USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 90
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The Graham family originated in Scotland and was founded in the United States by the great-grandfather, who settled in Pennsylvania, where the grandfather, James A. Graham, was born. He moved to Kentucky at an early day and from there moved with his family to Shelby county, O., in 1822. His six sons, Robert, William, John, Thomas B., James and Samuel, all lived to the age of eighty years except Robert, and his three daughters, Eliza, Mary and Sarah, also survived into old age, the youngest becoming the wife of Dr. John Stephens.
Thomas B. Graham was born at Marysville, Ky., December 8, 1810, and was twelve years old when his parents moved to Shelby county. He followed the carpenter trade up to the age of fifty years, but engaged in farming from 1861 until he retired, his death occurring at Sidney, O., February 8, 1895, his age being eighty-four years and two months. He married Jane E. Gimm, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, May 10, 1825, and in 1835 accompanied her parents to the United States and resided in the western part of Shelby county until her marriage. Her father, William Gimm, died in Shelby county and her mother died at Piqua, O. William Gimm was thrice married, the children born to his first union being: Robert, Andrew, William, George, Jane E. and Eliza G., the last named still surviving and residing at Perryburg, O. The five children of the second marriage all survive, namely : John, James, Johnston, Mary and Francis. The mother of William A. Graham died April 12, 1908. To Thomas B. Graham and wife the following children were born: Samuel A., who is deceased; William A .: Alexander. who for a number of years has been a fruit grower at Ashland, Ore., was for- merly in business at Sidney, O .; John C., who died at Denver, Colo., of tuberculosis, December 25, 1907, was a graduate of the normal school at Lebanon, O., and of Starling Medical College and spent several years abroad in medical study ; George T., who was accidentally drowned June 3, 1876, in the Miami river, when aged ten years ; Emma J., who has been librarian of the public library at Sidney for the past fourteen years ; and Anna M., who died January 1, 1876.
William A. Graham completed his education in the high school at Sidney and for three years afterward taught school during the winters and assisted his father on the farm during the summers. His first industrial experience away from home was a short season in the Watt Bros, warehouse at Sidney. but on June 9, 1874, he entered into the business in which he has continued and for which he certainly has been well adapted. On the above date he entered the First National Bank of Sidney, where he remained until Decem-
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ber 15, 1875, when he became assistant cashier of the German-American Bank. where he continued until January 15, 1881. In this year he became cashier of the Citizens, then a private bank, which received its charter as a national bank on September 1, 1905. Since January, 1881, Mr. Graham has occupied this position, covering a period of thirty-one years, and all who do business with this old institution esteem him highly and have the greatest confidence in his conservative performance of duty. In 1899 he served as president of the Ohio Bankers' Association, prior to which he had been vice president, and he prepared the article on banking, giving a complete history of banking in Ohio, which is held by the association as an authentic and complete exposi- tion of the business in this state. Mr. Graham owns a farm but his entire time is taken up with his financial duties, in a business way, and possibly for the same reason, he has never accepted any political office, although a public- spirited and interested citizen at all times and a staunch republican.
Mr. Graham was married September 16, 1880, to Miss Ada E. Wyman, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Hon. Nathan R. and Mary (Hale) Wyman. The father of Mrs. Graham was captain of a company that served with the Ninety-ninth Ohio Vol. Inf. during the Civil war and later was probate judge in Shelby county. He was born in Vermont and died at Sidney, O., in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Graham the following children have been born: Ralph, who graduated from Miami University in the class of 1904, is employed in the office of the vice president of the United Railway Company, Portland, Ore., married Eva Rose of that city and they have one son, William G .; Anna E., who married Albert G. Horn, a promi- nent citizen of Lorain, O., and they have two children-Elizabeth and Will- iam Graham; and Robert M., who is a member of the class of 1913, Miami University, at Oxford, O. Mr. Graham and family belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and belongs to blue lodge, council, chapter and commandery, all at Sidney : He is a trustee of the public library and a director of the Sidney Commercial Club.
EARL LEE, * a leading citizen of Shelby county, O., now serving in his third term as a member of the city council of Sidney, representing the Third ward, has important business interests as well, being extensively engaged in the real estate business and the sole owner of the Earl Lee Company, wholesale and retail liquor dealers and compounders of medicines. Mr. Lee was born at Wiley Station, Darke county, O., January 4, 1879, and is a son of Thomas and Emma Lee. The father of Mr. Lee was engaged in the timber business prior to 1891, when he retired to Sidney, and is now deceased.
Earl Lee accompanied his parents to different points in Ohio as best suited his father's business affairs, and when the family settled permanently at Sidney he entered the public schools here. In 1898 he embarked in the liquor business at Wapakoneta, O., where he continued until 1901, when he sold out and returned to Sidney and took charge of what is now the Earl Lee Company, the business having been founded by his brotner, Val Lee, in 1891,
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who is now chief deputy state fire marshal. The medicines compounded by the above company are all prepared according to the pure drug act and bear the U. S. government tax stamp, the remedies being known as the Leecuru medicines and they have a wide sale and are considered specifics for many diseases. In handling real estate, Mr. Lee makes auction and private lot sales a specialty and offers reliable realty, home owning and business investment propositions. His value to his fellow citizens as a member of the council, to which he was elected on the democratic ticket, is very generally recog- nized on account of his intense public spirit, and the business acumen which is needful in public matters as well as personal enterprises.
Mr. Lee was married to Miss Flora Heil, who is a daughter of Henry and Minnie Heil, and they have two children: Forest and Esther. In 1911 Mr. Lee erected his handsome modern residence on South Main avenue, Sidney.
JOHN F. GIVEN, * vice president and general manager of the R. Given & Sons Company, at Sidney. O., manufacturers of saddlery and tanners, has been identified with this business since 1888. He was born at Sidney, O. October 9, 1863, and is a son of Robert and Catherine Given.
John F. Given was given no other educational advantage than those afforded by the public schools and he began his business life as a brakeman on the C. H. & D. Railroad, later becoming and working as conductor on the Big Four Railroad, leaving railroad life to enter his present line of business. When it was incorporated he became vice president and general manager and in this capacity travels all over the United States looking after the company's interests.
A brief history of this important business enterprise of Sidney may be of interest, illustrating as it does the results that follow business persistency. capacity and honesty. In the fifties a tannery already stood on a very small portion of the ground now occupied by the main building of the present plant, and there, in a somewhat primitive way, tanning was done. When Robert Given, father of John F., came to Sidney, in 1854, he took charge of the tannery, but a business association was not entered into by him until 1868, when, with S. Alexander Leckey, he purchased the plant and thus really founded the present business. At that time there was one small build- ing, while now the buildings cover one-quarter of a square, not mentioning the machine shop across the street nor the tanyards and house on East avenue. The main building covers the lot 165x165 feet, three stories and basement, with one part four stories, thus making the floor space now occupied by the main building alone 108,000 square feet. Mr. Leckey.died in 1881 and the business was taken over by Mr. Given and later, at his death, the enterprise was continued by his sons, John and Charles, with J. C. Royon. In 1901 the company was incorporated under the laws of Ohio as the R. Given & Sons Company and it has continued to prosper. At the present time of writing extensive additions are under way and when completed the present factory will be doubled in size.
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Wherever collars are used for horses the R. Given & Sons tannery is known, a large trade being done throughout the Northwest, in Texas and all through the Central states and the products have also invaded the European market. The hides are secured from Cincinnati, Chicago and other points where great packing houses are established, and every known method that has satisfactorily stood the test is used in this great factory for the final pro- duction of its goods. To its general manager, John F. Given, must be attrib- uted a large measure of the present undoubted prosperity. Sidney takes justifiable pride in this industry, for Sidney men and Sidney capital are the spirit and motive power, and its large pay roll contributes to Sidney's wealth.
Mr. Given was married to Miss Bessie B. Leckey, June 14, 1883, a daugh- ter of the late S. Alexander Leckey, and they have two children: Gertrude and Edward. Mr. Given is a Republican in his political views and has fre- quently been called upon to fill responsible local offices, for ten years being a member of the board of equalization, president of the board of tax com- missioners of Shelby county and a trustee of the Sinking Fund.
Although necessarily absorbed in business as a manager of the concern above described, Mr. Given has always taken a public spirited interest in his section as above indicated and has supported every movement, which, in his opinion, would promote the advancement of the community. His contribu- tions to charity have been timely and liberal. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and holds the office of exalted ruler in the local lodge of Elks.
JOHN CAREY CUMMINS, cashier of the First National Exchange Bank, at Sidney, O., a leading citizen and lifelong resident, was born here December 20, 1859, and is a son of John E. and Harriet K. (Carey) Cummins.
John E. Cummins was born at Mifflintown, Pa., a son of Joseph Cum- mins, a merchant and miller, whom he accompanied to Shelby county, O., in 1834. He died at Sidney in 1875, when aged forty-four years. He mar- ried Harriet K. Carey, a daughter of John W. Carey, and her death occurred in 1876, when she was aged forty-three years. Three sons survived them, namely: Joseph Knox, at one time auditor of Shelby county, who resides at Washington, D. C .; John Carey, subject of this sketch, and Frank C., who is a resident of Chicago, Ill.
John Carey Cummins was educated at Sidney, being graduated from the high school in 1875. During the greater part of his life he has been identi- fied with the banking business, beginning in 1876 with the old First National Bank of Sidney. For a short time he was connected with the Big Four Rail- road and then for twenty-five years was with the Citizens National Bank. Since November 1, 1906, he has been cashier of the First National Exchange Bank, his bank record covering a space of thirty-four years.
In 1881 Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Jennie A. Taylor, a daughter of O. J. Taylor, of Sidney, and they have three children : Harriet K., Taylor and Robert. Taylor Cummins is engaged in the practice of law. He was educated in the public schools, the Ohio State University and Miami Univer-
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sity and afterward read law in the office of J. D. Barnes, at Sidney. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1909. Mr. Cummins was reared in the Pres- byterian church. In politics he is a democrat and at times has served in the town council, being always a strong advocate of progress and reform. As a citizen he stands high, enjoying the confidence and respect of all with whom he has relations.
ORD OTTERBEIN LEMASTER, M.D., who is engaged in medical prac- tice in Kettlersville, Van Buren township, is a son of Luman W. and Mary (Chew) LeMaster, the father a native of Shelby county, Ohio. His parents' family consisted of ten children-Beulah S., Luman C., William C., Mary E .. Bertha T., Edith M., Una Maude, Arthur, Vernon W., and Ord O .- whose record in brief is as follows : Beulah S. married Lynn L. Rockwell and resides in Jay county, Indiana. Luman C. married Belle Wherley and they also reside in Jay county, Ind. William C. married Lotta E. Lewis and their home is at Montrose, Colo. Mary Elsie is the wife of Mathias J. Atkinson of Jay county, Ind. Bertha married John F. Yeager, principal of schools at Brazil, Ind., where they reside. Una Maude is the wife of Dr. G. W. Phillips and lives in David City, Nebraska. Edith M. married Henry Meinholtz and they reside in Okmulgee, Okla. Arthur R. married Maude McGlaughlin and their home is in Jay county, Ind. Vernon is attending school at Ann Arbor, Mich.
Ord O. LeMaster acquired his literary education in the public schools of Jay county, Ind., and the Portland Normal school, subsequently pursuing his medical studies at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio. After his grad- uation he located in Kettlersville, this county, where he has since built up a very good practice. He owns some valuable property, including his own fine residence and makes use of an automobile in visiting his patients. Dr. Le- Master married Emma W. G. Gormhausen, a daughter of John and Mary (Strausburgh) Gormhausen, whose children, in addition to Mrs. LeMaster, were Florence, John, Edward, Charles, Anna, Benjamin, Ida, Otto, and Laura. Of the above mentioned Florence, John, Edward, and Otto are now deceased, Florence dying in 1912. Mrs. LeMaster is a member of St. Peter's Lutheran church. The Doctor is a Republican in politics. He keeps in touch with the latest discoveries in medical and surgical science, and as a citizen is ever ready to support any practical measures for the moral or material betterment of the community. He has advanced as far as the Chapter in the Masonic order.
HERMAN J. ALTHOFF, general merchant and postmaster at Kettlers- ville, O., was born on a farm near New Bremen, O., in 1852, son of George and Anna Althoff. His parents, who came to this country from Germany, had a family of ten children, namely: Laura, Henry, Catherine, John, Catherine (second), August, Herman, Christian, Henry (second), and Anna. Of the two daughters named Catherine, one married Frederick Soelmann and still resides in this county, her husband being now deceased. John married Anna Soelmann and they reside in Sidney, O. August died at the age of six years.
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Christian was twice married. His first wife, Anna, dying, he married sec- ondly Emma May and resides in Van Buren township. Henry first married Alvina Deckefust, who died, and he then married Katie Hersfeldt. They reside at New Bremen, O. Anna also lives in New Bremen, O., and is the wife of Henry Ellerman.
Herman J. Althoff was educated in the district schools and subsequently followed agricultural pursuits for many years, or until 1900. He then engaged in mercantile business in Kettlersville, this county, which occupation he has followed up to the present time, being recognized as a successful mer- chant. His prosperity has been achieved by honest dealing and close atten- tion to business. He keeps a good stock of such goods as are likely to be called for in a rural community, and his many patrons find that they can obtain as good value for their money as they could by trading in the larger towns or cities. He was appointed postmaster of Kettlersville in 1905 and has conducted the office in such a manner as to satisfy both Uncle Sam and the residents of the village and vicinity. Mr. Althoff owns the building in which his store is located and also another block located opposite to same. In politics he is a Democrat and has served ably in local office, having been trustee, treasurer ; was township trustee for six years; also served as assessor and as councilman of the village. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he has served as secretary for years.
Mr. Althoff married Doretta Meyer, a daughter of Conrad Meyer, and has had three children : Rosa, now deceased; Hermena, who married William Poppe and resides in Kettlersville, and Araminta, who married Edward Poppe and is also a resident of Kettlersville. The family is among the best known and most respected in this locality.
JULIUS W. C. KETTLER, a well known citizen and retired farmer, residing in Kettlersville, Van Buren township, was born in New Bremen, Auglaize county, O., in 1852, a son of William and Minnie (Donnerberg) Kettler. His parents were natives of Germany who came to America in the for- ties of the 19th century. Their famliy consisted of three children: Sophia, Matilda, and Julius W. C. Sophia, who became the wife of August Mauer, resides in Kettlersville, this county : Matilda married William Tangeman and resides in the state of Iowa.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of New Bremen, O., and after his school days were over obtained a position as clerk in a hard- ware store, subsequently working for a while in a dry goods store. He then took a trip to Germany, and after his return was associated with his father in the store for three years. He then engaged in agriculture and was so occupied for a period of 34 years-from 1875 to 1909-at the end of which time, having amassed a fair competence, he retired and took up his residence in the village of Kettlersville. He owns a good farm of 150 acres and some favorably situated town property besides 22 lots within the corporation.
Mr. Kettler and wife Maria have been the parents of six children, namely : Clara, Mahala, Amelia, Laura. Emma and Herbert. Clara, who married
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William Mauer, resides in Kettlersville. She is the mother of twin sons, Vernon and Ernest. Mahala married WV. Breidweiser, and they reside in New Bremen. She has two children, Glenna, who is attending high school, and Oran, at home. Amelia is the wife of Aerny Tangeman and resides on her father's farm. She has two children, Marie and Helen. Laura married William Webber and lives in Lima, O. Emma is the wife of G. R. Brandt and lives in Dayton. She has one child, Carl. Herbert is a student at Ohio State University, Columbus.
Mr. Kettler is a Democrat in politics and served as township clerk for a period of fourteen years. He was also village clerk for four years. A mem- ber of the Lutheran church, he has acted as a trustee, secretary, and elder for years. He is a man highly respected throughout this part of the township.
WILLIAM VORDERMARK, a retired farmer residing in Kettlersville, O., was born in Germany in 1841, a son of Eberhardt and Catherine ( Budde- meyer) Vordermark. His mother died in her native land, and her husband, the father of our subject, coming to this country, died only three days after arriving here.
It was in 1865 that William Vordermark landed in this country, after having acquired a practical education in his native land .* He settled first in Cincinnati, O., where he resided for thirteen years, working mostly at his trade of brick mason. He then removed to New Knoxville, where he lived for a year and a half, after which he bought a farm in Van Buren town- ship, Shelby county, O. Here he resided until 1909, where he retired from agricultural pursuits and took up his residence in Kettlersville, where he now owns his own home and is comfortably situated in life. He still, however, occasionally works at his trade. He was married in Cincinnati, O., to Chris- tina Barkman, a daughter of Ernest Barkman, and he and his wife became the parents of a daughter, Sophia, who now resides at the home in Kettlers- ville. Mr. Vordermark is one of the prominent citizens of Van Buren town- ship. He belongs to the Lutheran church, and is also a member of the County Fair board, on which, being a practical farmer, he has rendered good service. Politically he is a Republican. Of his parents' family, in addition to himself, there were four sons and five daughters, namely: Henry, Fred, Ernest, Adolph, Elizabeth, Catherina, Sophia, Fredrica, and Minnie.
CHARLES STEIN, a well known shoe merchant of Kettlersville, O., was born at New Bremen, O., in 1854. His father, Frederick Stein, was a native of Germany who, after coming to this country, located in New Bremen, Auglaize county, O. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district school, and at the early age of eight years began to make himself useful on a farm. He subsequently followed agricultural pursuits until his marriage, at which time he engaged in the shoe business in Kettlersville and has since remained thus occupied, being now one of the oldest merchants in the town. In addition to his store in Kettlersville, he owns some good property in Sid- ney, O. Mr. Stein married Louisa Bucholtz, a daughter of Ernest Bucholtz,
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
and of this marriage there were two children-Julius and Theodore. The former, Julius, married Ida Bumbauer, and has two children; they reside in Sidney, O. Mr. Charles Stein is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he is now serving as trustee and treasurer. Politically he is a Democrat. He has one full sister, Minnie, who married Henry Heator and resides in Urbana, Ohio. He has also a half sister, Rosa, who married John Misner, a Lutheran minister, her husband, however, being now deceased. A half brother of Mr. Stein's, Henry Mouch, married Mary Kah, and they are now residents of Shelby county. Frederick, a full brother of our subject, is now deceased. Mr. Stein is among the best known among Kettlersville's pros- perous citizens and is highly esteemed in the community. A good business man, he has conquered success by his own efforts and is known throughout the community as a reliable merchant, with whom it is always safe to trade.
HON. CHARLES M. WYMAN, one of the most prominent business men of Sidney, O., who has been active also in political life, was born and reared in this city. He received his elementary education in the parochial school, and afterward attended the public schools, being graduated from the high school in 1892. He gained his first business experience as clerk in Thedieck's depart- ment store and was soon advanced to manager and buyer for the shoe depart- ment and finally to the position of advertising manager. Becoming active in politics he rendered good service to his party and was nominated and elected in 1908, as representative to the 78th General Assembly of Ohio. He is an eloquent and convincing public speaker, and as an energetic and capable business man has few superiors. His affable disposition and genial manners render him personally popular, and he has a wide circle of friends. He holds membership in a number of fraternal orders, including the following: Grand Lodge of Elks, being past exalted ruler of Sidney Lodge No. 786 and was its representative to the convention at Dallas, Texas ; also deputy grand knight of Sidney Council, No. 659, Knights of Columbus, and secretary of the Fourth Degree Assembly; worthy chaplain of Sidney Aerie No. 1403, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Tawawa Tribe, No. 67, I. O. R. M .; and Alaphretta Coun- cil, No. 671/2, Degree of Pocahontas.
CHARLES A. 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 February, 1895. He married Caroline Sunderman, who was born in Auglaize county, O., and still survives.
Charles A. Maurer grew to manhood on the home farm and secured his primary education in the country schools. Developing an unusual mathemat- ical talent he decided to study civil engineering and became a student in the
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