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 20
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 20
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 20
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Our subject's father, when he came to Auglaize County, selected a suitable location in St. Mary's Township. and built up here a very comfortable home in the busy years that followed, which he never left until death called him hence in 1864, when but fifty-four years of age, scarcely past the meridian of life. He did valuable work as a pio- neer, helping to clear a good many acres of land. He was expert in the use of the title, and brought down many a deer fleeing from hun with flying feet, bird on the wing and other game. Both he and his wife were true Christian people, who were for many years among the most zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were very strict in their religions observances. He was Class- leader in the church for more than twenty years. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Sheppard, and who was a native of Athens County, was not long separated from him after he passed away, as her death occurred two days later than his, at the age of forty-nine years.
Calvin Wilkins is the eldest son in a family of seven children, of whom all are living. His rear- ing was amid pioneer environments, and his early education was such as was afforded by the primi- tive schools of the time, taught in some old log cabin rented from its owner for a trivial sum, and furnished with slab seats. the only desk being a hoard placed against the wall on wooden pins driven into the cracks between the logs, and an old-fashioned fireplace being used for heating pur- poses. When he was twenty-one. he had the mis- fortune to lose both his parents, and was left with three younger brothers and sisters to care for. He continued to live with them on the old homestead, and nobly did his duty by his charges. He after-
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ward bought the farm of the other heirs, and has always lived on it in peace and contentment. It comprises one hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, in a good state of cultivation, and provided with substantial and neatly kept buildings, and all the appliances for carrying on farming profitably. It was on this place that the Lima Natural Gas Co. first struek gas in this section of the country. There are now two good wells on the farm, and gas is piped from them to Lima. Besides this, it supplies his residence with fuel and light, and is the source of a fine ineome.
It was Mr. Wilkins' good fortune to secure a wife who has been a real helpmate and companion to him since their marriage in 1868. Mrs. Wilkins, who bore the maiden name of Abigail Ramsey, is a native of Indiana, but is of the old pioneer stock of this State, to which her parents came as pioneers. The following are the names of the seven children that have hallowed the union of our sub- ject and his wife: John R., Harry, Pierce, Ford, Abigail, Estella and Louise.
Our subject is borne in the utmost respeet by the people among whom his entire life has been passed, as they knew him to be a man of irreproachable morals, whose word is to be trusted, who is neigh- borly, cheerful and accommodating in his relations with others, and who, in short, lives up to the Christian faith that he professes as an esteemed member of the United Brethren Church, of which he is Trustee. His amiable wife is also a consistent member of that church. Politieally, he is a Dem- oerat, who has always stood loyally by his party.
D R. M. F. IT'SSEY, B. S .. C. E., M. D., is one of the rising young physicians of Sidney. where he has been engaged in the practice of his ehosen profession since March. 1891. and his reputation as a thorough student of med- ieine and an honorable, upright man. is thor- oughly established. The people have had every chance to judge of his character and qualifica-
tions, for he has been a resident of this county all his life, his birth occurring in Port Jefferson, Shelby Country, on the 5th of September. 1856.
Ilis father. Dr. S. C. Hussey, of Port Jefferson, Ohio, was one of the early physicians of this county, having located here in 1818. Ile was a son of Christopher Hussey, who was born in Tenn- essee. and moved to near Jamestown, Ohio. in 1807, where he followed farming. Dr. S. C. Ilus- sey married Miss Ann Wieal, a native of Bowers- ville. Ohio, and they reared a family of ten ehil- dren, as follows: Thomas M., formerly a Sheriff of the county, now resides in Sidney; Dr. A. (de- ceased); John C., Clerk of the Court; Mary (de- ceased); llester, wife of Oscar Malley, resides in Xenia, Ohio; Dr. M. F., our subjeet; Emma (de- ceased); Mattie C .. wife of Lewis Thompson, of Port Jefferson; C. L., at home, and Ada, wife of Frank Cargill.
The subject of this sketch, in addition to a common-school education, attended Port Jefferson Iligh School and graduated from the National Normal School at Lebanon. Ohio. with the de- grees of B. S. and C. E. After this, he began teaching school and won an excellent reputation as an educator. Previous to graduating, he taught for three years and afterward was Principal of the Port Jefferson school for three years, also the Anna school for the same length of time, and the Bot- kins school for two years. Like the majority of boys. Dr. llussey has followed in his ancestors' foot- steps, and at an carly age evinced a liking for the medical profession. During the latter part of his term as County Examiner, he read medicine with his brother, Dr. A., until the latter's death, and was then with Dr. Wood until his death. After this, he was with Dr. Ross S. John. of Houston. and then took his medical lectures at Ohio Medi- eal College. C'ineinnati. from which he was gradu- ated in 1891.
About May 1 of that year. he located in Sidney and so far has a flattering practice. Ile was ap- pointed Surgeon of the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. He has also been given charge and control of the Shelby County Infirmary as its physician. and is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society. Socially. he is a mem-
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I: of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. From 1956 until ts87. Dr. Husey was Regis- ter of the Government Paper Mills at Pitts- field. Mass .. to which position he was appointed unvier Pres.dent Cleveland, and it was his duty to keep track of all paper manufactured to be used for currency and postal notes. Dr. Hussey is a pleasant an 1 generous gentleman, liberal in all his sheas, and a protector of the rights of, and in deep svarpatay with, humanity.
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OHN R. WHITE. one of the most intelli- gent and respected members of the farming community of Union Township. Auglaize County. has been identified with the agri- efter.al interests here since 1876. He is the son of George White, a native of Greenbrier County. Va. where he was born in 1800. The paternal scandfather, who bore the name of John, was of South-Irish ancestry, and came to Olo from Vir- gnia as early as 1805. and located on a wild farm near Springfield. Later. he removed to Champaign County, settling one mile east of the Court House in Urbana. There he made a perma- nen: location. and it was there that the father of our subject grew to manhood.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Aty Rigdon: she was a daughter of John Rigdon. an early settler of this State, and was born in 1 - 2. in Kentucky, and in 1821 was married in Champaign County, where her husband was en- razed in farming until 1×32. At that date he moved to Allen County. and located in Bath Town- chip. on a wild tract of land. Four years later. he disposed of that property and went to Michigan. whenre he returned the following year. His decease .eurred in 1 -74. and his wife. who became the mo- thei of eight . hildren. died in 1890. Two of their St. George and Charles, served in the late war. the former dying in that conflict. Charle- departed .. . 1.5 in Texas several year- thereafter. Mr. and M -. White were devoted members of the Preshy-
terian Church, in which body they were active and zealous workers. In politics, the father voted with the Whig party. He was a man of educa- tion, and was often engaged in political debate.
The original of this sketeh was the eldest of the parental family, his birth occurring July 17, 1822, in Champaign County. In that early day he was obliged to walk two miles to school, and as books were very scarce, learned to read out of the New Testament. Later, eager to learn all he could, he gladly embraced the opportunity to advance his education, and attended school at Westminster. lle was thus well fitted for the profession of teach- ing, and when young entered upon that voca- tion.
John R. White and Miss Sarah Byerly, who was born in Tennessee in 1812, were united in mar- riage in 1866. Three years later, they removed to this county and located upon their present farm, where they have made their home since that time. Our subject, who formerly had three hundred and ninety-four acres of land, now has in his posses- sion three hundred and fifty-five aeres, which his industry and good judgment have placed under excellent improvement. He has always followed the vocation of a farmer, and brings a cultured and well-trained mind to bear upon the problems that beset the skilled agriculturist who seeks to till the soil after the best methods, and so as to make it produce abundantly without exhausting its nat- ural fertility.
To Mr. and Mrs. White have been born eight children, one of whom is deceased. Those living are William, Edwin, Alice, Mattie, Emma, Charles and James, the latter twins. Previous to the Civil War. our subject was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. but during that struggle withdrew his membership, and since then has not been connected with any denomination. Mrs. White. however, is a member of the Dunkard Church. They have given their children the best of advantages in an educational way, Miss Mattie having taught school for some time. Miss Alice is an accomplished musician. Formerly a member of the Whig party, on the organization of the Republican party our subject joined its ranks and has since voted that ticket. While residing
Yours Rest" fußball M.D.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Allen County, he served as Township Trustee and Supervisor, and since making his home in Union Township has been elected Trustee.
On the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. White, being in poor health, did not offer his services in defense of his country, but contributed liberally of his means towards sending strong and brave men to the front. In addition to raising the ce- reais he keeps a good grade of cattle, horses and sheep on his place, and in financial eireles his standing is good, and none know him but to es- teem him for those qualities of head and heart that are his distinguishing characteristics.
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AMES A. HUBBELL, M. D. There are al- ways, in the medieal profession, some indi- viduals who gain eminence and command a large practice, and among the representa- tives of this class in Logan County especial recog- nition belongs to Dr. Hubbell, of Quincy. llis lineaments, shown in the accompanying portrait, are familiar and welcome in the homes of the af- flicted and sick of Logan and surrounding counties. A physician of established reputation, his skill in the diagnosis of difficult eases. and success in their treatment is as widely known as his name.
A large volume in the possession of Dr. Hubbell traces the genealogy of the family, and from it we learn that the first one of the name in America was Richard Hubbell, who emigrated from Scot- land in 1647 and located in Connecticut. The grandfather of our subject, Ilezekiah Ilubbell, Sr., was a native of New Jersey and in early life was a sailor. spending nine years on the high seas and visiting the principal ports of the world. During the War of 1812, he was before the mast. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, he came down the Ohio River with the pioneer settlers of this State and resided for a short time at Marietta. where the first settlement was made.
Subsequently. Grandfather Hubbell removed to Lithopolis, and while proprietor of an hotel at that
place. Gen. LaFayette, DeWitt Clinton and other noted men took meals and lodgings at his house while on their tours of inspection through the West. Later, Mr. Hubbell sojourned for a short time at Lancaster, and as early as 1815 came to Shelby County, where for a time he lived in the old block house on Starret's Ron. He built the first hotel in the county, on the ground now occupied by the Monumental Building, and continued actively en- gaged in progressive enterprises until advanced in years. After the death of his wife, he made his home with his children until he was called hence, at Columbus Grove, Ohio, having reached the great age of one hundred years, one month and eleven days.
The father of our subjeet, Hezekiah Ilubbell, .Jr., was born near Laneaster, Ohio, September 4, 180-1. and in his youth learned the trade of a shoemaker which he followed in Sidney. In 1835, he pur- ebased a farm on the Miami River, a few miles from Quincy near the line of Logan and Champaign Counties, and remained there until 1847, becoming mean while a very extensive and prosperous farmer. Ilis next purchase was on Indian Creek. in Miami Township, Logan County, where in the course of time he became the owner of four hundred acres. Ile commenced for himself with very lim- ited means and at the time of his marriage he and his wife could have carried all their belongings in two handkerchiefs. Hunting was his especial de- light, and he was never happier than when, with his trusty ritle over his shoulder, he started in search of game. which he seldom failed to bring down. During one season he killed twenty-three deer and eleven hears. Ile was a man of intelli- gence. industrious and an excellent manager. Po- litically. he was a Whig until Jackson's time, after which he affiliated with the Democrats.
Sarah Johnston, as the mother of our subjeet was known in maidenhood, was born in Berkeley County, West Va .. in 1812 and died April 11. 1883. The father survived her several years. pass- ing away October 2. 1889, at his home in Quincy. whither he had retired to spend his declining years. Of their marriage, seven children were born. tive of whom reached mature years, namely: William J .. Nancy .J .. James A .. Sarah and Mary. James A ..
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD,
the subject of this sketch, was born October 16. 1.44. his birthplace being the old homestead on the north bank of the Miami River, in Pleasant TowySup. Logan County. Like the majority of farther boys of his time, he divided his attention in youth between assisting in the work at home sal attending school in the round-log house which "bad sal benches for seats and many other rude .vention- found in primitive schoolhouses.
When sixteen years of age, Mr. Hubbell com- meneed to teach and with the money thus saved. attended one term at the Sidney schools, subse- quently teaching for one year and again studying in the schools of sidney. He taught school nine years altogether and read medicine meanwhile. After attaining his twenty-second year, he carried on his medical studies with Dr. N. V. Speeee, now ? Quiney, and later entered Starling Medical Col- lege at Columbus, from which institution he was graduated on the 24th of February, 1870. Im- mediately after concluding his studies, he com- mented to practice at Quiney, and since then his Finie has been devoted to the relief of suffering Womanity. He makes a specialty of the diseases of women and children and has a large practice, Telny held in the highest esteem as a physician, as well as a citizen.
December 21. 1-70. Dr. Hubbell was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Leach, a native of Mami Township. Logan County, born July 19, 1.75. Three children have been born to them: Con Pearl, who died in infancy; Loving F. and .el V. The little daughter. as well as the father and mother of our subject. was laid to rest in Fair- view Cemetery, a beautiful place situated on an elevation which is divided by a ravine. It is one of the loveliest spots of nature for miles around. andl formerly was a part of the Hubbell homestead. In 1>-2. Dr. Hubbell erected a commodious and -ull'antial double two-story brick building at a ost of $3.600, and rents the two lower storerooms. IT- lives on the upper floor, where he has an ele- re: ani parions home. handsomely furnished. In addition to this property. he owns the hotel and .very .tahir at Ininey. and two farms. consisting of seventy-one and one hundred and forty-eight acres respectively. the former in Miami Township
on Indian Creek and the latter joining the corpor- ation of Quiney. He hires men to cultivate these farms but personally superintends the work, and upon them is raising some tine Short-horn cattle and road and track horses. In politics, Dr. Hub- bell is a Democrat. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the State and County Med- ical Associations, and takes an active part in all affairs of public interest.
HARLES COULTER. The life of this pros- perous and substantial gentleman has been one of more than ordinary success as well as activity, and the enviable position to which he has attained has been reached only by years of industry and strict adherence to the calling to which he had been reared. that of farming. He is well and favorably known all over the county. is a great reader, a profound thinker, and a thorough student of mankind, from a metaphysical stand- point. Although his educational advantages were confined to the subscription schools of his day, he was possessed of more than the average amount of ability, and by study and observation has become one of the deep reasoners and thinkers of huis see- tion.
Ohio is the native State of our subjeet, and his birth occurred in Clarke County on the 2d of May, 1830. His grandfather, John Coulter, was born on the Emerald Isle, and just after the Revolutionary War. he came to America and settled in Harrison County. Ky. He was a linen-weaver in his native country. but after settling in Kentucky, he became interested in farming. which he carried on for many years. About 1806. he settled in Clarke County, Ohio, and was one of the first settlers there. On land which he had purchased from the Govern- ment. he erected a log cabin, and, surrounded ou all sides by woods, he began his career as a pioneer. Hle partially developed a farm and was called out in the War of 1812. His death occurred in Clarke County. Ohio, when quite ad vanced in years.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Andrew Coulter, the father of our subject, was born in Harrison County, Ky., on the 15th of Sep- tember 1798, but was reared in the wilds of Clarke County, Ohio. He lived among the Indians and played with their children. He delighted in hunt- ing, and many a deer, wild hog and turkey fell a victim at the report of his unerring rifle. He fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer and, although he had little education. he possessed much natural ability. and was often on the jury in court. Some- times he would plead cases before justices, and his earnestness and magnetism generally produced a favorable effect. It was said that he would have made an excellent lawyer if he had been educated. Hle served as Constable for twenty-five years and held other local positions. In 1853, he came to Logan County, Ohio, settled in Harrison Township and bought a farm of two hundred acres. This he finally sold and lived retired in Bellefontaine, where hus death occurred when eighty years of age. He was an active worker in the Methodist Church, of which he had been a member nearly all his life. and in politics, was first a Whig and later a Repub- lican. He was a prominent man. .
The father of our subject married Miss Ruth 1 Ketherwood, a native of Harrison County, Ky., where their nuptials were celebrated. Her father, Charles Ketherwood, was born in Ireland and came to America at an early day, settling in Har- rison County, Ky. He was considered an educated man at that time and was very outspoken in his remarks against slavery and for the promotion of
religion. He was a Methodist and his house was the first preaching place in that part of Kentucky, Bishop Asbury preaching there. He farmed some, but most of his time was spent talking against slavery, and, being very prominent and a man of more than average ability. his remarks had weight. There his death occurred. The mother of our sub- ject reared four children: Mary J. (Mrs. Prince). Charles, Eliza A. (Mrs. Allen), and Rebecca (Mrs. Rowand). The mother was a member of the Meth- odist Church all her life, was an active worker in the same, and died in that faith, when about sey- enty-five years of age.
Charles Coulter grew to manhood on the farm in Clarke County, Ohio, and received his education in
the district school. three miles north of Springfield, - the first brick schoolhouse in the county. It was conducted on the subscription plan and our sub- ject never attended any other school. In 1853, he came to Logan County, Ohio, and for some time farined his father's place, also was engaged in buy- ing, trading and selling stoek. On the 3d of No- vember. 1857. he married Miss Elizabeth Parish. a native of Washington Township, Ohio, born Dec- , ember 25. 1834. and three children were born to them: Lintner Lincoln died when five months old; Grant died at the age of nine months; and Minerva, who married George Wonders, re- sides on a farm in Rush Creek Township, this county.
Mr. Coulter bought his present farm about 1859, and there were very few improvements made on it. About thirty acres had been cleared, a log house of one room, without a fireplace, and a dilap- idated old log stable were all the improvements. Mr. Coulter has cleared and made many im- provements since then. and in 1860 he began buy- ing and shipping hogs to Cincinnati, Ohio, continu- ing this for twenty years. Ile has shipped stock to Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and nearly all the stock markets in the country. He has bought cat- tle in Logan, Champaign, Harrison, Allen, Mercer, Shelby, Anglaize, Van Wert and Putnam Counties, and used to go on horseback most of the time. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty-three acres of land: a comfortable house, and a large frame barn was erected in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter are members of the Methodist Church, in which both are deeply interested, and he has been Steward in the same for years. Mrs. Coulter is one of the most cultured and intelligent ladies of the county. and well liked by all who are favored with her acquaintance.
In politics, Mr. Coulter is a firm Republican. and his first vote was for Gen. Scott. in 1852. Ile is a Thirty-second degree Mason and has been connected with that order for thirty-seven years. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company F. One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment. was through Virginia and at Arlington Heights. Bermuda Hundred and White House Landing. He was detailed with the doctors taking care of the sick and wounded from
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the Battle of the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. He was under fire at Bermuda Hundred for nearly a week. He also assisted in building fortifications and served four months and a half, being mustered out of service in September. 1864. He is a mem- ler of the Grand Army Post at De Graff.
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b) ENRY C. KUENZEL, a member of the firm of Bakhans & Kuenzel. proprietors of the flour and woolen mills of New Bremen, is a practical, energetic and thorough man of business, and most reliable in all transactions. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Day- ton on the 7th of July, 1852, and his parents. John (. and Maria ( Wunderlick) Kuenzel, were natives of Germany.
The eider Mr. Kuenzel was born at Marklenthen. Bavaria. on the 5th of September, 1823. and sj'en: fifteen years of his life in the schoolroom, where he received a thorough knowledge of those branches necessary as a foundation on which to build a permanent structure. When not in the schoolroom. he was engaged in honest. useful labor. and thus in early life he became possessed of a ivanced ideas and principles, which remained with him through life, and which were plainly ob- served by all with whom he came in contact throughout the whole of a successful business ca- reer. lle was a great reader, often burning the midnight oil when an interesting book was before him, and he was also a man of untiring and un- wearjed indu-try. which never fagged or fal-
Mr. Kuenzel emigrated to the I'nited States with his father and the remainder of the family in i **- and landed at New Orleans. but immediately ame to New Bremen. Auglaize County, Ohio. were those sterling traits of character proved of great value in the wilderness. Learning the tan- ner's trade of bi- father. he engaged in business with a will that never said "go." but "come." Al-
though he started with but tifty cents, by strict attention to business and by uprightness and hon- orable dealing, when he sold the tannery, in 1870, he was one of the wealthiest men in the town. Ile was married, in 1847, to Miss Wunderlick, and thirteen children were given them, five of whom survive. Mr. Kuenzel was ever closely allied with all enterprises for the improvement of the town and county, and was publie-spirited and enterprising to an unusual degree.
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