USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 65
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On March 24, 1892, Wilbert A. Dull was married to Florence R. Anspaugh who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, April 7, 1875, and is a daughter of A. J. and Sarah (Bair) Anspaugh, natives of Indiana and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dull have had six chil- dren-Russell, Vera N., Merrill B .. Clifford H., Leonora and Rua M. (who died in in- fancy ).
Mr. Dull is one of the leading Democrats of his section of the county and his efficiency
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has frequently been recognized by his party, He takes a deep interest in National politics, being a visitor to the last great Democratic convention held at St. Louis, Missouri. On several occasions he has efficiently served in the Town Council and as a member of the Board of Education. Fraternally he is connected with Monitor Lodge, No. 542, Knights of . Pythias.
A UGUST HENRY PICKER, whose fine farm of 140 acres is situated in section 15, Washington township, is one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of his locality. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, August 31, 1864, and is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Lillianbeck) Picker, who are still living and reside in Ger- many.
August Picker came to America in 1883 and landed in Baltimore, on May 3d of that year. The youth emigrated to America at the suggestion of his uncle, Bernard Picker, who was the owner of the farm of which our sub- ject is now the possessor. He lived one year in Liberty township, Seneca, Ohio, and in 1884 removed to the farm of which he is now the proprietor. Bernard Picker, the uncle above mentioned, had lived on the farm now occupied by August H., for several years pre- vious to 1880, but on Christmas Eve of that year his home was entered by robbers, who attacked and nearly killed him. Soon after- ward he removed to Seneca County, Ohio, but returned to Washington township in 1884, bringing with him his nephew (who had come to this country the previous year) and again took possession of his farm, where he lived until the time of his death in 1890-his widow also continuing to make it her home, residing
with her nephew until her death, which oc- curred in 1897.
August H. Picker has one brother and three sisters, all living in Germany. He was married April 14, 1891, to Louisa Steible, and they had five children, namely: Joseph, who died in infancy; Elizabeth; Louisa, deceased; Catharine and Frank. Mrs. August Picker died July 19, 1902. Mr. Picker has made many improvements on the farm, has a fine large barn on the place, and in 1889 erected a large brick house. Religiously he is a member of the St. John's Catholic Church of Delphos, and is a representative citizen and farmer of this section of Van Wert County.
HAFFNER M. GILLILAND, one of the representative farmers of Ridge township, where he owns a finely-cul- tivated farm of 80 acres, was born in this county June 15, 1842, and is a son of Adam and Sarah (Shaffner) Gilliland. The father was born in Maryland and was still a young man when he came to Ohio and settled in Crawford County. There he married, and about 1832-33 removed to Van Wert County and settled as a pioneer in Ridge township. Here he passed the remainder of his life of public usefulness, serving as assessor of Ridge township and filling other positions where a man of judgment was required. Of his II children, these survive: John, a farmer in Ridge township, who was the first male white child born in Ridge township; Julia A., wife of Christian Palmer, of Ridge township: Shaffner M., our subject; Mary F., wife of Hon. Jonas S. Stuckey, of Ridge township: Sarah Elizabeth, who married Christian Hon- sted, of Pottawatomie County, Kansas ; Martha E., wife of John A. Tomilson, of Ridge town-
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ship; and Samuel B. and Robert, both of Ridge township.
Shaffner M. Gilliland was named for his maternal ancestors, the family of Shaffner be- ing an old one in Pennsylvania, in which State his mother was born. He was reared on the home farm and obtained his education in the district schools of his neighborhood. An agri- culturist all his life, he is justly regarded as one of the leading farmers of his township, his well-improved and thoroughly cultivated property testifying to the care and intelligent attention it has received. He has always been a patriotic citizen and during the Civil War he served eight months as a member of Com- pany B, 192nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., partici- pating in the campaign of the Shenandoah Valley.
On February 3, 1870, Shaffner M. Gilli- land was married to Amanda E. Balyeat, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Frances (Thomas) Balyeat. The father of Mrs. Gilliland was born in Pennsylvania, being one of the very early settlers in Van Wert County, where he died in 1899. His wife still survives him in her 80th year, as do nine of their children, namely : Jonas, of Ridge township; Philip, of Van Wert; Amanda (Mrs. Gilliland) ; Mel- vin and Michael T., both of Ridge township; Mary L., wife of G. Summerset, of Washing- ton township; Martha A., wife of Samuel B. Gilliland, and Sarah F. (Mrs. Jesse Vorp), both of whom reside in Ridge township; and Luman, of Van Wert. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland are: Homer J., of Van WVert ; Ira A., of Ridge township; Laura, wife of Hayes Johantgen, of Ohio City; Sarah F. (Mrs. Wilbur Fugate), of Fort Wayne, Indi- ana ; and Jessie.
Politically Mr. Gilliland is a Democrat,
but is more concerned in looking after his farming than in seeking political preferment. His fraternal connections are confined to mem- bership in W. C. Scott Post, G. A. R., at Van Wert.
ILLIAM FOSTER, familiarly known as 'Squire Foster all over Washington township, has served continuously as a justice of the peace for 32 years, and is one of the leading citizens of Middlepoint. He was born Decem- ber 12, 1841, in Thorn township, Perry County, Ohio, being a son of George and Nancy (Martin) Foster.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Foster was William Foster, whose grandfather was born in Prussia, Germany. About 1800 our subject's grandfather, William Foster, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he acquired government land in Perry County. In 1849 the father of our subject came to Van Wert County and settled in the midst of a forest in York township. He was a man of enter- prise and industry, and it is probable that pio- neer hardships shortened his life, as he died in 1851, leaving his farm uncleared and a family of five children dependent upon his widow. For several years the mother struggled bravely to keep her flock together. In 1853 she mar- ried again, and our subject did not accompany his step-father, John Clendenning, to the lat- ter's home in the vicinity of Convoy.
William Foster, who was 12 years old at this time, was received into the home of Sam- uel Foster, of Middlepoint, who was a cousin of his father. Here he remained until he en- listed on August 8, 1862, for service in the Civil War, as a member of Company A. 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He remained with this
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regiment until it was consolidated with the 50th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., on January I, 1864, serving in the new organization until his honorable discharge at Salisbury, North Carolina, June 26, 1865. During this long period, although exposed to every danger, privation and hardships in which his company took part, participating in 23 engagements. He was one of the half-dozen members of the command who were never sick, wounded, or taken prisoner by the enemy. His war record discloses that he was never absent from his company for one single day. Mr. Foster's service placed him under a number of the most noted commanders of the war, notably, Rosecrans, Buell, Sherman and Grant. He was mustered out at Camp Dennison, near Cin- cinnati.
After the war Mr. Foster returned to Mid- dlepoint and learned the carpenter's trade, or rather continued working at it, as he had pre- viously had some experience. He has always enjoyed work in this line and still, on occasion, in spite of his many public honors and official duties, engages with old-time enthusiasm and practical skill in particular pieces of carpentry. In 1877 he engaged also in undertaking, and continued this line in connection with his trade, until 1902, when he sold out to E. F. Gamble.
'Squire Foster has always been a pro- nounced Democrat. In the spring of 1874 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, justice of the peace, and has served continuously ever since, undoubtedly being in this respect the oldest office-holder in Van Wert County. He
has had much to do with the progress and sub- stantial improvements of Middlepoint, being its first mayor, to which office he was re-elected on numerous occasions. His standing as a citizen is of the highest. He owns 50 acres of fine farming land in section 36, Ridge town- ship, and also has several valuable houses and
lots in Middlepoint, which he keeps in such a good state of improvement that his rentals constitute a good income.
On December 20, 1866, Mr. Foster was married to Sarah E. Henderson, who is a daughter of John and Anna Henderson, of Pleasant township. They have four children, namely : Emma, born February 11, 1868, who married E. A. Temple, of Bluffton, Ohio, and has two children-Eunah and Beulah Marie; James Monroe, born July 9, 1871, who married May Askins and resides in Lima; Mary V., who married N. A. Tingley, of Rock- ford, Mercer County, Ohio, and has four chil- dren-Earl DeWitt, Bernice Sophia, Lena Elizabeth and Ilo Lucile; and Luther J., born July 28, 1877, who married Agnes Morris, of Middlepoint, lives at Fort Wayne, and has two children-Ionena and William Homer.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Middlepoint, in which he is one of the deacons. He is a valued member of Zeller-Hamilton Post, No. 260, G. A. R., and belongs also to the Masonic and Odd Fellow bodies.
A SA BINKLEY, one of the leading agri- culturists and prominent and useful citizens of Jackson township, whose fine farm of 90 acres is well improved and highly cultivated, was born December 8, 1850, in Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Keller) Binkley. His par- ents were born in Fairfield County, Ohio; his mother died in 1903, and his father now re- sides in Michigan.
Asa Binkley was reared and educated in Amanda township, Allen County, Ohio, and was there trained to practical farming. After reaching man's estate, for a time he engaged in
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ISAAC N. GIFFIN
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the manufacture of drain tile, at Wetsel, Ohio, conducting that industry in connection with his farming, and, as he had settled there in 1872, he was one of the first in this line in Jackson township. In 1876 he located on his present farm, which by his industry and practical methods he has literally developed from a wild- erness into one of the best-cultivated and most productive tracts in this locality.
On December 24, 1871, Mr. Binkley was married to Elvina Shock, who was born in Allen County, Ohio, December 11, 1847, and is a daughter of Peter and Mary (Boyd) Shock, natives of Pennsylvania and both de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Binkley have had six children, viz: Anna C. (wife of John A. Baker), Nelson and Cloid, all of Jackson township: Mary J., wife of William Dito, of Wetsel, Ohio; Melvin, deceased; and Stella C., of Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Bink- ley are members of the Harmony United Brethren Church of Jackson township.
Politically Mr. Binkley is a Democrat. He served for four years as treasurer of Jackson township and is now a member of the School: Board.
SAAC N. GIFFIN, county surveyor of Van Wert County, whose portrait ac- companies this sketch, is a native of this State, born in Miami County on November 16, 1852. He is a son of William and Martha (McKee) Giffin. The parents of Mr. Giffin came to Van Wert County in Sep- tember, 1858, where they resided the remainder of their lives and reared a family of 10 chil- dren. For many years the elder Mr. Giffin was county surveyor.
Isaac N. Giffin was a child of six years when his parents came to Van Wert County, and here he was reared and educated. After
leaving school he became a teacher, and suc- ceeded so well as a member of the profession that he continued in that occupation for 15 years. In 1870 he completed his course -in engineering and assumed the line of profes- sional work which led to his election as county surveyor.
In 1904 Mr. Giffin was married to Fannie M. Gleason, who is a daughter of Andrew J. Gleason, her family being firmly established and highly honored in the county. Mr. Giffin belongs to the Presbyterian Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their pleasant home is at No. 913 Hughes street.
Politically Mr. Giffin is a Republican. In 1900 he was elected by that party to his present office by a majority of 277 votes and is now serving his second term, having been reelected in 1903 by a majority of 329. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.
e HARLES W. McCONAHY. For many years the late Charles W. Mc- Conahy was a prominent business man of Van Wert, his line being that of florist. He was born July 13, 1867, and was a son of Joseph and Della (Link) Mc- Conahy, formerly of Wyandot County.
The father of Charles W. McConahy has always been a farmer, but since the death of his son has given valuable assistance to his daughter-in-law, who found herself with heavy responsibilities on her hands on account of her late husband's extensive operations. Charles W. was one of a family of eight children.
The early life of Charles W. McConahy was passed in Wyandot County, where he at- tended school. He first went into the under- taking business; but in 1900 he embarked in
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the florist business, investing in building lots at Van Wert, where he constructed his green- houses. The property is valued at several thousand dollars. Had he been spared, there is no doubt that he would have become one of the leading florists of the county, his business perceptions being excellent and his knowledge of the particular line he followed being com- plete. The business is carried on by Mrs. Mc- Conahy, who is a lady of much enterprise and business faculty.
Mr. McConahy was united in marriage with Libbie T. Richey, who is a daughter of George W. Richey, one of the substantial farmers of Van Wert County. She was left a widow on November 21, 1902. Both she and the late Mr. McConahy were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Re- publican in his political views. His fraternal connections were with the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias. He was a man who was very highly esteemed, of pleasant, genial nature, and he left behind many warm friends. In business he was honest and upright, and in every position in life to which duty called him, he served to the best of his ability.
J -- OHN BALDAUF, deceased, was form- erly one of the most highly esteemed citizens and most substantial farmers of Washington township. He was born · in Regensberg, Germany, March 19, 1846, and died on the fine farm he had acquired in section 20, Washington township, on September 16, 1903, at the age of 57 years, 5 months and 27 days.
Our subject's parents, Joseph and Frances (Bearschneider) Baldauf, were natives of Ger- many. They had nine children : Annie
(Smith), who died in Elyria, Ohio, in 1905; Frances (Kuchenreiter) now of Elyria; The- ressa (Smith), of Elyria; Catherine (Lein- felder), deceased; Grasanzia (Smith), of Washington township; Joseph, of Elyria ; John the subject of this sketch; and two children who died in infancy.
The late John Baldauf was six years old when his parents emigrated to America and settled near Avon, Lorain County, Ohio. There John grew to manhood, attending the district schools and learning to be a careful farmer and stock-raiser. When he was 20 years old he moved to Delphos, and soon settled on a farm of 40 acres about two miles from the home of his widow, which he operated until about 1880. Then he sold that property and bought 160 acres in Washington township, this being a part of the 320 which he left at the time of his death, and which is owned by his widow. He was a man of honest intentions and of great industry. Nobly assisted by his capable wife, he continued to increase his pos- sessions and at the time of his decease was con- sidered one of the township's most substantial men. He was a faithful member of St. John's Catholic Church, at Delphos, and always took a great deal of interest in the affairs of St. Joseph's Society. He was always very liberal in religious matters, was a man who was kind to the poor, helpful to his neighbors and de- voted to his wife and children. His remains now rest in St. John's Catholic Cemetery at Delphos, and the spot is marked by one of the finest monuments in that sacred ground, which was erected by his loving widow.
On March 1, 1870, Mr. Baldauf was mar- ried to Annie Mary Nicolai, the estimable daughter of John and Gertrude (Schnitzler) Nicolai, of Prussia, Germany; she was born May 9, 1846, in Rheinland on the Lake Land
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Karn. Mrs. Baldauf is the fourth member of a family of seven children born to her parents, namely : Michael, of Germany ; John and An- thony, both of Germany; Elizabeth and Mary, both deceased; and Catherine (Mrs. Nicholas Huymas), who lives in Missouri. The parents of Mrs. Baldauf died in their native land in 1864, and in 1867 she came alone to America, joining friends at Cleveland, where she lived for three years. In that city she met Mr. Baldauf and they were married at Elyria, on the Ist of March, 1870, and settled im- mediately on the 40-acre tract of land above mentioned.
These children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baldauf: Jacob, residing at home; John who married Catherine Goebel, daughter of Casper Goebel, resides on his farm of 80 acres and has one child-Richard; Henry, who is a resident of Lorain County, Ohio; Frances, who married John Brickner, resides in Seneca Coun- ty, Ohio, and has three children-Evelina, Raymond and Lorin; and Joseph, Frank, George, William and Dorotha. George is the only one deceased. These children have all been carefully reared in St. John's Catholic Church at Delphos, of which Mrs. Baldauf is a very prominent member. She is much in- terested in its various avenues of benevolence, liberally contributing at all times, and is a member of the Altar Society of the Sacred Heart. On many occasions this Christian lady has remembered the church in Germany where her parents worshiped and has sent substan- tial help. She continues to resides on her fine farm of 320 acres and is a lady well known and much esteemed. She can recall many inter- esting events connected with the development of the social affairs and religious progress con- nected with this section during more than 30 years of residence here.
OHN LUERSMANN, a representative farmer and good citizen of Washing- ton township, who resides on his well- cultivated farm of 120 acres, situated in section 35, was born in this township on May 8, 1852, and is a son of Casper and Anna Eliz- abeth (Raude) Luersmann.
Both parents of Mr. Luersmann were born in Hanover, Germany, and there were married. In 1844 they emigrated to America and settled first at Fort Jennings, in Putnam County, Ohio, but later made plans to leave the close vicinity of the Auglaize River and to settle permanently in Van Wert County. They were not able to carry out their plans quite so soon as they had hoped to do, and thus met with a misfortune which not only swept away all their possessions, but endangered their lives. Their pioneer home was strongly built and had an unusually substantial brick chimney ; it was this that saved the lives of the family. January, 1847, proved to be unusually warm along the Auglaize River, and the snow rapidly melted and swelled the beautiful stream until it rose above its borders. Although the water was very high, Casper Luersmann and family retired one night at the ordinary hour, with no thought of real danger. While the little family slept in fancied security, the water continued to rise faster and faster and when morning broke they stepped from their beds into cold and muddy water. To any one who has witnessed an angry, swollen river rushing on with devasta- tion in its path, over fields and farms, carrying everything before it, the picture returns again and again as a fearful one. This was what greeted the eyes of the Luersmann family as they climbed to the garret and then out upon the sloping roof. On every side was a waste of water and every moment they expected their home to be washed away. By four o'clock in
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the afternoon they were rescued; for months they found a home with kind and sympathetic neighbors.
By this disaster Casper Luersmann lost not only all household possessions, but all his live- stock and the products of his farm. As early in the spring as possible the family left their kind friends and moved to Washington town- ship, Van Wert County, where the father pur- chased 40 acres from the government and com- menced life anew. This land is a portion of the farm now owned by our subject. Here the parents lived out their many busy years, and when they passed out of life left friends and a loving family behind them. Their children were: Clara, deceased in 1884 and buried in St. John's Catholic Cemetery at Delphos, who was the wife of Herman Trentmann, of Mar- ion township, Allen County; Dine, who has resided with our subject ever since his marriage, and is a lady well known in this community ; and John, who is the youngest of the family. The father died in 1886, aged 77 years, and the mother in 1891, at the age of 82 years, both having been born in 1809.
On August 24, 1876, our subject was mar- ried to Anna Mesker, who was born Febru- ary 5, 1856, in Marion township, Allen Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a daughter of Casper and Clara (Lause) Mesker, natives of Hanover, Germany, who crossed the ocean on the same vessel as did the parents of Mr. Luersmann, and married after landing. Their children were: Mary, deceased in 1894, aged 50 years, unmarried, who never was able to walk a step in her life; Mrs. Elizabeth Elver and Mrs. Emma Hellenkamp, both of Delphos; Mrs. Catherine Kaverman; Mrs. Clara Kaverman, a widow: Mrs. Anna Luersmann; and Fred, who resides on his father's old homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Luersmann have had 10 chil- dren. as follows: Rosa, who married Frank
Etzkorn, of Marion township, Allen County, on June 13, 1897, and has had five children- Clara (deceased), Aggie, Theressa, Clarence and Albert; John H., who resides at home as- sisting his father; Frank, Mary and Regina, residing at home; and Joseph, Alice, Leo, Bertha and an unnamed infant, who are de- ceased.
The family belong to St. John's Catholic Church at Delphos. Mr. Luersmann belongs to St. Joseph's Society and his wife to St. Mary's Altar Society, both being very devout and earnest church workers.
e APT. DAVID P. DUNATHAN, one of Van Wert's most respected men of affairs, for many years a political factor in Van Wert County, and an honored survivor of the Civil war, was born April 17, 1840, in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Robert H. and Mary E. (Protzman) Dunathan.
The grandparents of Captain Dunathan were born in Scotland, but resided for many years in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where their son, Robert H., was born March 7, 1810. The mother of the child died when he was two years of age, and his father was probably killed by the Indians; so he was reared in the home of an uncle. When 20 years of age, he came to Ohio, settling in Montgomery County, where he married. Shortly afterward he moved to Sidney, Shelby County. There he followed the trade of weaver until 1839. when he removed to Mercer County, where he died in 1872. His first wife died in 1855 and he married (sec- ond) Nancy Moore. The children of his first marriage were: J. H., Sarah F., David P., James M., Jacob B., Robert L .. Edward P .. Johnson L. and Harman. The children of the second union were George M. and Mary.
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David P. Dunathan was reared on his fath- er's farm in Mercer County, where he might still be following an agricultural life had not the call to arms in defense of his country come just at the time when the adventurous spirit of youth was at its flood tide. On September 10, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company A, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for the three years service, through which he served with valor and faithfulness, and in 1864 became a veteran. During this pregnant period of our country's history, he participated in many of the great battles that settled the issues at stake, fighting at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jack- son and Chickamauga. Prior to August, 1864. he served as sergeant, but was then commis- sioned Ist lieutenant as a reward for gallant action on the field. In February, 1865, he be- came captain of Company A, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and with his original company served in the 100 days' fight from Chattanooga to At- lanta, and took part in all the glorious events which had for their culmination the Grand Re- view at Washington.
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