USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 15
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John P. Koehler, of this review, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, near Canal Dover, February 1, 1854. Reared upon the home farm, he began working on the same when he became of proper age and attended school in the meantime, receiving a good common school education. He was married in 1879 to Amanda Beam, who was born September 27, 1860, and to this union the following children have been born; Iva, March 8, 1885, wife of J. H. Evans, of Maumee, Ohio; Leta, born August 14, 1889; Dorsy L., born June 16, 1882, died February 2, 1884 ; Derle D., born June 4, 1899.
In 1893 Mr. Koehler bought a farm of ninety-six acres one-half mile east of Apple Creek in East Union township; since that time he has greatly improved the place, built a house, which is modern and cozy, and remodeled the barn. His place is very productive and it yields a good income.
Mr. Koehler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Apple Creek and a member of the official board; he is also interested in the work of the Sunday school. In politics he is independent, exercising his own judg- ment in such matters, keeping well posted on current topics and he prefers to vote for the man rather than the party.
Mrs. Koehler was eight years of age when she came with her parents to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1860. Her parents, Amos and Rebecca ( Adams)
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Beam, purchased a farm one mile east of Apple Creek. Amos Beam was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1824. Rebecca Adams was born March 21, 1835, and her death occurred February 3, 1906, having survived her husband four years, his death having occurred December 8, 1902. They were the parents of seven daughters and four sons. Those living at this writing are given as follows: Anna, wife of Eli Braden; Elmer is living in Cleveland, this state; Alice is the wife of Cyrus Dunham, of Mas- sillon, Ohio; William, of Rochester, Pennsylvania; Charles, also living in Rochester, Pennsylvania; Celia, wife of William Hobbs, of Canton, Ohio, and Amanda, wife of John P. Koehler, of this review.
Amos Beam was one of the organizers of the Methodist Episcopal church in his locality, and he was one of the pillars of the same, always being a lib- . eral supporter of the local church and a worker in its congregation. He was a good and useful man, highly honored by all who knew him.
JOSEPH MCCAULEY BROWN.
A most exemplary citizen and an honored hero of the war of the Re- bellion is Joseph M. Brown, a prominent citizen of Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio. During his army career he was always found faithful to the duties imposed upon him, thus winning the confidence and regard of his com- rades and superior officers, while in his business life and social relations he has ever manifested the same justice, integrity and reliability, and none know him save to wish him well. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Franklin county on the 17th of December, 1834. His father, John Brown, also was a native of Franklin county, born September 3, 1803, and in 1836 came to Massillon, Ohio, with his family, consisting of his wife and son, the subject of this sketch. Massillon was then the most important trad- ing point in this section of the state, and he remained there a short time, subsequently moving to Holmes county. He was a plasterer by trade and a good workman, having been employed in that line during practically all his active years. He remained in Holmes county until 1865, when he came to Wayne county and located in Saltcreek township, where he spent his remain- ing years, his death occurring in his eighty-ninth year. He was a man of many fine qualities of character and was well liked .by all who knew him. In Pennsylvania John Brown married Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in Franklin county, that state, in 1817, her family having originally come from
JOSEPH M. BROWN
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Scotland, where they belonged to the Clan Campbell, while the Brown an- cestors were from Wales, where they were a prominent family, as they were also in the Keystone state. Mrs. Brown lived to the ripe age of eighty years. By her marriage with John Brown, she became the mother of ten children, briefly mentioned as follows: Joseph Mc., the subject of this sketch, who was the only one of the children born in Pennsylvania; George A., deceased; John D., deceased; Amy Ann died in infancy; the next two children were twins, one of whom is dead, the other, Elizabeth, now making her home in Wooster ; Joanna is the wife of Robert Hatfield, who lives north of Wooster ; Calvin S., of near Apple Creek; William and Martha.
Joseph McCauley Brown attended the early subscription schools and se- cured a fair education, which has been liberally supplemented during the subsequent years by much reading and close observation of men and things, so that he is a well informed man. He early learned the trade of a carpen- ter, which he thereafter followed during most of his active years. He re- mained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he went to northwestern Missouri, where he was employed at his trade until the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in Company F. Eighteenth Regi- ment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully from October 10, 1861, until May 5, 1865. He took part in a number of heavy engagements with the enemy, besides much skirmishing and marching, and at the battle of Shiloh, he, together with the greater part of the regiment, was taken prisoner and was kept in confinement during the following nine months, be- ing in the prison at Macon, Georgia. He there received very severe treat- ment and during a part of the time he was confined in the hospital. After be- ing paroled, Mr. Brown rejoined his regiment and was with General Sher- man on his march to the sea, and afterwards participated in the Grand Re- view at Washington. He saw much arduous service and was four times wounded. Enlisting as a private, his faithful services were recognized and he soon became a sergeant, subsequently attaining the rank of a first lieutenant. v: hich rank he held when he was mustered out at Washington.
Immediately on the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Brown came to Saltcreek township, Wayne county, and has made his home here ever since. The greater part of the time he has been at his trade of carpenter, though for several years he has not performed any hard labor, advancing years admonishing him to husband his strength. He is the owner of some fine farming land in section 15, and is in fairly comfortable circumstances. His character and life has been such that he has merited and retained the universal regard of all who know him. He has taken an active part in local
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political affairs in the interest of the Republican party, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for President. He has never sought office for himself, but has been an active and influential man in the township. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church, while his wife is an active member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Brown formerly belonged to the Fredericksburg Post, Grand Army of the Republic, but his advancing age prevented his attending the meetings and he has taken a discharge.
On the 13th of November, 1866, Mr. Brown was married to Mary Jane Dunham, who was born in Saltcreek township, this county, May 21, 1840, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Dunham, who were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown the following children have been born : Anna Alice is the wife of William Herman, of Franklin township, and they have two children; Margaret Elizabeth, now deceased, was the wife of Theo- dore First, by whom she had three children; Thomas D., who is a postal mail clerk living at Mansfield, married Emma Christman; Maud died at the age of sixteen years.
CHARLES M. SHANK.
An agriculturist of Chippewa township deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is Charles M. Shank, who was born on the farm he now owns, December 1, 1864, thus being able to gratify an am- bition which comes to but few of us-to spend our lives at the old home. He is the son of George and Esther A. (Adams) Shank, the former born Feb- ruary 13, 1837, on the same farm where Charles M., his son, now lives; Esther A. Adams was born at Easton, Ohio, July 19, 1840. Charles M. Shank's paternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth Shank, natives of Pennsylvania who came to Ohio in a very early day, making the trip in old- fashioned wagons, which required twenty-one days. They settled on a farm in Chippewa township, which a Mr. Porter had entered, and here they spent the remaining years of their lives. The maternal grandparents, Daniel and Mary Ann Adams, were natives of Pennsylvania, and they, too, came to Ohio in the pioneer days, locating near Easton, Chippewa township, where they lived a few years and then moved to Manchester, where Mr. Adams lived until his death, his widow spending her last days at Clinton with her daugh- ters. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Shank's family has been a familiar one in this county since its early settlement, and suffice it to say that each member has borne a reputation that can not be assailed.
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The parents of Charles M. Shank grew to maturity in this county and married at Akron, Ohio. On the old homestead George Shank followed farming all his life, greatly improving the land by erecting two fine houses and a barn and adding two hundred and fifty-one acres to the old homestead. He was a trustee of Chippewa township for six years and he served as school director for many years. He gave his attention principally to farming, and he was considered one of the best in the township. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat. To George Shank and wife two children were born, Charles M., of this review, and William W.
After an eminently useful and successful life. George Shank passed to his reward on March 21, 1903; his widow, a woman of many praiseworthy traits, is still living. George Shank was for many years a deacon in the Doylestown Lutheran church and he always took an active part in its affairs.
Charles M. Shank was educated in the district schools and the Clinton high school. He was reared on his father's farm, which he worked when he became of proper age, and after his father's death he continued the manage- ment of the same in a successful manner. He has devoted considerable at- tention to livestock and has become noted as a breeder of Durham cattle during the past ten or twelve years, also thoroughbred Shropshire sheep and Berkshire hogs, and no small part of his annual income is derived from this source, his stock always finding ready sales owing to their high grade. He has added to the original place until his farm now consists of two hundred and sixty acres of as good land as Chippewa township can boast. It is well improved and well managed.
Mr. Shank was married on March 26, 1890, to Ida A. Ries, a native of Wayne county and the daughter of William and Mary Barbra (Frase) Ries, old settlers of Wayne county. This union has resulted in the birth of five children, namely : Etta A., a student of the Doylestown high school ; Cora Mae, who died in infancy ; Milo Clifford ; Howard Leland and Florence Lucile.
Mr. Shank is a Democrat in his political affiliations, at present ably serving his township as trustee; in January, 1910, he had held that office for seven years and nine months. He has also been on the township school board for a period of five years, and he has held various other local offices. He and his wife are members of the Doylestown Lutheran church. They hold high rank in the social circles of this vicinity as a result of their many commend- able traits of character.
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GEORGE LANDIS.
It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the keynote of prosperity. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful celerity, and it has been by such means that George Landis, the pres- ent popular and capable manager of the Doylestown State Bank, has forged to the front and won an honored place among the substantial citizens of Wayne county. He is widely known as a man of high character, and for a number of years his influence has been marked and salutary. He was born at Wellington, Lorain county, Ohio, October 26, 1869, the son of George and Elizabeth (Leatherman) Landis. His paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth Landis, where natives of Pennsylvania where they lived, and they died in Ohio: his maternal grandparents, John and Rebecca Leatherman, were also natives of Pennsylvania; they moved to Medina county, Ohio, in a very early day and died there.
George Landis, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania in 1829 and his wife, Elizabeth Leatherman, was born in Medina county, this state, in 1838. Eight children were born to them. Mr. Landis was a pioneer farmer and saw-mill man in his community and he did a great deal of work in both, developing his farm and cutting timber in the winter months, having been very com- fortably situated on his farm when he died. It was in 1868 that he moved to Wayne county and settled in Rittman and there lived until his death in 1890, having been killed in his own saw mill. He was a stanch Mennonite and he lived a quiet and retired life, giving his exclusive attention to his personal business affairs and to his family. He was regarded by all who knew him as a man of more than ordinary attainments, although he never sought to make any outward display, being reserved. He was truly a good and useful man. He and his wife were the parents of these children, namely: John; Mary, living in Portland, Oregon; Frank, superintendent of the Coppen mine in Virginia ; Amanda, Elizabeth, George (of this review),' Allen and Sarah. The mother of these children died in 1875.
George Landis, Jr., was educated in the common schools of Rittman, graduating from the high school there in the class of 1889. He very early manifested a taste for a mercantile life, and when he had finished his educa- tion he entered the mercantile business in Rittman, remaining in the same for a period of six years. He prospered and, desiring a broader field for his operations, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for a period of twelve years, doing an extensive business there in the mercantile line. For
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six years before his graduation he worked in a store in Rittman for a Mr. Apade, attending school in the meantime. In 1903 he went to Cleveland.
Observing an excellent field for a bank at Doylestown, this county, Mr. Landis came here from Cleveland and organized the Doylestown State Bank, of which he is cashier and manager at this writing, and he has succeeded in building up the prestige of this institution along safe and sound lines, until it is widely patronized and has a reputation second to none in the county. He seems to have a natural ability for banking and performs his duties in a man- ner that elicits nothing but favorable comment from all concerned.
Mr. Landis was married in 1893 to Laura Amstutz, the accomplished and affable daughter of Jacob Amstutz, mentioned elsewhere in this work. The Amstutz family has long been a prominent one in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Landis one child has been born, named Glen, a bright and interesting lad, now a student in the Doylestown high school.
In his political relations Mr. Landis is a Republican and, although he has been solicited by his friends to take public office, he has persistently re- fused to do so, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his personal affairs. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Sterling Lodge, No. 173, and the Foresters, Court Levan, Cleveland, Ohio.
Personally Mr. Landis is a straightforward, honest and painstaking busi- ness man, courteous and obliging, and in the social circles of this vicinity he and his wife stand high, and none are more deserving of the honor and es- teem of the community.
WILLIAM HENRY WRIGHT.
To such men as William Henry Wright life is so real that they do not find time to plot either mischief or vice. Their lives are bound up in their duties, they feel the weight of their citizenship, and take pleasure in sowing the seeds of uprightness in order that their contemporaries and their de- scendants may be benefited. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, Novem- ber 9, 1849, the son of Ephraim and Katherine (Wideman) Wright. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Betsy Wright, natives of Pennsyl- vania and of German descent. They came to Ohio about 1836 or 1838, and located in Medina county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandparents, Jacob and Catherine Wideman, were natives of Can- ada, the former having been a Britishi soldier in the American Revolution,
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and early in the nineteenth century he came to the United States, locating in Medina county on a farm which he cleared and improved ; he made his own brick and built one of the largest and finest homes of that time in his county. There he lived until his death, having nearly reached his ninetieth milestone. Ephraim Wright was born in Pennsylvania in 1825, and his wife, Katherine Wideman, was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1829. They were married in this state, Mr. Wright having come here with his parents in his youth. He was a carpenter by trade ; however, he followed it but a few years, when he purchased a farm in 1856 on which he spent the remainder of his life. He was one of the first to support the Republican party and he remained a loyal supporter of the same. He was for some time justice of the peace, also served as township trustee and in other minor offices. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters; those living are, W. H., of this review ; E. J., E. F., O. O., Dora M. and Charles.
Ephraim Wright was known as a man of firmness and justice and al- ways fair in his dealings with his neighbors, who looked upon him as an adviser. He died October 7, 1891, his widow surviving him until in Novem- ber, 1903.
Wlliam Henry Wright was educated in the common schools of Wads- worth township, Medina county, also at Doylestown under Professor Harshey. He was reared on the home farm and when he reached maturity he quite naturally took up farming for himself. Later he carried on a lumber busi- ness and finally went into the tile business, making a success of whatever he turned his attention to. On March 1, 1892, he came to Wayne county and located at Rittman and began the manufacture of drain tile, a business he continued for a period of fourteen years. For the past three years he has lived retired, surrounded by plenty as the evidence of his former years of thrift and industry. He is the owner of three very valuable farms, one in Summit county and two in Wayne county. On his farm near Rittman a large dairy is conducted, about twenty-five cows being kept-Holstein cattle-and he is the only dairyman in this vicinity ; he finds a ready market for his prod- ucts, most of which goes to Akron. He is a man of rare soundness of judg- ment and business ability.
Politically, Mr. Wright is a Republican, and though often solicited by his neighbors and political leaders to accept public office, he would never do so. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Wright was married March 4, 1871, to Christa Eichelberger, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to this state in her girlhood, her parents
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locating in Summit county. Her father, Gabriel Eichelberger, became well known in his community. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of eight children, named as follows : Grant Q., William E., Ada M., Maud I., Harry E. G., Raymond Arthur (deceased), Charles Nelson and Susie Lucile.
No family in the county stands higher in social and business circles, the Wrights having been prominent here since the early days.
HOWARD ROY McFADDEN.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful agriculturists of Wayne county is Howard Roy McFadden. He is public spirited and thor- oughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his locality, and for a number of years he has been num- bered among its most valued and honored citizens.
Howard R. McFadden is a native son of Wayne county, Ohio, having first seen the light of day at Smithville, on the IIth of March, 1879. He is the son of Robert and Mary (Bucher) McFadden, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and died March II, 1907, and the latter born in Me- chanicsburg, Ohio. The McFadden family is of Scottish origin and in the members of the family are to be found those characteristics which make the Scots so desirable an element in our great cosmopolitan population. The subject's father, Robert McFadden, came from Pennsylvania to Smithville, Wayne county, in 1864 and for awhile he operated rented land. Being stic- cessful in his operations, he was enabled, in March, 1884, to buy a tract of one hundred and two and a half acres in the southern part of Congress town- ship, which he made his home until his death, in 1907. He was a supporter of the Republican party in politics and his religious belief was that of the Dunkard church. To Robert and Mary McFadden were born four children, namely : Elmer, a farmer in Congress township; Henry, a farmer in Ches- ter township; Harvey, a farmer near Lattasburg, Ohio; Howard R., the sub- ject of this review.
Howard R. McFadden secured his education in the district school com- tronly known as the Fairview school, in the northern part of Congress town- ship, and his boyhood days were spent in the labors of the farm. He re- mained with his father until he had attained his majority, when he went to Ashland, Ohio, and learned the trade of a gas-fitter, at which he was em- ployed eight years. On the death of his father, he returned to the home
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farm and has since had charge of it. His mother lives with him. Mr. Mc- Fadden is an energetic and progressive man and applies twentieth century methods to his agricultural operations. He keeps the place at a high stand- ard of excellence and his labors are rewarded with abundant harvests in season. The farm buildings are kept in good repair, up-to-date machinery is used in the operation of the place and the appearance of the premises indi- cates the owner to be a man of excellent taste and sound judgment.
On the 26th of November, 1899, Mr. McFadden wedded Fern Het- tinger, who was born in Creston, Ohio, the daughter of Hess Hettinger, now a resident of Ashland, Ohio. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed in the birth of one child, a boy, Ken- neth, born September 22, 1900. Mr. McFadden gives his support to meas- ures for the general good and is accounted one of the progressive and prac- tical young men of the community.
OLIN LEE KEAN, M. D.
The readers of this work are doubtless familiar with the name Kean, not merely because the Doctor's name has become a household word throughout this locality, but also because his ancestors played an important part in the affairs of the same for many years, establishing reputations for honor and industry and making successes of whatever line of endeavor they turned their attention to. Dr. O. L. Kean was born on the farm where he now resides in Plain township, Wayne county, in 1857, the son of D. C. and Elizabeth (Brubaker) Kean. The former was born on the same farm on which the subject lives, and his wife was born in Ashland county, Ohio. The pa- ternal grandparents of the subject were William and Elizabeth (Case) Kean. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio. William Kean was one of the pioneer teachers in Plain township. Joseph and Sophia Kean were the parents of William Kean. The Kean family originally came from Scotland and settled in the New England states, later coming to Pennsylvania. In 1816 Joseph Kean brought his family from Pennsylvania to Ohio and lived one winter near where the McBride school house now stands in Wooster township. He then entered the eighty acres of land where the subject now resides. He was injured while building his log house and never did much work afterwards. William Kean cleared the place and in all accumulated two hundred acres of land, nearly all of which he cleared. Augustus Case, great-grandfather of Dr. O. L. Kean
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and father of Mrs. William Kean, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandparents of Dr. O. L. Kean were George and Elizabeth (Birket) Brubaker, natives of Pennsylvania who came to Ohio about 1834 and settled on a farm in Ashland county where they spent the remainder of their lives.
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