USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 76
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JAMES E. SMITH, a representative citizen and leading business man of Maplewood, O., where he owns and conducts a general store, was born in Logan county, O., November 2, 1868, and is a son of Ralph Newton and Huldah (Davis) Smith. Ralph Newton Smith was a very well known man and followed farming and was also a veterinary surgeon. He was a man of temperance principles and gave his political support to the Prohibition party. Both he and wife died in Logan county, all of their children surviving except Elizabeth and Elliott. The others are: Laura, who is the wife of William T. Rairdon; Elbridge; Talitha, who is the wife of Perry A. Hill; Edwin, and James E.
James E. Smith attended the public schools and afterward taught one term of school. He remained at home and gave his father assistance until 1904, when he embarked in his present business. He carries a large and carefully selected stock, comprising dry goods, notions, shoes and groceries, and as his methods of business have encouraged trade his customers come both from the town and the surrounding country. Mr. Smith is an enter- prising and progressive business man but in his own success does not lose sight of the general welfare, being ever ready to do his part.
On October 16, 1892, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Clara Smith, this similarity of name being merely a coincidence as the families are in no way related. Her father, William F. Smith, was a farmer and a veteran of the Civil War. He married Mary Mattox and two children were born to them: W. E. and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Smith have four sons : Paul, Franklin, Kenneth and Carl. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and they occupy a pleasant social position in the town.
GEORGE WENGER, who is well and favorably known all over Shelby county, O., where almost his entire life has been spent, is one of the substan- tial farmers of Salem township, where he owns 240 acres of valuable land. He was born near Columbus, O., November 21, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Magdalena (Billing) Wenger.
Andrew Wenger and his wife were born in Germany. Both came to America in youth and were married in the United States. They came to Shelby county in 1856 and Andrew Wenger followed farming here during
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the rest of his active life and both he and wife died and are buried in Frank- lin township. They had the following children: Louisa, who is the widow of Samuel Harmon; George; Mary, who is the wife of C. E. Fogt; Sophia, who is the wife of Jacob J. Shilling; Andrew; and Lena, who is the wife of Benjamin Denning.
George Wenger attended the district schools in boyhood and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, starting out then for himself. He has made farming and stock raising his business and through industry and good judgment has been successful in his undertakings and is now numbered with the substantial men of his community. In addition to his large acreage in Salem township, he has a tract of twenty-five acres in Franklin township, and he is also a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company.
On June 3, 1875, Mr. Wenger was married to Miss Sophia Barbara Fogt, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Jacob and Julia Fogt, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Fogt the following children were born: John H., Philip J., Peter, Samuel, Catherine, Julia Ann and Sophia Barbara. Julia Ann is the wife of Jacob Pfaadt, Catherine is deceased, and Sophia Barbara is the wife of Mr. Wenger. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger have four children : William E., Minnie, Emma J. and Laura, at home. William E. Wenger is a leading citizen of Shelby county and served for six years as county recorder. He married Alice Miller and they have two children : Esther and Wilma. Minnie is the wife of George H. Zimpfer and they have two children : Richard and Rosella. Mr. Wenger and family belong to the Lutheran church and he is a deacon in the same. In politics he is a democrat.
OLIVER C. ZEDEKER, owner of the well known Locust Side Farm, a valuable property containing 102 acres, which is situated in Salem township, is one of the representative men of this section. He was born July 6, 1862, in Montgomery county, O., a son of John W. and Mary (Bradenburg) Zedeker, who now live retired in Franklin township. Their family consisted of but two sons, Oliver C. and George W., the latter of whom is a farmer also in Salem township.
Oliver C. Zedeker had common school advantages and afterward assist- assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-two years old. For the next three years he rented land and then, in partnership with his father, bought his present farm from Nathan Stout, subsequently purchasing his father's share and is now sole owner. In general, farming has been his main business although he also raises some excellent stock, this being prin- cipally for his own use on the farm. His land is beautifully situated and under his methods of advanced farming is very productive.
Mr. Zedeker was married April 2, 1884, to Miss Maggie E. Lawhead, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Philip and Mary (Fordyce) Lawhead, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Zedeker two children have been born : Ella E., who married O. A. Baker, and they have one son, Ralph Emerson; and Clyde B. Mr. Zedeker and family attend the Methodist Epis-
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copal church at Port Jefferson. In politics he is a democrat and at times has been elected to local offices, serving very acceptably for two terms as town- ship trustee and at present is a member of the school board. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, attending the lodge at Port Jefferson.
CHARLES M. McCASHEN, whose many interests make him a widely known man is one of the leading citizens of Perry township, where is situated his well improved farm of eighty acres. He was born in Shelby county, O., October 5, 1867, and is a son of James and Mary (Stephenson) McCashen. The parents of Mr. McCashen are now among the highly valued retired resi- dents of Sidney, O. For many years they resided on their farm and there their children were born, three in number, namely: Charles M .; Leona, who is the widow of A. F. Pence ; and Frank, who is a resident of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. McCashen are members of the Baptist church at Sidney.
Charles M. McCashen attended the public schools and assisted his father and, with the exception of seven years, during which period he was a travel- ing salesman for a blank book firm, he has been continuously interested in agricultural pursuits. He is a stockholder in a number of substantial busi- ness concerns, including : the Booker Gibbs Plow Company of Canton, O .: Charles Harris Company, importers of fine wearing apparel at Canton; and The Geiger-Jones Company, also of that city, an investment company.
Mr. McCashen was married in September, 1890, to Miss Cora A. Woolley, a daughter of William and Jennie (Johnston) Woolley, and they have one daughter, Agnes, who is a student in the high school at Pemberton. The father of Mrs. McCashen was a wagonmaker by trade and engaged in farming during the most of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Woolley reared the following children : Charles; Ora, wife of John Lorton; James; Daisy, now deceased, formerly the wife of Chester Staley; Frank: Harry; Grace, wife of Wallace Lochard; William; and Cora A., wife of Mr. McCashen. As a citizen Mr. McCashen stands high and is president of the board of education in Perry township. He and family are active members of the Baptist church. of which he is financial secretary and is also a member of the board of deacons.
LEWIS GRANT SHANELY, a member of the board of education in Perry township, and a leading business man of Pemberton, is owner and proprietor of the L. G. Shanely elevator which he built here in 1903. Addi- tionally he deals in all kinds of farm implements. Mr. Shanely was born in Champaign county, O., February 13, 1869, and is a son of Isaac and Bar- bara (Shaffer) Shanely. The father of Mr. Shanely was also born in Cham- paign county and has been a farmer all his active life. He married Barbara Shaffer, who was born in Germany, and they have had five children : Lewis Grant, Caroline, Jennie, George and Newton, the survivors being the oldest and the youngest. Isaac Shanely and wife are members of the United Breth- ren church.
After he completed the common school course, Lewis G. Shanely took a
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commercial course at the Nelson Business College, but prior to this taught one term of school in Champaign county. After that he remained on the home farm until he came to Pemberton, where his business interests have been ex- panding ever since.
Mr. Shanely was married in 1901 to Miss Isophene Staley, who is a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Irvin) Staley, who were early settlers in their section of Shelby county, their other children being: Edward L .; Min- nie, wife of W. G. Murphy; Milton; George P .; J. Mark; Alice, wife of W. M. Buroker ; Bessie, wife of Albert Linker; and Mary, wife of Clarence Rinehart. Four children make up the family of Mr .. and Mrs. Shanely : Theodore Grant. Jennie, Charles and Staley. The family is well known in the pleasant social circles of the town and is active in all the work of the Methodist Episcopal church. Nominally Mr. Shanely is a republican but his political activities are frequently along the line of his own judgment, especi- ally in local matters. For three years he served as clerk of Perry township and gave careful attention to the duties of office and made many personal friends during that time.
JACOB M. FINKENBINE, a substantial and well known citizen of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, O., who owns a valuable farm of 120 acres, situated one and one-half miles east of Anna, O., together with im- proved property in that town, was born on this farm April 27, 1854, and is a son of Louis and Sarah (Fogt) Finkenbine, for many years well known and highly respected residents of this township.
Jacob M. Finkenbine obtained his education in the district schools and has spent his entire life amid his present home surroundings. Remainng at home and asssting his father, when the latter died he fell heir to the home- stead, and hence has never had reason to leave what he is convinced is one of the finest farming sections of the state. As soon as the property became his own he began the improvements which have made it both more valuable and very attractive, new buildings of modern type having been erected and other changes made, all in the direction of development and added material comfort. Mr. Finkenbine gives his personal attention to his different farm industries and is numbered with not only the busiest but also the most suc- cessful agriculturists of this neighborhood.
Mr. Finkenbine married Miss Sophia D. Billings, who died May 2, 1910 and was buried in Pearl cemetery in Franklin township. Her father, Fred- erick Billings was born in Germany. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Finkenbine: Frederick, Lena and Nora, the only survivor being Lena, who remains with her father. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a stanch democrat but at present is serv- ing in no political office although his reputation as an intelligent, upright and trustworthy man would indicate that any public trust would be safe in his hands.
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WILLIAM L. ALLTON, who is associated with his son in the owner- ship of the elevator at Swanders, O., is one of the well known and reliable business men of Franklin township. He was born in Logan county, O., Feb- ruary 3, 1856, and is a son of Albert G. and Martha M. (Wheeler) Allton.
Albert G. Allton was a farmer and lumber man and belonged to a pioneer family of Logan county. He married Martha M. Wheeler and they had the following children : William L., Alfred, Seymour, John W., Wheeler, James, Anna and Emma Florence, all surviving except Alfred, Seymour and Wheel- er. Anna is the wife of James McMillen, and Emma Florence is the wife of C. J. Graver. The grandfather of the above family was Reason Allton, who was probably born in Pennsylvania. Albert G. Allton reared his family in the faith of the Baptist church and instilled political sentiments in his sons that made them all republicans.
William L. Allton obtained a district school education and at first started out for himself as a day laborer and then went to work in a saw mill. He continued in the lumber business for twenty-eight years and was still thus interested when he first embarked in the elevator business, which was in April, 1896. He had then an old plant which was subsequently torn down, the present one being erected by the firm of William L. Allton & Bros., in 1901, Mr. Allton's first partner being Rinehart Smith, of Sidney, O. A large business is done at Swanders, it being a fine shipping point, and Mr. Allton largely controls the grain trade.
On October 26, 1882, Mr. Allton was married to Miss Mary Conover, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Benjamin and Maria D. (Wells) Conover, who were prominent people here. Mr. and Mrs. Allton have the following children : Emory LeRoy, who married Bertha Pearl Allen, of Shelby county, and they have one child, Eveline Lois; Clifford Conover ; and Pearl and Agnes. Two children are deceased, Alice, who died at the age of eighteen years, and her twin brother, who died in infancy. Mr. All- ton and family belong to the Reformed church. Although a very active citizen, Mr. Allton has never accepted political office except on one occasion when he served one term as trustee of Turtle Creek township. He is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias at Sidney.
JEREMIAH D. FERREE, whose valuable farm of 137 acres lies in Perry township now lives retired after a long and busy life, and is known and respected all through this section of the county. He was born in Salem township, Shelby county, April 28, 1845, and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Dixon) Ferree.
Daniel Ferree was born in Adams county, Pa., and died in Miami county, Ind., in March, 1892. He married Eliza Dixon, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and who lived to the unusual age of 103 years, passing away on January 12, 1912, at the home of her son, Jeremiah D., where she had been tenderly cared for for fifteen years previously. Daniel Ferree and wife had three children: Anna, who is the wife of George M. Gamble; Jeremiah D .; and Edwin A., who lives in Kentucky.
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Jeremiah D. Ferree was still young when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Co. G, Ist O. Vol. Cav., in which organi- zation he was promoted to be first sergeant, and during the whole period of service was a brave, efficient and obedient soldier, winning the admiration of his comrades on many occasions and the approbation of his commanding officers. During one part of his service he was engaged in very dangerous work, although the entire period of a soldier's life is filled with danger, but on this occasion the hazard and danger were more than usual. A call for volunteers came for a secret mission and Mr. Ferree was one of those who exhibited courage and enlisted for this mission under Capt. Yeoman. The first indication of the nature of their work was when all were given Confed- erate uniforms and thus they marched in a certain direction all through one day up to midnight, when the captain told them that their mission was to cap- ture Jefferson Davis, for whom a reward was offered by the Government, amounting to $100,000. Although every man at this stage was given a chance to retire from the pursuit not one gave up, and such was their diplo- macy that they mingled every day with Confederate soldiers without having their disguise penetrated, and each day a secret courier was sent back to General Wilson, their commander. The subsequent capture of Davis is a matter of history and the prize money was distributed between the soldiers of the 4th Michigan, the Ist Wisconsin and Captain Yeoman's brave squad of thirty-five men. Mr. Ferree took part in all the closing events of the war in which his regiment participated and was honorably discharged at Colum- bus, O., September 27, 1865. After his return from the army he completed his education and took a commercial course at Dayton, O., following which he taught one term of school in Shelby county. Later for some years he was in the saw mill business in Shelby county and then took up farming and continued until he retired from hard work.
Mr. Ferree was married September 29, 1870, to Miss Arvesta Line, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of D. M. and Sarah A. Line, and a granddaughter of Henry C. Line and of Solomon and Hannah (Rut- man) Robeson. Mr. Ferree's paternal grandparents were Jacob and Eliza- beth (LeFevre) Ferree, and the maternal, Haines and Elizabeth (Souder) Dixon, the former of whom was a Methodist preacher. Mrs. Ferree was the eldest born of her parents' family, the others being: Easton, Henry and Charles S .; Agnes I., who became the wife of Jacob Piper; Dewitt F., Ell- wood S. and Morris Robison; and Olive May, who married Arthur T. Cul- bertson.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferree have four children, all of whom occupy rather prominent positions in life. The eldest son, Ernest Franklin, is a well known attorney in Indiana. Judson A. is a successful physician of Dayton, O. He married Minnie Connor and they have two children : Marjorie and Virginia. Clarence E. is a man of scientific attainments and is professor of psychology, at Bryn Mawr College, Pa. Grace Agnes, the youngest, is a teacher in the school of domestic science at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree were reared in the Methodist faith and attend that church.
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Politically Mr. Ferree is a republican and for nine years served as a justice of the peace. He is a Knight Templar Mason, attached to the Commandery at Sidney, O.
ORLA A. BAKER, who is one of the substantial men of Shelby county, O., the owner of two farms aggregating 204 acres, situated in Perry town- ship, and a member of the firm of Baker & Harris, implement dealers at Port Jefferson, O., is one of the enterprising young business men of this section. He was born on his father's farm in Perry township, August 31, 1881, and is a son of Martin A. and Christena (Smith) Baker. The father died in February, 1909, but the mother survives and resides at Jackson Center. The family consisted of three children : Ida, who is the wife of Cory Hoak; Orla A., and Elza A.
In the public schools of Perry township Orla A. Baker secured his education, after which he became interested in agricultural pursuits and successfully carried on farming and moderate stock raising, confining him- self to the same until 1910, when he became interested additionally at Port Jefferson and since March 1, 1912, he has been the senior member of the firm of Baker & Harris. This firm carries a full line of hardware and handles all kinds of agricultural implements. While Mr. Baker cannot be regarded as a politician, he is a stanch democrat and gives loyal support to his party's candidates and without asking for political preferment for himself.
On December 31, 1903, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Ella E. Zedeker, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Oliver and Margaret (Lawhead) Zedeker. Mrs. Baker has one brother, Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one son, Ralph Emerson, who was born May 3, 1906. They are members of the Disciples church. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood, and with the Knights of Khorasan at Sidney, O.
ORRIN C. STALEY, who resides on his well improved farm of 100 acres which lie in Salem township, additionally, in partnership with his brother, Roger W., owns a valuable tract of thirty-eight acres, situated in Perry township, and is one of the well known men of Shelby county, belong- ing to a family established here by his grandfather eighty-one year ago. He was born in Salem township, Shelby county, O., east of Port Jefferson, Janu- ary 17, 1871, and is a son of Oliver C. and Anna (Cargill) Staley.
Oliver C. Staley was born in Shelby county in 1847, a son of William Staley, who was born in Montgomery county, O., in 1821, and came with his father, John Staley, to Salem township, this county, in 1831. In 1844 Will- iam Staley married Barbara Harshbarger, daughter of Jonas and Hettie (Jacobs) Harshbarger and they had four children. In 1869 Oliver C. Staley married Anna Cargill and two sons were born to them: Orrin C. and Roger W. The mother of these sons still lives on the homestead on section 20, Salem township, but the father died in February, 1911. He was a representative man in his township and county, was a school teacher in his youth and later served in numerous township offices and for four years was county treasurer.
MARTIN QUINLISK
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Orrin C. Staley attended the public schools in Salem township and after- ward, for four years, the schools of Port Jefferson. Both he and brother early began to give practical assistance on the farm and after their school days were over the entire management was turned over to them. During the mother's lifetime the homestead of 209 acres belongs to her but, by the terms of the father's will, the sons are expected to finally come into the property. Mr. Staley is an enterprising and intelligent farmer and takes pride in keep- ing his place in fine condition. His father was one of the organizers and was president of the Farmers Telephone Company and Mr. Staley is a member of its board of directors and one of the stockholders.
On September 20, 1893, Mr. Staley was married to Miss Blanche Leapley, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Otho H. and Mary (Stone) Leapley. Mrs. Staley has three brothers and one sister : Charles E., Quinn, J. R., and Anna, who is the wife of A. N. Wooley. Mr. and Mrs. Staley have three children: Lova, Homer and Mary, all of whom are being given every advantage in the power of their parents. In politics Mr. Staley is a democrat but in local matters exercises discretion in casting his vote. He has served in the councils of his party on several occasions and has long been a member of the school board. Fraternally Mr. Staley confines his inter- est to the order of Odd Fellows and is identified with the lower branch at Port Jefferson and the Encampment at Sidney. With his family he attends and gives a liberal support to the Baptist church at Sidney.
HON. MARTIN QUINLISK, a retired farmer now residing at Sid- ney, O., occupying his comfortable residence ot No. 433 S. Main street, is one of the leading men of Shelby county and for many years was active and useful in public office. He was born in Ireland, August 1, 1845, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Gleason) Quinlisk.
In 1848 the parents of Mr. Quinlisk came to America and for several years they lived on a farm in Butler county, O., in 1852 coming to Shelby county and renting a farm in Orange township for ten years. Patrick Quinlisk then bought a farm in Green township, containig 120 acres and continued to live there until the close of his life, when aged about sixty years. He and wife were members of the Catholic church.
Martin Quinlisk was only a boy when his father rented land in Orange township, and he became so attached to that place that in later years he bought the same farm, containing 160 acres. He attended school when his father could spare him and helped to clear and drain the Green township farm. He owns 230 acres all located in Orange township and carried on farming and stock raising until in February, 1911, when he came to Sidney. He has always been a stanch democrat and an effective party worker and in 1893 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and served until September 19, 1900, a period of six years and nine months. He served also on the fair board for four years, for three years being president of that body. His party had higher honors still for Mr. Quinlisk, in the spring of 1912 placing him on the democratic ticket for state representative, and his election followed in
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November, 1912. Mr. Quinlisk is admirably qualified for high public office, being a man of superior judgment and of known personal integrity.
In 1877 Mr. Quinlisk was married to Miss Elizabeth Maloney, who was born in Miami county, O. They are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Quinlisk belongs to the fraternal order of Knights of Columbus.
PAUL HARRIS, who is one of the younger business men of Port Jeffer- son, junior member of the firm of Baker & Harris, dealers in hardware and farm implements, was born on his father's farm in Logan county, O., April 4, 1888. He is a son of John W. and Matilda (Shick) Harris.
The Harris and Shick families are representative ones in Logan county and the older members had much to do with the making and carrying out of laws and statutes for the general welfare. Like other pioneer families of their day they engaged in road making and school and church building and made law abiding communities in which to rear children who now reflect honor on them. John W. and Matilda Harris had the following children born to them : Emmett, Elizabeth, Iva, Chester and George.
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