History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 52

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 52

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To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five children, four of whom still live, namely : William and George Washington (twins), Etta May and Lewis Charles. William and Lewis Charles live at home. George Washing- ton married Ida Moore and lives in Ohio City ; they have seven children-Mabel May, Walter, Glenn, Gaylord, Elva, Samuel Floyd and Eva. Etta May married George S. Clouse and lives in Ohio City; they have four children : Charles Edward, Ella May, Edna Elizabeth and Michael Roy.

After his marriage, Mr. Smith continued to live on his father's farm until the spring of 1886, when he moved to his present location, which was then a farm of 80 acres, and which he bought two years later. In February, 1906, he purchased 40 acres of land directly across the road from his home. The pleasant home which the family occupies was erected before Mr. Smith took possession of the farm; but he has made many other substantial improvements on the place, which make it one of the best farms in the township. In 1905 he added to these improvements by building a fine large barn.

Mr. Smith is a man of public spirit and enterprise and has served in several minor township offices. He was for a number of years a school director of Violet township, Fairfield County, and served four years as township clerk. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

h ENRY HIPSHER, for many years one of the foremost agriculturists of York township, moved to his present farm in section 29, Ridge township, in the spring of 1904, and has been busily en- gaged in making it conform to his ideas of a desirable country residence. Mr. Hipsher was

born July 27, 1834, in Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Asrom and Mary (Myers) Hip- sher. Asrom Hipsher was born in Pennsyl- vania, both he and his wife being of German descent. He came to Van Wert County soon after the birth of our subject, and settled in Pleasant township where he resided until 1848. He then located in York township, where he died two years later, leaving four children, who are now living, viz .: Henry; Daniel, a resident of California; Eliza, wife of Peter Pixler, of Oklahoma; and James A., who re- sides in Michigan.

Henry Hipsher has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits since his boyhood, and is one of the practical and successful farmers of the county. Soon after the Civil War he pur- chased 154 acres of land in section 4, York township, and improved it until it was one of the best farms in the county. He made this his home until within the past two years. The farm in section 29, Ridge township, contains 16 acres, and it is safe to say that with Mr. Hipsher's methods of improvement it will not be long before this property shows a decided increase in value.

Mr. Hipsher enlisted in August, 1862, in Company K, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and saw much active service, being with General Sherman; with Grant at the siege of Vicks- burg; Big Black River; Jackson; Mission Ridge; and many minor engagements. At Mis- sion Ridge he received a severe wound in the left thigh, which cut short his career as a sol- dier. This necessitated his removal to the hospital, where he was confined for about 14 months, first at Columbus and later at Cleve- land.

Mr. Hipsher has been twice married. his first wife having been Mary Pixler, a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, to whom he was married in 1854. Four children from this

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union survive. viz. : Joseph E .. Amanda A., wife of Richard T. Hughes; William J .: Rosina, wife of Edward Lamar-all of York township. On February 6, 1902, he was mar- ried to his present wife, Mary L. Keist, a na- tive of Van Wert County. Her parents are John and Lydia A. (Gibson) Keist, the for- mer a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The fruit of this union is one son, Clark H., who was born May 4, 1905. Mr. Hipsher is a Republican and a member of W. C. Scott Post, No. 100, G. A. R., at Van Wert. In religion he is a Methodist, being a member of the Beech Grove church.

ESLEY CHARLES HOLDEN, V. S., a skilled veterinarian of Del- phos, was born in Harrison town- ship, Dearborn County, Indiana, May 9, 1852, and is one of five sons and five daughters born to John Dennis and Melissa Ann (Odenboy) Holden. His grandfather, Hughey Holden, came from New Jersey about 1768. and settled in the then Western wilds which was destined to become the State of Indiana.

Wesley Charles Holden was educated near the Ohio line, his studies being carried on in Dearborn County, Indiana, and Hamilton County. Ohio. In 1879 he entered the College of Veterinary Surgeons in New York, from which he was graduated in 1881. It was not until he had tried a numberof locations that he finally chose Boone County, Indiana, as his headquarters and opened an office there on November 8, 1882, having practiced for a very short time in Franklin County, Indiana, and Butler County, Ohio. He was associated with Dr. John Nicholas Naven for some time. After 12 years of successful prac-

tice in Boone County, Dr. Holden moved his office to Delphos. where the many calls for his services made him one of the busiest men of the county. Not only does he practice throughout Van Wert County, but also in Allen. Putnam and Auglaize. He has two barns and some of the finest horses ever brought to this section. Two of the animals are draft horses which were im- ported from England and Belgium, respec- tively, while a third, a young stallion named "Dr. Arp," is a trotter who gives promise of taking rank among the swiftest in the State.

Dr. Holden was married on June 30, 1898, to Goldie Turner, of Forest, Ohio, by whom he has an interesting family of five children, namely : Frank Bruce, born April 17, 1899: Ruth, born June 13, 1900; Vivian, born Aug- ust 19, 1901 ; Lelia Ann, born August 17, 1803 : and John D., born May 20, 1905.

The Doctor is an active member of the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Association and of the American Veterinary Medical As- sociation of the United States and Canada.

OHN L. CORATHERS. Among the prominent citizens of Pleasant town- ship, identified with its public offices and agricultural development for a number of years, is John L. Corathers, whose well-cultivated farm of 2861/2 acres is situated in section 35. He was born September 25, 1855. in Seneca County, Ohio, and is a son of Phillip C. and Delilah (Huffman) Corathers.

The parents of Mr. Corathers came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, settling first in Sen- eca County, from which they moved. in 1877, to Van Wert County. They resided on a farm in the western part of Pleasant township for ! a number of years, but later moved to Van

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. AYERS AND FAMILY

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Wert, where the father continued as a carpen- ter, builder and contractor, dying there in 1896. The mother of the family still survives and is a venerated resident of Van Wert. The children of Phillip C. Corathers and wife were : John L., Cynthia J (Mrs. S. J. Stump), Mary A. (Mrs. Harry Handwerk), Wilbur R., and Edgar B., all residents of Pleasant township; Mathias E., of Van Wert; and Nelson P., deceased.

John L. Corathers was reared an agricul- turist, but enjoyed better educational advan- tages than were afforded many of his com- panions. After completing the public school course in his locality, he attended the State Normal School at Republic, Ohio, returning with fresh zest to farming, which had been his choice of occupation. In the fall of 1880 he engaged in farming in Pleasant township, where he has since lived.

On November 11, 1875, Mr. Corathers was married to Mary Schaaf, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob Schaaf. They have had four children, namely : Cora E., deceased; Harley W .; Rolla F .: and Lemuel C. These children have been given good educational opportunities, Mr. Corathers being a stanch friend of the pub- lic schools.

Politically he is a Republican, and has served in a number of the local offices with the greatest efficiency. For nine consecutive years he was a member of the School Board, was assessor for one year, and for seven years was one of the township trustees, during a part of this period serving as president of the board. It is maily due to his energy and enterprise that this township has notably good roads. Mr. Corathers has always been of the opinion that much of the prosperity of a section is founded on well constructed roads and well conducted schools. He is a man of social in-

stincts and is connected with a number of the fraternal and social organizations of the coun- try, among which are: Van Wert Lodge No. 251, Marion Encampment and Uniform Rank, I. O. O. F .; Beecher Council, No. 275, Na- tional Union; Alpha Lodge, No. 1, Home Guards of America; Fraternal Order of Eagles; and the Sons of Veterans-all of Van Wert. Religiously, he is a member of the Society of Friends.

ILLIAM HENRY AYERS, one of the successful and enterprising business men of Liberty township, owner and operator of a valuable farm of two hundred acres situated in sec- tions 34 and 35, is a native of Van Wert Coun- ty. where he was born on September 2. 1853. He is the son of Cyrus and Rachel ( Butler) Ayers.

His father was born in Ashland County, Ohio, June 20, 1826, and was a son of James M. Ayers of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, who married Jane Richie, and subsequently moved to Ashland County, Ohio. He was married September 5, 1848, and moved to Van Wert County in 1850. On April 3, 1858 while felling timber, he was caught by a falling tree, which broke his spinal column and caused his death 17 days later. His wife Mrs. Rachel Ayers, was a daughter of John and Mary (Lindsay) Butler, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and died on July 2, 1905. They had six children, all of whom are living.

William H. Ayers, the subject of this sketch. was reared in Liberty township, re- ceived a good, common-school education, af- terward devoting his time to agricultural pur- suits, and in 1878 was married to Alvina Vangundy, daughter of Abraham Van-

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gundy, a prominent farmer of Mercer County, Ohio. They have six children : Vernon, who married Nellie Smith and lives in Rockford, Mercer County; Emery Lee, who married Nellie King, of Van Wert, lives in Ohio City, and is the father of one child; Orley, who lives at home; Tony Gay- lord, unmarried; Ethel Burdella Edna and Ag- nes Edith May.

About three years after his marriage, Mr. Ayers purchased 80 acres of land (the old home place) from the heirs of the estate, his father having originally entered 40 acres of land in section 35. He has added to this tract until now he is the owner of 200 acres of productive and valuable farm land. At one time he had 240 acres, but disposed of 40 acres in 1905. He also owns two residence properties in Ohio City, and has 13 producing oil wells on his land. In addition to the 13 wells on his own farm, which is leased to the Trial Oil Company, he has in operation 10 complete oil wells on other land which he has himself leased. He has two pro- ducing wells on the Straw lease, one on the Butler lease, and four on the Peter Temple lease. Mr. Ayers had on his farm the second oil well drilled in the Ohio City field, which for several months produced 200 barrels per day. It has been pumping since April 1, 1904 and is yet productive.

Mr. Ayers is recognized as one of the town- ship's progressive and public-spirited men-one whose interests are coincident with those of the community. He is a Democrat and has always taken a lively interest in the success of the party, being elected trustee of the township by that party and serving thus for several years. He was for three years treasurer of the town- ship and for two years township clerk, being at one time an unsuccessful candidate for coun- ty commissioner. For several years Mr. Ayers was one of the directors of the warehouse and

elevator at Van Wert, which is owned by the Grange of Liberty township. In all these vari- ous duties Mr. Ayers has ever striven to give the public his best and most conscientious ef- forts. On a preceding page in proximity to this, is shown a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Ayers and their family, executed from a recent pho- tograph.

A LONZO CONANT. deceased, former- ly president of the First National Bank of Van Wert, was born March 17, 1817, at Turner, Maine, and was a son of Benjamin and Althea (Staples) Conant. In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Conant back to the founding of the family in America, the biographer calls to mind many historic spots and men and women are brought to light who were distinguished in their day and whose names are still honored in various annals.

Roger Conant, the emigrant and the prob- able ancestor of those on American soil who bear the name, was baptised at All Saints Church, East Budleigh, Devonshire, England, April 9, 1592, a son of Richard and Agnes (Clarke) Conant. In November, 1616, he was married in London and emigrated in 1623, probably sailing in the good ship "Ann," which arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in July, 1623. The early accounts of the vari- ous religious differences of the time are too complicated to be fairly discussed in the limited space here allotted; for there were many men of many minds, all equally eminent in some re- spects and all equally honest in their views. Sufficient be it to say, after due study of the history of the early settlements in Massachu- setts, that in the winter of 1624-25. Rev. John White selected the stern and inflexible Roger Conant to go to Cape Ann and take charge of the Puritan colony there established. This

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colony was the first permanent- settlement in the Massachusetts territory and was the nucleus of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The selection of Roger Conant, a man of in- fluence and authority, proved admirable in every way, and soon, on his representations, a class of colonists, superior to the former, left England to make their homes in the New World. In 1625 he was made governor of Salem, Massachusetts (having built the first house in the place), and in 1628 was super- seded by John Endicott.

Benjamin Conant, the grandfather of the late Alonzo Conant, was born August 29, 1756, at Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and in April, 1775, was one of Capt. Nathan Mit- chell's company which, on the Lexington alarm, marched to Cambridge. In 1795 he re- moved to Turner, Maine.

His son Benjamin, father of Alonzo, was born September 24, 1794, before the family left Massachusetts. Benjamin Conant became a farmer in Androscoggin County, Maine, and in 1816 married Althea Staples, who was born in Massachusetts, July 8, 1793, and died in 1848, the mother of 10 children. The father of the family died in 1868.

Alonzo Conant was reared on the home farm, received the ordinary educational advan- tages of his day, and in 1839, with several companions, left his home to visit Ohio. He was well enough educated to be able to teach school and was strong enough to make his way by physical labor, while at the same time his mental gifts equipped him for business. For some five years after leaving home, all these accomplishments were called into requisition as necessity or choice demanded. In 1852 Mr. Conant came to Van Wert. Here, in partner- ship with Simon Swineford, he was engaged in a grocery business until 1868. At that time the manufacture of staves engaged the i

attention of a number of the capitalists of Van Wert, and when a stock company was formed and the business organized, Mr. Conant was elected general manager, a position he filled for three years. In 1871 be came interested in the First National Bank as a director, and in 1878 was elected its president, an honorable position he filled with dignity and efficiency until the time of his decease, August 3, 1896.

On November 22, 1849, in Delaware County, Ohio, Mr. Conant was united in mar- riage with Esther A. Clark, who was born September 13, 1825, at Zanesville, Ohio, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Mary A. (deceased), Myrtle A., Ione E. (deceased), and Lida E.

In politics Mr. Conant was long promi- nently identified with the Republican party in Van Wert. At various times he filled offices of trust and responsibility, both in the munici- pality and county, and was in every way a rep- resentative citizen. He was one of the oldest members of the Odd Fellow fraternity in Van Wert, and until the close of his life took a deep interest in the work of the order. In religion Mr. Conant was a firm Universalist. His death brought to a close a useful, honor- able and well-rounded life.

m YRON VALPAN LONGS- WORTH, the well-known buggy and harness man of Delphos, was born June 6, 1849, in Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. William N. and Rebecca Ann (Doolin) Longsworth. The family moved to Van Wert County about 1855, and in June, 1857, the mother died. Dr. Longsworth began the prac- tice of his profession in this county at a time when the work of a physician was hampered

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by many trials and difficulties. After 20 years of service to his fellow-men, he retired from practice in 1875, and engaged in the drug business. Later he became a stockholder in a handle factory, and in 1890 moved to Con- voy, where he passed to his reward on May 12, 1903.

Myron V. Longsworth was reared and edu- cated principally in Van Wert County, al- though three years were spent with an uncle in Noble County. He learned the trade of harnessmaker with one Strandler, finishing in the shop of Frank Shoop. He then located in Delphos, where he first secured work with J. D. Lloyd, with whom he entered into part- nership in 1875. Upon the death of that gen- tleman, Mr. Longsworth succeeded to the busi- ness, and in 1885 moved to his present quar- ters. He handles buggies, saddles, harness- in fact almost every article of equipment that is used in connection with a horse. The mag- nitude of his business and the confidence re- posed in him speak more eloquently of his in- tegrity and worth than any words that might be written.

Mr. Longsworth was married in 1870 to Mary Mauk, daughter of Michael Mauk, who resides near LaFayette in Allen County. They are the parents of six children, as follows : William Alden; Harry M .; Emery, who died in infancy; Otis; Mabel, who died at the age of 19 years; and Effie. Mr. Longsworth is a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum.

B ENJAMIN F. HOFFMAN, mayor of Ohio City, vice-president of the Farmers' Bank, and identified with numerous business enterprises here, was born in Liberty township. Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1863, and is a son of the late

Christopher Hoffman, who settled in Van Wert County in the '50's. Mr. Hoffman was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he was 20 years of age, after which he held clerical positions in a drug store and a grocery store. In 1892, in association with his brother, he established the firm of Hoffman Brothers, which was continued until 1903, since which year Mr. Hoffman has been giving his attention to his various investments and to the duties of his public offices.

Politically Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat. He has served three terms as township clerk, three terms as a member of the City Council, and in the November election of 1905 was chosen mayor of Ohio City by a majority of 35 over G. C. Marston, although the Repub- lican majority in the other offices was 60 votes.

In 1888 Mr. Hoffman was married to Myrtle Spence, who died 18 months later, leaving one daughter-Myrtle. In February, 1891, he married, as his second wife, Mar- garet Kiser, who is a daughter of Jacob) Kiser, a farmer of Liberty township. They have five children, viz .: Ray, Thelma, Georgia, Lucile and Vera. Mr. Hoffman is connected with the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and is a member of the church council. Fraternally he is an Odd Fel- low and a Knight of Pythias.

The Farmers' Bank of Ohio City, Ohio, was organized in 1899. with the following offi- cers : S. G. Sheller. of Dayton. president : M. M. Agler, cashier; and Benjamin F. Hoff- man, vice-president. The other members of the company comprise these substantial citi- zens : O. G. Hackedon, manufacturer: J. A. Swoveland. druggist: C. A. Leasenhoff, grocer; W. H. High, farmer and stock-raiser: and Frank Caster. Samuel Hertel, and L. Disher. farmers. Although the bank has been in existence but a few years, it has secured

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the public confidence and occupies an enviable position among the financial institutions of this locality. Much of its prosperity is directly due to the high standing of the officials and the careful, conservative course they pursue.

R EYNOLDS KNOX LYTLE was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 17, 1819, and died at Delphos, November 9, 1890. His parents were Robert and Hannah (Knox) Lytle, natives of Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, and on the maternal side the line was the same which produced James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States.

Mr. Lytle came of a family of substance, and being the youngest of the eight children was afforded more than the ordinary educa- tional advantages. His father died in 1821. His mother removed with him to Sidney, Ohio, in 1833, where he prepared for college, and in 1839 he entered the fresh- man class of the Miami University, at Oxford. He remained a student there until he completed his junior year, and then entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. G. Volney Dorsey, of Piqua, Ohio. It seems that this profession, at close range, lost its attractions, for he soon gave up medical study and engaged in teaching school. His mother died in 1842, and in 1845 he came to Van Wert County and very soon took charge of the general store of Hollister, Bliss & Pettit, at Delphos. Within two and a half years he became a member of the firm. the name of which became Hollister, Bliss & Lytle. This partnership continued until 1856. Mr. Lytle had proved his adaptability for a mercantile career, and in that year he formed a business

partnership in the dry goods and clothing line, under the name of Lytle & Roebuck, which continued until 1859.

In 1864 Mr. Lytle returned to Sidney, where he lived retired for some years, recup- erating from a state of impaired health. In 1871 or 1872 he returned to Delphos, and in 1874, upon the organization of the Commercial Banking Company, he was called from his re- tirement to become its president, an honorable and responsible position he continued to fill until his death. He was interested in other successful business enterprises, and was on the directing boards of the Ohio Wheel Works and the Union State Works. He was considered a man of great business capacity and among his associates was looked upon with respect and consideration.

In his political views he was a Republican and on one occasion was selected by his party as a candidate for Congress. Although he was not elected on account of the district being notably a Democratic one, his personal popu- larity was shown by the vote he polled, it being the largest ever received by a Republican in this district.

Mr. Lytle was married first to Martha L. Major, a daughter of Samuel Major. Six children were born to them, all of whom died young. The death of the mother occurred in 1864. In 1866 Mr. Lytle was married (sec- ond) to Mary Sprague, of Wooster, Ohio, and they had two children : Lindol S., who was accidentally killed in 1902; and Margaret K .. who is the whole survivor of the family. Her mother died in March, 1875. On May 10, 1876, Mr. Lytle was married to Isabella R. Harn, of St. Marys, Ohio.

Fraternally Mr. Lytle was a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church

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at Delphos and one of its trustees. His re- mains were interred in the West Side Ceme- tery, at Delphos.

The late Lindol S. Lytle, only brother of Margaret K. Lytle, married Fannie Hume. She survives with two children-Leila S. and Fern B.

e LARK GOOD, a well-known mem- ber of the Bar of Van Wert, re- cently elected to the office of city attorney, was born in Van Wert County, January 10, 1877, and is one of a family of two born to his parents, Abraham B. and Rachel (McLaughlin) Good.

Mr. Good was reared on his father's farm in Van Wert County. His education, which was commenced in the common schools, was completed at the Ohio Northern University, where he was graduated in 1903. On June II, of that year, Mr. Good was admitted to the bar, and opened an office at Van Wert, where he has continued in the practice of his profession ever since, meeting with gratifying success.

December 25, 1903, Mr. Good married Millie Reed, who is a daughter of William I. Reed, one of the county commissioners of Van Wert County, of whom extended mention will be found in another part of this work. The pleasant family residence is at No. 514 North Cherry street, Van Wert. Mr. Good occupies well-appointed offices at No. 1161/2 East Main street. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 52

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

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