History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 48

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 48

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On May 17, 1868, Mr. Dull was married to Martha Ann Lintemoot, who was born in Lib- erty township, Van Wert County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 10, 1851, and is a daughter of Martin and Amanda Lintemoot, both natives of Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Dull have reared the following 12 children, no death having yet in- vaded their happy domestic circle: Wilbert Austin, born March 14, 1869, who married Florence Anspaugh, on March 24, 1892, and resides in Willshire; Arthur Pierce, born April 13, 1870, who married Maud Shipley, on Oc- tober 2, 1894, and is a resident of Rockford, Mercer County; Morris Lenhart, born June 14, 1871, who was married September 20, 1902, to Cecil Maud Hallenbeck, and resides at North Baltimore, Ohio; Fanny Maud, born June 7, 1873, who married Frank Custer, on August 19, 1891, and lives in Liberty town- ship; Edgar Martin, born October 9, 1874, who married Ida May Phellis, on March 2, 1904,

and is a resident of Celina; Serena May, born April 18, 1876, who married W. O. Taylor, April 8, 1893, and lives in Liberty township; Daisy Florence, born October 15, 1877; Curtis Elmer, born March 25, 1879, who married Mary Christina Smith on September 3, 1904, and lives on the home farm; James Monroe, Jr., born June 29, 1880, who married Hazel Aileen Bodkin, on June 11, 1905, and is a resident of Celina; Herbert Oscar, born May 12, 1882, who married Mary Luticia Bolen- baugh, on November 15, 1903, and is also living on the family homestead; Grover Cleve- land, born April 17, 1884; and Thurman Al- len, who was born April 19, 1888.

Mr. Dull has long been one of the most prominent men of his township, for years close- ly identified with its general advancement. Thus, in 1879, his wishes had weight, when he made application to have a railroad station built at a little hamlet in the vicinity of his property. The place was still insignificant, but a postoffice had been established there, known to the Government as McKee. Mr. Dull served as postmaster there for many years, and when he suggested that the name be changed to Dull, on account of the family being largely interest- ed in the locality, his wishes were regarded; the result has been the neat station of Dull, and the postoffice of that name, which will as- sist in keeping in memory one of the most prominent and useful men of this section of Van Wert County, one who has greatly ad- vanced its interests and assisted in its develop- ment.

It is not common to find a busy man in these days freely giving of his valuable time for the advancement of general education, but for years Mr. Dull has consented to serve on the School Board and to take the responsibility of its presidency. The result is shown in the excellence of the public schools of Liberty

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township and the economical manner in which they are conducted. As has been remarked, Mr. Dull takes unusual interest in this matter, believing thoroughly in the public school sys- tem and its vast amount of influence for good. He so carefully investigates the practical value of the methods that the other members of the board rely implicitly upon his judgment.

Politically Mr. Dull has always been affili- ated with the Democratic party, and on many occasions it has honored him with official po- sition. He has served as township clerk and assessor, and on two occasions has been chosen as the party standard-bearer in the race for the Legislature. The district, however, is hopelessly Republican and does not very often permit a prominent Democrat to be elected. Mr. Dull is one of the leading members of the United Brethren Church and is a trustee of church and parsonage. He is superintendent of the Sunday-school also, and, in fact, is closely identified with all the various activi- ties which contribute to the good standing and continuous development of Liberty township.

Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Dull accompany this sketch, being presented on a foregoing page.

EORGE J. WISE, who for many years has been engaged in farming a tract of 156 acres situated in section 2, Liberty township, was born in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, on December 20, 1847, and was the oldest of a family of nine children, born to George M. and Elizabeth (Hertel) Wise, both natives of Germany. George M. Wise came to this country when a young man. A full story of his life will be found in this work in the sketch of Jacob A. Wise.

George J. Wise was two years old when his parents moved to Stark County, Ohio. Here

his father ran a bakery for about two years. In 1851, when our subject was but four years old, his parents moved to Van Wert County and settled on a farm in Liberty township, which is now owned by our subject. The orig- inal farm was a tract of 80 acres of timber- land; at that time there were no roads, school- houses or churches. His father erected a log cabin and double log barn, which stood until some 10 years ago, when they were torn down by Mr. Wise. Here George J. Wise was reared, assisting his father to convert the timberland into a tillable, productive farm. A great deal of hard work, patience and energy was neces- sary to bring about such a change. On Octo- ber 12. 1874, he was married to Virginia Catherine Holland, a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Knittle) Holland. John Holland was born in Allen County, Ohio, and was Van Wert County's first surveyor. He was mar- ried in this county, and owned a farm of 80 acres in Ridge township.

John Holland enlisted February 25, 1862, in Company K, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He had been in the army but a short time when he was given a furlough on account of sickness. He died May 18, 1862, at Paducah, Kentucky, while en route to his home. At that time his daughter Virginia Catherine was only four years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Wise have had seven chil- dren, all of whom are living. Charles, the eldest, who is a school teacher in Liberty town- ship, married Gertrude Clarke ; they have three children-Cecil, Lucile, John Gordon and Ivy May; Charles lives on a farm of 40 acres. Elizabeth Margaret married Jacob Eber and lives in Harrison township. The other chil- dren are: Rozella, William Edward, Frances Amelia, Albert Ray and John Nelson.

Mr. Wise has added to the original 80 acres until he now has 156 acres, all in Lib-

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erty township. In 1897 he built the frame house which the family occupies, and in 1900 a good substantial barn was erected. Mr. Wise is a member and trustee of St. Peter's Evangelical Church, of Liberty township.

- - E RNEST KOHN, M. D., who is prac- ticing at Cavett and in the vicinity, was born June 17, 1870, near Otto- ville, Putnam County, Ohio, being a son of Rev. Horace and Josephine (Simpson) Kohn, well-known residents of Van Wert County. Rev. Horace Kohn is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church now residing on a farm in retirement from active ministerial duties. He was born in Franklin County, Ohio, October 10, 1843. When our subject was one year old the family removed to Jack- son township, Van Wert County. After a year they moved to Washington township, where they resided 12 years on a farm near Middlepoint. They spent one year in Con- voy and then moved to Willshire, where the father still resides. The family consisted of IO children, four of whom died in infancy. The six now living are: Ernest; Clarence, who is in the county auditor's office; Laura, wife of John Banta, a merchant of Willshire: Florence, wife of E. E. Smith, city ticket agent for the "Big Four" Railroad at Indianapolis; Homer. a clothier of Willshire; and Walter, who is studying medicine at the school in which our subject was a pupil. Mrs. Kohn was born in Illinois September 2. 1848, and died in Will- shire. November 2, 1889.

Ernest Kohn attended school at Middle- point. at Ada and the preparatory school at Delaware. He then taught one year in Will- shire township, when he entered Fort Wayne Medical College, which is now the medical de-

partment of Purdue University, and from which he was graduated in 1894. He at once en- tered upon the practice of his profession, spend- ing the first two years at Preble, Indiana. lle located in Cavett in September, 1896. Dr. Kohn has gained an extended and enviable reputation as a skilled physician, and is build- ing up a practice which places him at the head of his profession in his section.

Dr. Kohn was married September 24, 1895, to Hattie Mook, who was born in Brad- ley, Michigan, May 24, 1872, and is a daugh- ter of Jacob Beam, but was adopted by Mr. Mook when she was seven years of age. They have one child, Farmer, who was born in Will- shire, September 29, 1896, and is now in school. The Doctor owns a nice home of six acres in Cavett, and built his residence in 1898. He is justice of the peace, and endeavors to give a true interpretation of the law. Dr. Kohn is a member of the Masonic lodge at Van Wert. In politics he is a Democrat.

ACOB R. BEAM, postmaster at Will- shire, was born near Ansonia. Darke County, Ohio, January 29, 1844, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Riffle) Beam.

The parents of Mr. Beam were born in Pennsylvania, and accompanied their parents to Darke County. They were reared there and were also married in that county, but both die l in Mercer County. Ohio, the father aged 66 years and the mother aged 70 years. Their children were: Martha, who died aged 22 years: Johnson, a member of the 47th Regi- ment, Indiana Vol. Inf., who was killed at Vicksburg: William, who is a retired farmer. living at Willshire: Silas. of Celina. who served during the latter part of the Civil War:

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Aaron and John, both deceased at an early age; Rachel (Ireland), of Geneva, Indiana; Milton, of Venedocia; and Jacob R.

Jacob R. Beam, who was the third in order of birth in his parents' family, enjoys the dis- tinction of being the oldest resident of Will- shire. He was 14 years old when his parents removed to Mercer County, Ohio, and settled. on a farm just south of Willshire. He assisted in the farming until 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Captain Pinney and Colonel Worthington. Al- though many years have glided by since those stirring days, merely to mention the names of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Chatta- nooga, Buzzards' Roost, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, will bring a light to the eye and a glow to the heart not only of those who in these battles passed through a baptism of fire, but to those old enough to remember the breathless days of suspense that attended those left at home. Mr. Beam passed through all of these battles unscathed, and with his regiment took part in the campaign attendant upon the siege of Atlanta, the battle at Bentonville, on to the sea with Sherman, back through the Caro- lians and helped to fight out the last battles of the war. Mr. Beam frankly confesses to be- ing "mortally scared" on many occasions; but he was not injured and was able to participate in the triumphal review at Washington.

After the war, Mr. Beam returned to Will- shire and engaged in farming for one sum- mer, and then went to Allegan County, Michi- gan, where for seven years he was engaged in railroad contracting and farming. His next return to Ohio was final. For one year he farmed in Willshire township, and then moved into the village, which has been his home ever since. For two years he worked at the car- penter's trade, for some 14 years was em- ployed by others in a butcher shop, then ran a

shop of his own for two years, after which he was in a grocery business for 13 years. On December 15, 1901, he was appointed post- master at Willshire, and was reappointed in 1905. Of a family comprising a father and six brothers, he was the only Republican.

Mr. Beam was married first to Harriet Weimer, who was born in Adams County, Indiana. At her death she left two children : Lulu, wife of Wallace Johnson, of Adams County, Indiana; and Hattie, wife of Dr. Kohn of Cavett. Mr. Beam was married (second) to Ellen Detter, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John Detter. They have four children : Myrtle, John, Jesse and Harry. the last named being assistant postmaster. Mr. Beam owns his pleasant family home. He has served on the Board of Education and as a member of the Council. He belongs to Heath Post, .Grand Army of the Republic, and is the only survivor of the 30 men from his neighborhood, who, like himself, bravely took up arms in re- fense of country. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias at Willshire.

UST. AD. ANDERSON, superinten- dent and general manager of The Anderson Piano Company, one of the leading manufacturing organizations of Van Wert, is a man who occupies a prom- inent position in the business world of this locality. He is a native of Sweden, born in November, 1856, and is a son of Carl and Dorothea (Gustafson) Anderson. The father of Mr. Anderson was a mechanic during his active years, and reared a family of eight chil- dren. He came to the United States in 1891 and located first at Erie, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Rockford, Illinois, where he still resides.

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Gust. Ad. Anderson enjoyed but limited educational advantages in his native land, at an early age turning his attention to practical matters. From his father he doubtless in- herited a certain mechanical skill, which he developed until he was considered an excellent workman in Stockholm, the city of his resi- dence. In search of better business opportuni- ties, Mr. Anderson decided to come to Amer- ica and in August, 1886, landed in the city of New York, the bearer of a valued medal, which he had won in token of his fine workmanship. Ten years later, on April 15, 1896, he became a resident of Van Wert, Ohio.

Mr. Anderson's wife was formerly Mar- garetha Jacobson. Both Mr. and Mrs. An- derson are members of the Lutheran Church. The family circle also includes three children. Their pleasant home is located at No. 620 South Washington street. In his political views Mr. Anderson is a Republican, his fra- ternal connections being with the Home Guards of America, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Masons and the Modern Brother- hood.

THE ANDERSON PIANO COMPANY. The name of the present firm was at first The An- derson-Newton Piano Company. The Ander- son Piano Company is a corporation with a capital stock of $200,000, and manufactures only fine pianos, the output being some 400 instruments a year. The pianos made by this firm possess all the qualities required in superior instruments-marvelous tone quality, artistic appearance and durability; and they are found in homes all over the country. The company is officered by men of large capital and business prominence, as follows: Presi- dent, J. G. Rupright; vice-president, George H. Marsh; treasurer, R. J. Cavett; secretary, C. F. Manship; superintendent and general manager, Gust. Ad. Anderson; and assistant

superintendent, O. C. Nelson. Mr. Nelson is a man of excellent mechanical skill, having worked with Mr. Anderson for 16 years.

C HOMAS TURNER WITTEN has been for many years a resident of Liberty township. He owns a farm of 1851/2 acres in section 24, 1451/2 acres being situated in the eastern half of the section and the remaining 40 acres in the west- ern half. He was born March 13, 1835, in Jackson township, Guernsey County, Ohio, and is a son of Philip and Rebecca (Jackson) Witten.

Philip Witten was a son of Thomas Wit- ten and was born in the southern part of Ohio. The grandfather of Philip Witten went from Wales to England at the time of the Revo- lutionary War, and was sent to America to re- port the progress of the war. After coming here he decided to join the American Army, and became a soldier under Washington. On his mother's side, Mr. Witten is a member of the Jackson family, of which President An- drew Jackson was a mamber.

Thomas T. Witten was reared and edu- cated in Guernsey County, where he lived with his parents until he was about 24 years of age. In 1859 they moved to Liberty town- ship and settled on a farm of 320 acres, which his father acquired through a trade of his Guernsey County farm. Mr. Witten followed the footsteps of his ancestors and became a tiller of the soil. He has lived in Liberty town- ship for the past 47 years, and has become one of the influential and highly respected citizens of his community. He was married in Van Wert County to Sarah Ann Rowland, a daugh- tef of Levi Rowland, one of the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Witten have had seven children,

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RESIDENCE OF PETER SNYDER

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namely : Delilah, who was born February 17, 1866, and died September 3, 1872; Levi Homer, born January 16, 1868, and deceased January 28, 1887; Philip Arthur, born May 24, 1870, and deceased September 6, 1872; Charles William, born August 24, 1872, who married Minnie E. Bell, and has two children, Harold and Gaylord, and liv .s on part of his father's farm; Rachel, born October 4, 1875, and deceased August 20, 1889; Francis Scott, born October 24, 1877, who married Margaret Ross, has two children, Dwight L. and Edith Norma, and lives on a farm of 50 acres; and Norma Rebecca, born June 29, 1885, who lives at home. Mrs. Witten died March 25, 1904, aged 61 years. Mr. Witten has served several terms as trustee of Liberty township and also as school director. Mr. Witten is a veteran of the Civil War, having served four months luring 1864 in the Army of the Potomac.

P ETER SNYDER, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Van Wert County, has resided con- tinuously on his present farm in sec- tion 8, Jackson township, ever since he first located in 'the county shortly after the close of the Civil war. He is not only the owner of 190 acres in Jackson township, but of 40 acres in Morrow County, Ohio, as well. Mr. Snyder was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, August 30, 1832. and is a son of John M. and Anna (Heiste) Snyder, both of whom were natives of Germany. He was a child of perhaps three years when his parents removed with their family to Richland County, Ohio, where he spent the intervening years before coming to Van Wert County.

On January 3. 1862. Mr. Snyder enlisted in Company K. 8Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and

served until the close of the Civil war. He took part in many fierce battles and was one of Sherman's "bummers" during the march to the Sea.

Peter Snyder has been twice married. His first wife was Matilda Iiams, a native of Mor- row County, Ohio, who left him two children- Clarilda Ann, wife of W. L. Thomas, a pros- perous merchant of Hardin County ; and John M., a farmer of Jackson township. Mrs. Mary Hardesty Iiams, the mother of our subject's first wife, is still living in Morrow County, Ohio, at the advanced age of 100 years, her birth having occurred December 27, 1805, in Belmont County, Ohio. Mr. Snyder's second union was with Mrs. Amelia Snyder, of Galion, Ohio, and daughter of George Spraw of that place. Three children have been born to this union, two of whom are living, viz .: George F., of Jackson township; and Lola A., wife of Alva Ashbaugh, of Paulding County. Mr. Snyder has been a lifelong Republican. For a number of years he served as trustee of the township, and, both in public and private life, is a gentleman of the highest integrity who has won the friendship of all who have had any dealings with him. On a preceding page, in connection with this sketch, is shown a view of Mr. Snyder's residence, which also includes pictures of himself and children.

A BSALOM A. MILLER, one of the venerable citizens and well-known pioneers of Jackson township, who re- sides on his excellent farm of 85 acres, located in section 18, was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 24. 1829, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Adams) Miller. The parents of Mr. Miller were natives of Ross County and belonged to pioneer families

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of that section. Absalom A. Miller was thus reared amidst pioneer surroundings, and few know better than he, the courage, patience and effort required to endure the many hardships of early days. He attended the subscription schools in his boyhood, where the teaching was thorough if not very extended. Mr. Miller can still recall the log-cabin school in which he gained the greater part of his early knowledge of books. From childhood he was taught to work, and by the time he was 25 years of age and had left his native county, he was a thor- ough and practical farmer. For a number of years he lived in Allen County, and from that county enlisted for service in the Civil war, en. tering Company H, 179th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He participated in the battle and siege of Nashville and served under General Thomas for one year, being honorably discharged on account of the closing of the war.

On September 7, 1853, Mr. Miller was married to Rachel A. Carmean, who was born in Ohio, February 3, 1833, a daughter of Will- iam and Margaret (Miller) Carmean, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. They were early settlers in Ross County. The father was drowned in the Auglaize River when Mrs. Miller was a small girl. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had 10 children, of whom three are now living : Sarah C., a music teacher, living at home; Alvira E., wife of Joseph Shaw, of Grover Hill; and Annie L., wife of R. A. Oakley, of Jackson township.

In the fall of 1874 Mr. Miller removed with his family from Allen to Van Wert County and settled on the farm where he now lives. Again pioneer conditions prevailed more or less, and both he and wife experienced many hardships in the early days which have long since passed away. For a number of years he served as

school director of District No. 3, and for nine years was a trustee of Jackson township. A portion of this time he was president of the board. Politically Mr. Miller is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are widely known, and they have a large circle of devoted friends. Their hospitable home is fre- quently the scene of social gatherings.

II.

ACOB KISER, an estimable resident of Liberty township, has lived for the last 24 years on his finely improved farm of 80 acres, situated in section He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 21, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Harshman) Kiser.

Jacob Kiser, Sr., was born and raised in Pennsylvania and later moved to Wayne Coun- ty, Ohio. He came to Van Wert County in 1852, and bought 160 acres of land in Liberty township, where he lived until the time of his death. Mrs. Kiser, who was the mother of nine children, is also deceased.

Jacob Kiser, subject of this sketch, was 15 years of age at the time of his father's re- moval to Van Wert County. He was reared on the home farm and assisted his father in clear- ing the farm of its heavy growth of timber. When 26 years of age he married Annie Flager a daughter of Adam Flager, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kiser have been born five chil- dren namely : Margaret, wife of Benjamin Hoffman, who is at present mayor of Ohio City: John, who is single and lives at home; Simon, of Ohio City, who is a member of the firm of Goodman & Kiser. conducting a livery and feed stable; Hannah, who married L. J.

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Schidt, of Liberty township and has three chil- dren -- Esther, Laymo and Edith ; Emma, who married Jacob Swoveland. of Ohio City, and died March 9, 1906, leaving three children- Hugh, Madge and Dale ; and Myrtle, who lives at home.

In 1864 Mr. Kiser entered Company G, 17th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He has lived on his present farm, which is a part of the old Flager farm, since 1882. In 1903 the frame house which the family now occupies was built, the house built in 1885 having burned down. The barn which is a fine red building was erected in 1894. Mr. Kiser is a member of the Grand Army of Republic and has served as school director and supervisor of Liberty township.

L' EVI ELLIS FAWCETT, a represen- tative farmer of Washington town- ship, the owner of a fine farm of 80 acres in section 29, was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 3, 1833, and is a son of Robert and Mary ( Pickering) Fawcett, and a grandson of John Fawcett. The Faw- cetts are among the pioneer families of Virginia and originated in England. John Fawcett, the grandfather, was born and raised in the Old Dominion, where his entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. Robert Fawcett, the father, was also a native of Virginia, in ma- ture years first migrating to Belmont County, Ohio, and later to Greene County, where he owned a farm of 190 acres. This he operated until the time of his death in 1872; his wife had died in 1858. They were the parents of 10 children.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 48

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

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