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 56
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 56
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 56
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The gentleman whose portrait and biography are here presented is the eldest of six children, of whom five are living. By the father's early death, when the children were small, the family was left poor and each one had to "hoe his own row," but all have acquired wealth. The deceased brother, John, was a prominent Odd Fellow in California. and on a certain calm day, when he and another member of the organization were riding to see a sick brother, a sudden whirlwind struck them, and he was hurled to the ground with such violence that his death ensued in a day or two, from inju- ries then received. Oliver, who is next to our subject in order of birth, went to Illinois in early life, settled on a farm in Lawrence County, and is now wealthy. William, who settled in San Fran- cisco, became a real-estate dealer and is a million- aire. He represented the First California District in Congress one term. Amanda became the wife of Abram Piper, of Lawrence County, who died, leaving her well-to-do. Robert, the youngest of the family, a farmer, is a wealthy resident of the same county.
Edward Piper received a limited education, as there was no free school in his day in his native county, and when he could go to school he had to attend a subscription school, taught in an old log honse, that was rudely furnished with slab seats. and had greased paper for window lights. At the youthful age of eleven years, he began life for himself in earnest, as he then became self-support- ing, working on a farm for $2 a month and his board for six months. returning home during a few months in the winter season to obtain what schooling he could get. As he grew older, his wages were increased a little more each year. Ile finally turned his attention to the trade of a car- penter, at which he worked two and a half years in his native county, from the time he was sixteen until he was nineteen years old.
At the latter age. in the winter of 1837, the brave young fellow resolutely determined to seek his fortunes further Westward, and packing his possessions in a bundle, he set forth to face the trials and dangers of life in a region that was yet in the hands of the pioneers. Hle crossed the Alle- ghany Mountains on foot, and pursned his jour-
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ney in the same manner across the State of Ohio, stopping at nightfall where he could best obtain shelter, and one night sleeping by the roots of a large tree. When he arrived in Mercer County, on the western line of the State, he was so favor- ably impressed with the country that he resolved to take up some land there, and entered eighty aeres of timber from the Government. There were then only a few settlers in the county, which was in all its original wildness and primeval beauty. The big reservoir was being eonstrueted, and as Mr. Piper thought that he could get rich on the wages (818 a month) paid the hands, he hired out to the contractors to run a wheelbarrow. Ile boarded with a lot of Irishmen in a shanty, sleeping in a bunk. In a few months he became sick with chills and fever, and went to an uncle's house, where he remained until his recovery. He then learned that the contractor had failed, and he was thrown out of a job without having been paid for what he had done. After he had sutti- ciently recovered from his siekness, he did some carpenter work, and paid his doctor's bill by work- ing for the doctor. For about a year, he deadened timber and otherwise prepared his land for eulti- vation.
In 1839, Mr. Piper went to Springfield, and was engaged in earpentering there for a time. In 1840, he accompanied a man to Kentucky to help drive a herd of forty horses to that State, where they were exchanged for Durham cattle. Ile liked that part of the country, and remained there for a time. In 1842, he was married in Harrison County, Ind., and renting a small farm, commeneed raising vegetables, which he shipped to New Orleans. Ile was thus profitably engaged four years, and in that way made a good start. In 1845, he returned to Mercer County to locate on his land, building a log house and stable the first thing, ere he at- tempted to further develop the farm. Ile pur- chased additional land. and now has one of the finest farms of its size, in point of improvement and cultivation, in Mercer County. It comprises two hundred acres, advantageously situated eight miles from St. Mary's, where he has forty-one acres in an addition to the city. When he took posses- sion of his homestead forty-seven years ago, the
surrounding country was searcely better than a wilderness, with human habitations few and far between, there being hut one dwelling between St. Mary's and Neptune, a distance of eight miles. Wild game was very plentiful, and Mr. Piper killed some deer, although he did not care mueh for hunting, generally being too busy in his various enterprises. He removed to town in 1879, but still continues to superintend the management of his farm, besides looking elosely after his other interests. Ilis home is a large frame residence, of an attractive style of architecture, standing just outside the city limits. with pleasant and well- kept grounds, and surrounded by a natural grove of fine old trees of primeval growth.
Some time prior to his removal to St. Mary's, our subject purchased an interest in the woolen mills, with which he was connected sixteen years. Ile has also been one of the prime movers in estab- lishing monetary institutions in the city. He was one of three men who organized the first bank in St. Mary's, which was started as a private concern. In February, 1890, be and Mr. Frederick Decker reorganized the institution as a national bank, of which he became President, and his colleague Vice- president. Mr. Piper is an exceedingly sagacious finaneier, and has been quick to seize all legiti- mate modes of making money. He has dealt quite extensively in stock, and during the war bonglit and sold mules for the Government, and has had a hand in various other business sehemes whereby he has added to his wealth; but throughout his long career he has kept his name free from taint or suspicion of dishonesty, every dollar he has made coming to him through lawful channels and by perfectly honorable dealings, and no man in the State stands higher in the confidence of the busi- ness men than he. Ile has never wilfully de- frauded anyone, has invariably paid his bills promptly, so that "duns" are unknown to him, and he has never had a law suit. Politically, he was originally a Whig, and voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840. Since the formation of the Republican party, he has been one of its strongest supporters in this part of Ohio, and has been a delegate to State and other conventions. In 1886, he was the candidate of his party for the
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Legislature, to represent Auglaize County, and reduced the Democratic majority of the previous campaign from twenty-four hundred to six hun- dred. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years during his residence in Mercer County. In his social relations, he has been a Mason for more than forty years.
Mr. Piper was first married in 1842, to Miss America Glasgow, a most estimable lady, whose parents were from Scotland. She died in 1842, leaving no children. Our subject was married again in 1858, taking as his wife Mrs. Rebecca (Gates) McSherry, a native of Ohio. to whose de- votion to his interests he is greatly indebted for much of the comfort and happiness of life. Their pleasant union has been hallowed to them by four children: Ella and Leroy (twins), Anna and John W., who have been carefully trained under whole- some home influences, and have been given fine educational privileges.
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M AJ. JOSEPHI SWISHIER, former Superin- tendent of Public Schools at De Graff, Logan County, Ohio, now Deputy Treas- urer of Logan County, is prominent among the leading men of the county, and deserves special notice for his public spirit and energy. lle was born in Washington County, Pa .. on the 1st of December, 1831, and is of German descent, the first representative of this family in America coming to this country from Germany and settling in New Jersey during the seventeenth century. Maj. Swisher's grandfather, Joseph Swisher, was born in the City of Brotherly Love in 1775, and being an agriculturist by occupation. cultivated the soil there until 1833. At that date, he emigrated to Ohio. located on a farm in Champaign County, and there his death occurred when sixty-five years of age. A Democrat in politics, he was firm and de- cided in his views, and was a man who wielded considerable influence in the communities where he made his home at different times. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812, fought the British with great valor, and the cover of the knapsack that he carried with him during that memorable struggle is in the possession of our subject.
Abraham Swisher, father of Maj. Swisher, was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1803, and, like his ancestors before him, followed the occupation of a farmer. He came to Champaign County, Ohio. in 1833, enltivated one hundred acres, and there received his final summons on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1843. when forty years of age. Ile leaned toward the Presbyterian faith but was not a mem- ber of any church. Although born a Democrat. during the Ilarrison campaign, in 1840, he trans- ferred his allegiance to the Whig party and con- tinued with that the rest of his days. The maiden name of his wife was Rebecca Watters; she was also a native of Washington County, Pa., born in the year 1807. They reared six of the nine chil- dren born to them: John, Joseph. Henry, Richard, Temperance (Mrs. Williams), Abraham, Malinda (deceased), Rebecca (deceased), and one who died in infancy. The mother of these children passed away in February, 1865, when fifty-eight years of age. She was a member of the Baptist Church until four years before her death and then, on ac- count of there not being a Baptist Church where she lived, joined the Methodist. Iler father, John Watters, was born in Washington County, Pa., and died at Newport, Ky., when quite an old man. He was of Irish-German descent and was a farmer. His wife, Luellen, was born in Washi- ington County, Pa .. and they reared a large family. The mother died in Champaign County, Ohio, when well along in years.
Maj. Joseph Swisher was reared on the farm in Champaign County. Ohio, and his primary educa- tion was received in the pioneer log schoolhouse with immense open fireplace, mud and stick chim- neys. puncheon floor, slah seats, ete. In 1851. he began teaching in a log schoolhouse. the day he was twenty years of age, and continued teaching in the winter and farming in the summer until the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South. On the 15th of August, 1862. he donned his suit of blue, shouldered his musket. and enlisted in Company E. One Hundred and Thirteenth
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Regiment Ohio Infantry, being mustered in at Zanesville, Ohio. He went to Louisville, Ky., there joined a division under Gen. Gilbert and went down the river and up the Cumberland to Nashville, Tenn. Just before stepping off the boat at Nashville, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and went from there to Franklin, Tenn., where he was put on the reserve corps under Gen. Granger. This became the right wing of the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Gen. Rosecrans. Ilere our subject was promoted to the rank of First Lieu- tenant and made Quartermaster of the One IIun- dred and Thirteenth Regiment. Maj. Swisher par- ticipated in the Tullahoma campaign with his regiment and was afterward in the campaign of Chickamauga. Ile was on staff duty for three days for Col. Jolin G. Mitchell, who commanded the Second Brigade Reserve Corps of the Army of the Cumberland, during the battle of Chickamauga, in which one hundred and sixty-three men of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment were killed and wounded, and seventeen hundred of the divis- ion killed and wounded. Our subject participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge just after the reor- ganization of the army under Gen. Grant. Ile after- ward went on the campaign for the relief of Burn- side, at Knoxville, acting on the staff of Gen. Beaty, and collected supplies to feed six thousand soldiers as they marched along.
After the relief of Gen. Burnside at Knoxville Maj. Swisher returned to Chattanooga and re- mained in winter quarters until May, 1864. He was here detailed as Quartermaster of the Second Brigade, Second Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps of the Army of the Cumberland and subse- quently went on the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, being under fire one hundred days. At the fall of Atlanta our subject was commissioned Captain and was sent back with the division to Florence, Ala .. to drive Gen. Forest ont of Tenn- essee, and returning met Gen. Sherman's army at Gaylesville, Ala. He then turned toward Atlanta, stopping at Kingston, Ga., at which place they sev- ered communication with the outside world and started with Sherman to the sea, burning Atlanta on the way. After arriving at Savannah, Maj. Swisher got leave of absence for twenty days, and remained
home during that brief rest from the turmoils of war. Later he joined Gen. Sherman at Savannah and participated in the memorable campaigns through the Carolinas, taking part in the battles of Averysborough and Bentonville. At the last-named place he was breveted Major of the United States Staff Department for long continued and meritor- ious service. Ile was present at the surrender of Gen. Johnston's army and then started for home, marching through Richmond and over the battle fields of the Army of the Potomac. Ile joined in the Grand Review of the army at Washington City and was mustered out there on the 14th of June, 1865, having served two years, nine months and twenty-nine days.
The Major followed agriculture in Champaign County, Ohio, until 1877, since which time he has been actively engaged as an educator. He was married May 27, 1852, to Miss Amanda Bamberger, a native of Harrisburgh, Pa., born in 1833, and to them were born five children, four of whom are living: Argus H., now a physician at Marysville, Ohio; Isolina D. V., now Mrs. Edward Fudger, re- siding near Mechanicsburgh, Ohio: Malinda, Mrs. Mitchell, of Leroy, Kan., and William B., a clothier of Marysville, Ohio. Mrs. Swisher was an active worker in the Methodist Church, in which she held membership, and died in that faith on the 12th of May, 1871. The Major's second marriage occurred on the 11th of September, 1873, to Mrs. Henrietta Scott, a native of Lima, Ohio, born February 17, 1837. Iler first husband was in our subject's com- pany and was killed at Kenesaw Mountain. She had one child living by her first husband, Andrew J. Scott, who is now engaged in merchandising at Marysville, Ohio. Major and Mrs. Swisher became the parents of one child, Don Byron, who is a graduate of the public schools of De Graff and is Deputy Postmaster at this place.
The original of this notice taught school near Cable, Ohio, in 1877 and 1878, and then taught seven years at North Lewisburgh, Ohio, where he Superintended the graded school for seven years. Ile came from there to this place in 1887 and has been Superintendent of the school here since. This is the last term of school here, for Maj. Swisher will enter the County
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Treasurer's office at Bellefontaine as Deputy Treasurer. Mrs. Swisher has been a member of the Baptist Church for forty years. In politics, the Major is a stanch Republican and served as Assessor and Justice of the Peace in his township in Cham- paign County. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army post and has served as commander of it.
P RANK A. RICHARDSON, M. D. Our sub- jeet, who is one of the active young doc- tors of lluntsville. Logan County, comes of a family of physicians, and has a natural bent for doctoring. Hle was born at Ft. Recovery, Mercer County. Ohio, July 1, 1858, and is a son of R. Bruce Richardson, also a native of Ohio, who was born in 1830. Ilis paternal grandsire was Richard S. Richardson. a native of the Empire State, who was a shoemaker in early life, devoting his time in later years to farming. Ile came to Ohio about 1820, and settled in Union County, where he de- veloped a farm, reclaiming it from the wilderness and making of it a finely improved place. Ile died at the age of seventy-three years. Ile was of English-Scotch extraction.
Our subject's father, although reared on a farm. chose the profession of a doctor, as did five of his brothers, namely: John, William, Robert, Jackson, and Syrenus. Of these, William's two sons are physicians. One of Jackson's sons devotes liim- self to the healing art. Two of Jobn's boys are doctors, and including our subject there are twelve physicians in the family.
R. Bruce Richardson, our subject's father, was graduated from starling Medical College at Colum- bus, and located at Ft. Recovery, Mercer County. where he enjoyed an extensive practice until his death, which occurred in 1865. Ile was a Douglas Democrat in polities. Hle married America Clay- pool. who was born in Ohio in 1839. Our subject
was the only child of this union, and his mother died at the age of twenty years. His father con- tracted a second marriage this union being with Marietta Mitligan, by whom he had one child. Arthur, now a druggist at Salina, Ohio. The maternal side of our subject's family is of English origin.
Reared at Ft. Recovery, Dr. Richardson first at- tended the public schools there, and, when old enough, began to read medicine under lus uncle, Dr. John Richardson, of that city. He later be- came a student at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and graduated therefrom in 1880. In the spring of 1884. our subject located where he now is. There were at the time six other physi- cians residing here, only one of whom now re- mains, be being Dr. Elder. Our subject has the largest practice here, and his country practice ne- cessitates long drives. He is a student of marked ability and gives each of his cases careful study, which has resulted in his remarkable success as a practitioner.
Dr. Richardson was married July 26, 1884, to Miss Alice Campbell, who was born at Round Head, Ohio, July 26, 1860. They have two chil- dren, whose names are Ethel and Ivel. Mrs. Richardson is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat. Ile is a member of the County Medical Association. in which he is an active member.
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OIIN CARTLEY. It is doubtful if a man can be found in the bounds of Shelby County who has made a better record than the gentleman above named, who is ex- County Commissioner, and the owner of a splendid estate in Loramie Township. His excellent repu- tation does not depend upon the solidity of his finances, but upon his personal character and the favorable knowledge his acquaintances have of his generosity, integrity and reliability.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Westmoreland County, October 2, 1827, and is a son of George Cartley, who was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were en route to this country from Ireland in 1792. The grand- parents located in Westmoreland County, Pa., where they bore an important part in pioneer work as farmers, and where also they spent the re- mainder of their days.
George Cartley came to Fayette County, this State in 1834, he having located the land some time previous to coming here. In 1837, he took up bis abode in this county, making his home on section 22, Loramie Township, which is the pres- ent farm of our subject. His property consisted of eighty acres of partly improved land, on which was erected a log house. lle broke much of the sod on his farm, and by dint of industrious and well-directed efforts, rose to a good position among the pioneers of his locality. Ile served as a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and filled the position of Trustee of Loramie Township for some time. He was an Episcopalian in religion, and died March 15, 1871. llis wife, who, prior to her marriage, was Rebecca Berisford, was also born in Ireland, and came to America when a young woman. At her death, which occurred in 1844, she left a fam- ily of five sons, one of whom di d in the Mexican War, three days after the battle of Monterey, and two have later passed to the land beyond. The youngest son is residing in California, where he is a prominent merchant in Martinez.
John Cartley, of this sketeh, had poor advantages for obtaining an education, being only permitted to attend school a few months in the winter. Be- ing ambitious to learn, however, he made the best of his opportunities, and is to-day well-read and keeps thoroughly informed on current events. Mr. Cartley enlisted in 1847 in the Mexican War, but the company which he joined was not accepted, and on returning home from Cincinnati, he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed for eight years. In 1855, he took up his residence on the old homestead, which he operated, caring for his father until the death of the latter.
The lady who became the wife of our subjeet,
November 7, 1850, was Miss Sarah A., daughter of William and Mary (Houston) Flinn, the former of whom was born in Miami County, this State, in 1785. The mother of Mrs. Cartley was the daughter of Robert Houston, a native of Tennessee, and one of the first settlers in Loramie Township, in whose honor the village of Houston was named. William Flinn was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1854; his wife, who survived him until 1870, died in the faith of the Christian Church.
The wife of our subject is one in a family of eight children, only two of whom are living; her sister, Mrs. Andrew Cartley, resides in Sidney. Grandfather Flinn emigrated from Ireland in an early day, and located in Cincinnati, He was Captain of a company during the War of 1812, and died at Ft. Loramie. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cartley, we make the follow- ing mention; Harriet is deceased; Hndson is mar- ried and resides in Sidney, where he is Teller in the German-American Bank; Mary is deceased; Maggie F. married P. C. Zemer, who is Superin- tendent of the High School at Ansonia, Darke County, this State; Georgia is the wife of S. 1. Zemer, and also makes her home in Ansonia, where her husband is engaged in the milling and grain business; Edgar is deceased.
A Democrat in polities, during his younger years, our subject was active in local affairs, and has represented his party as delegate to county and congressional conventions. He served as Trustee of his township for several years, was Clerk for some time, and Justice of the Peace for a period of six years. In the fall of 1865, he was elected Commissioner of Shelby County and served for three years, during which time the land was purchased for the County Poor Farm. and the necessary buildings erected. The first free pike roads in the county were constructed during his incumbeney of that position and numerous iron bridges built. and the interest which he has taken in public affairs places him among the prominent men of the township, and indeed of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Cartley are members of the Pres- byterian Church, which denomination they joined in 1857. Our subject is one of the Trustees in that body, and has contributed liberally of his
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means toward the erection of the present neat church, known as Port Jefferson Presbyterian Church. Ile is the proprietor of eighty-five aeres of land on section 22, which is made remunerative by careful and intelligent eultivation, and has been supplied with all needful structures and many improvements, both useful and beautiful. lle has a neat frame residence on his farm, and the estate is drained with two thousand rods of tile.
During the late war, our subject operated a mo- lasses factory, manufacturing many gallons of eane molasses. During the fall of each year, he takes a trip to Northern Michigan and Wisconsin on a hunting expedition, of which he is very fond, and is considered by his fellow-sportsmen a good shot.
OSEPII S. HESTON. Auglaize County con- tains many fine farms, and among them perhaps none is more highly improved than the estate of Mr. ITeston, which is lo- cated on section 29, I'nion Township. The one hundred and sixty aeres are devoted to general farming and stock-raising, and with the excep- tion of forty-five aeres, the entire place is under excellent eultivation. Mr. Heston makes a speci- alty of fine horses, Durham cows and fancy poul- try, and is known as the owner of the fine trotting stallions, "Red Bird" and " Lolas," also "Faurot's Ilylas," "Doll" and "Luey."
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