History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 55

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 55

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Conrad Agler, the father, was born in Pennsylvania, but when he was about 15 years of age his parents moved to Stark County and located on a farm of 160 acres, where Con- rad remained until after his marriage. He then moved to Van Wert County and purchased a farm of 80 acres in Liberty township, which he occupied until his death in 1860. He was the father of 13 children-nine girls and four boys-our subject being the youngest son.

Joseph Agler was practically reared in Van Wert County, whither his parents moved when he was six years old. He can remember the time when this section of Ohio was all a wil- cierness and bears, wolves and deer were plen- tiful. In 1856 Mr. Agler was married to Susan Neiferd, a daughter of George and Mary Neiferd, old residents of Van Wert County, who originally came from Stark County. After his marriage Mr. Agler lived on his father's farm for several years, and in 1873 bought his present homestead of 80 acres, which is very valuable because of the discovery that there is oil under it. He has seven oil-wells on the farm, six of which are producers and now in operation.

To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Agler were born seven children, four of whom still live, namely : Charity Ann, who married George D. John- son, of Liberty township, and has four chil- dren-Birdie, Cary, Willis and Laura; Willis, who married Ida Walters and has nine chil- dren-Frank, Lewis, Fred, Joseph, Grace, James, Clark, Roy and Besse; Isaac, who mar- ried Louisa Voltz, lives on a part of the old farm and has seven children-Susie, Florence, Wilma, Georgia, Doral, Bertha and Leland; and Frank, who married Florence Humrick- house, lives in Mercer County and has one child -Harold. Conrad, the eldest born, died at the age of 22; one child died shortly after birth; Nancy, who was the wife of Alonzo Smith,

left four children at her death-Bertha, Vernie, Fay and Etho. Mr. Agler and his family are all members of the United Brethren Church.

S IMON BECHTOL resides in section II, Hoaglin township, and occupies a place in the ranks of the representa- tive men of Van Wert County. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsyl- vania, November 18, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Long) Bechtol. His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania, but when Simon was about four years of age they moved to Marion County, Ohio, where they remained about 10 years, coming thence to Allen County in 1854. Mr. Bechtol has a brother, Israel, and a sister, Catherine A. (Mrs. Henry Kelly), residing in Van Wert County.

Simon Bechtol attended the district schools and then engaged in farming until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted for service in Com- pany A. First Ohio Squadron, and served cne year. In August. 1862, he reenlisted in Com- pany A, 118th Reg .. Ohio Vol. Inf. A more fearless soldier never entered the ranks, and the many scars he carries are vivid reminders of the fierce contests in which he engaged. Among the generals under whom he fought were Burnside and Thomas, and the battles in which he participated were as follows: Mossy Creek, Buzzard's Roost, Snake Creek Gap. siege of Atlanta, siege of Knoxville, battle of Loudon, siege of Nashville, Chattanooga. Duck River; Franklin, where the contending armies met in a hand to hand fight and where Mr. Bechtol was shot through the arm and re- ceived two sabre cuts; siege of Fort Andrew. where he was wounded by the flying fragments of a shell; and many other battles. He was close at hand when the Confederate President. Jefferson Davis, was captured, and served until

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the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge June 24, 1865. Returning to Allen County, he farmed for many years and then moved to Van Wert County, in the fall of 1888. After living in Union townshi. about four years, he moved to the farm he now oc- cupies in Hoaglin township.

Mr. Bechtol was married in 1862 to Sarah Furrey, native of Fairfield County, Ohio, who bore him one son, William, now deceased. On September 11, 1882, Mrs. Bechtol died and on October 21, 1883, Simon Bechtol was joined in marriage to Barbara Dias. The present Mrs. Bechtol was born November 30, 1861, in Scioto County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Richard and Mary (McElhaney) Dias, who were natives of Pennsylvania. She was reared to young womanhood in Scioto County where her father having died, her mother chose as her second husband William Ambler. When she was about 18 the family removed to Fay- ette County, where they lived two years be- fore moving to Van Wert County and settling in Ridge township where her brother, William R. Dias, now lives. Another brother, John C. Dias, lives in Pleasant township. Her mother died in Union township November 9, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtol have nine children, viz : Goldie M., wife of J. R. Jones; Sylvia F .; Mary C .; Simon H .; Samuel M .; Retta F .; John E .; Mildred R. and Gladys M. Mr. Bechtol is a Republican in politics.

DAM BOLLENBACHER, an influen- tial and progressive farmer living on a fine farm in section 23, Harrison township, in October, 1905, had been a resident of Van Wert County for 17 years, coming from Mercer County, Ohio, where he was born November 1, 1866. He is a son of Adam and Christina (Koch) Bollenbacher.

Our subject's father was born in Germany and was over 21 years of age when he emigrated to the United States and located in Liberty township. Mercer County, where he died in April, 1902. There all of his children, except our subject, still reside.

Adam Bollenbacher was reared on a farm and remained at home until he was nearly 22 years of age, when he came to Van Wert County and purchased the farm of 80 acres upon which he is now located. Later he added 40 acres to his original purchase and also operates the Miltenberger farm of 60 acres.

Mr. Bollenbacher was married, October 21, 1888, to Maggie Miltenberger, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary Elizabeth (Wendel) Miltenberger. , They have two children : Oscar, who is attending the Van Wert High School, and Lydia, who is living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bollenbacher are both members of the Evangelical Church.

In 1899 Mr. Bollenbacher built his pres- ent fine, modern home and has made many other improvements on the farm. He is an up-to-date man, in every respect, pos- sessed of exceptional business ability, and is financially interested in the National Bank of Convoy. Politically he is a Democrat and has served twice as supervisor.

m S. CRAMER, M. D., one of the well-established and able physi- cians and surgeons at Ohio City, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1861, and is a son of John Cramer.

The father of Dr. Cramer, moved from Seneca to Van Wert County in 1864, settling on land which he subsequently cleared and de- veloped into a fine farm. He became a man

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JOHN BLACK

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of substance and prominence and lived to old age. dying in 1905. at the age of 84 years.

M. S. Cramer was two years of age when his parents located on the farm in Van Wert County. where he grew to manhood. He was afforded educational advantages in Van Wert and prior to entering Starling Medical Col- lege, taught school for five years, in the mean- time making ready for his chosen profession. Dr. Cramer was graduated at the above men- tioned college in 1888. and at once located at Ohio City, where he has been engaged in con- tinuous practice for the past 18 years. He stands very high among the medical men of the State, and enjoys a large measure of popu- larity in his own city. For the past 16 years Dr. Cramer has served as surgeon for the Erie Railroad, during this time having had a varied and beneficial experience. He is president of the Association of Erie Railroad Surgeons. He is also examining surgeon for several reput- able life insurance companies, and is examin- ing surgeon, and for the past eight years has been president, of the local examining board of the Bureau of Pensions. Dr. Cramer was an active member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association which has been merged into the Third and Fourth Councilor Districts of the Ohio State Medical Association, with which the Doctor is now actively identified. Dr. Frank D. Bain, of Kenton, Ohio, is the coun- cilor for this district: the president of the council is Dr. Brooks F. Beebe, of Cincinnati.

In 1893 Dr. Cramer was married to Flor- ence E. Runnion, who is a daughter of E. N. Runnion, who for years was a business man of Ohio City. They have two children, Donald R. and John F. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Dr. Cramer is interested in all its various benevolent en- terprises. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

JOHN BLACK. the well-known agricul- turist of Union township, whose por- trait is shown on the opposite page, is a son of Matthew and Catherine Black and was born in Richland County, Ohio, No- vember 10, 1843. Both parents were of Ger- man descent, the maternal grandparents being natives of Germany.

Matthew Black was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, February 4. 1817, and his wife March 13, 1821, she being a native of the same locality. It was not until they had both moved to Richland County, Ohio, that they became acquainted, and there they passed the first few years of their married life. In 1842, the hus- band came to Van Wert County and entered 80 acres of land-40 in Union and 40 in Hoag- lin township. In 1848 he moved his family to this farm and. by later purchase, added a tract of 160 acres. At the time of his death. February 12, 1872, he had about 50 acres cleared, most of the present improvements having been made by his sons. There were six children in the family, viz. : John; Adam : Elizabeth, wife of Charles Mohr, Jr .; George, who died at the age of 16 years: Henry: and Sarah, wife of Samuel Albright, of Putnam County, Ohio.

Matthew Black was a man whose honor and integrity were above question, and won him general confidence and esteem. Being a poor man. he worked in a sawmill in Richland County until he had saved sufficient money to enter his original land and bring his family here, but at his death he left a substantial estate and. of even greater value. the rich legacy of an honored name. At different times he served as township trustee and held a number of minor offices. In politics he was a Republican and a strong anti-slavery man, having been reared by a Whig step-father. his own father having died before his birth. He was a devoted mem-

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ber of the new school Lutheran Church, and aided materially in its support. His wife sur- vived him many years, passing away January: 30, 1902.

John Black has been a hard working man, spending his time in farming and in the line of carpentry, having been a resident of Union township since his fifth year. As the other children grew up and left the old home, it fell to his lot to take care of his aged mother, and it was with pleasure that he tended her de- clining years. Mr. Black was made the ad- ministrator of his father's estate, and the hand- some residence was built under his supervision. He now owns 120 acres of land in section 1, Union township, and is a first-class farmer in every respect. Mr. Black is a Republican and was at one time supervisor of the roads in this district ; also served as school director for sev- eral years. He is trustee and secretary of the Evangelical Church Association in Hoaglin township, and has been the efficient superin- tendent of the Sunday-school several times, Fraternally, he belongs to Tribe No. 102, I. O. R. M. at Scott, and is a man whose sterling worth brings him the esteem of his friends and of the community at large.

EORGE C. YOH, one of the leading men and successful agriculturists of Hoaglin township, who resides on his fine farm of 70 acres, located in section 9, was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, December 15, 1857, and is a son of Ja- cob and Sarah (Plank) Yoh.

The parents of Mr. Yoh were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio at a very early day, and settled in Seneca County, where they resided for a number of years. In 1852 they removed to Van Wert County and

located in Hoaglin township, where both sub- sequently passed away. They were among the most highly respected residents here, worthy and consistent members of the Grand Victory Evangelical Church.

George C. Yoh was reared in Hoaglin township and attended the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. He was reared to farm life, and agricultural pursuits have claimed his attention ever since. He is a man of progressive ideas, and carries on his large agricultural operations with the assist- ance of modern machinery and according to modern methods.

On December 14, 1879, Mr. Yoh was united in marriage with Hannah Snyder, who was born January 26, 1863, in Hocking County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Stabaugh) Snyder, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Yoh was a child of five years. Her father now resides in Mercer County, where he moved in Mrs. Yoh's childhood, and where she grew to marriageable age. Mr. and Mrs. Yoh have had five children, namely : Ansel M., born December 2, 1880; Mertie M., born May 17, 1883; Mary Leotie, born Oc- toher 20, 1885; Zelma A., born August 20, 1887; and George W., born July 18, 1898. Mertie M. died August 1, 1893, aged 10 years. The other members of the family are all at home with the exception of Zelma A., who is the wife of Roy Baker, of Hoaglin township; and Ansel M., who married Ina Busick, and resides at Grover Hill, Ohio.

In politics Mr. Yoh is an active Repub- lican, and he takes considerable interest in pub- lic matters, as becomes a good and intelligent citizen. He is a member of Alpha Lodge, No. I, Home Guards of America, a beneficiary organization which has many members in Ohio. Both he and his wife belong to the Grand Victory Evangelical Church, of which

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he is one of the stewards and a liberal sup- porter. Mrs. Yoh belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society of this church.

m ARTIN WISE has been closely identified with the history of Van Wert County for the past 33 years, during which time he has been located on his farm, which originally comprised 80 acres in section 9, Jackson town- ship. To this property 40 acres were added some time ago. A man of strong character, he has been a powerful factor in the town- ship and has exerted! a beneficent influence on those among whom he has lived. He has taken great pleasure in the steady growth and prosperity of the county to which he has largely contributed. Mr. Wise was born Feb- ruary 27, 1845. in Erie County, New York, his parents being George and Saloma (Ger- hard) Wise, who were born in Baden, Ger- many, and there married. Coming to Amer- ica shortly before the birth of our subject, they settled in Erie County, New York, where the father died before Martin had reached his 10th year.

Leaving New York, Martin Wise came to Ohio, and for several years made his home with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Krouse, of Putnam County. When old enough to do for himself, he se- cured employment on the Miami and Erie Canal in Ohio, and was so employed for 12 years. While living in Putnam County, he was married to Susan Harpster of that county, by whom he had one child, Sarah E., since dleceased. His second union was with Eliza- beth C. Leatherman. to whom he was married October 31, 1875. The present Mrs. Wise is a native of Allen County, Ohio, born Sep- tember 28, 1855. and is a daughter of Daniel 1

and Mary A. (Allstetter) Leatherman. Her father, now deceased, was a native of Allen County. Ohio, and her mother, who now re- sides in Paulding County, was a native of Germany, where she was born April 9, 1827. Mrs. Wise was one of 12 children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Matilda, wife of George Butler, of Putnam County; Jacob E., of Paulding County; Elizabeth C. (Mrs. Wise) ; Peter, of Paulding County; Louisa J., wife of Noah Myers, of Paulding County; Sarah A., wife of Marion Ayers, of Paulding County ; and William, who lives in Illinois.

· Six children have been born to our sub- ject and his estimable wife, namely: John, who lives in Paulding County; Laura, wife of Walter Spraw, of Paulding County; Flor- ence. a teacher in the Ohio City public schools ; George, deceased; Charles C., who is at home, as is David M. Mr. Wise was an efficient trustee of Jackson township for a period of seven years, and is at present a director of school district No. I. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are valued members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Wise is a prominent member of Hope Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., at Delphos. He is a Democrat in politics.

ATHIAS FISCHER, whose death occurred April 11, 1895. was one of the highly respected men and successful farmers of Washington township, where he owned a fine farm of 80 acres, situated in section 36. Mr. Fischer was born in Hanover, Germany, November 1I, 1844. and was a son of Henry Fischer, who died in Germany.

Throughout his boyhood Mathias Fischer attended school in Germany, and when he at- tained the legal age entered the army to serve as the German law requires, but when there

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was a probability that he would be sent on military service to Prussia he decided to em- igrate to the United States. At this time he was 25 years of age. Landing in the port of New York, he soon made his way to Delphos, Ohio, where he found remunerative work in a stave factory. Being industrious and tem- perate, he soon acquired some capital, which he increased during a year's residence with an uncle at Landeck, and then returned to Del- phos. Subsequently he purchased the farm which his widow still occupies, making many substantial improvements upon it and devel- oping it into a valuable property.

On September 7, 1871, Mr. Fischer was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wegesin, a daughter of Herman and Gertrude (Baum- garten) Wegesin, who were born in Germany and married at Delphos. The father died in 1884, but the aged mother still survives and lives with Mrs. Fischer.

Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Fischer had six children, namely: Kate, who married Fred Gorman and lives at Fort Wayne, Indiana; Henry, living at home; Frank; Rosa, Benja- min and Anna. The last named entered the convent at Cleveland, Ohio, as a member of that noble Christian community, the Sisters of Charity, and bore the name of Sister Mary Frederica. Her beautiful life came to a close on March 28, 1899. All the family belong to St. John's Catholic Church at Delphos, and Mr. Fischer himself was a member of St. Joseph's Society.

S OLOMON PUTMAN, one of the rep- resentative men and substantial farm- ers of Liberty township, resides on his fine farm in section 32. With his wife he owns 158 acres, 80 of which are in the home place and 78 in section 31. Mr. Putman

was born in Dublin township, Mercer County, Ohio, March 11, 1858, and is a son of Isaac and Sophia (Mihm) Putman.

Peter Putman, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the pioneers who settled at a very early day in Van Wert County. Here he reared his family and died. Isaac Putman was a successful farmer in Mercer County.

Solomon Putman was reared in Mercer County and there went to school. In 1880 he was united in marriage with Mary D. Bru- baker, who is a daughter of the late Peter Bru- baker and a sister of Naaman Brubaker, of whom an extended sketch will be found in this work. Peter Brubaker married Catherine Dull of Lafayette County, Pennsylvania ; they had a family of 10 children. In December, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Putman moved to their present home in Liberty township. This land at the time belonged to the late Peter Brubaker. At his death Mrs. Putman inherited 73 acres of the land, as did also, her sister, Mrs. Nettie Smith. Mr. Putman bought Mrs. Smith's in- heritance, and later purchased 12 acres from his brother-in-law, Naaman Brubaker, and now possesses a very fine farm. He has made many improvements here, among which may be mentioned his large frame house, a very comfortable and attractive residence, which he built in the fall of 1899.

Mr. and Mrs. Putman have nine children. as follows: Bertha, who married Peter Shin- delecker and resides in Indiana; Peter, who married Gertrude Williams, a daughter of Wallace N. Williams and resides in Liberty township-they have one son, Stanley: and Isaac B., Curtis, Naaman B., Ellen May, Ar- thur B., Sherman B. and Edgar B., all at home.

Mr. Putman is very well-known through Liberty township, and very highly respected. He served one term as township trustee, retir-

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MR. AND MRS. ENOCH M. HOAGLIN AND FAMILY

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ing from office on January 1, 1906, and for seven years was a member of the School Board of Education. He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

E NOCH M. HOAGLIN. Among the old and honorable family names of Hoaglin township, none is more justly held in esteem than that of Hoaglin, which is preserved in the township's name. The late Enoch M. Hoaglin was a worthy member of this family which has been iden- tified so many years with the northern sec- tion of the county. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 20, 1836, and died in Van Wert County, December 19, 1903. He was a son of Enoch Hoaglin.

The father was one of the pioneer teachers of Hoaglin township, and for a number of years taught in various parts of the town- ship, also serving at one time as a jus- tice of the peace. His log cabin was a meeting place not only for judicial functions, but was the center of social life and also the scene of the first religious exercises ever held here. He lived on the banks of Hoaglin Creek, also named in his honor, and died at an ad- vanced age, some years since, at Middlepoint, Ohio.

Enoch M. Hoaglin was five years old when in 1841, he accompanied his parents to Van Wert County, where he was reared amid pioneer conditions. He attended school in the little log structure built for this purpose, in his district, and had advantages superior to those enjoyed by many others, on account of his father being an unusually well-informed man. Even so he had not the advantages afforded the youth of the present; but that fact did not interfere with his becoming an intelligent, well-

balanced man, whose advice and judgment were frequently consulted by his fellow-citi- zens in later life. He was a practical farmer and, at the time of his death, was able to leave a large estate to his family.

On December 1, 1853, Mr. Hoaglin was married to Elizabeth Holtrey, who was born December 17, 1835. in Licking County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Eliza ( Roahn) Holtrey. Her parents were natives of Penn- sylvania, Mrs. Hoaglin being 13 years old when they moved from Licking to Van Wert County, Ohio, and settled in Hoaglin town- ship, as one of its pioneer families.

The children born to Enoch M. Hoaglin and wife were eight in number and seven of these still survive, viz .: Eliza M. (Mrs. James Fife) and Elverta (Mrs. John Rank), both of Union township; Mary E. (Mrs. Albert Fife), McClellan C., Emma (Mrs. Milton J. Coil) and Adelia M. (Mrs. Samuel Mohr)- all four residing in Hoaglin township; and John W., who resides with his mother in the township named. George W. is deceased. Mrs. Hoaglin owns the well-improved farm of 100 acres, left by her husband, upon which she has spent a large part of her life, bravely fac- ing the many pioneer hardships of her earlier years and still residing there as one of the township's most highly esteemed ladies.

The late Enoch M. Hoaglin was a man of the highest integrity and was frequently urged to accept public office. In politics he was a Democrat. For some years he was a trustee of the township and an esteemed member of the Hoaglin Grange. In religious belief he was a Methodist, but, on account of the long dis- tance to the church of his membership, during the last few years of his life he worshiped with the Evangelical Church, known as the Grand Victory. It is not too much to say that the late Mr. Hoaglin was respected by all who

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knew him, for he was one of the finest types of a good citizen and honorable man that ever resided in this section. A picture of the Hoag- lin family accompanies this sketch.

J OHN C. RANK, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, whose homestead is located in section 14, Union township, was born July 5, 1857, on the farm upon which he now resides, and is widely and favorable known throughout this entire sec- tion. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Koser) Rank, natives of Cumberland Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, who were the parents of 10 children, viz .: Elizabeth (Coffey), Sarah (Dice), George W., and Lida (Calhoun) all cleceased ; Jennie (Barr), of Van Wert; Kate (Kannel), deceased; Jacob, of Van Wert; Maggie (Beck), of Union township; Samuel, of Van Wert; and John C. In 1863 the fath- er dropped dead while going for a load of hay in his field, dying at the age of 56 years, his wife surviving him until 1895, when she passed away at the age of 82 years.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 55

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

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