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 98
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 98
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William Overly, the father of David, was born near Columbus __ f.j. lowed farming, and remained there until 1842. His wife's name way Ann Miller Bixter. Both his parents are dead.
JOSEPH VAN SIDENBENDER.
His genealogical record is as follows : His grandfather, George Sidenbender, married Susan Brandle, who lived near Harrisburg, Pean- sylvania, and who removed to Ross County, Ohio, about the year food Their children were Henry, John, Margaret, Polly, George, Enzalati. Joseph, Samuel, and Richard.
Joseph Sidenbender married And Van Gundy in Ross County. although the family of Van Gundys were from near Harrisburg. Their children were Mary, Ellen, Elvin B., Mille Ans, Fezatt . Joseph V., Seymour B., and Maria Jane. He settled near Mendon m 1831. His fonds were only $160. He bought eighty artes of Mind the $100 ; two horses, our cow, ten bushels of corn, and had sto let. ile brought with him on horse and wagen.
Joseph Van Sidenbender was born February 20. 1511. and w. married to Mary Ann Whitthey, of this county. He respled me'ul Shanesville as a farmer. Has two clubben, Carrie and Etta
He has filled the offer of Assessor two terms, and also that o Auditor, which he is at present occupying.
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369
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
JAMES GRIMES LOUGHRIDGE,
son of William and Elizabeth M. Grimes Loughridge. His father was the seventh son of Edward L. and Margaret Lougluidge. The two eldest were killed in Ireland by the falling of a house, and the family emigrated to America in Ists and settled in Wilmington, Delaware, where they remained four years, and then removed to Harrison County, Ohio, and in 1836'to Mercer County. Both parents died here. He was a weaver. The children of his father were Edward, Robert, James, Matthew, William, Joseph, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Jane.
James G. Loughridge was born December 29, 1829, in Washington Township, Mercer County, and received a common-school and also a professional education. He graduated at the Law School of Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 17, 1867, and was admitted as an attorney. He settled at Portland, Indiana, remained one year, and settled in Celina in 1869, . and opened an office.
He married Mary J. Nickel in 1871, daughter of Benjamin and Julia A. Corkle Nickel, of Mercer County. Their children are Mertie May, William Benjamin, and James Leslie.
He was school examiner from 1870 to 1876.
John Q. Grimes, the grandfather, was in the war of 1812 at Bladens- burg and at Baltimore and the killing of Gen. Ross.
DR. DAVID RUSH.
His grandparents resided near Philadelphia on a farm, and had three children-Catharine, George (who lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania), and Jacob.
Jacob married Hester Angle, of Big Spring, near Blair's Gap, Cum- berland County, Pennsylvania, in 1>32. Their children-John, Eliza- beth, Rhodie, Sarah, and Daniel. He moved to Darke County in 1832, and received a good classical education, and studied mecheine with Drs. Hetzler and Hammond, and afterwards graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College in I>63.
Dr. Rush went to the army as surgeon of the 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Lientenant-Colonel W. H. Young, his services embracing two years. The first battle the regiment was engaged in was at Chickamauga; through the Atlantic campaign, the Franklin and Nashville battles, and returned home.
In August, 1865, he resumed the practice of medicine.
Dr. Rush married Elizabeth Le Bloud, daughter of Gideon Le Blond, November, 1878. Hlas one child. Elgar David.
In 1870 be entered into partnership with Dr. S. N. Touvelle in the drug business. Capital invested, $3000.
DAVID HELLWARTH
is the son of Michael and Margaret Hellwarth. He came to America from Wartenburg when a young man, and lived near Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania, engaged as a farmer; afterwards moved to Celina, Ohio. Was one of the first settlers, and bought his land from the government. There was no town here, but on a beach tree there was a blaze, upon which was written Celing. His nearest neighbor was eight miles dis- tant, at Shane's Prairie, where he went to buy his provisions. He moved to this place with one yoke of oxen.
. He married in Little York, York County, Pennsylvania, his wife, whose name was M. Lockmeyer, and by her had children-Caroline, John and Michael, Joseph, George F., David, Benjamin, Stephen, Lydia, and Louisa.
€ David received a good education, and was brought up to merchandis- ing with William Diekman, with whom he afterwards entered into part- nership, and the oldest firm in Celina, being established in 1867. He married Miss M. J. Adams, of Celina. Their children are Leroy, Wash- ington, Agues, and Kenneth Dennison. Capital invested in real and personal property, $25,000.
His father served seven years in the German army at Wurtemburg.
REV. C. N. BELMAN,
although not a resident of this county, has been so closely identified with the history of one of the churches that he is justly entitled to recognition in this volume. He was born in Lucas County, Ohio, in Is12. and in 1865 was married to Emily 1 .. Abring, who was a native of New York. being born in that State in Ist7. They were married at Regor, Inca- way County, Michigan, at which place the family sull resides. Their children are named, Charles N., Marian S., George S., and Mary R. Post office address, Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio. Mr. Belman served three years in the late war, one year bring in the infantry service, from which on account of disability he was detailed as dispatch carrier at General R. S. Granger's headquarters. At the end of three years he was honorably discharged from the service. In tins he became con nected with the Church of God, an bin beit was ordained as a regular minister of Uns denomination He has been the leading spirit of this denomination in Mercer County, and to his labors the church is indebted for the foothold it has secured in this county.
JOHN GILLESPIE BLAKE
His father, John G. Blake, married Miss Nancy Guy, and he was born Ang. 7. 1825. His brothers and sisters were Robert G., Samuel. David F., Rebecca, Mary Jane, Perry, and Margaret. Of these, Samuel and Rebecen are dead.
His father came from Rockledge County, Va., and settled in Gallic County, Ohio, and thence to Mercer County, Det. 20, 1833. He worked as a farmer, carpenter, and cabinet-taker until 1852.
Sheriff John G. Blake, who was born in 1825, married Miss Catharine Merk, of Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1850, and they have four chit- dren-John Wesley, Thomas J., George W., and Richard Warren, all of whom are living except Richard W.
In 1872 he was deputy sheriff, elected sheriff in 1979 and 1881, and served as marshal of Celina in 1877 and 1-78. J. G. Blake, his father. was in the war of 1812. He resided in Recovery Township, and died in 1863, and often spoke of his remembering when there were but eight families in the township.
AUGUSTUS FANGER,
son of Christian and Henrietta Schrader Fanger. Their parents emi- grated to America in 1852. They were six weeks crossing the ocean .. They took vessel at Hamburg, and landed at New York. Their children were Edward, Sophie, Christian, Augustus, Charles, Ferdinand, and Matilda.
Augustus Fanger was born October 16, 1840, in Germany. He re- ceived a German and English education. He was a clerk in Celina until the war broke out and he enlisted October 16, 1861, in Company F, Fortieth Ohio Cavalry, under W. Shoemaker. He served three years, and was discharged at Columbia, Tennessee, October 20. 1961.
He was in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Kilpatrick's raidl. around by Savannah, Georgia, the battle of Nashville, and many skir- mishes.
After the war Augustus Fanger commenced the drygoods business. Capital stock invested $6,000. Real estate >7.000.
Ile married Julia A. Nickel, daughter of Benjamin and Julia A. Cor- kle Nickel, on May 16, 1865, and has the following children : Franklin, Benjamin, Marietta, Miller, William, and Charles.
C. D. HIERHOLZER.
Conrad Hierholzer and Catharine his wife emigrated from Bauten to Amerien in 1933, Their children are named Joseph, John. Martin, Julia Ann, and Mary.
Charles D. Hierholzer was born February 17. 1850, and married Mary Buscher, from Hanover, September 3, 1873. His son is named Edward. He received a good education in Senees and Mercer counties, and was raised on a farm. In 1973 he entered the store of J. R. Churchill as a clerk, and remained two years. In 1575 he opened a drygoods store. with hats, caps, and notions, and engages four clerks, and has a capital of $12,000.
The building he occupies is owned by himself, built of brick, three stories high. on the corner of Fayette and Walnut Streets. The first floor is ovenpied by two stores and the post office; second floor. the dwelling part for the family, and the third the Masonic Hall.
The wife's parents settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1943.
WILLIAM CRON
is the son of John Cron. He came from Germany when about twenty- three years of age, and worked at blacksmithing at Canton, Ohio, and settled at Marysville, Marion Township. He married Theresa Mever. Their children were John, Jacob, Mary. William, and Adam.
Willican Cron was born in December. IN43, at Marysville, and became , a farmer. After his father's death he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there to Marysville, and thence to Indianapolis, where he learned his trade, having served four years. In 1s69 be settled in Celina at his trade, on the lot where he now lives.
He married Lizzie Hierholzer in January, IST1. Their children are John. Albert, and Flora.
With his blacksmithing he has established a wagon and carriage factory. Number of hands employed. 7; capital stock, $-000. He owns a brick dwelling-house, factory, and two lots.
MARTIN SCHUYLER,
son of John B. and Eliza Turner Schuyler. His parents resided in New York, although he was a native of New Jersey, and his wife was the daughter of John Turner, of Maryland.
Martin Schuster left New York in 1853, and settled in Severa County, Ohto, and remained there until ISER, then removed to Mercer County. and devoted his entire time to his profession, that of land surveying combined with teaching. When he came to Mercer County he taught schools in many places. He has held the alice of county streeter ler many years, his duties having been well and acceptably performed. Vi Schuyler was born on the banks of Servea lathe, eight miles from Geneva.
310
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
HERMAN HENRY PULSKAMP
was the son of Henry and Maria C. Pul-kamp; was born July 25, 1930. He received a good education. Taught school in Franklin County, Indiana, and learned the wagon-making business in Cincinnati, Ohio. In Isce he moved to Mercer County. and carried on the business at Marie Stein P. O. He was elected justice of the peace in 1963. and served as such for eleven years ; also school director and other offices. In 1875 was elected county treasurer, and was re-elected in Isit.
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Mr. Pulskamp was married to Maria Ann Sheaffer in 1854. Their children are Maria Catherine, Herman, John Henry, John, Bernard, George Frank, and Edward Henry.
He was drafted in 1842, but furnished a substitute.
His grandfather was in the Seven Years' War in Germany.
JOHN WALLACE MCK EE.
John McKee was married to Miss Landsdale and settled in Allen County, Indiana, in 1825, and followed the occupation of a cabinet- maker and farmer. His children were Thomas I ... Reuben R., William J., and Nelson R. His first wife having chied in 1835 he married Mary Wallace, and the children by this marriage were Annie E., Charles West- ley, Martha, Mary, Sarah, and John Wallace MeKee, who was born in Allen, Clarke County, Ohio, in Is51.
He received a good common education, and was instructed in the clock and watch-making and it- collateral branches in Celina and Sidney. In IST7 he commenced business in Celina, and ranks as one proficient in his calling. Capital invested 82000. Mr. MeKee was married to Miss Jane Kelsey, of St. Mary's, on November 15, 1879.
MICHAEL FELDHEISER.
His parents, George and Johanna Waltrick Peldlheiser, cungrated from Germany and settled in Batter County, Ohio, in 1839. Their children were Frederic, Mary, Michael, Catharine, Christian, Andrew, Jacob, and George.
The parents moved from Butler County to Liberty Township, and from there to Celina, in 1819.
Michael Feldheiser was born in 1945, and received a good common- school education, and learned the tinsmith business in St. Marys with Mr. E. F. Gross. After viewing many places to make a permanent set- tlement he opened an establishment in Celina in 1ses, and has continued in the business. Ifis real estate, personal property, and store are estimated at 85000.
He married Elizabeth Sommertinger-has two daughters, Lillie and Lewetta.
THORNTON SPRIGOS
was the son of William and Mary Wilson Spriggs. They came to this county in 1:10. William and Margaret Wilson are the parents of Mrs. Spriggs. Mr. William Springs died in 1-15 and his wife in 1850.
Thornton Spriggs, their son, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1836, and was raised on a farm, and is also a stock-raiser. He married his wife, Jane Wilson. Oct. 21. 1558. She was born in 1>3s. Their children are William, Seth, Daniel, John, James, Henrietta, Lucretia, and Charles.
He served four years as assessor, and sheriff of Mercer County four years, from 1870 to 1>74. He had three uncles in the Revolutionary war, one of whom was a colonel, another a captain, and the third a private.
His wife's brother and his own brother were in the Rebellion, and he was drafted; but furnished a substitute.
PRESTON ADELBERT ELLIS,
of Celina. Mercer County, Ohio, is the son of Oliver and Eleanor Ellis, who settled in this county as early as 1557, and may be ranked among its early pioneers, He was born in Shanesville, November 11, 1815, and received a good education.
June 14, 1-71. he was married to Miss Harriet Hetter, daughter of Jacob and Pameter Hefter, of Greenville, Parke County, by whom a son was born, and named Frank Luz rne Ellis.
Mr. Ellis is engaged in the hotel business in Celina, and by strict at- tention to business, habits of economy, industry, and temperance, has secured the approbation and good-will of his fellow-citizens. His hotel is known as the Ellis House.
WILLIAM H. BERRY
is the owner of the Crockett Mill, which was built in 1963. It was originally built as a saw mill, and changed to a tour and saw mill to run la steam. The engine is 40-horse power with four pair of burrs. In twenty-four hours it can manufacture forty-five barrel, of flour. It occu- pies there lots.
JOHN MILLIGAN,
son of Dr. Dixon Milligan, was born October 11, 1815, at Portland, Jay County, Indiana. He was raised at Fort Recovery, and received a part of his education at Newport, Rhode Island. After the war he went to Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated in 1867 at the United States Naval Academy.
He returned home in the fall of 1869, and entered into the banking business in 1871 as cashier of a building and loan association. Dr. Dixon Milligan and Hon. T. J. Godfrey and John Milligan bought it out and established the present bank in 1872. John Milligan married Rachel Fox June, 1969; and they have been blessed with a boy, whom they named Alviere.
SETH S. SNYDER,
son of Henry and Sarah Smith Snyder, lived in Greene County, Ohio, and afterwards moved to Logan County. Their children were Joseph, Lydia, Isaac, Sarah, Seth S., A. P. J. Suyder, Jonathan, and Mary. Seth S. was born Nov. 10. 1825.
Seth S. Snyder was brought up at Bellefontaine, received a good edn- cation, and learned the printing business. He owned and edited the Western Standard in 1850, and continued therein until 1804.
He married Elizabeth Doke. Their children William, Jennie, Edmund, Charles, Eli H., and Bertha.
Hle has filled the following offices -acceptably to the people : mayor, councilman, -school director, justice of the peace, auditor, and township clerk.
STEPHEN ANDREW ARMSTRONG.
William Armstrong, his father, came to this country in 1837. settled in Philadelphia a short time, then went to Montreal, Canada. He was a machinist in England, and from thenee to Mercer County in 1847, and died March 20, 1-50.
Stephen A. Armstrong was born December 18, 1848. in Montezuma. Franklin Township, and received a literary and scientific education, studied law and graduated at the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1872. and settled in Celina.
He married Alice Shipley December, 1870. Their children were Wil- liam B., Russel L., and Samuel Floyd.
He taught school in 1970-1, was elected prosecuting attorney in ISTC- 80, worked at printing for three years at the Standard office. He rauks as one of the self-made men of this couifty.
CHARLES FANGER
was born in Mecklenberg. Germany, in 1813, and emigrated to America in June, 1853. His parents were Christian and Henrietta Schroider Fanger. Theirchildren'snames are Edward, Christian, Augustus, Charles, Ferdinand, and Sophia." The family settle two miles west of Celina, on the turnpike. Christian Fanger was a cabinet-maker, but became a tan- ner. He died in 1863.
Charles Fanger received a good education, and learned cabinet-making. He has an interest in the Hole & Fanger grist-mill, also in the hardware store of Krensch & Fanger.
Charles was married to Miss Susan Hole, and has four children -- Lucinda, Henriette, Fanny, and the babe.
VAN BUREN BAKER
married Miss Martha Martin, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Wea- ver Martin. She was born Nov. 4. 1840. Their children are William. Joel, Marion, Marcellus, Adela Regina, Antonietta Lora, and James Donnel Cameron.
He received an academic and collegiate education, and graduated at Jefferson College. Washington County, Pass and since his graduation bas devoted himself to teaching. He has been the principal of schon.s of the higher grades in Classville, Burgettstown, East Liverpool, Beaver Falls, Sidney, and Celina, and had the honor of establishing the Clays. ville ( Washington County, P'a.) Normal School.
JACOB SCHUCK,
a native of Germany, was born March 19, 1821, and came to this county in July, 1847. He was married April S, IstG, to Caroline Alles, who was born in Germany in June, 1823, Their children are named Jacob, Margaret. Catharine, Caroline. Torrance, Joseph, Adam, and Mary.
Mr. S. has a fine farm near Celina, which gives evidence of his indus- try and energy.
ELISHA POMIJAITS
died October 16, 1991. From his entrance into Mercer County in 1-11 until his death, he was identified with every step of Mercer County's progress. He was known to every citizen, and his standing in the com- munity was unexcelled.
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RES. OF J.F .. BLIZZARD. COR. OF FAYETTE & MILL ST'S.
RES OF A. P J SNYDER , COR. OF ASH AND MARKET ST'S
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RES. OF GEO. W. WOODEN, MENDON, OHIO.
RES. OF JACOB KREUSCH, FAYETTE ST. CELINA, MERCER CO. OHIO
373
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
J. P. LE BLOND,
son of Gideon and Jane Patterson Le Blond, was born April, 1843. and married Miss Belle Milligan. He received a good English education, and commenced business in 1865.
CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
This township is bounded north by Union, east by Auglaize County, south by Jefferson, and west by Hopewell Town-hip. The surfare is generally level, although rolling enough for drainage, which is largely facilitated by artificial systems. The land is fertile and highly produc- tive of all the cereals, although cora is the principal product. The town- ship is as a whole rather well improved, although some very heavy timber tracts may still be seen. The past few years have contributed richly to the development, and forests have faded away, splendid residences and comfortable schools and churches may be seen on every hand. The peo- ple are industrious, and to the new homes they set out to erect they gave a color of taste which adds to the home-likeness of each improving farm. With a knowledge of the importance of education schoot-houses have been erected and teachers employed, until for intelligence the township will compare favorably with any in the county. The people are largely, almost exclusively, of English descent.
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Organization.
The township was organized June 2, 1834, in response to a petition by citizens of town 5 south, rauge 3 east, and the first election was by order of the county commissioners hehl at the house of Win. Bonifield, June 21, 1834.
Statistics, 1880.
Acres of land 19.188; value $375.9$5. Arable land 9,957 acres; wood- land 9.052 acres. Population 1.456.
Election: Secretary of State, Charles Townsend ( Rep.) 186: Wm. Lang (Dem.) 176; President, James A. Garfield ( Rep.) 154; Winfield S. Hancock (Dem.) 179; James B. Weaver (G.) 3. In 1931 the vote for governor stood, 117 for Charles Foster ( Rep.), 134 for John W. Bookwalter (Dem.), and 19 for Abraham R. Ludlow (Pro.).
NEPTUNE.
This village is conveniently located in the township, and serves not only as a postoffice but also as a trading point for the immediate locality. It has perhaps passed the days of its greatest usefulness, and is probably more a monument of yesterday them a utility of today. Too close to Celina, too close to St. Mary's, and too close to Mendon, location favored all these towns to its detriment, until the school-house and post-office have become its chief features. These are much, however, for the school-house everywhere, if properly or even hall utilized. is worthy at all times and place of an obeisance on the part of every American citizen. From time to time a general store and grocery have largely supplied the home patron- age, while a blacksmith shop is perhaps more liberally patronized than either of the stores. The town has a governing name, but sometimes "there is nothing in a name."
The village is located on section 14, in Centre Township, Mercer County, on the old Fort Wayne road, seven miles northwest of St. Marys. In 1827-8 William Bonifield settled on the land, male improve- ments, cleared away the forests, the the land for farming purposes for a number of years or until December 2, 13Si, when he caused a survey of lots to be made, and gave the place the name of Neptune. Shortly after Mr. Bonifield's seulement where Neptune now stands he engaged in the hotel business, or kept what they called a travellers' home, for the accommodation of the extensive travel on the old Fort Wayne road. it being the only thoroughfare to the West. He also kept a small store in connection with his hotel.
About 1838 Benjamin Nichols came on from Pennsylvania and stopped with Mr. Boniticht for several year-, and after the death of Mr. B. Mr. Nichols took charge of the hotel and store, and conducted the business for many years. In 1839 Jason Hall and family, and Atwater Hall and family settled in the village, and soon after came Mr. Keyser, better known as Doc. Keyser, who is still a citizen of the village. In 1865 Henry Lacamp engaged in the mercantile business in Neptune, and con- duoted the business a number of years. At present it contains a popu- lation of about one hundred and twenty-five, two dry goods and general stores, one grocery store, including the postoffice, three wagon and three two churches, Baptist and Church of fiel, and a two-stors brick school- house, in which they have a graded school taught every winter.
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CHURCHES.
History of the M. E. Church in Mercer County. By T. Hankins.
In 1828, Robert Finley, after having served the Presbyterian Church twenty-five years, and the Methodist Church about the same length of time, came to St. Marys (then Mercer County), he being then on the superannuated list. It does not appear that he came by the authority of the church or voluntarily, but he was seeking "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Here he found a few who had not lost their religion by emigrating. among whom were the families of Cuthbert Vinson and that of H. Major. In the year 1929 a camp meeting was hell at St. Marys, at which there were a number of conversions, and the little society was greatly encouraged and built up. Bro. Finley was assisted at this camp meeting by Messes. Ww. H. Raper and John F. Wright. He then extended his mission westward to Twelve Mile, Shane's Prairie, and Wilshire.
In 1830 Abraham Millice was sent to do missionary work. He was succeeded by James B. Austin and John Wood, Then another camp meeting was held, which was conducted by Robert Finley, James B. Finley. and James W. Finley, after which the work was greatly extended. St. Marys Mission included Shane's Prairie, Willshire, and Sugar Ridge. Van Wert County. Kalida. Putnam County, and contained all there was of Methodism in the territories of Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam, Allen, and Auglaize counties.
in the fall of 1831 Joseph Hill and a Mr. Frey came as missionaries. The work then began to assume a more systematic form. A four weeks' circuit was formed, which included all the counties above named. Some of the appointments were a day's journey distant, and the minister was compelled to carry subsistence for himself and horse with him.
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