History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 101

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1744

USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 101

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).

Catherine Cline, the mother of Charles C. Cass, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, near West Salem, and is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Barr) Cline. Samuel Cline was born on January 13, 1809, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and died in Putnam county, Ohio, October 8, 1871. Samuel Cline was a son of Conrad and Catherine (Miller) Cline and his wife, Eliza Jane Barr, was also born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1813. She was a daughter of John and Nancy (Davenport) Barr, and through her mother's family was related to John Randolph, of Virginia. Samuel Cline and Eliza Jane Barr were married on April 9, 1835, in Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1852, about two miles from Gilboa. Mr. Cline became a man of prominence in his com- munity, and was director of the county infirmary for four years, assessor for one year, trustee for five years, and a member of the school board of his township for a period of fifteen years.

After George B. Cass and Catherine Cline were married, they located on a farm in Wood county, Ohio, and Mr. Cass taught school during the winter seasons and ditched and cleared his land during his vacations. A few years after his marriage, he retired from farm life and became a telegrapher and freight agent at Tontogany, and while living there, his son, Charles Cline Cass, was born. About 1867, George B. Cass and family moved to Hebron, Indiana, where he engaged in the hardware business for about two years. He came to Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1870, engaging in the hardware business, in which line he continued until 1883. During these thirteen years in Ottawa he was very successful, and, in addition to his well- stocked store, he became the owner of about thirteen hundred acres of land, and also owned a considerable amount of property in Ottawa. George B. Cass disposed of his hardware business in 1883 and devoted all of his time and attention afterward to his extensive property interests. He was an ardent worker in the cause of temperance, and an active and earnest worker in the Presbyterian church. At various times he was trustee of his church and also served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability and, although his work as a public-spirited

1022

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

citizen was widely recognized, he was never a seeker after office and rather avoided publicity of any kind. He was very desirous of seeing all of his children well educated and, before his death, had the satisfaction of seeing four of them graduated from one of the excellent universities of Ohio, while two others were in attendance at the university at the time of his death. Six children were born to George B. Cass and wife, Levi A., Charles C., Cather- ine, Ora E., R. B. and Lucy B. Levi A. is now the editor and proprietor of the Western New Yorker, of Warsaw, New York; Charles C. is the subject of this sketch; Catherine is the wife of Charles C. McMichaels, of Jackson, Michigan. She is a fine musician and has been an instructor in music ever since she graduated from a musical college; Ora A. is the wife of W. C. Morrey, a wheel manufacturer of Jackson, Michigan; R. B. is a newspaper publisher at Aurora, Indiana ; Lucy B. is the wife of R. G. LeBrond, who is a newspaper man and was formerly editor of the Putnam County Sentinel, and for many years he has been the political writer for the Toledo News- Bee, and now makes his home in Toledo. The father of these six children died on July 3, 1895, at the age of fifty-eight, and his widow passed away early in the summer of 1902.

Charles Cline Cass was two years of age when his parents moved from Wood county, Ohio, to Hebron, Indiana, and five years of age when they permanently located in Ottawa. After completing the course of education in his home schools in Putnam county, Mr. Cass entered Wooster University and graduated in the spring of 1888, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the university conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. For seven years after leaving the university, he engaged in the grain and milling business at Leipsic. After his father's death, he sold his grain and the milling business and managed his father's large estate until it was divided among the heirs, several years afterward. He then moved to his own farm in Liberty township, six miles west of Leipsic and farmed for three years. He was a large corn and wheat raiser, besides always keeping cattle, hogs and sheep on his farm. After living on his farm for three years, he moved to Ottawa, and for the next two years engaged in the hardware business. He then disposed of this business and has since devoted his time to the general management of his large farm in Palmer township. He was associated with the Ottawa Sugar Company in its agricultural department during the two years it operated its plant at Ottawa, afterward going with the Holland-St. Louis Sugar Company when they took over part of the best acreage written in the Ottawa territory.

Charles C. Cass was married on April 27, 1892, to Ada Timmerman,

1023:

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

of Leipsic, who was a native of that city and is a daughter of Dr. John D. and Mary (Leonard) Timmerman. Mr. Cass and his wife are the parents of five children, Abigail Mildred, George B., John Leonard, Ruth Marion and Charles Timmerman.

John D. Timmerman, M. D., the father of Mrs. Cass, was born March 7, 1839, at Cincinnati, and was a son of Diedrich and Catherine (Meyer) Timmerman. Doctor Timmerman and his wife were married at Cincinnati, June 7, 1859, and settled in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1866. His wife, Mary Leonard, was born in Cincinnati, May II, 1842, and was a daughter of Jacob and Lydia Leonard. Doctor Timmerman was in the Sixth Regiment, Independent Ohio Cavalry, and was wounded on September 6, 1862, at Washington, North Carolina. After the close of the war, he returned to Putnam county, and practiced medicine and surgery at Leipsic until his death, November 1, 1908. His wife had passed away in January, 1897. Doctor Timmerman was a prominent and influential citizen of Leipsic, from the close of the Civil War until his death, and took an active part in all of the affairs of his community.

Charles C. Cass has always been an active worker in the Republican party, and, while living in Leipsic, was clerk of the village for two terms. In 1914 he was nominated by his party to represent the thirty-third Senator- ial District, composed of Wood, Hancock, Fulton, Henry and Putnam coun- ties in the state Legislature, and was elected to that seat on November 3, 1914.

Charles C. Cass and his family are earnest members of the Presbyterian church, where he has been a ruling elder for the past twenty-five years. Mr. Cass is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Knights- Templar and member of the consistory. He also holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias.

JOHN P. BAILEY.

John P. Bailey was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on September 12, 1853. Laura Edgecomb, to whom he was married, on September 2, 1875, was born in Allen county, Ohio, on July 16, 1855. The children of John P. and Laura (Edgecomb) Bailey are as follow: Arthur C., born on August 17, 1876; died on November 9, 1879; Maggie M., May 2, 1878, died on October 5, 1880; Lena B., July 21, 1881 ; Bessie I., July 5, 1884; George E., August 16, 1886; Thayer E., July 8, 1890; Ralph E., December 8, 1893, and Alva E., February 24, 1898, died on February 10, 1914.

.1024

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

JOSEPH C. WANNEMACHER.

Joseph C. Wannemacher is one of those men who win life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination coupled with sound judgment and keen discrimination in whatever is undertaken. Mr. Wannemacher has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor and always ready to lend his assistance in defense of principles affecting the public good. He has ably and conscientiously served the community of Ottoville and vicinity as presi- dent of the Ottoville Bank Company, and in other phases of financial, com- mercial and civic life, and has so conducted himself as to earn the unqualified endorsement and support of his fellow citizens.

Joseph C. Wannemacher was born on December 23, 1861, in Ottoville, Ohio. He is the son of Charles and Stephania (Fournier) Wannemacher. Charles Wannemacher, the father of Joseph C., was born on January 7, 1837, and came to the United States with his parents at the age of fourteen years. He had received a good common school education in his native vil- lage. After his arrival in this country and in Ohio he gained the key to the English language by spelling out the signs on the stores and the advertise- ments displayed on fences till he slowly interpreted their meaning. At Bel- fast, Ohio, he learned the shoe-making trade, serving one and one-half years apprenticeship and later becoming a competent workman. He then spent a few years in Cincinnati as a journeyman and, finally, returned to Ottoville, where he engaged in business for himself for sixteen years. He kept a shoe store in 1873, and was elected county commissioner of Putnam county, serv- ing two terms. Subsequently, he engaged in the hardware business where he made great commercial progress, becoming one of the prominent and wealth- iest citizens of Ottoville.

Charles Wannemacher was married on July 9, 1860, to Fannie Fournier, the only child of Joseph C. and Mary C. (Oberhauser) Fournier. They were natives of the Province of Lorraine, France, their daughter having been born in their native land. Upon coming to this country, they settled in Mon- terey township, Putnam county. Charles and Fannie (Fournier) Wanne- macher, the parents of Joseph C., were stanch Catholics, both dying in the faith, the father on January 5, 1898, and the mother, August 29, 1890.

The grandfather of Joseph C. Wannemacher, who was John Wanne- macher, was born in Prussia and was a locksmith by trade. He was married, in his native village, to Theresa Dierringer, and sailed with his wife and eight children to the United States from Antwerp, Belgium, March 10, 1852, in

JOSEPH @ WANNEMACHER.

1025

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

the ship "Edwina." After a voyage of forty days, they landed in New York on April 23, 1852, and came directly to Ottoville, which contained, at that time, but two buildings, one log and one frame. They settled on a small farm one and one-half miles from Ottoville, living there the remainder of their lives.

Joseph C. Wannemacher, the subject of this sketch, was one of eleven children. He received his education in the public schools of Ottoville, and attended the high school of Ottawa, Ohio, for two years. He also clerked in a dry goods store, at Ottawa, for a time, and after that taught school for two terms. During the summer of 1881, he went to work in his father's store, in Ottoville, and, in 1886, he became a partner with his father in the hardware and implement business. This partnership continued until 1898, when the father died. The business is now being managed under the firm name of Charles Wannemacher's Sons. It is the largest hardware and implement store in the county.

Joseph C. Wannemacher is now, and has been for many years, the presi- dent of the Ottoville Bank Company. The articles of incorporation for this bank were signed on September 13, 1903, by F. J. Maehlmann, John J. Miller, J. C. Wannemacher, Alphons A. Roth and F. F. Vincke for the pur- pose of doing a general banking business and with a capital stock of twenty- five thousand dollars. On October 24, 1903, a charter was given to the Otto- ville Banking Company by the secretary of state. The bank opened for busi- ness on February 1, 1904. It now has a surplus of twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars. This bank was placed on the roll of honor in 19II. The present officers of the bank are Joseph C. Wannemacher, president, John C. Miller, vice-president, F. J. Maehlmann, cashier, and E. Maehlmann, as- sistant cashier. The directors are Benedict Wannemacher, J. H. Wanne- macher, J. C. Wannemacher, John J. Miller and F. J. Maehlmann.

Reverting to Mr. Wannemacher's parentage, he is the eldest of seven living children, four having died in infancy, John, the second child, lives in Ottoville. He married Katharine Barholzer, and they have two children, Sophia and Alma. Mrs. John Wannemacher is deceased; Jacob F. lives in Ottoville ; Stephen lives in Cloverdale: Alex lives in Ottoville and is a partner in a store with Joseph C. He married Anna Jervers and they have one daughter, Dorothy; Fanny lives in Ottoville; Charles died at the age of twenty-two years.

Joseph C. Wannemacher was married on May 8, 1878, to Anna Schneider, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kieffer) Schneider. Mr.

1026

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Schneider was born in Alsace, France, now a part of Germany. Mrs .. Schneider was born in Luxemburg. They came to the United States early in life and settled in Crawford county, Ohio. To Joseph C. and Anna. (Schneider) Wannemacher, seven children have been born: Martin, on June 24, 1889, graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor ; Urban F., July 18, 1891, is a tinner by trade and works in his father's store at Ottoville; Monica, June 21, 1893, graduated from the Otto- ville schools and is now teaching school; Arnold, December 25, 1895, gradu- ated from the Lima Business College and assists his father in the store; Fanny, November 19, 1897, attends the Ottoville schools; Elnora, November 28, 1899, and Margaret, June 15, 1902, are at home.

Joseph C. Wannemacher is a Democrat. He was clerk of the town of Ottoville for eighteen years and is the present mayor of the town, having taken this office in January, 1912. He was a member of the building com- mittee for the county court house at Ottawa. Mr. Wannemacher is also vice- president of the Ottoville school board. All of the members of the Wanne- macher family are devoted to the Catholic church and are prominent and influential in this church. Few families are better known in this part of Putnam county than that of Joseph C. Wannemacher, and few men occupy a higher place in the esteem of his fellow citizens than the subject of this sketch.

COLUMBUS E. DANGLER.

The founders of the Dangler family, in America, were John and Barbara (Kaler) Dangler, natives of Germany who settled in America early during the last century. Their first home on this continent was in Union county, Pennsylvania, where Columbus E. Dangler's father was born. Later, in 1837, they came to Putnam county, Ohio, and settled in section II, of Greens- burg township, where they remained for many years. They were pioneer farmers and enterprising German citizens during the early history of Putnam county. Columbus E. Dangler, a representative of the third generation of the Dangler family, was born and reared on a farm, but early in life engaged in various pursuits. Subsequently, however, he abandoned business life for the farm and is now living on a tract of one hundred and five acres in Jack- son township, which he owns.

Columbus E. Dangler was born on May 6, 1859, in section 22, of Greens- burg township. His parents were Jacob and Susanna (Guy) Dangler, the

1027

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

former of whom was born about 1814, in Union county, Pennsylvania, and who, after his parents had brought him to Putnam county, Ohio, lived on the homestead farm during his early manhood. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm until his marriage, in 1842, to Susanna Guy. She was the daughter of Jesse and Jane (Schurtz) Guy, who also came early to Putnam county, having established a home here in 1838. They came from Columbiana county, Ohio, and it was here that Susanna Guy was born. After coming to Putnam county, they made their home in Greensburg township, where they purchased and developed a farm.

Jacob and Susanna Dangler had twelve children, Barbara, deceased; John K .; William S .; Sarah E., who is now Mrs. Ayres; Henry J .; Jacob G .; Mary E., who is now Mrs. Ridenour; Anna N .; Columbus E .; George A .; Lydia C., who is now Mrs. Taylor, and Daniel E. Jacob Dangler died in 1886, on his farm in Greensburg township, and his wife died in 1904. The Guy family was of Revolutionary stock, some of Mrs. Dangler's ancestors having in the War of the Revolution fought valiantly against the British oppression.

Columbus E. Dangler was reared and educated in Greensburg township. He lived the life of the average farmer's son and, at the age of twenty-one years, engaged in the saw-mill business. He also operated a portable saw- mill and threshing outfit and did work for a large number of farmers in Put- nam county. He was engaged in this business for eighteen years. During this period, however, Mr. Dangler devoted some time to farming. He was married on March 24, 1889, to Margaret Caton, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, and the daughter of Richard and Julia (Cavenaugh) Caton. Richard Caton was born in Franklin county, Ohio, July 4, 1845, and died on August 20, 1906. His wife was born in Ireland, in County Kilkenny, August 19, 1847. She came to America with her parents at the age of eight years. Her parents were Bryan and Mary (Collins) Cavenaugh, who settled in Franklin county, Ohio, where their daughter, Julia, was reared, educated and married. Richard Caton and wife had seven children, Mrs. Margaret Dangler ; James, who lives in Pleasant township; Mrs. Mary Deveaux, of Defiance, Ohio; John, who lives in Detroit, Michigan; Philip, who lives in Defiance; Mrs. Emma Hale, who lives in Defiance; and Theresa, deceased. Mrs. Richard Caton is still living and makes her home the greater part of the time in Defiance with her children.

After Mr. Dangler's marriage, he continued to reside on the homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Greensburg township. Of this farm, he owned one hundred and thirteen acres himself and farmed it for a time,

IO28

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

but, in 1902, sold the farm and purchased one hundred and five acres, in section 17, of Jackson township. He remained on the old homestead farm, however, for two years, after buying the farm in Jackson township. For a time, he operated a brick kiln and tile-mill and also a saw-mill on the Greens- burg township farm. He moved to Defiance in 1904 and there conducted a wood yard for several years. He moved back to his farm of one hundred and five acres in Jackson township in 1912, and since that time has been actively engaged in farming it.

Columbus E. and Margaret (Caton) Dangler have had three children, Josephine, who was born on October 25, 1891 ; Alva E., February 2, 1896, and Genevieve, March 27, 1908. Josephine married John Myer and lives in Union township. He is a prominent farmer of this township; Alva E. and Genevieve are both at home.

Columbus E. Dangler is more interested in his home and his family and his farm than he is in participation of public affairs. Nominally, he is identified with the Democratic party, but he is more or less independent in his voting. The Dangler family are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida. Mrs. Dangler is a member of the Mothers' Society. The Dangler family are people of pleasing dispositions and all are prominent in this section.

MARTIN GEBHARDT.

One of the well-known, native-born German farmers of Palmer town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, who was brought to this country by his parents when an infant, is Martin Gebhardt. Mr. Gebhardt has prospered in his adopted country and is a highly-respected citizen in the township where he lives. Since coming to this country, he has married, reared a large family of children and acquired a competence for his declining years. Mr. Gebhardt is one of the large farmers of this township, although a part of the land which he operates is rented. He is a good farmer, a good citizen and a good neighbor and is well liked by all the people of his community.

Martin Gebhardt was born on December 3, 1855, in Germany. He is the son of John Jacob and Margaret (Keppel) Gebhardt. Mr. Gebhardt's paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Germany and lived and died in that country. Mr. Gebhardt's father was born in Byrne, Germany, and, before coming to this country, had followed farming, and also worked as a cloth weaver in his native country. He was married in Germany and

1029

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

landed in America in October, 1857. After a brief sojourn in New York city, the family went to Chicago, where they lived for three years. Leaving Chicago, they came to Defiance county, Ohio, and purchased a farm in High- land township, where they remained for some time, when he moved to Rich- land township, Defiance county, on a farm he had purchased of seventy-eight acres. Here he remained until his death, May 8, 1875. His wife, the mother of Martin Gebhardt, died on August 16, 1912, at the age of eighty years. Their children were as follow: Martin, the subject of this sketch; John, who died in infancy ; Edward, deceased; John, deceased; Mrs. Margaret Surprise; Nicholas; Mrs. Wilhelmina Lenhart, and Adolph.

Martin Gebhardt was two years of age when he came to America with his parents. He was educated in Defiance county, principally in Highland and Richland townships. He remained on the home farm until his marriage, which took place on November 13, 1881. He was married to Elizabeth Boehm, who was born in Richland township, Defiance county, and who is the daughter of Nicholas and Margaret Boehm. Nicholas Boehm and wife came from the same part of Germany as Mr. Gebhardt's parents. They set- tled in Defiance county on a farm of forty acres and remained there until their death ..

After his marriage, Mr. Gebhardt rented a farm of eighty acres, in Flat Rock township, Henry county, where he lived for six years. He then moved back to the home place in Richland township and here he lived until 1894. In the fall of that year he purchased a farm of forty acres in Palmer township, Putnam county, which he later increased to eighty acres. He erected buildings and made many improvements upon the land, cleared a part of the farm which was heavily timbered, drained and fenced it. He erected a fine residence in 1907, having erected a barn in 1903.

To Martin and Elizabeth (Boehm) Gebhardt have been born eight children, Cora, on December 3, 1882; William, February 16, 1884; Minnie, July 21, 1886; Ernest, March 23, 1889; Albert, January 12, 1892; Carl, January 10, 1895; Florence, July 18, 1897; and one who died in infancy. William married Mrs. Elsie (Boyd) Grant and lives in Palmer township. They have two children and one who died in infancy. Cora lives at home. Minnie married J. J. Brown, of New Bavaria, Henry county, and has four children living and two dead. Ernest married Agnes Dirr, of Palmer town- ship, Putnam county. The remainder of the children are at home. Mrs. Martin Gebhardt died on August 25, 1900.

Besides farming his own land, Mr. Gebhardt and his sons farm other land. In 1914, with the help of his sons, he farmed more than three hun-

1030

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

dred acres. Mr. Gebhardt has splendid stock and believes in handling the best breeds of horses and cattle. He has raised Herefords but is now raising Durham cattle.

Fraternally, Mr. Gebhardt is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 745, at Pleasant Bend, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 869, at Continental. Mr. Gebhardt has held the highest offices in the Knights of Pythias and is now vice-chancellor. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. He is now serving his second term as township trustee, having been re-elected after serving one term. He has also served as school director and a member of the board of education. Mr. Gebhardt and family are mem- bers of the Reformed church at New Bavaria. Martin Gebhardt is popular in the community, an able farmer, industrious and prudent in all the rela- tions of life.

JOHN C. HAUGHN.

Generous and loyal, interested at all items in the welfare of his com- munity and the owner of a splendid farm in Liberty township, is John C. Haughn, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, July 19, .1843, the son of George W. and Mary (Coonrod) Haughn, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Ohio.

George W. Haughn was born in 1812, and, when twenty-one years of age, came on foot to Ohio and located in the new county of Franklin and there engaged in farming. In that county, also, he married Mary Coonrod, the daughter of Wolrey Coonrod, who was one of the earliest settlers-when Chillicothe was still the capital of the state and Columbus unknown. From Franklin county, Mr. Coonrod enlisted for and served through the War of 1812. In the early days, religious meetings were held at his house, as were also the elections, and he himself was a politician and held many offices of honor and trust. He died in Franklin county, a Universalist in religion, in which faith the family were reared.

The parents of John C. Haughn were of German descent, and reared a family of eight children, Rachel, who was thrice married, first to her cousin, W. Haughn; secondly, to Alexander Adams, and thirdly, to John Duff, of Franklin county, who is now deceased; the second child, Margaret, married G. Ney, and resides in Illinois; the third child was John C., who is the im- mediate subject of this sketch; James M., the fourth child, is now deceased; Samuel J. lives in Morrow county, Ohio, near Ashley ; the sixth child, Mary

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.

History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 101

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1744

Author: Kinder, George D., 1836-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1744