History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 44

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 44

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After his marriage, E. D. Kohli purchased a farm of eighty acres from Jacob and Virgil Stewart. This farm lies three and one-half miles north- east of Pandora, and consists of eighty acres and has been the home of Mr. Kohli ever since. When he purchased this, only forty-two acres had been cleared, but it had a good two-story house, which was destroyed by fire later. Mr. Kohli cleared the balance of the land and built a splendid mod- ern residence of nine rooms, also a large barn, forty-eight by seventy feet, and other outbuildings.

For twenty-five years Mr. Kohli has been an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Percheron horses, and has been very successful. He has exhibited at the fairs in Putnam and adjoining counties, and has taken a generous share of blue ribbons. He now owns "Roland D.," a three-year-old,

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weighing about twenty-two hundred and fifty pounds, upon which he won first prize as weanling stud at the Illinois state fair, Springfield, and also first prize as a yearling stallion at the same fair. He also has fourteen other thoroughbred prize-winning stallions, mares and colts.

Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Kohli have been the parents of ten children, all of whom are living. There are six sons and four daughters, as follow : Aldine, married Susan Geiger, and they have three children, Margaret, La- Vaughn, and Mandona, the last of whom died on February 20, 1915; Peter married Rose Kiene; Elizabeth is the wife of Clare Green; Edward is unmarried, and lives at home; Homer is a student at Ohio State Univer- sity, where he is taking an electrical engineering course; Hiram Susan, Orlin, Martha, and Odula are at home.

Mr. Kohli is a Democrat, but he has never held office, and has never aspired to prominence in political life. He is a member of St. John's Men- nonite church, and Mrs. Kohli is likewise a faithful and devoted men ber. Mr. Kohli is one of the community's most substantial citizens. He is a man of high ideals, and worthy ambitions, and deserves credit for the success he has made in life.

EDD. B. SIMONDS.

The Simonds family were early pioneer settlers in Putnam county, Ohio, and the father of Edd. B. Simonds was born in the early forties in this county. Mr: Simonds was reared on a farm and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1913, he was elected trustee of Van Buren township on the Republican ticket, although his township is normally Democratic. His election speaks well for his reputation as a citizen and attests to his high standing in the community.

Edd. B. Simonds, the son of George W. and Mary E. (Foltz) Simonds, was born in Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, August 13, 1873. His parents reared a family of seven children, four of whom are living, E. B., Wiler W., Mrs. Gertrude Kober, and Mrs. Carrie Shipe.

George W. Simonds, the son of Justice and Lourana Simonds, was born near Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, February 28, 1843, and died June 25, 1908. At the age of nineteen he enlisted as a private in Company D, Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which company he served four months. He re-enlisted as a corporal in Company C, Eighty- seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, June 4, 1862, and served with

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this company three months. He again enlisted as a corporal in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in March; 1865, from which company he was mustered out on September 11, I865.

George W. Simonds was married on March 19, 1868, to Mary E. Foltz, and in the spring of 1870 he moved to what is now known as the "George Simonds Farm" and remained there until the fall of 1902. In that year they moved to. Leipsic, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Among other offices, George W. Simonds served as township trustee from 1888 to 1892. He was president of the soldiers and sailors' relief com- mission for ten years, being appointed by Judge Handy. He was elected a director of the Putnam County Fair board in 1904 and was re-elected in 1907. In the same year, he was elected president of the board and again re-elected in 1908. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Church of Christ. In all respects, George W. Simonds was a good citizen, a valiant soldier and a man universally admired and respected on account of his sterling qualities of character. His widow died on February 14, 1914.

Edd B. Simonds spent his boyhood days on his father's farm north- east of Leipsic. He attended the common schools of Van Buren township and later took a normal course of two terms at Leipsic. After reaching his- maturity he still remained on the farm and at the age of twenty-five took entire charge of it, his parents moving to Leipsic. He has now been farming the old home place for several years, meeting with excellent success in all of his operations.

Mr. Simonds was married on October 29, 1902, to Jennie V Baugh- man, and to this union three sons have been born, Alton, Clare and' Robert, all of whom are still at home and now attending the public schools.

Mrs. Simonds was born just east of Leipsic, July 15, 1879, and is a daughter of Frank and Mollie Baughman, both of whom were born and reared in Putnam county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Baughman were the parents of three children, George, who married Myrtle Peckenpaugh, and had one daughter; Jennie, the wife of Mr. Simonds, and Delia, who is single and still living at home.

Mr. Simonds has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since reaching his majority, and is now filling the important office of township trustee, to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Leipsic, while his church relations are with the Church of Christ, his wife also being a meinber of this de- nomination. Mr. Simonds is a wide-awake and energetic citizen and deeply

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concerned with the general welfare of the community, where he expects to spend the remainder of his life.

Mrs. Simonds died on February 14, 1915. Mr. Simonds is keeping the home for the boys.

THEODORE HECKMAN.

The present recorder of Putnam county, Ohio, is Theodore Heckman, who was born at Glandorf, this county, and has spent his whole career within its limits. His parents are of German descent, and his father was a black- smith at Glandorf in this county for many years. Mr. Hackman is an expert blacksmith and was following that line of work when he was elected recorder of Putnam county. He has taken an active part in the life of his community and has filled various official positions before assuming the duties of the re- corder's office.

Theodore Heckman, the son of Henry and Catherine (Evers) Heck- man, was born at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, October 12, 1858. His father was born on October 29, 1830, at Barlo Kreis, Bezirk Borken, West- phalia, Prussia, and came to this country with his parents when he was sev- enteen years of age. Upon arriving in this country, Henry Heckman learned the blacksmith trade at Cincinnati, Ohio. From there he went to Glandorf, Putnam county, where he resided until his death, following his trade until 1893, when he retired from active work. Henry Heckman was an indus- trious man and an expert blacksmith. He was trustee of the present church at Glandorf, which was built in the years 1875 to 1878. His wife, Catherine Evers, was born in Germany and arrived in this country with her parents when a young girl, settling at New Cleveland, Ohio. Henry Heckman and Catherine Evers were married on October 23, 1855, and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1905. To this union six children were born, three of whom are still living and residing at Glandorf, Theodore, Mary and Joseph. Mary is the wife of Barney Drerup. Two children died in infancy, and William died in 1910 at the age of thirty-nine.

Theodore Heckman grew to maturity at Glandorf and there received his education. While still a lad he began to work with his father in the black- smith shop and learned the trade thoroughly. He not only acquired the rudi- ments of blacksmithing, but all of the fine points of the business. He knew how to temper and weld and make edged tools of various kinds. Theodore

THEODORE HECKMAN.

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followed this trade at Glandorf with his father until the latter retired at the age of sixty, after which he operated the shop alone until his election as re- corder of Putnam county.

Mr. Heckman has been a life-long Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party. He was treasurer of Ottawa township for four years, and for the past twenty years has been a member of the school board of Glandorf. He has been second secretary of the Glan- dorf German Building and Loan Association for the past eighteen years. In the fall of 1912 he was elected recorder of Putnam county and took his of- fice in September, 1913. In the administration of the duties of this important office he is exercising the same painstaking and careful attention to details which has characterized his work all through his life.

Mr. Heckman was married, in 1880, to Maria Lehmkuhle, who was born at Glandorf, and is a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Uphaus) Lehm- kuhle. Her parents were of German descent, and both of them grew up in Glandorf. The Lehmkuhle family and the Uphaus family both came from Glandorf, Germany, and located in Putnam county, Ohio, early in its his- tory. To this first union of Mr. Heckman were born four children, Charles, Maggie, Louis and Clara. Charles is in the Bank of Ottawa. He married Dora Unverferth and has two children, George and Margaret. Maggie is the wife of Lawrence Myer, and lives at Lima, Ohio. Louis, who married Sophia Wannamaker, is the principal of the high school at Ottoville, Ohio. Clara is at home with her father. The mother of these four children died in 1897, and two years later Mr. Heckman married Catherine Kerkemeier, who was born at Glandorf, in this county, and is a daughter of Henry and Cath- erine (Lauf) Kerkemeier. Her father was a carpenter at Glandorf and a native of Germany, as was his wife. To this second marriage have been born three children, Harry, Agnes and Annie.

Henry Kerkemeier, the father of Mrs. Heckman, was born at Delmuck, West Phalen, Prussia, and arrived in America in 1853. His wife, Catherine Lauf, was born in July, 1825, and died in this country March 3, 1912. They lived all their lives in Glandorf, this county. Mr. Kerkemeier built the pres- ent church at New Cleveland.

Mr. Heckman and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church at Glandorf and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio. He is a man universally respected and no official better administers the duties of office than Mr. Heckman. He is essentially a self-made man, and his present prosperity is due to his own efforts.

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JOHN THOMPSON MALLAHAN.

By some power inherent, man is capable of forging ahead in his life's · vocation. There are many elements which make for success, of which industry is perhaps the most important. The farmer, especially, must be industrious to succeed. But in these latter days farming, likewise, is de- pendent upon good management, a knowledge of soil, marketing facilities, prices, skillful rotation of crops, and the raising of good breeds of live stock. John Thompson Mallahan is an enterprising and successful farmer of Riley township and one who has been honored by the citizens of Put- nam county and holds the important office of county commissioner. Through- out his career, Mr. Mallahan has been a power in Putnam county politics, and is looked upon today as one of the important leaders in both its civic and social life.

Mr. Mallahan was born on May 27, 1853, in Hancock county. He is the son of Charles F. and Jane (Downing) Mallahan. Charles F. Malla- han was born September 26, 1818, in Fairfield county, Ohio, in a part which later became a part of Franklin county. Charles F. Mallahan was a son of Thompson and Sarah (Clymer) Mallahan, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, born about 1790. It is supposed that his parents emi- grated from Virginia to eastern Kentucky and resided in or near Breathitt county. Thompson Mallahan was a soldier in the War of 1812. After the war, he settled in Fairfield county, where he was married to Sarah Clymer. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom died of cholera. Another died about ten years later. After the cholera epidemic, the remaining three grew to maturity. They were Charles F. Rolly, and Nancy, who married John McDowell.

During the cholera epidemic at Columbus, 1832-1833, Thompson Malla- han was one of the first victims. Charles F. Mallahan also suffered an attack of the deadly malady, but survived. About two years later, in 1835, when Charles F. Mallahan was seventeen years old, his mother removed to Ham- cock county, where he cared for her and the children. William died here at the age of ten or twelve years. Shortly after moving to Hancock county, Charles F. Mallahan's, mother married Owen Street, by whom two other children were born, Sarah Jane and Louisa. Charles F. Mallahan was married in 1847, when he was twenty-nine years old, to Jane Downing, daughter of John and Mary (Boiler) Downing. John Downing was a na-

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tive of Kentucky, and his wife, Mary ( Boiler ) Downing, a native of Virginia. Jane Downing was born on January 25, 1817, in Pike county, Ohio.

After his marriage, Charles F. Mallahan lived on a farm in Union township, Hancock county, three miles north of Mount Cory. Here he lived until 1861, and moved to near Moffit Station. He moved one and one- half miles west of Benton Ridge on the Ridge road, in 1863, and in 1866 he sold out everything and moved to Kansas. He returned to Hancock county, in 1867, locating three and one-half miles west of Findlay. He moved to the northwest part of Riley township, Putnam county in 1872, where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land. This was his last residence. He died here on December 30, 1877. Charles F. and Jane Mallahan had five children, Rusena became the wife of John C. Lee and died in 1867; David, born 1850, died in infancy; Sarah is unmarried and lives with her brother; John T. is the subject of this sketch. Mary became the wife of Charles F. Alkire. Mrs. Jane (Downing) Mallahan died at her son's home on April 25, 1914, at the ripe old age of ninety-seven years.

John Thompson Mallahan remained with his parents during his youth, coming with them from Hancock to Putnam county, in 1872. On ac- count of his father's feeble health, John Thompson relieved him of the most arduous duties of the farm.

At the age of twenty-two, Mr. Mallahan was married on November 5, 1876, to Rebecca A. Carr, who was born on November 7, 1856, Pleasant township. She is the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sawmiller) Carr. Jacob was born in Ross county, Ohio, June 9, 1819, and died in Putnam county, Ohio, November 21, 1910. His wife was born on April 9, 1821, in Pennsylvania, and died on August 13, 1909, in Putnam county.

After his marriage, Mr. Mallahan continued to make his residence at the old home place. He had practical charge of operating the farm, which was divided, John Thompson retaining that portion on which the old home place is located, and as a farmer has prospered. A few years ago he was a successful breeder of Poland-China hogs. He and his associate, George W. Pope, were the first stock men to introduce thoroughbred Poland- China hogs in Putnam county. Until recently he has been a successful breeder of cattle for the market.

Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson Mallahan have six children, Norval E. was born on August 11, 1877; Chloe L. was born on December 30, 1878; Mary Jane, born on January 24, 1881, is the wife of C. A. Countryman. They have one child, Lucile; Florence C., born on August 23, 1885, is un- married and lives at home; Charles F., born on March 14, 1887, married

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Versa Rymer. They have one child, John R., and live at Spring Lake, Michigan; Lenora R., born on October 21, 1895, died December 3, 1896.

Throughout his life, Mr. Mallahan has been a Democrat. He has served as commissioner of Putnam county for seven years and has dis- charged the duties of this office in a highly satisfactory manner. He also served as justice of the peace for three years, and was a member of the school board for several years. He was a member of the Putnam county agricultural board for fifteen years, and for four years of this time served as vice-president. For five years he was president of this body. Mr. Mallahan attends the Methodist Protestant church, of which Mrs. Mallahan is a devoted member. He is a member of No. 325, Free and Accepted Masons, of the Chapter No. 125, of the Council No. 69. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 565, at Ottawa.

John Thompson Mallahan is one of Putnam county's most prominent and substantial citizens, a man well and favorably known, as is evidenced by the numerous offices conferred upon him by the people. Mr. Mallahan was one of the organizers of the Mutual Telephone Company in 1903. He has been president of this company until quite recently, and is still a director in the company. Mr. Mallahan has also been one of the organizers of the Assembly of Mutual Telephone Companies, composed of thirty-two mutual telephone companies, the object of which is to conserve the interests of the different companies and to secure better and more adequate long distance service. Mr. Mallahan has been secretary of this organization since its formation, in 1904.

JOHN FRANKLIN CARVER.

A resident of Putnam county, Ohio, since 1880, John Franklin Carver has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since that year. He rented the farm on which he is now living for a few years and then purchased it and has made extensive improvements since acquiring it.

John Franklin Carver, the son of Gilbert and Rebecca (Nutt) Carver, was born near Delta, Fulton county, Ohio, August 17, 1857. His father was born in New York state, December 29, 1831, and died in Fulton county, De- cember 16, 1880. Gilbert Carver was the son of A. B. Carver, and at the age of seven moved with his parents to Hillsdale, Michigan, where his father, A. B. Carver, entered government land and lived the remainder of his days.

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A. B. Carver was a great hunter and for years kept his family supplied with fresh meat as the result of his prowess with the rifle.

Gilbert Carver was educated in Michigan and attended the primitive log school houses which were in use in his day. When he was about twenty- two years of age, Gilbert Carver came to Fulton county, Ohio, and married Rebecca Nutt, who was born in England in May, 1838, and died in Febru- ary, 1902. She was a daughter of John Nutt and came to America, at the age of twelve, with her parents.

Before settling in Fulton county, Gilbert Carver enlisted in the Sixty- seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served during the Civil War. He spent the remainder of his life in Fulton county. He farmed in a number of places and finally settled in Swan Creek township, where he owned one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land at the time of his death. Gilbert Carver and wife were the parents of seven children, John F., Leipsic, Ohio; Louis N., Fulton county ; Clara, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Urbin; George William, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Albert, of Toledo; Emma, the wife of Arthur Raker, of Fulton county, and Charles Frederick, of Rose City, Michigan.

John Franklin Carver was reared on his father's farm and attended the neighboring schools. After his marriage he located in Fulton county, but two years later, in the fall of 1880, he moved to Putnam county, where he rented a farm seven miles northeast of Leipsic. Nine years later he bought this same farm and has since made it his residence.

Mr. Carver was married to Elizabeth Urbin, who was born on March 16, 1858, near Findlay, Ohio. She is a daughter of Andrew and Barbara Urbin, natives of Saxony, Germany, who came to America in 1848 and settled in Findlay, Ohio, living there until their death. Andrew Urbin was an ex- pert stock raiser, his specialty being hogs and horses. Mr. Carver and wife are the parents of five children, four of whom are living, Cora A., Ora May and Rolla J. Cora A. is the wife of Elmer Otto, a farmer of this county, and has five children, Irwin, Hester, Warren, Wanita and Rolla. Ora May is the wife of Clyde Pickens, a farmer of this county, and has five children, Raymond, Vernon, James, Florence and Ernest. Rolla J. married Edith Baker, and has two children, Elizabeth and Dorothy; Albert married Vurah Hook, and has one child, Inez. Albert farms the home place.

Rolla J. Carver is a graduate of the Ohio State University, where he took the course in veterinary science. A few years ago he received an ap- pointment in a minor position in the food inspection department of the city of Columbus, Ohio, and in this position he demonstrated his ability

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to such an advantage that in a short time he was promoted to the position of chief of the food inspection department with a large force of assistants under him. To his skill, in this important position, depends to a very large degree the health of the people of Columbus.

John F. Carver is a stanch Republican, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Belmore. He holds his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran denomination. His eldest daughter, Myrtle, died in infancy.

DAVID H. CARR.

In examining the life records of self-made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True, there are other elements which enter into and conserve the advance- ment of their personal interests, such as perseverance, discrimination and the mastering of expedients, but the foundation of all achievements is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career, David H. Carr recognized this fact. He has never sought any royal road to success and independence, but has worked earnestly and diligently to advance himself, which result is obvious. Mr. Carr is now numbered among the most substantial farners of Putnam county, and, aside from his extensive property interests, he has a beautiful farm and a large modern residence and barn, as well as other buildings in keeping with his general improvements.

Mr. Carr was born in Eden township, Licking county, Ohio, August 10, 1832. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Shannon) Carr. Thomas Carr was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, 1798, and came to Ohio in the early days. When a young man he settled in Licking county. Here he was married to Mary Shannon, daughter of William Shannon and wife. To this union were born ten children, Susan, William, Mary, all of whom died in childhood; another child also died in infancy; Rachel, now deceased, was the wife of Hartford Harmon; David H. is the subject of this sketch; Eliza is the wife of Michael Eck; Chambers was the next child born; Rebecca is the wife of Simon Sherman; Nancy is the wife of John Leffler.

In the fall of 1853, Thomas Carr moved from Licking county to Putnam county and located in Liberty township, five miles northwest of Leipsic.

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Here he purchased eighty acres of William Beckford. The purchase price was a horse and two hundred dollars in money. Part of this farm Mr. Carr later sold, and the remainder he traded for a house in the old town of Leipsic. He traded this property for a residence in the new town of Leipsic and here he lived until his death, about 1880.

When David H. Carr's parents were living in Liberty township, he made a trip to Indiana and Iowa for a horse. He went to twelve miles south of Ft. Wayne on horse-back and from there to Rock Island, Illinois, by train, thence by stage to Des Moines and returned. He made this trip with a cousin, who was one his way to Des Moines to buy a farm. Failing to find the kind of place they wanted, they returned to Ft. Wayne and it is here that David H. Carr worked for some time at a shingle factory to earn money to enable himself to return home.

When David H. Carr was twenty-three years old, he was married to Lydia Rothen. The marriage took place in the winter of 1855-56. His wife was born on February 20, 1840. She died on October 19, 1889. She was the daughter of David and Barbara Rothen, who were natives of Berlin, Germany. They came to America after their marriage and settled in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. Here David Rothen entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. He also purchased other land until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Maria, Jane, Lydia, Theophilus, Benjamin and Persius.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 44

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