History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 62

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 62

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The father had erected the original farm buildings, to which the subject added a number of new buildings, making a total of eight fine farm and residence buildings. Mr. Verhoff does not specialize in the raising of any particular kind of crop, but gives careful attention to the rotation of such crops as interest him, keeping his land in the very best of condition and realizing a harvest that proves his farming profitable.

Frank J. Verhoff was married on November 6, 1889, to Elizabeth Ham- berg, who was born in Osnabrock, Province of Hanover, Germany, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Mueller) Hamberg, natives of Germany. Mrs. Verhoff came to this country when she was but a child of fourteen, ac- companied by a brother, Henry, who settled on a farm near Glandorf, Put- nam county, Ohio. Besides the subject's wife, the maternal parents had four children who remained in the old country, Herinan, George, Mary and Ber- nardina.

Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Verhoff they took up their residence on the portion of the farm located in section 29, in Greensburg township, Putnam county, and to them were born nine children, named as follow: Magdelena, August 17, 1890; Emma Mary, September 18, 1892; Alphonse T., October 12, 1895; Francis K., July 3, 1898; Loretta Mary, January 17, 1901; Edward W., June 30, 1903; Amos J., October 6, 1906; Urban C., February I, 1909; and Otham A., June 3, 1912. Of these chil- dren, Magdelena became the wife of Charles Recker, and they live on a farm near Glandorf, Ohio. To this union one child was born, Albert U., July 2, 1912. Emma Mary became the wife of Benjamin Recker, and are now liv- ing on his farm near Glandorf, Ohio. To this union no children have been born.

Frank J. Verhoff's well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of all his own interests, and his sound judgment have brought him well-earned prosperity, his life demonstrating what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work, and who has the perseverance to continue his labors. He raises thor- oughbred and Shorthorn Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. Good natured, straightforward, unassuming, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact and his friends are in number as his acquaintances. Politically, Mr. Verhoff is a firm believer in the old-time principles of Democ- racy; religiously, he is an active member of St. Michael's Catholic church, of Kalida, Ohio, and among the congregation is known to be a liberal donor to all meritorious movements toward the advancement of charity and religion.

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HENRY PHILIP SCHAFER.

Henry Philip Schafer, one of the members of the well-known Schafer family, of Putnam county, Ohio, and a prosperous farmer in Monroe town- ship, is well known in this section of Ohio. In the veins of the Schafer family flows the blood of the German nobility, Henry Philip Schafer being a distant lineal descendant from Baron Hempleman, of Hesse Castle, Ger- many. Many years ago the Schafer family was founded in this country, where no rank of nobility is recognized, and where the merit of the indi- vidual citizen is the measure of his worth. In public and private life, how- ever, the Schafer family in the country of their adoption has fulfilled the worthy traditions of their noble-born ancestors.

Born on September 11, 1864, in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, Henry Philip Schafer is a son of William and Mary ( Morris) Schafer, who, at the time of his birth, were residents of North Creek. Mr. Schafer's pa- ternal grandparents, Philip Jacob and Elizabeth Schafer, came to this coun- try from Germany, and here established the family. Philip Jacob Schafer died, about the year 1840, in Koenig Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany. The maternal grandfather, Henry Morris, whose wife was Margaret Morris, was. the first judge in Putnam county, Ohio.

Henry Philip Schafer's father, William Schafer, was born at Koenig Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, on February 4, 1839, and passed away at North Creek, Putnam county, Ohio, January 1, 1903. His devoted wife, Mrs. Mary ( Morris ) Schafer, the daughter of Judge Morris, and a faithful and loving helpmate throughout his life, was born on August 5, 1845, in Monroe county, Ohio, on October 10, 1902. Of their family of twelve chil- dren, seven were sons and five were daughters. All are now living, except Laura May, the next to the youngest, who died on September 1, 1903. The names of these children in the order of their birth are as follow: Henry Philip and John S., of North Creek, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Jackson, of Gladstone, Michigan; William W., of Greensburg township, Putnam county ; George L., of Defiance county, Ohio; Charles C., of North Creek; Mrs. Sarah E. Weller, of Silver Lake, Indiana ; Mrs. Mary E. Fenstermaker, of Hillsdale, Michigan; Mrs. Ida L. Hiltner, of Palmer township, Putnam county ; Benjamin F., of North Creek, Ohio; Laura May, deceased; and Joseph J., of Adrian, Michigan.

After being educated in the common schools of Palmer township, Put- nam county, Ohio, and especially in District No. 3, of this township, Henry Philip Schafer served as deputy postmaster and railroad express agent at

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North Creek, Ohio, from 1881, at the time he was seventeen years old, until 1884, when he was twenty. On October 6, 1888, he moved to his present farm of fifty-three acres in Monroe township, which is located one-half mile west of the original homestead farm. Here Mr. Schafer has farmed ever since. His land is well improved and shows evidence of the careful cultivation which it has received from its owner. For over twelve years Mr. Schafer has served as secretary of the Palmer Mutual Fire Insurance Asso- ciation, with headquarters at North Creek, Ohio.

One month before he removed to his present farm, on September 6, 1888, Mr. Schafer was married to Martha Weller, a native of Van Buren, Ohio, born on April 7, 1864, the daughter of Dr. Jonathan and Rebecca Weller, the former of whom was born on June 10, 1830, and who died on June 16, 1898, and the latter of whom was born on August 6, 1830, and who died on January 8, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Schafer are the parents of five children : Louis, born in 1891, was married on August 26, 1913; Mrs. Eva Fenstemaker, born on September 23, 1895, was married on January 20, 1915; Mattie, born on June 1I, 1897; Viola, born on July I, 1901, and Ralph, born on December 10, 1903.

Mr. Schafer is a man of fine and friendly impulses, popular in the neigh- borhood where he lives, honorable in his dealings with his neighbors, and highly respected by the community at large. He is a worthy descendant of the great family of Baron Hempleman and a patrician at heart, even though the Schafer family no longer bears this name in our American democracy.

JULIUS C. RISSER.

Among those persons who have, by virtue of their strong individual personality, earned their way to a position of high standing in the estima- tion of their fellow citizens, and who have, by sheer force of character and persistency, acquired a substantial competence in life, is Julius C. Risser, of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio. Mr. Risser has been active in the agricultural and stock raising affairs, of Putnam county, for many years, and has acquired a position of distinct prominence as a breeder of thoroughbred Belgian horses.

Julius C. Risser was born on February 25, 1864, in Allen county, Ohio, near Rockport. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth M. (Smith) Risser, whose family history is to be found elsewhere in this volume in sketches

MR. AND MRS. JULIUS C. RISSER.

OLD AND NEW RESIDENCES OF JULIUS C RISSER.

BARN OF JULIUS C. RISSER.

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of D. R. Risser, a brother of Julius C., and David Risser, of Riley town- ship, an uncle.

Daniel and Elizabeth M. Risser moved to Sugar Creek township, when Julius C. was only a few months old. Here Julius C. remained until he was twenty-seven years old. It was on the old homestead of his father that he spent his childhood and youth. Here he attended the old Michael district school. Shortly after finishing the common schools he went to the Ohio Northwestern University, at Ada, completing the commercial course. After this he returned to the home farm and assisted his father until his marriage, April 1, 1891.

Julius C. Risser was married to Mary E. Clevenger, who was born on the old Clevenger homestead, south of Vaughnsville, September 15, 1866. She is the daughter of James and Catherine (Vaughn) Clevenger.

After his marriage Julius C. Risser came to his wife's home, where they have resided ever since. Mr. Risser took charge of the Clevenger home place, consisting of one hundred acres, and after his father's death obtained possession of his father's home place of two hundred acres, by buying out the interest of the other heirs. Besides Mr. Risser's land holdings in Sugar Creek township, he also owns a section of six hundred and forty acres in Texas. Mr. Risser is a stockholder in the Peoples Banking Company, of Columbus Grove and Vaughnsville.

Julius C. Risser and wife have had eight children: James Daniel, born on January 26, 1892; Catherine Elizabeth, born on July 2, 1893; Ada May, born on September 29, 1895; Sarah Emma, born on September 17, 1898; Nellie Ruth, born on November 14, 1901; Mary Ellen, born on October II, 1904; Harry Edwin, born on July II, 1907, and Grace Pauline, born on April 8, 1911.

Julius C. Risser is the owner of two fine farms, both of which are very highly improved. The old homestead has a very large and commodious barn, forty-two by one hundred feet, and an addition of a substantial cattle barn, thirty by fifty feet. In addition to this, there are other buildings in keeping with the surroundings, including a brick residence of ten rooms. On his present home farm Mr. Risser has good barns and other splendid improvements, including a handsome brick residence of twelve rooms, with all modern conveniences, and equipped with private electric light plant and a water system. It is conceded to be one of the finest country homes in the county. This residence is beautifully situated on the south bank of Sugar creek, one-eighth of a mile south of Vaughnsville. It is a noteworthy fact

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that Mr. Risser owes his prominence in the community largely to his own efforts, untiring energy and good business judgment. He has been branch- ing out lately to the breeding of thoroughbred Belgian horses, having re- cently purchased a magnificent stallion, "Dernier," No. 8673, which won the gold medal at the big horse show of Spa, Belgium, in 1914. He also raises bees and has about one hundred hives, from which he realizes a source of revenue in the sale of honey.

Mr. and Mrs. Risser and family attend the Christian church, of which Mrs. Risser is a member. Mr. Risser is a member of Maccabees Lodge No. 312, at Vaughnsville. Mr. Risser is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office.

JOHN T. VERHOFF.

The names Verhoff and Brinkman for several generations have been familiar and respected among the people of Putnam county, the progenitors of these two families having been among the earlier settlers of the county- pioneers who left their impress upon the community in which they lived and labored, in which they wrested from the wilderness, homes for them- selves, which have come down to their descendants to the fourth and fifth generations, in all of which time the two names above noted have stood for thrift, energy and directness of purpose. When, in 1899, these two names were linked and united by the marriage of John T. Verhoff and Catherine Brinkman there was much rejoicing among the friends of this worthy couple, for this insured the establishment of another family which should be marked by the same sterling traits as ever had characterized the families of the two thus united. It is eminently fitting, therefore, that in a work of this kind, containing the histories of the leading families of Putnam county, some reference should be made to the life of the gentleman whose name appears above.

John T. Verhoff was born on his father's farm near Glandorf, Greens- burg township, Putnam county, Ohio, on April 6, 1871, the son of Theodore and Elizabeth (Egbers) Verhoff, prominent in the life of that part of the county. For further details of the genealogy of the Verhoff family, the reader is referred to the sketch of Theodore Verhoff, father of the subject of this sketch, presented elsewhere in this volume.

John T. Verhoff was reared on the paternal farm and received his edu-

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cation in the common schools of Greensburg township and attended for three years the graded school at Glandorf. Until he was twenty-four years of age he lived on his father's farm, after which he moved to a farm owned by his father in section 29, Greensburg township, where he lived with his brothers, Joseph and August, and his sister, Mary, the latter of whom kept house for them. Here he remained, assisting in the work of the farm, for three years, or until his marriage in 1899, after which he moved to the farm in Union township on which he still resides and which he now owns, but which at that time belonged to his father. Though there were comfortable buildings on this farm at the time he took possession, Mr. Verhoff has greatly improved the place, by reconstructing the house and barn better to conform to the modern standard and has put up a number of substantial outbuildings necessary to the proper operation of the farm. On this farm of one hundred and twenty acres, eighty acres of which he bought from his father, the addi- tional forty having been bought later, Mr. Verhoff engages quite success- fully in general farming and pays some attention to the raising of full- blooded Jersey cattle. He is industrious and energetic and, with the char- acteristic Verhoff thrift, has accumulated a fine property.

On August 23, 1899, John T. Verhoff was united in marriage with Catherine Brinkman, the daughter of Henry and Sophia (Ricker) Brink- man, both of whom were born near Glandorf, in this county, the parents of both having come from Germany in the early days of this county's settle- ment and located in the Glandorf neighborhood, where they joined the other German pioneers in clearing the land for the future generations. Henry and Sophia (Ricker) Brinkman were the parents of nine children, the others, besides Mrs. Verhoff, being: Joseph, Mary, Frank, Barney, Theresa, Bernardina, Anna and Josephine, of whom the first four named are now deceased. The mother of the above children died in 1882 and Mr. Brinkman married, secondly, Caroline Foppe, to which union there were born five children: Henry, Veronica, Helen, Amos (deceased) and Caroline.

To John T. and Catherine (Brinkman) Verhoff have been born the following children: Verona, born on December 30, 1900, died a few days later; Leona, born on May 30, 1902; Mary, born on March 25, 1905; Ber- nardina, born on October 18, 1906, and Raymond, born on June 10, 1908, the first three named of whom are in school and making diligent use of their excellent scholastic opportunities.

John T. Verhoff and wife are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, and are active in the affairs of that parish, being well known for

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their kindliness and benevolence. Mr. Verhoff is connected with the Catho- lic Knights of Ohio and takes an active part in the affairs of that organiza- tion. He is one of the substantial men of his section of the county and wields a good influence therein.

WILLIAM .A. EDELBROCK.

One of the oldest and best known families in Putnam county is the Edelbrock family, one of the members of which the biographer takes pleasure in calling the attention of the reader to at this point in this interesting and valuable biographical volume.

William A. Edelbrock was born March 20, 1863, the son of Henry and Theresa Edelbrock, for the genealogy of whom the reader is referred to the sketch of John Edelbrock, brother of William A., presented elsewhere in this volume.

William A. Edelbrock was reared on his father's farm and received his early education in the neighborhood schools, remaining on the paternal farm until his marriage in 1895, with the exception of two years, during which time he was engaged in the saw-mill business in Greensburg township, this county, and was one of the most popular younk men in the neighborhood.

On November 8, 1895, William Edelbrock was united in marriage with Theresa Huster, the daughter of William and Dora Huster, well-known residents of Greensburg township, where Mr. Huster still lives on his farm, his wife having died some years ago, and who were the parents of seven children, Frank, Charles, William, Philomena, Theresa, Elizabeth and Kath- arine.

Mrs. Edelbrock's father, William Huster, was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Gertker) Huster, who had eight children. Henry and Elizabeth came to this country and settled where their son William now lives. She died here and he moved to Shelby county, Ohio, where he lived until his death. William Huster was married in Glan- dorf, Putnam county, to Dora Schroeder. She was born in Putnam county, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary Schroeder, who were born in Germany. After marriage, William and Dora (Schroeder) Huster moved to a farm in Greensburg township, and later, after his father had moved to Shelby county, Ohio, he bought the home place from his father in Greensburg township, of sixty acres, and he now owns eighty-seven acres. To William Huster and

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wife were born nine children, Frank, Charles, William, Philomena, Theresa (wife of subject of this sketch), Elizabeth, Katrina, all living, and Henry and Maryann, who are dead. Mr. Huster's wife died on January 4, 191I. He still lives on his farm, which is just east of his son-in-law's, Mr. Edel- brock. Mr. Huster's sons manage and develop the farm. All belong to St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf.

Following his marriage, Mr. Edelbrock moved to a farm of forty-seven acres, which he bought in Jackson township, this county, which he improved and on which he remained for four years. He then moved to Greensburg township, where for two years he operated the old Dangler saw-mill. At the end of that time he sold this mill, but later took it over again and moved it to Avis, at which place he bought forty-three acres of land, on which he now operates the mill and engages in general farming. This saw-mill is of modest size and capacity, but turns out a good deal of custom work and has proved not only a great convenience in the neighborhood, but a source of con- siderable revenue to the owner.

To William A. and Theresa (Huster) Edelbrock there have been born three children : Hulda, born on July 11, 1897; Louis, born on July 25, 1899, and Leonore, born on December 6, 1908, who are the delight of the lives of their devoted parents and the light of their happy home.

William Edelbrock and wife are members of the Catholic church at Glandorf and are rearing their children in that faith. They take an active part in the benevolent affairs of their home parish and are interested in all the good works of the neighborhood, being well liked and popular throughout that entire region.

ASA VARNER.

A great movement cannot be built on one little ship-the Mayflower. It takes a lot of ships and a big lot of people to make a commonwealth. A pyramid cannot be built on its apex, nor a great nation on one ship. Ply- mouth and Salem and Boston; Providence and Hartford and New Haven; Manhattan, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Jamestown, Raleigh, Charleston and Sa- vannah are the bright and shining stars of the Pilgrim immigration to Amer- ica; and the Brotherhood of Separationists, of Puritans, of Dutch burgo- masters, of Roman Catholic freemen, of Philadelphia Quakers, of Virginia planters, of Carolina disciples of Locke and Huguenots of Georgia, illustrate the fact that one type of motive makes the world akin. In the very nature

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of things, there are in this section of Ohio many descendants of the old Colonial families, the progeny after many generations of those who dared the perils of a new world to obtain the freedom of conscience which their souls panted for. Among these there is one, whose descent on both the maternal and maternal line, is from old Colonial stock, who merits mention in this bio- graphical work, not only on account of his long American lineage, but on ac- count of the character of his labors in this community, and it is a pleasure for the biographer here to engage the reader's attention to a brief and modest re- view of the life of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch.

Asa Varner, a well-known and progressive farmer of Greensburg town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, was born on the farm on which he still makes his home and where his whole life has been spent, on September 15, 1853, the son of Jacob and Eliza (Guyton) Varner, the former of whom was born in Paige county, Virginia, of a family that for generations had been promi- nent in Virginian affairs, and the latter of whom was born in Maryland, a member of a family that had been established in that state in early Colonial days.

Jacob Varner was reared in Paige county, Virginia, the place of his birth, and there grew up as a practical farmer. In the year 1833, when about thirty years of age, he migrated to Ohio, coming to Putnam county, where he entered from the government a tract of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Greensburg township, where he spent the rest of his life, this same farm now being in the possession of his son. Jacob Varner entered upon the task of clearing this farm, which was then covered with a virgin forest. He erected a log cabin, the floor of which was of split slabs, and in that humble dwelling-place he lived and labored alone for several years. Then, seeing his way clear to the establishuent of a definite and permanent home, he sought a helpmate and brought to his cabin-home his bride, Eliza Guyton, the daugh- ter of Vincent and Anna Guyton, who had settled on a farm in Ottawa town- ship, this county, having come to this county from the state of Maryland. With this additional incentive to labor, Jacob Varner continued the task of bringing his farm to a proper state of cultivation and quickly had a profitable and productive place, soon becoming one of the best-circumstanced men in that pioneer neighborhood. As circumstances warranted he built new and better buildings on his place and later added to his original holdings an ad- joining tract of eighty acres, bringing it all to an excellent state of cultiva- tion, having at the time of his death one of the model farms of Greensburg township. Not only did he prosper on the material side, but he did well his

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part in the moral, social and civic life of the community and was looked upon as one of the leaders in that section of the county, both he and his wife being regarded as among the leaders in the communal life. Jacob Varner died in 1895, his wife having predeceased him ten years, her death having occurred in 1885, and both were sincerely mourned in the community of which they so long had been such prominent and active factors.

To Jacob and Eliza (Guyton) Varner were born nine children: Mary- ann, Ellen, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Barbara, Isaiah, William J., Asa and Ruth, all of whom are still living, save Maryann and Barbara. Maryann married Dr. Hiram Ayres, of Paulding Center, Ohio, where her death occurred; Elizabeth married David Cushman and lives in Michigan; Rebecca married Virgil Bibler and also lives in Michigan; Isaiah married Fannie Lantus and resides in Greensburg township, this county; William J. married Anna Simon and lives in Ottawa.

Asa Varner was reared on the paternal farm and received his early edu- cation in the schools of Greensburg township. Upon attaining manhood's estate he continued to remain at home, assisting his father in the manage- ment of the place, not marrying until he was thirty-five years of age. After his marriage he continued to remain on the home place, which he inherited upon the death of his father in 1895. Since coming into possession, Mr. Varner has made many notable improvements on the place and now has one of the best equipped farms in Greensburg township, all the appointments of the same being up-to-date and complete.

On October 2, 1887, Asa Varner was united in marriage with Arnolda Greene, daughter of Henry and Mary (Hunter) Greene, the former of whom was born in Athens county, Ohio, and the latter of whom was born in Franklin county, Ohio. Bereft of his mother in his early childhood, Henry Greene was reared by his half-sister, Sarah, and received his education in the schools of Athens county. Upon reaching manhood, he went to Franklin county to work on a farm and there met and married Mary Hunter and three years later came to Putnam county, locating on a farm of forty acres near Fort Jennings. This he later sold and moved to the town of Kalida, where he bought property, at the same time buying forty acres of land in Union township. His wife died during their residence in Kalida, after which Mr. Greene made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Varner, his death occurring on May 12, 1901, two years after the death of his wife. The Greenes were most excellent people and were held in the highest regard by their wide circle of acquaintances. They were the parents of nine children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being: Sarah, William, Silas, Weltha, Mary and

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 62

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