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 26
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 26
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 26
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P ROF. CHARLES W. WILLIAMSON, Su- perintendent of Public and High Schools of Wapakoneta, Ohio, came into the busy life of the world at a time, and under auspices. calculated not only to develop the best that was in him, but to call into play the strongest elements of his nature. Ohio was in its youthful days, and schools and culture had not reached that point where a finished education was the rule and expectation of the great mass of the youth, as now. The free- dom of pioneer life was around him. and while he learned the lessons of refinement and culture within his parental home. he was learning the les- sons of self-reliance, courage. and personal respon- sibility, from the outdoor environments of his day and neighborhood.
He was born in Perry County, Ohio. May 12, 1835. and traces his ancestry in this country back as far as the coming of " The Mayflower." in which one of the Williamsons came to this country. He was an intimate friend of the celebrated Miles Standish. and with him made explorations into the interior of the country the day after landing on
American shores. Hugh Williamson, one of the early members of the family, was a man of mark in early days, and was a Common Pleas Court Judge. While making a journey on horseback to Lancaster, Ohio, to hold court, a heavy storm came up and he rode under a shed for protection. While there, he was struck by lightning and instantly killed, the bolt melting a fine silver watch that he carried in his pocket.
The paternal grandfather, Washington William- son. was a Virginian hy birth. and followed the calling of a land surveyor. He was one of the tried and faithful soldiers of the Revolution, and was a nephew of Gen. Williamson. About 1800. he came down the Ohio River on a flat-boat, but being exposed to a pouring rain when coming down with the measles, he caught a severe cold, which resulted in his death in 1805, at Marietta, Ohio, of consumption. John W. Williamson. father of the subject of this sketch, was the only child of his parents and was born and reared in Perry County, Ohio. He was an honest tiller of the soil, and died in Seneca County. Ohio. in 1885, leaving a family of five children to mourn his loss: Charles W; Angeline, wife of Lewis Conant, of Osceola, Mo .; Mary J., wife of James Kelley; Charlotte, wife of S. Faurot, and Dr. Milton, of Findlay, Ohio. The mother of these children was Miss Elizabeth Wiseman prior to her marriage, a German by descent, whose ancestors followed ag- ricultural pursuits.
Prof. Charles W. Williamson seems to be one of that class singled out by nature to show what a man can do when he sets his mind upon accom- plishing a certain object. He is self-made, and what he has won in the way of this world's goods. and in his personal achievements, is due to his own good fighting qualities. Brought up on a farm until he attamed his majority. he witnessed and experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and from the time he couldl cut out a chup. he swung the ax until he had cleared two farms. Ilis youth and early manhood werealmost wholly spent in the conflicts and rough expe- riences that mark the life of the first settlers in a new country, where the only art at that time known was the art of war; the only science. the science
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of life, as narrowly viewed from the standpoint of bread and butter; and the only education that which was obtained in the pioneer log school- house. Yet sound sense and discriminating judg- ment were not lacking, and he was imbued with a determination to make the best use of all the pos- sibilities which might present themselves. and st upon attaining his twenty-first year he entere . lleidelburg College at Titlin, Ohio, graduating in 1858. This was accomplished after eleven years of arduous labor, for he was compelled to teach in order to defray his collegiate expenses, and is but one of the many instances illustrating the will power of the man. In the meantime, he studied law and attended the Union Law College at Cleve- land. from which he was graduated in 1863.
After finishing his legal course, he found that his means were at such a low ebb that he must engage in some occupation that would bring him in immediate funds, and he began devoting lumself to his former occupation of teaching. In the year 1868, he took charge of the public schools of Wapakoneta, but declined a re-election in 1879, and turned his attention to engineering and surveying roads in Auglaize County. In 1880, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the schools of Napoleon, but two years later resigned his position to purchase a half-interest in the Al- len County Democrat, of which paper he was the able editor for one year. lle then became Super- intendent of the schools of New Bremen. Ohio, and four years later was elected to his present po- sition. which he has filled with equal credit to him- self and the county. He keeps thoroughly posted in his profession, is in constant touch with all forms of current thought. and it is a principle of his to perfect his work more and more. He has been . School Examiner of Auglaize County for the past seventeen years, which is a sutficient guarantee of his ability and popularity. In the year 1870, he married Maria L. Timmonds. a native of Mercer County, Ohio, by whom he has one son. Howard. Mrs. Williamson is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
The school buildings over which Prof. William- son presides are substantial structures. One con- sists of ten large school-rooms. the third story be-
ing nsed for the two highest grades, and a large hall which is used for commencement exercises. The building is heated by a natural-gas furnace, which can be regnlated to any temperature at a moment's notice. The other building contains five rooms, and is located in the eastern part of the town.
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R EV. ROBERT McCASLIN, B. A., D. D., of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he has been pastor since October 1, 1866, has ever sought to develop the highest type of social life in the church, and has become the per- sonal friend of each member of his congregation.
The church was organized in September, 1825. one of the first organized religions bodies in this county, and the first church structure, a frame building, was erected during 1830, on the location now occupied by the present church. This was used as a church for thirteen years. or until the present fine large brick edifice was built. The latter contains lecture-room, Sunday-school room and audience-room on one floor and in the basement the other departments. The seating capacity of the auditorium is four hundred and will hold altogther about one thousand. This building was erected at a cost of $25,000, not counting the lot. and the present membership is about four hundred. When Mr. McCaslin first came here, there were two hun- dred members and at one time, in 1886, one hun- dred and seventy-five members were added. About fifty have been added the present year.
Mr. MeCaslin is a native of Pennsylvania, born near New Castle, Lawrence County, on the 13th of May, 1834. and is a son of Joseph and Rose Anna (Elder) McCaslin, both of Irish-Scotch de- scent. The ancestors came from the North of Ire- land al out three generations back and were Pres- byterians as far back as any record is kept. Our subject received his education at the Westminister College of the United Presbyterian Church at New Wilmington. Lawrence County, Pa .. and from that institution he received the degree of
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B. A. Ile immediately commenced his studies in the Theological Seminary of the same church at Alleghany City and finished in April, 1860. Ile belonged to the Covenanter Presbyterian Church and was licensed to preach in April, 1860. After this. he was an itinerant minister for one year, principally through the Western States, and was then ordained and installed pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Xenia. in May, 1861. There he remained for five and a-half years, and during the war he was out with the Home Guards; being called in 1864. he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, of which he was made Chaplain. Ile was sent to Piedmont, West Virginia, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and was in service until cessation of hostilities.
Ile remamed in Xenia until the fall of 1866, after which he came to Sidney, and he has labored faithfully for the cause of Christianity at that point for the last quarter of a century. He was made D. D. by the Presbyterian Church and Woos- ter University in January, 1890. Mr. MeCaslin was married on the 13th of January, 1861, to Miss Mary Smith, a native of Alleghany City, Pa., and the daughter of Samuel and Mary Smith. both of whom were from the North of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. MeCaslin are the parents of two children, as follows: Frank. engaged in the hardware business at Sidney, and Jennie, wife of Jesse L. Dieken- sheest, who is manager of the Sidney Gazette.
C OL. WILLIAM KENNEDY. Auglaize County, when the Rebellion broke out. sent a noble band of devoted. patriotic eitizen- soldiers to the front at the first call for troops to defend the honor and unity of our country. Prominent among this number was Col. William Kennedy, who used his influence to raise a com- pany of men, and in the long and trying years that followed. was distinguished as one of the ablest and bravest, as well as one of the most trustworthy. of the officer of his regiment. The
Colonel also has a place in the history of this county as one of its pioneers, who boldly faced the dangers and trials of life in the wilderness. bearing with fortitude its many privations and discomforts, and by dint of hard labor reclaiming a beautiful farm on section 20, Salem Township, from the primeval forests which abounded in this Legion when he came here more than forty years ago, as one of the original settlers of this neigh- borhood, he and his sister now being the only two left of those who first located in the northern part of the township, on what is known as The Ridge.
Col. Kennedy was born in Juniata County, Pa., June 23, 1821. llis paternal ancestors were of Irish blood. while his ancestors on his mother's side were Scotch. Ilis father, Richard Kennedy, was a Penn- sylvania farmer, and died in Juniata County. in his native State, at the age of fifty-six years. Ilis wife. Mary Graham, also a native of Pennsylvania, lived to be seventy years okl. Our subject is the youngest of nine children, and he and his sister, Mrs. Lawrence, are the only survivors of the fam- ily. In boyhood, he obtained a limited education in the district schools, but carly displayed an aptitude for mechanics, and so decided to become a carpenter when he was quite young.
In 1837. after he had worked at his trade for a while in his native State, he determined to try life in Ohio. Ile crossed the Alleghany Mountains on foot, and bare-footed at that, and finally ar- rived at his destination in Wayne County. foot- sore and weary. He at once actively resumed his calling, and in a few years rose to be one of the leading carpenters in the county. He planned and constructed many large brick residences and barns in various localities while living there. In 1840. he visited Auglaize County. journeying through the woods on horseback, and spent the winter of 1840-41 in the vicinity of his present home. The country was then a howling wilder- ness for miles in either direction. and settlements were few and far between. Ile was. however. pleased with its beauty and the possibilities it offered to an enterprising, industrious man to build up his fortunes. and in 1849 he came here to locate permanently. He purchased a tract of land on section 20, in the northern part of Salem Town-
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ship, on The Ridge, and by years of laborious and well-directed toil. has transformed it into a valu- able farm. supplied with all the modern improve- ments and conveniences for carrying on agriculture profitably. Ile has given to each of his three eldest children forty acres of fine farming land, and retains one hundred and seven aeres in his homestead. He cut the first stick of timber on his land, and erected the first house in this vicin- ity. There were then no regularly laid out roads in this region, but he afterward helped to make some of the present highways of travel. In the dense forests that abounded, he had many fine chances for exercising his skill as a marksman, and killed not a few deer and turkeys.
The breaking out of the war roused a martial spirit in the heart of our subject, and at the first call for troops he bent all his energies to raising a company of soldiers, which was attached to the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Infantry as Company E. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Lima, was placed in command of Col. S. R. Mott, and our subject was appointed Captain of his company. His first military duty was in Ken- tucky, guarding the Kentucky Central Railway, and he was at Robinson Station much of the time while there. The One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry built a large number of stockades and block houses along the line of that railway, and was often engaged in scouting while in the Blue Grass State. August 16, 1863, it was ordered to join Burnside's command in Eastern Tennessee, to take part in his expedition in that quarter. While on that campaign, the Colonel and his men had some bitter experiences in their numerous en- counters with the enemy. They were at last cut off from support, and eame near dying of starva- tion. The Colonel went twenty-four hours without a mouthful of food. and for some time he and his comrades subsisted on seant rations, such as corn meal. ground cob and all, and were glad to get even that. as the surrounding country had been foraged of every eatable. Starvation was immi- nent when relief finally came.
In the spring of 1884. Col. Kennedy and his regiment were sent to join Gen. Sherman at Rocky- Faced Ridge, to assist in the famous Atlanta cam-
paign, of which the first real battle was fought at Mossy Creek, Resaca following. During that campaign, Col. Young, since Governor of Ohio, who had command of the One Hundred and Eigh- teenth Infantry, was taken ill, and was relieved by Col. Kennedy, who took his place at the head of the regiment June 23, 1864. Ile led it at Kene- saw Mountain, when about one-third of the men in his old company were slaughtered. He proved a right gallant leader, who inspired his soldiers to brave deeds by his coolness, daring and invincible courage in the face of the greatest dangers, his skill in handling his troops, his promptness in obeying the orders of his superiors and his intelli- gence in exeenting them, winning the commenda- tion of his superiors. He received merited promo- tion to the rank of Lieut .- Colonel. his commission bearing the date of October 12, 1864. December 12. of that year, he was obliged to resign from the army on account of ill health, the long and ardu- ous strain to which he had been subjected in common with others during his lengthy term of service, telling seriously on his naturally fine con- stitution. Ile suffered for some time, and did not fully recover so as to resume military duty until the war had closed. He had had some thrilling experiences while in the South, had many miracu- lously narrow escapes, but was never seriously injured, although in the thick of many a battle. llis farm had been lying idle while he had been fighting for his country. and after his return home he resumed its management as soon as convales- cent.
Col. Kennedy has been twice married. In June, 1845. he was wedded to Miss Mary McCoy. a native of Wayne County. She died in August, 1875. leaving three children, Laura C., Sarah A. and Ohio A. The Colonel's second marriage was with Mrs. Eliza Cook. nee Redd, and took place .June 27, 1876. Mrs. Kennedy is a native of Ohio, and i- a daughter of one of its pioneer families, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. To her and our subjeet have been born two children, Richard M. and William L.
The Colonel is a man of much strength of char- arter. who has the courage of his opinions. and he is well informed on all the current topics of the
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day. He is thoroughly posted in politics, though not taking a very active part in them for the past few years. Ile cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren when he was candidate for the Presidency in 1840, and he sides with the Democrats. He has never sought office, but he has held some respon- sible positions. He served as Trustee of the town- ship several terms, and was chosen Land Appraiser in 1860, and again in 1880. llis wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he donates liber- ally to its support, as well as to all worthy objects that he thinks may better the community.
U
ESLEY SMITHI. This gentleman is associ- ated with the farmers and stockmen who have been prime movers in the develop- mient of the agricultural resources of Auglaize County, and he has valuable farming and stock interests in Noble Township, of which he has been a resident these many years. He was born near Trenton, N. J., November 30, 1832, a son of Will- iam M. and Mary C. (Hunt) Smith. who were na- tives of New Jersey.
William Smith was born April 28. 1803. In early life. he learned the trade of a shoemaker and currier. In the spring of 1833. in the full vigor of a stalwart, self-reliant manhood. he emi- grated to Ohio, and at first cast in his fortunes with the pioneers of Greene County, where he followed farming. He subsequently removed to Darke County. where he resided eight years prior to coming to this county. He entered land in Noble Township in 1852. and the following year settled upon it. building a log house in the woods and starting out once more in the regulation pioneer style. lle cleared and developed his farm and dwelt in this township until he closed his eyes on the scenes of earth January 22. 1891, when eighty- eight years of age, having lived uprightly in the -ight of God and man. and winning univer-al esteem, He was Superintendent of the first Coun-
ty Infirmary Farm of Auglaize County, and in whatever position he was, he performed his duties with characteristic fidelity. Ile joined the Methi- odist Episcopal Church at Port Jefferson in 1840, while a resident of Darke County, and for lifty years and more he was a most exemplary Christian. a striet ehurehman. and was of a kindly. charitable nature. that could see some good in every man. His wife, who was also an active member of the same church as that to which he belonged. preceded him in death. dying in 1880. in the seventy-first year of her age. They had ten children, six of whom grew to maturity and four still survive.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the . family living. His educational advantages were limited, as his parents were poor and needed his . assistance, so that he was able to go to school only two or three months in the winter. the school- house to which he then went being of the pioneer type. constructed of logs and provided with slab seats that did not have any backs or desks. In 1858. he hegan life for himself, marrying in the spring of the year, having previously made his home with his father and mother. After his mar- riage. he located on his father's farm. but two years later he removed to a traet of forty aeres of land that he had bought in Moulton Township. In 1863. he came to Noble Township and pur- chased land on section 15, lying along the St. Mary's River. It was partly cleared. but the sub- stantial and well-arranged set of buildings that now adorn the place were put up by him, and he ha- brought the farm into a very fine condition. Ile has two hundred and twenty acres of beautiful farming land. one hundred and sixteen acres being comprised in the home farm on section 15. and he has a half-interest in one hundred and twenty acres besides. Ile has a valuable gas well on his land. which is a source of great profit. lle started on his career empty-handed, but he needed not the adventitious aid of fortune to achieve success in his ehosen calling, as a clear braiu. a resolute will. sturdy common sense and industrious habits stood him in good stead. He stayed not to query whether or no life was worth living. but made it so by performing each duty as it came to hand. and by attending strictly to business. llis admir-
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able traits of character have also made him an in- valuable citizen and a trusty public official. He had been Assessor of Noble Township and for seven years he had charge of the finances of the town- ship as Treasurer. Politically, he is loyal to the Democratic party. In his social relations, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife are prominently connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church as two of its most active members, and he is a Trustee of the same.
March 11, 1858. our subject took an important step in life, as on that date he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Botkin, a native of Illinois, in whom he has found the best of wives. Her father was a native of Clarke County, in this State. He mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Maj. Piekett Doutey, and they went to Illinois in the early years of its settlement. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed in their marriage with six children. namely: Le- vica, wife of Richard Barrington, a farmer of St. Mary's Township; William F., who is married and lives on a farm near his old home; Jennie, de- ceased; Ida; and Mollie and Cora, who are teachers of high standing. The eldest daughter began teaching before she was sixteen years old and taught several terms very successfully.
G EORGE E. EMERY. A history of the prominent men of Logan County would in no measure be complete without mention of the subject of this sketch, George E. Emery, a most popular and influential farmer of Harrison Township. This gentleman first saw the light of day in Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Chies- ter County on the 13th of March, 1846.
Ilis grandfather, Peter Emery, a native of Penn- sylvania. and a German by descent, followed the occupation of a farmer and distiller in that State for many years; he became the owner of three farms and was a substantial citizen of his native State. where he died when ninety-three years of age. His son, James Emery, the father of our subject, also claimed Pennsylvania as his native State. and
Chester as his native county, his birth having oc- curred on the 1st of March, 1818. Farming was his principal occupation in life, and this he car- ried on successfully in his native State until 185-4, when he moved to Harrison Township, Logan County, Ohio. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and made many improvements on it. but later moved to Bellefontaine, where he lived retired for six years. Ile died when sixty four years of age, and was Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for some time before his death. He was a Republican in politics, and had held a number of minor offices of his township, being Justice of the Peace for some time.
Our subject's mother was Eliza A. Eagle, a native of Laneaster County, Pa., who was born on the 23d of January, 1818, and six of her seven children grew to mature years. They were as follows; Elmina J., Cyrus E. (deceased), George E., Oli- via E. (deceased). Lonis T., William K., and James L. (deceased). The mother died when over fifty years of age, and was an active mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. ller father, George Eagle. was a native of Pennsylvania. so far as known, and his parents were born in Germany, Mr. Eagle was a carpenter by trade, and followed that business all his life, dying when eighty-five years of age. Ilis wife was of Irish descent.
Eight years had passed over our subject's head when he came with his parents to Ohio, and here lie attended the schools taught in the old log cabins of those days, being the first boy wh > studied grammar in the school. When eighteen years of age, he became convinced that a better education was necessary, and, after teaching three terms, or when twenty-one years of age, he en- tered Eastman's National Business College at Poughkeepsie. N. Y., and graduated at that insti- tution on the 2d of April, 1867. Hle subsequently we it to Chicago in search of a position. but was taken ill and returned home. Ilis nuptials with Mis Naney M. Horn, a native of Lake Township. this county, born November 11, 1849. was solem- nized on the 20th of February, 1872. The three children born to this marriage were named as fol- lows: Ellie A .. Levie E .. and Clayton E.
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Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Emery lo- rated on a farm in this township, and now has one hundred and sixty acres in a fine state of cultiva- tion. Hle erected a fine modern residence in 1890. one of the best in the township, and has it nicely and comfortably furnished. He has his land well tilled, and although interested in farming. he does not negleet stock-raising, and has some fine ani- mals on his place. Formerly, he bought many sheep and other stock and shipped them to Buffalo and Cincinnati. For three years he and his brother. Louis T., bought and shipped grain, and were very successful in this business. Mr. and Mrs. Emery hold membership in the Lutheran Church, and he is a Republican in politics, hold- ing the otlice of Township Treasurer at the pres- ent time. He has considerable political influence in the township and county. and is a man who has a host of warm friends. Mr. Emery is a prac- tical business man, and keeps an accurate book ae- count of everything bought or sold on the farm. He is one of the county's most respected and es- teemed citizens.
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