History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 45

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 45

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The mother of Captain Holmes was Clar- issa Maria Page, who was born in Vermont and was six years of age when she was brought by her parents to Ohio. In 1839 she was mar- ried to Samuel Holmes, at Windsor, Richland County. She died in Van Wert County in February, 1902, at the age of 82 years. Jacob Page, her grandfather, a native of Vermont. was the pioneer of the family in Ohio. The children of Samuel Holmes and wife were: Henry P., of this sketch; Mary and Clarissa M,. both deceased; and Mrs. Emma Thomas, of Chicago.

Henry P. Holmes was nine years old when his father left home to go to California, in the early days of the gold excitement, and he ac- companied his mother to her father's home in Wyandot County, where they lived until the father returned in 1852. Mr. Holmes then de- cided to settle in Van Wert County, and the journey was made with horse and wagon. the

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party reaching Van Wert in July, 1852. As occasion offered, the youth attended school, but had made no business arrangements which prevented his offering his services to his coun- try almost at the first hour of her need. He enlisted on April 19, 1861, under Capt. Israel D. Clark, in Company E, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for a period of 90 days, it then being the general hope that within that period the re- bellion would be crushed. He returned safely at the close of this enlistment, although he had participated in the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill, Cheat River and Carrick's Ford, and had been roughly brought to realize the stern, un- romantic facts of war. Nevertheless, on Aug- ust 6, 1862, he reenlisted, entering Company A, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and marched away under command of Capt. William C. Scott. The record of the regiment's valorous work is both interesting and most creditable. After the battle of Perryville, Captain Scott's company was engaged in skirmish duties around Nashville, being thus employed when its brave commander was killed. The com- mand then encamped at Murfreesboro until February, when Mr. Holmes was promoted, rising in rank from orderly sergeant to 2nd lieutenant; subsequently, on account of per- sonal bravery, he rose to the position of Ist leiutenant and then to a captaincy. With this rank he was transferred to the command of Company E, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. The regiment followed in the wake of the enemy to McMinnville, Tennessee, where an order was received that three commanding officers and six non-commissioned officers should be sent to Ohio to recruit. and Captain Holmes was one assigned to this duty. After six weeks of recruiting duty. he was ordered to rejoin his regiment and reached it during its retreat after the battle of Chickamauga. This was the per- iod of that 34 days of distress, when the troops

were obliged to subsist on quarter rations. Horses died by the hundred and many a brave soldier nearly succumbed from exhaustion. It is a matter of history how at length the 11th and 12th corps of Hooker's army and a detail of Sherman's army, by herculean efforts, reached their suffering comrades and relieved their distress.

Captain Holmes' regiment belonged to the famous Whittaker's brigade, which was the first to surmount Lookout Mountain, on No- vember 24th, taking the brunt of the battle, and was in the second line at Mission Ridge, was in the thickest of the fight all the way to Atlanta, and was a part of the 15th Army Corps at Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. At the latter place this regiment was transferred to the 23rd Corps, engaged in the flank move- ments and constructed the pontoon bridge 'across the Chattahoochee River. It was the first brigade to cross the river, going thence to Decatur, Georgia, and then across to Atlanta, destroying the railroad to Jonesboro. Subse- quently this regiment, which had covered itself with glory, was sent back to Nashville and par- ticipated in the fight at Franklin, with Hood's forces. The march to Nashville was one of peril and hardship, the enemy having pre- vented direct communication and forcing upon the command a weary tramp of 200 miles. By December 31, 1864, the gallant 99th was so reduced in numbers-the falling away of its comrades being marked by green hillocks scat- tered over every battle-field in Tennessee and Georgia-that the few members of it remain- ing were included in the 50th Ohio, of which Captain Holmes was a member when he was mustered out.

Upon his return Captain Holmes was greeted by his fellow-citizens with the hearty admiration inspired by bravery and manly qual- ities of mind and heart. Many years have since

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elapsed but his loyal deeds and unselfish patriot- ism are not forgotten, and he is one of the most honored members of Capper Post, No. 236, G. A. R., at Convoy. Until the spring of 1866 he worked with his father in the mill, and then located on his present farm in Van Wert County. A portion of this was his father-in- law's old homestead, and the only house was a log cabin in the woods. He had the land cleared, added to his possessions until he had 400 acres, and then engaged in the raising of sheep. As long as it was profitable, he con- tinued in that line, but at present he is engaged in general farming. He has divided 200 acres among his children, retaining 185 acres of finely improved land. His old-time log cabin long since gave way to a modern, convenient, commodious home, attractive architecturally as well as comfortable in all its arrangements.

In August, 1866, Captain Holmes was married to Emeline Burt, who was born in Coshocton, Ohio, August 27, 1846, and is a daughter of D. W. and Catherine (Creater) Burt, who came to Van Wert in 1856. The children of Captain Holmes and wife were: Burt, of Pleasant township; Elizabeth, wife of William Dwyer, of Convoy; Harry, of Union township; Catherine, wife of Noel Baker, of Tully township; Walter, actively operating the home farm; and Grace and Anna, also living with their parents.

Captain Holmes has always been a Repub- lican, his first presidential vote contributing to the second election of President Lincoln. He has served in various public offices in the town- ship, and has always proven himself as faith- ful a citizen as he was a loyal soldier. In 1893 he was elected probate judge of Van Wert County, and served three years. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and of the Tribe of Ben Hur, at Van Wert.

REDERICK GIESSLER was born in Holmes County, Ohio, November I, 1842, and was a year old when brought to Van Wert County by his parents, who located in Willshire township, where they died on the old home farm in sec- tion I. Mr. Giessler lived on his father's farm until he entered the Union Army, en- listing in Company C, 4Ist Reg., Ohio. Vol. Inf., serving with General Thomas in his cam- paign against Hood and participating in the en- gagements at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nash- ville, which were among the hardest fought battles of the entire war. He was discharged in June, 1865, and returned to his father's home. The same year he purchased 80 acres in Willshire township, much of the purchase price coming from army wages, which he did not squander like many soldiers. Two years later he sold the farm in Willshire township and bought 120 acres in section 23, Harrison township, where he has since lived and en- gaged in farming.

John Giessler, the father, came from Ger- many and located in Holmes County, where he entered 100 acres of land, which, with the as- sistance of his son, Frederick, he cleared with- in the following three years of his residence there. The latter also cleared a portion of the first 80 acres which his father purchased in Willshire township, and as later he cleared all but 20 acres of his present farm he has cer- tainly, had his share of this kind of pioneer la- bor. John Giessler married Margaret Schaadt, and had six children, three of whom are living, namely : Frederick; Margaret (Mrs. William Exley) and John, who lives on the home farm in Willshire township.

Frederick Giessler was married in 1869 to Elizabeth Kreischer. a native of this county and a daughter of Peter Kreischer. They have had

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six children, as follows : John D., a resident of Harrison township, who taught school for 13 years in succession and has recently given it up on account of his health and resumed farming; F. Joseph, who lives at home; Margaret (Greu- lach), whose husband is superintendent of the Convoy schools; Frieda, who teaches in the Convoy schools, and two children who died in infancy. Mr. Giessler and his family are all members of the Evangelical Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held a number of township offices, having served as infirmary di- rector for three years, township trustee one term and supervisor two terms.

J OHN VAN LIEW, a former resident of Van Wert, was born in Crittenden County, Arkansas, October 18, 1851, -... and is the son of Henry C. and Han- nah J. (Foster) Van Liew. The father was born in the town of New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, May 7, 1825, and the mother in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1833, and in the latter city the couple first met and were there married in 1848. they resided in Tennessee until 1851 when they located in Crittenden County, Ar- kansas, where the father followed farming un- til 1854, when the family removed to Richland County, Ohio, where the father farmed until 1855 when they moved to De Witt, Michigan, where he engaged in the lumber trade until 1856 and then continued in the same business for a year in Mansfield, Ohio. From there they removed to Columbia City, Indiana, thence in 1860 to Larwill, Indiana, and in 1870 to Chicago, Illinois, where Mr. Van Liew was engaged in the drug business until 1872 when the family returned to Indiana and located at South Bend, where Mr. Van Liew handled drugs until his death, which occurred in 1888.

He was a finely educated gentleman, an hon- ored member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics a Democrat.

John Van Liew, the subject of this sketch, led a somewhat nomadic life with his parents until 1865, when he began his business life as a brakeman on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, which position he held for one year and then acted as clerk for the freight agent of the company at Columbia City, In- diana, until transferred to Larwill, Indiana, where he filled the position of acting agent un- til 1871. In this year he was transferred to Ada, Ohio, where he became agent for the com- pany and in 1877 he came to Van Wert, where he filled the position of agent until 1887 when he resigned to accept the position of general freight and passenger agent of the Ohio Di- vision of the Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw Railroad Company. A year later he retired from the employ of the company on account of a change of administration. No more com- petent gentleman could have been chosen to fill these responsible positions and his retire- ment from the employ of the company was by far a greater loss to it than to himself. The two succeeding years were passed in traveling through the Western States in pursuit of plea- sure and business. In politics Mr. Van Liew is a Democrat and in 1889 he was elected com- mon pleas clerk of Van Wert County and so faithfully and ably did he perform the duties of the office that he was triumphantly re-chosen for the same position in 1892. During his second term he was solicited, January 19, 1895, to accept the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Van Wert. In April, 1902, he resigned as cashier of the First National Bank to accept a position as auditor and treas- urer of the Empire Construction Company, of Toledo, Ohio, which had a contract to build and equip a telephone exchange at Los An-

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geles, California, as well as exchanges at San- ta Barbara, Santa Ana, Riverside, Redlands, San Bernardino, Pasadena and Hollywood, as well as the long distance telephone lines to con- nect all the exchanges in Southern California. After the completion of the plant at Los An- geles, he was made general manager of the ex- change, which was then and is at this time the largest independent (non-Bell telephone ex- change in the United States, having at this time 22,000 telephones. The Empire Con- struction Company having finished its work in the southern part of the State, it ceased opera- tions July 1, 1905, and Mr. Van Liew resigned as general manager of the Home Telephone Company. January 1, 1906, he accepted the position of auditor and treasurer of the Em- pire Construction Company, of California, or- ganized for the purpose of building telephone exchanges in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fresno and surrounding towns; the work of construction in Oakland has already com- menced.

John Van Liew has been a busy man all his life and has accomplished what few men would ·have undertaken. Mr. Van Liew was married at Larwill, Indiana, to Emma A. Robinson, daughter of S. F. and Mary Robinson. To this union were born two daughters-Lou E. and Winifred. Mr. Van Liew is a 32nd de- gree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine.

ON. EDWARD C. STITZ, attorney- at-law at Van Wert, formerly mayor of the city and a man of education and influence, was born October 14. 1868, at Dayton, Ohio, and is a son of August and Susan (Betcher) Stitz. His parents re- moved from Dayton to Van Wert County in 1871. His father followed the trade of shoe-

: mal:er. The children of the family were thr .e in number.

As Mr. Stitz was so young when he came to Van Wert County he may almost be con- sidered a native, for here he was reared from infancy and was educated at Van Wert, graduating from its High school. In 1889 he entered the office of Alexan- der & Darnell, with whom he read law. He was admitted to the bar June 4, 1891, and is now in active practice in this city. He has served as city solicitor and also as mayor, but the duties of his practice now absorb all of his time, and the results have earned him a high standing as a member of the bar of Van Wert County.

On June 2, 1897, Mr. Stitz was married to Lucy M. Jackson, a daughter of James M. Jackson, deceased, and four children have been: born to this union-Suzane, Dona, Kenneth and Miriam. Mr. and Mrs. Stitz are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and they reside in a beautiful home at Euclid and For- est avenues. In the prosecution of his profes- sional work Mr. Stitz occupies commodious of- fices at No. 1111/2 East Main street. Polit- ically he is identified with the Republican party and fraternally belongs to the Odd Fellows (of which he is past grand and past chief patriarch) and to the Modern Brotherhood of America.

H A. GIFFIN, president of the Van Wert County Agricultural Society and a prominent citizen of Hoaglin township, where he owns a fine farm of 110 acres, situated in section 29, was born in Miami County, Ohio, November 26, 1850, and is a son of William and Martha (McKee) Giffin.

The father of Mr. Giffin removed with his

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GEORGE H. MARSH

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family from Miami County to Van Wert County in 1858, and settled in York township. In 1861 he located in Hoaglin township, set- tling on section 32 and living on his property there until his death in June, 1879. He served as surveyor of Van Wert County for two terms and had previously held a similar office in Miami County. In politics he was a Republican and in religious observance, a Presbyterian. Of his children, the following survive: John of Logansport, Indiana; Elizabeth, wife of James Earhart, residing near Portland, Ore- gon ; Paulina, widow of Adam Rodahaugh, of Cass County, Indiana; Reuben T., of Wabash County, Indiana; David J., of Hoaglin town- ship; A. A .; Isaac N., of Van Wert; Win- field S., of Hoaglin township; and Edward L., of Loudon County, Tennessee.

A. A. Giffin was reared and educated in Van Wert County. In young manhood he learned the carpenter's trade and resided for four years in Putnam County, engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, at Ottawa, prior to 1882, when he settled on his present farm, where he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising ever since. His fine estate is known as the "North View Farm" and in lo- cation, productiveness and improvements it stands second to none in the northern section of the county. In 1901 Mr. Giffin erected his beautiful modern residence, doing much of the work himself, thus insuring its substantial character. This model rural home is modern in every particular, among other up-to-date improvements being a system of hot-air heat- ing, which is entirely satisfactory, while it is lighted by acetylene gas. It is not often that farmers can enjoy the substantial comforts of both city and country life at the same time, but Mr. Giffin has solved the problem in the erection and arrangement of his homestead res- idence.

On January 13, 1875, Mr. Giffin was mar- ried to Elizabeth J. Hattery, who was born in Van Wert County and is a daughter of the late Nathaniel Hattery, an early settler in Hoaglin township. Mr. and Mrs. Giffin have had three children, viz .: Edward P. and Martha E., both deceased; and Hermia A. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church.

Politically Mr. Giffin is a Republican, but is liberal in his views and on occasion supports the man rather than the party. He has served as assessor of Hoaglin township: for a number of years has been a leading member of the Van Wert County Agricultural Society, and on Jan- uary 6, 1906, was elected its president. Mr. Giffin is a man of progressive agricultural ideas, and it is generally conceded that the choice was a wise one. As a farmer he has been deeply concerned in all movements look- ing toward the improvement of agricultural conditions, and belongs to Pleasant Grange, No. 399, Patrons of Husbandry, of Pleasant township. He is also a member of Alpha Lodge, No. 1, Home Guards of America.

In 1892 the Victor Horse Breeding Com- pany was organized in Van Wert County, its object being the improvement of the horse stock of this locality, and Mr. Giffin has been secretary of the organization since its found- ing. In its membership are represented several of the important farming interests of this sec- tion, and its objects and results are eminently practical.

EORGE H. MARSH, capitalist and banker, one of the leading men of Van Wert for many years, has been identified with many successful busi- ness organizations in this and other States, and is one of the best-known financiers in Northwestern Ohio. He comes of New

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England ancestry and of Ohio pioneers. He was born in Connecticut, on Christmas Day of 1833 and is a son of George and Caroline (Gil- bert) Marsh.

James Marsh, the paternal grandfather, was also a native of Connecticut, and remained in that State throughout his long life, following agricultural pursuits during the years of his, active life. His son George, the father of our subject, was born in the same State; learned the trade of clock-making and doubtless did much to give popularity to what were known in that day as "Yankee clocks." Indeed he is credited with making the first brass clock in the United States. During his earlier years, according to the custom of the time, he traveled through the country selling the products of his skill, and later formed a partnership with Wil- liam L. Gilbert, who, after Mr. Marsh's re- moval to Ohio in 1833, continued in the busi- ness and became the largest clock manufacturer in New England.

On his first visit Mr. Marsh remained but a short time in Ohio, but returned in 1833 and settled at Athens, later removing to Dayton. He bought and sold lands and also engaged in clock-making; but in 1841 his manufactory was burned and he removed to Bond County, Illinois, where he followed stock farming until 1843. He owned large tracts of land in Ohio, which, by this time, had greatly enhanced in value, and shortly afterward he came to Van Wert County, bringing his family to the town of Van Wert in 1847. In the following year he removed to the southern part of the State, where he owned property, and died at Marsh- field in 1862. In partnership with other cap- italists he owned land in a number of counties. Mr. Marsh married Caroline Gilbert at Litch- field, Connecticut, and they had five children, the mother dying in 1848.

George H. Marsh was 13 years of age when

his parents came to Van Wert. He had at- tended school at Farmington and later returned there for added educational advantages, and prior to his 16th year secured collegiate train- ing at Athens, Ohio. When the surveyors were at work on the Marietta & Cincinnati Rail- road, the youth secured a position with them as assistant and continued with them for several months, afterward, for a short time becoming a clerk in a mercantile establishment at Van Wert. He doubtless inherited an inclination toward machinery, and when he entered the railroad shops at Crestline showed remarkable aptitude in his work as clerk to the master mechanic. He continued with the company in the same capacity until the shops were re- moved to Fort Wayne, when he entered the establishment as a mechanic.

Until 1871 Mr. Marsh was variously en- gaged-in a cotton warehouse in Louisiana, in a livery business at Van Wert, in farming and stock dealing, and as general manager of the Eagle Stave Works at Van Wert. After hold- ing this last named position for two years, he became proprietor, and not only enlarged the plant, but became interested in the stave works at Belmore, Latta and Geneva. Eventually he was the largest stave manufacturer in the United States, in addition to being connected with the great cooperage supply house at Scott, Ohio. For a number of years he has been active in banking circles, and at one time was financially concerned in 15 national banks in Ohio and other States. He has been president of the Lima Locomotive & Machine Company. the Lima Steel works, and the wholesale boot and shoe house of Ainsworth, Wickenheiser & Company, of Toledo; owns thousands of acres of land in various portions of the State; is one of the owners of the First National Bank of Van Wert and sole proprietor of the Marsh Hotel-conceded to be the finest hostelry in

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Van Wert County. All of these large and im- portant interests have been managed with great success, as Mr. Marsh is a thorough man of business, well qualified -- both naturally and through years of experience-to conduct and develop such enterprises. But all of his activi- ties are not absorbed by business cares. Travel and social life claim his leisure; philanthropy finds in him a friend, and in him his fellow- citizens recognize one whose attention can in- variably be secured for any laudable public- spirited movement.

On November 26, 1862, Mr. Marsh was married to Hilinda Vance, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 13, 1844. They have one daughter, Katie, who is the wife of Arthur L. Clymer, of Van Wert. Mrs. Marsh is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Fraternally Mr. Marsh is in affiliation with the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., of Van Wert, and is a 32nd degree Mason. His portrait accom- panies this sketch.

ILLIAM IRA REED, one of the county commissioners of Van Wert County, as well as a leading farmer of Pleasant township, where he has carried on extensive agricultural operations for a number of years, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, September 8, 1851, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Strickland) Reed. Mr. Reed received his education in the public schools of Ashland County and at the age of 21 years, with his young bride, removed to Tully township, Van Wert County, and en- gaged in farming for 22 years on a place he had purchased. In 1895 he fixed upon his present place of residence.

Mr. Reed was reared on a farm, his life has been devoted to agriculture, and as a pro-

gressive and successful farmer he is favorably known throughout the county. He has also been prominent in public life, while residing in Tully township, having served as township trustee and as justice of the peace. Since 1902 he has been one of the county commissioners, having been elected to that office by a majority of 126 votes. Since Mr. Reed became a mem- ber of the board he has been instrumental in bringing about many public improvements and necessary reforms.

On February 11, 1873, Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Fannie B. Staman, who is a daughter of Jacob Staman, a well- known farmer and miller of Ashland County, and they have four children, as follows : Olin O .; residing at home, who is engaged in the poultry business; Francis E., a graduate of the Ohio Medical University, of Columbus, who is a practicing physician in Van Wert; Pearl, a milliner of Van Wert; and Millie, wife of Clark Good, a prominent attorney of Van Wert.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 45

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

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