History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 58

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 58

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army on its "March to the Sea," receiving an honorable discharge in June, 1865.

Albert E. Foust has been twice married : In 1857 to Elizabeth Beamer, who died in 1886, leaving four children, viz : Loren A., of Indiana; Perry C., of Paulding County ; George A., of Hoaglin township; and Shan- non L., of Fostoria. His present wife was Mrs. Louisa (Shoemaker) Shreckengaust, widow of Abraham Shreckengaust and a daughter of Samuel H. Shoemaker, who was a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Fair- field County. By her first union Mrs. Foust had five children of whom three are living, viz: Samuel H., of Scott; Charles W., of Hoaglin township; and Martha E., wife of Leroy Foust, of Morrow County. Mr. Foust is a Democrat and is now serving his third term as trustee of Hoaglin township, being, in all walks of life, an honorable, upright gen- tleman, who commands general and deep re- spect.

E DMOND A. LEATHERS, one of the prominent and representative farmers and stockraisers of Ridge township, whose well-improved farm of 120 acres is situated in section 34, was born in Ridge township, on February 26, 1859, and is a son of Harrison and Martena A. (Cum- mings) Leathers. The father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October . 30, 1834, and was a son of Christian Leathers, who was of German extraction but a native of Maryland. The parents came to Ohio at an early day, and in Har- rison's boyhood settled in Ridge township, Van Wert County. The latter spent the re- mainder of his life in the township named, where he died June 5, 1902. He was a prom- inent and valued citizen, and served efficiently

in a number of the local offices, at various times being assessor and township clerk. Dur- ing the greater part of his life he was an elder in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the General Synod. He was a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his burial was conducted according to the rit- ual of the order. His widow still resides in Ridge township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Leathers were: Edmond A., of this sketch; William C. and Delora V. (Mrs. William C. Gilliland) both of Ridge township; and Florence E., wife of John G. Prill, of Payne, Paulding County, Ohio.

Edmond A. Leathers was reared in Ridge township and was educated in both its public and private schools as well as at Van Wert. After completing his education, he taught for four consecutive years in Willshire and Liberty townships, and after his marriage set- tled on his present valuable farm on which he has erected one of the most attractive modern residences in the township. The land owned by the estate of the late Harrison Leathers has become doubly valuable on. account of the great development of oil upon it. In 1901 there was drilled on the farm mentioned, which is situated in section 34, Ridge town- ship, an oil-well which, for 33 consecutive days, flowed 250 barrels of oil per day, with- out being pumped. Later pumping machinery was installed and oil was produced in large, paying quanities.

On June 3. 1883, Mr. Leathers was mar- ried to Mary J. Bell, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and is a daughter of James and Charlotte (Reame) Bell. Seven children have been born to this marriage. namely : James H., Arthur M., Urban C., Clara B., Earl E., Beulah B. and Luther E.

Politically Mr. Leathers is usually in ac- cord with the Republican party. He has served

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several terms as assessor of Ridge township and as land appraiser, his knowledge in this direction being very considerable. Fraternally he belongs to Van Wert Lodge, No. 251, I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1880; the Knights of Pythias, at Middlepoint, and the Modern Woodmen, at Van Wert. Since his youth he has been a member of the Evangelical Luth- eran Church, is an elder in the Ridge township church, is serving as secretary of the joint council of the Salem charge, and is also a church trustee. In short, he is a man in whom his neighbors have placed implicit confidence for many years-one of the township's most intelligent and representative men, in every relation of life.

HOMAS K. ROWLEY. Few residents of Van Wert County enjoy a more extended acquaintance, or stand higher among their fellowmen, than Thomas K. Rowley, who has resided in Hoag- lin township for more than 50 years and is one of the leading agriculturists of the locality. He was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Febru- ary 17, 1844, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bird) Rowley, both natives of England, his mother coming to America in 1822. When Thomas was an infant of about six months, his father died and Mrs. Rowley was again married, her second husband being Andrew Wisener. In the fall of 1851 Mr. Wisener brought his family to Van Wert County and located in Hoaglin township. He entered the Civil war from which he never returned, dying at Nashville, Tennessee, but the mother continued to reside in Hoaglin township until 1892, when she passed to the beyond. Four children survive her, Thomas K. Rowley being the only one by the first

marriage; the others are Lorenzo D. Wisener, Hannah C. (wife of Benjamin Gesey) and John, all of Hoaglin township.

Thomas K. Rowley was educated and reached manhood in the district in which he still lives, in the fall of 1859 moving to his present homestead where he has since resided. He is a practical farmer, the owner of 130 acres of land (all under cultivation), and is also a shrewd business man.

Thomas K. Rowley was married Novem- ber 18, 1896, to Mrs. Mary A. Yoh, widow of the late Jacob Yoh, of Hoaglin township, her father being Christian Mohr, deceased. a prominent farmer of Hoaglin township. She is the mother of four children by her first union, viz : Arthur who, since his wife's death, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Rowley; Roma A .; Irvin S .; and Sarah E., wife of Charles Rogers, all of Hoaglin township. Mr. Row- ley was trustee of the township one year, and is now serving on the pike commission. He is a Republican and always ready to work for the good of his community and the public in general. He is a member of the Evangelical Association, being a trustee of Grand Victory Church, of Hoaglin township.

RANK KING, owner and operator of a fine farm of 40 acres in section 16, Liberty township, was born in Black Creek township, Mercer County, Ohio, October 11, 1865, and is a son of Amasa and Catherine (Mihm) King. The father was a native of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, and there was reared and educated, later be- ing there engaged in farming upon a tract of 100 acres. He died in March, 1869, when his son Frank was but four years of age and who has therefore but very little recollection of him:

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ORIN G. VICKROY

MRS. REBECCA G. VICKROY

RESIDENCE OF ORIN G. VICKROY

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The widow is still living, being a resident of Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Amasa King had six children, as follows: Emma, who died in early childhood; Taylor, who lives in Rock- ford, Mercer County; Laura Ellen, widow of Benjamin Hartzog, who also resides in Mer- cer County ; Louis, who is married and lives in Lima; and Frank.

Frank King was reared in both Mercer and Van Wert counties, the family homestead be- ing located on the county line. He was mar- ried December 25, 1886, to Minnie Putman, a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Neiferd) Put- man, old settlers of Liberty township, Van Wert County. Mr. and Mrs. Frank King have had four children-Leona, who died aged one year; Willis; Earl and Aubrey. After his marriage Mr. King lived first in Liberty town- ship, about four miles south of his present home. In March, 1899, he moved to his pres- ent location, having bought the farm during the previous fall. There are three producing oil wells on the farm, which is one of the best improved places in the township. Mr. King is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Ohio City.

0 RIN G. VICKROY, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Union township, although not beyond mid- dle life, is the pioneer of this section of Van Wert County. He was born in Rich- land County, Ohio, April 3, 1854, and is a son of Emanuel and Matilda (Hardman) Vickroy, and grandson of John Vickroy, whose family settled in Pennsylvania at an early date.

Emanuel Vickroy, the father, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1824, and farmed there until his removal to Ohio on November 4, 1853. He purchased and farmed a small place in Richland County, then aban-

doned agriculture, and for a time was engaged in merchandising at Belleville, that county. At the end of three years he resumed farming and continued thus until 1873, when he en- gaged in huckstering until 1884. Emanuel Vickroy was married August 14, 1848, to Matilda Hardman, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hardman, both of German descent. This union resulted in the following offspring : Remina, wife of Henry Schwartz; Martha; Orin G .; Jacob; Mary E., deceased, who was the wife of E. R. Kelly; Sarah; John H. and Alice, wife of Cassius Huntsman. The mother of these children was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1831, and on November 4, 1853, accompanied her parents to Richland County, Ohio, where she died on the 25th of December, 1863. The deceased was a member of the Disciples' Church and a woman of most estimable character.

Orin G. Vickroy attended the common schools of Richland and Morrow counties and through his father early learned the dignity of labor. After assisting, during his early years, on the home farm, he worked out as a farm hand, a little later buying territory in which to sell patent wire fence. But he lost faith in the article of which he was the agent, being unable to conscientiously say it was the best fence the farmer could buy, and as a result abandoned the venture and thereby lost several hundred dol- lars. In 1876 Mr. Vickroy went to Wyandot County, where for one year he worked as a farm laborer. He then rented several places, which he farmed until he came to Union town- ship in November, 1884. In June of that year he had visited the county, crossing his present place (then under water), in gum boots. He made an examination of the land; saw how it lay from a report made by a competent sur- veyor, and decided that it could be under- drained to advantage. As a result he pur-

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chased 80 acres, knowing the land to be a good investment if he never moved upon it. In the fall of the same year, as stated, he returned to Van Wert County to reside permanently, and his since converted a portion of the swamp into a well-drained farm, which he has cleared of its timber and placed in a good state of culti- vation. Redeeming waste land was a most difficult task, but, when success crowned his efforts, his example was followed by many others. The trials and hardships of those early days were certainly many, and it was oftor a difficult matter to keep the wolf from the door; but Mr. Vickroy persistently cleared and tilled the original purchase of 80 acres, and gradually added to it until he owned 235 acres, all of which he himself drained, cleared and other- wise improved. It is perhaps needless to say that he is a man of energy and enterprise, and has been unqualifiedly successful. His stand- ing in the community was shown by his elec- tion as justice of the peace, on the Democratic ticket, without the opposing party placing a man in nomination; but he has steadfastly re- fused to run for offices of importance.

March 18, 1880, Orin G. Vickroy married Rebecca Gongwer, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, June 21, 1859, and is a daughter of Philip and Saloma (Long) Gongwer, her father a native of Pennsylvania. They have no children, except by adoption-a boy, James G., being taken by them from the Wayndot County Infirmary and now bears the name Vickroy. The young man is now serving in the United States Marine Corps, being sta- tioned in the Philippines. In 1901 Mr. Vick- roy erected a beautiful home on his farm, the residence containing 11 large rooms, with many closets, and is arranged most attractively and conveniently. It is finished in quarter-sawed oak and finely furnished throughout, being an ideal country home, from which a commanding

view of the surrounding country may be en- joyed. A view of Mr. Vickroy's home and portraits of himself and wife accompany th ... sketch.

5 ENRY BUSCH, one of the highly esteemed residents of Delphos, was born in Hanover, Germany, in March, 1842, and is a son of Har- mon Henry and Mary Busch. The father, with his family, emigrated to America when Henry was two years of age, locating for a few months in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then moved to Washington township, Van Wert County, where he purchased 80 acres of land at $1.25 an acre, the tract-mostly swamp and timberland-having since been cleared and highly cultivated and brought to a valuation of $100 per acre. Harmon H. Busch died July 17, 1874, his wife surviving him until 1895.

Henry Busch was reared on his father's farm, and endured many hardships while as- sisting in its clearing, cultivation and general improvement, in the midst of which he re- ceived his educational training in the schools of Washington township. He was married November 19, 1872, to Barbara Auer, daugh- ter of Joseph and Barbara Auer, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Busch have had six children, five of whom are still living. The record is as follows: Joseph, born December 27, 1874, who resides in Brook- ville, Indiana; Charles, born November 4. 1877, who married Anna Wilcox, of Del- phos, and is connected with the Gempke Brothers & Busch Hardware Company. of Delphos; Josephine, born January 28, 1882. who died at the age of six months: Ida, born July 28, 1885, who lives at home: George. born July 22, 1887, who resides in Cincin-

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cinnati; and Edward, born March 27, 1893, who lives in Brookville, Indiana. Mr. Busch and family are all members of St. John's Catholic Church, of Delphos.

Mr. Busch owns a fine farm of 110 acres in Washington township, which he operated until December 6, 1889, when he rented the farm and removed to Brookville, Indiana, be- coming the proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel, which he managed successfully for 15 years. In 1904 he sold that property and re- turned to Delphos, where he owns a fine resi- dence located on East Third street. At one time he was the proprietor of 190 acres of farm land, but has sold 80 acres. He also bought the building where the Gempke Broth- ers & Busch Hardware Company's store is sit- uated, and started his son Charles in business. Mr. Busch was for many years supervisor and school director of Washington township, and is a citizen of high and substantial standing.

S RANKLIN GOOD, a reputable and influential agriculturist of Van Wert County, living in section 31, Ridge township, on a farm of 75 acres, was born May 17, 1852, in this county, his par- ents being George W. and Martha (Miller) Good. The father was born in Pennsylvania and was about 10 years of age when his par- ents removed to Richland County, Ohio, and later to Pleasant township, Van Wert County, where they died. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a man who earnestly endeavored to square his life with his convictions. During his later years he was a strong Prohibitionist. His death occurred January 7, 1898, after a long and well-spent life. Martha Miller Good, the mother, was

a daughter of William Miller, who came to what is now Pleasant township, Van Wert County, at such an early day that few white settlers had found their way thither. He took up his residence in an Indian cabin, in which he lived for several years and in which his daughter, Mary A., was born. At one time his nearest white neighbor lived 10 miles away. The first female white child born in the town- ship was Mrs. Mary A. (Miller) Bronson, born in 1836, who is the widow of the late Aaron Bronson-a prominent farmer and at one time county commissioner. Six children are left to survive George W. Good and his wife, namely : Franklin; William; Elizabeth E., wife of Peter Collins; Calvin, of York town- ship; Victor H .; and Delilah J., wife of Rev. F. L. Hook, a Methodist minister now sta- tioned at Waterville, Ohio. All are residents of Ridge township, except Calvin and Mrs. Hook.

Franklin Good was married November 25, 1874, to Martha J. Clippinger, a native of Allen County and a daughter of Samuel A. and Joanna (Valentine) Clippinger. Mr. Clippinger was born in Pennsylvania, and at an early day moved to Lima, Ohio, there being then but eight log cabins in the village. He re- mained a resident of Allen County until soon after the Civil War, when he located in York township, Van Wert County, where both he and his wife died. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Good, viz .: Barton L., a rising young physician, of Wilmington, Illinois; and Merrill M., who is living at home. The parents are adherents to the Methodist Episcopal faith and take an active part in both church and Sabbath-school work. Mr. Good believes in using his utmost influence for the righteous cause, and is a firm supporter of the principles of prohibition.

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A NDREW J. STEWART, formerly one of the trustees of Jackson township, and a prominent agriculturist, re- sides in section 19 on a home farm of 80 acres, and also owns 80 acres in Washing- ton township. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 23, 1838, and is a son of Zachariah and Catherine (Deener) Stewart. The father of Mr. Stewart was born in Ohio, and his mother in Maryland. About 1848 the family moved from Fairfield County to Wash- ington township, Van Wert County, where they were esteemed pioneers and passed their last years.

Andrew J. Stewart was reared in Wash- ington township and there attended the dis- trict schools, in the meantime, under his fath- er's instructions, learning to be a practical farmer. In the fall of 1869 he settled on his present farm in Jackson township, which at the time was thickly covered with woods and brush. Through his industry and persistent work he has since transformed the virgin land into a fine, productive farm.

Andrew J. Stewart is an honored sur- vivor of the Civil War. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, 15th Reg.,. Ohio Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the bat- tles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Buzzard's Roost, the siege of Atlanta, the bat- tles of Franklin and Nashville, and in innuin- erable smaller engagements, being honorably discharged from the service in 1866. Al- though always at the post of duty, fortunately he escaped the dangers of the fever camp and the battle field.

. After his war service was over, Mr. Stew- art returned to Van Wert County, where he has resided ever since. His children are: Ebsen, of Washington township; Stephen, of Jackson township; Nevada, wife of Emmet

Neese, of Michigan; Eli, of Jackson township; and Della, Mrs. Elmer Myers, of Hoaglin township. Politically Mr. Stewart is a Demo- crat. He served in a number of county and township offices entirely to the satisfac- tion of his fellow citizens. For six years he was one of the Infirmary directors of Van Wert County, has been township treasurer and for three years was township trustee, during this period being president of the board. All in all, he is one of the best known and valued citizens of this locality.

I SAAC R. TUDOR, of Van Wert, has been a prominent figure in the history of Van Wert County for many years past, and his retirement to private life as a member of the hardware firm of Jones & Tudor Co. did not permit him to entirely with- draw from the public service. Mr. Tudor was born in 1850 at a place in Butler County, Ohio, which was known as Paddy's Run, and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Owens) Tudor. Both parents were natives of Montgomery- shire, North Wales, and came to this country about the year 1842, settling for a short time at Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. From there they went to Long Creek, Iowa, near Iowa City, but soon returned East and located in Butler County, Ohio, where they remained about five years. They moved from there to Allen County, Ohio, where the father was ac- cidentally killed by falling off a load of hav at the age of 55 years, and the mother died at the age of 67. There were nine children in their family, five of whom died in infancy; the subject of our sketch is now the only sur- vivor. William and David gave their lives in defense of the "Stars and Stripes," the former meeting death by starvation in Andersonville

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RESIDENCE AND FARM BUILDINGS OF NELSON F. SHAW

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Prison. Owen has also passed into the Great Unknown.

Isaac R. Tudor was reared on a farm, and continued to do farm work until 1873 when he went to Delphos, Ohio, and secured a clerk- ship. This employment being much more to his taste, he continued to act as clerk for vari- ous parties for 12 years. In the meantime his acquaintance and popularity increased and his well-know executive ability caused his friends to urge his candidacy for sheriff of Van Wert County, to which office he was elected in the fall of 1885. He moved to Van Wert on the first of the following year and took up the duties of the office, discharging them in such a manner that he was elected for a second term when the rest of the ticket went down in de- feat. A partnership in the hardware business was arranged with W. B. Jones and the store of Jones & Tudor was opened in 1891 and has been conducted with the energy shown by Mr. Tudor in all his undertakings. It is safe to say that few enterprises in the city have had a more substantial growth. In 1896, when William Mckinley was first elected President Mr. Tudor was one of the presidential elec- tors, and liad the honor of carrying the Ohio electoral vote to Washington. Although he still takes a lively interest in the success of the Republican party, he is devoting his attention entirely to the hardware business.

Mr. Tudor was married in 1876 to Eliza- beth Peat, who was one of a family of five children, born in Llanbrynmair, Montgomery- shire, North Wales, where she lived until the death of her parents, when she came to this country, a young girl. Their only child, Bes- sie Tudor, who is now in New York City, is a musician of rare ability, having studied with the best teachers in this and foreign countries. She bids fair to become one of the leading concert singers of America. She is gifted

with a refined musical temperament and pos- sesses a rich soprano voice of great compass; so full of sympathy that she never fails to cap- tivate her audience. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Tudor is also prominent in Masonic circles, being a 32nd degree Mason.

n ELSON F. SHAW. One of the best improved and most productive farms in the northern part of Van Wert County, is situated in section 34, Hoaglin township, and comprises the 170 acres owned by Nelson F. Shaw, who is widely and favorably known throughout this locality. He was born in Morrow County, Ohio, October 3, 1859, and is a son of Francis M. and Nancy (Dunkelbarger) Shaw. The father, now de- ceased, was also a native of Morrow County, but moved to Van Wert County some time in the 'zo's and died here many years ago. He was a Republican, a man of strong character and a friend to every- one, who was an acquaintance. He mar- ried Nancy Dunkelbarger, who was a na- tive of Marion County and was born in 1837. Mrs. Francis M. Shaw is now a resident of Hoaglin township. Seven children now sur- vive, viz .: Nelson F .; Lydia .M. (Mrs. Joseph Hoaglin), of Van Wert; Jacob R .; Grant, of Paulding County ; and Isaac V. W .; Florence Y. (Mrs. Delmar Roby) and Harry, of Hoag- lin township.

Nelson F. Shaw attended district school in Hoaglin township, and then turned his atten- tion to the subject of agriculture, an occupa- tion in which he has been very successful. On November 8, 1885, he was married to Clara A. Ferguson, who was born November 22, 1866, in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a

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daughter of Enos M. and Arminda V. (Jett) Ferguson. Both her parents were natives of that county, but in 1868 moved to Columbia City, Indiana, which was their home for many years. There the mother passed away when Mrs. Shaw was a child of 12 years, the father surviving her until March 23, 1896, when he died at Fort Wayne, Indiana. On September 16, 1861, Enos M. Ferguson enlisted at Me- chanicsburg, Ohio, serving under Captain Stou until the close of the Civil war. Mrs. Shaw came to Van Wert County early in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have one child, Estella M., who was born March 28, 1901. They count their friends by the legion and are among the most popular families in their locality. While not a member of any church, they are willing contributors to the cause of religion, and may safely be relied upon to lend a hepling hand where aid is required for any worthy object. Views of the Shaw home and the farm build- ings accompany this sketch.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 58

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

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