USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 54
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Nettie who are in school. Mr. Loy is a republican in his political senti- ments and has frequently been elected to township offices, serving at times on the election board and as judge of election, and in 1876 was first appointed a member of the special school board, on which he has served ever since with the exception of six years. He and wife belong to the United Brethren church, while the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
REINHART SIEGEL, who is one of the highly respected residents and substantial citizens of Cynthian township, whose excellent farm of 260 acres lies in section 15, may be called one of the pioneers here as very wild con- ditions prevailed when he first set step in Cynthian township. He was born March 1, 1838, in Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Gertrude Siegel.
Jacob Siegel brought his family to the United States when his son was sixteen years of age and they settled near Troy, Miami county, O., where they lived for a few years and then came to Cynthian township, Shelby county. The eighty-acre tract lay in the woods, four acres of which had been cleared and here the family lived in a little log cabin. After the mother died, Rein- hart bought the father's land and set up a domestic hearth of his own, marry- ing Caroline Circher, who survived until 1907. She was the beloved mother of four sons and six daughters, namely: Clara, who is the wife of Benjamin Pauwells, of Minster, O .; and John, Jacob, Joseph, Josephine, Rachel, Eliza- beth, Frances, Peter and Mary.
Mr. Siegel has carried on the usual farm industries and has added tracts of land as he has deemed desirable, all of which he has cleared and has under cultivation with the exception of about forty acres in woodland. Among the many substantial improvements on his place may be mentioned the com- fortable brick residence. Mr. Siegel is a democrat in his political opinions but has never desired to hold public office. With his children he belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie, O. He has an excellent memory and can tell much that is interesting concerning early days in Cyn- thian township.
JOHN H. KEMP, one of the substantial farmers of Perry township, who resides on his forty-acre tract and owns a second farm containing ninety- five acres, both in Perry township, was born in Salem township, Shelby county, January 29, 1855. He is a son of Henry and Eliza J. (Gray) Kemp.
After his school days, which were spent in the district schools of Salem township, John H. Kemp started out to take care of himself. Possessing industry and good judgment, he easily found employment as a farm hand and as he prudently saved his money he was soon enabled to buy land, his first investment being the forty acres on which he resides, this purchase being made in 1894. Here he has placed many improvements, including a commo- dious and comfortable residence and a substantial barn and other farm build- ings. His second farm he purchased at a sheriff's sale, in 1908. Mr. Kemp no longer is an active farmer, having practically retired. The larger number
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of his brothers and sisters live in this county, he being the second born of his parents' children. The other's were: Phoebe Jane, who married twice, first, Frank Armstrong, and second, Jonathan Henman; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of John Stiles; Louvina, who married (first) William Winsor, (second) William Beerline; and George C., Emmanuel E. and Samuel N.
On August 9, 1881, Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Anna DeWeese, a daughter of J. D. and Lydia (Kiser) DeWeese, who were early settlers in Shelby county. To Mr. and Mrs. DeWeese the following children were born : D. K .; Benjamin and Thomas, both of whom are deceased ; Anna; Samantha, who is deceased, was the wife of Mack Van Demark; Therza, who is the wife of A. N. Stephenson; Jethro M .; Cora, who is the wife of Isaac Green; and James. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have an adopted son, Albert W., who was born September 8, 1907, to whom every educational advantage will be given and whose future is well assured if he develops, as now promises, into a youth of fine character and of more than ordinary intellect. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp attend the Baptist church at Pemberton, O. Politically Mr. Kemp is a repub- lican and for fourteen years he served as a trustee of Perry township. For six years he filled the responsible position of superintendent of the Children's Home in Shelby county and during this time his wife was the matron, their administration being marked by efficiency. Mr. Kemp belongs to the Knights of Pythias and attends the lodge at De Graff, O.
BENJAMIN E. DILLON, whose excellent and well-cultivated farm containing eighty acres, lies six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, is a well-known citizen of Orange township, in which he has spent the greater part of his life. He was born one and one-quarter miles southeast of Sidney and was brought to the present farm, a part of the old Hiram Bull home- stead, when he was eighteen months old and with the exception of five years, has lived here ever since. John Dillon, father of Benjamin E., was born in Shelby county and still lives but the mother died when Benjamin E. was seven years old. John Dillon formerly was a farmer but now engages in carpenter work.
Benjamin E. Dillon obtained a common school education and afterward learned the carpenter trade and during the five years he spent at Dayton, O., assisted in building cars and also did house building. He returned then to his grandfather's old farm and lives in the house which his grandfather built so many years ago and owns the deed his grandfather secured, with the'signa- ture of James Madison, president of the United States, signed to this docu- ment. Mr. Dillon carries on the various farm industries which this climate favors and is very comfortably situated.
At Dayton, O., on June 7, 1903, by Rev. Hale, Mr. Dillon was married to Miss Della Maude- Wickoff, who came from Adams county, and they have two children : Bernice and Omer D. In his political sentiments Mr. Dillon is a democrat and takes pleasure in his party's political supremacy in 1912. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Masons. 80
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FRANK DANZIG, one of the enterprising citizens and excellent farmers of McLean township, Shelby county, O., who resides in section 9, where is situated his productive farm of 120 acres, has spent his life in this section of the county, having been born on his present farm March 25, 1866. His parents were William and Elizabeth Danzig. Frank Danzig received his edu- cational training mainly in the Sherman special school district, which was supplemented by one term in the Coldwater high school, and since then he has carried on his agricultural industries on the home farm. After marriage, when he came into full possession, he remodeled the farm residence which his father had erected and built a new barn and other structures, putting everything into good condition and ever since has kept up his repairs. In addition to his home farm he owns forty acres situated in Cynthian township. twenty of which he uses as a pasture land, while twenty acres of the other farm is still in valuable timber. Mr. Danzig is a careful and well-informed farmer and a good manager and hires helpers in carrying on his activities.
Mr. Danzig married Miss Caroline Brandewie, a daughter of Joseph Brandewie, of Auglaize county, O., and four children have been born to them, the youngest only surviving, a very engaging little daughter, Teckla Mary, who has passed her second year. The eldest, Clara E., died at the age of fourteen months; Leo Joseph died when aged eighteen months; and Wilhel- mina also died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Danzig are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie. Politically he is a democrat as was his father before him.
SAMUEL PIPER, proprietor of Piper's Grocery and Bakery, a well- known and popular business house of Sidney, has been identified with this line for many years, it having been founded by his father fifty-two years ago. Samuel Piper was born at Sidney, April 8, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine Piper.
Jacob Piper and wife were born in Germany, both came when young to the United States and were married in Ohio and both died at Sidney. They were held in universal esteem for their many admirable qualities. Before starting his grocery store, in 1860, Jacob Piper operated a wagon shop at Sidney and did a good business as at that time transportation was largely wagoning, there being neither canal nor railroad facilities. When wagon making no longer was profitable he turned his attention to the handling of food stuffs and carried on a grocery business for a number of years, the bakery feature not being added until his sons became associated with him. He first admitted his son, William Piper and a son-in-law, Fred Yenney, after which the firm caption became Piper & Yenney, and this firm gave way to Piper Brothers, when Samuel and Jacob Piper, brothers, purchased the business, which con- tinued until Samuel Piper became sole proprietor in 1897. In 1893 the firm of Piper Brothers erected the fine three-story brick block, with a frontage of 46 feet and a depth of 165 feet, on North Main avenue, facing the court house, the first floor being given up to business purposes and the second and third floors being divided into comfortable and attractive housekeeping flats.
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While Mr. Piper employs as many as ten men in his store and bakery, he looks after every detail himself and takes justifiable pride in the high stand- ing his business house has maintained for so many years.
Mr. Piper married Miss Carrie Elsner, who was born on her father's farm in Turtle Creek township, and they have three children: Harrison and Morton, twins, who are with their father in his business; and Elsie, who is well known in social circles. Mr. Piper and family are members of the Metli- odist Episcopal church. He is one of the city's dependable men and fre- quently has been elected to public office, serving in the city council, as cemetery trustee, as water works trustee and on the school board. He is identified with the fraternal order of Odd Fellows.
S. T. BUIRLEY, whose fine, eighty-acre farm is situated five miles south of Sidney, is one of the prominent citizens of Orange township, Shelby county, O., of which he is a trustee. He was born August 25, 1862, in Orange township, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Venice) Buirley.
Daniel Buirley was born in Shelby county, O., where his father had been a pioneer, probably coming from Germany. In the early subscription schools Daniel Buirley obtained his knowledge of text books and afterward devoted his life to farm pursuits, first in Orange and later in Clinton township, living into his seventy-first year. He married Mary Venice, who was born in Cham- paign couny, O., and died in Orange township, when aged seventy years. They had five children, namely: John A., who is a resident of Clinton town- ship; Benjamin, who lives at Jackson Center; S. T., who attended school both in Clinton and Orange townships; Delilah, who is deceased; and Elizabetlı, who is now deceased, was the wife of H. H. Wilson.
S. T. Buirley remained on the home farm in Clinton township until 1888, when he came to Orange township to live, and in 1909 bought the old Fergus place and started immediately to make the improvements which have con- verted it into one of the valuable and attractive properties of this section, his residence being built according to ideas of comfort and convenience. General farming is carried on here very successfully and good stock raised.
Mr. Buirley was married to Miss Mary Redinbo, who was born in Green township, Shelby county, and they have one daughter, Dema D., who resides with her parents. Politically a democrat, Mr. Burley takes a deep interest in public issues and is somewhat of a leader in local opinion. In 1910 he was elected a member of the board of trustees of Orange township and has proved an able, honest and efficient public official. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and attends lodge meetings at Sidney.
WILLIAM E. WOOLLEY for many years was one of the prosperous, well-known and highly respected citizens of Perry township. He was born in Champaign county, O., June 7, 1844, and died on his farm in Perry town- ship, Shelby county, July 30, 1899. His parents were Charles and Barbara (Speice) Woolley, farming people in Champaign county. William E. was their eldest child, the others being: Anna, wife of David Dormire; Ella,
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wife of William Nicehorner; Mattie, wife of William Neal; and Josephine, wife of Dr. Hunt.
William E. Woolley attended school near his father's farm and no doubt the sessions were held in a log structure, as was the usual custom when he was a boy and perhaps his opportunities were very meager. Nevertheless he became a well-informed man and during a busy and useful life performed all the duties and accepted the responsibilities which come to one as a good citi- zen, a peaceable neighbor, a kind husband and indulgent father. He learned the wagon-making trade in early manhood and followed the same until he became a farmer. On May 16, 1872, he was married to Miss Nancy Jane Johnson. She was born in Perry township, a daughter of James and Lafey (Newman) Johnson, both now deceased. The father of Mrs. Woolley was a native of Shelby county, while her mother was born in Logan county. Mrs. Woolley has one brother, Charles William Johnson.
To Mr. and Mrs. Woolley the following children were born: Cora, who is the wife of C. M. McCashin, of Perry township; Charles, who married Mabel Ritter. she being now deceased; Ora, who is the wife of John Lorton ; Daisy Belle, who is deceased, was the wife of Chester Staley; James C., who married Edna Ward; Frank; Harry; Grace, who is the wife of Wallace Lockard; and William. Mrs. Woolley and children attend the Methodist Episcopal church. She continues to reside on the valuable home farm of 108 acres, which is her property.
A. G. WHEATON, who operates one of the fine farms of Orange town- ship, containing 160 acres of well-improved land, is one of the enterprising young agriculturists of this section. He was born on his father's farm located on the Urbana turnpike road, in Miami county, O., in March, 1889, and is a son of Thomas and Ida (Garbry) Wheaton.
Thomas Wheaton was born in Champaign county, O., and moved into Miami county after marriage and there followed farming until 1892, when he came to Shelby county and settled on the farm which his son now manages, and operated it until the fall of 1910, when he retired to Sidney, where he resides in great comfort, he and his wife being leading members of the Bap- tist church there. He married Ida Garbry and three children were born to them: Ora T., who lives at Dayton, married Neva Loy; Lucy, who is the wife of James Wiley, and they have one son, Darwin; and A. G.
After completing the common school course, A. G. Wheaton began to relieve his father of many of the farm responsibilities and when the latter retired and moved to Sidney, took entire charge. He had little improving to do as the homestead had received excellent attention from his father. Mr. Wheaton makes use of the best farm machinery obtainable and takes a very intelligent interest in his farm industries, raising the usual farm products and some excellent stock. In politics, like his father, he is a democrat, but is no seeker for public office, contented to have others make the laws, provided they are just ones.
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Mr. Wheaton married Miss Iona Redinbo. They attend the Baptist church at Spring Creek, are well known all over the township and have a pleasant social circle.
JAMES W. WILEY, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising on his farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Orange township, Shelby county, O., is one of the enterprising and intelligent young agricul- turists of this section, active alike in business and in public matters. He was born on his present farm September 7, 1880, and is a son of George W. and Lydia A. (Geer) Wiley.
George W. Wiley was born in Miami county, O., and was a young man when he came to Shelby county, after which he engaged in farming in Orange township during the rest of his active life, subsequently retiring to Sidney, where he still lives. He yet owns eighty acres of land here and made all the improvements and put up all the buildings on the whole estate. He married Lydia A. Geer, who was also born in Ohio and they had six children born to them, five of whom yet survive.
James W. Wiley obtained a good common school education and then turned his attention to an agricultural life and has been engaged ever since in farming and stock raising, not only operating his own farm but also a sixty- acre farm belonging to his uncle. Mr. Wiley is prominent in local politics, being one of the leading democrats of the township and at present is serving in the office of township clerk.
Mr. Wiley married Miss Lucy Wheaton, born in Miami county, O., a daughter of Thomas and Ida (Garbry) Wheaton, who live retired at Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have one son, Darwin W. They are members of the Presbyterian church at Sidney and Mr. Wiley is identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
JOHN B. BORCHERS, one of Shelby county's substantial and respected citizens, who has spent the larger part of a useful and busy life in Ohio, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 7, 1832, and is the oldest of the three sons and two daughters born to his parents, John H. and Catherine Borchers.
The parents of Mr. Borchers emigrated from Germany with their children in 1848 and after reaching the United States settled near Minster, in Auglaize county, O., where they lived for eighteen years. The father died there when aged sixty-three years and his burial was in the Minster cemetery. After his death the mother and children came to Shelby county and settled on the farm in McLean township on which John B. Borchers still resides and here the mother passed away in her eighty-sixth year. Both she and her husband were faithful Catholics and she was a member of St. Michael's church.
John B. Borchers was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents and brothers and sisters to the United States and is the only survivor of the family. The country was but sparsely settled when the family came to McLean township, and the farm of 160 acres on which they settled was about one-half cleared. Mr. Borchers continued to add other tracts as an advan-
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tageous opportunity offered and continued until at present he has 560 acres, 230 of which lie in Cynthian township. His land is separated into three farms, his sons having a partial interest in the same and each farm has a set of substantial buildings. All the land is utilized for general farming except about sixty acres, which is still in woodland.
In Auglaize county, O., Mr. Borchers was married to Miss Catherine Timmerman, a daughter of John H. Timmerman, who died in that county when his daughter was a babe. To Mr. and Mrs. Borchers the following children were born: Catherine, who is the wife of Barney Ernst, of McLean township; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Barney Krampe; Mary, who is the wife of Henry Ernst; Henry, who married Frances Hilgefort; Bernard, who married Eleanor Shank; Clement, who died when aged three years; John, who married Ann Schlater ; William, who married Lena Seitters; and Frank, who married Emma Boerger. Mr. Borchers has the satisfaction of knowing that all his children are well settled in life and takes much interest in his grandchildren. He has been a democrat ever since reaching manhood but has never been anxious to serve in public office, consenting at one time, however, to accept a place on the board of education in his special school district. He and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.
SAMUEL HIGGINS, one of the well-known citizens of Shelby county, now living retired on his valuable farm of 130 acres, which is situated six and one-half miles southwest of Sidney, in Orange township, is also entitled to respect and esteem as a surviving veteran of the great Civil war. He was born January 18, 1841, on a farm in Shelby county, one mile south of his present home, and is a son of Francis and Mary (Doak) Higgins.
Francis Higgins was born in Hamilton county, O., and came to Shelby county in 1833, locating on the farm on which his son was born, from which he removed to the second farm when Samuel Higgins was one year old. Here he died at the age of sixty-seven years. He married Mary Doak, who came to Shelby county in 1815 and lived beyond her eighty-first birthday. They had five children: John V., Elizabeth, Ella, Samuel and Mary C., the two survivors being Elizabeth and Samuel.
Samuel Higgins attended the district schools in Orange township, during the winter seasons, until he was about nineteen years of age, giving his father help on the farm in the summer time. In 1862 as a patriotic young man, he enlisted for service in the Civil war then in progress, entering Company B, Fiftieth Ohio Vol. Inf., under the command of Captain Gellespie, and con- tinued all through the war, receiving an honorable discharge, and never was seriously injured although he participated at Perryville, Knoxville. through the Atlanta campaign including the taking of the city, Franklin and Nashville, being ever at the post of duty. When the war was over he returned to peace- ful life and took up farming on his present property, on which he has lived ever since. He practically made the place over, putting up all the buildings now standing and adding all the other improvements. Since his retirement from active farm work, the industries are carried on by his son.
MOSES R. RUSSELL
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Mr. Higgins was married to Miss Martha E. Bryan, whose father, James Bryan, died in Sidney when she was only one year old, leaving a widow, for- merly Wilma Crumbaugh, and two little daughters: Sarah E. and Martha E. To. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins eleven children were born and nine of these sur- vive. Mr. Higgins and sons are republicans and he belongs to Neil post, G. A. R., at Sidney. With his family he attends the United Brethren church at Kirkwood.
MOSES R. RUSSELL, who owns eighty-three acres of excellent land in Clinton township, and, in association with his two sisters, eighty acres in Turtle Creek township and 130 acres in Franklin township, is well known all over Shelby county, in which his life has been passed and belongs to a pioneer family that settled here in 1834. He was born in Turtle Creek township June 18, 1852, and is a son of Moses and Mary A. (Laughlin) Russell, and a grandson of Moses and Jane Russell.
Moses Russell, the grandfather, a soldier of the War of 1812, was born in Augusta county, Va., July 29, 1775. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker prior to becoming a farmer. He married Jane Ross, who was born in February, 1779, in Virginia, and they remained in their native state until the fall of 1811, when they came to Ohio and located in Greene county and lived there for twenty-three years. In March, 1834, they came to Shelby county and settled on land later owned and occupied by their son, Moses Russell, and there passed the rest of their life, Moses Russell, Sr., dying March 13, 1851, and his wife February 13, 1845. They reared a family of seven children: Jane, William, Joshna, Elizabeth R., Moses, Margaret L. R., and Mary J.
Moses Russell, son of Moses and father of Moses R. Russell, was born in Greene county, O., May 25, 1812, where he passed his younger days and in 1834 accompanied his parents to Shelby county and they settled in section 16, Turtle Creek township, where his life was spent, his death occurring in 1889. He was a well-known and useful citizen and served as township trustee for four years. In 1843 he married Mary A. Laughlin, a daughter of John and Jane Laughlin. She was born in Jefferson county, O., August 25, 1819, and died March 17, 1897. She accompanied her parents to Shelby county in 1839, they settling in Turtle Creek township. Both she and husband were members of the First Presbyterian church at Sidney and when they passed away their burial was in beautiful Graceland cemetery in that city. They reared six children: John F., Margaret J., Martha E., Moses R., Elizabeth A. and Mary B.
Moses R. Russell obtained his education in the district schools of Turtle Creek township and has always resided here. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life and is numbered with the successful farmers and stock raisers of this section. In his political views he is a republican in national affairs but in local matters he uses his own good judgment when it comes to placing power in the hands of
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