History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 72

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 72

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Mr. Vore was married December 10, 1891, to Emma J. Haven, daughter of Jacob Haven, of Van Wert, and they have two children : Nellie C. and Kathryn A. They are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Vore has membership in the I. O. O. F .. Knights of Pythias. K. O. T. M., I. O. R. M., Home Guards of America, and Hay-makers.

m ATTHEW HENRY BROWN, one of the large farmers and substan- tial citizens of Union township, who owns an estate of 100 acres situated in section 18, was born near South Bloomingville, Hocking County, Ohio, May I, 1853, and is a son of Adam and Nancy Agnes (Johnston) Brown.

The Brown family is of Irish descent, and the Johnstons of Scotch. Adam .Brown, the father of Matthew H., was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, but the greater part of his married life was spent in Hocking County, Ohio, where his wife died, his own death oc- curring in Columbus. The 12 children of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Brown were: Sarah (Mit- chell), of Madison County ; Hiram S., of Hock- ing County: Margaret (Poland), of Colum- bus ; Tabitha, who died at the age of three years;

Mary Ann, who was born in 1841, and died August 25, 1892; Lydia (Williams) and Harriet (Hutchison), both of Columbus; Thomas P., of Vinton County; Isaac, of Co- lumbus; Matthew Henry; Andrew, deceased; and Jane ( Rochte), of Fulton County.

Matthew H. Brown remained on the home farm with his parents until he reached his ma- jority, working as a lumberman during the winter seasons in Athens, Hocking and Vinton counties. Later he entered the business himself, buying, cutting and shipping lumber, his main depot being Columbus. For about seven years he was in partnership with his brothers, Hiram S. and Thomas P. Brown. He then went to Lyons County, Kansas, where he was engaged in the carpenter and stone-mason lines, having a practical knowledge of many trades, as well as a natural skill in actual workmanship. After spending a few months in Kansas, he was taken down with typhoid fever, which necessi- tated his return to Hocking County, where he was married. He then removed to Wood County and worked for one summer as a car- penter, after which he returned to Hocking County, where he assisted in the building of 22 houses and, working with a partner, cut 375,000 feet of logs.

In June, 1887, Mr. Brown came to Van Wert County and bought 100 acres of wood- land in sections 17 and 18, Union township, paying $1,450 for 80 acres as a first purchase, the additional 20 acres costing him $800. He has recently been offered $110 per acre for the entire farm of 100 acres, all of which he has cleared with the exception of 15 acres. The land is all under a high state of cultivation and is very productive, and the improvements he has made in the way of erecting substantial buildings, have made the property of great value. Views of Mr. Brown's residence and farm building accompany this sketch. Mr.

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Brown has always been a good business man, and has not only made money for himself, but has assisted those in business with him. He l:elped his father pay off a debt of $1,500, and he has always been ready to assist in necessary public improvements-in the way of making goods roads and providing school facilities. Finally, he is a man of excellent standing and commands general respect among his neigh- bors, his fellow-citizens and in the more gen- eral community.

On March 17, 1886, Mr. Brown was mar- ried to Ella Nichols, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, August 26, 1867, and is a daughter of Andrew and Amanda (Bagley) Nichols. The former is a native of Morgan County and the latter of Muskingum County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have these chil- dren, who form a happy, domestic home cir- cle : Agnes, Floyd, Orlana, May, Jessie, Wal- ter, Clinton, Arthur and Oscar. Another child died as an infant. Politically Mr. Brown is identified with the Republican party, and for- merly was connected with the local grange.

A LBERT LONGWELL, the well-known proprietor of the "Sulphur Springs Farm", in section 30, Jackson town- ship, is one of the representative citi- zens of this locality. He was born in the town- ship named on December 13, 1853, and is a son of George and Mary (Sheets) Longwell.

George Longwell was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and in 1851 removed, thence to Jackson township, Van Wert County, set- tling, through a mistake, on land adjoining the property for which he had already paid. After residing there for two or three years, his mis- take was discovered by a survey of the land, and he then located on what is now our sub-

ject's farm of 160 acres, now finely improved and valuable. Then it was a wilderness, even the pioneer's axe not yet having sounded through the forests, which still sheltered deer and other animals. Right in the woods he built his log cabin and with manly courage be- gan the clearing of the land around it. Hard- ships of a most trying character were finally overcome, and, as years passed, Mr. Longwell was able to enjoy the fruits of his hard and faithful work. He was a man of prominence in his section and the first township election was held in his cabin, the mother of our sub- ject generously preparing an old-time, abund- ant election dinner. George Longwell died in July, 1872. He had served in numerous town- ship offices and had been recognized as an hon- ored and valued citizen. Politically he was identified with the Republican party.

Those of the children of Mr. and Mrs. George Longwell who still survive are: Bet- sey A., wife of Frederick Markley, of Jackson township; Henry, also of that township; Cath- erine, wife of John Lewis, of Middlepoint; Martha J., wife of W. T. Sterling, of Jackson township; Albert, the subject of this sketch; Lucy A., wife of Samuel Weldy, of Jackson township; and Charles, of the same township, of whom a sketch appears in this volume. The children deceased are Henrietta, Lucretia, Mary E. and three children who died in in- fancy. Mr. Longwell was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his widow, who survived him until April 2, 1901.

Albert Longwell was reared in Jackson township to an agricultural life. His educa- tional advantages were those presented in the little log structures of that day, where, at least, the children were thoroughly drilled in the elementary branches.

On April 28, 1892, Mr. Longwell was mar- ried to Etta Shockey, who was born in Allen

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County, Ohio, October 15, 1860, and is a daughter of Abraham and Mary R. (Coun- seller ) Shockey. The father of Mrs. Long- well was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and died from fever while in the service, now resting with his fellow heroes at Knoxville, Tennessee. Her mother died when she was an infant and she was reared by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Coun- seller, early settlers of Auglaize County.

Mr. and Mrs. Longwell are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of Jackson township, he being one of the trustees, a class leader and a steward. It is said, on good au- thority, that Mr. Longwell has the distinction of being the first white child born in Jackson township.

S ETH S. BRIGGS, who resides in a comfortable home three miles south- west of Convoy, is now living in re- tirement after many years of produc- tive activity. He is a native of Clark County, Ohio, where he was born March 24, 1836, and is a son of Jacob and Lodemia (Hale) Briggs. John Briggs, his grandfather, was born in England, while his wife was a German woman.

Jacob Briggs moved from Clark County, Ohio, to Warren County, Indiana, and thence to Vermilion County, Illinois, where he died in 1894, aged 80 years and two days. His mar- riage with Lodemia Hale resulted in the birth of 13 children, four of whom are now living, namely : Seth S., subject of this sketch; Vio- letta (Hushour), of Illinois; Samantha Jane (Richards), also a resident of that State, and William, who lives in Colorado.

Seth S. Briggs was reared to maturity in Clark County, Ohio, and in 1857 moved to Warren County, Indiana, following his father

who had located there three years previously. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F., 72nd Reg., Indiana Vol. Inf., and served in the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas. The regiment was more immediately under Gen. John T. Wilder, whose command had a wonderful record and was known as the "Lightning Brigade." General Wilder was a man of wonderful foresight and an intense patriot. He secured permission to mount his brigade (which thereby became mounted in- fantry ) and all its marches were made by horse; but the troops dismounted when going into ac- tion, and, although always at the front and in the thick of battle, they never were repulsed. Permission was sought by General Wilder, to use 8-shot Spencer rifles, but the request did not meet with approval at headquarters, and as a consequence the government did not purchase them. General Wilder, however, mortgaged his home and personally secured the money to thus equip his men.

Mr. Briggs was in all the engagements of the "Lightning Brigade," including Hoover's Gap, Stone River, Chickamaugua, siege of At- lanta (which lasted a month), and Selma, Ala- bama, the last being the hardest fought battle in his service. He was at Nashville when Gen- eral Thomas routed Hood's army, and was at Macon, Georgia, when his command was hon- orably discharged. The regiment has had fre- quent reunions, the one at Chickamauga, in 1898, being signalized by the erection of the monument on the bloody battle-field in memory of the lives there sacrificed by the brave com- rades of Wilder's brigade.

At the close of the Civil war, Mr. Briggs returned to his Indiana home, and eight years later moved to Vermilion County, Illinois, where he followed farming for 25 years. In the fall of 1899 he came to Van Wert County, and purchased his present farm of 160 acres,

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half of which is in section 12, Harrison town- ship, and the remainder in Pleasant township. His son Charles, now a resident of Convoy, owns a farm adjoining his father's, consisting of 100 acres in Harrison township.

On March 16, 1854, Seth S. Briggs was married to Mary H. Buffenbarger at South Charleston, Ohio. Mrs. Briggs was born near Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Washington and Mary Buffen- barger, who were pioneers of that county. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Briggs- Albert, who died at the age of 13; and Charles, who is in the furniture business at Convoy. Politically, Mr. Briggs is a Republican. His fraternal membership is confined to W. B. Flemming Post, G. A. R., at West Lebanon, Indiana.

J OHN WILLIAM EAST was born March 13, 1863, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and was about one month old when his parents came to Van Wert County and settled on a tract of land in section 21, Washington township, where he now resides. The family was found- ed in America by a Hessian who fought in the Revolutionary War, and afterward established himself in Pennsylvania, his descendants being widely scattered over the Union and many of them residing in Allen and Van Wert counties. The immediate progenitors of our subject were Abraham and Jane (McMillen) East, the former a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio and was married in Allen County to Jane McMillen, daughter of James W. Mc- Millen, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, but who became a prominent farmer of Allen County and later moved to Van Wert County.

Mr. McMillen died at the advanced age of 84 years, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. Martha Muman, in Allen County. When Abraham East came to Van Wert County, he purchased 120 acres of land, but he added to this acreage until, at his death seven years later in September, 1870, he owned 242 acres. Mrs. East died in May, 1898. Their family con- sisted of the following children : Mary Elmira (Mrs. John Grant), of Butler County, now de- ceased; Martha Matilda ( Mrs. Jeptha Morris), of Jackson township; Rhuhama Jane (Mrs. A. Freeman), of Leipsic, Putnam County; Jeremiah, a widower of Washington township, whose wife was Elizabeth Snodgrass; Isaiah, who married Elizabeth Miller and lives in Allen County; Florence M., who died at the age of 27 years; Catherine K., who died when 13 years old; John William; and Ada May (Mrs. Fred Rice), of Washington township.

John William East resides on the East homestead of 140 acres, located in sections 16 and 21, about midway between Delphos and Middlepoint. He is one of the substantial agri- culturists .who help to form the frame work of American prosperity and are always ready to help along a good cause. He was married on June 26, 1895, to Winona A. Boyd, a lady of pleasing personality who was born in Au- glaize County, Ohio. Her parents are Rev. D. A. and Florence ( Mahan ) Boyd, the former a native of Union County ; they now reside in Bryan, Ohio, but were stationed at Middle- point where Mr. Boyd was pastor of the United Brethren Church at the time of Mrs. East's marriage. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. East are: Ralph H., born March 25, 1898; and Loren W., born August 27. 1901. Mr. East is now serving his second year as a director of the School Board of Washington township.

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RANK CUSTER, a highly esteemed young agriculturist of Liberty town- ship, and owner of a valuable farm of 150 acres, situated in sections 33 and 34, was born in Liberty township on August 19, 1869, and is a son of Milton and Sarah J. (Hoghe) Custer.

Milton Custer was a native of Mercer County, born July 3, 1847, and his wife was born in Van Wert County, October 28, 1847. Peter Custer, the father of Milton Custer and grandfather of Frank Custer, was a native of Pennsylvania and later moved to Mercer County, where he lived for many years. He then located in this county, where he resided until the time of his death. Mr. Custer and Mr. Hoghe, grandparents of Frank Custer, were among the earliest and most prominent pioneers of Van Wert County, and lived to see it develop from a wilderness, occupied by Indians and wild animals, into a state of high cultivation. Milton Custer died December 27, 1887; his wife is still living.

Frank Custer was reared and educated in Liberty township, where he is now one of its most prominent farmers. He was married August 19, 1891, to Fanny M. Dull, a daugh- ter of James Monroe Dull, a sketch of whom will be found in this work. They have had seven children, the two oldest of whom died in infancy-Glen, at the age of 2 months and 19 days, and the second unnamed, aged 6 days. The children living are Edna, Ethel, Mabel. Treva and Wanda.

Oil is being developed on Mr. Custer's farm and he now has three producing wells which pay him a royalty of about $50 per month. It is his intention to erect a fine new frame house on the farm, in the summer of 1906. Mr. Cus- ter is a member of the Church of God and is superintendent of the local Sunday-school of that denomination.

OSEPH H. RITCHIE who owns a well-improved farm of 120 acres which is located in section 25, Hoag- lin township, is one of the wide-awake and influential agriculturists of the county, and a gentleman whose influence has been invari- ably cast for the upbuilding of the community. He was born September 30, 1855, in Licking County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Susan (Stoolfire) Richie, who settled in that county about 1850.

Joseph H. Ritchie attended the schools of Lima township, Licking County, where he at- tained manhood and engaged in farming. To this occupation he added stock-raising, remain- ing in his native county until 1882, when he came to Van Wert County and settled on the farm still occupied by him as a homestead.

Joseph H. Ritchie was married. October 3, 1876, to Mary B. Merchant, a native of Lick- ing County and a daughter of William W. Mer- chant, formerly a prominent resident of that county. To this union four children were born Clyde D., Nathan L., Herbert E. and Susanna M. Mr. Ritchie has taken an active interest in township affairs, has served for many years as director of school district No. 3 and is now serving on the township Board of Education. He is a Republican and was formerly trustee of the township, serving in that office most creditably and satisfactorily. Religiously, he is a member of Fairview United Brethren Church, of which he is at present treasurer.

J AMES PARKER, deceased, was for many years one of the progressive farmers of Liberty township, where he operated a farm of 160 acres in sec- tion 2. He was born in Hocking County, Ohio. on April 23, 1832, and was a son of John and Hannah (Holcomb) Parker.

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James Parker was reared in Hocking Coun- ty and received his education in the district schools of his native township. He moved to Van Wert County in 1862, where several years previously he had purchased 124 acres of land in Liberty township, and located on this farm. Mr. Parker was married three times and by his first wife, Saloma Beery, who died in Febru- ary, 1869, he had five children, as follows : Wilbur F .; Elizabeth (Thomson ) ; Albert ; Amos LeRoy and Clara-the last named dy- ing at the age of four years. His second mar- riage was with Clara Ford, who died one year after marriage. On January 20, 1874, he mar- ried Mrs. Louisa Brey, widow of William P. Brey, who was a soldier in the Civil war and died while in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Park- er had two children-Mary Magdalene and John C. The former married William B. Johnson, in 1903, and has one child, Mary Lenore. John C. married Agnes Winklemayer and lives in Michigan, where he is a bookkeeper in a copper mine in the northern part of the State.

At the time of his death April 4, 1901, James Parker owned 160 acres of land, and his widow retains 84 acres of the homestead. The residence, a fine frame building, was erected in 1873, and the substantial barn was built in 1900. Mr. Parker was justice of the peace for six years, and also served several terms as trustee of Liberty township. The deceased was a member of the Evangelical Church.

M. HALL. Among the leading citi- zens of this county, perhaps none can show more satisfactory results than G. M. Hall, who came here from Ger- many when a poor boy, his only capital being his industry and stout-hearted hon-

esty, by which he rose to his present standing as an honored citizen of Van Wert and the proprietor of one of the city's largest drygoods stores. Mr. Hall was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, near Frankfort, on February 12, 1842, and is a son of John N. and Barbara ( Roeder ) Ilall. His parents both remained in their native land, his father dying when our subject was about six years old. At the age of 18 he bade his mother farewell, and started out in the New World to do for himself. One brother, G. A. Hall, is a veteran of the Civil war and a retired citizen of Van Wert, while a sister, Anna Margaret, died in Germany.

Starting out alone in 1860, Mr. Hall came direct to Van Wert and was fortunate in se- curing a clerkship with T. S. McKim. Three years later in August, 1863, his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment in Company M, Sec- ond Ohio Heavy Artillery, under Colonel II. G. Gibson, and he was sent south to Kentucky and then to Knoxville, Tennessee. He was in the army for two years, the last seven months being mostly devoted to detached service under General Thomas, who had his headquarters at Nashville. Returning to Van Wert, Mr. Hall became a clerk in the drygoods store of J. S. Brumback, and about 10 years later became a partner in the business, which was conducted jointly for seven or eight years. In 1883 Mr. Hall disposed of his interest in the store and estal;lished a drygoods business himself. his store being 24 by 132 feet in dimensions, with a room overhead for the storage of extra stock. He gives his entire time to his business and now has a fine store, owning both stock and build- ing. in addition to which he has a half interest in the adjoining block, one of the finest in the city. which is occupied by a large clothing store.

In 1873 G. M. Hall was married to Hattie

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L. Smith, daughter of Col. William Smith, M. D., of Van Wert. They have five children : Eva B., wife of Harry Sidle; Jessie L .; Grace M., a teacher in the High School and Erma J. and Raymond R., both of whom are attend- ing school. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they are active workers. He himself is a Republi- can, and was a member of the Board of Educa- tion for six years, during five years of that period acting as president of the board. He is also prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity.

L EWIS MILLER, one of Liberty town- ship's first-class farmers, residing on a farm of 80 acres in section 13, was born in the township named, on No- vember 9, 1872, and is a son of George and Margaret Miller, a full sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work.

Lewis Miller was reared and educated and has always resided in his native township, be- ing recognized as one of the most progressive young agriculturists of the locality. He was married on November 9, 1892, to Sylvia J. Rousch, a daughter of George and Mary Jane Rousch.

George Rousch was born in New York State and later moved to Medina County, Ohio, where he was married, settling in Van Wert County about 1866, and locating on a farm of 160 acres. He had three children, of whom but one is living-Mrs. Miller, the wife of our subject. William, the oldest, died in infancy, and Samuel, died at the age of two years. The father died in October, 1872: the widow re- sides in St. Marys, Ohio.

Lewis Miller and his wife have three chil- dren-Ottis G., Zella Gladys and Mary Marga-

ret. In 1895 Mr. Miller built a fine large barn on the homestead and in 1900 remodeled the family residence. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both members of the Methodist Church.

OHN LARE, deceased, one of Van Wert County's pioneer citizens, came here in November, 1844, settling in Tully township. He was a progressive citizen, and did much toward the development of his township. He was born in Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1817, and was a son of Samuel Lare, who moved from Pennsylvania to Crawford County, Ohio, where he lived until his death. The mother of our subject was in single life Mary Ann Leap.

Upon coming to Tully township, John Lare entered 120 acres of land, to which he added from time to time until at his death he had 360 acres. A part of this land he cleared with the assistance of his sons. It was partly swamp land, and the clearing difficult, as the land had to be ditched before the timber could be re- moved.

On December 24, 1840, John Lare was united in marriage in Crawford County, Ohio, with Susannah Roop, who was born near Har- risburg. Lancaster County, Ohio, July 30, 1820, and is a daughter of Peter and Eliza- beth (Eshelman) Roop. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, and after marriage located in Crawford County, Ohio. Although he never located in Van Wert County, he entered half a section of land in Tully township. much of it swamp land, and at that time considered of little value. Mr. and Mrs. Lare became par- ents of the following children : Sarah Ann. wife of W. M. North of Portland. Indiana : Eliza- beth. wife of John D. Friedline. of Monroe- i ville, Indiana: Peter and Rebecca. both de-

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ceased in infancy ; Joseph P., who lives in Tully township; Susanna, who married John S. Van Gundy, and lives on the home place; John D. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Mary A., who died the age of one year.

Politically he was a Know Nothing, a Free Soiler, a Democrat and a Republican at suc- cessive periods, his changes representing changes in the principles of the parties. He was the first postmaster in Tully township, the post office now being known as Convoy. Re- ligiously, he was a member of the "Old School" Lutheran Church. He died September 24, 1893, and was buried in the Tully Union Cem- etery.

Mrs. Lare died February 24, 1906, aged almost 86 years, and was buried beside her hus- band in Tully Union Cemetery. Up to the time of her death, she was in the enjoyment of good health, and retained her faculties to a remarkable degree. She was a pleasing con- versationalist, and recalled a number of amus- ing incidents of pioneer life. One of them re- lated to an early-day trip to market at Fort Wayne, made by her deceased husband and a neighbor. On their return trip, they waited over night at Flat Rock, as the creek was too high to cross, and shortly were joined by more neighbors. The water having gone down suf- ficiently, they hitched three oxen to one of the wagons and piled poles on the wagon to keep the provisions raised above the water. A num- ber of men were at the back end of the wagon to keep the load in place. On approaching the opposite bank, a steep ascent had to made. Un- fortunately the poles and provisions slipped off, most of the men being brushed into the water. A son of one of the men was not a good swim- mer and floundered about, but was finally brought to the bank without the father's assis-

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 72

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

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