History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions, Part 59

Author: Curry, W. L. (William Leontes), b. 1839
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind., B. F. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1322

USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 59

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dentally by a comrade while cleaning their guns just after the battle of Cul- peper. He was forty-two years of age at the time of his death. Mrs. Schoneberger's mother was born in Germany, December 7, 1827, and died in January, 1886. Three daughters were born to Frederick Schreiner and wife, Maria, Charlotte and Catherine, the wife of Mr. Schoneberger.

Mr. and Mrs. Schoneberger are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, Mr. Schoneberger is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Democrat, but owing to his extensive business interests has never taken an active part in political matters. He is a man of quiet and unassuming de- meanor and in his short residence in Marysville has won the high regard of all with whom he has become acquainted.

JEREMIAH POLING.

The Poling family might appropriately celebrate September 27, 1860, for on that date Jeremiah Poling arrived in Union county, Ohio, from West Virginia. On that day the parents of Jeremiah Poling located in Allen township, and the various members of the family have been identified with the history of this county since that time. As a farmer, Jeremiah Poling ranks among the best in his township and his farm of three hundred and eight acres, five and one-half miles southwest of Marysville, is one of the most attractive as well as the most productive farms of Allen township.

Jeremiah Poling, the son of Joseph and Phoebe (McKiney) Poling, was born in West Virginia, June 26, 1851. His father was born in Mary- land and went with his parents to West Virginia when he was only six months of age, and in that state he grew to manhood and married Phoebe McKiney, who was born in West Virginia. In 1860 Joseph Poling brought his family to Union county, Ohio, and farmed in Allen township until his death in 1893. There were four sons and four daughters born to Joseph Poling and wife, seven of whom are still living: Jane, the widow of G. A. McGill; Jessie B., of Marysville; Siloan H., a farmer of Allen township; Sarah E., the wife of Charles Fowler, of Allen township; Savannah, the widow of C. R. Dunbar, of Allen township; Jeremiah, with whom this narra- tive deals; J. D., who is a resident of California, and Catherine, deceased.

Jeremiah Poling was about nine years of age when his parents came from West Virginia to Union county, Ohio, and consequently he received part of his education in his native state. He attended school in Allen town- ship in this county after his parents moved here, and after leaving school

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worked on his father's farm until his marriage. He then started farming for himself and his success as an agriculturist is indicated by the fact that he now has three hundred and eight acres of land on which he carries on a diversified system of grain and stock raising. He keeps only the best grades of live stock on his farm and has found, as have other farmers, that stock raising is the most remunerative part of general farming.

Mr. Poling was married March 31, 1880, to Calinda Turner, who was born in Union county on January 20, 1862, and educated in the common schools of this county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pol- ing: George E., who married Maude Epps: Bertha G., single and now living in Tennessee: Victor G., single, and Joseph M., single. Both of the younger sons are still living with their parents.

Mr. Poling and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Bap- tist church and are interested in its various activities. Politically, he gives his stanch adherence to the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in political matters.

JAMES P. FLECK.

For more than a score of years, James P. Fleck has been engaged in the general merchandise business 'at Arnold, Jerome township, Union county, Ohio. He has built up a large business in Arnold and the surrounding com- munity and by honest methods and good business judgment has accumulated a very comfortable competence for himself and family. He is a man of sterling integrity and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.

James P. Fleck, the son of David A. and Maria ( Buck) Fleck, was born in Jerome township. Union county, Ohio, November 25, 1854. His father was born November 28, 1824, and his mother was born in Fayette county, Ohio, February 20, 1819. David A. Fleck and wife were married May 15, 1849, and to theni have been born three children: Martha J., born October 22, 1850, and died in Paris, Missouri, July 13, 1888; James P., who is now living at Arnold in this county ; and Ney, who was born September 16, 1860, and died July 23, 1885. David Fleck died July 2. 1872, and his widow passed away May 19, 1868.

James P. Fleck spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and received such education as was afforded by the public schools of his home township. In 1889 he engaged in the milling and saw mill business in partnership with J. T. Clevenger and about two years later Mr. Fleck sold out his interest and

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started a general merchandise store in Arnold and has been identified with the merchandise business in this place since that year.

Mr. Fleck was married May 7, 1894, to Carrie E. Woodburn, the daugh- ter of James and Sarah J. (Robinson) Woodburn. James Woodburn was born February 12, 1824, and died November 2, 1897. Sarah J. (Robinson) Woodburn was born in 1826 and died July 22, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. James Woodburn reared a family of five children: Sarah H., deceased, who was the wife of Chester Farnum; Jane Elizabeth, the wife of Hiram Crottinger, of Marysville; James L., who died in Goldfield, Nevada; Harvey S., who died in Arkansas, and Carrie E., the wife of James P. Fleck. Mr. Fleck and wife have two children : Ney S., born April 21, 1895, and Freda, born April II, 1901. Both of these children are still with their parents in Arnold, the son being a graduate of the New California high school and now employed in his father's store.

Politically, Mr. Fleck is a member of the Democratic party, but owing to his extensive business interests has never felt inclined to take an active part in political matters. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Plain City and has always taken a deep interest in this fraternal organization. Mr. Fleck is a man of wide acquaintance and is well esteemed by those who know him.

AARON B. ROBINSON.

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood, deserves more than passing notice. A man may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by the practice of an upright life is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. Aaron B. Robinson, a retired merchant and lawyer of Marysville, Ohio, is a man who has spent his whole life in Union county and the four score and two years which he has lived here have served to gain for him a place among the most representative citizens of the county. A man of high moral character, unimpeachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, he has stood for the best interests of Union county. Today there is no citizen of the county who is better entitled to representation in the annals of his county's history. He served with dis- tinction in the War of the Rebellion and in peaceful pursuits since that mem- orable struggle he has been no less distinguished.

AB Robinson

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kinds. He continued in the mercantile business until a few years ago when he retired from active life and turned his business over to other hands.

Mr. Robinson was married to Keziah Wilkins, the daughter of Alfred and Harriet Wilkins, and to this union four children were born, Harriet E., Gertrude, Martha C. and Alfred J.

Mr. Robinson and his family are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, to whose support they have long been generous contributors. Politi- cally, he has been a life-long Republican and has taken an active part in local and state politics. He served as a member of the Legislature for two terms and was an active and valuable member of various committees in that body. In all of the relations of life he has acted his part well and now he can look back over a long career which has been spent worthily in the service of his fellowmen. It is a pleasure to honor such men and this brief biography is but a feeble tribute to one of Union county's grand old men.

CHRISTIE J. REAMES.

An enterprising business man of Marysville, Ohio, is Christie J. Reames, who is in the real estate and loan business as a member of the firm of Reames & Webb. He has been a resident of Marysville for the past fifteen years, four years of which he served as assistant postmaster of Marysville. He is a man of energy and ability and his farm has been increasing its business from year to year until it now ranks among the leading firms of its kind in the county. Mr. Reames is a man of genial personality and has built up a large acquaintance in Marysville and throughout the county.

Christie J. Reames, the son of Josiah F. and Edith L. (White) Reames, was born in Logan county, Ohio, July 18, 1875. His parents, both of whom were also natives of Logan county, reared a family of four children : Omer P., of West Liberty, Ohio; Fred B., of Marion, Ohio; Christie J., of Marys- ville ; Harry W., of Lima, Ohio.

Josiah F. Reames was reared in Marmon Valley, Logan county, Ohio, near Zanesville. He was a farmer except for the last fifteen years of his life, when he followed the trade of a carpenter and contractor. He died in West Liberty in 1907 at the age of sixty-two, having been born in that county, January 22, 1845. His widow still survives him and was sixty-five years old April 22, 1914. Josiah F. Reames was a member of the Quaker church while his wife gave her loyal support to the Christian denomination.

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He served as a soldier in the Civil War and was a member of Company E. Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. He was permanently injured as a result of the bursting of a shell at the battle of Antietam in the fall of 1862. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the Civil War and also had three brothers in the Union army.

The paternal grandparents of Christie J. Reames were Hezekiah Jere- miah Reames and wife, natives of Carolina, of Quaker stock and pioneers of Marmon Valley, Logan county, Ohio, where they lived to an advanced age. Five children were born to Hezekiah Jeremiah Reames, Josiah F., Thomas, Ezra, Robert and a daughter, who died in the West. The maternal grand- parents of Christie J. Reames were William W. White and wife, both of whom died at West Liberty. Ohio. William W. White was twice married, his see- ond wife being the grandmother of Mr. Reames. The children of his second marriage were Edith L .. John and Thomas.

Christie J. Reames was reared in West Liberty. Ohio. Before complet- ing his education he began to learn the baker's trade and followed it for nine years. In 1900 he came to Marysville and worked for the Bell Brothers in the real estate business. He then served as assistant postmaster at Marys- ville for four years, after which he bought out the firm of Bell Brothers and in IgII associated with him in the business, Charles D. Webb. The firm, now known as Reames & Webb, does a large business in real estate and loans.

Mr. Reames was married April 23. 1900, to Elizabeth Plank, the daugh- ter of Joseph and Eliza (Carr) Plank. To this union three children have been born. Mary. Marjorie and Naomi.

Mrs. Reames was born on a farm near DeGraff. in Logan county, Ohio, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother died in 1903 and her father is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Plank were the parents of six children, Julia. John, Benjamin. Florence. Mollie and Elizabeth.

Politically, Mr. Reames is a loyal member of the Republican party and has always been interested in local politics. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons and the Royal and Select Masters. Mrs. Reames is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and while Mr. Reames is not an active member of the church, yet he gives it his hearty support at all times. The career of Mr. Reames in this community has been such that his honesty and integrity have never been questioned, and consequently he is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances in Marysville and throughout the county.

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ROBERT A. LINN.

Robert A. Linn was born in Miami county, September 12, 1849, but most of his active life has been spent in Union county where he now resides. He holds a conspicuous place among the successful business men and public- spirited citizens of the community. He is a son of Aaron and Eliza (Clark) Linn, natives of Pickaway county. Aaron Hankinson Linn, who was born in New Jersey, December 4, 1815, was a son of Robert and Elizabeth Linn, the father being born in Jay county, Indiana, coming to Ohio with the early settlers of the county in which he located. His wife, Eliza, was born in New York state, December 12, 1812. The father of our subject had a family of nine children. Nancy, Harriet, William and Sarah are deceased. Isabella, Robert A., Ellen, Madie and George are living. The subject's paternal grandfather Linn was born in New Jersey and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Blue, was a native of Indiana. The maternal grandparents, John C. and Elizabeth Clark, were born, respectively, on August 12, 1792, and February 20, 1794.

Robert A. Linn worked .on the farm as a boy and for the greater part of his life. His early education was obtained in the district schools of Staunton township. He learned the blacksmith trade and worked at that trade for several years after he was grown. He followed the trade for some time in Iowa and then went to Kansas where he was connected with the Sante Fe railroad. Later he gave up that position and came to Union county about twenty-three years ago and went back to the farm, the occupation of his early years. He bought a farm of seventy-two acres in this county and made his home there until about six years ago. In the meantime he bought a hardware store in Raymond, Ohio, which is operated by his son-in-law, Harold Evans.

Mr. Linn was married, September 28, 1882, to Sarah A. Danforth, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Smith) Danforth. Jeremiah Danforth was born in Licking county, Ohio, and was the son of David and Anna (Stephens) Danforth. The elder Danforth came from Vermont and was a soldier in the War of 1812. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth Dan- forth. Peter was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Jeremiah Danforth, the father of Mrs. Linn, had four children, all born in Union county, Ohio. Their names were Thomas C., Eliza J. (deceased), Sarah A. and David S.

Robert A. Linn has an adopted daughter, Lottie Lloyd, who has been reared and educated by Mr. Linn as one of the family. She married Harold

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT LINN

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Evans and has one child, Robert L. Mr. Linn also has one son, Rolla, who is married and has two daughters and one son, Margaret, Frances and Ralph S.

Mr. and Mrs. Linn are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and actively interested in its affairs. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is an influential member of the order. In politics, Mr. Linn is a Republican and is an active worker for the success of that party in all the political cam- paigns. He is at present the superintendent and general manager of the Union county infirmary, having been appointed to this position by the county commissioners.

JOHN ROBINSON TAYLOR.

The Taylor family, which is worthily represented by John Robinson Taylor, of Marysville, Ohio, have been residents of Union county since 1849, and during all of these years the family have been prominent in the various phases of the county's development. Mr. Taylor was reared in this county and farmed until 1892, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business in Marysville. His son-in-law, L. J. Zwerner, became associated with him in the insurance business in 1911 and the firm, known as Taylor & Zwerner, has a large business in fire insurance in Marysville and through- out the county. Mr. Taylor is fast approaching the age of three score and ten, and all of his life has been spent within this county with the exception of two years. He has seen it emerge from pioneer times until it now ranks among the most progressive counties of the state.

John R. Taylor, the son of William H. and Eliza Ellen ( Robinson) Taylor, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 15, 1847. His par- ents, who were natives of Ohio, reared a family of three children: Jane Ann, the wife of Samuel Carson, of Jerome township; John R., of Marys- ville, and David Madison, who died in early childhood.

William H. Taylor was reared in Champaign county, Ohio, at Kingston, a village sometimes known as Taylorstown. In young manhood he was a wagoner and hauled goods for the railroads in this section of the state. Later he located in Jerome township, in this county, where he bought two hundred and twenty acres of land. Here he and his good wife reared their children and on this farm he died in 1857 at the early age of forty. His widow sur- vived him forty-two years and never married again, passing away at the

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Evans and has one child, Robert L. Mr. Linn also has one son, Rolla, who is married and has two daughters and one son, Margaret, Frances and Ralph S.

JOHN ROBINSON TAYLOR.

The Taylor family, which is worthily represented by John Robinson Taylor, of Marysville, Ohio, have been residents of Union county since 1849. and during all of these years the family have been prominent in the various phases of the county's development. Mr. Taylor was reared in this county and farmed until 1892, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business in Marysville. His son-in-law, L. J. Zwerner, became associated with him in the insurance business in 1911 and the firm, known as Taylor & Zwerner, has a large business in fire insurance in Marysville and through- out the county. Mr. Taylor is fast approaching the age of three score and ten, and all of his life has been spent within this county with the exception of two years. He has seen it emerge from pioneer times until it now ranks among the most progressive counties of the state.

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advanced age of eighty-two. Both were members of the United Presbyterian church.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Taylor were John and Ann (Hend- ricks) Taylor, who were Southerners and slave owners. They were early pioneers in Champaign county, Ohio, and later came to Union county and died in Jerome township. Ann Taylor living to the advanced age of ninety- two years. Both John Taylor and his wife were twice married. By his first marriage there were two children, Andrew and Washington. By her first marriage there were also two children, William H., the father of John R. Taylor, with whom this narrative deals, and Susanna. The grandmother was married both times to men by the name of Taylor although they were no relation to each other. The second husband was John Taylor, and to this union were born two children, David and Daniel.

The maternal grandparents of John R. Taylor were John Robinson and wife, pioneers in Darby township. She died in this county and his death occurred in Champaign county, Ohio. Four children were born to John Robinson and wife, Mitchell, Eliza, Ellen, Sarah Jane and John.

John R. Taylor was reared in Jerome township on his father's farm and lived at home until he was twenty-five years of age. He attended the dis- trict schools until he was ten and then began working on the home farm. After his marriage he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Lees- burg township and farmed it until 1892, when he rented his farm and moved to Marysville. On locating in the county seat he engaged in the insurance business and has followed this line of activity for the past twenty-three years. He has three good homes in the city, having invested in city property after selling his farm in 1901. He continued alone in the insurance business from 1892 until 1911, when he associated with him in the business his son-in-law. L. J. Zwerner.

Mr. Taylor was married December 19, 1872, to Emma Bowen, the daughter of Edward and Julia Ann (Deisert) Bowen, and to this union six children have been born, Ada, Effa, Wayne, Mabel. Opal and one who died in infancy, the second in order of birth. Ada is the wife of Dr. L. E. Baker, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and has two children, Fontabelle and Robert. Effa is the wife of Milton Sonthard, a farmer living in Paris township, 'and has four children, Mildred, Alonzo. John W. and Anna. Wayne married Anna Newlove and has three children, Pauline, Nellie and John. Wayne is em- ployed by the Jewell Tea Company, of Marysville. Mabel is the wife of L. J. Zwerner and has two children, John Lewis and Eleanor. Opal is the wife of Walter Scott, of Lancaster. Ohio. She has a national reputation as a

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vocalist and has traveled for the past two years, singing in different cities of the United States.

Mrs. Taylor was born in Dover township in this county, in October, 1852. Her parents were both natives of Ohio and early settlers in Union county, where her father died when a young man. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, Euphemia, Hiram, Martha, Frank, Emma, Charles, and three who died in childhood. Mrs. Taylor is now the only one of the family who is living.

Mr. Taylor and his wife are active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a member of the board of stewards at the present time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He gave his hearty support to the Republican party until 1912, when he, with thousands of other voters, joined the new Progressive party. He has always been active in civic life and was justice of the peace for fifteen years and married no less than forty-five couples during his first term of office. He has been in the council of Marysville for six years and was chairman of the committee when the streets of Marysville were paved.

JOHN AUER.

The whole career of John Auer, with the exception of six years which he spent in Kansas, has been identified with the history of Union county and most of this time he has been engaged in business in Marysville. He was an employee of the Big Four railroad at Marysville for many years and con- ducted a grocery store here for nearly a score of years. Since the fall of 1913 he has been engaged in the laundry business and now has a well equipped laundry. He is doing excellent work and giving general satisfaction to a constantly increasing circle of patrons.

John Auer, the proprietor of the Marysville Steam Laundry, was born in Paris township, Union county, Ohio, one mile from Marysville, May 6, 1863. He is the son of Peter and Mary (Geer) Auer, natives of Germany and Union county, Ohio, respectively. There were six children born to Peter Auer and wife: Fred J., of Marysville; Maggie, the wife of Frank Maahs, of Olympia, Washington : Barbara Anna, who died in Topeka, Kansas, the wife of Frank Roher: John, of Marysville; William C., of Marysville; and Carrie B., the wife of J. L. Miller, of Marysville.

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History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions, Part 59

Author: Curry, W. L. (William Leontes), b. 1839 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind., B. F. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1322

Author: Curry, W. L. (William Leontes), b. 1839
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind., B. F. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1322