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 34
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 34
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 34
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August 1, 1888, William T. Haviland and Miss Tempa, daughter of Judge William Lawrence, were united in marriage. To them have been born one danghter, Elizabeth. Socially, our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Democratic party in politics, and, though by no means an office-seeker, is greatly interested in the welfare of his party.
ILLIAM M. LINN. The Democratic Times, published at Wapakoneta, is a journal well known in Auglaize County and the adjoining country as a medium of information re- garding the news of the day, affairs in which the people of the locality are especially interested and various matters which pertain to the good of all humanity. Of this sheet Mr. Linn is proprietor and editor-in-chief, and in its control he is adding to an already established reputation as a newspaper man. Although quite a young man, he has had some years' experience in the fields of journalism, and knows well how to handle the enterprise he has in hand.
Our subject was born in Greenfield, Highland County. this State. August 5. 1857, and is the son
of William S. and Mary Linn. His educational advantages were very limited, he never having en- tered a schoolhouse for the purpose of studying since twelve years of age. By careful observation, however, and strict attention to business, he has acquired a good practical education, which has made him a successful business man.
In 1870, Mr. Linn, in company with his parents, moved to Indiana, where he served as "printer's devil" in the office of the Union City Eagle. In 1877, in partnership with Cal Bidlack, he estab- lished the Versailles Policy, which they published for a short time. In 1883, Mr. Linn left that city and going to Greenville, this State, started the Greenville Advocate, which he sold out five years later, and, locating in Wapakoneta, began the pub- lication of the Democratic Times. It is one of the leading papers in the county, and has a large cir- culation, finding its way into the homes of the best people in this section, and is well deserving of the patronage which it receives. Mr. Linn is a self-made man in the true acceptance of that term, as he started out in life with no capital whatever, and is now at the head of a growing business.
While residing in Versailles, Mr. Linn, Septem- ber 29, 1878, was united in marriage with Miss Isabella, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Rada- baugh, and to them have been born four sons, namely, Willie .J., Ernest Lee, George Ward, and Edward R. Our subject is a genial, quick-witted man, whose keen observation and habits of thought afford him much pleasure as well as form a lever to advance his financial interests. He is a promi- nent member of the Knights of Pythias, and votes the straight Democratic ticket, having cast his first Presidential vote for Winfield S. Hancock.
G EORGE F. FREYMAN. Were mention to be made of the farmers of Duchouquet Township, Auglaize County, without giv- ing a prominent place to this gentleman, certainly an injustice would be done both to himself and the community. Ilis excellent farm is located on
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section 21, and contains a fine set of farm build- ings well adapted to their various uses. He has introduced on his place many improvements, and evidences of his thrifty management may be seen on every hand. Ile has been very prominent in local affairs, and for twelve years was Deputy Sheriff of this county, and for one year was the ineumbent of the shrievalty.
John Morris Freyman, the father of our subject, was a native of Bavaria, his birth occurring in 1771. He was a farmer by occupation, and served for a number of years in the Austrian army, fight- ing against Napoleon Bonaparte from 1794 until 1800, being in active service that entire period. Hle was an Aide to Gen. Seckendorf, and in 1806 was Aide to Gen. Hohenlohe, also fighting against Napoleon at that time.
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The maiden name of our subject's mother was Margueretta Barbara Mullfinger. also a native of Bavaria, whence she emigrated to America with her family in 1828. They settled first in Northamp- ton Connty. Pa., where her father was engaged in work. being in very limited circumstances. He had been very wealthy in the old country, but had been deprived of his possessions by the long-con- tinned wars. After spending eighteen months in the Keystone State, the parents of our subject came to Ohio, where they located in Butler County, and in August. 1833. came to Allen. afterward Auglaize County, where the father entered a traet of land on section 33, of this township. The sur- rounding country was in its primitive condition. and the Indians still inhabited this portion of the State. Mr. Freyman, with his sons, set indus- triously about clearing and improving his estate, on which he was residing at the time of his death. in 1863. He was followed to the better land a few years later by his wife, who died in 1869. They were members in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and were held in high esteem by their numerous friends.
He of whom we write was the youngest in a family of eight children, being born November 11. 1828. in Pennsylvania. He was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents to this State. and as he was obliged to aid in operating the new farm,was permitted to attend -chool but six months.
Hle grew to manhood on the old homestead, and in 1855 was married to Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Henrietta Heubner, also natives of Germany.
The wife of our subject, who was born Feb- ruary 14, 1834, in Hesse-Darmstadt, emigrated to America in 1854, and the following year was mar- ried to Mr. Freyman. They located in Wapako- neta. where our subject owned a store a short time and Then condneted an hotel. He later contracted to build the Dayton & Michigan Railroad to that village, and after its completion moved on to a farm in this township.
In July. 1862, Mr. Freyman enlisted in the Union army, joining the Band of Company I, Twentieth Ohio Infantry. He acted in the Ambulance Corps, and was one of ten who volunteered their ser- vices to go to the front during a battle. He re- ceived his honorable discharge after a service of two years. Mr. Freyman then returned home, his affairs having been ably conducted in the mean- time by his efficient and intelligent wife. In 1865, he removed to Hamilton, this State, and engaged with his brother in the brewing business. Two years later, however, he returned to Wapakoneta and took the contract to build the St. John's Pike, which was seven miles in length.
In October. 1868, Mr. Freyman located on his present farm. which then bore but little resem- blance to its now prosperous condition. In Janu- ary of the following year, he went to California in order to settle the estate of his brother, who had died there, and returned home in June of that year. He is the proprietor of two hundred acres of excellently improved land, nearly all of which is under the best methods of cultivation.
Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Freyman. nine are now living, namely: Fred William. Charles Theodore, George Valentine, Bertha Frederika. Emma Henrietta. William Ed- ward. John Louis, Louisa Matilda, and John Mor- ris. The ellest son married Samantha Morris, and makes his home in Wapakoneta: Bertha F. is the wife of JacobJohn Haus, and resides at St. Mary's. Mr. and Mrs. Freyman are members of the Luth- eran Church. and are active in all the workings of that body. They have given their children good
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educations, and our subject has served as a mem- her of the School Board. In social affairs, he is a Grand Army man, and in politics votes a straight Democratie ticket, on which he was elected Town- ship Trustee. lle is one of the most influential citizens of his township, and his life affords a splendid illustration of the power of patience and perseverance in promoting the prosperity of the individual and crowning bis labors with complete success.
ESSE JENKINS is a man whom Nature seems to have especially designed to be a farmer, for he has met with more than the ordinary degree of success in pursuing that calling, and owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path, and to his adoption of new and im- proved methods, together with industry and good judgment, he is now one of the substantial men of the county. Ile is the owner of one of the rich- est, most productive and best-kept farms in his section, and on this he has a good house and sub- stantial and commodious barns and outbuildings. Wide-awake and enterprising, he has made all his property by his own exertions, and deserves much credit for his perseverance and industry.
Ilis immediate progenitor. Samuel Jenkins, was a native of the Keystone State. born June 26, 1778, and came to Ross County. Ohio, when a young man. His father. William Jenkins. was a native of Wales, and was a single man when he came to the United States. IIe settled in Penn- sylvania and there passed the remainder of his days. Samuel Jenkins was married in Ross Connty, Ohio, to Miss Anna Cooney, a native of Maryland, and after marriage followed the trade of a wheelwright for some time. Later, he came to Logan County. Ohio, located on a farm in MeArthur Township. moved from there to North- wood. Logan County, thence to a farm in Belle Centre, Richland Township. this county, and finally to Hardin County, Ohio, where his death
occurred in 1860. The following year the wife followed him to the grave, and they were buried side by side in the Kenton cemetery. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom reached manhood and womanhood, and two of whom are now living, one beside our subject, Mrs. Rebecca Lockhart.
lesse Jenkins, the eldest son and third child, first saw the light of day in Ross County, Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1822, and his early days were passed in assisting his father on the farm, and in attending the primitive log schoolhouse of pioneer days. His first scholastic training was received in Marion County, Ohio, but when his father moved to Logan County, this State, he conned his lessons in a log schoolhouse with greased paper for window lights, a big fireplace four fect wide, with stick chimney, and like contrivances of that period. Ilis knowledge of the world was only such as could be learned upon the home farm, and he was actively engaged in assisting to clear the home place until thirty years of age. When twenty- one years of age, he attended school in a frame house, and by his studious and careful attention to his books secured a fairly good education.
Until thirty years of age. all our subject's earn- ings went to support the family, but about that time his brother-in-law rented a farm and bought a threshing-machine, which onr subject and he operated for about three years. When thirty-five years of age, or in 1859. Mr. Jenkins selected a life companion in the person of Miss Elizabeth A. Bennett, a native of Logan County, Ohio, born in 1830. The result of this union was the birth of seven children: Samuel, Claribel, Marietta. Will- iam, Lizzie MI .. Carrie M. (who died when eight years of age), and Amanda J .. all enjoying single blessedness. The wife and mother died June 26. 1882.
In the same year as his marriage, our subject settled where he now resides, and although his first home was a rude log cabin. and his place had very few improvements on it. he went vigorously to work to clear his farm of the heavy timber with which Nature had covered it. Assisted by his ambitious and economical wife, who was a true helpmate indeed, he began gradually. and
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after mueh hard work and many privations, to gather around him many comforts and eon- veniences. Ile is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-seven acres of excellent land, the most of which is under cultivation. and all of which he has cleared with his own hands, and besides has cleared two other farms. Ile has been an indefat- igable worker, and all his property has been accumulated by striet attention to business and great exertion on his part. He is one of the prominent farmers of Rush Creek Township, and one of its most worthy and upright citizens. Ile is a member of the Disciples Church. Formerly a Whig in politics, his first vote was for Henry Clay, but he is now a stanch Republican and upholds the platform of that party. Aside from his extensive farming interests, Mr. Jenkins is also engaged in stock-raising, and makes a success of this. as he does of all else he undertakes.
ILLIAM MILHOLLAND, M. D., has been identified with the medical profession of Shelby County for sixteen years, or since 1876, and a leading physiean of Sidney for the past two years. He is personally well suited to the profession he has chosen, and he has given himself the benefit of all the opportunities avail- able in this country. He is a very popular man, both in his profession and out of it. and has a host of friends and admirers. The Doctor was born in Butler County. Ohio. on the 10th of July, 1850, to the marriage of George and Mary Ann (Mering) Milholland. the father one of the oldest settlers of Butler County, Ohio.
The paternal grandfather of our subject. Thomas Milholland, was a native of the green isle of Erin, and came with his parents to America when but a small boy. They settled in Indiana at a very early date. and although the country where they decided to locate was wild and unsettled and In- dians were plentiful, the grandfather was a good marksman and had little fear. He reared thirteen
children, most of whom still live, and became prominently identified with that part of the State. His son, George Milholland, father of our subject, was born in Indiana in December, 1811, and was reared in Franklin County of that State. When a young man. he came with an uncle to the Buck- eye State, and branched out for himself as an ag- rieulturist. becoming a very successful and prae- tical farmer. He worked hard at the time of his death. which occurred in 1878, and was the owner of an excellent farm. Ile left a family of seven children, all of whom are living: John. now a physician of Winterset, Iowa; Charlotte, wife of Tobias Speich. of Sutton. Neb .; Thomas, of San Diego, Cal .; our subject: Anna, wife of Arnold York, of Nebraska; Dr. David (who read medicine with our subject), who resides at Junction. Ohio; and Eddie, who is on the old farm. The mother of these children bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Mering, and was a native of Maryland. She was the danghter of John Mering, who moved to Ohio at quite an early date, and engaged in the milling business in Butler County, Ohio. He was killed by a horse. His wife. whose maiden name was Elizabeth Buttonburg, was one of the early settlers of Butler County, Ohio.
The subject of this brief sketch received his early education in Oakland Academy in Butler County, Ohio, and later attended school at New London. or Paddy's Run, as the postoffice is called. The school at that place, and the one our subject attended, was organized by the latter's fa- ther and others, who maintained it for many years. Afterward. young Milholland attended the Ohio Normal School at Lebanon. was then with his father for some time, and subsequently began reading medicine with Dr. P. H. Brooks, now of Lima. He took a course of medical lec- tures at Miami Medieal College, Cincinnati, in the Classes of '78. '75. and '76. and afterward located at Pemberton. where he practiced in the town and surrounding country for nearly twelve years, and met with the best of success. After this, he went to Bradford. where he had property. remaining there two years, but in 1889 he returned to Sid- ney. where he has already built up a good prac- tice. also retaining a large share of his practice in
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Pemberton. He has purchased a fine brick resi- dence in Sidney, and has his office on Main Ave- nue. At Bradford, he also owns a good residence, and at Pemberton he owns considerable real estate, all of which he has made by his praetice. Ile also believes in life insurance, and is insured in an old- line company for $5.000. lle is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a mem- ber of the Shelby Medical Society, also of the Ohio State Medieal Society.
On the 13th of September. 1883, he married Miss Nettie M. Wilkinsou, a native of Pemberton, Ohio, and the daughter of Jacob P. Wilkinson. Five ehildren have blessed this union: George W., Olive F .. Arnold Ray, Pearl May, and one who died in infancy. Although formerly a member of the Con- gregational Church, Mr. and Mrs. Milholland now hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is chorister of the Sunday-school and director of the choir. He has given consider- able attention to music, especially vocal, which he used to teach, and is considered authority on all musical subjects. He and Mrs. Milholland are members of the Good Templars, and he is Deputy of the lodge.
The Doctor is the owner of two fine colts from "Kitty M.," of Morgan and Mambrino strain on the dam's side, one sired by "Stockwell," son of "Nutwood."
OHIN P. COST, Superintendent of the Belle- fontaine Carriage Body Company, is recog- nized as a man of superior attainments and one well calculated to be classed among the prominent business men of Logan County. HIe was born October 25. 1841. in Greene County, this State, and is the son of Anthony and Anna (Gui- singer) Cost. natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The ancestors of our subject were natives of Germany, and his father, who came to this State in 1838, when a young man, was married in Greene
County. Ile was a merchant in early life, and spent his latter days in railroading. lle de- parted this life in Indianapolis, Ind., in the year 1884, and his widow, who is still living, makes her home in Omaha, Neb. Our subject was the eldest in the parental family of nine children, all of whom are living. He attended school in Fair- field and Quincy, this State, but his advantages for securing an education were limited, as at the age of fourteen years he left school, and served an ap- prenticeship of four years at the trade of body- making, with Emery Bros., of this eity.
In 1861, on the outbreak of the Civil War, young Cost enlisted in the three-months service, in Com- pany A, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, which was the first company to leave Logan County. On the ex- piration of his term of service, in September of the same year, he re-enlisted in the First Ohio In- fantry, serving his country faithfully and well until September 9, 1864, when he was honorably discharged with the title of Corporal. He parti- cipated in the battles of Pittsburgh Landing, siege of Corinth, and Murfreesboro. He afterward served with the Pioneer and Pontoon Corps, and for about six months lay in a hospital, having been afflicted with a chronic disease.
On being mustered out of the service, Mr. Cost. went to Dayton and worked at his trade until 1869, at which time he came to this city and was employed as foreman with the Miller Carriage Company, which position he occupied until the organization of the present firm, of which he was elected President. In April, 1889, he was made Superintendent of the factory, which under his supervision and management has grown to be one of the leading body works in this part of the State. The institution. of which he was the originator, was started on a small scale. Ile, as a practical workman himself, employs none but skilled men. whom the company pays well for their services.
Mr. Cost and Miss Mary E. Ileffner, of Dayton, were married in 1868. Their family of three chil- dren bear the respective names of Charles E., Mary L. and John HI. Our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed all the chairs in the encampment. Hle is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. in which order he
MRS JANE CORWIN.
OLIVER CORWIN.
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holds the position of Secretary. A devoted mem- ber of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. he has held the position of Elder for the past eighteen veais and is among its most earnest workers. Ile has labored hard and his success has not been at- tained without difficulties, but his life verifies the belief that everything is possible to the man pos- sessing energy and good judgment.
and stock-dealer is one of the many who have spent the greater portion of their lives in developing the country. that their children and children's children might enjoy the advantages which they themselves were denied. In truth. we of to-day are the heirs of all ages and profit by the labor and self-denial of the hard-working classes of times past. Mr. Corwin was born in Piekaway County. Ohio, near Circleville, on the 26th of De- eember, 1810. to the union of P. and Mary M. (Dovenbarger) Corwin. natives of Pennsylvania and Germany respectively.
The father attained to manhood in his native State, was married there, and many years later went to Indiana, where his death occurred five years af- terwards. The mother came to America with her parents when but a child. and her first marriage was to Thomas Hall, by whom she had two children, a son and daughter: John, who died when small, and Margaret. who married George Moots and reared a large family. By the second marriage. Mrs. Corwin became the mother of seven children. who were named in the order of their births as follows: John. Oliver (our subject). Daniel. Phineas, George Thomas, Mary Ann. and Jacob. When the eldest child was fifteen years of age and the youngest but six months. the father died. and the mother afterward removed with her family to Logan County. Ohio. ettling in Jefferson Town- ship. about one mile south of Zanesfield. where she rented a farm. There the family remained about five years and the mother kept the children to-
gether until they were grown and married. She lived to be sixty years of age and died in Rush Creek Township. this county. She was widely and favorably known for her many excellent and wo- manly qualities and was a devoted mother and a true and faithful friend.
The subject of this sketch is a self-made man, and all his accumulations are the result of hard work and strict attention to business. From an . early age he became accustomed to hard labor and the first money he earned was in a mill in Monroe Township. Logan County. On the 28th of Febru- ary, 1833, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Daugherty, who was born in Jefferson Town-
0 LIVER CORWIN. This prominent farmer : ship, Logan County, Ohio, on the 14th of July. 1816, the eldest daughter of Jarvis and Hannah ( Marrimans) Daugherty, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty were the first settlers of Logan County, and when they loented there Indian- and wild an- imals abounded.
At the time of his marriage, our subject had $120 in money and a two-year-old colt. He located on a rented farin belonging to his father-in-law, in Jefferson Township, and on this he remained for about five years. Hle subsequently bought eighty aeres of wild land where he now resides, and on it erected a log house. 18x20 feet. with one little window, and immense fireplace with a stick and mud chimney. The door had a wooden latch with string, the roof was made of clapboard-, and in this rude habitation this hopeful and ambitious young couple began their struggle for a home. llis ax was the first to clear the ground of the heavy timber with which it was covered and his strong arms converted the wilderness into a fertile and blooming tract of country. He sub- sequently added to the original tract sixty-two acres and continued adding to this until he now owns one thousand aeres in Rush Creek and Bokes Creek Townships. Mrs. Corwin had her share of the hard work and stood faithfully by her husband's side during the ups and downs of life. She did . her own weaving and made ail the clothes worn by her large family.
The children, fifteen in number. born to Mr. and Corwin were as follows: Jarvis D., who served
15
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four years in the Civil War. escaping without a wound, died on the 7th of March. 1888; Martha Ann, wife of George Brockerman. resides in Rushsylvania; Phineas, who resides in Rush Creek Township: Henry at home with our subject: Ilannah, who died in infaney; Israel, a resident of Rush Creek Township; Abi. . am. Isaae and Jacob, triplets. born alive but who shortly afterward died; Joseph died in infancy; William and Oliver D., both residing in Rush Creek Township; Mary Jane, who died at the age of seven years; Zacheas, who died when five years old, and Margaret Ann, wife of E. Wickersham, of Rush Creek Township. Our subject votes for the man in local affairs, but his Presidential vote is east with the Democratic party. Ile was Supervisor for seven years and also held the position of School Director for many years. He is one of the leading farmers and stockmen of the county and is an honest, respected citizen.
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