History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 77

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 77

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Charles Rhodes was born on September 30, 1868, in Sugar Creek town-

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ship, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of James and Elizabeth ( Guffy) Rhodes, the former of whom was born in Franklin county, Ohio, March 12, 1828, and who died on October 12, 1914. James Rhodes was the son of Peter and Catherine ( Huffman) Rhodes. Peter Rhodes came to Putnam county in 1834 and entered land from the government on Hog creek in the western part of Sugar Creek township, where he afterward operated a grist- mill on the banks of Hog creek. He also operated a store in the early days, was one of Putnam county's first citizens and passed through all of the pioneer experiences of his time. He died while still a comparatively young man. His wife survived him only a short time. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, John, Jacob, James. William, George, Mary, Elizabeth and Joseph, who died in childhood. James Rhodes, the father of Charles, was only four years old when he came with his parents to Putnam county. He spent his childhood on the old Rhodes homestead and here grew to man- hood. When he was thirty-two years of age, he was married on May 6, 1860, to Elizabeth Guffy, who was born in Sugar Creek township, August 20, 1840, and who was the daughter of William and Mary Ann ( Jacobs ) Guffy. William Guffy was born on November 22, 1806, in Franklin county, Ohio, and was the son of John and Nancy ( Pendleton ) Guffy. John and Nancy Guffy were natives of Kentucky. Henry Guffy, the father of John, came with two brothers from Ireland and settled in Kentucky at a very early date. He was killed by the Indians. John Guffy had one full brother, one full sister and five half-brothers and sisters. Of these, the full brother, Henry Guffy, was killed by the Indians near Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1812 or 1813. John Guffy was a young man when he came to Ohio with his mother and step- father, who settled in Franklin county. John was married there and lived on leased land. He came to Putnam county in 1829 and entered a tract of land in Sugar Creek township. He did not come permanently to reside, however, until 1831, when he entered additional land, making a total of three hundred and four acres, upon which he made his home until his death, July I, 1874. Of his land, forty acres were obtained with a warrant granted him for services in the War of 1812. This tract was increased to three hundred and four acres, and he owned, besides, one hundred and twenty acres in Kansas. John and Nancy Guffy were the parents of the following children : Isaac and William, twins, of whom Isaac died in Kansas in 1885 : Margaret, deceased, who married Samuel Parker; Henry, deceased; Jane, who mar- ried James McKinley; Joseph, who was killed by a falling tree in 1835; Aquilla, who died leaving a family of six children; Sarah, who married Jacob Rhodes; Nelson, who lives in Michigan; and Elizabeth, who married Will-

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iam McLain. William, one of the twins, married Mary Ann Jacobs and they have the following children, Samuel, Elizabeth, Alexander, Anetta, George, James, Sarah and Alice. Mary Ann Guffy died on November 8, I864.

James Rhodes went to California in 1850 and worked in the gold mines for four years. Later, he returned to Putnam county and, after six years was married and settled on a part of the homestead of his father, just north of Rimer, in Sugar Creek township, where he lived the remainder of his life, with the exception of three years which he spent in Columbus Grove. He died on the old home place on October 12, 1914, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. He was a member of the Ottawa River Christian church and a Republican in politics.

James and Elizabeth (Guff) Rhodes had five sons, Francisco, who died at the age of eighteen months; William, who married Mary Blosser and lives in Sugar creek township; Frank, who lives in Texas; Charles, the subject of this sketch; and James, who died in infancy.

Charles Rhodes, who was born on the old homestead where he spent his childhood and youth, has resided on the farm since that time. He attended the Rimer district school, and after finishing school, he continued to help his father on the home place. At the age of nineteen years, he took charge of the place and at the age of twenty-seven he was married on February 12, 1896, to Elizabeth Stevick, who was born in Allen county, in Marion town- ship, December 3, 1868. She was the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Thomas) Stevick.

Jacob Stevick was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1843, and was of German descent. His wife, Mary Thomas, was born in North Wales, on July 13, 1840, and was the daughter of John W. and Mary (Arthur) Thomas. She came to America with her parents when five years old and spent the remainder of her life in Allen county. She died in July, 1872, and Jacob Stevick died in February, 1906, at the age of sixty-six years. He and his wife had five children, three sons and two daughters, John, who married Emma Foote; Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Rhodes; William, who died at the age of five years; Margaret, who is the wife of P. N. Patton; and Archibald, who died in infancy.

After Charles Rhodes was married, he continued to farm the old home place, which has been his residence since that time. He has always donc general farming and has been very successful. Mr. Rhodes' farm has a seven-room, modern residence, a commodious barn and other outbuildings which are neatly kept. He owns fifty-five acres and, with his brother Will- iam, farms one hundred and eighteen acres.

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Charles Rhodes attends the Ottawa River Christian church of which Mrs. Rhodes is a member. He is a Republican. He is a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 711, of Vaughnsville. He is one of Sugar Creek township's well-known and substantial farmers. He is a clean-cut and pro- gressive citizen and, from every standpoint, is highly deserving of representa- tion in this volume.

WILLIAM D. RHODES.

The success of men in business, farming or, in fact, any other vocation, depends upon many things, but among the things upon which it depends is character in the individual. The relations of life between farmers and busi- ness men demand confidence, and where that is lacking business relations of the farmer end. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, common sense and moral worth. Neighbors and acquaintances respect them and the younger generation heed their example. They win their way as a consequence of untiring energy and correct principles and through proper application hold the respect of their fellow-men. Among the well- known farmers of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, who has won in the battles of life by sheer merit is William D. Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes belongs to one of the pioneer families of Putnam county, and his name is one that has been honored for several generations in the history of this county.

William D. Rhodes was born in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, on August 30, 1861. He is the son of James W. and Elizabeth (Guffy) Rhodes. James Rhodes was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on March 12, 1828, and died on October 12, 1914. He was the son of Peter and Catherine (Huffman) Rhodes. Peter Rhodes came to Putnam county in 1834 and entered land from the government on Hog creek, in the western part of Sugar Creek township. He established a grist mill on the banks of Hog creek, and also operated a store in the early days. He was one of Putnam county's pioneer citizens and passed through all of the pioneer experiences of the day. He died when still comparatively a young man. His wife sur- vived him only a short time. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, John, Jacob, James, William, George, Mary Elizabeth and Joseph, who died in childhood.

James Rhodes was only four years old when he came with his parents `to Putnam county. He spent his childhood and youth on the old Rhodes homestead and here he grew to manhood. When he was thirty-two years

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of age he was married on May 6, 1860, to Elizabeth Guffy, who was born in Sugar Creek township on August 20, 1840, and who was the daughter of William and Mary Ann (Jacobs) Guffy. William Guffy was born in Franklin county. Ohio, on November 22, 1806, and was one of twins, the first-born children of John and Nancy ( Pendleton) Guffy, natives of Kentucky. John Guffy's father, Henry Guffy, came with two brothers from Ireland and settled in Kentucky at a very early date. Henry Guffy was killed by the Indians. John Guffy had one full brother, one full sister and five half-brothers and sisters. His full brother, Henry Guffy, was killed by the Indians near Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1812 or 1813. John Guffy was a young man when he came to Ohio with his mother and step-father, who settled in Franklin county. John Guffy was married there and lived on leased land until in 1829, when he came to Putnam county. Forty acres of his land was obtained by a warrant granted him for his services in the War of 1812. This tract he increased to three hundred and four acres, and owned, besides, one hundred and twenty acres in Kansas. Mr. Guffy was a well-known farmer in Putnam county. He was married to Mary Ann Jacobs in 1834, and to them were born ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Those who lived were: Samuel, Elizabeth, the wife of James Rhodes; Alexander, who died a prisoner in the Civil War; Anetta. who married Noah Meyers; George and James, farmers; Sarah, who married John Cratty, and Alice, who married Christo- pher Sakemiller. William Guffy's wife died on November 8, 1864.

James Rhodes went to California in 1850 and worked in the gold mines for four years. Later he returned to Putnam county, and six years afterward was married. He settled on a part of the homestead of his father just north of Rimer in Sugar Creek township, and here he lived the remainder of his life, with the exception of three years, which he spent in Columbus Grove. Here on the old homestead he died on October 12, 1914. He was a member of the Ottawa River Christian church and was a Republican in politics. James and Elizabeth Rhodes had five sons, Francisco, who died at the age of eighteen months; William, who is the subject of this sketch; Frank, who lives in Texas ; Charles, who is a farmer in Sugar Creek township, and James, who died in infancy.

William D. Rhodes spent his childhood and youth on the old Rhodes homestead north of Rimer, at which time he attended the Rimer district school and, with the exception of one term spent at the Keirns district school, received all of his education in this school. After finishing school he con- tinued to help his father on the farm, where he remained, with the exception of one year, until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married.

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William D. Rhodes was married on December 9, 1886, to Mary A. Blosser, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on May 14, 1859. She is the daughter of Jacob and Sophronia (Seitz) Blosser. Jacob Blosser was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1830. He came to Fairfield county, Ohio, when a young man and here he met and married Sophronia Seitz. After their marriage they resided for a few years in Fairfield county, and when Mary A. was an infant they moved to Union township, Putnam county, about three miles east of Kalida. In later years they moved two and one- half miles south of Kalida, where they now reside. Jacob Blosser died at this place in August, 1892, where his wife, Sophronia, still survives. Jacob Blosser was a lifelong member of the Baptist church. He was a Democrat in politics and a successful farmer, who owned one hundred and four acres of land. He was a faithful member of the church, a devoted husband and a loving father. His wife is also a member of the Baptist church. Jacob Blosser and wife had thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, Lydia, Mary A., Catherine, Alice, Sarah, Elizabeth, Sophronia, John S., Charles D., Enoch, deceased; Noah, deceased; Ida and Edson. Mrs. William D. Rhodes received her early education in Union township and remained there until her marriage to Mr. Rhodes.

After his marriage William D. Rhodes lived on the old home place for three years, and the following spring. in 1889, he moved to a farm owned by his father just south of Rimer, which farm consisted of fifty-eight acres. Four years later he purchased this farm from his father, it having at the time only an old frame house and a log barn. Mr. Rhodes proceeded to drain, clear and fence the farm. He built a substantial eight-room residence and a commodious barn, thirty-six by fifty-four feet, and other buildings in keeping with the surroundings. Today Mr. Rhodes has one of the finest farms in the township, and it is almost wholly the result of his own efforts. In addition to operating this land, Mr. Rhodes is in partnership with his brother Charles, who farm altogether one hundred and twenty-one acres. William D. Rhodes has always done general farming and attributes his suc- cess to the raising of hogs.

To William D. and Mary A. (Blosser) Rhodes two children have been born, Elizabeth and Harvey J. William D. Rhodes is a member of the Ottawa River Christian church, of which Mrs. Rhodes and both the children are also members. Mr. Rhodes is a Republican. He served as township assessor for two terms. Both of the Rhodes children were graduates of the Vaughnsville high schol of the class of 1909.

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JOSEPH B. EDWARDS.

It is with pleasure that the biographer has an opportunity to place before the readers of this work the life record of the honorable gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph. The history of Putnam county would be wholly incomplete were the name of Joseph B. Edwards not included in the list of well-known citizens, who have contributed so much to the progress and prosperity of this county. Joseph B. Edwards has spent many years of influence and usefulness in this community and is a broad-minded, conscien- tious worker and a successful farmer. He is honored and respected by his neighbors, and his career is a splendid example of what the young man of today may accomplish if he starts out in life with worthy ambitions and right ideals.

Joseph B. Edwards was born in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, Ohio, November 29, 1860. He is the son of Josiah and Susan (Breese) Edwards. Josiah Edwards was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, May 30, 1826, and was the son of Josiah, Sr., and Margaret (Jones) Ed- wards. Josiah Edwards, Sr., was a farmer by occupation. He lived and died in Wales. Josiah Edwards, Jr., and wife and one child came to America in 1855, arriving here in the spring. They settled first in Utica, New York, where he was employed on a dairy farm. The following fall, in 1855, he came to Allen county, Ohio, and settled at Gomer. His first employment was with Griffith John, a contractor who built the Pennsylvania railroad from Lima to Elida. The following summer he rented a farm on "Calico Ridge" in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, and here he lived for about seven years. He moved to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county in 1862, and settled on eighty acres, one and one-half miles southwest of Vaughnsville on the Old Ridge road which farm he purchased. The land was in a virgin state and had only an acre or two cleared. Josiah Edwards, Jr., took this task in hand and succeeded in getting it all cleared except eight acres, and drained. He built a large frame house in 1873, consisting of ten rooms, and a large frame barn in 1879. He has always been engaged in general farming and attributes his success mostly to raising corn and hogs. He has also been successful in raising good horses.

Josiah Edwards, Jr., enlisted in the Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, near the close of the Civil War, and served one hundred days. He was mustered into the service on May 13, 1864, at Camp Chase, Ohio, and was mustered out on August 27, 1864. The regiment was first stationed at Forts Sumpter, Mansfield and Simmons. During the active

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operations of the rebels against Washington, D. C., on July 1I and 12, the larger part of the regiment was under fire, and several of the companies were in the forts which were engaged in the battle.

Josiah Edwards, Jr., and wife had born to them one child before they arrived in America. This child, John, arrived at Gomer, in Allen county. Josiah and Susan (Breese) Edwards came from Utica, New York, to Buffalo by canal boat, and from Buffalo to Cleveland by steamer, from Cleveland to Toledo on Lake Erie by steamer, and from Toledo to Delphos, Ohio, by the way of the Miami and Erie canal. They walked to Gomer from Delphos. Josiah and Susan (Breese) Edwards had five children, John, born in Wales on January 21, 1851, died at Gomer, November 8, 1855; Margaret, the second child was the deceased wife of B. F. Thomas; Joseph B., the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of Thomas S. Williams; John W was the fifth child. Josiah Edwards died on August 17, 1897, at the ripe old age of seventy-one years. He was a member of the Gomer Congregational church and was a deacon in this church for many years. His wife was likewise a member. Josiah Edwards, Jr., was a Republican. He was a devout Christian and a man of high ideals and sterling integrity. He enjoyed the respect of his fellow citizens. Susan (Breese) Edwards was the daughter of John and Mary (Edwards) Breese. She was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, May 13, 1827. She had one brother and five sisters, all of whom came to America and all of whom settled in Iowa, except Mrs. Sarah Morris, who settled at Vaughnsville where she died. Mrs. Susan ( Breese) Edwards lived on the old home place until her death on November 5, 1909.

Joseph B. Edwards was born on "Calico ridge" in Sugar Creek town- ship, Allen county, and when about two years old his parents removed to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county. It was on this old homestead of his father that he spent his childhood and youth. He attended the old Bryn Tawa district school. After finishing the common school, he attended the Ohio Northwestern University at Ada, where he took a commercial course in 1881, after which he returned home and helped his father on the home farm. He remained on the farm until twenty-six years of age when he was married on December 15, 1886, to Mary A. Lewis, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 10, 1865, and who was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Lewis. The ancestral history of the Lewis family is to be found in the sketch of John A. Lewis, contained elsewhere in this volume, the sub- ject of which sketch is a brother of Mrs. Joseph B. Edwards.

After the marriage of Mr. Edwards, he remained on the home farm until the following April, when he moved to the Thomas farm, two miles

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west of Vaughnsville, where he remained until the present time. He pur- chased forty acres of land and at different times twenty acres, fifteen acres and forty acres, making one hundred and fifteen acres in all. Mr. Edwards has rebuilt his residence and now has a commodious eleven-room residence. and a large barn and other buildings in keeping with the surroundings. His farm is well improved and consists of splendid land.

Joseph B. and Mary A. (Lewis) Edwards have seven children, four sons and three daughters, John Robert, William Josiah, Bessie, Grace, Spencer, Edith and Joseph B., Jr. Of these children, John Robert was born on October 29, 1887, married Mabel Clevenger, and they have one child, Maxine. They live in Sugar Creek township; William Josiah, May 28, 1889, married May Surdival, and they reside in Lima; Bessie, March 21, 1891, is unmarried and lives at home; Grace, June 5, 1894, is a student at the Ottawa Normal School; Spencer, November 21, 1896; Edith, May 4, 1902, and Joseph B., Jr., November 27, 1910.

Joseph B. Edwards and his wife are members of the Congressional church at Gomer. Mr. Edwards is a trustee in this church. He is a Re- publican, having served as trustee in Sugar Creek township from 1891 to 1900. He also served several years as a member of the township school board.

HENRY R. WILLIAMS.

Improvement and progress may well be said to form the key note of the character of Henry R. Williams, a well-known and influential farmer and stock raiser of Sugar Creek township, for he has been a nindustrious man all his life, keeping abreast of the times in every respect. A leading citizen of the township, he has made his influence felt among his fellow men, and has earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.

Henry R. Williams was born in Sugar Creek township on November 5, 1871, the son of David L. and Mary (Griffith) Williams, who are men- tioned, specifically, in the sketch of the subject's brother, John D. Williams. elsewhere in this work. Henry R. Williams was reared on the paternal farmstead, and attended the old Michael district school in the neighborhood where he secured a good practical education. He then took a term of normal work in the Tri-State College, at Angola, Indiana, after which he remained at home and assisted his father in the operation of the old homestead until

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attaining his majority. He was then employed in Lima, Ohio, two years, working in the Lima steel works and then for a year was in the West. The next two years he spent in the Lima oil fields where he gained valuable ex- perience, and in March, 1908, decided to apply himself to the pursuit of agri- culture. To this end he located on a part of his father's farm, one and one- quarter miles south of Vaughnsville, where he has continued to reside ever since. He first purchased eighty-five acres, to which he later added forty- one acres, and still later another tract of twenty-five acres, thus giving him an estate of one hundred and fifty acres, comprising some of the best farm- ing land in this section of Ohio. To the cultivation of this farm he has ap- plied himself unremittingly, and by the most indefatigable effort, combined with sound discretion and good management, he has achieved a splendid success as a farmer.

Henry R. Williams was married on May 20, 1896, to Emma Gander, who was born in Sugar Creek township on December 11, 1869, being the daughter of John and Susan (Garner) Gander. John Gander was born in Franklin county on October 6, 1822. the son of John and Elizabeth ( Kendall) Gander. John Gander, Jr., came to Putnam county in 1838, and on June 24, 1847, was married to Susan M. Garner, who was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, on June 17, 1827. The senior Mr. Gander and his wife are both deceased, he dying on September 2, 1858, and she on November 21, 1865. Mrs. Gander's father, William W Garner, died on June 6, 1867, and her mother, Elizabeth (Storer ) Garner, died on March 5, 1853. They came to Putnam on January 1, 1837. John Gander was a justice of the peace for eighteen years, an assessor for seven years and he also held the offices of township clerk and treasurer for a number of years. John Gander died on January 3, 1894, and his wife, Susan Gander, on October 3, 1909. They were the parents of nine children, namely : John William, born on April 15, 1848, died on January 25, 1849; Elizabeth, January 22, 1850; Nancy, October 14, 1853; James, 1856; Mary, June 18, 1858; Joseph, December 10, 1861 ; Matilda, November 17, 1866; Emma, Mrs. Williams, December 11, 1869; Rose September 23, 1872, and died on April 7, 1913.

Mrs. Emma Williams was born on the old Gander homestead, just east of Vaughnsville, and there grew to womanhood. To Henry R. and Emma (Gander) Williams have been born seven children, as follow: Clyde, on March 3, 1897; Harold, July 13, 1899, died on October 22, 1914; Allen and Aileen, twins, August 21, 1901 ; George, August 21, 1903 : Ivan, October 25, 1905 ; Willard, January 20, 1908.

Henry R. Williams and wife are both faithful and earnest members of

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the Christian church, of which he is a trustee. He is a member of Lodge No. 711, Knights of Pythias, at Vaughnsville, while politically, he gives his support to the Republican party. During the years 1902 to 1906 he served efficiently as trustee of Sugar Creek township, winning the commendation of his fellow-citizens by his conduct of the office. His well-directed energy in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment, have demonstrated what may be accom- plished by the man of energy and ambition, who proved that he is the pos- sessor of those innate qualities, which never fail to bring success if properly directed. Because of his high character and clean life, Mr. Williams enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout the community where his life has been spent.

JOHN HENRY HOFFMAN.

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History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 77

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