History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 78

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

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Wellington N. Robinson has spent his en- tire life in his native township and is one of its leading residents. He has served as trustee and has always worked for the advancement of his home community. Fraternally Mr. Robin- son is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

S CHUYLER SIMPSON TUTTLE, M. D., one of the youngest class of physicians, who is fast advancing to the front as one of the most success- ful practitioners of Van Wert, was born in this city September 1, 1869. He is a son of M. H. and Mary J. (Murphy) Tuttle, honored resi- dents of Van Wert. During his boyhood Schuyler S. Tuttle attended the district schools and then entered Middlepoint Academy, from which he graduated with the class of 1885. He entered upon the actual duties of life as a bookkeeper for Thaddeus S. Gilliland, of Van Wert, and later was a teacher in the schools of Union township, being thus engaged for a couple of terms before he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. E. L. Wilkinson, of Van Wert. Two years were spent in hard study, the first under the able preceptorship of Dr. Wilkinson, and the last, in his own home. Being appointed to a pos :-

tion on the staff of the Newburg Insane Asy- lum, Cleveland, he spent one year in that insti- tution and thence went to Chicago, where he entered Rush Medical College, graduating March 28, 1893.

Dr. Tuttle determined to practice his pro- fession in his native town, among his friends. althought he realized that a young physician has usually a better chance to establish him- self among strangers. But having perfect con- fidence in his ability to succeed in the home field, he opened his office in Van Wert, and the success attending his ministrations soon won him the confidence of the public and placed him among the leading physicians of the com- munity.

On October 4, 1893, Dr. Schuyler S. Tut- tle was married to Mary C. Clay, who was born in Mendon, Ohio, October 24. 1872, and is a daughter of John Clay. There are two children of this union-Miles Henderson, born November 16, 1894, and Eugenia Elizabeth, November 18, 1904. Mrs. Tuttle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she is a zealous worker, and their hospitable. home, on West Main street, is the prolific source of many a charitable act, as well as a magnet which makes it a social center. The Doctor is prominently connected with the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and the Van Wert County Medical Society. He is also a member of Van Wert Lodge, No. 218. F. & A. M., and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he affiliates with the Republicans.

ILLIAM M. BRADLEY, one of the prominent citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Hoaglin town- ship, who owns a valuable farm of 50 acres in section 31, was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 27, 1863, and is a

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son of James Bradley, the well-known citizen of the above mentioned township, a sketch of whom appears in another part of this work.

Our subject was yet a child when his par- ents removed from Richland to Allen County, Ohio, and there he remained until his father removed to Van Wert County, in 1882. His mental training was secured in Allen County, while his practical education made him a first- class farmer; he has devoted his main atten- tion throughout life to the tilling of the soil and the raising of live stock. His land is well adapted to agriculture and his thorough meth- ods have brought about its present high state of cultivation.

On April 1, 1895, William M. Bradley was married to Fannie Stevens, who was born in Madison County, Kentucky, and is a daughter of Rufus M. and Martha J. (Todd) Stevens- the former of whom was born in Madison County, Kentucky, and the latter in the same neighborhood. Mrs. Stephens died many years since, but her husband has been a resident of Hoaglin township since July, 1905.

Politically Mr. Bradley is affiliated with the Republican party. . He is one of the enter- prising, intelligent and progressive agricultur- ists of Hoaglin township, and enjoys in large measure the esteem and confidence of all his neighbors.

E. BRUNDAGE, M. D., the genial and efficient health officer of Delphos, and a leading physician of this local- ity, was born in Van Wert County, September 16, 1863. He is a son of Dr. Israel and Emily J. (Duckworth) Brundage, of Del- phos, who have been actively identified with the history of Van Wert County during almost half a century of residence here.

Dr. Israel Brundage was born in Delaware County, Ohio, on September 16, 1827, and was a son of Caleb and Catherine ( Bensley ) Brun- dage, the former from New York and the lat- ter from New Jersey. Both had been residents of Delaware County since early youth. After acquiring the rudiments of his education in the schools of his native county, Israel Brundage entered the college at Gambier, Ohio, from which he graduated as a doctor of medicine. He began the practice of his profession in his home county, where he continued until 1863, when he located in Van Wert County, about two miles west of Delphos, in Washington township. He was married December 30, 1854, to Emily J. Duckworth, of Delaware County. Of the family of seven children born them, all are now living, namely; Mary, who married Sebastian Alspaugh of Union town- ship; Charles, who married Emily Tongs and resides in Delphos; Henry and Henrietta (twins), the former of whom married Mary Emsoph, and the latter S. C. Hill, of Licking County, Ohio; N. E., of this sketch ; and Dora and Nora (twins), the former of whom mar- ried H. A. Miller and the latter B. A. Rolson. The venerable Doctor and his estimable wife have made many warm friends among all classes, and it is amid the most congenial sur- roundings that they are spending the declining days of useful, well-rounded lives.

N. E. Brundage early decided to enter the profession which was so ably represented by his father. After leaving the public schools, he entered the Fort Wayne Medical College, in which his brother Henry was also a student, and was graduated in the class of 1892. He at once began practicing in Delphos, where he has since been located and has built up a large and lucrative practice. In 1900 he was appointed health officer of the city, and is still serving in that capacity. Dr. N. E. Brundage

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was married in 1890 to Luella Cloud, and their home is the center of much pleasant hos- pitality.

RANCIS T. GILLILAND, one of Van Wert's leading business men, a mem- ber of the firm of Gilliland & Gilliland, implement dealers, was born at Van WVert, August 31, 1841, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Hill) Gilliland.

Robert Gilliland was one of the leading men of Van Wert County for a number of years, a brilliant lawyer and a prominent citi- zen. He was born in Maryland and came to Ohio prior to his marriage, accompanying his mother. He died at Van Wert in 1853, aged but 41 years. After admission to the bar he was associated with Judge Phelps, a connection which continued almost through life. He was very active in Democratic politics, was clerk of the county, county commissioner and county treasurer. He was appointed by the Governor as a member of the committee which had the building of the State Insane Asylum at Cleve- land in charge, and was shown many other tokens of public confidence. He dealt largely in real estate, buying and selling great tracts of land. mainly in Van Wert County. He would have been a man of vast fortune had he not given way to generous impulses, it being said that no person in need ever applied to him without ready relief, and his purse was always open to assist any cause for the general welfare. He had acquaintances all over the State, and, when he was laid low with typhoid fever. friends came long distances to offer help and to express their sympathy. He was a charter member of the Masonic body at Van Wert and was an active member until his death.

Robert Gilliland was married (first) to Mary Hill, who was born in Ross County,

Ohio. She died in 1846, when our subject was five years old, leaving two children, Francis T. and William H. The latter volunteered at LaFayette, Indiana, in the beginning of the Civil war, and served three years when he was discharged for disability. At a later date he enlisted in the regular army as a member of the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, and after serving five years was lost sight of by his family. The father married (second) Henrietta Marsh, and they had two children-Lenox O., of Indiana, and Kate, who died aged four years.

When our subject was 13 years old he went to live with an uncle, Gordon Gilliland, a farmer in Ridge township, with whom he remained about a year, and then started out for himself. Until he reached the age of 19 years he worked around for various people and at numerous em- ployments, keeping on the lookout for a perma- nent location and a settled business. Of his father's vast estate little was realized by his family when everything had been settled up. and Mr. Gilliland is practically a self-made man. When less than 20 years of age he went to Bureau County, Illinois, where he remained for three years; from there he came back to Van Wert to enlist with old friends for service in the Civil war. He entered Company B. 192nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. W. Patrick, of Lima. The command was sent to the Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia. but after eight months service the war closed. and this company was never called on to take part in any serious engagement with the enemy. He keeps up his connection with W. C. Scott Post, No. 100, G. A. R., at Van Wert.

After his return from the army, Mr. Gilli- land bought a farm of 80 acres in section 28. Ridge township. At that time it was entirely unimproved, but Mr. Gilliland has develore:l here a fine grain and stock farm. making im- provements which have converted it into a com-

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RESIDENCE AND BARN OF E. C. STEMEN & SONS

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fortable place of residence. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Gilliland has been for the past three years in partnership with E. B. Gilli- land, in an implement business at Van Wert, under the firm name of Gilliland & Gilliland.

Mr. Gilliland was married (first) in 1866 to Mary E. Tombaugh, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and came to Van Wert with her parents, Isaac and Mary Tombaugh. She died in 1880, leaving four children, viz: Beatrice M., wife of F. H. Gipe, of Defiance County, Ohio; Robert C .; Nellie K., wife of Lewis Schimke, of Stark County; and Inez, of Cleve- land. He was married (second) to Adeline DeCoursey, a native of Allen County, and a daughter of Abraham and Sarah A. DeCour- sey. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland have three chil- dren-Francis N., Ruth and Alma.

In politics Mr. Gilliland has always been an active Democrat. He has repeatedly served in responsible offices, has been township assessor and from 1878 to 1881 he served as county commissioner.

E ZR.\ C. STEMEN, one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of Jackson township, who resides on his home farm of 174 acres in section 31-the estate being known as "Walnut Grove Farm" -was born in Allen County. Ohio, July 31, 1840. and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Moyer) Stemen. The father of Mr. Stemen was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and the mother in Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Sugar Creek township. Allen County, Olio.

Ezra C. Stemen was reared to manhood in Allen County, his boyhood being passed amid pioneer surroundings. His father had entered land from the government in Sugar Creek township and he assisted in its development.

His schooling was obtained in the primitive establishments of the township, which, how- ever, turned out men and women fitted to do well their parts in the various fields to which they were called in after life.

On November 14, 1867, Ezra C. Stemen was united in marriage with Rachel C. Shoe- maker, born January 12, 1849, in Allen County, Ohio, a daughter of Charles and Rebecca Shoe- maker, deceased. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stemen, viz : John C. and Charles A., both of Jackson township; and Neri B. and David G., both deceased. After his mar- riage Mr. Stemen located in Sugar Creek town- ship, Allen County, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1874, when he removed to Van Wert County and settled on his present farm in Jack- son township. At that time the entire land was heavily timbered, no cutting having yet been done upon it; it has since continued to be his homestead, with the exception of a few years spent in Allen County. Mr. Stemen was one of the pioneers here. When his eldest son attained manhood, he received him into part- nership, the firm of E. C. Stemen & Son be- ing organized; in 1905 Charles A. was ad- mitted into the firm, which became E. C. Ste- men & Sons. The firm own 257 acres in Jack- son township, their business being the buying and shipping of stock and the breeding of pure Duroc-Jersey swine.

Mr. Stemen is a charter member of Wash- ington Grange, No. 1,327, P. of H., Jackson township and has always taken an active in- terest in its affairs. Politically he is a Demo- crat. In his sons and partners. Mr. Stemen has able assistants. Views of the Stemen resi- dence and barn accompany this sketch.

John C. Stemen, the eldest son of our sub- ject, was born May 6, 1870, in Allen County, Ohio, and on December 25. 1890, was married to Mary J. Duvall, a native of Warren County,

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Ohio, and a daughter of Nimrod J. Duvall, now of Jackson township, Van Wert County. They are the parents of these children: Alvin P., Albert B., Lola F., Ezra N. and Lehr O. John C. Stemen is a Democrat, a member of the School Board of Jackson township, and be- longs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias at Middlepoint, being also master of Washington Grange. No. 1327, P. of H.

m M. AYERS, M. D., a leading medi- cal practitioner at Ohio City, was born at Tedrow, Fulton County, Ohio. in 1867, and is a son of David Ayers and a member of one of the pioneer families of his native county.

Moses Ayers, the grandfather of Dr. Ayers, moved to Fulton County when it was practically a wilderness, entering a large body of Govern- ment land there. He was a native of Mary- land. On the maternal side, grandfather Ted- row was one of the earliest settlers in Fulton County, and the postoffice of that name keeps in memory one of its most prominent citizens in his day.

David Ayers, father of Dr. Ayers, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in April, 1828, and removed with his father to Fulton County, in 1838. He became a prominent farmer in Fulton County at a later date, and served as county treasurer from 1871 to 1875. He mar- ried Ann Bayes, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1835, but later accompanied her parents to Fulton County.

M. M. Ayers was reared at Tedrow, where he obtained his earlier education, going from there to the Normal School at Wauseon, and later teaching school for two years. In 1890 he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Here he remained through the

four-years' course, his being the first class that. as a whole, took the four-years' medical course there. He was graduated with credit in 1894, and returned to Tedrow, where he remained for six months, removing then to Continental, Putnam County, where he practiced his pro- fession until March, 1902. After taking a thorough post-graduate course at the Chicago Post Graduate College, he located for one year at Wauseon, and then came to Ohio City where he has since been in active work. Dr. Ayers is one of the progressive medical men of this city, always awake to all the scientific discoveries of benefit to his profession, and he keeps himself closely in touch with the best medical thought of his time by membership in the Ohio State Medical Society and the North- western Ohio Medical Association.

Politically, Dr. Ayers is a Republican. In Putnam County he served several years as a member of the Republican Executive Com- mittee. Fraternally, he is a Mason. a mem- ber of Eureka Lodge, No. 592. of Ohio City. and of the Knights of the Maccabees, of which order he is a trustee and tent physician. He is also identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

R OLLAND EVANS, one of Vanedocia's venerable retired and highly esteemed residents and one of the best-known citizens of York township, was born at Llanbrynmair, Montgomeryshire. Wales, July 21, 1820, and is a son of William and Margaret (Davis) Evans.

The parents of Mr. Evans lived and died in Wales, the father at the age of 87 years. and the mother at the age of 79. Of their nine children, our subject is the only survivor. and was the fourth in order of birth.

Rolland Evans was reared on his father's

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farm, where he remained until 22 years of age; he then decided to cmigrate to America. With his young wife, in 1842, he took passage in a sailing vessel to make his first voyage across the ocean. This was completed in five weeks and three days. Mr. Evans has crossed the Atlantic nine different times, and has noted the improved methods of transportation on each trip. On his first trip he landed in New York City, and from there went to Utica, New York. He was able to perform almost any kind of manual labor, and during a protracted period was engaged as a wood chopper. In 1845 he joined his uncle, John Evans, at Paddy's Run, Butler County. Ohio. The latter died in 1893, aged 96 years.

In 1849 Mr. Evans settled in Jennings township, Van Wert County, buying 80 acres of land three-fourths of a mile from Venedo- cia. for which he paid $310. The land was covered with forest growth, and before it could be conveniently reached a road had to be cut through. For a number of years he assisted in making roads in different directions, good highways being very necessary adjuncts at all times to successful agriculture. Mr. Evans found his nearest mill depot at Delphos, and a trip there necessitated his staying over night. Spencerville consisted then of a single frame house, although the frame of the first mill was being laid. During the period required to clear his farm, Mr. Evans and family lived in a hewed-log cabin, which remained the family home until 1879, and subsisted mainly on the game which was plentiful all about them.

Mr. Evans still owns the farm in Jen- nings township, as mentioned above and which now contains 127 acres of well-improved land. He continued to reside there until 1880, when he retired from business activity, purchasing his present dwelling in Venedocia. This resi- dence was the first one erected on the west side

of Main street, and is a very comfortable home Although Mr. Evans reached this locality with a very limited amount of capital, he possessed the qualities which brought success, and is now one of the substantial men of this region. He has interested himself with all the agencies which have contributed to make Van Wert County civilized and prosperous, and early identified himself with educational and reli- gious affairs. In those early days of the first Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church in Jen- nings township, services were often held out-of- doors, with the sky for a canopy and with dense woods all around to echo the hymns of praise. Those were the days when those revered preachers, William Bebb and Thomas Morris, ministered to the people and with earnest persuasion led their thoughts away from the sordid cares and many hardships of their daily lives. For some time also services were held in the home of Rev. William Bebb. Mr. Evans was a liberal contributor to the building of the first church edifice.

In 1842, in Wales, Mr. Evans was first mar- ried, espousing Jane Jones, who was a daugh- ter of John Jones. She died in 1884. To this marriage two children were born at Utica, two at Paddy's Run, and two in Van Wert County. Mr. Evans was married (second) on August 28, 1886, to Mrs. Ann (Morgan) Jones, a daughter of John Morgan. She was a widow at this time with a family of three sons and one daughter. She also has one sis- ter and one brother.

The children of Mr. Evans were: William D .; John, who died aged 19 years; Robert, who died in infancy; Eleanor, who was mar- ried May 4, 1865, to Oren O. Pugh, has six children, and since the age of 15 years has been a consistent member of the Calvinistic Metho- dist Church; Margaret, (wife of John N. Jones, who at death left two children) ; and

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Mary, who united with the Calvinistic Metho- dist Church when but 15 years of age, married Richard Breese, resides in Van Wert and has four children. Mrs. Evans belongs to Salem Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church at Ven- edccia. Mr. Evans has every reason to be proud of his descendants, 16 of whom are grandchildren and 14 are great-grandchildren.

WILLIAM D. EVANS, the eldest son of Rol- land Evans, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in December, 1846, and accompanied his par- ents to Van Wert County. He was only 14 years of age when he united with the Calvinis- tic Methodist Church at Venedocia, and he had been a consistent member and an earnest work- er until his lamented death on September 6. 1891.

On February 27. 1873, William D. Evans was married to Sarah A. Davies, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 19, 1849, and was 15 years of age when she was received into the fellowship of the Calvinistic Methodist Church at Gomer. She is a daughter of the late David D. Davies and wife, the former of whom died in 1900 and the latter in 1902. The children of William D. Evans and wife were : J. Russell, who married Sarah Williams, of Oak Hill; Robert T .; William A .; Edgar R., who died in 1902; David C., and Bertha A.

e W. MAHAN, senior member of the firm of Mahan & Johnson, and one of the reliable business men of Van Wert, was born March 7, 1854, on a farm near the village of Jamestown, in Greene County, Ohio. He is a son of Charles and Adelia (Johnson) Mahan, who are residents of Van Wert. and have passe.1 the 80th mile- stone in life's journey. The father reached his 844th anniversary on the 5th of December.

1905, and six days later the mother attaine 1 her 83rd year. The former was a native of Ress, and the latter of Greene County; but both were reared in the latter county where they were joined in marriage in 1843. They were the parents of 10 children, all of whom grew to maturity and eight of whom are still living. About 1862 they came to this county and lived on a farm in the vicinity of Van Wert for about 10 years. They then went to Indiana and re- mained one year, after which they returned to Van Wert, where they continued to reside. James Johnson, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Virginia, while the Mahan family are of Irish descent, having sprung from four brothers who came to this country during col- onial times, one settling in Ohio, one in Ken- tucky and two in Virginia.

C. W. Mahan was a lad of eight years when his parents moved to this county. The farm upon which they settled has since been included within the city limits of Van Wert. He con- tinued to live on the farm and engage in that work until he was about 21. when he went to Indiana and, for a short time, was in the lumber business. Returning to Van Wert, he was em- ployed in a grist-mill until 1896, when he moved to Dunkirk, Ohio, and ran an elevator for a year, handling a considerable quantity of grain. He then purchased the grist-mill in Van Wert, which was conducted two years as the Mahan & Rice mill, his partner being Sam- nel Rice. Selling his interest in this enterprise, he built a grain elevator at Elgin, which was soon disposed of at a good price, after which he bought and sold hay until he formed his present partnership with S. E. Johnson and purchased the elevator which had formerly belonged to Thaddeus S. Gilliland. They took possession of this property in September. 1905, and are buying and shipping large quantities of grain.

On December 30. 1886. Mr. Mahon was

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joine.l in marriage to Mary A. Rice, who is a native of Mercer County, but was reared from childhood in Van Wert County, her parents, Paul and Elizabeth Rice, having been residents here many years. Mr. and Mrs. Mahan have two children, Madge and Ivan S. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Mahan affiliates with the Repub- licans. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a man of kindly and charitable attributes.

R UBEN HOOKS, a highly esteemed cit- izen and progressive farmer of Lib- erty township, owning 80 acres of farm land in section 23 and 70 acres, section 32, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, June 25. 1840, and is a son of William and Lydia (Harp) Hooks and grandson of Thomas Hooks, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1784 and died in 1834.

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History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 78

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

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