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 42
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 42
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 42
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this work, he was only eighteen years of age but a first-class carpenter.
Robert Linzee, on removing to Hocking Valley, cleared up a farm in that section, where he resided until October, 1831, which was the date of his re- moval with his family to St. Mary's, Auglaize County. Here he located on the north side of the Reservoir, where he was residing at the time of his decease, which occurred January 31, 1851. His wife, who had borne him five children, preceded him to the better land by a number of years, hav- ing died in February, 1832.
Judge Benjamin Linzee is the eldest of the three surviving children of the parental family, his brother and sister being Andrew J., and Ruth, Mrs. Dr. Riley. Ile was a lad of nine years when he was brought to this county, and was reared to manhood by his father, his mother having died when he was quite young. He carried on his primary studies in the best schools which that day afforded, supplementing the knowledge gained therein, however, by a course in a select school at Piqua.
He of whom we write grew to manhood on his father's farm, which he aided in clearing and plac- ing under excellent tillage. When reaching his majority, he left the parental roof, and when twenty-three years of age was elected to the re- sponsible position of Treasurer of Mercer County, the duties of which office he performed most acceptably for nine years. Coming to Wapakoneta in 1867, Mr. Linzee embarked in the hardware business, which branch of mercantile trade he fol- lowed for three successive years. Then determin- ing to make the profession of law his ealling in life, he read law under the most eminent jurists of the place and in 1882 was admitted to the Bar. Ile practiced his profession successfully until 1888, when he was elected to his present office, which position he has filled with credit to himself and sat- isfaction to the public. Judge Linzee is one of the oldest citizens in the county and is well and favorably known throughout its boundary.
In 1851, Frances Timmonds, who was born August 4, 1834, became the wife of our subject, and by their union have been born two children, only one of whom is living, Catherine, the wife of
L. N. Fmeans
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Dr. Hall, of Kenton. In social matters, the Judge is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and being a man of strong con- victions, does not hesitate to express them freely and frankly with all the vigor he can command. The usual amount of praise and fanlt-finding has been measured ont to him as Judge, but his char- aeter as a man of honor, integrity, and public- spirit has never been questioned.
YMAN N. MEANS. Lives of self-made men usually contain incidents of interest to those who study the ups and downs of existence. and without doubt this brief sketch of the life of Mr. Means will be read by many to whom it will furnish an example for emulation. no less than admiration. He is. perhaps, the most ex- tensive land-owner in Auglaize County, where his entire life has been passed. and where he is well known as one of the most successful business men of Wapakoneta. In former years, he bought and shipped stock, but now devotes his time principally to farming pursuits, also operating as a grain dealer. The attention of the reader is invited to his portrait on the opposite page. and the following facts in regard to his personal his- tory:
A native of the county where he now resides, our subject was born July 17, 1840. His paternal grandfather was a Virginian, and his death oc- curred in the Old Dominion. Robert L. G. and Sallie W. (North) Means were born in Ohio and Connecticut, respectively, and the former resided principally in Virginia until he reached the age of thirteen years. when he returned to his native State and made his home in Newark with an unele. At the end of five years, he went to Cham- paign County, was there married and removed thence, in the year 1835. to Auglaize County. At that time. the country was covered with a dense forest. the Indians still inhabited the region, and the wood- contained numerous wild
animals. Robert Means settled on a woodland farm in what is now Goshen Township, and with the energy which characterized the lives of so many of the early pioneers --
"He eut, he logged, he cleared his lot, And into many a dismal spot he let the light of day."
His nearest neighbor was four miles distant, and the nearest flonring-mill was at Springfield, a journey to and from which place occupied five days. The farm which he improved is now one of the finest in the county and everything about it indicates that a man of thrift, energy and en- lightened views has had control of affairs. Of a family of ten children born of his marriage, four are living, of whom the subject of this sketeh is the eldest. After a career of usefulness, the father was called from life in September, 1885.
L. N. Means grew up to a sturdy manhood upon terms of familiarity with all kinds of farm labor. In his boyhood, he attended such schools as that day afforded. the rudiments of his educa- tion being obtained in a little log cabin one and one-half miles from his home, but he was not per- mitted by the exigencies of his condition to get beyond this in his acquisition of knowledge. On the Ist of September. 1861. he enlisted in the service of the Stars and Stripes, becoming a member of Company D, Fifty-fourth Ohio In- fantry, and serving until July 17, 1862. when he was discharged on account of a wound which he had received at the battle of Shiloh. Ile returned home, and after eonvaleseenee, re-enlisted in Com- pany B, Forty-fifth Ohio Infantry, the fortunes of which he followed until the close of the war. In the battle of Rockford, near Knoxville. Tenn .. he received a second wound, a gun-shot penetrat- ing his right lung. He received two other wounds. but not of a serious nature. Ile was commissioned Lieutenant, but was not mustered in. on account of the reduction of the company. llis career as a soldier was marked by strict adherence to duty, and no braver soldier ever trod the crimson turf of a battlefield than L. N. Means.
When peace was declared, Mr. Means returned home and farmed for one year, after which he
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married and moved to Wapakoneta, where for fif- teen years his attention was given to buying and shipping stock. That occupation still receives some of his attention, although the most of his time is given to agricultural pursuits. Through his own perseverance and energy, he has become the owner of fourteen hundred acres of land in Auglaize County and seventeen hundred acres outside its borders. He is a stockholder in both the Artificial and Natural Gas Companies, is a Director and stoekholder in the First National Bank, besides being a stockholder in several other concerns. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor and the Royal Areanum.
In February, 1861, Mr. Means was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Edmiston, by whom he has six children: Robert C., an attorney of the State of Washington; Guy D., a medical student of Cincinnati; Mamie, wife of Dr. G. B. Nichols; Carl. Edna and Harry L. Mrs. Means is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
D AVID FUSON, a prominent young farmer and a member of an old family of this section, first saw the light in Washington Township, Logan County, Ohio, February 20, 1854. llis paternal grandfather, Isaiah Fuson, was an Englishman and came to this country about the time of the War of 1812. Ile settled in Cham- paign County, Ohio, in the woods, improved a fine farm, and there died when sixty-five years of age. He was twice married. and reared eight children by the first, and three by the last union.
The father of our subject, George Fuson, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1818, and there reached mature years, receiving his educa- tion in the pioneer schools there. In 1838, his marriage took place in that county and he subse- quently purchased eighty acres, on which was a log house. A few aeres were cleared and Mr.
Fuson went to work to make improvements on what remained. Ile soon became the owner of a fine farm, and at the time of his death, February 8, 1887, he was surrounded by all that makes life pleasant and enjoyable. Ile had been a hard worker all his life, and was self-educated, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and good sense. He was administrator for a number of estates, was Trustee of the township for seven- teen years, and was a man well known and well liked by all. In polities, he was a Republican. A member of the Evangelical Church, he was one of the organizers of that church in this seetion, and was an active worker in the same in its beginning. He married Miss Virginia Slagel, a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1828, and they were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom they reared: Martha, now Mrs. W. M. Swonger; James M. (deceased); David; Nancy, now Mrs. Samuel Hanks; Emma, now Mrs. Isaiah Huber; Ada F., Mrs. E. P. Hanks, now deceased, and Minnie, now Mrs. A. C. Corfman. The mother is still living and is a member of the Evangelical Church. Her father, David Slagel, was born in Virginia in 1803, and the grandfather was also a native of that State. The father moved to Ohio, settled in Champaign County, and developed a farm there. He was a great deer hunter and an extra good shot. He died October 1, 1891, and was of Ger- man descent.
David Fuson, like the average farmer boy, di- vided his time in youth between assisting on the farm and in attending the district sehool, where he received a good practical education. When eighteen years of age, he began farming for him- self on the home place, on shares, and on the 18th of March, 1874, he married Miss Mary Hamer, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, born Octo- ber 6, 1855. Six children have been born to this union: Ora May, Otha F., David, Homer, James and Edna. Mr. Fuson now has one hundred and forty acres, nearly all of which has been im- proved, and he is engaged in mixed farming, rais- ing a great many horses, cattle and hogs. He built his present fine residence in 1873, and his large and commodious barn two years later. Although young in years, he is old in experience, and is one
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of the prominent young farmers of this section. Ile has made most of the improvements on his place, and has it well drained with tiling, and by hard work and good management is making a success of agricultural pursuits. He is adminis- trator to several estates, and is guardian for one family. Ile and Mrs. Fuson are members of the Evangelical Church, and he affiliates with the Republican party in polities. He is a member of the Board of Agriculture of the county, and socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, at De Graff.
b ON. HEZEKIAH S. AILES, Mayor of the city of Sidney, and also Justice of the Peace, was born in Harrison County, near Clarksburgh, W. Va., May 19, 1840. He is the son of Moses II. and Mary Ann (Hoffman) Ailes, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, : respectively. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and in the fall of 1812 moved his family to this county, locating in Franklin Township, where, in connection with carrying on his trade, he owned and operated a farm.
Our subjeet was one in a family of fifteen chil- dren, only five of whom grew to mature years. namely: Hoffman M., Eli V., Alfred, Hannah MI. and our subject, the latter of whom is the only one surviving. The father continued to reside on the old homestead until his decease, which oceurred October 15, 1854, in his sixty-second year. He was born in New Jersey, and was orphaned by the death of his father when six years old.
The grandfather of our subjeet. William I'nder- wood Ailes, in company with two brothers, emi- grated to this country from Wales prior to the Revolutionary War. They operated a tannery on Long Island, where the city of Brooklyn now stands, and after its destruction by the British. the grandfather moved to New Jersey. There the father of our subject was born in 1792, and on reaching mature years was married to Miss Mary
Ann Hoffman, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1799. Moses Ailes was a patriot in the War of 1812, and on the elose of the war returned to his family in West Virginia. With his wife, he was a member of the Seventh-day Baptist Church. and was greatly respected by all who knew him.
The original of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the old farm and conducted his primary studies in the common schools. Ile later took a course at Port Jefferson and subsequently in the Sidney High School. during which time he taught school in the summer and prosecuted his studies in the winter for three years. Ile was engaged in teaching, however. two years after having finished his education.
In August, 1862. Mr. Ailes of this sketeh be- came a member of the I'nion army, and enlisted in Company I. One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, which was commanded by Gov. Young. With his regiment, he joined the Army of the Ohio under Burnside. and with it went over the Cumberland Mountains into East Tennessee and formed a part of Sherman's army. They operated in that section until the spring of 1861. when they joined Sherman's main army at Red Clay, Ga., and participated in the Atlanta Cam- paign. Ile also took part in the battle of Roeky- Faced Ridge and Resaca, in which latter struggle he was wounded May 14, 1864, and was sent to the field hospital at Chattanooga. From there he went to Louisville, thence to Camp Denison, and in November of that year rejoined bis regiment and took part in all the engagements which it fought, including Duck River, Franklin and Nash- ville. After the defeat of Gen. Ilood. Mr. Ailes was transferred with his regiment to North Caro- lina and rejoined Sherman's army at Goldsboro. that State. The Twenty-third Army Corps, of . which he was a member, was later under the eom- mand of Gen. Schofield. and fought at Ft. Ander- son. Wilmington, Goldsboro and Raleigh and wit- nessed the surrender of Gen. Johnston.
With his regiment. our subject was mustered out at Salisbury, N. C .. on the 24th of June. and start- ing home that same day, was honorably discharged at Cleveland. July 9. 1865, having served his country faithfully and well for three years, lack-
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ing a few days. When mustered out, Mr. Ailes was Sergeant-Major of his regiment and assisted Col. Sowers in making out his reports prior to dis- banding. On returning to private life, he again began teaching, and continued so employed until November, 1875, when he was appointed Deputy Auditor of Shelby County and served in that ca- pacity for five years. In the fall of 1880, he was elected County Auditor, and so faithfully did he perform the duties of that office that he was re- elected to the same position in the fall of 1883, and was the incumbent of the Auditor's chair un- til September 1887, making an honorable record of fifteen years as Deputy and County Auditor. Our subject was elected Mayor of the city in the spring of 1890, and was also elected Justice of the Peace in April, 1890. On his return from the army he served his fellow-townsmen four years as Clerk of Jackson Township, having had three re- elections without opposition. In social matters, he is a member of Temperance Lodge No. 73, A. F. & A. M., and Sidney Chapter No. 130, R. A. M. He is also connected with Sidney Commandery No. 46, K. T., and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is prominently identified with the Union Veterans' Union.
The lady to whom Mr. Ailes was married Oc- tober 11, 1866, was Miss Jane, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Dill) Elliott. To them has been granted a family of ten children, two of whom are deceased, Sidney I. and Harry S. Those living are: Milton E., Eva V., Ada E., Lulu M., Eugene E., Olive V., Charles C. and Adrian S. The eld- est son is a graduate of the Sidney High School and also of the National University Law School of Washington, D. C., being admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of that district. Ile is also a prominent Mason, having taken the Scottish rites and consistory degrees. Ile is at the present time engaged in the Treasury Department at Washington, having worked up from the position of messenger boy to the Law Clerkship. Milton E. was married in 1891 to Miss Mary Gowans, of Washington.
The family of our subject attends the Method- ist Episcopal Church in this city, and their intelli- gence and fine social qualities make them much
sought after. The Hon. Mr. Ailes is a man of pleasant manners, and his social powers, together with his excellent character, win for him the re- spect and friendship of those who make his ac- quaintance.
R OBERT B. GORDON, JR. One of the most conspicuous figures among the residents of Auglaize County is the gentleman above named, who occupies the responsible po- sition of Auditor of the county. He is a man of enterprising spirit and sound judgment, and his character and ways are such as to win friends wherever he goes.
A native of this county, our subjeet was born near St. Mary's, August 6, 1855, to Robert B. and Catherine (Barrington) Gordon, natives of Vir- ginia and Philadelphia, Pa., respectively. The parents emigrated to this State in an early day and located at Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, and were ranked among its best citizens. Our subjeet was given an excellent education, supplementing the knowledge gained in the common schools by at- tendance at the St. Mary's and Union Schools, from which latter he was graduated in 1872. He pos- sesses an observing eye and a retentive memory, and has thus added materially to his knowledge acquired from text books.
After completing his education, Mr. Gordon of this sketch began work in his father's flouring mill and continued so employed until 1886, when he was appointed Postmaster of St. Mary's, under President Cleveland, and was the incumbent of that office until the incoming of the Republican party. In 1889, he was elected to his present office as County Auditor by a large majority, and is fulfilling the duties of the position in a most creditable and satisfactory manner.
Mr. Gordon, in whatever capacity he may be found, brings to the discharge of the duties ae- companying it a steadfast integrity and good
James Braden.
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judgment that have endeared him to all with whom he is thrown into contact. In social matters. he occupies a prominent position in the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and in all things is willing to add to the best interests of the town and county.
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AMES BRADEN, one of the oldest living residents of Logan County, and one of its most prosperous farmers, deserves a promi- nent place in the history of this county, not only on account of his pioneer record, but because he has been usefully and honorably iden- tified with her growth and prosperity in every particular. Ile was born in Union Township, this county, on the Ist of July, 1822, and now owns a large and finely improved farm on section 29, Harrison Township. His grandfather, Samuel Braden, was a native of the Emerald Isle and came to America when a young man, settling on the Licking River, in Harrison County, Ky., where he operated a store for some time. He was married there, and reared four children, a son and three daughters. His wife died in that State and about 1810, he and his brother-in-law, whose name was Newell, went to Ohio to buy some stock. They separated, each taking a different route and agreeing to meet at a certain point. This was the last ever seen or heard of the grandfather, and it is supposed that he was killed by the Indians or waylaid by highwaymen.
Robert Braden, father of our subject, was said to liave been born in a block-house where his par- ents had taken refuge from the Indians. After the loss of both parents, he was reared by his grandfather Newell. and in 1817 came to Logan County with his uncle, Hugh Newell. the journey from Kentucky being made by wagon. After working out for some time, he accumulated suthi- cient means to invest in land and purchased a traet on the southwest quarter of -ection 5, Union Town-hip. now owned by the children. There he
made his home in a round-log cabin in the woods and at once began developing and improving his place in every way. He was industrious and am- bitious, and although he labored under many dis- advantages, by good management he achieved considerable success. lle was fifty-six years of age at the time of his death. In politics, he was a Whig. He married Miss Lucinda MeNay, a native of Ohio, born in 1801. and eleven children blessed their home. ten of whom attained maturity, viz: James, Jane. Mary A., Samuel. Robert, John, Lu- einda, Cynthia, Elizabeth, and Henry Clay. The mother deserved much credit for her pluck and fortitude in struggling through the adversities of pioneer life. and was a lady whose many estimable qualities of mind and heart endeared her to all. She died when about seventy years of age, and lies buried by the side of her husband in Philadel- phia church cemetery.
James Braden grew to manhood in Logan County and had the thorough practical drill in farm labors which was the portion of the pioneer boys. He helped to fell the trees and put the land in condition for cultivation and has aided in bringing it to its present prolific condition. The log schoolhouse, with all its rude furniture, fur- nished his early education, and he well remembers the yawning fireplace, the uncouth seats and the greased paper used for window lights. Ile also remembers the board laid on pegs driven into the wall, on which the children rested their copy books while standing up to write. Bellefontaine had but few inhabitants at that time, and brush cov- ered what is now the courthouse lawn. Indians were numerous, and deer filled the woods.
When he reached his majority, our subject started out to fight his own way in life and worked out by the day until he had accumulated enough means to buy a team of horses, four years being required to raise this sum. In 1847, he bought forty acres of land from his father. and on this he erected a log cabin. to which he brought his wife whom he had married on the 3d of December. 1843, and whose maiden name was Edith Spry. She was a native of Champaign County, Ohio. born April 7, 1823. Here they reared seven of the nine children born to them. viz: Marietta.
18
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Corwin F .. Robert, Matronie, Abigail, Laurie and James. Lueettie, and an infant unnamed, died young. Mrs. Braden died on the 4th of February 1885. She was a faithful and devoted compan- ion to her husband and was inelined to the Luth- eran belief in religion.
In 1855, Mr. Braden bought twenty aeres in addition to his farm, and in 1858 he bought out the heirs to eighty acres belonging to his father- in-law's estate. This he traded for one hundred and seven acres. making one hundred and eighty- five acres in one body on seetion 12, Union Town- ship. Hle sold out here in 1867, and bought over two hundred and sixty-four aeres in Harrison Town- ship, one mile north of his present location, to which he soon added eighty acres more. In 1881, he sold that eighty-acre tract, also sold one hun- dred and sixty aeres to his two sons but later bought from a son half of the last-named property. He now owns two hundred and sixty-one acres of as finely improved land as there is in the county, all being in a high state of cultivation, except thirty-five acres of timber. He has a fine large frame residence, a good frame barn, 82x40, which he erected in 1889, and has besides a bank barn 45x70 feet. Jle is a stalwart Republican in poli- ties, and served as Township Trustee during the war. He has been a hard-working man and this, together with good management, has contributed to his success. llonest and upright in all his dealings, he deserves much credit for his progress. Ilis portrait is a valuable addition to this volume.
ONRAD KNATZ. who has been for many years a prominent farmer and noted stock- raiser of Washington Township. where he has reclaimed a fine farm from its original wild- ness, is a fine type of the German element that has been so serviceable in settling up and improv- ing Auglaize County. Our subject was born in Germany. August 11. 1829. Ilis father, George Knatz. who was a farmer, died at the age of fifty-
three years. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Anna E. Ritz, survived him twenty years. In ae- cordance with the laws of the country, he had served two years in the German army, which he left in order to take care of his parents who were old. lle had three brothers who served seven years each.
Conrad Knatz is the only son of the family, and the only survivor, as his two sisters are now dead. He was well edneated, attending the common schools of his native land until he was fourteen, afterward attending a higher school for some time. After leaving school, he became foreman on a large farm, and retained that position three years, although young for so responsible an office. Ile came into possession of a farm from his father's estate, which he sold, and in the fall of 1853 sailed from Bremen with his bride to found a new home on American soil. After a voyage of nine weeks and three days, the young couple landed at New York, whence they came directly to Ohio. Ile found employment on a farm for a year, and then invested his money in eighty acres of his present farm on section 1, Washington Township. It was heavily timbered, swampy land, quite level, and the most of it under water. Wild game was very plentiful, as this region was only sparsely settled, still being in the hands of the pioneers and deer used to run with his cattle, being so bold that Mr. Knatz often chased them out of the wheat field.
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