USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 73
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tance, as the latter was more interested in sav- ing a jug of whisky which also wasin jeopardy.
Mrs. Lare had 25 great-grandchildren, and possessed a remarkable picture showing her- self and 21 great-grandchildren. June 25, 1903, a family reunion was held, at which 72 were present, of which number 66 were members of the family. A picture of this gathering was also taken at the time.
ELLS WICKISER, deceased, was formerly one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Van Wert; one whose ample fortune had been honestly earned through his own ef- forts. Mr. Wickiser was born November 1, 1829, in Harlem township, near Center Village Delaware County, Ohio, and died at his home, the "Maple Grove Dairy Farm" (now included in the city limits) on January 23, 1896. His parents were Philip and Mary (Miller) Wick- iser.
The family of which Wells Wickiser was a worthy member was established in Ohio in the days of his grandfather, who came to this State from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wickiser's great-grandfather (Wicks) was killed by the Indians at Wyoming Springs, Pennsylvania, while guarding the springs there. Both of our subject's parents were born in Pennsylvania although they were reared in Ohio. Philip Wickiser, the father, enlisted for service in the Civil war, at New- ark, Ohio, and died on the transport boat "Tycoon" within 40 miles of Cincinnati, in which city he was later interred. The mother survived him until 1874, dying at the age of 66 years. She had resided on a farm near Co- lumbus and received a pension from the gov-
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ernment. Our subject was the oldest of their family of 10 children.
Wells Wickiser remained on the home farm until his marriage in 1855. After a short per- iod passed in Columbus, on March 23, 1864, he located at Van Wert. Formerly he had combined farming and brick-making, and for three years after coming to this city he worked in the brick kilns of a local firm, and then en- tered the stave factory of Brumback & Butler, with whom he remained a number of years. He also worked some seven years in the mill and feed store of Levi Meredith, but in the fall of 1878, having acquired some desirable property, he established a dairy business upon his home place of 10 acres, which has since been known as the "Maple Grove Dairy Farm." This prop- erty has greatly increased in value, now being within the corporate limits of the city. Other property owned by Mr. Wickiser comprised 16 acres adjoining the fair grounds, and a build- ing opposite the Hotel Avenue-which is un- der rental. During his 17 years in the dairy business Mr. Wickiser erected all the substan- tial buildings on his property and made all the improvements. Mrs. Wickiser still carries on the dairy in a small way.
On August 26, 1855, Wells Wickiser was married to Annah Devereaux Belknap, a cousin of Secretary Belknap, of President Grant's cabinet. His wife was born October 4, 1835, at Alexandria, Licking County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Foris and Sarah (Bateman) Belk- nap, the latter of whom was a granddaughter of General Bateman, of Revolutionary fame. It is a record in history that his honorable po- sition on his general's staff was third from the officer selected to receive the sword of General Burgoyne. In the late General Buell, the dis- tinguished general in the Civil war, Mrs. Wickiser had another military cousin.
The late Mr. Wickiser was a Republican in his political views. He was frequently offered public office, but persisted in refusing. believing that his defective early education would inter- fere with faithful and satisfactory service. He was a man of excellent business perceptions and was successful in whatever he undertook. He had many friends who knew him to be a man of sterling character, honest and upright in all his commercial transactions and a good, reliable citizen.
5 ENRY B. STEMEN, a well-known ag- riculturist and prominent citizen of Jackson township, owner and proprie- tor of the "Buckeye Stock Farm", situated in section 16, was born in Perry Coun- ty, Ohio, December 1, 1851, being a son of George and Lydia (Berkholder) Stemen. The father of Mr. Stemen was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and the mother in Virginia. They were early settlers in their section of Perry County. The venerable father, now in his 80th year, is a resident of Jackson town- ship, this county, but the mother passed away on August 6, 1902.
Henry B. Stemen was reared in Perry County and, during his boyhood, as opportunity offered attended the district schools. The larger part of his training, however, was in the line of agriculture, and it has resulted in his being a very successful farmer and stock- raiser. Prior to coming to Van Wert County, Mr. Stemen resided for several years in Fair- field County, but in 1882 he settled with his family on his present valuable farm of 120 acres, in Jackson township. At the time, how- ever, there was no indication of his present well-cultivated fields, the heavy timber yet cov- .
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ering all his land. Before it assumed its pres- ent prosperous appearance, Mr. Stemen had spent years of hard work upon it. In connec- tion with farming he now devotes much in- telligent attention to the raising of high-grade live-stock.
On September 16, 1875, Henry B. Stemen was married to Lydia Huddle, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Daniel and Barbara (Beery) Huddle, the former of whom was born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Stemen have become the parents of these children : Leefie M., wife of Ira Cashel, of Jackson township; Estella B., wife of Irven Swander, of Jackson township; and Raymond G., Ida, Ella, Perry H. and Stanley C., all living at home.
Politically Mr. Stemen is a Republican. He is one of the school directors of District No. 4 and gives time and attention to the advance- ment of the cause of education in his locality. Mr. Stemen was one of the active promoters of the enterprise which resulted in the build- ing of the H. B. Stemen turnpike road, which skirts his farm and is a great public conven- ience. Both he and his wife are active mem- bers of the Elm Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, of Jackson township. Mr. Stemen has been one of the trustees of the church and an official both in the church and Sunday- school.
A DAM L. UHRICH, a well-known en- terprising agriculturist of Liberty township, resides on his farm of 40 acres in section. 17. He is a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Susan ( Myers) Uhrich.
William Uhrich was born April 4. 1815. and was a son of Michael Uhrich and grandson of Michael Uhrich, Sr., who was a native of
Germany, and later came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. Michael Uhrich, Jr., was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but moved to Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, which was named after Michael Uhrich, Jr., grand- father of our subject, and is now a town of 10,000 inhabitants.
In 1865, William Uhrich, the father, moved to Liberty township, Van Wert County, and settled on a farm of 80 acres. In the fol- lowing year he built a log house, which is still standing and occupied by his son Adam and family. Mr. Uhrich married Susan Myers. by whom he had the following six children, three of whom are living : Belle, who married J. A. Exline and lives in Lima : William, who die.l in infancy : Adam L., the subject of this sketch : Fletcher Scott, a brakeman on the railroad. who was killed at Pittsburg, February 18. 1904: Ursula, who married Benjamin Smith and died in Texas. on January 19. 1906: and Edward, who lives in Pittsburg. William Uh- rich died May 17, 1882. aged 57 years. and his wife died on June 4. 1877. at the age of 45. William Uhrich had been previously married to a Miss Huston, by whom he had several children, the three survivors being-Marvilla (Scott), who resides in Scott, Ohio; Florenda (Buffington), of Uhrichsville, Ohio; and Jen- nie (Collins), a resident of Steubenville, Ohio. Another daughter, Catherine, is deceased.
Adam L. Uhrich is one of the best known farmers in Liberty township and was prac- tically raised here, as he was only five years old when his parents settled in this county. He assisted his father in clearing the timber from the land and has done much work of the same kind for other people. During the summer of 1905 he erected a large barn costing about $900 which is 34 by 50 feet in dimensions and has a solid cement floor. laid by Mr. Uhrich him- self. Mr. Uhrich was one of the leadlers in the
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AND FAMILY
DR. AND MRS. L. E. BEAGHLER
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introduction of pike roads into Liberty town- ship and he himself constructed the first three miles therein.
Mr. Uhrich was married December 2, 1886, to Anna Wolfe, a daughter of David and Catherine Wolfe, and they have become the parents of six children :- John Lawrence, Flossie May, Mary Hazel. Ivy Leola, Edith and William Scott, whose death occurred at the age of 18 months, on February 5, 1905. Mr. Uhrich is a Republican and was elected town- ship trustee by that party, serving from 1901 to 1905. As to his religious connections, he is a member and trustee of the United Brethren Church at Wolfe's Corners.
E. BEAGHLER, M. D., physician and surgeon at Middlepoint, and a citizen prominent in public affairs, was born in this village March 22, 1872, and is a son of Dr. A. C. and Leah Beaghler.
Dr. A. C. Beaghler. the father, for many years one of the prominent and well-beloved physicians of Van Wert County, was born at Fremont, Ohio. After completing his primary education in the public schools of that city, he entered upon the study of medicine and sub- sequently graduated with credit from the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, For a period of 10 years he practiced medicine at Mendon, Mercer County, Ohio. and then come to Middlepoint, where he remained in active practice for over a quarter of a century. his death occurring December 22. 1895. Both of his sons have adopted his profession, L. E. being well established at Middlepoint. and A. L. being a student in the medical department of the University of Michigan. The mother of
our subject makes her home at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
L. E. Beaghler completed his literary train- ing in the Middlepoint High School and the Western Ohio Normal School at Middlepoint, and, after pursuing a course at the Wooster (Ohio) University into the sophomore year, entered Rush Medical College. Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1896. The death of his father recalled him to Middlepoint, where he assumed his father's practice, to which he himself has added many patrons during his de- cade in the profession.
In 1894 Dr. Beaghler was married to Alice Fisher, who is a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Fisher, of Middlepoint, and they have three children, viz .: Margaret Leah, Rachel Madeline and Una Gladys. A picture .of Dr. and Mrs. Beaghler and their three daughters accompanies this sketch.
Dr. Beaghler and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Aside from his engrossing professional demands, Dr. Beaghler has not a vast amount of time at command, but occasionally has consented to serve as a member of the Town Council. His fraternal associations are with the Masons, the Odd T'ellows and the Knights of Pythias.
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6 EORGE W. KETZENBARGER, a prominent and influential farmer re- siding in section 28. Hoaglin town- ship, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, February 15, 1859. He is a son of Se- bastian and Rachel (Cramer) Ketzenbarger, the former a native of Germany, and the latter, of Fairfield County, Ohio. Mrs. Ketzen- barger's parents were born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. About 1866 the family re- moved to Wood County where our subject at-
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tended the public school and developed into manhood. In 1900 he came to Van Wert County and took up his residence on the farm he now occupies, having made many warm friends in the few years of his residence here.
George W. Ketzenbarger has been twice married, his first marriage being with Cora Fisher of Pennsylvania, to whom he was wedded on February 3, 1886, and who is now deceased. On October 10, 1900, he was united to Ida V. Sherburn, who was born in Cham- paign County, Ohio, December 4, 1868, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Huddle) Sherburn, who were natives of Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio. About 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Sher- burn moved from Champaign to Darke County, where they lived some 12 years, at that time coming to Hoaglin township and later moving into Van Wert, where they now reside. They are the parents of eight children, viz. : Thomas; Ida V. (Mrs. Ketzenbarger) ; Edward D., a resident of Scottville, Michigan; Charles E., of Berne, Indiana; Joseph C .; Edith (Mrs. Eustace H. Wisely), of Putnam County ; Mary E. (Mrs. Joshua Gillispie), of Berne, Indiana; and Earl J. Both Mr: and Mrs. Ketzenbarger are members of Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ketzenbarger is a Democrat. He is deeply concerned in pub- lic improvements, having taken an active in- terest in the good-roads movement and worked hard to secure turnpikes.
J OHN KETZENBARGER. One of the old and well-established families of Ohio, of German extraction, is that of Ketzenbarger, and a worthy represen- tative of it is found in John Ketzenbarger, who owns a fine farm of 160 acres of valuable land, which is situated in section 28, Hoaglin town-
ship, Van Wert County. Mr. Ketzenbarger was born on November. 28, 1851, not far from Findlay, in Hancock County, Ohio, and is a son of Sebastian and Rachel (Cramer) Ket- zenbarger, and a grandson of Michael and Eve (Stanngy) Ketzenbarger.
In 1835 the grandparents of John Ketzen- barger emigrated from Germany to America. They belonged to the best class of Germans and through their thrift and industry developed a fine farm in Hancock County, Ohio, on which both died.
Sebastian Ketzenbarger was born August 31, 1823, in Germany, and was the only son in his father's family. The latter had been the only son in the grandfather's family. Sebastian was 12 years old when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where his whole life was spent as a farmer and stock-raiser. He married Rachel Cramer, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Philip and Christina Cramer. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer were both born in Pennsylvania of German an- cestry, and removed to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1830. Mrs. Ketzenbarger had three broth- ers and one sister, of whom one brother only is living-Daniel Cramer, who lives on his farm eight miles west of Findlay; he is 86 years old, while his wife is 80. The children of Sebastian Ketzenbarger and wife were: Isabella (Wentz), deceased; John, the subject of this sketch; Andrew, of Wood County, Ohio; Sarah, deceased; Irena (Fisher), of Ridge township; George W. and Ella (twins), the former a resident of Hoaglin township and the latter deceased in infancy ; Oliver, the oper- ator of the home farm; and Mary Ann (Foltz) of Hoaglin township. Mrs. Sebastian Ketzen- barger was a member of the United Brethren Church.
John Ketzenbarger went to school until he was 15 years old, in the meantime assisting his
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father on the farm. The family then removed to Wood County and settled near the present site of North Baltimore, and there our sub- ject resided until 1890, when he came to Van Wert County and settled on a farm of 160 acres, in section 28, Hoaglin township, which he still owns but which is occupied by his son- in-law. Mr. Ketzenbarger farmed this prop- erty himself until 1902, when he turned it over to his son-in-law. J. C. Sherburn, who is a very capable farmer. Since then he has re- sided with his aged father-in-law, in section 21, Union township. the latter being a widower with all his children married and with domestic ties of their own.
On February 22. 1872, Mr. Ketzenbarger was married to Mary Elizabeth Fackler, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, not far from Mansfield, on January 29, 1853. She is a daughter of Henry H. and Nancy (Bear) Fackler. Nancy (Bear) Fackler, mother of Mrs. Ketzenbarger, was born March 14, 1819, near Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, where her father, Henry Bear, owned a fine farm. On this farm he built a stone barn in 1819. This historic barn is a landmark, having been re- modeled a few years ago and still stands as an example of the substantial character of the building of long ago. The father of Henry Bear was a Swiss Waldensian, who emigrated from Switzerland to America, shortly before the Revolutionary War, a member of a colony which came hither to escape religious persecu- tion, willing to give up all the temporal wealth and advantages they had in their own land in order that they might worship according to their belief, in peace and safety.
Mrs. Ketzenbarger's great-grandfather Bear settled near Philadelphia, where he mar- ried a lady who was also of Swiss parentage. It is on record that he served faithfully with the patriot army during the Revolutionary
War, and after its close settled down to an agricultural life. At the time of his death he owned 12 fine farms in Pennsylvania, one of which, known as the "Mansion Farm," came into the possession of his son Henry, and on that Mrs. Fackler was born. Her brothers and sisters, eight in number, lived to be 60 years of age, two dying young. Her mother lived to be 79 years old but her father died at the age of 54 years. Mrs. Fackler was reared in the Mennonite faith. She was faithful to every duty in life and was beloved for her many Christian traits. She died January 23, 1897.
Henry H. Fackler, father of Mrs. Ketzen- barger, was born near Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 1823. and was a son of Abram and Barbara (Hough) Fackler, natives of Pennsylvania. Abram Fackler lived to be 89 years old, while his wife died at the age of 83. Abram Fackler was a son of Wendal Fackler, who was born in Ger- many and came to Philadelphia when a young man some years before the Revolutionary War. He worked to earn money to bring to Amer- ica his two brothers, George and Adam Fackler, who after they arrived here served all through the Revolutionary War. Henry H. Fackler holds an old deed as a relic that was made in 1807 by his grandfather, Wendel Fackler, to Abram Fackler, father of Henry H. Fackler, which came into his possession when he settled up his father's estate. Abram Fack- ler had a fine farm in Pennsylvania and helped his II children to homes. He lived to advanced years and became so childish that he did not know his own children, although he never for- got to pray, being always faithful to his Chris- tian duties. The brothers and sister of Henry H. Fackler were 14 in number, of whom II lived to be married; five lived to be 82 years old-Mr. Fackler, himself is now nearly 83 and is the only one living of the family. All
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died in Pennsylvania and Ohio but three; of these three, Samuel Fackler and Mrs. Huns- barger died in Iowa while Wendel Fackler died in South Dakota; Samuel Fackler had one son who served all through the Civil war and is now 64 years of age. Henry H. Fackler saw both his grandfathers, Fackler and Hough, who served in the Revolutionary War.
When 17 years old, Henry H. Fackler ac- companied his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where, on September 7, 1843, he mar- ried Nancy Bear. They had eight children, the two survivors of the family being: Mrs. Mary E. Ketzenbarger and Solomon B. Fack- ler, a resident of Union township. The others were: Emanuel, Leah, Sarah Ann (Fry), Martin and Alice (Young).
Henry H. Fackler owned and cleared an 80-acre farm, near Mansfield, in Richland County, Ohio. In 1869 he sold his farm and with his family moved to Wood County, where he bought 200 acres of land and lived thereon for 22 years. In 1891 he again sold and then removed to near Union Center, Van Wert County, where he purchased 240 acres of land. Subsequently he sold 80 of this, but still re- tains 160 acres. When he came to Van Wert County, he had four married children, all of whom he had assisted to secure homes. He still resides on his farm in section 21. Union town- ship. Although almost 83 years of age, he takes an interest in family happenings and daily reads his Bible, being able to do so without the aid of glasses. He was reared in the faith of the German Baptist Church. All his life he has been a man of sterling character, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men. He is passing the evening of life honored and respected and carefully looked after by affec- tionate kindred.
Mr. and Mrs. Ketzenbarger have five chil- dren. as follows: Homer, who is a prosperous
farmer in Union township; Herma Irena, who is the wife of C. E. Miller, of Van Wert; Flor- ence Etta, who is the wife of C. E. Sherburn. of Van Wert; Alice, who is the wife of J. C. Sherburn, manager of the Ketzenbarger home- stead in Hoaglin township; and Ernest, who is still is school.
Mr. Ketzenbarger is one of the leading and influential Democrats of this section and on numerous occasions he has been called upon to accept positions of responsibility in county and township. In 1897 he was elected a county commissioner and served as such for three years. He also served three terms as treas- urer of Hoaglin township, one of these by appointment and two by election. His public services have been entirely satisfactory to his fellow citizens and his reputation is that of an able, honorable and hard-working official. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Elks, both at Van Wert.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ketzenbarger belong to families whose prudence, wisdom, industry and success, have given proof of those quali- ties which make up the very best citizenship of America. For generations they have been home-builder's, have cultivated their own lan Is and have given support and encouragement to education and religion in every community in which they have lived.
1 RANCIS M. BALL, proprietor and op- erator of the oldest sawmill in Liberty township, also one of the most suc- cessful farmers of the locality. was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, in 1845. and is the son of James William Ball, who was a wagon-maker by trade.
Mr. Ball was reared and educated in Knox County. Ohio, whither his parents moved when he was still quite small. During his early
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manhood he worked two summers on a farm, subsequently being employed by a firm, for three years, in cutting gun stocks for the United States government. Later he worked in a sawmill, finally entering the business him- self in 1874 locating about two and a half miles south of Ohio City. He operated this mill for four years and then moved it into Ohio City. He was the fourth man to locate in Ohio City and is the pioneer sawmill operator of the city, being still engaged in that line-actively and most successfully. In connection with the saw- mill business, Mr. Ball owns a well-improved homestead of 73 acres adjoining Ohio City, upon which he conducts general farming and stock-raising.
Francis M. Ball was married (first) in Hardin County, Ohio, to Mary Freeman, and there were four children by this union-Wal- ter H., foreman in a lumber establishment at Urbana, Ohio: Charles D., living at home; Wilford, O., who died at the age of 11 years; and Clara B., wife of William Gloset, of Ohio City. Mrs. Mary Ball died January 1. 1900, and Mr. Ball's second marriage occurred in May, 1904, to Leona Meek.
Mr. Ball served for two terms in a most satisfactory manner, as treasurer of Liberty township; fraternally he is worshipful master of the Ohio City Lodge of Masons, and gen- erally a substantial, faithful and able citizen.
RANKLIN PIERCE DULL, owner and operator of a fine farm of 120 acres situated in sections 16 and 17, Liberty township, born January 31. 1855. in Willshire township, Van Wert Coun- ty. and is a son of Lenhart and Susanna (Ream) Dull. a sketch of whom will be found in the biography of James Monroe Dull.
Mr. Dull was reared in Willshire township, receiving his education in the schools of that locality, and in Van Wert County he has spent his entire life engaged in farming. He was married January 6, 1881, to Hattie E. Martin, a daughter of William and Caroline (Fitzsim- mons) Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Dull have had eight children, six of whom are living: Curtis Olin, the eldest, was born January 5, 1882, and on August 28, 1889, fell from a beam 18 feet from the floor, dying within 30 minutes of the accident; his father was in Van Wert at the time. Gettis, who was born December 8, 1883, is now in North Dakota where he lives with an uncle. Flossie, who was born January 20, 1886, died October 14, 1887. Edna was born June 25, 1888; Ray, August 24, 1890; Imo, November 4, 1894; Edith, July 1, 1897, and Helen, November 26, 1901. Mr. Dull and famly are members of the Lutheran Church.
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