History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 61

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 61

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David Wisterman enlisted on August 14, 1862, for three years, and served until his discharge, on August 27, 1863. He was a member of Com-

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pany E, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, attached to the Army of the West, and he was discharged for disability at the end of thirteen months. During his service in the army, he contracted lung trouble in the wet marshes and, although he underwent an operation, he was finally dismissed. He was in part of the battle of Perryville, when Bragg was driven out of Kentucky, and served six months at Bowling Green. After the war he returned home.

Subsequently, Mr. Wisterman left for Auburn, Indiana, for treatment of lung trouble contracted while serving in the army. Finally, he studied medicine, and practiced for many years, but quit the practice in 1904. During the time he was practicing medicine, he was also a farmer, and had a hundred and fifty-seven acres where the old Wisterman farm is now located. Here, Mr. Wisterman built an elevator, placing his son Harvey in charge of it for some time, when it was finally sold to Toledo people, who now operate it. In 1904, Mr. Wisterman sold his farm and removed to Continental, where he purchased property for his wife. He, however, went to the soldiers' home, and lived there for five years, returning occasionally on furloughs. Later, he purchased his present farm of thirty-seven acres, and lives now a quiet re- tired life. He has been more or less an invalid since leaving the army.

David Wisterman was married on March 17, 1864, to Leandra Brower, a native of Putnam county, Ohio, born about four miles north of Kalida, along the Blanchard river, and the daughter of Brockman and Angeline (Stalnacher) Brower. To this happy union nine children have been born. Chauncey Burton and Elizabeth, the two eldest children, are deceased; Viola M., the seventh child, is also deceased; William H. married Florence Mullett, and lives in Toledo, Ohio, where he is a machinist; they have one child, Howard; Thomas C. married Anna Skelley, who is now deceased; he is a farmer living about one mile from Rawson, Ohio; there are three children, Elizabeth, Blanche and George D .; Harvey M. married Ardella Miller, who is now deceased; they had four children, Robert M., Helen Frances, Edna and Paul; two of these children, Robert M. and Paul, are deceased; Harvey M. lives at home, and is at present Putnam county representative of the State Life Insurance Company of Indianapolis, Indiana ; he also deals in real estate. Harvey M. Wisterman is a splendid type of man, well known and popular throughout Putnam county. Alexis E. married Flossie Snyder, and they live at Union City, Tennessee. He is a contractor and builder, and has a plant where cement and brick blocks are manufactured. They have five children, Catherine, Violet, Jessie H., William H. and Dorothy. George J. married

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Alta Simmons, and they live at Rudolph, Wood county, Ohio; they have three children, Harry C., Harvey Edward and Georgia Elizabeth. He is a farmer and also is engaged in the oil business. Myrtle M. married H. C. Parrett.

Mrs. David Wisterman's father, Brockman Brower, was a native of North Carolina, and his wife, Angeline (Stalnacher) Brower, was a native of Virginia. They were pioneer settlers in Putnam county, Ohio. Brockman Brower was an influential man in the Methodist church, and a strong Repub- lican. His father, Frederick Brower, was a native and resident of Randolph county, North Carolina, where he married Nellie Staley. He served in the War of 1812, and was a prominent man in the South.

David Wisterman is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Kalida, Ohio. With the exception of township clerk, which he held for one term, Mr. Wisterman has not been active in politics. He is naturally conservative in politics, and although he votes somewhat independently, he is identified with the Republican party. He has been a great reader and a stu- dent of natural history. He is well informed upon all subjects, a free thinker, and a man who believes in the greatest freedom of thought and conscience. His advice is much sought in this section of Putnam county, where he has lived so long and so usefully.

CHARLES VARNER.

In every community are to be found individuals who, by reason of pro- nounced ability and forceful personality, rise superior to the majority and command the homage of their fellows; who, by revealing to the world true, resplendent virtues, perseverance in effort and directing purpose, never fail to attain positions of honor and trust and become, in the full sense of the term, leaders of men. In this class is that well-known gentleman, success- ful lawyer and real estate dealer, Charles Varner, of Continental, Putnam county, Ohio. He is a man who ranks among the leading citizens of Put- nam county, and who, for a number of years, has borne an influential part in the affairs of Putnam county, where he resides.

Charles Varner was, born on January 27, 1872, in Greensburg town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Isaiah and Fanny (Landis) Varner, the former of whom was the son of Jacob and Eliza (Guyton) Varner. Jacob Varner was a native of Virginia, as was also his wife.

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He left Virginia to come to Ohio in pioneer days and was among the early settlers in this county. Isaiah Varner was born in Greensburg town- ship in 1842. Fanny Landis was born in the same township in 1843. Isaiah Varner grew to manhood on the home place, known as the old Jacob Varner homestead, and was reared as a farmer. With the exception of a short time spent outside of the county, Isaiah Varner has remained on the original one hundred and sixty acres, where he still lives, although he is retired at the age of seventy-two. His wife is also living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Varner ten children were born: Emma, deceased; Maggie, who is at home; Mrs. John Ernst, who died in 1911; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Jacob, of DeKalb county, Indiana; Jerry, who also lives in DeKalb county; Martin, who lives in Williams county, Ohio; Curtis, who is at home; Mrs. George Stauffer, who lives in Ottawa; and Chester, who lives in Hammond, Indiana.

Charles Varner grew up on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools. He attended the normal school at Angola, Indiana, for three or four terms, after which he returned to Putnam county and taught school for about eight years. Subsequently, he attended Ada Col- lege and was graduated in 1894 from the pharmaceutical course. He then worked in a drug store at Continental, Ohio, and while here, he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1902. He began to practice in that year in Continental and during his practice, has also handled real estate, loans and insurance. Mr. Varner is still active in this business.

Charles Varner was married on September 18, 1901, to Mae E. Eberly, who was born on January 26, 1879, in Lucas county, Ohio,-and who is the daughter of Benjamin and Jennie (Gorill) Everly. To this happy union, five children have been born: Harriett, Charles Gorill, Hope, Theodora and one who died in infancy.

Charles Varner was at one time an active member of the Knights of Pythias, but is no longer a member. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons No. 570, the chapter and council at Ottawa, and the com- mandery at Defiance, Ohio. He is a member of Lodge No. 869, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Continental, Ohio. Mr. Varner is a stanch Re- publican. He was an alternate delegate to the Republican national conven- tion at Chicago, in 1912. He served as mayor of Continental for one term, following 1901, and was city solicitor for four terms. He has been an active member of the school board. Religiously, Mr. Varner and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In a personal way, Charles

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Varner is a congenial young man and well liked in his town and township. He is a good business man and bears a high reputation for honesty and in- tegrity in the community where his professional labors have been performed.

VICTOR NOIROT.

Putnam county is fortunate in the number and character of its farmers, and much of the material prosperity of the county can be attributed to the fact that its farmers have kept abreast of the times. It can hardly be ques- tioned that the farmer is an index to the civilization of a community. If the farmers are progressive and up-to-date, it follows that the standard of living in that community will be higher. Thousands of banks have been organized within the last few years in order to supply the needs of the farmers, and ac- cording to one authority, the farmer and his crop furnish the bulk of the money for most of the smaller banks throughout the United States. The wholesome living, which is the good fortune of the farmer, is a big factor in keeping up the general tone of a county. The business men of the towns are drawing the men for their employees from the country, and everywhere it is noted that the men who are rising to prominence in the various activities of life were born and reared on the farm. Putnam has long been known as one of the very best farming counties of the state, and its excellent farmers have been one of the greatest factors in the material advancement of the county. Among the many excellent farmers of Putnam county there is no one who stands higher in the estimation of his neighbors than Victor Noirot, of Monroe township.

Victor Noirot was born on September 7, 1857, in Hancock county, Ohio, and is the son of Lawrence and Mary (Bouvier) Noirot.

Lawrence Noirot was the son of Francis C. and Frances (Raclor) Noirot, the former of whom was born in 1798, in the village of Boncourt, County Manly, department of Hontmarn, France, and united in marriage to Frances Raclor in 1823, at the same village. Frances Raclor was born in the village where she was married, in December, 1800, and died on February 28, 1898. He died September 26, 1866, in Henry county, Ohio. Before leaving France, Francis Noirot was mayor of Boncourt, France. They came to America with their family on October 27, 1853, and finally settled at Findley, Hancock county, Ohio, with their children, Frances, Nicholas, Claude, Anna, Mary, Celestian, John and Velaria. One child, Magdelena, had died in

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France, and one son, Lawrence, came afterward. He was the father of the subject of this sketch. They came by way of New York City to Hancock county, and were farmers there for a time. Later, they removed to Putnam county, and here were among the early settlers, experiencing all the privations. of pioneer life. Subsequently, they removed to Henry county, Ohio.

Lawrence Noirot, the father of Victor, was born on August 9, 1830, in France, and grew up there, coming to America at the age of twenty-six, in 1856. His father, mother and family, had come three years previously, in 1853. Lawrence Noirot came immediately to Hancock county by way of New Orleans. While in the South he contracted the yellow fever, and was laid up for three years in Hancock county, Ohio. Lawrence Noirot was mar- ried in 1856, to Mary Bouvier (a daughter of Claude Bouvier), a native of France, born on January 6, 1840. He was a farmer in Hancock county for a time, but later, in 1861, removed to Putnam county, and settled in Palmer township, where he farmed until March, 1887, when he moved to Defiance county, Ohio, where he farmed till his death, in August, 1867, at the age of sixty-seven years. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Defiance county. Mrs. Mary Noirot, who was Mary Bourvier before her marriage, died on December 24, 191I, at the age of seventy-one years. Her parents were farmers and early settlers of Hancock county, Ohio, where they lived until their death. Lawrence and Mary (Bouvier) Noirot had seven children. Victoria married John C. Oakley, of Palmer township. Lawrence was the second child. Josephine married Edward Lafontaine, of Palmer township. Louis lives in Michigan, William A. lives at Galyard, Michigan, and Sophia, the only child who died.

Victor Noirot lived in Hancock county, and was four years of age when he was brought to Putnam county, Ohio, by his parents, in 1861. With the exception of about seven years spent in Henry county, Ohio, he has lived in Putnam county all his life. He left home at the age of twenty-nine years. Mr. Noirot owned forty acres in Henry county, and sold out and came to Putnam county, where he purchased sixty acres in Monroe township, where he now resides and carries on general farming. He removed to his present farm in 1895.

Mr. Noirot was married on November 23, 1886, to Catherine Williams, a native of Palmer township, born on February 16, 1868, and the daughter of Michael and Mary Ann (Frankhart) Williams, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter of whom, also, was born in Germany, in Luxemburg. Mary Ann Frankhart came to America with her parents at the age of seven years.

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To Mr. and Mrs. Victor Noirot three children have been born. Oliver married Flossie Beemer, and lives in Galyard, Michigan. He is a farmer there. They have no children. Viola married Grover Bcemer, and lives at Old Fort, Ohio. They had one child, Victor Emanuel, who is deceased, Blanche, the third child, lives at home.

Mr. Noirot is not a member of any lodge. He has been a member of the- school board, and justice of the peace in Palmer township for one term. He- served two terms as township clerk in Palmer township, being elected at the age of twenty-one years. He served as township trustee of Monroe township. for two terms, and was on the school board for about twelve years. He was. also township ditch supervisor for three terms, and is still active. Likewise,. he has served as justice of the peace in Monroe township, and served several. times upon the election board, and on numerous occasions as presiding judge- of this board. Politically, Mr. Noirot is a stanch Democrat. Religiously, he- and his wife and family are members of the Catholic church at North Creek, in Palmer township. They are highly respected residents of Putnam county, and entitled to the free and generous esteem accorded them by their neighbors. and friends.

SAMUEL M. DICKEY.

One of Monroe township's well-known farmers and stock raisers who. is deserving of a place in this volume, is Samuel M. Dickey, a man of courage, self-reliance and integrity of purpose. As a consequence of these qualities, during his entire life, he has stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends, whose interests he has always sought to promote. Mr. Dickey has been honored by the people of Perry township, where he formerly lived, and, in 1905, came very near being elected as sheriff of Putnam county, having lost out by a narrow margin. He has been a successful contractor, but now confines his attention wholly to farming.

Samuel M. Dickey was born on September 25, 1856, in Perry town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Jacob and Nancy E. (Hutchinson) Dickey.

Jacob Dickey was born on March 16, 1829, in Holmes county, Ohio, and died at his home near Continental, Ohio, on April 10, 191I, at the age of eighty-two years and twenty-five days. He came with his parents to Putnam county in 1842, when that country was a vast wilderness. He was married to Nancy E. Hutchinson on August 25, 1852, and in the fall

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of that year they came to their present farm in Perry township, where they both continued to live until death. Together they suffered the hardships of pioneer life and experienced many joys and sorrows. They built a log cabin in the woods and after their marriage lived in it for three years. Jacob Dickey then rented a farm of one hundred and seven acres and farmed it for two years, when he came to his farm in Perry township. With the exception of Samuel M., the subject of this sketch, all the children were born on the homestead farm. Jacob Dickey was the son of John and Mary (Deeds) Dickey, who came from Holmes county to Putnam county in 1842, and settled on a farm in Perry township close to the river, where they both died. Jacob Dickey was at oen time an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but was not active at the time of his death. He was township trustee, justice of the peace for many years, and a man of wide influence in the local councils of the Democratic party. He was not a member of any church. To Jacob and Nancy Dickey, nine children were born: G. W., of Cannelsburg, In- diana; Samuel M., whose history is here presented; Mrs. Lena Spitnale, of Perry township; Frank, who lives on the old home farm; Mrs. San- ford Smith, of Continental; W. M., of Lima, Ohio; Mrs. W. H. Harmon, of Morley, Missouri; H. K., who also lives at Morley, and Mrs. John Camburn, of Amber, Pennsylvania. The mother of these children died on January 17, 1898, at the age of sixty years, having been born on January 19, 1838.

Samuel M. Dickey remained on the home farm until his marriage and then farmed for about sixteen years near Dupont, Ohio, where he built a home. Subsequently, he came to Monroe township to a farm of forty acres, where he now lives. When Mr. Dickey moved to this farm, it was covered with timber and was more or less in a wild condition. He has cleared and ditched the farm, and in 1911 built a fine barn. He owns a fine residence and now has an ideal farm, and is known as one of the best farmers of Putnam county. He takes a great pride in this farm and is known as a good judge of stock. Mr. Dickey believes in progressive farming. He is a capable carpenter and learned this trade for his own benefit, building his own home. He followed contracting in Putnam county for about twelve years, but is no longer engaged in this work.

Samuel M. Dickey was married on April 23, 1879, to Emma Lutz, a native of Putnam county and the daughter of George and Justenia (Weaver) Lutz. To this union, one son, Joseph, has been born. Joseph

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married Winifred Hikson and lives at Alexandria, Indiana, where he is a teacher in the high school, now teaching his second term there. He has taught school for several years, and was principal of the school at Conti- nental, Ohio, and also at Mt. Sterling, Ottawa and Wilmington. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1912, but has never practiced, as he prefers to teach.

At one time, Samuel M. Dickey was active in the Knights of Pythias, but is no longer so. He was a candidate for sheriff in 1905 on the Demo- cratic ticket, but was defeated by a narrow margin. He was, for a period, assessor of Perry township. Although Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are not mem- bers of any church, they are moved by strong religious convictions and are Christians, nevertheless. Mr. Dickey is a man of excellent habits and sterling character; is quiet in his manner and conservative in his actions, and is known to be honest and upright in all of his dealings with his fellowmen.

FREDERICK WILLIAM SCHROEDER.

That nothing is impossible to the man of determination and pluck is proved every day, and an example of this is the story of Frederick W. Schroe- der, who located on his present farm in 1887 when the land was uncleared and choked with swamps. By hard, persistent effort the land was cleared, drained, fenced and improved until, today, it is one of the model places of the county. The house is modern, being equipped with furnace, electric lights and other conveniences. The barn and other outbuildings testify to the industry of the owner and are a credit to the county.

Mr. Schroeder was born on April 14, 1861, in Greensburg township, Putnam county, the son of Carl and Agnes (Hoenbrink) Schroeder, who were the parents of ten children as follows : Mrs. Anna Siebeneck, Mrs. Mary Meyer, Frank, William, who died in 1900; John, of Liberty township, Put- nam county ; Frederick W .; Andrew, who died on November 26, 1914; Henry, of Greensburg township; Ignatius, also of Greensburg township, on the old home place, which has been in the family for over eighty years, and Mrs. Theresa Toby, also of Greensburg township.

In 1834 Nicholas Schroeder came to America from Ostercappeln, Ger- many, bringing with him his son, Carl, who was born on December 22, 1827, and who became the father of Frederick William. Nicholas entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Greensburg township, Put-

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nam county. The land was wooded and swampy, but by hard work was. made into an excellent farm. The land, which was close to the Blanchard river, was drained by Carl, who farmed the place all his life and achieved prominence in the community. He died on September 21, 1908, aged eighty years and eight months.

Agnes Schroeder was a native of Glandorf, Germany, who came to the United States some years later than did her future husband. She was born on February 13, 1826, and died on April 19, 1911, aged eighty-five years, two months and six days. She was a loving mother, who endeared herself to her family and to her neighbors, and her death was regretted by a great num- ber of friends. She and her husband were the parents of the family of chil- dren who subsequently proved that the parents reared their children wisely and well.

The youth of Frederick Schroeder was spent on the home farm, and he received a common-school education, supplemented by the experience of hard work. He located on his present farm in 1887 which he immensely improved, and is now devoted to general farming, the raising of grain and the feeding of live stock. The farm on which he lives contains eighty acres, while he owns a place of seventy-four acres in Ottawa township, which he also cultivates.

The marriage of Mr. Schroeder and Regina Moenter occurred on Octo- ber 26, 1887, his wife being the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Wolf- horst) Moenter, who were the parents of nine children: Anna, who died in infancy ; Anna Mary, deceased; Regina; Henry B., deceased; Henry, now living on the homestead in Marion township, Allen county, Ohio; Frank, also of Allen county; Mrs. Mary Polilman, of Allen county; Clara and Rosa, both deceased. To Frederick Schroeder and his wife were born eight children, namely: Agnes, born on February 14, 1889, married Bernard Eller- brock, and they farm the Ellerbrock homestead, south of Glandorf, in Ottawa township; they have two children, Norbert and Sylvester. The remainder of the children, who live at home are: Cecilia E., born on April 18, 1891 ; Leo C., born on March 24, 1893; Felix, born on January 5, 1895; Lucy M., born on January 5, 1897; Elenora, born on March 4, 1899; Edward John, born on July 25, 1901 ; and Clara T., born on September 26, 1904.

Frank Moenter, who also was a native of Germany, was born in 1840. and died in April, 1896. His wife was a native of Fort Jennings, Putnam county, and was born on January 17, 1843, and died on October 5, 1913, at the age of seventy. Frank Moenter came to America when he was about

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six years of age, his parents locating on a farm in Marion township, Allen county, Ohio, near Delphos. The original place contained eighty acres, but . one hundred and twenty acres were accumulated eventually. He was a popu- lar man, by reason of his fine, unassuming nature.

Mr. Schroeder is a stanch member of the Democratic party, and is affiliated to the congregation of St. Mary's Catholic church. He is a director of the German Mutual Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, of Glandorf, Ohio, which position he has held the last three years. Mr. Schroeder is a quiet- mannered gentleman, with a whole-hearted, unassuming personality, which has gained him many friends.

FRANK J. VERHOFF.

Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individuality and acts as a powerful stimulus to others. The greatest results in life are often at- tained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind, and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for self-improvement.

Frank J. Verhoff, who is numbered among the sterling citizens and progressive farmers of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born on June 22, 1864, on the parental farm in the same township and county. He is the son of Theodore and Elizabeth (Egbers) Verhoff, pioneer resi- dents of Greensburg township. A full account of the paternal ancestry will be found elsewhere in this history of Putnam county, Ohio.

The subject of this review received his education in the schools of Glan- dorf, Ohio, and in his youth worked on his father's farm, and early learned the secrets of successful agriculture, a vocation to which he has devoted his entire life. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of choice farming land, the original tract of eighty acres in section 29 was deeded to him by his father, to which was added, by purchase,. forty acres in section 30, and, later, he purchased eighty acres just across in section 29, besides another tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which lies just north of the original farm, forty acres of which is in section 19 and eighty in section 29.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 61

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