History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 40

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870

USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 40

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The company left Van Wert on April 26, 1898, and joined the regiment at Kenton. Ohio, on the same day. The regiment proceeded to Camp Bushnell at Columbus, Ohio, April 29th, and was mustered into the army of the United States, May 10th. It left Camp Bushnell for Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Georgia, May 16th. It proceeded to Camp Po- land. Knoxville, Tennessee, August 28th, and to Camp Fornance, Macon, Georgia, Novem- ber 15th, where it was mustered out February. 10, 1899.

Company D. was with its battalion at camp Campbell near Camp George H. Thomas. from July 16 to July 20, 1898, for rifle practice, and served in the city of Macon on provost duty from December 24. 1898. to January 7. 1899.

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COMPANY D, SECOND INFANTRY, OHIO NA- TIONAL GUARD,

Was organized March 4, 1904, at Van Wert. and mustered into the service by A. . istant Adjutant General Worthington Kautzman. The following is the roster of the company on January 22, 1906:

Captain, Arthur C. Gilpin; Ist lieutenant, Curteus W. Wilson ; 2nd lieutenant, Charles M. Siders; Ist sergeant, Orivlle E. Blake; quar- termaster sergeant, Edward F. Crone; ser- geants-George Tibbott, Leroy W. Clippin- ger and James T. Ramsey; corporals-Jesse J. Good, Orin L. Tall, Robert Johns, Albert N. Ramsey, Orlie Budd and Ira Snyder; musi- cians-William C. Linser and Charles O. Spahr; artificer, James W. Holder; cook, Charles M. Howell; privates-Fred Alling-

ham, Richard, Allingham, Alfred Arnold, Francis Aldrich, James A. Allard, Jesse J. Adams, Harlie Budd, Oscar E. Boyer, Charles Burden, Jesse W. Butler, Angus C. Colby, Ira Davis, Fred W. Davis, Cliff DeLong, Charles O. Essley, Wilbur G. Edgington, Clyde Fish, Charles V. Grafelmann, Clyde Harvey, Harry O. Harvey, Harry O. Handwerck, Alfred M. Ireland, Guy V. Johns, Paul W. Kear, Roy D. Kear, John F. Kreider, Andrew C. Kreider, James E. Lhamon, Bert F. Lhamon, Earl Long, Curtis M. Martin, Curtis C. Myers, Oscar Musser, A. B. Miller, William A. Morrison, Clarence Mcconahay, Merlin L. Ramsey, Cuvie Riggin, Howard W. Sharp, Clayton F. Thatcher, Orman E. Trafzer, Jurry A. Thomas, William E. Urton, Arthur A. Wal- cutt, Frank Webb, Joe J. Welker and Lewis B. Wilson.

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REV. JAMES F. MOUNTS

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Representative Citizens

R EV. JAMES F. MOUNTS, a super- annuated minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church (if it be permissible to speak of a minister as retired who still takes a very active part in church work), has been engaged in work for the Master since 1858, the greater portion of this long period within a few miles of Van Wert where he now resides. He was born December 17, 1824, on a farm in Pleasant township, Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Humphrey and Sarah (Fleming) Mounts, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.

The parents of Mr. Mounts were married in Delaware County, Ohio, and later moved to Marion County where the father purchased and cleared a farm of 160 acres. They were honest, hardworking people, who bravely faced the hardships and dangers of the new country in order to found a home for themselves and children. The nearest white neighbors were five miles distant, while the Indians were num- erous and always in evidence. Both parents died on this farm, the father passing away dur- ing the Civil War, in which he was too old to take part, although he had been a soldier in the War of 1812. There were 13 children in the family, II of whom reached maturity and were married, their progeny being numerous and widely scattered-but of the 11 children men-

tioned, the only survivor is the subject of this sketch.

James F. Mounts remained with his par- ents, assisting in the work of the farm, until his 19th year, when his earnest ambition to ob- tain an education resulted in his entering the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. Lack of means, however, caused his withdrawal at the expiration of two and a half years; but this period had been spent in hard study, and the knowledge there obtained was the founda- tion which which, by a course of systematic and comprehensive reading, he reared a struc- ture of useful and almost unlimited informa- tion. For a few years after leaving college he was engaged in teaching in the common schools, the union schools and as principal of the Delaware school, during the last four years residing at Prospect.

An important epoch in Mr. Mounts' career and one which had great influence over his en- tire life was his marriage on September 18, 1847, to Ellen Landon, who was his constant inspiration and guide. Mrs. Mounts was born in October, 1825, in the southern part of Marion County, near the village of Prospect, and was a daughter of Darius and Mary (Bowen) Landon, who were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, whence they came as pioneers to Ohio. Their family consisted of

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3 sons and 6 daughters. Mrs. Mounts was en- gaged in teaching school for 12 years previous to her marriage and in that, as in all that she undertook, was most successful. She was a lady of rare charms, both physical and intel- lectual, her personal beauty being of an unusual type-her rosy cheeks and coal-black eyes be- ing in striking contrast with her beautiful auburn hair, which surmounted pleasant and kindly features. She took great interest in her husband's work and the influence she exercised over all those about her was a most wonder- ful gift, contributing in a marked degree to smooth many of the rough places in the road traveled by the pioneer circuit rider. Mrs. Ellen Mounts answered the summons which called her to the higher life on October 5, 1897, amid the universal and heartfelt sorrow of those she left behind. Something of the won- derful patience and lovableness of the lady may be gained from these words of the bereaved husband : "In all the 50 years and 18 days of our married life I have never once seen her real angry." The children of Rev. and Mrs. James F. Mounts were as follows: Mary Ellen, who is the wife of D. H. Myers, of Allen County ; Sarah Florence and a child, both of whom died in infancy; James E., who is married and re- sides with his father; and Emma Luella (Oyler), who died at the age of 26 years.

In September, 1858, James F. Mounts re- ceived a recommendation from Prospect to the Methodist Episcopal Conference of Central Ohio, which met at West Liberty, Ohio, and appointed him to the Richwood circuit. He was given a hearty invitation to return to this field after his term concluded, but the conference thought best to give him a new charge and he was sent to Celina, Ohio. After two years there, in 1861. he was assigned to the Van Wert circuit where he remained two years. In the fall of 1863 he was assigned to the Del-

phos circuit, where he remained three years. From Delphos he went to St. Marys, where he remained two years. He was then assigned to the Van Wert circuit for two years, one year of which he had a regular station in connection with the circuit work. For the two years fol- lowing he had charge of the Marysville ( Union County) circuit, after which for two years he had the Bryan (Williams County) circuit. He then had the Mendon circuit for two years, during which period he made his home at Van Wert. He was then assigned to the Elida circuit; he moved his family there and remained in charge of that circuit two years. For more than 40 years he was pastor of the various charges within a radius of 20 miles of Van Wert and resided here 12 years of this period. After leaving Elida he was at Convoy, St. Marys, Ohio City, Celina. Rockford and Dixon, during which period he resided in Van Wert, except when he served in Rockford.

Mr. Mounts has been one of the most suc- cessful ministers in this circuit, and never failed to raise the money with which to pay off the indebtedness on church or parsonage wherever he was stationed. Churches were built by him at Newton and Salem, and two in this circuit. In 1897 he was superannuated, but his lifelong habits of industry have ill fitted him to be con- tent with idleness and he has acted as supply many times, besides preaching at about 50 funerals, within the past two years, and per- forming an equal number of weddings. He has united over 900 couples in his life, and read the last words of hope and comfort over as many caskets, often exceeding 40 per year. There are numerous cases where he has mar- ried the father and mother and all their chil- dren ; where he has married and preached the funerals of whole families. During the first three years of his ministry he drew a salary of

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$300 per year, out of which he paid his own house rent; his highest salary has never ex- ceeded $900; during all the years of his min- istry his yearly salary averaged about $700. Out of this, by rare good management, he has managed to lay aside a competency. His savings were carefully invested here and in addition to a 75-acre farm on the Defiance road, about two and a half miles from Van Wert, he owns a tract of 114 acres just outside the city limits, upon which he has recently completed a com- fortable residence.

Rev. James F. Mounts is a Republican, and still takes the liveliest interest in the outcome of a political struggle. While teaching in Marion County. he was a candidate for county treas- urer, and received a very flattering vote; his opponent, a cousin, who was a local preacher and a Democrat, was elected by a majority of only 60 in a county which usually went Demo- cratic by an overwhelming majority. Even now, when possible, Mr. Mounts is a faithful attendant at primaries and other political meet- ings. For a number of years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a man whose friends are not only legion, but scattered through all the secular walks and found in every religious denomination. A portrait of Mr. Mounts accompanies this sketch.

EORGE JOSEPH EBLEN, M. D., for many years one of the leading medical practitioners of Van Wert County, retired from active practice of his profession some years ago to give his whole time and attention to the Home Guards of America, a fraternal insurance so- ciety of which he was one of the founders and of which he is now Supreme Counselor. He

was born September 22, 1852, at Vevay, Switzerland County, Indiana, and is a son of David and Sarah (Buchanan) Eblen.

David Eblen, father of Dr. Eblen, was born in 1806 in Virginia, but was reared in Indiana, where he resided all his life, being variously, engaged in brick-laying, farming and merchan- dising in Vevay. His death occurred in 1882 while on a visit in Kentucky. In 1830 David Eblen was married in Indiana to Sarah Buchanan, who died in 1858. His second mar- riage was to Mrs. Mary Sachwell, of Ghent, Kentucky. The children of the first marriage were: Sarah, deceased; James; Elizabeth; John Lawson; Nettie; Fletcher, deceased; George Joseph; and Charles, deceased. One daughter was born to the second union. David Eblen was a consistent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He was identified with the Republican party.

George Joseph Eblen, after the death of his mother, lost interest in what had been his happy home and, a child of 10 years, accepted a home with a neighboring farmer, finding in him a just and generous protector. He was given school advantages which in his case were thoroughly appreciated. At the age of 19 years he passed a teacher's examination and secured a license to teach. In 1873 he was graduated at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, at Louisville, Kentucky, and then ac- cepted a position on that institution's faculty for a year, going from there to another com- mercial college in the same city, where he taught a year. Returning to Indiana, he con- tinued to teach school until 1875, in the mean- time reading as many medical works as his leisure time afforded, and then attended a course of lectures in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville. His next five years he spent with Dr. J. M. Sweezy, at Cross Plains,

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Indiana, and subsequently he was a student in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1880.

When Dr. Eblen took up the practice of his profession, he located at Shasta, Van Wert County, Ohio, where he continued for six years. In 1886 he removed to Van Wert and for one year was associated with Dr. W. H. Christopher. He then practiced alone until 1899, when he relinquished his practice to de- vote his talents and energies to the Home Guards of America. then a young organiza- tion. When engaged actively in his profession, he kept abreast of the progress made in the medical world and enjoyed post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic College. He is a valued and useful member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association.

On December 7. 1881, Dr. Eblen was mar- ried to Carrie Niles, who was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio. January 19, 1854, and is a daughter of the late venerable Barnabas Niles, whose sketch follows this.

In addition to valuable property in Cin- cinnati. Dr. Eblen owns a considerable amount in Van Wert. including one of the handsome residences on South Washington street, which is frequently the scene of pleasant social func- tions. Both Dr. and Mrs. Eblen are member! of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Van Wert. The family stands as one of the leading ones in social life in this city.

Dr. Eblen is fraternally connected with a number of the leading organizations of the country, being a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and is prominent also in the beneficiary orders of the National Union and the Home Guards of America.

That the large fraternal insurance society known as the Home Guards of America has met with unqualified success in its life of a lit- tle more than six years, has been chiefly due to

the efforts of Dr. Eblen. The organization of the society was perfected in Van Wert in the year 1899 and has shown a remarkable growth in the succeeding years. On December 31, 1905, the number of benefit certificates was 8,- 908 and up to that time $237,174.30 had been paid out in settlement of death claims. There are 125 Homes in the following States : Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan and Ken- tucky. On another page of this work will appear a view of the Home Guards Temple, erected in Van Wert in 1906, which was planned by Dr. Eblen, at a cost of $75,000, which is acknowledged to be the most pretentious and substantial structure in the city. It is four stories high and has ground dimensions of 66 by 132 feet. At the time that the Home Guards of America was organized, Dr. Eblen gave up his medical practice and has ever since labored most earnestly in behalf of the Order, giving it his entire time and attention. When- ever there have been responsibilities to be as- sumed, he has accepted them, furnishing funds during the early years of the order to keep it going until it was well established. At the present time Dr. Eblen is at the head of the order, serving in the office of supreme coun- selor. He is also managing editor of the Home Guards Monitor, published at Van Wert every month, which is the official organ of the fra- ternity.

B ARNABAS NILES. The late Barnabas Niles, whose death occurred Septem- ber 19, 1905, at the age of 98 years, deserves from the biographer much more than a passing notice. His life covered a long period of his country's history and was replete with all that goes to make true and noble manhood. He was born in a log cabin on what is known as Delta avenue, in Cincinnati,

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Ohio, September 20, 1807, a son of Barnabas Niles, the name being a family one, appearing in every generation since 1642, when three brothers of the name of Niles, came to Massa- chusetts from England, passengers in the good ship "Speedwell." The elder Barnabas Niles removed from Haverhill, Massachusetts, to Cincinnati, Ohio, in December, 1806, making the journey over the mountains by way of wagons to Pittsburg, and then floating down the Ohio River in a flatboat. He lived for a short time in a house at Columbia and then bought several hundred acres of land, all of which is now included in the city of Cincinnati. The elder Barnabas married a daughter of Capt. William Butler, who was one of the heroes of Bunker Hill. He owned a residence on the west side of Main street, in Cincinnati. Both the Butler and Niles families were closely connected with the early history of Cincinnati and owned many of the early utilities of that city and acres and acres of the surrounding land. Old Wesley Chapel Cemetery, in the heart of the city of Cincinnati, is a most in- teresting spot to these families as in that sacred enclosure rests the dust of many of their ancestors. Among the living, the most distinguished families of that city trace their connections with these families.

The late Barnabas Niles was married at the age of 27 years to Parnell Lame, and it is interesting to note that his marriage license was signed by William Henry Harrison, who afterward became President of the United States. His wife preceded him to the grave by many years. The two surviving daughters are, Mrs. J. W. Evans and Mrs. G. J. Eblen, of Van Wert. Quoting from a journal issued at the time of his death, the following lines are given concerning this remarkable man, whose blameless life had so far exceeded that of al- mnost all of his contemporaries: "A con-

science void of offense in all his dealings with his fellow-men; a sense of justice and commercial honesty; a devotion to his family and friends which often led him to share with those less fortunate than him- self; a dignity born of self-respect and con- scious rectitude; an industry that never ceased -these were the characteristics which gained him the respect and admiration of his friends." The last years of Mr. Niles' life were passed at Van Wert, where his death took place.

OSEPH N. SADLER D. D. S., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry, at Delphos, his office being located in the Hemick Block on Main street, is a son of Professor and Mrs. William H. Sadler, and was born July 13, 1877, at Mount Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio.

Prof. William H. Sadler was born at Eliz- abethtown, Ohio, in 1844. For a great many, years he was a professor in Hamilton County schools until compelled to retire on account of poor health. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Bush, was born in 1849 at Aurora, Indiana.

After completing his education in the schools of Hamilton County, Joseph N. Sad- ler took up the study of dentistry, entering the office of Drs. A. J. Swing and Eugene Cox, of Cincinnati, who were the proprietors of the best equipped dental laboratory in the State. In the year 1899 he was appointed demonstra- tor of prosthetic dentistry and orthodontia in the Miami College of Dental Surgery, which position he filled until 1901 when he became a student in the dental surgery department of the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio. In 1903 he graduated from this institution with the de- gree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, bearing off

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the honors of the class. Following his gradu- ation he practiced for a year and a half in Venice, Ohio, and then located permanently at Delphos, opening his office on Main street, where his superior work has attracted public attention and brought him a large per cent. of the dental work in Delphos and vicinity, plac- ing him with the leading dentists of the city.

On April 26, 1905, Dr. Joseph N. Sadler and Bessie Hay were united in marriage.

EVI F. ZIMMERMAN, whose beauti- fully situated home, "Lyndon Cot- tage," is located at the east end of Central avenue, Van Wert, with 20 acres of improved land surrounding it, is one of the city's most respected and esteemed re- tired citizens. Mr. Zimmerman has passed the greater part of his life in Van Wert County. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, November 13, 1835, and is a son of Abraham and Rebecca (Todd) Zimmerman.

The Zimmerman family is of German ex- traction. Abraham Zimmerman, father of our subject, was born in Union County, Pennsyl- vania, May 20, 1813. Left an orphan at an early age, he was reared to the age of 15 years in the home of an uncle, and then removed to Ashland County, Ohio, learned the trade of a carpenter with his brother John, married in that county and lived there until 1839, when he came to Van Wert County, of which he has been a resident ever since. After the death of his wife in 1904, he removed from his farm to the home of his son, Levi F. Zimmerman. He is one of the oldest residents of the county. Until his health failed, he followed his trade, doing a great deal of the carpenter work re- quired in his neighborhood in the early days. When he settled in the county, there were but

few sawmills and it was difficult to obtain pre- pared lumber. In case of death, the carpenter often officiated also as undertaker. Mr. Zim- merman remembers a coffin he fashioned; hav- ing no lumber on hand, he constructed it with slabs cut from an old cherry stump, dressed with a broad-axe and plane. In going to the place of interment it was customary at that time for the under- taker to lead the funeral procession, taking the coffin with him in a wagon, while the be- reaved members of the family followed on horseback or in wagons. Mr. Zimmerman as- sisted in laying the floor of the first frame Court House of Van Wert and also helped in the finishing work. When he came to Van Wert County, he walked the entire way from Ashland County. His first land in Van Wert County was a tract of 160 acres, located in Tully township. Later he bought a farm of 40 acres on the Jennings road in Ridge township. After these two farms were sold, he purchased his present farm, which then consisted of 120 acres, and later added 25 acres. He improved this land and lived upon the property until a little over a year ago; a portion of it was dis posed of it some time ago and he is now the owner of 114.77 acres. He has owned and disposed of other lands and properties. Dur- ing the greater part of his mature life he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Abraham Zimmerman married Rebecca Todd, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, in May, 1813, being just seven days younger than her husband. She died October 17, 1904. Their married life was just 13 days less than 70 years. The children of this marriage were: Levi F .; Eliza Jane, who married H. G. Leh- mann, a veteran of the Civil War, who lives in V'an Wert; Sarah Elizabeth, who died in young

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womanhood; Mary Ann Amanda, who mar- ried Madison Northrup, an old soldier, who resides east of Van Wert; Esther Ann, who died in infancy; Naomi Helen, who married David McNall, of Northern Indiana, now a resident of Van Wert County; and John A., a promising young man who died at the age of 18 years, just after completing his education, being the first male student to graduate from the Van Wert High School.

Levi F. Zimmerman was about four years of age when he accompanied his parents to Van Wert County. His education was obtained in Van Wert, school sessions being held in a log house; before this was ready, school was taught in a private dwelling. Off and on, Levi remained in school until he was 15 years old and then entered upon a mercantile career, with which he was more or less connected all through his active years. Mr. Zimmerman was a born merchant, his leaning in this direc- tion becoming apparent in his childhood, when one of his favorite plays was to gather his com- panions about him and "play store."

The young man began clerking about this time in the general store of Edward R. Wells. When he was 18 years of age, he began to teach school and continued to teach in his home neighborhood for about nine terms, mainly in the winter season, living at home in the mean- while. He alternated teaching with clerking. being an employee of Abraham Jacobs, who conducted the first clothing store in the city. He also clerked in Anderson's and other stores and for one season was in the photographic business. He worked a year for his father but was not pleased with an agricultural life and afterward secured a clerkship in a dry goods store at Mansfield, Ohio, where he remained four years. Upon his return to Van Wert, he continued to clerk until 1866, when he formed

a partnership and entered into a dry goods business with T. S. McKim. Their first store was located on Washington street back of the McKim corner, but in a short time they moved to a frame building on Main street, owned by Mr. McKim. Later on, George Hall bought Mr. McKim's interests and the firm for a short time was known as Zimmerman & Hall; then Mr. Zimmerman bought Mr. Hall's interests and continued the business as sole proprietor for a time at the same stand, finally purchasing a brick block, now owned and occupied by J. O. Roberts. He continued in business a num- ber of years after moving into this building and then gradually retired from business activ- ity. After he had disposed of the greater part of his commercial interests, he conducted a notion store for a while and finally withdrew entirely.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 40

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 870

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870