History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 77

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 77

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).

Digitized by Google

246

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

success, and now owns a good farm in Dinsmore Township. On the 24th of September, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 29th O. V. V. I., 2d division. 20th Army Corps. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was discharged at Washington, D. C., June 5, 1865, and returned to his home. In 1847 he came to Shelby County, and made his home with Daniel Flesher in Dinsmore Township. January 20, 1850, he married Miss Delila Slagle, then of Champaign County, but a native of Virginia, where she was born March 18, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Flesher settled on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 57, Dinsmore Township, remained three years, when they moved to Champaign County, Ohio; remained three years, moved to Logan County, but 1857 again found them located in Dinsmore Township, this county, where they lived until 1868, when they moved back to Logan County, remained two years, when they returned to this county, and settled in Dinsmore Township, where he has since resided. His companion departed this life June 18, 1881. He reared one child, viz., Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wilson Dill, who resides in Dinsmore Township, with whom Mr. Flesher is now making his home.

BALSER HAGELBERGER, Retired Farmer, P. O. Anna.

Mr. Hagelberger was born in France April 13, 1827. He is a son of Philip .J. and Julian Hagelberger, who were natives of France. In the fall of 1833, they emigrated with their family to America, landing in New York City, remained about six weeks, when they came to Shelby County, Ohio, and settled on 240 acres of land in section 8, Dinsmore Township, on which they spent the remainder of their days. Philip J. Hagelberger died in June, 1837, aged fifty-four years. His companion survived him until September, 1847, aged sixty-four years, when her spirit took its flight. They reared a family of five children, viz., Cath- arine, Philip, Peter, Julian, and Balser. Peter and Balser are the only ones of the family that are now living.

Balser Hagelberger, subject of this sketch, came to America in 1833, and settled in Dinsmore Township, where he spent his minority days on the farm with his parents. In October, 1854, he married Miss Frederica Fogt, daughter of George and Julian Fogt. Miss Fogt was born in Baden, Germany, March 4, 1834, and came to America with her parents in 1844, and located in Franklin Township, Shelby County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hagelberger settled on a farm in section 8, Dinsmore Town- ship, where they remained and followed farming until January, 1882, when they left their farm, moved to Anna, and are now living a retired life. They reared a family of six children, viz., Julian, George, Jacob, Samuel, William, and Sophia.

PETER HAGELBERGER,

son of Philip .J. and Julian Hagelberger, was born in France June 18, 1820. He emigrated to America with his parents in the autumn of 1835, and located in Dinsmore Township, Shelby County, on the farm in sec- tion 8, on which he has since resided, making farming his principal avocation. He now owns 287 acres of good land: On the 10th of Oe- tober, 1849, he married Miss Caroline Kah, daugliter of Christian and Julia Kah, then of Shelby County, but a native of Baden, Germany, where she was born September 8, 1828, and came to America with her father in 1848. By this union they reared a family of six children, viz., Julian, Caroline, Mary, Christopher, Phebe, and Louisa.

DR. P. R. CLINEHENS,

son of George and Eve Clinehens, was born in Dinsmore Township, this county, February 14, 1855. He received a common school education; also attended the union school at Sidney one year, and then three years at Lebanon, Ohio. In 1877 he began the study of medicine under the tutorage of Dr. Le Fevre, of Anna. He attended lectures at Cincinnati, and graduated in the class of 1880, at the Cincinnati College of Medi- cine and Surgery. In March, 1881, he located at Botkins, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine. March 30, 1879, he married Miss Lou E. Weatherhead, of Miami County, Ohio, where she was born December 15, 1862, by whom he has one child, viz., Rolla H.

WILLIAM B. FLESHER,

deceased, was born in Greene County, Ohio, July 10, 1843. He was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Flesher, who came to Shelby County in 1847, and settled on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 27, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Flesher died Sep- tember 28, 1856. Mr. Flesher died September 15, 1856.

William B. Flesher, subject of this sketch, came with his parents to Dinsmore Township, this county, in 1847. On the 31st of July, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 99th O. V. I., served his country faithfully until after the close of the war, and was honorably discharged from the service May 18, 1865. On the 1st of January, 1866, he married Miss Caroline, daughter of Lewis and Sarah Kah. Mr. and Mrs. William B. Flesher settled on his father's home farm, remained about two years, when he purchased and moved on the farm in section 21, Dinsmore Township, on which he died April 1, 1877, leaving his companion with

three small children, viz., Ida M., Lula S., and Clora, and many friends to mourn the loss of a kind husband, an indulgent father, and a good citizen.

BENJAMIN GOOD

was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1818. When he had attained the age of six years, or in 1824, his parents, Philip and Eliza- beth Good, moved to Virginia, and located thirteen miles north of Rich- mond, where they remained until August, 1832, when they moved to Ohio, stopped in Greene County one year, and in August, 1833, they came to Shelby County, entered, and settled on the east half of the south- west quarter of section 27, Dinsmore Township, on which they lived until 1823, when they moved to Wabash, Indiana, where they passed the re- mainder of their days.

Benjamin Good, subject of this sketch, came to Shelby County with his parents in 1833, and has since been a citizen of the township. On the 3d of October, 1847, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Mary M. Munch. Miss Munch was born in Greene County, Ohio, De- cember 13, 1824, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Good settled on the north half of the northwest quarter of section 21, on which he has since resided. They have a family of six children, viz., John M., William II., Mary M., Nancy J., Benjamin F., and Samuel E. Mr. Good has made farming his business, and now owns a farm of eighty acres.

EWALT FEY, Retired Farmer,

was born in Germany April 27, 1813. He is a son of Henry and Mar- garet Fey. He is a stonemason by trade, which, in connection with farming, has been his business through life. In 1838 he married Miss Anna C. Aberhardt, of Germany, born September 25, 1803. Mr. and Mrs. Fey remained in their native country until in 1847, when they, with two children, emigrated to America and located in Buffalo, N. Y., re- maining until 1848, when they came to Shelby County, Ohio, and set- tled in Dinsmore Township. Since his settlement in this township he has given the greater part of his time to farming, which he has conducted with success, and now owns a good farm of 140 acres, in section 21, on which he has resided since March 29, 1866. His companion died December 13, 1876. He reared a family of two children, viz., Henry and Christian. He served two years in the German army.

Henry Fey was born in Germany, October 11, 1839. He came to America with his parents in 1847. On the Ist of June, 1865, he married Miss Adaline Bohlender, then of Dayton, Ohio, but a native of Gerinany, where she was born November 25, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Fey settled on the home farm with his father, where they have since resided. They have three children, Anna M., Elizabeth, and Sophia.

GEORGE E. WIFORD

was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 23, 1824. He is a son of Jacob and Catharine Wiford, who came to Shelby County in 1833, entered, and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in the south half of section 9, Dinsmore Township, on which Jacob Wiford died October 12, 1880.

George E. Wiford, subject of this sketch, came to Shelby County with his parents in 1833, and has since been a resident of Dinsmore Town- ship. On the 21st of January, 1847, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Mary Blakeley, born April 8, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Wiford settled on a part of his father's home farm, where they have since re- sided. They have nine children now living, viz., Anthony J., Martha J., Samuel J., Sarah C., Elizabeth M., Harry HI., Nancy M., George A., and Harriet A. Mr. Wiford has made farming his business.

JOHN C. LINTON,

son of James H. and Anna E. Linton, was born in Logan County, Ohio, July 12, 1851. When at the age of fourteen years, he began working in a saw-mill at Belle Centre, Logan County, for Wm. H. Young, with whom he remained several years, and has since been engaged in the manufac- turing of, and dealing in all kinds of hard wood lumber, which business he has made a success. In 1874, he, in company with L. Davis, came to Shelby County and erected the steam saw-mill known as the Linton mills, which he has since been operating. The mill is located in Dins- more Township, two miles south of Botkins. November 4, 1872, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Michael and Mary O'Donnell, then of Franklin County, Ohio, but a native of New York State, where she was born October 25, 1856. By this union he has two children, viz., Ida M. and Emma E.

PHILIP METZ, Farmer ; P. O., Montra.

Mr. Metz was born in France November 2, 1824. He is a son of Jacob and Catharine Metz. He emigrated to America in 1840 with his father's family, and located in Stark County, Ohio, where he remained until in the fall of 1848, when he came to Shelby County, entered the west half of the northwest quarter of section 13, and a few weeks later he pur-

Digitized by Google

247

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

chased the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14, Dinsmore Township, on which he made improvements, and has since resided. He has made farming his business through life, and now owns a good farm of 240 acres of land in one body ; also, other farms not joining his home farm. On the 12th of April, 1852, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Christian and Ellzabeth Elsass, then of Auglaize County, Ohio, but a native of France, where she was born September 29, 1832, and came to America with her parents in 1834. They have a family of nine chil- dren, viz., Jacob, Mary C., Christian, George, Philip, Caroline, William, Michael, and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Metz are members of the Lu- theran Church.

WILLIAM P. DAVIS

was born in Clarke County, Ohio, November 3, 1819. He is a son of Zebe S. and Sarah Davis. In the autumn of 1847 he went to Anderson, Indiana, where, on the 1st of November, 1847, he married Miss Matilda A., daughter of Ichabod and Sarah Davis. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis came to Shelby County and located in Jackson Township, remained a few weeks, then moved to Clarke County, Ohio, where they remained until May, 1856, when they moved to Illinois and located in MeLain County, where his companion died March 25, 1857, leaving him with three small children, viz., Franklin R., Horace W., and Ira W., without the maternal care. Shortly after the death of his companion he returned with his children to Ohio, and located in . Champaign County, where he remained for several months, or until some time in 1858, when he again came to Shelby County, and settled on his land in section 13, Dinsmore Township, which he had pur- chased some years prior. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the com- pany known as the Benton cadets, and served about four months, or until the disorganization of the company, when he returned to his home in Shelby County. In 1862 he married Miss Magdalena Heintz, then of Shelby County, but a native of France. They have a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. He has made farming his principal business, and now owns a good farm in Dinsmore Township, which he is conducting with success. He was also engaged in the man- ufacture of tile in connection with farming about eight or nine years.

JOHN J. KRAFT,

deceased, son of Michael Kraft, was born in Germany October 1, 1802. He emigrated to America in 1832, and located in Medina County, Ohio, where on the 1st of January, 1833, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Christina Frank. Miss Frank was born in Germany, December 17, 1809, and came to America with her parents in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft settled in Medina County, remained until 1835, when they moved to Crawford County, Ohio, remained five years, or until in 1835, when they moved to Crawford County, Ohio, remained five years, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on the banks of the Miami River, about half way between Sidney and Port Jefferson. Here they remained one year, when they came to Dinsmore Township, purchased and moved on forty acres of land in the northeast quarter of section 27, remained until in December, 1853, when he sold his land in section 27, purchased, made improvements, and moved on the north- east quarter of section 19, same township, on which he passed the re- mainder of his days. He died September 12, 1878. His widow is living on the home farm with her son, Wm. R. Kraft. They reared a family of ten children, viz., Rachel, John, Caroline, Mary, Jacob, Catharine, Christopher, Elizabeth E., Sarah J., and William R., two of whom are now dead, Christopher and Mary. Christopher died in Kentucky, while serving in the war of 1861. John Kraft served near three years in the war of 1861.

WILLIAM R. KRAFT,

son of John J. and Catharine Kraft, was born on the farm where he now resides, in section 19, Dinsmore Township, this county, July 2, 1854. He has made farming his vocation, and now owns a farm of eighty acres of land, a part of which is the home farm, on which he is now living. On the 12th of September, 1875, he married Miss Hannah E., daughter of John and Lydia Kleinhans, who was born in Dinsmore Township, July 25, 1854, by whom he has three children, John H., Minnie F., and George L.

GEORGE WENGER, Farmer; P. O., Dinsmore.

Mr. Wenger is a son of George and Mary M. Wenger. He was born in Germany, January 18, 1829. He immigrated to America in May, 1849, and located in Franklin County, Ohio, where, in August, 1855, he mar- ried Miss Caroline Burch, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born in November, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger moved to Darke County, Ohio, in 1856, where they remained until in April, 1865, when they came to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on the farm in section 18, Dins- more Township, on which he has since resided. His companion died October 6, 1874, leaving him with four small children, viz., Louisa C., Mary S., Caroline C., and John F. On the 28th of May, 1876, he mar-

ried Miss Mary Clinehens, who was born in Richmond, Indiana, Febru- ary 23, 1840, and came to Shelby County with her parents, George and Eve Clinehens, in 1842. Mr. Wenger has made farming his vocation, and now owns a farm of four hundred acres in section 18, Dinsmore Township.

JOHN WICAL

was born in Greene County, Ohio, February 13, 1828. He is a son of George and Hester Wical. He has made farming his principal avocation, and now owns a farm of one hundred and eighty acres of land in Dins- more Township, on which he is now residing. In March, 1853, he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of John and Elizabeth Wade. Miss Wade was born in Darke County, Ohio, January 28, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Wical remained in Greene County until in the autumn of 1854, when they moved to Mercer County, Ohio, where they lived until in April, 1861, when they came to Shelby County, purchased a farm in Dinsmore Town- ship, on which they are now residing. They have a family of nine chil- dren, seven sons and two daughters. On the Ist of October, 1862, Mr. Wical enlisted in Company F, 20th O. V. I. He was actively engaged in the battles of Raymond, Mississippi ; Jackson, Mississippi; Cham- pion Hills, Mississippi; Black River; the siege of Vicksburg; and a num- ber of other minor engagements. He was honorably discharged June 27, 1865.

WILLIAM H. ELLIS,

son of William W. and Catharine Ellis, was born in Dinsmore Town- ship, this county, November 5, 1834. On the 31st of May, 1857, he mar- ried Miss Harriet C. Munford, daughter of John and Jane Munford. Miss Munford was born in Adams County, Ky., July 4, 1837, and came to Dinsmore Township with her parents in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis settled on his father's home farm in section 28, Dinsmore 'Township, on which they lived until in 1873, when they moved on a farm in Franklin Township, one mile south of Anna, remaining on this farm until April 1, 1879, when they returned to Dinsmore Township, and moved on the farm in section 21 on which they have since resided. They have three children, viz., Fletcher, Harry, and Hattie. Mr. Ellis has made farming his principal vocation. His father, William W. Ellis, came to Dinsmore Township with wife and two children in 1834, and settled on a part of the northeast quarter of section 28, on which he lived until in 1874, when he moved on a farm in section 21, same township, now occupied by his son, W. H. Ellis, remained until in the spring of 1879, when he moved out of the township and now resides in Port Jefferson, Shelby County.

PHILIP SHEETS, Sr.,

was born in Baden, Germany, on the 27th of October, 1817. He immi- grated to America in 1835 or '36, and after visiting New York City, Buf- falo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and St. Louis, he continued to journey until . he reached New Orleans, where he located for a few years. In 1843 he entered the Texan army, under the command of General Houston, and served one year, when he was discharged from the service and returned to his home in New Orleans; remained until in 1846, when he entered the Mexican war in the United States Army, and served about two and one half years in a company of mounted riflemen, and was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, some time during the latter part of 1848. On the 12th of April, 1849, he married Miss Mary Manger, of St. Louis, Mo., and located in Texas. In the latter part of 1849 he enlisted in the 2d Dragoons, under the command of Colonel Hardy, and served five years, or until in 1854, when he was discharged from the service. He then enlisted in a company known as the Texan Rangers, and served one year, or until in 1856, when he again received an honorable discharge. Soon after leaving the Rangers he enlisted in the 5th United States Cav- alry, and served eight years, or until in 1864, when he was discharged on account of general disability. He remained out of the army but a few months, or until in the fall of 1864, when he re-enlisted as a veteran in the 17th O. V. I., and served until after the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. He now holds in his possession a certificate of merit for honors acquired and bravery manifested in the battle of Belen Gate, Mexico, on the 13th of September, 1847, under the command of W. F. Sanderson, signed by James K. Polk, President of the United States. In 1861, or at the breaking out of the late war, he received a furlough from his regiment, moved his family from Texas to Ohio, and located them in Botkins, Shelby County, where they have since resided. At the close of his army life in 1865, which was near twenty years of duration, he returned to his family in Botkins, where he has since been engaged in the hotel keeping and the saloon business. At this writing he is conducting the saloon business. He has a family of six children, viz., Philip W., William, Joseph, Laura, Sarah and Mary (twins).

PHILIP SHEETS, Jr.,

son of Philip and Mary Sheets, was born in Texas December 16, 1850. He came to Shelby County with his parents in 1861, and located in Botkins. He received a common-school education; also attended the

Digitized by

Google®

248

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

Miami Commercial College, at Dayton, Ohio. In 1870 he engaged as a clerk in the dry goods store of H. Smith & Co., of Botkins. In 1871 he purchased a half interest in the store. The firm name then became Smith and Sheets, and remained as such one year, when he sold his share of the store to a Mr. Bushey, and moved to Berne, Adams County, Ind., where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he con- ducted about eight years. In 1879 he sold his stock of goods at Berne, and returned to his old home in Botkins, where he has since been conduct- ing the business of dealing in general merchandise with success, keeping his storeroom filled to overflowing with everything in his line. He also owns the warehouse known as the People's Elevator, where he is con- ducting the business of dealing in all kinds of grain and seeds, in con- nection with his dry goods trade. In 1871 he married Miss Susie Thurman, of Auglaize County, Ohio, by whom he had two children, viz., Philip and Eliner. His companion died June 10, 1876. In 1879 he married Miss Catharine Thurman, of Auglaize County, Ohio.

SAMUEL BRACKNEY

was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 29, 1825. He is a son of Reuben and Sarah Brackney. In 1840 he moved with his parents to Auglaize County, Ohio, and located on a farm two miles east of St. Johns. March 14, 1847, he married Miss Mercy Munch, daughter of John and Mary M. Munch, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 9, 1822, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1832, and set- tled in Dinsmore Township, near where Anna is now located. Mr. and Mrs. Brackney settled on a farm near St. Johns and remained about two years. In March, 1849, they came to Shelby County and settled on a part of section 16, Dinsmore Township, remaining until in the autumn of 1854, when they moved on a farm in section 15, same township. In 1869 he purchased a farin of 78 acres in the northwest quarter of section 26, Dinsmore 'Township, on which he moved his family and has since re- sided. He reared a family of five children, Mary A., Sarah, Nancy J., John, and Catharine. He has made farming his principal avocation through life. His father, Reuben Brackney, served about six months in the war of 1812, and received a land warrant from the Government in 1848, calling for one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was born in Virginia, December 7, 1787. He married Miss Sarah Ary in 1813. He entered the army in March, 1814, and served until the close of the war. In 1816 he, with his family, came to Ohio and located in Greene County, remaining until in 1839, when they moved to the then south part of Allen, but now Anglaize County. His companion died November 9, 1847. He died February 20, 1867. He was often heard to say that he hoped to live to see the Rebellion closed. His wish was granted.

ROBERT HASTING

was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 1, 1846. He is a son of Robert and Ellen Hasting. When he had attained the age of fourteen years he moved to Ohio, and located in Cincinnati, where he made his home with his uncle, who resided in that place. On the 15th of January, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 2d U. S. Artillery, and served his country faithfully until the expiration of his term of enlistment, which ended January 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the ser- vice of the United States, at Washington, D. C. He was actively en- gaged in the following named battles : the siege of Yorktown, Va., from April 19 to May 4, 1862; Golden Farm, Va., June 27, 1862 ; Turkey Bend, Va., June 30; Malvin Hill, Va., July 1; Bull Run, Va., August 29 and 30; Chantilley, September 1; South Mountain, Md., September 14; Antietam, Md., September 16 and 17; Fredericksburgh, Va., Decem- ber 11, 12, 13, and 14; siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, from June 20 to July 4, 1863; siege of Jackson, Mississippi, from July 4 to the 20th; Campell Station, Tenn., November 16; Fort Sanders, at Knoxville, Tenn., November 29, 1863; battle of the Wilderness, in 1864; and sev- eral other minor engagements. In March, 1865, he came to Shelby County and located in Port Jefferson, remaining about one year, when he came to Dinsmore Township, and settled on a farm in section 11, on which he remained until in October, 1874, when he sold his farm and moved to Botkins, where he resided until in 1880, when he purchased and moved on the farm in section 5, one-fourth of a mile west of Bot- kins, where he is now living. He has made farming, stockdealing, buy- ing notes, and dealing in real estate his avocation, and has accumulated for himself and family a goodly portion of this world's goods. On the 27th of April, 1872, he married Miss Florence, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Gallimore. By this union he has five children, viz., Oscar W., Albert A., Walter W., Orvil O., and Arthur S.

SIMON SCHMITT

was born in Germany August 16, 1839. He immigrated to America with his parents, John P. and Anna M. Schmitt in 1855, who located in Aug- laize County, Ohio, and remained three years, or until in 1858, when they moved to Shelby County and settled in Van Buren Township, where John P. Schmitt died in 1864. Simon Schmitt, subject of this sketch, is a carpenter by trade, which he made his vocation until in the fall of 1881, when he purchased and moved on the farm in section 3, Dinsmore Town-

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 77

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

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