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 22
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 22
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 22
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Gideon Mott, the father of our subject, was born in Ilartford, Conn. He was a graduate of Yale College, a gentleman and a scholar, of a quiet, re- fined nature. He was a well-read man and studied medicine, but never practiced. In 1806, he came to Ohio, and at first lived in Zanesville. He sub- sequently followed farming in Knox County, of which he was an early settler, until 1833, when he came to Auglaize County, and for a few years kept a hotel at Shane's Crossing. In 1837, he re- turned to Knox County to close up some old busi- Hess affair, and while at his brother John's home died at the age of sixty years. Ile served in the War of 1812, and was taken prisoner at Detroit when Gen. Hull surrendered, being kept in the
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hands of the enemy until after peace was deelared. lle was Justiee of the Peace during his residence in Clinton Township. Knox County, and he was Postmaster at Shane's Crossing as long as he re- mained there. His wife, Ann Newell, who was also a native of Hartford. Conn., was one of the most accomplished women of her day. She was finely educated. was a great reader and a fluent conversationalist. She was a notable house- wife. did all her own housework. and spun and wove flax and wool into cloth for garments for her children. She died at Shane's Crossing Sep- tember 10, 1836, leaving her family inconsolable for her loss, and depriving the Methodist Church of one of its most zealous members. Her mother, Elizabeth Peck, was a lineal descendant of the Peck family that came over in the . Mayflower."
The subject of this biographieal sketch was born on his father's farm in Knox County, January 26. 1818. the fifth of a family of six children, of whom he and a younger sister are the only survivors. His early educational advantages, as far as school- ing went, were limited to about three months' at- tendance at a primitive, pioneer log schoolhouse, that was furnished with slab seats, heated by means of an old-fashioned fireplace, and lighted by means of greased-paper windows. lle was, however, carefully trained at home by wise and good par- ents, with whom he came to Auglaize County when he was fifteen years old. At that age, he began the battle of life for himself. and learning the trades of a bricklayer and plasterer, picking it up himself, as he had considerable mechanical ingenuity. was engaged in those occupations until May, 1836. In that month he enlisted in Capt. Charles Colerick's company to go on the Texas campaign. when that State decided to secede from Mexico. He was down there a year and took an active part in several skirmishes. although the last real battle had been fought on the 21st of the preceding April. In August. 1839. the Colonel resumed his trade at Dayton. He saved $175. and in 1839 he laid claim to eighty acre- of land in Dublin Township, Mercer County. During the winter of 1839-1840. he taught school. He soon sold his land at an advance figure, and with the proceeds and what money he had in the meantime
earned. he had a capital of several hundred dol" lars. While teaching, he had forty-five pupils, and was paid $2.50 for each one that he taught, ob- taining his board free in return for instrueting the children of his host.
The Colonel began the study of law in the oflice of his brother, Gordon N., at Piqua, and in March. 1842. he was admitted to the Bar in Cincinnati. Ile came to St. Mary's to establish himself in his profession. and devoted himself assiduously to his legal duties until the war broke out. In 1846, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Mercer County, of which St. Mary's was then a part. In 1848, when Auglaize was organized as a separate county, he was elected its first Prosecuting At- torney. Ile resigned in the fall of the same year. as the Democrats had elected him to represent the district in the State Legislature, in which he served with acceptance to all without regard to party affiliations. In 1852. he was again elected Prose- euting Attorney for this county.
Our subject was busily engaged in his law prac- tice when the Rebellion broke out. He had been watching with intense interest the events that led up to the outbreak, and he was prompt to respond to his country's call for assistance. He was elected Lieutenant of a company of troops organized in April, 1861. at St. Mary's, and when the company arrived at Camp JJackson. in Columbus, his name was presented to the Governor by the men com- posing it, as the one best fitted for the important post of Captain. and he was commissioned as such. Hle had enlisted for three months, and he and his men were attached to the Twentieth Ohio Regi- ment. They were mustered out the September following, having gained a fine record for good soldiership in the lively skirmishes with the enemy in Virginia. in which they had borne a conspicu- ous part, capturing a rebel flag on one occasion.
The Colonel returned home after the term of his enlistment expired. and threw his whole energie- into the work of recruiting another company. re- enlisting September 3. 1861. in the Thirty-first Ohio as Captain. Ilis gallant conduct won him merited promotion to the position of Major. Feb- ruary 28. 1862. but he maganimously declined the position in favor of another. On the 5th day of
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the following October, he was appointed Colonel of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Regi- nent. In- daring, coolness and tine powers as a leader winning him promotion. He had his men under good descipline, and at the same time was tenderly regardful of their welfare, so that he was s favorite with all. and he inspired them to do their duty nobly on many a hotly contested battle- tie'd. where their valor and prowess helped to carry the day. Ile was fearless in the face of danger and always led the way in making an attack, his inspiriting ery of " Come on, boys " encouraging even the most faint-hearted when the enemy was to be braved. The following is a list of the bat- tles in which the C'olonelearned his spurs: Corinth, Miss. Mill Springs, Kingston. Mossy Creek. Rocky- Faced Ridge. Kenesaw Mountain. Atlanta. Resaca. and Dallas. In the engagement at Mossy Creek. the drum of his left ear was burst by the concus- sion of a swiftly passing shell. He entered the service a vigorous, stalwart man. although past the prescribed forty-five years at which men were allowed to enlist. and he withstood the terrible hard-hips and trials of military life with admirable fortitude until he was honorably discharged from the army in March. 1864.
On his return from Southern battlefields, Col. Mott resumed the practice of law, and was ac- tively engaged in his profession until his retire- ment from the Bar in 1890. His business has been remunerative, and he is in receipt of a good in- come from his property. He has one hundred and twenty acres of land in Noble Township. and sixty- tive apres in St. Mary's Township that has a good ot well on it. which pays over $100 a month. The Colonel has always been prominent in the enuncils of the Democrats of this section, and has attendel nearly every State convention held by - party in Ohio since 1836. Socially, he is a Haber of Kichler Post No. 83. G. A. R. and he . the distinction of being one of the oldest Mason- in the county, having been connected with .or fraternity since 1-40. a period of fifty-two
In 1-13. our subject was happily wedded to Mrs. Going ( Kopper) Pickrell. a native of St. Mary's Fornship. in whom he has had a faithful and
tender wife. Twelve children have been born to them, of whom two died in infancy, and four died at a later period of life: Thomas, Anna E., Harry and Luln. Those living are: John, Walter N., Mollie R., Charles W., Ben and Nellie.
ILLIAM STOKER, an influential farmer of Greene Township. Shelby County, operates an estate of eighty aeres, and through unremitting industry has become well-to- do. Ile is the son of Gritten and Sallie (Tickle) Stoker, natives of Virginia, where they were mar- ried and whence they emigrated to this State about eighty years ago. They made their home for two years in Mad River Township, Greene County, and then took up their abode six miles north of Day- ton on a wild farm, which the father had located. They made their home there for thirty-five years, and then coming to Shelby County, located in Orange and Greene Townships, just west of Platts- ville. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are now living, our subject and his sister Elizabeth, Mrs. Bowlsby. The wife and mother died in 1832.
Mr. Stoker was married a second time, by which union he became the father of one child, George W., who served a period of three years during the Civil War. The father died in 1869, and his wife, who survived him many years, departed this life in 1890. William, of this sketch, was born Sep- tember 22, 1822, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and as he was called upon to aid his father in oper- ating the home farm, received but limited advan- tages for obtaining an education. He began life for himself when sixteen years of age by working out on farms for other parties, and in this manner got a start in the world.
In 1845. Mr. Stoker and Miss Elizabeth Hares- man were united in marriage. They became the parents of two children, only one of whom, Jose- phine. Mrs. Young, is now living. The mother died in 1851. and seven years later our subject was
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married to Sophia Kellenbarger, and to them was born a family of four children, one of whom is deceased. Those living are Alice, Mrs. Fiddler; Rosa, Mrs. Campbell; and John W. Mrs. Stoker died in 1870, and the lady to whom our subject was married April 27, 1879, still survives; she bore the maiden name of Eliza E. Peckham. The two children born of this union were Henry Ward and Clara Avada.
He of whom we write came to this county in 1858, and located upon his present estate of eighty acres, which bore but slight improvements. He now has the greater portion of it under cultivation, and embellished with all the needful farin build- ings, not the least among which is his comfortable residence, which was erected in 1873 at a cost of 81,672. Mrs. Stoker is a member of the United Brethren Church, and our subject is liberal in his religious views, giving cheerfully of his means to the support of all denominations. He has served efficiently in the office of School Director, and as an active politician votes with the Democratic party, casting his first vote for James K. Polk.
B ENJAMIN SWEIGART, a well-to-do and greatly respected farmer, residing on sec- tion 6, St. Mary's Township, has one of the best oil-producing farms in Auglaize County, finely located on the borders of the great St. Mary's Reservoir, the largest artificial body of water in the world. Mr. Sweigart was born April 6, 1841, in Cynthiana Township, Shelby County, of which his father. Ilenry Sweigart. was an early settler.
Henry Sweigart was born in Pennsylvania in 1804, and was of German descent. Early in life he migrated to Ohio, and cast in his fortunes with the pioneers of Shelby County, purchasing a tract of wild land in Cynthiana Township, which he de- veloped into a good farm. The country was full of deer, bears, wolves and other wild animals, and be had plenty of opportunities for exercising his
skill as a marksman. Being very fond of hunt- ing, he supplied the family table with many a de- licious haunch of venison and other choice game. The dwelling that he ereeted was a typical pioneer home, built of round logs, and had a puncheon floor and clapboard roof. Ile lived on his farm until he became quite old, and then, selling it at a good price, removed to St. Mary's Township, and spent his last days in this county, dying at a ven- erable age in 1886. His first wife, Mary Lyons, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1864. She was the mother of ten children, of whom seven are living, and our subject is the sixth ehill of the family in order of birth. The father was again married after coming to Auglaize County.
Our subject's educational advantages were mea- gre. When he first went to school, the schools were held in log houses that were rudely furnished with slab seats without backs, and they were con- dueted on the subscription plan. When he was eighteen years old, he went out to work on a farm. and was employed in splitting rails, cutting cord- wood. clearing land. and in similar pioneer tasks. After his marriage, he turned his attention to farming on his own account, and in 1868 came to St. Mary's, bought property, and lived in the city three years, working at various occupations. In 1871, he purchased thirty-seven acres of land on section 6, St. Mary's Township; he has since bought other land, and now has one hundred and seventy- two acres in all, of which fifty-two acres are on seetion 6 of the township just mentioned, while the remainder is a tract of eighty acres and another of forty acres, in Mercer County. His home farm is very rich in oil, and five wells have already been drilled; the first one, March 1. 1890, having a ca- pacity of four hundred and fifty barrels, and the next two yielded three hundred barrels each, at first.
Mr. Sweigart was first married in 1861. to Miss Annie Kelch, whose death occurred after a short wedded life, in 1863. She left one child. Mary HI .. who died at the age of five and one-half years. Mr. Sweigart was again married in 1864. Miss Nancy Ann Stout becoming his wife. She was a native of Pennsylvania. of German descent. and came to Ohio with her parents. She died April 3.
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1 .- T, leaving twelve children: Frank. Angeline. Kate, Daniel, Simon, John, Rose E. Elizabeth. Henry . Russell, Elijah and Nora E. In 1989. Mr. Sweigart was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Richards) Lipp. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and one of its active workers. Her husband Belong to the Church of God, and is influential " it- upbuilding. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has experienced the ups and downs of life, but : i worked bravely on in spite of every obstacle. and has met with the reward due to his persever- ance and industry. He is a conscientious, straight- forward man. rigidly honest and upright in his daily walk. accommodating and kindly in spirit. and stands well with his fellow-men.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view of Mr. Sweigart's attractive homestead. and also Is portrait, elsewhere shown.
G EORGE W. FELKERSON, M. D. The profession of medicine is one that calls for keenness of judgment and accuracy of knowledge, together with an almost instinctive ap- preciation of effects, differing in quality from that needed in any other calling. To say that a man is a successful physician is therefore high praise, al- though it may be no more than the person re- forred to merits. Dr. Fulker-on has been a resi- dent of Wynant for many years, and by his success in his chosen work has won an excellent reputation a physician.
He of whom we write was born in New York fits. September 1. 1828, and is a son of Joseph Farling Fulkerson, who was born in 1796. in New Jersey. of Dutch and English extraction. When a young man. the father of our subject went to Pennsylvania and in 1822 was married to Mar- mret Mo-inger. After establishing a home of his owa. he resided in Easton. that State, until about 1-26, when he removed to New York City and en- angel in the manufacturing business. Thinking
to better his condition in the farther West, the elder Mr. Fulkerson in 1839 took up his abode in Monroe County. this State, where he was variously engaged for some time. He subsequently moved to Bucyrus, Crawford County, where his death oe- curred April 8, 1871; he was followed to the better land that same year by his wife, who, like him- self. was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
lle of whom we write is the fourth in order of birth of the parental family of nine children, five of whom are now living. He was given an ex- cellent ednestion, his primary studies being con- theted in the district schools in Steuben County, N. Y., and he later took a thorough course in the High School. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, at which time he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Joel Johnston. of Bueyrus. After a short time thus engaged, he removed with Dr. Johnston to Bellefontaine, where they engaged in the drug business until 1855. Then dissolving partnership, Dr. Fulkerson went to l'leasant Hill, this State, and associated himself with Dr. Cabk. which connection lasted for about two years.
In 1857, Dr. Fulkerson and Miss Elizabeth . Nishwitz. of West Milton, Miami County, this State, were united in marriage and the same year came to Newport, where they have since resided. The Doctor then entered the Eelectie Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- eine in 1869 and since that time he has been en- gaged in the successful and skillful practice of his profession.
Mrs. Fulkerson only lived one year after her marriage and in 1876 the Doctor was married to Miss Maggie, daughter of D. C. Mills, one of the pioneers of Cynthiana Township. Shelby County. Mrs. Fulkerson was born near Newport in 1852. and by her union with our subject became the mo- ther of three children: John M .. Walter R. and William .1.
During the late Civil War, Dr. Fulkerson took a very decided stand in favor of the Union and rendered valuable assistance to the Government during that period. by encouraging men to enlist.
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agreeing to render medical aid to the family of every soldier in the township free of charge. Hle has always been a staneh adherent of the Republi- can party but never an office-seeker, as he prefers to devote his time to his private interests and let those whom he considers better qualified fill public positions. Religiously, with his wife, he is con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and prior to becoming a member of that denomination was selected as one of its Trustees and placed upon the building committee. Ile has since been elected to various positions in the church and gives liber- ally of his means toward its support.
In social matters, Dr. Fulkerson is an Odd Fel- low and a member of the Eclectic Medical Associa- tion of Ohio. In addition to the practice of his profession, he superintends the operations of five farms which comprise nearly five hundred aeres and of which he is the proprietor. He is at pres- ent residing in a substantial and comfortable brick residence which also contains his office and where is to be found every convenience for the prosecu- tion of his studies.
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ILLIAM P. WILKINS. Of that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Ohio. none are possessed of more genuine merit or stronger character than William P. Wilkins. who has attained to a success which is justly de- served by his systematie and careful, thorough manner of work.
The grandparents of our subject, James Riley and Mary Wilkins, were natives of Maryland, and the grandfather was the first of his family to move to the boundless West. In 1819. he emi- grated to the Buckeye State and located on a farm on Carter Creek, south of St. Mary's. Auglaize County, whose inhabitants at that time were Ind- ians and wild animals. The father was at Ft. Wayne when the Indians were beaten in their last battle and driven from Auglaize County, and he saw them as they passed the fort on horseback after
the battle. Ile bought a pony, saddle and bridle of an Indian for 85. but these were afterward stolen by the redskins. However, a friendly Ind- ian agreed to return them for $5 and a bottle of whiskey, and thus Mr. Wilkins recovered his prop- erty. On several occasions during the absence of her husband, Mrs. Wilkins, with her children, lay concealed under the puncheon floor of their cabin during ransacking visits made by the Indians, who pillaged and destroyed to their hearts' content.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were born five chil- dren, two now living. Both grandparents were members of the United Brethren Church, and the grandfather was a Democrat in his political affil- iations. The father of our subject. James Wilkins, was born in Maryland in 1813, and emigrated to Bloomfield. Pickaway County, Ohio. with his par- ents in 1818. Ile grew to manhood in this State and was here married to Mrs. May Hudson, of Maryland. Afterward, he removed to a farm in the wilds of Auglaize County, and when he desired to go to mill was obliged to take his grist to Pick- away, thirty miles. In this unsettled community and amid scenes of pioneer life were reared five children, only one, Lewis, besides our subject now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were members of the United Brethren Church, and the latter was a Class- leader in the same for thirty-seven years. Like his father, he was a strong advocate of Democratic principles. Ile assisted in constructing the canal and reservoir west of St. Mary's. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were economical and industrious, and ae- cumulated a comfortable competence by their in- dustry and good management, being enabled to pass their last days in peace and plenty. She re- ceived her final summons in 1866, and he followed her to the grave in 1874.
The subject of this memoir was born in Auglaize County in 1844, received a good practical educa- tion in the common schools. and after growing up selected the occupation to which he had been reared. farming. as his par-nit in life. lle was married, in 1869. to Miss Lydia Needles, a daugh ter of James and Sarah Needles. of Franklin County. and shortly after marriage settled on a farm in Auglaize County. The same year. he re-
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moved from there to Franklin County and thence to Auglaize County in 1877. He has since cleared fifty of the one hundred and fifty-four aeres he How owns. Of the three children born to his mar- riage. only twoare now living: James 1 .. and Sarah Flen. Our subject and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he is a Class- len ler in the same. In politics, he follows in the footsteps of his ancestors and is a Democrat. Ile ha- held the office of Justice of the Peace. le is a very prominent farmer and a man well liked by all.
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OTIN H. BAILEY, who has a beautiful and well-equipped farm in Salem Township, oc- cupie- an important place in the agricul- tural community of Auglaize County as a sagacious, progressive farmer, who is using his in- duence to raise the standard of stock bred within its borders. Our subject was born in Highland County June 26. 1840, and is of the old pioneer Stock of the State, and can also trace his ancestry back to the Pilgrims of the "Mayflower."
.lohn Bailey. the father of our subject, was a na- tive of Virginia. and was a son of Thomas Bailey, allo a Virginian by birth. In 1808, the grand- father of our subject left his early home in the Old Dominion, and journeying across the moun- tain- and over a wild, seareely habitable country, made his way to Highland County, Ohio. and lo- rated on land about five miles from the county -eat. being one of the original settlers of that re gion. He devoted the busy years that followed to Hearing and improving his land, and also engaged to some extent in his trade as a blacksmith. He was of the Quaker faith. and a very fine old man. whose generous, kindly nature gained for him a warm place in the heart of his fellow-pioneers, by whom he was greatly mourned when he pa-sed from the scenes of earth. November 27, 1858. at the venerable age of eighty-four years.
John Bailey became a good practical farmer in Hizbland County, where he died July 10. 18x4. in
his seventy-ninth year, leaving behind him a high reputation as a man of strict morality, and of un- swerving honesty in all things. He was reared in the Quaker faith, but later in life joined the Dunkard Church. He was twice married and was the father of eight children. who lived to mature years, of whom two were by his first marriage. His second wife, the mother of our subject, was Sarah Kinzer, a native of Highland County, while her people were from Pennsylvania originally, and were among the early pioneers of that county. She died in 1888 at a ripe old age.
The subject of this biographieal review is the third child and eldest son of his father's second marriage. Ilis education was such as could be oh- tained in the pioneer schools of his day, the one that he attended in his childhood being taught in a small log house, the dimensions of which were 16x18 feet, and the seats were made of slabs. lle was reared to the life of a farmer, and was well grounded in all that pertains to agriculture, on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one, he left the paternal home to shoulder life's burdens elsewhere, and settled in Allen County, where he took up the trade of a carpenter in 1862. For thirteen years, he was actively engaged in contract- ing and building in that county and in this. At the end of that time, he resumed his early calling, locating on land on sections 31 and 32, Sa- lem Township. a part of which his father had owned for some years. By skillful and perse- vering toil, he has cleared his land, has it well drained by tiles, and has its one hundred and sev- enty acres under the best of tillage, while neat and roomy buildings for every needed purpose have been ereeted. On another page, a view of this pleasant rural abode is shown. Mr. Bailey is greatly interested in stock, and has a valuable llock of Shropshire sheep, and has been engaged in breeding Galloway cattle for the past three years, being a pioneer in the introduction of that celebrated breed, and already has a fine herd, which is the only one of that blood in the west- ern part of the county.
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