USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 56
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and original plan, and largely from a psychological and philosophical stand- point. He is a pleasant and interesting speaker and is in frequent demand for lectures and addresses upon various public occasions. He has also patented some useful inventions. Ecclesiastically, he is a Presbyterian, and soundly orthodox on all the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, though tolerant of all creeds and charitable to all. In politics he is independent, though usually voting with the Prohibitionists. In 1882 he was a delegate to the state pro- hibition convention at Columbus, and was once solicited to become a candidate for governor on that ticket, but declined.
Doctor Dague loves the retired and quiet life of a student. He has little sympathy with or interest in the wild rush for money-making that character- izes the present age. In his library, well stocked with the best books along the line of his favorite studies, or sitting under the maples, enjoying their com- panionship or that of living literary friends, who often come to visit at his home, with his desk and cases well filled with autograph manuscripts, the re- 'sults of many pleasant hours of meditative thought, or in pleasant conversa- tion with the dear ones of his own delightful household, he is content to let the rushing world surge by in its mad rush after the perishable riches whilst he is accumulating and enjoying the true wealth that can never perish, a mind well cultured and stored with knowledge, a clean conscience, a happy home. At peace with God and man, honored and respected at home and abroad, he may well look forward to a happy ending of a busy and useful life.
FOREST MOUGEY.
With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering, and with many discouragements to overcome, Forest Mougey, one of the leading citizens of the younger generation in Milton township, Wayne county, has made an exceptional success in life and is living up to the high standard of citizenship set by his ancestors. He was born on the Mougey homestead, where his father, Peter Mougey, still lives in Milton township, southeast of Creston, March 23, 1874. His father, Peter Mougey, was born September 3, 1843, on the same farm he now occupies. His father, Xavier Mougey, came from France about the year 1830 and took up the homestead and this has remained in the family every since. Grandmother Katherine Eicher was here when Xavier Mougey came, and they were married in New
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York and came to Wayne county. The county was wild and they had to make their own roads. Mrs. Mougey, mother of the subject, bore the maiden name of Mary Stoll. She was born in France and came to America when four years old with her mother, her father having died in France before she came over. There were seven girls and two boys in the family.
Forest Mougey was educated in the home schools and he remained on his father's farm until he married, when he began the pump and well business. making his home in Sterling, with the exception of a few months spent in Rittman. He was married in March, 1902, to Mertie Fetzer, daughter of Peter and Katherine (Phillips) Fetzer; the former was born on the Fetzer homestead in Canaan township. Katherine Phillips was born in Pennsylvania. Both the Fetzer and Phillips families came to Canaan township in pioneer days. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Mougey was Barnhart Fetzer, who came to this county as early as 1828 and settled in Canaan township on the land where Charles Sell now lives. This place was at that time all covered with timber, but the old pioneer was a hard worker and cleared up the land and made a good farm of it.
Mr. Mougey has made a success of his life work and is comfortably fixed in reference to this world's affairs, having a modern and nicely furnished home, and is carrying on his present line of work with a rare soundness of judgment and foresight.
One bright and interesting child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mougey, named E. Jay, whose date of birth was December 31, 1902.
In politics Mr. Mougey is a Democrat, and while he is usually too deeply engrossed in his business affairs to take much interest in local political affairs, his support may always be depended upon in furthering any movements looking toward the good of his community. He is known to be strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow men.
BENJAMIN F. KEPLER.
In giving the life record of the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch sufficient will be said to show that he is one of the enterprising and pro- gressive citizens of Wayne county, being one of the skillful agriculturists of Chippewa township, being, as the name implies, a descendant of sterling Ger- man ancestry. He was born on July 4: 1852, in Stark county, Ohio, the son of John and Nancy (Jackson) Kepler, the former a native of Germany and the
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latter born in England. The paternal grandparents of the subject lived and died in Germany, and the maternal grandparents lived and died in England. John Kepler, father of Benjamin F., was educated in Germany, having been born in the Fatherland about 1798. About 1818 he came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania and married there. He operated a woolen mill. Later he moved to Stark county, Ohio, and bought a small farm, later rented a place on which he died. He was the father of nine children, namely : Eliza- beth, Henry, James, Adam; Lydia, now Mrs. Eckrote, of La Vara, Ohio; Jemima. now Mrs. Jasper Krise, of Dundee, this state: Benjamin F., of this review.
Henry Kepler was a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in the One Hundred and Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the great battle of Gettysburg. James and Adam Kepler served in the One Hun- dred and Nineteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry from 1862 to 1865.
Benjamin F. Kepler, of this review, attended the common schools of Stark county, Ohio, until he was sixteen years of age. For a short time he worked on the home place when he became of proper age. When still a young man he came to Chippewa township, Wayne county, and began working as a butcher, following this successfully for five years, being in the employ of a Mr. Stootmiller. He then married and was employed in connection with the Silver creek mine for eleven years. He saved his money and purchased eighty- seven acres of land in Chippewa township where he now lives and on which he conducts general farming interests in a manner that makes him a very com- fortable living. His place is in good condition in every way and he has a good home and keeps some livestock and plenty of poultry.
Mr. Kepler was married on February 25, 1875, to Louisa Simmons, daughter of Michael and Mary ( Houseman ) Simmons. Mr. Simmons was a native of Germany and attended the schools of his native land, studying also in English after coming to America. At the age of seventeen years he ac- companied his parents on their immigration to this county, locating at Canal Fulton, Ohio. Besides being a good farmer, he was also an expert carpenter. He lived in Stark county a number of years, and in that county his daughter Louisa (Mrs. Kepler) was born. Mrs. Simmons was a native of Pennsyl- vania, having come from that state to Wayne county, Ohio, settling in Chip- pewa township in an early day, where they cleared a farm and had a good home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Kepler the following children were born : Laura, Charles, William, all three dying in infancy; Gertrude is the wife of Charles Coffman: Maude is the wife of Nicholas Writer; Grace died when
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about three years of age; Mary is also deceased; Lydia is the wife of Augustus Zuehrsmidt ; Ila, Bernice, Melvin and Harry are all living at home.
Mr. Kepler and his family are members of the Lutheran church at Doyles- town. Mr. Kepler is a Democrat, and he ably served as school director and clerk of the school board for eight or ten years.
HARVEY PORTER.
It is a pleasant thing to see old age and happiness go hand in hand adown the last lapse of the road of earthly life. This is as it should be, but for numer- ous reasons it is seldom seen. For happiness is the true end and aim of life, and it is the task of intelligence to ascertain the conditions of happiness, and when found the truly wise will live in accordance with them. By happiness is meant not simply the joy of eating and drinking,-the gratification of the appetite,-but good, well being, in the highest and noblest forms. The joy that springs from obligation discharged, from duty done, from generous acts, from being true to the ideal, from a perception of the beautiful in nature, art and conduct, the happiness that follows the gratification of the highest wants ; the happiness that is the result of all that is really right and sane.
Happiness seems to have been a dominant factor in the long, useful and interesting life of Harvey Porter, for many decades a well known resident of Wayne county and who is now ninety years old, for he is serene and cheerful and has ever sought to give pleasure to others. A study of his life cannot help but be beneficial. This venerable and highly honored patriarch was born in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, November 9, 1820. He re- ceived scarcely any advantages of schooling in the pioneer days of his boy- hood, and when a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at that, as also as a carriagemaker. He came to Wayne county when quite young and followed his trade in Fredericksburg, where he lived for many years and was regarded as a very skilled workman.
At the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Porter enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Wooster, and he served with much credit until the close of the war. He returned to Fredericks- burg after the war and resumed his vocation and was quite successful. He lived there until his wife died and then moved to Shreve, this county, where he lived alone.
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On June 16, 1845, Mr. Porter was married in New Philadelphia, Ohio, to Catherine Disecker, of that place, and by this union five children were born, namely : Mary Adaline, deceased; William S. lives at Big Prairie, Ohio; Priscilla E., deceased; John Newton, deceased; David, deceased. On May 13, 1884, the mother of these children passed to her rest and was buried at Fred- ericksburg, this county. Mr. Porter has ten grandchildren living, one of whom is the wife of F. E. Schauff, a conductor employed on the Pittsburg, Fort Worth & Chicago Railroad. He is a young man of sterling qualities and one who is very highly respected. An evidence of his ability and faith- fulness is seen from the fact that he has been in the employ of the same road for a period of sixteen years. He and his wife are popular with a wide circle of friends and they have a nice home over which Mrs. Schauff presides with grace, and she makes all who cross their threshhold feel welcome.
Mr. and Mrs. Schauff were married February 22, 1900. She is the daughter of Edgar and Mary A. (Porter) Welch. Mr. Schauff was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1874, and he came to Wooster, Ohio, when five years of age and has lived in this city ever since. He was reared in the Catholic faith. Politically he is a Democrat and fraternally a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Order of Railway Conductors. Mr. and Mrs. Schauff have two bright children, Frances Mary, born February 5, 1901, is attending school at Wooster, and William, who was born December 25, 1906.
Mrs. Schauff is fond of her aged grandfather and is responsible for this tribute to him. He is a bright old gentleman, still in possession of his faculties and is an interesting talker on the pioneer days. At present he is making his home at Pana, Illinois, where his brother and sister resides. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and he votes the Republican ticket. He be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
PETER MOUGEY.
An excellent representative of the progressive agricultural class of citi- zens of Wayne county is Peter Mougey, who came from an ancestry that figured prominently in the affairs of this country in pioneer times, when the country was covered with an almost interminable forest of native trees, filled with wild animals, and wilder men. His people came here from far
MRS. FRANK SCHAUFF
FRANK SCHAUFF
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across the broad Atlantic and began to carve homes from the primeval forests, build schools and churches and introduce the customs of civilization in the wilderness. They were willing to take the hardships that they might acquire the soil, and the home that was sure to rise. Francis and Fannie ( Barrett) Mougey, grandparents of Peter Mougey, were natives of France. Coming to America in an early day, they located in Wayne county, Ohio, bringing their son, Xavier, father of Peter, of this review. After remaining here for some time, the family moved to Shelby county, Ohio, and there Francis Mougey took up farming, living there until his wife died, after which event he moved to southern Indiana and there spent the remainder of his days.
The maternal grandparents of Peter Mougey were Joseph Eichert and wife, natives of Alsace-Lorraine, formerly a part of France, but now a part of Germany. This family, in which there were several sons, came to America prior to the advent of the Mougeys here, and they, too, came to Wayne county, Ohio, locating in Baughman township. Entering land from the gov- ernment, they cleared the same and developed a good farm, on which they lived and died. Christian and Jacob Eichert, sons of Joseph Eichert, assisted in opening the canal at Fulton.
Peter Mougey's parents were born in France, the father in 1811, and the mother, who was known in her maidenhod as Katherine Micher, was born in 1805. The former came to America alone, but the latter was accom- panied by his parents. They met in that country and were married there. Xavier Mougey worked in New York for several years, finally moving with his wife to Milton township, Wayne county, Ohio, and bought a farm of eighty-five acres; later he purchased the farm belonging to Mrs. Mougey's sister, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. This he cleared and im- proved and here reared his family of five children, of which number four are living at this writing, namely : Fannie, Katherine, Peter (of this review ) and Jacob, of Wooster. Xavier Mougey took considerable interest in the affairs of the Democratic party, and he served as township supervisor, and also school director and other local offices. He was a member of the Catholic church and his wife adhered to the Mennonite faith. Mr. Mougey lived to a ripe old age, dying in 1903, after an honorable and highly successful life. His wife preceded him to the silent land by many years, dying on March 11, 1869.
Peter Mougey, whose name introduces this review, was born in Milton township, Wayne county, on the farm which he now owns, September 3. 1842. He received a fairly good education in the district schools, and
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worked on the home place, which he purchased from his father in 1866, and he has since managed the same with marked success. He remodeled the house and erected good barns and he has done considerable tiling and ditch- ing, until he has one of the leading farms of the township. He has carried on general farming and stock raising in a manner that places him well abreast of the times in both. For the past five years he has rented his place to Ernest McConnell, his son-in-law, and is now living practically retired, surrounded by plenty as the fruits of his earlier years of toil and good management.
In politics Mr. Mougey is a Democrat, and he has very ably served his community as school director and has been trustee of his township many times. In 1879 he was elected county commissioner and served one term; he did not make a second effort to secure this office, preferring to give his attention exclusively to his farm.
Mr. Mougey was married September 18, 1866, to Mary Stoll, a native of France and the daughter of Jacob and Anna Stoll; the father died in France and his widow and six children came to America and located in Baughman township, Wayne county, Ohio, where the mother died. Nine children have ben born to Mr. and Mrs. Mougey, namely: Malinda, Webster, Ellen, Forest, Irene, Belle, Jessire, Catherine and Pearl; the last two named are still living at home with their parents. No family in this part of the county is better known or more highly esteemed than the Mougeys.
WILLIAM RALPH BARNHART. JR.
The paving brick business in Wooster, in which William Ralph Barn- hart, Jr., is interested, was established about twenty years ago and purchased by the gentleman of which this sketch is written, in 1906, he being the sole proprietor. This is the only business of this nature in Wayne county, and the demand for this product has rapidly increased. The capacity of this plant is seventy-five thousand paving brick per day.
Mr. Barnhart was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1877, and is the son of William R. and Catherine (Shup) Barnhart, natives of Greensburg and Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. The father is a farmer and banker of Greensburg, this state, and has long been a man of influence there.
Mr. Barnhart was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Mercersburg College, from which institution he was graduated in 1899.
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He at once entered a business career and was cashier of the Pleasant Unity National Bank at Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania, and assistant treasurer of the Merchants Trust Company at Greensburg. He came to Wooster, Ohio, in 1905 and has continued in business here to the present.
Mr. Barnhart was married on January 21, 1906, to Helen Bryce. daugh- ter of James McDonald Bryce, of Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, an old and well established family there. This union has resulted in the birth of one daugh- ter, Emily B. Fraternally, Mr. Barnhart is a Royal Arch Mason.
REV. WILL HERMAN HUBBELL.
This revered advocate of the gospel of the lowly Nazarene is one of the best known men in Wayne county, where he has for many years administered to the people in whatever way he could to better their condition. although he himself would not admit that he had done anything other than his plain duty in a small way toward the amelioration of his fellow men. He is a native of New Plymouth, Ohio, where he was born August 25. 1868, the son of Rev. S. C. and Mary L. (McWilliams) Hubbell, the former a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he was born July 29, 1830. The Hubbell family were natives of Connecticut. In the old Nutmeg state the first members of this family were prominent for many years. Rev. S. C. Hubbell was a noted minister in the United Presbyterian church. He graduated at Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, in 1862, working his way through
college : also attended Allegheny Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated April 3, 1865. He was ordained by the Muskingum presbytery. April 20, 1869. Both he and his wife are living in Wooster, this county, at present, where they are highly honored by all who know them. He was min- ister for eight years of the church at Scotch Ridge, this state. He and his wife are the parents of two boys and two girls, namely: Rev. W. H .. of this review : Addie E., deceased: Hervey H .. deceased, was an attorney at Wooster, Ohio: Myrtle A., who is engaged in business at Wooster.
Rev. W. H. Hubbell was educated in the district school. graduating from the Wooster high school in 1886 with a splendid record for scholarship. He attended the University of Wooster for three years, then took up the study of law for two years, but believing that it was his mission to spread the gospel of peace rather than pursue the prosaic and thorny road of juris- prudence, .he entered the Allegheny Theological Seminary in 1894. from
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which he was graduated in 1897, having made a very commendable record in the same. He was ordained to the ministry the same year, after which he was invited to take charge of the work at Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio, which he did in June, 1897, and has been in charge every since, rendering efficient service and building up the congregation, winning the esteem and admiration of all, for he is an earnest and forceful speaker and a conscientious worker in the cause which he represents. The members of the congregation have doubled, as have also those of the Sunday school-in fact, few United Presbyterian churches in the state are today in better condition in every way, both temporal and spiritual. Rev. Hubbell was honored by being elected moderator of the synod of Ohio in 1905, the highest office of the whole synod. This is suffi- cient criterion of his worth and standing in the synod. He very capably served in that capacity. In 1908 he was elected stated clerk of the synod of Ohio for a term of four years, a very responsible position in the church. He has also been stated clerk of Mansfield presbytery for a period of thirteen years, and, in fact, is still clerk of the synod and presbytery. He served three years as superintendent of the young people's work in Mansfield presbytery. In 1905 he was elected a member of the board of directors of the Allegheny Theological Seminary, at present holding that position and doing a very com- mendable work for the cause of education. He has been a delegate to the general assembly four times. He was three times a member of the committee of home missions of this church in the United States. Such exalted posi- tions are not given men of ordinary qualifications, but only to the leaders of men, men of high ideals and all the attributes of a genuine moulder of public opinion.
The Rev. Hubbell was married August 17, 1897, to Jeannette A. Imgard, whose birthplace was Wooster, Ohio. She is a graduate of the Music Con- servatory of Wooster, in which-institution she made a splendid record. She was born in 1871. To Rev. Hubbell and wife the following children have been born: Wilbert I., born September 22, 1898; Marie J., born October II, 1901 ; Kathryn M., born August 17, 1904; Arline L., born May 23, 1908, d'ed April 18, 1909.
Not only in church affairs has the Rev. Hubbell made his influence felt, but also in civic affairs, having been elected mayor of Dalton, this county, in 1907, and is at present holding that office, discharging the duties of the same in an able and conscientious manner, that has stamped him as an exponent of progress and the right. This is an unusual office for an active minister, but the people wanted him, as will be shown when it is learned that he was elected
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by a majority of twenty-five, the largest that any candidate ever received for the same office. Useless to say that he is making his influence felt for good through the office and is managing the affairs of the little city in a manner that has won the commendation of all concerned. He is truly a useful man, and whom everybody admires and respects for his genuine worth, his sin- cerity and his good fellowship.
ABRAM ETLING.
When a man wins his own way from an humble station and discouraging environment to success and an honorable standing in the community, his career is worthy of representation in the history of such a locality. We find in studying the career of Abram Etling, a farmer in Chippewa township, Wayne county, that such were his experiences. His birth occurred on the homestead now occupied by his brother, January 9, 1852. and he is the son of William and Abigail ( Myers) Etling. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Katherine Etling, natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1820, among the pioneers of the community where they settled. Mr. Etling did not long survive after coming here. Mrs. Etling living until 1866. The maternal grandparents of the subject were John and Mary Myers, also natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, about the same time as did the first members of the Etling family.
The maternal grandmother also took up land, two quarter sections in Chippewa township, consequently at one time this family were collectively quite extensive land owners.
William Etling, father of Abram, was born in Pennsylvania on Decem- ber 3, 1815, and his wife, Abigail Myers, was born December 18, 1822. They came to Ohio with their parents and were here married on June 3. 1841. Mr. Etling engaged in farming, and at the time of his death owned over one hundred and sixty acres in Chippewa township, where he became well known and fairly well to do. His death occurred September 27, 1892, having been preceded to the silent land by his wife only a few months, her death having occurred on January 16, 1892. William Etling was a Democrat and took considerable interest in local affairs, having held the office of trustee several terms. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, seven living at this writing.
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