History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 73

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878

USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73

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).

The reader of this short narrative can learn some of the troubles. difficulties, and privations I have undergone during my past life.

In this short history I have stated nothing relating to the honors con- ferred on the by the citizens where I have lived. I have been elected and served in the following township offices: Ten years as Township Clerk; seven years Township Assessor; two years Township Treasurer; eighteen years as Justice of the Peace, and now in my fourth year as Notary Public.

GEORGE CLOUSE.

Among the early settlers of Liberty Township was George Clouse and wife, who came from Wayne County. Ohio, and located in Liberty in September, 1538. George Clouise was born in Pennsylvania in Iste. Married Elizabeth Kesler. 1939. The following sketch was obtained from his widow ; Mr. Clouse having died 1959, leaving his wife and nine children. Mrs. Clouse says, when we landed on our place in the woods. we unloaded our goods inler two big oak trees; here we put up a little shelter to protect ourselves, till we could build a cabin; when we had the logs cut for our cabin, what few neighbors there were, helped us to raise it, ready for the roof. My husband and myself put up the rafters. put on the clap-boards and weight poles. We split puncheon and hewed them with a narrow axe for the floor. The door was made of chumboani -. Our cupboard was made of the same. We brought with us a cow, but the next season she died. We had no means to buy another with. I had brought with me a new bureau; I told my husband to sell it and buy a cow, which he did. I have been so hard presser for something to ent, at one time, I dug up the oldl sved potatoes after they had been planted aunt sprouted. I roasted them and tried to eat them, but could not, my stomach rejected them. For several years we had but lett". wheat flour. One time my father, who had come on a visit to ser tis, sax our destitute circumstances, went to Shane's Crossing and bought twelve pounds of wheat flour, for which he paid one dollar. this was all the flour we had for several months. All the water we had to drink and cook with, we hart to hand from a spring near the St. Marys River, some four miles distant. I have gone down to this spring on foot, and erin i a jug of water home to drink. I used to pack my washing on my back for two miles to find water to wash with. then pack them home again after washing. This I did only two weeks before my oldest child was horn. I used to grate corn on a grater for meal; I would first boll the corn to make it soft then grate it.

ADAM FLAGER

was born in Germany in 1809. Came to America in 1936, and first located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where the same year he married Mar- garet Rheinheimer. In 1838 he came to Van Wert County, and bought his land and started to move to it. He got as far as Allen County when his money ran out, and he was obliged to stop. Here he remained tritt . spring of Is14, when he came and settled on his own land in Libetty Township, with his wife and four children. When he landed on his place he had just ten cents left. Fortunately he brought with him four barrels of flour, one hundred pounds of meat, and fifty pounds of sug a He went out to work by the day at forty cents per day, and took his pay in corn; his wife and little boy at home clearing the kuul. In July of the same year, he and all his family were taken with the fever and agne. and lay sick till fall; during this time they had eaten all theu para- that he had brought with him, and he was compelled to go and buy corn, promising to work for it in the future. He has frequently seen the time when there was not a morsel of bread in the house after eating their breakfast.

He would take a sack on his shoulder and start for some of his weigh .. bots, several miles away, and get a sack of corn, promising to work for it. He would then borrow a house, take the corn to mill. get it ground. and bring it home in the evening. His children would jump for my at the sight of it, not having had a mouthful to cat during il dir. In this manner he lived for four years, not putting out any copy ch Le own place.

261

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

The last ten cents he had when he first came, he spent for medicine for one of his children. After this ton cents was gone he did not see any more of his own for more than a year.

This was Mr. Fhiger's commencement in Van Wert County. Since that time he has bought, and paid for four hundred acres of land. He now has a competence to support himself and family during the rest of bis days.

As his life in the past has been one of hardship. toil, and privation, it is to be hoped that his future will be one of peace and plenty, and may he live long to enjoy it.

JOHN A. SMITH

was born in Germany in the year 1826. When about six years of age he came with his mother and brother to the l'hited States, and located in Lancaster, P'a., where they remained about two years, and then removed to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Here he lived until Ists, when he came to Van Wert County. and entered S0 acres of land in section 13, Librity Township. He then commeneed to improve his bout and build a cabin. In 1854 he married Rebecca Harbenbrook, of Miami County. Mrs. Smith was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1999. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children, five of whom are still living. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: fairinda J. was born in issi. Cora was born in 1>60, Ralso b. in 1965, Celia G. in Is67, and Roseo G. in 1×69. In the year Isis Mr. Smith bought a saw-mill that had been built on his land. This burned down in 1-71. He rebuilt the mill in 1572, and attached to it shingle and moulding machines and planing will. which are still in operation.

Hle was one of the organizers of the T. D. and B. R R .. also one of the directors and principal stockholders in the road. He has been an enterprising and energetic citizen of the county, and has had the esteem and respect of the people. He has tilled the office of Infirmary Director for the county, and was Justice of the Peace from 1.53 to 1967. He has built for himself and family one of the finest farm residences in the county, a view of which is to be seen in this work.

DANIEL KOOGLE,

a son of Jacob Koogle, was born in the State of Maryland; was brought by his father, Jacob Koogle, to Richland County, Ohio, in 1819. and lo- cated in Millin Township. They first mover into the cabin in which the Seymore family had been massacred by the lilians. Mr. Kongle says he has beard his mother tell that when she would scrub the pun- cheon floor, she could see the blood-status caused by the slaughter of the Sevmore family.

In 1937 Mr. Koogle married Susan Swobeland. They moved to Van Wert County in 1:51, and loested on- section 14 in Liberty Township, where he now resides. They have three children, two still living, Tobias and Oliver.

Daniel Koogle is one of the most respected citizens of his township; is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The commenced on bis place in the woods; has cleared his farm, and now has it under good cultivation. He has retired from the active duties of the farm, aml given it into the hands of his sons who work it.

JEREMIAH AGLER,

and his wife, née Polly Putnam, settled in Liberty Township in section 19 in Is3s, though he had purchased the land April 25, 1-32. In these early days no roads had been laid out, and settlers were required to make their way to their purchased homes as well as they could. Even to pro- cure water for cooking purposes the women were required to go a con- side ralde distance to the spring, while the husband was clearing out the gromad for agricultural purposes. Mrs. Agler, as often as circumstances required, would secure two of her children to a bel-post while she, with a strap thrown over her shoulders and with a jug in each hand. would go to the spring and bring back the jugs filled with water. Such was pioneer life in this county, Mrs. Agler had three children. Ofiea while attending to Runily affairs her husband would go to Piqua, sixty miles, to have his wheat ground, and be absent several days. Sometimes for six months they did not see the face of a white person. They lived in a log cabin, and to live in it comfortably they had to carry out water by the paillul so that they could keep fire, as at that time matches were not known.

SILAS HARDMAN

was born in Virginia in the year 1544. Win Hardman, the father of Silas. was a full blood Cherokee Indian, and was in the British anas in the war of Iste. His mother was a Spanish woman. They raised a family of nine children. William Hardman died at the age of ninety-right years. Silas, the son, was in the Union army in the late war about two years; was twice taken prisoner, once recaptured by the Union army, and once escaped by jumping off the train when in motion, and escaping in the darkness.

PHILIP HARTLE

was born in Germany in 1:56. Came to America in 1852. and located in Van Wert County. His father (Jacob Hartic) was born in Germany in 1791. Elizabeth Heltman, his mother, was born in Isot. They were married in 1920. Jacob Harde diet in 1836. His wife diet Ist1. Philip Hartle married Agatha Lehman in 1857. They have eight children. When Philip Hitte started from Germany for the United States he had just forty dollars after paying his passage; this brought him as far as I'itisburg: here be found a friend who loaned him five dollars, which took him to Stark County, Ohio, He remained there for six months and worked, then came on to Van Wert County in November, 18:2. He then worked till Janvary following, for five dollars, which he returned to his friend at Pittsburg, from whom he had borrowed. He now hired out for forty dollar- per year. He worked by the year for, five years, then got married and bought himself eighty acres of land in the woods, put up a cabin and commenced life in earnest. He cleared his hand himself. and has since added to it 120 acres, all well improved. Every dollar of it earned by his own hands.

PETER BRUBAKER

was born in Franklin County. Pa., in 1814. Came to Ohio in 1833 with his parents, who settled in Stark County. In his twenty-first year he commenced to work at the carpenter trade, which he followed for a num- ber of years. In 1839 he married Catharine Agler. In the spring of 1840 he bronght his wife to Van Wert County. and bought a small piece of land in Liberty Township, and moved to the same.

Mr. Brubaker reached Liberty on the first day of May, 1840. On the 5th day of July following, his wife died, leaving him alone in the wilder- ness. In November, 1844. he married Catharine Dull, and has had ten children, five how. living. When Mr. Brubaker bought his first piece of land, he paid twenty-four dollars on it ; this was all he had. He followed his trade and paid for his land; began to improve it, and kept adding to his little place. till he now has over three hundred acres of as well improved land as there is in the township. A view of his home is shown in this work.

WERT AGLER

was born June 10, 1833. He was born in Mercer County, on the land of Mr. Schlater, where his parents were living temporarily previous to their locating on their own land in Liberty Township. The subject of this sketch is a son of Jeremiah and Mary Agler, who was the second family to locate in Liberty Township. The country being entirely a wildler- Dess, Mr. Agler by mistake settled on a wrong piece of land, chared a patch of ground, built a cabin, when he ascertained he was on another man's land adjoining his own.

Wert Agler married Auna Krick in 1863. There has been born to them two children, only one now living, viz., Delles, born in Is69. Mrs. Agler was born in Asbland County in Ist2. Mr. and Mrs. Agler, by industry and economy, have made for themselves a very nice and pleasant home. A view of his home was lithographed for this work. Jeremiah Agler died in 1:co.

MARTIN LINTEMOOT

was born in Pennsylvania in 1928. When five years of age, his father moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, where they lived till the fall of Isas, when they came to Van Wert County, and settled in Wilshire Town- ship; here he lived till the fall of 1850, when he moved to a piece of land he had bought in Liberty Township. In the spring of 1-50 he married Amanda Hacket. From this union there were born toen chil- dren, six still living. When Me Listemoot bought his land he borrowed the money to make the first payment. So he commenced in the world without a dollar. He cleared his own and cleared land for others to make the payments on his own.

Mr. L. has retired from the farm and moved to Dall Station, where he expects to spend the rest of his days enjoying the fruits of his early hard labor.

ADAM ROEDER

was born in Germany in 1-20. Came to America in 1945. First stopped in New Jersey, and remained one year there; came to Ohio and lived in Stark County till 1.52, when he came to Van Wert County, and Ine cated in Pleasant Township. Here in ISat he married Catharine fiol, by whom he has four children living. Mr. Roeder commenced in the woods on eighty acres of land, a poor man. This he partly improved, then sold it, and bought 100 geres in the woods in Liberty Township in section 3. This land he has put under a high state of cultivation. Vi. Roeder is considered one of the best farmers in the township. His aver- age crop of wheat for the past three years has been thaty bushels per aure. He says his corn crop will average for the last twenty five years. since he raised corn in the county, from forty to forty five bushels per Dere. He has recently bought another form of 160 acres, for which he paid $3150, all from the product of his own labor.

265

HISTORY OF VANIWERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN

was born in Bavaria, Germany. in 1831. Cator to the United States in 1x18, and first located in Richland County, Ohio. Here he worked on a farm and remained till 1 -52, when he went to the town of Van Wert, and engaged in the grocery and bakery lasiness, at which he continued for thirteen years. In 1-56 he married Margaret Hothoan; by this marriage they have had ten children, seven still living, viz, Charles P., John C., Benj. F. Adam P., Mary C., Emma C. and Mary E. They moved to their form in Liberty Township in 1865, where they now reside.

Mr. Hoffman has the edteen and confidence of the people of the county as well as the township in which he lives. He was elected Infirmary Director; has been Township Trustee, Township Assessor, and Land Appraiser.

JOSEPH WATT

was born in Ireland in 1791. When three years of age was brought to the United States, He married Barbara Wilbatus in Ists, who was born in Virginia in 1800. They have had nine chibben. viz .. James Henry, John, Joseph, Jane, Charles, Henry, Sarah, Williams, and Mary. Mr. Watt was a soldier in the War of 1 12, and served under Gen. C'rogan, and is now a pensioner. Three of his sons were in the late War of the Rebellion.

Wm. Watt, Esq. the youngest son of the above, was born in Guern- sey County, 1836, where he lived till 1>65; then came to Van Wert County. In 1857 he married. Margaret T. Willon ; by this marriage there has been born five children. Mr. Watt is at present Justice of the Peace of Liberty Township.

PETER PUTMAN,

was born in Somerset County, Pa., in 1>02. In 1825 he married Margaret Adams. In ISSO be brought his wife and two children to Stark County, Oblo, where he lived till September, ISES, when he came to Liberty Township, and located where he now lives, on s ton 20. When Mr. Putman first came to the township there were only four fam- ilies living in the township, viz., James Hemphill. Jerry Azler, George Clouse, and John Sbatter, and two of them had preceded him only a few days. His family at the time consisted of his wife and four children. Mrs. Putman died in 1845, leavi r seven. clabiren. In 1854 he married Sarah Neifert, by whom he has had eleven children.

JAMES PARKER, EsQ.

was born in Perry County, Ohio, 1832. Married Saloma Beery in 1953; there was born by this marriage five children; this was in Hocking County, Ohio, where they lived till 1-64, when they moved to Van Wert County, and located on section 2, Liberty Township. In the spring of 1866 his wife's health fallel, and they returned to Hocking County. where his wife died in'1567. In the year 1 70 he married Clara J. Ford, and returned to his kind in the spring of 1971; that same year his see- ond wife died. He was married the third time in I >74. to Louisa Kempf; they have two children. Mr. Parker was cheted Justice of the Peace in 1874, and served two terms; was Township Trustee two years.

EDWARD W. ROBINSON

was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in the year 1837, where he lived till 1843. His parents then moved to Knox County, Ohio, remaining there till 1856. when they all came to Van Wert County, and settled on section 9, in Liberty Township. In Ist] he married Colesta Dull, a daughter of Lenhart Dull, who came to the county in 1840. Six chil- dren were born of this marriage, five still living. Edward W. bought the homestead of his father, and now has two hundred acres of well-im- proved land, all tiled and underdrained. with good substantial build- ings, as shown by a lithographie view in this work.

SIMON KISER

was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1$32, and came to Van Wert County in 1:52. In 1855 he married Christena Snyder, a daughter of George and Margaret Snyder, who had located in Liberty in INSS. They have not had any children of their own, but have raised three for a sister who died. Jacob Kiser, the father of the above, was born in Pennsylvania in 175, and died in Isch. ENzebeth Harshman, wife of Jacob Kier, was born in 179- and died in Isso. They were married in 1-20. They had ten children. seven of whom are still living. Simon Kiser is located on section 34, Liberty Township.

DAVID BITESMAN

was born in New Jersey in Isto, where he lived till 1-37, then went to Warren County, Ohio, where he married Catherine letterly, of Clermont County, in the fall of the same year. In the summer of 155% be entered a piece of land in section 20, Liberty Township. He moved to File erty 'Township in the fall of I- 10, but did not locate on his land till in the spring of 1st1. They have raised a tantly of six children.

A Mor BELDOS

was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1>15. His father died three months before Amos was born. When five years of age he was bound out till he was twenty one years old. In 1:36 he married Lydia Weaver. There were bott by this marriage six children, three of them are still living. Mrs. Bolton died in IS5. In about one year afterwards he married Polly Mihm, by whom he has had two children-only one now living. In 1837 Mr. Beldon came to Van Wert County, and entered a piece of Inud in section 31, Liberty Township. He moved to his land in the fall of 1-41, where he now resides.

WILLIAM S. OVERHOLT

was born in Licking County. Ohio, in 1:21, married Elma Sayder in Från, and settled in Liberty Township in 1866. They have had five children, whose names are as follows, viz. : Celis E., William T .. Charles S., Perry C., and Nettie May. Mr. Overholt came to the county in Les7, and entered the 80 acres of land on which he now lives. He alter- wards bought 95 acres. The money he bought this land with lie chopped cord wood for at twenty-five cents per cord, and split mails at fifty cents per hundred. He has cleared his land with his own axe, and has his farm under good improvement.

JACOB WALLACK

was born in Pennsylvania, 1785. Married Elizabeth Haverstock, 1817. Came to Van Wert County, 1852, and located in York Township, where Buena Vista is located.

David Wallack, a son of the above, was born in Tuscarawas County. Ohio, in 1-27. He married Mary A. Smith, 1951, and came to Van Wert County in 185%, and located in section 21. Liberty Township. They have six children. viz .. John Wesley, bora 1852; James Harvey, born 1×51; Mary E., born 1>56; Leonard S., born 1>59; David II., born Isol; Willis Leroy, born 1863; and Emma E., born 1866.

JOHN SICKLE

was born in Montgomery County. Ohtio, in 1824. Came with his father's family to Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio. in 1538. There were only seven or eight families in the township before they came. 1×46 he married Emeline Stettler, a daughter of Jacob Stettler. There were born to them nine children. His wife died in IsSN. He was again married in 1959 to Elizabeth Frysinger, they have had two children.

In 1874 they moved to Liberty Township, and located in section 17, where he now resides.

W.M. HOOKS

was born in Pennsylvania, 1810. Came to Mercer County, Ohio, 1553. and located near Shore's Crossing, where he lived till the year Istl. when he came to Liberty Township. He married Lydia Harp. 1999. Peter Harp, the father of Mrs. Hooks, came to Mercer Comry in IsBE; he died in 1810. Mr. Harp died 1526. Win. Hooks bought his first piece of land in ISI0, moved on it with his wife and two clutdren in the spring of 1541. Thomas Hooks, the father of the above, was born in 1754; died 1834.

JOSEPH WERT,

the eldest son of George Wert, was born in Crawford County. Ohio, in 1$39, and married Orpha E. Loppe, of Richland County, Ohio, in 1-69. Their family consists of three children. Their names and births are as follows, viz .: George Earnest, born [7] : Anna Ba born 1-T4; sul Bantie V., born Ists. Mr. Wert now resides on section $3. Liberty Township, and has the only brick dwelling-house in the township, a view of which is shown in this work.

VALENTINE EXLINE

son of Bernard and Julia A. Estine, was born in Bedford County. Pa .. in 1209, and is a retired minister and former. In 1.32 he married Em- line, daughter of William R. and Sarah Thompson, who was born in 1-14. Their children are Sarah, William T., Margaret J. George W. Solomon, Mary, and Alfred. Mr. Exhe had three sons and one son-in- law in the Rebellion, two of whom served through the war. He entered his land in Is16, and moved on it in Is52.

J. MONROE DULL

was born in Van Wert County in 1-16, Married Martha .A. Lintemont in Isos; as a result of this marriage, nine children have been born Mr. Dull is a farmer by profession, but is engaged in merchandising and buy. ing grain, as well as Agent at Duff Station for the T. D. & B. Rantroad : he is also postmaster at the same place, and is one of the proprietors of the town, which was named after him. A fine view of his place of bu-i- hess has been sketched for this work.

266

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

JACOB CLOUSE

was born in Liberty Township, Nov. 19, 1x38. He is supposed to be the first white child born in the township. His parents came to the town- ship in September of the same year. He married Elizabeth Rousch in 1×00. They had five childtrep, three of whom are still living. His wife died in 1-77. Mr. Clouse again married Almira M. Boyer in 1-19. From this marriage there is one child. Mr. Clouse now owns and resides on the old homestead of Daniel Riley.

CALLIN T'OX

was born in Ireland in 1819, and married Mary E. Tracy, of Licking County, Ohio, in 1:43. They Have three children-Marbry N .. Elias B., and John R. Mr. Fox entered his land from the government in 1×47, but did not move to it till Is 18. In 1-62 he enlisted in the Forty. sixth Onio Volunteer Infantry, and served almost three years, was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and came home after the close of the war.

PHILIP YAUN

was born in Pennsylvania in 1831, and came with his father's family to Marion County, Ohio, in 1835. In less he married Elizabeth Detwiler, and moved to Van Wert County in Isde. and settled in the green woods in Liberty Township. Mr. Yahn now has bis farm cleared and well improved, with good buildings, all by the industry of himself and wife. They have had ten children, eight of whom are still living. He is located on section 28.

LAUREN B. SHAFFER

was born in Wayne County. Ohio, in 1840. The same year he moved with his family to Shane's Crossing, where he lived till he could baikl a cabin on his land. Lauren B. lived here till 1865, when he married Elizabeth King, and settled in Liberty Township. Esquire Shaffer has the esteem and respect of all who know him. He has helt the office of township trustee, clerk, and treasurer, and at the press ... time is filling the office of justice of the peace on his second term.

JOHN SCHLATER

was born in Fayette County, Pa., Feb. 13, 1900, and moved to Liberty Township when it was attached to Willshire Township in 1437. and settled in section 30. In that territory, at that time, there were but five or six inhabitants. By hard toil and industry he succeeded, and was regarded as one of the most active and efficient of the pioneer workers. He was one of the first officers of Liberty Township, ani was greatly interested in its material prosperity. He died Sept. 22, 1847.

WM. HI. WITTEN

was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1844. Came with his parents to Van Wert County in 1-59. Phillip Witten. the father of the above, was born in Virginia, 1501. When a child was brought to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he married Rebecca Jackson in 1832. Wm. H. married Bessie Brown in Ists, and is located on section 13, Liberty Township; is a teacher by profession.

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.

History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 73

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton Number of Pages: 878

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878