History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 51

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 51

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John and Barbara Amstutz were the parents of five children, three of the eldest having been born in Switzerland, and the two youngest in Allen and Putnam counties. All lived to maturity. They were: Fannie, the wife of Jonas Amstutz, both deceased; Marian, the wife of Abraham Bixter, both deceased; Christian, who married Barbara Schuhmacher, both deceased; Abraham, who married Catherine Hilty, the parents of Peter A .; Peter M., deceased, who had three wives, Anna Light, deceased, Belle Sitlemeyer, de- ceased, and Mrs. Downing.

Abraham M. Amstutz spent his boyhood on the old homestead and here grew to manhood. He attended the common schools and at the age of twenty-two was married to Catherine Hilty, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Neuenschwander) Hilty, both natives of Switzerland, who came to America in the early days. They settled in Richland township, Allen county, Ohio, four miles west of Bluffton. They were the parents of eleven

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children : Isaac, John, Barbara, Benjamin, Catherine, Noah, Mary (de- ceased), Sarah (deceased), Peter, Samuel and Elizabeth (deceased). The parents of these children spent the remainder of their lives on the old home- stead in Allen county, and it was here that Mrs. Amstutz grew to woman- hood, received her early education and remained until she was married. She was married in January, 1866, at the age of eighteen.

After their marriage they settled on a portion of the old John Amstutz homestead, south of Pandora. Here Abraham Amstutz pursued farming un- til he retired and moved to Pandora, in 1908. He has been a successful farmer and stock raiser. He is an ardent Democrat and was president of the township school board for a number of years. He is a man possessed of strong civic pride, of sterling integrity and is held in high esteem by his fel- low citizens. He is also an active and consistent member of the Grace Men- nonite church and was trustee in the old Swiss church. Abraham M. and Catherine Amstutz have had eleven children: Peter, the subject of this sketch; Barbara, the wife of Jacob Suter; John, who married Susan Basin- ger; Elizabeth, the wife of Elias Welty; Levina, the deceased wife of John Gerber; Amos, who died in infancy ; Llewellyn, who first married Nona Lora and later Della Suter; Albert, who married Malinda Gratz; Edwin, who died at the age of five years; Mary, the wife of A. J. Welty, and Selma, the wife of William Lugibihl.

Peter A. Amstutz was born on the old home place, south of Pandora, and lived there until 1891, when he was twenty-three years of age. Here he re- ceived his early education and here he lived while he was a student in the high school at Pandora and Crawfis College. During his boyhood he helped his father on the farm, and later taught school. When he was twenty-three years old he took a clerkship in a general store in Columbus Grove and held this position for six years.

Mr. Amstutz was married, at the age of twenty-four, on January 5, 1893, to Persis Basinger, the daughter of Jacob C. and Mary (Basinger) Basinger. She was born on November 19, 1870, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. Her people were pioneers of Putnam county. To this happy union six children have been born: Orpha E., who is a student at Ohio State University ; William B., who is a student at Bliss College, at Columbus; Harley C., who is a student in the high school; Wendell H. and Margaret J., who are both at home and attending the graded school, and Roland, who died at the age of seven months.

After spending six years at Columbus Grove, Mr. Amstutz bought a new general store at Pandora. He remained in this business for about one

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year and then took a partner, the new firm becoming P. A. Amstutz & Com- pany. This business was conducted with marked success until 1903, when Mr. Amstutz bought a farm in Richland township, Allen county, which he operated for one year. He then made a short stay in Petoskey, Michigan, after which he purchased an interest in the Pandora Hardware Company, in the fall of 1905. Mr. Amstutz controlled a half interest in this concern and withdrew from the active management of it in the fall of 1909. At this time Mr. Amstutz was elected cashier of the Farmers Banking Company, of Pandora, which position he still holds. Previously he had been a director of the bank, which position he still retains.

Peter A. Amstutz is a Democrat, and has served as township clerk for three terms. He was also clerk of the school board. He is a prominent mem- ber and one of the founders of the Grace Mennonite church. He has been secretary and treasurer of this congregation since its organization. Mr. Amstutz has been a successful business man and banker in this community for several years. He stands high in the vicinity in which he lives, and no better evidence of this fact is required than reference to the many positions of trust and responsibility which he has held and which he now occupies. He is an upright citizen, a good neighbor and a fine father. His character and integrity are above question, and it is to him that the best people of the community come for counsel and advice, which Mr. Amstutz is eminently qualified to give. He is present mayor of Pandora, his term to expire in 1916. He was president of the city council of Pandora for four years.

CHARLES FREMONT ALKIRE.

Men who take an active interest in public questions are ever honored by their community. They are known as leaders, and by their helpfulness and counsel contribute materially to the public welfare. A man of this character is Charles F. Alkire, a well-known farmer of Riley township. Mr. Alkire, who is one of the most successful farmers of Putnam county, is descended from a line of illustrious ancestors, men who fought in the early wars of this country and who did their part in their day and gene- ration to establish the foundation of a government which their posterity is enjoying today.

Mr. Alkire was born on December 10, 1856, at Pandora. He is the son of George W. and Catherine (Hart) Alkire. George W. Alkire was born

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in Madison county, Ohio, December 25, 1826, and he was the son of Will- iam M. and Hannah (Osborn) Alkire. William M. Alkire was born on November 10, 1799, in Kentucky, and he was the son of William and Elizabeth ( More) Alkire. William Alkire was born in 1751, in Germany, and married in 1778. He came to America prior to the American Revolu- tion, settling in Kentucky. Here William M., his son, was born on Novem- ber 10, 1799. William M. was a millwright by trade and served in the War of 1812. He came to Madison county when a young man and was married here on December 4, 1822, to Hannah Osborn, who was born in Virginia, on August 11, 1804. She died on April 15, 1843, in that portion of Putnam county which later became a part of Allen county. William M. died at the home of his son, George W., north of Pandora, on January 25, 1886. He had come to Putnam county in 1834, when George W was eight years old, and later settled in the north part of Richland township, Allen county. entering land from the government, and passing through all the pioneer ex- periences common to his day and generation. After his wife's death, he traded his homestead for a store at Pandora, traded the store for eighty acres in Defiance county. Subsequently, he made his home with his son, George W., who was then living at Pandora.

George W. Alkire was reared as a farm boy and was one of six children, Edwards P. served in the Civil War and lived in Manistee county, Michigan ; Richard was a farmer in Putnam county; Madison an orange grower in California; and John in Picqua county, Ohio, and Adam, of Riverside, California. George W. Alkire was married in 1851, to Miss Catherine Hart, daughter of John and Mary (Meng) Hart, both natives of Penn- sylvania. John Hart came to Putnam county in 1842, entered land in the fall. He was three times married. He first married Mary Meng, three of whose children died in infancy, the others being, Mrs. Alkire, Elizabeth, Mrs. Dora Brown, Absalom, Samuel, John F and Margaret. Mary Meng Hart died in 1866, after which Mr. Hart removed to Allen county, where he died in 1887. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. George W. Alkire and wife were the parents of six children, four of whom were reared to maturity, John A., of Valparaiso, Indiana; Charles Fremont, of Putnam county ; William H., also of Putnam county, and Mary E., the wife of James Preston. Mr. and Mrs. George Alkire were members of the Presbyterian church.

Charles Fremont Alkire remained in Pandora with his parents until he was seven years old, when they moved one and one-half miles north of Pandora. Here Charles Fremont spent his boyhood days on the old home

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place, alternating the summer and winter months between the district school and his father's farm, until, at the age of nineteen, when, with his brothers John and William, farmed the home place for one year. For the ensuing three years he and his younger brother, William, farmed it together, and for the next two Charles farmed the place alone.

About this time, on January 19, 1882, Mr. Alkire was married to Minerva Kellen, the daughter of John and Catherine (Joseph) Kellen. Mrs. Alkire was born on December 7, 1857. She died on December 19, 1882. One child, Mary C., was born to this union. She now resides with Mr. Alkire.

After suffering the great misfortune of Mrs. Alkire's death, Mr. Alkire was joined again by his younger brother William and together they farmed the home place for two years. In the fall of 1885, Mr. Alkire was married to Mary Mallahan, who was born in Hancock county, August 3, 1857, and who is the daughter of Charles F and Jane (Downing) Mallahan. Charles F. Mallahan died on December 30, 1877, just before he was to have taken the office of county commissioner, to which he had previously been elected. Charles F Mallahan's grandfather and John Downing were under the com- mand of General Hull when he surrendered Detroit. They saw General Cass break his sword rather than to surrender it to the British. Charles F. Malla- han was born on September 26, 1818, in Fairfield county, Ohio. He was the son of Thompson and Sarah (Clymer) Mallahan, the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter a native of Maryland. Thompson Mallahan died in Fairfield county in 1833, when Charles F. was fifteen years of age. Jane (Downing) Mallahan was born on January 25, 1817, in Pike county, Ohio, and was the daughter of John and Mary (Boiler) Downing, the former a native of Virginia.

After his second marriage, Mr. Alkire continued farming on the old home place for two years. In the spring of 1888, he moved to a farm of seventy-five acres, which was a part of the old Mallahan place in the north- west part of Riley township. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire moved into an old house on the place, where he immediately erected a new building. The place had an old log barn which served two years, which was supplanted by a smaller frame building. He built a large and commodious barn in 1897, and since that time has added other improvements in keeping with the surroundings.

By this second marriage three children have been born, Charles G. was born on October 19, 1887, and died on August 27, 1888; Clifford M. was born on February 17, 1891; Ralph M. was born on August 29, 1898. Clif- ford M. and Ralph M. are both unmarried and live at home.

Mr. Alkire has always done general farming and has made a specialty

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of raising good cattle and horses. He has been very successful with live stock.

Mr. Alkire is a Republican. Mrs. Alkire is a member of the Christian church. Charles Fremont Alkire is a clean-cut, progressive farmer, coming from an old pioneer family. He enjoys the respect of his fellow citizens and his integrity has always been above question.

JOHN HABEGGER.

Putnam county, Ohio, enjoys a remarkable reputation on account of the high order of its citizenship, none of whom occupies a more enviable posi- tion in the esteem of his fellows than John Habegger, a successful farmer of Riley township, who has lived here practically all his life. A residence in Putnam county of sixty years has given his neighbors and the men with whom he has been associated a full opportunity to observe him in the various spheres of endeavor and activity in which he has been engaged. His present high standing is due solely to his honorable and upright career. As a leading citizen of Riley township and Putnam county, Mr. Harbegger is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.

John Habegger was born on March 17, 1856, in Riley township, Put- nam county, Ohio. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Steiner) Habegger. John Habegger, Sr., was born in 1811 in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, and came to America with his parents at the age of twenty-two or about 1833. They came direct to Putnam county, where they settled in Riley township, on what is now known as the Fred Welty farm, about three miles east of Pandora. John Habegger, Sr., was married shortly after his arrival in this country to Elizabeth Steiner. She was a native of Switzerland and likewise came to America with her parents, making the voyage in about two months. Her parents settled in Putnam county, where she was married.

John Habegger, Sr., lived for about two years on the place east of Pandora, and was employed during this time by some of the early settlers of this part of the county. In the meantime, he purchased forty acres of land two and one-half miles north of Pandora and moved to this farm. This land was in the virgin forest and was covered with water during a part of the year. He first built a log cabin in the woods and cleared a little patch of ground. During the larger part of his younger married life he was com- pelled to continue his labors for other settlers on account of high waters

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on his farm. It was a good many years before this part of the country was ditched. It is related by Mr. Habegger's son that in those early days the pioneers were compelled to carry supplies to their farms on their backs. Some years later, Mr. Habegger bought a block of four hundred and eighty acres of land from the Hilty estate, adjoining his land on the south. This land he purchased with the understanding that his neighbors would help him out by taking a part of the same off his hands. They, however, did not fulfill their part of the agreement as he expected, and though he finally dis- posed of the greater part of this tract, it was at a greatly reduced price and he barely got out of it what he had paid for it. He managed to retain one hundred and twenty acres for his eldest son and twenty acres for himself. Subsequently, he managed to get his farm all cleared up and drained. He built a substantial frame house and barn.

Mr. and Mrs. John Habegger, Sr., were the parents of nine children : Barbara, the wife of Nicholas Kauffman; Christina, the wife of Christian Neuenschwander; Isaac, who married Rebecca Shank; Anna, the wife of Samuel Kohl; Mary, who first married John Neuenschwander, and, after his death, Frank Pelzel; Catherine, the wife of Peter Nusbaum; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Smutz; Mary Ann became the wife of Joel Basinger, and John, the immediate subject of this sketch.

John Habegger, Sr., died about 1885, at the ripe old age of seventy- four years. One year later, his wife, who was born in 1812, died at the same age. They were both members of the Mennonite church and lived consistent Christian lives.

John Habegger, Jr., was born on the old homestead, and here spent his childhood and youth, attending the district schools, and assisting his father with the work on the farm.

Mr. Habegger was married on December 28, 1876, at the age of twenty, to Angeline Reed, who was born in Blanchard township, in this county, about two miles west of Gilboa, on July 9, 1857. She is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Parks) Reed, the former a son of John and Mary Reed, was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Muskingum county, Ohio, in an early day, where he met and married his wife, Elizabeth Parks, the daugh- ter of Doctor Parks and wife. After his marriage in Muskingum county, he moved to Hancock county, Ohio, and after living here for about ten or twelve years, moved to Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, where his daughter, Angeline, the wife of Mr. Habegger, was born. George and Elizabeth Reed were the parents of ten children, one of whom died at birth. The others were as follows: Margaret, the wife of Jacob Nicewander;

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John, who married Ada Crawfis; Mary, who became the wife of Nicholas Miller; Anna, who died in infancy; George, who first married Eliza Em- mons, and later Cynthia Henderson; Angeline, the wife of Mr. Habegger ; Sarah, the wife of Henry Kitchener; Isadore, the wife of John De Vore ;. Herman, whose first wife was Ella Snyder.

After his marriage Mr. Habegger worked on the neighboring farms. for about a year, and then rented the home place, where he has lived ever since. About two years after his father's death, Mr. Habegger bought the old home place from the other heirs, and it has remained in his possession since that date. John Habegger, Jr., has been a hard-working and indus- trious farmer, and by dint of energy has greatly improved the home place, until today he has one of the nicest farms of its size in Riley township.

Mr. and Mrs. Habegger have had two children, Clara Elizabeth, born on November 14, 1877, is the wife of Curtis Franchauser, of Pandora, and they have two children, Amy Grace and John Laurel; Herman Otto, the younger child of Mr. and Mrs. Habegger, was born on August 12, 1880, and died on August 3, 1882.

Mr. Habegger is a Democrat, but has never been active in the coun- cils of his party, although he takes a worthy interest in public affairs. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. Habegger is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 509, at Pandora. He is one of the most favorably known men in Riley township, a progres- sive farmer and a genial, good-natured, honorable citizen.

WILLIAM W. SMITH.

When a good man passes away, then do people mourn; his family, his friends, his fellow citizens, with whom he has labored for the common good, bow their heads in grief. He is no more, yet his works go on and on. There is no end to the influence of a good man. Only his body dies. The late- William W. Smith was so closely identified with the history of Putnam county for so many years, that this volume would be incomplete if it failed to pay a proper tribute to his life and work.

The late William W. Smith, former editor and publisher of the Leipsic Free Press, was a son of John and Mary Jane (Boylan) Smith. John Smith was a son of Nimrod and Mary (Sauer) Smith, the former of whom was.

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a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in Stark county, Ohio, in an early day. Subsequently, he removed to Hancock county, where he died as the conse- quence of an accident. Nimrod Smith was one of the pioneers of his day, fond of hunting and fishing. John Smith was born on November 19, 1826, in Stark county, and was reared as a farmer. He was twice married, first on June 14, 1849, to Jane Boylan, who died on August 28, 1851. To this union were born two children, namely: Maroa J., the wife of Irvin Blair, of Hubbard, Iowa, and William W., the immediate subject of this sketch. The second wife of John Smith was Susan Farver, to whom he was mar- ried on May 25, 1854. To this marriage seven children were born: Mary E., born on March 15, 1855, married David Hoskins, and died on September 5, 1880; Eugene F., born on February 28, 1857, and died on April 6, 1877; Clarissa A., born on December 5, 1858, died on February 26, 1873 ; Benjamin M., born on March 27, 1862, died on September 25, 1863; Norris A., born on March 18, 1864, died on March 31, 1877; Cora M., born on January 12, 1867, is the wife of Otto Harman; Burton S., born on January 6, 1870, died on March 29, 1877. Of this large family, only two children are living, Mrs. Cora Harmon, of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Maroa Blair, of Hub- bard, Iowa. The venerable John Smith, the father of these children, is still hale and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-eight.

William W. Smith was born on a farm in Blanchard township, Hancock county, Ohio, April 5, 1850. He moved to Putnam county with his parents in 1855, locating on a farm east of Gilboa.

Mr. Smith attended the country schools, and was such an earnest stu- dent that at the age of fifteen he was able to obtain a teacher's certificate, and began teaching in 1865. With the exception of a few years spent in the Findlay high school, and at Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, Mr. Smith followed the occupation of a teacher until 1878. He came to Leipsic in 1870 and was married on August 27, 1874, to Viola Baughman, the youngest daughter of Abraham Baughman and wife. Mr. Smith founded the Leipsic Free Press in 1878. His first paper was issued on September 13, 1878. His whole life was devoted to this paper and its interests. Space was always given in aid to all good causes, and, with it as an instrument, Mr. Smith probably did more good than any other man in Leipsic. He was always on the right side of all local questions, and the columns of the Free Press were ever open to discussion of topics for the good of the community. He was broad and sympathetic, quick to distinguish the right, and not slow to take a decided stand for it. His editorials were little sermons in themselves, and

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went forth to cheer many a weary soul upon his way to better living. His whole aim was to bring his paper and his print shop to the highest standard, and to this end he devoted every moment possible, and until just before his death, February 16, 1912, he was in his editorial chair, guiding and directing his paper.

Mr. and Mrs. William W. Smith were the parents of two sons, Clyde L. and George F. Clyde is now a practicing physician at Fremont, Ohio, and George F. succeeded his father as editor of the Leipsic Free Press.

Mr. Smith was an ardent Democrat, and took an active interest in the councils of his party. He was postmaster of Leipsic, at one time, filling this position to the entire satisfaction of the patrons. Mr. Smith was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, from the blue lodge to the thirty- second degree, and next to his family and his work, he loved this fraternal order. He was affiliated with the Leipsic lodge, the encampment of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and also a member of the Leipsic lodge of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Smith was a devoted and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the Sabbath always found him in his church pew, an attentive listener to the pastor.

It seems fitting to close this sketch with a tribute made to the late Mr. Smith at the time of his death: "Loving and generous even to a fault, there was nothing father could do that was not done. He was a dutiful husband, always considerate of every wish of his devoted wife and their two children. He is gone, but the loving deeds of husband and father will ever remain a sweet memory of one who has made the world better by living in it."

CHRISTIAN A. HART.

Among the families of Putnam county, Ohio, whose members have worthily discharged their duties to their fellows and to their communities, no family takes higher rank than that of the Hart family. For many years the members of this family have stood for all that is best in business, educa- tional, moral and social life, and have wielded an influence that is poten- tial in the development and welfare of this county. Christian A. Hart is numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Putnam county. Because of the prominence which the family has enjoyed and the close rela- tion they have attained to the welfare and prosperity of the locality, hon-

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ored by his citizenship, he is eminently entitled to representation in the work of the character of the one in hand.

Christian A. Hart was born on December 30, 1862, in Pleasant town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of Samuel L. and Anna (Amstutz) Hart. Samuel L. Hart was born on January 13, 1840, the son of John S. Hart. John S. Hart was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in an early day, settling in the southeast part of Pleasant township. Here Samuel L. Hart was reared and, here also, Christian A. Hart was born. When Christian A. Hart was three years old, his mother died and he was taken care of by a paternal uncle, John, and his sister, Margaret. He continued in their care for about two years, or until Samuel L. Hart had been married a second time to Sarah Kaufman, when he was again taken care of by his father and foster mother. Christian A. Hart had a younger brother, John S., and an elder sister, Mary, who were children by the first marriage. After Samuel L. Hart was married the second time, he and his family moved one and one-fourth miles north of Pandora and here Christian A. Hart spent his childhood and youth. Here he attended the district schools and helped his father on the farm. He also helped to clear away the timber.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 51

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