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 16
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 16
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 16
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John W. Gordon, the father of our subject, was one of five sons. lle became a farmer in early life, but coming to Ohio in 1825, he took up the mercantile business at Chillicothe. In 1827, he removed to Richmond. Ross County, and from there to Bellefontaine, but he only resided in each place about a year, and then took up bis abode in Piqua, where he carried on a mercantile business
with a good degree of prosperity for twenty-five years or so. In 1861, he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was a gallant officer in the War of 1812, and a member of some general's staff. He was ap- pointed Postmaster at Piqua in 1811, under Ty- ler's administration. Hle was fairly successful as a financier, was prominent in his community, open- hearted and generous, and liberal in the use of his means. In him the Methodist Church, which he joined in 1823, had one of its most valuied mem- bers, who did good service in church work as Class- leader and in other official positions. The mother of our subjeet was Sarah Bryarly, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Bryarly, who were natives of Virginia and owned an extensive plantation in Frederick County, where they had a large number of slaves and kept many fine horses, as the grand- father of our subjeet was a lover of the beautiful animals. The mother of our subject died Febru- ary 3, 1831. She had nine children, of whom three are living. The father remarried and one of his two children by his second marriage is living.
Robert Gordon, of this biographical review, ob- tained his early education in an old log school- house in his native place. After the family settled in Piqua, he attended a public school in that city, and later went to an academy. At the age of twenty-one. he became clerk in his father's store at Piqua, and obtained a clear insight into business, and so was well equipped both by natural aptitude for it and by training, when he came to St. Mary's in 1839, and established himself as a general mer- chant at this point in company with David Bates. who was Chief Engineer of the canal that was then in process of construction. Three years later, our subject abandoned that venture to accept the position of Treasurer of Mercer County, to which he was elected in 1842, and for two terms of four years he managed the finances of the county with his usual good judgment and to the perfect satis- faction of all concerned.
In 1813, Mr. Gordon entered the milling busi- ness, having a half-interest in a flouring mill on the canal, which he retained three years. Hle next engaged in farming and conducted a large business in that line, having eleven hundred acres of land
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at that time. He dealt extensively in stock, mak- ing a speciality of mules, and raised more mules than any man in Ohio at that period. keeping from two hundred to two hundred and fifty a year and frequently selling one hundred at a time in Kentucky, finding a market for all that he could raise, as they were regarded as a superior breed. Since 1855, he has engaged in milling as well as in farming, buying his present large and well- epuipped mill at St. Mary's December 19, of that year and immediately entering upon its manage- ment. He has other valuable interests in the city, including a warehouse, six dwellings and other property, beside owning a fine large farm of three hundred acres near St. Mary's. He derives a hand- some income from the oil found on about sixty aeres of his land, and has drilled six oil wells him- self. four of which are the best producers in this field.
Mr. Gordon was married September 18, 1838, to Catherine Barrington, a native of Philadelphia. who was born in 1817. She is a daughter of Will- iam R. and Jane Barrington, who were also Phila- delphians by birth and were pioneers of Ohio. Mr. Barrington was a prominent man in Piqua, where he established the first paper started at that place, which he edited until his death. Ile was at one time Mayor of Piqua. and Justice of the Peace also. Our subject and his wife have had eight children, of whom Sarah B. and Robert B., Jr., are the only survivors. The latter is a well-known publie man, and is County Anditor. Mrs. Gordon is greatly esteemed among her friends for rare worth and in her the Episcopal Church has a devout member.
As before mentioned, our subject has played an important part in the administration of civic affairs, as well as in the advancement of the busi- ness interests of this part of the State. lle is prominent in local polities as a Democrat who has stood steadfastly by his party ever since he cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. and he has done it good service as delegate to county, district and State conventions. He was at one time Justice of the Peace, but kept no doeket. He filled the office admirably, transacting all busi- ness that came before him with exactness and promptness, and his decisions were marked with
a clear comprehension of the law and were always impartial and to the point. He settled every case that was tried before him but one. a dispute abont four geese, and in order to satisfy all concerned, he offered to pay for the geese him- self; but the contestants could not agree and ap- pealed to the Circuit Court. In making a tran- seription of the case. Judge Gordon cooly used a shingle. This unique method of transcription rather set the dignity of the court at defiance, and in any one else but "Bob Gordon," as his friend, the presiding Judge, familiaily termed him, would have called for a fine for contempt of court.
Our subject was elected Representative to the State Legistature from Auglaize County in 1864. and was re-elected in 1866. He served as Chair- man of the Committee on Claims, was a member of several other committees, and won an honorable reputation as a statesman who was true to the in- terests of the public that he served. He is well known in social circles as a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been connected with both organi- zations since 1842, a period of fifty years.
ATHAN T. NOBLE. M. D .. of St. Mary's. is a physician of rare merit. who is well grounded in his profession, and a long and successful practice in various parts of the country. in which he has kept pace with the times in regard to modern methods in the treatment of disease and discoveries in the medical world, has placed him among the first of his calling in Auglaize County. where he has made his home for the past few years.
The Doctor is a native of what at that time was Mercer, but is now Auglaize, County. born in the Township of Wayne. April 28. 1848. Ileury Noble. his father, was also a native of Ohio. his birthplace in the county of Clinton. where he was born in 1812. Ile was a son of Elisha Noble. a famous pioneer of this section of the country, who was born on the Eastern shore of Maryland. Tradi-
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tion has it that the Noble family originated in America from three brothers of the name. who emigrated from England in Colonial times, one set- tling in New York, another in Maryland, and the third in Virginia. From them bas sprung a nul- merou- family. The great-grandfather of our sub- jeet was a gallant soldier of the Revolution, while his grandfather took an active part in the War of [>12. The latter came to Ohio early in the his- tory of its settlement, and located at first in Clin- ton County. probably about the year 1808. In 1833. he came thence to Auglaize County, then a part of Mercer County. and was a pioneer settler of Wayne Township, where he bought Government land. which he transformed into a substantially -- improved farm. He died in 1864, when past four- score years, but his name still lives as that of one of our most prominent pioneers, and is borne by Noble Township in his honor. Ile was Commis- sioner of Mercer County several years, and also acted as the first Commissioner of Auglaize County. never receiving much remuneration for his ser- vice -. lle bought one eighty-acre tract of land on the St. Mary's River, at $1.25 an aere, and as 1
one corner of it was cut off by the stream, he paid only $99.99 for the tract.
Henry Noble was one of a large family. Ile learned the trade of bricklayer when young, but followed farming after coming to this county, and the remainder of his life was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Wayne Township, now Noble Township. his death occurring in 1879. He had dwelt in this county forty-two years. and had not only been a witness of almost its entire growth, but he had played no unimportant part in its rise and progress. Ile was a wide-awake business man. and dealt considerably in land. and at the time of his death owned a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. lle held public offices, was Trustee of his township several terms, and for sev- pral years was a Director of the County Infirmary. Ile was a faithful member of the Disciples Church. and was a man of firm religious principles. The mother of our subject was Cynthian A. Roberts, a native of Kentucky, and she died in 1858. leav- ing three children, of whom he was the second in order of birth. The father was again married.
Until he was thirteen years old, the Doetor at- tended school in an old log house, that was fur- nished with rough slab seats. He afterwards went to the National Normal I'niversity at Lebanon, of which he was a student two years. Ile utilized his education by teaching a few terms, and during that time he read medicine with Dr. Milton MI. Miller, of Celina. one year. Ile next placed him- self under the instruction of Dr. Nichols, of Wapa- koneta, with whom he remained two years. In the meantime. he attended a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1869, linely equipped for his chosen profession. He practiced one year at Cridersville, in this county, but desir- ing a broader field for the exercise of his talents, in 1870 he went to Kansas, and established him- self in the drug business at Topeka. He subse- quently removed to Wakarnsa, twelve miles from the State Capital, and was stationed there three years. From there he went to Silver Lake, and was in practice there a year. After the death of his wife, he went down into Indian Territory, and engaged at his calling among the Indians of the Pottawatomie Nation, and also taught school among them. We next hear of him as Surgeon in Capt. Walches' company of Texas Rangers, in which he served eighteen months. lle was the most of that time on the Texas frontier, and oc- casionally crossed the border into Mexico. when the Rangers went thither in pursuit of cattle thieves, and he was present at one engagement of the regiment with the Mexicans.
Tiring of the rough, hard life on the plains, Dr. Noble located in Matamora. Mexico, for a short time, then returned to Silver Lake, Kan., and prac- tieed there awhile ere he finally came back to his old home in Ohio, in 1876, after an absence of six years. Ile opened an office in Celina, but after a residence there of nearly a year, he located on a farm in Noble Township, and superintended its cultivation; at the same time he continued in ac- tive practice as a physician, being thus engaged there for nine years. Ile was always a close student, even when busiest in professional work and in managing his affairs, but he desired to gain a still more profound knowledge of medicine, and
R. J. Krebs M. D.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in 1886 took a post-graduate course at his old Alma Mater, the Ohio Medical College. After leaving college a second time, the Doctor resumed practice at Kossuth, whence he came to St. Mary's in 1888. He at first associated himself with Dr. Kisler, who retired in 1892. He has firmly estab- lished himself in the confidence of the people, who regard him as one of the most learned and must able physicians of the place, and he has his full share of practice. Ile is a member in high stand- ing of the Northwestern Medical Society, and he is Examiner for the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- ance Company. Ile is likewise identified with the public life of St. Mary's as a member of the City Council. He was Justice of the Peace of Noble Township one term, and Township Clerk for sev- oral years. In politics, his sympathies are with the Democratic party.
Dr. Noble was first married in 1871, to Miss U'rilla Fiery, a native of Maryland. She died at Silver Lake, Kan .. leaving one child. Harry, now deceased. Our subject was again married, in 1877. this time to Mrs. Anna Ellis, nee JJohnson, of Ohio, who presides with true taet over their home. The Doctor still retains his farm of eighty acres in Noble Township. and is in good financial standing. Fra- ternally, the Doctor is Chief Patriarch of Encamp- ment No. 40, at St. Mary's, also Scribe of St. Mary's Chaper No. 51. R. A. M.
R 1. KREBS. M. D. The name of this much- esteemed and respected citizen is well and favorably known to the people of Auglaize County, where he practiced the "healing art" for many years. Ile was originally from the Keystone State. born in 1832. and his parents. I-ane and Esther (Topper) Krebs, were natives re- spectively of Winchester, Va., and Maryland. After marriage, the parents settled first in Pennsylvania. but afterward made their home in Winchester. Va .. where they passed the closing scenes of their lives, the mother dying in 1861. and the father in 1881.
The gentleman whose portrait and life sketch are here presented accompanied his parents in their removal from Pennsylvania to Virginia in 1846. and remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority. In 1850, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Ingh HI. McGuire, father of the renowned Hunter McGuire, and dur- ing the session of 1851-52 he attended the Win- chester Medical College. In the last-named year, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution the following year. Shortly afterward, he located at Mt. Jack- son, and in 1854 removed to Westminster, Allen County, Ohio, where he practiced his profession successfully until 1858. From there he went to Waynesfield, Auglaize County. and was engaged in a very large and lucrative practice there until 1885, when he sold out and came to Wayne Town- ship, the same county, where he settled on a farmi he had owned prior to selling out at Waynesfield. This place consists of eighty-five aeres, mostly um- proved, and embellished by a substantial residence erected in 1890.
The marriage of Dr. Krebs united him with Miss Lueina Myers, a native of Licking County, Ohio. and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Myers. also of that county. This union resulted in the birth of three children: Laura 1 ... Jennie J. and Francis G. Laura L. was graduated from Ada University in Ilardin County, and also attended the Columbus Medical College and the llomeo- pathic College at Cincinnati. IIer talent as an elocutionist is of an unusually high order. She is now the wife of J. Il. Manchester, of Goshen Town- ship, who is one of the most extensive farmers of Ohio. Jennie J .. who is the wife of Ira Har- rod, of Wayne Township, was a student at Ada University, but on account of poor health did not graduate. She is a fine musician, and is organist of the Waynesfield Methodist Episcopal Church. Francis G. likewise studied in Ada University, and is now a prosperous citizen of Goshen Town- ship. His marriage united him with Miss Nellie daughter of Rev. A. P. MeNutt. of Bradner, Wood County, Ohio.
For thirty-eight years Dr. Krebs was in the active practice of his profesion, and is now re-
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tired, spending his declining years in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his labors. In politics, he has been a life-long Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan. He has been especially interested in educational matters, and has served as School Director, as well as in other official capacities. Ile and his wife are mem- hers of the Methodist Church, in which they are active workers. His thorough knowledge of his profesion enused his services to be in demand over a wide scope of territory, and his practice was limited only by the time he was able to devote to it. His cheerful countenance, encouraging words and sympathizing manner have won for him a host of warm personal friends, and he is universally respected.
G EORGE A. MARSHALL is one of the prom- inent legal lights of Shelby County, and as a lawyer. he combines ability and a thor- ough training in legal principles with industry and close application to the interests of his clients. Ile is a scholarly gentleman, a valuable counselor, and a useful and influential eitizen. Ile has been engaged in active practice in this county since 1878. and has been Prosecuting Attorney for the same. Mr. Marshall was born in Washington Township, this county, on the 11th of September, 1850, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Russell) Marshall. both natives of Pennsylvania.
The father was born in Washington County, January 8. 1803, and with his father, also Samuel Marshall. eame to Washington Township, Shelby County. in 1805. The elder Samuel made a set- tlement in Miami County, which extended to the Lakes. Ile entered the third traet in what is now Shelby County, developed a farm, and there his death occurred. He was Associate Judge for this judicial district. Samuel, Jr., was reared on the farin and made that his home all his life. He i married Miss Russell and reared a family of eleven hildren. Both he and Mrs. Marshall were mem- ,
bers of the United Presbyterian Church, and he was County Coroner for several years. His wife died on the Sth of January, 1864, and he followed her to the grave on the 19th of February, 1874.
Our subject entered the Delaware (Ohio) Wes- leyan University at a suitable age, and took a three years and a-half course, afterward reading law with the firm of Conklin & Burroughs. Ile was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court in 1878, and at once located in Sidney for practice. Later, he entered into partnership with JJudge Conklin, continued with him for two years, and since that time has conducted the business alone. In 1878, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and was sworn in on the 1st of January, 1879, holding that position one term of two, and two terms of three years, each. He was elected on the Demo- cratie tieket. During the great political fight of 1890, he was a candidate for Congress, but was one of the five who were not elected. There were three conventions of a week's duration each.
Mr. Marshall chose his wife in the person of Miss Lou Cowan, who was born in Shelby County, Ohio, and whose father, Dr. Cowan, resided west of Sidney for many years. The nuptials were cele- brated on the 8th of January, 1880, and three children have blessed this union: Benjamin, Sam- uel and Frank. Mr. Marshall is well versed in law and is an honored member of the Bar and a highly reputable gentleman. Ilis reputation and record are first-class for integrity and trustworthi- ness in all matters intrusted to him, and he is one of the most capable members of his profession in the city.
ICHOLAS BREWER. It gives us pleasure to place on these pages a biographical re- view of the life of this venerable pioneer V of Anglaize County, who is a fine representative of his class. For more than half a century, he has lived and labored in Noble Township, and his naine will forever be associated with its rise and
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growth. He has reclaimed a beautiful farm from the forests that prevailed here when he settled in his locality, and he has been prominent in the ad- ministration of public affairs in various important official capacities.
Mr. Brewer was born in Ihighland County, Janu- ary 10, 1812, a son of Isham Brewer, a native of North Carolina. who came to Ohio in the early years of its settlement. and was one of the origi- nal pioneers of llighland County. He married there and became a prosperous farmer. A few years prior to his death, he removed to Clinton County, where he died in 1850. at an advanced age. llis wife, Phoebe Brewer, a native of Vir- ginia. passed away some years before he did. They had a family of eleven children, six sons and live dangliters, of whom our subject is the eldest.
Mr. Brewer's school advantages were very lim- ited. as he had to go two or three miles to a school. which was taught in a rude log cabin, and he only went two terms in all. Ile obtained the most of Itis education at home, and also obtained a good drilling in all kinds of farm work, passing his boyhood on his father's farms in Highland and Clinton Counties, the family removing to the lat- ter place when he was quite small. The country was wild, and game, such as deer, wolves, bears and other animals, abounded, so that he had a fine chance to exercise his skill as a marksman when he could obtain leave to go hunting. He farmed five years in Clinton County before his marriage, and worked until he obtained money enough to buy eighty acres of land. In 1836. he came to Au- glaize County to select a suitable location and to in- vest his money. accompanied hither by his wife and two sons, the journey being made the most of the way in a wagon through the woods. When Mr. Brewer arrived at St. Mary's, he hired a man to cut his way with an axe to Noble Township. and he located here in the forests, buying eighty acres of land on section 24. where he has since lived a period of fifty-six years. His homestead was land that had been donated to the State by the Govern- ment. that the Miami and Erie Canal might be built from the proceeds obtained in selling the land.
Our subject began life in regular pioneer style.
erecting a log cabin, 18x20 feet in dimensions, for a dwelling, in which he lived several years. In- dians frequently passed by on hunting expedi- tions, and he has killed many a deer and wolf, selling the pelts for groceries and other necessaries for family nse, and supplying the table with veni- son. It was the fall of the year when he settled here, and by the following year he had seven acres of his land cleared and ready for cultivation. and planted it with corn. Hle cleared a little of his farm each year, and, working very hard to make a liv- ing, occasionally became discouraged and wished himself back m his old home. To make mat- ters worse, a few years later, after the canal was begun, the ague became prevalent, and he and his family suffered greatly from it. But better times came; he had his land pretty well cleared. began to make a little money, added more land to his original purchase. and in time had three hun- dred and twenty acres of most excellent farming land in his possession. He has given his two sons eighty acres each. but still retains one hundred and sixty acres on sections 23 and 21. All this land has been cleared by his own hands, and he has placed it under substantial improvement. He began here in the woods with but little capital, and has hewed his way to a comfortable fortune, which places him among the solid men of Noble Township.
Mr. Brewer was married December 15, 1830. to Sarah Noble, a native of Clinton County, whose parents came to this county at the same time that she and her husband came. She was an excellent Christian woman. the best of wives and mothers. and an honored member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. She was greatly mourned when death called her hence in 1870. Five sons and five daughters were the fruit of her marriage with our subject. as follows: Elisha N., Caroline (deceased ), Calvin (deceased), Elizabeth, Margaret. Augusta, Albert (deceased ). Cass. Susan (deceased), and Clinton.
Mr. Brewer has a good record as a Democrat since the day, many years ago. that he cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. His fellow- citizens early recognized his fitness for public life. and have from time to time called him to fill vari-
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ons responsible offices connected with the admin- istration of civic affairs, le was at one time County Commissioner, discharging the duties thus incumbent upon him with true publie spirit, and mining the reputation of being one of the best men that ever hell the position. He was Trus- tee of Noble Township for several years. and Township Clerk for a long time, and for many years had charge of the finances of the township as Treasurer.
W ILLIAM MARION SNOW is intelligent. progressive and prosperous in the prosecu- tion of his calling as a farmer and stock- man. and is numbered among the leading members of his class in Shelby County. His home is one of the most comfortable and attractive on section 12, Cynthiana Township. where he is entensively en- gaged in business.
A native of this State, our subject was born near l'iqua. Miami County. October 4. 1850. He is a son of George Snow, who emigrated from his native country, Germany, to America when a lad of seven years in company with his father, who also bore the name of George. They first made their home in Baltimore, but soon afterward removed to this State and located in this county, where the grand- father died. The father of our subject followed the occupation of a farmer. and, coming to this county in 1856, made a permanent location in Cynthiana Township, where he purchased land and resided until his decease, which occurred in No- vember. 1890, when in his eightieth year. He was a prominent land-owner in this county, and at his death left an estate of $4.000. In religious affairs, he was a devoted member of the German Baptist Church.
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