USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 84
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Dr. Shaffner married (second) Nancy Jane Roop, who was born in Van Wert Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a daughter of Frederick Roop. The children of this marriage were : Frederick, deceased; Anna E., the wife of F. P. Hancher. of Elwood, Indiana; and Lucy, William, Bes- sie, Paul, Ruth, Esther and Selma, all living at home. Dr. Shaffner owns his comfortable, commodious residence. his office building on Main street, and some vacant property in the form of building lots; and in the rapidly de- veloping conditions of Willshire his properties are yearly growing more valuable.
Since 1852 Dr. Shaffner has been a stanch Democrat. He cast his first presidential vote for Winfield Scott. for whom he entertained the greatest admiration, and in 1853 his first
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real Democratic vote was given to Governor William Medill, of Ohio.
In local matters Dr. Shaffner has been an important factor for many years. He is a jus- tice of the peace and for the past 30 years has been a notary public. Probably on account of his fluency in the German language he has done more notary business than any other like officially in his locality. He has always been an active promoter of public improvements and has liberally supported all educational and re- ligious movements. For some seven years he has been a member of the Board of Education and at present is its able president. For 27 years he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. at Willshire, and for 25 years its recording secretary. being a constant attendant at the quarterly conference of the church.
For many years Dr. Shaffner has also been prominent in the Masonic fraternity, belonging ing to Willshire Lodge No. 402, F. & A. M., and to Van Wert Chapter and Ivanhoe Com- mandery at Van Wert. Until the organiza- tion disbanded, he was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Will- shire. He is well and favorably known in the various medical organizations; is identi- fied with the American Medical Association. Ohio State Medical Society and the Northwest- ern Ohio Medical Association, and his presence is always welcomed in any representative gath- ering of his profession.
In meeting Dr. Shaffner the stranger has no difficulty in understanding the esteem and affection with which he is regarded by his fel- low-citizens. He possesses the qualities which belong essentially to a man of his profession. and it is easy to imagine the cheer his mere presence would bring into a sick chamber. He possesses a kindly heart and a sympathizing manner. entirely consistent with the faithful
discharge of the stern duties which very often face him, and inspires confidence from the start. His happy philosophy of life is that it does not pay to worry, and that he carries out his theory is proven by his hale, hearty, re- markably youthful appearance, although he is the shadow of his 77th birthday. He attributes much of his good health to his strict temper- ance.
Dr. Shaffner was one of the builders and - directors of what became the Kokomo division of the St. Louis & Western Railroad (narrow- gauge). from Delphos to the State line.
OLBERT A. McGOUGH, a well- known and highly respected farmer of Liberty township, residing on a farm of 106 acres located in section 30. was born in Franklin County, Ohio, No- vember 10, 1851. and is a son of William Henry and Margaret (Arnold) McGough. Both parents were natives of Knox County. Ohio, where they were married. and for many years engaged in farming.
Mr. McGough was quite young when his parents moved from Franklin County to Au- glaize County. and thence in 1862 to Liberty township. Mr. McGough was educated in District No. 1. Liberty township. and later studied under Hon. Augustus L. Sweet. now of Van Wert. He was married in 1878 to Arabelle Shaffer. a daughter of John Shaffer. They are the parents of 12 children, namely: John, who married Eva Behymer. of Mer- cer County, and lives in Lima. where he is bookkeeper for the Oil Well Supply Company: Clarence, who married Alice Tipple and lives in Mercer County on a farm: Percy, a steno- grapher for a mining company in Waterloo. Ohio, who married Martha Taylor-he is a.
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graduate of the Lima Business College, as is also his oldest son, John; Lucy, who married Rev. J. P. Hight, pastor of the United Breth- ren Church of Celina, Ohio; Colbert; Harry, who died November 14, 1905, aged 18 years; Nina, who died at the age of 15 months; Addie; Marie; D'Arle; Ruby; and Vernon.
After his marriage, Mr. McGough rented for one year a farm in the eastern part of Lib- erty township, and in 1897 bought a 106-acre tract, which was at one time the property of his wife's grandfather, Absalom Brey. He lo- cated on the farm in 1898, and has since re- sided there. Oil has been developed on the place, and there are now eight wells in opera- tion. Mr. McGough is a member of the Mount Zion United Brethren Church, of which he is also trustee and superintendent of the Sunday- school.
M. HOAGLIN, postmaster of Ca- vett for the past seven years, and proprietor of a large general store in this village, is a son of Isaac and Sabina E. (Rank) Hoaglin, who reside on a farm in Hoaglin township. His grand- father, Aaron Hoaglin, came to this county in 1840, entered the first land and built the first cabin in the township, which was later named in his honor. His son Isaac, the father of our subiect, was born January 29, 1836, in Rich- land County, and was four years of age when the family located here. Aaron Hoaglin re- sided on this land until his death, and was sur- vived by his wife, Sarah, for many years. Isaac Hoaglin has a farm of 86 acres, 40 of which comprised the original tract entered by his father. The present residence is built with- in a few feet of the site of the old log house Isaac Hoaglin married Sabina E. Rank, who was born in Richland County in May, 1840.
They are the parents of six children, namely : W. M .; Sarah Elizabeth (Fife), of Scott; Rosa M. (McMillen), who died in November, 1905; Pearl N., of Scott; Jerry C .; and Odes- sa Gilbert, of Grover Hill, Paulding County. The two younger sons live at home.
W. M. Hoaglin was born on the old home- stead July 6, 1861, and resided at home until his 24th year, when for one year he was em- ployed in the tile factory of Mr. Mohr. He then returned to farming, renting land for four years, and then purchasing 80 acres of wood- land in section 12, Union township. This tract he cleared and improved, after which he dis- posed of half of the land, and for the past nine years has kept a tenant on his 40 acres. For about two years he conducted a grain elevator at Briceton, Paulding County. and was at Worstville where he bought the first grain hauled to that point. About seven years ago he purchased his present store and stock of goods, and located at Cavett. He has added a complete line of coal, pulp, plaster, cement, etc., and receives a large patronage from the surrounding country.
Mr. Hoaglin was married in 1885 to Susie M. Mohr, a native of Hoaglin township, and a daughter of Gottlieb and Sarah Mohr. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoag- lin : Hollie E., Gernie W., and Nellie Beulah. Mr. Hoaglin is a Democrat, and both he and Mrs. Hoaglin are members of the Grand Vic- tory Evangelical Church.
HARLES G. CHURCH, M. D., a member of the firm of Flemming & Church, physicians and surgeons, physician for the Van Wert Coun- ty Infirmary and health officer of the city of Van Wert, was born June 2, 1873, at Erie,
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Pennsylvania, and is one of a family of three children born to his parents, Leonard and Emma (Gerrish) Church.
Charles G. Church was reared and at- tended school at Marysville, Ohio, where his father was engaged as a merchant. In young manhood he attended the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, for one year, and the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, for two years, and then attended Northwestern University at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1899.
After & aduating and receiving his medical diploma, Dr. Church came to Van Wert where he has been a resident ever since. On July I, 1905, he entered into partnership with Dr. Flemming, who, like himself, is a valued mem- ber of t1 e Van Wert County Medical Society. In 1900 Dr. Cl. irch was appointed health of- ficer of Van Wert and infirmary physician- positions which he tills with the utmost effi- ciency.
Dr. Church married Claire Robinson, a daughter of George P. Robinson, and they have one child. Their pleasant home is locater on Boyd avenue. Both he and his wife .attend the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor's offices are situated on the corner of Washington and Central avenues. Politically Dr. Church is a Republican, and fraternally, a Mason.
C HOMAS GEETHING, an esteemed resident of Hoaglin township, whose home is located in section 2, was born in Washington County, Maryland, December 19, 1819, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Thomas) Geething, also natives of Maryland. His grandfather, Rev. Jacob Geething, was a native of Germany, who came to America and devoted his life to the Master's
service in Washington County, Maryland, in which State he died.
Thomas Geething was probably 10 years of age when his parents moved to Stark County, Ohio, where he received his education. In 1844 he came to Allen County, and in 1850 lo- cated in Van Wert, which has since been his home. In May, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 139th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., as a 100-day volunteer, and was sent to Point Lookout. He was on guard duty part of the time and was later detailed as cook. He was honorably dis- charged at Camp Dennison in August, 1862.
On August 12, 1846, occurred the marriage of Thomas Geething and Esther Crates, and if their lives are spared a few short months they will have rounded out 60 years of married life-years in which the bond of affection has been strengthened by the various vicissitudes through which they have passed. Esther Crates was born in Beaver County, Pennsyl- vania, December 20, 1822, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Yonkman) Crates. When she was three months old her parents who were natives of Pennsylvania moved to Portage County, Ohio, where they remained until her 18th year. At that time they moved to Allen County, and about 1849 came to Van Wert County and settled in Ridge township, where they died. A brother, Winston T. Crates, and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Bresler, reside in Van Wert. To Mr. and Mrs. Geeth- ing seven children have been born, namely: Catherine, who is the wife of Andrew J. De- Camp, of Jackson township; Sarah E., widow of Henry Davis, and a resident of Los Angeles, California ; William D., of Hoaglin township: Eliza M., wife of William Critchell, of Hoag- lin township; Viola E., deceased, who was the wife of John Wisner; and who died and Jacob, in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Geething are members of Mount Tabor United Brethren
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Church, and are devoted and consistent Chris- tians. The subject of this sketch is a stalwart Republican and bases his views on principles of right and justice.
R. SWOVELAND, agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, at Ohio City, was born at Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio, April 4, 1873. and is a son of Peter and Mary Catherine (Weagly) Swoveland.
The grandparents of Mr. Swoveland were the pioneer settlers of the family in Van Wert County. the grandfather locating on a forest tract in Liberty township. There the father of Mr. Swoveland was reared and from there he went out as a soldier of the Civil war. through the whole period of which he served with loyalty and fidelity. He died in January, 1905.
J. R. Swoveland was reared and educated at Ohio City and the city of Van Wert. and then taught school for three years in York township. About this time he became finan- cially interested in the Windfall Glass Works, at Windfall. Indiana, acquiring a third inter- est in the business: but this he later disposed of and returned to Ohio City. For the next six years Mr. Swoveland was a clerk in the offices of the Erie Railroad. at Ohio City, and in 1902 he accepted the agency of the Wells- Fargo Express Company in this city. He has numerous business interests here. one of these promising to become one of the most import- ant industries of the place. He has erected a plant for the manufacture of cement blocks. and has large capital behind him. He also owns an interest in the plant of the Ohio Whipstock Manufacturing Company here. . As a business man he is able and progressive. an.1 is one of the city's best known men.
In 1899 Mr. Swoveland was married to Emma Kiser, who is a daughter of Jacob Kiser, one of the prominent farmers of Van Wert County. He has three children : Hugh; Madge; and Dale. Mrs. Swoveland died March 9, 1906.
Politically a Republican, he has been active for some years. For almost three years he has served as treasurer of Ohio City, and for two years was city clerk. His fraternal con- nection is with the Knights of Pythias.
EORGE W. WORTMAN, farmer and veteran of the War of the Rebellion, was born in Tully township. Van Wert County. July 2, 1840, and has been almost a life-long citizen of Hoaglin township. James and Hannah (Beck) Wort- man. his parents, were born in New Bruns- wick, where they were married and some of their children were born. Coming to Ohio. they resided a short time in Harrison County before locating permanently in Van Wert. This was some time in the '30's, at which time James Wortman entered 160 acres of land in Tully township. where he resided many years. He was a man who had the good will and es- teem of all who knew him. and his death. which occurred June 27, 1862, was regarded as a loss to the entire community. Four of his sons took part in the Rebellion. James. Jacob. Aaron and George. the three first named being slain in battle and laid to sleep in the enemy's country. Mrs. Hannah ( Beck ) Wort- man died in 1856.
George W. Wortman enlisted June 19. 1862. in Company A. 52nd Reg .. Ohio Vol. Inf .. all three of his brothers having entered Company H. 15th Reg .. Ohio Vol. Inf. He was in the Army of the Cumberland. and took
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part in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Rome, and many others, going with Sherman to Atlanta. On this march he received two severe wounds during a charge made on the Confederates on June 27, 1864. This necessi- tated his removal to a hospital, where he was confined for several months. He was honor- ably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on May 12, 1865. He draws a pension of $12 per month.
Returning to Van Wert County, Mr. Wortman again turned his attention to farm- ing and on September 10, 1865. was married to Barbara A. Kesler, a native of this State. Nine children were born to them, five of whom are living. viz. : Samuel A .; Mary E., wife of Isaiah N. Baken, who resides near Hudson, Michigan; John E., David P. and Oliver P. The sons are all residents of Hoaglin township. On April 26, 1902. Mrs. Wortman entered her long rest. leaving a wide circle of friends who felt her death to be a personal loss. Mr. Wort- man is an earnest Christian, and has taken an active part in church work for many years. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1859, and has held various offices in the church. He is a man whose exemplary life is worthy of emulation.
ILLIAM MCCRACKEN. Among the prominent farmers of Van Wert County. William McCrack- en. who resides on his farm in sec- tion 31. Jackson township, may well be given a prominent place. He was born January 7. 1855. in Fairfield County. this State, and is a son of James and Frances (Gilbert ) Mc- Cracken. The father was a native of Scotland and the mother of Ireland: they settling in
Fairfield County in 1850, where the father clied 10 years later. The mother. now almost 70 years of age, resides in Athens County, Ohio, with the half-sister of our subject-Jane. the wife of Alexander Moore.
Mr. McCracken remains in his native county until after he reached his majority. In 1877 he came to Jackson township. Van Wert County, where he entered 40 acres of land. which was the nucleus around which he has formed his present farm of 115 acres, the at- tractive and prosperous appearance of which stamps him as a farmer of far more than aver .. age ability. Having learned the plasterer's trade in early life. Mr. McCracken followed that occupation for about 30 years. and. in addition to his farming operations in Jack- son township. he was for many years the len !!- ing contractor in that line in his locality.
On September 20. 1883. William McCrack- en was joined in marriage to Mrs. Laura J. Beery, who was born March 9. 1851. in Fair- field County. Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Abner and Mary ( Poling) Elder. Her parents moved to Van Wert County. where they lived many years and where the father was familiarly known as Squire Elder. having for some time been justice of the peace in Jackson township. He was a Republican and his death. which occurred in December. 1902. was uni- versally regretted. Of the children born to Abner Elder and wife five survive. namely : Laura J., wife of our subject: John W .. of Jackson township: Mary E .. wife of R. F. Kiger. of Van Wert: Hiram T .. of Marion. Indiana : and Charles D .. of Van Wert. One con. Ichr. born June 10. 1801. has blessed the union of Mr. McCracken and his estimable wife. They are both members of Grace Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of Jackson township. and take a leading part in the work of that lody as well as in the social life of the com-
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munity. Mir. McCracken was one of the char- ter members of Washington Grange, No. 1327, P. of H., of Jackson township, served as mas- ter of the same, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Middlepoint. He is at present president of the Middlepoint Home Telephone Company and is a man of undoubted business ability.
RANK A. GAMBLE was appointed liquor tax inspector February 15, 1902. and has since maintained offices in Van Wert for the discharge of the duties required by the Ohio dairy and food laws. Ile was born at Pleasant Mills, Indiana, November 30, 1866, and is a son of Robert W. and Margaret C. ( Williams) Gamble, residents of Indiana. The father was a native of Car- roll County, Ohio, and a harness maker by trade, but in later years turned to farming. The family consisted of eight children, of whom but three are now living.
Frank A. Gamble received his education in the common schools of Mercer County, and at 18 years of age began his career of independ- ence, at first stopping for a short time in Pauld- ing County where he engaged in farming until about 1888, when he came to Van Wert Coun- ty. Locating in the village of Scott he con- ducted a mercantile business there, and was also postmaster until he came to Van Wert in 1900, where he has since lived. From 1897 to 1899 Mr. Gamble served as assistant department revenue collector of the 10th Ohio district, un- der Col. George P. Waldorf.
Mr. Gamble married Icy M. Horney. daughter of John Horney. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. Three children blessed their union. the two living being Maud M. and
Aimee M. Mr. Gamble is a strong Republi- can and takes an intelligent interest in the suc- cess of that organization. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being past president of Van Wert Aerie, No. 886, Fraternal Order of Eagles ; past chancellor of the Knights of Pyth- ias, and past sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men, and past grand of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a mem- ber of the Home Guards of America. He has closely identified himself with the best element of the city.
ENRY COTTERMAN, the well- known farmer who resides on his es- tate in section 4, Hoaglin township. was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1838. He is a son of Jonathan and Mary (Long) Cotterman, na- tives of the same place in which his paternal great-grandfather had settled many years be- fore, when he arrived in this country from Ger- many.
The family moved to Shelby County, Ohio. where our subject attended school and grew to manhood, after which he went to Miami Coun- ty, where, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany E. 110th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served almost three years. He was in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Cedar Run, took part in the engagements in the Shenadoah Val- ley and in many other decisive battles under Grant and Sheridan. He was fortunate to es- cape from these encounters .unharmed, except from the first named. in which he re- ceived a wound in the left leg. Returning to Miami County, he remained there a few years and then moved his family to Shelby County. which was their home before moving to Van Wert County. In the fall of 1881 he purchased his present farm, and by his care and
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improvement of this property has proved him- self to be one of the foremost agriculturists in this section of the State.
Mr. Cotterman was married in Miami County, August 2, 1859, to Catherine Ralston, a native of that county and a daughter of An- drew and Elizabeth (Wellhance) Ralston. Mrs. Cotterman was born August 17, 1839, and is a lady of domestic tastes, who believes a woman's first duty is to her family and she has devoted her life to the practice of this belief, finding ample compensation in the love of hus- band and children. Ten children have been added to the household, namely : Andrew, re- siding in Paulding County: Harriet E., wife of John Hipsley, of Paulding County; Clara E., wife of Lorenzo D. McGlaughlin of Pauld- ing County; Roswell; Lewis A .; Charles E .; William: F .; Frances Irene, wife of Clyde Kiser; Eugene H .; and Grover C .- all of Hoaglin township, except Mrs. Kiser, who lives in Miami County, and those mentioned as residing in Paulding County. Mr. Cotterman is a Democrat. While he is not a member of any church he is a liberal contributor towards the cause of religion and is always on the side of right and justice.
HAPHET DWIRE, one of Harrison township's most substantial and re- spected citizens, has been a resident of Van Wert County continuously since 1858. He is a native of Carroll County, Ohio, the date of his birth being March 9, 1831. His parents, Joseph and Lucinda (Johnson) Dwire, were Pennsylvanians by birth and early settlers of Carroll County.
Shaphet Dwire was six years of age when he was left an orphan, and his progress in life was consequently attended with greater dif-
ficulties than fall to the lot of the average youth. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and continued there until 1858, in which year he located in Pleasant township, Van Wert County. Here he remained about one year, when he settled on his present farm in section 13, Harrison township.
In September, 1864, Mr. Dwire enlisted in Company F, 64th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .. and served in General Thomas' army until the close of the war. Among the most important en- gagements in which he participated were Franklin, Spring Hill and Nashville. all in Tennessee. He was with General Thomas' command throughout the campaign against Hood, the destruction of whose army was one of the most important steps in bringing the war to an end. In June, 1865. Mr. Dwire was honorably discharged at Camp Harper. near Nashville, and immediately returned to his home and family. He resumed his work on the farm, which, in the course of time. was con- verted from timberland to a tillable tract. The original buildings occupied by the Dwire fam- ily have been replaced by a more modern resi- dence and barn, and substantial out-buildings.
For a period of nearly 40 years Mr. Dwire sold farm implements throughout this section of the State, but has done very little in that line in recent years. He installed the first "Buckeye" reaper in Van Wert County. soon after the Buckeye factory was started. Mr. Dwire is a man of progress and public spirit. and has done even more than his share in the development of Harrison township, which has been his home continously for about 48 years.
In 1852 Shaphet Dwire was married in Carrioll County, Ohio, to Sarah Jane Figley. who was a native of Pennsylvania. and died on the old home place October 2. 1809. The fol- lowing children were born to their union : Re- becca (Brown), who lives in Van Wert:
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Lemuel. living on the home place, who mar- ried Esther Robinson and is the father of Cleo, Ilo, Murle, Ruth. Vera and Nellie; Sarah Edna ( North) who resides in Convoy; William, also a resident of Convoy; Orlando, who lives in Newton, lowa; and Leroy, who lives in Newton. Iowa: and Leroy, of the State of Washington. Politically. Mr. Dwire is a Re- publican, and fraternally, a member of W. C. Scott Post. No. 100. G. A. R., at Van Wert.
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