USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 78
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John W. Żedeker had district school advantages in boyhood and from youth took part in the farm industries, which he found congenial, and con- tinued throughout all his active life. In 1874 he came to Franklin township, Shelby county, at which time he purchased his present farm from William Bryant.
On August 20, 1862, Mr. Zedeker was married to Miss Mary Branden- berg, who was born in Montgomery county, a daughter of Samuel and Cath- erine (Brewer) Brandenberg, who came to Shelby county when Mrs. Zedeker was four years old. Samuel Brandenberg was born in Maryland and his wife in Virginia. They had the following children: Louis, Betsey, Samuel, Dorothy Ann, Christiana, Joseph, Catherine and Mary. They were members of the German Reformed church. Mr. and Mrs. Zedeker have two sons : Oliver C. and George W. The former is a resident of Salem township and has one daughter, Ella, who is the wife of Orla Baker and they have two chil- dren, Ralph and Clyde. The second son married Mattie Wess and they have five children : Ethel, Hazel, John, Wilbur and Charles. Mr. Zedeker and wife attend the German Reformed church. Nominally he is a democrat but in many campaigns Mr. Zedeker has exercised his own judgment in casting his vote but has always taken an interest in public matters and tried to be useful as a citizen. For seven years he served as township trustee and has favored plans for increasing the benefits of the public schools. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers Telephone Company.
J. HENRY QUELLHORST, whose fine farm of 170 acres is situated one and three-fourth miles northwest of Kettlersville, in a desirable section of Van Buren township, is a well known and highly respected citizen. He was born October 4, 1855, in German township, Auglaize county, O., and is a son of J. D. and Sophia (Neiter ) Quellhorst.
The parents of Mr. Quellhorst were born in Germany and both came to the United States in their youth and were residents of New Bremen, O. A family of ten children was born to them and named as follows: Henry, Mary, Herman, Anna, Ferdinand, J. Henry, Minnie, Deidrick, William and
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Caroline. Herman married Minnie Egbert and they live in Van Buren town- ship and have had two children, Sophia and Anna, the latter deceased; Anna, who is deceased, was the wife of Harmon Ollerman; Minnie, who is deceased, was the wife of F. C. Roettger; William, who is a resident of Kettlersville, married Henrietta Bartenstein; and Caroline is the wife of J. F. Roettger and they live in Van Buren township. The others, with the exception of J. Herry, are deceased.
J. Henry Quellhorst obtained a district school education and farming and stock raising have been his business and occupation ever since. He inherited all but forty acres of his valuable farm, purchasing that tract, but has made all the improvements here and they are of a very substantial character. Mr. Quellhorst is a democrat in his political views and naturally takes pride in the great success of his party in the election of 1912. He belongs to the Evangelical church at Kettlersville, O. Mr. Quellhorst has never married.
J. E. WHITE, who has been a lifelong resident of Green township, Shelby county, O., resides on the farm of eighty acres, situated ten miles southeast of Sidney, on which he was born, in 1881, and is a son of G. M. and Mary E. (Moore) White.
G. M. White was a native of Miami county, O., born in 1837, and came to Shelby county with his bride and lived on the present farm through a long and worthy life, his death occurring in his seventy-second year. He married Mary E. Moore, who resides on the homestead with her son, being now in her sixty-fifth year. There were but two children: W. E., who resides on an adjoining farm; and J. E.
In the public schools of Green township Mr. White and brother secured educational training and both then devoted themselves to farm pursuits, J. E. White devoting his entire time and attention to the management, develop- ment and improvement of his farm, having sensible and practical ideas which bring him very satisfactory results. He raises wheat, corn, rye and oats and enough stock for his own use.
Mr. White married Miss Maggie Minniear and they have one child, Treva. In politics Mr. White is a democrat.
J. A. HELMAN, whose well improved tarm of fifty acres lies two miles east of Newport, O., on the south side of the Sidney and Newport road, run- ning through Cynthian township, is serving as a member of the board of trus- tees of Cynthian township and otherwise is a representative citizen of this section. He was born in Indiana county, Pa., but in infancy was brought to Ohio, his parents, Silas and Almina Helman, settling in Darke county, where the father died. The mother survives and is a resident of Bradford, O.
J. A. Helman attended school in both Darke and Miami counties. He was seventeen years of age when he came first to Cynthian township, which has been his continuous home with the exception of five years when he lived at Bradford, in Miami county. He purchased his excellent farm from the Car- penter heirs. Although he found the land in good condition, Mr. Helman
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was not satisfied with the house and its surroundings and has made many improvements. He expended $200 in building an additional bed room and a pantry, on the west side of his residence, and on the east side built a 32-foot veranda, thereby adding greatly to its appearance. He also has laid cement and gravel walks and driveways to all approaches. He carries on a general agricultural line, including grain growing and stock raising and makes a specialty of potatoes.
Mr. Helman was married to Miss Mary Alice Cromer, who was born in Miami county, O., near Fletcher, and they have had six children: Harley H., Earl F., Ivan C., Leslie J., Agnes A. and Clarence S., the fifth born being now deceased. Mr. Helman and family are members of the Church of the Brethren. Politically he is a republican. For eight years he served as a mem- ber of the board of education of the Oran special school district, for two years being clerk of that body, and in March, 1912, was appointed township trustee to serve out the unexpired term of the late James Wolaver.
THOMAS L. HIGGINS, whose excellent farm of sixty-five acres is sit- uated five and one-half miles south of Sidney, O., was born March 2, 1873, in the Russell Settlement, in Turtle Creek township, Shelby county, O., and is a son of the late J. V. and Elizabeth (Dunn) Higgins, the former of whom is now deceased, but the latter lives on the old Dunn homestead.
Thomas L. Higgins was educated in the public schools and ever since has devoted himself to farming and stock raising, remaining on the home place until his marriage, when he came to his present farm and occupied it for two years and then moved into Miami county, where he rented farm land until 1907, when he returned and bought this place after renting it for five years, it formerly belonging to his father-in-law. Mr. Higgins is a careful, intelli- gent, experienced farmer and his crops and stock compare very favorably with any others in this section.
Mr. Higgins married Miss Eva Hauver, who is a daughter of the late J. C. Hauver, who came here from Maryland and was a well known farmer in Orange township. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have four children : Bessie, Howard, Wayne and Catherine. In politics he is an independent voter and fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows at Kirkwood.
WALKER ZIMPHER, one of the enterprising citizens and excellent farmers of Perry township, Shelby county, O., now serving in his first term as a member of the board of township trustees, is operating a farm of 100 acres, belonging to his father-in-law, J. J. Maxwell, and has other interests. He was born in Shelby county, O., in 1872, and is a son of George and Susan (Dill) Zimplier.
George Zimpher, who now lives retired at Pemberton, O., was a farmer in Shelby county for many years and both he and wife were natives of the county. Her death occurred in 1907. They had the following children : John : Lewis; Hannah, wife of Elmer Killian; Clara, wife of Frank Spangy; Walker ; and Lucy, wife of Harry Wirick.
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Walker Zimpher went to school during boyhood and youth and since then has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, after reaching manhood working for two years for his father, and, following that, operated rented land until 1910, when he took charge of Mr. Maxwell's farm which he is conducting along modern methods, with good results.
Mr. Zimpher was married October 20, 1892, to Miss Maude Maxwell, a daughter of J. J. and Elizabeth (Key) Maxwell, and they have four children : Harry, who is employed by a telephone company; Bonnie, who, with her sister Helen, attends school; and Mabel, who is the youngest and still at home. Mr. Zimpher and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a democrat and fraternally is an Odd Fellow, belong- ing to the order at Quincy and the Encampment at Rosewood. Mr. Zimpher is one of the stockholders in the Farmers Telephone Company.
JOHN W. HERRING, who is one of the reliable and representative men of Salem township, Shelby county, O., resides on his excellent farm of 114 acres which he devotes to general agriculture. He was born in Salem town- ship, August 23, 1859, and is a son of Alexander and Sarah (Studebaker) Herring.
Alexander Herring was a prosperous farmer and well known man in Salem township, where, for many years he also followed threshing. Both he and wife died here and their burial was at Port Jefferson. Their surviv- ing children are all well known and respected people and mainly residents of Shelby county : Henry ; Isaac ; Thomas ; John W .; Laura, who is deceased, was the wife of William Frey; Bell, who is the wife of Frank Smith; Clara, who is the wife of Byrl Roach ; Daniel; and Jennie, who is the wife of R. O. Weeks.
After his school days were over John W. Herring gave his father assist- ance on the home farm until he was thirty-eight years of age, at which time he came to his present property on which he has made many substantial improvements.
On March 13, 1898, Mr. Herring was married to Miss Louie Arthur, who was born in Stokes township, Logan county, O., a daughter of John N. and Mary R. (Taylor) Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur now live at Lake View, in Logan county, he having been a farmer during all his active life. Their family consisted of the following children : Arnold; Malissa, wife of Nicode- mus Preston; William; Thomas; Mrs. Herring; Libby, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Kemp; Austin, who is deceased; and Orlando. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herring: Wesley Van; Karl, who died when aged two years and seven months; and Marion Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Herring are members and liberal supporters of the Christian church, of which Mr. Herring is a trustee. He was reared an old-time democrat but is a man who studies political questions for himself and is apt to vote entirely as his own judgment dictates, but in any event, whichever way he decides, he is a quiet, law supporting citizen.
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J. W. THOMPSON, who operates his father's farm of 258 acres, situated nine miles southwest of Sidney, O., in a pleasant part of Washington town- ship, Shelby county, was born in this township and is a son of Freeborn and Mary (Flynn) Thompson, who have lived retired at Piqua since 1909. The family contained three children : J. B., R. W. and J. E., the last named being deceased.
Since the end of his school days, R. W. Thompson has been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits on this place, having no particular specialties but following both farming and stock raising. The Thompsons have all been farmers since the family was established here in 1818.
R. W. Thompson married Miss Edna C. Burnett and they had one daugh- ter, Nina E., who died when a babe of eight days. In his political sentiments Mr. Thompson has always been a republican and has been active and useful as a citizen and at present is serving as a member of the township board of trustees.
WILLIAM F. SALM, a leading citizen of Clinton township, Shelby county, O., a member of its board of trustees, is one of the representative business men of Sidney, being associated here in the furniture line with his father. He was born at Sidney, O., July 1, 1876, and is a son of Fred and Catherine (Drescher) Salm.
There are few better known or more highly respected men in Shelby county than Fred Salm, who, for forty-seven continuous years has been in the furniture business at Sidney, and also, is the senior member of the firm of Salm & Taylor, undertakers.
William F. Salm was reared at Sidney and was educated in the parochial school belonging to Holy Angels' Catholic church. Immediately afterward he entered his father's store and learned the furniture business in every detail and later became his assistant in the undertaking business and holds an embalmer's license. The quarters occupied are situated on West Poplar street, Sidney, where the largest display of fine furniture is afforded the public in the county. The business policy continues the same which has brought prosperity for almost a half century.
Mr. Salm was married to Nora Knapke, who was born at Coldwater, O., and they have three children: Mary Elizabeth, John William and Richard Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Salm are members of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Elks. He is one of the township's influential democrats and is serving in his second term as trustee.
WALDO M. GAINES, M. D., physician and surgeon, at Pemberton, O., has been professionally established here since June, 1910, and has built up a very satisfactory practice, and, as a permanent citizen, has identified himself with the best interests of the place. After completing the high school course at Covington, O., he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and subsequently the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Indianapolis, Ind., where he was graduated in the class of 1905. For five years he was engaged
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in medical practice at Covington and from there came to Pemberton. Dr. Gaines is a son of Dr. Charles E. and Laura (Stevens) Gaines, the former of whom has been engaged in medical practice at Covington for twenty-five years. The other two members of the family are residents of Covington, namely : Mabel, wife of Clifford Townsend, and Theodora.
In 1908 Dr. Waldo M. Gaines was married to Miss Lena Brown, who was born in Miami county, O., a daughter of William and Mary (Tobias) Brown. The father of Mrs. Gaines was a contractor in Miami county and died there. She has one sister and one brother: Cora, who is the wife of George Thomp- son; and Edward. Dr. and Mrs. Gaines have one daughter, Mary Frances. They attend the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches. Dr. Gaines is identified with the leading medical organizations of the county, is a republi- can in his political views, and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Covington.
GEORGE STENGEL, who is one of the substantial citizens of Franklin township, Shelby county, O., owns a valuable farm of ninety-five acres and a comfortable residence at Sidney, O., situated on the corner of St. Mary's and Maple streets. Mr. Stengel was born on this farm, December 31, 1856, and is a son of John M. and Sarah (Schiff) Stengel.
John M. Stengel and wife are both deceased. They were well known and highly respected people of Franklin township and the following children were born to them: Michael, who is deceased; Mary, who is the wife of J. P. Fogt; Barbara, who is the wife of John Brightweaser; Lena, who is the wife of Joseph Beemer; Sophia, who is the wife of Andrew Bertsch; Caroline, who is the wife of L. F. Fogt; Margaret, who is the wife of Solomon Staley ; and George.
George Stengel attended the district schools when he was a boy and early began to give his father assistance on the farm and has continued to be interested in farm industries all his life. His property is valuable, the location of his farm being a favorable one as regards transportation and under his methods is as productive as any land in Franklin township.
On September 22, 1882, Mr. Stengel was married to Miss Nancy Arena Shaffer, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Blakely) Shaffer. To Mr. and Mrs. Stengel the following children have been born, all of whom survive: Edward, who married Anna Davis and they have three children-Mary, Viola and Agnes; Lewis Franklin; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Ira Slusser and they have three children-Irene, Unice and Gale; Bonnie, who is the wife of James Taylor and they have one child, Ileen ; and Ora, who is the wife of Clarence Sturm and they have one child- Lois; and Walter and Milton. Mr. Stengel and wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and they and children belong to this church. Like his father before him, Mr. Stengel is a democrat.
HON. WILLIAM C. WYMAN, probate judge of Shelby county from 1876 until 1882, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, September 29, 1832,
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and was eleven years old when his homesick, boyish eyes rested last on the green shores of his native land from the ship Keying, that was bearing him away to that land of promise across the sea-America. He left his parents, Patrick Cousins and Mary (Furlong) Wyman, behind, and they spent many more years there, the father dying when aged ninety years and the mother when still five years older.
As a cabin boy, with his brother John, on the brig Keying, bound from Liverpool to Newburyport, Mass., with a load of salt, William C. Wyman no doubt learned many hard lessons of life before land was reached. John Wyman later was given charge of one of Captain Cushing's vessels and again went to sea, but William started to complete his education in what was known as the West Male Grammar School. When he left school he once more became cabin boy on a vessel which sailed from Beverly, Mass., to Charleston, S. C., reaching port after a fearful struggle with the elements off Cape Hat- teras. Later he once more went to sea, making two more trips across the Atlantic ocean, between Charleston and Liverpool. By this time he was tired of the sea and through a happy combination of circumstances, was led to find his way to Cincinnati, O. There his first work was done as a clerk in a grocery store and afterward he learned the plastering trade and followed that until 1853. Chance brought him to Sidney and fortunately he was pleased with the good people he met and with the evidences of thrift and business oppor- tunity and shortly afterward came here as a permanent resident, becoming a contracting plasterer and gradually acquired not only a heavy financial stand- ing but became a citizen who was justly regarded with confidence and esteem. In 1876 he was elected probate judge and served six continuous years. In 1884 .he was elected a trustee of Clinton township and in 1885 was elected mayor of Sidney and served through two years, also becoming librarian of the public library, continuing for eight years. For many years he served as a justice of the peace and more recently has been health officer of Sidney. Judge Wyman was active also during the Civil war and served as lieutenant of the military organization known as the "Squirrel Hunters."
On October 6, 1856, Judge Wyman was married to Miss Ellen E. Ryan, who was born and educated in Boston, Mass., and was the first teacher in the Catholic school at Sidney. She is a daughter of John S. and Bridget Ryan. Judge and Mrs. Wyman have five children living : Mollie, Nellie, Celia, Sidney and Charles. The second born, John, died in young manhood, when just ready to be admitted to the bar. During his whole life Judge Wyman has been a democrat in politics and a Roman Catholic in religious faith. He is a very versatile man and, among his other capacities, at one time added school teaching, being a very acceptable substitute teacher on one occasion in Orange township. At present he is a notary public and is engaged in the insurance business, including fire, plate glass and accident protection.
PRESTON R. HUNT, who is a well-known resident of Plattsville, O., where he has lived for the past eighteen years, pleasantly occupies a part of his time in overseeing the industries successfully carried forward on his
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valuable farm of 143 acres, which adjoins the village. He was born in Green township, Shelby county, O., one mile south of Palestine, December 25, 1845, and is a son of Heman R. and Anna ( Conover ) Hunt.
Heman R. Hunt was one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby county. He was born in Butler county, O., and became a permanent resident of Shelby county in 1832, always afterward following farming and stock raising on his original farm until the close of his lite, when aged seventy-five years, being survived by his wife for five years. They had but two children: Preston R. and his brother, Bruce S., who is a physician at Sidney.
Preston R. Hunt obtained a district school education, reading, writing and arithmetic being its main elements, and afterward, for a short time before settling down to farming, taught school in Green township. For many years he carried on extensive operations by himself on his large acreage but for some years all heavy responsibilities have been turned over to his son.
Mr. Hunt married Miss Rosannah Search and they have five children : Mrs. Florra F. Cornell, of Orange township: Charles Walter, who married Clara Martin ; Viola, wife of L. L. Knoop: Kate J., wife of Findley Webster Brown and Heman Earl, who resides at home. In politics Mr. Hunt and sons are republicans. At times he has consented to serve in public office and for ten years was clerk of the Board of Education and for seven and one-half years was township clerk. Mr. Hunt is a member of the Universalist church.
ROGER W. STALEY. Perhaps there is no old family name better known or more highly respected in Salem township than that of Staley, which has been familiar here for eighty-one years. Roger W. Staley, who resides on his farm of 109 acres and has a one-half interest in a thirty-eight acre tract lying in Perry township, is a member of this family, the younger of two sons born to his parents, Oliver C. and Anna (Cargill) Staley. His birth took place at Port Jefferson, June 20, 1874.
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 in 1831. In 1844 William Staley married Barbara Harshbarger, a daughter of Jonas and Hettie (Jacobs) Harshbarger and they had four children. In 1869 Oliver C. Staley married Anna Cargill, the latter of whom still lives and occupies the old homestead of 209 acres, situated on section 20 Salem township. The death of the father occurred in February, 1911. He was a representative citizen of this section, was a school teacher in his youth and later served in numerous township offices and for four years was county treasurer.
After his school days Roger W. Staley assisted his father on the home farm and later, with his older brother, Orrin C. Staley, took entire charge of it. The only heirs are the two sons. Mr. Staley is an energetic and progres- sive farmer and a well informed citizen. In 1900 he began the breeding of draft horses and thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs and at the present time is one of the most active and successful breeders in his community.
On December 23. 1896, Mr. Staley was married to Miss Grace Inskeep,
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who was born in Perry township, a daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Lindley) Inskeep, both now deceased. The other members of their family were: Net- tie, wife of John Dingman; Jerry; Minnie, wife of Dr. J. E. Johnston, of Piqua; Bertha, wife of John R. Bentley; Charles and Grace. To Mr. and Mrs. Staley two children have been born: Laird and Kenneth. Mr. Staley and family are members and supporters of the Baptist church at Sidney. They are hospitable people and have a wide circle of friends in this section. In politics Mr. Staley is a democrat as have been the older members of the family for generations.
FRANK G. HENEISEN, who is a successful general farmer residing in Dinsmore township, where he owns 160 acres of very fine land, situated one and one-half miles southeast of Botkins, O., was born in 1879, in Van Buren township, Shelby county, and is a son of Martin and Ellen (Gibson ) Heneisen.
Martin Heneisen, like many other well known and respected men of Shelby county, was born in Germany. He came to this section a young man and was married to Ellen Gibson, who was born in Shelby county. The fol- lowing children were born to them: Catherine, who is the wife of George Smith and they live at Dayton, O .; Joseph, who died young; Phillip, who died at the age of seventeen years; Rosa, who is the wife of Henry Sitzman, and they live at Botkins, O .; Mary, who died at the age of eight years; Martin, who is a soldier in the U. S. Army ; Nora, who is a Catholic Sister in Mercer county, O .; and Frank G., who was the third in order of birth.
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