History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 104

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 104

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Benjamin F. Schafer grew up on the homestead farm and was educated in district No. 3, of Palmer township. He has never left the original home- stead farm owned by his father.

Benjamin F. Schafer was married on September 8, 1903, to Mary Ida Brecht, the daughter of Amos and Mary (Fenstermaker) Brecht.

Amos Brecht was born on November 20, 1849, in Seneca county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county with his parents who settled in Palmer town- ship on a farm. His parents were Adam and Elizabeth Brecht, the latter of whom was a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and the former of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany. He came to America with his parents when he was four years of age and they settled in Seneca county, Ohio, where they were farmers. Here, Amos Brecht grew up and was educated and he, with his parents, came to Putnam county in 1862 and settled on eighty acres of land in Liberty township, where Amos farmed until his marriage, in August, 1871, to Mary Fentermaker, who was the daughter of Gideon and Anna Elizabeth (Roat) Fenstermaker. Gideon Fenstermaker was born in Penn- sylvania on August 22, 1825. He moved with his parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, when he was quite young and remained on the homestead farm until his marriage, August 17, 1851. He was reared a farmer and educated in Fairfield county. His parents both died in this county. After his marriage, Gideon Fernstermaker moved to Putnam county, Ohio, settling on one hun- dred and sixty acres of government land in Palmer township. This he cleared and improved. When he received the land, it was heavily timbered,

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and the bark of the wolves could be plainly heard at night. By rigid economy and persistent effort, he made out of this a good farm. He sold part of the farm, later, but kept forty acres, which he farmed until his death, June 22, 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years and ten months. He was a stanch Democrat and served as justice of the peace and township trustee for many years. He also held other minor offices. He was a member of the Disciples church. His wife, Elizabeth Roat, was born in Washington county, Mary- land, March 10, 1834, and died March 5, 1907, at the age of seventy-two years, eleven months and twenty-six days. She came with her parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, at the age of four years. Here she grew to woman- hood and was educated. She was a good woman and an active member of the Disciples church. Gideon and Anna Elizabeth Fenstermaker had ten children, Mrs. Mary Gustwiler, of Palmer township, Putnam county, who who first married Mr. Brecht; Edward, of Henry county; Martin, of Bell- more, Ohio; Mrs. Seluta Stall, of Hancock county, Ohio; Charles, of Lima; Caroline, who died at the age of ten years; John, of Dekalb county, Ohio; Mrs. Dallas Robinson, of Union county, Ohio; Mrs. Cora Harmon, of Blanchard township; and Ora, of Hillsdale, Michigan.

Amos Brecht, the father of Mrs. Schafer, remained on his father's farm in Liberty township, Putnam county, for two years after his marriage and then purchased twenty acres in Palmer township, which he subsequently in- creased to one hundred and twenty acres by adding small tracts. He im- proved the farm and built a fine residence. He was an excellent farmer and an industrious worker, paying close attention to the details of farm manage- ment. He was a well-to-do man, well known and well liked. He was a stanch Democrat, although he never cared for office. He did, however, hold minor township offices, such as township supervisor and school director. He was an active and devout member of St. John's Lutheran church. He was a companionable man, a good father and a good provider. He had a family of nine children, Mrs. Laura E. Miller, of Dekalb county, Indiana; Gideon, of Palmer township, Putnam county; Israel, of Liberty township; Amos, de- ceased; Mrs. Selvita Eveline Farney, of Blanchard township; Mary Ida, the wife of Mr. Schafer; Daniel LeRoy, of Palmer township; Mrs. Anna Levina Dobmeyer, of Palmer township, and John Dietrich, who is at home.

After the death of Amos Brecht, his wife was married on July 25, 1895, to Louis Gustwiler, a native of Detroit, Michigan. They were married on the homestead farm of Amos Brecht.

Benjamin F. and Mary Ida (Brecht) Schafer have had four children, Floyd Ray, born on July 24, 1904; Ernest Franklin, July 14, 1906; Nolan

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Henry, in November, 1908, and Edith Frada, June 9, 1911. All of these children are at home. The three sons attend the same district No. 3 school, which their father attended during his youth.

Benjamin F. Schafer has erected practically all of the buildings on his farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres. He follows general farming and raises considerable stock, especially cattle. He is an extensive stock- buyer and feeds cattle. At the present time he has ten head of horses. He owns a registered Shorthorn bull. He is in a company of four persons who own two Belgian stallions, which he keeps on his farm. He sells an average of fifty head of cattle each year. Some time ago Mr. Schafer rebuilt one of the largest barns in Putnam county. It is known as one of the finest in the county.

Benjamin F Schafer is not a member of any lodge. He is a Democrat in politics and is very active in the councils of his party. He has never cared much for office, although he has served as school director. He is especially a lover of horses and all live stock, of which he is an expert judge. Mr. Schafer is not a member of any church, but was reared in the Old School Baptist faith. Mrs. Schafer is a member of the Reformed Lutheran church, at Miller City, Ohio. Benjamin Schafer is a congenial man, quiet and un- assuming, well liked and well acquainted throughout Putnam county. He comes of excellent pioneer stock and is himself a worthy scion of a noble family.

CHARLES O. PIERMAN.

Among the progressive farmers, of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, is Charles O. Pierman, a man who owns a splendid farm, has a de- lightful home and is prudent and wise in the administration of his affairs.

Charles O. Pierman was born on February 25, 1871, in the southeastern part of Ottawa township. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret F. (Clark) Pierman.

Samuel Pierman died on January 7, 1904, at the age of seventy-six and his wife died on March 12, 1883. During his life, Samuel Pierman was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Putnam county. He was born in Virginia about ten miles from the natural bridge, June 24, 1827, and when young moved with his parents to Ohio in 1834. He was a son of James and Polly (Agner) Pierman. They settled about three miles east of Ottawa, just west of the mouth of Riley creek. About ten years later they moved into

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the northeastern part of Pleasant township and lived there the rest of their lives. Samuel Pierman grew up amid the hardships of pioneer life. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a fearless man. Samuel remembered when, in his boyhood, the Indians got drunk and noisy and were led out of his father's cabin by the hair. Samuel was among the "forty- niners," going by rail to St. Joseph, Missouri, and from there walked across the continent to California. Three years later he came back home and bought one hundred and sixty acres in the southwest quarter of section 26, of Ottawa township. Later, he sold eighty acres and bought more land near the Blanchard river where it was cleared and the water did not stand so much as on the other land. He became owner of three hundred and thirty-six acres.

Samuel Pierman was married on June 26, 1860, to Mrs. Margaret A. (Clark) Merritt. She was born in Ottawa township, just east of the fair grounds on October 22, 1837, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Battle- field) Clark, who came to Putnam county, in 1833. Samuel and Margaret (Merritt) Pierman were the parents of nine children, all of whom survived him. When a good man, industrious and honest, dies, the community mourns. They miss his companionship and presence and pay worthy tribute to his memory. Samuel Pierman was a man highly respected and esteemed by a large circle of intimate friends.

Charles O. Pierman grew up on his father's farm. He was married on October 25, 1894, to Harriett Gertrude McDowell. She was born in Blanchard township and is the daughter of William and Eliza ( Ridge) Mc- Dowell. William McDowell was an old and respected citizen of Putnam county, born in Hancock county, Ohio, and died in Ottawa, March 26, 1898, at the age of forty-nine. When very young, he came with his parents, John and Nancy (Mallahan) McDowell, to Putnam county. They located in Riley township, and here he lived until 1896. He married Eliza Ridge in 1871. She was born, in Riley township, the daughter of William and Har- riett (Catlett) Ridge, whose family came from Virginia. Mrs. Ridge is still living in Ottawa, at the age of eighty-eight. William McDowell farmed in Riley township, until 1896, and then moved to Ottawa, where he operated the City hotel until his death. He was well known throughout the eastern part of the county and had a very large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Ever since his marriage, Mr. Pierman and his wife have lived in the community where he was born. He has a farm of one hundred and ten acres, splendid house and barn and is in every way a progressive citizen. Charles O. and Harriett G. (McDowell) Pierman have been the parents of seven

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children, Mildred A., born on June 19, 1898; Charles La Monte, June 28, 1901; Raymond, April 26, 1904; Lloyd V., November 29, 1906; Zoe Edna, April 7, 1909; Dorothy Ruth, November 8, 1911 ; and Helen Grace, Decem- ber 3, 1913.

Identified with the Democratic party, Mr. Pierman is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In every respect he must be classed as a representative citizen of Ottawa township, where he has lived for so many years.

JAMES M. AGNER.

In these latter days it is interesting to record the lives of men who set- tled a new country while the Indians were still roaming about. The progress of agriculture since those days has been most remarkable. The present-day farmer is no longer beset with the problems which faced the hardy pioneers of other days, but is now enabled because of improved methods to divide his time between his own vocation and public affairs, generally. Improved de- vices have placed the farmer in the front of our progressive citizens. One of the most progressive citizens of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, and especially one of the most progressive farmers of this township, is James M. Agner.

James M. Agner was born on January 27, 1855, about two miles south- east of Ottawa along the Blanchard river. He was the son of George and Elizabeth (Sackett) Agner. George Agner was the son of George and Rachel (Mockerman) Agner and was born in Fairfield county, in 1818, and came with his parents to Putnam county in 1843. He married Elizabeth Sackett on October 21, 1847. Her parents were William and Rachel (Lile) Sackett, who came from Fairfield county and settled in Ottawa township in 1833. George Agner died September 2, 1878. His father entered the land on which was the site of the old Indian town of Upper Tawa and their bury- ing ground was on his farm. Their graves being shallow, he gathered the bones and buried them, which act highly incensed the remaining Indians and they threatened his life. He left with his family for a time and when the Indians had removed he returned to his farm.

George Agner, Jr., was a child when his father came to Ottawa town- ship and the boy found playmates with the Indian children in this vicinity. George Agner, Sr., and his wife, were Pennsylvania-Dutch and came from

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Maryland to Ohio. James M. Agner's mother died on February 16, 1894. James M. Agner grew up on the farm on which he was born.

James M. Agner was married in 1879, to Sarah E. Crow. She was born five miles west of Ottawa and was a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Fretz) Crow. Stephen Crow was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on March 18, 1826, and came to Putnam county, in 1835, with his parents, James and Elizabeth (Moreland) Crow. He was married, in this county, October 28, 1847, to Elizabeth Fretz, who was born in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, July 16, 1828, the daughter of John and Veronica (Shelby) Fretz, who settled in Putnam county in 1834.

Sarah E. Crow was eighteen years old when her parents moved to Riley township, Putnam county, and there she lived until her marriage to Mr. Agner. After this he continued farming on the land entered by his grand- father. He owns one hundred and twenty acres at home, and eighty acres. in Palmer township. Mr. Agner follows general farming and raises a good breed of live stock, and now owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres.

To James M. and Sarah E. (Crow) Agner five sons and two daughters have been born, Pratt E., Nora, Neva May, Jason, Raymond, Clyde and Clair. Pratt E. married May Allen and engaged in farming near the old home. They have two daughters, Mildred and Delilah Louise, and a son Richard, who died at the age of nineteen months; Nora is the wife of Homer Pierman and lives near the old home. They have five children, Gladys May, James Glenn, Marcene Lenore, William Corwin and Idonna-Dorine; Neva. May is still at home; Jason married Lucy Post and lives at Ottawa; Ray- mond married Edna Fensler, lives in Toledo and has one daughter, Ruby ; Clyde and Clair are twins; Clyde married Marie Conine and lives northeast of Gilboa in Blanchard township; Clair is still at home.

Mrs. James M. Agner died on Christmas day, 1898. She was a faithful and devoted wife and mother, rearing her children to be Christian men and women. She united with the Disciples church at the age of fourteen and remained faithful to this church all of her life. The last Great Call found her fully prepared for the everlasting life where no loving ties are severed.

James M. Agner is identified with the Democratic party. He has served on the school board or as school director for about fifteen years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Agner is a public-spirited citizen, well known for his sterling integrity, his uprightness of character and is popular in the community where he lives.

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

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CELESTIAN NOIROT, JR.

Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, has many excellent farmers and many excellent citizens, among whom is Celestian Noirot, Jr:, who owns a splendid farm in. section 13, in this township. Mr. Noirot is a native of the township where he now lives. Here he has spent all of his life. He is widely acquainted in this section of Putnam county and is recognized as a citizen of high standing and intelligence in the community where he lives. Mr. Noirot has had much to do with the agricultural progress and prosperity of Putnam county, and, from any standpoint, is entitled to representation in a volume of this character.

Celestian Noirot, Jr., was born on December 23, 1869, in Palmer town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Celestian, Sr., and Victoria Noirot.

Celestian Noirot, Sr., was born in the village of Boncourt, France, on August 10, 1835. He came to America with his parents, Francis and Fran- cois (Raslot) Noirot, who were also natives of the village of Boncourt, France, and who settled in Hancock county on a farm. They lived here for a time and later moved to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1862, settling on forty acres in Palmer township, where the land was heavily timbered and in a swampy condition. Celestian Noirot, Sr., was a farmer. He accompanied his parents to Putnam county and farmed in a general way all of his life. He also learned the plasterer's trade in Hancock county and followed this, to- gether with farming. He followed this trade in Putnam county and many buildings were plastered by him. The forty acres in Palmer township were, in time, increased to over two hundred. Celestian Noirot, Sr., followed his trade in Findlay, Ohio, walking back and forth to his farm in Palmer town- ship. He was married in Findlay, Ohio, and after his marriage returned to Putnam county. He and his wife have been the parents of nine children : Joseph, deceased ; Celestian, deceased; Mrs. Helen Kerns, of Miller City; Vic- toria, deceased; Celestian, Jr., the subject of this sketch; George, who lives in Canada; Mrs. Emma Royal, of Dekalb county, Indiana, and Theodore, of Miller City. Celestian Noirot, Sr., served as supervisor and school director, and, with these two exceptions, has held no offices. He is a Democrat and is a member of the St. Nicholas church at Miller City. He lives with his son, Celestian, Jr., on the farm, but is retired. He is a man of good reputation and has done much for his children. He has been a hard worker and has :seen many joys and sorrows. He is now past eighty years of age. The

MR. AND MRS. CELESTIAN NOIROT.

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mother of Celestian Noirot, Jr., was born in Alsace, France, and came to America with her mother. Her mother became seasick on the vessel during the rough voyage and died five days after landing' in this country. Mrs. Noirot then came to Findlay, Ohio, with her brother George and others. She remained there for some time, and after her marriage came to Putnam county with her husband. She was born on August 15, 1841, and died on August 17, 1907, at the age of seventy-four years and two days. She was a devout member of the St. Nicholas church at Miller City.

Celestian Noirot, Jr., was reared a farmer and grew up on his father's farm in Palmer township. He was educated in the district schools of the township. Mr. Noirot was married on January 29, 1896, to Elizabeth Jones, the daughter of Joseph and Malinda (Lanning) Jones. Mrs. Noirot's father was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and grew up on the farm there with his parents. He was educated and married in that county. After his marriage he went from Guernsey county to Illinois, where he remained for eight years on a farm. He then returned to Guernsey county and built a saw-mill, which business he followed for about two years. He then came to Putnam county and settled where Continental, Ohio, now stands. This land was heavily timbered and swampy at the time. Here he built a saw-mill, and, having brought the mill material with him from Guernsey county, be- gan operating it. Mrs. Noirot was then ten years of age. Mr. Jones fol- lowed the saw-mill business here for some time and then in different parts of the state, wherever the timber was thick. He moved to Knockatee, Flor- ida, in 1911, where he is engaged in the saw-filing business. He is an expert at this trade. He also owns two orange groves in Florida. He married Ma- linda Lanning in Guernsey county. She is still living. She was born in Guernsey county, September 10, 1856. She grew up in this county and was educated there.

To Joseph and Malinda Jones the following children were born : John, who lives in Palmer township ; Elizabeth, subject's wife ; Mrs. Emma Horning, of New Bavaria; Charles, who lives in Alabama ; Jesse, of Salesville, Missis- sippi; Howard, of Holmesville, Ohio; Edna, of Coshocton, Ohio; Mrs. Blanche McKelrey, of Oriville, Ohio; Ida and Clyde, twins, the former of Palmer township and the latter of Knockatee, Florida; Hazel and Walter, both of Knockatee, Florida.

Celestian Noirot, Jr., grew up on the homestead farm in Palmer town- ship and was educated in the district schools. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age. His father gave him eighty acres of land in sec-

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tion 13 of Palmer township before his marriage. He cleared about twenty acres of this farm before his marriage, and after his marriage moved to this farm, built the buildings, cleared, ditched and fenced the land.

To Celestian and Elizabeth (Jones) Noirot, Jr., have been born nine children : Lenora, on February 5, 1897; Augustus C., November 15, 1898, died on October 28, 1903 ; Oscar, September 10, 1899, died on September 4, 1900; Ruth, October 2, 1901; Harmon, February 20, 1904; Jesse, August 16, 1906; Pearl, January 6, 1909; Loretta, March 16, 1911, and Marie, May 23, 1913.

Celestian Noirot, Jr., engages in general farming. He is not a member of any lodge nor has he held any offices. He is identified with the Demo- cratic party. He and his family are members of the St. Nicholas Catholic church at Miller City. Mr. Noirot is a man of congenial temperament. He is a good farmer and industrious in his habits. He is a good provider and is interested in his home and family. He is well informed in all of the rela- tions of life and keeps everything on his farm in good condition.

JOHN BALL.

John Ball, the subject of this sketch, has been a prominent factor in the development of Putnam county and especially of Palmer township, where he has lived so long. He is well known to all the people of Palmer township as an enterprising, industrious and successful farmer.

John Ball was born on January 20, 1854, in Stark county, Ohio, near Canton. He is the son of Ferdinand and Emeline (Gross) Ball. Ferdinand Ball was born on August 25, 1825, in Germany, and was the son of Barney and Mary M. Ball. Ferdinand came with his parents to America at the age of five years. They settled in Stark county, Ohio. Barney and Mary M. Ball were farmers and were early pioneers of that county. They had thirteen children : Barney, Jr .; George; Mathias; John; Ferdinand; Caroline; Eva, who lives in Henry county, Ohio: Mary, who lives in Defiance county ; Eliza- beth, who lives in Washington, D. C. The first six children named are de- ceased, and Magdalene is also deceased and three others who are not now a matter of record.

Ferdinand Ball, the father of John Ball, was educated in Carroll and Seneca counties. In Carroll county he grew to manhood and married. He

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learned the blacksmith trade and was an expert at this trade. His parents, Barney and Mary M. Ball, came from Stark county to Seneca county, where they farmed for a time and then moved to Carroll county. Later they came to Putnam county, Ohio, together with John Ball's father, Ferdinand, after his marriage. They settled on a farm of forty acres in section 7, of Palmer township. Barney Ball and wife died on this farm and Ferdinand, their son, farmed this forty acres. He also had a blacksmith shop on the farm and followed this trade along with farming. He, subsequently, increased this forty acres by hard work and rigid economy to nearly two hundred acres, all of which lay in Palmer township. He also had a farm of forty acres in Monroe township, Putnam county. He followed farming all of his life and retired from blacksmithing some time before his death, January 16, 1910. He was a man of strong physical proportions, a kind, careful, prudent citizen and a good provider. He was not a member of any lodge and a man who cared nothing for political offices. He devoted all of his time to farming and to his family. He always voted the Democratic ticket. He was a stanch member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church, at New Bavaria, Ohio, and gave three acres of ground for the building of St. Joseph's church at North creek, which he attended during his latter years. He also gave liberally to the support of the church and was a regular attendant. Both of his parents died on the home farm where John Ball grew to manhood.

Emeline Gross was born near Luxemburg, Germany, and came to America with her parents when she was quite young. They settled in Stark county, Ohio. Her parents were farmers in Germany and she grew to womanhood on a farm in Stark county. She was educated there. She was married to Ferdinand Ball, May 13, 1845. She was born on June 10, 1831, and died on December 26, 1895. She was a good mother, kind and patient, and worked with zeal and effort to build up the home. She did her share toward improving the family fortune and honor. She was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church at New Bavaria and later of St. Joseph's church at North Creek. Ferdinand and Emeline Ball were the parents of the following children: Henry, who lives on the homestead farm; John, the subject of this sketch; George, a merchant at North Creek, Ohio; William, of Palmer township; Mrs. Mary Engleman, of North Creek; Catherine, de- ceased ; and Susanna, who lives on the homestead farm.

Ferdinand Ball was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted at De- fiance, Ohio, in the Sixty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1864. He served until the close of the war and was a gallant soldier.

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John Ball was educated in the old district No. 3 school in Palmer town- ship and grew up on the homestead farm. He was reared a farmer and still continues to reside on the farm where he was born. His sister, Susanna, who is unmarried, lives with him and his brother, Henry, also lives with him. The buildings on the farm were erected by Ferdinand Ball. The house was built in 1880 and the barn in 1882.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 104

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