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 58
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 58
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 58
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The fruits of their union are four interesting children, only three now living: Frank, Edie and Eflie. These children have had the advantages of the common schools, and are unusually bright and intelligent. The two eldest are married and are residing in Goshen Township. this county, near the old home. Mrs. Harrod is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. and M. Harrod, hke his
father, supports the principles of the Democratic party, with which he has been connected all his life. Ile and his wife are lughiy esteemed in the community, and are among the representative citi- zens.
E DWIN A. SWAN, M. D., stands in the front rank of the medical profession of Logan County, and the liberal patronage that is accorded him attests his skill and ability. He was born in Woodstock. Ontario, Canada, November 17, 1853, and is the son of Charles G. and Lucretia (Perry) Swan, the former of whom was also a na- tive of Canada. The mother was born in Canada and was a second cousin of Commodore Perry.
The original of this sketch was the youngest in a family of two sons and four daughters born to his parents. lle was reared to man's estate in his native town and received a thorough literary edu- cation. lle began the study of medicine when quite young, and, determining to make that his life vocation, was graduated from the l'niversity of Michigan in 1875. Locating for the practice of his profession at Ray, Ind., Dr. Swan remained there for one year, during which time he was mar- ried to Miss Kate C. Fulton. Then locating in Petersburg, Mich., our subject was a resident there for six years, and in 1882 came to Bellefontaine, where he has since been engaged in active practice. Ile makes a specialty of the electrical treatment of disease and has his office thoroughly equipped for giving electrie baths, etc. The appliances have been put in at considerable expense, Dr. Swan having a Law Battery, consisting of fifty cells, with which apparatus he has made many cures.
Dr. and Mrs. Swan have had born to them two sons, Guy and Lawrence. Mrs. Swan has quite a reputation as a vocalist and takes a prominent part in all the leading entertainments given in this city. With her husband, she is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. and moves in the best circles in this county. The Doctor. socially, is a member of the Logan County Medical Society,
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and is also connected with the Royal Areannm. As a loyal citizen should, he takes a fairly active part in politics, throwing the weight of his influ- ence in favor of the Republican party. IIe is a well-informed gentleman, irreproachable in his habits, frank, manly and straightforward in his character, and just, kindly and considerate in bis dealings and intercourse with others, and these traits place him high in the regard of his fellow- citizens.
AMES E. WAY, Prosecuting Attorney of Shelby County, has been prominently and variously identified with the interests of this section for many years, and his name will always be associated with its history as one who has contributed greatly to the extension of its wealth and its material prosperity. Our sub- ject is a native of this State, having been born in Union Township, Washington County, April 9, 1851, and is the son of Joshua and Lucinda (Bishop) Way. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Maryland in 1809, and came to Belmont County, this State, when a young man; the mother was a native of Marietta, this State.
The parents of our subjeet were married in Washington County, where they resided for a few years, and then moved to Monroe County, which is the present home of the father. Mrs. Way de- parted this life in 1881, greatly beloved by all who knew her. The original of this sketch received his early education in the schools of Monroe and Noble Counties, completing his studies at the Caldwell High School. Hle soon thereafter began reading law in Marietta, under the preceptorship of Oldham & Way, with whom he remained until admitted to the Bar of the District Court in 1875.
James E. Way located for the practice of his profession in Monroe County, where he was thus successfully engaged for a short time, and then, re- turning to Marietta, formed a partnership with his
brother W. G., the firm name being Way & Way. Our subject at the same time had a branch office in Beverly, which he conducted until 1881, the date of his coming to this county. Locating in Sidney, Mr. Way opened a law office, and prae- ticed law alone until his election as City Solieitor of Sidney in 1885. lle was re-elected to the same position the following term, which office he held until his resignation in the spring of 1888, in order to run for Prosecuting Attorney. IIe was elected to that responsible position in the fall of 1888, on the Democratic ticket, and, having per- formed all the duties of the position with credit to himself and acceptance to the people, was re- elected in 1891, and is still the incumbent of the office.
Mr. Way devotes a portion of his time to his private practice, and is interested in various en- terprises that are calculated to build up the city and county. In him is seen that rare and harmo- nious development of a well-balanced mind, acute intellect, and good sense. Accurate judgment in all business matters and sagacions foresight are traits of his character that have not only brought him success in his private pursuits but have made him peculiarly valuable as an official in the vari- ous high positions to which he has been called from time to time by his admiring and appreciat- ive fellow-citizens.
The lady to whom our subject was married, Feb- ruary 28, 1878, was Miss Mary E., daughter of Iddo and Mary (Smith) Hanson. To them has been granted a family of four children: Clara, Ethel. James Il., and George A. The grand- parents of our subject on his maternal side were among the earliest settlers of Marietta, this State. The grandfather, who bore the name of Nathaniel Bishop, hailed from New York State, and his wife who, prior to her marriage, was known as Eliza- beth Giles, was a native of Maine. The Giles fam- ily also came to this State at a very early period in its history, and were elassed among its well-to- do and highly respected citizens. The grand- mother died in Meigs County, this State, Decem- ber 31, 1891, having reached the advanced age of nearly ninety-five years. She could relate many a tale of pioneer life, and of how at the outset
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they were subjected to all the inconveniences and privations of pioneering in a new country. She retained a vivid recollection of the historical Blannerhassetts, as well as many other notable persons whose names illuminate the early history of Ohio.
The brothers and sisters of our subject were Charles B., a blacksmith by occupation, who faithfully served in the War of the Rebellion; George A., a practicing physician of Caldwell, was also in the war; William G., attorney-at-law, at Marietta, was formerly a member of the Legisla- lature from Washington County; Thomas A., en- gaged in farming in Monroe County; and Clara, the wife of James R. Harman, of Monroe County. The father of these chikiren is still living, and makes his home in Monroe County, this State, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Ile has held the various township offices within the gift of the people to bestow, and is one of the oldest residents and prominent citizens of his commu- nity.
Mr. Way of this sketch has always taken a very prominent part in politics, and has represented the Democratic party, of which he is a member, as delegate to the district and State conventions. In social matters, he is a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and has many warm and steadfast friends in that order. He is true in all things to the obligations imposed upon him as a man and a citizen, and his success in life is all due to his own efforts, and his prosperity is richly merited.
ACOB II. RITCHIE. Section 8. Dnebouquet Township. Anglaize County, is the location of the fine farm owned by our subject. lle is a son of Philip and Eve (Fulk) Ritchie, both natives of Virginia. The former was born in 1806, and all his life was spent as a farmer. Our subject's parents began their married life in Vir- ginia, and lived there until the time of their de-
cease, which occurred in 1890 and 1891, respec- tively. Both were of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock.
Of the fifteen children born to our subject's parents, thirteen still live. Ile of whom we write is the second in order of birth. His natal day was November 15, 1833, and his native county that of Rockingham. There he was reared to man- hood, and although early becoming wise in matters pertaining to agricultural life, had little oppor- tunity to acquire much of an education.
Mr. Ritchie came to Ohio in the spring of 1854, and was first employed by his uncle, Adam Ritchie, now deceased, but at that time a farmer in this township, In 1857, our subjeet took upon himself domestic obligations. Ile was married to Hannah Sprague, a sister of Mrs. George Romshe. The young people settled upon a farm of forty acres which he had purchased of his unele, and which forms a part of his pleasant place. The traet was at the time perfectly new. They built a cabin of logs and began the work of improving their pos- sessions.
In 1859, Mr. Ritchie. with his family, moved to Kansas. They remained there only a year, and on their return purchased twenty acres, sold it and subsequently repurchased the original forty acres. Thereafter they settled down to hard work, and days being too short to accomplish all that was to be done. they eneroached on both ends of the night. Worn out with the hard labor that she ambitiously endeavored to finish, Mrs. Ritchie passed away from this life in 1875. Of the four children born of that marriage two are still living. The elder, Philip I., married Sarah Meyers and lives in Plain Township, this county. They are the parents of four children. Charles W. married Lydia Bowsher, and lives in Allen County.
The original of our sketch married again in 1877, his second wife being Mary D. Swan, a na- tive of Philadelphia and a daughter of Nelson Swan, who now lives in Lima. Mrs. Ritchie was born in 1853. By this marriage there are four children, whose names are: Nelson B., Frank D., Eddie O. and Roy Il .. respectively.
The original of this sketch is the owner of one hundred and twelve acres of land. which is all im- proved, with the exception of twelve acres. Sixty
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acres of this he cleared himself. He gives his at- tention exclusively to farming. Ile, with the mem- bers of his family, are worshippers at the Christian Church. They are also enthusiastic Sunday-school workers. Mr. Ritchie has given his children good educational advantages, of which he is very appre- eiative. In polities, he is a Republican, and has served as Supervisor of his township. Beginning in life a poor man, his energy and ambition have constantly urged him forward, and by hard work he has secured for himself and family a comfortable home and means to keep it up.
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E ZRA BROWN, a successful and prominent farmer of Logan County, Ohio, was born in Jefferson Township, of this county, on the 30th of March, 1831, and now resides two and one-half miles southeast of Zanesfield, in this township. His father, Ira Brown, was also born in the Buckeye State, December 27, 1806, but the grandfather, Aaron Brown, was a native of North Carolina. The latter was twice married. the first time to Miss Mary Howard, who bore him three children, only one, Horton, living to mature years. ITis second marriage was to Miss Annie Stanton, and the fruits of this union were eleven children. The grandfather came to Ohio in 1802, and to Logan County in 1818, settling in Jefferson Township. This family was one of the first in the county, the grandfather having bought land one and one-half miles east of Zanes- field in 1814. This he improved and erected a brick house in the year 1823, the same still standing. Ile was a Quaker and active in church work. His death occurred in 1840.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Rebecca Rea; she was a native of Virginia, born January 2. 1809, and came with her parents to Ohio when a girl. She is still living and resides in Zanesfield. She has been twice married, first to our subject's father on the 28th of April, 1830,
with whom she located on the farm improved by our subject's grandfather, Aaron Brown. There Ira Brown died in 1834. Twelve years later, Mrs. Brown married Enoch M. Scott, a native of Ohio, born February 28, 1810, and afterward located with him in Rush Creek Township, Logan County, Ohio, where they remained twenty-five years. From there they removed to Jefferson Township, of this county, and there Mrs. Scott is residing in Zanesfield. On the 20th of July, 1880, Mr. Scott was injured by a runaway team, and died on the 22d of the same month. Two children were born to this union, only one of whom is now liv- ing, Mrs. Mary Ann Henry, of Jefferson Town- ship. To the first marriage of our subjeet's mo- ther were born two children, a son and a daughter: Elizabeth R., who was born December 14, 1832, and died October 10, 1840, and Ezra.
Our subject shortly after the death of his father went to live with his grandfather, Aaron Brown, and his primary education was received in a log schoolhouse. Ile remained with his grandparents until his marriage on the 17th of April, 1853, in Perry Township, Logan County, to Miss Ra- chel, dangliter of John and Sarah A. (Taylor) Ontland, and a native of that county and town- ship, born on the 9th of April, 1833. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Brown settled on the old Brown homestead, and Mr. Brown tilled the soil on this for two years. From there he moved to his father's place, one and one-half miles north- east of Zanesfield, and there he remained engaged in farm labor for four years. In 1858, he bought his present farm, there being but a little log honse on it at that time, began making improvements and now has one of the best farms in the county. He is wide-awake and thorough-going, and has many modern improvements on his place. He has a tasty and pleasant residence, ample barns, and good and substantial outbuildings of all kinds.
In politics, Mr. Brown advocates the principles of the Republican party, and has never voted in any other way. Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 424. I. O. O. F .. at Zanesfield. and in religion is a Methodist. Our subject's union was blessed by the birth of three children, a daughter and two
Do. Kochl
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sons: Charley F., born February 22, 1856, who died September 22, 1863; Frank S., born September 26, 1861, and died September 21, 1863; and Cora Emma, born October 31, 1864, the wife of A. T. Fawcett. The latter make their home with our subject and his wife.
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RANK KOEHIL, a pioneer merchant of St. Mary's, with whose growth he has been elosely identified ever since it was a small village, is one of the solid and wealthy men of Auglaize County, having various business and property interests within its precinets. He has been a valned member of the municipal govern- ment, having held responsible positions of trust almost from the time he took up his residence here, nearly forty years ago.
Mr. Koehil was born January 30, 1830, in the province of Alsace, Germany. His father, Peter Koehl, a farmer and also a musician of some local note, was born in the same place as himself in the year 1800, and died in 1868. llis first wife, mother of our subject, whose name was Mary Rid- ing, died in 1838, leaving eight children. The father was again married, but had no more chil- dren.
Our subject's education was conducted in the excellent public schools of his native land, which he attended until he was fourteen years old. Ile then learned the shoe-making trade, and worked at it until he was seventeen years old. At that age, ambitious to see more of life and to better his for- tunes. he embarked for America in the month of February, 1847, sailing from Havre on a vessel bound for New Orleans, at which city he arrived after a voyage of fifty-four days. From the Cres- cent City, he came up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers on a boat to Cineinnati, and worked at his trade there until 1851. In the fall of that year. he came to St. Mary's, and was employed at his calling two years at this place, which was then but a hamlet.
In 1853, Mr. Koehl established himself in the grocery business on a small seale in a little frame building on Main Street, and from that insignifi- cant beginning has built up his present large and flourishing trade. In 1855, so rapidly did his business increase, he was obliged to erect a large frame store on an adjoining lot, and occupied that four years. In those days, his custom extended far into the country, people coming even from over the line in Indiana, and from as far away as Lima, to purchase goods of him. In 1859, he built his present substantial two-story brick block on the corner of Main and Spring Streets. He has had his headquarters here thirty-three years, and has a well fitted up establishment, stocked with everything to be found in a complete grocery and provision store. In 1880, he began doing a whole- sale business in handling the famous beer of the Windisch-Muhlhauser Brewing Co., and he also erected ice-houses for the storage of ice, which he sells at wholesale. He is a stockholder in the Elm- Peales Oil Co., which has six valuable oil wells near Portland, Ind., already put down, and all good producers, and he has interests in the oil fields here, besides being one of the Natural Gas Trustees for the City of St. Mary's. He has invested money judiciously in real estate, and has consider- able property in that line.
Our subject was married. in 1851, to Miss Cather- ine Smith, a native of Bavaria. Germany, who came to this country with her parents when a child. She died in 1862, leaving four children: Frank. Emma, Louis, and Kate. Mr. Koehl was again married in 1863, his wife being Miss Louisa Schroe- der, and to them have been born five children, Maggie, George (deceased), Carl, Pearlasky; and Louise (deceased).
The citizenship of our subject has been of great value to the city of his adoption, as he has used his influence among his fellow-citizens to further its interests, and has- borne a conspicuous part in its public life. He was Mayor of St. Mary's two years, a member of the City Council six years, and was City Treasurer eight years, also holding that office for the township several years, besides being Township Trustee for a long time. He has been an active factor in polities. being a firm adherent
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of the Democratie party, and has attended numer- ous county and State conventions. He was appointed County Treasurer of Anglaize County by the County Commissioners in 1882, but declined to serve. Socially, he has been a Mason since 1855. He contributes liberally to religious and charitable objects, giving generously to the sup- port of the Lutheran Church, of which his esti- mable wife is a member.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Koehl is shown on another page.
h ENRY COOK. the popular Postmaster at New Knoxville, whose first term of service in that office dates back many years, also one of the substantial business men of the village, and proprietor of a general store, is a son of one of the earliest of the pioneers to brave the hardships of frontier life to found a home in Au- glaize County. This county is also the birthplace of our subjeet, who was born at New Bremen August 6, 1835.
William Cook, the father of our subject, was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1810. He became a carpenter in his youth, and after marriage he sailed for America with his bride, to build up a home in this country, where he deemed he conld better his fortunes. He landed at Baltimore, and came directly to Ohio, making his way hither on foot in company with a colony. Hle and his fel- low-travelers sought work in Cincinnati, and not being successful, continued Northward along the route of the Miami & Erie Canal that had just been surveyed. They finally arrived at New Bremen, and from there went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., before employment was found. Six months later, Mr. Cook returned to the site of New Bremen, and was one of the first to locate there. Ile worked on the locks and did other work about the eanal until it was completed. About that time he re- moved to Washington Township, and settled on land that he purchased of his father-in-law, who
had just come over from Germany. That land was bought of the Government at $1.25 an acre and was in the midst of a country that was all new. Deer were so plentiful that they frequently came into the yard, and sometimes were shot from an open window. Wolves were abundant, and many a night the slumbers of the tired pioneers were dis- turbed by their howls. Indians were frequent passers, and there were remnants of the old tribes still left here in those early days. Mr. Cook re- deemed his land from the wilderness, and in due time the worthy pioneer rounded out a goodly life of seventy years by a peaceful death. Ile was a sincere Christian, who elung to the faith of his fathers, and was one of the organizers of the Luth- eran Reformed Society in this part of the county. Elizabeth Flederjohn was the maiden name of his first wife, who died in 1850, leaving five children, of whom our subject is the eldest, and three of them are living. The father married Elizabeth Burnsman for his second wife, by whom he had eight children, of whom five are living.
Henry Cook did not have very good school ad- vantages in his younger days, as the schools, which were taught on the subscription plan, were only open one or two months a year. They were held in rnde log buildings, and had furniture of the roughest description, slabs serving as seats, and a board placed against the wall was the only desk for the seltolars to write upon. Our subject helped his father clear his farm until he was fifteen years old, and then began to learn the trade of a car- penter. He worked with his father, who was a skilled mechanic, and was the only carpenter in the locality at that time. His father used to take contraets, and after our subject had thoroughly mastered the trade, he did the work. He con- tinued thus engaged for fifteen years, and he put up a number of buildings in this vicinity, which are still standing.
When he abandoned carpentering, Mr. Cook en- tered the mercantile business with his father-in- law, Henry Fennemane, at New Knoxville. After Mr. Fennemane's death, in 1882, Mr. Cook took entire control of the business, and has been carry- ing it on by himself ever since. He has a general store, in which may be found dry goods of every
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description, beside groceries, boots and shoes, and everything that is usually sold in such a store. Ile has a neat, well-arranged establishment, and commands a large custom. Beside this valuable property, he has a quarter-section of land in Wash- ington Township and eighty acres in Van Buren Township, Shelby County, and his real estate yields him a good income. Ile was appointed to the Postmastership of this village shortly after Abra- ham Lincoln was elected to the Presidency, and he has held that office ever since, excepting when Cleveland was in the Presidential chair, and dis- charges the duties ineumbent upon him in a man- ner entirely satisfactory to all concerned. He is a good Republican in polities. Ile has held respon- sible publie oflices, and was Treasurer of Wash- ington Township eight years. Both he and his wife are among the most valued members of the Lutheran Reformed Church, and they stand high in the estimation of the entire community.
Mr. Cook was married in 1860 to Miss Eliza- beth Fennemane, who is of German birth but has passed the most of hier life in this country, whither she came with her parents when eighteen months old. Iler father located on a farm just north of Knoxville, cleared and improved his land, and he also engaged in keeping store with our subject seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have three ehil- dren living: Sarah, Benjamin and Elizabeth. Their two eldest died.
ILLIAM RABE. In few branches of trade has the march of progress wrought such a veritable revolution as in the hardware business. What with invention. improvement and the development of skill, something elosely akin to perfection has been reached in this department of industrial activity. A popular and prosperous establishment in this Ime in New Bremen is that of William Rabe, who has been most fortunate in es- tablishing and maintaining a high reputation.
Like many of the best citizens of the county, he is a native of Prussia, born on the 6th of Decem- ber, 1828, and the second of seven children. five of whom are living, born to John and Eliza (Wilder- brant) Rabe, natives also of Prussia, the father born in 1804. John Rabe came with his family to America in 1847 and settled on a farm in Mereer County, when he began clearing his land of the shrubs and trees with which it was covered. Ile bought eighty aeres, ereeted a log cabin, and there began his career as a pioneer. His death occurred in 1890, when eighty-six years of age. While in his native land he had served three years in the P'russian army. He was an upright, honorable gen- tleman and was well respected by all who knew him. Ile was a member of the Lutheran Church as was also his wife, who died when sixty-four . years of age.
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