History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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 66

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With thousands of other loyal men who had laid down every personal interest to give themselves to their country's service, Captain Dunathan returned to his home, where he en- gaged in farming until 1869. A business open- ing then presented itself at Van Wert. and he entered into a partnership in the manufacture of burlaps. As years passed he became inter- ested at different times in other lines. In 1883 he was appointed postmaster at Van Wert by President Garfield. Before the expiration of his term of four years, he entered into partner- ship with Dayton Hard, under the firm name of Dunathan & Hard. in the handling of agri- cultural implements. He has made investments both in city and farming lands and is one of the substantial men of the community.

Captain Dunathan was married at Van

Wert, in 1865, to Amanda Gilliland, a mem- ber of a prominent family of this section, and they have had three children: Charles Wal- cott, deceased in infancy ; Laura Rosaltha ; and Jessie, wife of William D. Redrup, of Toledo, Ohio. Captain and Mrs. Dunathan are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason.

R ODNEY SMITH was born in Craw- ford County, Ohio, October 14, 1847, and is a son of John and Catherine (Spayd) Smith. He has been a resi- dent of Hoaglin township, since September, 1874, and is one of the representative farmers of Van Wert County. John and Catherine Smith were natives of Pennsylvania but moved to Portage County, Ohio, and later to Craw- ford County. The father went to California, in 1849, where he died soon afterward. and his widow subsequently became the wife of Emil Seele.

Rodney Smith grew to manhood in Craw- ford County and at an early age was thrown on his own resources, being compelled by cir- cumstances to make his own way in the world. On May 1, 1881, he was married to Emma J. Oliver, who was born October 14. 1860, and is a daughter of Jasper N. and Sarah (Dunkel- barger) Oliver, the former of Morrow, and the latter, of Marion County, Ohio. Mrs. Smith's sister Minerva (Mrs. J. L. Shaw). still resides in Morrow County. Jasper N. Oli- ver, her father, was killed at the battle of Chick- amauga, in September, 1863. and in the spring of 1865 his widow settled in Hoaglin town- ship, Van Wert County. Peter Dunkelbarger. the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Smith, and Jacob Spayd. the maternal grandfather of Mr. Smith. were soldiers in the War of 1812. Two

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children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rod- ney Smith, viz .: K. Estella, who married Grover Foltz, resides in Hoaglin township and is the mother of one son-Peter Preston; and Ada A., who married Edward Keith and also lives in that township. For five years Mr. Smith served as director of sub-district No. 2, Hoaglin township, and did much for the school of that district. In politics he is a Democrat, and all in all, a man who stands well with the entire community.

EONARD KUHL, a representative old settler of Van Wert County and a well-known citizen of Pleasant town- ship, residing on his well cultivated farm of 80 acres, situated in section 24, was born at New Philadelphia, Ohio, October 20, 1833, and is a son of John A. and Annie E. (Culp) Kuhl.

The parents of Mr. Kuhl, who were natives of Germany, emigrated to America and set- tled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. In 1843 the family moved to Richland County, and five years later to Van Wert County. The father settled in Liberty township, right in the woods, among the very earliest settlers. John A. Kuhl developed a farm of 80 acres from the wilderness. and passed through the hardships incident to those times. Both parents died in Liberty township.

Our subject was 10 years old when the family settled in Richland County, and was 15 when the home was established in Liberty town- ship, Van Wert County. The educational ad- vantages possible to the youth of that time and locality were few and mainly confined to a few months in a log-cabin in some clearing, during the winters. Many of the men of Mr. Kuhl's age were reared among just such conditions

and, like him, through self-effort, developed into well-informed members of the communi- ties in which they live.

On November 20, 1859, Mr. Kuhl was married to Phebe Hardenbrook, who was born in New Jersey. Of their five children, two survive: Albert A., of Pleasant township, and Clara A., wife of Peter Stump, of Ridge town- ship. On May 5, 1897, Mr. Kuhl was married (second) to Mrs. Susan Lowther, who was born at Columbus, Ohio, October 13, 1851, and is a daughter of John and Louisa (Thomas) Gottshall. The father of Mrs. Kuhl was born in Morrow County, Ohio, and the mother in Virginia, although she was reared at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Gottshall, now in his 83rd year still resides in Morrow County, where he is one of the leading farmers. He was a soldier of the Civil war, serving in the 47th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.

Mrs. Kuhl was first married on October 17, 1869, to Henry Lowther, who was a native of Morrow County, Ohio, and they had two children, viz : Imogene, wife of Frank Miller, of Paulding County, Ohio; and John, of St. Louis, Missouri.

During the Civil war our subject served for five months as a member of Company D, 147th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., enlisting from Miami County. His regiment was stationed in the Shenandoah Valley and was made use of in repairing and guarding railroads to Washing- ton. After his return from the army, in 1865, he settled on his present farm, which he cleared from the woods and which he has converted into the valuable property it now is.

Politically Mr. Kuhl is a Republican. He has always lived as a good citizen, upholding the laws and performing his public and private duties with integrity. He is very well known and thoroughly respected.

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MR. AND MRS. HENRY G. SCHUMM

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ENRY G. SCHUMM, a substantial cit- izen and prominent farmer of this county, resides on the old Schumm homestead-the northeast quarter of section 27, Willshire township-where he was born on November 14, 1854, a son of George M and Maria Anna ( Pflueger) Schumm.

The Schumm family has been identified with the township named since pioneer days. The founder of it was John Schumm, who was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, and came to this locality in 1832, where he subsequently en- tered 800 acres of land, being thus able to start each of his four sons and his one daughter in life with quarter-section farms. He died on his farm in Willshire township, as did all the children, and all were buried in the old Luth- eran Cemetery. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Schumm, the grandparents of Henry G., were Rosanna, George M., Frederick, Jacob and Louis. Mr. Schumm was a worthy representa- tive of the best German element; an indus- trious, intelligent, thrifty man; a good home- builder and a solid citizen. The present post- office bearing his name was designed to honor his memory, and stands as a recognition of his services to the community.

George M. Schumm, father of our subject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 20, 1812, and was 20 years of age when he ac- companied his father to Ohio. The family lived in Holmes County until 1838, although the father had previously entered 800 acres of land, as noted above, in Van Wert County. Before leaving Holmes County, George M. Schumm had married and was accompanied on his re- moval by his young wife. The journey was made in covered wagons, over roads which fre- quently had to be cut through the deep woods and. on many occasions, before their destina- tion was reached fires had to be built around the wagons at night to prevent attacks from

wolves. Until a log house could be constructed the family camped out in a tent and for a num- ber of years pioneer conditions prevailed all about the new home. Those were days in which the courage of both men and women was fre- quently tested. Our subject remembers hear- ing his mother tell of meeting a bear while on foot, carrying her butter to the Willshire mar- ket. Game of all kinds was so plentiful through all this section that the food question was easily settled; and fortunately so, for it was a long distance to Dayton (the nearest mill), or to Fort Wayne, or Piqua, a week being re- quired to make such trips. Indians were still very numerous, but as the Schumm family treated them kindly, permitting them to rest over night and to partake of their bounty, the savages never molested any of its members.

The father of George M. Schumm con- tinued to live on the farm here, where he died June 4, 1871. He had accomplished much in the way of clearing and improving the property and erected a barn which at that time, was, the best in the township. It was built in 1852, and in 1858 a comfortable and commodious residence was added to the other improvements. These structures still stand, having been re- modeled and increased in size since Henry G. Schumm has come into possession. The de- ceased was a fine man, honest, upright, indus- trious and in every way reliable; was one of the founders of the Lutheran Church here, which was built in 1846, and politically was a stanch Democrat.

George M. Schumm was married in Holmes County, Ohio, to Maria Ann Pflueger, who was also born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on June 20, 1820, and died on our subject's farm March 25. 1903. She was a daughter of Christian and Maria Pflueger, natives of Germany. who came to Holmes County, Ohio. when she was II years of age. Two of her sisters reside here.

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The children of George M. Schumm and wife numbered 13, of whom Henry G., the subject of these lines, was 10th in order of birth. The others were: Jacob Frederick, a substantial farmer of Mercer County, Ohio; Louis, of La Porte, Indiana; George M., a Lutheran min- ister, now stationed at LaFayette, Indiana; John, who died a prisoner of war, in 1864; Rosanna (Roehm), of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Mary (Peters), who died in 1877 at Baltimore, Maryland; Jacob, who died at LaPorte, In- diana; Christian, deceased, who was a teacher in a private school in Chicago; Margaret and William, who died in infancy; Martin J., a resident of Brooklyn, New York; and Sophia, who resides at LaPorte, Indiana. The fourth member of the above family, John Schumm, held the rank of major in the State militia. He went out during the Civil War as flag-bearer of the 60th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., was ta- ken prisoner at Harper's Ferry; was confined in the terrible Confederate prison at Salisbury, North Carolina, and died there on October 28, 1864.

Henry G. Schumm has lived on the home- stead all his life, having followed a general line of farming. In addition to owning and operating the quarter section in Willshire township, as mentioned, he also has a tenant on a fertile tract of 53 acres in sections 28 and 33, lying along the river bottoms. Besides the substantial, modern home, and the fine farm buildings of all kinds, which add to the value and attractiveness of his homestead, Mr. Schumm has, upon his land, a two-story and basement brick store building, 42 by 80 feet, which he purchased in 1897 for mercantile purposes, in partnership with two cousins.

Politically, Mr. Schumm has always been identified with the Democratic party, of which he is a very influential local factor. On many occasions he has been the choice of his dis-

cerning fellow-citizens for their most import- ant county and township offices. From 1893 until 1897 he served as township trustee, and in 1902 was again elected to this office and served for four years. In 1896 he was chosen county commissioner, serving one term, dur- ing which notable improvements were made all over the county. While he was trustee, there were laid 43 miles of turnpike in Willshire township, and during his period as county com- missioner he settled the dispute over Flat Rock ditch-a subject which had agitated the tax- payers of the township and county for 30 years, involving, as it did, a dispute concerning ditch- ing over the State line into Indiana. The first turnpike granted under the mile system was also done during Mr. Schumm's last years as county commissioner. On numerous occa- sions he has served in the interests of his sec- tion as a delegate on county and district dele- gations to various legislative bodies. In 1905 Mr. Schumm was appointed by Judge E. S. Mathias as a member of the jury commission. and has served for some three years as a mem- ber of the School Board. It may be added that he is the agent for the Farmers' Mutual Aid Association, of Willshire township. It will be rightly inferred that he is an able, useful man, of broad and practical abilities.

Mr. Schumm was married (first) in 1879 to Anna Roehm, who was born in Tully town- ship, Van Wert County, Ohio, and died here in 1901, aged 44 years and 3 months. She was a daughter of Andrew Roehm, who subse- quently moved to Willshire township. The children born to this union were: Amelia, wife of Hugo Schumm, of Chicago; Annie, who died in 1901, aged 18 years, and Henrietta, who died at the age of 16 years-all three, the mother and the two daughters mentioned, dy- ing of typhoid fever, within two months of each other; and Walter E. and Esther, both at

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home. Mr. Schumm was married (second) in November, 1904, to Mrs. Minnie M. Lime- cooly, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who is a daughter of Frederick Kroemer. Mr. Schumm has been a trustee in the German Evangelical Lutheran Church since he was 25 years of age, and is now one of the deacons of that body. The cozy church parsonage is situated on his land, and the church is on the opposite side of the road. Accompanying this sketch are shown portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Schumm.

e HARLES A. MELSHEIMER, M. D., physician, business man and public- spirited citizen, was one of the most highly esteemed residents of Van Wert, where his death occurred, January 21, 1895. Dr. Melsheimer was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 8, 1826, and was the youngest son of Henry W. and Mary (Kim- mell) Melsheimer.

Dr. Melsheimer came of German ancestry and of an educated family. His grandfather, in his day, was a noted entomologist, and his father, a saddler by trade, was a man of intelli- gence who encouraged his son in securing liter- ary and medical training.

Dr. Melsheimer was educated in the schools of Canton, Ohio, where his parents settled in 1816. The father carried on his saddlery busi- ness there for many years; but prior to his de- cease entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church. The son was also of an intellectual turn of mind, anxious to enter a profession, and finally upon deciding to become a physician, was received as a student by Dr. Whiting one of the prominent medical men at Canton at that time. The young man completed what was then the necessary course. comprising four years of study, and located in Indiana. He practiced

there for some three years and then removed to Willshire, where he continued in active practice until 1860. He then came to Van Wert, where he embarked in the drug business, which he con- tinued to the close of his life, conducting his store in a business block which he erected.

On April 27, 1852, Dr. Melsheimer was married at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Eliza Ann Hawk, who was born in Pennsylvania. They had four children, three of whom survive, one daughter, Elta A. (Mrs. William Andrews), having died in December, 1900.

Wallace A. Melsheimer, the eldest son, was born January 29, 1855, while the family resided in Willshire, and was five years old when re- moval was made to Van Wert. Under his father he became an expert pharmacist. In 1876 he became associated with his father as his partner, and succeeded him in the business. He was married June 19, 1884, to Ada May Moltz, of Richland County, and they have two children-Ethel and Eva. The family reside in Springfield, Ohio. Both he and wife be- long to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Ellis E. Melsheimer, the second son, mar- ried Flora Neff, of Richmond, Indiana, and they have three sons : Charles A., Robert and Lewis. This family reside in Pleasant town- ship.

Leon Melsheimer, the third son of Dr. and Mrs. Melsheimer, was born August 10. 1869. His business life has been in the line of tele- graphic railroad work, and he is the operator at Van Wert for the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Company. On May 16, 1892, he was married to Nettie Campbell. a native of Van Wert. They are members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

The late Dr. Melsheimer was a very promi- nent member of the Republican party, and in 1877 was its standard-bearer for Representa- tive. In 1884 he was elected city treasurer,

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having served in 1876 as township treasurer. He was interested in many city and county or- ganizations, and in 1869 he was elected treas- urer of the Van Wert Agricultural Society, which position he retained until 1894. He be- longed to the Lutheran Church and was liberal in his benefactions. For many years he was identified with the Odd Fellows, and his funeral obsequies were conducted by the brethren of this order.

Dr. Melsheimer was an honorable, upright man, one who appreciated the meaning of civic duty, and who endeavored always to act as became a good citizen. To the needy he was a friend, giving medical advice long after he had ceased to practice, and, through courtesy and kindness made every one his friend.

OMER GILLILAND, one of Van Wert's enterprising business men, a member of the hardware firm of Jones & Tudor Co., was born in this county November 24, 1870, and is a son of Shaffner M. and Amanda E. (Balyeat) Gilliland.

After completing the common-school course in Van Wert County, Homer Gilliland became a student at the Angola (Indiana) Academy, and later became a teacher, but soon returned to Van Wert and as a clerk entered the busi- ness house of Jones & Tudor Co., being ad- mitted to a partnership in January, 1903. This is one of the large business enterprises of the city, the firm retailing in hardware, stoves, tin- ware and building material, and being whole- sale dealers in bale ties and specialties. They are favorably located at Nos. 142 and 144 East Main street, Van Wert, and to facilitate the transaction of their large business have two telephone connections.

On November 21. 1894. Homer Gilliland was married to Florence Johantgen, and they

have two children-Russell L. and Gladys M. The family residence is at No. 615 South Wal- nut street. Politically Mr. Gilliland is a Demo- crat, fraternally he is a Mason and both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gilliland is recognized as one of the progressive young business men of the city-one who is enthusiastic and effective in the furtherance of worthy public movements.

HOMAS POLLOCK. It is said that "Death loves a shining mark"; and never was this phrase better illustrated than when the Grim Reaper visited Ridge township on September 10, 1905. and took to himself that loved and honored citizen. Thomas Pollock, whose unselfish and kindly life, and his deep interest in the public weal made him one of the most valuable, popular and generally beloved men in Van Wert Coun- ty. Born in Ridge township July 9. 1858. his entire life had been spent here, and was an open book to those who cared to read. His parents, Robert and Eliza A. (Sutton) Pollock, were also prominent residents here during their lives. Robert Pollock being at one time trens- urer of Van Wert County. He purchased 200 acres of land from his father, of which 120 acres fell to Thomas Pollock and is now occu- pied by his widow. Previous to his death Mr. Pollock added 40 acres to the tract which he inherited, making the entire homestead 160 acres.

Thomas Pollock received a liberal educa- tion, and then turned his attention to farming and stockraising-an occupation in which he met with unqualified success. On October 15. 1884. he was united in marriage with Ida Mc- Mullen, and a family of four children were born to them, namely: Walter A .. Tames R .. Nellie I., and Gordon T .. last named being

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LORENZO DOW WISENER

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deceased. Mr. Pollock and his family were zealous members of the Presbyterian Church at Middlepoint, where for a number of years he was trustee and secretary. In politics he was a Democrat, and held various offices, be- ing assistant treasurer of the county under his father; township trustee for two terms; and, for a number of years, served on the School Board, being president of that body at the time of his death. He took great interest in all that pertained to agriculture and was a member of the Van Wert County Agricultural Society, in which he was also a director. His absence will be felt in every phase of township life, and his counsel and advice everywhere sadly missed. In the home he was the kind and sympathetic companion, counselor and guide, the clouds of trouble being dissipated by the sunshine of his love.

Mrs. Thomas Pollock was born in this county and is a daughter of James J. and Har- riet (Gilliland) McMillen. James J. Miller, who is now deceased, was a native of Knox County, but for many years was a resident of Ridge township, Van Wert County : his widow who was born in Ridge township, now resides in Van Wert. Mrs. Pollock and her children reside on the home farm in section 36, Ridge township, and will continue the useful work begun by her husband.

)RENZO DOW WISENER, who re- sides on his farm in section 15. Hoag- lin township. is the owner of a valu- able and well-improved farm of 352 acres, which makes him one of the largest agri- culturalists in Van Wert County. He is a breeder of Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Po land-China hogs, and his continuous success has resulted from the application of intelligent business methods to his stock-raising and agri-

cultural operations. Mr. Wisener is a native of Carroll County, Ohio, where he was born July 8, 1847, his parents being Andrew and Elizabeth (Bird) Wisener.

Jacob Wisener, the paternal grandfather, was of German parentage but a native of Penn- sylvania, whence he migrated to Ohio about 1825, locating in Carroll County. Andrew Wisener, the father, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, but passed the greater portion of his life in Ohio. He was married in Carroll County to Elizabeth Bird, a native of England, whose parents settled in that county about 1821. In 1851 Andrew Wisener brought his family to Van Wert County, es- tablishing a home for them in section 15. Hoag- lin township. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was among the first to answer the call to arms, going to the front with Company F, 64th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and sacrificing his life to the Union cause, his death occurring December 24, 1862. He is survived by three children-Lorenzo D., Hannah C. (Mrs. Ben- jamin Geesev ) and John, all residents of Hoag- lin township.

Lorenzo D. Wisener was reared in Van Wert County, attended the public schools and later graduated, in the classics. from the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He taught school to meet his university expenses, and continued as a teacher in Van Wert County for about 15 years, being uniformly successful in this profession ; and since he has assumed agricul- tural work, he has likewise given to his farming and stock-raising his best thought and attention with the result that he has risen to a leading place among the agriculturists of Van Wert County. On July 23, 1863. when only 16 years of age, Mr. Wisener enlisted in Company K. 83th Reg .. Ohio Vol. Inf .. serving in the Union Army for two years, and receiving an honorable discharge on July 5. 1865.

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Mr. Wisener was married August 3, 1899, to Mary W. Claytor, who was born in Bed- ford County, Virginia, and is a daughter of William G. and Mary P. (Jordon) Claytor, na- tives of that county, and of Scotch-Irish and English descent respectively. The Claytor family is a prominent one in the Old Dominion. William G. Claytor, Mrs. Wisener's father, was born in 1821, and received a classical edu- cation in the University of Virginia. He was an educator by profession and conducted a private school for young men, known as Clay- tor's Academy, in which he himself taught La- tin, Greek and mathematics. Mrs. Wisener's father and four uncles were officers in the Con- federate Army. and two of her brothers-one an attorney and the other an editor-were members of the State Senate of Virginia. Af- ter finishing her education, under the tutelage of her father, Mrs. Wisener taught in private and public schools for a period of eight years.

Mr. Wisener is a Republican and at one time was assessor of Hoaglin township. In 1903 his friends placed his name before the nominating convention as a candidate for the office of State Representative, his opponent be- ing Hon. Jonas Stuckey. Mr. Wisener is a firm believer in the Christian religion and is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of· splendid character-kind, sympa- thetic, energetic and progressive, and of un- questionable integrity and worth. His por- trait is shown on a preceding page.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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

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