USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 76
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Nathaniel Perhamus enlisted in Allen County in April, 1863, in Company E, 151st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for the 100-day service. He took part in a two days' skirmish in Mary- land and also fought in a number of battles in that State as well as in Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia. His father in the meantime moved to Van Wert County, and Mr. Perhamus came here from the army. He remained in Ridge
township for a number of years before locating in Hoaglin township, where he purchased So acres of wooded land, which he has developed into his present highly cultivated farm.
Mr. Perhamus was married October 23, 1875, to Harriet Gardner, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, February 25. 1846, and is a daughter of Reuben C. and Susan L. (Mirick) Gardner, both of New Jersey. John M. and Sears R. Gardner, of Van Wert County are brothers of Mrs. Perhamus. Four of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Perhamus are living, viz .: Margaret H., wife of Wil- liam Lewis; John W., who married Alta Baser and resides on the farm : George W. : and Lot- tie-all of Hoaglin township.
Our subject and his wife are members of the Fairview United Brethren Church, of which he is trustee and in which they are active workers. He is a prominent member of W. C. Scott Post, No. 100, G. A. R .. of Van Wert and in politics is a Republican.
ACOB SCHAFFNER, who owns a farm of 220 acres in section 3, Hoag- lin township, and is one of the pros- perous and influential agriculturists of the county, was born February 12, 1856, in Bavaria, Germany, which was also the birth- place of his parents, Weighant and Barbara (Weidenbach) Schaffner. In 1872 with their family they took passage for America, at Havre, France, reaching port in New York 14 days later, and at once came to Shelby County, Ohio, where they lived for a number of years. Later the parents removed to Alabama, where they resided a short time before locating in Hoaglin township. Van Wert County. Here they resided until their death, the mother pass- ing away in June. 1895. and the father in Feb- ruary. 1897.
Digitized by Google
707
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Jacob Schaffner lived in Shelby County about 14 years and even at that time was known as a successful farmer. In 1886 he came to Van Wert County and settled on the farm now occupied by him, but which then was a woodland tract. He now owns 220 acres, 120 of which comprise the homestead. In acquiring and improving his property he worked hard and practiced habits of strict economy, denying himself many necessities, and living in a log house until 1904, when he moved into his commodious, new residence where in a convenient, modern home, he will enjoy the fruits of his many years of industry.
Mr. Schaffner was married December 26, 1880, to Margaret Schaffer, who was born June 7, 1856, in Alsace-Lorraine, and is a daughter of John and Margaret ( Ham) Schaf- fer. Her parents were also natives of Alsace, which was at that time a province of France, but which now belongs to the German Empire. The mother died there in 1876, after which, with her father and one brother, Margaret Schaffer emigrated to America. The family settled in Shelby County, Ohio, where Mar- garet met and married Mr. Schaffner. Seven chiklren have blessed this union-Maggie, Emil M., Spohia M., John W., Weighant, Martha and Walter. They are members of St. Peter's Reformed Evangelical Church, at Van Wert, and are consistent Christians. In poli- tics Mr. Schaffner is a Democrat.
R EV. ENOCH F. GAMBLE, proprie- tor of one of the leading undertaking establishments of Van Wert, and a retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Ridge town- ship, Van Wert County, Ohio, December 9. 1861, and is a son of William Wilson and
Mary A. ( Thomas) Gamble, both old settlers of the county, and a grandson of Robert Gamble.
Robert Gamble, who was a native of Ire- land, came to America when 12 years old with his parents, who located in Carroll County, Ohio. He died in Van Wert County when about 100 years old.
William Wilson Gamble was born in Car- roll County, Ohio, but removed to Van Wert County with his parents when quite young. To Mr. and Mrs. Gamble were born eight chil- dren, namely: Rosa (Zook); Etta (Dust- man), lives in Ridge township; Ken; Bessie (Leathers), of York township; Bert, of York township; May (Hoover), of Hoaglin town- ship; Isabelle, who died at the age of eight years, and Enoch F., of this sketch.
Enoch F. Gamble was reared and received his early education in Ridge township, later in 1883, attending the Ohio Normal Univer- sity at Ada, where he took a three years' course. He then entered the school at Dela- ware, Ohio, but in two weeks was stricken with typhoid fever and was compelled to abandon his studies. After returning to Van Wert County, he entered the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, his first charge being in the Dixon circuit, where he remained three years. He was then called to Convoy for two years, and then to Middlepoint for five years; his last pastorate, in Elida, lasted for three years, when he was compelled to give up the ministry on account of throat trouble. Mr. Gamble returned to Middlepoint and estab- lished an undertaking business, which he car- ried on successfully for about three years, until March, 1906, when he moved to Van Wert. He is now located at No. 115 South Wash- ington street. While compelled to abandon the ministry, he still retains a license to preach and often officiates at funerals and weddings.
Digitized by Google
708
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
In 1891 Mr. Gamble was married to Anna McCoy, daughter of John and Ellen (Mont- gomery) McCoy, of Columbiana County, Ohio. They have three children, all girls: Juno, Ruth and Grace. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Lima, the Odd Fellow's lodge at Middlepoint, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men.
6 OODWIN & KISER. The livery and feed stable at Ohio City, conducted by the firm of Goodwin & Kiser, is acknowledged to be the leading estab- lishment of its kind in the southern part of Van Wert County. The firm is composed of L. A. Goodwin and Simon Kiser.
L. A. Goodwin was born near Elgin in York township, Van Wert County, on Janu- ary 1, 1868, and is a son of Abijah and Cath- arine Goodwin, the former of whom is still living and resides in Elgin; Mrs. Goodwin died in 1888, With the exception of three years which he spent in Allen County, Ohio, L. A. Goodwin has lived continuously in Van Wert County, where he has been engaged in farm work much of the time, but has always taken a great interest in horses. In 1899 he opened a livery barn in Spencerville, Ohio, which he conducted successfully for three years, when he sold the establishment and in 1902 moved to Ohio City, where he built the fine large brick barn which he at present oc- cupies and which is metropolitan in every de- tail. The building is lighted by electricity, which is supplied by a dynamo operated in the barn, there being no electric light plant in Ohio City. In August, 1904, Mr. Goodwin formed his present partnership with Simon Kiser, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of Goodwin & Kiser.
Simon Kiser is also a native of Van Wert County, being born in Liberty township. Both Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Kiser are members of the Improved Order of Red Men and Frater- nal Order of Eagles.
JOSEPH D. SPEER, a prosperous farmer of Van Wert County, has lived for many years on his farm of 40 acres located in section 7, Hoaglin township. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, August 1, 1854, and is a son of James and Anna (Davis) Speer, natives of Richland and Franklin counties, respectively, the father being a resident of Hancock County, Ohio, at the time of his death in 1866.
After the death of his father, Joseph D. Speer remained at home and assisted his mother by taking upon himself the manage- ment of the farm until his own marriage, when he operated on rented land. He remained in Hancock County until 1887, when he moved to Jay County, Indiana, and there cultivated rented land that year, in the fall of 1887 locating in Van Wert County and purchasing his present homestead.
On May 6, 1875, Joseph D. Speer was married to Nellie Crates, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Baldwin) Crates. Her father is a native of Germany and her mother of Ohio, both families having taken up their residence in this State during the very early days when the Indians had possession. To Mr. and Mrs. Speer have been born eight chil- dren, namely : Cloyd J., who married Hattie Baxter, of Union township; Annie L., wife of Daniel Mohr, of Hoaglin township : James A .. who is a soldier in the United States Army, located in the Philippines; John, Edward G.,
Digitized by Google
-
O
-
.
Digitized by
712
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
tled in Pennsylvania, where William McMil- len, the grandfather, was born. William Mc- Millen married a daughter of Dennis Mc- Knight, whose ancestral record shows that he too came from Ireland and served in the patriot army through the Revolutionary War, being at Bunker Hill and in subsequent battles. James W. McMillen, our subject's father, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in !794, and married Mary Leach, a neighbor, who was born in 1796. Of their 10 children, James J. was the sixth in order of birth.
James J. McMillen was three years old when his parents started for Ohio with their children and household goods. The father entered 200 acres of government land in Knox County, where the family lived in a log cabin for some 12 years, passing through the usual hardships of pioneer settlers. The father then sold this land to advantage and removed to Allen County, where he died in March, 1880. Like many of the early fathers, he was a man of sturdy frame, great courage, deep religious convictions and of unimpeachable integrity. Naturally he assumed the prominent place in the community as he was fitted by nature to clo so.
The boyhood of James J. McMillen was spent in going to school and in assisting on the home farm; but he was still a youth when he took charge of his first school, and after completing two terms he used his money in perfecting his education in Delaware Univer- sity, at Deleware, Ohio, again returning to teaching and again using his earnings in secur- ing advanced instruction for himself. About 1852 he entered into a mercantile business at Elida, Ohio, and later embarked also in the produce and grain business, to which he finally gave his entire attention. In 1858 he pur- chased 60 acres of land and engaged in farm- ing and raising of fine stock. Subsequently
he disposed of this farm in Allen County, and in 1860 settled in Ridge township, Van Wert County, where he remained until his death. He was a man of great enterprise and, with the assistance of his sons, developed this land into a fine farm. Its improvements equal any in Van Wert County.
On September 7, 1854, Mr. McMillen was married to Harriet Gilliland, who is a daugh- ter of James G. and Margaret (Lawson) Gilli- land, a very prominent family of Van Wert County. The 10 children born to this union were: Joseph Warren; Alice, widow of M. D. Mann, of Van Wert; Phoebe, dleceased : Alonzo B., of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Ida, wife of Thomas Pollock, of Middlepoint. Ohio; Charles S., of Woodburn, Indiana ; Walter, deceased; Albert and Delbert (twins), residents of Van Wert County; and Hattie, wife of Edward Carlo, of Van Wert.
Politically Mr. McMillen was in accord with the Democratic party. He was prominent in Lima Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M., and was a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He was a man of enlightened views, was a great reader and fond of travel, which recreation he occasionally enjoyed with his wife. He was a man of noble impulses, of virtuous life, of kindness of heart and one who had Christian pity for all who were needy or distressed.
E E. ZOLMAN, M. D., physician and surgeon at Ohio City, and one of the city's intellectual men and leading practitioners, was born in Fulton County, Indiana, March 8, 1872, a son of San- ford P. Zolman, who is a prominent farmer of Fulton County.
Dr. Zolman was reared on the home farm and attended the schools of Fulton County ..
Digitized by Google
- - - - - - -
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
713
His inclinations did not tend in the direction of agriculture, and his ambitions to enter a pro- fession were encouraged by study in the scien- tific department of the Northern Indiana Nor- mal College, at Valparaiso. After completing his course there, he taught school during sev- eral winters, in the meantime preparing him- self for entrance to the Eclectic Medical In- stitute of Cincinnati, from which he was grad- uated April 9, 1901. In that year he located at Ohio City, where he has established a very satisfactory private practice, being also medi- cal examiner for the Prudential Life Insurance Company and for the endowment rank of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1898 Dr. Zolman was united in mar- riage with Addie Perschbacher, who was born in Fulton County, Indiana, and they have two children, both born in Ohio City-Maxine Mildred, March 20, 1904, and Naoma Pauline, July 7, 1905. Fraternally Dr. Zolman is a Mason, and politically a Republican.
,
J AMES BRADLEY, one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of Hoaglin township, whose well-cultivated farm of 89 acres is situated in section 32, was born March 25, 1838, in Richland County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Priscilla (Hoy) Bradley.
The father of Mr. Bradley was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Richland County, Ohio. In 1820 William Bradley set- tled in Richland County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years subse- quently dying at Mansfield.
James Bradley was reared on his father's farm until his majority, and was educated in the local schools. He has always given his main attention to agricultural pursuits, and has
been very successful in this line. He is now practically retired, one of his sons being the active operator of the farm, which is conceded to be one of the most valuable in the township. He settled here in the spring of 1882, after a residence of 17 years in Allen County.
In September, 1863, Mr. Bradley was mar- ried to Catherine Light, who was born in Rich- land County and was a daughter of Michael Light, one of the substantial farmers and early settlers of that county. Mrs. Bradley died on November 16, 1904. She was the devoted mother of these children: William M., of Hoaglin township, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Cora, deceased; Hattie, wife of Charles A. Doner, of Hoaglin township; Lydia, wife of Edward Andrews. of Paulding County, Ohio; George F .; and Mary C., wife of E. C. Cogswell of Van Wert, Ohio. George F. Bradley, the youngest son, who rents and operates his father's farm, was married to May Mosier, of Ridge township, Van Wert County, on February 20, 1905.
In politics Mr. Bradley is a stanch Repub- lican. He has served as one of the trustees of Hoaglin township, and has always been considered one of the reliable citizens whose influence in the direction of education and mor- ality has been very beneficial. He is one of the leading members and trustee of the Mount Tabor United Brethren Church.
HARVEY FOSTER, township trus- tee and representative farmer of Wash- ington township, who resides on his well-improved farm of 44 acres, sit- uated in section 18, was born February 14, 1867, on the farm now occupied by his mother and directly across the road from his present home, which was at one time a part of the old
88
Digitized by Google
714
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
home farm. He is the only son of Simon and Susan (Fisher) Foster. Simon Foster was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 2, 1828, and was a son of George Foster.
Rev. William Forster, as the name was once spelled, great-grandfather of J. Harvey Foster, was the first member of the Foster fam- ily to settle in America. When but 15 years of age he came to this country, and later was ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church, and preached for man years in Virginia and Ohio. He entered 2,000 acres of land in Perry County, Ohio, and was a very wealthy man at the time of his death. He left 160 acres of land in Perry County to each of his 12 children.
George Foster, grandfather of J. Harvey Foster, was born in 1779 in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents when still a small boy. He was married in Perry County, Ohio, to Christina Bean, also a native of Penn- sylvania, and had a family of 10 children, of whom Simon was the seventh.
Simon Foster, father of our subject, was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 2, 1828. He was one of the pioneer farmers of Van Wert County, where he located in 1848, after purchasing a farm in York and Ridge townships. He also bought 215 acres in Ot- tawa County. He was married in Lima, Ohio, June 12, 1856, to Susan Fisher, a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Highland County. Ohio. Simon Foster inherited 215 acres of timberland in Ottawa County from his father. This he sold, and in 1853 bought at $12 per acre the farm of 160 acres, now oc- cupied by his widow, which was all timberland with the exception of 40 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Foster had six children, of whom J. Harvey Foster was the only son, the five daughters being as follows: Alice (Veach), of Washington township : Ellen ( Manship). of Middlepoint ; Agnes (Morgan), of Scott.
Paulding County; Emma ( Ridenour), of Van Wert ..
J. Harvey Foster was reared and educate.l in Washington township, and on May 21. 1890, was married to Ella Downing, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Eli and Martha (Miller) Down- ing, the former a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and a son of William Downing.
Politically Mr. Foster is a Democrat, and he was elected trustee of the western section of Washington township in 1902 by that party. He is responsible for many of the improve- ments made in this section of the township. He cut the road running north of Middlepoint and also made changes in an old road that formerly cut through many of the farms on an angle. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the Lutheran Church of Middlepoint.
P ETER F. REMAGEN, a prominent agriculturist residing on his farm in section 7, Hoaglin township, and a successful dealer in agricultural im- plements, wire fences, etc., was born in Allen County, Ohio, July 28, 1854. and there grew to manhood. His parents. Peter and Eliza- beth (Bargs) Remagen. were natives of Ger- many, where they were married ; but soon after came to America and settled in Allen County, Ohio, where they died.
Peter F. Remagen began farming as soon as his school days were ended. and. even before that time, was well versed in practical agri- culture. In 1884 he purchased his present homestead of 60 acres, having since brought the land to a high state of cultivation. In connection with farming. he also handles all kinds of farm implements and fence wire and as he is enterprising and honorable. enjoys a good trade in the surrounding country.
Digitized by Google
1
715
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
On March 14, 1878, Peter F. Remagen was united in marriage with Annie B. Rum- ble, daughter of Henry Rumble of Van Wert. To this union two children were born-Ethel M, wife of Oris Rogers, and Henry G., who married Carrie Bogard. Both Mr. and Mrs. Remagen are members of the Evangelical As- sociation are honorable and upright in every path of life. Mr. Remagen is a member of the tent of the Improved Order of Red Men at Scott. He is a Democrat, and was formerly assessor of Hoaglin township.
OSEPH RINNER, formerly one of Washington township's most prosper- ous farmers, but now living retired in Delphos, was born in Bayern, Ger- many, March 21, 1840, and is the son of Wolf- gang and Barbara (Fleishman) Rinner. Wolf- gang Rinner and wife were both natives of Germany and passed their lives in the father- land, the father living to be 93 years of age and the mother 72.
Joseph Rinner was reared and educated in Germany, after which he engaged in farming until he was 21 years of age. when he entered the German Army and participated in the war of 1866. Being crippled in one hand, he was appointed a wagon driver, and while not able to take active part in any of the battles, was brought in close contact with them.
Ile decided to come to America and in 1868, with Walburga Klieber, who afterward became his wife, crossed the Atlantic and landed in New York. Having friends in Del- phos, he immediately went to Van Wert County and was married within the year of his arrival. He first worked at ditching. but later was employed at the Union Stave factory. In 1869 he bought 60 acres of farm land in Wash-
ington township and, after building a log house upon it, occupied it as a homestead, later erect- ing a frame house as a residence. Mr. and Mrs. Rinner have these five children, all living : Theressa, wife of Nicholas Neittling of Port- land, Oregon, and the mother of 10 children; Catherine, who married John Von Sossau of Fort Jennings, Putnam County, and has six children; Joseph, who married Nellie Cook and lives in Toledo, Ohio; George, who also resides in Toledo; and Anna, living at home.
In October, 1900, Mr. Rinner leased his farm to his son-in-law, Mr. Neittling, and re- moved to Delphos, where he bought his pres- ent home located on the corner of Second and State streets. In the fall of 1905 he sold his farm of 100 acres in Washington township and has since lived in retirement. He is an extensive real estate owner; at one time built a house on Fifth street, which later he sold, and also owns four other houses and lots in Delphos and one at Fort Jennings.
Joseph Rinner is one of the most highly esteemed men among the prominent German- Americans and Catholics of Delphos. He is a member of St. John's Catholic Church and is identified with St. Joseph's Society.
GEG ALLACE N. WILLIAMS, a di- rector of the Van Wert County In- firmary and a prosperous farmer of Liberty township, where he owns two fine farms in section 21, was born in Logan County, Ohio, near Bellfontaine, on November 15, 1856, and is a son of John Q. and Mary (Hoge) Williams.
John Q. Williams was born in 1828, in Logan County, Ohio, and was a son of Jesse Williams. His grandfather, the 'great-grand- father of our subject, originally came from
Digitized by Google
716
HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY
Wales and was one of the pioneer settlers of Logan County, later becoming one of the most prominent farmers of the county.
John Q. Williams, father of Wallace N., was born and raised in Rush Creek township, Logan County, Ohio, and was there married to Mary E. Hoge, daughter of Solomon G. Hoge, a well-known school teacher of the town- ship. Mr. Williams bought his father's farm, which was settled by Jesse Williams, and was in the possession of the family for over 80 years. Originally the tract contained 86 acres. He added to this until at his death he owned 140 acres. The highest point in Ohio was said to be on his farm. The old geographies gave Hoge Hill, owned by an uncle of Wallace N. Williams, as the highest point, but later sur- veyors gave the land just back of the barn on the old Williams farm in Logan County that distinction. The water runs in three directions from that Hill. John Q. Williams died Octo- ber 28, 1905, at the age of 77 years. His widow is still living. They reared a family of six children, namely: Emma (Musselman), of St. Paris, Champaign County, Ohio; Wal- lace N., our subject ; Warnic L., who lives on the old home farm in Logan County; George W., of St. Paris; Jennie (Ansley), of Logan County; and John, a telegraph operator living in Bucyrus, Ohio.
Wallace N. Williams was reared and edu- cated in Logan County. On October 10, 1877, he was married in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, to Ella Jones, a daughter of William and Delilah (Coate) Jones. They have had six children : Forrest L., Pearl A., Gertrude, Grace, Harold E. and Madge (deceased in in- fancy). Forrest L. Williams married (first) Mollie Hoffman, a sister of Benjamin F. Hoff- man, mayor of Ohio City; she died in 1901, after one year of married life. He next mar-
ried Olive Roller; they live in Ohio City, where Mr. Williams runs a restaurant ; they have one child-Cloyd. Pearl A. Williams married Etta M. Purk and lives on part of his father's farm; they have no children. Gertrude Wil- liams married Peter Putman, of Liberty town- ship, and has one child-Stanley.
For four years after his marriage, Wal- lace N. Williams continued to live in Logan County. In 1883 he moved to Eastern Tennes- see, where he bought a farm of 160 acres, which he cultivated for seven years. He then traded the land for 80 acres in Liberty town- ship, Van Wert County, where he lived for 10 years until 1905, since which time his son Pearl has occupied this farm. In 1900 he bought a farm of 40 acres, which is about one-half mile east from his old farm, and to this farm he moved in 1905. Both farms are well developed and finely improved, each having a large frame house and good substantial barn and all other necessary farm buildings. Mr. Williams has on his farm the first oil-well drilled in the Ohio City field and the first oil gusher in North- western Ohio. At the present time six wells are in operation on the two farms.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.