USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 11
USA > Ohio > Logan County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 11
USA > Ohio > Shelby County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 11
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The father followed the occupation of a brewer in his native country until 1866, when he deter- mined to emigrate to America, and there pass the remainder of his days. After reaching the Umted States, he located in New Bremen, and there resided
until his death in 1892, when eighty-four years of age. Ile, with Carl Schurz and other prominent men, entered in the Revolution in 1848. The mother of our subject died in 1891. when eighty -. two years of age. Of this union, seven children are living, two having died after the parents came to this county.
The original of this notice received a good com- mon-school and collegiate education in his native country, and when sixteen years of age, came to the States, sailing from Hamburg and twelve days later landing in New York City, where he spent several months, engaged in various occupations. From there he went to Huntington, Ind., and thenee to New Bremen in 1865, where he worked in a brewery for several years. In 1869, he began teaching school and continued this for ten years, in the meantime being elected Justice of the Peace, and Township Clerk and later being appointed Notary Public, transacting public business. He is now serving his sixth term as Justice.
In 1885, he was appointed Postmaster under Grover Cleveland, and served in that capacity with mueh ability for abont four years. In 1877, he engaged in business and carried a line of mus- ical instruments, faney goods, toys, wall paper. etc., and now carries a large stock of goods. Ilis build- ing is at the corner of Monroe and Main Streets, and this has recently been enlarged to a two-story brick with iron frame, the best business building in the town. In New Bremen he has been called to many offices of trust and responsibility and has exhibited an executive ability far above the aver- age. In 1883. he was elected Mayor and served two years. lle was not eligible to re-election on account of being Postmaster, but in 1890 he was re-elected, andagain in 1892. In 1869. Mr. Porpus became agent for various fire insurance compan- ies and now represents some of the most leading ones. He is one of the most progressive, thorough- going business men of Auglaize County, and one of its most respected citizens. being honorable and industrious in a marked degree. and possessing a thorough knowledge of the most modern and ef- feetive methods of doing business.
In 1876. our subject wedded Miss Elizabeth Heil, a native of New Bremen, who died in 1890. leaving
"MAC-O-CHEE" FROM THE SOUTHWEST. o:";
EARLY CHURCH, ERECTED ABOUT 1828. BY ELIZABETH BARNETT PIATT.
TOMB OF THE HON. DONN PLATT.
HOME OF THE LATE JUDGE BENJAMIN M. PIATT.
"MAC-O-CHEE" LATE RESIDENCE OF HON. DONN PIATT, MONROE TP., LOGAN CO.,0.
Jenny Siatt
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
three children, viz: Clara, Dora and Irma. He was married again in 1892, this time to Miss Josephine Hais, of Covington, Ky. Mr. Purpus is active in all enterprises pertaining to the welfare of the city and county, and is an indefatigable worker for the Democratic party, being a delegate to county, district and State conventions. He owns consider- able property here and in St. Mary's. all the fruits of his own exertions.
C OL. DONN PLATT. the eminent journalist, author. jurist and diplomat. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 29th of .Inne, 1819, and was educated partly in Urbana and at the Atheneum. now St. Xavier College, Cincinnati. Ile studied law under his father, and was for a time a pupil of Tom Corwin. In 1851, he was ap- pointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton, and afterward served as Secretary of Legation at Paris, under llon. John Y. Mason, of Virginia, during Pierce's and Buchanan's adminis- tration. When the Minister was attacked with apoplexy (from which he died in October, 1859,) our subject served as Charge d'Affaires for nearly a year.
On his return home. Col. Piatt engaged actively in the Presidential canvass in behalf of Abraham Lincoln. In company with Gen. Robert C. Schenck, le stumped Southern Illi ois, and his services were publicly acknowledged by the President- elect. During the Civil War, he served on the staff of Gen. Schenck. He was Judge Advocate of the Commission which investigated the charges against Gen. Buell, and favored his acquittal. Af- ter the war, he became the Washington correspond- ent of the Cincinnati Commercial, in which position he distinguished himself as a writer of great bril- lianey, often somewhat indifferent to the facts, but never to the absurdities of the pretensions to great- ness on the part of many Congressmen. In fact. he kept most of the leaders constantly in "hot water," inaugurating what has proved the now al-
most invariable custom of "writing down" every- thing Congress does. Ilis criticisms were frequently just; it is the rare exception now that the com- plaints of the would-be cynics are worthy of credence.
Whatever Col. Piatt's mistakes were, and no doubt he made many. the good he accomplished atoned for and overshadowed them. The excel- lence of his literary work; his unquestioned fear- lessness, manliness and independence; his respect for the church; his dislike and exposure of snob- bery, conceit, affectation and inetlieieney in high official stations, are to be highly commended. Hle subsequently founded, and for ten years edited. " The Washington Capital," making it so odious to many Government officials, that at their instance, during the Presidential controversy of 1876, he was indieted; but, as he naively said, "thoughi trying very hard, never got into jail." On the contrary, he sold the paper at a very handsome figure and returned to the peace and quiet of Mac-o-chee. where he engaged in literary work and farming, Ilis entertaining volume. "Memories of the Men who Saved the Union." whom he desig- nated as Lincoln, Stanton. Chase, Seward and Gen. George II. Thomas, is sharply critical. but the strong passages and just appreciation ot the great deeds of great men more than atone for this fault, if it be one. The Westminster Review describes it as "the record of great geninses by a genius."
Col. Piatt published a delightful little book of love stories, true to life and of pathetic interest. mostly war incidents. called "The Lone Grave of the Shenandoah. and Other Tales." In 1888, he edited Belford's Magazine as a free-trade journal. and made the tariff issue strangely interesting and picturesque. Soon after the close of the campaign. he retired from the editorship and returned to his home. where up to the time of his death he was engaged with Gen. Henry M. Cist. of Cincinnati, upon a life of Gen. George H. Thomas, which he left uncompleted. In 1865, he was elected on the Republican ticket as Representative from Logan County to the Ohio Legislature. "I made a fight for negro suffrage" he afterwards said. - and won by a decreased majority. Then. after spending a couple of winters at Columbus, I quit by unani-
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mous consent." Ile had opposed local legislation, taken an active part in pushing the negro suffrage amendment through, and was accused of doing more legislating for Cincinnati, his old home, than all the Ilamilton County delegates together. His bril- lianey as a speaker, and usefulness in the committee room. were widely recognized and praised.
It is not generally known that it was Donn Piatt who supplied the word "crank" in its present peculiar and popular use. "Twisting the British Lion's tail" is a pet phrase derived from the same source. "The cave of the winds," as applied to the National House of Representatives, and the "fog bank" for the Senate, are other well-known offsprings of his pen, and "Wanamakered," a term of more recent invention, expressive of the discharge of Government employes on political grounds, is still another.
As he appeared before the public, the most re- markable thing about this most remarkable man was his versatility. He was equally successful as a poet, politician, historian. dramatist, critic, wit, lawyer, judge, diplomat, theologian, soldier, ora- tor, journalist. In each and every line of work mentioned, he has made a distinct and separate reputation that is national. In all combined, he has won fame that extends wherever the English and French languages are understood. No two men looked at him alike. One was captivated by his wit. another impressed by his profound thought, another charmed by his exquisite literary style, and another shocked by his keen, remorseless sar- casm. In each heart that knew him he left a mon- ument of different design. Millions admired him, thousands loved him, hun reds hated him, all re- spected him. In more ways than one, his, though not the greatest. was certainly the most remarka- ble character of the century.
Col. Piatt contracted the illness which resulted in his death while on a trip to Cincinnati to attend a re-union of the literary club of which he had long been a member, and at which meeting he prophesied his early death. It was on his way home from that meeting at which he said in a speech, "In another year Donn Piatt will have joined the silent majority," that he caught the cold which led to the fatal disease. On the day
following the election, on which he was forced to take to his bed, he said to his relatives as they called to see him, "This means death." He was conscious till within a few hours before his death. . and almost his last words were: "Well, I must die. why not die now?"
Ile died November 12, 1891, and left a widow but no children. He was twice married, his first wife being the well-known authoress, Louise Kirby, and the surviving wife her sister Ella, both daugh- ters of Timothy Kirby, a pioneer millionaire of Cincinnati. The mother of Mrs. Piatt, Amelia (Metcalf) Kirby, was born in Virginia, and when a child accompanied her parents to Batavia, Cler- inont County, Ohio, where she was married.
It was in the charming valley of the Mac-o-chee and on a wooded hillside facing the sun, that Col. Piatt built of stone and oak an elegant mansion. known through all the country round as "The Castle"-built it, like his fame, to last through cen- turies. As seen from this great stone mansion, the valley of the Mac-o-chee presents as fair a vision as ever delighted the eye of man. Of it Tom Cor- win summed up a description in the few words: "A man can better live and die here than any place I have ever seen." Little wonder that he should write:
"My days among these wilds are spent In restful, calm repose; No carking cares or discontent Disturb life's fitter close. Beyond these wooded hills, I hear The world's unceasing roar, As breaks upon some inland ear The tumult of a shore."
About a mile to the southwest of the residence, and hid from it by woods and hills, is the pioneer burying-ground of the Piatts. It is situated on a hillside beside an old log church, now in decay, that was erected when a few pews would seat the entire settlement. On the brow of the hill, facing the sunset, is the massive tomb in which rest the remains of two generations of the family. On the top of the tomb. directly over the entrance, is a monument and medallion of Louise, the wife of Doun Piatt's youth, and on the reverse side of the marble block is chiseled an epitaph that is one of
-
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the most touching ever composed. It was written by the bereaved husband and is as follows:
"To thy dear memory, darling, and my own I build in grief this monumental stone;
All that it tells of life in death is thine, All that it means of death in life is mine; For that which makes thy purer spirit blest In anguish deep hath brought my soul unrest; You, dying, live to find a life divine. I, living, die till death hath made me thine."
In his private home life. Col. Piatt displayed a phase of his character as truly remarkable as that in which he appeared before the public. The ten- dler devotion to his invalid wife was the pivot on which his many-sided character revolved. Ilers was the only hand that could guide him, her will the only one he recognized as superior to his own. Her rule was one of love, and his submission was his sweetest joy. He realized the treasure he had in her possession and simply sought to be worthy of it, for a more refined or nobler woman never blessed the life of any man.
Mrs. Ella ( Kirby) Piatt, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 17th of March, 1838, and was married to Col. Piatt in 1866. Her father, Timothy Kirby: was a native of Connecticut. and was born Novem- ber 10, 1797, was reared in the Old Bay State, and came to Cincinnati when a stripling of seventeen. llis father, Zebulon Kirby, was born in Middle- town, Conn., February 25, 1766, and died August 17. 1821, and the grandfather, Thomas Kirby, was born in Middletown. Conn., in 1729. and died on the 10th of July, 1810. He was of English descent. Timothy Kirby was a large real-estate dealer and banker. his bank being on Third Street, in Cincin- nati. He was a very prominent and wealthy man of that city and there died on the 10th of January. 1876. His wife died in 1866. They were the par- ents of eight children. four sons and four dangh- ters. two of whom died in infancy. The others besides Mrs. Piatt were Louise, born November 26. 1826 (deceased); Byron, born February 8, 1829. died in 1881: Clinton. born March 20. 1831; Charles (deceased), and Julia. born May 10. 1816. widow of Gen. Ilenry Banning, four times Member of Congress from Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Mrs. Piatt is the sixth child and third daughter.
I'ntil about the age of seventeen, she was reared in Cincinnati, having all the advantages the schools of that city afforded, and when about that age she went to Paris, France, where she received thorough instruction in French and Spanish. Besides being a line musician and a very sweet singer, she is an artist of unusual ability, having some very fine portrait paintings of her own work. She has full control of a vast amount of property in Cincinnati and of her large estate in the Mac-o-chee Valley. A member of the Catholic Church, she is a liberal contributor to its support, and in addition to the chapel in her house, is now building a Catholic Church in memory of her late husband, which will cost 85,000. The monument will be surmounted by a bronze statue of Col. Piatt by Quiney Ward. formerly of Urbana, Ohio. but now of New York City.
Accompanying this sketch of his life, a portrait of Col. Donn Piatt is presented, and a view of "The Castle," that ideal rural home which adorns the valley of the Mac-o-chee.
® G
C
OHIN W. COSTOLO. M. D. No physician of Western Ohio has a more honorable re- cord inan Dr. Costolo. of Loramie's, and few enjo: a more extended reputation. This is due to his professional skill and knowledge. as well as to the fact that for a number of years past he has been doing his utmost to alleviate suffering in his eo'imunity. and his zeal. carefulness and sympathy are duly appreciated by a large circle of patrons nd friends.
A kr wledge of the parental influences thrown around iny man aids in understanding his character therefore it may be well to note a few facts re- garding the parents of Dr. Costolo. Ile is a son of Thomas Costolo. who was born in Ireland in 1808. and on emigrating to America located in Shelby County. in 1835. Entering land in Cyn- thiana Township. he began the battle of life in the New World unarmed for the contest except by his
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
native wit, determined spirit and bodily vigor. Ile was one of the oldest settlers in the township, at a time when wild game of all kinds was plenti- ful and often very troublesome. By careful and intelligent cultivation, he placed his land under excellent tillage and supplied the same with all needful structures and many improvements both useful and ornamental. In 1878, he moved to Loramie's, where his decease occurred in 1881, when in his seventy-third year. He was very popular in local affairs and was the incumbent of every position of honor and trust in the township from which he removed. Ile was a prominent member of the Catholic Church and bore a good reputation among his neighbors and was well re- garded by the entire community.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Margaret Costegan; she was also born in the Em- erald Isle, and came to America in 1835. Prior to her union with Mr. Costolo, she was married to Mr. Lauler, by whom she became the mother of four children. Her husband died in 1849 of cholera. with which dread disease her children were also taken away. She is still living, having attained to the advanced age of seventy-seven years, and makes her home in Loramie's.
The original of this sketch is one in a family of three children, his elder brother being connected with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the West. His sister Louisa is the wife of Adolph River and makes her home in Mercer County, Ohio. John W. was born in the log cabin on the old home farm, and when old enough to go to school. attended during the winter months, working hard during other seasons in order that he might obtain such an education as the public schools offered. and with the energy that has charac- terized him through life pursued an undeviat- ing course. In company with his brother, he rented and operated the home farm for four years and in this way got his start in life. Determining to be- come a physician, Mr. Costolo began the study of medicine with Dr. Hamer, of Loramie's, with whom he remained for eighteen months, and then read with Dr. Edward F. Wells, of Minster, this State. three years. He then took two courses of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, from which institu-
1
tion he was graduated in the Class of '83. Dr. Costolo then began the practice of his profession in this place and now stands in the foremost rank among the prominent physicians of this . section. He is not only well versed in his profes- sion, but is a man of broad culture and extensive information on topics of general interest. He has an excellent reputation, extending over the eastern part of the county and the territory adjacent thereto, and his sympathy for suffering humanity and manly bearing add to the esteem in which he is held.
The lady to whom Dr. Costolo was married in 1888 was Miss Alice, the daughter of Michael Quinlin, a prominent farmer in this township. They are both members of the Catholic Church and hy all who know them are respected as they deserve. The Doctor has always taken an active part in politics and casts a Democratic ballot. He isa stockholder in the Loramie's Milling Company, and in medical affairs is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society, Northwestern State Med- ical Society, Southwestern State Medical Society. and the American Medical Association.
C HARLES P. McKEE is the fortunate pro- prietor of the best oil farm in Auglaize County, situated on section 16, St. Mary's Township, with whose interests his own have been closely interwoven for many years, as it has been his home from early childhood, and he has aided in its advancement materially, educationally, so- cially and religiously. IIe is a farmer of sound principles, and advanced views in regard to agri- culture, and he is an exemplary, public-spirited citizen, whom it gives us pleasure to represent in this biographical work.
A native of Ohio, Charles Mckee was born in Athens County. September 17, 1833, but the month following his birth his parents removed to St. Mary's. therefore the most of his life has been passed in this county. His father, Thomas Me-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Kec, was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Obio when very young with his parents, who were early settlers of this State. His father was John McKee, who was of Irish birth. Thomas MeKec was a farmer in Athens County until his removal to this county in October, 1833. Hle resided in St. Mary's two years, and then purchased land a half-mile south of town, which he developed into a substantially improved farm. Ile was prominent and well known as a pioneer and a citizen, and was held in high regard by the entire community. For many years, he was an Elder in the Presby- terian Church, and actively aided in the advance- ment of religious interests in this section. He departed this life in 1874, in his seventy-fourth year. His first wife, mother of our subject, was Annis Reynolds, who died in 1839. They had seven children, of whom three are living. His second wife was Sarah Amerstrong, a daughter of one of the first settlers of this section. She died in 1879. Five children were born of that mar- riage, of whom three are living.
In his boyhood days, Charles MeKee attended school in a log schoolhouse, and in that humble institution of learning laid the foundations of a sound education, that was completed in the excel- Ient Union School at St. Mary's. He had a bright mind and scholarly tastes, which led him to adopt the profession of a teacher, at which he was very successfully engaged some twenty terms, his experi- ence in school teaching being confined principally to two districts, except during one winter, when he taught elsewhere. In the summer seasons, be devoted his time to farming, remaining an inmate of the parental home until nearly thirty years old that he might assist his father. He began farming for himself during the war, and has lived on the farm that he now occupies in St. Mary's Township for nearly twenty years. Ile first bought eighty aeres of land. to which he has added by subsequent purchase until he has a good-sized farm of two hundred and twenty acres, which is in a fine con- dition, is amply supplied with modern improve- ments, and everything about the place bears evi- dence of careful and judicious management. Oil was discovered here in December, 1891, and now there are fifteen flowing wells and one gas well.
The farm was leased for oil purposes after the im- portant discovery, and has been developed by others who have sub-leased it.
Mr. Mckee and Miss Jennie Smith were united in marriage in 1864, and theirs is a congenial union, as he is a model husband, always thought- ful of her welfare, is generous and considerate with her, and does not forget the important part she has played in the making of their home, while she is in every sense a true wife, who sympathizes with her husband in his aims, is a sage counselor, and contributes greatly to his comfort and well- being by her wise and firm guidance of household matters. Mrs. McKee was born near St. Mary's, and is a daughter of Aaron Smith, an early settler of the county, who is still living here at a vener- able age. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have had six chil- dren, namely: William. who is finely educated. and has taught school several terms; Edward; Ada J., deceased; Charles P., Jr .; Elza and Jennie. The MeKees are prominent and well known in church and social eireles, their integrity in all things, and their pleasant personal attributes mak- ing them greatly esteemed as members of the Presbyterian Church, and attracting to them many friends.
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ILTON TAM enjoys a good reputation as an honest and hard-working farmer. who is profitably engaged in his business, on section 24. Duchouquet Township, Ang- laize County. The fine condition of his farm. with its substantial buildings and well-tilled acres. gives ample proof of his thorough acquaintance with the best methods of carrying on his calling.
The original of this sketch is a son of John Tam. who was born in 1797 in Virginia. He was a brickmaker by trade, and after locating in this township, which was at an early day. manufactured the brick for the Burnett House and the Land Office in Wapakoneta. He was also a patriot in the War
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of 1812, having served under Capt. McNeal, of Virginia, and being a warm-hearted and genial man, had many friends among the soldiers.
Our subjeet's mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Thompson, and was a native of Fairfield County, this State. She was married in her native place, and in 1832 eame to this county, and after a residence of two years in Wapakoneta, located on a farm on seetion 24, which is now the property of our subject. They were the first to settle in that local- ity, their only neighbors being the Indians who were very numerous. The parents took up their abode in an Indian hut, where they resided until the father could erect a more suitable strueture. TIe also built a sawmill on his farm, which was the first of its kind in that locality for some time, and en- tered two hundred and forty acres of land from the Government, which he eleared and resided upon until his decease, which took place in August, 1842; the mother died in 1876. They reared a family of seven children. only two of whom are living. The mother of our subject was again married after the death of her husband, and became the mother of two children, and by her third union was also born to her two children. She was a devoted member of the Christian Church. John Tam took an active part in politics, voting the Whig ticket.
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