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 38
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 38
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 38
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and there his wife died in 1813. Shortly after- ward, he went to Montgomery County, the same State, improved a fine farm, and there passed the closing scenes of his life, his death occurring in 1865. when over eighty years of age.
The parents of our subject were married in 1828, and the fruits of this union were seven children, five of whom reached mature years, viz: Annie, Mrs. Neer; Stephen, John N., Samuel and Noah. The two deceased were Mary and Daniel. In 1834, Mr. Miller moved his family to Logan County, and purchased a farm on sections 27 and 28, of Harrison Township. Ile erected a log cabin, and immediately began developing his farm of one hundred and eighty acres. Ile was in poor cir- cumstances when he came to this county, but he was industrious and ambitious, and was quite well off at the time of his death. In early life he joined the German Baptist Church, and continued a mem- ber until the war broke out, when his church adopted a rule preventing members from voting or taking up arms. This was contrary to Mr. Miller's belief, and his name was taken from the church roll. After cessation of hostilities, the church discarded the rule against voting, but as he did not eonfess what they considered his fault, his name was never replaced. Ile was a true Chris- tian in every sense of that term, a kind, gentle and affectionate father. and the connsel and advice hie gave his children have had a lasting impression on them. He died on the 1st of January, 1885. and his funeral was largely attended by sympa- thizing friends. His wife passed away on the 16th of June, 1872, when nearly sixty-seven years of age. She was a very faithful member of the church. Her people were of German extraction.
Our subject attended the pioneer log school- house of former days until eighteen years of age, and was then afflicted with rheumatism, which pre- vented him from doing much farm work. Instead. he was sent to Wittenburg College. at Springfield. and here he remained two years. taking select studies and Latin and Greek. Later. he was graduated at Baeon's Commercial College. at Cincinnati. Ohio, after which he taught several terms of school in Harrison Township, this county. Afterward he embarked in merchandising at Bellefontaine as
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clerk, continued in this one year. and then went to Indianapolis, where he continued his former oe- eupation three years there, and in branch stores of the same firm at Richmond and Shelbyville, Ind.
Returning to Bellefontaine, our subject clerked there for two years, and afterward entered into partnership and opened a store at Bloom Centre, under the firm name of Halboth & Miller. They dissolved partnership at the end of nine months, and our subject then came to Lewistown, this town- ship, where he started a general merchandising store, continuing this eight years, and carrying a very large and select stock. After this, he pur- chased two farms, and, not caring to rear his chil- dren in the village. he sold out and settled on the farm. lle was Postmaster for nearly eight years while in the store, and held other local positions. He removed to one of his farms in the spring of 1879, when there were very few improvements on his place, a thick willow swamp standing in front of where Mr. Miller's house now stands, so that he could not see to the road. He now has the farm thoroughly tiled and under a high state of cultiva- tion, and has running water in every field. no mat- ter how dry the season may be. He is one of the most thrifty. industrious and progressive men in the county, and is recognized as such by all.
On the 5th of September, 1872. Mr. Miller was wedded to Miss Sarah Huber, a native of Bloom- field Township, this county, born June 7, 1848, and they have six interesting children: Cora, Tiry, Ilomer, Lloyd, Anna and Lawrence. all living. Mr. Miller is the owner of two hundred and thirty- seven acres of land. divided into two farms, and has all well improved and well cultivated. In con- nection with farming, he is also engaged quite ex- tensively in stock-raising, and has some very fine animals. When he first settled on this farm. Mr. Miller had a one-story house, boarded up and down. but he now has one of the finest houses in the township. it being erected in 1882, and is nicely furnished and has a good library, etc. His large frame barn. 42x56 feet, was erected in 1879. and in 1881 he erected another one, 30x56 feet. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. The former joined the First Baptist Church. of Indianapolis. and continued in
that church until transferred to the one here. In politics. Mr. Miller is a Republican, and served as Township Clerk and Treasurer. He saved his money while clerking, was assisted a little by his father, but the most of his property has been made by his own exertions. Ile owns the store building and seven lots in Lewistown, and is an exception- ally good tinaneier. Although his body was frail, his mind was strong and vigorous, and suceess has attended his efforts. He has been very liberal in his gifts to churches of all denominations, and to all worthy enterprises, and is one of the county's most respected and esteemed citizens. He has a very tasty and pleasant residence on his other farm, and a new barn, 36x40 feet. This farm is also well tiled.
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OUIS HI. HEUSCH, who is next to the oldest settler living in St. Mary's, isamong the foremost of the business men who have had the making of this eity, where he is now living in retirement in one of its many beautiful homes, in the enjoyment of the wealth that he has accumu- lated by honorable means. Auglaize County has profited by his business energy in the past, which was potent in advancing its growth, and has had the benefit of his sagacity and enterprise in its public life as an ineumbent of some of its important civic offices; and he has also borne a conspicuous part in the administration of municipal affairs.
Mr. Ileusch was born in Prussia April 3, 1819, and his father, who bore the same name as himself, was also a native of that kingdom and of the same town as his son, and was a teacher in early life. lle was a man of fine physique, of mueh mental power, was very finely educated, and always held some position under the Government while he re- mained in the Fatherland. He was one of the king's guards. served in the Prussian army. and was pres- ent at the battle of Waterloo. lle was at one time Superintendent of the manufacture of charcoal for the Government, and he also saw to the planting
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of young timber where the old trees had been used In 1837, Mr. Heusch came to America, and settled at Napoleon, in Henry County, where he died shortly after, when only forty-seven years old. Ilis wife and family, with the exception of our sub- ject, who had come two years before, eame to this country with him. llis widow and three chil- dren removed to Defiance. and there the former again married. The family afterward settled on a farm, and her second husband dying, she married a third time. She died at the age of eighty-two years.
Our subject is the eldest of the family, and he and the youngest are the only survivors. He at- tended school in his native land until he was four- teen years old. Ambitious to see something of the world, and thinking that his fortunes would be assured in the United States of America, he de- termined to emigrate to these shores. Accordingly, in 1835. at the age of sixteen. he set out on his travels. He passed through a portion of France to Paris, and thence to Havre, where he boarded a vessel bound for this country, and thirty-five days later found himself in New York. He made his way from that eity to Buffalo, where he stayed the ensuing two years, working at gardening and vari- ous other employments. From Buffalo, he came to Columbus, in this State. and was engaged in town two years. February 5. 1839, is an important date in his life, as on that day he first set foot in St. Mary's, which he found an insignificant hamlet of a few houses on the west side of the river of the same name, with no bridge. and no dwelling on the eastern bank, while the surrounding country was but little better than one vast. unpeopled wilder- ness. He saw wild deer running through the town, and Indians frequently passed by in their canoes or overland along their trails. The Miami & Erie Canal had just been completed and Mr. Heusch helped construct a lock between New Bre- men. which is seven miles from St. Mary's, and a spot five miles below the latter eity. He was given a situation to oversee a lot of hands employed to keep the canal in order.
In 1841. our subject was married to Fredericke Schweder. who had come to America when quite young with her parents. and in the same year
he started in the grocery business on Main Street, and also kept boarders, with the able assistance of his wife. He was burned out in 1845. losing every- thing, and he had to begin life anew. Ile resumed business as soon as possible with good courage, and continued in it until 1853, when he embraced an opportunity to sell out at a good price, and he turned his attention to farming, buying a farm in St. Mary's Township. He lived on that place a year and eight months, and then disposed of it at a considerable advance on the cost. Returning to the city, he again went into the grocery busi- ness. A year or so later, he purchased a large resi- denee on the northeast corner of Spring and Main Streets. He remodeled it so as to fit up a roomy store in the lower part, and otherwise altered the building to suit the exigencies of the trade, and he afterward bought the adjoining lot, so that he owned the whole bloek. In an early day he car- ried quite a variety of goods besides groceries, such as boots, shoes, hardware, etc. He built up a large , and flourishing trade, which was by no means eon- fined to the limits of the city, and became one of the wealthiest merchants of St. Mary's. In 1889, he resolved to retire from active business. and he sold out to his son, August F. Heusch, who is a young man of great enterprise, who has already made his mark in the business world. He has laid out two additions to St. Mary's, owns a good deal of real estate in the city, has built several houses, and has sold a great many lots.
May 14, 1886, death invaded the home of our sub- jeet and took from it the helpmate who had so faith- fully performed her share in its upbuilding, and for forty-seven years had walked cheerfully by his side as his truest friend, sharing equally life's joys and burdens. and filling in a perfect measure her position as a wife and mother. Eleven children were born of that marriage, of whom these seven are living: Frederick. Louis H., William, August Il., Thomas J., Emma and Doreto.
Mr. Heuseh entered upon his career when a mere boy, with nothing but a good share of native ability and an ambitious. enterprising spirit to depend upon. With these he has pushed his way to the front. and made himself an influential and leading eitizen of this eity of his adoption, which has been
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his home for fifty-three years. and he may well be prond that he has had a hand in bringing about its present flourishing condition as a lively and im- portant business centre. Ile has valuable interests here, business property, houses and lots, and he owns a fine farm of eighty acres, which he pur- chased in 1857. It is located in Noble Township, a mile and a half northeast of St. Mary's, and he has it under his management, though he continues to live in the city. It is within the oil belt, and there is one fairly good oil well on it.
Our subject cast his first vote with the Demo- crats in 1840, and has ever since stood firmly by that party. lle was elected Commissioner of Au- glaize County in 1870, and re-elected in 1873, serving until 1876. The principal improvements carried on while he was in office were a vast amount of ditching done to facilitate drainage, which the Commissioners had to oversee; the building of a great many turnpikes; and the erection of the County Jail. In 1877. Mr. Heusch was elected Justice of the Peace, was re-elected to that position in 1880, and held it six years in all. He has been Trustee of St. Mary's Township, having filled that office fifteen years and more. In the early days, he was at the head of the municipal government as Mayor of St. Mary's for several years, was a mem- ber of the City Council for some time, and served on the School Board. He has likewise done much to advance the religious, moral and social interests of the city as an active working member of the Evengelical Church, of which he has been an Elder for many years, and his wife of sainted memory was also a member of this church.
ENRY E. BEEBE. M. D., the oldest and most prominent physician and surgeon of the homeopathie school in Sidney, en- gaged in the practice of the medical pro- fession here in 1873. Since locating here, nine- teen years ago. Dr. Beebe's practice has been con- stantly on the increase, and the liberal patronage
accorded him attests to his skill and ability as a physician. Ile is a student of his profession and keeps abreast with every new discovery or theory connected with his chosen life work.
Our subject was born near Carey, Wyandot County, this State, July 24, 1849, and is the son of Buel S. and Lucinda ( Kear) Beebe. The father, who was a farmer by occupation. emigrated from New York and was classed among the early settlers of Wyandot County. Ilenry E., of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, and obtained his primary education in the common schools near his home. He then attended school at Carey, and later took a course of instruction in the Witten- berg College, at Springfield, Ohio. After his liter- ary course, he began teaching school, during which time he carried on his medical studies at Carey, under the preceptorship of Dr. A. S. Rosenberger, now of Covington, Ohio. He completed his medical studies in the Cleveland Homeopathie Hospital College, from which institution he was graduated in the Class of '73, and immediately lo- cated for practice in this place. where he has since resided. Ile has the finest library and the most complete surgical outfit of any physician in this section. He has a high standing among the medical fraternity as one who keeps well abreast of the times, and is quick to perceive the value of new methods and to adopt them whenever feasi- ble in his general practice. He is untiring in his devotion to his profession and is widely known, not only in Shelby County, but far beyond its limits. as a physician of unusual intelligence and ability and his friends and patrons look upon him as pre-eminently the best medical adviser in this section.
Dr. Beebe has been honored by appointment to various distinguished positions in conection with his calling and has been Secretary and President of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Ohio, is also a member of the American Institute of Homeop- athy, the American Public Health Association and a number of local medical societies. Socially, he is connected with Temperance Lodge, F. & A. M. and Sidney Commandery No. 46. K. T. Ile stands highi in Masonic circles. having taken the Thirty-second Degree in the Ohio Consistory. at
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Cincinnati. As a member of the American Insti- tute of Homeopathy, he has contributed many articles to the Sanitary Bureau of that department and has been Censor of his Alma Mater for a num- ber of years. In 1890, the Doctor took a trip to Europe and while there visited the large medical institutions of the leading cities, and on return- ing home lectured in the college from which he was graduated and also at the Pulte Medical Col- lege, of Cincinnati.
Miss Ophelia McDowell, of Carey, this State, be- came the wife of our subject October 8, 1874, and to them has been granted a family of four chil- dren. namely: Robert Wallace, Laura E., Hugh and Henry. The Doctor and his wife are regular at- tendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to- ward the support of which denomination they give liberally of their means. lle of whom we write is one of the Directors and stockholders in the Citizens' Bank of this place, and in the com- munity where he has lived for so many years has identified himself with its every interest.
EVI SHROYER. The farming community of Shelby County finds one of its most successful representatives in this gentle- man. who has rendered effective service in ad- vaneing the agricultural interests of .Jackson Town- ship. The farm which he owns and cultivates con- sists of two hundred and seventy-nine aeres, of which he has cleared one hundred and twenty-five acres through his personal efforts. The place is embellished with a neat set of farm buildings, conspicuous among which is the substantial and tastily furnished residence, which was erected in 1871.
During the early part of this century, John Shroyer. father of our subject. emigrated from his native State. Pennsylvania, and made settlement in Montgomery County, Ohio. There he was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Shonk. a native of that
county, and a most estimable lady, who still sur- vives, in the full possession of her mental faculties, at the age of ninety-two years. After his mar- riage, he settled on an unimproved tract of land near Dayton, and cleared two farms in that local- ity, where he remained until his death in 1876, aged eighty-four years.
Four of the six children comprising the parental family still survive, and one son, Andrew J., served with valor in the Civil War. The religious convictions of the parents brought them into fel- lowship with the German Reformed Church, in which he was prominent and influential. Politi- cally, he was in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party, and in the local political affairs was a man of note.
The subject of this sketehi was born in Montgom- ery County, Ohio, October 18, 1825, and was reared upon his father's farm, which he aided in clearing as soon as old enough to be of use. When ready to establish a home of his own, he was married, April 24, 1853, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Martin Himes, an early settler of Montgomery County. Mrs. Sarah A. Shroyer was born in Montgomery County, December 21, 1831, and died May 11, 1870, mourned not only in the immediate family circle, but by the host of warm friends whom she had won by her unassuming nobility of character and kindness of heart.
Six of the ten children born of this union sur- vive. as follows: Ziba C. married Matilda Yhelm, and with his wife and three children resides in Dayton; Elizabeth A. married S. D. Hlaney, of Port Jefferson, and they have five sons; Lonisa II., the widow of Louis A. Bruner, makes her home with our subject, as do also her two daughters; Milton J., who is a resident of Dinsmore Town- ship, married Elizabeth Frey, and they have two sons; Edward S. married Annie Carson. and they make their home in Carthage. Ohio; Ida J. is at present teaching in Dinsmore Township. Martha Alice was formerly the wife of B. Smith, but is now deceased.
The second marriage of Mr. Shroyer united him with Jane M. Erven, a native of Ohio, who died December 20, 1890, aged forty-four years. She was a devoted wife and an affectionate mother,
Theo. B. Steinemann
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and at her death left two daughters, Nellie W. and Mabel L., who are now attending sehool, and are bright and interesting children. Forty years have come and gone since Mr. Shrover settled on his present farm, and he has witnessed startling trans- formations in the improvements of the county. Although his time is principally given to his pri- vate duties, he maintains a deep interest in educa- tional matters, and has served as Director in his district. In polities, he is a Democrat, and casts his ballot for the candidates of that party. He has served as Treasurer of the Grange, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
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HIEO B. STEINEMANN. In presenting to the readers of this volume the portrait and biography of Mr. Steinemann, we are per- petnating the features and life work of one of Minster's most influential citizens and popular merchants. Excellent judgment and shrewd fore- sight have contributed to his success, and his ex- tensive mercantile, grain, lumber and pork inter- ests have brought to him the acquaintance of the most people in this section of the State. Person- ally, he is held in the highest esteem as a man of sterling integrity, and is honored alike for his business and social standing.
Before noting minutely the events which have given character to the life of our subject. it may not be amiss to narrate a few facts concerning his parentage. Ilis father, John Ilenry Steinemann, was born in Holdorff. Oldenburg. Germany, Octo- ber 28, 1808, and grew to manhood in his native land. In 1832. he emigrated to America. and after a short residence in Cincinnati, went South. where he sojourned about two years. In 1835, he married Miss Catherine G. Meyers, and one year later located three miles west of Minster (then known as Stallotown). at a time when no roads had been opened. blazed trees serving as guides through the forest. After occupying that place two or three years, be purchased other property
near Minster, where he erected a residence and spent his declining years. Soon after changing his residence, he was elected Justice of the Peace and held that office with little interruption until his death.
In 1837, John II. Steinemann embarked in the manufacture of briek, and later was engaged in other enterprises, such as merchandising, real estate, cooperage and grain dealing. llis first enterprises were started on a small scale, but as his business increased, he enlarged his operations and became one of the foremost men of the town. About 1850. he built a brick store and warehouse and continued to ship all kinds of produce. At the same time, he was engaged in the pork-packing business, which he carried on very successfully. Prosperity rewarded his efforts and he became the owner of a vast amount of property. Ilis family consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter, as follows: John II., Theo B., Frank .J., Charles and Mary. Mrs. Steinemann died on the 23d of May, 1872, and Mr. Steinemann followed her to the grave on the 15th of January, 1877. They were well respected in the community in which they lived and were among the most worthy pioneers.
Theo B. Steinemann was born in Jackson Town- ship, Auglaize County, January 1, 1839. He at- tended the district school until about twelve years of age. and then began assisting his father in busi- ness. In the fall of 1860, he entered St. Mary's College at Cincinnati, remaining there about two years, and then returning home, engaged in busi- ness with his father until the latter's death. In the division of the estate. he became his father's successor in the extensive mercantile, grain and pork business, which has been conducted so very successfully for many years. In 1883, Mr. Steine- mann and his brother Charles purchased the Min- ster Brewery, which they operated in partnership for about eight years, and in which they were very successful. During that time, the brewery was destroyed by fire. but the present large brick estab- lishment was rebuilt soon after. In 1890. they sold out to the Star Brewing Company, and since that time our subject has given his entire atten- tion to his merchandising. grain. lumber and pork
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business. He has a very extensive and compli- cated business, is a man of excellent business qual- ifications and good habits, and a citizen who has the highest regard of all who know him. The Steinemann family occupies a leading position in Minster society and its members are intelligent and cultured people. Mr. Steinemann buys any- thing a farmer has to sell and is prepared to sell him anything he wishes to buy.
In the year 1863, Mr. Steinemann was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wuendeln, a native of Minster. Ohio, and nine children were born to this marriage, as follows: John, Edward, Rosy, Louis, Millie, George, Elenora, Luetta and Secilla. A Democrat in his political views, Mr. Steinemann has never sought office, preferring instead to at- tend strictly to business. However, he held the office of Township Clerk for four years and Notary Public six years. He and his wife are both mem- bers of the Catholic Church. Our subject is one of the most substantial men of the county and is the owner of extensive tracts of real estate, he and his brother, Jolin H., owning in partnership eight hundred acres of land, beside valuable property in Piqua and elsewhere.
J EREMIAII MILLER, ex-County Commnis- sioner of Shelby County, was born January 7. 1839. in Montgomery County, this State. Although receiving only a common-school education, his natural mental ability caused him to advance in whatever field of labor he entered, and since locating in Turtle Creek Township, where he is at present residing, has been in vari- ous ways closely identified with the progress of his section.
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