USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 18
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REV. ALOYS M. FISH, O. M. C.
Rev. Aloys M. Fish was born in Albany, New York, in 1869, and acquired his early education in the parochial, pub- lic and high schools of that city, later attending the Fran- ciscan Seminary at Syracuse, New York. He afterward went abroad and completed his theological studies in Rome, where he remained seven years, being ordained to the Catholic priesthood in that city. After he returned to America he began teaching in St. Francis College, Trenton, New Jersey, and he there remained for six years, becoming during that time deeply interested in prison reform work. So effective were his activities along this line that in 1896 he received the official appointment of Catholic moral instructor at the state prison at Trenton. During the years of his work in this capacity he was a close student of modern methods and problems of prison life and discipline and cooperated in the advancement of humanitarian and reformatory treatment of
(Per) Aloys'm Fish
o.m.c.
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the confined criminal, both in the state of New Jersey, where he was the author of a number of laws that remolded the present system of that conservative state, and in the country at large, where as a member and officer of the American Prison Association and as president of the Penal Chaplains Association he stood in the front ranks of advocates of more enlightened methods in prison control.
Father Fish remained in Trenton until 1912, when he re- ceived the appointment as pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, coming to this city June 1 of that year.
JACOB P. BARNTHOUSE.
One of the most progressive, far-sighted and able busi- ness men of Upper Sandusky is Jacob P. Barnthouse, now controlling an important and extensive patronage as a wool buyer. He also handles sheep, obtaining for them a ready market, and is one of the large land owners in this part of the state, owning five hundred and thirty acres of land, lying partly in Marion county and partly in Wyandot. He was born in Salt Rock township, Marion county, July 16, 1842, and is a son of William and Margaret (McCoy) Barnthouse, the former a native of Maryland, born in 1802, and the latter of Pennsylvania, born in 1804. The father came to Ohio about the year 1838 and turned his attention to general farming, an occupation which he followed until his death, which occurred in 1856. His wife survived him some years, dying in 1871. In their family were thirteen children: Eliza A. married Abraham Halderman, a farmer of Bement, Illinois, and they have four children. James H., formerly county commissioner of Wyandot county, married Catherine Math- ews. He is a resident of Little Sandusky, where he follows farming. Elizabeth passed away in childhood. William H. is a farmer at Weldon, Iowa. He married Martha Chery and has two children. Francis has passed away. His wife, also deceased, was in her maidenhood Miss Harriet Mount and they became the parents of three children. Emily J. married Daniel Mathews, a farmer in Missouri. He passed away in 1906, leaving six children. Jacob P. is the subject of this Vol. II-13
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review. Amanda O. became the wife of John Book, after whose death she married a Mr. Egger, a farmer of Little San- dusky. She has three children by her first husband. May C. married James Preston, who followed farming in Iowa. Both have passed away, leaving four children. Sylvester M. married Samantha Holmes. Both have passed away, leaving one child. Matilda E. became the wife of John McLean. Both are deceased. Christopher makes his home at Eaton, Indiana. He married Susan Webb and has one child. The other child born to William and Margaret Barnthouse died in infancy.
Jacob Barnthouse attended school for only one year, in 1854, and then went back to work on the farm in Upper San- dusky. Until 1876 he aided with the operation of the home- stead, but in that year turned his attention to other pursuits, becoming station agent at Morral for the Hocking Valley Railroad. He remained there seven years, dividing his atten- tion between the duties of this position and the conduct of a grain buying business, which under his able management steadily increased in volume and importance. It finally reached such extensive proportions as to require all of his time and he accordingly resigned his railroad position and continued the conduct of his independent concern, to which he added a wool buying department. He continued both lines in Morral until 1910, becoming one of the prominent and suc- cessful business men of the city, having been carried forward in the course of years into important commercial and trade relations. From Morral he came to Upper Sandusky, where he conducts a large wool business, being both a buyer and a seller on an extensive scale. He was for some time connected with S. H. Hunt of this city but now conducts his enterprise alone, bringing to its management not only a natural busi- ness ability but also the experience gained during thirty years of close connection with the line of work which now claims his attention. Mr. Barnthouse is also engaged to some extent in general farming, being one of the extensive land owners in this section. He owns one hundred and sixty acres in Marion county, two hundred and fifty acres in Pitt and one hundred and twenty in Marseilles townships, this county, and five and one-half acres in Crane township, his principal crops being hay, corn and oats, which he sells read- ily in the local market. He conducts his business affairs in a
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far-sighted, able and discriminating way, practicing economy in buying and selling, and he has gained that success which follows earnest, well directed and persistent labor.
At Marion, Ohio, on the 18th of October, 1867, Mr. Barnt- house married Miss Hulda Jump and they became the parents of eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Of the others, Charles O. is a grain buyer in Marion county. He married Louisa Kinster and they have one child, Merwyn R. C. F. Barnthouse is a wool buyer in Upper Sandusky. He married Anna Miller. Harvey O. is a telegraph operator on the Board of Trade in Toledo. He married Blanche Louder- milch and has four children: Whitcomb; Beatrice ; Marjorie, deceased; and Morris. Zoe E. lives at home. Edison R., the youngest child in this family, is also with his parents.
Mr. Barnthouse gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party and has always taken an active and loyal part in public affairs, being essentially public-spirited in matters of citizenship. He was for four years a trustee of Salt Rock township in Marion county, and was president of the Salt Rock township school board for ten years. He attends the Free Will Baptist church and is a member of the Upper San- dusky Chamber of Commerce. Since 1880 he has been affili- ated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is prom- inent and popular in the local lodge of that organization. A man of varied interests, he possesses the personality and the force of ability necessary to make each effective, being pro- gressive in citizenship, capable in business and faithful to all ties and obligations of life. All who have been in any way associated with him entertain for him high regard and esteem and he has the confidence and honor of those fortunate enough to come within the close circle of his friendship.
GEORGE L. STAUM.
George L. Staum is well known among the reliable and trustworthy business men of Sycamore, for he has been con- ducting a large undertaking establishment in that community since 1881. He is a native of Wyandot county, born in Eden township, March 20, 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Eleanor (Sinneft) Staum. The father was born in Holmes county in
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1837 and followed the occupation of carpentering during the early years of his active life, later becoming connected with the undertaking business. He passed away in 1907. His wife was a native of Fairfield county, born in 1840, and she died in 1912. They had three children: George L., of this review; William H., who died March 14, 1911, at the age of forty-seven; and Hester.
George L. Staum acquired his education in the district schools of Belle Vernon, Ohio, pursuing his studies until he was nineteen years of age. After he laid aside his books he spent his summers working at carpentering and during the winter aided in his father's undertaking establishment. He continued thus until 1881, when his father retired from active life and Mr. Staum of this review assumed entire charge of the business. Since that time he has met with continuous success because he is a capable and upright man and has ever placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of energy and perseverance, guided by sound and practical judgment.
At Upper Sandusky, Ohio, on the 14th of December, 1882, Mr. Staum married Miss Lou Snover, a daughter of Marshall Snover, a farmer of Belle Vernon, Ohio, and they have two children, Cleo and Cloa. The family are devout members of the Reformed church.
Fraternally Mr. Staum is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is at all times active and progressive in his citizenship, giving loyal support to many measures for the public good. For two terms he served as director of the school board and for similar periods was town treasurer and a member of the town council, discharging his official duties with the same energy, conscientiousness and enterprising spirit which influenced and hastened his business success.
JOHN HOGAN.
John Hogan, prominently identified with mercantile inter- ests of Marseilles as the proprietor of a fine meat market, was born in north Wales on the 24th of January, 1858, and is a son of William F. and Jane (Williams) Hogan, both
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natives of that country, the former born in 1827 and the latter in 1831. The father came in 1852 to America and settled immediately in Marion county, Ohio, whence five years later he moved to Wyandot county, where he died in 1908. His wife has also passed away, her death occurring in 1909. In their family were six children, Maria, Susan, John, Nelson, Sarah and Frank.
John Hogan acquired his education in the district schools of Mifflin township and at the age of nineteen laid aside his books, being at that time a skilful and practical farmer, having gained an excellent knowledge of the best agricultural meth- ods through aiding his father with the work of the home- stead. He remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age and then began working as a farm laborer, con- tinuing in this capacity until he was twenty-three, when he rented land, which he developed and improved for a period of six years. Upon the expiration of that time he turned his attention to the butcher business and he has continued this connection since that time. For many years he conducted a large meat market in Marion but in January, 1912, disposed of his interests there and moved to Marseilles, where he has met with his usual success, a large patronage being accorded to him in recognition of his straightforward business dealings, the high quality of his goods and his reasonable prices.
On the 6th of November, 1874, in Marion, Ohio, Mr. Hogan was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Byrns, a daughter of William and Lydia (Rudick) Byrns, the former a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan became the parents of eleven children. Lester is a teamster in Sycamore. He married Miss Nola Hill and they are the parents of one child. Grace, twin to Lester, married Guy Ducat, a motorman in Marion. Mae is the next in order of birth. Bessie became the wife of Kendrick Flewelling, a tiler in Marseilles, Ohio, and they have one child. Hugh is a partner with his father in the meat business in Marseilles. He married Grace Secord, and they have one daughter, Nina Belle. Jennie became the wife of Harry Hall, a farmer in Marion county. Roy is an automo- bile mechanician and resides at Sycamore, Ohio. Marie and Byrns live at home. Vernon is also at home and works upon neighboring farms. Charles is engaged in farming in Pitt township. He married Lenora Staneberry and they have two children.
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Mr. Hogan gives a general allegiance to the republican party but votes independently when he believes that the best interests of the community require such action. He is inter- ested in community affairs and active in promoting commu- nity advancement. While a resident of Marion county he held various important local positions, serving as a member of the school board and township supervisor of Montgomery. Although one of the later arrivals in Marseilles, he has already firmly entrenched himself in the regard of his fellow towns- men, who recognize in him a man whose industry, integrity and public spirit dominate and control all the activities of his life.
HOMER THRALL.
Homer Thrall, the well known publisher of the Carey Times, has during the entire period of his residence in the city been identified with newspaper interests and has made his name a synonym for powerful and influential work along lines of municipal progress, reform and development. He was born in Granville, Ohio, October 27, 1832, and is a son of Linus G. and Lucy (Wolcott) Thrall, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. The father was a miller by trade and also engaged in general farming for a number of years.
Homer Thrall acquired his early education in the public schools of Licking county, Ohio, and was later graduated from Kenyon College at Cambier. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, going to the front as captain, and after four months reenlisted in Company D, Twenty-second Ohio Vol- unteers, serving as captain of that company also. He was mustered out in November, 1864, as lieutenant colonel and with this creditable military record returned home, where he studied for the ministry and was ordained in the Congrega- tional religion. He continued in this work until 1893, when he came to Carey and purchased the Carey Times, a weekly journal, which he has since conducted. He has proven him- self a truly public-spirited citizen-an essential qualification for a successful newspaper publisher-and he has stood stead-
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ily on the side of reform and advancement, supporting in the columns of his paper all progressive public enterprises. He has been instrumental in this way in gaining many needed civic improvements and it was largely through his influence that the city waterworks plant was erected. Although a democrat personally, Mr. Thrall keeps his paper independent of political lines and free from all suspicion of partisanship, thus making his work doubly effective, because it is known to be sincere.
In 1863 Mr. Thrall was united in marriage to Miss Emma Boudinct, a native of Liverpool, England, and they have three children, Linus G., Josephine and Eloise. Mr. Thrall is well known in business and social circles and is regarded as one of the leading newspaper men of this section of the state. His genial manner, unfailing courtesy and his distinct and valu- able achievements have made him prominent and have gained for him the high place which he holds in Carey.
BEN WAGSTAFF.
Ben Wagstaff is proprietor of a plumbing and steamfitting establishment in Sycamore, in which connection he has built up a business of growing and gratifying proportions. Ohio claims him as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Zanesville, November 18, 1865. His father, Benjamin F. Wagstaff, was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1830, and devoted his life to the trades of blacksmithing and wagon making, in which connection he won a substantial measure of prosperity, enabling him in 1909 to retire from active life and spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is now living at Dunkirk, Ohio. He married Cecelia Crites, who was born in Virginia in 1834, and their children were Harry B., Homer J., William H., James, Ben, Carrie C., Albert O. and Charles C. Of these, James died in 1879.
In taking up the personal history of Ben Wagstaff we present to our readers the life record of one who has shown in his business activity much that is commendable. He deserves considerable credit for his success in that he started out in life on his own account when but fourteen years of age, up
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to which time he had been a pupil in the district schools. He then began learning the tinner's trade, at which he worked for others until 1897. During that period he most wisely saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to start in business on his own account. He opened his present estab- lishment in Sycamore in 1903 and now owns one of the most thoroughly modern and up-to-date plumbing and steamfitting shops in Wyandot county. In connection with his work in that line he is engaged in the roofing and tinning business and from the time he became an independent factor in commercial circles here, he has been very successful, being accorded a liberal patronage by reason of his excellent workmanship, his reasonable prices and his fair and honest dealing.
Mr. Wagstaff was united in marriage to Miss Angie I. Vanness, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vanness, on the 4th of September, 1889, at Wapakoneta, Ohio, where her father is a prosperous farmer. The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wagstaff are Cora, Ethel, Avery, Hobart, Ruth and Wendell. Mr. Wagstaff votes with the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also to the United Brethren church. He and his wife are held in high esteem in Sycamore, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends, while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
WILLIAM L. BLAIR.
The life record of William L. Blair is but another proof of the fact that ambition, paired with industry and energy, leads to success. Starting out with no particular advantages in this world, he has become one of the foremost landowners of his section and his activities have extended to so many fields that their effect can hardly be estimated. Not only has he given his ability to the promotion of numerous finan- cial institutions and the raising of agricultural standards but he is largely interested in manufacturing enterprises, and there is no man who can lay greater claim to a career of public benefit than William Blair. He now makes his resi-
WILLIAM L. BLAIR
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dence in Nevada, Wyandot county, enjoying the position of a leader among its people. Born in Warren county, New Jersey, December 20, 1831, he is a son of James and Sarah A. (Linderry) Blair, of New Jersey. The father, who was a farmer, was born in 1801 and died in 1867, his wife passing away in 1853.
William L. Blair attended school in his native state until sixteen years of age, when he laid aside his text-books and assisted his father with the work on the farm until he reached the age of eighteen. He then began his independent career and in 1853, when twenty-two years of age, came to Wyandot county, where he engaged in the stock and sheep business, driving stock overland to the eastern markets and deriving gratifying results from this enterprise. Ever ready to em- brace new opportunities, he made a study of the land of the Sandusky valley and bought one hundred and sixty acres of improved farm property in Sycamore township, his sound judgment leading to a wise selection. There he settled per- manently in the spring of 1854 and has ever since been a prominent figure in the agricultural advancement of Wyan- dot county. As the years have passed he has increased his holdings and now holds title to over two thousand acres of farm land and also has become one of the most successful financiers of these parts. He is considered a power in financial circles and at present serves with circumspection and con- spicuous ability as president of the Nevada Deposit Bank. Mr. Blair was one of the incorporators of this institution, which commenced business on May 5, 1873, and at its first meeting of the stockholders on that date he was elected presi- dent and has since served in that important position without interruption-a period of more than forty years. He is also a stockholder and director of the First National Bank at Upper Sandusky and the Commercial National Bank at that place, and also the First National Bank of Bucyrus, Ohio. He has also interests in numerous other financial institutions throughout Wyandot county and is connected with a number of manufacturing plants and other industries of varied char- acter not only throughout this section but throughout the state. His advice is often sought by the most able business men and generally heeded, and he has come to be considered an authority upon practically all commercial enterprises in- augurated in this neighborhood. As highly as he is to be
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commended upon his individual success, his activities have been of a much more far-reaching character as regards the general welfare and in that light have been inestimable in pro- moting advancement in Wyandot county.
On December 16, 1857, at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Mr. Blair was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta B. Fox, a daughter of Charles C. and Caroline (Boyd) Fox, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively. They were residents of Wyandot county at the time of the marriage of their daugh- ter. Mr. and Mrs. Blair became the parents of the following children: Idella B., who makes her home in Detroit, Michi- gan; Francis P., who follows agricultural pursuits, married a daughter of J. C. McBeth, by whom he has two children, Ar- lington and Nina; Caroline S., who married Newton McBeth, who is deceased, and by whom she has two children, Grace and Ollie; James A., who married Lovine Larick and has three children, Theodore, Robert and Zelma, and is a retired farmer ; William C., who follows agricultural pursuits, married Dora Van Voorhis, by whom he has three children, Harold, Van and Idella; and Mary E., who married Joseph Maxwell, a dry-goods merchant at Upper Sandusky, by whom she has three children, J. Blair, William and Joseph, Jr.
Although having long passed the biblical age, Mr. Blair is.still deeply interested and active in all measures affecting the general welfare and in every way possible seeks to pro- mote any worthy public enterprise. He served for many years as member of the council of Nevada and in less official capacities has ever gladly borne the brunt of financial ex- penditure in promoting commercial expansion. He gives his adherence to the republican party. Along fraternal lines he is affiliated with the Masons, in which he has attained the rank of the chapter, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. His faith is that of the English Lutheran church. In his life his business methods have been such as neither. seek nor require disguise. He deals honorably and honestly with his fellowmen and his name has come to be regarded as a synonym for integrity in business and honor and loyalty in every relation of life. Those who know him personally find him a genial and kindly gentleman of generous impulses, a friend of all mankind, guide and instructor of youth, one who looks for good in others and finds it. His record is one
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which should serve as a spur and inspiration to those who seek advancement. The lesson, however, does not lie in the fact that he has attained to a position of wealth, it lies not in his tangible attainments, although they are important, but it lies in the fact that with no advantages he has strug- gled to success in training those qualities that have made that success possible and excite admiration. That a fixed and unalterable purpose pursued under all circumstances, in sea- son and out of season, with never an idea of turning from the path, is the best motive power man can have-thereof his life course is proof. His personal qualities are such as have ever commanded for him the respect, confidence, good-will and even devotion of all with whom he has come in contact, and as the years have passed he has become more firmly en- trenched in the affection of those who know him.
HENRY KINLEY. 1
Henry Kinley, a worthy native son of Wyandot county, is now serving as county commissioner. For more than four decades he has made his home on section 7, Crane township, and has won success as a farmer and stockman, owning two hundred and ninety-four acres of valuable land in Crane and Salem townships. His birth occurred in Tymochtee town- ship, this county, on the 5th of December, 1849, his parents being Frederick and Susanna (Schoenberger) Kinley, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, the former born in 1809 and the latter in April, 1815. Frederick Kinley was one of the pioneer settlers of Crane township, Wyandot county, here buying land in 1846, that is now in possession of George Krebbs. During the remainder of his life he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in this county. His demise occurred on the 14th of April, 1874, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 19th of September, 1906. Their children were as follows: Frederick, Mary, William, Henry, Louis C., Caroline, John H., and four who died in infancy.
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