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 57
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 57
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 57
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The father of our subjeet, Joshua Ileston. was born in Bucks County, Pa., and was for a time engaged as a butcher in Philadelphia, and later followed farming until his death in 1883. The mother of our subject, known in her maidenhood as Cornelia MeMasters, was a native of Phila- delphia, and died in 1871. leaving nine children. all of whom are now living. In her religious convictions. she was a Presbyterian. The father was a Quaker. and in his political affiliations was a Republican.
The second ehild in the parental family is our subject, who was born in Bueks County, Pa .. July
8. 1837. Ile grew to mature years in his native place, received his early education in the common schools of the district and the academy at Norris- town; from there he went to Greenwood Dell, Ches- ter County, Pa., and later was a student at the col- lege in Ft. Edwards. N. Y. Afterward, he took a course in the commercial college of Samuel Crit- tenden, at Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in 1860.
Angust 8, 1861. Mr. Ileston became a member of Company F, Fourth New Jersey Infantry, enlist- ing as a private at Trenton and joining his regi- mentat Arlington Heights. The winter of 1861-62 was passed at Run Point, after which the regi- ment marched to Yorktown, under Gen. MeClel- lan, afterward went to Fair Oaks, and thence returned to Harrison's Landing. Mr. Heston par- tieipated in the Peninsular Campaign, and while under Gen. Burnside at Fredericksburg gained his first active experience of the horrors of war under the enemy's fire. Ile was a member of the Army of the Potomac and served under Gen. Joseph Ilooker.
At the expiration of his term. Mr. Ileston re- enlisted in his country's service and took part in the following engagements: Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Yorktown, Savage Station, llarper's Ferry, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. December 13, 1862, he was wounded in the foot and limb; again, May 4, 1864, in the battle of the Wilderness, a ball struek him behind his right ear and passed down- ward through his neck. Later, he was taken pris- oner at Spottsylvania, while still bleeding from his wound, and was taken to Danville. marching on foot all day. During the march, he took a piece of chicken from the table of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Arriving at Danville. Mr. Heston was kept in a cattle pen for several days, whenee he was sent to Andersonville, and later to Macon. where he re- mained in a stockade. For a month he was kept at Savannah, then went to Charleston, and was afterward removed to Goldsboro, N. C., and upon his release from that place went to Annapolis, Md .. and from there to his home. His sufferings had been terrible and his health was undermined
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by exposure and harsh treatment. Ilis pluek, how- ever, induced him to rejoin his regiment, with which he remained until his discharge, taking part meanwhile in the Grand Review at Washington. Hle enlisted as a private soldier and afterward served as Commissary Sergeant; was appointed Second Lieutenant October 22, 1862; First Lieu- tenant of Company F, May 14, 1863; Captain of Company F, June 4, 1865, and was mustered out in that capacity July 9, 1865, at Hall's Hill, Va.
After a short visit at home, Mr. Heston proceeded to the Argentine Confederation, South America, where he purchased one thousand head of sheep and remained one and one-half years, engaged in the sheep business. While there, he had a narrow escape from death, his horse running off with him and dragging him by the lariat, inflicting a pain- ful wound. In 1867, he returned to the United States, and in June of that year came to Ohio, settling upon the farm of R. L. G. Means, in Union Township, which he leased.
February 6, 1868, Mr. Ileston was married to Mrs. Annie E. Allen. Her former husband, James Whiting Allen, was a private in Company B, Forty-fifth Ohio Mounted Infantry, and died in Andersonville Prison in May, 1864, leaving to mourn his loss a wife and one child, Martha HI. Mrs. Heston was born October 16, 1842, in Ben- ton County, Mo., and is a lady of many virtues and rare intelligence. She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a kind friend and generous neighbor. Since they settled on their present farm, in December, 1873, they have gained a warm place in the confidence of their fellow-citizens, and are universally respected. Their tastes are refined, and they found mueh to interest them while attending the Centennial at l'hiladelphia.
The father of Mrs. Heston, Samuel Pippin, died when she was four weeks old, and her mother, Minerva (Lusk) Pippin, died when she was six months old. She was an infant when brought to Ohio by William Lusk. now a resident of St. John's, with whom she remained until eight years of age. She then spent one winter with James H. Lusk, of Clay Township, and afterward made her home with her guardian until thirteen. From
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that age until her marriage to James W. Allen, in 1860, she resided with the family of Joseph Harden. Early orphaned, she had few advantages in her girl- hood, and her education was mainly self-acquired. Miss Allen, a young lady of unusual ability and many accomplishments, is a graduate of the High School of Wapakoneta in the Class of '78; also of the Lima High School in 1882, receiving the highest honors in mathematics. She taught her first term of school in 1876, when only fourteen years old; in 1884, she was Second Assistant Iligh School teacher at Lima, and was engaged for four years as a teacher in that eity.
SIEVERDING. So many are the German- American citizens throughout our States, that it has been found necessary to estab- lish political and literary organs that appeal di- rectly to them, being written in their own lan- guage. Our subject is the editor and proprietor of one of these German papers, which is widely known throughout the county as the Shelby County Auzeiger, and was established in August, 1891. Although so young in years, it is very pre- cocious in growth, and already has a large and growing cireulation in Shelby County, and, in- deed, in adjoining counties. It is an eight-page weekly, and besides containing an excellently re- produced digest of the news of the week, its edi- torials are to the point and noticeable for their frank candor in dealing with the subjects handled.
Mr. Sieverding was born in the northern part of Germany, July 30, 1848. He received his educa- tion in his native land, having been trained for the work of a teacher in the seminary at Vechta. He eame to America in 1871 and first located at Lou- isville, Ky., in which eity he was engaged as a teacher in the parochial and St. Boniface Sehools for four years. Subsequently, he held a position in the parochial schools at Dayton. Ohio. To these labors he united the editorship of the German paper of Dayton, a sheet which was known as the Volks
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Hours fowl
Truly Frank Herkenhoff
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Zeitung. On severing his connection with this paper he was engaged as a book-keeper for Peter Lenz, remaining with him for one year. He then came to New Bremen and was engaged as a teacher of both German and English in the public schools for a period of four years. After editing the German paper in Salina, The Mercer County Bote, for four months, he assumed the editorship of the Lima Courier, remaming with that for live weeks.
Mr. Sieverding was first engaged as a teaelier on coming to this county, being employed in the pub- lic schools at Rhine, where he remained for six years. He then established the paper to which he now gives his attention. Since he has assumed the proprietorship, its subscription list has increased to eight hundred and fifty, and in addition to this, he has worked up a good advertising business.
Our subject married Miss Mary Reineke, of Rhine, in 1885. Their fonr children are as fol- lows: Matilda, Frances, Amanda and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Sieverding are both members of the Church of the Holy Angels (Catholie), of this eity.
RANK HERKENHOFF. The richest heri- tage of American youth is the example of their country's brain and brawn wrought into lives of noble character, splendid fealty and tireless industry. The annals of such a life are briefly told by one who has known him long and well. Frank Herkenhoff, of Minster, whose portrait is noticed on the opposite page. was born in this village on the 15th of December, 1838, and in- herits all the enterprise and push of his Tentonic ancestors.
The father of our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, and in his youth learned the trade of a baker, which he followed after reaching man's es- tate. In 1832. he decided to emigrate to America. and with his family crossed the ocean during that year. He settled in this section in Auglaize County, and intended to follow his trade here, but
died before his business was started. The mother afterward married again, and died in 1892, when eighty years of age. By the first union she became the mother of two children, both sons, our subject being the only one now living. Six children were born to the second union, three of whom are now living.
The educational advantages of onr subject were limited to a few months in the common schools each year, and when eighteen years of age lie began learning the trade of a cooper in Minster. After continuing this one year, he went to Cincinnati, worked there for six months, and then returned to Minster, where he clerked for two years. Subse- quently, he spent a short time at Tippecanoe City, and then again went to Cincinnati, where he re- mained until the spring of 1861. From there he came to Minster, where he managed a cooper-shop for his stepfather until 1864, when he purchased the shop. In 1865, he bought machinery (hay- ing, previous to that time, made barrels by hand), and conducted an extensive business until the fall of 1890, when he sold out. About the same time, he purchased an interest in the Minster Star Brewing Company. He is now stockholder, Director and President of the Citizens' Bank of Minster, and is one of the most substantial and wealthy men of the place, every enterprise he has ever undertaken having prospered under his supe- rior management. Ile is also the owner of con- siderable town property, and has aided in various ways the progress of Minster. During the twenty- nine years he was in the cooperage business, he gave employment to many hands and had a steady contraet to furnish Armour & Co .. of Chicago, with barrels.
In the year 1864, Mary Gausepohl. a native of Minster, Ohio, became the wife of Mr. Herkenhoff. Her parents were originally from Germany and were among the early settlers of Auglaize County, but are now deceased. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herkenhoff, namely: Charles. now in the grocery business in Minster and a wide-awake young business man; Josephine, wife of Dr. C. L. Dine (see sketch ); Carrie, wife of Fred Kramer, a hardware merchant of Minster; Tony and Dilla, at home; Frances. Alice and Anna (de-
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ceased). The political affiliations of our subject are with the Democratic party, and, although he has never sought an office of any kind, he has been ealled upon to fill various positions of trust. He has served as Township Trustee for six years, was a member of the Couneil two terms, and did effi- cient work on the School Board for twelve years. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. They give a hearty, cheerful, helping hand to all religious, educational and benevolent efforts and enterprises in the community, and are classed among the prominent citizens.
AMPSON R. HUBBELL. A history of any community, large or small, is made up to a greater or less extent of the lives of its citizens, and it is apparent to any intelligent observer that the history of Logan County is only such as has been made by those who have been identified with its development from an early period. Among that class of pioneers we cannot fail to mention Samp- son R. Hubbell, who is now one of the prominent farmers of his seetion.
So far as known, the grandfather of our sub- ject, on the paternal side, was a native of Eng- land, and came to America with two brothers at a period antedating the Revolutionary War. He settled in New Jersey, another brother located in New York, and the other came West. All three were soldiers in the Revolution. Grandfather Hubbell followed the occupation of a farmer in New Jersey for some time, but subsequently moved to Cincinnati, where he had some idea of locating. Instead, however, he went to Lexing- ton, Ky., and after a residence there of one year settled near Springfield. Ohio, where his death oceurred about the year 1800.
The father of our subjeet, Sampson Hubbell, Sr., was born on the 15th of January, 1785, and was about sixteen years of age when he eame West with his parents. He remembers that they
were offered one bloek in the city of Springfield if they would huild and locate there. He was educated in the rude log schoolhouse of pioneer days and at the fireside at home during the long winter evenings. Ile was a man possessed of much nat- ural ability and was well posted on all important subjects. Ile followed the trade of a batter dur- ing his entire life, but also carried on farming in a small way. Ile owned a little farm near Spring- field, spent his entire life there, was very indus- trious and a good manager, and accumulated about 817,000 worth of property, but lost it by going security for another party. He was a member of the Christian Church and took an interest in all re- ligions enterprises, as well as other enterprises of a worthy nature. He was a worker for the college at Yellow Springs, Ohio, and took stock in it when it was first built. In politics, he was an old-line Whig, and held a number of local offices, such as Assessor, etc.
Mr. Ilubbell married Miss Mary Rosencrantz, a native of New Jersey, born October 15, 1791, and of German descent. She came with her parents to Ohio at an early period, prior to the year 1800, and here resided until her death. She was re- lated to Gen. Rosencrantz. Six of the nine chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell grew to mature years. viz: Richard. Rachel, John, Mary, Eliza and Sampson. The father of these children passed away in March, 1852, on his small farm, and the mother received her final summons on the 18th of October, 1864. She was an active member of the Christian Church, was very decided in her views and opinions and very energetic. She experi- enced many hardships during pioneer days and spun and wove clothing for the family, which was no small task in those days.
The original of this notice was reared in the city of Springfield, near which city his birth oc- eurred on the 7th of April, 1830, and here he re- ceived a good practical education. He learned the baker's and confectioner's trade, and worked at it three years in Springfield, and then spent a number of years in traveling and working at the trade in Ohio and Kentucky. After his marriage in Springfield, he started a bakery and confectionery store there, and carried this on
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until the year 1861, when he moved to Logan County, Ohio, and bought his present property. At that time there was but a log cabin on this farm and only a few acres cleared, but since then Mr. Hubbell has cleared it and made many im- provements. One year after moving onto his farm, Mr. Hubbell and his family returned to Springfield, but after residing there nearly three years. returned to the farm in Logan County, and here made a permanent settlement.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Emily Gridley, a native of Green Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, born November 22, 1838, was sol- emnized on the 21st of April, 1857. Her parents, Chester P. and Elizabeth (Farroll) Gridley, were born in England, but came to the United States and resided in Covington. Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time. Later, they came to Spring- field, Ohio. The father was a carpenter and also worked a little at the tailor's trade. He is now living in Cleveland, but his wife died in her forty-third year. Our subject had born to his marriage nine children, eight of whom are living: George, a graduate of Antioch College, is now Superintendent of the Fairfield High School; Belle, now teaching in the Children's Home of Logan County, has been teaching for six years; Frank is a teacher of Clarke County. Ohio, and has commenced the scientific course in Antioch College; Mary E., who is now at home, has spent one year in Antioch College, and expects to complete her course and commence teach- ing; llarvey. on the farm at home; Louisa, in the High School at Fairfield; Alfred E. and Charles C. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell have spent much time and money in educating their chil- dren and can justly be proud of the result, for the family is well known throughout the community as one of unusual intelligence. Mrs. Hubbell is a lady possessed of more than the ordinary intel- lect and is cultured and refined.
Mr. Hubbell is the owner of about one hundred and thirty-nine acres of good, productive land, and he and his sons have cleared it all. Much hard work has been spent on this place, and he and his boys used to rise in the morning as early as three o'clock and burn brush, roll logs,
or plow corn until school time, when the boys were started off. After school, they began where they left off, and would not leave work until nine o'clock at night. Aside from general farm- ing, Mr. Hubbell is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, and annually sells many cattle. He and his wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all take an ac- tive interest in its workings. Our subject has re- mained more or less independent in political views and has voted all tickets. He is, however, a Prohibitionist in principle.
OHIN N. MILLER. No worthy reference to the agricultural affairs of the county would be complete without mentioning Mr. Miller, who, among others, is engaged in tilling the soil. Besides enjoying to an unlimited extent the confidence and respect of all who know him, he comes of an old and honored family. He has a fine farm, the southwest quarter of section 23. and a very comfortable and pleasant home. "
Mr. Miller was born one mile south of his pres- ent residence, in Ilarrison Township, Logan County, on the 26th of October, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Neer) Miller, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively, the father born in Clermont County on the 7th of October, 1804, and the mother in 1805. The grandfather, Stephen Miller, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Ger- man origin. Ile cultivated the soil in his native State for many years. but later moved to Ken- tucky, and from there to. Clermont, Ohio, where he lost his wife in 1813. Shortly afterward, he moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, improved .a fine farm there. and there his death took place in 1865, when eighty years of age.
The father of our subject, Jacob Miller, resided with his parents. in Montgomery County, until of age, and in 1828 was married to Miss Catharine Neer, who had come with her parents from Vir- ginia to Ohio in 1817. To their marriage were
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born seven children, live of whom grew to mature years, as follows: Annie (Mrs. Neer), Stephen, John N., Samuel, and Noah. The two deceased were Mary and Daniel. In 1834, Mr. Miller moved to Logan County, Ohio, and purchased a farm on sec- tions 27 and 28, of Harrison Township, all in the woods. Ile erected a log cabin on this, and began clearing and developing a fine farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres. A poor man when he started out for himself, by industry and persever- ance he was quite a wealthy man at the time of his death, which occurred on the Ist of January, 1885. In early life he joined the German Bap- tist Church, and continued a member until the opening of the war, when his church adopted a rule preventing members from voting or taking up arms. This was contrary to Mr. Miller's belief, and he refused to abide by it, for which his name was removed from the church roll. After the war, the church discarded the rule against voting but, as he did not confess his fault, his name was never replaced. Ile continued an carnest Christian all his life, and was honorable and upright in all trans- actions. Ifis wife died on the 16th of June, 1872, when sixty-six years, nine months and twenty-one days old. She was a very worthy and exemplary member of the church, and was beloved by all for her many excellent qualities. She was a descend- ant of German ancestors.
John N. Miller attended the log schoolhouse at home until sixteen years of age. and then for five years received his scholastic training in a frame house, working during the summer and attending school during the winter months. The log school- house was furnished with all the rude furniture of those days, and on the slab benches then in vogue young Miller studied " readin', 'ritin', and 'rith- metic." When twenty-one years of age, our sub- jeet started out to fight his own way in life, and began working by the month for his father, with whom he continued for two years. During this time he split rails, chopped wood, etc .. and later, farmed on shares. On the 3d of April, 1862. he wedded Miss Catherine Brenner, a native of Harri- son Township. Logan County, Ohio, born February 25, 1842, and the daughter of Christopher and Anna (Shenk) Brenner, natives of Pennsylvania.
The parents came to this county in a wagon in 1835, and, after developing a small farm, died here. Both father and mother were members of the Ger- man Baptist Church.
Eight children have been born to our subject and wife, and are as follows: Mollie E., mar- ried John L. Shawver, a farmer of this town- ship and a school teacher; Ethie S., married Will- iam L. Parish, a farmer of this township; Elmer J., now with an uncle in Pennsylvania; Anna S., Frank B., Mark L., Earl, and Carrie, at home. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Miller located on the home farm, remained there for some time, and then, in 1866, bought his present property. Ile first purchased seventy-eight acres of land, but now has one hundred and twenty-eight acres, nearly all of which are improved. He is engaged in general farming, and has a neat honse, which he has remodeled and built over until it is very convenient and comfortable. All his ontbuild- ings are substantial and ornamental. A Republi- can in his political views, Mr. Miller is now serv- ing his seventh year as Township Trustee. IIe is a devout member of the German Baptist Church.
ERRY HARROD. Of the many representa- tive citizens of Auglaize County. Ohio, now prominent in their different callings, none have been more successful, or dis- played better judgment and good sound sense in the management of their affairs, than this substantial and progressive agriculturist, Perry Harrod. IIe is one of the pioneers of Ohio, and comes of a fam- ily of pioneers, for his parents, Jacob and Mary (Biggs) Harrod, were natives of Knox County, this State, and his grandparents on both sides were early settlers of the Buckeye State.
Our subject's parents were married in their na- tive State in 1821, and shortly afterward settled on a wild and unimproved farm in their native county. There they went to work with much en-
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ergy and perseverance to clear the land and to found a comfortable and pleasant home. Hard work and good management triumphed. and their latter days were passed in comparative ease. They began housekeeping in a rude log cabin, but this gave place in time to a good substantial building, and other improvements in keeping with the times were made. On this farm the parents died. Both were members of the Baptist Church, zealous work- ers in the same, and he was Deacon for years. In politics, the father upheld the platform of the Democratic party. Of the eight children born to them, six are now living as follows: Samuel, Perry, James, Jolin, Lydia and Levi, all of whom received good common-school educations.
The original of this notice was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1830, and with the other children of the family enjoyed the advantages of a good common-school education. In 1852, he left the parental roof, and came to Auglaize County, this State, where he settled upon an unimproved traet of land in the woods, entered by his father. This tract consisted of two hundred and forty acres, and not a single improvement had been made on this. Ile began at once to clear this, and soon had a comfortable log cabin erected. In 1835, he mar- ried Miss Louisa Ann Copeland, a native of Au- glaize County, Ohio, and the daughter of Abner Copeland, and to his pioneer home he brought his bride. Both were ambitious to have a good home, and they went to work with great earnestness to improve and beautify their place. Mr. Harrod cleared all this land. added sixty acres to it, and now has three hundred acres of well improved and finely cultivated land. In 1874, he erected a tasty and commodious frame dwelling, and soon after barns and other buildings made their appear- ance. Everything about the place indicates that a thrifty and practiced hand is at the helm.
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