History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 130

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

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FRANK WILLIAM WALLEN.

One of the interesting histories which might be written concerning the settlement of Jennings township, is that dealing with the period when that part of the country was a wilderness. Then it was that many young couples migrated from the east and south, and started their own family firesides, sometimes too near the camp fires of their Indian neighbors. Among those who acquired land from the government were the ancestors of Frank William Wallen, who still lives where his forefathers settled when they came from Kentucky, at a very early date. Forty-seven out of the eighty-nine acres, which he owns, have been in the Wallen family ever since they were obtained from the government. So that would constitute Mr. Wallen what we call "on old settler," a term unknown in the old country.

Frank William Wallen was born in Jennings township on December 7, 1843. He is the son of Isaac and Catherine (Nottoff) Wallen, the former of whom came from England to the United States, and at first settled in Ken- tucky, then migrated to the township which is still his home. All this hap- pened when Isaac was a very small boy, his parents having been married in Putnam county. Two children were born to Isaac and Catherine Wallen, one of whom died in infancy, the other becoming of such prominence as to have his life merit a biographical sketch in this volume. After the death of Mrs. Wallen, mother of Frank W. Wallen, in 1843, the father married for

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his second wife, Miss Margaret Keller. To them were born two children: Daniel, who is now deceased, and Lucretia, who became the wife of Robert Seibert, of Lima. The father of Mr. Wallen lived until 1849, having fol- lowed the occupation of farming all of his life. He was a faithful member of the United Brethren church.

Mrs. Wallen then married a Doctor Carter, and their family consisted of four children, two of whom are deceased. Moses is now living in Putnam county, and Mary became the wife of Benjamin Seibert. The mother died. about 1904, and Doctor Carter passed away in 19II.

Although the mother of Frank W. Wallen married a Protestant, she her- self was a Catholic. She was born in Germany, and came to this country with her parents. Her father was Frank William Nottoff, and when he ar- rived in this country, he settled first in Glandorf. Later, he moved to Ft. Jennings and lived there the remainder of his days. Her mother's name was also Katherine. Three children, besides Katherine, made up this family. They were Barney, Jasper and Theodore, Katherine being the youngest. After the death of Mrs. Wallen's grandfather, her grandmother married Joseph Meyer. The son born to them, Joseph, served three months in the war.

At the age of twenty-six, that is, in 1869, Mr. Wallen was united in marriage to Miss Mary K. Slottman, in the month of November. Theirs was the good fortune to have the regulation large family so common in those early days, for to them were born eleven children, ten of whom are living today, Frank lives in Jennings township; Katherine married Henry Krit- meyer, and moved to Monterery township; William makes his present home in Bentley Bay county, Michigan; Amelia, who became the wife of John Weighart, lives in Jennings township; Joseph lives in Rushmore, Ohio; Anna, the wife of John Dahling, is living in Delphos, Ohio; Sophia died at the age. of twenty-two; Minnie, the wife of Edward Shoemaker also makes her home in Bentley Bay county, Michigan; Caroline, wife of William Dahling, lives in Jennings township; Barnard, who was born on March 12, 1895, and his brother, August, have charge of the farm, and August, the youngest member of the family, was born on June 30, 1897.

The farm which is the present home of Mr. Wallen and his two sons, is located in section 34, northeast of Ft. Jennings, about two and one-half miles. Like their more enterprising neighbors, these energetic farmers have had a high ideal for their work, and this ideal has been to raise farm products of a high grade and stock that should reflect credit upon the entire neighborhood in which their farm is situated. And this they have succeeded in doing. Their

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land is all improved, which, considering the fact that it was a wilderness once, speaks well for the thrift and industry of the Wallen family.

In religious matters, the family seems to have followed the example of Mr. Wallen's mother, for all are members in good standing of the Catholic church, their names having been for many years enrolled among the mem- bership of the Ft. Jennings Catholic church. Mr. Wallen is a Democrat. Although he may not have been prominent as an office seeker or office holder, his stanch Democratic principles have had their influence among his neighbors and associates, and when an event or circumstance arises where justice and right are involved, his voice is among the loudest in defense of what he believes to be the true course of action.

In converting a desert land into places fit for habitation, the ancestors of Mr. Wallen were indeed benefactors, and in continuing their praiseworthy work, he and his children have passed on to others the benefits of their labors and industry. Of such may it not be said "They found a dry, barren waste, they left a garden, a fit habitation for the sons of men."

CORNELIUS HUYSMAN.

The subject of this review is a representative agriculturist of Putnam county and is known as one of the alert, progressive farmers of this part of the county. In his efforts he has not permitted himself to follow in the rut in a blind way, but has given considerable thought and done much experiment- ing, and, therefore, his returns from his enterprising methods have reached a maximum, while at the same time he has directed his course to command the regard and confidence of the people of the community in which he lives. He is referred to as a man entirely worthy of the respect of his fellow men, and has ever advocated those things which tend to promote the welfare of the public.

Cornelius Huysman was born in Monterey township, this county, on April 21, 1850, and is the son of Henry and Nellie (Kortier) Huysman. Henry Huysman was born on October II, 1811, in Holland, and it was there that he was married. To their union were born nine children : Wilhelmena, died at the age of twenty years; Mary, died at the age of fifty-four years; Aaron, now living in Monterey township, this county; Walter, died in Mont- erey township in 1892; Henry, died on board ship, age two months; Nellie, married S. Hunsaker, who lives in Allen county, Ohio; Henreche, deceased

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wife of Louis Peters; Cornelius, the subject of this review, and Henry, who died in 1900; the last three of whom were born in America.

It was in the fall of 1847 that Henry Huysman, together with his wife and five children previously born to them, left Holland and crossed the Atlantic for the purpose of making their future home in the United States. On their arrival in the city of New York they went by rail to the city of Toledo, Ohio, where they boarded one of the boats of the Miami & Erie Canal Company, and traveled via the canal to the town of Delphos, and settled on a farm in Monterey township, Putnam county. He was a miller by trade, but decided to carry on general farming in this country, which he continued to do until the time of his death, 1894, at which time he arrived in the eighty-second year of his age. His wife passed away just a year previous to his death.

Cornelius Huysman received his early education in the township schools and followed in the footsteps of his father by learning all about farming, and he has continued to farm all his life. In 1873, he was married to Miss Lydia Semer, and to them were born nine children, as follow: Nellie, who lives in Van Wert; Cassia, wife of Fred. Spangler, living in Hillview, Province of Ontario, Canada; Anna, wife of Fred. Rice, and living in Van Wert county; Drickie, wife of Thomas Alspaugh, living in Van West county ; John, who resides in Van Wert county; Katie, wife of John Buetner, who lives in Allen county ; Emma, deceased at the age of sixteen years ; Allen, who lives in Ottoville, this county, and conducts an automobile garage. The mother of these children died on January 21, 1889.

Cornelius Huysman was married a second time, this time to the widow of Edward Semer, her maiden name having been Maria Spangler, and she lived until the year 1889. No children were born to the second marriage. Mr. Huysman's present and third wife was Maria, a daughter of Lemech and Sarah Spangler, and was born in Allen county on August 28, 1863. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. The father was a farmer in Van Wert county, to which place he moved in 1866, and where he died in 1881. Her mother died in 1885.

Mr. Huysman has devoted nearly all of his life to improving the two hundred acres of land which he owns in this township and besides cutting considerable timber and carrying on general farming, makes a specialty of raising high-grade live stock. He is considered a good judge of stock in this locality and takes great pride in his herds.

A strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and, though not active in party matters, the influence of Cornelius Huysman along these lines is felt in the community where he lives. His religious affiliations are

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with the Christian Union church, to which denomination he contributes accord- ing to his means. Personally, he is a gentleman in every sense of the word, worthy of the confidence of his fellowmen and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

SHELBY HARRIS.

In the respect that is accorded to men who have bought their own way to success through unfavorable circumstances, we find an unconscious recog- nition of the intrinsic worth of character which cannot only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through difficulties. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention, was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but, in spite of this, by perse- verance and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and has made his influence for good felt in this community where he long main- tained his home. Because of his honorable career, it is eminently fitting that he should be accorded a place in the pages of this volume.

Shelby Harris was born on December 14, 1858, in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of John and Mary (Huffman) Harris, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, who came to Ohio in pioneer times and settled near Cincinnati. Later, they moved to Putnam county, and settled in Jennings township. Seven children were born to them: William H., Marcus and Mary E., all deceased; George, who lives at Findlay ; Daniel, who lives at Muncie, Indiana; Shelby, the subject of this sketch, and Lavina, the wife of George Evans, of Marion, this state. The father of these children, John Harris, died in 1860, and his wife was married, a second time, to Moses Radcliff. To this union, three children were born: M. O .; Minerva, the wife of Henry Sterns; and Granvil, who lives near Mandville, Ohio. Moses Radcliff was a carpenter by trade and was killed about twenty years ago by a saw-mill explosion in Montana. The mother died in 1909.

Shelby Harris received his education in the district schools of Jennings township and performed the usual labor which falls to the lot of the average boy who lives in an agricultural township.

On April 4, 1881, Shelby Harris was married to Anna Stearns, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Cronshiner) Stearns, both of whom were natives of Germany, and who came to the United States when they were young. They were married in Ohio and to this union, eleven children were

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born, five of whom died in infancy. Those who survived were: Mary, who lives in Leipsic; Anna, the wife of Mr. Harris; Godfrey, who lives in Jack- son township; Henry and Philip, both of whom also live in Jackson town- ship; and Frances, the wife of James Claypool, of Monterey township. Mrs. John Stearns died in December, 1914, and John Stearns is still living, being eighty-four years old.

Shelby Harris followed farming and teaming for a number of years. He owns a greenhouse and has been in the floral business for the past fifteen years, except for the past few years, when he has given up the hothouse work and is now engaged in general truck and fruit gardening. Mr. Harris owns a small farm, a well-improved, modern house and other good buildings. He is a man who is highly respected in this community, and has a comfort- able income.

Shelby Harris is a Democrat, has served as township trustee of Jen- nings township for four years, and as president of the school board for the the past eight years. He has also been treasurer of the Ft. Jennings Mutual Telephone Company and the Ft. Jennings Cemetery Association, since 1908. Mrs. Harris was reared a Lutheran, but after her marriage, became a mem- ber of the United Brethren church at Pleasant Valley. Later, because there was no United Brethren church in the community where Mr. and Mrs. Harris lived, both have become members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Harris and family are well known in Jennings township and are popular among all classes of people. They are highly respected citizens and earnestly devoted to the welfare of their family and to their neighbors.

JOHN F. GEORGE, M. D.

Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life, one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what are known as the learned professions, advancement is gained only through painstaking and long-continued effort. Prestige in the art of healing is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery of its great underlying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of disease. Intellectual training, true professional knowl- edge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success have made Dr. John F. George eminent in his chosen calling, and he stands today among the skilled and enterprising physicians of Putnam

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county, Ohio. He is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Ft. Jennings, and for many years, has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. John F George was born on July 13, 1867, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Zeigler) George, the latter of whom was a native of New Orleans and the former a native of Germany. Peter George came with his brother, when he was about fifteen years old, to America, and his brother was about twenty. He learned the baker trade, after coming to America, and settled, eventually, in Philadelphia, where he worked at that trade. He lived in Philadelphia for a time, and, subsequently, came to Columbus, where he also followed his trade. From Columbus, he returned to New Orleans, and was there married on November 12, 1861. He and his wife had eight children, six of whom are now living, Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Geise, of near Delphos; Mary, the wife of F. J. Schwart- zengraber, of Delphos; Dr. John F., the subject of this sketch; Emma, who lives in Delphos with her mother; Celestina, who is unmarried and lives in South Bend, Indiana; Matilda, the wife of Nicholas Schilling, of South Bend ; Henry, who died at the age of thirty, and Carrie, who died at the age of twenty-six. Peter George lived in New Orleans after his marriage for a time and followed his trade. Subsequently, he came North and settled in Delphos, and lived there for thirty-three years, or until his death, April 21, 1913. He was engaged in the grocery business during the last years of his life, retiring from that, however, about 1908. His wife is still living in Delphos.

Dr. John F. George received a good public school education in Delphos. He graduated from the Delphos high school with the class of 1885, and then took a commercial course in Dayton, Ohio. He also pursued his busi- ness education in Cincinnati, and then clerked in a store for about two years in Delphos. Finally he took up the study of medicine with Drs. Williamson and Reul and was with them for about eighteen months, when he went to Tay- lor University, near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and became a student in the med- ical department. He was graduated from this university, March 8, 1892, and during the following summer, opened an office in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He practiced here for about one year and moved from here to Ft. Jennings in 1893. He practiced at Ft. Jennings for seventeen years and then quit the practice for two years, during which time he traveled for a drug firm. He finally returned to Ft. Jennings and took up his practice again, and now has a large and flourishing practice. He is one of the most highly attested phy- sicians in this section of the country.

Dr. John F. George was married on September 23, 1896, to Mary K.

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Hedrick, whose parents are both living in Jackson township. He is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and the Putnam County Medical Society. He is a man who ranks high in his profession, who has always. observed closely the ethics of his profession and who enjoys the confidence of all of his patients.

JOSEPH I. G. MAAG.

Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the successful farmers and leading citizens of Putnam county, Joseph I. G. Maag is entitled to specific recognition in the annals of the locality in which he has been so long identified, and where he has strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated. There is not a man in the community who enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his high character and business ability.

Joseph I. G. Maag was born in Pleasant township, this county, on July 4, 1879, and is the son of William and Bernadina (Kahle) Maag, whose life record may be found elsewhere in this work under the caption John C. Maag.

Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof of the homestead farm, Joseph I. G. Maag received his early education in the neighboring town- ship schools, and remained with his parents until the age of twenty-one years. On November 14, 1899, he was married to Elizabeth Erhart, daughter of Henry and Bernadina (Barlager) Erhart, after which event he purchased eighty acres from his father for the purpose of establishing a home for him- self. The same year he was married he began the erection of his present home and the necessary farm buildings and continued to carry on the busi- ness of general farming and stock raising. The original eighty acres was clear with the exception of about twenty acres in standing timber and, in 1912, he purchased twenty acres adjoining, which gives him a total of one hundred acres, the greater portion of which may be put under cultivation at. will. Mr. Maag has always been considered a conscientious, industrious and painstaking worker and the splendid appearance of his holdings today indi- cate the thrift and unceasing energy which he has displayed throughout his life to make a success of agriculture and stock raising. To Joseph I. G. and Elizabeth (Erhart) Maag have been born seven children, named in the order of their birth, as follow: Edwin; Alfred, deceased in infancy; Frankie and Mamie (twins) ; Rudolph and Adolph (twins), and Adelia Bernadina.

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Joseph I. G. Maag has always been identified with the Democratic party, but has never aspired to office and does not actively engage in politics. The entire family are members of the Catholic church in Columbus Grove, to which they contribute liberally in accordance with their means. Personally, Mr. Maag is a man who makes friends easily and knows how to keep them. His sterling qualities for honorable and upright dealings with his fellow men have won for him a permanent place in the esteem of all who know him.

ALFRED A. STARKWEATHER.

This utilitarian age has been especially productive of men of action, clear-brained men of higher resolves and nobler purposes, who give char- acter and stability to the communities honored by their citizenships and whose influence and leadership are keenly discernible in the various enterprises that have added so greatly to the high reputation which Putnam county enjoys among her sister counties of the great commonwealth of Ohio. Conspicuous in this class of men, who reside in Putnam county, is Alfred A. Stark- weather, the well-known proprietor of Columbus Grove's large implement store. Mr. Starkweather has built up a large and lucrative business in bug- gies, implements, threshing machines, gas engines, wire fence, etc., and his business success is due largely to the reputation he has gained for honesty and square dealing.

Alfred A. Starkweather was born on April 20, 1862, at Hillsdale, Mich- igan, the son of Horace and Mary Jane (Hoisington) Starkweather. Hor- ace Starkweather was born on July 16, 1802, in Onandaga county, New York. He was the son of Thomas Starkweather and wife, both of whom are natives of New England. They came to New York state about 1798, where he was a farmer, and, like the typical New Englander, was a hard- working, industrious man. At this time Rochester was in its infancy and Thomas Starkweather drove forty miles to mill at that place. His son, Horace, the father of Alfred A., grew to manhood in New York state and helped his father clear the old homestead. It is related that when but a small boy he drove an ox team in assisting his father on the farm. Horace Starkweather was married at the age of twenty-four in 1826, after which they moved to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he engaged in farming. He remained in this county until his death. About 1849 his wife died. She was the mother of seven children: Ira M., who is an attorney and became judge of the circuit court at Flowerville, Michigan; Jonathan H., Eugene,

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Horace, Dick and two daughters. Jonathan, Horace and Eugene were sol- diers in the Civil War, Eugene and Horace being killed in that struggle. Shortly after his wife's death, Horace Starkweather was married to Mary Jane Hoisington, the daughter of Anson and Elizabeth Hoisington, who were pioneers in the state of Michigan. To this union were born six children : Almeda, deceased, who was the wife of V. F. Musser ; Almira, deceased, who was the wife of L. H. Parker; Alva, who married Elizabeth Ord; Elvira A., the wife of .W. H. Nuffer, of Los Angeles, California; Judson H., who mar- ried Margaret Stone, and Alfred A., the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died on April 16, 1871, when Alfred A. was nine years of age. The father died at Hillsdale, Michigan, December 16, 1887, at the age. of eighty-five.

Alfred A. Starkweather remained at home, attending the common school and helping his father on the farm near Hillsdale, Michigan, until he was twenty-five years old. After his father died he came to Lima, Ohio, where, in 1891, he was married to Carrie Beiler, the daughter of Rev. John and Margaret Beiler, both deceased. Rev. John Beiler was a minister in the Methodist church.

After his marriage Mr. Starkweather took a business course and also studied telegraphy at Ada University, after which time he became a teleg- rapher for about two and one-half years for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Day- ton railroad, and then moved to Columbus Grove, where he entered the buggy and implement business. He has continued this business without interrup- tion for about nineteen years, or since the early spring of 1896. Just before entered the present business Mr. Starkweather was engaged for two years in the butcher business.

His wife died on August 26, 1896. She was a good Christian woman and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since her childhood. She was a graduate of Ohio Weslyan University, and before her marriage had taught in the public schools of Lima.

Mr. Starkweather was married, a second time, on August 31, 1898, to Mary L. Doty, the daughter of Cornelius and Casander (Guyer) Doty, who were natives of Ohio, but the daughter, however, was born in Illinois. She is a graduate of the common and high schools of Columbus Grove and took several terms of normal work at Ada University, after which she taught in the common and high schools of Columbus Grove for several years.

To Mr. Starkweather, by his second marriage, one daughter has been born, Lucille M., who is now at school.

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Alfred A. Starkweather is one of the most prominent business men in this section of Ohio. He is the proprietor of a large mercantile establish- ment, which has a splendid patronage. He not only keeps on hand and for sale every commodity that is used on the farm, but he has built up a good trade in the sale of automobiles.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 130

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