History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 41

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 41

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).

September 15, 1869, Mr. Zimmerman was married to Mary E. Webster, who was born in Jamestown, Greene County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Rev. Ebenezer T. and Sarah Sophiniah (Lane) Webster. The father was born in New York in 1795 and was taken to Ohio by his parents when young. He grew up an ambitious youth and educated himself and was subsequently admitted to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is said that he carried his grammar with him and studied on the long horseback trips he had to make over the country. At a co. ference of his church, held in 1820, when the bishop calle.1 for volunteers to go to the far West, meaning the State of Missouri, Mr. Webster was one of the four who expressed themselves willing to accept the hardships of such a life. After six years on the border he returned to Ohio and with the exception of one year, during which he was stationed at Parkersburg, West Vir- ginia, his charges were located in this State.

Digitized by Google

356

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

living some years in Union County, but pass. ing the last six years of his life in Van Wert, where he died in 1877.

Mr. Webster's wife, Sarah Sophiniah Lane, was born in Buncombe County, North Caro- lina, on the Blue Ridge Mountains, November 6. 1804. She was 11 years old when her par- ents moved to Missouri, the long wagon trip taking from November to March. She resided with our subject for the last 16 years of her life. Dying in 1892. Of the 10 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Webster, a number died in childhood. Of those who grew to maturity, Rev. Barton A. Webster became a well-known minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he died in Van Wert in 1866. Mrs. Zimmer- man's oldest sister died in Kansas City, Mis- souri. 1894. Her maternal grandfather, Capt. Charles Lane, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary War and was with General Washington at Valley Forge. He enlisted from Georgia and died in Missouri. Mrs. Zimmerman was af- forded excellent educational advantages and was graduated at Delaware College, Ohio, in 1863 and subsequently taught school, both in Ohio and Iowa. She began teaching in Van Wert, Ohio, in March, 1868, and was one of the first teachers in the Central school building. This most estimable lady is now president of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the first Methodist Episcopal Church of Van Wert. to which position she was elected some seven years since. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have two children, viz .: Mary Levinna and Ernest Merle, both living at home.

Mr. Zimmerman has been identified with the Republican party all his life. He has al- ways taken an active part in the duties and privileges of the church, and while living at Mansfield he was librarian of the Sunday- school and was also a member of the church choir. Upon his return to Van Wert, he as-

siste:1 in organizing the first choir in the First Methodist Episcopal Church. an.l was secre- tary of the Sunday-school for a number of years. Since August 27, 1866, he has been secretary of the Van Wert County Bible So- ciety, and since April 25, 1876. has been sec- retary of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the largest subscribers to the fund for building a new Methodist church. Mr. Zimmerman was, also, one of the first directors of the Van Wert County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was organized in 1876. When the building of what is now known as the Cin- cinnati Northern Railroad was first agitated, Mr. Zimmerman was one of the first subscrib- ers to the fund. He is a man whose long life and honorable achievements have entitled him to the respect and esteem shown him on every side.

A LEXANDER MENTZER, one of the leading citizens of this county, presi- dent of the Board of County Commis- sioners, is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres, together with 11 acres within the limits of the town of Convoy. He was born in Van Wert County. Ohio, January 19, 1852, and is a son of Alexander and Eliza- beth (Roop) Mentzer. His parents were old- time residents of Van Wert County and the father was one of its representative men. He was elected county commissioner a number of terms and was well and favorably known in all parts of the county. The father died April 9, 1905, at the age of 86 years. He was a man universally respected and left a large property to his family. He reared nine children, four of whom are living.

Alexander Mentzer, our subject, was edu- cated in his native county and was reared to

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

ANDREW JACKSON GLEASON

Digitized by Google

359

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

manhood on his father's farm. As stated above, he owns a choice farm in the county, but makes his home in the growing town of Convoy. Politically Mr. Mentzer is a Demo- crat. In 1899 he was first elected to the office of county commissioner and in 1902 was re- elected, his record for efficiency in guarding the interests of the public gaining him the con- fidence of his fellow-citizens of both parties.

Alexander Mentzer was united in marriage with Hattie Miller, and they have two daugh- ters-Marion and Lelia. Mr. Mentzer's fam- ily are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have many pleasant social connections and show much hospitality to their neighbors and friends.

A NDREW JACKSON GLEASON, a resident of Van Wert, and one of its honored and esteemed citizens, is a survivor of the great Civil War in which he bore a prominent part. He is a de- scen:lant of one of the pioneer families of this county. but was born November 27, 1836, in Manchester township, Ontario County, New York. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Brown) Gleason.

The family removed from New York to Ohio in 1837, and in 1839 settled in the little hamlet that then represented the present busy, prosperous city of Van Wert. By the time he was old enough to begin his education, a village school had been established, which he attended until he was 16 years old, when he entered his father's sawmill. Gifted with a natural talent for music. the youth had comparatively little opportunity to develop it until 1859, when he . enjoyed one term at the Normal Musical In- stitute, Chicago, returning to that city in 1860, when he came under the instruction of those

notable masters of music-Dr. Mason, George F. Root and William B. Bradbury. Perhaps it is not always a profitable matter of considera- tion, but it is undoubtedly interesting, to specu- late as to the outcome of the lives of ourselves and our contemporaries, had circumstances been other than they were. On the very threshold of manhood, in the possession of tal- ents which seemingly only awaited time, train- ing and experience to make him a great musi- cian, every current of his being was suddenly changed by the outburst of the Civil War. He did not pause to temporize, but at once put heart and soul into the business of organizing a company for his country's service, entering the ranks of what became Company H, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He saw as much hard service as any other member of the regiment and participated in many of the most serious battles of the war, beginning with the battle at Pittsburg Landing. He was at Corinth, and after the march of General Buell's army to Stevenson, Alabama, was promoted to the rank of 2nd sergeant, soon after being detailed with a recruiting detachment which left for Ohio and had many stirring adventures. By the middle of October he reported to his regiment, accompanied by 15 recruits, all thoroughly equipped, and found that during his absence he had been promoted to be Ist sergeant of Com- pany H. He participated in the battles which succeeded each other so rapidly-Stone River, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. At the last named engagement he was twice wounded, the second injury, received while he was gallantly. leading his command, being of a very serious nature. He was one of those fallen heroes who were forced to remain on the battle-field, seem- ingly neglected, despite the almost super-hu- man efforts of their comrades to relieve them. It was not until the evening of the second day that Sergeant Gleason managed to reach Ross-

Digitized by Google

360

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

ville and Chattanooga, and subsequently, after sufferings terrible to recall, the hospital at Nashville. After some attention there, he was sent home on a furlough, where his home sur- geon accomplishd his recovery. It was during this period that he received a conditional com- mission as 2nd lieutenant.

After the expiration of his first term of ser- vice, Mr. Gleason re-enlisted as a veteran, joined his command at Nashville, and, although still feeble from the effects of his wound, marched with his company to Chattanooga. Shortly afterward he was promoted to be ser- geant-major of his regiment, and served as such at Resaca, Pickett's Mills and Kenesaw Moun- tain, in front of Atlanta being commissioned 2nd lieutenant of Company A. Lieutenant Gleason remained with his company during the siege of Atlanta, the subsequent flank move- ment to Jonesboro (which resulted in the city's capture) and the return movement to Tennes- see under General Thomas. He took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and at the latter engagement the command of the company fell to him by the death of Lieu- tenent Hanson, who was killed on Overton Hill.

Lieutenant Gleason continued in command of the company during the pursuit of General Hood into Alabama and until the arrival of the Fourth Army Corps at Huntsville, when the troops went into winter quarters. For the gallant manner in which he had performed a soldier's duties he received here a commission as Ist lieutenant, and was appointed adjutant of the regiment. He participated in the ad- vance of the forces into Eastern Tennessee, the rendezvous at Nashville, after the surrender of the Confederate leaders, and the expedition to Texas, in July, 1865. While at San An- tonio, Texas, Lieutenant Gleason was proffered a captain's commission, but, from reasons

which did credit to the manliness of his char- acter, declined the advancement. After some four months in Texas, his regiment was mus- tered out at San Antonio, November 21, 1865. On December 25th following the regiment reached Columbus, Ohio, and, after his honor- able service and discharge, Mr. Gleason re- turned to the bosom of his family at Van Wert. Through the years of prosperity which have attended him since, he has remained true to his home in this city.

Shortly after the war, Mr. Gleason em- barked, with others, in the manufacture of wagon and carriage wood stock, the firm of J. A. Gleason & Brother standing very high in commercial circles to the present day. In everything of a public-spirited nature promis- ing to benefit Van Wert, he has also taken a very active interest and has given moral and financial encouragement to a number of its laudable enterprises.

Mr. Gleason was married February 28, 1866, to Dorothea Adeline Disbrow, who was born January 17, 1841, in Lorain County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Orville and Fannie M. (Buck) Disbrow, natives of Delaware County, New York. In 1853 the father of Mrs. Gleason removed to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1854 to Van Wert County, and in 1859 to Fulton County. Mrs. Gleason's beau- tiful life closed on March 15, 1893, at the age of 52 years and two months, and her mortal re- mains rest in the shades of Woodland Ceme- tery, at Van Wert. She was a member of the Disciples Church with which she had been asso- ciated since girlhood. For a number of years she took a prominent part in the auxiliary organ- ization of the Odd Fellows-the Daughters of Rebekah-of which she had been past noble grand and a delegate to the State assembly of the order. From its organization she had been interested in the Woman's Relief Corps and

Digitized by Google

AND RI PRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

361

was past president of William C. Scott Corps. Until failing health prevented, she was untiring in the performance of the duties of member- ship in these organizations and in other phil- anthropics into which she was led by her lov- ing sympathy with all in need. Mrs. Glea- son was the mother of seven children, three of whom died in early childhood, those who sur- vived to maturity being: Mariette, born No- vember 25, 1866, who died April 30, 1893, formerly a successful and beloved teacher ; Fannie M., wife of I. N. Giffin, county sur- veyor of Van Wert County-Mrs. Giffin is a past noble grand of Pearl Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah; Lillia M., wife of D. W. Arm- entrout, a railroad man residing at Van Wert; and Nellie E., who is also a past noble grand of Pearl Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah. Nellie E. Gleason was married February 11, 1906, to George W. Bevington, of Chicago, where they reside.

Politically Mr. Gleason is a Republican. Fraterally he has been prominently identified with the Odd Fellows, G. A. R. and A. O. U. W., filling high offices in these organizations. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

ILLIAM A. CLARK, one of Van Wert's most prominent citizens, with whose interests he has been intimately associated for many years, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, Novem- ber 21, 1830, and is a 'son of Samuel Mc- Knight and Lydia (Daugherty) Clark.

Samuel McKnight Clark came to Van Wert in 1838. In 1834 he removed from Cincinnati to the vicinity of Chillicothe, Ross County, and lived there two years, removing then to Allen- town, Allen County, and, as above stated, two years later to Van Wert. Samuel M. Clark

was one of the earliest as well as most enter- prising business men at Van Wert. He started the first blacksmith shop and general store and he also conducted a hotel. In his family of seven children, William A. was the second born.

William A. Clark was four years old when his parents moved to Ross County and eight years old when they settled at Van Wert, where he attended school until he was 14 years of age, since which time he has practically: made his own way in the world. Very early in life he encountered difficulties and very early learned that industry and honesty would mater- ially assist in overcoming them. In the early days boys naturally turned to the trades for a means of livelihood. Before William A. Clark found a favorable opening in the wagon-mak- ing industry he attended to the horses con- nected with a hotel stable. After working two years as a wagon-maker, his health failed be- fore completing his apprenticeship, and hence he gladly accepted an offer made by Robert Gilliland to come to his home and attend to the chores and also to go to school again. Mr. Clark remained with Mr. Gilliland for two years and then accepted a position as a clerk in a dry goods store at Van Wert. That he proved himself a young man of reliability and one in whom his fellow-citizens could repose confidence, was shown in 1854, when he, a young man of but 24 years, was elected re- corder of Van Wert County, in which posi- tion he served satisfactorily for a term of three years.

Mr. Clark continued to be a prominent fac- tor in the business and political affairs of his locality, and he became so representative a cit- izen that after the election of President Lin- coln he was appointed postmaster at Van Wert. He continued to serve in this office during the Civil war and until the assassination of Pres-

Digitized by Google

362

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

ident Lincoln. Following this public calamity when the administrative power fell into the hands of Vice-President Johnson, Mr. Clark was deposed, as a result, in all probability, of his freely-spoken convictions of political hon- esty and his free declarations regarding then existing conditions in public affairs. He re- mained out of office until the election of Gen- eral Grant again brought the Republican party to the front. when he was again appointed. In all Mr. Clark served as postmaster at Van Wert for nine years and established a record of being a notably efficient public officer.

Since 1861 Mr. Clark had been in business for himself. He first started a book and news depot. and shortly afterward became agent for the American Express Company, being the second appointee of this company in Van Wert. For several years he prospered in business, but there came sudden misfortune upon him. brought about by the very qualities which have made Mr. Clark esteemed by those who know him best. In a business transaction he was led to endorse the paper of a friend and this ulti- mately caused him to lose nearly all he possessed. He had by this time numer- ous interests. In association with his father-in-law he built a mill and ran it for a short time, but the enterprise did not prove profitable and he was sold out by the sheriff. He then went to Pauld- ing and engaged in a mill enterprise which also failed. Returning to Van Wert, he purchased the mill which he had formerly owned and re- sumed milling. He continued to operate this mill for 21 years, until it was destroyed by fire, in January, 1896. Mr. Clark did not re- build the mill but utilized the old mill property in another way. He had on the property a substantial building, which he remodeled so as to provide comfortable homes for five fam- ilies. He has also four dwelling houses on the

old mill site. Mr. Clark's own residence, which is situated at No. 233 West Jackson street, is the largest on the property, excepting the flat building.

Mr. Clark has been twice married. On Au- gust 6, 1854, at Marion, Ohio, he married Ly- dia A. Baker, who was born in that city and was a daughter of Rev. George W. Baker, a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church. They had three children, viz. : George W., who died in infancy; Luella Hollington, who died aged 16 years; and Princess Lydia. The latter is the wife of E. C. Long, of Paris, Kentucky. Mrs. Long is a musician of exceptional attain- ments and is remarkably gifted as a vocalist. She is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Musical College and has devoted a large portion of her life to the development and use of her musical gifts. She has given many private concerts and is widely known all over the United States as an evangelistic singer.

On October 12, 1864, Mr. Clark was mar- ried to Virginia A. Mahan, who was born near Jamestown, Greene County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Charles Mahan. The death of Mrs. Clark took place September 7, 1887. She was survived by five children, as follows: Charles W., Alice. Maude A., John Frederick, and Margaret A. Charles W. Clark, who is .

distinguished as one of the finest baritone sing- ers in the musical world, is now ( 1906) tour- ing in the United States under the direction of F. Wight Neumann. His home is in the city of Paris, France. Alice is a trained nurse, a graduate of the Boston City Hospital Training School, and resides at home. Maude A. is the wife of Joseph Scott, of Bakersfield, California. John Frederick is a practicing physician and surgeon at Denver, Colorado. Margaret A. is the wife of H. M. Wilkinson. of Toledo, Ohio.

For a period of 55 years William A. Clark has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal

Digitized by Google

363

AND RI.PRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Church, and for a protracted period has been one of the trustees of the church at Van Wert. He has always been notably public-spirited and many of the infant industries, which now make the city one of importance, have felt his help- ing hand. Through his life Mr. Clark has been known as a thoroughly honest, outspoken man, and his numberless friends, neighbors and fel- low-citizens have never been left long in doubt concerning his sentiments where right and wrong were in question. At the same time, his bearing toward others, in the conduct of the affairs of business and of official life, has been genial and considerate, marking him as one whose impulses are governed with the highest conception of integrity and also of the fullness of the obligations of one man to another. Thus he has forged ties of friendship strong as steel. In all that concerns the public welfare of this city of residence, William A. Clark still re- mains generous with his time, means and in- terest.

RANCIS H. STALLKAMP, vice-pres- ident of the Delphos National Bank, a venerated citizen and the oldest mer- chant of the town, has been a resident of the United States for many years, but was born in Hanover, Germany, September 25, 1824, his parents living at that time in the province of Osnabruck.

Mr. Stallkamp remained in his native land until past his majority, complying with the laws and securing the education accorded every German child. In 1847 he embarked on a sailing vessel and crossed the Atlantic to the shores of America. His first permanent loca- tion was at Buffalo, New York, and he remem- bers crossing the first iron bridge built in that city, which structure was looked upon as being as great a feat of engineering at that day, as

some of the notable modern undertakings of the present appear to be. In 1848 Mr. Stall- kamp came to Ohio and found work in a saw- mill near Delphos. Game was very abundant in the forests where he was engaged in cutting and hauling logs, and wolves were troublesome and sometimes dangerous. The leading inn at Delphos was the American House, a hostelry which accommodated the traveling public at this trading station. For a time he acted as hostler here and also did other work in the neighborhood, butchering and dealing to some extent in cattle and horses. No railroads had yet been built through this section, but en- gineers were making surveys, and he recalls driving one party of engineers from Delphos to Elida and Lima.

In 1853 Mr. Stallkamp embarked in a gro- cery and provision business on the bank of the canal, the greater part of the patronage coming from the boats which would stop and provision at his place as they passed up and down. This continued for two years and then Mr. Stall- kamp went into partnership in the same line with Theodore Wrocklage under the firm name of T. Wrocklage & Company, which continued until the death of Mr. Wrocklage in 1890. Since that date the firm has been known in business circles as F. H. Stallkamp & Company. When Mr. Wrocklage entered the business, a line of queensware was added, and the firm soon had one of the finest grocery and queensware stores in Van Wert and Allen counties. Mr. Stallkamp also bought cattle and prepared them for shipment, supplying the up and down canal trade as mentioned. His first quarters were in the rear of a building right on the canal, and in those days it looked scarcely possible that from that beginning should grow the present important wholesale and retail house. By old traders on the canal Mr. Stallkamp is easily recalled, and the suc-

Google

Digitized by

364

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

cess to which he attained was in great meas- ure the result of his honest dealings and good management. In February, 1903, Mr. Stall- kamp retired from the grocery and queens- ware business in favor of his sons who still carry it on, using the same honest methods and progressive ideas that have marked it from the beginning. Five of Mr. Stallkamp's sons are interested in the business.

In 1853 Mr. Stallkamp was united in mar- riage with Josephine Hedrick, who died in No- vember, 1880, leaving eight sons and one daughter, viz. : Theodore J., Frank, Sylvester A., Otto W., Edward L., cashier of the Del- phos National Bank; John H., deceased; Jo- sephine M., Louis C., George H. and Fred.

Mr. Stallkamp has always been interested in the various enterprises which have promised to benefit Delphos, and has contributed liber- ally in support of public-spirited movements. For many years he was connected with the Ohio Wheel Company. In financial circles he stands high as vice-president and one of the largest stockholders of the Delphos National Bank. He is a consistent member of St. John's Catholic Church. He has never sought polit- ical honors.

THEODORE J. STALLKAMP, the eldest son of Francis H. and Josephine (Hedrick) Stall- kamp, was born in the family home at Delphos, on the west side of the canal where his parents lived and his father carried on his business for so many years.

Mr. Stallkamp was given excellent edu- cational opportunities, taking lessons in both English and German in the public and paro- chial schools. Since 1868, with the exception of one year during which he was clerk in a dry goods house, he has been associated with his father; first as assistant and later as partner. With his four brothers he now conducts the largest grocery and queensware business in

the county, and is the senior member of the Stallkamp Grocery & Queensware Company. The firm now occupies a fine two-story and basement brick building, with front of 39 by 72 feet and rear of 39 by 38 feet. The first story is devoted to groceries and the second to queensware. A complete stock of staple and fancy groceries of excellent quality is carried and can be supplied in any quantity.

Theodore J. Stallkamp is an excellent busi- ness man and possesses many of the traits of a father who was for years one of the most successful men in his line in this section. Since 1903 he has been a member of the City Coun- cil. For the past 18 years he has been con- nected with the Delphos fire department, en- tering as a volunteer, but now only holding honorary membership. He is also a member of the Catholic Knights of America.

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 Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 41

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

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