History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 137

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 137

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).

Charles W. Doty passed his boyhood days and received his early edu- cation in Pleasant township. At a later date. he went to Columbus Grove, where he secured employment in the Henry Belford Handle factory and where he continued to work until the time of his marriage, on January 14, 1897, to Ama Jennette Featheringill, daughter of George and Alvira (Fruchey) Featheringill. After his marriage, he rented what is known as the Strain farm, consisting of eighty acres, and continued to farm this place for seven years, then he bought his present farm of one hundred acres, which he has brought to such a high point of efficiency in production, that it is recognized as one of the choice places in this community. A comfortable and commodious residence and first-class barns and outbuildings are the pride of the owner, who is regarded an excellent farmer.

It is particularly interesting, from point of ancestry, to observe that Mrs. Charles Doty's progenitors were very early settlers in the United States. George Featheringill, the great-grandfather of George Washington

I373

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Featheringill, left England and came to this country in, or about, the year 1790 and settled in the original state of Virginia, where he lived until his death. He was the father of several children, but special mention shall be made only of Thomas and Thornton, the sons who were responsible for the descendants, and particularly of Thomas, who grew up to manhood in his native state of Virginia, and was married some time prior to the War of 1812. In this war, he enlisted for his country's service and was wagon- master for his company, whose headquarters were in the town of Columbus. After the war was over, he returned to Virginia and lived with his family, which consisted of his wife and children, John, Henry and Elias. On ac- count of Virginia being then a slave state and the practice of slavery growing to such large proportions, they decided it was not a good place to raise chil- dren. They then moved to Columbus, to which place they were accompanied by the brother, Thornton. In the vicinity of Columbus they farmed, the son John doing the greater portion of the work, while the father and Elias con- tracted team work. Some time after the war was over, Thomas Featherin- gill did teaming work between Columbus, Ohio, and Baltimore, Maryland, there being no railroads in the United States in those days. From the three children, John, Mary and Elias Featheringill, the entire Featheringill family descendants can be traced. John, married Martha Ramsey, and to them were born seven daughters and one son, the last named, John Elias, who died when but eighteen months old. The seven daughters all lived to be very old and their married names were: Irinda Fruchey, America Hooper, Bar- bara Fruchey, Nancy Kohli, Eliza Kohli, Mary Elizabeth Kunnecke and Sarah Viers. Mary Featheringill, the only daughter of Thomas Featheringill, married John B. Bogart, and to them were born: Margaret, Jane, Sarah, Martha, John, Hannah and Harietta. The youngest son of Thomas Featheringill, Elias, married Hannah Bogart, in 1829, and their children were George Washington, William Thomas, John, Irwin L., Minor, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Jane, Marthaa, Emeline and David. Martha con- tracted pneumonia and died at the age of sixteen; Emeline died with the croup when an infant; David died, January 26, 1863, from small-pox; John was a soldier in the Civil War and was killed in the battle of Chickamauga; William Thomas died when very young; Jane married Fred Fruchey; Irwin L. Minor married Caroline Stanz; Sarah married John Tate; George Wash- ington married Elvira Fruchey in 1853. The children of the last named were Jefferson, Lutellus, Lincoln, Mary and Jeannette, and Marion. Marion married Clara Holmes ; Jefferson died when a young man; Lutellus married Laura Palmer and was killed by a train of cars; Lincoln married Laura

1374

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Sheets, and, at a later date, married Grace Kauffman; Mary married James Palmer, and Jeannette married Charles W. Doty.

George Washington Featheringill was the eldest of Elias Featheringill's children and came to Columbus Grove, from Columbus, in the year 1833. His first home in this county was located on the banks of Cranberry creek, among the wigwams of the Indians who inhabited that region. Later on, the Indians constructed three-sided log houses, somewhat imitating the white settlers. With Indian children for his playmates, it was but natural that the older Indians would be friendly toward him in later years, and this really proved a fact in this case. For many years, Mr. Featheringill lived within a half mile of his first home and has observed the great changes occurring since his childhood. He well remembered the buildings first erected in the various parts of the county and when quite aged he moved to Columbus Grove, renting out his farms which were east of the town. When his wife passed away, he lived with his children and, on October 2, 1913, he died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles W. Doty, being then at the age of eighty-three.

Charles W. Doty has always been identified with the Republican party, of which he is a stanch supporter, but has never aspired to office, does not belong to any societies, but he and his family are members of the United Brethren church of Columbus Grove. Personally, Mr. Doty is "a man well met," and is particularly noted for his droll manner of expression and his absolute frankness, fair and square dealings with his neighbors and others with whom he has business transactions.

HENRY J. UNTERBRINK.

A brief resume of the life work of the gentleman whose name appears above cannot give an adequate description of the hardships he has passed through to gain for himself the title of "successful man," but Henry J. Unterbrink has been pointed out by his fellow men as one worthy of praise for his accomplishments, one who has been loyal to the trusts reposed in him, always upright and fair in his dealings with everyone, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.

Henry J. Unterbrink was born on September 12, 1862, in the town of Glandorf, Germany, and was the son of William and Elizabeth (Hohen- brink) Unterbrink. The father and mother were natives of Germany and

I375

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

both were born and raised in the town of Glandorf. When Henry J. Unter- brink was four years of age, the parents decided to leave the old country, and after their arrival in America, settled on a forty-acre farm in Greens- burg township, near the town of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. This. farm was thickly wooded and required a great deal of clearing, so it was. that these thrifty settlers set about their task to make a success of the place as a farm and home. The timber was cut and the land drained, a house for themselves was erected from the logs obtained from the clearing, and today Henry J. Unterbrink can show two of the logs that went to make up a part of the homestead. William Unterbrink and wife lived on this place for some years, then moved to Peasant township, where they obtained a fifty-two- acre farm that was about one-half cleared. On this land they erected a log house and barn, cleared a portion of the timber and set about to do general farming. The old folks conducted this farm until the death of the father, April 24, 1894, at which time he was sixty-six years of age. The mother survived him until February 7, 1903, at the age of seventy-two. She was a. hard-working, kind and loving mother, who took great pride in her family, and much credit must be accorded to her for the part she took in the early days assisting her husband. Seven children were born to William and Eliza- beth (Hohenbrink) Unterbrink, William, Caroline, Henry, Grace, Joseph and Frank, besides an infant, who died in Germany. Of these, Caroline is now the wife of Joseph Maag and resides in Pleasant township, and Grace married Henry Uphaus, who is a resident of Jackson, Tennesseee.

On May 30, 1880, Henry J. Unterbrink was married to Catherine Uphaus, daughter of Barney and Bernadina (Frey) Uphaus, the former a native of Glandorf, born on February 2, 1837, who conducted a farm in Ottawa township for many years. He died, February 2, 1907, in his sev- entieth year, and was buried at Ottawa. The latter was a native of Louis- ville, Kentucky, and is at this time living with Barney Uphaus, a brother of Mr. Unterbrink's wife, who is located on a farm in Ottawa township. To- Barney and Bernadina (Frey) Uphaus were born ten children, William, who died at the age of two years; Caroline and Henry (twins) ; Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. Joseph M. Rhinehart, of Seneca county; Barney; Mary, who married Sager and resides in Portageville, Missouri; Philomena; Amelia, who died at the age of twenty; Bernadina, who is now Mrs. Edward Felt- man, also an unnamed infant.

Henry J. Unterbrink remained on his father's farm during his youth, received his education in the township schools, and at a later date, purchased the homestead farm from his father. Having made a satisfactory settlement

I376

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

with the other heirs to the place by paying for their interests, he proceeded to make the improvements which are to be seen today and which mark the place as a strictly up-to-date and well-managed farm. Many new buildings have been erected, special attention having been given to a large T-shaped barn which is modern in every respect. In addition to general farming, considerable effort is directed toward the raising of good live stock. To Henry J. and Catherine (Uphaus) Unterbrink were born three children, Edward, who died in infancy; Amelia and Philomena, who reside with the parents.

Personally, Mr. Unterbrink enjoys the esteem and good will of every- one in his community, where he is known to be a man possessed of a true spirit of congeniality, sincerity, and one who is ever ready to lend a helping hand to his less fortunate fellow men. He is a mmeber of the Democratic party, though not particularly active in these matters; however, he has held office as township supervisor and a director of the school board. He is an active and devout member of the Catholic church in Ottawa, where the other members of the family are regular communicants.

JOHN C. JONES.

A life-long resident of Putnam county, Ohio, J. C. Jones has lived such a life as to bring his name prominently before the public. As a county official and as a private citizen he is painstaking and conscientious in whatever he does. As the cashier of the First National Bank of Ottawa he has served this bank for the past decade with a faithfulness and conscientious devotion to duty which has been highly pleasing, both to the directors of the bank and to the public at large.

J. C. Jones, the son and youngest of nine children, born to Cadwalader and Ann ( Rees) Jones, was born in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, on November 3, 1863. His parents were born and reared in Mont- gomeryshire, North Wales.

Cadwalader Jones came to America in 1831, and was married at North Bend, Ohio, October 7, 1846. A short time afterward they located in Put- nam county, where they made their home the remainder of their lives. Cad- walader Jones was a man of much intelligence and imbued with sound prin- siples. He had an excellent education and taught in the rural schools for many years, in which community he also served as township official and in many ways gave high and enduring proof of his ability. His long and cred-

J. C. JONES.

I377

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

itable services as a church official gave ample proof of his prominence in religious circles. He was a shrewd, keen observer of men and events, an assiduous reader, and he had a mind stored with a great fund of informa- tion. He and his wife gave earnest support to the Congregational church. Cadwalader Jones died on September 19, 1881, in his sixty-ninth year, and his wife passed away on February 20, 1894, in her seventy-third year.

J. C. Jones was reared and educated in the township where his parents settled when they moved to Putnam county. Educational advantages were limited in those days, and after completing the course in the district schools he was a student for a short time at the Northern Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and, while still a minor, began to teach school. In his younger days literary and debating societies were all the rage, and he took full advantage of the opportunities which were provided by them. His parents were both thoroughly religious people and he has inherited a strongly religious tem- perament which shows itself in his every-day life. At the age of twelve he united with the Congregational church, and gave his hearty support to the denomination until he moved to Ottawa, in 1890, when he became united with the Presbyterian church. In this denomination he has served as an elder for several years, and takes an active interest in its religious affairs.

Mr. Jones is a Republican in his political interest, but liberal in his views, and his party has frequently honored him by elevating him to official positions of various kinds. He has served as justice of the peace in Sugar Creek township, and in 1889 he was on the ticket as a candidate for repre- sentative to the state Legislature, and again in 1891. He was defeated both times, although he made a splendid race. In 1890 Dr. W. F. Reed, the Republican candidate for county auditor, was elected, and chose Mr. Jones for his deputy, and he served in this capacity for a period of three years. During his deputyship Mr. Jones gave faithful and efficient service in the discharge of his duties. He was responsible for detecting and exposing evi- dences of official corruption in two of the county offices and, as a result of his efforts, a deficit of nearly thirty thousand dollars was proven, and sev- eral ex-county officials were tried and convicted. After retiring from the office as deputy auditor, he engaged in the abstracting business in the county seat for two years, and at the end of that time, became his party's candidate for county auditor. His previous record in this office as deputy made him particularly strong with the people, and after a bitter fight against a large adverse majority, he was elected. He amply vindicated the people's judg- ment by giving them an efficient administration.

I378

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

In 1899 Mr. Jones retired from the office of county auditor and spent one year in the real estate and abstracting business, after which he took a position in the Putnam Banking Company, of Ottawa. Two years later, in December, 1903, Mr. Jones helped to organize the First National Bank of Ottawa, and has been the cashier of this bank since its organization. In the bank, Mr. Jones shows the same capacity for unremitting toil and fidel- ity to duty which has characterized him during his whole career.

The career of Mr. Jones cannot be dismissed without reference to his activities for the public welfare in behalf of temperance. In 1908 he was the chairman of the temperance forces of Putnam county, and in 1914, in the fight for the constitutional amendment for statewide prohibition, he was chairman and the leader of the fight in his home county. He is a fre- quent speaker on the public platform in behalf of public-spirited measures.

J. C. Jones was married on April 9, 1889, to Sarah Davis, of Gomer, Ohio, the daughter of John R. and Ann Davis, and to this union six chil- dren have been born, four of whom are now living, Rowena, Florence, Ann Pauline and Robert Cadwalader. Rowena graduated from Oberlin College in the spring of 1914, and is now teaching in the high school at Vaughns- ville, Ohio. Mr. Jones' wife is a faithful church worker and devoted to- her home life and family, and is a loving and conscientious mother.

John R. Davis and wife, Ann, were born in North Wales and came to Gomer, Ohio, in 1880, where he engaged in agriculture. He was musically inclined, a good singer, and a member of the Welsh Congregational church. They live at Gomer, Ohio. John R. Davis is now seventy-seven years of age, and his wife is seventy-two.

EDWARD L. McCRATE.

Among the younger generation of Putnam county, there seems to be a goodly number worthy of distinct recognition in a historical work of this nature, and since it is the duty of the chronicler to give credit where credit is due, it is with absolute propriety that consideration is accorded to Edward L. McCrate, who is not only referred to as a leading agriculturist and stock raiser, but, who has won and well merits the esteem and confidence reposed in him by the people of his community. His achievements are the result of concentrated study and well-directed efforts along specific lines.

Edward L. McCrate was born on July 17, 1886, on the homestead

I379

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

farm in Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, and is the son of Joseph and Bridget (Lane) McCrate. His father, Joseph, was born on March 17, 1836, in Tipperary county, Ireland, and was the son of Thomas and Ellen (Casey) McCrate. Accompanied by two brothers and a sister, Joseph Mc- Crate left his native Ireland and immigrated to this country, where they decided to settle in the state of Ohio. Joseph came to Putnam county, in 1859, where he remained until 1861, when, on April 26, of that year, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of the Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After three months' service, he re-enlisted, on Septem- ber 2, 1861, and was assigned to the Fifty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, as a private soldier and remained in the service until the last gun was fired on August 25, 1865. During his service, he was promoted to first lieutenant and was actually under fire in as many as twenty fierce en- gagements, the principal ones being the battle of Shiloh, Arkansas, Post Willis Bayou, siege of Vicksburg, Champion Hill, at Jackson, Mississippi, Mission Ridge, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Atlanta and Georgia, and Jones- boro. He was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea and was among the men who crossed the Broad Brand river on a pontoon to drive the Confederate pickets from the posts of Columbia, South Carolina. He was in the charge of Fort McAllister and participated in the last engagement of the war at Bentonville, North Carolina. His brother, John, was enlisted in the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, which participated in the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, and Resaca, Georgia, and he was wounded during the battle of Lookout Mountain, the result of which wound caused him to be honorably discharged. Dennis Lane, father of Mrs. Joseph (Lane) McCrate, was wounded in the battle of Resaca and he died from the effects of his wound. Michael, brother-in-law of Mrs. McCrate, was also in the Civil War and was killed in the battle of Nashville, in 1864. After the war was over, Joseph McCrate located in the town of Kalida, Ohio, where he was engaged in the saw-mill business, when, after two years, he purchased a farm, three miles west of Columbus Grove, which he occu- pied as a home throughout the rest of his life and where he died, February 5, 1907, at the age of seventy years and ten months. On November 8, 1871, he married Bridget Lane, the daughter of Dennis and Mary (Mahoney) Lane, who came to this county in 1858, who was born on June 1, 1851, in Butler county, Ohio. To the union of Joseph and Bridget ( Lane) McCrate were born nine children, Mary E. (Mrs. Amos W. Best), of Union township; John J., of Leipsic; William E., city clerk. Lima; Catherine (Mrs. Martin O'Brien), Lima; Joseph C., of Portageville, Missouri; Paul, who is an engi-

I380

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

neer on the Chicago, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, Lima; Edward L., the subject of this sketch; Mabel, who is occupied as a stenographer in Cleve- land; Charles J., who attends school in Dayton. The father's homestead farm consists of three hundred and forty acres of well-tilled and highly- improved land and it is said that no better farm land exists in this county. There are twenty-seven miles of drain tile on this place and the residence is regarded as one of the most beautiful in this county ; the costly barn building recently erected is strictly modern in every respect. At a later date, Joseph McCrate purchased what is known as the George B. Bogart farm of seventy- nine acres, in Union township, on which he erected a new barn, and on which place Mrs. Amos W. Best makes her home. In addition to this land, the father also purchased a five-hundred-and-eighty-acre farm in the state of Kansas. These holdings were the result of a life of frugality and continued industry and, therefore, it is not surprising that Joseph McCrate accumu- lated quite a fortune through the means of his own well-directed efforts. During the war there was no soldier who served his country more gallantly or with greater credit than did Joseph McCrate.

Edward L. McCrate remained on the home place during his youth and received his education in the neighboring township schools, and he also took a special course in agriculture in the State University of Ohio, after which he returned to his father's farm and where he has been active ever since. In addition to general farming he gives particular attention to the raising of highly bred and registered cattle, sheep and hogs, especially to sheep, and his specialty is Shropshire sheep and Shorthorn cattle. Besides being con- sidered a splendid judge of live stock, Mr. McCrate is very successful in general farming, and the knowledge gained from the course he took in the State University has given him a decided advantage in agricultural pursuits. On January 7, 1911, Edward L. McCrate was married to Alice Exelby, who was a native of Lenswee county, Michigan, and a daughter of Walter and Jean (Gibson) Exelby. Her father was a native of Lenawee county and was born in September, 1862, and is still living, at the present time being retired from active farming, which business he pursued almost his entire life. He makes his home in Lenawee county, near the town of Britton, Michigan. He was for many years county supervisor, also township trustee and road commissioner for several terms. He is a supporter of the Democratic party and is an active member of the Christian church, of which he is a trustee at this time. Mr. Exelby is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of Britton. His wife, Jean Gibson Exelby, was a native of Antrim county, Ireland, was born in the year 1864, and died in Lenawee county,

138I

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Michigan, in 1909. To their union were born three children, Alice, the wife of Edward L; Hazel, who is now Mrs. E. A. Babcock, residing in Michigan, and George W., who lives in Detroit.

To Edward L. and Alice (Exelby) McCrate have been born two chil- dren, Robert E. and Jean Elizabeth, and they continue to live on the father's homestead farm, which, as stated before, is one of the model farms of the county and which Mr. McCrate takes great pride in showing to his friends and visitors. Devoting his entire time and attention to making the most of his opportunities in this place, it is gratifying to observe that this young man is a decided success as a farmer and stock raiser and by the constant exercise of his natural thrift and industry, close application to details and by scientifically managing, he is regarded as an authority on matters pertain- ing to agriculture and stock raising. Personally, he is a most interesting young man to meet and is noted for his pleasing manner and affability. Mr. McCrate's land holdings include an original one hundred and seventy-seven and one-quarter acres on the homestead. He also owns one hundred and two acres of fine land in the state of Missouri.

Mr. McCrate is a supporter of the Democratic ticket, but has never held political office, does not belong to any fraternal organizations, but is an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic church in Columbus Grove, where his family also are regular attendants. Mr. McCrate is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

JOSEPH J. SCHUMAKER.

No man is great in all things. Many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who, before that, had no reputation beyond the limits of their imme- diate neighborhoods. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those in Putnam county who have achieved success along steady lines of endeavor, is the man whose name appears above.

Joseph J. Schumaker was born on January 25, 1846, in Pleasant town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, and is the son of Anthony and Gertrude Schumaker, who, soon after their marriage, came to this country from their native land, Germany, and settled on a thickly wooded and rather uninviting forty-acre tract of land in Pleasant township, which, by hard and consistent work, was cleared for farming and on which he erected a comfortable home. Anthony Schumaker was born in 1802, and died in 1877, after having passed

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 137

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