History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 131

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 131

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Mr. Starkweather is a Democrat and has always been active in the councils of his party, having served as precinct committeeman and later as a member of the county executive committee. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Columbus Grove Lodge No. 376, Knights of Pythias, and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Alfred A. Starkweather is one of the most prom- inent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is treasurer of the church, president of the board of trustees and district steward. For his- prominence as a business man and his popularity as a citizen, he is entitled to- rank as a representative citizen of Putnam county.

LESTER DUNLAP.

Another of the prominent farmers whose energy, industry and altruism have made Putnam county a good place in which to live, is Lester Dunlap, of Jennings township. It might be said that he only followed the line of least resistance in giving his attention to the cultivation of the soil, his father having been a farmer, if it were not also true that when the moment of supreme self-sacrifice came, and his country needed him, he responded without a thought as to consequences. Engrossed as he was in farming, personal in- terests gave way when his country called, and he turned his back upon home and loved ones to face what fate had in store for him-honor or death-he knew not which. It is such lives as these that quicken and inspire our own, and too few, indeed, are the records of those thousands, who, though living in comparative obscurity, possess the nobility of character which, in more stir- ring times, would crown them heroes.

Lester Dunlap, since early manhood, has been either a farmer or a soldier. Born on May 16, 1842, the son of Robert and Louisa (Spain) Dun- lap, who were living at the time in Union county, Ohio, he went with his parents to live in Putnam county in 1861. The father, a Pennsylvanian by birth, married Miss Louisa Spain, a Virginian, and they began life together on August 8, 1840, later coming west to Guernsey county.

Robert Dunlap, father of the subject, whose life is here presented,

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was born in Pennsylvania, on October 29, 1811. After residence in Guern- sey and Union counties, and in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, this family, now numbering five, removed to Jennings township, in the latter county, in 1865, and here they remained on their own farm until the death of both parents. Robert Dunlap passed away at the age of seventy-five, and his wife lived to be eighty-one years of age. The mother of Lester Dunlap began her career on earth, March 8, 1815, near Petersburg, Virginia.

The three children rounding out the happy family life of Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap were: Sibyl, Lester and Almedia J.

Although in need of the services of his son on the farm, Mr. Dunlap believed in education, and gave him advantage of all that the common schools afforded at that time. After leaving school, Lester Dunlap continued in the vocation which his father had taught him, and, in December, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Young, who settled on a Putnam county farm, about 1858. The children of Mr. Dunlap, by his first marriage, were: William E. Dunlap, who is now a resident of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Jeannette, wife of Lewis Gordon, of Lima; and Rachel, who married John Cowan and lives in Ottawa.

Mrs. Dunlap died on April 28, 1871, and in July, 1873, he married, for his second wife, Miss Rebecca Huffer. The home thus established became the birthplace of eight children, all of whom are living. These are as follow: Anna, wife of E. W. Wells, of Rushmore; Robert, living in Seattle, Wash- ington; George, who lives at home; Mary, who became the wife of Charles Friend, the latter of whom died on April 8, 1914, in her second year at their home in Delphos; Lewis, residing in Jennings township; Marion C. and Charles, who live at home, and Hulda, who is now Mrs. G. C. Ford and whose home is near Paynesville, Ohio.

Mr. Dunlap's farm, in section 15, consists of one hundred and nineteen acres of well-improved land, for its owner has kept abreast with the times in the matter of improvements and the modern machinery which they require. While he retired from active participation in agricultural pursuits, in 1911, he still takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the land and his home. His sons, however, have charge of the farming interests and activities.

In 1864, when the call went out for men to join the army, Lester Dun- lap enlisted under Capt. I. W. Patrick, in a regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, a period of over four months. He was assigned to guard and patrol duty in Maryland and in the District of Columbia. He was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, on August 27, 1864. He then returned to the farm, where he lived in happiness

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and contentment until the death of his wife, who passed away on August 18, 1909.

Mr. Dunlap has been a life-long Republican, and has served his town- ship as trustee, an office he has filled with credit to himself, as well as to the neighborhood which he honored. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Ruel Post No. 95, of Delphos, and no one is more patriotic or more enthusiastic when the war is discussed, or when questions of loyalty are involved. Old soldiers of the type of Lester Dunlap are an inspiration as long as they live and wherever they live. Although no active service may re- quire a test of their loyalty, yet all with whom they come in contact, recognize that should their country's call be repeated, it would find the same ready response in the spirit of the aged as is found in their youth. The step of Mr. Dunlap may be a bit feeble, and the eyes a trifle dim, but the soul of the patriot is there, a soul aflame with the fire kindled at the altar of self-sacrifice when the life of the nation depended upon just such men.

LAWRENCE V. BLUE.

The gentleman whose name forms the caption to this sketch belongs to that class of men who win the battle of life by sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of judgment and keen discrimina- tion, and in whatever he has undertaken, he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor, always ready to lend his aid in defending principles affecting the public good, and, though he has been but a few years in this community, yet he has established himself firmly in the hearts of the people and is generally known to be a man of sterling worth, conscientious and considerate, and entitled to the respect and admiration of his fellow men.

Lawrence V. Blue was born in Ayersville, Defiance county, Ohio, on December 20, 1887, and is the son of Dr. N. S. and Henrietta (Brechbill) Blue. His father was born in Miami county, this state, where he received his early education and later went to medical college, where he studied the required number of years to finish the course and received his diploma as a medical graduate. He began his practice of medicine in Pettisville, Fulton county, Ohio, and after being there for a period of twelve years, he removed to Ayersville, Defiance county, where he continued the practice of his profession for thirteen years and died March 12, 1912. In 1886 he was married to Henrietta Brechbill, and to them were born two children, Lawrence V. and

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Helen, who was born December 7, 1891, and is now the wife of W. C. Imhoff, of Leipsic. Lawrence V. Blue's father was a member of the Knights of Pythias, of Wauseon, Ohio, also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Free and Accepted Masons, of Defiance, also vice-president of the local medical society and a member of the State Medical Society. His wife survived him and is at present residing in Defiance.

Lawrence V. Blue received his early education in the public schools and later went to Defiance College, where he was a student for some time. After leaving the college from which he graduated with honors, he decided to com- plete a course in business training, and, therefore, went to the Ft. Wayne (Indiana) International Business College, where he made it a specialty to acquire a complete knowledge of auditing books. On January 1I, 1913, he was married to Ethel M. Heater, a daughter of W. W. and Dora (Little) Heater, all natives of Defiance county, and where Mr. Heater is the superin- tendant of the county schools.

Remaining in the city of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he followed the business of auditing books, for a period of three years, it was here that Law- rence V. Blue opened up and conducted the "Alt Heidelberg" hotel, which he managed for two years. After this, he left for the state of New York, where he was engaged with a large lumber company, in Wanekena, as aud- itor of accounts. He remained with this company for about a year and returned to Defiance county at the time of his father's death, then, at a later date, came to Putnam county and started a general merchandising store in the town of Rushmore. This store was opened up for business on January I, 1913, and for the past two years Lawrence V. has enjoyed a good business ever since. It is said that he carries such a varied stock of goods, that the demand for almost any article in dry goods, hardware and groceries can be supplied. To Lawrence V. and Ethel M. (Heater) Blue have been born one child, Mary Elizabeth, whose birthday occurred on November 21, 1914.

Mr. Blue is an active member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Del- phos, Ohio, and is strongly identified with the Republican ranks and took a very aggressive part in politics in Defiance county before coming to this locality. Both Lawrence V. Blue and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Rushmore, to which congregation they lend their sup- port in accordance with their means. Personally, Lawrence V Blue is a man whose friendship it pays to cultivate and he is noted throughout this region for his genial disposition and courtesy to all. He is a man of social tendencies, kind, obliging, unassuming and straight-forward and honorable in all the relations of life and is universally respected and popular.

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HENRY CALVELAGE.

The record of Henry Calvelage is that of a man who, by his own unaided efforts, has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of influence in his community. His life has been one of unceasing industry and persever- ance and the systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won for him the confidence of his fellow citizens, of Putnam county, whose interests he has ever had at heart and which he has always labored to promote.

Henry Calvelage was born in Jennings township, this county, on October 14, 1851, and is the son of George and Mary (Hackman) Calvelage, both of whom were born in Germany. The former came to this country when a very young man and made his first place of residence in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where he was employed as a clerk in a store. He remained in Baltimore until the year 1834, when he decided to leave there and go to a state farther west, and selecting Ohio as a good place to make his future home, settled on a farm in Jennings township, Putnam county, where he engaged in and continued to farm until the time of his death, about the year 1885. His wife came to America with her parents when she was a very young girl, and they settled in Putnam county. It was here that she first met George Calvelage and was afterward married. To their union were born five children, August H., who resides in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Barney, who lives on the old homestead place, and two children, who died in infancy. The mother survived the death of the father for five years and died in 1900.

Henry Calvelage received his early education in the neighboring town- ship schools and remained under the parental roof until about the time of his marriage, which occurred on October 27, 1873, to Caroline Rekart, a daugh- ter of Sigmund and Mary (Discher) Rekart, whose parents were also natives of Germany, and who immigrated to this country when Caroline was but a child. The father died some time ago and is survived by the wife and mother. To the union of Henry and Caroline ( Rekart) have been born nine children, August, of Jackson township, this county; Otto B .; Joseph, who runs a blacksmith shop, which he owns in Ft. Jennings, this county, and who is also an engineer by trade; Alex, who died at the age of fourteen; Jacob; Walter P .; Grover H .; Dora and Edward J., all of whom live with the parents, except as otherwise stated. The home place consists of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land and which Henry Calvelage purchased outright some years ago, with an idea of making it an ideal farm, and by his constant attention to it, and by well-directed management, has made

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himself worthy of the title, "successful man." A number of substantial im- provements have been made to the place, including a modern barn and a com- modious brick residence. Besides carrying on a general farming business, special attention is given to the raising of Polled Durham and Shorthorn cat- tle. In this line, Mr. Calvelage is very successful and finds that he can raise this class of stock at good profit.

Mr. and Mrs. Calvelage lead a rather quiet and unassuming life and are highly respected by all their neighbors and acquaintances for the honorable and praiseworthy lives they lead and for their strong moral convictions. Fraternally, Mr. Calvelage is a member of the Order of Eagles, Lodge No. 471, Delphos ; he is an active supporter of the Democratic party, and has held the office of township trustee for a number of years. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Calvelage takes a deep interest in financial matters and is one of the stockholders in the Commercial Bank of Delphos, Ohio. Personally, he is a man of pleasant manners, genial disposition, and is well liked by every- one in the community.

PIERCE DAVIS.

We who were born in America, have the path made so smooth for us that it is perhaps a little difficult to picture the pioneer struggles. There- fore, is the story of a young man interesting, in whom the desire for success is so strong that he can bid farewell to brothers and sisters, to friends and neighbors, and seek his way to an unknown land and a strange people.

So it was with Pierce Davis. He is surrounded by the family group of six brothers and sisters in the little town in Wales, waiting for the big and wonderful ship that is to take him to America, where, he is quite sure, there is life and fortune for all. Mr. Davis is now living in Putnam county and his present comfortable home and evident prosperity show, even to the practical mind, that dreams sometimes come true.

The fact that both of his parents were dead may have had something to do with the young adventurer leaving home, for from the time he was three years old, he was cared for by his father and, brothers and sisters, for his mother, Elizabeth (Williams) Davis, passed away at that time. The father, Pierce Davis, Sr., lived until his namesake was twenty-four years of age, the latter having been born in 1842, and it was the year of his father's death when this son came to America. This was in the spring of 1866. The brothers and sisters, six in number, remained in Wales all of their lives.

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Besides making the long journey from Wales, Mr. Davis has been somewhat of a traveler in the country of his adoption. Franklin county,. Ohio, first attracted his attention when he became a resident of the United States, and here he remained for about a year, working in Columbus. Then. he migrated to Putnam county, buying fifty-five acres in Sugar Creek town- ship. These he worked hard to develop and improve for six years, at the end of which time his nomadic tastes, as well as the prospect of bettering himself, caused him to sell out and go to Kansas and Texas. He traveled about for some time in the agricultural districts, looking over the land with the inten- tion of buying and making this section his future home. But like hundreds. of others who have left Ohio to find permanent residence in other localities, he returned thoroughly contented to spend the remainder of his days in the Buckeye state. This explains the fact that one hundred and twenty acres of splendid farm land in the county, now under consideration are owned by- Mr. Davis. Being of a progressive turn of mind, Mr. Davis has equipped his- valuable property with modern improvements, including comfortable, well- planned buildings, scientific ditching facilities and up-to-date tiling. His personal equipment for these and similar activities is a common-school edu- cation which he received in Wales. Knowing the Welsh to be a thorough, painstaking people, it is safe to assume that the training he received in the country of his birth was the equivalent of a similar school period spent else- where.

Mr. Davis is an advocate of good roads and does not look to the town- ship for assistance, but often has done the hauling and grading at his own expense.

It must not be supposed that all of these years comprised a solitary life for the man concerning whom this is written. Some time previous to 1873, he met Anna Roberts, for it was in that year that he became her husband,. the marriage ceremony being performed in Putnam county. Like her hus- band, Mrs. Davis was born in Wales, in December, 1842, and had come to New York while still young. Later, she came West and lived in Columbus for a while, and then removed to Putnam county. Up to the time of her death, in August, 1897, Mrs. Davis was a prominent and well-beloved mem- ber of the Congregational church, and never tired of giving her time and her means toward the upbuilding of the church she loved.

Five children were born to Pierce and Anna (Roberts) Davis, and all are living, Evan P. lives in Rushmore; Walter, the second son, resides at home, and with his two younger brothers, Leonard A. and Edward, looks. after the farm interests, and Jennie also has remained with her father.

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Mr. Davis, politically speaking, is a Republican. He seems to be con- tent to allow others to hold offices, while he expresses his political convictions through the ballot, nevertheless his opinion is often sought by those who ap- preciate the fact that, although not in public office, here is a man with de- cided convictions which are worthy of respect and consideration.

All of the members of this family, it is interesting to note, have always- been affiliated with the church in which their mother worshipped. As the Congregational denomination is not found to be a strong church in rural communities, especially in the West, this incident offers evidence of the fact that both Mr. and Mrs. Davis chose always to do their own thinking, whether in matters pertaining to politics or religion, or in the other concerns of life. It may be for this reason that their home in section 14, of Jennings township, was known for its genial family life, its hospitality and its whole- some idealism.

It is not necessary, therefore, to add that in the neighborhood which was the home of the Davis family for so many years, they stood out among their associates as a little group whose lives it was well to emulate?

ANTON HOEHN.

The free, out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes. true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be brought up in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. Anton Hoehn has followed his vocation as an agriculturist from his early youth, and today, is regarded a success in this line by his fellow citizens. The community in which he lives is indebted to him for the good influence he has wielded and for his willingness to assist in every progressive move- ment that has for its goal the material advancement of mankind in general.

Anton Hoehn was born on February 7, 1861, in Monterey township, this. county, on his present farm. He is the son of Frank and Anna ( Marschell) Hoehn. His father was born in Byrne, Germany, and came to this country when a very young man, first locating in the city of Cincinnati, where he worked for a number of years. It was in that city that he married Anna Marschell on April 30, 1849, and continued to reside there. In the year 1858 he decided to settle on a farm, then removed to Putnam county, where he purchased a tract of land consisting of ninety-five acres, in Monterey town-

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ship, and which remained his homestead until the time of his death, July 27, 1903. In addition to farming, Frank Hoehn devoted a portion of his time to weaving, which trade he had learned, and which proved profitable to some extent. By the first marriage, there were born the following children: Mary K., on February 15, 1850, died on July 6, 1851 ; Johannes, August 22, 1851, died on August 1, 1853; George, October 1, 1853, deceased; Henry, Septem- ber 27, 1855, died on March 15, 1863; Johannes Peter, February 3, 1858, died on December 8, 1891; Anton, the subject of this review; Frank Joseph, February 8, 1863. The mother of these children died on February 6, 1865. Frank Hoehn was married, a second time, to Louisa Shoemaker, in Ottoville, and to their union were born the following children : Peter, August 19, 1866, who lives in the state of Michigan; Joseph O., March 8, 1868, died in April, 1873; Henry, March 8, 1873, who lives in Michigan. The mother of these children passed away on April 26, 1887, and the father, as before mentioned, died on July 27, 1903.

In the public schools of Ottawa, Anton Hoehn received his early educa- tion and remained with his parents until about the time of his marriage, May 3, 1887, to Margaret Kulhameck, a daughter of Johan and Anna Kulhameck, who were natives of Germany and died in that country years ago. After his marriage, Mr. Hoehn continued to live on the homestead farm and has ever since resided there and from the death of his father, has added more land to the original purchase, until now the tract consists of one hundred and twenty-four and forty-eight hundredths acres. On this place he has erected new buildings and otherwise improved it until now it is regarded as one of the best farms in this locality. In addition to general farming, Mr. Hoehn interests himself in the raising of high grade stock and it is said that he dis- plays considerable judgment in the selection of his stock. To Anton and Mar- garet (Kulhameck) Hoehn have been born the following named children : William, on May 20, 1888, who graduated from the high school in Ottoville and later married Mary Lising. They live in Lima, Ohio; Joseph H., July 26, 1889, who graduated from the high school in Ottoville and now lives at home; Mary K., July 3, 1891, also a graduate of the same school; Frank O., October 6, 1892; Antoinette, July 22, 1895; Albert L., June 23, 1899; Lee A., January 13, 1901 ; Sylvester, December 5, 1904; Rudolph, January 10, 1906, and Gilbert J., March 5, 1909. All living with the parents, excepting as noted.

Mr. Hoehn has always been an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and for several years has been a member of the local school board. He does not aspire to public office, but lends his influence in all matters pertaining to

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the public welfare of the community in which he lives. He is deeply inter- ested in subjects covering modern methods of farming and is always ready and willing to adopt any improved machinery which makes for greater effi- ciency on the farm. Personally, Anton Hoehn is a man well thought of by every one who knows him and his past honorable and upright career makes him a man worthy of the confidence of those with whom he comes in contact. The entire family are active members of the Catholic church in Ottoville, and to that church they lend their support and contribute according to their means.

JOHN F. OCKULY, M. D.

In the learned professions, success is the result of constant study and consecutive research. In conimercial life, one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but professional advancements are the result of intellectual discipline, thorough knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success. Dr. John F. Ockuly has made himself eminent in his chosen calling and stands today among the scholarly and enterprising physicians and surgeons of Putnam county, where he is held in the highest esteem and holds the respect and appreciation of all who know him.

Dr. John F. Ockuly, whose standing among the professional men of his county is undisputed, was born in Cleveland on July II, 1874, and is the son of Frank and Elizabeth ( Miller) Ockuly. The father was born in Rockport, Ohio, in April, 1849, and the mother was born in the state of New York on February 5, 1853. Their marriage occurred at Rockport, Ohio, in November, 1872, to which union were born: John F., the subject of this review ; Peter A., who lives in Salina, Ohio; Mary, deceased; George J., who resides in Chicago Junction, Ohio. The father was an enterprising and successful car- penter contractor in his day and followed this business in the city of Cleve- land until the time of his death, in the year 1882. The mother survived her husband and is residing in Salina at the present time.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 131

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