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 15
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 15
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 15
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On this place Mr. and Mrs. Shawver remained
until 1836, when they removed to Harrison Town- ship. Logan Connty, and settled in another log house. They worked industriously and soon had the farm in a good state of cultivation. Both lived to a good old age, the father dying in 1865, when about eighty-four years of age, and the mother dying at the age of eighty-three. Mr. Shawver built the mill known as the John F. Kayler Mill, on Blue Jacket, in this county. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches respectively, were active workers in re- ligious causes, and he was one of the leaders in his church. Of the large family of children born to them, fourteen in number, all grew to mature years, married and had families. There were nine sons and five daughters, as follows: Elizabeth and Margaret (twins). Catherine, George, Jacob, John, Solomon, Elias, Joshua, Jonathan, Susannalı, Sophia, Daniel (our subject) and Michael. Those living are Solomon, of Clay County, Ill .; Jona- than, of Champaign County, Ohio; Susannah, wife of William Moon, of Jefferson Township, this county; Daniel, our subjeet, and Michael, of Clarke County, Ohio.
Our subject is the thirteenth child and eighth son. He was educated in the district schools of his native place, and supplemented this by attending school about two years in Harrison Township, Lo- gan County. Ile remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and meanwhile worked by the day at various times after he was of age. On the 27th of January, 1853, he was married in Monroe Township, Logan County. to Miss llannah Foust, who was born June 7, 1832, in Portage County, Ohio, and came to Logan County when but a child. Her father, Ilenry Foust, was origin- ally from the Keystone State, but at a very late date made a settlement in Ohio. In 1838, he re- moved to Logan County, where his death occurred in 1881. The mother is still living. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom reached mature years, as follows: John Y., Solo- mon P., Benjamin, Hannah, Mary Ann, Sarah, Sam- nel, George, Ilenry, Melinda and Lucinda (twins), Wilson S. and James R., all now living but Benja- min, who died in 1882, and Jolin Y., whose death occurred May 22, 1892.
RESIDENCE OF DANIEL SHAWVER . TAKE TP. LOGAN COUNTY .. OHIO
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPINICAL RECORD.
Directly after his marriage, our subject located where he now lives, in a small log house, where he and his bride began in a very frugal and primitive manner to lay the foundation for their subsequent prosperous career. A small log barn was on this place and there were about forty acres eleared. As the years passed by, children gathered in the home and brought sunshine and joy to the parents. Nine children were given them, as follows: Mary Anna, wife of Samuel McNett, of Delaware County, Ind., is the mother of three sons and three dangh- ters; Malinda C., wife of John Hemphill, of Logan County, is the mother of one child; George F., of West Mansfield, Ohio, married Miss Susan Vaness, who died, leaving a son and a daughter and he after- ward married Miss Ida liekman; John W. died November 3, 1862, at the age of four years, one month and ten days; Lucinda M., widow of Syl- vester Morris, has three sons and one daughter; Rebecca E., David E .. Dora Bell and Mattie E. are at home with their parents.
The fine farm belonging to Mr. Shawver is pleas- antly located in Lake Township and is under a good state of cultivation. Numerous substantial buildings embellish the place, conspicuous among which is the commodious briek residence, erected in 1861 at a cost of $2,400. A view of this pleas- ant home is shown on another page. In 1868, Mr. Shawver built what was then, and is still. the larg- est barn in the county, being 101x40 feet in di- mensions, and sixteen feet high, with an eight-foot basement. In 1891. an addition was built, 101x32 feet. with twenty-three-foot posts, and a steel roof. This is intended for a straw shed and eov- ered barnyard, where the stock can remain pro- tected from the storm. The entire building con- tains forty-six windows. In 1891. Mr. Shawver placed a steel roof on his house, and has added other improvements as needed. The barn and other outbuildings were erected by himself and represent his unaided exertions. Ile purchased one hundred acres of the farm in 1849, twenty-two acres in 1872, and still further added to it in 1881. when he purchased sixty-three acres. Stock-raising engages his attention to a considerable extent and he makes a specialty of Short-horn cattle, while he also engages with success in raising wheat. eorn
and clover. Ilis agricultural labors so closely en- gage his time and thought that be has little leisure for public affairs; however, he takes an intelligent interest in matters of local importance, and politi- eally, is a Democrat of no uncertain tone. The Lutheran Church counts him as one of its faithful members, and he contributes liberally to religions eauses.
E LISIIA N. BREWER, who is the son of the venerable ex-County Commissioner. Nich- olas Brewer, has done his share in reelaim- ing Auglaize County from its original wildness, and is classed among the prosperous farmers who have been instrumental in the upbuilding of Noble Township, where his well-improved farm is situ- ated on seetion 12.
Our subject was born in Clinton County. this State, January 19, 1832, and was five years old when his parents took up their residence in Au- glaize County, which has now been his home for fifty-five years, and in his boyhood he was per- feetly familiar with the various phases of pioneer life, under whose influences he grew to a sturdy, self-helpful manhood, with good mental and phy- sical endowments. In those early years, when he should have been going to school. there were but few schools in this part of the State, and he was scarcely able to go at ali until he was fifteen years of age. However, he made the best of his opportunities to obtain an education in the three seasons of three months each that he had a chanec to attend a school taught in a primitive log school- house, rudely furnished with slab seats, and lighted by greased paper windows. The schoolhouse was two miles from his home, the way to it lying through the woods. Wild game was plentiful. and he has killed many a deer and wild turkey. Ile actively assisted his father in clearing and improving his land as soon as he was large enough to handle an axe, and he continued an inmate of the par- ental family until he was twenty-two years old, when he left to learn the trade of a carpenter.
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Ile had quite a taste for mechanies, and ever since he had been old enough up to that time, he had attended a good many house and barn rais- ings to lend a helping hand. When he had mas- tered his trade, he was engaged in it all over this section of the country.
For many years, our subject has devoted him- -elf to farming. and has a farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres on sections 11 and 12, Noble Township, that is in an excellent condition, the land. which is fertile and very productive, being under the best of tillage, and a well-built and conveniently-arranged set of buildings adds to the value of the place. The farm is well stocked, a fine herd of Jersey cows, to the breeding of which he has paid much attention for the past few years. making a good showing. In the early years, this country was known as "The Black Swamp." and the only way to get through the woods was to walk on logs. Our subject has lived to see this swamp and wilderness cleared up and drained, until the broad acres and fine farms respond to the touch of the husbandman, the swamps are no more. yellow fields of grain wave in the breeze, and the green cornfields add to the beauty of the landscape.
Mr. Brewer has been married twice; the first time, in 1857. to Miss Ellen Richardson, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth Riebardson, who were natives respec- tively of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mr. Richardson was a weaver by trade, but he worked at various occupations. Mrs. Brewer was a most estimable woman. a loving wife and tender mo- ther. and her death. August 25, 1872, was a sad loss to her household. She was the mother of three children. of whom the following is the rec- ord: Lena. who died at the age of two and one-half year -: Fredus, who was born October 22. 1860, is married and settled in life as a carpenter and builder in Moulton Township; Nicholas, born November 11. 1866. is a carpenter and resides with his father.
Mr. Brewer was married a second time. May 8. 1>73. this union being with Mrs. Mattie (Hudson) smith. widow of John Smith. She is a native of Washington Township, and a daughter of Jesse and Mary Hudson, who were natives of Franklin County
and early settlers of this county. Mrs. Brewer's first husband died in October, 1867, leaving her with one child, Ettie F. She is a most excellent woman, and the Methodist Episcopal Church finds in her one of its worthiest members. She has property in her own right, including a good farm of fifty-five acres, well improved, joining her husband's farm in Noble Township.
The people of his community who have known our subject during the many years he has been a resident of Auglaize County can testify one and all that he is a man of true merit, who has ever led a conscientious, upright life, dealing fairly and honestly by all, and always a kind and oblig- ing neighbor to those who live in his vicinity. Ile has made a good public officer whenever he has held office, always using his influence to for- ward the best interests of his township. He has been an incumbent of various civic positions, and for twelve successive years was Trustee of Noble Township. Politically, he is a Democrat, tried and true.
D AVID BAKER. In presenting a sketch of . this gentleman to our readers, we record the life work of one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Shelby County. He isat present residing on section 18. Franklin Township, where he owns a quarter-section of valuable land on which he lives, and a fifty-acre farm joining on the south, under a high state of cultivation. Its im- provements, which are many, are most useful and ornamental and the dwelling, whieb is a conven- iently arranged frame structure. is pleasantly situ- ated and is replete with comfort.
John C. Baker, Jr., the father of our subject. was born in Germany in 1784, where also his father who likewise bore the name of lohn C., was born and engaged in the European wars. The family of the latter emigrated to America in 1797, and when landing on the shores of the New World. the children were sold to the highest bidder in order
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to pay for their passage across the ocean. The father of our subjeet served for five years. and after ob- taining his freedom helped to ransom his sister. The parents located in Virginia, where they re- mained until 1814.and then coming to Ohio, located in Greene County, which was their home for many years, and in 1830 eame to this county, taking up their abode with the father of our subject.
The lady to whom John C. Baker, Jr .. was mar- ried bore the maiden name of Margaret Bush, and was born in Kentucky in 1787. They were mar- ried in Virginia, and coming to Ohio in 1815, set- tled in Greene County, walking the entire distance. As they were very poor, they located on a leased wild farm, which was their home until 1830. the date of their coming to this county. They remained for two years on a rented farm in Orange Town- ship, when Mr. Baker purebased eighty acres of wild land on section 4. Salem Township. There hre erected a log shanty without a floor, in which the family moved and made their home until he could erect a more comfortable abiding-place. The father was a hard-working man. and in addition to improving his own property. cleared land for other parties, amounting to about three hundred acres of solid woods, and was always closely con- nected with the upbuilding of his community. Hle died Angust 26, 1855, being followed to the better land by his wife, who departed this life March 19, 1869. aged eighty years eight months and twenty-nine days. He was a patriot in the War of 1812, and of a family of thirteen children, reared eleven to mature years. Six of his sons are still living namely: George C., Jacob, John, Jr., Isaac, our subject, and Squire, their average ages being seventy-two years.
The original of this sketch was born January 21. 1827. in Greene County, this State and as his par- ents were too poor to send him to the subscription schools, his opportunities for gaining an education were very limited. The temple of learning in that early day was built of logs, had greased paper for windows. and the seats were made of split logs. He was very useful in aiding his father to operate the farm and remained at home until reaching his majority, when he was married. March 15, 1849. to Jemimah Ann, daughter of George and Hannah
(Carter) Michael. Her parents removed from Montgomery to this county in an early day, her birth occurring in the former place April 26, 1826.
After his marriage Mr. Baker lived on rented property for two years and then moving to Port Jefferson, worked at the carpenter's trade for nine years. At the expiration of that time, he became the owner of eighty acres on section 17, Salem Township, where the wife died July 5, 1860, hav- ing become the mother of four children, of whom the three living are: Harvey W .. who married Sarah II. Faller; George M .. who married Ella Grif- fiths, and Jacob Il .. the husband of Belle Ward. The deceased child, Lewis M., died when seven months old, in July. 1852.
The lady whom our subject chose as his second wife September 13, 1856, was Miss Sarah. daughter of David and Lydia ( Ketehner) Swanders, natives respectively of Fairfield County. this State. and Penn-ylvama. The father came here in 1833 and made settlement at what is now Swanders ' Corners. Franklin Township, this county, where he was re- siding at the time of his death in 1853. His good wife, who reared a family of eleven children, is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Baker, who is the eldest of the family now liv- ing. was born October 30, 1832. in Fairfield County, and after her marriage located with our subject up- on their present farm.
The two hundred and ten acres which are included in the estate of Mr. Baker are almost all under the best methods of improvement. He erected on his place a comfortable residence in 1875, two years previous to which time, however. he had built a large barn. His place is thoroughly tiled and his fields well tilled. The two children of which he is the father are David MI., who was born December 4. 1868. married Eugenia Fink and resides in Ne- braska. while James M., who was born July 24. 1870, married Alice Taylor and makes his home in this township.
Our subject and his estimable wife are Christian people. he having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for well nigh a half-century.and his wife has been connected with the German Re- formed Church for over forty years. Mr. Baker is one of the famous "Squirrel Hunters" and holds
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an honorable discharge from the same. During the late war, he captured one of the rebels and, tak- ing him to Cincinnati, exchanged him for a Union soldier. He had a brother Isaac who served for a period of four years in the Civil War, in which eondict Mrs. Baker had two brothers.
After his marriage Mr. Baker was in very lim- ited circumstances and after carrying on the home farm for two years, as before stated, went to Port Jefferson and worked for sixty cents a day at the carpenter's trade. He went in debt $1,250 for his first purchase of land, which property he im- proved and later sold for $3,250, and on the out- break of the Civil War loaned that amount to the Government; when he purchased his present farm it was paid back to him with good interest. He is a Republican in politics and is greatly esteemed in his community for his personal worth.
R OBERT HASTINGS, a prominent merchant of Botkins, Shelby County, is one of the well-known business men of that thriving city, and in addition to conducting his in- tereste. there has done much to promote the agri cultural development of Dinsmore Township. being the proprietor of eight hundred acres of arable land, which forms one of the most valuable pieces of property in this locality.
The subject of this sketch was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 1. 1846, and is a son of Robert Ilast- ing -. Sr., who is a native of England. The latter since emigrating to America. in or about 1830, has been engaged in the manufacture of lubricating oils in New York City. His wife. who bore the maiden name of Nancy Black. was a native of New York, and departed this life when our subject was quite small.
The original of this sketch is the elder of two children in the parental family and obtained his education mostly in his native city. When four- teen years of age, he came to this State and visited
an uncle, who was at that time living in Cinein- nati. While there, the latter enlisted in the Civil War, and our subject, although young, in June, 1862, became a member of Company E, Second United States Artillery. The first engagement in which he participated was the siege of Yorktown, which lasted from April 19 to May 4, 1862. The succeeding battles were Golding's Farm, June 27; Turkey Bend, June 27; Malvern Hill, July 1; Bull Run. September 1; Chantilly, September 1; South Mountain, September 14; Antietam, September 16 and 17: Fredericksburg, from December 11 to 14; siege of Vicksburgh, from June 20 till July 4; Jackson, July 4 to 20; Campbell Station, Novem- ber 16; Ft. Sanders, November 29; the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and numerous minor engagements. Young Hastings received his honorable discharge at Washington, having served his country faith- fully and well for a period of three years. For valiant service rendered, he was promoted to be Corporal and afterward was made Sergeant.
At the close of the war, our subject returned to Shelby County and located near Port .Jefferson, having in the meantime purchased an outfit and prepared to cultivate the soil. Abouta year there- after, he became the proprietor of one hundred and sixty acres of timber land on section 11, Dinsmore Township, for which he paid $10 per acre. lle immediately set to work to clear his land, and in a short time readily sold it for $1,000. Mr. Hastings then removed to Botkins and engaged in loaning money, dealing in notes, mortgages, etc. Ile also handled real estate, shipped stock to the city markets and superintended the operations of the farms which he owned. He later added to his extended business that of shipping grain, in which branch he still continues. Ile also owned and op- erated a spoke factory, and in various other ways has been closely identified with the business inter- ests of this section for many years. He is a man of steady habits, of high principles, doing as he would he done by in the various relations that he sustains toward others, and his life record in all things is unblemished and worthy of emulation.
The lady who became the wife of our subject in 1872 was Miss Florence, daughter of Isaac II. and Nancy Gallimore, natives of this State. and Mrs.
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Ilastings was born in this county. Her father was one of nine children born to Samuel and Elizabeth ( Broegg) Gallimore, the former of whom was born November 12. 1794, in Virginia, being descended from an old Virginia family, and emigrated to Obio when a boy. His wife was born in East Tennessee, August 19, 1803. The grandparents of Mrs. Hast- ings were pioneers of this township, and it was here that her father grew to manhood and was married. He was one of the first to enlist in this section on the outbreak of the Civil War. joining a company in the Twentieth Ohio Infantry, and being Color-bearer. Ile was killed in one of the first battles fought, dying at his post of duty with the flag of his country in his hands. His wife, who had preceded him to the better land. died in 1860.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been bern seven sons, namely: Oscar, Albert, Walter, Orvil, Arthur, Chester and Charles. A Republican in politics. Mr. Ilastings is always in favor of every movement which will in any way benefit the town- ship or county. but finds that he has no time to hold office, preferring to devote his attention to private affairs. As before stated, he owns eight hundred aeres of land. half of which is in the neighborhood of Botkins. He has carried on his numerous interests with untiring industry, which has been seconded by sound judgment in regard to business matters, and he has therefore been much profited. A part of his success he justly attributes to his devoted wite, who has co-operated with him in every possible way, and has been to him a wise counselor.
ACOB PAUL. the efficient Commissioner of Shelby County, Ohio, has occupied various positions of trust in the county and is every- where respected for his sterling worth. As he is a native of this county, born on the 14th of November. 1841. he is well acquainted. and the people have every opportunity to judge of his
character and qualifications. His father. Adam Paul, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 14th of February. 1809, and secured a good practical education in his native country. In 1833, he braved Neptune's tender mercies and came to the United States, buying land from the Government. which he cleared up himself. To him belongs the honor of being the first settler in Van Buren Township, this county. On this farm this worthy pioneer delved and worked until his death, in 1882. He married Miss Elizabeth M. Boesel. a sister of Senator Boesel. and they became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, four now living. viz: Christian, who resides in Auglaize County; our subject; Charlotta, wife of Henry Metz. of Kansas; and Philip P., of Dayton, Ohio. The four deceased were Adam, Elizabeth, Carolina. and Wilhelmina.
Our subject passed the early days of his life in assisting on the farm, and later embarked in farm- ing and buying and shipping stock. He continued to make his home in Van Buren Township until the time of his election, and became the owner of a most desirable farm of one hundred and eighty- six acres, all the fruits of his own exertions. On the 26th of April. 1861. he led to the altar Miss Catherine Purpus. a native of Bavaria, Germany. but who came to the United States in 1860. Six children have blessed this union and are as fol- lows: Mina, wife of Charles Fritz. of Van Bu- ren Township; Louis. on the farm; Rosa, wife of Martin Knost. of New Bremen, AAuglaize County; Jaeob C., on the farm; Edward, with his parents; and Amanda. also at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul are worthy and exemplary members of the Reformed Church, and Mr. Paul's father was one of the organizers of this church at New Bremen. Our subject and wife are deeply interested in religiousand educational matters, and are active in all other good work. In his career as a public otlicial, Mr. Paul's record has ever been one of the best, and he has discharged the duties of every position with much credit to himself and his constituents. Ile served for three years as Trustee of the township, seven years as Town- ship Assessor, and then, in 1886. was elected to the position of County Commissioner. and re-elected
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in 1889. taking the office the January following his election. He moved to Sidney after being elected the second time. and has since given his whole attention to the duties of his office, leaving his two sons to carry on the farm. lle is one of the county's best citizens, and is thoroughly es- teemed in the community.
b ON. ROBERT B. GORDON is a man whose spirit of enterprise, progressive business methods and native ability early brought him to the front in the financial eireles of Anglaize County, and have kept him there, besides giving him prominence as an office-holder occupy- ing some of the highest positions within the gift of his fellow-citizens. For more than fifty years, he has been a resident of St. Mary's, has been one of its foremost business men, and his name is insep- arably connected with its rise and growth, and he is still one of its most energetic. busy and useful citizens. although he long ago passed the age when most men retire from active life. He is engaged in the manufacture of flour, having a large mill at this point. deals extensively in grain and superin- tends his valuable farming and oil interests him- self.
Our subject was born near Winchester, Va., No- vember 20. 1815. He is a son of John Gordon, who was also born in the Old Dominion, and was of Seoteh descent. Ile had a large plantation in his State. kept a great number of slaves and was wealthy. At an advanced age, after his family had scattered. he came to Ohio, and died at l'iqua, when past eighty years old.
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