History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 145

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 145

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John, who also was for many years associated with his brothers in their extensive business interests, died in 1901.

Joseph H. Edwards was reared on the paternal farm east of Leipsic and, besides attendance on the district school in that neighborhood, re- ceived a course of several years of instruction in special schools conducted in Leipsic at that period. Upon reaching manhood's estate he, for three years, followed farming, but finding that this manner of living did not agree with his health, he sold his farm and for about awelve years was engaged in the hardware business in the town of Leipsic. At the end of this time he formed a partnership with his brothers, W. W. and John, and in connection with I. N. Bushing, engaged in the cooperage business, under the firm style of the Buckeye Stave Company. This company was incorporated in the year 1893 and prospered from the very start. Factories were established in Leipsic, Columbus Grove, Continental, Pleasant Bend, Ohio, and Elm Cen- ter, in this county, and as the demand for the company's product grew, other factories were established at various points in Ohio and southern Michigan, operating twenty cooperage plants for several years, being the largest manu- facturers of stock barrel cooperage in the world at the time, the firm con- tinuing the business so long as the accessability of timber made profitable this form of industry. As fast as the timber was cleared from the large land holdings taken up by this company in this county, the land was drained and otherwise improved and brought under cultivation, much of this land proving so valuable that it still is held by the company, which owns about two thou- sand acres in Putnam county alone.

While thus engaged so extensively in the cooperage business, the Buckeye Stave Company established a bank at Leipsic and later a bank at Continental, this county, both of which are operated as private banks, the interests being held by the stockholders of the Buckeye Stave Company. These banks are classed as among the soundest and most prosperous financial institutions in this part of the state, the personal responsibility back of the two banks being more than two million dollars. The Edwardses also are stockholders in the National Bank of Commerce of Toledo, Ohio, and in the National Lime and Stone Company, of Carey, Ohio, while some of the stockholders in the Buckeye Stave Company also are interested in the Buckeye National Bank of Findlay, Ohio; the Toledo Machine and Tool Company, of Toledo, Ohio; the National Quarries Company, of Lima, Ohio, and many other enterprises. John Edwards died in 1901 and W. W. Edwards died in 1913, but their respective estates retained their interests in the stave company's extensive enterprises, having able representatives in the several departments of that company's multiplying activities.

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In 1875 Joseph H. Edwards was united in marriage to Mary Folk, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, the daughter of Lorenzo and Calista (Adams) Folk, an old family of that section, and to this union five children were born, as follow: Flossie, who married C. D. Closson, of Circleville, Ohio, and has three children, Helen, Dorothy and Catherine; Mae, who married C. P. Palmer, cashier of the Continental Bank, at Continental, Ohio, and has one son, Paul; Serge F., born on May 25, 1884, who is in the bank at Leipsic with his father, married Myrtle Burke and has two children, Mary and Joseph; Helen, who died in 1912, at the age of nineteen years, and an infant daughter who died in 1896.

Mr. Edwards and his family are members of the Methodist church and are earnest participants in the various activities of that organization, their influence ever being exerted in behalf of all movements designed to advance the common interest. Though not what may be called a "party man" in the stricter sense of the term, Mr. Edwards gives his thoughtful consideration to the political affairs of the county, his voice and his vote ever being en- listed in behalf of good government. Naturally, in view of his wide busi- ness interests in this and neighboring counties, Mr. Edwards unconsciously wields a large influence on men and affairs in this part of the state and it is but proper to state that this influence only is exerted on the side of those things that are true and of good report. Without thought of creating invidious distinctions among individuals in such personal mention of the prominent citizens of Putnam county as is made in this volume, the biographer feels properly warranted in making the statement here that Mr. Edwards is a man of whom his community and this entire county may well be proud, a man whom all his friends honor and take delight in so doing. Both in his business and in his private life he is an exemplary citizen, modest and quiet in his demeanor and courteous to all. Modestly sensible of the high po- sition which his extensive activities give him, he would be the last to abuse the power such a position entails and, therefore, enjoys the respect and esteem of all within his very large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Edwards is an enthusiastic supporter of all legitimate public im- provements and there are few men in Putnam county who are more actively concerned in promoting the larger interests of the community. It hardly is fitting in a review of this character to refer to an individual's private bene- factions, but it properly enough may be stated that it is an open secret that there are many persons in the neighborhood of his home who, in times of need, have had cause for gratitude that Mr. Edwards not only has a tender ear for the cry of distress, but an open hand to supplement the appeal.

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HENRY J. LAMMERS.

In making up the list of the progressive and successful farmers of Putnam county for presentation in the biographical section of a work as com- prehensive as the one in hand, the name of the well-known Liberty township farmer, whose name heads this sketch, comes easily to mind, for he is one who has succeeded by force of inherent qualities which make him one of the leaders in the community in which his entire life has been spent and where his parents had lived before him, and it is but fitting that this sketch of his life should here be preserved for the consideration of the future historian who may take up the important work of reviewing the history of this sec- tion. The history of a commonwealth is but the aggregate of the individual histories of the various units which compose the commonwealth and of the manifold factors which operate in creating the distinctive community. Of these factors none is more important than the farmer and the biographies of the farmers, who have done so much toward creating the wealth and dis- tinction of Putnam county, will be regarded as very valuable contributions to the history of this time when this history is reviewed in after years. The name of Henry J. Lammers of Liberty township is, therefore, gladly added to this important list by the present biographer.

Henry J. Lammers was born on January 8, 1868, on the farm on which he still lives on the south edge of Liberty township, Putnam county, the son of Barney, Sr., and Theresia ( Recker) Lainmers, well-known resi- dents of that section of the county, a sketch of whose careers is given on another page of this volume.

Henry J. Lammers was but five years of age when death bereft him of his mother. The father, however, kept the home together and young Henry grew up under careful direction, receiving his education in the schools of his home township and learning the ways of a farmer's life. Upon coming to young manhood he accepted the management of a second farm which his father owned on the north edge of Ottawa township, where he re- mained until the time of his marriage, at which time he moved back to the home farm in Liberty township, which he ever since has made his home.

On November 27, 1889, Henry J. Lammers was united in marriage to Eva Mary Bock, who was born near New Cleveland, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine (Otto) Bock, who for years were among the best-known German residents of that part of the county.

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Nicholas Bock was born near Coblentz, in the Rhine province of Ger- many, and about the year 1852 came to America with his mother and sisters, among others in the party, which at that time joined the German colony in this county, being the family of Nicholas Otto, of whom the latter's daughter Catherine was one. In Cleveland, upon their arrival in this state, Nicholas Bock and Catherine Otto were married and the young bridegroom and his father-in-law bought in Ottawa township, Putnam county, a farm of eighty acres, the place on which Val Mack now lives, south of New Cleve- land. Nicholas Otto was a maker of shoes in the old country and upon coming to this county followed this trade in connection with his farm work, his handicraftsmanship being much appreciated by his new neighbors. After many years of residence in this county, he moved to Deschler, later re- turning to Putnam county, taking up his residence in Ottawa, where he spent the remainder of his life.

When Nicholas Bock took up his residence in this county about 1852, the section where he settled was virgin forest. Until he and his father- in-law could build a cabin, the family was given the occupancy of the neighborhood school house. The cabin which was quickly thrown up, later gave way to a much better house, which is still standing. Nicholas Bock was a good farmer and also a good shoemaker. Until later in life he re- mained on the farm in Ottawa township and then he and his wife moved to Leipsic, in this county, where Mrs. Bock, some years later, died. The death of Mr. Bock occurred some years after the death of his wife, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Laubenthal, south of New Cleveland.

Nicholas and Catherine (Otto) Bock had twelve children, of whom the only present survivors are Mrs. Lammers, Mrs. John Nadler and Mrs. John Laubenthal; those who have gone before being Susan, who married Henry Beckers; Rosa, who married Henry Kolhoff; Dena, who married Al- bert Busching; Jacob; Andrew; Nicholas; Valentine, and three who died in infancy. Nicholas Bock had a sister who was reared in a convent at Minster and who eventually became the Sister Superior of the convent.

After his marriage, Henry J. Lammers moved to the old home place in Liberty township, where he was born, and ever since he made his home and where he has reared his family. To his union with Eva Mary Bock seven children were born, Edward H., who married Theresia Klausing and lives in Liberty township; Anna Theresia, who married Theodore Jerivers and died August 29, 1914, leaving two children, Clara Henrietta and Esther Emma ; Albert Barney, at home; Reginia Catherine, died at the age of eleven

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years and five months; Veronica Catherine, at home; Frances Theresia, at. home, and Rosa Elnore, who died at the age of four years and seven months.

Mr. Lammers is a man of prominence in his neighborhood and takes an active part in the affairs of the community. He is an earnest follower of the principles of Thomas Jefferson and his counsels are regarded as val- uable by the local managers of the Democratic party, his services during the past eight years as precinct committeeman for that party having gained for him general political recognition over the county. In January, 1908, he was appointed to the important and responsible position of director of the county infirmary and for four years held that position, his administration: of the affairs of that trying office giving general satisfaction. Since re- tiring from that position he has added to his general farm work the busi- ness of buying and selling live stock, shipping in carload lots, in which business he has been quite successful.

The members of the Lammers family are devoted adherents of the Catholic church at New Cleveland and are active in the various beneficences of their parish, being regarded as among the leaders in the movements which seek to advance the general welfare of the neighborhood, and very properly are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Mr. Lammers is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in the local doings of which fraternal organization he takes much interest.

ISAAC H. BARNES.

No more substantial and moral citizen has ever come to Putnam county, Ohio, than Isaac H. Barnes, a well-known farmer of Jennings township. As a man, Mr. Barnes has been characterized by industry and a patience which overcomes all obstacles, and thus insures success in whatever under- taking one may choose to follow. Putnam county has been honored by many successful and enterprising farmers, but none of them is more honored or more highly respected than Mr. Barnes, who served his country faith- fully during the dark days of the Civil War, and afterward won a comfortable competence for his old age by dint of hard work and persistent labor, and who is now living retired.

Isaac M. Barnes was born on October 7, 1840, in Jackson township, Guernsey county, Ohio, the son of Levi and Susanna (Rogers) Barnes. Levi Barnes was born in Knox county, Ohio, and his wife was born in Maryland.

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The former was a carpenter and also a shoemaker by trade. He died in April, 1846, while yet a young man, while his widow survived him many years, her death occurring in Union county, Ohio, in 1867.

Isaac H. Barnes was one of eight children born to his parents, but he is the only one now living. He moved from Guernsey county to Union county, Ohio, in 1855, working in the latter county by the day at farm labor.

On March 19, 1861, Mr. Barnes was married to Almeta Dunlap, the daughter of Robert Dunlap, of Union township, in this county. Eleven chil- dren were born to Isaac and Almeta (Dunlap) Barnes, nine of whom are still living, Rachel, the wife of E. Chamberland, of Raimer, Ohio; Robert Lester, who died at the age of thirty years, in April, 1895; Lola, who became the wife of Samuel Swihart, died on May 13, 1895; William E., of Jen- nings township; Hattie, the wife of A. Wessenbarger, and lives in Jennings township; Cora, the wife of Samuel Swihart; John W., a resident of Jack- son township; Enoch, of Jennings township; Otto, also of Jennings township; Aaron, at home, has charge of the farm, and Rella is the wife of Jesse Jenkins, of Jennings township.

Isaac H. Barnes came to Putnam county on December 21, 1869, and settled on the farm where he now lives. Clearing away the timber, he built a small cabin and set to work at clearing and developing his land. He now has good buildings and a finely improved farm. Mr. Barnes has re- tired from hard labor, but still lives on the farm and retains his personal supervision of the farm labor.

During the early days of the Civil War, when the country was de- manding the services of its brave and valiant sons, he enlisted in the Union army, and was a member of Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining with this regiment until the close of the war, and was mustered out of service in Mobile, Alabama, June 7, 1865. He was paid off at Columbus, Ohio, July 29, of the same year. Mr. Barnes participated in several of the hard-fought battles of that great conflict, taking part in the battle of Arkansas Post, Chickasaw Bluffs, Port Gibson, and at Raymond, near Vicksburg, as well as Champion Hills, Black River Ford, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Fort James, Fort Morgan and Mobile, Fort Blakely and Fort Spanish, the last a little skirmish near Shis- tler, Alabama. Mr. Barnes was detailed in the Seventeenth Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, in the rear of Vicksburg and served with this organization for about sixteen months.

Isaac H. Barnes is a man well known in this section of Putnam county. He is remembered today and honored for his valiant services in behalf of the

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cause of the Union, when there was serious doubt as to whether the Union would endure. Mr. Barnes has been a useful citizen in times of peace and it is fortunate that in his declining years he has been blessed with a com- petence which no longer makes his toil and labor necessary.

HERMAN H. BORGELT.

When a notable success is gained by sheer effort, determination and ability, immensely greater credit is due than if the man who succeeded had started with plenty of means and a good education. Herman M. Borgelt secured only the meager rudiments of an education, as it was necessary that he go to work at an early age. By thrift and industry he was enabled to buy his present farm of eighty acres in Liberty township, in the spring of 1906. At the time of purchase the land was wooded, but Mr. Borgelt cleared the land, dug drainage ditches, and built fences, as well as buying an additional forty acres. The property is well improved, has fine, modern buildings, and is devoted to general farming with notable results. This story should be a powerful incentive to the young farmer of today, with all his wonderful advantages.

The birth of Mr. Borgelt occurred in Glandorf, Ottawa township, Put- nam county, and he is the son of William and Tracy (Slater) Borgelt. Mr. Borgelt had the following nine sisters and brothers: Ignatz, Frank and Henry, all deceased; Joseph; William; Mrs. Theresa Ellerbrock; Mary, de- ceased; Mrs. Katherine Remp, and Mrs. Philomena Karl.

William Borgelt was a native of Glandorf, Germany, where he was married before coming to America. He was born on December 15, 1818, and died on the Ottawa township homestead on February 22, 1905. When he first came to America he bought forty acres and later added three tracts, two of forty acres and one of fifty acres. He had two farms in Ottawa township, one of ninety acres and one of eighty acres. He later bought three eighty-acre tracts, located in Ottawa, Pleasant and Union townships, which he divided among his daughters. Although he was a public-spirited man, he was a home lover who took keen interest in his farm ventures, which were usually successful. He was greatly aided by his wife, who was a devoted helpmeet and mother. She was a native of Glandorf, Germany, where she was born on November 30, 1840, and she died on the homestead, April 14, 19II.

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The boyhood of Herman Borgelt was passed on the home farm and he received a slight education in the township schools. He worked on the homestead farm until he was twenty-nine years of age, when he rented a farm on which he lived for three years, finally buying as related in the first para- graph of this article.

On November 7, 1889, Mr. Borgelt married Anna Nartker, the daughter of Ferdinand and Mary (Feltman) Nortker, the former being a native of Glandorf, Germany, and the latter a native of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. Herman H. and Anna (Kartker) Borgelt are the parents of thirteen children, namely: Margaret, who died at the age of three; Matthew, who died at the age of two; the remainder of the children, who all live at home, are, Tracy, Monica, Lewis, Ferdinand, Edward, Sylvester, Alphonse, Hubert, Bernard, Harry, and Lucile.

Mr. Borgelt is an active Democrat and a member of the school board. He and his family are members of the New Cleveland Catholic church. He is an advocate of good roads and is at present foreman of construction of a road which is being built past his farm. Congenial, progressive, and a hard worker, Mr. Borgelt is a good neighbor and has a high standing in his community.

JOHN W. MILLER.

Among the progressive farmers of Putnam county who are respected and admired for the part they have had in promoting the general progress and prosperity of this county is John W. Miller, a well-known farmer of Blanchard township. It has been a comparatively short time since this county was covered with heavy trees, dreary swamps and was overrun by the Indians. Sturdy men have had a part in the transformation of this wilderness and vast sea of water, where now are to be found fertile farms and comfortable and commodious farm buildings. In every community in Putnam county there are leaders in agriculture and business, men who have been fortunate in their struggle for success, and who are the pride of their · community. Among these men is John W. Miller.

Mr. Miller was born on April 16, 1866, in Blanchard township, Put- nam county, Ohio. He is the son of Joseph Henry and Sarah (Clark) Miller. His boyhood days were spent on the old homestead farm, and here he lived until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when, on October

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4, 1887, he was married to Stella J. Agner, the daughter of James B. and Susan (Bemont) Agner.

After his marriage, Mr. Miller operated his father's farm for ten years and then purchased Hillcrest farm, better known as the old Hardin farm, three and one-half miles east of Ottawa on the River road. Mr. Miller is interested in the breeding of thoroughbred live stock, which he raises for his own private purposes. Nothing appeals to his nature more than fine horses, and Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep are his favorite breeds. He is a live-wire farmer in his own community; a general pro- moter of all public improvements, and has done much toward the extension of the good roads system in his own township. He lays much of his suc- cess to the fact that he is thoroughly in love with his chosen occupation.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of three children: Pansy L. was born on February 15, 1891, and was married to Ray W. Sheilder on April 9, 1914, and resides four miles east of Leipsic on the Ridge road. To. them was born, on March II, 1915, Esther Estella Sheilder. This little granddaughter has already completely won the affections of her devoted grandparents. Cort C. was born on June II, 1893, and Merl E. was born on October 3, 1895. Both sons live at home with their parents.

Politically, Mr. Miller is a Democrat, but his politics are governed by principle, not party. He is well known in his community as a substantial farmer and good citizen, and well worthy of representation in the annals of his county.

The paternal grandparents of John W. Miller were John Henry and Sophia C. (Egler) Cook Miller. John Henry Miller was born near Stutt- gart, Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1795, and was a gardener. He first located at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, after coming to this country, and in 1836 came to Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. John H. Miller was born one son, Joseph H. Miller, March II, 1838. They settled in Putnam county in 1837, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 19 of Blanchard township. John H. Miller died in 1850 and his wife in 1865.

Joseph H. Miller was married, June 20, 1861, to Sarah Clark, the. daughter of James and Jane Clark. James D. Clark was one of the early settlers of Ottawa township, this county. An interesting incident of this . pioneer's struggles can be recalled. Mr. Clark had dug a well nineteen feet deep and had walled it in with boulders; but, the water failing, he went into the well to clean it, when the wall caved in. His wife raised an alarm, but the nearest help was one mile away. The few citizens of Ottawa.

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township at that time assisted in rescuing Mr. Clark, he having been con- fined over six hours. He was not seriously hurt.

After the marriage of Joseph H. Miller and Sarah Clark they settled on the old Miller homestead, just west of what is now the county infirmary. Here Mr. Miller engaged in general farming. He was especially proficient in horticulture, raising all varieties of fruit. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, three of whom, including a pair of twins, died in infancy, and another daughter, Eva, died at the age of two and one-half years. The eight children who lived to maturity are: Mary (Kersh), born on May 10, 1862; Elizabeth J. (Maidlow), born on April 1, 1864, who died on December 29, 1900; John W., born on April 16, 1866; Margery A. (Harris), born on August 28, 1868; Lucy E. (Heiffelmire), born on April 2, 1871 ; James E. and Clara E. (Hummons), twins, born on April 4, 1874, and Alonzo, born on October 7, 1888. Eva Ann, born on November 9, 1878; Cortie and Cora, twins, and a son died in infancy.

Mrs. Sarah M. (Clark) Miller died on January 12, 1890. Seven years later, on October 20, 1897, Mr. Miller was married to Catherine Mack. She was the daughter of John Philip and Barbara (Glowner) Mack, and was born on July 13, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Miller lived on the home place until within a year of Mr. Miller's death, when they retired from the farm to Ottawa, Ohio. Here Mr. Miller died on November 12, 1913.

The wife of the immediate subject of this sketch, Mrs. Stella J. Miller, was the daughter of James B. and Susan Bemont Agner. James Agner and wife were early pioneers in Putnam county, and his wife, who before her marriage was Susan Bemont, was the daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Gross ) Bemont. She was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1837. At the age of eight years she, with her parents, emigrated to this county, which was then a dense forest. They traveled in a covered wagon and settled on a claim of eighty acres which now lies four miles east of Ottawa on the Ottawa and Gilboa pike. Susan Bemont was married in Putnam county on August 21, 1856. James Agner was the son of George and Rachel ( Mocherman) Agner, and was born on June 12, 1825, in Fair- field county, Ohio. He settled in Putnam county in 1833. Mr. Agner was interested in educational pursuits and was one of the early teachers in this part of the state. Later he followed the occupation of a farmer, at which he was very successful. James Agner and his wife were the parents of seven children: James B., born on May 15, 1857; Mary C. (Crow), born on August 2, 1859; Luella L., born on May 21, 1861; Belle A. (Miller ), born on May 13, 1863; John C., born on January 4, 1865; Avis N., born

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 145

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