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 36
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 36
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 36
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A native of the county in which he resides, the people have had every opportunity to judge of the character and qualifications of Mr. Wilson, and nauglit has ever been said but in his praise. llis natal year is 1847 and he is a son of James Wilson, who was born in Virginia, January 1, 1810. From the State of his birth, he removed to Miami County, Ohio. with his parents in 1813, and al- though the camp fires of the Indians had not yet died ont in that region, they lived on very peaceful terms with their red brethren. James Wilson. St., became a disciple of Vulean, and after coming to Auglaize County in 1845, continued to follow blacksmithing in St. Mary's for a number of years. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence.
and this fact was recognized in 1864 by his elec- tion to the responsible position of County Audi- tor, an office to which he was honored by a renom- ination for three successive terms. Ile was a beau ideai public servant, efficient, punctual, industrious, honest and uniformly courteous to all with whom he came in contact, and made a lasting impression in his sphere of public duty.
Mr. Wilson, Sr., was married three times, becom- ing the father of two children by his first wife, three by his second and two by his third. The two eldest offspring are daughters: Mrs. Mary Doty, of St. Mary's, and Elizabeth, of Peoria. James Wil- son, the subject of this sketch, is the only surviv- ing member of the second marriage, and Jolin A. C. Wilson of the third marriage. The father died in Wapakoneta in August, 1879, when about seventy years of age. leaving to his children the heritage of a well-spent life and an unsullied name.
Upon attaining a suitable age, young James was sent to the public schools of St. Mary's, but at fourteen years of age le laid aside his books to take up the battle of life for himself, and two years later, when in his sixteenth year, he enlisted in the service of the I'nion, becoming a member of Com- pany C, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio Volunteers and serving until hostilities ceased, a period of ten months. Ile was one of the youngest soldiers of his regiment and was a participant in the battle of Nashville. Ile returned to Wapako- neta after receiving his discharge and entered his father's office. the latter being then County Auditor, and served as his deputy six years. Succeeding this, he entered the Farmers' Bank and served as its most efficient Cashier for thirteen years. proving himself a representative, thorough-going and effi- cient official.
In 1884, Mr. Wilson took charge of the business of which he is now one of the proprietors, having purchased an interest in the enterprise while dis- charging the duties of Bank Cashier, and his len- iency, fair dealing and honest integrity have won him many warm friends. He is an ardent friend and promoter of all public enterprises. and his zeal and influence in everything affecting the general weal, have made him popular with all classes. He is a stockholder and Director of the First National
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FROM S. W.
OFFICE AND LUMBER YARD OF J.M. LEITER & CO., WAPAKONETA AUGLAIZE CO.,O.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN REICHELDERFER, SEC.33., DUCHOUQUET TP., AUGLAIZE CO., 0.
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Bank; a stockholder and Director in the Wheel Company of Wapakoneta, and is Secretary of the Gas Light Company. Ile isa member of the Grand Army of the Republic; the Ancient, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; the Knights of Pythias, and the Royal Arcanum. In 1869, he married Miss Sarah. daughter of the late Judge Trimble, who was a very prominent citizen of Auglaize County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two daughters who are just blooming into womanhood. They are attendants at and members of the First Presbyterian Church, but are liberal and charitable to all forms of faith in Christ.
OIN REICHELDERFER, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm located on section 33. Duchougnet Township, Au- glaize County, is a man of industrious habits, who has won an excellent reputation for practical skill as a farmer and for real ability to handle his affairs so as to produce the best re- sults. In addition to carrying on his splendid estate. Mr. Reichelderfer has twelve oil wells in active operation, one of which produced one hun- dred thousand barrels of oil in five years.
William Reichelderfer, the father of our subject, was born in Pickaway County, this State, in 1818. Ile was a farmer by occupation and the son of Christian Reichelderfer, a native of Berks County, Pa., and a soldier in the War of 1812. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Steppleton, also a native of Pickaway County, who was born in 1819 to David and Elizabeth Steppleton. The father came from Berks County, Pa., to Ohio in an early day.
The parents of our subject were married in Allen County. after which they located on section 34 of this township and county. This was in 1837, and here the father improved a good estate and continued to reside thereon until his decease. in 1879. The mother, who is still living, makes her home in Cridersville. They were members
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which church Mr. Reichelderfer was Deacon. In his political relations, he was a stanch Democrat, and occupied a high position in the estimation of all who knew him.
Ile of whom we write was the eldest but one in the parental family, and was born March 31, 1841, on the old homestead. Like many other farmer lads, he was permitted to attend school only three months during the year and, as soon as old enough, was called upon to aid his father in carrying on the estate. lle remained under the parental roof until reaching bis majority, and in the spring of 1862 was married to Susan, daughter of Ephraim and Polly (Dunkel) Crider, who located in this county in 1854, and for whom the village of Cridersville was named. She was born January 26, 1839, in Fairfield County, and was given a fair education in the common schools.
After his marriage, Mr. Reichelderfer lived on rented farms until after the Civil War, when he purchased property of his own. Ile is the father of two children: Celestia, now Mrs. John Denner, of this township, and Edward F., who married Rosa DeLong, and lives in Cridersville. The wife and mother departed this life July 5, 1884. The lady whom our subject chose as his second com- panion. March 10, 1887, was Miss Sopha, daughter of George and Elizabeth Denner. She was born September 22, 1863, in Allen County, and, hav- ing been given an excellent education. taught school prior to her marriage.
October 2. 1862, he of whom we write enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Com- pany G, Eighty-first Ohio Infantry, being mus- tered in as private, and was afterward promoted to be Sergeant. Ile joined his regiment October 20. 1862. at Corinth, Miss., and for about six months guarded the railroads in that vicinity. lle then went to Pocahontas. Tenn .. where he was engaged in similar work until the following fall, when he went into winter quarters at Pulaski. that State. The succeeding pring he participated in the Atlanta campaign, joining Sherman's army at Chattanooga. The first battle was fought at Snake Creek Gap, Ga., then followed the fight at Resaca. and our subject was thereafter engaged
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in skirmishing until the capture of Atlanta. He then went with his company to Rome, that State, and was soon thereafter ordered to Sa- vannah. where they remained a short time, and then, breaking camp, marched to Goldsboro, N. C., and witnessed the surrender of Gen. J. E. John- ston to Gen. Sherman.
Mr. Reichelderfer later participated in the Grand Review at Washington, and on going to Louisville, Ky., was mustered out July 13, 1865, and received his honorable discharge at Cincinnati on the 20th of that month. The following is taken from the Ohio State Roster of Ohio troops from 1861 to 1866: "Jolın Reichelderfer, twenty-one years old, enlisted October 2, 1862, for three years; appointed Cor- poral December 1, 1862; captured January 28, 1864, in action at Senn's Mill, Tenn .; released and returned to company June 29, 1864; appointed Sergeant July 24, 1864; mustered out with com- pany July 13, 1865."
On returning home from the war, the original of this sketel rented a farm for a twelvemonth and then located on section 33. where he im- proved seventy acres of wild land and resided until 1876, at which time he moved to his present farm. Ile now has in his possession two hundred and seventy-four acres of fine land, which is adorned with all the improvements to be found on the farm of a progressive and enterprising gentleman. A view of his attractive home is shown elsewhere in this volume. He has the largest barn in the township, and, in addition to raising cereals, devotes considerable time to breed- ing Durham cattle. Ile is also engaged with his son in the grain business at Cridersville, where they do an extensive trade, handling flour, wheat and feed.
Mr. and Mrs. Reichelderfer are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which body the former occupies the position of Deacon. He is also a member of the Grand Army Post at Wa- pakoneta, and for the past nine years has been a member of the School Board, and also a member of the Board of Education in this township. Hle has been Township Trustee for seven years, Con- stable for two years, and was County Commis- sioner for six years. Ile was Chairman of the
County Board for two years, his term expiring in January, 1891. He has always been greatly in- terested in political affairs, and has frequently been chosen by the Democratic party as a dele- gate to various conventions. He has a thought- ful, intelligent mind, has always been a reader, and is well informed on all matters of general interest, while the appearance of his fine farm demonstrates his ability as an enlightened farmer.
ENRY BEELER, a farmer in Auglaize County, is successfully managing prosper- ous agricultural interests in Duchouquet Township, where he makes his home on a finely-improved farm on section 34. He occupies an important place among the farmers in this section, where he has been instrumental in developing one of the leading industries of the State. He is a son of Jacob and Rosina (Gates) Beeler. natives of Ger- many.
The parents of our subject came to America sixty-two years ago and located in Pennsylvania, where the father worked in a coal mine. In 1832, he removed to this State and made his home on a wild farm in Ross County, which he placed under good cultivation and continued to operate until 1847, when he made another move, this time locat- ing near Cincinnati. In 1856. the elder Mr. Beeler went to Allen County, and in Shawnee Township became the proprietor of an unimproved farm. where he was residing at the time of his de- cease. in 1860; the mother died in 1888. They were members in good standing of the German Reformed Church. and in polities the father was a Democrat.
Of the parental family of six children, three are now living, and of these our subject is the youngest. Ile was born September 1. 1838, in Ross County, and as he began very early to assist his father in conducting the home farm, he was enabled to attend school but a few months in each year. He remained under the parental roof until
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reaching his twentieth year, at which time he started out on his own responsibility. and in 1856 was married to Miss Rachael, daughter of Benja- min and Elizabeth (DeLong) Bowsher. The father was a native of Pennsylvania. and a stone-mason by trade and aided in the erection of many of the public and private buildings in this State. He was the son of William Bowsher, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who came to this State in 1808, and during the War of 1812 was a soldier in that conflict. The mother of Mrs. Beeler was also a native of the Keystone State, her birth occurring in 1809. She was the daughter of Jacob De Long. and after her marriage in Ross County, this State, removed in 1836 to Allen County, locating on a wild tract of land in Shawnee Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bow- sher were the parents of fourteen children. The father died in 1871 and the mother in 1888.
After his marriage, Henry Beeler rented farms in Auglaize County for three years, at the expira- tion of which time he entered forty acres, which are now included in hi- present estate. Ilis property was then in its primitive condition, but by per- sistent industry he cleared it, and erecting thereon a lob cabin. began the cultivation of his property. He has been a resident of this place for the past thirty years, and is widely and favorably known throughout this section as one of the substantial and upright citizens of his township. The home- stead now includes seventy-four acres, which by a proper rotation of crops yield handsome returns. Mr. Beeler purchased eighty acres of land in Allen County, forty acres of which he later sold to his son. His present residence, which was erected in 1887, is built in a modern style of architecture and cost $1,600. Hlis place is further improved with good buildings of every description, and two acres are devoted to a good orchard. Mr. Beeler has laid out eight hundred rods of tile on his farm and devotes his entire time and attention to mixed husbandry. He keeps some splendid animals on his place and is the proprietor of four oil wells, one of which is the largest between Lima and St. Mary's.
The wife of our subject departed this life in February, 1884, after having become the mother of nine children, six of whom are living, viz: George Washington. Sarah De Long. Ivy Crider.
Rosetta De Long, Henry Nelson, and Harvy Ed- ward. The lady whom our subject chose as his second wife, in May, 1887. was Elizabeth Clark. a native of this county. She is the daughter of George De Long, who still makes his home in this township. She was born in December, 1849, and, with her husband, is an active member of the Lutheran Church. Ile is greatly interested in school affairs and for a number of years has been a member of the Board in Cridersville. In political sentiment, Mr. Beeler is a Democrat but has never sought or desired public office, being content to devote his energies to business interests. in which he has met with signal success.
D R. P. P. OUTLAND. The name of Out- land is one of the most influential in Zanes- ville, and one of the most respected by the community. Dr. Outland. who is at present the most etficient and worthy Postmaster of the city, discharges the duties of this office in a manner that meets the approval of all. Ile was born in Perry Township, Logan County, April 10, 1851, and as the people have known him all his life, they have had every chance to judge of his character and qualifications.
Dr. Outland's father, Thomas Outland. a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Zane Township. Logan County. Ohio, and was the grandson of Jo- siah Outland, a native of North Carolina. The grandfather was reared in his native state, was there married. and at a very early date came to Ohio, settling in Zane Township. this county, where he entered land from the Government. Ile soon had a comfortable home here. and on this place were born sixteen children. all of whom reached mature years. married. and reared families of their own. Only four of this large family now sur- vive.
Thomas Outland. father of our subject, was the eighth child and sixth son. He was reared in his native township and was there married to Miss
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Eliza Freer, a native of Warren County, Ohio, who came to Logan County, this State, with her par- ents when a small child. After marriage, this esteemed couple settled on a farm in Perry Town- ship, near the place where Mr. Outland was born, and there continued to reside until 1857, when they removed to I'nion County, Ohio. From there they removed to Hardin County, and settled six miles east of Kenton, where the father passed away January 8, 1876. The mother followed him to the grave on the 22d of February of the follow- ing year. They were excellent citizens, none better in the county, and their loss was sadly de- plored. Eight children were born to them, as fol- lows: Alonzo; Dr. W. II .; Salathiel L .; Erasmus; Mary Jane, wife of E. E. Smith, of IJardin County, Ohio; Dr. Philander P .; George A .; and Laura F., wife of George McClaren, of Hardin County, Ohio.
Dr. P. P. Outland, the sixth child and fifth son of the above-mentioned family, received the rudi- ments of an education in the district schools of Union County, afterward in the district schools of IJardin County, Ohio, and subsequently entered the Normal School of Lebanon, Ohio, in the prepara- tory course, and then, like many of the prominent men of this and other counties, he began teaching school. Ile continued to wield the ferrule in the distriet schools of Hardin County for a little over two years, and then began the study of medicine. After three years of hard application, he was gradu- ated at the Eclectic College, of Cincinnati, and then located in Zanesfield, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice among the best people. HIe is genial, cheerful and sympathetic, and pos- sesses all the other characteristics of a successful physician.
On the 3d of October, 1883, he led to the altar one of Zanesfield's fair daughters, Emma R. Pope, daughter of F. T. and Mary E. (Roberts) Pope, her birth having occurred in that city. One daughter has blessed this union, Clara, who is at home. In his political views, Dr. Outland is an ardent Republican and was appointed to the office of Postmaster of Zanesfield in July, 1891. He is also Clerk of Jefferson Township and the village of Zanesfield, and is a popular man of the section.
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Ile was at one time a member of the Ohio Medical Society, and he is now a member of Lodge No. 424, I. O. O. F., of Zanesfield, having held all the otlices in the order.
8 TEPHIEN J. JOHNSTON, a prominent farmer of Washington Township, Shelby County, Ohio, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on the 8th of June, 1842. Ile is the son of Christopher Johnston and the grand- son of Stephen Johnston, the latter a native of Ireland.
Stephen Johnston, the grandfather, was born in Ireland and was a wheelwright by trade. He came to the United States in 1807 and worked at huis trade in Pennsylvania until 1812, when he went down the Ohio River as far as Cincinnati. He became naturalized and then returned to his native country, where he was engaged for several years in operating a small farm and in working at his trade. He was married there to Miss Annie Armstrong and five children were born to them. In 1822, they crossed the ocean and settled at St. John's, New Brunswick, and later at Georgetown, remaining in these places about nine years. In 1831, Mr. Johnston came with his family to the States and settled in Loramie Township, Shelby County, Ohio, where he entered eighty acres of . land on seetion 22, paying $100 for it. He erected a hewn-log house on this wild tract of land and here he began tilling the soil. Wild game abounded, and in this country, amid the rude and unfamiliar scenes, he began clearing the land and improving it in every way.
In 1835, he sold his farm for $800, and in 1837 moved to Mercer County, Ohio, where he settled in a dense woods in Franklin Township. He had to cut his own road for three miles and he and his sons cleared and improved the farm. In 1863, he sold out and moved back to Washington Town- ship, Shelby County, where he purchased a farm.
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On this his death occurred in 1867, when ninety years of age. Ile was a member of the Episcopal Church and was an unusually intelligent man. His father, the great grandfather of our subject. be- longed to one of the first families of Ireland, was a very large land-owner, and was a very prom- inent man. In tracing the ancestors of this fam- ily back, we find that they were originally from
Scotland. and went with Cromwell into Ireland. For their services they got a large tract of land. The grandmother of our subject died in 1852. when seventy-two years of age. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters, the sons now living but the daughters deccascd.
Christopher Johnston. father of our subject, the eldest child, was born in Ireland in 1814 and came with his parents to St. John's, New Bruns- wiek. He received his preliminary education near Georgetown. where his parents lived for some time, and then came with them to the States, set- tling in Ohio. Hle laid the foundation for his subsequent successful career in Mercer County. where he started out in life for himself. In 1864, he moved to Miami County, purchased a farm near Pigna, and has resided there since, honored and respected by all. He has been a member of the Miami County Agricultural Society and is one of the prominent and influential citizens. lle is a member of the Disciples Church, is an Elder in the same, and is prominent in all good work.
In 1836, he married Miss Mary Peck and this honored and esteemed couple have passed fifty- six years of their lives together. sharing each oth- er's cares and sorrows and ministering to each other's wants. She is a native of Shelby County and her parents came originally from Pennsyl- vania and were early settlers in Ohio. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston. all of whom are living.
Stephen J. Johnston. the third in order of birth of these children. received his education in the old-fashioned schoolhouse of pioneer days. and as soon as he was old enough he was obliged to work. In August. 1862. he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Regiment. Company (. under Col. Mott. and participated in the battles of Mossy Creek. Tenn .. Knoxville, and in many
campaigns and sieges. Ile was wounded in the left leg at Resaca and was in the hospital from May 11, 1864, until he was discharged in June. 1865. Ife was in the hospital at Camp Dennison and Columbus, Ohio. After returning from the war. he remained at home until about thirty years of age, and then located on his present farm in Washington Township. This was in 1872. and on this he has made his home ever since.
On the 21st of March. 1872, he was married to Miss L. Kibbons, a native of Shelby County, who died in 1882 leaving six children. In 1884, Mr. Johnston married Miss Mary Sandhon, of Miami County, Ohio, and two children have blessed this union: Minnie and Elsworth. In politics. Mr. Johnston affiliates with the Republican party and he takes a decided part in local politics. He has served as Trustee for six years. as School Director for some time, and has held other local positions. Ile is a member of of the Disciples Church and his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially. he is a member of the Grand Army. Mr Johnston is the owner of one hundred acres in the home farm and seventy two acres in other tracts, all well watered by Fox River and near the turnpike. The soil on his farms is rich and productive and is well drained with tile. He is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, rais- ing thoroughbred Holstein cattle and Poland- China hogs, and is one of the foremost men of his locality.
R W. RUBART, editor of the Huntsville Ga- zette. was born in Hardin County, Ohio. on the 11th of October. 1860, and is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Pratt) Rubart. both natives of the Buckeye State, the mother born in Findlay. The grandfather. William. Sr .. was a na- tive Virginian and one of the earliest settlers of Ohio. coming to this State when Indians were plentiful. He settled in Logan County, about three miles west of Belle Centre, on what is now
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known as the IIerrod Farm, and. erecting a log cabin in the woods, began his career as an early settler. lle delighted in hunting and brought down many a deer with his old flint-loek guns. He improved a farm, but in his old age he and his wife went to live with a son. Isnae, in Hardin County. Ohio, and there he passed away; she died near Belle C'entre several years since, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years. They reared two children, Isaac and William.
William Rubart was early trained to the duties of the farm, but also learned the wagon-making trade, which he followed at Belle Centre until three years ago (1889). After this, he went to Muncie, Ind., and there conducts a large establish- ment at the present time. Ile is an energetic. wide- awake man and one universally respected. By his marriage to Miss Pratt, he became the father of seven children, who are named in the order of their birth as follows: Robert W., Amanda, William E., Belle. Maud, Martie, and Nellie (deceased). The father and mother have both been members of the Disciples Church for a number of years, and he is a staneh advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party.
The original of this sketeh was reared in Belle Centre, Ohio, and received a good practical edu- cation at Silver Creek, Hardin County. Ile began learning the printer's trade in 1877. on the Rush- sylvania Star, at Rushsylvania, and continued there eighteen months, after which he established the Belle Centre Gazette. This he conducted for three years. after which he sold out and started the Belle Centre Bulletin, which he carried on until 1889. After this, he located in Huntsville and started the Huntsville Gazette, which is now thor- oughly established and the leading paper in the county. It is a neat six-column folio, and its crisp and trenchant editorials command an ever-wuden- ing area of circulation. while they carry with them that weight and authority which a clear. calm and intelligent judgment must always secure. The Gazette is independent in politics and has a paying circulation of six hundred subscribers. The office is well equipped and has a large patronage of job work. not only here but from towns over the sur- rounding country.
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