History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 47

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 47

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n A. LOE, furniture dealer and under- taker, at Ohio City. is one of the re- liable business men of the place. He was born in Greene County. Ohio. in 1873, the son of John Loe. a prominent agri- culturist of the county named. Mr. Loe was

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REV. JAMES ALEXANDER GORDON, D. D.

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reared on his father's farm, attended the neigh- boring schools, and then enjoyed collegiate advantages at Antioch. Subsequently he pur- sued a course in embalming, received a State license, and in November, 1901, selected Ohio City as his place of residence, buying out the furniture and undertaking business already essablished here. Later he erected a fine two- story building, 28 by 80 feet, centrally located, which gives him sufficient room for the expan- sion of his business and greatly facilitates its transaction. He is a man of high standing in the community, and is serving both as treas- urer of Liberty township and as president of the Ohio City School Board.

In 1902 Mr. Loe was married to Lydia A. Warner, the accomplished daughter of John G. Warner, who was a soldier during the Civil War, then a farmer in Clark County and now a retired resident of Greene County, Ohio, his home being at Yellow Springs.

Mrs. Loe was educated at Antioch College, Valparaiso, Indiana, and at Chautauqua, New York. subsequently teaching for 10 years, dur- ing which period she spent many summer va- cations in attendance upon normal schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loe are members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and are active in its work, Mr. Loe being the superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. Politically Mr. Loe is a stanch Democrat, and fraternally is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

R EV. JAMES ALEXANDER GOR. DON, D. D., pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church of Van Wert, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is one of the most scholarly members of this religious body, widely known in the pulpit, the lecture field and literature. Dr. Gordon was

born at Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1861, and is a son of Rev. J. Smith Gor- don, who was for many years a distinguished clergyman in Pennsylvania.

The Gordon family originated in Scotland, but at a very early day became established in the North of Ireland, whence its American founders emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. Alexander Gordon. the grandfather of Dr. Gordon, was born in Pennsylvania, and there became an agricul- turist of substance and influence. The father, Rev. J. Smith Gordon, was born August 18, 1829, at Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and after a pastorate of 47 years died at Fannettsburg in 1904. He married Mary Catherine Mont- gomery, who was born in Fannettsburg in 1840, and died in 1864. Mrs. J. Smith Gor- don was a granddaughter of Judge Elliott, a well-known jurist of Pennsylvania, whose brother, Rev. David Elliott, D. D. LL. D., was president of Washington and Jefferson College and one of the founders of the Western The- ological Seminary, at Allegheny. In 1837, at the time of the division of the Presbyterian Church into Old School and New School, Dr. Elliott was serving as moderator of the Gen- eral Assembly.

The children of Rev. J. Smith Gordon and wife were: James A., of this sketch; Mary, who lives at home; Clementine: Clarence M., Ph. D., a member of the faculty of Central University at Danville, Kentucky: and John K., a physician located at Chambersburg. Penn- sylvania.

James Alexander Gordon attended the schools of his native place. in which. with his father's instruction in higher branches, he had prepared for college by the time he was 17 years of age. Entering the University of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, he completed its classical course in 1882. graduating with the

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first honors of his class. Thence he went to Princeton, New Jersey, and was graduated from the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1885, on June 9th of that year being ordained to the ministry by the Presbytery of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After a few months of mission work at Crookston, Minnesota, he received a call to Decatur, Michigan, and remained in charge there from January, 1886, until Septem- ber, 1889, resigning in order to take advantage of a Williams fellowship of $500, which he had been awarded at Harvard University, after a competitive examination open to all theological graduates. His competitive thesis was entitled "The Incarnation as the Goal of Evolution." After a year of post-graduate study at Harvard on November 1, 1890, he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert. His work here speaks for itself-in improved and increased church facilities and in a spiritual advancement most marked.

On September 1, 1887, Dr. James A. Gor- don was married to Alice Clark Hill, who is a daughter of Hon. E. Parker Hill, formerly one of the most prominent citizens of Decatur, Michigan. Mr. Hill was born in Yates County, New York, May 11, 1819, enjoyed only com- mon-school advantages, and became a cooper. In. 1843 he married Harriet E. Hatch, who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and in 1858 removed to Decatur, Michigan. He was one of the originators of the First National Bank there-its first cashier and subsequently its president-and was also elected to many hon- orable positions in the public service of the county and State. He was an elder in the Pres- byterian Church and one of its most liberal sup- porters. After a happy married life of 62 years, Mr. Hill died August 20, 1905, leaving a wife and two children, his son, L. Dana Hill, being the present cashier of the First State

Bank of Decatur. Dr. Gordon and wife have an adopted daughter-Helen Emily.

In 1902 Dr. Gordon was honored by his alma mater with the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity. In the following year, accompanied by, his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Lee R. Bonewitz, of Van Wert, he made a tour of Europe and the Holy Land, and upon his return prepared and delivered a series of travel lectures which proved so full of interest that they were pub- lished in book form, the volume bearing the title "A New Pilgrimage in the Old World." Dr. Gordon served for 11 years as stated clerk and treasurer of Lima Presbytery to which he belongs, and is a member of its home mission committee, in charge of the smaller churches of the presbytery. He has represented the presbytery in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church-at Saratoga, in 1896, and at Winona Lake, in 1905. Dr. Gordon's pas- torate is by far the longest in the history of the Van Wert church, and the congregation is known as one of the most flourishing in the State-harmonious and progressive, and gen- erous in all good works.

A MOS H. WATTS, master mechanic of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad, with headquarters at Van Wert. has been engaged in this line of work for more than 40 years. He was born in Bal- timore, Maryland, January 19. 1847, and is a son of Reuben and Sophia (Koontz) Watts, both of whom were natives of Maryland, where they were married. The Watts family is of English descent.

Reuben Watts was a blacksmith and ma- chinist in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops at Baltimore until 1850. when he moved to

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Cincinnati, Ohio, to take a position as engineer on the Little Miami Railroad. It was while on duty on the latter road that he met his death in 1861 as the result of a collision. His wife survived him about five years. Five daughters and three sons were born to them, six of whom grew to maturity, and four of whom, our sub- ject and three sisters, are now living.

Amos H. Watts attended public school in Cincinnati until his 16th year. Being am- bitious to do for himself, he entered the Little Miami Railroad shops soon after the death of his father, and for 11 years remained there as apprentice and machinist. In 1873 he was promoted to the position of general foreman of the same road, with headquarters at Xenia, and had served in that capacity about eight years when he went to Covington, Kentucky, as master mechanic of the Kentucky Central. Three years later he went to Marshall, Texas, to accept the position of master mechanic of the Texas & Pacific, and remained with that road until January 1, 1890, when he accepted his present position as master mechanic in charge of the entire system of the Cincinnati Northern road. In 1896 the headquarters were moved to Van Wert, at which time Mr. Watts became a resident of this city. These shops employ about 185 men and send out about 60 engineers and firemen. Mr. Watts has been devoted to his work from the first, and has been a faithful employee, having never lost any time since he started to work in 1862.

Amos H. Watts was married in 1871 to Mary Rosetta Arthur. a native of Clermont County, Ohio, and a daughter of S. E. Arthur, a distant relative of the late Chester A. Arthur, ex-President of the United States, as well as a descendant of the same ancestors as George Washington. Mrs. Watts is one of the heirs to the great Ball estate of Washington, and a

lady whose many admirable qualities have won her a host of friends. They have had four children, two pairs of twins. viz .: Frank, a machinist who died in April, 1905, at the age of 33 years, being then a widower and child- less; Arthur, who was drowned in the Ohio River about 16 years ago; Laura, wife of O. G. Tague, of Lima ; and John C., who sailed from New York on January 6. 1906, for the Isthmus of Panama. to become foreman in charge of machines for the United States on the canal. Mr. Watts is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Republican. He was made a Mason in Cincinnati in 1869; belongs to the Foresters; Home Guards of America; Im- proved Order of Red Men and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

OHN D. BECK, one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Pleasant township, whose well-cul- tivated farm of 80 acres is situated in section 3. was born May 11, 1854, in Union township, Van Wert County, Ohio. He is a son of Michael and Mary Ann ( Feighner) Beck.

The parents of Mr. Beck were natives of Pennsylvania, and were pioneer settlers in the heavily timbered part of Union township. Van Wert County. They built their log cabin there, and endured many of the privations and hardships which fell to the lot of early set- tlers. Michael Beck was a man of sterling qualities, and became one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Union township, where he served many years as a justice of the peace: he also served as town- ship trustee and township treasurer. He was one of the liberal. early supporters of the Lutheran Church, and through life was a con-

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sistent member. Of the children born to Michael Beck and wife, four survive, as fol- lows: Daniel S., of Union township; Eliza- beth E., of Paulding Center, Ohio; John D., of this sketch; and Sabina A., wife of John Roat, of Union township.

John D. Beck spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Union township, and obtained his education in the best schools the vicinity of his home at that time afforded. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and his successful methods have often been adopted by his fellow farmers, with good re- sults. He has a very fine farm and comforta- ble and attractive buildings.

Mr. Beck was united in marriage with Amanda J. Burtsfield, on December 26, 1878. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 17, 1858, and was 12 years old when she accompanied her parents, John and Cath- erine (Shoup) Burtsfield, to Union township, where they were early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Burtsfield were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Burtsfield served as a justice of the peace in Union township and was also township treas- urer. He died June 15, 1902, his wife having passed away September 21, 1898. The sur- viving children of Mr. and Mrs. Burtsfield are : Sarah L., John H. and Prudence A. (Mrs. S. A. McClure), of Union township; Amanda J., wife of our subject; Jacob, of Union town- ship; and Samuel Stephen, of Toledo, Ohio; and Jessie A. (Mrs. Charles Elder), of Van Wert.

Mr. and Mrs. Beck have had five children, viz .: Catherine M. (Mrs. Charles C. Robin- son), of Van Wert County; Alice A .; Stephen G .; George G .; and Flo L. The family belong to Pleasant Chapel. Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically Mr. Beck is identified with the

Democratic party. He was one of the school directors of District No. 3, Pleasant township. and has always taken a great deal of interest in educational affairs. He is a man who stands very high in his neighborhood and enjoys the respect of all who hnow him.

OSEPH H. RIDER, whose fine farm in section 16, township 4, range 4, Jennings township, stretches over 120 acres of valuable land, is also an hon- ored survivor of the great Civil War, to the settlement of whose issues he gave three years of his early manhood. He was born in May, 1841, in Allen County, Ohio, just five months after his parents had moved there from Michi- gan. He is a son of Isaac T. and Eliza (Salts- man) Rider, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively.

Pioneer conditions prevented Mr. Rider from enjoying many educational advantages. The country round about was thinly settled, and during his school days the children of the locality were gathered in subscription schools, which were sometimes held in log structures in the clearings, and sometimes in the homes of the pupils. By the time Mr. Rider was grown, conditions were materially changed and a later generation had many more advantages. He grew to manhood on the homestead and was trained in practical farming, an occupation that has claimed his attention through life.

In 1862 Mr. Rider enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company A, 8Ist Reg .. Ohio Vol. Inf., and served three years, mainly in the Army of the Tennessee. participating in all the hardships, long marches and battles of General Sherman's memorable campaign. He was one of the bronzed veterans who took

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part in the Grand Review at Washington af- ter the triumphal closing of the war.

Upon his return from the army, Mr. Rider made arrangements to resume farming, and on August 24, 1865, he purchased 80 acres of land, situated in the woods, in section 16, Jennings township. He lived in a log cabin, all his early buildings being constructed of logs. As he cleared and improved his land, he gradually added to its extent, until he now owns 120 acres and has 105 of these cleared. The old log buildings well served their pur- pose, but they have long since given way to comfortable, commodious and substantial buildings of modern architecture. This valu- able home and farm which Mr. Rider literally developed from the wilderness, represents the industry and judicious management of 40 years.

On December 20, 1866, Mr. Rider was married to Mahala Jane Rupert, who is a daughter of George and Lavina (Parrott) Rupert, the former of whom lived to the ven- erable age of 102 years, 4 months and 12 days, while his wife lived to the age of 86 years. Mr. and Mrs. Rider have eight children, namely : Lavina, wife of Frank Simptons, of Auglaize County; Minnie Etta, wife of Perry Bodey, of Salem township, Auglaize County ; Rachel Belle, wife of John Adams, of Lima; Lettie May, wife of Harley Slentz, of Jennings township; Naomi, wife of Augus- tus Neytermayer; John H., who married Samantha Adams and lives at Monticello; and James William and Thomas Grover, both living at home. There are also 19 grandchil- dren in the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Rider are members of the New Salem Presbyterian Church, of Salem township, Auglaize County, in which Mr. Rider is a deacon. He is one of the represen- tative men of his township and has been one of

its most useful citizens, having lent his influ- ence for years to the movements calculated to promote the section's best interests.

O. ROBERTS, one of the representa- tive citizens of Van Wert, who has been identified with a number of its large business interests for some years, was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, April 11, 1872, and is a son of Owen and Anna Elizabeth ( Evans) Roberts.

The parents of Mr. Robert's were also na- tives of North Wales. The father was en- gaged in the brick and lime business and also operated a stone quarry. He was a good busi- ness man, but died early in middle life, when our subject was only 12 years of age, his wife having died four years previously. They had a family of seven children, namely : John, of North Wales; David, of Australia; Hugh, of Venedocia, Ohio; Anna, who died in Wales; William, a farmer living at Venedocia; J. O., of this sketch; and Owen, who died in Wales.

After the death of his parents, our sub- ject went to live with a dry goods merchant by the name of James, with whom he remained until he was 17 years of age, attending school and working in the store. In 1889 he came from Liverpool, England, on the steamship "Etruria," to the American metropolis, and from New York to Venedocia, Ohio, where his uncle resided. After two weeks with his uncle, he moved to Van Wert and secured em- ployment in the dry goods store of H. G. Leh- mann & Son, the same business that he now owns. He remained continuously with Mr. Lehmann for about seven years, with the ex- ception of three months spent at Lima, and then, in partnership with D. W. Williams, bought the business. In six months time Mr.

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Roberts had acquired the whole business, through purchase, and since 1897 it has been conducted under his own name. Three years ago he purchased the building, a three-story and basement structure, located at No. 106 West Main street. Here he has excellent ac- commodations for his large and constantly in- creasing business in dry goods, cloaks, car- pets and notions, his stock being probably the largest and most carefully selected in the city.

In addition to making a success of his mer- cantile enterprise, Mr. Roberts has been iden- tified with other business interests. Some four years ago, in association with J. D. Rowland, he started a skirt and wrapper factory, which for a time was operated under the title of Rob- erts & Rowland. In 1902 Mr. Roberts having become interested in the possibilities of oil de- velopment, leased 1,088 acres of oil land in the vicinity of Venedocia, and among his Welsh friends formed the Cambrian Oil Company, with a capital stock of $300,000. On its in- corporation, Mr. Roberts was made manager and treasurer. The leases owned by this com- pany have proven of the greatest value, many wells being now in operation and more pro- jected for the spring of 1906. Formerly, Mr. Roberts also operated branch stores at Will- shire, Ohio City and Scott, but he has disposed of these. Recently, with Edward Roberts and Glenn H. McIlvain, he came into possession of the Avenue Hotel. at Van Wert, which is now one of the best hostelries in the city.

On January 30, 1891, Mr. Roberts was married to Louise Mabel McIlvain, who is the daughter of James R. and Susan (Shultz) McIlvain, natives of Delaware County, Ohio, but residents of Van Wert. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have one daughter-Helene Gordon. The beautiful family home is situated at No. 613 South Washington street. Mr. Roberts owns a farm of 120 acres in York township.

and Mrs. Roberts one of 80 acres, in Pleasant township. They are prominent members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Mr, Roberts is a trustee. He is president of the church choir, having a trained tenor voice.

Mr. Roberts is a Republican in his political views, but takes no very active interest in polit- ical campaigns. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of the Maccabees.

For the past three years Mr. Roberts has taken a decided interest in automobiles. mak- ing many excursions in a handsome one of his own. During 1904, with his wife and daugh- ter, he enjoyed a delightful tour in Europe.

OSEPH SPIELES, township trustee for the past five years, and one of the representative and influential farmers of Washington township, residing on his fine farm of 80 acres in section 10, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 15, 1857, and is a son of Philip and Magdalene (Wulshire) Spieles.

Philip Spieles and wife were both born, reared and married in Germany and came to America about 1835, locating on a farm in Fairfield County, where Mr. Spieles lived until the time of his death in 1880. His wife sur- vived him 10 years, passing away in 1890.

Joseph Speiles was reared in Fairfield County and obtained his education in the dis- trict schools, being also married in that county to Johanna Runser, a native of that county and a daughter of Sebastian Runser. Mr. Spieles moved to Van Wert County in 1882. and purchased 80 acres of land in Washington township, which is his present home. About half the land was in timber, and the family lived for many years after their arrival in an old log cabin, which is now doing duty as a

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JAMES MONROE DULL

MRS. MARTHA L. DULL

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woodshed. Mr. Spieles has made many im- provements on the property, especially in the line of putting up substantial buildings. In 1892 a fine large brick house was erected. and in 1901 a large barn was added to the many other improvements.

By his first marriage Mr. Spieles had six children : Clara, who married Chris. Huys- man and has one child-Carletto; Leo, who died aged 19 years: Edward, who died at the age of nine: Frank: Theresa and Isabelle. Mrs. Johanna Spieles died in 1894 and in No- vember, 1895, Mr. Spieles married Maggie Noll, by whom he had two children-Henry and Margaret, who both died in infancy. The second Mrs. Spieles died in 1898. Mr. Spieles and family are all members of St. John's Catholic Church, of Delphos.

Mr. Spieles has held a number of local offices, having served for eight years as as- sessor of Washington township. In 1901 he was elected trustee and in 1904 was reelected to serve another term of three years.

J AMES MONROE DULL, one of the capitalists and representative citizens of Liberty township. who owns a very valuable farm of 360 acres in sections 18, 19 and 20. and resides in the sec- tion last named, was born in Willshire town- ship. Van Wert County, Ohio, January 23, 1846. His parents were Lenhart and Susanna (Ream) Dull. John Dull, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania in 1778. and soon af- ter his marriage to Hannah Lenhart settled in Fayette County. In 1832 he moved to Stark County. Ohio, where he entered 320 acres of land. In 1834. during the prevalence of an epidemic of cholera, both he and his wife died.

Lenhart Dull was born in Fayette County,

Pennsylvania, August 18, 1815, and was 16 years of age when his parents moved to Stark County. He grew up to be a practical farmer and in 1840 entered 160 acres of heavily tim- bered land in Willshire township, Van Wert County, paying for it at the rate of $2.50 an acre. In 1842, after his marriage, he settled cn his land, building thereon a round-log cabin, and subsequently, with the assistance of his sons, cleared it and developed it into a fine farm. He made many improvements, among the first of which being the erection of a two- story log house in place of the first rude cabin. Mr. Dull continued to add to his land until he owned 1,000 acres, all of which he disposed of to his sons, either by sale or by gift. He died May 8, 1892. His widow afterward married his brother, Elias Dull, and still resides in Will- shire township at a venerable age. She was born May 10, 1824, and was marriedl to Len- hart Dull on February 17. 1842. There were 13 births to this marriage.

The surviving children of Lenhart Dull and wife are: Mrs. Celesta Robinson, of Lib- erty township, born December 2, 1843; James Monroe, of this sketch: Thomas Jefferson, born April 7, 1848, who lives in Michigan; George Washington, born June 2, 1850, who is a resident of Oklahoma; Franklin Pierce, born January 31, 1855, who lives in Liberty. township; James Buchanan, born July 11, 1857, and living at Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio; Lafayette Jackson, born April 15, 1861, who resides at Salt Lake City, Utah; Joseph Elmore, born August 20. 1863, who resides in Oklahoma; Isabella, born September 5, 1866, who lives at Rockford: Mrs. Arabella Cushwa, born September 5, 1866 (a twin sister of Isa- bella). who resides at Tippecanoe City, Ohio; Mrs. Mary C. Estell. born March 5, 1871. who lives in Toledo, Ohio; and two children who died in infancy.

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James Monroe Dull has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, remaining on the home farm until his marriage and immediately afterward moving to his present homestead in Liberty township. In 1891 he erected his hand- some brick residence, which is conceded to be the finest in the township and one of the most comfortable and well kept in all Van Wert County. His other buildings are in accordance with the residence. The great barn, which is also one of the most substantial in his section of the country, was erected in 1887. In addi- tion to his large farming and stock-raising in- terests Mr. Dull, in association with his two sons, A. P. and E. M., operates a large grain elevator; is in the flour mill business at Rock- ford, Mercer County and also runs a feed store at Celina, Mercer County. He is a man of great business enterprise, having, moreover, the foresight and sound judgment to success- fully carry out his plans.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 47

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

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