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 14
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 14
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 14
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which was dedicated in 1881, is 96x60 feet in di- mensions, with slate roof, tower and steeple, stained windows and all modern improvements. The first pipe organ ever brought to this city was put in the church in 1883. The congregation now worships in one of the handsomest auditoriums in the State and their large new pipe organ is the finest in the place. During his pastorate, the con- gregation has never been deficient in benevolent apportionment.
In 1883, the Degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon our subject by Western College. located at Toledo, lowa, before whose students and faculty he had preached and lectured the year before. Ile delivers his sermons, lectures and ad- ยท dresses entirely without manuscript and has more calls on miscellaneous occasions than he can fill. He has versatility of talent, is always ready and pleasing as a public speaker, his splendid eloen- tionary and oratorical powers never failing him. Ile is especially successful at church dedications and is often invited to officiate in other denominations than his own. He is thoroughly progressive in his ideas of church finance. A zealous advocate of temperance reform, he threw himself into a vigorous campaign a few years ago, when there were seventy-seven saloons in the county, and, in company with other citizens, succeeded in wiping them all out. Ilis position on this question is not that of a fanatic, but of a sound reformer. A multiplicity of labors seems to be most congenial to him, and he is never tiring of something to do.
Dr. Singley joined a company of his brethren in an effort to establish a Western church paper, and on January 5, 1877. the Lutheran Evangelist. a weekly, was started. The effort was successful and the paper has become widely known and popular. lle was elected Secretary of the company and also assistant editor. the paper being published at Belle- fontaine. In a little less than three years. he suc- ceeded Dr. J. H. W. Stuekenberg as editor, and subsequently became sole proprietor of the paper. For a number of years he has shared very largely in -the struggles and labors incident to the estab- lishment of a church paper. In 1878. he started and edited a monthly Sunday-school paper called The Sunshine and Shadow, which still lives. Ile is
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Director in a large publishing firm just organized. known as the Lutheran World Publishing Com- pany, which consists of some of the leading and well-known men of the United States, having offi- ce> located at Baltimore, Cincinnati and Chicago. The services of Dr. Singley were sought in this concern, both for the business and literary depart- ments.
In 1889, Dr. Singley was called upon by a prom- inent publisher to write an article on the Lord's Supper, representing the Lutheran denomination. To this request he responded with an article. which was published in book form. For several years, he has done some lyceum lecture work. taking from ten to fifteen engagements per year. He is very fond of science. and has one of the finest private libraries in the State. Outside of church matters. he ranks among the foremost and best business men of Logan County, and is one of the most popular and useful men in the city and county. Ile has filled a number of important positions, and is now President of the Board of School Examin- ers for Logan County, of which he has been a member for fourteen years. Hle has served as Clerk of the Board of Education of Bellefontaine. of which he has been a member for nine years. As Director of Wittenberg College and Seminary of Springfield. Ohio. he has rendered efficient serviee for ten years; also as Secretary of the Building Committee for the erection of the elegant seminary building at springfield. Ohio. He has mercantile interests in Bellefontaine, and an interest in a nice farm just outside the city limits. On this place he is largely interested in fine stock and has some of the choicest "bloods" in the State.
In Logan County the influence of Dr. Singley has done much in the way of advancing religious. social and business affairs, and there is scarcely a movement made in these directions in which he is not called upon to participate. His family con- stats of his estimable and cultured wife and two children, Mabel E. and Florence. In the spring of 1876. the Bellefontaine Church invited him to sup- ply their pulpit one Sabbath morning. He was an entire stranger to the congregation. having never seen one of them previously. Late one Saturday evening he arrived in the village, and the follow-
ing morning delivered to his congregation an elo- quent sermon which captivated the entire audience. and was the cause of his residence in Bellefon- taine. After the close of this service, the officers of the church immediately called a meeting (hav- ing sent the young graduate home with one of the ladies) and elected him pastor of the church with- out a dissenting voice. In a few days, the call was accepted and he is still the happy pastor of a happy people. Since the date of his eall here. many et- forts have been made to rob the church of their pastor, who has stood by them much longer than any other pastor ever did in their long history as an organization.
In 1884, the Findlay Church unanimously elected Dr. Singley to their pa-torate; he declined this a> he did a call from Pennsylvania. In 1887, when Wichita, Kan .. was in the midst of the greatest boom ever known in that State, he was elected. at a splendid salary, pastor of a church there. This he deelined, at the same time declining another call from Findlay, as well as a call from Spring- field, Ohio. During the fall and winter of 1890-91. he was unanimously elected to the pastorate at Indianapolis. Ind., and Louisville. Ky., and was asked to consider calls to Albany, N. Y., and Woos- ter. Ohio. llis services have been sought from far and near. but all invitations have been rejected on account of the devotion stored in his heart for the people of Bellefontaine. He was solicited to consider a call to the Presidency of church col- leges, one in Illinois and another in California, but these offers he has also refused. For some time past he has been urged to accept a call to the city of Chicago, where he may yet locate.
QUIRE E. LUDLUM. Among those to whom the tilling of the soil has proved a remunerative occupation. enabling them to spend their declining year- in the en- joyment of peace and plenty, is Mr. Ludlum, who is at present residing on section 1. Franklin Town-
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ship, Shelby County. He owns a tract of land one hundred and sixty aeres in x .nt, which is adorned with a cozy and comfortable dwelling, where he is enjoying the companionship of his wife and the many friends he has made in this county. He has proved a valuable addition to the citizenship of this part of the county, and besides the work he has done in advancing its prosperity as one of its most enterprising farmers, he has done good service in helping to administer public affairs, and for thirty-three years has been Justice of the Peace. during which time he has married one hundred and ninety-six couples.
Smith Ludlum, the father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey and the son of Ephraim Ludlum, a sokhier in the War of 1812. The lat- ter-named gentleman came with his family to this State in 1796, at which time he settled in Ilocking County on a wild farm. Ten years later, they removed to Warren County, where the fa- ther was accidentally killed by being thrown from a horse. Ilis good wife died at the advanced age of ninety-three years.
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The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Reed. She was a native of Carlisle, Pa., and the daughter of Nathan and Mary Reed, the former of whom was "mine host" of an hotel in that place for over forty years; he also served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. The par- ents of onr subject after their marriage came to this State, in 1818, when they located on a small farm in Warren County. In 1834, they purchased a tract of two hundred acres in the same county. where they made their home until their decease, the father dying in 1839, and the mother in 1868. Of their family of ten children, only four are now living. Active in church work, they were for many years members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, in which body the father was a Class-leader for many years.
In early life a Jacksonian Democrat, the elder Mr. Ludlum voted for the United States Bank Bill, but later cast in his lot with the Whig party. Three of his sons, Nathan, George W. and Jo- seph, served as Union soldiers during the late war. The latter was taken prisoner and was confined in Libby and Andersonville for eighteen months,
during which time he was nearly starved to death, and on being liberated, his appetite was so rav- enous and his stomach so weak that he died from the effects of over-eating. Mr. Ludlum comes from a very patriotic family, for besides those already mentioned, he had nineteen cousins who participated in the Civil War.
A native of Warren County, this State, our subject was born September 20, 1822. He was reared on a farm until reaching his eighteenth year, when he learned the trade of a carriage- maker, and followed that line of business for five years. The lady to whom he was married in Feb- rnary, 1844, was Miss Sarah Ann Persinger, daugh- ter of Madison and Elizabeth Persinger. She was born April 19, 1827, and immediately after her marriage started with her yonng linsband for this county, they making a location on what is now their present farm, but which then bore little re- semblance to its now highly-cultivated condition. They took up their abode in a small log cabin, and Mr. Ludlum set himself industriously to work to clear his quarter-section, and, in addition to that tract, improved forty acres of the one hun- dred and sixty aeres adjoining on the east, and fifteen acres on another farm. He has been a con- tinnous resident on his present estate for the past forty-eight years and, with one exception, is the only old settler who has been living here that length of time.
Mr. and Mrs. Ludlum have been the parents of twelve children, two of whom are deceased, viz: Mary E., the wife of H. M. Lehman, and Anna A. Those living are Joseph B., James S., Catherine C. (Mrs. James Newmann), Elias L., Martha E. (Mrs. Henry Mayor), George W., Rilla R. (Mrs. William T. Carey), Madison W., Carrie E .. Maggie A. (Mrs. William Finkenbine).
Our subject has been instrumental in the organ- ization of his school district, and has served as Di- rector for nine years. He is also a member of the Township Board of Education and has been Jus- tice of the Peace from 1856 to 1889. He gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, casting his first vote for James K. Polk. He has been very popular and prominent in local affairs, and during the six years in which he was County
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Commissioner built the Infimary and over three hundred miles of free turnpike, and has filled many other offices of his township. He has aeted as Administrator of various estates and has paid over $12,000 in security debts for others. Ile and his wife endured many hardships and privations, as did the other pioneers when locating in this newly-settled region, but they are now passing their declining years in peace and plenty, free from the cares that beset their earlier years. Mr. Ludlum has now attained his three score years and ten, and it is the earnest wish of his many friends that he will be spared to them many years.
ON. WILLIAM W. BEATTY is one of those men, too few in number, who fully recognize the truth so often urged by the sages of the law, that of all men, the read- ing and thought of a lawyer should be the most extended. Systematic reading gives a more com- prehensive grasp to the mind, variety and richness to thought, and a clearer perception of the mo- tives of men and the principles of things-indeed, of the very spirit of laws. This he has found most essential in the prosecution of his profes- sional practice at Huntsville, where he is a promi- nent attorney and also serves as Postmaster.
Our subject, as well as his father, John H., and his grandfather, David Beatty, were natives of the Old Dominion. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native-born Scotchman and came to America during Colonial days. settling in Virginia. where his death occurred. The grandfather fol- lowed the occupation of a miller in his native State and passed his entire life there, dying when sixty-three years of age. He was a Democrat in polities.
The father of our subject was reared in Virginia. and followed the ocenpation of a carpenter. joiner and cabinet-maker. He came with his family to Ohio in 1833, the journey being made over the
mountains in a two-horse wagon. Ile settled in Belmont County, Ohio, in the woods, and there followed his trade. About 1835, he moved from there to Moorefield, Harrison County, Ohio, and pursued his trade there until 1844, when he came to Bellefontaine, following his trade in this city until advanced in years, when he removed to Huntsville, where he served as Constable for a number of years, and there he died when over eighty-six years of age. From his youth he was identified with the Methodist Church, of which he remained a worthy member until his death. In politics, he was an active Democrat until 1840. but afterward was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he became a firm adherent of its principles. He married Miss Elea- nor Southerland, a native of Rockingham County, Va., of Dutch-Irish descent, and nine children were born to them, six of whom lived to mature years. They were named in the order of their births as follows: William W., Elizabeth, Francis A., John J., Cornelius B. and Ellen. The mother died when sixty-five years of age, in full communion with the Methodist Church.
Born in Loudoun County, Va .. September 12. 1820, William W. Beatty attended the district school in his native county until thirteen years old, and supplemented this by a course in an academy at U'pperville. He remembers very dis- tinctly the journey from Virginia to Ohio, then considered a very great undertaking. Ilis ambi- tious and enterprising disposition was displayed in childhood, when he traded his school books to another boy for a dog and then traded the dog for a small flint-lock pistol. While on the way from Virginia to Ohio, he bought some ammunition and thought he would practice shooting at a mark. Not knowing how his parents would like this, he slipped out of the back part of the wagon and became so interested in firing at different objects. that he forgot all about the wagon and enjoyed himself most thoroughly. However. his happiness was brought to a termination by his father return- ing for him with a beech gad. which played an important part in his hurry to overtake the wagon. Ihis beloved pistol was taken from him and he was in disgrace for some time. However. his active
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brain went to work to conjure up some scheme to get the pistol back into his possession, and he told his father that if he would give it to him he would sleep in the wagon and watch the goods, for he thought the community a very "tough" one. This scheme proved successful and once more he grasped the handle of that murderous weapon.
After reaching Ohio, our subject attended school for a short time in a log cabin. with a large fire- place, mud and stick chimney, and slab seats. He subsequently served an apprenticeship of five years at the carpenter's trade, which he followed both in Belmont and Harrison Counties. After settling at Moorefield, Harrison County, he met an old Justice of the Peace, by the name of Samuel Skin- ner, who took a fancy to him, and induced him to read law under Turner & Cowan, of Cadiz, Harri- son County, for cigliteen months. After this, he came to Logan County, where he and his family were taken with ague. and it was two years before he was able to earn his livelihood. He had no means to continue his law studies and fell back on his trade of a carpenter, which he carried on for two years. In this manner, he began to retrieve his fallen fortunes, and, as soon as able, began reading law under .ludge Lawrence, now of Belle- fontaine. This he continued for two years and was admitted to the Bar in 1850. He then began practicing in Belle Centre, Logan County, and in connection carried on a store, but in this he was not very successful. After residing in Belle Cen- tre until 1855, he sold out and removed to HIunts- ville, where he has practiced ever since. He is one of the most talented attorneys of Logan County, lending strength to her Bar, tone to her finances and grace to her society, and since his residence here has been honorably and usefully identified with the interests of the county and with its advancement in every worthy particular.
November 9, 1855, Mr. Beatty married Miss Mary Wilkins, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and the fruit of this union has been five children. one daughter and four sons: Catherine, now Mrs. Ragan, who resides at Kenton, Ohio; Henry, who died from the effects of hard service during the war; David W., who was killed at Missionary Ridge; John H., who resides in Kansas; and Al-
bert, who was train dispatcher at Cleveland, and was killed by the cars. All the sons were .in the late war.
In 1875, Mr. Beatty was elected Representative, and two years later was chosen State Senator. During his first session, he introduced a number of bills and succeeded in having many of them passed. One of the most important was the County Officer Fee Bill, the importance of which was to repeal the salary bill and make it a free bill. While in the Senate. the same bill was passed which our subject introduced in the llouse. He introduced many bills in the Senate, and was recognized as one of the best workers the county had ever had, either in the House or Senate. He was again elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1885, and re-elected in 1887. The most important bill he introduced during that time was the Township Local Option Bill, which passed. Just after intro- ducing this bill, Mr. Beatty was stricken with par- alysis and for a month was very ill, but by stren- uous efforts he succeeded in getting back in time to vote for his bill. He also introduced a bill to compel railroad companies to provide an auto- matie car coupler, so that the brakemen would not have to pass between the cars. Owing to deceit- ful manipulations and promises of railroad men. this bill failed to pass. Usually, however, Mr. Beatty was very successful in getting bills passed and was one of the hardest workers in the House. Among the committees on which he served were the Committees on Rules, Judiciary, Fees and Sal- aries, Revision of Laws and Corporations other than municipal.
For forty-two years. Mr. Beatty has followed his profession at Huntsville and has the second largest practice in Logan County, where he has many warm friends among both Democrats and Republicans. He is strong in his adherence to the last-named party, and cast his first Presidential ballot for Wilham Il. Harrison. In addition to his service in the House and Senate, he has been elected by his party to various positions of trust and honor, and is at present rendering etti- cient service as Postmaster at Huntsville. A warm friend of the temperance cause, and an umwaver- ing toe to the liquor traffic, his influence may be
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relied upon for the advancement of the former and the suppression of the latter. In religion, he is a believer in the doetrines of the Methodist Church, with which his wife is also identified.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Beatty accom- panies this sketch.
G. WISENER, one of the leading merch- ants of Wapakoneta, is a man of talent, of wide experience, and stands high in the financial circles of the county. He is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born in Butler county, Jan- uary 25, 1841. His parents, John G. Wisener, Sr .. and Margareta (Nicklas) Wisener, were natives of Germany, having come to America in an early day, and were married in the Keystone State, where they made their home until their decease. The father was a leading merchant in Butler. where he was considered one of the substantial and en- terprising citizens.
Mr. Wisener, of this sketeh. had three brothers and three sisters, of whom he was the fourth in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools and academy of his native place, and later took a commercial course in the college at Pitts- burgh. After completing his studies he clerked for a short time in the above city, and when but seventeen years of age came to this city and for five years acted as a clerk for the well-known merchant. Otto Dieker. He was then taken into the firm. the partnership lasting for a twelve- month.
Since 1865, our subjeet has been engaged in busi- ness in the city for himself, and is therefore one of its oldest resident merchants. Ile carries a complete stoek of dry goods and carpets, and that prosperity has smiled upon his efforts is indicated from the fact that he carries on the largest trade in the city. In addition to his extensive interests, Mr. Wisener is a stockholder in the Natural Gas Company, and a Director in the Wapakoneta Building and Loan Association. He is a fine type of our -elf-made
men. as from poverty he has risen to a position of wealth and importance in the community. When he arrived here in the flush and vigor of early manhood, his moneyed capital was very small, but his health, strength and brain were good substi- tutes, and by their aid he has acquired riches. Ilis financial ability is of a high order, and in all his transactions he has always acted with strict regard to veracity and honor.
In 1865, Mr. Wisener and Miss Georgiana W. Boshe were united in marriage, and of their union were born nine children. namely: John L., Laura D .. Margareta F., George F. (deceased), Lewis A .. Winfield B., George B., Georgiana D., and Wilhel- mena A. Lewis A. is employed in the Govern- ment Printing Office at Washington. D. C. Our subject, socially, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and with his wife is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He has extensive farming interests in this section, and has many sincere friends throughout the community. The father of our subject died in 1849, and the mother passed away in 1880.
ILBUR A. GINN. There is in the business world only one kind of man who can suc- cessfully combat the many disadvantages and trials that come boldly to the front, and that is the man of superior intelligence and force of character. To this class belongs Mr. Ginn. the popular young eivil engineer of Bellefontaine. 1 native of Shelby County, this State. our subject was born December 9. 1962. and is the son of George and Frances E. ( Wells) Ginn. the father a native of County Donegal. Ireland. and the mother born in Shelby County. this State, where her family were among the early pioneers.
The father of our subject. who is a farmer by occupation. is residing at the pre-ont time in the above-named county. where he is recognized as one of the most able and valued citizens. Our subject. the eldest child in a family of four sons
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and two daughters, received his early education in the publie seliools, and completed his studies at the National Normal University at Lebanon, from which institution he was graduated in the engi- neering department in 1882.
When leaving school, Mr. Ginn located in Sidney, where for four years he was City Engineer. In 1890, he came to Bellefontaine, and that same year was employed by the Ohio State Canal Com- missioner to make surveys of the reservoirs of the western division of the Public Works of Ohio. and this has occupied his time since loeating here. December 29, 1886, he was married to Miss Maggie J., the only child of Dr. David Watson. To them has been born one son, Wells W.
In social matters, our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religi- gious affairs, is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Ile is a man possessing shrewd judgment and strict integrity, and, it is predicted by his friends, will soon reach the top round of the ladder of fortune.
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D ANIEL SHAWVER. Industry, upright- ness and honesty have characterized Mr. Shawver's actions in life, and he is one of the most substantial and worthy eiti- zens of Lake Township, Logan County. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, on the 30th of April, 1827, and is the son of Daniel, Sr., and Eliza- beth (Shultz) Shawver, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland, the latter born on the 15th of November, 1785. The father grew to manhood in the Keystone State, and about 1804 came to Ohio, where he met and married Miss Shultz, who had come to the Buckeye State with her parents when a young lady. Their nuptials were celebrated in Jefferson County, and they first located on a farm in that county, in a little log cabin that the husband built in the woods, and here began tilling land purchased from the Government.
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