History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 50

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 50

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).

For a number of years Mr. Newton has been an active public man and a masterful force in the politics of his section, having been long identified with the management of Repub- lican affairs in Van Wert County. He has been frequently honored by his party. In 1903 he was elected mayor of the city by a flattering majority, and his public career was marked by the same sound judgment and un- questioned integrity, which has already brought him honor as a business man.

JOSEPH M. ROLLER, who resides on his well-improved farm in section 10, Liberty township, was born in Mahon- ing County; Ohio, November 27. 1851, and is a son of John and Susanna (Fox) Roller.

John Roller was born in Greenford town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio. where he be- came a prominent farmer. His grandfather came with a brother to this country from Ger- many and settled in Mahoning County, where they were among the first settlers. John Roller, father of Joseph Roller, was reared in his native county, and there was married to Susanna Fox. They had nine children, five of whom are living. The record is as follows: Martha (Rice), now deceased: Albert J., and Allen (twins)-the latter died aged 26 years and Albert J. lives in Jennings township: Ur- ban, deceased at the age of 35: Joseph M., our subject; Mary Jane (Wentz). who lives in

Digitized by Google

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM THOMPSON EXLINE

Digitized by

Google

449

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Jennings township; John who lives in Michi- gan : Wilson, who lives in York township, and Harriet, who died in 1870 at the age of five. John Roller moved from Columbiana County to Van Wert County, in September, 1865, and settled in York township, where he bought a farm of 60 acres. This was situated on the county line between Van Wert and Mercer counties, 20 acres being in Mercer County. He only lived 11 months after moving to Van Wert County, his death occurring in 1866. His widow is still living in Jennings township.

Joseph M. Roller received his primary schooling in Mahoning County, and was 14 years old when his father removed to Van Wert County. He attended school one winter after locating in Van Wert County. Later he took a course at the Ohio Normal University at Ada and also attended a private school for two seasons in his own district. He after- ward taught school in Van Wert County for seven winters, and one winter in Mercer Coun- ty. On September 20. 1877, he was married to Flora Black, a daughter of William and Margaret (Like) Black.

William Black was a native of Perry County, Ohio, where he was reared, educated and married. He enlisted as a private in the 162nd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., later became a corporal and was discharged at the close of the war as a sergeant. His family had in the meantime moved to Paulding County, where he joined them at the close of the war. He re- mained there 11 years, and in 1876 moved to York township, Van Wert County, where he lived for about five years. Later he bought a farm of 70 acres in Jennings township, where he is now living.

Mr. and Mrs. Roller have had nine chil- dren. namely: Edna L., who married D. C. Gamble. of Van Wert, and has three children -Doyt. Vora and Ferne: Ethel, who married

Bert Klinger, of Haviland, Paulding County, and has two children-Ruby and Carmen; Al- len T., born January 3, 1881, who died Sep- tember 18, 1882; Olive, who married Forest Williams, of Ohio City, and has one child- Cloyd; Clyde who lives at home; Emmett, who attends high school at Ohio City; Glen; Guy ; and Alena.

Mr. Roller lived for several years after his marriage in York township, and one summer in Ridge township. In 1893 he bought 40 acres in Liberty township, but did not move upon the place until 1896. He built his present house in 1899, and the barn was erected in 1897. He has been a member of the School Board, and was at one time candidate for county surveyor on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. He is one of the leading mem- bers of the Methodist Church and has several times been superintendent of the Sunday- school. He is the recording stewart of the cir- cuit, and local steward of the church. He be- longs to the Knights of the Maccabees.

ILLIAM THOMPSON EXLINE, now retired and residing on his large estate of over 452 acres of land, his home being in section 17, Liberty township, is one of the representa- tive men of this locality and one who has had much practical experience in the development of that great source of wealth-the oil fields in the vicinity of Ohio City. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, September 22, 1837, and is a son of Rev. Valentine and Eva- line (Thompson) Exline.

The Exline family is of Swiss extraction, and the name can be traced centuries back to the period when the Protestant Swiss were per- secuted on account of their religious opinions.

Digitized by Google

450

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

History tells of an early martyr-an ancestor of the present family-whose name was writ- ten Excellent Axline, and who suffered at the stake on account of his religious convictions. The first member of this old family to come to America was Christopher Axline or Exline, as the name came to be generally spelled, who lo- cated his home in Virginia. There his son Adam was born, who married and reared his family near Winchester, in the Shenandoah Valley. There was born Bernard Exline, the grandfather of William T., and then the family seems to have branched out, one section set- tling in Pennsylvania. Valentine Exline, fath- er of our subject, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1809, and was one of four sons who received a farm from his father. John Axline, brother of Adam, was of the fam-

* ily branch that remained in Virginia, following the old ways and retaining the old spelling of the name. Subsequently the descendants of John Axline moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, where they still cling to the old Swiss spelling.

The Taylor family, with which the mother of our subject was connected (John Taylor be- ing her maternal grandfather), is well-known to be one of the oldest in Virginia, and it has pro- duced one President of the United States, as well as many noted statesmen and political he- roes. She was a daughter of William Redman and Sarah (Taylor) Thompson, both of old Virginia families, and was born in 1814 and died in June, 1894.

In 1846 Rev. Valentine Exline, who was a minister in the Lutheran Church, moved from Tuscarawas County to Allen County and set+ tled on a rented farm. As early as 1837 he had entered 316 acres of wild land in Liberty town- ship, Van Wert County. In 1850 he built a log cabin here, in the midst of a wilderness, and in 1851 planted wheat on his land, but did not set-

tle on it until May, 1852. For many years he was concerned in the work of the ministry and was one of the early and well-known pioneer preachers. His death occurred January 5, 1887.

William Thompson Exline was nine years old when his parents settled in Allen County and was 15 when they removed to Van Wert County. Here he assisted his father to clear up the land-a mighty task in those days when little machinery was used to do the hardest part of the work. His education was the best that the times and localities afforded. When he was 18 years old, he was teaching school, being thus employed for five winters preceding the Civil War. On August 5, 1862, at Lima, Ohio, he enlisted for the Union service in Company A, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained at his post of duty until the close of hostilities. At the storming of Lookout Mountain he was . severely wounded, being first sent to a hospital at Bridgeport, Alabama, and later to the offi- cers' hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered, he was given a furlough of 30 days and came home to recup- erate. For bravery and gallantry on the field of battle, Mr. Exline received well merited pro- motion. Upon entering the service he was made 2nd lieutenant of his company, and in November, 1862, was promoted to be Ist lieu- tenant. At the battle of Stone River, the com- pany lost heavily and when its captain, the lamented W. C. Scott, fell, Lieutenant Exline assumed command and was mustered out as captain of Company A, 50th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., reaching home July 22, 1865. Two days later, as a mark of public appreciation of his loyal services, Captain Exline was nominated for the position of auditor of Van Wert Coun- ty, to which he was subsequently elected and served with efficiency through one term of two years. In 1878 he was again elected county

Digitized by Google

1 1

451

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

auditor and served for three years. The elec- tion was something of a Republican triumph, as he had a strong Democratic opponent. He was re-elected in 1881 for a second consecutive term of three years. At one time he also serv- ed as township treasurer, holding that office in Liberty township for five years. For many years he was a very prominent factor in poli- tics throughout his section of the county but of late has contented himself with simply cast- ing his vote.

For eight years Mr. Exline was superin- tendent of the Ohio Wheel Works at Delphos, a position he resigned in order to give his at- tention to oil development. He is familiar with all the practical workings of an oil field, and more than any other, he was the man who was instrumental in opening the oil field in the vicinity of Ohio City. His own land is rich in oil, and at the present time he has seven pro- ducing wells. Recently, with other heirs of Rev. Valentine Exline, he sold 160 acres of farm land to James M. Dull, who paid the sum of $12,000 in cash. He still retains over 4521/2 acres of land, which is really made up of three valuable farms. For some time he has lived retired from any active agricultural operations, having a capable farmer as a superintendent.

On December 21, 1865, Mr. Exline was united in marriage with Esther Scott, who is a daughter of Richard and Margaret Scott, then of Putnam, but formerly of Warren County, Ohio. Richard Scott died in 1884, but Mrs. Scott, now in her 88th year, still survives and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Exline. The latter have reared a family of seven children, these being : Eva May, who married Joseph Augus- tus Foor and resides in Denver, Colorado; Scott Leroy, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Cleveland, Ohio, who married Sarah Rob- erts : William Grant, who married Della Noth- nagle and resides in Cleveland, where he is the

assistant manager of the Exline Publishing Company, an important business enterprise ; and Margaret, Estella, Ethel and Georgia, who all reside at home. Mr. Exline is a well-read, intelligent man, and has given all his children many educational advantages, fitting them to acceptably fill the business and social positions to which his prominence as a man of affairs has assisted them.

For many years Mr. Exline has been one of the leading members of the Lutheran Church in Liberty township, of which he is a trustee, the local organization belonging to the General Synod of the Lutheran Church. His life has not only been marked by unusual business en- terprise, but he possesses the esteem of those with whom he has come in contact because of his adherence to honorable methods. A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Exline accompanies this sketch.

OHN R. HAVENS, a prominent citizen of Pleasant township, president of the board of township trustees and a lead- ing agriculturist, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 31, 1871, and is a son of Henry E. and Mary (Sprague) Havens. The Havens family which is a very old one in Ohio, was founded in Franklin County by the great- grandfather of John R. Havens. The paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca (Fan- cher) Havens, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in New York. John Haven was a lad of nine years when his parents left New Jersey and came to Ohio as pioneers. During his youth he worked on the Ohio Canal, receiving at first the sum of $8 per month. He proved his efficiency and later was made a foreman of construction, at a salary of $16 per month. These figures are interesting, especially in comparison with the

Digitized by Google

452

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

salaries paid for similar work and responsi- bility at the present. John Havens, the grand- father, settled permanently in Franklin County where he eventually acquired some 800 acres of land, and passed his last days in the vicinity of Columbus.

Henry E. Havens, father of John R., re- sides on his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres, in section 2, Pleasant township, Van Wert County, which he has occupied since 1884. He was born August 13, 1837, in Franklin County Ohio, where he was liberally educated for his time. and where as a farmer he passed a por- tion of his mature life. On March 9, 1862, Mr. Havens was married in Franklin County, to Mary Sprague, a daughter of William and Mary Sprague. The children of this marriage are: Nellie, wife of Franklin Johnson, of Columbus, Ohio; Mary, wife of M. H. Os- born, a well-known attorney of Van Wert; John R., of Pleasant township; Lucy, wife of Paulus Weisheimer, of Columbus, Ohio; and Florence, a teacher in the public schools of Columbus. Politically, Henry E. Havens is a Republican. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church at Van Wert, in which he is one of the elders.

In boyhood John R. Havens accompanied his parents to Van Wert County. After com- pleting the common-school course, he spent two years at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and the two following years at the Nor- mal University at Wauseon, Ohio, thus thor- oughly preparing himself for the exacting pro- fession of a teacher. For several years there- after Mr. Havens taught school in Van Wert County, and during his last year in the edu- cational field was superintendent of the High School at Grover Hill, Paulding County, Ohio. Since then he has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and to the performance of his duties in connection with the township of-

fices to which his fellow-citizens have elected him. Politically he is a Republican, and is serving his second year as township trustee, being president of the board.

On October 29. 1895, Mr. Havens was married to Cora Hardesty, a daughter of Amos and Caroline (Kauffman) Hardesty. resi- dents of Paulding County. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Havens have two children-Howard and Ruth. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, at Van Wert.

ENRY MORKOETTER, a leading agriculturist of Washington town- ship, residing on his farm of 80 acres. c situated in section 34, was born in this township May 20, 1850. about one mile east of his present home, in section 35, and is a son of Balse and Mary Elizabeth (Lause) Morkoetter, old residents of that township. His father, who was born in Hanover. Ger- many, came to America about 1846 and settled first in Allen County, where he owned 40 acres of land, but which he never occupied as a homestead. He was married to Mary Eliza- beth Lause in the old log Catholic Church in Delphos by Father John Otto Bredeick. He and his father-in-law, John Henry Lause. bought 160 acres of land in section 35, and were the first tax-payers on the land. Mr. and Mrs. Balse Morkoetter raised a family of eight children, seven of whom are still living. as follows : Henry; Gertrude (Mrs. John Goeble) : Christian: Elizabeth (Mrs. Frank Kaverman ) ; Theressa ( Mrs. Samuel Alexan- der ). of Delphos: Anna ( Mrs. William Bin- del), of St. Louis, Missouri: and John, who resides near Delphos. Balse Morkoetter died June 28. 1872: his wife survived him many years, dying December 19. 1893.

Digitized by Google

453

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Henry Morkoetter was reared and educated in Van Wert County. He married Barbara Koller, a daughter of George and Barbara ( Renid]) Koller, who were natives of Ba- varia, but were married in Cleveland, Ohio, and had eight children, four of whom still live, namely : Barbara wife of our subject; Mrs. George Wolke, formerly of Covington, Ken- tucky ; Mrs. Mollie Vonderembse, of Delphos, and John, of Chicago. George Koller died in 1900 aged 83 years ; his widow resides in Del- phos.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morkoetter have had eight children, all of whom are living, viz .: Mamie. wife of Gregory Wolfe. of Delphos, and the mother of two children-Arvella and Florence; Lena who married Joseph Metzger, Jr., of Allen County, and has two children- Lucile and Philomene : George; Matilda ( Mrs. Thomas Gengler), whose husband is a farmer in Allen County; Philomene, Theodore; Ed- ward and Richard.

Mr. and Mrs. Morkoetter have lived on their present farm since October. 1883, when they purchased the land. They are Catholics, being communicants of the Church of St. John the Baptist at Landeck. Mrs. Morkoetter is a member of the Altar Society. She has the reputation around Delphos of making the finest butter of any one in the locality, and is also a breeder of chickens. ducks, turkeys and other poultry.

D \VID ASHBAUGH. Among the well- known and highly respected citizens of Jackson township, who have passed away. was the late David Ashbaugh, whose death occurred on February 28, 1883. He was born in Hocking County. Ohio, Janu- ary 1, 1844, and was a son of David Ashbaugh, who was a very early settler in that county.

The late David Ashbaugh was reared in his native county and obtained his education in the public schools. He grew to man's estate with an excellent knowledge of farming, and with industrious, temperate habits. Thus in early life he made many friends whom he re- tained through a long and useful life. .

On February 9, 1865, Mr. Ashbaugh was married to Catherine Weidener, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, February 1, 1845, and is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine Weidener, natives of Germany, who came in youth to Hocking County with their parents who were very early settlers in that part of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ashbaugh had seven chil- dren, all sons, as follows: Elmer E., William L .. James A. and Charles E., all of Jackson township: Alvaro S. of Paulding County ; and David S. and Nora C., both of Jackson town- ship.

After his marriage, David Ashbaugh con- tinued to reside in Hocking County for some years, and then moved to Allen County where he lived until the spring of 1882, when he came to Van Wert County and located near Wetsel. Here he died in the following year before he had completed his plans for a permanent home.

In 1884 Mrs. Ashbaugh, with her son, set- tled on the present home farm of 80 acres, which is situated in section 18, Jackson town- ship. At that time the whole farm was a great woods, and it required much industry and good management to bring about its present high state of cultivation. Mrs. Ashbaugh, in a very interesting way, can relate many pioneer experiences. She is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church at Wetsel.

NOAH C. ASHBAUGH, one of the sons of Mrs. Ashbaugh, was born in Allen County, Ohio, September 30, 1876. On October 7, 1903. he was married to Ortha M. Stemen, who is a daughter of David Stemen, of Wash-

Digitized by Google

454

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

ington township, Van Wert County. Mrs. Noah C. Ashbaugh died April 2, 1905, leaving an infant son, David L., who was born March 5, 1905.

Politically Noah C. Ashbaugh, like his father, is a Democrat. He is a well-known and highly regarded citizen.

CONRAD RUPRIGHT. Probably no citizen of Van Wert is entitled to a greater share of credit for the steady growth and prosperity of the city dur- ing the past 30 years, than J. Conrad Rupright, junior partner of Rupright Brothers, the well- known manufacturers of tile and brick, whose enterprise and energy have made them one of the leading firms in Van Wert County. Mr. Rupright was born October 15, 1851, in Union County, Ohio, on the farm where he spent the years intervening between infancy and man- hood. He attended the district school and as- sisted in the farm labors until he had reached his 21st year, when he came to Van Wert and for two years was in the employ of his brother, John George Rupright. He then entered the grocery business in partnership with Philip Scaer, but after one year withdrew and en- gaged independently in the same line for a couple of years. In 1877 the present partner- ship with John George Rupright was formed, and the honorable and upright dealings of the firm have brought a steady and permanent in- crease of business. Rupright Brothers also deal in coal, the sales of this commodity form- ing an important branch of the business. J. Conrad Rupright is also creditably identified with the municipal affairs of Van Wert, in the election of November, 1905, having been elected its city treasurer.

1878, at Van Wert, to Elizabeth German, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Smith) German. Mrs. Rupright was born in Van Wert on March 19, 1859, and has always enjoyed a large circle of friends. They have two chil- dren-Otto C. and Walter A. The family are consistent members of the German Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Rupright is treasurer, and are prominent in both religious and social circles.

ENRY CLAY WILLIAMS, one of the most highly esteemed citizens and large land owners of Liberty town- ship, residing on a farm of 172 acres, situated in section 16, was born in Mayfield, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, January 15, 1839. His parents were Daniel and Alice ( Blish) Williams.

Daniel Williams was of Scotch descent, his father having been a native of Scotland. His wife's father was a native of Germany. Mr. Williams and his wife were born in Con- necticut. Removing from that State, they set- tled in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where Mr. Williams followed his trade as a carpenter and joiner, also operating a farm which he owned. Here he died in 1843, at the age of 53 years. His wife died October 11, 1888, in her 82nd year.

Henry Clay Williams was reared and edu- cated in Cuyahoga County, where he remained until he was 21 years of age. In 1860 he joined a party to go to California in search of gold. He returned in the winter of 1867-68 and located in Van Wert County, where he and his brother, Daniel B., bought a sawmill in Liberty township, and also a farm of 280 acres. He continued in the sawmill business until 1881, and since that time has been en-

Mr. Rupright was married December 12, I gaged in clearing and farming the land which

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

MR. AND MRS. FRANK A. POLING AND FAMILY

Google

Digitized by

1 I

457

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

he bought upon his return from the West. He is now practically living in retirement. Besides his farm, which lies just outside the corpora- tion lines of Ohio City, he owns considerable property, comprising several town lots, a fine residence property on Main street, and a busi- ness block on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets within the city limit :. He at one time owned 13 acres within the corporation lines, which he divided into town lots and sold. A great many of these were in the section in Ohio City that is bounded by the Erie Railroad and Carmean street on the north, Williams street on the west, Shane street on the east and the "Clover Leaf" Railroad on the south.

Mr. Williams was first married on October 21. 1869, to Anna Catherine Brown, who died January 30, 1875, at the age of 29 years, leav- ing two children: Alice Daisy, who married Otto Pollock, of Cumberland, Jowa, and has five children-Harold. Catherine. Frances and Ruth and Ruby (twins), and Cora, at one time a teacher in the Van Wert County schools who died April 27, 1900. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Lutheran Church.

On October 5, 1876, Mr. Williams mar- ried Catherine Dobson, a daughter of Hugh Dobson. To them were born three children : Chauncy H., who married a Miss Ord on De- cember 26, 1905, and lives near Colorado Springs, Colorado, on a large stock farm owned by his father-in-law; Anna M., who lives at home; and William H. Mrs. Williams was a Lutheran in religious belief. She died July 13, 1891.

In 1881. Mr. Williams erected his present large brick house. He sawed all the lumber and made with his own hands all the brick in the house. He also made all the brick used in the Brewer schoolhouse, which has since been torn down and replaced by a larger building. He was never engaged in the brick business,

and only made those required in building his residence and the schoolhouse. He is a natural mechanic and has done considerable blacksmithing. Mr. Williams has been a mem- ber of the School Board for nine years and was president of the board for two terms. He has also served as supervisor of Liberty township. Faternally, he is a Mason.

S RANK A. POLING, treasurer-elect of Van Wert County, is a successful ag- riculturist of Ridge township where he owns a farm of 83 aches. Mr. Poling was born in Barbour County, Vir- ginia (now West Virginia), August 4, 1857, and is a son of Harvey and Mary (Markley) Poling, his father being also a native of that State, while his mother was born in Maryland. The latter died in 1880. The father is still liv- ing, being now in his 86th year.

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 50

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

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