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 41
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 41
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 41
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The following are the names of the first Catholic settlers in Bellefontaine: Wm. Kinsella, M. Mori- arty. M. and E. Cantwell, Patrick Lyman, John and J. and M. Breman. John Curran, Patrick
Fogarty, Paul White, W. Shea, John Hern, M. Galivan, John Kirby, James M. and J. Dono- hue, Thos. Hynes, John Hanrahan, Thos. Carroll, Thos. O'Connors, M. and J. Sullivan, T. and J. Clifford, Patrick and Dennis Shughrue. Michael Kelly, R. and T. Hennessey, Wm. Lyman, Jacob H. Day, Philip Cotter, Wm. Cotter, Edmond, John and Nicholas Mulvihill, Jeremiah O'Connell, Den- nis Ryan, John and Thos. McGrath, W. I. Purcell, Martin Burke, Michael Bray and brother, James and Andrew Kindel, Michael Brellahan, Wm. Eng- glish, Timothy Connor, Wm. English and John Kennelly.
S AMUEL WRIGHTS. The farmning interests of Cynthiana Township, Shelby County, are well represented by this gentleman, who is classed among its most progressive and wide-awake farmers. He was born near Ox- ford, Butler County, this State, February 15, 1818, and is the son of Nicholas Wrights. who was born in Northumberland County, Pa.
The father of our subjeet took up his residence in this State about 1808, locating in Butler County, where he entered a quarter-seetion of land. Ile cleared a farm in the wilderness, erected thereon a log house. and into that rude dwelling moved his family. There they made their home for a number of years, when Mr. Wrights sold out and purchased a farm in Miami County, which was his home at the time of his death, which oceurred in 1866, when in his eighty-sixth year. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and had a brother who lost his life in the Revolutionary War. He was an influential member of the German Re- formed Church, and was one of the very early set- tlers in Southwestern Ohio.
Grandfather Wrights was also a native of the Keystone State, where he spent his last days. At one time, he visited his son in this State, making the journey hither on horseback. The maiden name of our subjeet's mother was Margaret Bres-
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ler. Like her husband, she was born in Penn- sylvania and departed this life in 1861, a con- sistent member of the German Reformed Church.
The original of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth of the parental family of ten. He was born in a log cabin and received his educa- tion in the primitive school, which was con- dueted in a log cabin, and for the instruction re- ceived during three months of the year the father had to pay fifty cents for each of his children. Ile of whom we write, when starting out in life for himself at the age of eighteen years, learned the trade of a tanner. Two years later, he went to Cincinnati. where he worked for three months without wages. it being his desire to perfect him- self in his chosen vocation. Returning home, Mr. Wrights opened up the first tanyard in the county, which was located on his father's farm, and which he operated successfully for five years.
In 1847, our subject came to this county and entered land on section 35, Cythiana Township, which property was then in a wild state. Having erected a comfortable log house on his place. he was married. in 1823, to Miss Esther, daughter of Samuel and Susannah ( Hobbler) Leighty. natives of Pennsylvania. The parents of Mrs. Wrights came to this State in an early day and made their home in Montgomery County until 1824. at which time they took up their abode in this county, where the father cleared and improved a tract of land in Cynthiana Township. Ile departed this life in August, 1861, when in his sixty-second year, and was followed to the better land by his good wife, who died six years later. They were devoted members of the German Reformed Church and reared a family of five children, only three of whom are living.
After his marriage. Mr. Wrights entered at once upon the work of clearing and improving his property. having brought to his new home two yoke of oxen. In 1852. he erected a tannery and was engaged at his trade for over thirty-six years, his leather always bringing the highest market price because of its excellent quality. When lo- cating in this county. wild game of all kinds was plentiful, but our subject found no time for bunt- ing, as his business interests occupied his time and
attention. Ile made the rails and built the fences around his farm, being unable to hire help, as his means were very limited. Ile has been a resident of his present farm for nearly half a century. and in tilling the soil and in raising stock he is very successful, thus demonstrating his ability in a line very foreign to that which he adopted in early life. Ilis estate bears the usual improve- ments found upon good farms. and he is interested in all movements which promise to increase the prosperity of his community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wrights have been born nine children, namely: Leander, who married Susannah Short; Martin, who married Eliza J. Deavins; Theodore, who married Amanda Stump; Margaret, the wife of Dr. John F. Kinney; and Samuel, Robert, Charles and Albert, all at home. Susan is deceased.
Mr. Wrights is a decided Democrat in his polit- ical sentiments, having cast his first Presidential vote in 1840, and represented his party as a dele- gate to various county conventions. He has been Director in his school district for many years, and has served on the jury frequently. He is found among the most zealous members of the German Reformed Church, and contributes liberally of bis means towards its support.
He of whom we write is the proprietor of one hundred and eighty-two acres of land located on section 35, which has been brought to its present condition by his own efforts, as he has not only made the noticeable improvements, but, as before stated. did the clearing and fencing. The acquisi- tion of this fine property is a standing monument to the industry and good judgment of the man, who began his work in the world without means, but now stands upon a sound financial basis. In addition to the property above mentioned, Mr. Wrights owned another farm of eighty acres. which he gave to his sons. Leander and Martin.
The father of our subject when a lad, and resid- ing in Pennsylvania, was one day sent to the mill on horseback. When on the way. he was over- taken by a man mounted on a white horse, who proved to be Gen. Washington. The latter asked the lad many boyish questions about what his fa- ther thought of the bad man who had fought so
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many battles, and in which so many men were killed. The lad replied that his father thought the man was great and good. The stranger then told him to tell his father that he had met Gen. Washington.
S AMUEL B. TITUS. Among the worthiest of the representative agriculturists of Logan County, is Mr. Titus, who is the owner of two hundred and twenty-four acres of good land in Rush Creek Township, one hundred and fifty-three acres where he resides, and seventy-one acres one mile south. He is a man of sterling character and reputation, and is universally respected. The greater part of the farm is under cultivation and bears evidence of good management and scientific treatment. His pleasant home is one mile northeast of Big Springs, and is a cozy and attractive place, a view of it being shown on another page.
Mr. Titus is a native of Warren County, N. J., born November 15, 1825, and his father, John Titus, was a native of the same State. The elder Mr. Titus was reared in his native State, and followed the occupation of a farmer there until 1838, when he came direct to Logan County, Ohio. Here he passed the remainder of his days. He married Miss Anna Freeman, also of New Jersey, and the fruits of this union were eleven children, seven of whom reached mature years. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Andrew Titus, was a native of New Jersey, as was also the maternal grandfather, Henry Freeman, both passing their entire days in that State.
The original of this notice was the third child in order of birth, and the second son born to his parents. At an early age, he became familiar with the duties of the farm, and assisted his father in his native county until about 1838, when he came with his parents to Ohio. In this State, he grew to manhood. and received his education in the district school. When starting out to fight life's
battles for himself, it was but natural that he should choose the occupation to which he been reared, farming, and this he has continued to fol- low with substantial results all his life.
Miss Sarah Rifenbery, whom Mr. Titus married in Rush Creek Township, Logan County, in 1850, was the daughter of Barny Rifenbery, a native of New Jersey. The young couple began house- keeping in a log house, 18x20 feet, in Rush Creek Township, directly after marriage, and there re- sided until 1867, when they removed to the present commodions and substantial home occupied by our subject. They worked hard to improve their place, making all the improvements on it, and al- though they started with limited means, they worked their way up until they enjoyed a com- fortable competency. Mr. Titus liad the great misfortune to lose his estimable wife in 1884. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter: William, John, Henry and Carlila Ann, the latter dying at the age of eight years. The sons are married and have families.
Aside from his agricultural interests, Mr. Titus has been engaged in other enterprises and owned an interest in a large sawmill at Big Springs at one time. Ile was also a mason by trade, and made many foundations, besides doing other work of like character in the country. In politics, be is a strong advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party, and has always voted with that party since its organization. Ile is one of the county's representative citizens, and is well liked by all.
ACOB HIESS. Among the prominent and successful agriculturists of Logan County, we take pleasure in introducing to our readers the worthy subject of this sketch. one of the most popular and publie-spirited citi- zens of Rush Creek Township, who resides nearly three miles east of Rushsylvania.
The father of our subject. Phillip Hess, was a
RESIDENCE OF JACOB HESS, RUSH CREEK TP., LOGAN CO., O.
RESIDENCE OF S. B. TITUS ; RUSH CREEK TP., LOGAN CO.,O.
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native of that good old State, Virginia, and his ancestors were from Germany. Hle was married in Berkeley County, Va., to Miss Nancy Spencer, also a native of the Old Dominion, and in 1835 they came to Ohio, locating in Perry Township, where the father died at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. The mother died in that township when eighty-six years old. A large family of children were born to this estimable couple, six daughters and six sons, all of whom reached mature years, and four are living at the present time.
Jacob Iless was born in Berkeley County, Va., in the year 1826, and was the youngest child in the family. Ile came to the Buckeye State with his parents in 1835, and remained on the home place, assisting in the arduous duties of the farm until the age of twenty-three years. In 1849, he selected for his life companion Miss Isa- bel Mccrary, who was born in Perry Township, Logan County, Ohio, and he was very fortunate in his selection. for Mrs. Iless was one of the most am- iable and pleasant of her sex. After his marriage, our subject rented a farm in Perry Township, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. Later, he returned to the parental roof and took care of his parents for one year, after which he located on Squire Bill Newman's farm in Rush Creek Township, and was actively engaged in farming pursuits there for three years. Following this, he bought a farm of sixty-three aeres in the woods of Rush Creek Township, which he immedi- ately commenced to clear and improve. After clearing about twenty acres, he sold the place in 1864, and bought his present farm, which com- prises one hundred acres of excellent land.
In 1864. Mr. Iless enlisted in Company K. Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and was in service un- til the fall of 1865, when he received his discharge at Columbus. He participated in a number of engagements and was with Sherman in his famous march through Georgia and North Carolina. After cessation of hostilities, he returned to his home and immediately began making improvements on his fine farm. Ile has worked hard but has made every day's work count and is now one of the most thrifty and progressive farmers in this sec-
tion. That he has been successful, the reader will judge for himself upon glancing at the view of his home elsewhere presented. He has excellent barns and outbuildings, and everything about his place shows him to be a man of energy and ability. Although he had very limited educational advan- tages in youth, he is a man of observation and excellent judgment, and is perhaps as well posted as many men who have had much better opportun- ities for an education.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess became the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, viz: Emma, wife of John Royer; Sarah, who is at home with her father; Ella, wife of Thomas Harriman, of Perry Township. this county; Jennie, wife of Sanford Royer, of this county; Lizzie and Ilattie, who are at home; James and David, both deceased. Our subject is a general farmer and stock-raiser and what he has accumulated in the way of this world's goods is the result of hard work and good management on the part of himself and his worthy wife. The latter was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Rushsylvania, and died on the 1st of April, 1890. Mr. Iless is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. and in polities is a Demoerat. Ilis daughter Sarah has been keeping house for him since the death of his wife.
OIN HUBER. SR. Pleasant Township, Lo- gan County, Ohio, has been the home of our subjeet for sixty years. His birth oc- curred in Rockingham County, Va., the 20th of February. 1827. He is a representative pioneer of the locality, and is a man whose intelli- gence and ability are far above the average, for he has been a great student and reader all his life. Ile is also elassed among the most successful agri- culturists, and on all subjects pertaining to the farm he is considered anthority
His grandfather, John Huber, was a native of Pennsylvania. so far as known. and was a soldier
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in the Revolutionary War. The latter's father, the great-grandfather of our subject, was killed at Quebec, in the French wars. He was a native of Germany. Grandfather Iluber was a miller by trade, but in addition was also engaged in farm- ing in Pennsylvania and Virginia. His death oe- eurred in Virginia. The father of our subject, Emanuel Iluber, was a native of Virginia, born in 1796, and in connection with the carpenter trade, which he learned in youth, he followed the pur- suit of farming. He came to this State in October, 1832, by wagon, and passed the first winter in Union Township. In the spring of 1833, he bought land in Pleasant Township, Logan County, and moved into a log cabin on the same, that being about all the improvement made, and then he went actively to work to make a comfortable home. Ile married Miss Barbara Sellers, a native of Virginia, born in 1795, and they bent all their energies toward improving the farm. The eight children born of their union were named in the order of their births as follows: Mary A., Tiry, Arabella, John, Silas, Adaline, Jacob, and Peter, who died in childhood. The father died on the 29th of March, 1852, when fifty-six years of age, on the farm where he had spent the best years of his life. He was a hard worker, and although he had nothing to start with, by his good manage- ment and excellent business tact he became very comfortably off. IIe traded a team in part pay- ment for the present farm at $5 per aere, and thus got his first start. His wife, who was a member of the German Reformed Church, and of German de- scent, died in 1874, when seventy-six years of age. Her father was born in Germany.
John IIuber. Sr., was reared amid scenes of pio- neer life. and his educational facilities were not of the best. for he attended a subscription school taught in the log seltoolhouse of those days. The " three R's" were the principal branches taught and the rod played an important part in instilling knowl- edge. Plenty of wild deer and turkey were to be found, as well as other wild game. Our subject's time was ocenpied in attending school and assist- ing his father in clearing the farm. He remained at home until his father's death, and then he and his brother Tiry farmed the place for some time.
Subsequently, our subject bought out all the other heirs, exeept one, and is now owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres. IIe has made most of the substantial improvements on the place, and, like most of his neighbors, in connection with farming is also engaged in stock-raising. He has a fair frame house and a large frame barn. He has never married. In politics, Mr. Iluber is a Democrat but does not aspire to office of any kind. ffe has seen almost the entire growth of the county, and has aided materially in its growth and advancement. Ile has been wonderfully successful in all his operations, and is classed among thie well-to-do and prominent men of this section.
C OL. CHARLES F. BULLOCK, who was a distinguished officer in the Confederate army during the late war, is a prominent member of the Auglaize County Bar, and as See- retary and Treasurer of the Mars Oil Company, be is also classed among the leading business men of this seetion. The Colonel is a native of Macon, Ga., born January 25, 1841, and is a son of the Hon. Uriah I. Bullock, a native of Alabama, who was a prominent and well-known man in the South in his time. His ancestors were from North Caro- lina, the Bullocks being a numerous family in this country, who figured among its early Colonists.
The father of our subject was pre-eminent in publie and military life. Ile served in the Geor- gia Legislature early in the '40s, but lived for many years prior to his death in Panola County, Miss., where he owned a large plantation and kept a large number of slaves. He wasa man of wealth. and of marked energy of character, and when Texas seeeded from Mexico and needed assistance to maintain her independence, he raised and equipped, with his own means, a company of men known as the Bibb County Rifles, for her use. He was chosen Captain of the company, and served with distinction in the war, and was twice severely wounded. Ile belonged to the famous Fannin
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and Ward command, and be was the only man who escaped death at the time of the terrible Fannin and Ward massacre. Ile was a per- sonal friend of ex-Governor Rusk, later United States Senator from Texas. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah White, and was also a native of Georgia, died in 1870. Ile is the eldest of her six children, of whom four are living.
Col. Bullock is a gentleman of scholarly tastes and rare culture, as in his youth he was given every advantage to secure a liberal education, of which the preliminaries were obtained in the com- mon schools. lle subsequently pursned a thor- ough literary course in the University of Ala- bama at Florence, and afterward attended the University of Mississippi at Oxford, for the pur- pose of preparing himself for the legal profession. llis law studies were interrupted by the breaking out of the war. Hle flung aside his books to enter the conflict, fired with the ardor of youth and the enthusiastic devotion to the cause so dear to his heart that characterized the Southerner, and enlisted in the Confederate service when only twenty years old. Although he was so young, through the influence of those high in authority, his father's prominence in military eireles, and his own reputation as a bright and talented young fel- low, he obtained a commission as Lieutenant of the First Mississippi Valley Regiment. Ile re- mained with bis command in the field for about six months, but contracted rheumatism as the re- sult of exposure, and was compelled to retire for a while to recuperate. As soon as he had partly recovered, he was assigned to light duty in the commissary department. But he was anxious to resume active service, and as soon as his health permitted. he joined Ballentine's famous cavalry, and was made Sergeant-Major. He had previously served on the staff of Gen. John D. Martin, and was one of his Aide- in the fight at Iuka, where the gallant General lost his life. Col. Bullock was actively engaged in all the battles from Vicks- burgh to Demopolis. Ala., and subsequently bad a hand in the famous battles in the campaign that led from Resaea to Atlanta, when Gen. Sherman was leading the I'nion forces to the Sea. When
Gen. Stoneman made his famous raid through Georgia, our subjeet was one of his captives, but he succeeded in escaping the clutches of the North - ern general. The following day, the command to which the Colonel belonged captured the very men of Stoneman's troops who had taken him prisoner the day before, and he had the pleasure of return- ing their courteous hospitality by treating them to a dinner at the house of his grandmother, as they had done by him when he was in their hands. Ile was promoted to be Adjutant of his regiment, and at the close of the great struggle was paroled at Montgomery, Ala., after a long and weary service of four years and two months, in which he had shown himself to be a gallant leader, an efficient officer, and a brave and generous foe.
When his military life was ended, Col. Bullock resumed his law studies at Memphis. Tenn., where he was admitted to the Bar in 1867. He prac- tieed his profession in that eity until October, 1875, when he accepted the position of Paymaster and general Overscer in connection with the constrne- tion of the Columbus. Ilocking Valley & Toledo Railway, between Upper Sandusky and Toledo, in this State, receiving his appointment at the hands of John W. Rutherford & Co., who were the con- tractors. He subsequently entered the office of Gen. Orland Smith, at Columbus, where he had general supervision over the construction of a portion of the same railway until its final comple- tion.
In 1878, Col. Bullock came to St. Mary's, and has since been in active practice here, where he has gained a lugh reputation for legal attainments and for his success in the courts. In 1890, a partner- ship was formed between himself, James Knop- penderger, C. A. Layton, and the lon. M. D. Shaw, which resulted in the organization of the Mais Oil Co., of which the Colonel is Secretary and Treasurer, and his talent for business affairs, as well as his name in connection with it. has been greatly instrumental in placing the company on a i sound financial basis. and making it one of the leading enterprises of the county. Our subject is a Democrat of the truest type, but his busy life does not permit him to engage actively in politics. He has, however, taken part in the public life of
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the city, and as its Mayor four years, and as At- torney of the corporation for a like period, he looked carefully after municipal interests, encour- aging all plans for the advancement of the city in any way. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since the war. He is also prominent in religious matters, both he and his wife being mem- bers of the Episcopal Church, and to his efforts, perhaps, more than to any one else's, is due the credit for the erection, recently, of the beautiful little chapel at St. Mary's, in which the Episco- palians now worship. He subscribed liberally, and spent much time in soliciting funds for the erec- tion of the edifice.
In April, 1871, the marriage of our subject with Miss Nancy Wheatley, a native of White Post, Clarke County, Va., was solemnized. She died of yellow fever at Memphis, in 1877. Two children were born of that marriage: Betty V., and Garland, the latter of whom is deceased. April 19, 1882, the Colonel was married to Miss Margaret V. Bald- win, a native of Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio.
B ENJAMIN LINZEE, Judge of the Probate Court of Auglaize County, was born in Athens, this State. September 24, 1828. He is the son of Robert and Elceta ( Reynolds) Linzee, natives respectively of Virginia and New York State. His paternal grandfather, William Linzee, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, emi- grated to this country as early as 1769, at which time he located in Virginia. He came to this country on the same vessel as did Col. Crawford, the latter of whom located in Pennsylvania.
William Linzee was a farmer by occupation and had but one brother. The father of our subject eame to this State in 1792, and put on the first shingled roof in the State of Ohio. the work being done for Col. Putnam at Marietta. He also constructed the first macadamized road in the State, which was completed in 1818 and led from Athens to Mar- ietta. At the time of accepting the contract for
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