USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 74
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
Mr. Meranda married Miss Hattie Clayton, who was born in the old
40
694
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
pioneer log house which still remained on this farm, and is the only surviving child of J. K. and Mary Clayton. They have one daughter: Mary Hazel, who attends school at Jackson Center. Mr. Meranda has been a lifelong democrat but has consented to serve in few public offices. He was the man who secured the route out of Jackson Center, and it was through his efforts that the petition for free rural delivery was granted. He has been on the educational board since January, 1905. He is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 458, F. & A. M., of Jackson Center, and both he and wife are members of the Eastern Star. They have many pleasant social ties in the neighborhood and belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
GEORGE W. BOYER, who owns 170 acres of fine land in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, O., resides on one farm of 120 acres, situated two miles southeast of Botkins, O., his other farm of fifty acres lying not far distant. He was born in Dinsmore township in 1846, and is a son of Sam- uel F. and Elizabeth (Veach) Boyer. Samuel F. Boyer was born in Penn- sylvania and his wife in Virginia. After they came to Shelby county they resided on their farm and reared ten children, the record being as follows: Jane, George W., Samuel F., William H., Henry, Harriet, Christina, Frances, Anna and Edward.
George W. Boyer is probably one of the youngest surviving soldiers of the Civil war who entered the service in 1861, for he was only fourteen years old when he enlisted at Sidney, under Colonel Wilson, and served out his first enlistment and was honorably discharged at Vicksburg, when he re-enlisted and served as a veteran until his second honorable discharge in 1865, when he was mustered out at Columbus, O. So young that only a boy's judgment controlled his actions, soldier Boyer lived up to the measure of a man and on many a battlefield proved his patriotism and courage. After the war he returned to Shelby county and ever since has been interested in farming and stock raising and additionally, for many years, ran a threshing machine. He has made all the improvements on his farms and all his land is valuable and productive.
Mr. Boyer married Miss Nancy Blue and they have had the following chil- dren : William E., who married Lena Bonnowont and they live in Dinsmore township; John H., who is also a resident of this township, married Margaret Finkenbine; James E., who is a farmer in Dinsmore township, married Millie Schurr; Della G., who married Michael Munger and they live at Bot- kins, O .; and Grace E., who is the wife of Augustus Bush, of Botkins. The parents of Mrs. Boyer were natives of Ohio. She had two brothers and two sisters, namely: James K .; Oliver C .; Mary, who married F. Stough; and Nora, who married Jack Stenrod. Mr. Boyer and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and they are well known people throughout Shelby county.
WILLIAM F. BILLING, who is one of the well known and respected citizens of Dinsmore township, resides on his finely improved farm of 170
695
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
acres, which lies one and three-fourths miles southeast of Botkins, O. He was born in Franklin township, Shelby county, and is a son of Frederick and Salome (Knasel) Billing.
Frederick Billing was born in Germany, in the neighborhood of Baden, and came in early manhood to the United States and settled in Ohio. He married Salome Knasel, who was born here and they had the following chil- dren : John, George, William F., Edward, Susan, Sophia, Louisa and Lena. John married Louisa Pfaddt and they live in Dinsmore township; George H. married Lizzie Gerber and they live in Salem township; Edward mar- ried Anna Fogt and they live at Detroit, Mich .; Susan married Samuel Hagel- berger, and they live at Anna, O .; Sophia and Lena are both deceased ; Louisa is the wife of William Fogt and they live in Dinsmore township.
After his school days William F. Billing assisted his father like a dutiful son and following his marriage settled on his present place, about sixty acres of which he inherited, purchasing the rest. He immediately began improving and has continued until he has made this a beautiful property, with fine modern residence and substantial barns. He keeps thoroughly posted on all agricultural movements and applies new methods after being convinced that they are the proper ones to use on his land. Diversified farm- ing is carried on and some excellent stock raised.
In 1890 Mr. Billing was married to Miss Louisa C. Bartsch, who is a daughter of Christian and Sarah (Harmon) Bertsch. The father of Mrs. Billing was born in Baden, Germany, and the mother in Franklin county. O. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Billing: Clarence E., who assists his father; Emory, who is teaching school; and Arthur, who is a high school student at Botkins. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Billing is a democrat and is serving on the township election board. For many years he has been a school director and for nine continuous years was superintendent of roads and has also been supervisor, in all these positions per- forming his duties with efficiency and to public satisfaction.
P. WRIGHT QUIGLEY, one of the enterprising young farmers of Frank- lin township, who, in association with his mother, owns 163 acres of very fine land, was born in Miami county, O., December 25, 1883, and is a son of Silas and Anna (Waggoner) Quigley.
Silas Quigley and wife were born in Pennsylvania and after marriage came to Ohio, settling in Miami county, where their only child was born. He followed farming until his death on October 17, 1905. his burial being in Pearl cemetery, in Franklin township. He was a much respected man and a consistent member of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a demo- crat but was never a seeker for public office.
P. Wright Quigley was given educational advantages, passing from the common schools into the Troy high school, where he was graduated and then became a student in Wittenberg College, where he spent three years but was recalled before graduating, on account of his father's death. In the spring of 1905 the family had removed to Franklin township and thus the responsibili-
696
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
ties attending the managing of this large farm here fell upon the student's shoulders, a few months later. He assumed them with energy and fulfilled them with marked success and is numbered with the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of this section.
Mr. Quigley was married December 25, on his birthday, 1910, to Miss Harriet Miller, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of George and Mary (Mason) Miller. The father of Mrs. Quigley is deceased but the mother survives and resides in Turtle Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Quig- ley have one son, who has been given the name of Harold and was born October 25, 1911. They attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Quigley belongs to the order of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Anna, O. In politics he does his own thinking and votes according to his matured judgment.
JOSEPH P. STALEY, who is one of the well known and substantial citizens of Shelby county, O., a general farmer and formerly an extensive dealer in fine stock, resides on his farm of 174 acres, which is situated in Franklin township, and owns a second farm, containing eighty acres, lying in Salem township. He was born in Montgomery county, O., May 10, 1852, and is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Jackson) Staley.
Daniel Staley was born in Montgomery county, O., and lived there until after marriage, coming to Shelby county in 1868, where he followed farming until the close of his life. He married Margaret Jackson, who was born in Pennsylvania and who also died in Shelby county, their burial being at Port Jefferson. They had three children : Joseph P., Julia and Daniel.
Joseph . P. Staley grew up on the home farm and attended the local schools and for some time afterward assisted his father. He then decided to see something of the western country and in his travels visited not only the interesting sections of his own land but also Mexico and Central America. In 1897 he went to the gold fields of Alaska and was one of the fortunate prospectors, returning from the Klondike region with an ample fortune. In all Mr. Staley has made ten trips to the far West, in the meanwhile carry- ing on his stock operations and prior to making his most recent trip sold stock, in two sales, that netted him $13,000. Mr. Staley is well known in the Masonic fraternity and has taken the thirty-second degree. His father was a republican and Mr. Staley has always given his political support to this party. Mr. Staley is unmarried.
GEORGE A. FRAZIER, one of the prosperous farmers of Franklin township, where he owns 136 acres of valuable land which is particularly well adapted to stock raising, was born January 12, 1860, in Green town- ship, Shelby county, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Woods) Frazier. The parents of Mr. Frazier were well known and respected resi- dents of Green township for many years, where the father followed the mason trade. Both passed away some years ago and their burial was in the cemetery at Plattsville. They were members of the Universalist church and reared their family in that liberal religious faith. Their children were:
697
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Beulah, who is the wife of Thomas Buchanon; John; Harriet, who is the wife of Rudolph Peppers; Amy, who is the wife of Edward Emley : George; Alfred; and Ida, who is the wife of James Eldredge.
After his school days were over, George A. Frazier learned the plastering trade, which he followed for fifteen years, during which he bought forty acres of land in Green township. He resided on that place for sixteen years but in 1900 sold it and then purchased his present property in Frank- lin township, from Abe Emley. The residence needed but little remodel- ing but a new barn was required and Mr. Frazier erected a commodious one which probably is the most modern barn in the township. He has a com- plete water system which he controls with a gas engine. For some time he has been interested in raising Jersey cattle and Duroc hogs and is making preparations to go into the stock business extensively.
In January, 1884, Mr. Frazier was married to Miss Hannah Hill, who was born in Miami county, O., a daughter of John and Hannah ( Howell) Hill, well known people in that part of the state, and beside Mrs. Frazier they had three other children: Josephine, who is the wife of Frank Pence : Eugenia, who is the wife of James McCormick; and Telford. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frazier: Genie, who resides at home; and Kate, who is the wife of Lyman Allen, who is a farmer in Franklin township, and they have one son, George. Mr. Frazier and family attend the Universalist church. He is identified with the democratic party but is not a man to seek political honors for himself, although in every way well qualified for the same.
ELZA A. BAKER, residing on his valuable farm of 143 acres, which is located in Perry township, Shelby county, O., was born in this township, October 31, 1883, and is a son of Martin and Christena (Smith) Baker. Martin Baker was a well known farmer in Perry township for many years, his death occurring in February, 1909. His widow and their three chil- dren all survive, she being a resident of Jackson Center, O. The family consisted of one daughter and two sons: Ida, who is the wife of Cory Hoak ; Orla A., a farmer and business man at Port Jefferson; and Elza A.
Elza A. Baker secured a public school education and then assisted his father until he was twenty-two years of age, when he rented land in Logan county for one year. He then returned to the home farm, which he inherited at his father's death, and which had been the home of his parents for twenty-four years. He carries on general farming and does considerable business in the way of buying and selling stock, and is generally looked upon as one of the township's successful farmers and progressive citizens.
On December 29, 1905, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Guernie LeFevre, a daughter of Jacob and Dulcina (Line) LeFevre, who formerly were prominent farming people of this county. They had the following chil- dren : Edward, William, and James; Warren, who is deceased; Alice, who is the wife of Allen Baker; Minnie, who is the wife of Lafe Vester : Guernie. who is the wife of Elsa A. Baker; and Cora, who is the wife of Samuel
698
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
Ritter. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children: Ruth Estella and Pauline Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Baker attend the Disciples church. He is independent in his political attitude. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood and the Knights of Khorasan at. Sidney.
ALLEN MAURER, county surveyor of Shelby county, O., and a well known and valued citizen, has been a resident of Sidney, O., since 1909, coming from Van Buren township, where he was born December 19, 1885. His parents were Adam and Caroline (Sunderman) Maurer. Adam Maurer was born also in Van Buren township, Shelby county, a son of Philip Maurer who had come to this section from Germany. Adam Maurer followed an agricultural life and died on his farm in Van Buren township in Febru- ary, 1895. He married Caroline Sunderman, who was born in Auglaize county, O., and still survives.
Allen Maurer grew to manhood on the home farm and secured his pri- mary education in the country schools. Developing an unusual mathematical talent he decided to study civil engineering and became a student in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., where he was graduated in 1909. He immediately was appointed deputy county surveyor and the experience gained in that capacity prepared him for the office to which he was elected in 1912, on the democratic ticket, the duties of which he will assume on the first Monday in September, 1913. He is a young man of enterprise and marked ability.
In 1910 Mr. Maurer was married to Miss Gertrude Lucas, of Van Buren township, Shelby county. They attend the Evangelical church. He is identified with several fraternal organizations including the Modern Wood- men of America, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and some social and political bodies.
L. CABLE WAGNER, who not only belongs to a somewhat noted fam- ily of Shelby county, O., but in his own person is a representative business inan and citizen of Sidney, O., was born at Sidney and is a son of W. H. Wagner, president of the Wagner Manufacturing Company.
L. Cable Wagner attended the public schools in his native city and after graduating from the Sidney High School became a student at Villa Nova College near Philadelphia. After he returned to Sidney he assumed busi- ness responsibilities and is a director and one of the large stockholders in the Wagner Manufacturing Company. He is one of the active and depend- able members of the Sidney Commercial Club.
Mr. Wagner was married in 1908 to Miss Louise Fitzgibbon, who was born at St. Louis, Mo., and they have two children: Mary Jane and James. Mr. Wagner was reared in the Catholic church and he is a member of the fraternal order of Knights of Columbus.
ANTHONY J. ALLEN, whose ninety acres of fine land lie in Franklin township, is one of the well known and representative agriculturists of this
699
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
section. He was born in York county, Pa., July 24, 1843, and is a son of Edmund K. and Alice ( Harkins) Allen.
Edmund K. Allen was born in York county, his people having been early settlers in Pennsylvania, probably of English extraction, and he spent his entire life in his native section, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He married Alice Harkins, who was born in Hartford county, Md., and she also died in York county. They had the following children: Anthony J., William L., Robert F., Thomas H., Joseph L., Hannah and Martha Jane. Hannah married Joseph Strawbridge and Martha Jane married Charles Rob- inson. The parents of the above children were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Anthony J. Allen attended the district schools near his father's farm and afterward was a student for one year in the Stewartstown Academy, York county, and for several succeeding years was mainly engaged in teaching school, both in Pennsylvania and Maryland. After learning the miller's trade he followed that for some four years and in 1876 came to Shelby county, settling first in Washington township. Mr. Allen remained in that township for eight years and then took advantage of a favorable offer and sold his property there and came to Franklin township and bought his pres- ent farm from Joseph Barnes, it being locally known as the William Reed farm. Here Mr. Allen has prospered both as a farmer and as a dairyman. He maintains his dairy with Holstein cattle and operates a milk route, send- ing his wagon to Sidney daily and disposing to regular customers twenty gallons of rich milk. He raises other good stock but not more in quantity than he requires for his own use.
Mr. Allen was married first in 1865, to Miss Eleanor Gorsuch, a daugh- ter of Stephen Gorsuch, who moved with his family from Maryland to Ohio. To this marriage the following children were born: Martha Jane, who is the widow of Frank Fee; Anna Bell, who is the wife of John Yinger and they have two children: Elmer LeRoy and Neva May; Elva May, who is the wife of Thomas White and they have three children : Norma Allen, Mary Lee and Ruth Annabel; Nora B., who is the wife of Walter Brandenberg, and they have one son, Stanley Allen; Bertha Pearl, who is the wife of Roy Allton, and they have one daughter, Evaline Lois; and Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Pfaadt, and they have one child, Martha Elizabeth. In 1887 Mr. Allen was married to Miss Laura E. Davis, a daughter of Hiram and Emeline (Trine) Davis, and they have two chil- dren : Lyman Davis, who married Kate Frazier; and Vera. Mr. Allen and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church in which he is a local preacher. He has long been active and deeply interested in religious work and is additionally serving as church trustee, class leader and district steward. In politics Mr. Allen has always been in sympathy with the principles of the republican party.
WILLIAM H. FORRAR, one of Shelby county's most respected cit- izens, who has passed the greater part of his long and useful life in Dins-
700
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
more and Franklin townships and owns the old Forrar homestead of seventy acres, now lives retired in Swanders. He was born in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, in 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Good) Forrar.
Jacob Forrar was a well known and respected citizen of Dinsmore town- ship for many years. He was twice married, first to Mary Good and after her death to Mrs. Elizabeth (Hilbern) Boyer, widow of George Boyer. To his first marriage the following children were born: John, William H., Martha, wife of Henry Sisler, and Isaac. Two sons were born to the second union, Nelson and Jacob, the last named being deceased.
William H. Forrar attended the district schools when a boy and remained on the home farm with his father. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H. 99th O. Vol. Inf., for service in the Civil War, contracting for three years. The hardships endured during the first nine months brought on such serious illness that he was discharged on account of disability and he returned then to the old homestead. With this exception and two years spent at Sidney, Mr. Forrar always lived on his farm until he retired to Swanders.
In February, 1870, Mr. Forrar was married to Miss Frances Swanders, who is a daughter of David and Lydia Swanders, one of the old and sub- stantial families of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Swanders the following children were born: Edward, Aaron, Alfred, Jefferson, James, Christiana, Sarah, Savilla, Susan, Rebecca and Frances. Sarah is the wife of David Baker, and Savilla, who is deceased, was the wife of Frank Shafer. Mr. and Mrs. Forrar have two children: Albert Ward and Edward. The latter married Leora Minnear and they have one child, La Brieta. Mr. Forrar and family belong to the Reformed church. In politics he was reared a demo- crat by his father but frequently he casts his vote according to his own matured judgment rather than at his party's demand. For seven years Mr. Forrar served as turnpike supervisor, for two terms as a member of the school board, two terms as township trustee and declined to be a candidate for county commissioner. He is a member of the Reformed church and in his church relations he has also been shown confidence and esteem, being now one of the elders and was church treasurer for twenty-eight years.
DELPHIS R. MILLIETTE, M. D., physician and surgeon at Anna, O., who has been established here since 1903 and through professional skill and sterling personal traits of character has built up a fine practice, was born in Logan county, O., August 19, 1872, and is a son of Frank and Sarah Jane (Curtner ) Milliette.
The parents of Dr. Milliette moved from Logan county to a farm in Clin- ton township, Shelby county, when he was an infant, and the family lived there for about seven years and then removed to Franklin township and still later to Dinsmore township. His primary education was secured in the coun- try schools and after coming to Anna in 1884 he became a student here and in 1893 was graduated from the Anna high school. Afterward for a number of years he taught in the country schools and also at Anna and Botkins, in the meanwhile doing preliminary medical reading, and in the fall of 1899
DELPHIIS R. MILLIETTE, M. D.
703
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
entered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and immediately after grad- uating from that well known institution, established himself at Anna, where he has since carried on a general medical practice. He is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society and keeps thoroughly abreast with the times in scientific investigation and discoveries.
In June, 1903, Dr. Milliette married Miss Elle Fitzgerald, who was born at De Graff, Logan county, O., and they have three children : Gerald, Agnes and Martha. In politics Dr. Milliette is a democrat and is a very active citizen, serving as a member of the town council and also as clerk of the school board.
GOTLEIB GRAU, whose valuable farm of 103 acres lies in Franklin township, is well known in this section and as man and citizen is held in high esteem. Mr. Grau was born in Germany, June 14, 1852, and was twenty- one years old when he came to the United States. He is a son of Matthew and Dora Grau. The father died when Gotleib was two and a half years old. The mother remained in Germany until she was seventy years of age and then joined her son in Franklin township, Shelby county, and here saw six- teen more years of peaceful life, passing away in her eighty-sixth year, her burial being in the Pearl cemetery, in Franklin township.
For the first eighteen months after coming to Ohio, Gotleib Grau lived in Tuscarawas county, then spent a few weeks in Indianapolis, Ind., and from there came to Shelby county, where he has lived ever since. He had learned a trade in Germany and at Sidney he secured work with John Con- ner, with whom he remained for three years and then started a shop of his own at Anna, O., where he lived for twenty-five years. Mr. Grau then bought the Steeley farm which he still owns and lived on the same for six years when he rented it to a good tenant and for his own home rented another farm, containing 154 acres, also in Franklin township, on which he carries on a general agricultural line.
On February 26, 1878, Mr. Grau was married to Miss Caroline Shie, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Christian and Frederica (Slatser) Shie. Mr. Shie and wife were natives of Germany and both died in Shelby county. By trade he was a stone mason. The children of Christian Shie and wife were: John, who lives three miles west of Sidney; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of George Steinle; Caroline, who is the wife of Mr. Grau; Henry; Rachel, who is the wife of Andrew Delscamp; George, deceased; Charles; and Katie, deceased, who was the wife of Walker Holly, all of Shelby county. Mr. Grau was the youngest of his parents' children, three of their family being residents of Crawford county; Godfrey, John and Rosa, who is the wife of Andrew Drakert. His eldest sister, Eva, is now deceased, was the wife of John Weller, and one other sister, Dora, is the wife of Michael Nagel, and they both live in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Grau have three children: Christian G., Freda and Dora. Christian G. mar- ried Emma Shafer and their adopted daughter, Edith, is the wife of Andrew Harmon and they have a son, Gotleib. Freda is a school teacher in Franklin
70
HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
township, and Dora is a member of the class of 1914, in the Sidney High School.
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.