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 50
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 50
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 50
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Returning to the farm, our subject tilled the soil for a short time, and then hegan reading medicine with Dr. J. C. Leedom, of Tawawa, this eounty. Later, he attended medieal lectures at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and graduated at that institution in 1870. Hle subsequently lo- eated at Plattsville, this county, where he practiced until the fall of 1882. when his health failed and he was obliged to abandon his practice. After this he moved to Sidney. and here for two years, hav- ing in a measure regained his health, he has been engaged in office practice only. Ile was appointed Pensioner Examiner in July, 1889. and was ap- pointed Treasurer of the Board of Surgeons for Sidney. lle has a delightful home at No. 627 Franklin Street, and his home cirele is a very happy one.
On the 25th of September. 1867, occurred his marriage with Miss Rose Elma Leedom, a daughter of James 11. Leedom. of Brooks County, Pa. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: Elma E .. deceased; Howard L., who is engaged in the furniture business in Sidney; Cora A., and
Ernest V., who is engaged in the furniture business with his brother. Mrs. Shaw was born on the 25th of December, 1830, and died on the 4th of Febru- ary, 1881. She was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is also a member of that ehureh. He is a member of Social Lodge, A. F & A. M., of Lena, Miami County, Ohio, and is Post Surgeon of Neal Post No. 62, G. A. R., and also a member of the Board of Health of Sidney.
ONATHAN F. EMERT is one of the noble veterans of the late Civil War, in which eon- flict he fought long and well for his adopted country. Since those trying times, he has done good work in helping to earry forward the duties of his country as a prominent farmer of Shel- by County, residing in Cynthiana Township. He is a native of this eounty, having been born in Lor- amie Township, May 13, 1844. He is a son of Benjamin Emert, who was born in 1795, in Berks County, Pa., and who in turn was the son of Martin Emert, a native of Germany. The grandfather of our subject, after emigrating to this country, was a farmer in the Keystone State and reared a family of seven children.
Benjamin Emert in early life learned the trade of a tanner, which occupation he soon abandoned, however, and engaged in farming. Ile emigrated to Montgomery County, this State, in 1806, where he again took up his trade of a tanner and prose- cuted it until coming to Shelby County in 1839. at which time he located in Loramie Township, and cleared a good farm from the timber. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and departed this life in 1856. The lady to whom he was married in 1830 was known in her maiden- hood as Mary M. Mettard, of Maryland. She was a daughter of George Mettard, whom she aceom- panied on his removal to this State in 1808. Like her husband, she was also a member of the Luth- eran Church and died in 1882.
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Jonathan F. Emert is the youngest of the par- ental family of four children who grew to mature years, and only two of whom are now living. Ile attended the district schools until sixteen years of age. and in September, 1861, on the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in Company F, Benton Cadets, of Missouri. Gen. Fremont had called for tliree companies of infantry to serve as body- guards, two of which were raised in this county, and to one of which Mr. Emert belonged. With his company, he served under that general until the latter was superseded, during the entire time operating in Missouri. In February, 1862, he was honorably discharged at St. Louis, and August 1 of that year enlisted in Company B, Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, and participated in the following-named battles: Kenesaw Mountain. Dal- las, Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, Atlanta, Col- umbia, Franklin, Nashville and Spring Hill Grove. At the battle of Franklin, his company were all captured, with the exception of himself and two comrades, who broke through the Rebel lines. Soon after, he was sent to Washington, D. C., and being taken with the pleurisy he was sent to the hospital, where he remained from February until June, 1865, when he returned home to this county and engaged in farming on what is now his present farm.
November 1, 1866, he of whom we write and Miss Elmira, daughter of Eliphalet Blanchard, were united in marriage. Iler father was an early settler of this township, and died in 1887. Mrs. Blanchard, who bore the name of Mary J. Penrod, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Emert five chil- dren have been born. namely: George 1., Eliphaiet B., Martin A., Jolin A., and Frederick .J., the latter of whom is deceased. The second son, who is a most intelligent young man, is taking a business course in the Ohio College at Cleveland.
In his political relations, our subject has always been a prominent member of the Republican party and has represented it as a delegate to various county and district conventions. He has served two terins as Trustee of his township, and was nominated for representative in the fall of 1891. but could not overcome the large Democratic ma- jority. Socially, he is a member of Neal Post No. -
62, G. A. R., at Sidney. ITis good wife is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, in which body she occupies a prominent place among its worthy members.
Mr. Emert is what may be termed a self-made man, as he started out in life with no aid whatever and has succeeded in accumulating an estate which comprises two hundred and twenty-five acres. Ilis place is adorned with the various farm build- ings, not the least among which is his large frame residence where they entertain their many friends. He has laid sixteen hundred rods of tile on his place, and in addition to raising the cereals breeds a good grade of stock.
H
HOMAS LONGWORTH is a son of one of the first families to penetrate the forest wilds of what is now Auglaize County to found a home within its borders, and as one of the pioneers of this section, who is still living among us, and is honored for his solid worth as a man and a citizen, it gives us great pleasure to place upon these pages the record of his well-spent life. The old homestead in St. Mary's Township that was originally owned by his father, Jonathan Long- worth, is now his. and has been his home for sixty- four years. It is one of the choicest and most fer- tile farms in the county, and a large natural gas supply, which yields a fine income, is found beneath its surface.
Our subject was born in Virginia, January 18, 1812, and his father was born in that State October 15, 1781. The latter was a son of Thomas Long- worth, who was a German by birth. He came to Ohio soon after the close of the War of 1812, set- tled in Pickaway County, and subsequently died in Circleville. Jonathan Longworth, our sub- ject's father, was one of seven children, and was in the War of 1812. In April. 1828, he left his old home to seek another with his family in the wilder- ness beyond the mountains in Ohio. Ilis elder
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brother, Samuel, had come to this seetion of the country at a very early day, and had purchased a large tract of Government land in what is now St. Mary's Township, and Jonathan, buying that land, became one of the earliest settlers of this re- gion. Hle built a cabin and cleared considerable of his land before his death. which occurred at the age of sixty-three years. Ile was a truly pious man, and for many years was a valued member of the United Brethren Church. lle was twice mar- ried. His first wife, Catherine Weaver, a native of Virginia, died in 1828, leaving one son, our subject. He married again and had tive children, two of whom are still living.
Thomas Longworth, of this biographical review, was thirteen years old when his father took up his ahode in St. Mary's Township. and he had a full experience of frontier life far beyond the bounds of civilization. The country was nearly all heavily wooded, the forests were full of Indians. and for a few years they were frequent eallers at the cabin of the Longworths, where they enjoyed many a meal with the family, whether invited to partake or not. The woods abounded in wild game, and it was our subject's chief delight to hunt, and he became noted for his prowess in that line, proving a veritable Daniel Boone, and having but few equals as a marksman in all the country around. The Indians were often his companions in his hunting trips. and taught him many useful tricks and accomplishments in woodcraft. His expedi- tions led him up and down the Auglaize and St. Mary's Rivers, and sometimes he would not re- turn home for a week, but would camp by a bright fire beneath the forest trees. The State offered a royalty of 82.50 for every wolf scalp taken. and many a dollar fell into Mr. Longworth's purse from that source, and he has killed beside hundreds of deer, many bears and panthers and lesser game.
The newness of the country and the need of his help at home gave our subject no opportunity to go to school after he came here. and the death of his father a few years later threw the burden of the support of five orphan brothers and sisters upon his shoulder -. He nobly did his duty by them until they were old enough to support them- selves, managing the farm and continuing the
improvements his father had begun, the home- stead becoming his. It comprises two hundred acres of the best farming land in Auglaize County, the soil being very fertile and easy of eultivation, and the buildings are of a good class, everything about the place indicating good care. There are two productive gas wells in operation, which are leased to the Lima Natural Gas Company, the gas being piped to Lima. There is a fine bed of a choice variety of gravel on the farm, from which material has been obtained for the construction of twenty-five miles of turnpike, and Mr. Long- worth has refused $10.000 for a single acre of it. Ile has another good farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Paulding County.
Mr. Longworth has always had an aptitude for handling tools and machinery, and in his carly days he worked considerably at carpentering. When the Miami & Erie Canal was built through this section of the country. he did a great deal of work upon it in the way of building locks. etc .. he and a contractor doing business together in that line. Mr. Longworth is a stanch Democrat in politics, but is no office-seeker. He is a veri- table Christian, who has always walked nprightly in the sight of his fellow-men. and a kindly, charitable spirit, showing itself in many acts of friendliness and true neighborliness, has always been manifest in his daily intercourse with them. Forty years ago he and his wife of sainted memory joined the United Brethren Church, and he is still one of its most consistent and active members. He has always given liberally of his means towards its upbuilding, and to further other good causes that would in any way benefit the community.
In July. 1843, our subject was married to Ellen. daughter of James Wilkins, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. For nearly half a cen- tury she walked by his side. strengthening him by hier counsel and cheerful help. "She brightened all the joys of life. she softened every frown." March 19. 1891. she fell into that sleep that knows no waking this side of the grave. Her memory is tenderly cherished by those who loved her. Her marriage with our subject was hallowed to them by the birth of four children. as follows: The ohl- est. a daughter, is the wife of Samuel Hoffman, a
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farmer in Mercer County, Ohio, and they have five children ; James, the eldest son, who farms on a part of the old homestead, is married and has five children; John, who lives on the old home place, is married and has ten children, and Nancy T., who died at the age of twenty-five years.
ENRY KOOP is a farmer and stock-raiser of much enterprise and practical ability, who stands among the first of his calling in Auglaize County. Ilis farm, pleasantly lo- cated on the Piqua and St. Mary's Turnpike, is one of the finest farms in all St. Mary's Township. Its improvements are of a high order, its rich har- vest fields neatly fenced, well tiled, and cultivated after the most approved modern methods of agri- culture, and the large supply of gas found beneath its surface has increased its value.
Mr. Koop is a native-born citizen of the town- ship in which he still lives, his birth occurring March 10, 1841, in one of the earliest homes es- tablished here. His father, John F. Koop, was born in Germany in 1801, and became a miller in early manhood. In 1832, he emigrated to this country and for a while lived among his compa- triots who dwelt in Cincinnati. In 1834, he pene- trated the forest wilds of the interior of Ohio, and making his way to what is now Auglaize County, he bought land in St. Mary's Township on the Piqua Road, which was the great highway of travel to Ft. Wayne, Ind .. and he was one of the first to settle in this locality. Ile built a log house and lived on his land for the lengthy period of fifty- eight years, and then death came to him when he was a very old man, having passed the ninety-first milestone on life's journey, his demise occurring January 20, 1892. He kept an hotel on his farm for many years and entertained many a weary traveler who had come to this region to select a suitable location for a home. He experienced many of the hardships incidental to frontier hfe. but he succeeded in accumulating a comfortable
property and was classed among the most useful pioneers of this section. Wapakoneta was an Ind- ian town when he came here, and the forests abounded in deer, wolves, bears and other wild an- imals that have long since disappeared from this part of the country, which he lived to see trans- formed from a howling wilderness to its present advanced state of development. His wife, Martha Wilenbrook, whom he married in Cincinnati, and with whom he lived in peace and happiness for fifty-eight years, or until death severed the bond that nnited them, was born in Germany seventy- seven years ago, came to America in 1831, and is now serenely passing the sunset of life in the home of her son Henry, surrounded by all the comforts that filial love can devise. She is a member of the German Lutheran Church, to which her husband also belonged.
Henry Koop is the third of seven children, of whom six are living. His schooling was mostly confined to the winter terms, after he became large enough to be of any use, and was obtained in an old log schoolhouse. He remained on the home place until of age, and then rented the farm of his father for several years. He bonght the farm that he now occupies on section 15, St. Mary's Township, two miles south of the city of St. Mary's, in 1881. He has greatly improved it since it came into his possession and it is now one of the most attractive and most desirable farms along the fa- mous old turnpike between Piqua and St. Mary's that was cut out by Gen. Wayne in an early day. It comprises two hundred and forty acres of land, highly cultivated. and watered by the west branch of the St. Mary's River and three fine fountains, obtained at a depth of four hundred feet while drilling for gas. The gas wells are eight in num- her and supply much of the gas used in St. Mary's. A fine set of buildings of a modern and appro- priate style of architecture adorn the place, in- eluding an elegant and handsomely appointed frame residence, erected in 1890, and a large and conveniently arranged frame barn. Mr. Koop is one of the leading stockmen of this section, hav- ing bought and shipped live stock extensively for several years.
Mr. Koop was married in 1870 to Miss Caroline
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Markus, a German by birth, who came to this country with her parents when a child. She has contributed materially to her husband's success in life by her thrifty and skillful management of household affairs, and is a truly estimable woman in every sense. She is the mother of five children: Fredonia, Minnie, Wilson, Louella and Allen.
Our subject is a sterling representative of the Republicans of this vicinity and is firm in his sup- port of his party. His fellow-citizens, recognizing the fact that he would make a fine civic officer, as lie is a man of strong sense, keen discernment in money matters, and is very capable in every way, have called upon him to help in the administration of public affairs. In 1884. he was elected Com- missioner of Auglaize County, but after serving two years, devoting his best energies to the dis- charge of his official duties. he resigned the posi- tion as his private business demanded his exclusive attention. He was elected in the face of a very large Democratic majority. although he never asked a man to vote or work for him a single day or use his influence to secure his election. Both he and his wife are members in high standing of the Lutheran Church and in their everyday lives manifest a true Christian spirit in neighborly acts of kindness.
E DWARD FLICKINGER. a prominent farmer and stock-breeder, is proprietor of the Pleasant Grove Stock Farm, which consists of two hundred and fifty acres of finely-improved land on section 30, Ilarrison Township, Logan County. He inherits the thrift, energy and excel- lent business acumen of a long line of German an- cestors, each of whom was noted for his sturdy traits of character and mental capacity. The orig- inal of this notice was born in Hamilton. But- ler County, Ohio. on the 12th of August. 1847, and is a son of Henry Flickinger, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born in 1819, and the grandson of Jacob Flickinger, who was originally from Lancas- ,
ter County, Pa., where his birth occurred shortly after the Revolutionary War.
The first member of this family to come to America was our subject's great-grandfather, who emigrated from Switzerland about one hundred and twenty-five years ago, settling in Lancaster County, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his days. He erected the first building in Lancaster, Pa., and this is standing at the present time. The grand- father of our subject was a preacher in the United Brethren Church and was well educated for the time in which he lived. Ile came to Ohio in 1810, located at Hamilton, Butler County, and took an active part in establishing the church in that sec- tion of the State in pioneer days. llis entire life was devoted to the cause of Christianity, and though he has been dead many years, the work he so nobly accomplished still lives and will continue to bear fruit through all eternity. His death oc- curred near Hamilton, when he was quite aged. His companion through life bore the maiden name of Hannah Kumler and was the daughter of the noted Bishop Henry Kumler, who was so active in promoting the interests of the United Brethren Church in its infancy. She was an ardent Christian worker and was with her husband in his ministerial labors during the early history of the church in Butler County. She died in February. 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. For a num- ber of years previous to her death. she took a great interest in the family reunions held annually at the Butler County Fair Grounds, at which time there would be from three to four hundred mem- bers in attendance.
Henry Fliekinger. father of our subject, followed farming in Butler County, Ohio, and became the owner of a well-improved farm of two hundred aeres. He was an industrious, enterprising man, an excellent manager and an active member of the United Brethren Church until his death, which occurred in 1891. when seventy years of age. In character, he was generous, free and frank, and as he was keenly alive to the sufferings and misfor- tunes of others. no one ever appealed to him in vain for aid or consolation. In politics, he was for some time identified with the Whigs and after- ward advocated the principles of the Republican
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
party. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Farlow, was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1819 and came to Butler County, Ohio, with her parents when a mere child. She reared eight children to mature years, viz: Amos, who was killed in the battle of Stone River; Matilda and Noah, deceased; Edward, Anna (Mrs. Home). Enoch, Landis, and Susan. The mother is still living and makes her home at Seven Mile. Ohio. She bas been a work- ing member of the United Brethren Church the greater part of her life and is widely and favorably known for her many excellent and womanly qual- ities. Iler father. John Farlow, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Berks County, Pa., and came to Butler County. Ohio, at a very early day, developing a farm from the wil- derness. There he died when eighty years of age. In religion, he was a Lutheran, and in politics a stanch Democrat. He was of German descent.
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Until sixteen years of age, the subject of this sketch assisted his father on the farm and attended the district schools of his section. At that age, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixty- seventh Ohio Infantry and served until the close of the war. He was mustered in at Hamilton, Ohio, or- dered to Virginia and was engaged in that State and in West Virginia until the spring of 1865. Returning home, he began manufacturing buggy wheels at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1868, and gradually increased the business until 1880, when he removed the plant to Kalamazoo, Mich. He there erected the present large and commodious factory building and engaged in business more extensively than before, making a stock company, of which he was President until May, 1890, when the establishment was sold to the Buggy Wheel Trust Company. Ilis excellent business capacity in this enterprise proved that as a shrewd. far-seeing business man he had few equals, and his profits were enormous. At present (1892), he is erecting a large wheel factory at Galion. Ohio. to which he intends to give his entire attention as manager.
In 1880. Mr. Flickinger bought a part of his pres- ent farm and after selling out at Kalamazoo, Mich .. settled in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in the summer of 1890, buying additional land. until he now owns a fine tract of two hundred and fifty acres. He has
conducted general farming and for a time was en- gaged in breeding fine draft and French coach horses, but recently sold his entire stock on account of the lessening demand for the former. He bas a neat and tasty residence and four very large barns near the center of his farm, with a driveway back from the pike through an attractive grove, from which his farm derives its name, Pleasant Grove.
Mr. Flickinger has been twice married. In 1872, he married Miss Emma, daughter of Judge Mc- Culloch, of this county. This union resulted in the birth of two children, one only of whom is now living, Frank, who is attending school at Gambier, Ohio. Edna died when three years of age. Mrs. Flickinger died in 1882, and in 1884 our subject wedded Miss Elizabeth Colley, of Sandusky, Ohio. They have two interesting children. Edward and Ilazel. Mr. Flickinger is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and socially is a Mason, a member of the lodge at Bellefontaine, the Knights Templar at Urbana, and the Elks at Bellefontaine.
The portrait of Mr. Flickinger is presented on another page.
OIIN R. RENICK. One of the largest. rich- est and best kept farms in the county is that owned by Mr. John R. Renick, who is one of the wealthy and prominent farmers of the section. Being a native of the Buckeye State, he has advanced ideas as to how a farm should be conducted, and endeavors to combine the practical with the theoretical in its manage- ment. Born in Washington Township, Logan County, Ohio. on the 25th of April, 1846, he traces his ancestry back to good old German stock. The first settlement of the family in this country was in Virginia in the seventeenth century, six gen- erations ago, and the name was first spelled "Ren- wick." afterward "Rennick." and finally "Renick."
The grandfather of our subject, Robert Renick, was a native of the Old Dominion, and he fol-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lowed the pursuit of agriculture in Greenbrier County, that State, until about the year 1800, when he came to Clarke County, Ohio. Ile entered land from the Government, and at one time owned thirteen hundred acres on the site of the city of Springfield, Ohio, but traded it for Western land, all of which he lost. Ile improved a farm, and operated a large still-house and gristmill on Buck Creek. Grandmother Renick, whose maiden name was Mary Hamilton, and whom he married on the 23d of December, 1790. was a native of Greenbrier County, Va. They reared seven chil- dren. After the death of his wife, Mr. Renick married Miss Elizabeth Knight. on the 21st of April, 1813, but no children were born to this union. Mr. Renick died on the 23d of October, 1828. He was a man of excellent judgment and unusual business aeumen.
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