USA > Ohio > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, Ohio : its peoples, industries, and institutions > Part 99
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William Warren lived with his parents in Jefferson county until he was: twenty-five years of age, at which time he married Rachel McConnell and moved to Hancock county, where he entered government land about six miles east of Findlay. He found his new land in a virgin state and the experiences of himself and his wife were practically the same as those of all other early pioneers. They followed the usual custom of first clearing a little space and building a log cabin. Later, after much perseverance, they cleared the remainder of the farm and placed it in a state of cultivation. Later, Mr. Warren added to his farm holdings by the purchase of a tract of land in the northwest part of Blanchard township, Putnam county.
Six children were born to William and Rachel (McConnell) Warren, as follow: Harriett, the wife of George Anderson, of Endicott, Nebraska, to whom four children have been born, two of which are now deceased;
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Emma, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Bowman, of Findlay, Ohio, and the mother of nine children, two of which died in infancy; Francis M., the subject of this sketch; Amilous, who married Eva Jeffrey and who lives on the old homestead east of Findlay; Eva, the wife of Lineous Ewing, who lives east of Findlay; Harvey, who married Edna Glothart, to which union were born three children, and for his second wife, Emma Wyant, by whom he has one child. William Warren died on October 7, 1881, and his wife, Rachel, died on December 1, 1897.
Francis M. Warren lived on the old home place in Hancock county, where he attended the public schools and worked on the farm until, when about twenty years of age, in 1875, he married Ella Albertson, a daughter of William and Justine Albertson. To that union four children were born, all of whom died in infancy. Ella Warren did not long survive her children, and died in February, 1881.
On August 29, 1882, Francis M. Warren married a second time, his second wife being Sarah J. Warren, who was born on October 9, 1856, in Wyandotte county, near Carey, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew J. and Cather- ing (Spade) Warren. Andrew J. Warren was born in Delaware, Ohio, on August 8, 1831, and died in June, 1892. His father, who died when Andrew J. was a child, came from New York state. Catherine Spade was a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Breiner ) Spade, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania and who settled in Wyandot county, Ohio, about 1830. Sarah J. Warren, when four years of age, moved with her parents to Liberty town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, about three miles northwest of Leipsic, where she attended school and lived with her parents until the time of her mar- riage to Francis M. Warren. To that union were born four children, as follow : Clyde, who married Rachel Compton and lives in Hancock county, Ohio; Monroe, who married Gale Hermon, and to whom has been born one son, Francis Lewis; Effie, the wife of Lester Helfer, to whom has been born one daughter, Mildred Lucile, and Miley Ford, who is unmarried and lives at home.
Francis Marion Warren has been a resident of Putnam county about forty years. He is a successful farmer and specializes in the breeding and raising of high grade stock. He is a supporter of the Democratic party and has always been actively interested in political matters. He has served as a member of the school board, in which office he gave such great satisfaction that the citizens of his community desired to elect him township trustee, an honor which he refused.
Francis Warren and wife are both active members of the Methodist
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Protestant church, of which Mr. Warren is a trustee. Mr. Warren is a man of high integrity and is universally respected and esteemed by all his neigh- bors. His success has been entirely the result of his own energy and per- severance and the readiness with which he grasped and developed every opportunity.
WILLIAM HENRY FAIRCHILD.
The man whose name forms the caption of this sketch, is one of the representative farmers of Blanchard township, Putnam county, and is en- titled to a place in the history of his county.
William Henry Fairchild was born in Blanchard township, Hancock county, Ohio, on October 23, 1868, a son of Jesse and Louisa (Blakely) Fairchild. Jesse Fairchild was born in Putnam county, August 5, 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth Fairchild, both of whom came from Franklin county, Ohio, in 1832.
John Fairchild was a native of Ireland and came to America with his parents when he was seven years of age, settling in Franklin county, near Columbus, Ohio. A number of years later, after his marriage, and while he was still a young man, he moved to Putnam county, where he brought up his family. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, which lay partly in Blanchard township, Putnam county, and partly in Blanchard township, Hancock county, Ohio. He followed the usual pioneer system of development, cleared his land and built a double log cabin, half of which lay in each county.
In addition to his activities as a farmer, he constructed a water-power saw-mill on Buck run, where he conducted a very profitable business. When his son, Jesse, was about twenty years of age, he took charge of the mill and, at the outbreak of the Civil War manufactured gun stocks for the United States government, for which work he used only black walnut. Jesse Fairchild conducted the mill until about 1878, after which he devoted all his time to farming. He retired about 1895, but still owns the old home place. He was a successful farmer and a man highly respected by all his neighbors. In politics, he was a Democrat. He is a member of the Church of God, in which he has always been an active worker. He is still living at the ripe old age of seventy-five.
William Henry Fairchild grew to manhood on the old homestead and attended the schools of Hancock county, where he remained until he was
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twenty-four years of age, at which time he was married and moved to Leipsic, in 1892, to engage in farming, his farm lying just outside the corporation limits. He sold that place and moved to Blanchard township, Putnam county, in 1894, where he bought the McArthur and Grafton farm, where he now makes his home.
On November 26, 1892. he married Uzela Ramsey, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Leffler) Ramsey. Samuel Ramsey was born on Novem- ber 7, 1811, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and died on November 18, 1889. He was a son of John and Nancy Ramsey. After his marriage, he came to Hancock county and entered three claims of eighty acres each. This farm was later divided among his children. He then moved to two and one-half miles west of Leipsic, where he bought the Bill Edwards place, on which he lived for about seven years. This place he sold and afterward bought the old Swinehart farm, seven and one-half miles west of Leipsic. After operating that farm for four or five years, he retired and bought forty acres near Leipsic, where he lived until the time of his death, November 18, 1889. He died at the age of seventy-eight.
Mary Leffler, his wife, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on May 25, 1833, and died on December 17, 1913, at the age of eighty years, six months and twenty-two days. She was a daughter of John and Nancy (Meirs) Leffler, both of whom were pioneers of Fairfield county. Mary Leffler came to Putnam county with her parents at the age of eighteen. They entered government land just north of Leipsic and developed the farm which they had homesteaded.
Samuel Ramsey was married to Mary Leffler on July 4, 1869, that being his second marriage. His first wife was Nancy Coulter, and to that union were born ten children, one of which died in infancy and another at the age of fifteen. To the second marriage were born Mary Roselle, who died at the age of two years; Uzela, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Uzena, who died at the age of four years, and Uzelus, who died at the age of one year.
- William Henry Fairchild and wife now own two hundred and fifty acres of land in Putnam county, all in a thorough state of improvement. On his farm he. specializes in the breeding and raising of thoroughbred Duroc- Jersey hogs, a branch of endeavor in which he has been very successful.
To William Henry and Uzela (Ramsey) Fairchild have been born ten children as follow: Corbett Burdell, who married Etta Hazelton and lives adjoining the home place ; Harvey Burdette, who died at the age of five years, seven months and ten days; George Odell, who died at the age of two years, eleven months and twenty-six days; Eva Mary, who died at the age of two
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years, seven months and seventeen days; Violet Ruth; Alice Elnora, Althea Jane, Chloe Marie. Wiley Homer and Edna Loetta.
William Henry Fairchild is a supporter of the Democratic party and has taken an active and intelligent interest in the political affairs of his com- munity. He has served the citizens for four years as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is active in all church work, being a member of the financial board of that church. He is a man of excellent character, a prosperous and progressive citizen and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all who claim his acquaintance.
JOSEPH CORFMAN.
It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legiti- mate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile on the idler or dreamer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, the gentleman whose name forms the cap- tion of this sketch occupies a prominent place. It is plainly seen that the suc- cess which he enjoys, has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
Joseph Corfman was born on November 2, 1848, in Wyandot, Ohio, a son of Conrad and Mary (Riegle) Corfman. Conrad Corfman was born on July 24, 1809, in Fairfield county, Ohio, the son of parents who had come from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, having later moved to Ohio, previous to his birth.
When he was eighteen years of age, Conrad Corfman moved to Wyan- dot county, Ohio, and settled near Mccutcheonsville, where he remained until 1860. He then moved to Hancock county and settled in Mt. Cory, where he remained for twelve years. He later moved to five miles north- west of Mt. Cory, which was his final place of residence.
Conrad Corfman's wife, Mary Riegle, was born in 1811, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, near Carlisle, a daughter of George and Catherine Riegle, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Wyandot county, Ohio, when Mary Riegle was ten years of age. Conrad and Mary Corfman were the parents of twelve children, who were, Phillip; Barbara; Mary; Jacob; George; Catherine; Elias, who died at the age of four years; Magda- lene; Joseph; Lydia; Sophia and Nathan.
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Joseph Corfman spent his childhood four miles northwest of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He moved to Hancock county, Ohio, in 1860, where he attended the public schools and helped his father on the farm, until he was twenty-two or twenty-three years of age. Then, for about ten years, he farmed independently and dealt in live stock on a small scale. During that time, in August, 1876, his father died, and Joseph Corfman farmed the home place for his mother for a number of years, or until the time of his marriage, in 1883.
On April 3, 1883, he married Irena Spahr, a daughter of Jesse and Margaret (Fisher) Spahr. Jesse Spahr was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 1825, and came to Crawford county, Ohio, with his parents when a boy. In that county he grew to manhood and married. During the later years of the Civil War he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for about a year and a half, or until the end of the war. He moved to three miles north of Gilboa, Ohio, in 1852, where he entered a government farm on which he re- mained until his death.
Margaret (Fisher) Spahr, his wife, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1827. Her father was a native of Germany and came to Pennsylvania when a young man. There he taught in the German schools until he moved from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, during the early days of that county. It was there that his daughter married Jesse E. Spahr. To Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Spahr were born eight children, as fol- low: Eliza, the wife of William Lindsey, of Perth, Kansas, to whom has- been born six children, four daughters living and two sons, deceased; George W., deceased, who married Eliza Blodgett, and to whom six children, one daughter and five sons were born; Oliver F., deceased, who married Loretta Huntsman, and to whom five sons and one daughter were born; Irene S., the wife of the subject of this sketch; Lenora, unmarried, who lives in Liepsic, Ohio; Benjamin, who died at the age of eight years; Effie May, who died when fourteen months of age, and Orvel, who died at the age of ten.
Irene S. Spahr, the wife of Joseph Corfman, was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, on April 19, 1853. In that place she spent her girlhood and attended the common schools, after which she took special normal work at Leipsic, Ohio, and at Ottawa, Ohio. At the age of fourteen she began teaching school, and continued to teach for fifteen terms, or until she was twenty-eight years of age, when she married Joseph Corfman. Dur- ing her years of teaching, she continued to live on the old home place where she was born, and where she was later married.
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On April 4, 1883, after their marriage, Joseph Corfman and wife moved to Henry county, Ohio, where they settled six miles northwest of Bellmore. The following summer, Mr. Corfman sold his farm and moved to Leipsic, Putnam county, where, for four years, he operated a meat market. He then sold his market in Leipsic and moved to Mt. Cory, Hancock county, where he again engaged in the meat market business and followed it for two years. He then went into partnership with H. J. Rutledge and opened two more markets in Findlay, Ohio. He then sold his interests to his partner, and for two years engaged in the wholesale meat business until 1895, when he re- turned to Blanchard township, Putnam county, where he occupied the Spahr farm, at first buying forty acres, and later, eighty acres of that farm.
In January of 1910, Mr. Corfman moved to the northeast part of Blanchard township, on the old Ridge road, where the family now live. Mr. Corfman has improved and developed the farm until it ranks well up. among the best farms of his section. He operates it as a general farm. Mr. Corfman has always been known as a man of high ideals and sound business integrity. He is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and has always- held the respect of all who have had dealings with him.
ROBERT W. KISSELL.
Representing one of the oldest and best known families of Continental, Ohio, Putnam county, and a man of enterprising and sterling worth of char- acter, Robert W. Kissell, a well-known produce dealer, of Continental, Ohio, is entitled to notice among the substantial business men of this section of the state, and it is with much satisfaction that the brief sketch of his life career is herewith given.
Robert W. Kissell was born on November 30, 1871, at Columbus Grove, Ohio. He is the son of John H. and Elizabeth (Sterling) Kissell. Mr. Kissell grew up in Columbus Grove, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools and in the high school. He was graduated from the Columbus Grove high school in 1889 and attended Wooster University for two years, during 1890 and 1891. After taking the course at Wooster University, he came back to Columbus Grove, Ohio, and worked for several years with his father in the poultry business. He moved to Continental, Ohio, in 1899, where he immediately entered the poultry and produce business. Mr. Kissell is still actively engaged in this business. He enjoys a lucrative patronage and is a very popular man and a good "mixer" with the people of this community.
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He is congenial in his manners and frank in his dealings with his fellow men. He is extremely interested in public improvements and a progressive citizen in every way. Mr. Kissell has a fine home in Continental and is favorably known as a shrewd, able business man and, nevertheless, one who is upright and straightforward in all of his dealings.
Robert W. Kissell was married on March 26, 1902, to Florence Craw- ford, who was born in Columbus Grove, January 12, 1873, and who is the daughter of Alonzo and Mary (Scott) Crawford. Mrs. Kissell grew to womanhood at Columbus Grove and was graduated from the Columbus Grove high school with the class of 1890. After leaving high school, she attended the Lima Business College and worked for her father in the grist- mill at Columbus Grove. She is now a most valuable aid to her husband in his business. She is an expert bookkeeper and a splendid business woman.
Alonzo Crawford was a native of Union township, having been born near Kalida, Ohio. He died on September 24, 1914, at the age of seventy- six years. Mrs. Crawford is still living at Columbus Grove. Mr. Kissell's father died on November 23, 1912, and his mother died on May 16, 1902. They were well-known and highly-respected citizens of this community.
Robert W. Kissell is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 570. He is a member of the council and chapter at Ottawa, Ohio. Mr. Kissell is a stanch Democrat. He served as town clerk of Con- tinental for nine years and also as township treasurer for two terms, which office he still holds. Mr. Kissell also served as councilman for one term. Mrs. Kissell is a member of the Methodist church at Continental, but Mr. Kissell is not identified with any church.
CHARLES C. SCHAFER.
The Schafer family is one of the very oldest in Putnam county. The family was established by William Schafer, a native of Koenig Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, who came to America with his parents, in 1854, and settled in Sugar Creek township. This was more than sixty years ago, and ever since that time, members of the Schafer family have been conspicuous in the civic, political and religious life of Putnam county. Many of the Schafers have been farmers, but not all of them. Charles C. Schafer, a representative of the third generation, is a prominent grain and coal dealer at North Creek, Ohio. Mr. Schafer, however, was reared on the farm, but he has been
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES C. SCHAFER
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engaged in his present business practically ever since his marriage, for a period of about fifteen years.
Charles C. Schafer was born on September 26, 1874, in Palmer town- ship, Putnam county. His parents were William and Mary (Morris) Schafer.
William Schafer married Mary Morris, the daughter of Judge Morris, August 6, 1863, and with his young wife moved to Palmer township, Putnam county, in March, 1864. Here he settled on a farm and here he and his wife resided until their deaths. At the time William Schafer and his wife moved to Palmer township, it was an unbroken forest, and all kinds of wild game were to be seen everywhere. William Schafer cleared the timber from most of the farm with his own hands. He was active in politics and held many offices of trust, most of which came as a consequence of his nominations received by the Democratic party, with which he was identified throughout his life. In April, 1867, he was elected justice of the peace of Palmer township and held this office for twelve consecutive years, or until his death. He also served two terms as township treasurer and one term as township trustee. He was elected county commissioner in 1875, and held this office for two terms of three years each. He served as postmaster of North Creek, Ohio, beginning in March, 1879, and holding the office until Mckinley was elected president.
Charles C. Schafer was one of twelve children born to his parents. These children were as follow: Henry P., on September 1I, 1864; John S., February 18, 1866; Margaret Catherine, September 19, 1867; William W., December 17, 1869; George Lewis, December 12, 1871; Charles C., Sep- tember 26, 1874; Sarah E., August 22, 1876; Mary Emaline, June 17, 1878; Ida Lavina, August 19, 1880; Benjamin F., August 11, 1882 ; Surilda Laura May, July 13, 1884, died on September 1, 1903; and Joseph J., May 19, 1887. Five of the sons and one daughter reside in Putnam county and the other children are scattered throughout different states. William Schafer died on January 1, 1903, and his wife, the mother of these children, died on October 10, 1902.
Charles C. Schafer was educated in the township public schools of Palmer township. He farmed on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years old. He was married on August 14, 1899, to Nettie Ury. She was born in Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Christian and Harriet Ury. Charles C. and Nettie (Ury) Schafer have had two children, Estella H., born on July 5, 1900, and the other died in infancy. Estella H. attends the Continental high school.
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About one year after his marriage, Mr. Schafer engaged in the milling. business at North Creek. Here he operates a grain elevator. He has built up a splendid patronage and not only enjoys a good trade in this business, but also has a good business in the retail sale of coal. Mr. Schafer is not only popular in a business way, but he is popular socially, in Palmer township. He is now serving as township treasurer and has served as a member of the school board. Mr. Schafer is a Democrat. Mrs. Schafer and her daughter, Estella, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HERMAN McDOUGLE.
A prominent farmer of Putnam county, Ohio, who is now living a re- tired life in Ottawa, is Herman McDougle, who was born in this county more than half a century ago. His parents were early settlers in this county, in Blanchard township, where he taught school for nearly a quarter of a. cen- tury and where he has served as treasurer of Putnam county, making his: home in Ottawa since taking this office ten years ago.
Herman McDougle, the son of John and Eliza (Beach) McDougle, was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, on February 14, 1859. His father was born in West Virginia, where he grew to manhood and then moved to Licking county, Ohio, where he married Eliza Beach. She was born in Essex county, New York, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Hays) Beach, and came with her parents to Licking county, Ohio, and later to Put- nam county, where the Beach family located, in 1863.
John McDougle and wife came to Putnam county and settled in the black swamp, in Blanchard township about two miles from Leipsic. They started in with forty acres; a dense forest surrounding his cabin on all sides. He and his wife bore the hardships of pioneer life nobly, and reared six chil- dren in the log cabin which was their first home. John McDougle died in early manhood and left his widow with six young children, Joseph, Melinda, Harvey, Herman, Meredith and George. The widow bravely undertook the rearing of these children and continued to reside on the farm where she and her husband had settled the remainder of her life.
When he was fourteen years of age, Herman McDougle started out West with a pistol to shoot Indians. He got as far as Illinois and there found an uncle, William McDougle, a brother of his father. His uncle was a fine man and an influential citizen of the community where he resided.
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He took young Herman in and gave him a good home, where the lad attended school, and where his uncle and aunt gave him the same care and attention which they accorded their own family of children. His uncle even paid him for his work, so that, after three years, he not only had the rudiments of a good, common school education, but had been taught to work and save his money. When he was seventeen, Herman McDougle returned to Putnam county, Ohio, and lived with another uncle, John L. Buckland, in Blanchard township, whose wife was a sister of Mr. McDougle's mother. John L. Buckland was born in Rutland county, Vermont, and came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1852, from Licking county, this state. He became a well-known and successful farmer in Blanchard township. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, and in the home of his uncle Herman McDougle lived until he reached manhood. He attended the country schools and ap- plied himself so diligently that when he was through the common schools of Blanchard township, he was able to secure a teacher's license, and for the next twenty-four years he taught school in one neighborhood in Palmer township, and during this time saved his money and invested it in land.
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