History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 73

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HENRY KAUFFELD

was born in Germany, October 8, 1842. He is a son of Henry and Anna Kauffeld. His mother died when he was but five years of age. When he had attained the age of twelve years, or in 1854, he came with his father to America, landing in New York City. They con- tinued their journey westward until they reached Shelby County, Ohio, and located in Jackson Township, and have since been citizens of the township. He served about nine months in the war of 1861. On the 9th of May, 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth Corn, then of Jackson Township, but a native of Auglaize County, Ohio, born September 9, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffeld settled on the farm in section 8, on which they have since resided. They have a family of eight children, two sons and six daughters. He has made farming his principal vocation, and now owns a good farm of eighty acres. He served as one of the trustees of Jackson Township two years, and assessor of the township two years. His father is still living at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, and is making his home with him on the farm.

NICHOLAS GROSS,

son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Gross, was born in Germany December 18, 1818 When he had attained the age of nine years, or in 1827, his parents emigrated to America, and located in Stark County, Ohio, where young Gross grew to manhood on a farm. In 1841 he married Miss Catharine Rinehart, a native of Germany. Soon after his marriage he moved to Auglaize County, Ohio, and settled on a farm four miles south- east of St. Johns in Clay Township, remained until 1850, when he came to Shelby County, and settled near Plattsville in Green Township, re- mained about two years, or until 1852, when he came to Jackson Town- ship, purchased, and settled on the farm in section 33, on which he now resides. He has made farming his principal vocation through life, and now owns a farm of three hundred and seventy acres of good land in Jackson Township, on which he is conducting the business of farming with success, and is classed among the leading farmers in the county. He reared a family of eleven children, viz., Elizabeth, Christian, Abra- ham, Caroline, Sophia, Samuel, Magdalena, Sarah, Daniel, Catharine, and Solomon, all of whom are yet living except Abraham, who died in 1862. His son Christian served in the war of 1861. His companion died in February, 1869. On the 18th of June, 1869, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Gross nee Lininger, a native of Germany, where she was born January 20, 1819, with whom he is now living.

GEORGE HEINTZ,

deceased, was born in Alsace, France, February 26, 1819. He married Miss Magdalena Munch of Alsace, France, who was born on the 11th of October, 1818. In the autumn of 1847, Mr. and Mrs. Heintz, with three children, emigrated to America, and located in Clay Township, Aug- laize County, Ohio, remained one year, or until 1848, when they came to this county, entered, made improvements, and settled on a part of section 32, Jackson Township, on which they resided about four years, or until 1852, when he sold his land in section 32, purchased and moved on a farm in section 18, near Montra, on which he passed the remainder of his days. His companion died August 10, 1854, leaving him with a family of five children, viz., Magdalena, George, Catharine, Philip C., and Jacob C., all of whom are yet living. On the 12th of February, 1855, he married Miss Martha Bowers, a native of Bavaria, Germany, where she was born August 30, 1826, and emigrated to America in 1853, and located in Cincinnati. By this union he had four children, viz., Christena, William, Mary, and John. He died March 24, 1866, leaving a wife, nine children, and many friends to mourn the loss of a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and a good citizen. He was a tailor by trade, which he made his vocation while in his native country. He followed tailoring in connection with farming for a few years after com- ing to this county, but, soon after his settlement, near Montra, he engaged in the mercantile trade, which he conducted until 1861, when he retired from the mercantile trade and engaged in the sawmill business, which he conducted, manufacturing and dealing in lumber until the time of his death, in 1866.

JACOB C. HEINTZ,

manufacturer of The Heintz Wooden Sucker Pump, Montra, Ohio.

Mr. Heintz was born in Jackson Township, near Montra, September 9, 1853. He is a son of George and Magdalena Heintz (deceased). His minority days were spent on a farm until twenty years of age, or 1873, when he engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store at Anna Station, where he remained until the beginning of the year 1875, when he went to Wapakoneta, where he engaged in the manufacturing of pumps in com- pany with his brother, Philip C. Heintz, with whom he remained as a partner in the business about nine months, or until December, 1875, when he purchased his brother's interest in the shop, and at once moved his tools and stock to Montra, where he has since been conducting the business with success, manufacturing and selling from $1200 to $1500 worth of pumps each year. He has an extensive trade in Shelby, Au- glaize, Logan, Clarke, and Champaign counties, through which he travels with his wagon every summer. He also does an extensive business in boring wells, for which he has all the machinery necessary for the business. On the 11th of October, 1877, he married Miss Sarah E. Towler, of Champaign County, Ohio, daughter of John and Jane Towler. By this union he has three children, viz., Anna A., Ada M., and George C.

DANIEL McVAY

was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 23, 1841. When he had at- tained the age of seven years, or in 1848, his parents, William and Susan McVay, came to Shelby County, and settled on the farm in section 29, Jackson Township, now owned and occupied by Daniel McVay, on which they passed the remainder of their days. Mr. McVay died Feb- ruary 11, 1864, aged 63 years, 1 month, and 5 days. Mrs. McVay died February 11, 1869, aged 64 years, 9 months, and 11 days. They reared a family of eight children, viz., John, William, Mary A., Nancy C., Sarah J., Margaret E., Amanda, and Daniel, four of whom are yet living, viz., William, Mary A., Margaret E., and Daniel.

Daniel McVay, subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and he has made farming, in connection with dealing in horses, his vocation, which he has conducted with success, and now owns his father's home- farm, on which he resides. On the 4th of June, 1864, he married Miss Clara C., daughter of Luther L. and Jane Davis Miss Davis was born in Jackson Township, this county, September 17, 1841. By this union he has two children, viz., William A. and Ada J. He filled the office of trustee of Jackson Township two years.

JAMES A. HUGHES, Saddler and Harness Maker.

Mr. Hughes was born in Jackson Township, Shelby County, April 4, 1849. His minority days were spent on a farm. In 1871, he purchased a half interest in the saddler and harness shop of Hardin Smith, a short distance west of Jackson Centre. He also began as an appren- tice at the trade under the instruction of his partner, Hardin Smith, with whom he remained as a partner until 1875, when he sold his interest in the shop to his partner, and soon after began carrying on the business in Jackson Centre, where he has since been conducting the saddler and harness business with success, his being the first and the only shop ever established in the village. On the 2d of May, 1870, he married Miss Thatima E., daughter of Jacob H. and Elizabeth Babcock, by whom he has three children, two sons and one daughter.

MICHAEL A. KING

was born in Clinton Township, Shelby County, March 28, 1856. He is a son of Michael and Catharine King. In April, 1877, he began work- ing at the blacksmith trade with Newton Epler, and, after serving as an apprentice about two years and a half, or until August, 1880, he went to Pontiac, Orange Township, this county, where he carried on the busi- ness of blacksmithing until March, 1881, when he returned to Jackson Centre and became the successor of his old employer, Newton Epler, in the business of blacksmith and general repairing, where he has since been conducting the business with success. On the 11th of November, 1880, he married Miss Malinda R. Hohn, of Clinton Township, this county, daughter of Lewis Hohn.

PETER HAWVER

was born in Frederick County, Maryland, December 4, 1820. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Hawver. He came to Shelby County in September, 1849, and located in Jackson Township, on the northwest quarter of the McPherson survey, on which he has since resided. He now owns a good farm, one among the best farms in the township. He has been twice married, first to Elizabeth McCord, then of Jackson Township, but a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin and Mary McCord. His companion died in 18 -. His second marriage was to Mary R. Warefelt, daughter of John and Lydia Ware- felt, then of Shelby County. By this union he has three children, viz., Minnie V. A., John F. W., and William D. A.

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

KAH HOUSE

ANNA

HOTEL

KAH HOUSE, ANNA, OHIO. LEWIS KAH , PROP.

RES. OF JOAB GLICK , JACKSON TW'P. SHELBY CO. O.

Digitized by Google

237

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

GEORGE HAWVER,

deceased, an old and esteemed citizen of Jackson Township, was born in Frederick County, Md., in 1823. He was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Hawver. He settled in Shelby County in 1849, on the McPherson sec tion, on which he passed the remainder of his days. In 1853 he married Mrs. Rebecca Stralham, nee Snyder, who was born in Maryland in 1x30, daughter of David and Mary Snyder. By this union he had three chil- dren, viz , John H., Mollie M., and David O., two of whom are now living, viz., Mollie M. and David O. Mr. Hawver died, leaving a wife and two children to mourn the loss of a husband and father. He served as a

member of the school board of Jackson Township for several years. He was a warm friend to education, and always did all in his power for its advancement. He was esteemed and highly respected by all who knew of him. He made farming his principal avocation through life. At the time of his death he owned a good farm of about 130 acres, which has since been divided between his two children. By his death Jackson Township lost one of its leading and best citizens.

DINSMORE TOWNSHIP.

This township was independently organized December 3, 1832, as shown by the following minute, abstracted from the journal of the com- missioners :-

Ordered, That a new township be created, beginning at the southwest corner of town. 8, in the Piqua Land District, on the old boundary line, at the range line dividing ranges 5 and 6, thence north with the said range line to the north line of Shelby County, thence east on the Shelby and Allen line to range line dividing ranges 6 and 7, thence south with the said range line to the old boundary line, thence west with said bound- ary line to the place of beginning; and, further, that all included (terri- tory) in the above-described bounds be organized into a township under the name of Dinsmore.

Ordered, also, that the inhabitants of said township meet at the house of Joseph Green on the 25th day of December inst. for the purpose of electing township officers according to law.

The township is bounded north by Auglaize County, east by Jackson, south by Franklin, and west by Van Buren townships. It contains an area of thirty-six square miles. It is crossed north and south within two miles of the west line by the Dayton and Michigan Railroad. With- in one mile of the north line Botkins station is located, while Anna sta- tion is on the south line, the village extending into Franklin Township. Small streams take their rise in the township, and, flowing west by south, afford drainage and an outlet to Loramie Reservoir in Van Buren and McLean townships.

The surface of the township is level throughout, and the soll is of an excellent quality. Improvements have gone on apace, and although the township was a late organization, it has enjoyed a rapid and satisfactory development. The people are industrious, frugal, and energetic, as shown by the houses and farms of the people. School-houses and churches, saw-mills and tile factories are seen throughout the township, while insti- tutions and enterprises of various characters are properly represented. Two live and thriving villages, Anna and Botkins, are within the town- ship, the former at the south line, and the latter near the north side of the township. Both are important stations on the Dayton and Michi- gan Railroad, and both enjoy an extensive local trade. Another village, Northumberland, was laid out in the township years ago, but proved too transitory for continued growth and life.

Settlement.

It is claimed, with some plausibility, that George Turner was the first actual settler in this township, and he appears to have come here in 1832. It is also claimed by the same authority that later in the same year Joseph Green and John Munch came within our present limits. Still, from other sources it appears Wm. Blakeley came here from Franklin County in 1831 and settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 9, while it appears further by the same source that during the same year Silas D. Allen came from Pickaway County and settled in this township, on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 25, and included in his entry or purchase the east half of the southwest quarter of section 24. It is probable these men came here in 1831, entered or purchased land, and moved to it and commenced improvements the fol- lowing season, or during the year 1832. So many claims are made for pioneer work, births, and marriages, that the subject is invested with considerable delicacy, and no little difficulty, embarrassment, and uncer- tainty to the editor of a work of this kind. During the years immedi- ately following, settlement appears to have progressed somewhat as hereafter indicated.

1832. John Munch came from Greene County with his wife and eight children, and entered one hundred and twenty acres of the south half of

section 28, a part of which land became the site of the village of Anna. George Turner came from the same county, and settled in section 28, but ten months later left the county on account of the prevalence of milk sickness. In 1837, he returned to this township and settled on the west half of southwest quarter of section 22, where he now resides. Richard C. Dill came from Hamilton County with his wife and eleven children, and entered land in the northeast quarter of section 29. Joseph Green, of Warren County, with his wife and five children, entered a part of the southwest quarter of section 28, a part of which is now occupied by the village of Anna. Samuel Blakeley, of Franklin County, came to Franklin Township in 1830, but two years later moved to this township, and settled on land in the southeast quarter of section 4. Richard Botkin came from Hamilton County, and settled in section 4.

1833. Alfred Staley, of Montgomery County, came here and settled in the west half of the southwest quarter of section 25. Erasmus B. Toland with his wife and two children came from Miami County, and settled on eighty acres in south half of section 20. Philip Good, a native of Penn- sylvania, came from Greene County, and occupied the east half of south- west quarter of section 27. Hector Lemon came from Chester County, Pa., and occupied the west half of the southeast quarter of section 27. Joseph Park, of New Jersey, settled on the northeast quarter of section 30. Philip Hagelberger, of France, one hundred and sixty acres in south half of section 8.

1834. David Taylor, of Greene County, with wife and eight children, one hundred and sixty acres in section 25, where he died ten years later. Peter Boling, with family, of Montgomery County, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 24. Philip Brideweiser, of Franklin County, the east half of northeast quarter of section 27. William Ellis, of Vir- ginia, and family, a part of the northeast quarter of section 28. Joseph Bruner, of Clarke County, with wife and children, a part of the Taylor land in section 25. Jacob Wiford, of Virginia, with wife and five chil- dren, a part of southwest quarter of section 9, where he died October 12, 1880. Frederick Oxburger, of Germany, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 9. Samuel and William Elliott, a part of the north half of section 4.

1835. Thomas liams and wife and children, of Warren County, the south half of the southwest quarter of section 17. Cornelius Elliott, of Licking County, one hundred and twenty acres in section 6.

1836. Daniel Toland, of Montgomery County, the east half of the southeast quarter of section 25. John Fahr, of Perry County, with wife and four children, the east half of northwest quarter of section 27. Wm. H. Abbott, one hundred and sixty acres in section 5.

1838. Didrich Schulte, of Germany, the west half of southwest quarter of section 36, where he died in 1849.

Such is something of a comparative statement of the settlement of the township as related by some of the older residents. It may not be accurate in all details, neither is it supposed to be complete, but it ap- proximates both accuracy and completeness as nearly as available sources will justify. It must be observed in this connection that milk-sickness was so prevalent during the infancy of settlement, that many of those who first came soon returned to their former homes, or sought new lands beyond this section. This fact alone will account very largely for the tardiness of growth which obtained for a period of several years.

Schools.

The first school-house in this township was built in 1836, and was of round logs, the building about twenty feet square, with puncheon floor and seats, a spacious fireplace extending full length of north side, a stick chimney, and a one-light window. It was located in the northwest corner of the plat, now known as the Loramie Graveyard, in section 9. The first teacher was William D. Johnson, succeeded by Wesley Short, Jonathan Counts, and others. The second building was similar in con- struction, except as to windows, which in this case consisted of " three- light sash placed in a right line, and filled with glass." It was built in 1×40, just south of Peter Garber's farm in section 23. The carly teachers were William Wilson and E. T. Mede. The third house was a log build- ing about eighteen by twenty feet, and built in 1844. It was called the Beck School-House, and was located in section 14. The first teacher was James Beck. The next movement was toward hewed log and frame buildings, and these were erected in different parts of the township, until the present school law went into effect. The board of education then determined to build a school-house at the centre of every four sections, making nine regular districts, and an extra district or number 10 for colored pupils. In 1870, the colored district was abolished, and the colored children permitted to attend the white schools. The first dis- arrangement which occurred was in 1874, when, by Act of the General Assembly of Ohio, the north half of section 28, of Dinsmore Township, was attached to joint subdistrict number 7, of Franklin Township. In 1876, still further changes were made by the same authority, attaching the south half of section 27, all of settion 28, and the southeast quarter of section 29 to Franklin Township, thus creating what is known as the "Anna Special Joint School District." In 1877, an intermediate dis- trict was formed by the board in section 10, and known as the " Blakeley

Digitized by

Google

238

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

District," first taught by Joseph Short. In 1879, District No. 1, at Rhine, was constituted a special district. The blackboard was first in- troduced in this township in 1846, and simply consisted of a board about five feet long, and three feet wide, smooth planed, painted black, and to which slats were fastened to answer the place of legs, by which the board was supported against the wall. The people considered it a nuisance, because, while the teacher and pupils were working upon it, it drew the attention of the whole school. It was, therefore, removed from the house by night, and hidden in the woods. In 1849, another teacher introduced a blackboard in his school-room, and it was retained. Each district has now a comfortable school-house furnished with the latest improved seats, slate blackboards, and all other modern appliances of use. The people take great interest in the schools, and, as a conse- quence, they are in a prosperous and successful condition.

St. Laurentius, or St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church,

is located near the southwest corner of section 36, Dinsmore Township, three miles east of Botkins, on the Botkins pike. The society was organ ized in 1856, in the school-house of Sub-district No. 1, Dinsmore Town- ship, by Father Henry J. Muckerheide, with about twenty members or families. The society met in the school-house until the erection and com- pletion of their present church building, which was dedicated some time during the autumn of 1858, by Father Muckerheide. The building is a brick structure, 50 X 40 feet, with a twenty-two feet ceiling, and was erected at a cost of about $2100. John B. Shipper, D. Schulte, Joseph Schmerge, and Steilike were then appointed trustees of the church. The present trustees are Joseph Stolle, Andrew Borges, and George Martin. The priests since the organization of the society have been Father Henry J. Muckerheide, until 1861, when he was succeeded by Father A. End- ers, who remained one year, or until 1862, when he was followed by Father P. Engelbert, and in 1863 he was succeeded by Rev. Herman Volm, who remained one year, or until 1864, when he was followed by Father Joseph Goebels, who remained until 1871, when he was succeeded by Father Daniels, who was on the charge two years, or until 1873, when Father Nicholas Eilerman was sent to the pastorate, who is now in the ninth year of his labor as priest in this church and the church at Botkins. The present membership is about fifty-five families. In 1878 the society erected a two-story brick school-house, 48 X 36 feet, at a cost of about $1800, in which they have school from three to six months each year, with a good attendance of scholars.

Estey Grange, No. 924,

was organized May 25, 1874, by Deputy Johnson, with twenty-four char- ter members. Its place of meeting was at the school-house in Sub-dis- triet No. 8, in Dinsmore Township, Shelby County, where it continued to meet until the spring of 1881, when the Board of Education refused to order the use of the school-house as a place of meeting. It then moved to an unoccupied house on J. Hensel's farm, two miles north of Anna, where it has since met, held its meetings, and flourished, having increased its membership from scarcely a quorum to forty-two. Its present officers are: Jacob Hensel, M .; George Faler, O .; George Hen- sel, L .; Philip Prott, S .; Robert Turner, A. S .; E. F. Mede, C .; Chris- topher Faler, T .; John Reeves, S. Y .; George Lambert, G. K .; Mary J. Reeves, P .; Amanda Mede, F .; Mary Faler, C., and Mrs. Anna Pratt, L. A. S.

Montra Tile Yards

are located three-fourths of a mile west of Montra, on Wm. P. Davis's farm, in Dinsmore Township. They were established in 1871 by M. Merkling and Wm. P. Davis. The drying shed is 120 X 18 feet ; grind- ing shed 36 X 36 feet, and the burning kiln has the capacity for burning about 550 rods per week. The machinery is run by horse power. The business was conducted under the firm name of Merkling and Davis about ten years, or until 1881, when Mr. Davis purchased his partner's interest in the factory, and in a short time Mr. Davis sold the establish- ment to Michael Zwiebel of Montra, who has since been conducting the business with success, manufacturing and constantly keeping on hand a good supply of all sizes of tile, from 2} to 6 inches in diameter, to sup- ply the demands and wishes of his many customers.

Justices of the Peace.

Henry Hildebrant, Oct. 31, 1835. Richard Botkin, Jan. 21, 1837. Henry Hildebrant, Nov. 1, 1838.

Samuel Elliott, Dec. 2, 1843. John Elliott, April 25, 1845.

Jacob Wiford, Nov. 28, 1846. John Elliott, April 17, 1848.

E. F. Mede, Dec. 1, 1849.

John Elliott, May 2, 1839. John Elliott, April 14, 1854. Richard Botkin (resigned Mar. 12, 1842), Nov. 9, 1840. John Elliott, April 15, 1842. Jacob Wiford, Oct. 30, 1855. Samuel Elliott, Oct. 29, 1855. Joseph Hildebrant, Oct. 19, 1858. Elias Horner (resigned October 30, 1843), April 28, 1842. Samuel Elliott, Oct. 18, 1860. Samuel Elliott, Oct. 23, 1863. D. E. Morgan, Oct. 18, 1864. Isaac G. Stafford, Nov. 3, 1866.

D. E. Morgan, Oct. 15, 1867. Samuel Elliott, Oct. 18, 1869. P. Hunt, Oct. 19, 1870. Samuel Elliott, Nov. 18, 1872. P. Hunt, Oct. 20, 1873. Samuel Elliott, Oct. 20, 1875.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 73

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427