USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 51
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J. F. Applegate attended the district schools in Green township in boy- hood, having the usual country boy advantages afforded at that time, and remained with his father until he was twenty-six years old, coming then to Orange township and for ten years afterward lived on his father-in-law's farm. From there he moved to the one he now occupies and successfully operates, for the past twenty years having carried on farming and stock raising here.
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During this time he has made many changes and improvements and has a valuable property.
Mr. Applegate married Miss Mina T. Bull, a daughter of Hiram Bull, and five children were born to them : Rollo, who died when aged four years; Fleet- wood, who lives near Springfield, O .; Forrest E., who is a resident of Sid- ney; Charles C., who is the practical home farmer ; and Edward, who is now deceased, served as a soldier in the Philippine Islands. Mr. Applegate and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics a demo- crat, while living in Green township, Mr. Applegate served as a trustee and has also served two times as township clerk and has been a member of the school board since coming to Orange township. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, at Plattsville.
AUGUST B. GUDENKAUF, M. D., a well established physician and surgeon at Sidney, O., and secretary of the Shelby County Medical Society, is a native of Germany, where he was born September 14, 1870. His parents were Anton and Gertrude (Von Huesen) Gudenkauf.
Anton Gudenkauf followed the blacksmith trade in Germany but after com- ing to America in 1874 and settling in McLean township, near what is now Fort Loramie, Shelby county, O., he engaged in farming but his death in the following year prevented his acquiring any considerable interests in that direc- tion. His widow survives.
August B. Gudenkauf was a child of four years when his parents brought him to America and he lived on a farm through his early school days, later becoming a student in the Sidney high school, where he was graduated in 1893. For seven years afterwards he taught school, following which came a year in the scientific department of the State University, at Columbus, O., which, in turn was followed by a course of four years in medicine, and he was graduated in the class of 1905 from the Ohio Medical University at Columbus. For one year he served as an interne at the Protestant Hospital in that city, in the fall of 1906 coming to Sidney, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since.
Dr. Gudenkauf married Miss Agnes Albery, of Columbus, and they have one daughter, Catherine Gertrude. Dr. and Mrs. Gudenkauf are members of the Catholic church. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Colum- bus, and professionally with county and state medical bodies and with the American Medical Association, and in 1909 served as president of the Shelby County Medical Society, of which he now is secretary. Dr. Gudenkauf has also served on the board of county school examiners.
HARRY J. TAYLOR, proprietor and manager of the Sidney Hardware Company, at Sidney, O., a leading business concern here, has been identified with the hardware trade since a boy. He was born at Sidney, March 27, 1855, and is a son of Oliver J. Taylor, who is also in this line of trade.
Harry J. Taylor was educated in the public schools and afterward worked in his father's hardware store until 1898, when he embarked in business for
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himself. Mr. Taylor began in a modest way and through close attention to business and a complete knowledge of all its details, has greatly prospered. To his first quarters he has added space and now has two large rooms and two warerooms and carries a very full stock, handling everything in light and heavy hardware, farm fencing, and factory and plumbers' supplies.
Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Belle Runyon, of Shelby county, and eight children have been born to them, namely : Oliver F., who is associated with his father in the store, is married and they have three children -Harold, James and Amelia Belle; Harry, who is also in the hardware busi- ness with his father; Mabel, deceased, who was the wife of Frederick Heiser, of Sidney, and they had one child, Mary Louise ; James T., who is also in his father's store; and Mary, Rosanna, Cora and Julia, all of whom reside at home. Mr. Taylor is active in his citizenship, assuming responsibilities when necessary and in every possible way working for the general welfare. He belongs to several fraternal bodies including the Royal Arcanum and the Order of Ben Hur.
FRANK J. EILERMAN, a well known resident of Shelby county, who is a retired farmer residing in section 9, McLean township, where he owns 120 acres of valuable land, situated two miles east of Fort Loramie, on the Sherman turnpike road, was born in this township, December 9, 1847, and is a son of George Henry Eilerman, an early settler and worthy citizen of this part of the county.
Frank J. Eilerman obtained his education in the Sherman Special School District. Farm industries occupied the entire period of his active life and these he continued until 1910, when he shifted his responsibilities from his own shoulders to the sturdy ones of hs son, being fully. assured that a capable hand still remained at the plow. Mr. Eilerman came to the present farm following his marriage and with the exception of thirty acres of woodland, placed all the land in a tillable condition. He continued his improvements until he had an entire set of new buildings, those now standing, which are substantial in construction and adequate to farm needs. He found, at times, that parts of his land required draining and that also was attended to and a large amount of tile put down.
In 1873 Mr. Eilerman was married to Miss Catherine Holscher, who was born on this farm, the only daughter of B. H. Holscher, who was a victim of cholera during the epidemic of 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Eilerman four chil- dren were born, as follows: Henry, who lives in Cynthian township, married Mary Dresher ; Clemens, who has charge of the home farm, married Lena Dresher; Mary, who is the wife of William Kloeker, of Cynthian township: and Katie, who is the wife of Henry Borger, of McLean township. Mr. Eiler- man has always been interested in the public schools and the only office he ever accepted was that of school director. With his family he belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie and when this church edifice was built he made a substantial contribution to the fund.
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WILLIAM H. MAYER, merchant tailor at Sidney, O., is well known to his fellow citizens here, where he has spent his life and practically grew up in his present line of business. He was born at Sidney, July 8, 1872, and is a son of Andrew and Julia ( Bretz) Mayer.
Andrew Mayer was born in Germany in 1829 and before coming to America, learned the tailoring trade. After reaching the United States he located at Lancaster, O., where he worked in tailor shops for a time and then went to Cincinnati and from there, in 1863, came to Sidney, immediately open- ing his own shop but later closed it and for a time worked as a cutter in other establishments. In 1881 he resumed business for himself and continued until March, 1906, when he retired on account of a slight stroke of paralysis which impaired his health to some extent. At Lancaster, O., he married Julia Bretz, who died in 1896, the mother of the following children: Mary, who was the wife of W. O. Wagner, died in 1892; Charles, who is a tailor in business at Bellefontaine; Delia, who is the wife of P. E. Sherman of Sidney; and Louise, Anna, William H. and Amelia, the last named being the wife of Hon. Charles M. Wyman.
William H. Mayer attended the parochial schools in boyhood and as soon as old and deft enough was permitted to help his father and in July, 1887, entered upon his apprenticeship to the trade. In 1904 he received his diploma as a cutter from the Frederick Cromborg Cutting School, Chicago, Ill., having previously, in 1892, attended the John J. Mitchell Cutting School, New York City. He continued with his father for nineteen years in all, in 1906 embark- ing in business for himself. He is recognized as one of the most expert cut- ters and fitters in the city, while his taste. carefulness and good judgment insure wide and continued patronage.
Mr. Mayer married Miss Helen Crusey, a daughter of Edward Crusey, and they have three children : Rosemary, Helen and William. Mr. Mayer and family are members of the Catholic church and he is identified fraternally with the Knights of Columbus and the Elks.
GEORGE KEIFER HIPPLE, whose valuable farm of eighty acres of finely cultivated land lies in Clinton township, was born in Miami county, not far from Troy, O., April 30, 1850, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Enyeart) Hipple.
David Hipple was born in Pennsylvania, of German parents, and came to Ohio when young, settling in Miami county and marrying there. He followed farming all his life and he and wife were among the earnest members and liberal supporters of the Christian church. They had four children: Taylor ; George Keifer; Angeline, who is deceased, was the wife of Samuel Hersey; and Laura Belle, who died when young.
George Kiefer Hipple attended the district school nearest his father's farm and assisted there until he was nineteen years of age after which, for a time, he was in the employ of an express company at Sidney, O. Since then he has resided on his farm where he is extensively and profitably engaged in the
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poultry business, making a specialty of White Leghorns, his yards usually having 300 birds, his ready market being at Sidney.
Mr. Whipple was married first to Miss Ella Wilson, of Miami county, who was survived by one daughter, Gertrude, who is the wife of Wade Shill- ing. In 1882 he was married (second) to Miss Mary Miller, of Miami county, and they have three children: Harry; Walter, who married Ethel West; and Taylor. Mr. Hipple and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with the republican party but has never been a seeker for office.
OWEN DOORLEY, whose valuable farm of 155 acres lies in Orange township, one and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, now lives retired and is surrounded with the comforts that a long life of industry have provided. He was born July 16, 1825, in Ireland, and is a son of Daniel Doorley and wife, neither of whom ever came to the United States.
Owen Doorley helped his father on the home farm in Ireland and attended the parochial schools, and no doubt received instruction and advice from the parish priest when he announced his determination to leave home and seek his fortune in another land. He reached America in safety and spent his first four months in the United States at Philadelphia, Pa., and stopped at other points before reaching Ohio, where he secured work on the C., H. & D. Rail- road then in course of construction, which had reached as far as Anna Sta- tion. He continued to work as a laborer for some time and then became a farmer and followed agricultural pursuits in Green township, Shelby county, for twenty-five years, being prudent as to his money, and in 1883 was able to purchase this farm. He had sixteen additional acres, which he sold to the Children's Home. Mr. Doorley has shifted his responsibilities to the strong shoulders of his sons but still takes much interest in all farm operations and improvements.
On October 29, 1849, Mr. Doorley was married to Miss Bridget Corcoran, in Ireland, who accompanied him to America and for many years was his cheerful and helpful companion. Her death occurred March 2, 1910. She was the mother of ten children : Anna, who died in infancy; John, who is also deceased; Thomas; Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Madigan and has nine children; Joseph, who married Catherine McGuff and has ten children; James; Mary Ann, deceased; Michael and Catherine. Mr. Doorley and family are members of the Holy Angels Catholic church. He is a democrat in his political opinions and has always taken an interest in the party's success but has not sought office for himself. In his long life of eighty- seven years he has witnessed many changes, including improvements in rail- road building and in farming, and many comforts of living that now seem necessities, in his early days in Ohio would have seemed the greatest luxuries. Mr. Doorley is widely known and has many warm friends and well wishers.
BERNARD ASELAGE, a successful farmer owning 160 acres of fine land, which is situated in section 6, McLean township, one quarter mile south- east of Fort Loramie, is one of the representative citizens of this township and
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is serving in the office of clerk of the Berlin Special School District. He was born in Germany, July 17, 1860, and is a son of George and Helena Aselage, both of whom died in Germany.
Bernard Aselage obtained his education in a German school and remained in his native land until he was twenty-three years of age. Being the only child of his parents he was left alone at their death and came to America by himself, his objective point being Fort Loramie, O. By trade a carpenter he worked for ten years in this neighborhood as such and for one year in Cincin- nati, and then turned his attention to farming. For eighteen months he rented land in Cynthian township, then moved to the Adolph Sherman farm, which he rented for nine years, following which he purchased his present place from Bernard Pille. As the land had been improved and all cleared but eighteen acres of woodland, Mr. Aselage found his first expenditure was the main cost in securing a valuable property and a fine home, the residence being a com- modious brick structure. Mr. Aselage took possession in the fall of 1902 and here carries on farming and stock raising under very favorable conditions.
Mr. Aselage married Miss Lena Bruns, who was born in Germany, Janu- ary 1, 1855, a daughter of Henry and Lena Bruns, and they have the following children : B. H., who lives in McLean township, married Elizabeth Schlater and they have one son, August ; William and John, both of whom assist their father on the farm; Albert, who is a student in the Minster high school; and Joseph. Mr. Aselage and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church, and he belongs to the Catholic Knights of America. In politics he is a democrat and has served McLean township with honest efficiency in the office of road superintendent, and early in 1912 was elected a member of the board of education as above mentioned.
FRANK M. SAYRE, secretary and treasurer of The Farmers Grain and Milling Company, at Sidney, O., one of the large business enterprises of Shelby county, was born in Adams township, Champaign county, O., one mile east of the Shelby county line, September 13, 1868, and is a son of Thomas J. and Margaret ·(Souder) Sayre.
Thomas J. Sayre was born also on the above farm in Adams township, which land had been entered from the government by his father, Ziba P. Sayre. He married Margaret Souder, who was born at Quincy, Logan county, O., a daughter of Daniel L. Souder, who had come to Ohio from Georgetown. Md., when a boy of sixteen years. Mrs. Sayre passed away in 1902 but Mr. Sayre survives.
Frank M. Sayre was reared to the age of sixteen years in his native county and there attended school and completed his education after coming to Shelby county, in 1883. He was just twenty-one years of age when he began to teach school, and, finding the work congenial, continued for fourteen years, becom- ing widely known and very highly esteemed all over the county. Later he became station agent at Nortlı Creek, O., for the Clover Leaf Railroad Com- pany, resigning that position to become secretary and treasurer of the Farmers Grain and Milling Company at Sidney, in February, 1912.
JOSEPH BOWEN
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Mr. Sayre married Miss Daisy E. Russell, who is a daughter of the late Moses J. Russell, a very prominent citizen and extensive farmer in Clinton township. Mr. and Mrs. Sayre have three children : Florence M., Herman and Albert.
JOSEPH BOWEN, owner and proprietor of a general store at Hardin, O., where he has been established for twenty-five years, is a representative citizen of Shelby county and is a veteran of the great Civil war. He was born in Clermont county, O., December 12, 1844, and is a son of Clark and Elishaba (Godfrey) Bowen.
Clark Bowen came from New England, being a native of Rhode Island, a farmer through life and a man of sterling character. His wife was born in Ohio to which state her people had come from New Jersey, where the name of Godfrey is still borne by well-known people. To Clark Bowen and his wife the following children were born: Eliza Ann, who married John Price; Joseph; and Ella, who was married first to G. M. Meyers and after his death to Samuel Lawyer.
Joseph Bowen attended the district schools in his neighborhood during the winter seasons, until he was fifteen years old, when he went to Sharonsville, in Hamilton county, where he was a clerk in a general store and was still there in 1862, when he decided to become a soldier. He enlisted for service on August 16, 1862, in Company E, Eighty- third Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained until his honorable discharge in 1865. For about eight months after the close of the war, Mr. Bowen visited among his relatives, recuperating from his years of hardships, and in that way came to Shelby county, where he became interested in farming and continued until the fall of 1871, when he started into the store and grain business at Hardin Station, in partnership with Isaac Betts. They continued for two years when Mr. Bowen sold his interest and went into the grocery business at Lockington, O. In 1887 he purchased his present store at Hardin and the place thereby gained a valuable citizen who has been active in promoting its advancement and welfare ever since.
On September 8, 1868, Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Christina E. Strate, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Adolphus Strate, who was a brickmaker by trade. The Strate family consisted of four children : Carrie, wife of John Hick; Christina E., Mrs. Bowen; William; and Louisa, Mrs. Tyson. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowen the following children were born: William H., who married Nancy Malcolm; James; Mabel, who is the wife of Frederick Cole; Bonnie, who married Dan Ellsner ; Maude; Mary, who died in July, 1911, and Clark. The family of Mr. Bowen belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican and he is identified with the G. A. R. at Sidney, O.
WILBUR J. EMMONS, a leading member of the bar of Shelby county, member of the well known law firm of Wicoff, Emmons & Needles, at Sid- ney, is well known also in other directions, particularly in fraternal circles.
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Mr .. Emmons was born on a farm situated in Spring creek township, Miami county, O., May 18, 1864, and is a son of Job and Mary A. (Houser) Emmons.
Wilbur J. Emmon's early life was sent on the home farm and because he had more ambition than many of his school mates he was not contented with the educational training received in the country schools but prepared for and entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, O., where he was graduated with the class of 1885. He spent the next year on the farm and then came to Sidney and entered the law office of S. L. Wicoff, as a law student, and was admitted to the bar in 1899 and in the same year became Mr. Wicoff's partner. In 1901 H. H. Needles was admitted to the bar and in the fall of 1904 the present firm was organized, one that stands very high in the county, both collectively and individually. Mr. Emmons is active as a citizen and the value put upon his judgment and integrity by his fellow citizens has frequently been shown by election to positions of responsibility. For three years he was a member of the Sidney board of education and for six years served as a member of the Shelby county board of school examiners.
In 1899, Mr. Emmons was married to Miss Marianna Corwin, of Warren county, who died July 10, 1909, survived by two sons : Corwin J. and Wilbur D. While not particularly active in politics, Mr. Emmons has found interest to no small degree in fraternal associations. He has passed through all the chairs of the local lodge of Odd Fellows and served eleven years on the floor of the Grand Encampment of Ohio, then became Grand Patriarch for the state of Ohio, and at present is one of the representatives of the state in the Sovereign Grand Lodge. He is equally prominent in Masonry and is past eminent commander and at present is captain-general of Sidney Commandery, No. 46, Knights Templar.
BENJAMIN F. FOSTER, whose fifty acres of fine land is situated one mile east of Sidney, bordering on the Tawawa turnpike road, in Clinton town- ship, Shelby county, O., was born on a farm one-half mile south of where he lives, October 6, 1864, and is a son of John and Catherine ( Peterhaus) Foster.
The parents of Benjamin F. Foster were born, reared and married in Ger- many, and one year after marriage came to the United States. They spent the first six months at Baltimore, Md., and then came to Ohio, pausing for a short time at Dayton, and then came on into Shelby county, where they remained for the rest of their lives. John Foster became a substantial farmer in Clinton township. They were members of the Lutheran church and at death were buried in Graceland cemetery at Sidney. They had a large family of children, as follows : Christiana, who is the widow of Jacob Dormire; George and John, both of whom are deceased; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of John Shaffer; Christian; Lewis, who is deceased; William; Callie, who is the wife of L. W. Kah; Benjamin F. ; and Catherine, who is the wife of Henry McCracken.
Benjamin F. Foster had common school advantages and since then has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, carrying on general farming and raising stock, and all his efforts have been expended on the old homestead.
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On November 22, 1894, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Jennie Gearhart, who was born in Perry township, Shelby county, a daughter of Frank and Eliza- beth (Miller) Gearhart, both natives of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart had the following children born to them: Harry, Edward, Lucy, William, Augusta, Jennie and Earl. Augusta is the widow of Ora A. Dunson. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have one son, John F., who was born October 2, 1896, who is a most satisfactory student in the Sidney high school. Mr. Foster and family attend the Lutheran church. Politically he is a democrat but is no aspirant for office, and fraternally he has been connected with the Odd Fellows at Sidney for many years. Mr. Foster is one of the solid, reliable men of Clin- ton township.
J. W. BROWN, who is one of the intelligent men and successful farmers of Loramie township, Shelby county, O., owning 130 acres of well developed land, ninety of which lie in the Greenwood Special School District, of which he is a valued official, was born near Gettysburg, Darke county, O., June 24, 1877, and is a son of Reuben and Anna Brown, who are highly respected retired residents of Versailles, O.
J. W. Brown was nine years old when his parents came to Loramie town- ship, Shelby county, and he completed his education in the Greenwood Special School District. He entered into business as a farm hand, working by the month, and then for one year raised tobacco, and after this experiment embarked in agricultural activities for himself and has so continued. He devotes his land to general farming and moderate stock raising and is num- bered with the prosperous and contented farmers of this part of Shelby county.
On September 14, 1899, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Hulda J. Apple. who was born also in Loramie township and is a daughter of Henry A. Apple, one of the old and well known citizens and wealthy men of the township. On this farm the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born : Erma Eleanor, Goldie Irene and Mary Henrietta. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he has always been a democrat but has never accepted any public office except membership on the school board, his first experience being when he served for two years, filling out the unexpired term of John Boyd, after which he was elected for a period of four years, which ensures his services on this body until 1916.
CHARLES F. SNYDER, one of the representative men of Cynthian township, resides in section 27, where he devotes his 130 acres of valuable land to general farming and cattle raising. This land is in two farms and they are situated one third mile north of the Sidney-Hardin turnpike road. Mr. Snyder was born April 19, 1863, in Miami county, O., and is a son of Henry and Lydia (Ward) Snyder.
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