History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 142

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 142

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Mr. Brinkman is deeply interested in the progressive policies of the Democratic party and has always been identified with that party, though he does not take an active interest in politics. He is a man that stands for all that is right and is ever willing to lend his assistance to all worthy projects for the benefit of his fellow men. Personally, Mathias Brinkman is a man of kindly and genial temperament and has many friends throughout this sec- tion of the county. He is known to be particularly successful in raising graded stock on his farm, his business dealings in this line affording him an opportunity for a large acquaintance. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all those who know him and is regarded by all as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of this community.

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ROBERT MONROE KRATZ.

The purpose of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion of himself or his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record for posterity the verdict of his day and generation as to his character and the consensus of opinion as to his worth among his fellow citizens. In touching the life history of Robert Monroe Kratz, extravagant praise is avoided. There is sufficient in Mr. Kratz's life, -- true, useful and honorable-that his example may be emulated by the young men of this generation. His life has been characterized by perseverance and energy, charity and well-defined purpose, and he is eminently entitled to representation in any historical work of the county in which he lives.

Robert Monroe Kratz was born on October 10, 1858, at Mt. Union, Stark county, Ohio, the son of John and Caroline (Guge) Kratz. John Kratz was born on October 18, 1830, in Stuttgart, Germany, the son of Thomas Kratz and Barbarabidler Kratz. John Kratz was married in Ger- many, shortly after which he came to America. He was preceded, however, by two younger brothers, fourteen and sixteen years of age, one of whom died at Buffalo, New York, shortly after arriving in America. John Kratz came to America in October, 1856. He was a printer by trade, but never followed this vocation after coming to this country. He came direct to Stark county, where he rented a farm and, a little later, moved to Columbiana county. where he continued farming. About the close of the Civil War, he removed to Carroll county and purchased a farm near Malvern, Ohio. He lived on this farm until his death, on November 26, 1886. Jacob Kratz, a younger brother, came to America with John and Caroline Kratz, who after- ward served four years in the Civil War. He was captured and held nine months in Andersonville prison and died recently at his home in Cleveland, Ohio. Just prior to coming to America, John Kratz married Caroline Guge, the daughter of Christopher and Catherine Guge. To this union four chil- dren were born, Catherine, who married Lewis Reed, of Bayard, Ohio, and has three children, Robert M., the subject of this sketch; John, who married Vinta Roach and lives at Youngstown, and they have one child, and Jacob, who married Hannah Duper. They have six children and live at home on the old homestead near Malvern, Carroll county.

Receiving his early education in Columbiana and Carroll counties, Rob- ert Monroe Kratz, in addition to the common schools, attended high school and a special normal school at Malvern, Ohio. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years old, his father having died when he was seventeen.

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He then learned the building trade and spent a year in South Bend, Indiana, when he returned to Ohio, where he followed his trade for a couple of years. Subsequently, he spent two years in Iowa and then returned to Putnam county, where he was married, after which he returned again to Carroll county and there he remained two years. Finally, he returned to Putnam county again and bought a farm two and one-half miles east of Leipsic, where he has remained until the present time.

At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Kratz was married to Alice Weaver on November 22, 1882. Mrs. Kratz is the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Williams) Weaver, who lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. Kratz. Nicholas Weaver was born in New Harrisburg, Carroll county, Ohio, and is the son of David Weaver and wife, who came from Pennsylvania to Carroll county, Ohio, in an early day. Nicholas Weaver was one of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. Three of the sons, Solomon, David and Jonathan, became famous and were all well known ministers; Solomon was the founder of a college in Kansas and was a competent official in the United Brethren church, and David also distinguished himself as a minister in the same church; Jonathan was a bishop for forty years and at the beginning of his career, was president of Otterbein University of Ohio, and the author of many religious works. As bishop in his church, he had supervision of practically the entire country at different times.

Mrs. Kratz, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on September 20, 1865, has one brother, Rev. E. S. Weaver, at present pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal church at Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her mother was also born in Tuscarawas county. Mrs. Weaver's parents were of Welsh descent.

To Robert M. and Alice (Weaver) Kratz five children have been born, Edwin died in infancy; Ada, the wife of Simon Hummon, both of whom are engaged in educational work. They reside at Leipsic and have two children, Maxine and Everett: Maude, who is the wife of William Davenport, lives at Park River, North Dakota, where Mr. Davenport is superintendent of schools. They have two children, Robert and Virginia; Everett, who is still single and is at present superintendent of schools at Dupont, Ohio, and Madge, who is unmarried and at home.

Mr. Kratz has followed the builder's trade for twenty-two years. He is also a successful farmer and is well known as such.

While a Democrat and interested generally in political affairs, Mr. Kratz has been too busy with personal and private matters to devote much attention to political questions. Fraternally, he is a member of Leipsic

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Lodge No. 548, Free and Accepted Masons, and was master of this lodge- for three years. Mrs. Kratz is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Robert M. Kratz is not only a successful man but he is what might be called a good man in every sense of the word and a man highly esteemed in the locality where he lives.

SQUIRE J. BAKER.

A prominent and distinguished citizen of Bellmore, Putnam county, Ohio, is Squire J. Baker, who has been a resident of this county since the spring of 1872. He has an unusual record as a soldier of the Civil War. during which struggle he was captured by the Confederates and held a prisoner for one hundred and ten days. Since the latter part of the seventies he has been engaged in barbering in Bellmore, and for more than forty years has followed his trade in that place. Mr. Baker has been a curio and relic hunter for more than half a century, and now has one of the finest collections of relics in the state of Ohio. He has taken a very prominent part in the civic life of his community, and has held various official positions in a manner which indicates that he is a man of more than ordinary ability. He is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of his community, and has never failed to give his hearty support to all worthy measures which were calculated to improve the community in any way.

Squire J. Baker, the son of John and Elma (Shinn) Baker, was born in Sydney, Ohio, on October 19, 1842. His father was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on September 9, 1815, and died on September 13, 1896. John Baker was a son of John C. Baker, a native of Germany, who came to America at an early age and located in Virginia, where he married Mary Bush, a native of Virginia. John C. Baker and wife were the parents of several children, Henry, Christopher, John, Squire, Jacob, Elizabeth, Polly and Lydia Ann.

John Baker came to Ohio and located in Shelby county with his parents when he was a small boy, his father locating on government land. In that county John Baker attended the public schools and on October 4, 1837, was married to Elma Shinn, of Warren county, Ohio. After his marriage he entered a tract of government land, which he farmed until three or four years before his death, September 13, 1896. In addition to farming, John Baker was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. He enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected

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on account of his physical condition. Elma Shinn, the mother of Squire J. Baker, ivas born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, on. July 3, 1816, and died on June 23, 1898. John Baker and wife were the parents of eleven children, Louis, who died at the age of two; Mary E., who died at the age of thirty, of Bellmore; Martha Ann, the wife of a Mr. Leonard, of Spencer, Indiana; Diantha, who died at the age of thirty; Mrs. Margaret Jane Stang; Anna, of Shelby county, Ohio; Mrs. Manorah Isabel Stutz, of Spencer, Indiana; Delilah, who died at the age of fifteen; William Webster, of Kan- sas City, Missouri; Harvey Newton, of Toledo, Ohio, and Sherman Grant, of Dayton, Ohio.

Squire J. Baker was educated in the rude subscription schools of his home county, which were current in his day, although he only received about one year of schooling altogether, his father splitting rails in order to secure money to pay for this one year's education. However, his mother was a well-educated woman, and he gained much of his education at her knee. He spent his boyhood on the old home place and, at the age of eighteen enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, with Generals Grant and Sherman. His regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Third Division Seventeenth Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, and among other battles he par- ticipated in the following: Hankinson's Ferry, Raymond, Mississippi, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, Jackson, Baker's Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Savannah, Pocota- ligo, Orangeburg, Columbia, Cheraw, Bentonville and Goldsborough. He was captured at Brandon, Mississippi, and held prisoner by the Confederates for one hundred and ten days before he was finally exchanged, when he rejoined his regiment and served until the close of the war, and was finally mustered out of service at Washington, D. C., May 30, 1865.

After the close of the war, Mr. Baker returned to his home in Sydney, Ohio, and helped his father on the old homestead. In the spring of 1867 he was married and began farming near Sydney, living on a farm there until April 2, 1872, on which date he moved to Bellmore, Putnam county, Ohio, where he worked in the timber for five years, after which he- opened a barber shop in Bellmore and has been in this business since that time.

The interesting career of Mr. Baker would not be complete without mention were made of his fine collection of relics and curios. It is impossi- ble in this brief sketch to give a complete list of the interesting articles which Mr. Baker has collected, but enough will be mentioned to show the wide variety of his collection. He has a tool made of stone, shaped something

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like a whetstone, which the Indians used as a hide dresser, which was excavated from the Indian mounds on the Ohio river above Cincinnati. He has a fine specimen of an Indian granite ax, and a half dozen other stone hammers and axes which he has picked up at various places. Two other interesting relics are shuttles which were used by the Indians in weaving fishing and trapping nets. These shuttles are flat stones with two holes in them, through which the deer thongs were passed. He also has a numerous and varied collection of arrow-heads of all sizes, many of them significant of certain tribes. He has a very rare and valuable scalping-hawk, commonly known as a tomahawk, which is fashioned like a hatchet, except that the hammer end of the hatchet is pointed in shape. This interesting relic was exhumed near Upper Sandusky, near the point where Colonel Crawford was burned at the stake by the Indians, and probably this weapon was used in severing the scalp from some unfortunate victim. An Indian pestle, fash- ioned from stone, similar to that now used by a druggist, is another interest- ing curio. It is about six inches tall and from two and one-half to three inches in diameter. This tool was used by the Indians in grinding corn in a hollow stone or the stump of a tree. A stone pipe which was once in pos- session of some Wyandot Indian, is in the collection of Mr. Baker, the pipe having been found near the remains of an Indian who had been buried in a sitting posture. A unique powder-horn obtained from a rebel soldier by Mr. Baker himself, is artfully carved into a perfect horn, and the rebel soldier told Mr. Baker that it was the handiwork of his own grandfather. Mr. Baker has a splendid collection of Civil War relics, included in which are bullets, revolvers, army muskets, tools for repairing muskets, an original package of cartridges which had never been untied, and many other interest- ing mementos of that terrible struggle. Not the least interesting of his Civil War relics, is a soldier's combination knife, fork and spoon, which closes up like a pocket knife.

Mr. Baker has been twice married, his first marriage occurring in the spring of 1867, when he was united to Susan Caroline Michael, and to this first union three children were born, Frank, Minnie and John, who died in infancy. In 1875 his first wife died, and a few years later he married Mrs. Delilah Vannator, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dye) Vannator, and to this second union four children were born, Kitty May, who died at the age of two; John C., who died when he was about two years old; Ethel, the wife of A. G. Yaunce, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Orville J., who is now living in Portland, Oregon.

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Mr. Baker has been a life-long Republican, and has been the recipient of various honors at the hands of his party. He has served three terms as marshal of Bellmore, and seven years as mayor. For eighteen years he held the important position of notary public and during Benjamin Harrison's administration he was postmaster of Bellmore. Mr. Baker joined the Meth- odist Episcopal church when he was fourteen years of age, and later in life became a member of the Church of God, serving as an elder in this denomina- tion for some years. Later in life he became affiliated with the Evangelical church, to which he now gives his hearty support. Mr. Baker has always been prominent in the life of his community since he became a resident of the village, and has taken a conspicuous place as a leader and counselor in matters pertaining to the progress and betterment of the community.

WILLIAM CHESTER SHERRARD.

Fealty to facts in presenting the character of William Chester Sher- rard is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community. Mr. Sherrard has an. honorable reputation and this, more than anything else, gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of city or state revered. at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever invite, the name and character of William Chester Sherrard is secure and, though of modest demeanor and no ambition to distinguish him- self in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally hon- orable and it may be studied with profit by the young men entering upon their life work.

William Chester Sherrard was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, on September 9, 1858, the son of William and Mary Jane (Caddy) Sherrard. William Sherrard was born on February 2, 1825, in Muskingum county, Ohio, the son of Henry and Barbara (Radabaugh). Sherrard, the former of whom was a native of Scotland and the latter of Germany. They had four sons and three daughters, William, Calvin, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Eliza and Henry.

Moving to Gilboa, when sixteen years of age, about 1840, William Sherrard remained with his parents until he was about twenty-four years of age. His father died when William was about seventeen years old and, being the eldest son, took his father's place on the farm. He was a man of better education than most men of his day and was self-made in every respect,

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having acquired his education largely from home study. He died on Septem- ber 14, 1891.

At the age of twenty-four, William Sherrard married Mary Jane Caddy, the marriage taking place on August 19, 1850. She was the daugh- ter of Charles C. and Mary Ann (Dyer) Caddy, the latter of whom was born near Alexandria, Virginia, on September 15, 1815. Mary Jane Caddy was born on June 16, 1830, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and died in March, 1907.

Charles C. and Mary Ann Caddy had twelve children, Mary Jane, Dr. William, Robert, Ansel, Hester, Charles C., Elizabeth, Julian, Milton, Eva, Irene and James. Robert and Ansel were killed in the Civil War.

William Sherrard was a cabinetmaker and always followed this trade with the exception of ten years, when he was superintendent of the Putnam county infirmary. He also served in numerous official positions. He spent all of his life after his marriage in Putnam county, except one year, 1874, when he went to Kansas. He was highly respected and upright citizen, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Chester Sherrard's grandfather, Charles C. Caddy, was a Methodist minister and a circuit rider. His son, Charles C., Jr., is an editor at Pendleton, Indiana. He is a Civil War veteran and during the war was, for a time, imprisoned at Andersonville.

William and Mary Jane Sherrard had eight children, Almeda, the widow of Eli Harris, of Leipsic; Eva, the wife of J. E. Peckenpaugh, of Leipsic; Prof. C. C., of Angola, Indiana ; Dr. Ansel C., of Oakwood, Ohio; William Chester, the subject of this sketch; Mary Hester, the twin sister of William Chester and who died at the age of eleven years; Henry Bassett, of Narden, Oklahoma; Dr. Edward Everett, of Los Angeles, California.

William Chester Sherrard attended the common schools of Blanchard ·township, remaining on the farm with his parents until twenty-three years old, at which time he was married.

On March 16, 1882, William C, Sherrard was married to Carrie Maid- low, who was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, on August 29, 1863, the daughter of James and Mary Ann (Buckland) Maidlow. The former was the son of John and Lucinda (Dowd) Maidlow. John Maidlow was a native of England and came with his father to America, landing at Baltimore in 1812, when he was thirteen years of age. He came on to Knox county, Ohio, married Lucinda Dowd in that county in 1834 and one year later came on to Putnam county. About the year 1836 he settled on the old Maidlow farm. In 1868 he was elected by the Democrats of the Tenth Ohio Congressional District as one of the two delegates to the national Democratic

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convention, held in New York city, which nominated Horatio Seymour for President. While always taking an active part in politics, he frequently refused to receive nominations for office, claiming that the post of honor is a private station. On February 18, 1864, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and died on December 6, 1889. The family history of Mary Ann Buckland is contained in the life story of Elah Buckland, found elsewhere in this volume. Lucinda M. Dowd was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, on February 17, 1816, and married John Maidlow, February 18, 1834. They came to Putnam county, March 8, 1837. She was the grandmother of fifty-six children and the great-grandmother of forty. Her twelve chil- dren were James A., Elizabeth, Ann, Edward, William, Jane, Agnes, Alice, Laura, Martha, Spencer and Putman. James and Mary Ann Maidlow had a number of children, two of whom died in infancy, Viola, the wife of J. E. Nemire, of Tecumseh, Michigan; Alva R .; Carrie, the wife of Mr. Sherrard; Huldah, deceased, the wife of J. C. Anderson; Lucinda, the wife of Nate Hickerson; Alice, the wife of B. J. Conley; Fannie, unmarried and at home, and Mary, the wife of William McDonald, all of whom are resi- dents of Putnam county except Viola.

To William C. and Carrie (Maidlow) Sherrard has been born one daughter, Bessie Dowd, the wife of E. C. Kuntz, of Leipsic. . Graduating from the Leipsic high school, she spent four years at Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware, where she was a member of the class of 1905.

After his marriage, William C. Sherrard continued to farm his father's old place in Blanchard township. About ten years later, he bought this farm and has lived here ever since. Mr. Sherrard has always kept a good grade of stock and has been a very successful farmer. He owns one hundred and fifty-one acres, which he has acquired by his own efforts, having started in life without any financial assistance.

Fraternally, Mr. Sherrard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 284, at Ottawa. He is a Democrat in politics and was a trustee for four years, his term ending in January, 1914. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Leipsic, Ohio, and takes an active interest in its affairs.

William C. Sherrard comes from one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Putnam county, a family of which he, in this late generation, has a good reason to be proud. Mr. Sherrard's honorable, upright life is a fitting tribute to the memories of his father, grandfather and other ancestors who set such splendid examples of worthy living.

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HON. IGNATIUS H. KAHLE.

The late Ignatius H. Kahle spent his entire life in Putnam county, Ohio, and was one of its leading citizens, eminent and able, both in private business and in public life. Whether he was serving his fellow citizens in the capac- ity of a township official, or his legislative district in the capacity of a mem- ber of the state Legislature, he was faithful to every trust which was resposed in him. As a business man, he had those qualities of integrity and industry which made him successful, and at the same time earned for him the hearty commendation of his fellow citizens. In his domestic relations, he was above reproach and was never happier than when seated by his own fireside with his faithful wife and his children about him. He left a name which is honored by those who knew him and cherished by his children and his chil- dren's children.

Ignatius H. Kahle, the son of John Francis Kahle, was born in Greens- burg, township, Putnam county, Ohio, on August 22, 1850, and died at his home in Glandorf, Ohio, on February 7, 1899. His father was a pioneer citizen of this county and came from Germany in 1832 with Professor Horstman and settled at Glandorf, in this county, the following year.

Having received his education in the district schools of Greensburg township, Ignatius H. Kahle, when only fifteen years of age, became a public school teacher, which honored occupation he followed for three years. When he reached his majority he was elected clerk of Greensburg township, and was re-elected term after term until 1882, when he was nominated and elected representative to the General Assembly of Ohio by a majority of twelve hun- dred and fifty-six. His service in the Legislature was so eminently satisfac- tory that he was renominated and elected a second time, by a majority of nineteen hundred and thirty-five, the largest ever given to a candidate in this county, up to that time.

Mr. Kahle made a notable record while a member of the state Legisla- ture. During his second term the Cincinnati Enquirer paid a glowing tribute to him in the following words :

"Ignatius H. Kahle, the curly-headed boy of destiny from Putnam, is here pictured with one hand on the plow and the other on the helm of state. Those who know him best eulogize him in both positions. Returning from legislative duties he grapples with the plow or harrow and reaps a bountiful harvest of golden grain in the autumn. In mastering the intricacies of the law, he is no less successful, and is earnest, industrious, cautious, manly. You can count on the member from Putnam as a good Democrat and as a

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good fellow. He is quiet and conservative in manner, but just the kind of a man you can sit down and talk to and be surprised at the information you have gained while talking."

At the close of his second term in the state Legislature Mr. Kahle con- tinued to farm for a year, and in 1887 he engaged in the milling business at Glandorf. In the year following he engaged in the mercantile business at Glandorf with Mr. Kersting, and continued this dual kind of activity until 1893, in which year he went to Europe and visited Germany, France, Italy and Austria, taking with him his son, Frank G. Upon his return home he started in a small way the real estate and banking business at Glandorf, and in 1894 established the Bank of Ottawa, in partnership with Doctor Reed and W. H. Harper, Jr., and continued in charge of the bank until his death in 1899. As a legislator, business man, citizen and neighbor, he commanded the respect of all classes of people and was universally recognized as a man of honest convictions and sterling integrity in all things. He was genial and cheerful, and a man whose many ennobling qualities endeared him to every- one with whom he came in contact.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 142

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