porman was married to Anna Glander, who was born, May 28, 1871, in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of Det- rich and Martha J. (Ryder) Glander, natives of Germany and Ohio, re- spectively. No children have been born to this union.
Mr. Porman is a Democrat, but with the exception of serving a term as land assessor of Harrison township, which office he held in 1900, he has never been particularly active in political affairs. Mr. Porman is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and his good wife belongs to the Reformed church and both have been active in the church and Sunday school. Fra- ternally, Mr. Porman is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Casper Porman is a representative farmer, influential and re- spected citizen, who possesses, in a large degree, the confidence and esteem of his neighbors.
HENRY HINEA.
Self-assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to success in life. There are good reasons for entertaining this belief. The modest man very rarely gets what is due him. The selfish, aggressive man elbows his way to the front, takes all that is in sight and it sometimes seems that modesty is a sin and self-denial is the penalty. Henry Hinea, a well- known farmer and stock man of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, is a worthy exception to this rule. Mr. Hinea is a modest man in every re- spect but he has possessed sufficient self-assertion to win the battles of life and he also has a host of friends in Lewisburg and vicinity, where he is well known to all classes as a man of influence, integrity and business ability. Mr. Hinea is a native of the township in which he lives and the confidence of
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which he is now possessed has been won by his own efforts, he having been almost wholly unaided in attaining his ambitions and ideals.
Henry Hinea was born on February 15, 1868, in Harrison township, the son of Calvin and Barbara (Studebaker) Hinea, who were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living save one, as follow: Mrs. Emma Colvill, of Dayton, Ohio; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Charles, of Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Lula Arnold and Mrs. Mollie Hoffman, both of Day- ton, Ohio; Mrs. Mamie Hoffman, of Harrison township; Mrs. Jennie Cas- sel, of Columbus, Ohio; Harvey (deceased), and Vernie, of Duluth, Min- nesota.
Calvin Hinea, the father of Henry Hinea, was born on July 29, 1843, in Maryland, and was reared on a farm there. In 1851 he came to Preble county, and purchased a farm in Harrison township. After farming in Harrison township for a few years, he returned to Maryland to his old home and continued to live there until 1882, when he returned to Preble county and farmed until his retirement in 1890, his death occurring two years later. His wife, who was Barbara Studebaker before her marriage, was born on May 27, 1845, in Harrison township, Preble county, the daughter of David and Rachel (Mills) Studebaker, both natives of Pennsylvania. She died on November 4, 1914.
Henry Hinea, the subject of this sketch, has been a farmer almost all his life. His education was confined to the district schools of his neighbor- hood and upon leaving school, he began working as a farm hand, in which capacity, from 1887 until 1890, he worked for different persons. In the latter year, he rented land and began farming for himself. He farmed un- til 1906 when he moved to Dayton, Ohio, and there was employed as an electric motorman and conductor for one year. In the meantime, however, he had purchased sixty acres of land. the farm which he now owns in Har- rison township. He remained in Dayton until 1908 when he moved to the farm he now owns. He has a well-improved place in Harrison township and is an extensive breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs. He raises about one hundred and twenty-five head every year for the market, and has found hogs to be a very profitable investment.
In 1901, Mr. Hinea was married to Ida Brown, who was born on May 6. 1865, in Harrison township. Preble county, the daughter of Michael and Elmira (Dinwiddie) Brown, a sketch of whose life history and ancestry is presented elsewhere in this volume. To this union three children have been born, Grace. Frieda and Ozro, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Hinea is a Democrat and in recent years has been able to give some
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of his time to political affairs, in which he is naturally interested. In 1913 he was elected township trustee which office he still holds and in which he is proving to be a very efficient and successful public official. Fraternally Mr. Hinea is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose. In every way, Mr. Hinea merits the respect and confidence which have been bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens.
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DAVID GEBHART.
With rare satisfaction the biographer refers here to the life of David Gebhart, who has attained success as a farmer and stockman in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio. In such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishment, must be found valuable lessons, an incentive and a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. David Gebhart is distinctively one of the representative farmers of Preble county. For a . number of years he has directed his efforts toward a successful career. By patience and well-doing he has overcome many obstacles with which his pathway was beset and today is considered one of the foremost farmers of the county.
David Gebhart was born on December 12, 1841, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, the son of David and Margaret (Pence) Gebhart, who were the parents of five children, Mrs. Mary Ann McGriff, deceased; William, deceased; Mrs. Maria Wilson, of Darke county, Ohio; George, a retired farmer of West Sonora, Ohio; and David, who is the youngest.
David Gebhart. Sr., was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, but the date of his birth is unknown. He died in 1841 a short time before David, Jr., was born. Mrs. David Gebhart, Sr., who, before her marriage, was Margaret Pence, was born in Virginia and died in Harrison township, this county, in 1868.
David Gebhart, Jr., was reared on the farm and received a very meager education in the district schools of Harrison township. He remained on the home place until his mother's death in 1868, after which the land was divided among the children. David Gebhart, Jr., now owns one hundred and eighteen acres of well-improved land which includes about six acres of natural timber. He always has kept a high grade of stock and has been a very hard worker. In 1887 Mr. Gebhart purchased his present farm, which
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is located in section 5, of Harrison township, and is known as the "Sunny- mead Farm."
Mr. Gebhart was married in 1877, to Jennie Wolf, who was born on September 11, 1857, in Preble county, the daughter of Jacob and Christina (Paullus) Wolf, natives of the same county. Jacob Wolf was born in 1830 and was a carpenter and farmer of Preble county. He died in 1889. His wife was born on August 11, 1829, and is now living at Union City, In- diana. To Mr. and Mrs. David Gebhart, five children have been born: Earl, a well-known farmer of Preble county; John, a telegrapher who lives in Idaho; Mrs. Opal Corwin, of Darke county, Ohio; Margaret, born Sep- tember 5, 1893, who is now living with her parents on the home place; and Otto, the second child, who died at the age of nine years.
Mr. Gebhart is a Democrat, but has never been particularly active in the councils of his party. He is well known as a frugal, industrious farmer with splendid personal habits and a man who enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of his neighbors.
DANIEL STUDEBAKER.
Farming, to which the life of Daniel Studebaker, a well known farmer and stock man of Harrison township, has been devoted, is the oldest pur- suit in the livelihood of mankind and the one in which man will ever be the most independent. Mr. Studebaker and his family have long been con- nected with the general growth of Preble county. While primarily attend- ing to his own various personal interests, his life has been largely devoted to the service of his fellowmen and he has been untiring in his efforts to inspire a proper respect for law and order and has been ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines.
Daniel Studebaker was born on September 5, 1849, in Montgomery county, Ohio, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Lock) Studebaker, to whom fifteen children were born, whose progeny, in the third generation, now number two hundred and thirty-five, fifteen children, eighty grandchildren and one hundred and forty great-grandchildren, as follow: Mrs. Amanda Loeke (deceased), who was born on February 20, 1831, had three children and two grandchildren; David B., who was born on February 20, 1833, and died, May 31, 1893, had eleven children and eight grandchildren; Mrs. Charlotte Via, born on December 15, 1835, who is now living in this county, ten children and twenty-one grandchildren; Jeremiah, born on December 15,
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1836, now living in Illinois, three children and five grandchildren; Jesse, born on November 7, 1838, died March 4, 1913, twelve children and twenty- two grandchildren; Mrs. Elizabeth Rumbaugh, born on April 21, 1840, now living at Euphemia, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Shidebaker (deceased), born on May 28, 1842; Henry, born on October 21, 1843, who now lives at Streator, Illinois, five children and twenty-two grandchildren; Joseph A., born on December 19, 1845, who now lives at Anderson, Indiana, one child and two grandchildren; William, born on November 10, 1847, who now lives at Lo- gan, Iowa, two children and two grandchildren; Daniel, the subject of this sketch, two children and ten grandchildren; Jacob, born on November 16, 1851, who now lives in La Salle county, Illinois, six children and twenty grandchildren; Benjamin F., born on July 21, 1854, who also lives in La Salle county, Illinois, eight children and sixteen grandchildren; Monroe, born on February 23, 1856, who now lives in Darke county, Ohio, nine children and one grandchild, and Mrs. Sarah Miller, born on July 11, 1859, who now lives in Euphemia, Ohio, eight children and nine grandchildren.
Jacob Studebaker, the father of these children, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1808, the son of Peter and Barbara Stude- baker, the former of whom died on January 13, 1841, at the age of sixty- six years, seven months and two days, and the latter of whom died on De- cember 8, 1840, at the age of fifty-seven years, two months and two days. Jacob Studebaker married Catherine Lock, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, October 16, 1816, the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Wolf) Lock, the former of whom was born on December 26, 1791, and died on December 19, 1829. Following his marriage Jacob Studebaker came to Preble county and engaged in farming and carpenter work, spending the rest of his life in this county, becoming one of the most influential men in his community. His death occurred on November 1, 1872, his widow sur- viving him more than ten years, her death occurring on October 11, 1885.
Daniel Studebaker was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of Harrison township. He remained on the home place all of his life and farmed for his mother after his father's death. At the death of his mother, he purchased from the estate eighty acres of land and now owns ninety-five acres of well-improved land. Mr. Studebaker has built three dwellings upon the farm for his children who are married. He has made many other improvements. He has always kept a high grade of live stock and has specialized in Poland-China hogs. He owns four acres of natural timber and has a young orchard, comprising three acres.
Mr. Studebaker was married November 6, 1872, to Irene Sink, who
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was born on October 19, 1844, in Virginia, the daughter of John and Kath- erine (Leprad) Sink, both natives of Virginia and both now deceased. To this union two sons were born, Wilbert, who is farming the home place; and Jasper A., who is a farmer in Harrison township.
Politically, Mr. Studebaker is a Democrat but has never been especially active in political affairs, although he has served the people of his town- ship as road supervisor. He and his family are members of the Christian church.
JOHN GANGWER.
Among the prosperous farmers of Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, who have a comfortable home and who are surrounded by all the comforts of life, few have attained a higher degree of success than John Gangwer. Mr. Gangwer is a man of tireless energy and rare courage. He is an able and conscientious worker and in his life has overcome many diffi- culties. As a citizen he is public-spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree. As a friend and neighbor he has combined those qualities of head and heart which have won confidence and commanded respect. His life is a splendid example of what an American youth, endowed with common sense, energy and determination, can accomplish when accompanied with good moral principles. From any point of view John Gangwer must be considered a successful man.
John Gangwer was born on June 19, 1844, in Harrison township, this county, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lyons) Gangwer, who were the parents of three children: Mrs. Susan Ott, deceased; John Gangwer, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Amanda Lock, a widow living in this county.
Samuel Gangwer was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on May 8, 1807, and died on October 3, 1887. He was a cooper by trade and in 1837 came to Preble county, working at his trade here for two years. He then conducted a saw mill on Price's creek for a few years, after which he engaged in farming until 1867, in which year he retired. Samuel Gangwer owned at one time the farm now owned by his son. It was purchased from the government on October 25, 1813, by Frederick Black, the maternal great-grandfather of John Gangwer, and has been handed down from gen- eration to generation. Mrs. Elizabeth (Lyons) Gangwer was born on May 20, 1827, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and came to Preble county, Ohio,
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with her parents, who settled on a farm in section 19, of Harrison town- ship. She died in 1862.
John Gangwer attended the district schools of Twin township, and when thirteen years of age, removed with his parents to the farm where he now resides. During the Civil War Mr. Gangwer performed service in the volunteer organization called out by Governor Todd, which familiarly was known throughout the state as "Squirrel Hunters," the members of which armed themselves, many with squirrel guns, and reported for duty at Cin- cinnati, from which point they were sent in pursuit of Morgan and his raiders.
Mr Gangwer purchased the farm on which he resides in 1881, and has made many improvements the aggregate cost of which has been in the neigh- borhood of twelve thousand dollars. He now owns one hundred and eighty- three acres of land, fifty acres of which is in natural timber. Mr. Gang- wer always has kept a high grade of live stock, and has been a hard worker and successful farmer. Though living retired, and has been for the past eight years, he still takes an active interest in the welfare of the county and is a heavy stockholder in the Savings & Loan Company, of Richmond, Indiana.
On August 2, 1888, John Gangwer was married to Matilda Ott, who was born on February 3, 1851, in Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Barbara (Link) Ott, natives of this county. To this union nine children were born, but none of them are now living, all but Mary, Elenora, Sarah J. and William, dying in infancy.
Mr. Gangwer is an ardent Democrat, and for many years has taken an active interest in the affairs of his party in his community. He served as township trustee for one term, discharging the duties of this office in a highly creditable manner. He and his wife are members of the Evangeli- cal Lutheran church.
FRANCIS VAN AUSDAL.
There is no occupation which gives a man the same degree of inde- pendence, or which brings him closer to nature than farming. In pioneer times farming was very much of a drudgery. but with all the modern im- provements and inventions the farmer is relieved of much of the hard work which was the portion of his forefathers. Moreover, farming has risen in dignity until now it is often referred to as a profession. Fifty years ago
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the science of agriculture was in its infancy, and it was not then thought necessary for the farmer to take a college course. Today our colleges are teaching agriculture as a science, and are turning out thousands of young men well trained in scientific methods. Good roads are threading every por- tion of our state, and the interurban railway and the automobile keep the farmer in close touch, not only with his neighbors, but with life in the city as well. The farmers of Preble county are equal in every respect to the farmers in any other county in the state, and among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Preble county, there is none who stand higher in the esteem of his neighbors than does Francis Van Ausdal, of Harrison township.
Francis Van Ausdal was born on May 17, 1882, in Twin township, Preble county, Ohio, a son of Francis X. and Adeline (Long) Van Ausdal, who were the parents of five children: Mrs. Ida Call, of Preble county; Charles, of Eaton; Francis, with whom this narrative deals; Mrs. Mata Heeter, of Lewisburg, and Virgil, of Eaton.
Francis Van Ausdal was born in 1848 in Twin township, in this county. He is now a retired farmer of the county. His parents were James and Martha (Kitson) Van Ausdal, natives of Pennsylvania and England, respectively. The Van Ausdals were early settlers of Preble county. Mrs. Van Ausdal was born in Germany in 1853, coming to this country at the age of seventeen, and is now living at Lewisburg.
Francis Van Ausdal was reared on his father's farm in this county, at- tending the district schools of his home township, and afterwards was a student for a time of the Eaton Normal School. When he was eighteen years of age he started to teach school and taught in the district schools of Twin and Gasper townships for six years. He then took up farming, rent- ing land of different persons until 1912, in which year he purchased one hundred and five acres in section 16, Harrison township. Mr. Van Ausdal has twelve acres of natural timber on his farm. He is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Percheron horses, and has met with marked success in his efforts, being enterprising and prosperous, and unless all signs go wrong, will shortly be one of the most extensive farmers of Preble county, Ohio.
Francis Van Ausdal was married in 1906, to Cora Singer. who was born on September 19, 1885, in Harrison township, a daughter of Frank and Mellie ( Brown) Singer, both of whom also are natives of this county, and are now living on their farm in Harrison township. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Ausdal three children have been born, Kenneth, Loran and Gerald.
Mr. Van Ausdal is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, but has
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never held office, and has never aspired to public office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his own personal affairs. He and his wife are de- vout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active in the work of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Van Ausdal has made a splendid start in life, being respected by his neighbors, and has a legion of friends in Harrison township, who are keenly interested in his welfare.
EDWIN T. PAUL.
It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and develop- ment of a community, to note the lines along which progress has been made, and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advancement has rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration. Edwin T. Paul is one of the strong and sturdy indi- viduals who have contributed largely to the material welfare of Lewisburg and Harrison township, Preble county, Ohio. He is an up-to-date business man, a public-spirited citizen and progressive in all that the name implies.
Edwin T. Paul, the president and manager of the stone quarries, lo- cated at Lewisburg, Ohio, was born December 10, 1876, at Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. He is a son of Alva L. and Gertrude (Paul) Paul, to whom two children were born, of whom Edwin T. is the elder. The other child is Gertrude, who married Frank Wilson and resides in Ottawa, Ohio.
Alva L. Paul was born at Royalton, Ohio, September 6, 1848, and died in Ottawa in 1911. He attended Long Island Medical College at Brooklyn, New York, from which institution he was graduated in 1874. He then came to Ottawa, Ohio, and began the practice of his profession in partner- ship with his father-in-law, Truman E. Paul. Three years later he began the practice of medicine on his own account, continuing in the active prac- tice at Ottawa until his death. Dr. Alva Paul was a son of Dr. Alva and Abbigal (Bigelow) Paul, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch hav- ing also been a physician. He was born in 1808 and died in 1875. His wife was born in 1817, and died during the sixties. Mrs. Gertrude (Paul) Paul, the mother of Edwin T., was born at Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, September 18, 1849, and she now makes her home alternately with her son, Edwin T., and with her daughter at Ottawa, Ohio. Her parents were Tru- man and Mary Jane (Britton) Paul, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, born in the old Indian fort, Fort Milan, in 1822. Truman Paul was a
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physician at Gilboa, Ohio, till 1874, when he removed to Ottawa, where he remained until his death in 1901. His wife was born at Xenia, Ohio, in 1824, and died at Gilboa in 1874. Dr. Truman E. Paul will long be held in grateful remembrance at Gilboa for his heroic services there during the cholera scourge in 1852.
Edwin T. Paul attended the public schools of Ottawa, Ohio, and later took a scientific and musical course at Findlay College, Findlay, Ohio. When he had reached his majority he started a clothing store at Ottawa, Ohio, and remained in this business for one year, at the end of which time he sold out and speculated in various enterprises for a time, traveling a good deal in the south and southwestern states. He had extensive business interests in these sections. In 1905 Mr. Paul organized a stone crushing plant at Bluff- ton, Ohio. Four years later he came to this county, locating at Lewisburg, where he purchased, in partnership with three other men, the two quarries at that place. He is now president, manager and a heavy stockholder in these enterprises. Mr. Paul is heavily interested in other quarries located at various places, and is also the owner of farm real estate and other prop- erty in different parts of the state. He has built a beautiful modern home at a cost of something over five thousand dollars in the northeast part of Lewisburg.
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