History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 60

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 60

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J AMES F. JAMISON, a progressive farmer of Section 24, Washington township, was born in Jennings township, Putnam County, August 18, 1854, and is the youngest of nine children born to Marmaduke and Elizabeth (Van Me- ter) Jamison. His paternal grandfather, James Jamison, was a native of Pennsylvania

and was of Irish ancestry, while the maternal grandparents were from Virginia, of Dutch origin. Marmaduke Jamison was born and reared in Ross County and his wife in Fair- field County, Ohio, removing to Putnam Coun- ty, where they were married and resided many years near Columbus Grove. Their children were as follows: Jasper; Isaac, deceased; Su- san, wife of Samuel Oatman, now deceased; Francis; Cinderella; Adam; John, deceased; Alexander and James.

James F. Jamison reached manhood on the farm upon which he was born, and acquired his education in the district schools. He has been a farmer since childhood, when he assisted with the chores before he was large enough to take a more responsible task, and at the age of 16 years assumed the duties of the household. In March, 1905, he located in Washington town- ship, Van Wert County, and purchased 30 acres of land, and although his residence there has been comparatively brief he has attached to himself many warm, enduring friendships. He has an enviable reputation as a breeder of superior hogs, making a specialty of the Po- land-China variety, and has some of the finest animals to be found in the county.

Mr. Jamison was married December 12, 1882, to Huldah Engelman, a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Buettner ) Engelman. Her parents were born and reared in the same village in Saxony, Germany, and when Charles Engelman came to America in 1848, he was followed, a year later, by Margaret Buettner to whom he was married upon her arrival here. Mrs. Jamison has one brother, George Paul, living in Paulding County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. James F. Jamison have four children- Stewart, Carl, Laura and Herbert. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Delphos, Mr. Jamison being a trustee. He

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was a member of the School Board in Jen- nings township, Putnam County for 23 years and has been a life-long Republican.

J OHN S. IRELAND resides on a farm of 93 acres in section 33, Ridge town- ship, and is widely and favorably known throughout Van Wert County, where he was born June 24, 1848, and where he has resided all his life. His parents were William D. and Mary M. (Stemen) Ireland.

William D. Ireland, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, is supposed to have been of Irish extraction. His parents removed to Allen County while he was still young, and it was there he reached manhood and married Mary M. Stemen, a native of Pennsylvania. With his brother, Elihu S., he came to Van Wert County and entered 120 acres of land in sec- tion 33, Ridge township, upon which they lo- cated in 1847, and where he continued to re- side until his death some 18 years later. He took an active interest in township affairs, serv- ing as trustee and also as constable for a num- ber of years; was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic blue lodge at Van Wert. The following children survive him, viz .: John S .; Mary M. (Mrs. G. H. Poe), of Kenton, Ohio; Eliza J. (Mrs. Jacob C. Smith) ; Lydia A. (Mrs. John Chamber- lain), of Michigan; Christian S .; Rachel L. (wife of Harvey Sanders) ; and Elizabeth F. (Mrs. J. A. Uncapher).

John S. Ireland spent his early years in the manner of other country boys of his day, go- ing to school during the winter and assisting in the farm duties during the spring and summer months. When old enough to start in life for himself he continued the work with which he was familiar and in which he has been so successful.

On July 4, 1873, Mr. Ireland was married to Iva C. Junkins, who is a native of Hardin County, Ohio. Six children have blessed their home, viz. : Elmer H., Alvin W .; Orven O .; Walter H .; Marion E. and Freddie O .- the two last named being deceased. Mr. Ireland is a Republican and was at one time constable. He was also on the School Board for a number of years, and was a strong factor in raising the standard of education in Ridge township. Mr. Ireland is a member of the Society of Friends and is a trustee of the church in Ridge township, known as the "Prodigal Home."

ILLIAM H. DAILEY, senior mem- ber of the law firm of Dailey & Al- len, at Van Wert, and one of the leading members of the Van Wers bar, was born August 28, 1865, the son of the late Judge Amos T. and Eliza J. (Ainsworth) Dailey.

Thomas Dailey, the great-grandfather of William H., came to Ohio in 1820 and settled in Meigs County. Esaias Dailey, the grand- father, was born in Harrison County, Virginia, and accompanied his father to Ohio. He mar- ried Mary Ann Thompson, and of their eight children the late Judge Amos Dailey was the eldest. From 1882 until 1888, the latter serv- ed as judge of probate in Van Wert County, from 1889 to 1893 was postmaster at Van Wert, and for years was recognized as one of the leading public men of the county. He married Eliza J. Ainsworth, and our subject is the fifth member of their family of six chil- dren.

William H. Dailey was reared and primar- ily educated in Van Wert County, in 1889 graduating from the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. In

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM HOOVER

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ISgo he entered into the practice of his pro- fession at Van Wert, continuing alone until 1895, when he formed a partnership with H. W. Blachly, which was continued until 1897. The association was then dissolved and he again continued in independent practice until March, 1905, when the present law firm was organized. Mr. Dailey has been an active mem- ber of the Republican party since attaining his majority.

William H. Dailey was married June I, 1904, to Margaret E. Handlen, who is a daughter of John Handlen, a well known resi- dent of Van Wert. Mr. Dailey and wife have a pleasant home at No. 230 South avenue, while his well appointed offices are in the Al- bright Block. Mrs. Dailey is a member of the Catholic Church but Mr. Dailey belongs to no denomination. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks, the Home Guards and the Knights of Pythias.

77 ILLIAM HOOVER, for many years an esteemed citizen of the county, residing on his farm in section 33, Hoaglin township, was born July II. 1848, in Seneca County, Ohio. He is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Boyer) Hoover, both of whom were of German descent, the father being a native of Perry County, Ohio, and the mother, of Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, her parents moving to Perry County when she was a child of some three years. There Benjamin Hoover and his wife were married and it remained their home until about 1835, when they located in Seneca County at a time when that part of the State was but thinly settled. During the summer of 1849 they moved to Wyandot County, and later to Hancock County.

William Hoover grew to manhood in

Wyandot County, Ohio, and there acquired his education in the public schools. When not yet 16 years of age, on February 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, 123rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war, be- ing mustered out May 24, 1865. This 15 months of service covered many of the fiercest battles of the entire war. Among the engage- ments in which Mr. Hoover participated may be mentioned, the battles of Newmarket, Piedmont, Winchester, Opequon, and Fisher's Hill. He was wounded at the two battles last named, as also at Cedar Creek, where he re- ceived a bullet wound in the right hand and another in the right arm. In the battle of Hatcher's Run, which was fought March 31, 1865, he was wounded in the left foot. These were among the most important engagements in which he participated, but he took part in many skirmishes and minor battles, and for some time was in the military hospital at Ger- mantown, Pennsylvania. Returning to Wyan- dot County, Mr. Hoover resumed the duties of a private citizen and the year following moved to Hancock County, Ohio. where he lived for II years, when he located in Hardin County, Ohio, where he spent nine years. In 1886 he moved to Van Wert County and fixed his residence in Hoaglin township, which has since been his home. He is one of the promi- nent agriculturists of this section, having passed his entire life in his chosen vocation.

On March 10, 1872. William Hoover was married in Hancock County to Harriet E. Cummans, who was born there March 7, 1849, and is a daughter of the later James and Sarah (Richey) Cummans. To this union five chil- dren have been born, namely: Eliza L. (Mrs. John Blythe) ; Anna M. (Mrs. Ellsworth Rice) of Paulding County : Sarah E. : James O .; and G. Ethel (Mrs. Charles S. Stripe). All the children, except Mrs. Rice, reside in Hoaglin

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township. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of Fairview United Brethren Church. Mr. Hoover is a prominent member of the Grand Army of Republic; is a Democrat in his politi- cal views; has served as constable for three years; was school director of sub-district No. 2 for a like period, and is a man universally respected for his patriotism and his substantial abilities. On a preceding page are shown por- traits of Mr. and Mrs. Hoover.

J AMES R. BELCH has been a resident of Van Wert County since the spring `of 1881, when he moved to his pres- ent farm of 40 acres in section 36. Ridge township. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 14, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Alford) Belch, both of whom were natives of that State. They were married December 13, 1838, in Tuscara- was County, and in the fall of 1864 moved to Allen County, where the mother died, August 16, 1893. The father then moved to Middle- point where he, also, passed away, December 28, 1894.

James R. Belch remained in his native county until his 22nd year, when he moved to Allen County and there engaged in farming, operations until he located at this place in 1881. He is a very successful farmer-one who thor- oughly understands his calling.

Mr. Belch has been twice married (first) in Allen County to Elizabeth Hammel, a na- tive of Tuscarawas County, who died, without issue, in 1886. On January 24, 1889, he mar- ried his present wife, who was Mrs. Emily A. Pollock, born July 18, 1859, in York town- ship, Van Wert County, and a daughter of Benjamin D. and Rachel (Thomas) Strother -the former of Muskingum County, and the latter, of Madison County, Ohio.

Mrs. Belch's father settled in York town- ship more than half a century ago and reared a large family of children who are a credit to his teaching, all but one of whom are residents of this county, viz. : Harriet R., wife of John Tipple; Mary E., Mrs. William Johnson; Nancy I., who married A. L. Everett; James M .; Emily A., wife of Mr. Belch; and Erwin Arthur, a minister of the M. E. Church sta- tioned in Toledo, Ohio. Emily A. Strothers was first married to Benjamin F. Pollock, and three of the children of that marriage are liv- ing, viz .: Arthur R. of Columbus; Cora B., wife of F. H. Lehmann of Washington town- ship; and Bessie I.

By his second marriage Mr. Belch became the father of three children, namely: Velma E .; Mary U .; and Ernest A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Belch are members of the Methodist Church at Middlepoint. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men at that place and to the G. A. R., being a veteran of the Civil war. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in Com- pany D, 16Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was in service, for the most part in Virginia, until September, 1864, when he was honorably dis- charged and returned home. In politics Mr. Belch is a Republican.

RED H. WEGESIN, one of the suc- cessful agriculturists of Washington township, who with his brother John owns and operates a fine farm of 160 acres, 80 acres of which is situated in section 36, Washington township, Van Wert County, and 80 acres in section 1, Marion township, Allen County. He was born in Delphos, Ohio, February 23, 1871, the son of Henry and Cath- erine (Ballman) Wegesin, and the fourth of a family of seven children.

Henry Wegesin was born in Hanover.

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Germany, and came to this country when only 17 years of age. Mrs. Wegesin was also a native of Germany and when a small child emigrated with her parents to the United States, first locating in Cincinnati. Her par- ents had been undecided about coming to America, because some of the members of the family preferred remaining in Germany. When first locating in Cincinnati they took a house previously occupied by a family who had had the typhoid fever, and Mrs. Wegesin's brother and sister both contracted the disease, dying within nine weeks after landing in America.

Mr. and Mrs. Wegesin were married in Delphos, where he was engaged in the marble business, later becoming a mason contractor for bridge work. The seven children born to this union were as follows: Frank, who lives in Marion township, Allen county, Ohio and married Johanna Hampf; Anna, who married Henry Bramer and died April 5, 1897; Rose, who lives on the home farm; Fred H., Carrie, wife of Henry Honhost of Marion township, Allen County, Ohio; John, who has an in- terest in the home farm; and Kate, wife of Henry Moreo of Delphos. The family are all members of the St. John's Catholic Church of Delphos.

S ILAS H. EKEY, for many years one of the successful farmers of Wash- ington township, resides on his well improved farm of 1291/2 acres, 80 acres of which are located in section 10, the remaining 491/2 acres being across the road in section 3. He was born March 22, 1858, in Jefferson County, Ohio, and is the son of Andrew and Catharine (Mccullough) Ekey.

Andrew Ekey is of English descent, his paternal grandfather emigrating from the mother country. He himself was born in Jef-

terson County, Ohio. There he was reared and educated, and remained in that county un- til after his marriage. Mrs. Ekey's ancestors came from Ireland. Andrew Ekey and family came to Ashland County, Ohio, when Silas was only two years old, and purchased a farm of 200 acres upon which they located. The eight children of the family were: Taylor, the oldest son, now living in Ashland County, who married Tillithea Beckman; Martha, wife of Lige Bright of Ashland county; Isabelle, who married Marion Brown and is deceased; Hugh who married Laura Wallace and resides in Ashland County; Emma, wife of Albert Barnes, who lives in Richland County; Al- bert, who married Pearl Hoffman and lives on the old homestead in Ashland county; and Mary, formerly Mrs. Barcillian Scott, now de- ceased :

Silas H. Ekey was reared and educated in Ashland county, having always devoted his time and energies to farming. In 1895 he moved to Van Wert County, Ohio, purchased his farm of 1291/2 acres from Simon Timb- ers and has since resided there. Mr. Ekey has never married. While he continues to live on the farm, except for raising some corn and wheat, he has not been actively engaged in agricultural operations for some time, but leases the ground to others. He is now devot- ing his time to the breeding of cattle, and at present has a fine herd of 17 head.

ILLIAM H. WALTERS, one of the leading agriculturists of Pleas- ant township, who owns a well- cultivated farm of 119 acres, situ- ated in section 6, was born in Ridge township, Van Wert County. August 13, 1860, and is a son of John J. and Julia A. (Gilliland) Wal-

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ters. The late John J. Walters was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and died during our subject's childhood. Later his mother became the wife of Christian Palmer, of Ridge town- ship, where she still resides.

William H. Walters was reared and edu- cated in Ridge township and his whole life has been devoted to agriculture. Since 1884 he has occupied his present farm and by thrift, enterprise and excellent management he has transformed it into one of the best homesteads in the township. His agricultural operations are of a general nature.

On December 13, 1883, Mr. Walters was married to Mary J. Fisher, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 22, 1861, and is a daughter of George and Sarah A. (Walters) Fisher, and a granddaughter of Mary E. (Wallace) Walters, the latter of whom still survive, being 95 years of age. Her home is in Tuscarawas County, to which she came in pioneer days, and her descendants of four generations are gathered around her. George Fisher, father of Mrs. Walters, is de- ceased, but his wife still resides in Tuscarawas County. The Children of Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam H. Walters are as follows: Olen L., Ethel, Anna D., David W. and Nellie M., the two last named being twins. Mr. Walters has faithfully cared for his children's educa- tion and is giving them every advantage in his power. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Convoy.

Politically Mr. Walters is a Republican. He has served as school and cemetery trustee. He is overseer of Pleasant Grange, No. 399, Patrons of Husbandry, having already served as master, and altogether is widely known through this section of the county as a man of sterling character who commands unwavering esteem and confidence.

E LIJAH W. WILSON, deceased, who died April 25, 1900, at his beautiful home, No. 631 South Washington street, Van Wert, was long one of the leading business men of this city. He was the senior member of the large contracting firm of Wilson & Zook, a sketch of the latter appearing in this volume.

Elijah W. Wilson was one of a family of eight children born to John and Mary (Mor- rison) Wilson. He was born on October 15, 1824, in Richland County, Ohio, and there re- sided until he located at Van Wert in 1860. In the early days of the Civil war he enlisted in defense of his country, and served three months as a member of the 15th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., after the expiration of his term he reenlisted, but was discharged shortly afterward on account of sickness. He was a good soldier and through life a patriotic cit- izen.

After settling in Van Wert County, Mr. Wilson entered into the contracting business and later became associated with Mr. Zook, the partners building many of the finest resi- dences and most substantial business blocks in the city of Van Wert. The death of Mr. Wilson was deeply deplored by his fellow citi- zens, as it removed a man who was thoroughly honest and upright in all his business dealings and, to the close of a long life, consistently thoughtful and considerate.

Mr. Wilson was married to Ellen S. Linn, a daughter of the late Andrew Linn, who still survives him. Andrew Linn was a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and married Jennie Patterson. In 1837 he moved to Rich- land County, Ohio, and in 1848 settled in sec- tion 10, Washington township, now a part of Delphos. He served as the second postmaster of Delphos, was justice of the peace for a long

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time, and active as an old-line Whig. He was the father of the following eight children : William Scott; Mary Ann (Barnett), of Rich- land County, Ohio; Martha and Elizabeth, both deceased; Catharine, deceased, former wife of H. S. Hunter, of Delphos; Andrew, deceased; Susan C., widow of Gideon Ditto, who resides in Spencerville; and Ellen S., the widow of our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of four children, all of whom died in infancy. A child was taken into their home, whom they raised and educated-Lillian Murray, who is now married and lives in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Mr. Wilson was a member of the differ- ent branches of Masonry and of the order of Knights Templar and during his earlier years was active in that organization.

e HRISTIAN PALMER, a veteran of the Civil war and leading farmer of Ridge township, has resided on his farm in section 32 for many years. He was born March 4, 1842, in Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Louisa (Ash) Palmer-the former a native of Virginia, and the latter, of Maryland. When Christian was a lad of ten years the father died, leaving a number of children.

Christian Palmer received his education in the common schools of Allen County, and, at the age of 18 years (his mother having in the meantime married again) he left home to sup- port himself and make a place for himself as a man of the world. He at once gave his at- tention to farming and has been uniformly suc- cessful. On June 22, 1862, Mr. Palmer en- listed in Company F, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was detailed as teamster. He was in the Georgia campaign; the siege and capture

of Atlanta; battle of Nashville, Tennessee; was with Sherman at Goldsboro, North Caro- lina, and participated in many other import- ant engagements, receiving an honorable dis- charge from the service in June, 1865.

Returning to Ohio, Mr. Palmer came to Van Wert County, where he was married to Margaret Oman, who was a native of Allen County. This union resulted in the birth of two sons-Leroy and Charles, both of whom are deceased. The present Mrs. Palmer was formerly Mrs. Julia A. Walters, to whom he was married on June 22, 1871. She was the widow of the late John J. Walters and a daugh- ter of Adam and Sarah (Shaffner) Gilliland, who resided in this county at an early day and died in Ridge township. Mrs. Palmer is a na- tive of Van Wert County, where she was born January 9, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have had five children, viz. : Frank H., who lives at home; Robert G., a farmer of Ridge township; Adam A., residing in Liberty township; Sarah L., wife of George Poe of Pleasant township; and Carrie A., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Palm- er are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Salem. Politically Mr. Palmer is a Republican and was formerly trustee of Ridge township.

6 EORGE MICHAEL KIMMET, one of the prominent farmers of Wash- ington township, who resides on his farm of 147 acres, located in section 29, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on Feb- ruary 14, 1843, and is the son of George and Helena (Baumgartner) Kimmet, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in the village of Hessler County of Karlstatt, Kingdom of Bavaria, in the year of 1797, being reared and educated in Germany.

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After completing his education he learned the trade of a stone mason, and subsequently be- came a building inspector. His wife, formerly Helena Baumgartner, was a native of the vil lage of Minster, County of Germünter Unter- franken and Asheffenburg, Kingdom of Ba- varia. Mr. Kimmet, with his wife and six children, emigrated to America, landing in New York after a voyage of 83 days. Mr. and Mrs. George Kimmet were the parents of the following children : Jacob, Barbara; Adam; and Ottilia-all born in Germany and now de- ceased; John, born in Seneca County, Ohto, also deceased; George M., of this sketch; George W., born in Seneca county, Ohio, and now living in Howell County, Missouri; and Henry, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, who now resides in Coffey County, Kansas.

George Mitchell Kimmet was reared and educated in Seneca County, Ohio, and at the age of 21 years removed to Van Wert County. After disposing of his 40 acres of land in Sen- eca County, he purchased 40 acres in Van Wert County, and has gradually added to his original farm until now he has 228 acres of land located in sections 20, 29, and 32. All of the buildings on the place are convenient and modern, Mr. Kimmet having built his present large barn in 1881, and in 1903 erect- ed another large one on section 32. In 1887 he built the fine large brick home now occupied by himself and family. ,

On May 3, 1870, Mr. Kimmet was mar- ried to Mary Barbara Reindel, daughter of George Reindel, one of the old settlers of Washington township, Van Wert County, and they have become the parents of 15 children (14 of whom are still living), as follows : Mary Kimmet, born February 10, 1871, and who died September 20, 1871; George J., born April 6, 1872, who married Laura Sendelbach of Seneca County; Christina, who was born

October 30, 1873, and lives in Toledo, Ohio; Anna May, born January 21, 1875, now Mrs. Jacob Reurick, who lives near Landeck, in Allen County, Ohio; John, born March 9. 1876; Joseph, born December 15, 1877, who married Anna Fonefelt; Barbara, born Feb- ruary 28, 1880; Michael, born July 5, 1881; Helen, born May 13, 1883; George Henry, born May 2, 1885; Anna Frances, born Au- gust 3, 1886; Leo, born December 31, 1887; Anna, born March 2, 1890; Aloysius, born June 17, 1891 ; and Albert F., who was born February 1, 1893. They are also rearing a boy-Oscar Ireland-born February 12, 1897, who was sent to them July 27, 1898.

In his public and fraternal relations Mr. Kimmet has served as trustee of Washington township, has been a member of the school board, and is connected with the St. Joseph society. Mr. Kimmet and family are all mem- bers of the St. John's Catholic Church of Del- phos.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 60

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

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