USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 86
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Democrat and was well known in the councils of his party. Though not an active member of any church, he was a professed Christian and ever was found in the forefront of those seeking to advance the best interests of the people, he and his good wife, who was a timely helpmate, being ready to help those in distress or misfortune.
To Hiram and Catherine (Davis) Madden were born four children : Hugh B., who lives at Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Jane Whitman, of Monroe township, this county; Mary, who died in infancy, and John C., with whom this article particularly treats.
John C. Madden was reared on the paternal farm in Monroe township, ship, receiving his primary education in the township schools. This he sup- plemented with a course at the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, which institution he entered when he was nineteen years of age. Upon completing the course at this college, he returned home and began the study of law in private readings, after which he took a two-term course at the college at Ada, Ohio, upon the completion of which he returned home and began prepa- rations for the practice of his profession. For one year he was located at Antwerp, Ohio, where he made a good start in the practice of his chosen profession, but at the end of this time returned to Putnam county and opened an office at Continental, where he since has made his home. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Madden is engaged in the real estate, farm loans and insurance business, in which he has been quite successful. He also has the Rawlings Company's agency, medicines and druggists' sundries and supplies, for the county of Paulding, which agency he operates successfully in con- nection with the extensive business he has established at Continental.
On February 12, 1899, John C. Madden was united in marriage to Miss Ruth French, who was born near Youngstown, Ohio, and to this union two children have been born, Henry and Gwennie, lively young people who are the delight of their parents' lives and the light of their home. John C. Mad- den takes a prominent part in the social activities of his home town and is exceedingly popular in his rather extensive social circle, at the same time being among the leaders in the good work of the community, ever being ready to lend a hand in all movements having as their object the ad- vancement of the welfare of the people.
John C. Madden is a member of the Masonic and the Pythian fraterni- ties, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest, and though a mem- ber of no church, has a helping hand for all deserving charities. For years Mr. Madden has been an ardent Socialist and has taken a very prominent part in the campaigns of that party in this state. In 1912 and in 1914, he
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was the candidate of his party for a place on the Ohio supreme bench, and, in both campaigns, made a strong showing, despite the present minority standing of his party. The Socialist party is made up, however, of men who seem to thrive on defeat, and Mr. Madden and many who entertain the same political belief, far from being discouraged at the showing their party has made in former campaigns, are pressing on, urging their cause in the presence of thoughtful people, in season and out of season, believing that ultimately their cause shall prevail. Among the workers in this party in Ohio, none has been more earnest or energetic than Mr. Madden. A wide reader, a clear thinker and a forceful propagandist, his campaigns have been marked by a sanity and lucidity of expression which have commended hin to the serious consideration of thinking people, generally, within the range of his utterances and there are many in this section of Ohio who earnestly believe that he has a brilliant political future before him.
While deeply interested in political measures from the viewpoint of the modern Socialist, Mr. Madden does not permit his campaign work to inter- fere with his duty to the public and there is no more ardent "booster" for civic improvements, better roads and the like, than he. He is a successful man, because he has been diligent in business, it having been one of the rules of his life to give as careful attention to the lesser details of a trans- action as to the greater details, and as a consequence he has inspired the. confidence and esteem of his business associates and his friends, generally, throughout this section of the state.
JOSEPH KERSTING.
In the year 1874, there arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, a young German lad by the name of Joseph Kersting. He was only eighteen years of age at the time, and had just enough money to make the long trip from his native land, Germany, to this country. Today this same penniless youth of forty years ago, is one of the well-known men of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. He has been a resident of this county since 1886, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Glandorf until he took the office of county auditor in the fall of 1905. Since that year he has resided in the county, and since coming out of the office of county auditor, he has been engaged in the fire insurance business. He was the founder of the Glandorf Building and Loan Association, and served as its secretary for many years, and in every way
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he has shown his public spirit and desire to do everything possible for the general welfare of his community. He has been very helpful in the cause of education, and has always maintained a decided stand in favor of the public schools. As a business man, his integrity is beyond question and his genial manners and ever-ready willingness to do something for others, has won for him many friends throughout Putnam county.
Joseph Kersting, the present district assessor of Putnam county, Ohio, was born on April 14, 1856, in Westphalia, Prussia. He is a son of Anthony and Katherine (Dorren) Kersting, both of whom spent all of their days in their native land.
Joseph Kersting came to America when he was eighteen years of age, his two brothers, Anthony and Felix, having preceded him to this country and located in Cincinnati. He joined his two brothers in that city and at once became a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Cincinnati. One of his brothers, Anthony, entered the priesthood, and belongs to the Franciscan Fathers, and is now known as Father David. Felix, his other brother, be- came a merchant tailor and spent most of his life in this country at Miamis- burg, Ohio, where he died.
Joseph Kersting became a bookkeeper, after a short time, and while liv- ing in Cincinnati, was married. Before his marriage, he had become a traveling salesman for a Cincinnati house, dealing in tailor's trimmings. Still, later, he traveled for a Philadelphia house in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, which also dealt in tailors' goods. Mr. Kersting moved to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1886, although he remained on the road as a salesman for two more years. He became a partner with I. H. Kahle, in the general merchandise business at Glandorf, in 1888, and this part- nership continued until 1892, when he purchased Mr. Kahle's interests and continued the business alone until 1904. In that year he was nom- inated on the Democratic ticket for auditor of Putnam county, and was elected in November of the same year. He took his office in October, 1905, for a three-year term, but before the expiration of his first term, the Legis- lature changed the length of his term to two years, so that his first term was extended a year by the Governor. He was re-elected for another term in addition, so that he held the office for six years, going out of the office in October, 1911. Since retiring from the auditor's office, he has engaged in the fire insurance business at Ottawa, and in 1913, purchased the insurance business of two other firms in Ottawa, that of Zeller & Company, and Glen Claypool. He combined the business of the three firms and turned it over to his two sons, Albert V. and Alphonse A., retaining a silent partnership with them under the firm name of A. V. Kersting & Company. However,
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since his election as district assessor for Putnam county, he has retired from active participation in the fire insurance business in order to devote all of his. time and attention to the duties of this office.
Joseph Kersting was married on June 3, 1879, to Anna Gieringer, who was born near Cincinnati, on a farm and was a daughter of Anthony and Thirsa (Blase) Gieringer. Her parents came from Wurttemberg, Germany, and located on a farm near Cincinnati, where they spent the remainder of their days. To this union have been born eight children, all of whom are living.
Joseph Kersting and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Findlay, Ohio. Mr. Kersting and his wife- are justly proud of their eight children, all of whom have been given excel- lent educations and are now honored members of the various communities. where they are living. Such, in brief, is the life history of the poor Ger- man youth, who came to the United States in 1874 to seek his fortune.
GEORGE D. HAMDEN.
A business man of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, who has been located. here since January, 1877, is George D. Hamden, who has been in the grocery business here for more than thirty-eight years. He has taken a very active part in the building up of the village and is recognized as one of the most prominent citizens of Ottawa. He was left an orphan at an early age and started out to make his own way in the world when a mere lad. Learning the woolen trade, he followed that for several years in various parts of Vir- ginia, Tennessee and Ohio.
George D. Hamden, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (House) Ham- den, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, March 10, 1841. His father was- born in the highlands of Scotland, and, in 1821, came to Virginia. He was a machinist by trade, and, after coming to this country, married Elizabeth House, who was born and reared at Hagerstown, Maryland. For ten years after his marriage, Henry Hamden operated a canal boat on the Baltimore & Ohio canal, and in 1850 moved to Logan county, Ohio, where his death occurred about six months later. For the first seven or eight years after his marriage, in 1830, Henry Hamden worked as a machinist in the govern- ment arsenal at Harper's Ferry. His wife died in 1851.
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When his mother died, in 1851, George D. Hamden was ten years of age. His parents had nine children, but only seven survived the mother, . and at the present time only two are living, George B. and Mahala Rice, of Hillsdale, Michigan.
The death of both of the parents of Mr. Hamden left him an orphan, and his uncle, John House, took him to rear. He worked in the woolen mills in Virginia, and learned the woolen trade thoroughly and engaged in that line of business until 1877. He worked in Dayton, Springfield, Marysville, Ohio, and spent two years, 1867-68, in the state of Tennessee. After he had been in this business about seven years, he became the superintendent of a woolen mill and continued as superintendent of woolen mills at various places until 1877. In that year, Mr. Hamden moved to Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. At the same time he also started a livery stable and operated both establishments for a number of years. In addition, he sold lime, cement and sewer pipes. For the last few years, Mr. Hamden has given all of his attention to his large grocery busi- ness.
George D. Hamden was living at Marysville, Ohio, when he was twenty- one years of age, and despite his youth, was elected as a member of the school board of that village, and held this office for two terms. He has been a life-long Democrat, and wherever he has lived he has taken an active part in political affairs. While living in Marysville, he was not only a member of the school board, but served as marshal of the village for four years. Two years after he came to Ottawa, he was appointed as a member of the school board and later elected and served for a total of seven years. Follow- ing this, he served for six years on the council at Ottawa, and then was elected as a member of the waterworks board and had a leading part in the building and management of the waterworks. He has served, con- tinuously, upon the waterworks board since its establishment. He was one of the organizers of the Ottawa Building and Loan Association, and has been an officer of this association ever since it was organized, twenty-seven years ago.
George D. Hamden was married on January 7, 1868, at West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, to Frances E. Welch, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Rawsen and Elmira (Thrall) Welch. Her father was a woolen manufacturer and Mr. Hamden had worked for him in his boyhood. Mr. Hamden and his wife are the parents of two children, Iva and Iscah. Iva was the wife of Vernon Cummer, who was killed by a boiler explosion at Williamstown, Pennsylvania, in 1900. He
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left his widow with a son and daughter, George Edwin and Lyle Vernon. George E. died about two years after his father's death. Mrs. Cummer and her other son, Lyle V., live in Ottawa. Iscah makes his home with his parents.
Mr. Hamden is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Royal Arcanum. He is a man who has always been intensely interested in advancing the interests of his home village, and it can be said that Ottawa never had a more public-spirited citizen, or one who took a greater interest in its welfare.
HUBERT C. GERDING.
The Gerding family is one of the pioneer families of Putnam county, Ohio. Hubert C. Gerding was born in this county, as were his parents, while his grandparents, on both sides, were natives of Germany. Mr. Gerding has been connected with a drug store in Ottawa, since 1894, and has been proprietor of his own store since 1904.
Hubert C. Gerding, the proprietor of the "Rexall" drug store, of Ot- tawa, Ohio, was born in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, August 23, 1870. His parents, Ferdinand and Veronica (Bockhold) Gerding, were both na- tives of Glandorf. His grandparents on his father's side came from Ger- many to America and were pioneer settlers at Glandorf, in this county. Veronica Bockhold was a granddaughter of John G. Bockhold and wife, natives of Osnabruck, Germany, and also early settlers of Glandorf, in this county. Mr. Bockhold was a pioneer tavern keeper at Glandorf. Ferdinand Gerding, the father of Hubert C., was reared on his father's farm in this county and became a saddle and harnessmaker, following that business at Glandorf until his death. He was a soldier in the Civil War. There were five children born to Ferdinand Gerding and wife; two of whom are living, Hubert C. and Harry J., who is living in Lima.
Hubert C. Gerding was reared on his father's farm in this county and after completing the schooling which was offered in his home county, en- tered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, leaving the department of pharmacy in the spring of 1894. He at once returned to his home county and accepted a position in his uncle's drug store at Ottawa, remaining in this store for about ten years. He then worked in W. W. Kelly's drug store for a time, and later in the drug store of Anglemyre & Buckley, buying the store of the latter firm in 1904. Since that year, he has been in business for him-
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self and his store, known as the "Rexall" drug store, is one of the most at- tractive stores in this section of the state. He has the exclusive agency for all of the "Rexall" remedies and is a stockholder in the Rexall Company. The store is well stocked with druggist's sundries and by his courteous treat- ment of customers and his energetic and wide-awake methods of business, he has built up a large and lucrative trade in Ottawa and the surrounding. community.
Hubert C. Gerding was married in October, 1897, to Emma B. Kahle, the daughter of Hon. Ignatius H. Kahle and wife, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Gerding and his wife have two daughters, Mary and Eleanor.
Hubert C. Gerding is a Democrat and has always been interested in local politics. He is now serving his second term as village clerk of Ottawa and administering the duties of this office in a very satisfactory manner. Mr. Gerding and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church.
JOSEPH LIEBRECHT.
Joseph Liebrecht is a well-known farmer of Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in this township, which comprises some of the best farming land in the county. His farm is level, well drained and well fenced, and from any point of view shows the progressive and careful proprietorship of its owner. Mr. Liebrecht began, after his marriage, with forty acres in section 6, of Jackson township, which he first cleared, ditched, fenced and otherwise improved. He built a splendid brick residence in 1907, a large barn having already been built, eight years previously, in 1899. All of the buildings which Mr. Leibrecht has erected are of the most substantial material. The Leibrecht farm has grown in acreage from time to time, until he now has one of the finest farms in Putnam county.
Joseph Liebrecht is a native of Putnam county, Ohio. He was born near Delphos, Jennings township, July 10, 1852. His parents were Frank and Clara (Nierman) Liebrecht. Frank Liebrecht was a native of Germany. He came alone to America, when a young man, and settled on a farm near Delphos. He was reared as a farmer. Frank Liebrecht's father and mother who were also farmers, were both born, lived and died in Germany. Frank Liebrecht married Clara Nierman, at Delphos, and after his marriage pur-
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JOSEPH LIEBRECHT AND FAMILY.
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chased a farm of forty acres in Jennings township. He made many improve- ments on the land, having cleared it first of its heavy growth of timber and having built many rods of fence. After operating this forty acres for a time, he sold it and purchased eighty acres in Monterey township, near Ottoville. He cleared most of this farm, erected buildings upon it and otherwise improved it in many ways. Here he farmed until his death in 1854. Frank 'Liebrecht was not a member of any lodge, and held no public office. He was a Democrat, but never active. He and his family were devoted members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville.
Joseph Liebrecht's mother was born in Germany, coming to America with her father and three sisters, her mother having died in the Fatherland. She located, with her father and sisters, in Monterey township, Putnam county, where they were among the early settlers of this community. She was about twenty years of age when she came from Germany, and after settling permanently in Monterey township, made this her home until her marriage to Frank Liebrecht. Her father died on the farm in Monterey township, it being the same place where he first located after coming to Ohio, shortly after his arrival in America. After his death, his wife lived on the farm for a time, but afterward sold it, and she is now deceased. Joseph Liebrecht is one of three children born to his parents, the others being William, who lives at Upper Sandusky, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Kiefer, deceased.
Joseph Liebrecht grew to maturity on the old home place in Monterey township. He received practically all of his education in the Ottoville dis- trict schools. He remained at home, assisting on the farm, until his mar- riage, which event took place at St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville, Ohio, in October, 1875, at which time Mr. Liebrecht was united in marriage to Mary Bedeker, herself a native of Germany. She died in 1885. Joseph Liebrecht was married on September 4, 1888, to Margaret Gergen, who was a daughter of Mathias and Catherine (Niese) Gergen, who were born in Germany and were married there. About four years after his marriage, Mathias Gergen and wife and children came and settled in Jackson township on a farm. They had two children born in Germany, Nicholas and Mar- garet, who married Joseph Liebrecht, and Peter, Mary, Susan, Anna, Clara, deceased, born in Putnam county, Ohio. Mathias Gergen died in Jackson township on his farm, May 27, 1910, his wife died on May 20, 1912. They belonged to the St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville, Putnam county.
Joseph Liebrecht had five children by his first marriage, as follow : 56
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Einma, born on December 16, 1876; John, born on March 30, 1878; Barney, born on May 17, 1880; William, born on October 28, 1881; Tille, born on January 31, 1885. By his second marriage there were six children, as fol- low: Catherine, born on October 12, 1889; Elizabeth, born on March 2, 1892; Frank, born on March 30, 1894; Arnold, born on April 22, 1897; I awrence, born on May 15, 1900; Veronica, born on July 7, 1905. Of these children, John, the second child, married Elizabeth Kleman, and is engaged in farming in Union township, in this county. He and his wife are the parents of four children, Ascella, Gilbert, Elmer and Lucina. Barney mar- ried Flora Heidnischer, and they live in Greensburg township. They are the parents of two children, Sylvester and Rose Marie. Tillie, the fourth child in order of birth, is the wife of Fred Kreinbrink, a farmer living in Greensburg township, and they have two children, Leona and Henrietta. The rest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Liebrecht are unmarried and living at home.
Joseph Liebrecht is a congenial, progressive and public-spirited farmer and citizen. He is known in the neighborhood where he lives as a good father and husband, and the Liebrechts have a happy home.
Mr. Liebrecht is identified with the Democratic party, but has never been active in politics. Mrs. Liebrecht is a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville, and her husband and all the children are mem- bers of the same church. He has one of the most attractive and well-kept farms in this community.
WILLIAM J. VARNER.
A pioneer settler of Putnam county, Ohio, is William J. Varner, who was born, reared and has spent all of his life within its limits. As a boy, he remembers distinctly of the wolves howling around their cabin door, and of seeing the deer roaming through the woods near their house. In fact, all kinds of wild game were abundant in his father's woods in his boyhood days. The Indians were still here when he was a lad and his father often traded them salt in exchange for venison. Consequently, Mr. Varner has been identified with the history of this county from its very beginning, and well deserves the title of pioneer.
William J. Varner, the son of Jacob and Eliza (Guyton) Varner, was born in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, December 6, 1848. His father was born in Luray valley, Page county, Virginia, of German
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parentage. Jacob grew to manhood in Virginia and, when twenty-one years of age, made the long overland trip from Virginia to Putnam county, Ohio, and entered government land in Greensburg township. He cleared a farm and lived here until he was past ninety years of age. His wife, Eliza Guy- ton, was born in Maryland near Hagerstown, her father being a native of Ireland. Eliza Guyton came to Putnam county with her parents, after she was grown, and her father entered government land in Ottawa township. Jacob Varner and wife were the parents of eight children : Mrs. Mary Ayres; Mrs. Ellen Benedict; Isaiah; Mrs. Ruth Shafer; Mrs. Elizabeth Cushman; William J., of Ottawa; Mrs. Rebecca Bibler and one who died in childhood.
William J. Varner was reared on his father's farm in Greensburg township, and received such education as was afforded by the rude subscrip- tion schools of his boyhood days. He remained at home until his marriage and then began farming for himself on rented land. He rented for several years, and then bought a small farm, upon which he began his independent career as a farmer. As he prospered, from year to year, he added to his farm, until he now owns three hundred and fifteen acres, in Greensburg township, and sixty-seven aces, in Ottawa township, part of his farm being within the corporate limits of Ottawa. While he spent most of his time in agricultural pursuits, he has been actively interested in the buying and shipping of live stock for about ten years. He retired from active farm life in 1908 and moved to Ottawa, where he is now residing, after a long and arduous career on the farm.
William J. Varner was married on November 21. 1869, to Anna Simon, who was born in Greensburg township, in this county, a daughter of John P. Simon and wife. Her parents were born near Amsterdam, Hol- land, and were married in the land of their birth, one of their children being born in Holland. They then came to America, and soon after coming to this country located in Putnam county, Ohio. where Mr. Simon engaged in farming. Later, he embarked in the grocery business at Ottawa and dealt in farm produce of all kinds, in connection with his regular grocery busi- ness. Mr. Simon was a man of prominence in his community and became one of the substantial citizens of Ottawa.
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