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 35
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 35
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 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Corwin are pre- sented elsewhere in this volume.
E LISHA R. FREEMAN. M. D. The city of Wapakoneta is not without her share of members of the learned professions, who are a credit to the pursuit they have chosen and to the town itself. Among those who have taken up the calling of a medical practitioner is Dr. Freeman, who devotes himself assiduously to his practice and the scientific investigations which will enhance his professional knowledge and skill. He is well established in reputation as a physician and is re- cognized among the ablest of Western Ohio.
Our subjeet was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., October 20, 1842. and is a son of Isaac and Harriet (Knight) Freeman, also natives of the Empire State. His father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, was a man of much learning, being well versed in the law. He occupied the position of Justice of the Peace for a number of years and de- parted this life in 1866, Mr. and Mrs, Isaac Free-
man were the parents of three sons and three daughters, five of whom are living.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was the youngest son in the parental family, and received his early training in the public schools of his native county. He later attended the schools in Fairfield, N. Y .. where he was prosecuting his studies on the outbreak of the late war. Abandon- ing his books, he enlisted in 1861, becoming a member of Company H, First New York Cavalry. which was disbanded a short time after with thirty thousand men. Mr. Freeman immediately re-en- listed in the Seventy-seventh New York Infantry and participated in many of the important battles, being discharged in the winter of 1863, having been wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. Ile was seriously hurt while erossing the pontoon bridge across Aqua Creek, at which time the bridge was cut loose and Mr. Freeman was struck with a plank. Ile lay for some time at White Oak Church and was then sent to Washington, where he re- ceived his honorable discharge. During his ser- vice in the cavalry, he occupied the office of Sec- ond Lieutenant and in the infantry acted as Cor- poral of his company.
For two or three years after returning from the war, Mr. Freeman was unable to do any manual labor, but during that time completed his educa- tion and began reading medicine. Still being in ill health, he continued farming until 1878, when. going to Cincinnati, he was graduated from the Pulte Medical College with the Class of '83. Re- turning to Wapakoneta. Dr. Freeman engaged in the practice of his profession and has long been considered a permanent member of the fraternity here.
In 1876, our subject visited the Western coun- try and again in 1890 took a pleasure trip to Col- orado. He has a fine collection of Indian relics which he values very highly. and which can be seen at his ottiee. In 1863, he was married to Emma Haff, a native of New York State, and to them were born two children. Lillian and Alice. Mrs. Freeman died in 1872 and the Doctor chose for his sec- ond companion, in 1882, Miss Mary Rathbone, who has become the mother of one daughter. Julia. They are both devoted members of the Methodist
327
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Episcopal Church and are highly respected through- out the community. Among the Indian collec- tions which the Doctor has, is a pipe that once be- longed to Sitting Bull and also the war elub which was supposed to have been used in killing Capt. Wallace.
In knowledge and skill in medical science and all matters pertaining to the health of the body, Dr. Freeman stands in the front rank among the medical fraternity. Ili- intelligence in other lines of study and affairs and his manly character alike entitle him to esteem and he is regarded in the highest respect. not only throughout his commun- ity but in other places where he is known. having an extended acquaintance and an assured position among the learned members of his profession.
G EORGE ROMSHE has been exceedingly prosperous in the pursuit of his calling as a farmer. and is now the fortunate owner of a splendid estate on section 6. Duchouquet Town- ship. Auglaize County. He is a son of Justus and Annie Margaret ( Michel) Romshe. natives of IIesse-Darmstadt, Germany. where the father was born in 1795 and the mother in 1800.
!
The father of our subject was a tailor by trade. and in 1838 emigrated to the New World, and coming direct to this State. located on the farm which is the present property of our subject. It 1
was then in its primitive condition and droves of deer and wolves roamed about the cabin. The father paid $400 for seventy-five aeres of land. which he set industriously about clearing and im- proving. The mother was accidentally killed in 1854. by falling from a wagon. Justus Romshe lived until 1879, when he, too. departed this life. They were conscientious members of the Lutheran Church and reared a family of two children. both of whom are living.
George Romshe was born November 2. 1827. 11 the Province of Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, and was a lad of eleven years when be accompanied
his parents on their removal to America. ITis sis- ter bore the name of Anna Maria, and is now the wife of William Diehl and makes her home in Springfield, this State, where she has a family of three children.
Our subject received a good German education. but on coming to the New World, attended school only three months, his father not being able to spare him from the farm duties. Being reared to agricultural pursuits, he has not only witnessed. but has assisted in, every change which has worked out the wonderful transformation apparent in Au- glaize County to-day. He has been a resident upon his present farm for fifty-four years, and no one takes greater pride than he in the prosperity of Duchouquet Township. where he stands among the most able and progressive men of his elass in the county.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1850 bore the name of Mary MeClintock. She was born in August. 1828, and is a daughter of John and Barbara MeClintock, natives of County Donegal, Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Romshe have been born ten children. six of whom are living. namely: John. JJustus, Mary. William, Charles and Jacob. Mrs. Mary Romshe departed this life in the year 1885, and the lady whom our subject chose as his second companion November 2, 1886. was Mrs. Nancy (Sprague) Ritchie, widow of Adam Ritchie, who came to this section in 1834. Mrs. Romshe is the daughter of Samuel and Clar- issa ( Martin ) Sprague, natives respectively of New York and Virginia. Her father was a farmer, and died while residing in Arkansas, in 1887; his good wife, who survived him a few years, passed away in 1891. Mrs. Romshe was one in a family of eleven children, and was born in Morgan County. this State, January 7. 1831. By her marriage with Mr. Ritchie. she became the mother of four chil- dren. three of whom are still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Romshe are active members of the Lutheran Church. in which denomination our sub- jeet has been a Deneon and Elder for a number of years. Ile has been very liberal with his children, and has distributed a tract of seven hundred acres among them. Being greatly interested in school affairs, he has served for many years on the
328
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Board as Director, in which position he has done efficient service. In polities, he votes with the Democratic party and has always been one of its stanch supporters. In local affairs, he has been the recipient of the office of Township Trustee, and is deeply interested in whatever pertains to the welfare of his community, and is always willing to contribute his time and money to promote any worthy publie enterprise.
U'GUSTUS A. DAVIS is a well-known mer- chant of Jackson Centre, and is at present ably discharging the duties of Postmaster at that place. lle is the son of Luther L. Davis, who was born May 31. 1810, in West Vir- ginia. The latter was a farmer, and the son of James Davis. a native of New Jersey, who in turn was the son of William Davis, a native of Wales. The latter emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and with a brother served in that struggle, in which conflict the latter lost his life. The grandfather of our subjeet, together with his brother. did valiant service in the War of 1812.
The Davis family originally settled in New Jer- sey, where they remained until after the Revolu- tionary War. and then, moving to Virginia, made their home in Ilarrison County, where they were among the earliest pioneers. The mother of our subject. who prior to her marriage was known as Miss Jane Morris, was born in Clarke County, this State. November 23. 1815. She was the daughter of Richard and Mary ( Kellar) Morris, the former of whom was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving under Gen. Hull, and was present at the surrender of the army at Detroit. Mich.
The parents of our subject were married May 10, 1835. in Clarke County, this State, and after a residence of two years there. came in September, 1837. to this county, taking up their abode on sec- tion 17. Jackson Township. There were no roads in this locality at that time, settlers were very few
and far between, and the surrounding country was in its primitive state. Wild animals were very numerous, as were also the Indians, who proved themselves to be very troublesome by their fre- quent visits.
The elder Mr. Davis located on eighty aeres of land, which he eleared from the timber. and erected thereon a round-log cabin. Ile placed his property under excellent tillage, and here he was residing at the time of his decease, June 14, 1886. ITis death was very sudden, he dropping dead while in the Citizens' Bank, at Sidney. ITis good wife, who aided him greatly in developing their new home from the forest, survived him a few years, and died February 2, 1891.
Of the parental family of eleven children, the seven who still survive bear the respective names of Augustus A .. Clarissa MeVey, Israel L .. Calvin M .. Albert R., Richard W. and Edgar C. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were members of the Seventh-day Bap- tist Church, in which body they were very active. the father holding the office of Deacon. He was a man of marked character, strictly honest, upright and truthful in all his dealings, and was ealled upon by his fellow-citizens to fill the offices of Township Trustee and Supervisor. He was a lib- eral supporter of churches and schools, and gave his children the best educations that could be ob- tained in this locality. He was strictly temperate in every particular, and in polities, east his vote for the man whom he considered would best fill the office, irrespective of party.
The original of this sketch is the eldest child in his parents' family now living, and was born Au- gust 11, 1837. in Clarke County. He accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, when six weeks old, and was reared to man's estate on the wild farm. He began teaching school in 1860. and was thus engaged for a period of thirty years, with the exception of the time spent in the army and in operating a farm. Hle had been given a good education, finishing his studies at Bellefon- taine.
September 1, 1861, Mr. Davis, of this sketch. en- listed in the Benton Cadets, Gen. Fremont's body- guard. He was sent from Sidney to Cincinnati, and thence to st. Louis, under Capt. Abram Kaga, who
329
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
=
is now deceased. From that place they went to Jef- ferson City, then to Springfield, Mo., where his eom- pany participated in the battle at that place. After Gen. Fremont was superseded, the camp was tem- porarily under Gen. Liggett. and was discharged in January, 1862. In August of that year, onr sub- ject again enlisted, this time being appointed Cor- poral of Company C. Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry. He was later promoted to be Sergeant, and at the time of his discharge occupied the position of Or- derly-Sergeant of Company B. Fiftieth Ohio In- fantry.
On the organization of the Ninety-ninth Infan- try. Mr. Davis went to Cincinnati, from there crossed the river to Covington. Ky., and thence went to St. Paris. After the Union forces were de- feated at Lexington and driven to Covington to await the re-organization of Buell's army at Louis- ville. the Ninety-ninth joined them there, the bri- gade being commanded by Col. Stanley Mathews. Then began the movement after Gen. Bragg. Mr. Davis participated in the following battles: Perrys- ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Moun- tain, Mission Ridge, Roeky-faced Ridge. Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, At- lanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nashville. Our subject was then made acting ordnance offi- ver of the Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and while thus detached, was present at the battles of Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin, all in Tennessee. During his army experience, he served under Gens. Fremont, Halleck. Buell, Rose- crans, Thomas, Schofield. Stanley, Howard. Grant and Sherman. During his service he was several times hit by a spent ball, at one time a bullet cross- ing his lips, and on another occasion he was struck in his left hip, which wound was not sufficient to disable him from duty. On Kenesaw Mountain the regiment was transferred from the Fourth to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and after the battle of Nashville. they were sent to Wilmington, N. C., and aided in driving out the enemy from that sec- tion. December 31, 1864, the Ninety-ninth Regi- ment was consolidated with the Fiftieth Ohio, and made the Fiftieth Regiment.
March 4, 1865, after a service of three years, one month and nine days. Mr. Davis received his hon-
orable discharge, and returning home, resumed his occupation of teaching. September 14, 1865. he was married to Miss Eleeta L., daughter of Jacob D. and Electa Maxson, of whom a further sketch will be found in the biography of Simeon Maxson, elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Davis was born November 23, 1844, and after her marriage with onr subject, located upon eighty acres of land on section 16. Jackson Township, Shelby Connty. She departed this life April 28, 1878, after hav- ing become the mother of the following chil- dren: Lora B., Mrs. Homer C. Parks; Herbert S .. deceased; Orvil W .. Bertha and Ethel. Mrs. Davis, like her husband, was a member of the Seventh- day Baptist Church, in which body the latter has been Class-leader in the church, and Superintend- ent in the Sunday-school for a number of years.
Mr. Davis has always been greatly interested in educational affairs, and has served as President of the Township Board of Education. Ile has been Assessor of his township in a section which is over- whelmingly Democratic. He cast his first Presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has always been a working member of the Republican party. lle received his present appointment as Postmaster June 3, 1889. and that he is respected by those who know him, it is needless to say, as his many sineere friends testify to his worth of character. He has frequently represented his party as a dele- gate to conventions, and at the present time is Central Committeeman from this precinct. So- cially, he is a member of the Masonic order, being Master of Epler Lodge No. 458. He is also a Grand Army man, and as such is Commander of .I. 1. Smithi Post No. 61.
+
HOMAS COGAN, a successful agriculturist of Auglaize County, Ohio. is the owner of two hundred and sixteen acres of excellent land on sections 17. 19 and 20. Moulton Township. He is of foreign nativity, having been born in
330
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
Ireland in 1834, and inherits the gracious nature of both his parents, the intellect and good judg- ment of his father, and the quick perception and charming colloquial powers of his mother. Both parents. John and Mary (Sheridon) Cogan. were born on the green Isle of Erin, and there they passed their entire lives. They were members of the Catholic Church.
In the year 1847, our subject, with an elder brother, sought to better his condition by cross- ing the ocean to America. and after reaching this country the former was engaged for some time in driving teams on the Delaware and Hudson Canals. This he continued for about six months. and after- ward for about a year he was engaged in repairing the canal. This was his first start in business for himself. Although his educational advantages had been limited in youth, he possessed a naturally bright mind and was quick to pick up all new methods and ideas.
Our subject emigrated to Ohio in 1850, and with money he had saved be bought eighty acres of canal land in Auglaize County, Moulton Township, where he now lives. This land was then wild and uncultivated, and infested with wild animals, but Mr. Cogan went actively to work to improve and cultivate his property. To the original tract he added from time to time, and soon became the owner of two hundred and sixteen acres, all well improved and well cultivated. In 1891, oil was discovered on Mr. Cogan's farm. and there are now five oil wells and a gas well on this farm. These wells have yielded about $5.000 worth of oil up to date, and are still in operation, bringing in Mr. Cogan about $80 per month.
In the beautiful month of June, 1866, Mr. Cogan was wedded to Miss Margaret Glynn, a native of Ireland and the daughter of Owen flynn, who was also a native of the Emerald Isle. After this union. our subject and wife settled on their present farm. in Moulton Township, and here their seven chil- dren were born: John F .. May E., Owen P., Anna B .. Thomas P .. Maggie T. and Julia A. Being de- prived of good educational advantages in his own youth, Mr. Cogan greatly desired that his children should be well educated and gave them every op- portunity. The eldest son has been a school teacher
for four years, and is very popular as an educator. For the last year he has been a student at Valpa- raiso (Ind.) Normal School. Anna B. is also attend- ing the same school.
Mr. Cogan and wife have been members of the Catholic Church nearly all their lives, and are ac- tive in their support of the same. In his political views, our subject inclines toward the Democratic party, but usually votes for the best man, irrespec- tive of party. Ilis first Presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan. Mr. Cogan is an industrious citizen, is on good terms with all his neighbors, has always been hard-working and enterprising, and is now the owner of one of the best farms in the county. The improvements on it show years of hard labor on his part, but he is now very comfort- ably fixed and is thoroughly in love with his adopted country, and no country, not even his na- tive land, is quite equal to America in his estima- tion.
OIIN W. ZEDEKER. This gentleman is one of the well-informed and progressive men of Franklin Township, Shelby County, who from a small beginning has built up a comfortable fortune and is now enjoying the results of his industry and enterprise. lle is a son of Jacob E. Zedeker, who was born Sep- tember 18. 1813, in Montgomery County, this State, and who is the son of John and Elizabeth Zedeker. The great-grandparents of our subject. Philip and Catherine (Nave) Miller, were natives either of Virginia or Maryland. The former was a soldier in the War of 1812. and while away from home engaged in that contliet the gristmill which he owned was efficiently carried on by his wife. She was a very strong and robust woman. and died at the advanced age of one hundred and six.
Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of Mary Campbell and was a distant relative of ex- Gov. Campbell. A native of this State. she was born January 30, 1811. in Highland County, to
331
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Robert and Mary Campbell. The Zedeker family came to this State in September, 1805, and lo- cated ou wild land in Montgomery County, six miles north of Dayton. In that early day, Indians and wild animals were very numerous and trouble- some, and at one time the grandfather killed three cub bears within sixty yards of their cabin. lle was a blacksmith by trade, which occupation he combined with that of farming. his estate being still in the possession of the family and is owned and occupied by our subject's father, who has always lived on that farm.
The parental family included nine children, one of whom' is deceased, as is also the mother. who departed this life in 1889. The elder Mr. Zedeker is a member of the Dunkard Church, while his good wife was connected with the United Brethren Society. In polities, he has been a life- long Democrat. easting his first ballot for Andrew Jackson. He has always been actively interested in local affairs and has been called upon by his fellow-townsmen to hold several ofliees of trust and responsibility.
John W. Zedeker. who was born February 18. 1836. on the old homestead in Montgomery County, was given a fair education and remained at home until reaching his majority, when he was given a share of the property. In 1863, he was married to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Catherine ( Bren- ner) Brandenburg. Her parents were early settlers in Montgomery County, and came hither in 1839, locating in Jackson Township. where the father (lied about 1844. and the mother in 1885. Mrs. Zedeker was born July 25, 1836. and soon after her marriage located with our subjeet in Mont- gomery County, where they resided for several years and operated an improved farm of two hun- died and sixty-nine acres. Our subjeet later cul- tivated the old homestead for four years, and in 1874 came to this eounty and located upon his present farm. His comfortable residence was erected in 1886, and his large barn in 1887.
Of the one hundred and forty-eight acres in- cluded in the home farm. Mr. Zedeker has placed one hundred and twenty aeres under excellent cultivation. and. in addition to that property, owns eighty acres in Salem Township. The two
children born to himself and wife are Oliver C., who married Maggie Lawhead. and resides upon the last-named farm, and George W., who married Mattie West, and lives on the home place with his parents.
He of whom we write is a member of the United Brethren Church, while his good wife is connected with the German Reformed denomination. In local affairs, he has been a member of the Town- ship Board of Education and also the local Board, and in politics votes the straight Democratic tieket. lle has also been Township Trustee for seven years, and performed all the duties thus de- volving npon him to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
Fô RANK MCFARLAND, whose sketch now claims attention. is one of the representa- tive citizens of Wapakoneta and a gentle- man highly respected alike for his good business qualifications and his upright character. He is a native of this eounty, having been born Oc- tober 28, 1848. to James E. and Rosa MeFarland, for a further history of whom the reader is referred to their sketch found elsewhere in this work.
Mr. MeFarland of this sketeh received his edu- cation in the county schools and was reared on the farm, where he remained until reaching his twenti- eth year. August 23, 1869. he came to this eity and for three years worked at the blacksmith's trade, and September 20, 1872, engaged in the liv- ery business, which he carried on with good success until January 14, 1891.
December 7 of the above-named year, our sub- ject became manager of the llome Milling Com- pany, whose mill contains all the modern machin- ery for turning out dour and employs tive men con- tinuously. He has a natural talent for his business and is carrying on his labors with sound practical ability. He is a man of many pleasant social qualities, of sterling habits, and is well liked by the entire community. October >. 1873. he
332
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and Miss Louise lloffman were united in mar- riage. They became the parents of two chil- dren, one of whom, a son. Frederick, was born October 1, 1886, and died May 5, 1891; Edith, who was born April 11, 1889, is a most interesting child and the joy of the household. Mr. and Mrs. Me- Farland attend the English Lutheran Church and their friends are among the best people in the city.
AMES WILSON, JR. The lumber trade, in which Mr. Wilson is successfully engaged, employs large capital in its conduet, and the flourishing character of his business amply demonstrates the vigorous grasp with which he has seized and held the trade in this national industry. The business was established in 1875 by J. M. Leiter, but since 1884 Mr. Wilson has been manager and one of the proprietors, and it is safe to say that the business is now established on a sound basis. llis yards are the largest in the county, and his success is commensurate with the abilities he has displayed and the high principles and moral business methods which have ever formed the corner-stone of his career as a merchant. A view of the office and lumber-yards of J. M. Leifer & Co. is shown on another page.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.