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 33
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 33
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 33
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The original of this notice is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, the Shelby County Medical Society and the Ohio State Med- ical Society. He and Mrs. Dine are worthy mem- bers of the Catholic Church. They have a fine residence, one of the best in Minster, and are hon- orable and useful members of society.
ENRY HELLBUSCH. Auglaize County is an Eden of fine farms and agricultural tracts. There are comparatively few very small tracts, and each farmer tries to outdo his neighbor in the cultivation and improvement of his land. Of the many fine attractive places, none are more conspicuous than that belonging to our subject, and located on section 14, near New Bremen. Mr. Hellbusch is engaged in farming and stoek-raising and has some of the best stock in his section.
Our subject is a native of this county, his birth occurring on the farm where he now lives, on the Ist of July, 1844, and he comes of sturdy German stock. Ilis father, John Hellbusch, was born in Oldenburg. Germany, in 1805, and was engaged in sheep-herding in his native country until 1835, when he came to America. lle was nine weeks in crossing the ocean. and he landed in New York on the 4th of July of that year. Ile visited Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus. Springfield and Dayton. coming all the way by team from Albany, and finally purchased a traet of wild land, forty acres for $130, near New Bremen. On this he erected a log house and began his career as a pio- neer. Wild game was plentiful, some Indians were still in the county, and settlers lived some
distance apart. Mr. Hellbusch was one of the first settlers of the township, and was a man whose honesty and uprightness won him the respect of all. He died in 1875. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and was an Elder and Trustee in the same. When he started out for himself, he had very little means, but being indus- trious and enterprising, he soon accumulated a comfortable competence. llis wife, a native of Germany, whose maiden name was Mary Heseker, came with her parents to America in 1836, and on the 29th of February, 1838, she was married to Mr. Hellbusch. She died in 1852. Mr. Hellbnsch's second marriage was to Mrs. Charlotta Fahrnhoart, a widow and a native of Prussia. She died in 1880.
The original of this notice was the only son of the first marriage, and was one of five children, only three of whom now survive. He attended the district school in New Bremen and received a good education in the German language. He re- mained and assisted on the farm until after the death of the father, when he took charge of the same and has conducted it successfully ever since. Progressive and thorough in all that he does, he has met with unusual success and is classed among the representative farmers and stock-raisers of the county. On the 18th of June, 1868, he selected Miss Mary Neddermann, a native of German Town- ship. this county, as his companion in life. She is also of German descent, for her father, William Neddermann, was born in Germany, and came to America in 1848. He followed agricultural pur- suits in this country, and is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Hellbusch are the parents of five children: William, Sophia, Edward, Lydia and John ( deceased). A Democrat in his predilections, Mr. Ilellbusch has ever voted with that party. Ile has been Township Trustee for the past eight years, and was Land Appraiser in 1890. He has also held other local offices, and has been a delegate to county and district conventions. He is a promi- nent and influential citizen and is esteemed and honored in the community, and is a member of St. Paul's Church and an active and progressive worker in the same. At the present time, he is the President of the New Bremen Tri-County
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Fair Association and is a stockhokler and Direc- tor in the same. lle is also the President and a stockholder of the New Bremen Coach llorse Company. The owner of eighty aeres of good productive land. in connection with agricultural pursuits, he is also engaged in raising Short- horn eattle. Mr. Hellbusch is one of the best- informed men of the county, is thoroughly posted on all subjects, and is very popular.
發業水
ITOMAS S. STURGEON is still living on the farm on seetion 4, St. Mary's Town- ship (now included within the corporate limits of the city of St. Mary's), where he was born November 23. 1842. He has risen to be one of the thrifty, well-to-do farmers of his native county, and his farm, which owes a part of its value to its situation in the oil region, compares favorably with the best in the locality.
Our subject is a son of Thomas Sturgeon, who was one of the first settlers of St. Mary's Town- ship, and stood high in the estimation of all who knew him. He was born in Mifflin County, Pa., in 1803. In 1819, be accompanied his parents in their migration to Miami County, this State, and in 1829 he was married to Mary D. Ross, who was a native of the same Pennsylvania county as him- self. The following year. he and his young wife eame to St. Mary's to locate upon the quarter of section 4 that he had entered from the Govern- ment in 1826. They found the country still in all its natural wildness and beauty, with but few attempts at development, and they led a typical pioneer life, undergoing all the discomforts and trials incidental to life on the frontiers of civiliza- tion. There were no good roads. that leading south to Piqua. where they went for flour and other articles. being scarcely more than a rough pathway marked by blazed trees. Indians still lived in the forests all the way from Wapakoneta to Oldtown. where their chief dwelt. and would frequently eall at Mr. Sturgeon's house to ask for
food or to exchange a hanneh of venison for a loaf of bread. Mr. Sturgeon would sometimes kill a deer. but he did not care for hunting. Ilis sole capital after he settled on his farm was fifty cents. but he was blessed with good courage to overcome all obstaeles that interfered with his plans, and he was industrions in his habits, working with a stout heart to make a home for himself and wife, who cheerfully assisted him. He split timber to make the frame for his dwelling, split puncheons for the floor thereof, and in that hum- ble abode he and Mrs. Sturgeon began housekeep- ing, living in it the first winter without its being weather-boarded, but with brush set up around it to keep out the cold. His axe, drawing knife, maul, and wedge were the only tools with which he was provided in building his bonse. Ile was muel prospered. became one of the solid men of the township, and died lamented at a ripe age, May 5. 1875. He was a quiet, reserved man. of few words. which were always to the point, and he was strictly temperate in all things. He held va- rious local offices, and he helped to organize the Presbyterian society at St. Mary's, acting as Elder of the church until his death. His good wife died before he did. her demise occurring December 5, 1868. They had eight children, four of whom grew to maturity, and three are now living, our subject being the only surviving son. Ilis grand- father, Moses Sturgeon, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction. He was a farmer and one of the early settlers of Miami County, the farm that he hewed from the wilderness being still in the Sturgeon name.
Our subject first attended the district school nearest his home. and when about fifteen years old was sent to the village school at St. Mary's. He aided his father in carrying on the farm until the latter died, and he then simply began where his father left off. coming into possession of the farm, and taking up the work that he laid down. Ile has one hundred and thirty-two acres of land on his farm, which is in a fine condition as to culti- vation and improvement, and is an attractive place for a home. Oil has been found beneath the surface in paying quantities, and he leases his land at a good price for oil purposes. Ile is a
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man of sterling, roundabout common-sense, of a pleasant, obliging disposition, a generous neigh- bor, and all that a man should be in his domestic relations-a devoted husband and an affectionate father. He is likewise loyal in his citizenship to his native township and county, and the Repub- lican party finds in him a strong supporter.
Mr. Sturgeon was married, May 5, 1881, to Miss Rebecca S., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Snod- grass) Crow, who were Virginians by birth. They came to Ohio about 1853, and settled on a farm in Mercer County, where the father died soon after. The mother is still living. She was well educated, and at one time taught school. Mrs. Sturgeon is gifted with a bright, intelligent, refined mind, and has a fine record as a teacher of fourteen years' ex- perience, entering upon the profession when very young, receiving her first certificate when she was only thirteen years old. She is a sincere Chris- tian. and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Iler marriage with our subject has brought them these three children: Mary, William T. and Edward M.
R EV. WILLIAM MILLER, an honored min- ister of the I'nited Brethren Church, has been preaching the Gospel for a half-cen- tury. Ile is a man of true piety and deep religious convictions, a Christian in word and deed. and has not only done good work in the church, but has thrown the weight of his in- finence on the side of morality and right-living at all times, and has made the community better for his residing in it. Ile owns forty acres of land in I'nion Township. Auglaize County. He rents his property but is at present residing on the place.
Daniel Miller, the father of our subject, was born March 29, 1802, in Virginia, and is the son of Daniel Miller, who kept an hotel in Pickaway County, this State, during the War of 1812. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary
Ann Cole; she was born in Maryland in 1805, and was the danghter of Stephen Cole, a farmer by oc- cupation. Daniel Miller, Jr., was an infant when brought to this State by his parents, and here grew to manhood in Piekaway County. Ile was married December 5, 1822, in Fairfield County, and in 1835 moved to this locality and took up his abode in Union Township, on section 17. The land was in a perfectly wild condition and Mr. Miller was compelled to cut his way through the woods to his new home. Ile there erected a small log cabin and was residing on the farm at the time of his decease, which occurred October 8, 1885. Ilis good wife, who became the mother of eleven children, followed him to the better land November 22, 1891. They were zealous members of the United Brethren Church, in which body the father was Class-leader for many years and a prominent singer. In politics, he joined the Republican party on its organization.
A native of Pickaway County, this State, our subject was born September 8, 1823, and, being reared on a farm, was given only a common-school education. When reaching his majority, he was married November 15, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth L., daughter of James and Maria (Hoffman) Finlaw, natives of New Jersey, the father being born Jan- uary 26, 1799, and the mother November 8, 1803. Mr. and Mrs. Finlaw emigrated to the Buckeye State in 1837, and took up their abode on a par- tially improved farm in this township, where they died in 1884 and 1880, respectively. They were good Christian people and were influential mem- hers of the United Brethren Church, though in former years they were members of the Baptist de- nomination. In politics, the father voted with the Republican party.
Mrs. Miller, who was the only child born to her parents, was born February 13, 1825, in Salem County, N. J., where she was given a fair educa- tion. Iler husband became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church when fifteen years of age, and five years later began preaching. He has since cast his lot with the United Brethren Church and was granted a license to preach, September 18, 1842, in a quarterly conference, and was given a license March 31, 1845, in the annual conference.
yours Respectfully John Grabiel
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Ile has been assigned to preach at different places, and has never missed a single annual conference since he has been a member. His ordination license was granted January 18. 1848, and during the greater portion of the time since that date be has traveled over his district as Presiding Elder.
The first year in which the Rev. Mr. Miller traveled as a preacher. he had twenty-four ap- pointments, and the distance around the circuit was three hundred miles, the entire journey being made on horseback through wood and marsh, and for thirteen years he never missed a single ap- pointment. lle has taken an active part in educa- tional matters, and has served as Trustee of im- portant institutions.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have never been blessed with children of their own, but have performed the part of parents to five orphans, three of whom are now living. Until a few years ago, our sub- jeet has always voted the Republican ticket, and at two different times was candidate for Represen- tative on the Prohibition ticket. with which party he is now identified. Mr. Miller is the oldest minister in the conference, and has preached more funeral sermons than any other half-dozen min- isters. His wife is also an active worker in the church and whoever crosses her threshold is sure of a cordial welcome.
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OHN GRABIEL. one of Ohio's native sons, was born in Lieking County, on the 7th of December, 1815, and is now residing two miles southeast of Rushsylvania. where he owns a very fine farm. and a very pleasant and cozy home. Ile is one of the pioneer settlers of this section and is a man who is strictly temperate in every respect. Ile has never used tobacco in any form, was never drunk. and has not tasted strong drink for forty years. He has always en- joved the best of health, owing no doubt to his temperate habits, and was never so ill but that he could care for himself. Hle is greatly respected for !
his honesty and uprightness, has a host of warm friends and not an enemy in the world.
John Grabiel, father of our subject, was a native Virginian, born in Shenandoah County in 1797, the only son of Jacob Grabiel, who was of German descent and a member of the Dunkard Church. John Grabiel was married in the Old Dominion to Miss May Haas, a native of that State, born in 1798, and also of German descent, and directly afterwards lo- cated on a farm in his native State, where he re- mained until 1815. Then learning of the fertile fields of Ohio, he emigrated to this State and set- tled on a farm in Licking County. He resided on three different farms. the last one being three miles Northwest of Utica, and after living there for some time moved to U'tica where his death occurred in 1852. Hle and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics, he was a Demo- erat until 1852 when he voted the Free Soil ticket. His wife died in 1853, and they are buried side by side in U'tica cemetery.
Ten of the thirteen children born to the parents of our subject grew to mature' years, three having died in infancy. Hannah married Shredrick Goff and died leaving four children; David died in 1892; Catherine is deceased; Elizabeth married Jacob Rabb and died leaving three children, one of whom died in the army; John is our subject; Margaret is the next in the family circle; Jacob resides in Rush Creek Township; Mary Ann mar- ried John Deary. and died leaving one child; George is deceased, and Aaron makes his home in Rush Creek Township.
Our subject. the fifth child and second son, was reared in his native county and walked two miles to the subscription schools, taught in a log school- house with greased paper for windows. mud and stick chimney. and all the other clumsy contriv- ances of early days. During the latter part of his schoolboy days he attended school in a hewn-log house in Licking County. He also attended night school and studied grammar, thus having the ad- vantage of many of the children of his day. When not attending school he was actively engaged in assisting Ins father ou the farm and remained with his parents until 1847, when he came to Logan County. Hle and his brother Jacob had bought
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four hundred and forty-eight acres in 1846, in Rush Creek Township, the farm where our subjeet now resides, and there were about cight acres cleared at that time. On this our subject located and began the work of clearing and im- proving. Ile built a hewn-log house, two stories in height, and worked on his farm, boarding with different families for ten years.
Satisfied that he could bring a wife to a com- fortable home, our subject was married on the 31st of December, 1857, to Miss Sarah D. Tharp, a na- tive of Jefferson Township, Logan County, born on the 28th of November, 1834, of the union of William and Mary (Epley) Tharp, natives respect- ively of Virginia and New Jersey. Mr. Tharp was one of the earliest settlers of Logan County, was Overseer of the Poor, and a man highly respected by all. He was an Elder in the church for fifty years and was President at the organization of old Tharp Run church in Jefferson Township, the same being named in honor of him. He was the father of five children, Mrs. Grabiel being the fourth in order of birth. Ile was honored and esteemed for his many estimable qualities, peace- able and unassuming in his manner, never had a lawsuit, never took a taste of intoxicating liquor in his life, and never but one dose of medicine. lle passed away when seventy-six years of age.
Our subject brought his bride to a good home and on this farm they have resided ever since, the former engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising, at which he excels. His union was blessed by the birth of nine children, six daughters and three sons, viz: Luthera Q. died at the age of three years; Mary E. died when about eleven months old; William H. married Miss Bessie Hopkins, of Bokes Creek Township; Elma V. is the wife of Prof. C. S. D. Shawan, professor of the school at Utiea. (The latter's brother Jacob is Superintendent of the schools of Columbus). John W. is Superintendent of the schools at Belle Centre, Ohio; Herman HI. married Miss Blanch Williams; R. Olga is the wife of Charles Ansley, a photographer, of Rushsylvania; S. Libbie, and Anna Lois are at home. All were born and reared on the farm where our subject now resides. Mr. Grabiel owns two hundred and twenty-forty acres in the homestead. one hundred
and seventy-eight acres in Bokes Creek Township, and one hundred and eight aeres about a mile southeast of the home place near Walnut Grove, five hundred and nine aeres in all. Ile has one of the very best farms in the county, and there is not an acre of the soil that could not be tilled. In connection with farming, he has been quite exten- sively engaged in stock-raising and has been very successful. In politics, he has been a Repblican smee the formation of that party and is still an advocate of its principles. Ile and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church in Rushsyl- vania, of which he has been a member since seven- teen years of age, and has been active in all church work, having served as Elder. Mrs. Grabiel is a lady in the true sense of that term and is one of the noted housekeepers of her section.
A portrait of Mr. Grabiel accompanies this sketch of his life.
EROME B. WALTON is one of the pro- gressive farmers and well-to-do citizens of Union Township, Auglaize County. Ile operates one hundred and sixty-nine aeres of valuable land on seetion 5, which farm is recog- nized as one of the best in the county. It is com- plete in all its appointments, its arrangements hav- ing been made with an eye to convenience, and it seems to be lacking in no particular.
Joseph B. and Susan (Brintling) Walton, the parents of our subject, are natives respectively of Maryland and Ohio. The father was born in 1805, and was brought by his parents to this State when a small boy, being reared to manhood in the vicin- ity of Circleville. Mrs. Walton was born in Pick- away County, while her parents hailed from Penn- sylvania. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Walton resided for a time in Fairfield County, and in 1836 took up their abode in this section, locat- ing upon the farm where our subject is at pres- ent residing. When he arrived here. he had but $5 in money, a cow and one horse. Hle
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erected a round-log house on the land, which was in a perfectly wild state, and by hard work, cleared a large portion of the place. They reared a family of nine children, only two of whom are now living. The father departed this life in 1853, being followed to the better land by his wife, she dying in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Walton were conscientious members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being regular attendants and active workers in all the meetings of that body. In his political relations, the former was a stanch Demo- crat.
Jerome B. Walton was born May 27, 1833, in Franklin County, this State, and was three years of age when brought to this county by his parents. The school advantages in that carly day are noth- ing to be compared with the opportunities af- forded the youth of the present generation, and, like other farmer lads, our subject's education was limited. Ilis father being in poor health, he was compelled to go to work when quite young, to aid in the support of the family. In 1844, they had the misfortune to all be sick at once, the farm work suffering to such an extent that not even an ear of corn was raised. After the death of his father, our subject remained at home and carried on the estate. and later bought the interest of the other heirs.
Miss Susan, daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Wingard) Sellars, was united in marriage with our subject in 1858. Mrs. Walton, who was born March 16, 1837, in Bucks County, Pa., became the mother of six children, of whom we make the fol- lowing mention of the three living: Neola, now Mrs. J. C. Watt, who resides in this township, as does also Eliza Ellen. Mrs. Frank Rigdon; and F. P., who married Miss Etta Lusk. and lives on the home place.
As before stated, Mr. Walton is engaged in gen- eral farming. having one hundred and twenty neres of the estate under good cultivation. The farm is adorned with all the needful outbuildings. and a comfortable residence in which the family reside was erected by himself. In local affairs, he has been School Director for the past thirty years. Assessor four years and Land Appraiser in 1880- 90. He has also been the incumbent of the office of
Township Trustee, and in politics is a stanch ad- herent of the Democrat party. Mrs. Walton holds membership in the Lutheran Church, and is a lady of benevolent impulses, to whom the destitute never appeal or aid in vain.
ILLIAM T. HAVILAND, who takes a lead- ing part in the manufacturing interests of Bellefontaine, is one of its most public- spirited and enterprising citizens, and ocenpies the position of Treasurer of the Chichester & Haviland Company, manufacturers of chairs and settees. Ile occupies a high position among the keen and suc- cessful business men of this city, where he is ably conducting his extensive interests.
The original of this sketch, who was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., February 23, 1860, is the son of J. C. and Elizabeth (Townsend) Haviland, also natives of that State. The father, who has been a very successful business man. is now living a retired life in Plainfield, N. J. William T., of this sketch, was reared in his native State, and re- ceived an excellent education in a boarding-school. When a youth, he entered a store at Millbrook, N. Y., as a clerk, and, after being thus employed for two years. moved to Poughkeepsie, where he was likewise employed in a carpet store for eigh- teen months. Thence making his way West to Chi- cago, young Haviland opened a wholesale chair honse, conducting business under the firm name of Chichester & Haviland. They were successfully engaged in the Garden City for two years, and in September. 1886, purchased their present plant in this city. which was then owned by Dickinson & Estey.
On becoming identified with the business inter- ests of this city. our subject formed a stock com- pany for the manufacture of chairs, with F. Chiches- ter as President; F. 1. Chichester. Vice-president; W. B. Chichester. Secretary, and W. T. Haviland. Treasurer. They have lately placed in their fac-
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tory $4,000 worth of new machinery and have in their employ over two hundred men, women and children, which large force enables them to turn out an average of three hundred chairs per day.
The Chichester & Haviland Company is one of the leading concerns in the State of Ohio, the father of the President having been the first man to manufacture chairs by machinery in the United States. Our subject, who is still a young man, manifests great ability in his present position, and is one of whom it will be said ere long that his life has been crowned with financial success. 1Te is public-spirited and takes pride in conscientiously fulfilling the obligations, both great and small, im- posed upon him, and is highly estcemed by his business associates.
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