History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 33

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 33

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MR. AND MRS. LEVI HUMMON.

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lived upon the remainder of his life. There were ten children born to John Hummon and wife, five of whom are still living, Levi, Adam, deceased; George, deceased; David, Peter, Minerva, Clara and Ada, deceased. One boy, William, died at the age of thirteen, and a daughter, Mary Ann, died at the age of two.

Levi Hummon was born the year after his parents located in Putnam county, consequently he was reared amid pioneer conditions. He attended the typical log-cabin school house with its slab desks, pine benches and puncheon floors. He helped his father clear the farm and erect the build- ings. The first house on the old place was the ordinary log cabin. This was replaced a few years later by a hewed-log house, which was more pre- tentious, and it was on this farm Levi Hummon remained until his marriage in 1859. After teaching in one of the schools in that township for a year, he and his young wife located on a farm of eighty acres in Van Buren town- ship, which they finally purchased. This farm is situated about three miles east of Leipsic, to which four years later, they added another eighty acres. The farm was gradually brought under cultivation by Mr. Hummon and his growing sons, and it is safe to say there is not a more attractive or better improved farm in the county.

Levi Hummon was married on November 24, 1859, to Amanda C. Bolton, of Hancock county, Ohio. She was a daughter of John and Mary Bolton and was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 29, 1840, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born eleven chil- dren, Francis, Mary Matilda, John A., Ella L., Cyrus, Byron D., Irvin F., Jenna, Nettie May, Charles E. and Oscar P. Francis, born on November 3, 1860, was first married to Maggie Sutter, who died; later he married Della Hopkins, who is also deceased. His third wife was Ella Cole, of Tacoma, Washington. Two children born to the first marriage, who died in infancy, and to the second marriage six children were born, Merrill, Roy, Carl, Fay, Ethel and Orlo. Mary Matilda, born on July 16, 1862, married Marion Learn, now deceased, and has two children, Glenn and Maud. She makes her home in Detroit, Michigan. John A., born on September 13, 1864, married Elizabeth Phfeister, and now lives in Van Buren township. To this union eight children have been born, Floyd, Esta, Guy, Carrol, Dale, Ona, Ormond and one who died in infancy. Ella B., born on September 20, 1866, died at the age of two. Cyrus, born on January 27, 1869, married Ella Dimple, Vernon, Michigan, and has one daughter, Leota. Byron B., born on July 20, 1871, was first married to Mattie Altman, and after her death, to Bertha Mintie. To his first marriage were born three children,

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Derril, Vera and Ina. He is now living at Carmangay, Alberta, Canada. Irvin F., born on July 9, 1874, married Emma Simmons, and has one son,. Irvin F., Jr. Irvin F. now lives at Berwin, Illinois. Jenna, born on October 26, 1876, died on October 29, 1876. Nettie May, born on June 27, 1878, died at the age of nineteen. Charles E., of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, born on June 25, 1881, was married to Mamie William, and has two daughters, Beulah and Elizabeth. Oscar P., of Leipsic, born on April 18, 1884, mar- ried Ethel A. Bush, and has one son, Raymond.

Mr. Hummon has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He has also been treasurer of his township. He has always. given his support to the Democratic party and been active in its affairs. Although he has not joined any religious organization he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. Hummon is still hale and hearty, despite his advanced age, and is able to recall many pioneer experiences, through which he passed in his boyhood days.

LOUIS W. KUNTZ.

Success in the mercantile business is founded on strict integrity, good business management and courteous dealings with the public. Such a busi- ness is likewise an evidence of the possession of these qualities, because no man can succeed very well without them. The Kuntz store, at Leipsic, Ohio, founded by the late Louis W. Kuntz, is conducted on these principles.

Louis W. Kuntz was born, in 1859, at West Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of Christian and Mary (Dietz) Kuntz. Christian Kuntz and wife were born, reared and married in Germany, and came to the United States about 1850. They first lived at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later came to West Leipsic, where they engaged in the saw-mill business. Later, Mr. Kuntz came to Leipsic and took a half interest, with Mr. Foltz, in the grist- mill, at the south end of Leipsic. He sold out his interest there, in the early seventies, and bought a farm at the south edge of the town, living there until July, 1914. He died on February 6, 1915, Christian Kuntz was eighty- nine years old and his widow registers an even four score and ten. They had been married nearly sixty years.

Louis W. Kuntz grew up at Leipsic, and, while a young man, worked in a dry goods store until about twenty years old. He then went into business for himself. He and William Cole were in the grocery business together,

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but three years later they dissolved the business, when Louis W. and his brother went into a partnership, which lasted for about fifteen years. After that, Louis W. Kuntz continued in business until his death. At the time he and Mr. Cole were together they also operated a warehouse.

Louis W. Kuntz was married, in 1882, to Emma Wineland. She was born at Van Buren, Hancock county, Ohio, the daughter of George and Isa- bel (Morehead) Wineland. George Wineland was a native of Pennsylvania. Isabel Morehead was born on a farm in Hancock county, near Findlay. George Wineland and his brother conducted a saw-mill until he went to war. He served in the Civil War, as a soldier, dying in the service, of typhoid fever. At the time of his death he was still a young man. He left a widow and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Louis W. Kuntz was only about a year old at the time of her father's death. The mother later married Joseph Mitchell and lived in Mocomb. She afterward moved to Ottawa. The mother died in 1908 and is buried in Leipsic.

Five children have been born to Louis W. Kuntz and wife, Charles Ed- ward, Mary, Florence, Hazel and Dorothy.

Mr. Kuntz erected the business block in which the Kuntz store is located, about 1900. This is a substantial two-story brick building. Charles Edward Kuntz, his son, who now operates the store, was born July 25, 1883, in Leipsic, Putnam county. For ten years he was chief clerk in the office of the Nickel Plate railroad, at Leipsic Junction, and resigned that place to take charge of the store, at the time of his father's death. He was married, in August, 1905, to Bessie Sherrard. She was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, the daughter of Chester and Carrie (Maidlow) Sherrard. Chester Sherrard was born in Blanchard township and a sketch of his life is found elsewhere in this volume.

Louis W. Kuntz was a Republican. At various times he was nominated by his party for county treasurer and county clerk and served on the city council several terms, and also on the school board. He was a member of the school board at the time the new building was erected. Mr. Kuntz was a member of the Presbyterian church, a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. He was master of finance in the Knights of Pythias for twenty-five years, holding this office until his death, and was also secretary of the Masonic lodge. He died on June 25, 1912. Mrs. Kuntz owns the store, left by her husband.

Charles Edward Kuntz, the present manager of the store, is a Republican and is now serving as treasurer of Van Buren township. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Charles E. Kuntz is a

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highly educated woman, and very popular in her community. In fact, the whole Kuntz family are popular throughout the county, where they have occupied a prominent place for so many years.

WILLIAM D. STARLING ..

An enterprising druggist, of Leipsic, Ohio, is William .D. Starling, who has been located in this city since 1901. He started to work in a drug store while still a lad in school and has made this his life work. He not only has a practical knowledge gained from long experience behind the prescription counter, but also has a technical training, which comes from a good col- lege course. As a result, he is a thoroughly competent and efficient phar- macist. He is now a partner in the drug firm of Starling & Buckley, at Leipsic, and has active charge of the store in this city.

William D. Starling, the son of Erastus B. and Alice (Hamilton) Starling, was born at Middle Point, Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1881. His father was born near Oil City, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and is a son of Jonathan and Sarah Starling. His mother was born in Middle Point, Van Wert, Ohio, and is the daughter of John Hamilton and wife. His father is now engaged in the dairy business at Payne, Ohio.

William D. Starling was reared to manhood in Payne, Ohio, and while still in school began to work in a drug store. After leaving school he con- tinued as a drug clerk, but feeling the need of technical training along pharmaceutical lines, became a student in the Northern Normal Univer- sity at Ada, Ohio, where he took the course in pharmacy. After leaving college, he returned to Payne and remained there until 1901. In that year he came to Leipsic and took a position in the drug store of C. S. Buckley, and, in 1908, became a partner with Mr. Buckley. Mr. Starling now has active charge of the store in Leipsic, Mr. Buckley maintaining his residence at Findlay, Ohio. Their store is well stocked with a complete line of drugs and a varied assortment of druggists' sundries. He enjoys a well-deserved patronage in Leipsic and the surrounding community, and has one of the best and most attractively-arranged drug stores in the county.

Mr. Starling was married in June, 1904, to Mary Archer, who was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Wilson and Mar- garet (Trott) Archer. Her parents moved to this county while she was still a child and took charge of the Central house, at Leipsic, and they

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continued in charge of this hotel until their death. Mr. Starling and his wife have two daughters, Helen and Maxine.

William D. Starling is an active Republican and takes an intelligent interest in political affairs. He is now serving his second term on the city council and always gives his support to such measures as he believes will be for the benefit of the city. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally, he is a Free and Accepted Mason and has attained to the Temple degree. He also holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias.

HOWARD C. HUMMON.

A successful business man of Leipsic, Ohio, is Howard C. Hummon, who has spent his whole career of forty-five years in this county. Born and reared on the farm in Liberty township, he has been engaged in the implement business in Leipsic since 1898, and has built up a large business. He has been active in the councils of the Democratic party in his county, and has served with credit as county recorder for two terms. He is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, deeply alive to the welfare of his community, and in all things stands as a high type of the good American citizen.

Howard C. Hummon, the son of Adam and Nora (Guthrie) Hummon, was born on November 30, 1870, in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio. His father was born in Riley township, this county, in 1839, and was a son of John Hummon and wife, early settlers in Riley township. John Hum- mon was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent.

Adam Hummon was a life-long farmer and spent practically all his, days in Liberty township. His wife, Nora Guthrie, was born in Monroe township, in this county, and died about 1884. Adam Hummon was at one time the nominee of the Democratic party for county treasurer, having previously served as treasurer of Liberty township. He died in 1902. Three children were born to Adam Hummon and wife: Truman F., de- ceased; Howard C., of Leipsic, and John E., of Denver, Colorado.

Howard C. Hummon was reared on his father's farm and received his elementary education in the schools of Liberty township. He then became a student in Crawfis College, and later taught school one term in Liberty township. He then engaged in farming, and, after his marriage in 1893, continued in agricultural pursuits for five years. Mr. Hummon sold his

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farm of eighty acres in the spring of 1898 and engaged in the implement busi- ness at Leipsic, and now deals in all kinds of agricultural implements, buggies and automobiles. He has built up a wide acquaintance throughout the county. By treating all of his customers with uniform fairness and consideration, he has built up a large and lucrative trade. He tries to see that every one of his customers is satisfied, and by his uniform courtesy and honesty in all trans- actions, has succeeded to an admirable degree in building up his trade.

Mr. Hummon was married in 1893 to Clara C. Miller, who was a native of Blanchard township, and is a daughter of Joseph H. Miller and wife. Her father was born and reared on a farm in Blanchard township, where he spent all of his life. He was a director of the county infirmary for two terms, and died in November, 1913, his wife having passed away sev- eral years previously.

Mr. Hummon is a stanch Democrat and has always been active in the councils of his party. He was elected recorder of Putnam county in 1908, and took his office in September of the following year. His first term was so satisfactory that he was renominated and elected for a second term, hold- ing the office until September, 1913. Since that time he has devoted all of his attention to his rapidly-increasing business in Leipsic. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, while he and his wife are both loyal members of the Lutheran church.

FRANK EDGAR CRITCHET.

The village of Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, has no more enterpris- ing citizen than Frank Edgar Critchet, who has been engaged in business in that place for the past quarter of a century. His parents moved to this county in 1871, where he has lived since that time, having followed farming and public school teaching before engaging in a general mercantile busi- ness. In addition to his general store, he is also a funeral director, and has been engaged in the undertaking business at Belmore since 1900. He has been active in the life of the community and filled various official posi- tions with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens.

Frank E. Critchet, the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann (Mil- burn) Critchet, was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 27, 1861. His father was a life-long farmer and also operated a threshing outfit during

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the summer seasons for a number of years. The family moved to Putnam county in 1871, and located in the southern part of Van Buren township, where Andrew J. Critchet bought a farm and lived most of the remainder of his life. He died at Belmore, March 7, 191I, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife had died in 1898. Andrew J. Critchet was a member of Company C, Seventy-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, and served with distinction in that conflict.

Frank E. Critchet was ten years of age when his parents moved from Licking county, Ohio, to Putnam county, and consequently, received his elementary education in those counties. After finishing the common schools of Van Buren township, in Putnam county, he became a student at Crawfis College, and then engaged in public school teaching in Henry county, Ohio, for two years. Mr. Critchet started a grocery store in Belmore in 1890, and has been in business here since that time. He had only one hundred and fifty dollars when he started in the business, but by careful economy and good business judgment, has built up a large and lucrative trade in Belmore and the surrounding country. He now has a general mercantile establishment and handles a general line of goods, such as is found in stores of this kind. He graduated from the Champion College of Embalm- ing at Springfield, Ohio, in 1900, and has been engaged in the embalming and undertaking business at Belmore since that year.

F. E. Critchet is the son of William H., and has charge of the switch- board and lines and is general manager of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company in Belmore.

Mr. Critchet was married on February 23, 1887, to Minnie Miley, a steamstress of Belmore, who was a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Leffler) Miley. Her parents moved to Putnam county in 1863, and located two miles south of Belmore, where the parents lived until late in life. They spent their declining years in Belmore. Mrs. Critchet's father was trustee for a number of years. He died in March, 1908, and his wife died in October, 1902. Mr. Critchet and his wife have one son, William H.

Mr. Critchet has always supported the Democratic ticket, and for many years has been one of his party's leaders in this county. He served two terms as township assessor and was mayor of Belmore for one term. He helped to organize the annual reunion of former residents of Licking, and has been president of the society for the entire nine years it has existed. These reunions are held annually in Putnam county, and the 1914 meeting

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was held on September 10, in a grove one and one-half miles south of Belmore. Mr. Critchet is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, where he and his wife both belong to the Daughters of Rebekah. He has a number of interesting old relics, including an ancient lantern, an old flint-lock muzzle-loading pistol, and old-style grease lamp, and a Bible that was printed in Edinburgh in 1782. Mrs. Critchet has been a dress- maker at Belmore for the past twenty-five years. They are most estimable people and are highly esteemed in the community where they have lived so many years.

WILLIAM MARTIN RISSER.

Clearly-defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in obtaining a large measure of success. In tracing the career of one who has attained tangible results as the consequence of his- own efforts, there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, that there is found an incentive to inspiration and, at the same time, there is inward a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made William Martin Risser one of the prominent and successful farmers of Putnam county, have also won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens; for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination, and honorable, straightforward business relations. William Martin Risser is the largest individual cattle feeder in Putnam county and is also a feeder of more hogs every year than any other farmer residing in this county, a distinction of no small consequence in a county that is reputed for its many splendid farms and extensive farmers.

Mr. Risser is well equipped for raising great numbers of cattle and hogs. His main barn is eighty by one hundred and thirty feet, and fifty feet high. His horse stables, feeding room, and cow stables are forty-four by eighty feet; and the cattle feeding space covers an area of eighty-six by eighty feet. All of this is under one roof, to which has been added an ad- joining shed, one hundred and thirty by eight feet. This barn was built in 1913, at a cost of approximately eight thousand dollars. Here is to be found room for twenty head of horses, and five milch cows, besides one hun- dred head of cattle. Mr. Risser also has about thirty-five head of hogs in this barn, and can accommodate a hundred and fifty more. The feed is stored in the upper story, from which it is dropped through five openings to

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM M. RISSER.

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM M. RISSER.

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feed boxes on the ground floor. Around each of these boxes twenty head of cattle can feed. The second barn is one hundred and six by seventy- four feet, and is used exclusively for cattle and hogs. In this barn Mr. Risser can accommodate a hundred head of cattle, and one hundred and fifty head of hogs. William Martin Risser also lives in a large and com- fortable residence, consisting of eighteen rooms, and which is equipped with two baths. It has a laundry and a pipe-water plant moved by the pressure system; also a cistern, which holds three hundred and fifty bar- rels of water. The house is heated by hot water from basement to attic. Mr. Risser's successful operation as a farm manager, and his success dur- ing the past twenty years, has been little short of remarkable.

Mr. Risser was born on March 29, 1871, in Riley township, Putnam. county, Ohio. He is a son of David and Margaret (Krohn) Risser. Da- vid Risser was born at Derkheim, Bavaria, Germany, April 5, 1840, and is- the son of Abraham and Catherine ( Vonvennig) Risser. Mr. Risser's mother, who was Margaret Krohn, before her marriage, is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Weaver) Krohn, and was born in Butler county, January 5, 1844. At the age of three months she was brought by her parents to Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio.

When a young man, William Martin Risser attended the Kiene district. school until he was eighteen years old. He averaged about eight weeks- in school each winter, and during the remainder of the time he worked on. the farm with his father. Subsequently, he attended the Pandora high school under the tutelage of his brother, George, who was principal of this school. The first year he was in school for seventy days, and the second year he was in school for seventy-two days. Following his work in the Pandora high school, he took a ten-weeks business course at the Ohio. Northern University at Ada. On completing this course, he had arrived at the age of twenty-one. Prior to this time, with the exception of the short period he was in school, he had been the mainstay of his father in the. management and work on the large farm.

After returning from Ada, he worked for his father for two years: without compensation, and then went into partnership with him for the ensuing sixteen years. The first eight years his share of the net profits was ten per cent., and the balance of the sixteen years his share was twenty- per cent.

He rented two hundred and forty-three acres from his father in 1905, upon which he is now engaged in farming for himself under the arrange-

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ment made at that time. Mr. Risser attributes his success, as a farmer and stock raiser, to the instruction he has received in the school of hard work, under the expert guidance of his father.

William Martin Risser was married at the age of twenty-four, on No- vember 27, 1895, to Elizabeth Lemley, the daughter of Jacob L. and Sarah Jane (Layton) Lemley. Mrs. Risser was born on August 31, 1875, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. Her father was a native of Mor- gantown, West Virginia, born on July 10, 1837, and a son of Asa and Elizabeth (Evans) Lemley, both of whom were natives of western Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. Risser's mother was born on July 10, 1838, close to Morgan- town, West Virginia. She is the daughter of Peter A. and Catherine (Liming) Layton, who were natives of West Virginia. Mrs. Risser was one of six children born to her parents. The others were Alice M., Charles, Mary, Katie and Sarah S. Her father and mother came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1871. They had been married ten years previously, on February 7, 1861.

Mrs. Risser received her education in the common schools of Pandora, and lived with her parents one-half mile north of the town, until she was married.

William Martin Risser is not only the largest individual cattle feeder in Putnam county, but he is, likewise, the largest feeder of hogs. He is considered one of the most progressive farmers in the county and his suc- cess has been little short of phenomenal.

Mr. and Mrs. Risser have been the parents of five children. Mar- garet Jane was born on December 2, 1896. Irene Beatrice was born Sep- tember 5, 1897. Phyllis Francesca was born on August 24, 1899. David Lemley was born on January 4, 1901. Lillian Elizabeth was born on April 27, 1905.

Mr. Risser is a Democrat. He is now serving his second term as trustee and also his second term as a member of the school board. Both of these offices were conferred upon him with solicitation on his part, which is no small tribute to his career as a citizen, and is evidence of the great esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. Mr. Risser is now the secretary and is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Bank- ing Company, of Pandora, and gives to this business a share of his per- sonal attention. William Martin Risser is a man who is highly respected by his fellow citizens and is honored for his industry, good business man- agement and square dealing.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 33

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