History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 96

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 96

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHRISTIAN BEUTLER.

To come to a new country from a foreign land as a fatherless boy of seventeen, and by sheer pluck and courage and wisdom and judgment to rise to the position of clerk of the courts of the county in which he lives, and to so administer the affairs of that office as to insure a triumphant re- election, to be honored by his fellow citizens by elevation to other positions of public trust and responsibility and to make for himself a place in the community second to none in his county, surely is an achievement that prop- erly merits praise, and it is a pleasure for the biographer here to present in the history of Putnam county a brief review of the life in which these achievements are comprised.

Christian Beutler, former clerk of the courts of Putnam county, was born in the republic of Switzerland in the year 1854, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Schideggar) Beutler, the former of whom died when Christian was eleven years of age. The mother and her five fatherless children came to America and located at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1871, where the boy Christian "worked out" for about five years, and then, in 1877, came to Ottawa, Putnam county, where he and Joseph Meyer engaged in brick- making, their first kiln being erected on the west side of the Blanchard river, near Glandorf, where they remained for four or five years, the industry

973

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

thriving. At the end of that time, the brick yard was moved to the north end of Ottawa and Mr. Beutler continued in this business, at that point, until the year 1905, when he discontinued the brick-making business. In the meantime, he had been making good investment of the proceeds of his brick- making industry, in 1897, having bought fifty-five acres of land inside the city limits at the north edge of Ottawa and forty-four acres about two and one-half miles northeast of Ottawa, to which he has given his close personal attention to the management of these farms ever since.

During all this time, Mr. Beutler's engaging personality was bringing him to the close attention of the people of his county, and it was not long until he was one of the best-known and most popular men in the county. He had allied himself with the Democratic party upon reaching manhood's estate, and had taken a close interest in the affairs of his party during the various local campaigns in Putnam county. When his party, therefore, nominated him for the important position of clerk of the courts of the county, in 1894, his election was taken as a foregone conclusion. His administration of the affairs of this office proved so admirable that he was re-elected in 1897 and served his county in this capacity for a period of six years. In other public affairs, Mr. Beutler also took a warm interest and for six years served the public very acceptably as township clerk, while for sixteen years he served as a member of the town council of Ottawa, his acts in this connection always having the public welfare as their inspiration.

Christian Beutler has been married twice, his first marriage taking place in 1881, when he was united to Miss Elizabeth Fipp, the daughter of John and Mary Fipp, both of whom were natives of Germany, and the latter of whom was a well-known mill operator at Ottawa, this county. To this first union, seven children were born, William A., who lives in Leipsic, this county, married Martha Altekruse and has three children, Wilfred, Louise and Carl; Christian J., who died at the age of nineteen ; Alexander G., who died at the age of seventeen ; Elmer S., who lives in Ottawa, married Adeline Eberly and has two children, Norma and Sylvester John; Joseph, who remains at home; Louis F., who resides in Detroit, Michigan, and Florence G., who is residing at home. The mother of these children died in 1900.

In the year 1902, Mr. Beutler married, secondly, Miss Caroline Kessler, who was born in Coshocton, Ohio, the daughter of Louis and Mary (Wupler) Kessler, who had moved to this county when Caroline was a little girl and located on a farm near Miller City, where they lived until her father was past middle age, when they moved into Miller City and conducted a tavern and

974

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

there her father spent the rest of his life. Mrs. Beutler's mother is still liv- ing at Miller City.

To Christian and Caroline (Kessler) Beutler four children have been born, Elizabeth M., Martha, Philomena and Lucille, who, with their parents, are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Beutler and wife are devoted to the good works of their parish and to all movements which have as their object the betterment of community conditions and are rightly held in the highest esteem by all their large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Beutler re- tains a large interest in public affairs and is regarded as one of the most sub- stantial men in the county seat.

JOHN G. CONRAD.

Among the many worthy citizens of Continental, Putnam county, Ohio, who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with val- uable property, is John G. Conrad, a well-known butcher of Continental. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of master- ing, and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made exceptional success in his chosen occupation, and acquired a substantial competence. He has the gratification also of knowing that the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence and by his many good works.

John G. Conrad was born on March 30, 1864, at Avon, Lorraine county, Ohio. He is the son of John and Barbara (Rattelsdorfer) Conrad, the former of whom was born in Alsace, Germany, and the latter of whom was born on October 1I, 1826, in Oberohendorf, Germany, and who came to America on May 10, 1847, at the age of twenty-one. John and Barbara (Rattelsdorfer) Conrad were married in the fall of 1847, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Conrad came to this country alone, her parents, Michael and Anna Elizabeth (Zenka) Rattelsdorfer, remaining in Germany. Mrs. Conrad came through from Germany by boat to Cleveland, Ohio, never having ridden on a railroad steam train until the age of sixty-seven. John Conrad, Sr., was sixty-seven years old at the time of his death, having been born in 1833, and having died on December 31, 1890. His wife was eighty-five years of age at the time of her death, having died on December 31, 19II.

John Conrad, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, came from Germany to America with his parents. He was the son of John Jacob and

975

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

Mary Ann Conrad. They settled at Avon, Ohio, after their arrival and finished their home, partially built, on the land which Mr. Conrad purchased. Here they resided until their death. The elder John Conrad's father, John: Jacob Conrad, was a wagon maker, and followed that trade after coming to this country.

To Mr. and Mrs. John Conrad, Sr., nine children were born, Anna Mary, in 1850, died in March, 1912; Josephine, April 18, 1854, died on February 12, 1880; Mary Ann, May 9, 1856, died on May 23, 1865; Anna Francisco, May 9, 1858, died on May 23, 1865; John, May 22, 1860, died on January 7, 1864; Peter, September 12, 1862, lives at Avon, Ohio; John G., March 30, 1864; Anna, April 23, 1867, married Frank Alton and lives at Avon, Ohio; George J., February 12, 1869, lives at Peoria, Illinois.

John G. Conrad was married on November 22, 1887, to Wilhelmina. Wagner, who was born on September 7, 1867, at Avon, Ohio, and who is the daughter of John and Treacy (Seibert) Wagner, the former of whom is a native of Germany, and the latter of whom was born at Adrian, Leneway county, Michigan. John Wagner died on June II, 191I, at the age of seventy-one years and nine months, having been born on September 5, 1839. His wife, who died on May 20, 1880, was thirty-nine years old at the time of her death, having been born in 1841.

To John G. and Wilhelmina (Wagner) Conrad no children have been born. Mr. Conrad left Avon, Ohio, in April, 1887, and purchased property in Continental in May of that year. After coming to Continental he built a hardware store, and ran the same until 1894, when it was destroyed by fire. Two years later he went into the butcher business, and has been in this business since that time. In the beginning he leased the market for three years. Mr. Conrad built a livery barn in 1910 where Continental garage is now located. He operated the livery business for three years, and then traded the livery barn for a farm in Paulding county, Ohio, consisting of eighty-four acres. He still owns this farm. Six months later, however, he began to give his attention to the butcher business again, leasing his market. The building burned, and Mr. Conrad re-entered the business in 1914, and is active at the present time. He has shipped stock for sixteen years, and is more or less active at this time.

John G. Conrad is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Defiance, Ohio. He was the second mayor of Continental and served for six years, from 1892 to 1898. He was a member of the town council for six years and corporation treasurer for four years. Mr. Conrad is a Democrat. He was a candidate for sheriff of Putnam county at the last

976

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

election, but was defeated by a small margin. He is a member of the Catho- lic church at Continental. His wife is also a member of this church. Mr. Conrad is a trustee of the church. He is a highly-respected citizen in the community where he lives, and admired for his many good works.

LEVI P. HENRY.

For more than forty years Levi P. Henry has been farming in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio. Born and reared in Fairfield county, Ohio, Mr. Henry taught school in his young manhood, but since coming to this county, in 1873, he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising on his well-improved farm two miles northwest of Leipsic.

Levi P. Henry, the son of Thomas and Margaret S. (Brown) Henry, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on September 9, 1841. Thomas Henry was the son of Levi Henry and wife, natives of eastern Pennsylvania. Thomas Henry was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and when six years of age came with his parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. Early in life, Thomas Henry learned the carpenter trade, and by dint of industry and perseverance earned enough money to buy a farm, and, in 1840. felt that he was able to marry. He married Margaret S. Brown. His wife was the daughter of David Brown, who came from Juniata county, Pennsylvania, to Fairfield county, Ohio, in its early history. David Brown was a soldier in the War of 1812, and thereby earned the right to a soldier's claim. To David Brown and wife were born thirteen children, twelve girls and one boy. Thomas and Margaret Henry were the parents of the following children: Levi P., Martha Ann, James K., Mar- garet E., William B., Thomas H., David C., Robert P. and John K. Of these children, Thomas H. and David C. were twins.

Levi P. Henry was reared and educated in Fairfield county, Ohio, and after completing his common school education, taught school, beginning before he reached his majority. He continued teaching in the winter and farming during the summer season for several years. After his marriage, in 1867, he began to farm in Fairfield county, but, in 1873, decided to move to Putnam county to make his permanent home. He purchased a farm in Liberty township, and has lived on this same farm since that year. Mr. Henry owns ninety-two acres which his son, Charles T., farms.

Levi P. Henry was married on March 7, 1867, to Jennie M. McCand-

LEVI P. HENRY AND FAMILY.

977

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

lish, a daughter of Peter S. and Martha R. (Nagmey) McCandlish. Her father was a native of Scotland and came to Virginia when very young. His wife, Martha Nagmey, was a descendant of Irish parents and born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Henry and wife are the parents of four children, David C., Charles T., Anna M. and James Harvey. David C. married Zella Ramsey, and after her death, married Minnie Kroeger. To his first mar- riage there were three children born, one of whom is still living. There are no children to the second marriage. Charles T. married Mahala Neeland, and has three children, Anna M. became the wife of Harry Polsdorfer, and has six children, five of whom are living; James Harvey, the youngest child of Mr. Henry, died in 1895, at the age of fifteen years and nine months.

Levi P. Henry and his wife were formerly members of the United Pres- byterian church at West Leipsic, and Mr. Henry was a ruling elder, and superintendent of the Sabbath school of this denomination. A few years ago he and his wife transferred their membership to the Presbyterian church at Leipsic, and to this they now give their hearty support. Mr. Henry is a man of high character, hospitable and courteous and well liked throughout the community where he has spent so many years.

DAVID F. OWENS.

Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of this character is the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, who has lived in Putnam county for many years and whose name will continue to adorn its annals long after he has passed to his reward. David F. Owens has per- formed well his part in the drama of civilization and has led a life that is exemplary in every respect. He has set an excellent example for the younger generation, for he has been a leader in his locality in all matters pertaining to its improvement and progress. In a conservative manner, he has done what he could to promote, not only the interests of himself and his family, but the interests of the community as well.

David F. Owens was born on February 1, 1855, in Guernsey county, Ohio, near Cambridge. He is the son of John Beaver and Rachel (Spencer) Owens.

John B. Owens, the father of David F., was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on January 6, 1816. He grew up in Trumbull county, but later moved

978

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

to Guernsey county. He was reared as a farmer, but taught school for many years in Trumbull, Guernsey and Putnam counties. He was a man of unusual intelligence, for his day and generation, and was widely read. John B. Owens was married on March 21, 1847, to Rachel Spencer, who was born in Guernsey county on February 16, 1832, and who was the daughter of John and Eliza (Sevin) Spencer, pioneers of Guernsey county. To this union were born five children, Elizabeth A., who married William T. Fickle, of Monroe township, Putnam county; Emma J., who married Will- iam Gillespie; David F., the subject of this sketch; Amanda, who married David Grant, of Continental, Ohio; Ida C., who married Judson Jones, of Palmer township. John B. and Rachel Owens lived in Guernsey county until 1873, when they moved to Putnam county and settled in Monroe town- ship. They owned a splendid eighty-acre farm and were industrious farm- ers, prominent in church and Sunday school work. John B. Owens died on January 17, 1890, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife died on March 26, 1895.

The father of John B. Owens was John B. Owens, Sr., a native of Wales, who came to the United States when twenty-eight years of age. He married Elizabeth Strame. After their marriage, they settled in Trumbull county, Ohio. Subsequently, he sold his property in Trumbull county and removed to Guernsey county, and here they lived until their death. John B. Owens, Sr., was a Jacksonian Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. John B. Owens, Jr., was active in local politics during his life and served as township clerk and township trustee for sev- eral terms. He was a Democrat and prominent in the work of the Metho- dist church, as well as in the Sunday school.

David F. Owens was nine years old when his parents moved to Putnam county, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of this township and on February 16, 1879, he was married to Ida M. Gilbert, who was born in Monroe township on September 15, 1863. She is the daughter of Jacob and Martha A. (Butler) Gilbert, well-known pioneers and prominent farmers of Putnam county, referred to elsewhere in this volume.

David F. Owens has one hundred and forty acres of excellent land in Putnam county, which he farmed until 1892, when he moved to Ottawa, Ohio. At this time he was elected county commissioner. He remained in Ottawa for six years, having served as county commissioner during that time. He then moved back to Continental, Ohio, where he now resides. His farming property is rented. Before his election as county commissioner, Mr. Owens had served four terms as assessor, two terms as township trustee-

979

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

and on the town council. He is not active in politics now although still a stanch Democrat. He is a director in the Farmers Bank at Continental, and, aside from his banking interests, takes an active interest in civic im- provement. Mr. Owens is not a member of any church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias at Continental, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Defiance. He is a man held in high esteem by all who know him, of exceptional ability mentally, an excellent farmer, progressive in spirit and capable in all things, to which he has ever applied himself.

GEORGE HUGH SEALL.

In a brief sketch of any living citizen, it is difficult to do him exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, for lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history as for the want of perfect and rounded conception of his whole life which grows, develops and ripens like fruit and discloses its best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with a man so familiarizes us with his virtues that we ordinarily overlook them and commonly underestimate their possessor. It is not often that true honor, public or private-that honor which is a tribute of cordial respect and esteem-comes to a man without basis of character or deeds. The world may be deceived by fortune and by ornamental or showy qualities without substantial merit and give to the undeserving a short- lived admiration, but the honor that wise and good men value and that lives beyond the grave, must have its foundation in real worth, for "worth maketh the man." Not a few men live unheralded and almost unknown beyond the narrow limits of the city or community where their lots are cast, who yet have in them, if fortune had opened to them a wider sphere of life, the ele- ments of character to make statesmen or public benefactors of world-wide fame. Compared with the blazonry of fame, which some regard as the real stamp of greatness, there is a lowlier and simpler, yet truer, standard where- by to judge of them and fix their place in the regard of their fellow men. During a long life in this section of Ohio, George Hugh Seall has given the people of this community an opportunity to know what manner of man he is. The testimony is ample that he is a good citizen in the full sense of the term and worthy of the esteem which has been bestowed upon him.

George Hugh Seall was born in 1850, in Monroe county, Indiana. He is the son of Henry and Margaret (Butler) Seall. Henry Seall was a native

980

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

of Monroe county and the son of Steven B. Seall, who came from Pennsyl- vania to Circleville, Ohio, and thence to Bloomington, Indiana, where he became the first postmaster of that city. Margaret Butler, the mother of George H. Seall, was born in Wythe county, Virginia. She was the daughter of Frederick Trank and Elizabeth (Johnson) Butler, who moved to Bloom- ington, Indiana, in a wagon, when she was eighteen months old.

Elizabeth Johnson was a sister of Gen. Joseph E. Johnson, of Southern fame. He and his sister were accustomed to differ hotly about the Civil War. It is a bit of family history that Frederick Butler, an uncle of George H. Seall, was a colonel in the Union army and an officer of the day before the battle of Vicksburg. General Johnson was an uncle of Col. Fred Butler and met him before the battle. Saluting him, he said, "Colonel Butler, how is my sister, Betsey, your mother?" Colonel Butler is said to have replied, shortly, "General Johnson, -- - -, it is a damned poor time to discuss re- lationship on the eve of battle."

Henry Seall grew up at Bloomington and was in the mercantile business for many years. Later, he moved to Ellettsville, Monroe county, Indiana, and here George H. Seall grew up.

George H. Seall married Laura B. Sleeper, in 1874, who was born at New Albany, Indiana, and was the daughter of William A. and Melvina (Simonton) Sleeper. William A. Sleeper was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, and his wife near Ironton, Ohio. They were married at New Albany, in December, 1851. Mr. Sleeper was a patternmaker, a mechanical draughts- man and a millwright. They moved to Arkansas about 1853 and remained there until the close of the Civil War. They then returned to New Albany, where both parents spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Melvina Sleeper was the daughter of John Simonton, a son of William Simonton, who was the son of Alexander Simonton. Alexander Simonton was a soldier in the American Revolution under Gen. George Washington. He was with a Penn- sylvania troop and wounded at the battle of Brandywine. Afterwards, he settled at Sharon, Pennsylvania. William Sleeper was the son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Turner) Sleeper, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. They moved from Pittsburgh to near Bloomington, Indiana, in an early day and lived there the remainder of their lives.

Mrs. George H. Seall attended the Asbury Female College, afterward DePauw University, where she was graduated in 1871. After leaving col- lege, she engaged in teaching, part of the time in the public schools but most of the time she was an instructor of instrumental music. She made her home at New Albany most of the time until her marriage.

981

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

After their marriage, George H. Seall and wife spent about three years in Kentucky, where he was engaged in contracting and building railroad grades for the Queen & Crescent railroad. He then made his home in Cin- cinnati for nearly two years and then came to Wood county, Ohio, and soon after to Sandusky. They moved to Putnam county in 1879, and located at North creek, in Palmer township, where he conducted a store for about eight years. At this time the land was not cleared, but saw-mills were numerous. The Black swamp was not yet drained. After eight years there, they moved to Continental and built a hotel, the Maple House, which Mr. Seall con- ducted for twelve years, renting it for some years when, in 1914, he sold it. After leaving the hotel, Mr. Seall purchased a farm which he worked for about three years. He then moved back to Continental and since has lived most of the time there. Mr. Seall and wife frequently go south or take long journeys. He owns considerable property in Continental.

George H. Seall is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to the chapter and council at Ottawa, the Knights Templar at Defiance and the con- sistory at Toledo. Mrs. Seall is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Seall is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Probably less than half a dozen people have lived in Continental as long as Mr. Seall and his wife. When they came to Continental, it was a sort of overgrown backwoods village. Stumps still stuck up in Main street, the sidewalks were made of bark and there were deep ditches. There was hardly a respectable frame house in the town and most of the buildings were just shanties of the men who worked in the stave factory. Standing where the Continental Bank now is, the underbrush hid the view of the old school house which stood where the present brick house stands. While Mr. Seall lived at North creek, he was offered land at eight dollars an acre. The tie timber was taken off, but elm and maple were still abundant. However, the land was considered valueless and Mr. Seall refused the offer. At the edge of Continental, he could have bought land for fifteen dollars an acre when he moved to this town. This land is now almost invaluable.

Descended from substantial American stock, George H. Seall's rather large success is accounted for by his own prodigious industry and foresight as well as by his natural and inherited ability. It is to be remembered that his mother's father, Frederick T. Butler, was a well-known lawyer in his day and generation, a good speaker and a man who was active in getting volun- teers for the Civil War. It is also to be remembered that George H. Seall's father, Henry Seall, was a veteran of the Mexican War. Coming from such stock as this, it is not surprising that George H. Seall has made good in the

982

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO.

world. Neither is it surprising that he is one of the leading citizens of Put- nam county where he has lived so long. In one sense, men of his type are accidents, the result of a complex sway of forces which happen to focus in their own person, but, after all, to be the focus, the apex, the culmination, the cynosure is a notable distinction and this distinction belongs to George H. Seall.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions, Part 96

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