History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 63

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 63

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Arnolda, the latter of whom married Mr. Varner. William Greene was a soldier of the Union army during the Civil War, having served for three years in Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. He lived but three days after returning home from the serv- ice, his death being due to illness contracted in the army.

To Asa and Arnolda (Greene) Varner have been born five children, as. follows : Floyd Ellis, who was born on February 12, 1889, and died on Feb- ruary 16, 1889; Ina Victoria, born on September 16, 1894; Byron Eugene, born on June 9, 1897; Gladys Merle, born on December 3, 1899, and Alfred Clarke, born on July 3, 1902. Gladys and Ina attended the high school at Continental and the latter was graduated from that institution with the class of 1915. Byron assists his father in the management of the farm. In addi- tion to rearing their own family, Mr. and Mrs. Varner have reared three orphans to manhood and womanhood, taking them into their home in their childhood, educating them and giving them happy homes until their marriage, rearing them even as their own children. The three persons thus happily provided for are Arthur Quick, Burt Butler and Gertrude Stevens, all well known in the neighborhood of the Varner home.

The Varner home is noted for its generous hospitality and Mr. and Mrs. Varner are considered as among the leaders in the social life of their com- munity. Kindly and full of Christian charity, they have the regard of all who know them and are highly esteemed throughout that whole section of the country.

FRANK RIEMAN, SR.

There is no vocation in which man may engage which permits of so much independence as that of the agriculturist. Modern methods of farm- ing and a just return for his labors have brought this about. Time was when the farmer was almost looked down upon and when his true position in the economic scheme of the country was little appreciated, but that day is past, and the successful and up-to-date farmer may, if he so desires, have all the advantages worth while which his city brother possesses, and, in ad- dition, have the freedom, the independence and the joy of out-of-doors, which the average city man knows little of.

One of the well-known farmers of Putnam county, Ohio, is Frank Rieman, Sr., the immediate subject of this sketch, who was born in Ottawa township on February 24, 1842, a son of John and Mary (Mehring) Rie- man, both natives of Oldenburg, Germany.

MR. AND MRS. FRANK RIEMAN, SR.

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John Rieman, when a youth, emigrated from the Fatherland with his parents, the family locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, at which point he married his wife. After remaining there a short time, the family came to Putnam county, settling near Glandorf, and later removing to a farm where the parents passed the remainder of their days. Of the family, Frank Rie- man is the only son living at this time, and surviving with him are his. three sisters, Bernadina, Anna and Mary. The brothers who have passed from life are John, Ignatius, Barney and Charles.

When a boy, Frank Rieman attended the schools near his home and worked with his father on the home farm. Early in 1866 he was united. in marriage to Mary Karhoff, a daughter of Henry and Adelaide (Grothe) Karhoff, both born in the province of Hanover, Germany. Immediately upon arriving in this country, they set out for Putnam county, where they passed the remainder of their days. At first Mr. Karhoff secured employ- ment during the construction of the old canal and then he purchased a farm in Ottawa township, upon which they spent their remaining years. He was but fifty-one years of age at the time of his death, but his widow survived him until she had reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years. Their children were Theresa (deceased), Mary (wife of our immediate subject ), Bernadina, Frank, Anna and Philomena.

Shortly after marriage, on April 25, 1866, Frank Rieman and his bride came to the farm where he now lives. Through the passing years this. spot has become very dear to him, for her the children were all born and reared and the many happy associations have bound him closely to the spot. The farm home first contained but eighty acres, but Mr. Rieman has added to it until his possessions at the present time total one hundred and ninety acres. This homestead contains splendid buildings, most all of which have been erected by Mr. Rieman, and in addition to his general farming, in which he is highly successful, he specializes to a limited extent in full-blooded. Short-horn cattle.

The children of the family are: Philomena, born on March 14, 1867; Ignatius, born on December 6, 1870; Frank, born on November 14, 1872; Andrew, born on November 14, 1874; Charles, born on November 18, 1878, and Clara, born on March 18, 1882. Hubert, the youngest of the family, first saw the light of day on August 25, 1886. Philomena became the wife of Frank Marmon, of Liberty township, this county, and is the mother of two children. Ignatius married Bernadina Schmidt and lives in Union township. They have one child. Frank married Lena Edelbrook and is engaged in farming in Greensburg township. They have three children.

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Andrew married Flora Merschman, who has borne him one child. Charles chose Nora Quinn as his life partner and they reside in Indianapolis, In- diana. Clara and Hubert remain under the parental roof.

Mr. Rieman has lived his life so that he is held high in the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, and the same may well be said of every member of his family. Both he and his good wife are genial, whole- hearted people of a high order of intelligence, and the influence which has emanated from their charming home circle cannot be estimated. The fam- ily belong to St. John's, at Glandorf, and Mr. Rieman's political prefer- ences are with the Democratic party, although he finds little time for such matters, as he is thoroughly devoted to his farm. While he is practically retired from active farming, he is still hale and hearty, an intelligent old gentleman and very amiable, as is also his wife.

They have a very attractive farm. He and his wife take great pride in their garden, which furnishes the recreation and interest for them since they have reached advanced years. He has, in the past, served as a member of the school board, but generally has confined his attention to his farm.

JOSEPH M. SHANK.

Every state and nation must have its leaders, and we would join the choir of voices which honor their names and achievements. In spite of its numerous industries and commercial interests, wealth, we are told, is, in the last analysis, based upon the soil. If this be true, the back-bone of the American republic is the mass of toilers who have created wealth by convert- ing the waste lands into fertile fields, and have been content to let their lives be the shadowed backgrounds for the heralded deeds of those whom the world calls great. Many such are by the world unknown, but they have filled their niche, and have added much to the common good.

Among those who have helped to make the history of Putnam county, both by reason of their own industry and inherited talent, is Joseph M. Shank. That enterprise characterizes this family, is evidenced by the fact that one uncle built and operated the first grist-mill in the county, and another the first hotel.

Joseph M. Shank was born in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, January 1, 1839. He is the son of Jonas and Fannie (Myers) Shank.

The father of Mr. Shank was for many years a much-beloved preacher,

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being the first ordained minister of the Mennonite faith in Putnam county. The neighbors still relate incidents showing the devotion of this good man to his people. It is said that many times he neglected his business to attend and officiate at funerals or to visit the sick. For twenty-seven years this man went about preaching and doing good. He was born and educated in Maryland, and was twenty-six years old when he came to this county. Hav- ing learned to be a skilful blacksmith, he worked several years at this trade in Putnam county, locating on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. This farm is now the home of Samuel Shank. Jonas Shank married in Maryland, before he came west.

Going back another generation, we find that the parents of Jonas Shank and grandparents of Joseph, were Christian and Mary Shank whose home was in Washington county, Maryland, where they spent their entire lives. Four of their children, Henry, Jacob, Christian and Jonas removed in their early manhood to Putnam county, and a daughter, Sophia, also came west and married Henry Myers. They lived on a farm in the same county with their brothers until their death. Three brothers remained in Maryland. They were Fred, Noah and John.

The maternal grandparents of Joseph Shank were John and Mary Myers. John Myers was a German by birth, coming to America before the Revolutionary War, when he was still an energetic wide-awake young man. After his marriage in Maryland where he first settled, he too came west and selected Greensburg township, Putnam county, for his future home. He lived on a farm now occupied by Joseph Prowant. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers were: Jacob, Joseph, John, Samuel, Peter and Fannie, the mother of Joseph M. Shank, concerning whom this review is written; Maria, Barbara, Abraham and Christian.

Coming to this county, about 1832, the men of this interesting family all engaged in agricultural pursuits. Samuel it was, however, whose ambi- tion extended beyond the farm to a grist-mill, which was the first to turn the quiet waters of the nearest stream to industrial use. And Peter, with the gregarious tastes, surrounded himself with the social life of a country tav- ern. This attractive social center was situated where Dupont is now. All of the members of this pioneer family belonged to the faith of their father, the Mennonite church and all have long since passed away.

With this glimpse of the family inheritance of Joseph Shank, it is not surprising to learn that Mr. Shank impressed his personality so strongly upon the community that for many years he inspired its educational interests and held offices which, though political, gave him opportunity for honest and efficient service.

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Though he was born and died on a farm, agricultural pursuits did not limit his activities, as the varied interests of his life will show. After leav- ing school, he began the career of a farmer, first renting a farm. But not content with this, he bought eighty acres, the land on which he now resides. This was in the year of 1864, after three years of residence on rented prop- erty. Then began the work that brought out the sturdy characteristics that always elicit admiration. With his own hands, he cleared and drained the land, and erected the buildings in which to house his family and live stock.

Joseph M. Shank was twice married. His first marriage occurred in 1862, when he married Samantha Neill, daughter of John and Anna Neill. Their children were: Seth, Eldon, Emmet, John, Aaron, Albert and Alban. The last two were twins, and died when three years of age. Seth, who became a school teacher, farmer and county clerk, married Margaret Ice, and now lives in Paulding county, Ohio. Eldon married Zella Dangler, and moved to Ashtabula, Ohio. Their children are: Lester, Paul, William, Cleota, Elizabeth, Alice and Joseph. Emmet has had the responsible posi- tion of conductor on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad for over twenty years. He married Callie Burkett, who became the mother of three boys, Harold, Ralph and Joseph. Their home is in Lima, Ohio. John, who married Creta Schuler, is also a railroader. His home is in Lima, Ohio. Lela Hill became the wife of Aaron, whose residence is in Lima, Ohio. Aaron is a skilled mechanic.

Joseph M. Shank's first wife passed away in 1878. Seven years later he married Sarah Kirkendall, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Kirkendall, of Putnam county, formerly of Columbiana county, Ohio. This marriage occurred on August 12, 1885.

. An interesting circumstance connected with the family history of the second Mrs. Shank is that her grandfather lived to be one hundred and five years old. He and his wife moved from Columbiana county to Putnam county where they lived only two years, returning then to their former home where they died. Their children were: Benjamin, Edward, Van Anna, Elizabeth, Rebecca, John and Daniel.

The maternal grandparents of the second Mrs. Shank were John and Ruth Crawford, residents of Columbiana county, where they lived and died. Their children were: David, Perry, Samuel, who was killed in the Civil War; Sarah and Elizabeth, who was the mother of Sarah Kirkendall Shank. Mrs. Shank's family figures prominently in the early history of Ohio, as she comes from a line of fighters, among whom was Colonel Crawford, who was captured by the Indians and burned at the stake.

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The children born to the second marriage of Joseph Shank were Ora, Bessie and Loa. Ora, who is an electrical engineer and lives in New Haven, Connecticut, became the husband of Elmer Trench; Bessie, the second daugh- ter, has remained single, as has also her sister Loa. All of Mr. Shank's children received their education in the county in which they lived. Bessie became a well-known and much liked school teacher and is now a book- keeper for the Buckeye Company at Continental, Ohio.

Mr. Shank's brothers and sisters, Susan and Mary, were born in Mary- land. Of these, the former married H. S. Mellinger, a farmer living in Putnam county. Mary became the wife of S. W. Neill, and lived until her death where Joseph Neill now lives. Elizabeth married Jacob Stauffer and they made their home in Richland county until the latter was killed in the Civil War. A successful farmer in this county is Christian, the husband of Catherine Shank Brenneman. John, who married a Miss Hoover, who was then engaged in teaching school, is still living and making his home on a farm. Samuel married Nannie Donavon and resided in Greensburg town- ship. Barbara Ridenour became the wife of Jonas Shank, and they are living near Kalida, Ohio. Veronica, the youngest sister of Mr. Shank, married David Smith and now lives in Dupont.

Joseph M. Shank always took a deep interest in matters concerning the schools, and it was this interest that led his friends and the citizens in general to make him a school director. During his term of office, the school work of the county was placed upon a higher and more efficient plane than it had formerly occupied. That he found time for public office is evidenced by the fact that for eleven years, Mr. Shank was township assessor and for twelve years served as township trustee.

In national politics, Mr. Shank may be classed as a militant Democrat of the old school, but he reserves the right to exercise independence when it comes to voting in local elections. In religious matters, Mr. Shank casts his lot with the Methodists, and contributes of his means to that demonination.

As a farmer, his interests have been for years along the line of raising fine live stock, and for miles around, the traveler hears of his splendid Chester White hogs, which are of excellent breed.

In spite of his advanced years, Mr. Shank is very active both mentally and physically. He personally superintends matters pertaining to the farm, and yet finds time to read and keep abreast with the times. Both he and his wife, who comes of Revolutionary stock, are among those who are most greatly esteemed in the community in which they and their families have lived.

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SAMUEL D. HENSEL.

Biography does more than give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments. Its function is to leave upon the pages of history the verdict of his neighbors and friends, with reference to his character and reputation in the community where he has lived. The life history of Samuel D. Hensel, the present postmaster at Continental, Ohio, has been such as to elicit just praise from his neighbors and from the men who know him best. He has always been loyal to every trust imposed upon him and has been upright in all of his dealings with his fellows. While he has prospered in a personal way, at the same time, he has always given his support towards promoting any cause which might advance the welfare of the community at large. Samuel D. Hensel is a man well known in Putnam county.

Samuel D. Hensel was born, December 18, 1867, in Perry township, and is the son of George and Catherine (Smith) Hensel. George Hensel was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, and grew up there. He came to Dela- ware county, Ohio, early in life and remained there for four years. He was reared as a farmer and made this his vocation while living in Dela- ware county. On September 13, 1861, George Hensel was married in Delaware county, and immediately after his marriage, he moved to Put- nam county, settling in Perry township on sixty acres of land. He lived upon this farm for nine years, then sold it and removed to Monroe town- ship. Here he farmed eighty acres until his death on March 16, 1892, at the age of sixty-three years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dupont, Ohio, for over thirty-five years. He served as constable for many years. During a long period he displayed a keen interest in out-of-door sports. He was an active worker in the United Brethren church at Prairie Chapel, Union township.

Mrs. Catherine Hensel, who before her marriage was Catherine Smith, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, was born on November 7, 1833. She was the daughter of Gilbert and Nellie (Cortwright) Smith. Mr. and Mrs. George Hensel were the parents of six children: Warner, who died on July 4, 1872; Harry, who lives at Jeffersonville, Indiana; Samuel D., the subject of this sketch; Manford, who died on March 18, 1900; Sher- man, who died in infancy; and George, who lives at home, but works in Lima, Ohio. Mrs. Hensel's father, Gilbert Smith, was born in New York state and left there alone at the age of twenty-one, walking with his worldly

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possessions, tied in a handkerchief, to Worthington, Franklin county, Ohio, where he located. Here he learned the tanner's and shoemaker's trades, which he followed for some time. Later, he removed to Delaware county, Ohio, purchased land and farmed until his death in 1887. He had a tan- nery on his farm. His wife, who before her marriage, was Nellie Cort- wright, was born in Lower Canada in 1799, and grew up there, coming to. America at the age of fourteen years with her parents and settling in Delaware county, where they died. They came to this country during the Indian and British war, driving over Lake Erie on the ice in a sleigh. Mrs. Smith died in 1892. She was the mother of seven children, Laura, Julia, Amanda, Charles B., David, Catherine and Cicerio. All of these children are deceased with the exception of Catherine, who is the mother of Samuel D.

George Hensel, the father of Samuel D., was the son of George and Mary (Howell) Hensel, the former of whom was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and the latter of Union county, Ohio. He came from Pennsylvania to Union county, Ohio, and there settled on a farm. Before his death, he had accumulated two large farms and was considered a successful farmer. He died on the old homestead, as did also his wife.

Samuel D. Hensel left home at the age of fifteen years and worked out by the month, but lived at home and paid his own way. He learned the carpenter trade and followed it for some time before his marriage. He also made bent wagon rims for nine years. For one year he was employed on the Nickel Plate railroad as a brakeman on both freight and passenger trains. He grew up in Perry township and here he received his education. With the exception of one year spent in Hancock county, he has always lived in Putnam county. The first year after Mr. Hensel's marriage, he lived at McComb, in Hancock county. After this he moved back to Putnam county and settled in Monroe township, on a farm of one hundred acres, which he- bought. He farmed this one hundred acres for about twenty-two years and then sold out. He now has thirty-five acres near Continental, Ohio, and one hundred and four acres in Canada. After Mr. Hensel's election as post- master, in 1914, he held a sale, selling all of his farm tools, fine animals, machinery, etc., and then leased the farm to a tenant. He built a splendid residence in Continental, Ohio, where he now resides.

Mr. Hensel was married February 8, 1890, to Martha Boggs, a native of Monroe township, born in 1869, and the daughter of Madison Boggs. To this happy union, eight children have been born, all of whom are at home.

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They are as follow: Forrest, Blanche, Francis, Lyle, Maude, Clyde, Katie and Grover.

Fraternally, Mr. Hensel is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Oakwood, Ohio. He is also a member of the Encampment and the Daughters of Rebekah. He served one term as trustee of Monroe town- ship and was also township supervisor and a member of the school board for a number of years. Mr. Hensel was elected postmaster in July, 1914, and is making an efficient record in this office. He is a stanch and active Democrat and for four years was one of the committeemen of the Democratic party, serving efficiently in this capacity. He has been for the past four years a member of the Mutual Telephone board. Although Mr. Hensel is not a member of any church, he was reared in the Methodist faith. He is a con- genial, jolly man and decidedly well met, always carrying a smile, at the same time bearing a high reputation in the community where he lives as a man of intelligence, charity and honorable, upright habits.

JOSEPH VOGEL.

Joseph Vogel, a sturdy offspring of the Fatherland, first saw the light of day in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1856. He was a son of Anton and Katherine (Kramer) Vogel, both natives of Germany, the former having been born in Hesse and the latter in Gerolstein, and was one of their family of four children, the others being Katie, Clara and Anna. Both Katie and Clara have passed from this life, and Anna resides in Canton, Ohio, where she is the wife of John Buch.

Anton Vogel, father of Joseph Vogel, was a young man when he emigrated from his native land to this country, and as a youth had mastered the baker's trade in his native land. After coming to this country he con- ducted a bakery in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where the family lived for some time and where all the children were born. The death of his wife occurred at that place, after which he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. He en- listed in the regular army of the United States shortly after going there, and while he was in the service in the Southwest served during the Indian uprisings. After the war he returned to Cincinnati.

Joseph Vogel was but six years old at the time of the death of his mother. His father brought him to Putnam county, Ohio, and placed him in charge of his maternal uncle and aunt, Anton and Eva Kramer, brother

JOSEPH VOGEL.

RESIDENCE OF JOSEPHI VOGEL.

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and sister. They were living on the place which is now occupied by Mr. Vogel. Neither being married, they gave to the boy placed in their care the best of love and attention. Making his home with them as he did, he at- tended the schools of the neighborhood whenever possible, while he as- sisted his uncle in clearing land and getting it into a state of cultivation, which included more or less draining. When quite a youth he did a man's work on the farm, and today enjoys relating some of his experiences in chopping trees when a boy. He worked one entire day in chopping at a giant of the forest before it was felled.

When twenty-one years of age Mr. Vogel was united in marriage to Anna Osage, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine ( Huester) Osage, who resided on a farm one mile southwest of his home. There were four chil- dren in the Osage family, the others being Theresa, Mary and William. Theresa became the wife of Joseph Knueve, of Kalida, this county; Mary resides in Michigan, and William lives at Lima, this state. After mar- riage Joseph Vogel continued to live on the farm where he had been reared as a boy. On the day he attained his majority his uncle presented him with eighty acres of land, and later a partnership was formed when they pur- chased eighty acres additional. At the death of his uncle he inherited from him one hundred and sixty acres, making his entire holdings at the present time two hundred and forty acres. Anton Kramer departed this life in February, 1902, at the age of seventy-eight years. The aunt died some years previous, in 1885.

Mr. Vogel's wife died in 1881, leaving two small children, Mary, born on June 3, 1879, and Theresa, born on September 9, 1880, the latter being about four months old at the time of the death of her mother. Mr. Vogel proved a most devoted father to his two little motherless girls and reared them to a beautiful young womanhood. Mary became the wife of Frank Unverfurth, son of Anton Unverfurth, and lives in Greensburg township, and Theresa married Henry Dickman, a son of William and Anna (Spiel- brink) Dickman. Henry Dickman is a native of the German Empire, hav- ing been born in Hanover, and was one year old when he was brought to this country by his parents. They came directly to this county and for a time lived in Glandorf, later locating on a farm near Ottoville. Henry be- gan attending the district schools as soon as of suitable age, and until the time he was twenty-three years old he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. At that age he was married, and since that time he and his wife have made their home with Joseph Vogel, and assist him in the man-

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 63

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