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 68
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 68
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 68
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The original of this notice passed his boyhood and youth on the farm, received his education in the district and select schools, and at an early age evinced a strong desire and liking for tools. When twenty years of age, he began for himself by learning the carpenter's trade, and this he fol- lowed for six years, together with some farm labor, beginning in the meantime, however, his stud- ies for the ministry by borrowing and reading books on theology from the libraries of neighbor- ing ministers. He continued working at his trade, studying and preaching some locally for six years, when he came to Ohio and joined the Central Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, accepting an appointment at Versailles, Darke County, Ohio, where lie labored earnestly for three years, the limit then allowed a minister to remain on one charge. After this, he preached for two years at Elida, Allen County, Ohio; then three years at Zanesfield, Logan County, Ohio; three years at Huntsville, this county; three years at Na- poleon. llenry County, Ohio; three years at West Liberty, this county; and then five years on the Bellefontaine Circuit, the General Conference hav- ing changed the limit from three to five years and one and one-half years. On the 1st of April, 1891, he was appointed Superintendent of the Logan County Children's Home, to succeed Joseph R. Smith. In order to effectively retain him in Conference, he was appointed Chaplain of the Children's Ilome by the Bishop. There are about fifty-three children in the llome at present, thirty- eight of whom are from this county, thirteen from Champaign, and several from other counties.
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Those from outside of Logan County are boarded and their expenses paid by the counties to which they belong. Mr. Farnsworth takes a great inter- est in the children, and his heart is fully in the work. Ile works with them on the farm and teaches them mechanical work, so far as the limited appliances will admit. His wife is also very much interested in the welfare of the children, and spares no effort to make it a happy home for them. They have a hired teacher, with forty-four weeks of school caeli year.
Onr subject was married on the 5th of Septem- ber, 1854, to Miss Laura J. Smith, a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada, born on the 15th of May, 1834, and their nuptials were celebrated in Vermont. Three children were born to this union: Ernest died when not quite four years old; Mabel J., now Mrs. William Miller, of Monroe Township, this county, and Abbie M., now Mrs. Charles As- pinwall, of West Liberty, this county. Mrs. Farnsworth has been of great help to her lins- band, and has always earnestly labored with him in his church work, and particularly in revival meetings and the Sunday-schools. During thirty years of preaching, Mr. Farnsworth has always, with one exception, held from four to twelve weeks' protracted meetings. Ile is a natural revi- valist In polities. he is a Republican, and socially a member of the Knights of Pythias at Bellefon- taine.
R OBERT D. LAMB holds the position of Sec- retary of the Bellefontaine Carriage Body Company, which is one of the most exten- sive interests of its kind in this State. Mr. Lamb is a native of this eity, having been born January 14, 1868, and is a son of Capt. Robert Lamb, who is President of the People's Bank.
The original of this sketch received his education in this eity and when quite young went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed for some time in a large wholesale novelty house. Ile was also en-
gaged with the Champion Iron Company at Ken- ton, this State, for one year, and in April, 1889, became Secretary of the Body Company, which position he has since filled with credit to himself and with satisfaction to all those concerned. Ile is a stockholder in the company and a young man of indispntable ability and good business habits and is alike popular in social and financial cireles. He has had wide experience for one of his age, having traveled all over the United States, as well as Mexico and Canada.
The lady to whom Mr. Lamb was married Decem- ber 31,1890, was Miss Edna Pratt, a highly educated and euftured lady. Robert Lamb, the father of our subject and President of the People's Bank of this city, is also a native of this place, his birth oc- curring July 12, 1834. Ile is the son of John H. and Naney (Buvall) Lamb, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subjeet was born in 1806, and is now living retired fiom active business as a blacksmith. Both the maternal and paternal grandfathers of our subject were soldiers in the War of 1812 and were early settlers in this State.
The father of our subject was reared near this city and received a good education in the public schools. He learned the blacksmith's trade from his father, at which occupation he was employed until sixteen years of age, when he engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store, remaining thus engaged until 1854. On that date, Mr. Lamb organized the present bank, known as the People's Bank and con- trolled by himself and Messrs. Riddle and Rutan. In 1880, it was made the People's National Bank, with Abner Riddle President, and Mr. Lamb Cashier, which position he held until 1889, when he succeeded Mr. Riddle as President. The bank has a capital of $100,000, with a surplus of abont $50,000, and is one of the oldest banking institu- tions in this part of the State.
The elder Mr. Lamb enlisted on the ontbreak of the Civil War asa volunteer in Company F, Eighty- eiglith Ohio Infantry and reported for duty in the fall of 1861. Ile was soon, however, detached from the regiment and placed on staff duty, and while serving in that position was promoted to be Captain. Previous to this time, however, he had
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charge over the prisoners in this State and was mustered out in 1865. Socially, he is a member of the Masonie fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the National Union.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Miss Mary Sherman, her marriage taking place in 1867. By her union with Mr. Lamb she became the mother of two children, R. Delman of this sketch and John D. Ile of whom we write is a member of the Royal Areanum and Knights of Pythias. In religious affairs, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is classed among the influential and wealthy citizens of this place and has lost no opportunity in contributing to the general welfare of the community who hold him in such high esteem.
LBERT C. BUSS. Among the newspaper men of Auglaize County, Ohio, who have done much to advance the interests of this section, we are pleased to mention the name which we have just given above. This gentleman is the editor of the New Bremen Sun, one of the brightest, newsiest sheets published in the county. The Sun supports the principles of the Republican party with marked ability, and its erisp and interesting editorials command an ever- widening eirenlation.
Born in New Bremen, Ohio, on the 28th of May. 1866, Mr. Buss inherits the perseverance, honesty and industry of his German ancestors, and also the sterling qualities of that nationality that fit them for almost any occupation in life. Mr. Buss' father, William Buss, was born in Prussia, May 26, 1825, and came to America in 1848. Ile first settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for some time, and subse- quently came to Auglaize County, and located in New Bremen, where he engaged in the tinware business. Ile became thoroughly identified with the business interests of the town, and was very successful in all his enterprises. Ile finally re-
retired from the active duties of life, and is now a resident and mneli-esteemed citizen of New Bre- men. In his religions views he is an active mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and a liberal con- tributor to all movements for its advancement. He owns considerable property in New Bremen, and has improved his time so well that now, when getting along in years, he can enjoy the comforts brought about by his industry. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Maurer, was born in Bavaria, February 17, 1832, and was brought to America by her parents when one year old. They died soon after and she was reared by friends. She also holds membership in the Lutheran Church.
Albert C. Buss, the seventh of nine children born to the above-mentioned couple, graduated at the New Bremen High School in 1883, where he laid the foundation upon which he builded later at the Ohio State University, where he took a elassi- eal course. Hle taught in the New Bremen Public Schools for two years. On the 1st of January, 1888, he purchased the office of the New Bremen Sun, and has since published and edited the paper. The Sun was established on the 6th of September, 1886, by C. M. Smith, from whom our subjeet pur- chased the paper. He has improved it in every way, and this six-column quarto is one of the most popular papers of the county. In connection with his printing business, Mr. Buss is also engaged in manufacturing rubber stamps. Ile is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and is very popu- lar with all. Ile is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Eneampment.
RANK WALKUP is the editor of the Dollar Sentinel, published at St. Mary's, a well- condueted, eight-column folio, bright and newsy, with seasonable and sensible editorials on current topics, and a useful organ of the Demo- cratie party. Ile is a native of Wapakoneta, horn December 16, 1851, and is a son of the
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Hon. John Walkup, who was for several years prior to his decease one of the leading citizens of Auglaize County. Ilis father came from Virginia to Ohio in the early days of its settlement and became a pioneer of Miami County.
The. llon Jolin Walkup was a man of marked force of character, and of much native ability, which brought him to the front in his profession as an attorney, and made him a conspicuous figure in public life. He represented Auglaize County in the Legislature in 1854. Ilis course was emi- nently patriotic throughout the war, in which he served eight months as Colonel of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was discharged on account of sickness. Ile practiced law for several years at Wapakoneta, and died in that eity, March 12, 1877. llis wife, Margaret Lytle, a native of Stark County, died in 1889. They had eight children, of whom four are living.
Our subject is the youngest of the family living. The public schools of his native city afforded him a sound education, which formed the basis of his success as an editor. He began to prepare himself for his profession at the age of eighteen years, by entering the office of the Courant, at Wapakoneta. In 1874, he came to St. Mary's with his brother, who established the Courant at this point in that ycar. In August, 1879, after an absence of some time from the city, our subject returned and pur- chased a half-interest in the St. Mary's Argus, which he sold in 1880.
December 15, 1882, hic and his brother John issued the first copy of the Dollar Sentinel at St. Mary's. which immediately sprang into popu- Iarity, that has continued to this day, and it has a large and healthy subscription list. Mr. Walkup's brother withdrew from the paper after about eighteen months' connection with it, and our subject has continued sole proprietor. Ile pub- lishes it in the interests of the Democratic party, of which he has been an ardent advocate since 1876, doing valiant service for the Democracy, both with voice and pen. Ile is a young man of exemplary habits, who conducts himself uprightly and honorably in all the affairs of life.
Mr. Walkup was married in 1878 to Miss Alice
Richardson, a native of Auglaize County, who is a true home-maker, and makes their dwelling cozy and attractive alike to its inmates and to all who come beneath its roof by her gracious presence and pleasant ways. Three children complete the happy home circle: Maud, John and Willie. Mrs. Walkup is the daugliter of the Rev. D. L. Richard- son, a native of Pennsylvania, her mother coming from Virginia. He was a well-known minister in the Christian Church, and departed this life March 15, 1891.
ON W. RANDALL, who occupies the position of Principal of the Second Ward schools at Wapakoneta, was born Septem- ber 1, 1854, in Urbana, Champaign County, this State. He is the son of Sylvanus and Lydia J. (Gray) Randall, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. The elder Mr. Randall located in the above-named county in an early day, where he followed his trade of plasterer. His genial nature as well as his unusal liberality made numerous friends for him in the community. Hle departed this life in Dayton in 1876 and his good wife, who still survives, is at present residing in Wapakoneta.
Our subject is the only surviving member in the parental family of three children. He was reared in his native county until reaching his eighteenth year, in the meantime prosecuting his studies in the common schools. In 1873, he removed hither, and, locating in Waynesfield, there carried on for a time his trade of a plasterer, which he had learned from his father. From what follows it is obvious. that Mr. Randall must have fully availed himself of all privileges of instruction to which he found access, and a distinguishing characteristic of his is the possession of quiekness of mind and talent. Hle took a year's course in Ada (Ohio) College in 1873, and in 1879 began teaching school, which vocation he has since followed with signal success.
In the fall of 1887, Mr. Randall came to this city, having been prevailed upon to accept the
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principalship of the East Building. When he took charge of the work here, there were but three teachers employed in this school, the building con- taining but four rooms. Now, however, it num- bers eight rooms and gives employment to seven teachers, and the class books show a large attend- ance.
In 1879, Miss Henrietta Bennett, who was born November 25, 1861, became the wife of Mr. Rand- all and to them have been born two danghters: Vaud and Caddie. With his wife, he is a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to whose support he is a cheerful and liberal contri- butor. Socially, he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Randall has patented an invention, of which he is the author, and which he uses to good advan- tage in his astronomy class, it being constructed so as to show in its revolutions the distance from sun to earth, etc. He is also the inventor of the game called " Lucknow," which is manufactured by the Lucknow Company of Wapakoneta. In addition to these, our subject is the author of " Randall's Tabulated United States History," which is used extensively in many well-known colleges and schools.
From carly habits, he has forced himself to think deeply upon that which he reads and has been an important factor in aiding to establish the unsur- passed school system in this county. Nature has endowed him with rare gifts, among which is an intellectual ability of a high order, logical, dis- criminating and comprehensive.
IMION WONES. As one of the veterans of the late war, who enlisted in the defense of the Union and served with valor on many a hard-fought battlefield, and as one of the successful farmers of Salem Township, Shelby County, who has aided in advancing the agricul- tural interests of this section of Ohio, Mr. Wones
is deservedly held in high esteem by the people among whom the most of his active life has been passed.
In 1818, Simon Wones, Sr., grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to the United States, and settled in Clarke County, Ohio, abont seven miles from Springfield, where he cleared a tract of raw land. During the first winter of his residence in Clarke County, he engaged in teaching school, but afterward followed farming pursuits. The father of our subject, John Wones, was born in Yorkshire, England, and accompanied his father to Ohio, where he worked as a farmer. In 1838, he settled npon an unimproved farm in Champaign County, where he made a permanent home. Prior to that, in 1831, he went to Cincinnati, where he was seized with the cholera during the following year, and also had another severe attack in 1833. He was given up for dead, but through his brother's care and exertions, his life was spared. A curious fact was that ever afterward when he would eat anything sour, the left side of his faec would be covered with copious perspiration.
The farm which John Wones cleared in Cham- paign County consisted of one hundred and sixty- four acres, and, as above stated, he resided there nn- til his death, which occurred in 1878, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years and three months. llis wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Heaston, and who was born in Warren County, Ohio, survived him a number of years and died in 1883, aged sixty-five years. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living. Four sons served with distinction in the Civil War. In their religious connections, the parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father was Steward and Class-leader for thirty-five years. In politics, he was first a Whig and later a Republi- can. He took great interest in educational matters and was a member of the Board of Education in Champaign County.
The eldest child in the family is our subject, who was born in Champaign County, September 3, 1839. He received a good common-school ed- ucation and during his youth aided in clearing up the farm in Champaign County. In 1861, he was married to Miss Jane Smith, who was born near
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Ripon, England, in 1842, the daughter of William Smith, a native of England. After their marriage, they located on a rented farm in Champaign County, where they remained for nine years.
May 2, 1864, Mr. Wones enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and with his regiment marched to Cumberland, Md., where he remained for three weeks. Afterward the regiment was incorporated with the Army of the James in Virginia, where Mr. Wones did active service until the latter part of August, 1864. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he re- turned to his farm and resumed his agricultural pursuits. In 1869,he removed to his present farm, which was then heavily wooded and contained no improvements. Ile is now the owner of one hun- dred and twelve aeres of land, mostly improved, and has erected all the buildings which embellish the estate. In former years he was engaged as a veterinary surgeon, but now confines his attention to farming exclusively.
Mr. and Mrs. Wones are the parents of nine children now living, as follows: J. C., who mar- ried Ella Shroyer; Phillis Ann, wife of Jonathan Howell; Martin G., who married Emma Cargill; Melissa Ellen, the wife of Franklin Calhoun; Will- iam R .; Mathew, Ernest, Simon and Ionia May, who are at home. Religiously, Mr. Wones is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Trustee, Steward and Class-leader, and is at present Sunday-school Superintendent. Ilis grandparents were Wesleyan Methodists and one of his brothers, W. R., is a prominent minister in the Methodist Church, at present pastor of the Trinity Church at Ft. Wayne. Ind. During the sixteen years since he entered the ministry, he has superintended the erection of six churches, one parsonage, repaired two churches, and paid off three church debts of long standing, two of them of a difficult and complicated nature.
In educational matters, Mr. Wones has always been deeply interested and is a member of the Township Board of Education. In politics a Re- publican, he is firm in his support of the princi- ples which he believes best calculated to subserve the welfare of the Government. He has served as Township Trustee for eight years and is at present
Township Assessor. He is a prominent member of the Grange, of which he has been Master, is now Overseer, and was a lecturer in its behalf for several years. Socially, he is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs; the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the Post at Sidney; the Eneampment of Odd Fellows, in which he has been Junior War- den; and in addition is a member of the Uniformed Rank of Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 365, at Port Jefferson.
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S G. GOODE, M. D. A deft and skillful disciple of Esculapius, it is our subjeet's pleasure, as well as his means of livelihood, to alleviate the suffering of the sick. Mr. Goode is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Champaign County, .Inne 17, 1846. His father, Isaac Goode, is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1808. Ilis mother, Elizabeth (Rinaker) Goode, is also a native of Virginia, and was born in Page County. Soon after their marriage, the young people settled in Champaign County upon a raw farm, and with a faith in the future characteristic of the young pioneers who were sustained by the sympathy of their domestie ties, they set to work energetically to overcome the obstacles and establish a comfortable home. In connection with his farming operations, Isaac Goode was an important stoek-man in the locality. Both are still living, and are greatly respected eit- izens of the community. Of the seven children that came to gladden their home in the raw and uncultured distriet, five are still living. They are both members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Goode, Sr., is a Democrat, but never aspired to political offiee.
Our subject is the third child in order of birth of his father's family. Besides himself, the young- est son is also a physician, residing and practicing in Anna, Ohio. S. G. Goode was reared on his father's farm until he was fourteen years of age.
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He then started out in life for himself. He re- ceived a good common-school education and early began teaching, having an experience of fifteen years in that profession. In 1869, he began read- ing medicine, and eventually became a student in the Eeleetic Medical College of Cincinnati, grad- uating in the Class of '80.
Equipped for the practice of his profession, our subjeet lost no time in offering his services to a suffering publie. Ile hung out his shingle at St. Paris, and later at Pemberton. Ile settled in Port Jefferson in 1885, and since coming here has built up a very fine practice, employing the broad gange Eelectie system. January 3, 1867, Mr. Goode was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Am- mon, a daughter of Isaac Ammon (deceased), of Champaign County, a prominent man and leading politician in his locality. Mrs. Goode was born in the year 1846, and reared in her native county. She is the mother of two children, Adda Elen- dora, and Albert Corey, both of whom have re- ceived the best advantages in an educational way. Mrs. Goode is an active member and worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband has been a devoted adherent of the Democratic party all his life, but has given his attention chiefly to the perfecting of his own calling. He has a practice within a radius of ten miles, and in connection with his medical work he also practices surgery.
ILLIAM M. HALL. One of the energetic business men of Sidney, Shelby County, is he whose name is given above. He is a dealer in agricultural implements, also carrying a fine stock of buggies, carriages, etc., with ware- rooms at Nos. 618 and 620 Main Avenue, near Court Street, where he has been in business sinee 1875, having first embarked in the buggy business ex- clusively.
Mr. Hall was born in Concord Township. Cham- paign County, Ohio, May 11, 1838. He is a son
of Fleming and Elizabeth (Kiser) Hall, the father being a native of Virginia who came to Champaign County when a boy, his father, Capt. John Hall, be- ing one of the pioneers of the State. The latter's title was acquired in the War of 1812, in which he served. They were farmers, our subject's father devoting himself to that calling in Concord until the late war, when he enlisted in the Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry and was taken prisoner at Winches- ter, Va. He was one of the victims of the Lynch- burg Prison. In connection with his farming, he carried on large stoek dealings. His wife was born in Clarke County and was reared in Green Town- ship, Shelby County. They had a family of nine children, but of these only six survive. They are: William M., of whom we write; John, David, George A., F. II., and M. II. The mother, with three of her children, is at present residing in Atchi- son County, Mo. The boys are known as the Hall Bros., and are prominent dealers in agricultural implements, stock, and farm lands.
William M. Hall received his education in the schools at Urbana, and after finishing he at once engaged in farming and in the stock business, and later became proprietor of a general country store until 1873, when he became interested in the busi- ness in which he now is. He served gallantly in the war, enlisting first in the One Hundred and Ninety-second Ohio Infantry on one year's call and serving as Orderly of Company C. He joined the company February 24, 1865, and was mustered out September 7, 1865. During service, he was sent to the Shenandoah Valley Army, com- manded by Gen. Duryea, where he served until the elose of the war.
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