USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146
491
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
to America. John J. Kline's wife, who, before her marriage, was Eliza- beth Briner, was born in Piqua county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Mary Briner. John Briner was a native of Pennsylvania, and served his country in the War of 1812. He came from Pennsylvania to Piqua county, Ohio; later removing to Seneca county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hopewell township. He lived on this farm the rest of his life. He was a carpenter by trade, which vocation he followed in addition to farming.
John Jacob Kline and wife were the parents of nine children, John, who married Jane Culverson; Mary Ann, who became the wife of Levi Mowry; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Hesekiah Edwards; Elias, who married Sophia Mundweiler; Christina, the wife of William Saul; Elizabeth, first married Hezekiah Edwards, and after his death, married a Mr. Tressler ; Caroline, the wife of H. Edwards; Jacob Andrew, who married Margaret Litner, and William, the immediate subject of this sketch.
William Kline spent his boyhood days in Seneca county, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Company C, Sixty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, on August 20, 1864, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Victoria, Texas, on October 20, 1865. He served under General Thomas in the Army of the Cumberland, and among other battles in Tennessee he participated in those of Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville.
After the close of the war, William Kline returned home and resumed farming until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married to Margaret Brinkman, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Dewalt) Brinkman. Mrs. Kline died on June 19, 1890, leaving four children, Henry B., who married Mabel Cheney, who have two children, Russell and Guy Kenneth ; Dr. Oliver Earl, who married Norah Cassell, who have one child, William Lawrence; Edith Cordelia, a physician, and Mary Elizabeth, a student in: the State University, who are both unmarried and living in Columbus.
William Kline was married the second time on November 24, 1892, to Louisa Powell, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Rauch ) Powell. Daniel was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, who settled in Hancock county on a homestead, which had been entered by his father, where he lived the remainder of his life.
After his first marriage, Mr. Kline removed to Wood county, Ohio, where, for a number of years, he was an engineer in a stave factory. Subse- quently, he engaged in teaming and again resumed farming. After farming for two years in Wood county he moved to Blanchard township, Putnam
492
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
county, and here purchased eighty acres of land, one and three-fourths miles northwest of Gilboa. This land was purchased on December 17, 1890, was known as the Seth Neal farm, and here Mr. Kline has since lived.
William Kline has held many political honors. He is an ardent Re- publican in politics, and has served as township trustee of Bloom town- ship, Wood county. He has been a member of the school board of Blanchard township for five years and also a member of the college committee of Crawfis College. Mr. Kline's standing as a progressive citizen is shown by the fact that he has been largely instrumental in raising the standard of Crawfis College from a third grade to a first grade institution. Mr. Kline at one time was a candidate on the Republican ticket for state representative from Putnam county. The normal Democratic majority in Putnam county is twenty-five hundred, and Mr. Kline, because of his exceptional popularity. was able to cut this majority to less than one-half in the first campaign. In the last campaign he cut the Democratic majority down to eleven hundred, which is a splendid tribute to Mr. Kline's character and reputation as a citizen in Putnam county.
Mr. Kline has had two children by his second marriage, Hazel Rowella and William Ray, both of whom are unmarried and still at home. William Kline is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a local minister in this denomination. His wife is also a member of this church. Few residents of Putnam county occupy a higher place in the public esteem of the community than William Kline, or who is more deserving the esteem of his neighbors and friends.
WILLIAM PRATT FRANTZ.
That life is the most useful and desirable which results in the greatest good to the greatest number. Though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a bless- ing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in other walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talent and influ- ence that in some way will touch the lives of those with whom they come in contact, making them better and brighter. In the list of Putnam county's successful citizens, William Pratt Frantz has long occupied a prominent place. In his career, there is much that is commendable and his character force-
493:
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
fully illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. In his public career as superintendent of the Putnam county infirmary, Will- iam Pratt Frantz has performed a noble service to the citizens of his com- munity and one which has won for him the entire confidence and respect of the people of Putnam county.
William Pratt Frantz was born on August 20, 1874, in Blanchard town- ship, Putnam county, the son of William Wilson and Elizabeth (Hoskinson) Frantz, who were married on April 16, 1863. William Wilson Frantz and wife were the parents of ten children, an account of whom may be found. in the life-story of William Wilson Frantz, contained elsewhere in this volume. Elizabeth Hoskinson was the daughter of Alpha Robert and Eliza- beth ( Acord) Hoskinson, early settlers in Putnam county, Ohio. William Wilson Frantz was a native of Blanchard township and the son of Simon F. and Martha Jane ( Patrick) Frantz. The former came from Pennsyl- vania in an early day and, in 1834, settled near Gilboa.
William Pratt Frantz attended the common schools until fifteen years of age and obtained a good education. One year after leaving school he struck out for himself. For several years he worked on various farms and was successful in saving a small amount of money.
Mr. Frantz was married on December 24, 1899, when he was twenty- five years old, to Stella A. Maidlow, the daughter of William and Marinda (Conine) Maidlow. William Maidlow is the son of John A. and Lucinda. ( Dowd) Maidlow. His wife was the daughter of John and Nancy ( Minette ) Conine. William Maidlow was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, April 29, 1845, and died on December 5, 1890. John A. Maidlow was a native of Maryland, who came to Knox county when about fourteen years of age. Here he remained until after he was married, when he came to. Blanchard township. His wife, Lucinda Dowd, was also a native of Knox county, Ohio. William and Marinda (Conine) Maidlow were the parents of nine children, John T., who married Lilly Jane Frantz and has two children, William and Charlotte; Stella Alice, the wife of Mr. Frantz; Allen William, who died at the age of five years; Lilly Ann, who is unmarried; Lula, who died at the age of two and one-half years; Charles, who is unmarried; Jessie, who is the wife of R. P. Stewart, and has four children, Raymond, who died in infancy, Leora A., Robert and Lillian; Howard, who married Catherine Boegly and has one son, Ralph, and Ralph, who is single.
After his marriage, William P. Frantz moved to the J. E. Nemire farm, northeast of Ottawa, on which he remained for two and one-half years or,
494
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
until June 18, 1902, when he was appointed as superintendent of the Putnam county infirmary by B. H. Uphaus, J. E. Shank and J. W. Pfister, who were the board of directors at that time. Mr. Frantz was reappointed eleven consecutive terms or, until January 1, 1913, when, under the new law, he was appointed for two years by the county commissioners. His long service, as the head of this infirmary, speaks for itself. Mr. Frantz has behind him a sufficient record which explains why he has been retained in this position by the governing board for so many years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Frantz eight children have been born, Mary Elizabeth, William Ross, Glenn, Maricena, Mildred, Dwight, Marcell and Marthella. All are living at home with their parents except Maricena, who died at the age of two and one-half years, and Marcell, who died at the age of five months.
Few citizens of Putnam county are better known than William P .. Frantz and few are more deserving of the esteem in which they are held by their fellow citizens. It is a regard which has been merited by his long and sympathetic service in behalf of men and women who are less fortunate than the normal citizen.
NORMAN CONINE.
It is always pleasant, as well as profitable, to review the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life, whose career has been such as to commend the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. In these days a man cannot lead a secluded life, but if he is to be a part of the community in which he lives, he must conserve his interests to those of the community at large. The most valuable citizens of any community are the men who are not only able to manage their own affairs successfully, but also to take an intelligent part in the affairs of the community. No man lives entirely to himself, and the man's value to the public is measured by his service to his fellowmen. Norman Conine is one of those men who has not only been successful in his own private business, but he has been called upon by his fellow citizens and has been a prominent factor in promoting the welfare of the district in which he lives.
Norman Conine, one of Putnam county's most substantial citizens, was born on October 22, 1833, in Licking county, Ohio, near Pataskala. He is the son of John S. and Nancy ( Monnet) Conine, the former of whom was :a native of New Jersey, as were also his patients, who were farmers that
495
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
came to Ohio in an early day. John S. Conine, whose mother lived to be more than one hundred years old, was a carpenter by trade, but did not follow it much after leaving Licking county. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Ann, Norman, Sylvanus, Wellington, deceased; Marinda and Charles W. Gifford.
Norman Conine came with his parents to Putnam county when about thirteen years of age. They settled on a farm where the Putnam county infirmary now stands. Mr. Conine lived with his parents until twenty-six years old, at which time Mr. Conine was married to Elizabeth Maidlow, March 22, 1859. She was the daughter of John and Lucinda (Dowd) Maid- low.
After his marriage, Mr. Conine lived with his wife's parents for a year, helping Mr. Maidlow on the farm where he afterward built a log cabin and barn and where he lived until 1869, when he moved just one-half mile north- east, purchasing his first forty acres of land, to which a few years later, he added forty acres more, bought from his father-in-law, upon which he moved a house he had purchased and which had been built by Jacob Numire. Since this time, Mr. Conine has added to his farm holdings until he now owns four hundred and eighty-five acres. He has always had unusual success in breed- ing good horses and his success is due partially to the fact that he has raised only the very best breeds. Mr. Conine has also made a success of hogs and cattle and formerly paid considerable attention to Shorthorn cattle especially.
To Mr. and Mrs. Norman Conine eleven children have been born, one died in infancy; John, who married Laura Overbeck, is the father of three children, Darling, Ruth and Lucy; Charles, now deceased; Ann, who is the wife of George Crawfis, and has had five children, Norman, Lucinda, Flor- ence and two who are deceased; William, who married Rose Sears, and has ten children, Verne, Gladys, Mildred, Dewey, Dale, Marie, Maxine, Lucile, Norman and Iris; George, who married Vesta Burkell, and is the father of four children, one who died in infancy, Clarence, Ralph and Norman Ray; Samuel, who married Fannie Patrick, deceased, has had four children, all of whom are deceased; Lucinda, who is the wife of Clinton Clark, and has four children, Ethel, Earl, Annabele and Frederick; Mary, who is the wife of Wilber Patrick, and has one son, Oscar; Gertrude, who married Charles Payne, and has had four children, one deceased, Naomi, Elizabeth and Sylvia ; Nettie, who married Ora Firistine.
Norman Conine has been a life-long Democrat. He is one of the really big men of Putnam county and has been township trustee for several terms and a member of the school board for practically thirty years. His long
496
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
service, in these two offices is, perhaps, the best testimonials that might be presented, not only to show his interest in educational affairs, but to show the efficiency with which he has discharged the duties of his office. Mr. Conine has always been regarded as one of the best-informed farmers living in Putnam county and this fact, to a large extent, accounts for the position of leadership which he has always occupied. Mr. Conine is universally respected for his sterling qualities and admired for his exceptional achieve- ments.
ASHFORD LAFAYETTE TATE.
Among the representative citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, is Ashford Lafayette Tate, a man who has been highly honored by the people of this county, and who is at present holding the responsible office of sheriff. For many years Mr. Tate has been one of the progressive and influential citizens of Putnam county. He is a native of this county, and has spent practically all of his life within its borders. The people have had an opportunity to know him and to judge of his merits and demerits, and the fact that he has been elected to a responsible office is sufficient evidence of his popularity and the esteem in which he is held by the citizens of Putnam county. Sheriff Tate is a man of keen perceptions, a good judge of human nature, a good business man, and has been successful in practically everything he has un- dertaken.
Ashford L. Tate was born on October 1, 1858, near Columbus Grove, in Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is a son of Francis M. and Elizabeth A. (Critten) Tate. Francis M. Tate was born near Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, about 1827. He came to Putnam county, Ohio, in his boyhood with his parents, who located near Rockport, in Allen county. They later moved to the McCrate farm, in Pleasant township, this county, and here Francis M. Tate lived until his marriage. His wife, who before her marriage was Elizabeth A. Critten, was born in Licking county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lake) Critten. They moved here in an early day while the country was still new and heavily timbered. After Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Tate were married, he engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until late in life, when he moved to Columbus Grove, and here spent the remainder of his life. He died in November, 1906. His widow still lives in their old home at the west edge of Columbus Grove.
ASHFORD L TATE.
497
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
Sheriff Ashford Lafayette Tate spent his boyhood days on the farm, and after finishing his education worked at various occupations. He is a Democrat, and, in 1914, was elected sheriff of Putnam county. He took office on January 4, 1915. Mr. Tate has always been active in Democratic circles, and for the last ten years has been a member of the Democratic county central committee. Sheriff Tate had unusual difficulties to meet in the begin- ning of his term as sheriff. He and his deputy were both new at the work, and there was a crowd of criminals more experienced in crime than usual confined in the Ottawa jail, and for the first time in many years an escape was attempted. Handling the prisoners, as his predecessors had done for years, he allowed them the freedom of the corridors outside the cages, and one of them, a desperate character, engineered the job of digging a hole through the back wall, but by accident knocked out a brick from the outside wall, and this led to the discovery of the trick. The sheriff and deputy acted promptly and locked all of the prisoners in their cages and none escaped.
Mr. Tate was married on January 1, 1880, to Amarillous Blakesley, who was born near Pandora, Putnam county, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Fisk) Blakesley. Her father came from near Cleveland, Ohio, and was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Tate are the parents of four children, Zelma May, Myrtle, Flossie and Frank. Zelma attended the high school at Columbus Grove, and is now the wife of Leo Amstutz; they now live in the east edge of Union township, and they have three living children, Theron, Rosa and Alice. Myrtle is living with her father in Ottawa, where she is a student in a business college. She was also a student in the high school at Columbus Grove. Flossie is the wife of Roy Edwards, and lives in Co- lumbus Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have two sons, Roscoe and Lorin Woodrow. Frank was a student of the high school at Columbus Grove. He makes his home with his parents, and is at present employed at Ottawa, Ohio.
Sheriff Tate belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 454, at Columbus Grove. He is also a member of the Knights of Maccabees, at Columbus Grove. He and his entire family are earnest and devoted mem- bers of the Christian church at Columbus Grove, and are actively interested in the welfare of this denomination. The family are highly respected throughout Putnam county, where they are well known. Sheriff Tate is en- tirely worthy the confidence and trust which have been placed in him by the people of Putnam county, and he is the last man in the world to betray that trust or shirk any responsibility.
32
498
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
ISAAC BRACY.
The life history of Isaac Bracy, one of the well-known and highly- esteemed citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, now living in honorable retire- ment, shows what industry, good habits and stanch citizenship will accom- plish in the battle for success. His record has been one replete with duty, well and conscientiously performed in all of the relations of life. He has come down to us from the pioneer period and has noted the wonderful trans- formation from that time to this, playing his part in the drama of civiliza- tion. He has always been an advocate of wholesome living and cleanli- ness in politics as well, and has always stood for the highest and best inter- ests of the community in which so many of his active years have been passed and which have been so honored by his citizenship.
Isaac Bracy was born on November 5, 1844, in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of John and Mary (Bedway) Bracy. John Bracy was born about fifty miles from Paris, France, in 1812, and came to America with John Steiner, who settled in Allen county in 1831. In return for the expense incurred by Mr. Steiner for his trip, he worked for him for one year after his arrival in this country. At the expiration of this year, Mr. Steiner entered eighty acres of land in Blanchard township, Putnam county, for Mr. Bracy, about one and one-half miles south of the present town of Gilboa. For this he worked two additional years for Mr. Steiner and then started out for himself on this eighty acres, in 1834. About this time he was twenty-four years old. He went to Wayne county, Ohio, and there was married to Mary Bedway, the daughter of Joseph Bed- way and wife, who were pioneers of Wayne county and who, like Mr. Bracy, were natives of France. After his marriage, John Bracy settled on the eighty acres which he had entered and he and his wife took their wedding journey behind a yoke of oxen to their new-found home in the wilderness. This trip occupied several days, being over one hundred miles. They built a cabin, fourteen by eighteen feet, in the woods and for several years, they had nothing but ground floor and a stick chimney, built on the outside of the wall, for a fireplace. They started to clear the land and as fast as they cleared a little piece, they planted a crop. It is related that in those days of their early struggles and hardships, John Bracy was com- pelled to go on horse-back to Tiffin, Ohio, fifty miles, to mill with a two- bushed sack of grain, the trip sometimes taking a week. At times when they ran out of meal, he would take corn on the cob and grate it on a home-
499
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
made grater, consisting of a piece of tin with nail holes punched through it. This product was used to make bread. Mrs. Bracy spun her own flax, but later the flax was taken to an old woman by the name of Butler, who had a loom, and there the flax was woven into linsey cloth, which material had to serve for clothing for all members of the family. After their first few years of privations and hardships, they succeeded, by dint of energy, in becoming quite comfortable and in that day were considered prosperous. From time to time, John Bracy added to his original land holdings until, when he died in 1872, he owned four hundred acres. His wife died in November, 1865. To this union were born five children, Mary Jane, de- ceased, who was the wife of G. W. Devore, of Carroll county, and who had nine children, four daughters and five sons; Jerusha, who is the wife of Aurora Geisinger, of Blanchard township, and has two daughters and one son ; Isaac, the subject of this sketch; John, who married Esther Harris, and who has two daughters and one son, and Violet, who died in infancy.
John Bracy was married a second time, in December, 1867, to Mrs. Sarah (Pence) Jones, of Putnam county, but formerly of Allen county. To this union were born two children, one son and one daughter.
Isaac Bracy received his early education in the district schools of Blanchard township. He remained on the old homestead until he was eighteen years old, when he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio. Volunteer Cavalry, on September 7, 1863. He saw active service in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. He participated in the work of exterminating Morgan's raiders in Kentucky, which terminated at Mt. Sterling, June 11, 1864. After this he was engaged in scouting expeditions, raids and advance work after the western campaign. Among others, he served General Sherman. He was discharged at Lexington, Kentucky, July 3, 1865.
After the war, Isaac Bracy returned home and occupied himself with farming and bunching cattle. He was married to Mary A. Crawfis on January 17, 1867, the daughter of Lewis and Mary Ann (Henderson ) Crawfis, pioneers of Putnam county, Ohio. She died on July 28, 1887 To this union were born eight children, Lewis J., who died in infancy; Charles, of Cabri, Saskatchewan, Canada, who married Pearl Conine and has two children, Reva and Kenneth; Wildy P., who married Nellie Miller and has three children, two boys and one girl; Carey, who married Arlowa Todd and has three children, Cloyd, Delia and Lena; May, who is un- married and lives at home; Mate, who is the wife of D. U. Mccullough and has four children, Leonard, Lawrence, Naomi and Dorothy; Isaac, who is
500
PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.
unmarried and at present is in California; Ada, who is the widow of James Cober, of Ottawa, Ohio, and has one child, Ruby.
After his marriage, Mr. Bracy rented the old home place from his. father for two years, and after this he purchased eighty acres, three miles. north of Gilboa, and moved there in the spring of 1869. He sold out three years later and moved to the northern part of Riley township. Mr. Bracy owns this farm of one hundred and twenty acres which was later cleared and improved by him. A little later, he bought the old homestead of his half-brother, though he continued to farm the place in Riley town- ship until 1900, at which time he retired and moved to Gilboa, where he now resides.
Since his retirement, Mr. Bracy has spent his time, partly at his home in Gilboa and partly in traveling. Mr. Bracy has owned as much as three hundred acres of land and has made his money in raising, buying and selling stock, as well as in general farming. He has been a director in the bank at Gilboa and at one time owned a heavy interest in this bank.
Mr. Bracy is a Democrat, and throughout his life has been influential in the politics of his community. He has served as township treasurer for seven years and has also served twenty-three years as a member of the school board of Riley township. For six years he was trustee of Riley township. Mr. Bracy is a member of Ottawa Lodge No. 325, Free and Accepted Masons, and Gilboa Lodge No. 459, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
J. C. PHILLIPS.
All values are based upon land. It is the inevitable beginning of all' wealth and its productiveness is the source of all income and, in the inherent capabilities of the land to provide the necessities of life, lies the prosperity of the nation. Land investment is attracting more people today than ever be- fore. Real estate is the best security of all. It shows the largest profit when selected carefully. More men have acquired a competence through wise land investments than in any other manner. Land values have grown rapidly within the last decade in this section of this great country. He who has pos- sessed the foresight and acumen to secure land and to operate it wisely, to. develop and improve it, has seen the wealth of his holdings grow until his farm not only pays him better dividends each year, but is worth far more in itself than when he took possession of it. J. C. Phillips is a striking example
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.