USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 80
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BERNARD P. WAGNER, president of the Wagner Park Conservatories Company, and vice president of the Wagner Manufacturing Company, both very important enterprises of Shelby county, is one of the solid, reliable and representative men of this section of Ohio and belongs to a prominent family of the state. He was born at Sidney, O., February 1, 1865, and is a son of Mathias and Anna M. (Rauth) Wagner.
Considering the world-wide fame that the name of Wagner has brought to
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Sidney, it is interesting to know that Mr. Wagner was not only born here but secured his educational training here also, attending both the public and parochial schools, and proving an apt and attentive student. His entrance into business life was when he assisted in the organization of the well remembered department store known as the Wagner Arcade, which was located in the building which is now occupied by the Wagner Hotel. He was interested in the establishing of the factories of the Wagner Manufacturing Company, of which he has been vice president since the company was incorporated, and from that time until 1900, when he was instrumental in founding the Wagner Park Conservatories, he devoted all his time and attention to the manufac- turing business. This is the most extensive manufacturing plant at Sidney and its wares find a market in every part of the civilized world. The products are aluminum cooking utensils and employment is given to more than 300 workmen.
The Wagner Park Conservatories at Sidney were started in 1900, the main mover in this great enterprise being Bernard P. Wagner, whose natural gifts as a landscape gardener and whose inherent love of flowers had been marked from boyhood. When the present company was incorporated, with a capital of $100,000, the following officers were selected : B. P. Wagner, president and treasurer ; W. H. Wagner, vice president; and H. L. Brown, secretary, and these officers, with M. M., L. R. and J. F. Wagner and A. M. Brown, make up the board of directors. In the newly erected office building particular attention has been given to the admission of light for drafting room purposes and to the conveniences and comforts which modern business men enjoy in their surroundings. The greenhouses have 15,000 square feet of space under glass and a modern hot water system of heating is employed. In these greenhouses are found palms, roses of all varieties and other tender plants, not only grown but in many cases originated here. The growing fields are over 100 acres in extent and here flowers, shrubs and trees of all varieties are cultivated for the market, in the busy season seventy-five men being required to attend to the cultivation and shipment of these. The land- scape department of the business is a very important feature and the taste and skill of landscape experts from this company have not only many times been employed in laying out the beautiful grounds for some of Sidney's hand- somest residences, but persons in every state of the Union have also profited by the service of these experts. A visitor to the park will immediately become interested in one of the recent additions to its attractions-the arbore- tum, where every species of shrub and tree that can be grown in this locality will be grown for display. Evergreens and plants, flowers and shrubs from all countries, France, Germany, Holland and Japan. There has already been planted over 300 varieties of evergreen, 600 varieties of shrubs and 250 varieties of trees. This arboretum extends the width of the grounds and doubles back, following the west park boundaries. Another unusual and interesting feature is the Isle of Nippon gardens. Mr. Wagner's own idea was followed out in the formation of an artificial lake containing islands, and the building of a real Japanese garden, in which Nippon flowers, many
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having been imported direct from Japan, are grown. Should a native of that far off, beautiful land visit this park and stand before the typical Japanese gate built of logs and catch a glimpse of the placid lake within, and sur- rounded with winding walks and rustic bridges, he could not fail to express pleasure and wonder at the faithful reproduction that has been made. To Bernard P. Wagner the credit must be given for the inception and subsequent development of this remarkable business.
Mr. Wagner married Miss Jennie Freschard, of Owensville, O., and they have three children: Jerome, Bernard and Elizabeth. They have a beautiful home, their handsome brick residence being located on North Wal- nut avenue, on an eminence overlooking Sidney, Mr. Wagner completing its construction in 1895 and placing it in the center of a well kept park. Its outside attractions harmonize with its inside adornments for Mr. Wagner and family are people of culture and artistic tastes and their surroundings give evidence of the same. Perhaps no private collection of paintings in this part of Ohio have more value than those Mr. Wagner has hung on his walls and not only enjoys himself but, with justifiable pride, exhibits to other lovers of real art. Artists of world-wide fame have painted the follow- ing pictures which he considers the choice of his collection : "Dutch Bargain" by Jane M. Dealy; "The Little Housekeeper" by Ridgeway Knight; "The Canyon Trail" by H. F. Farney, the great artistic portrayer of Indian life; "Highland Sheep" by William Watson; and "Loch Lomond" by Alfred De Breanski.
While his private interests are so absorbing, including the enterprises above partially described, and in addition having large real estate holdings at Sidney, where he has erected at least 100 handsome residences, Mr. Wag- ner still finds time to perform all duties of good citizenship, taking a partic- ular pride in the good name of his native place. He is not, however, a poli- tician in the real sense of the word. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church, and is a valued member of the Catholic organization, the Knights of Columbus. To some degree, also, Mr. Wagner is engaged in literary work, having contributed to magazines and published a book entitled "Landscape Gardening for Amateurs," which is found in many a home where flowers are loved and successfully cultivated. He has given his name to a certain method of landscape gardening which has become a standard and may be thus briefly described. The Wagner method means the treatment of the selected land in a pictorial way with large effects; flower borders and masses, shrubs and plants being introduced in such a way as to add to the repose and simplicity of the whole, harmony of color being especially studied, unsightly outlooks being obliterated, vistas being formed and illusions being manufactured by art.
GEORGE W. FALER, one of the best known and most respected resi- dents of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, O., who now lives in comfortable retirement on his farm of 130 acres, which is situated three and one-half miles northeast of Anna, O., was born in 1833 in Pennsylvania, and seventy
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years ago was brought to Dinsmore township by his parents, John and Eliza- beth (Burkett ) Faler. John Faler was of American birth but his wife was born in Germany. They were among the pioneers in Dinsmore township and for years were well known but have long since passed away. They had three sons and four daughters : George W., John, Christopher, Susan, Mary, Elizabetlı and Catherine.
George WV. Faler attended the early schools under the conditions that then prevailed in Dinsmore township, and afterward learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked for many years, and also followed farming and stock raising. He was successful in his undertakings and acquired a com- petency and for some years has lived retired from active labor, his sons assuming his responsibilities and carrying on the farm industries in a capable manner.
Mr. Faler married Miss Mary Ann Taylor, a daughter of John and Rebecca Taylor, and ten children were born to them, namely: John F., Mar- garet E., Jacob A., Amanda, Minnie, Alabel, Mary A., Dillie, Alonzo and Nora. John F. married Lillie Kepplinger and they live in Jackson township; Margaret married William Wilferd and they live east of Anna, O .; Jacob lives on the homestead; Mary A. married John Lease and they live in Dins- more township; Dillie and Alonzo live at home; Nora married Michael Metz and they live in Dinsmore township. Amanda, Alabel and Minnie are all deceased, Alabel having been the wife of Luther Whited. Mr. Faler has always been a citizen in whom his neighbors could rely and he has served the township in such offices as road supervisor and trustee. He is one of the pillars of the Reformed church, so to speak, and has long been a deacon in the church at Swanders, O.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS PENCE, farmer and stock dealer, residing in Salem township, where he owns the old Pence homestead of eighty acres, was born at Springfield, O., September 14, 1850, and is a son of Jesse G. and Elizabeth ( Bare) Pence.
Jesse G. Pence was born in Virginia and came to Ohio in early manhood. In 1861 he moved on the farm above mentioned, coming from Tremont, Clark county, a pioneer settler in this section. He was married in Ohio to Elizabeth Bare, who was born in Pennsylvania.
For many years they lived in Salem township, Shelby county, quiet farm- ing people, good neighbors and consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. When they passed away in the course of nature, they were laid to rest in the cemetery at Port Jefferson. They had the following children : Samuel B., John Q. A., Hosea, Louvisa, Lucinda and Emanuel. Louisa became the wife of Jay Smith, and Lucinda married J. McCormick.
John Quincy Adams Pence had district school advantages and afterward remained assisting his father on the home farm until the latter's death. For eleven years following he worked on farms by the month and then bought the old homestead, and all told has since spent thirty years here engaging in general farming and also dealing in stock.
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Mr. Pence was married in 1880 to Miss Sarah E. Kizer, a daughter of Philip and Phoebe Kizer, who were farmers in Champaign county. Mrs. Pence is the sixth of their children, the others being: John Joseph; James ; Elizabeth, wife of John Hesselgesser; Catherine, wife of Edwin Russell; Matilda, deceased; Etta, wife of Tobias Foltz; Lillie, wife of John Philips; and George. Mr. and Mrs. Pence have one son, Forrest K., of Zanesville, O., who married Bertha Price, and they have a daughter, Dorothy Louise. Mr. Pence and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In voting with the republican party, Mr. Pence follows the example set him by his honored father.
JOHN C. GERBER, one of Dinsmore township's most substantial and best known citizens, was born on his present home farm of 160 acres, in Shelby county, O., October 7, 1837, and is a son of Peter Gerber, who was a pioneer here. Peter Gerber was born in Switzerland and probably lived in Pennsylvania after first coming to the United States, as his wife was born in that state. They were married at Miamisburg, O., and came later to Dins- more township, Shelby county, settling in the wilderness, and, as all pioneers, had to battle with many difficulties. They passed the rest of their lives on this farm. Three children were born to them : Samuel, John C., and Lucinda, John C. being the only survivor.
John C. Gerber had but meager educational opportunities in his youth but whenever his father could spare him in boyhood, attended the district schools. Farming in all its phases and stock raising engaged his attention until within a few years, since when he has lived in comfortable retirement. His home farm of 160 acres lies four miles northeast of Anna, O. and his total aggregate of land in Dinsmore township is 740 acres. These farms have been well improved through his own industry and with the assistance of his sons.
Mr. Gerber married Miss Mary Catherine Smith and they have had a family of nine children born to them, one of whom died in infancy. Sarah, the eldest daughter, married George Metz, and they live near Jackson Center, O. Lizzie married George Billing and they live in Salem township. Edward married Elizabeth Metz and they live near Jackson Center. Albert married Catherine Sherer and they live four miles southeast of Botkins, O. Clara married Samuel Fogt and they live in Dinsmore township. George, Henry and Anna all reside at home. Mr. Gerber and family belong to the Luther- an church. Politically he is a democrat and his sons are of the same faith. During his long life spent in Dinsmore township he has seen many changes take place and old families and customs pass away and his reminiscences are exceedingly interesting. He has proved in his own case and his own family that investments in land are safe and profitable and that agriculture gives prosperity and contentment when intelligently and persistently followed.
A. E. APPLEGETT, an enterprising and prosperous general farmer who owns two farms in Green township, Shelby county, O., one of forty-five
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acres and the other of seventy-two acres, resides on and is operating Joseph Bolinger's farm of eighty acres, which lies also in Green township, twelve miles southeast of Sidney, O. He was born in Miami county, O., January 12, 1862, and is a son of Goff and Hannah Ann (Davis) Applegett.
Goff Applegett was born in Hamilton county, O., and in early manhood went to Miami county, where he followed the carpenter trade all through his active life. He is a highly respected resident of Lena, O., and is now in his eighty-sixth year. He married Hannah Ann Davis, who also survives, and they had eight children, seven of whom are living.
A. E. Applegett has been a general farmer practically all his life and not only manages his own land advantageously but brings satisfactory results to the owner of the acres he rents. A general line of farming is carried on and considerable stock is grown.
Mr. Applegett married Miss Emma Bolinger, a daughter of Joseph Bolinger, an old settler of Shelby county, and they have two children : Myrtle, who is the wife of Clyde Harbaugh; and Mary, who resides with her parents. In politics Mr. Applegett is a republican and has served in the office of town- ship trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Red Men and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
WILSON DILL, whose finely located and well improved farm of 162 acres lies one mile north of Anna, O., is one of the well known and enter- prising farmers of this section. He was born in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, O., in 1854, and is a son of James C. and Martha ( Bodkin) Dill.
The parents of Mr. Dill were born in Ohio, to which state their parents had come as pioneers. Nine children were born to them, as follows: Russell B., Olive, Elmer, Oliver, Harry, Charles, Burton, Carrie and Wilson. Rus- sell, who is deceased, is survived by his widow, formerly Emma Brower, of Missouri, who now lives at Sidney. Olive married Richard Cannon and they live in Auglaize county. Elmer, who is a resident of Illinois, married Callie Meyers, of Anna, O. Oliver died at the age of twenty-eight years and Harry died in infancy. Charles is a resident of New York and Burton of Kansas City. Carrie is the wife of James House and they live at Wapakoneta, O.
After completing his district school education, Wilson Dill learned the mason trade, which he followed for some time, but for the past thirty-five years has devoted his attention mainly to his agricultural affairs. His fine farm is easily reached, as the Ohio Electric Railroad passes in front of his handsome residence, which, with all other improvements, was placed here by Mr. Dill. He follows modern methods in carrying on his farm industries and his land responds with bountiful crops and his stock is far above the average.
Mr. Dill married Miss Elizabeth Fletcher, a daughter of S. F. and Delilah (Slegle) Fletcher, and they have five children : Homer, who assists his father on the home place, married Clara Weaver; Addie, who is the wife of Melvin Boyer, and they live near Botkins; William, who is a resident of Wapakoneta, married Pearl Boyer ; Harry is a resident of Denver, Colo .; and Zoe, who is
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the wife of William Diensberger, of Delphos, O. Mr. Dill and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been a trustee and steward for eighteen years. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle and politically is a member of the progressive wing of the democratic party.
WILLIAM M. YOUNG, proprietor of a prosperous grocery business with quarters at No. 215 North Pomeroy street, has been a resident of Sidney, O., for seven years and is a native of Shelby county, born in Franklin township, July 2, 1879. His parents v. ere William and Loretta (Rairdon) Young.
William Young, Sr., was born in Pickaway county, O., August 31, 1819, and came to Shelby county with his father, Adam Young, who secured a claim on a small tract of land in Franklin township. When these pioneer settlers, William Young, Sr., being then a lad of twelve years, reached their new homestead, November 12, 1832, the only shelter they found was under the branches of an oak tree and cold weather came upon them before they could complete their log cabin. Pioneers, however, in those days were made of courageous men and women who did not fear hardship or expect much material comfort. Two years later they moved to Dinsmore township on which place William Young, Sr., spent his subsequent life, living to be over eighty-seven years of age and dying December 17, 1906. He was a farmer and also a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Loretto Rairdon, who was born in Logan county and died in Shelby county, May 27, 1888.
William M. Young was reared in Franklin township and attended the country schools until he was fifteen years of age, after which he worked for his father until he was twenty-one years old. He had, however, an ambition to learn the art of telegraphing and when he became legal master of liis own time, entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada and studied telegraphy and later continued at Edgerton, O. On October 14, 1901, he went to work for the Chicago & Northwestern railroad at Bertram, Ia., being then transferred to Des Moines; and in all spent two years in Iowa, coming then to Anna, O., and in 1903 went to work for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, continuing with them at Lima, Troy and Tippecanoe City. For six years he was with the Big Four railroad, at Sidney, and was also agent at Sidney from July 10, 1909, to January 12, 1910; cashier for the Big Four until June 30, 1911, and from July to December 15, 1911, was train dispatcher for the Western Ohio Electric railroad, his headquarters being at Wapakoneta. After this varied railroad experience he decided to become a permanent resident of Sidney and bought his present mercantile business from E. J. Evans, taking possession on January 1, 1912.
In 1903 Mr. Young was married to Miss Faye Knief, of Bloom Center, Logan county, O., and they have three children : Lucile, Warren and Wallace. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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JONATHAN STOUT,* one of the substantial and representative citi- zens of Salem township, Shelby county, O., now serving in his second term as a member of the township board of trustees, was born in Salem township, in December, 1847, and is a son of Abraham and Jelesie (Fly) Stout.
The parents of Mr. Stout were farmers in Salem township for many years and were worthy of the universal respect in which they were held. They were liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church and at death they were buried in the Methodist cemetery at Port Jefferson. They had the following children: Elizabeth, who is deceased, was the wife of John Lerton; Nathan; Malinda, who is now deceased, was the wife of George Fox: Sarah, who is now deecased, was the wife of Andrew Cargill; and Jonathan.
Jonathan tout attended the district schools in boyhood and afterward worked for his father on the home farm and subsequently acquired and still cultivates land of his own. His well developed farm of forty acres is situated three miles east of Port Jefferson and in this town he has twenty inore acres and two residences. Mr. Stout is well known all over Salem township and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle. In 1889 he married Miss Sallie Stockstill. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Stout married Miss Nancy Wilkinson. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically a democrat, his party, on more than one occasion, has called upon him to accept offices in its gift and in the faithful performance of official duties, he has won the approval of all his fellow citizens, irrespective of party. He belongs to the order of Golden Eagles, at Maplewood, O.
NICHOLAS CHARLES ENDERS, who at this time (April, 1913) is serving his third term as clerk of Perry township, Shelby county. O., owns over ninety-four acres of land near Pemberton, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. He was born at Sidney, O., March 16, 1874, and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Dormire) Enders.
Christian Enders was born in Lengsfeld, Germany, April 7, 1838. At the age of seventeen he came to America and located at Sidney. He was for several years engaged in weaving with his brother Henry, in East Sidney. In the early days of the Civil war he enlisted in Schultz's battery, First Ohio Light Artillery, and was at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, and in several minor engagements. Having received an honorable discharge he returned to Sidney and engaged in wagon making, his place of business being on North Ohio avenue. Soon after engaging in this trade he was married to Margaret Dormire of Green township, with whom he lived until her death, September 20, 1878. To this union were born six children, four of whom are still living : Nicholas C., the subject of this sketch; Jacob H., a farmer in Perry township: George C., dean of the Christian Biblical Institute at Defiance. O .; and Emma E., superintendent of Flower Hospital at Toledo, O.
In 1875 Christian Enders gave up his trade as wagon maker and devoted the remainder of his life to farming, living first in Perry, and later in Frank- lin township, where he died June 24. 1902, his burial being at Swanders. In
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1879, he married Barbara King of Butler county, who is still living at his late home. To this union four children were born: Sadie, wife of Charles Richards, a farmer of Franklin township; Mary, a professional nurse; Her- man, a farmer; and Catherine, a school teacher.
Nicholas C. Enders attended the public schools and afterwards was a student in the university at Lebanon, O., for several months, during which time he pursuel a commercial course. Previous to this time, he had learned the trades of painter and paper hanger, and after his return from Lebanon he followed these trades for seven years, when he bought his farm in Perry township, upon which he has since engaged in farming.
In February, 1902, Mr. Enders was married to Miss Daisy Pence, a daughter of Noah and Clara (Wibel) Pence, the former of whom is a retired farmer living at Sidney. Mrs. Enders has one sister, Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Enders' only son, Christian Henry, was born June 26, 1910, and died the same day, but a daughter, Clara Margaret, born April 9, 1912, is living. The democratic party claims Mr. Enders' fealty in national affairs but in local matters he uses his own judgment. He and wife are members of the Baptist church at Pemberton, O.
LOUIS R. WAGNER, secretary and general manager of the Wagner Manufacturing Company, of Sidney, O., a very important industrial enter- prise of Shelby county, was born at Sidney, October 12, 1871, a member of cne of the old county families.
Louis R. Wagner was educated in the schools at Sidney and St. Mary's College at Dayton, O., and since earliest manhood has been identified with business enterprises of this section. He now devotes his entire time to the interests of the Wagner Manufacturing Company, with which he has been connected since its organization. At the plant of the Wagner Manufacturing Company three hundred men are employed, with good wages and constant work, the product of the plant being cast aluminum cooking utensils, known as the famous "Wagner Ware."
In 1892 Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Catherine Burkhardt, who was born at Dayton, O. They are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Wagner is a fourth degree member and is deeply interested in that noble organization, the Knights of Columbus, of which he was its first grand knight, Sidney council.
ROBERT V. JONES, postmaster at Sidney, O., where he has other inter- ests, owns property and is connected with church and fraternal organizations, has been a resident of Shelby county for twenty-two years. His birth, how- ever, took place in Carmarthenshire, Wales, December 5, 1856, and he is a son of Rev. David Jones, D. D.
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