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 31
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 31
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 31
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Mr. Estey, in 1856, removed to lowa and there made his home until 1863, when he took up his abode on two hundred aeres of land in Dinsmore Township, this county. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and takes an active part in all the meetings of that body. Socially, our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also connected with the Farmers' Alliance. He occupies a high place in local affairs and has been Township Trustee of Dinsmore and Salem Townships. in which former place he was instrumental in organizing the Estey Grange, of which he was Overseer. Ile votes a straight Republican ticket in politics, and is one of the stanchest supporters of that party. His estate
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is thoroughly drained by five thousand rods of tiling; the land is admirably tilled and adorned with a neat and substantial set of buildings for every needed purpose.
On another page a view of the residence and rural surroundings will be noticed.
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ILLIAM KRAPF. The industrial inter- ests of Wapakoneta are ably represented by our subject, who is the proprietor of a planing mill and is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of doors, window frames, and porches. A native of this State, he was born in Dayton, February 4, 1851, to Killian and Annie (Will) Krapf, natives of Germany.
The parents of our subject, after emigrating to this country, were married in Little York, Pa., whence they came to Dayton, this State, and there the father prosecuted his trade of a cabinet-maker. Ile was a man of such integrity that his promise was as good as his bond, and his death, which oc- curred in 1867, was keenly felt by the entire com- munity. The mother, who survived her husband many years, departed this life in 1886. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters.
William Krapf, of this sketch, has two sisters living, namely; Callie (Mrs. Daniel B. Iligh), and Katie. who resides in Dayton. Our subject re- ceived his education in the schools of Dayton, and when ready to start out in life on his own ac- count learned the trade of a cabinet-maker from his father. He remained thus employed in Day- ton until 1876, when, in January of that year, he came to this city and for eleven years was engaged as foreman for Swink Bros. & Co., furniture man- ufacturers. He was well qualified to fill that re- sponsible position, for prior to leaving Dayton he was for five years foreman of the large furniture establishment of Parrott & Gilbert.
In October, 1891. Mr. Krapf lensed his present large building and is engaged in carrying on a lu- crative business. He is truly a self-made man and
has met with both friendship and financial success in his journey through life. There is nothing so well calculated to bring out all the energy and am- bition a man possesses as the necessity in early life of making his own way. Our subject started at the bottom round of the ladder and has climbed upward without any other assistance than his courteous manners and good judgment.
In 1873, the original of this sketch and Miss Josephine Arnold, of Wapakoneta, were united in marriage, and they have become the parents of five sons and two daughters, viz: William, Roman, Glenora, Ethel, John, Fred and Joseph. Mr. Krapf is a prominent member of the Royal Ar- canum, and a consistent member of the Catholic Church. He is classed among the most influential citizens of this place, and is highly respected both here and throughout the surrounding country.
Elsewhere in this volume will be found a view of Mr. Krapf's planing mill.
S QUIRE J. N. DE VORE. Logan County is conspicuous for its magnificent farms, that are faultless in the way of management, and the order in which they are kept. Those in Zane Township are especially advantage- ously located, the land being rolling and well watered, fertile and productive. No one is to be more complimented on the perfect method and order with which his agricultural affairs are con- dueted than he whose name is above. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising one-balt mile northwest of West Middleburgh, where he has a good home, the house being commodious and attractive, and the barns and granaries capacions and well-filled. The fields are wide-spreading and productive. Squire De Vore was born in Cham- paign County, Ohio, on the 16th of October, 1835, and is a son of Moses and Rachel (Inskeep) De Vore, bothi natives of Obio, the fathier born in Champaign, and the mother in Logan County.
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Onr subject's grandfather, James De Vore, was born in France, and came to America when a young man. settling first in Washington County. Pa., and afterward in Champaign County, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers. Ile was married in Pennsylvania to one of that State's fair daughters, and reared a large family of children. The father of our subject was born on the 22d of February. 1811. and passed his boyhood and youth in his native county. He married Miss Inskeep, who was reared in Logan County, and who was the daughter of Joshua Inskeep, a native of the Old Dominion. Mr. Inskeep came to Ohio at an early day, was one of the pioneers of Logan County. and a prominent man. He was a preacher in the Methodist Church, was also in the Methodist Protestant Church, and built one of the first churches in the township. He was also engaged in the sawmill business for many years. In politics, he was a Whig. Moses De Vore and wife celebrated their nuptials in Zane Township, Logan County, Olmo. in 1833, and afterward located in Union County. Ohio, where they im- proved a large farm of four hundred acres. A log cabin was first erected. but this was subse- quently removed and a good. substantial frame structure took its place. The mother died when about forty-three years of age, but the father is still living, and resides on his farm in Union County, and although eighty-one years of age. time has dealt leniently with him, and he is still quite active and vigorous. Ile has remained on this farm ever since his marriage, with the ex- eeption of about three years. when he went to take care of his father and mother.
Of the nine children born to this worthy couple, four sons and five daughters. all but one grew to mature year-, and four sons and three daughters still survive. Our subject. the second son and second child. was educated in the log schoolhouse of pioneer days. with the slab seats and other crude contrivances in the way of school furniture. and assisted his father in clearing the home place. Before he was of age. he bought his time of his father, paying $100 in cash for his services from the age of twenty until he attained his ! majority. On the 23d of October. 1855. he led to
the altar Miss Mary Morton, a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana County, December 2, 1833. She came with her parents, Israel and Hannah (Conn) Morton, to Logan County. Ohio, when nine years of age. She was the youngest of ten children. and was left motherless when but an infant. ller father and mother were natives of the Keystone State.
Following his marriage, our subjeet located first in I'nion County, Ohio. where he remained two years, and then moved to Logan County, Zane Township, where he has made his home ever since. lle first settled in a little log cabin of round logs. 18x18 feet. and in this he and his most excellent and cultured wife resided for seventeen years, gathering around them, by energy, industry and good management, many comforts and conven- iences. They improved the place in every way, and in 1875 erected a cozy and convenient house which cost them $1.000. They now have one hundred and seventy-one aeres of as good land as is to be found in the county, and the most of this Mr. De Vore cleared himself, it being covered with heavy timber.
To Mr. and Mrs. De Vore have been born seven children. three daughters and four sons: Jacob A., born October, 1856. is at home; Rachel B. (de- ceased): Jennie L., wife of F. N. Johnson. of West Liberty, is a graduate of Adrian College, Michigan; Moses G., at home; Lewis N., attend- ing the State University of Columbus, Ohio. tak- ing a course in civil engineering; Laural M., attending school at West Middleburgh, is a bright student, and is much interested in his studies; Sylvia A. died at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. De Vore have given their children every ad- vantage for receiving an education, and have every reason to be proud of the progress they have made. for there is not a more intelligent family in the county.
Mr. De Vore is an advocate of Democratic principles. and his first Presidential vote was for Buchanan in 1856. lle was Trustee of the town- ship for about five years. and held the position of School Director for many years. There are three Republicans to one Demoerat in the township. but Mr. De Vore, who has a host of warm friends
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in both parties, was elected Justice of the Peace in 1884, and has discharged the duties incumbent upon this office in a ereditable and satisfactory manner. Ile was elected without his consent, and there has been but one appeal of all the cases he has tried. llis docket for the past three years shows one hundred and thirty six cases settled, most without snit. Ile is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Blue Lodge of East Liberty, and Blazing Star Chapter No. 247, North Lewisburgh.
G EORGE W. HAWVER. The life of a far- mer may be devoid of stirring events, but it is none the less a field in which to ex- ercise good business ability, fine judgment and the sterling traits of personal character. The man who can gain a large tract of land in the well-set- tled sections of our country must necessarily possess qualifications equal to those displayed by a business man in our towns, although differing in kind. The gentleman above named has prospered in his efforts in life and owns a considerable amount of land in Jackson Township, Shelby County. Ilis residence, which is located on sec- tions 28 and 29, is a commodious structure, is ac- companied by adequate and substantial ontbuild- ings, and the land surounding it has been brought to a good condition as regards its cultivation and productiveness.
The original of this sketch is a son of Christian Hawver, who was born near Hagerstown, Md .. Au- gust 26, 1817. lle in turn was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Brown) lawver, also natives of that State. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Lucinda Hughes; she was born in Miami County, this State, August 1, 1819, and is a daugh- ter of William Hughes, an early settler of that to- cality.
The father of our subject came to this State as early as 1837 and, locating in Miami County, was there married, February 1. 1843, and soon after that
event came to thus county, making his home on section 33, Jackson Township. The land at that early day was in its original wildness, and as there were no roads, the only way in which the family could find their way about the country was by means of blazed trees, and even then they very frequently were lost in the woods. The father made his home on that place for forty years, dur- ing which time he witnessed and aided greatly in bringing about wonderful improvements. Ile de- parted this life October 9, 1878, while his good wife, who still survives, resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Hawver were the parents of two chil- dren, the brother of our subject being Dr. W. H. IJawver, who married Miss Mary McCormick and makes his home in Santa Fe, Logan County. In religious affairs, they always took an active part, the father being Steward and Class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomina- tion his wife is also a member. He kept himself thoroughly posted in regard to politics and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. Ile served in many positions of trust and honor in his township and for many years was an efficient member of the School Board. .
George W. llawver was born on the old home farm in this township, June 1, 1849. Ile was there reared to man's estate and, in addition to receiv- ing a thorough training by his excellent parents, was given the opportunity for obtaining a good education. lle aided his father in carrying on the estate until after his marriage, which event oc- curred December 11, 1870, when Miss Sarah M., daughter of John M. and Druseilla ( Meranda) Burditt became his wife. Her parents were natives of Clarke County, this State, the father being born August 23. 1819, and the mother April 20, 1830. HIer father was a son of Booth Burditt, an early settler in Logan County, where he was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Hawver were New- land and Hannah ( Lowe) Meranda, the father born December 28, 1804, in Virginia. in which State the mother also was born February 14, 1806. They emigrated to this State in 1827, making their advent into Shelby County ten years later. locating in Port Jefferson. After a residence there
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of three years, Mr. and Mrs. Meranda made their home on section 22. Jackson Township, where the father died.
The parents of Mrs. Hawver were married in Jackson Township, November 16, 1851, and then located on a farm where Pemberton village now stands. The father dying June 16, 1852, Mrs. Burditt was married to Rolla Bland, by whom she became the mother of six children. Rolla Bland died May 17, 1865, while a member of the Union army in the late war, and his widow was married, September 9, 1869, to loab Glick, and to them was born one son. Edmund .I. Mr. Glick died October 28, 1891, and his wife, who still survives, makes her home in Jackson Center, this township.
Mrs. Hawver, who was the only child of her mo- ther's first marriage, was born October 27. 1852, in this township. Her parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body her father had been Class-leader for many years. In his political relations, he was in sympathy with and voted for the candidates of the Whig party. The wife of our subject was given an excellent educa- tion, supplementing the knowledge gained in dis- trict schools by a thorough course in the Iligh School at Sidney, and after completing hier studies taught school in this county.
After his marriage, our subject resided for four years on the old home farm and in 1874 removed to his present estate. which then bore but slight improvements. This property includes eighty acres, which his industry and good judgment have placed under excellent tillage until it ranks among the best in the township. To himself and wife have been born four children, namely: Frederick B .. who was born September 2, 1873, died December I. 1875; Oliver C. was born September 30, 1876; llarley II., January 24, 1881, and Ethel Druscilla, July 11. 1885.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawver are members of the Methi- odist Episcopal Church and take an active part in all the workings of the same, Mr. Hawver having been Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday- school. Ile has been greatly interested in educa- tional affairs. has given his children good educa- tions and served as a member of the local and township School Board for twelve years, Socially.
he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has been Secretary, and with his wife is a charter member of the Grange. In the latter or- der, our subject has been Master and Mrs. Hawver has been the incumbent of every official position to which ladies are entitled and at the present time is Pomona in the lodge. A stanch Republican in polities, he of whom we write occupies an honored position among his fellow-townsmen, whom he has served as Trustee for six years, and as Committee- man for many terms.
William Hughes, the maternal grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Kentucky, in 1797. Ile was a carpenter by trade and on coming to this State located in Miami County, where he owned a valuable farm of eighty acres, which he later sold for $8,000. The lady to whom he was married bore the name of Elizabeth Hopkins and to them were born four children, who grew to mature years, viz .: Lucinda, the mother of our subject; Elihu, Maria and Dr. William, the latter of whom is en- gaged in the active practice of his profession in Washington, D. C., whither he removed in 1881.
D R. C. M. FISHER. Among the people of Logan County, as well as the surrounding counties. the name that heads this sketch is by no means an unfamiliar one. For many years he has been actively and successfully occupied in the prosecution of his chosen profession, and dur- ing this time his career as a practitioner and thorough student of medicine won for him no less a reputation than have his personal charac- teristies as a citizen and neighbor.
His father, John 11. Fisher, was born in Berks County, Pa., on the 27th of November. 1805, and was there reared to mature year-, and learned the hatter's trade, following that for a series of years in Pennsylvania. Ile was married in the same county to Miss Elizabeth Marshall, a native of Schuylkill County, Pa .. born on the 19th of August, 1807, and in 1834 came to Stark County,
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Ohio, where he remained until 1836. From there he moved to Logan County of that State, located in Rush Creek Township. and followed farming. Here his death occurred on the 11th of December, 1871, and he was followed to the grave by his wife on the 29th of May, 1879. This worthy couple had shared each other's joys and sorrows for a period of over forty-five years, and had many warm friends, for they were upright and honor- able in every walk of life. Ile was a member of the Diseiples Church, and the wife was a member of the Presbyterian Church from childhood. He was interested in educational affairs, holding the office of School Director, and in politics, he upheld the principles of the Democratic party. He and his wife were buried side by side in New Salem ceme- tery, this county.
Our subjeet's paternal grandfather, Henry Fisher, was originally from Berks County, Pa., and fol- lowed farming there until his death, when quite an aged man. Ilis father was a native of Ger- many, and left the land of his birth for this country when a young man. He settled in Penn- sylvania. and there resided until his death. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Conrad Mar- shall, was a native of Schuylkill County, Pa., born December 17, 1772. and was a farmer. Ile came to Ohio in 1834, settling in Zanesfield, Logan County, and kept hotel until he retired from ac- tive life, his death occurring on the 10th of Feb- ruary, 1857, when eighty-five years of age. Ilis father. John Marshall, was a native of France. and came to America at a period antedating the Revolutionary War. He served in this war, and was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania.
Of the four sons born to his parents, Dr. C. M. Fisher was second in order of birth. The eidest child died in infancy; John M., another son. was born in Logan County on the 31st of Janu- ary, 1842, and is now a farmer of Hardin County. Ohio. Our subject first saw the light of day in Logan County, Rush Creek Township, Ohio, on the 16th of December. 1839, and there grew to manhood. His first scholastic training was in the log schoolhouse of early days, and he remained in the same until sixteen years of age. when he at- tended school at Bellefontaine for four years,
graduating from the institution of learning there. Being possessed of a more than ordinary degree of intelligence, he began teaching at the age of eigliteen years, and when twenty years of age he began the study of medicine with Dr. Cooper, of Bellefontaine. After completing his eourse of reading with that physician. he attended the Eclectie Medical College of Cineinnati, Ohio, and graduated in 1862, subsequently locating where he now resides, in Rushsylvania, where be has a large and lucrative practice.
Ilis marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Ansley occurred in Logan County, Rush Creek Township, on the 3d of March, 1863. She was born on the 5th of June, 1841. and was the third child and second daughter of four children born to George and Deliverance (Jolinson) Ansley, natives of the Blue Grass State, the father born on the 8th of November, 1807, and the mother on the 17th of April of the following year. The parents moved to Ohio at an early date, and both passed away here, the mother on the 25th of December, 1879, and the father on the 29th of August, 1882. They were well known throughout Logan County, and were universally respected.
Our subject and wife became the parents of five children, two daughters and three sons: Frank A., born January 31, 1864, and married September 4, 1889, to Miss Sarah E. Shaw, now resides in Rushsylvania; Anna May, born May 31. 1867, is the wife of Lewis Fawcett. of Rushsylvania, and has one son, Marshall; George E., born March 14, 1870; Mary E., born December 25, 1872, is the wife of Horatio Cline. of Belle Centre, Ohio; Allen Marshall, born August 21, 1886, is at home.
Dr. Fisher is a member of the National Medieal Eelectie Association, and also a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association. He is one of the most prominent and successful physi- cians of the county, as his many patients now living can testify. He was made a Mason in 1864 at Belle Centre Lodge No. 347, and is a member of LaFayette Chapter. of Bellefontaine, Ohio. He isalso a member of Rush Lodge No. 381. I. O. O. F., and is a charter member of the same. Ile and Mrs. Fisher are active workers in the Dis- ciples Church. in which they hold membership, and
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he is a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Board of Education for a period of twelve years, and has held other minor offices in the township. In 1887. he was a candidate for Represen- tative on the Democratic ticket. and ran far ahead of his tieket, but, on account of the overwhelming majority of Republicans, was defeated. He was elected Township Clerk on two occasions, and was a member of the City Council at various times. lie is one of the best-informed and most promi- nent citizens of the county. and is thoroughly qualified to hold almost any position. He has many warm friends, and is popular with all classes.
ILLIAM KETTLER. The stories of the wonderful physical resources of America and the opportunities afforded here for personal aggrandizement, have attracted hither many natives of the lands across the sea. The agricultural districts of our country contain many German-American citizens who are, almost with- out exception, energetic. thrifty and prosperous. In Shelby County this class is represented, and one of the number is the subject of this sketch, who is located at Kettlersville, Van Buren Town- ship, and in addition to superintending the opera- tions of his farm, is the owner of a general store, and Postmaster of the village. He came to Amer- ica without means, and has in a comparatively short time accumulated a comfortable fortune.
Our subject was born June 17, 1828, in Prussia. and is the son of Christian and Anna Kettler, also natives of the Fatherland, whence they came to America in 1847, and immediately located in New Bremen. this State. There the father purchased a farm and lived for several years. He subse- quently took up his abode in Van Buren Town- ship. this county, and here died in 1883, when in his eighty-third year. Ilis good wife, who became the mother of seven children. died in her eighty- fourth year.
He of whom we write was reared on the home 1
farm in Prussia, and received a good education in the model schools of his native land. He was six- teen years of age when he set sail from New Bremen and landed in Baltimore, after a tedious voyage of eleven weeks on the ocean. He came direct to this State and located at New Bremen, where he worked for two years on a farm. Ile then began clerking. being thus engaged for about four years, and then launched out in business on his own account, and was thus employed for thir- teen years, at the expiration of which time he sold his store and came to Van Buren Township. where he purchased a traet of land on section 15. Hle cleared and improved his acreage and a few years ago erected a sawmill on his farm. from which branch of business he is deriving a comfortable income.
The lady to whom Mr. Kettler was married in 1852 was Miss Louise Borner, of New Bremen, this State. To them have been granted a family of five children: Julius. Sophia. Matilda, and two who died in infancy. A Democrat in politics, our subject has served as Assessor of his township and as member of the Council in New Bremen. With his wife, he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and gives liberally of his means towards its sup- port. Ile engaged in business in Kettlersville, which was named in his honor, about ten years ago. and is conducting a successful business as general merchant.
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G EORGE II. STROH. one of the practical and intelligent young farmers of Auglaize County, has developed a fine farm from a tract of wild prairie land on section 7, Pusheta Township, which compares favorably in point of improvement and cultivation with the best in this township. He is the son of John Stroh. who was born in 1815 in Hesse-Cassel. Germany, where he was also a farmer. The father emigrated to the New World in 1834, and. locating in Butler County. this State, was engaged in teaming for
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