USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 78
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Mr. Bell is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Dis- ciples Church of Magnetic Springs.
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CORNELIUS FLADT.
One of the youngest farmers of Darby township, Union county, Ohio, is Cornelius Fladt, who is now farming his father-in-law's farm of one hundred and forty acres, two and one-half miles north of Unionville Center. He is one of the many farmers of this county of German descent and has all of those German characteristics which mark the people of that nation. He is a young man and at the very threshold of his career, but has already demonstrated that he has the capacity and ability to make a prosperous farmer.
Cornelius Fladt, the son of Mathias and Matilda (Seibert) Fladt, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, July 3, 1891. His father, the son of Mathias and Anna ( Renner ) Fladt, was born July 1, 1861, in Franklin county, Ohio, near Columbus. His father came to Union county in 1907 and bought the farm of two hundred and eighteen acres upon which he is now living. Ma- thias Fladt and wife were married December 22, 1886, and are the parents of nine children, Leo, Arthur, Cornelius, Anna, Martin, Laura, Meta, Lillian and Emmett. All of these children are still living except Lillian. Leo mar- ried Laura Rausch and has two daughters, Lillian and Lucilla. All of the other children are still single except Cornelius. The history of Mathias Fladt appears elsewhere in this volume.
Cornelius Fladt was reared in Franklin county, Ohio, until he was six- teen years of age and, consequently, received most of his education in the county of his birth. He came with his parents to this county in 1907 and re- mained with his father on the home farm until his marriage.
M1. Fladt was married January 12, 1913, to Louise Scheiderer, the daughter of John P. and Elizabeth ( Mader ) Scheiderer.
Mrs. Fladt's father was born in Darby township, in this county, in 1845, the son of John M. and Eva (Schroll) Scheiderer, who were married in Co- lumbus, Ohio. John M. Scheiderer was born in Germany and came to the United States when a young man and located at Columbus, where he re- mained for two years and then moved to Union county, Ohio. John P. Scheiderer and Elizabeth Mader were married May 4, 1871, and to this union were born nine children, seven of whom are still living: Andrew, of Marys- ville : Peter, who died in infancy : Casper, a farmer of Darby township: Bar- bara, who died in May, 1914, was the wife of Philip Scheiderer; Mary, of Lima, Ohio: John L., of Marysville : George J., a farmer of Paris township; E. J., a farmer of Darby township; and Louisa, the wife of Mr. Fladt. The
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mother of these children died December 22, 1912. Mr. Scheiderer is now living with his son-in-law, Mr. Fladt, in the old homestead in Darby township.
Politically, Mr. Fladt is aligned with the Democratic party, but thus far has not taken an active part in political affairs. He and his wife, as well as members of the family on both sides, are loyal adherents to the German Lutheran church and are generous contributors to its support.
EDWARD L. LANGSTAFF.
For nearly half a century Edward L. Langstaff has been a resident of Union county, Ohio. Born and reared in this county, he has spent all of his active years in agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fine farm of one hun- dred and seven acres in Claibourne township. He has been prominent in the material, educational and religious life of his community, and no citizen is held in higher esteem in the township where he has lived practically all his life.
Edward L. Langstaff, the son of Asa and Hannah (Lockhart) Lang- staff, was born November 15, 1866, in Claibourne township, Union county, Ohio. His parents were born in Licking county, Ohio, and New York state, respectively. They were married on Christmas day, 1858. Six children were born to Asa Langstaff and wife.
Edward L. Langstaff was educated in the district schools and later took a commercial course in Kentucky State University, at Lexington. After his marriage he settled down on the old home place in Claibourne township, where he has since lived. He has engaged in general farming and stock raising with that success which has brought him good returns year after year.
Mr. Langstaff was married August 28, 1901, to Blanche McCune, a daughter of James M. and Sarah A. (Tidrick) McCune. Mr. McCune and his wife had two children, Harry H., a farmer of Claibourne township, and Blanche, the wife of Mr. Langstaff. Mr. and Mrs. McCune moved in April. 1873, to Claibourne township, and here they lived the remainder of their lives. Mr. McCune died May 3, 1907, and his widow passed away on June 5. 1910. Mrs. McCune was a member of the Methodist Protestant church of Claibourne township. Mr. McCune was a Democrat in politics and took an active part in local political affairs. He served throughout the Civil War, first enlisting on April 24, 1861, as a member of Company D, Sixteenth Regi-
EDWARD L. LANGSTAFF AND FAMILY
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ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 18, 1861. He re-enlisted on October 8, 1862, in Company C, Ninth Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Cavalry, and served until he was honorably discharged July 19, 1865. He was in all the battles fought by Sherman on his march to the sea.
Mr. and Mrs. Langstaff are the parents of four children, three of whom died in infancy. The one living child is Seth M., born February 6, 1904. liis twin brother, Herbert, having died when he was seven weeks old. Helen L. died when she was five months and ten days old.
Mr. and Mrs. Langstaff are members of the Methodist Protestant church of Claibourne, and Mr. Langstaff has been superintendent of the Sunday school for more than twenty years. He is an active worker in the church and has been a member of the official board for many years. The Republican party has always received his hearty support although he has never cared to become a candidate for public office. The family are highly esteemed in the community where they have lived many years and have a large number of friends who rejoice in their material prosperity.
BENJAMIN E. PENROSE.
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of suc- cess. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual char- acter and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often obtained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The everyday life. with its cares, perplexities and duties, affords ample opportunity for acquir- ing experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for efforts and vast improvements. An enter- prising citizen of Unionville Center. Darby township, Ohio, is Benjamin E. Penrose. the agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at that place.
Benjamin E. Penrose, the son of Lukens and Rachel (Ankrum) Pen- rose, was born November 18, 1875, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lukens was the son of Benjamin Penrose and was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as was his father before him. Lukens Penrose is a land owner in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he is still living and where he and his wife reared a family of three children. Benjamin E., Mrs. Han- nah McSparrow and Alice.
Benjamin E. Penrose was educated in the schools of Lancaster county.
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Pennsylvania, and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one. He then began working in a general store at Rulo, Nebraska, and after a few years went back to the farm, where he worked for some time. In 1897 he came to Union county, Ohio, and became the station agent at Unionville Center for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He has filled the duties of this office in a manner satisfactory to the company which employs hin, while at the same time he has carried himself as a public-spirited citizen of this community.
Mr. Penrose was married August 3, 1910, to Florence Bailey, the daughter of W. K. and Mollie ( Miller ) Bailey. Mr. Penrose and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in its welfare. Politically, he is a Republican and at the present time is serving as clerk of Unionville Center and treasurer of Darby township. He is filling both positions with eminent satisfaction to the citizens of his township, irre- spective of their political affiliations. Since residing in this locality the career of Mr. Penrose has been a commendable one in every respect and entitles him to representation in the history of his county.
WAYNE TEETS.
An enterprising young merchant of Pharisburg, Union county, Ohio, is Wayne Teets, whose whole life has been spent within this county. After graduating from the local school he started in as a clerk in a store in Pharis- burg, and since 1907 has been in the general merchandise business for him- self. He is an industrious and energetic business man, and has built up a large and lucrative trade throughout this section of the county.
Wayne Teets, the son of David and Sarah ( Henry) Teets, was born in Leesburg township, Union county, Ohio, September 22, 1882. His fa- ther was born in Logan county, and his mother in Champaign county, Ohio, their marriage occurring in the latter county. Some years after their mar- riage David Teets and wife located in Union county, where he operated a cooperage plant in Pharisburg until his death, about 1884. His widow still resides in Pharisburg. Eight children were born to David Teets and wife, all of whom are still living: Flora, the wife of J. L. Thompson, of Lees- burg township; Effie, the wife of G. B. Romine, of Leesburg township; Warren, a farmer living in Taylor township; Ordel, of Leesburg township; Wilber, a resident of Galion, Ohio: Walter, of Leesburg township; Wayne, of Pharisburg, and Estella, the wife of J. C. Gaston, of Richwood.
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Wayne Teets received his education in the schools of Pharisburg, and after attending the high school, clerked in the store of Hutchen Brothers, of Pharisburg, for three years. In 1907 he engaged in business for himself in Pharisburg and now conducts a general merchandise establishment, with a constantly increasing business. His store is well stocked with such goods as are usually found in general stores in towns of this size, and he is con- stantly adding to his stock of goods in order to meet the demands of his trade.
Mr. Teets was married March 24, 1911, to Loverna Hall, a daughter of J. H. and Clara ( Maple) Hall. Her parents came from Coshocton, Ohio, to Union county, and a few years later located in Trumbull county, where they are now living. Mr. Teets and his wife have one son, Leo Donald, who was born February 24, 1912.
Politically, Mr. Teets is a Republican, but has never been active in the councils of his party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, of Pharisburg. He holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias at the same place. Mr. Teets is still a young man and at the threshold of life, and the success which has already attended his efforts indicates that he has a long and prosperous career before him.
MASON L. BALDWIN.
The Baldwin family have been residents of Union county, Ohio, for many years, during which time they have been prominent factors in the life of the community in which they have resided. Mason Baldiwn, a worthy representative of this family, is a graduate of the Ohio State University and a man of great energy and ability. Mr. Baldwin is now operating the home farm in partnership with his brother, and is having pronounced success in the raising of cattle and hogs. His farm, known throughout this section of the state as the Sugar Hill farm, is one of the most attractive country places of the county.
Mason Baldwin, the son of William and Anna ( Winget ) Baldwin, was born in Darby township, Union county, Ohio, June 11, 1888. His parents, both of whom were natives of this county, were married in December, 1881. and now have three children living. Mason, Reed and Lois. Two other children died in early childhood. Lois is living with her father in Marys- ville, her mother having died in June, 1913.
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Mason Baldwin received his elementary education in the public schools of his home township and entered afterward the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he took the four-year course in civil engineering. After graduating from the University, he followed the profession of a civil en- gineer for two years at Bellefontaine and Akron, Ohio, after which he re- turned to the old home farm, and he and his brother, Reed, now operate it together. They give most of their attention to stock raising and handle registered Holstein cattle and Duroc hogs. The farm is located three miles east of Milford Center and is well iniproved in every respect, being one of the model farms of the county.
Mr. Baldwin was married August 15. 1911, to Hazel Ford, a daughter of Frank and Minnie ( Ellsworth ) Ford. Mrs. Baldwin's father was a na- tive of Union county.
Politically, Mr. Baldwin gives his loyal support to the Republican party. but as yet has never taken an active part in political affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry at Milford Center. Mr. Baldwin is a young man now in the prime of life and the success which has attended him thus far in his career indicates that he will have continued prosperity in the future.
DR. JESSE F. CONRAD.
A good physician is essential to the welfare of every community, and there is scarcely a hamlet of any size throughout the whole United States which does not support at least one physician. The healing waters of Mag- netic Springs, Union county, Ohio, have drawn to that place many people in search of their health and consequently it is fortunate that a physician of the ability of Dr. Jesse F. Conrad is located here. Dr. Conrad came to Mag- netic Springs after his graduation from college in 1901, and has been living here since that time. He spent one year in Europe, studying in the Uni- versities of Berlin and Vienna, in order to be better qualified in his profession. He has a large practice throughout this section of the county, and is a man whose ability is recognized everywhere.
Dr. Jesse F. Conrad. the son of Frederick and Margaret ( Roesch) Con- rad. was born in Hardin county, Ohio, April 20, 1873. His father was a native of Prussia, and his mother of Marion county, Ohio, and in the latter county their marriage occurred. They lived a few years in Marion county, and then moved to Hardin county, where they resided for about ten years.
DR. JESSE F. CONRAD AND SON, JESSE M.
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after which Frederick Conrad and his family located in Auglaize county, Ohio, where he followed farming until the death of his wife in April, 1899. In 1901 Frederick Conrad came to Magnetic Springs to make his home with his son, and died in this place in 1902. Frederick Conrad was a soldier of the Civil War, and also saw military service in his native land before coming to this country.
Dr. Jesse F. Conrad was one of thirteen children born to his parents. He completed his elementary education in the schools of Waynesfield, in Auglaize county, and then began teaching in the public schools. He taught for four years, and in the meantime became a student in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He determined to follow the medical pro- fession, and, with this in view, entered the Medical College at Cincinnati and graduated from that institution in 1901. Immediately after his graduation he returned to Waynesfield, Ohio, but shortly afterwards located in Mag- netic Springs, Union county, where he has since lived. In the fall of 1912 Dr. Conrad went to Europe in order to pursue special courses in medicine and became a student in the University of Berlin for a few months. He then went to Vienna, Austria, where he remained until the summer of 1913, re- turning to his home at Magnetic Springs in July of that year. He is a mem- ber of the Anglo-American Societies of Berlin and Vienna, becoming a mem- ber of these organizations during his year abroad. He is also a member of the State and National Eclectic Medical Associations, and takes a deep inter- est in everything pertaining to the advancement of his profession.
Dr. Conrad was married April 10. 1901, to Maud Leona Mains, who was born in Cincinnati, and died in April, 1912, leaving one son, Jesse M., who was born November 25, 1907. On December 11, 1912, Doctor Conrad married Jennie E. Fleming, who was born in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Con- rad is a member of the Episcopal church, of Columbus.
Fraternally, Doctor Conrad is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pharisburg and the Knights of Pythias at Magnetic Springs. While in college at Cincinnati, he was a member of the T. A. E. Medical fraternity.
Dr. Conrad built a sanitarium in Magnetic Springs in 1906-1907 which burned down in the fall of the latter year. entailing a total loss. Dr. Conrad is a man of excellent business ability and owns considerable property in Mag- netic Springs. He has one of the finest residences in the county, owns a business block and also seven acres of land adjoining the village. Owing to his extensive practice, he has stopped driving or visiting patients in their
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homes except in extreme cases. He now confines himself to office practice and general consultation. Dr. Conrad reared his father's family of seven children and educated all of them. In fact, he took charge of his brothers and sisters after his mother's death, and became both father and mother to them. He is a man of charitable impulses, kindly disposition and well liked throughout the community.
JOHN P. KRITLINE.
The United States is the most cosmopolitan nation on the earth. Her citizens are drawn from every country and every clime and a few years' residence in this country so imbues them with the American spirit that they become among our best citizens. No nation has sent better citizens to this country than has Germany and the various communities in which they have settled have always been benefited by their presence. One of the sterling German farmers of Union county, Ohio, is John P. Kritline, who has been a resident of this county for nearly eighty years. He has been an industri- ous and thrifty citizen and given his unreserved support at all times to the welfare of his community.
John P. Kritline, the son of John P. Kritline, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 12, 1831. He came to this country with his parents when he was about five years of age. His parents, who died when John P., Jr., was only seven years of age, reared a family of eight children: Mrs. Margaret Hagendoeffer, Mrs. Catharine Rupright, Mary, Andrew, Mariah, John P., George and one who died in childhood.
At an early age John P. Kritline was bound out to Thomas Robinson, of this county, and was at hard manual labor at a time when other boys of his age were in school. For several years he lived with Mr. Robinson and not only did not go to school, but received no money for his. services. At the age of twenty-one, he commenced working for himself and at that time his earthly possessions consisted of a horse, saddle and bridle and five dol- lars in cash. With true German thrift and frugality he saved his money and in a short time had five hundred dollars saved up. Here again his business ability showed itself and he put his money out at ten per cent interest and let his money work as well as himself. Subsequently, he bought one hun- dred and twenty acres in Paulding county, but a few years later sold that and put his money out on interest. He has always been a farmer of this
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county, but is now retired from active life and is living in Unionville Center after a long and prosperous career as a farmer and a business man.
Mr. Kritline is a stanch Republican in politics and has cast his ballot for his party since its organization in 1856. That he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he was selected township treasurer for twenty-four years in succession. He has also been treasurer of Unionville Center since its incorporation in 1880. Mr. Kritline's career has probably never been equaled in Union county. He has lived such a life in this county as to merit the high esteem in which he is held by every one. He is one of the best known men in the county and has always taken an active part in everything which he thought would be of general benefit to the community in which he lived.
WV. K. BAILEY.
It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, watch the operation of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society, and are, therefore, compe- tent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observations, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth. W. K. Bailey, the present trustee of Darby town- ship, is richly deserving of the esteem and respect which is accorded him in the community where he lives. He is numbered among the progressive and enterprising citizens of the county and has been accorded just recognition in the political circles of his township and in the position of trustee he is rendering efficient and satisfactory service.
W. K. Bailey, the son of John P. and Sarah ( Holycross) Bailey, was born March 29, 1858, in Union township, Union county, Ohio. His father was the owner of eighty acres of land in this county and the father of eight children. Mrs. Anna Dunfee, Mrs. Phoebe Brooks, Mrs. Ruhama Brooks, W. K., George, John, Eli and Mrs. Hester Lewis.
W. K. Bailey was the eldest boy in the family and began to work early in life. After receiving a good common school education, he started at the age of thirteen to work for himself. He continued to work in his home neighborhood until he was married in 1882 when he went to live in Union-
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ville Center, where he has since resided. He is a prosperous farmer and ranks high among the enterprising farmers in Darby township.
Mr. Bailey was married May 30, 1882, to Mary E. Miller, the daugh- ter of J. A. and Nancy (Benton) Miller. To this union have been born five children: Etta, who married Irwin Pennington and has one son, Cecil; Florence, who married B. E. Penrose; Anna, who married W. H. Fenner and has one son, Norman ; Roy, who married Grace Deiter and has two chil- dren: Emma Claude and Juanita.
Politically, Mr. Bailey is a member of the Democratic party and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party. At the present time he is serving with credit as trustee of his township and has been a mem- ber of the school board of Darby township. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and greatly interested in everything which pertains to its welfare. Mr. Bailey realized early in life that there is a pur- pose for which every man should strive and that there is no honor not founded on worth and no respect not founded on accomplishment. His life and labors have been worthy of the true American citizen because they have been such as to place him in the high esteem of his fellow citizens.
BUSHROD W. CONVERSE.
The Converse family trace their ancestry back to colonial times, when the great-grandfather of Bushrod W. Converse was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, joining the Continental army at the age of sixteen. The Con- verse family came to Union county, Ohio, in the early forties, and located in Darby township, on the farm now occupied by Bushrod W. Converse. Mr. Converse now owns the old homestead of one hundred and fifty acres, a part of which is inside the corporation of Unionville Center. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits in such a way as to place him among the first rank of agriculturists in his county.
Bushrod W. Converse, the son of Caleb H. and Louvisa ( Ketch) Con- verse, was born on the farm where he is now living, July 20, 1850. He is one of four children born to his parents, who are still living, Nathan W., Sarah. J. Quinn and Bushrod W., eight having passed away. Sarah is the wife of G. D. Mitchell, of Union township. Two of the sons, Orson P. and Quinn, served in the Union army during the Civil War.
Caleb H. Converse was a son of Parley and Arpe (Hemenway) Con-
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verse, natives of Vermont and early settlers in Madison county, Ohio, where they located in 1819. Parley Converse was a minute man and was drafted for service in the War of 1812, but did not serve. He was a mechanic by trade and held the office of justice of the peace for many years. He died in Union county, Ohio, at the home of his son, Caleb. There were five children born to Parley Converse and wife.
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