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 69
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 69
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 69
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Returning to his father's place, our subjeet en- gaged in the mercantile business, and in 1878-79- 80 he filled the office of City Marshal, taking this in addition to his legitimate business, to which last he added the agricultural implements in 1880, in whielt he has been very successful. He keeps three men constantly on the road. In 1886, he secured the organization of the Sidney Buggy Company, of which he was manager until 1889, and again from November, 1891, until the present time. This company was organized for the manu- facture of light vehicles and gives employment to
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from twenty to thirty-five skilled workmen. The firm is now known as Fristoe, Stewart & Co., our subject being the company, the others his sons-in- law.
The marriage of the original of this sketeh took place April 23, 1861, at which time he was united to Miss Mary Woodard, a native of Clarke County but reared in Champaign, and a daughter of James Woodard, a merchant in the last-named place. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, one of whom, a boy, died when two years old. Uretta E. is the wife of W. II. Fristoe; Alice J. is the wife of I .. A. Stewart; Sarah Ella married C. W. Kiser, of Piqua, this State, and a dealer in agricul- tural implements; Anna F. is still at home. Mr. Hall owns a fine property and an attractive and commodious residence. No man is better known in this part of the State than the original of this sketch. He has traveled time and again through these counties and is as well liked as he is respected.
R. FRANK M. GALER, who is a prominent physician, and the oldest of De Graff, Logan Connty, Ohio, was born in Licking County of that State on the 25th of July, 1843. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany, and when a young man came to Amer- ica to escape the conscript law. Ile first settled in the city of Brotherly Love, where he soon after met and married his wife, who was also a native German. Ile followed farming in Pennsylvania un- til about 1800, when he came down the Ohio River to Marietta and thence to Lieking County, settling near Newark, where he passed the elosing scenes of his life. Ilis death occurred in the year 1825, when eighty-two years of age.
The grandfather of our subject, Andrew Galer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1775, and it is sup- posed that he stopped a short time in Marietta when he came with his parents to Ohio, and a little later he resided on the Muskingum River, north
of there. He was married in this State in the year 1800, to Miss Ruth Allen, a native of West Vir- ginia, who moved with her parents to Ohio. Mr. Galer afterward settled in Licking County, Ohio, followed farming, and there reared eleven chil- dren, all of whom married, but only three are now living. He and his young wife began housekeep- ing in a log eabin in the woods, and the fortitude and pluck displayed by this ambitious couple in struggling through the adversities of pioneer life and coming out vietorious won for them the ad- miration and respect of all. There he and his faithful companion passed their last days.
Perry J. Galer, father of our subject, was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 6, 1815, and was reared on his father's farm in Licking County, where he now makes his home. He passed his youth and received his education in that county, attending the pioneer log school with all its rude contrivances, and, as he was an excellent speller, every spelling-match received much attention from him. Ile taught sixteen terms of school, princi- pally during the winter months, and was consid- ered a very successful educator and disciplinarian. He was thrice married, and after the death of his second wife, he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he had charge of a large planing establishment when the war broke out. Ile was obliged to leave that city on account of his Northern views, and he af- terward engaged in merchandising at Eden, Dela- ware County, Ohio, continuing there until 1868, when he came to DeGraff and embarked in the drug business. This he carried on until 1886, since which time he has retired from the active duties of life. He has a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Pleasant Township, this county, and is one of the esteemed and honored men of the county.
Our subject's mother was Laura P. Pratt, a na- tive of Lieking County, Ohio, born in 1820, and she had two children, Mary E. and our subject. 'The former first married Dr. W. W. Fountaine, of Columbus, Ohio, who died in 1872, and later she married E. C. Wilson, of DeGraff, and now resides at Goshen, Ind. The mother of these children died in March, 1844. The father's second marriage was with Miss Prudence P. Jordon, of Lieking County. Ohio, and the one child born to
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this union died in infancy. Three years later, Mrs. Galer passed away. Mr. Galer's third mar- riage was to Mrs. Jane Baxter, of Ashley, Delaware County, Ohio, and they have two children, Carrie, a teacher in the public schools, and Robert S.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Maj. Benjamin Pratt, was a native of Vermont, and came to Ohio in 1815, settling in Granville, Licking County. He was a Major in the War of 1812, and was a man of more than ordinary ability, being quite a mechanical genius. He died at Coldwater, Mich., when eighty-seven years of age. The great grandfather on this side, Ebeneezer Pratt, was also born in Vermont, but settled in Licking County, Ohio, in 1815. IIc was a farmer of that county, and died when over ninety years of age. Ilis wife was Prudence Whipple, who also lived to be over ninety years of age.
The early scholastic training of our subject was received in the public schools at Columbus and in the district schools of Delaware County. At the age of sixteen years, he entered the Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware, remained there two years and only lacked one term of graduating in the scientific course when he left school. In 1861, he began reading medicine under Dr. R. S. Gilerist, and dur- ing 1863 and 1864, he took a course in the Starling Medical College of Columbus. After this, he practiced for two years at Eden, Delaware County, Ohio, and afterward spent one year reading under Dr. Hamilton, of Columbus. Later, he completed bis medical studies and graduated in the spring of 1867.
After this he came to DeGraff, and has had a large and paying practice ever since. During his long years of practice here, he has proved himself to be a physician of ability, his practice being very large and among the best class of citizens. IIe was married on the 31st of May, 1871, to Miss Joanna Loofbourrow, a native of Delaware County, Ohio, born March 23, 1842, and two interesting children have resulted from this union, Bessie A. and Nellie G. The Doctor has been very success- ful, and aside from his extensive practice is the owner of two hundred and fifteen acres of land in Pleasant Township. lle is a stockholder and Pres- ident of the Citizens' Bank in DeGraff, and owns
considerable town property, including his fine resi- dence. He is a member of the National, State and County Medical Associations, and also a member of the Masonie fraternity, of which he has taken the Thirty-second Degree.
R EV. WILLIAM W. LANCE, A. B. The pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Sidney, whose name is given above, began his duties here in 1890, coming to the town in the month of October. Before giving a personal sketch of our subject, it is fitting that a few words should be said in regard to the charge which Mr. Lance now has, and in doing so we quote largely from a leaflet, published in Sidney: " Methodism in Sidney began in the year 1825, at which time the first Methodist sermon was preaclicd in the house of Joel Frankenberger, by the Rev. Levi White. Sidney was then a part of the Belle- fontaine circuit, which extended from Sidney to Bellefontaine, and thenee to West Liberty and Westville, and all included territory.
" The first Presiding Elder was the Rev. David Young, and in 1831 the first Methodist Church was erected in Sidney. Seven years later, it was replaced by a more commodious building, which remained in use until the building of the present structure in 1867. In 1834, Sidney was made the head of the circuit, and so remained until 1843, when it became a station, and soon took rank among the first in the county.
" The present beautiful home of the pastor, sit- uated on the corner of Poplar Street and Miami Avenne, was built in 1887, and now, when the church building is remodeled a little, Sidney will have one of the most beautiful, valuable and con- venient church properties in the Conference. Sid- ney has been the seat of the Annual Conference on three different occasions-once in 1847, with Bishop Janes presiding; again in 1874, with Bishop Andrews in the chair, and also in 1882, under the presidency of Bishop Warren.
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" The membership of the Sidney Church has grown steadily from eight to five hundred, and she has already sent out many to work in other fields, both as laymen and ministers. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the other Evangelical churches of the city, she will continue at her post as a guardian of the faith, and a propagator of morality and pure and undefiled religion."
Returning to our subject, we find that the Rev. William Lance was born in York, Pa., May 28, 1846. Ile is a son of Michael Scott and Eva M. (Wolf) Lance. The father was a tanner and currier by trade. lle was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were on their way hither. The original name of the family was Laurens, our subject's grandfather having been one of Napoleon's stanch supporters. Banished to America on the deposi- tion of the Emperor, he settled on a tract of land adjoining West Point Academy. He was there ac- eidentally killed by falling out of a tree, while gathering nuts for children. His estate was settled by his private secretary, who bound out his chil- dren under different names. He, himself, pocketed the proceeds from the sale of the estate and re- turned to France.
Our subject's father, who was given the name of Lance, was bound out to a Mr. Bryson, a tanner of Harrisburg, Pa. Under him he learned the tan- ner's trade, and was employed in that for the remain- der of his life. IIe came to the West about 1850, and located in Spring Hill, Ohio, where he con- ducted a tannery and alsoa patent-leather factory. HIe died in the spring of 1866 at Columbus. ITis wife had passed away in the fall of 1859, leaving a family of five children, whose names are as follows: William W., Sarah E., Shields D., George W., and Wilhelmina; our subjeet is the eldest of the family. Sarah is now the widow of Edward Hampshire. Shields is at present engaged with the Pioneer Buggy Company, of Columbus, this State. George W. is a passenger conductor on the Big Four Road. The youngest child died about four years after the death of her mother. In early days both parents were Lutherans, but after coming West they be- came members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Lance graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, in 1871, with the degree of A. B.,
later adding the Master's degree. After finishing his university course, he at once entered the min- istry, having prepared himself previously by an extended course of theological study. Ilis first charge was in the town of Prospect, where he re- mained two years, and after a pastorate of nine- teen years, in several different places, he is now serving his second year in Sidney. His ministra- tions since coming to this place have been blessed, and about one hundred and fifty members have been added to the church.
The Rev. Mr. Lance was united in marriage to Miss Anna Howard, of Delaware, Ohio, October 9, 1871. She was a daughter of George N. Howard, who had moved from Columbus to the place where their daughter was married. Mr. and Mrs. Lance are the parents of five children, whose names are as follows: Hoyt M., Ray MeCabe, May Alcott, Winifred Waters and Ralph Edmund. The eldest son is now a student in the Ihigh School. Our subject has been a member of the Central Ohio Conference since entering his chosen work. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
C IIARLES F. YAGER. In listing a review of the enterprises of Sidney, attention should be called to the firm of Yager & Smith, man- ufacturers of buggies, carriages, wagons, etc. This is one of the largest and most complete establish- ments in the county and the firm caters to the best class of trade only. Mr. Yager is a native of Indiana, born in Middlebury, Elkhart County, on the 2d of October, 1849, and the son of Clark and Margaret E. (Thomas) Yager, natives respee- tively of Ohio and Maryland. The father was a miller by trade and followed milling in his native State until a young man, when he decided to settle in Piqua. Hle located in Piqua, but after a short residence there, he moved to Indiana and was mar- ried in Miami County, of that State, to Miss
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Thomas. On the Ist of January, 1862, the family moved to Shelby County, Ohio, settled in Sidney, and here Mr. Yager was engaged in milling until about 1889, when he moved to Springfield, and there resided until his death. The following is from a local paper in regard to that occurrence:
DEATH OF CLARK YAGER.
Clark Yager, for many years a resident of this county and known to a great number of inhabit- ants, died at the home of his daughter, in Spring- field, Wednesday afternoon, after a month's illness. He was born in Knox County, September 22, 1822, his parents moving to Butler County a few years later, where he learned the milling trade. This was his chosen work and he ever afterward followed it, working in Indiana, Michigan and different points in Ohio. He finally found his way to Sid- ney, where he took charge of the Walker Mill in 1862. Here he spent the remainder of his working days, becoming complete owner of the mill in 1879. In 1844, he was married to Miss Ella Thomas. From this marriage there were born five children, four of whom-George, of Fostoria; Mrs. W. C. Powell, of Springfield; Charles and Mrs. H. W. Thompson, of this place-with his wife are left to mourn his loss. Mr. Yager was an agreeable man, well liked by the many friends he made during the long time he was in business in our midst. Last December he went to Springfield, where he had been living with his daughter. At the time the cyclone swept over Springfield, he was feeling un- well, but despite that fact he went out to see the damage which had been done. Ile over-exerted himself, and grew gradually worse until 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when he passed peacefully away. The remains will be brought here and the funeral will take place from the home of his daugh- ter, Mrs. H. W. Thompson, at 10 o'clock to-mor- row morning.
The original of this notice finished his education in the schools of Sidney, and learned the trade of body-making in the carriage manufactory of H. Miller, with whom he remained for twenty- two years. Upon the organization of the Sidney Buggy Company, he engaged with them and there continued for two years, when he established busi- ness for himself. Mr. Smith, his partner, was with the same firm for seventeen years. They estab- lished their shop on Court Street, and have a frontage of eighty feet, including warerooms, wood-working shop, turning shop and paint shop. They are doing a heavy line of new work and also
have a good run of repairing, doing the leading business in the town. The members of this firm give the business their entire attention, and their name on a buggy is sufficient guarantee that it is well made. Their rating in commercial circles is of the most exemplary character, as is the confi- dence reposed in them by all with whom they have business transactions. By able and popular man- agement, this firm has seenred a prosperous business and won a position among the foremost exponents of this industry.
On the 20th of December, 1870, Mr. Yager mar- ried Miss Nannie L. Yinger, a native of Sidney, and the daughter of Leonard Yinger. Three chil- dren have been given to them by this union, and are as follows: Mary E., Fred C., and Lizzie, who died when two years old. By industry and superior business acumen, Mr. Yager has ac- cumulated all his property, and is now one of the substantial mnen of the city. He has a good frame residence on Franklin Street, and is in very com- fortable circumstances indeed. He is a member of Temperance Lodge No. 73, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Junior Warden.
C OL. C. A. LAYTON, Prosecuting Attorney of Auglaize County, Ohio, was born in this County on the 5th of May, 1853, and is a son of W. V. M. and Sarab E. (Whitney ) Layton, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of New York. The mother is a relative of ex-Secretary Whitney, of New York City. Great-grandfather Whitney was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and our subject's paternal grandfather, William Layton, was a successful agriculturist. The latter emigrated from New Jersey at an early date and made a settlement in Clarke County, Ohio, where he was among the earliest pioneers. Later, he set- tled in Auglaize County, and there received his final summons.
The father of our subject, W. V. M. Layton, was
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a noted lawyer in his day and practiced his profes- sion in Wapakoneta from 1856 to 1879, when his death occurred. Ile was one of the ablest men, best lawyers and strongest reasoners in the community. He was original in thought, precise in logie, terse in statement, yet, withal, faultless in eloquence, and a brilliant orator of his day. He was Prose- euting Attorney of Auglaize County, Mayor of Wapakoneta and a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1872-73. lle also held numerous minor offices. He was the father of nine children, six sons and three daughters, and was three times married.
Col. C. A. Layton. the eldest child by the see- ond marriage, is a faithful representative of his illustrious sire and has inherited many of his most estimable qualities. He was reared in Wapakoneta and his education was obtained in the common schools. When nineteen years of age, he began the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1874, when twenty-one years of age. After practicing one year, his health failed and he was obliged to give up his profession for the time at least. The trouble lay in his lungs, and he went West, where he remained four years roughing it. He was en- gaged in various occupations, worked at anything he could, and was in Montana, Colorado and every Western State or Territory between this and the Pacific Coast. For two years he was with the Fairbanks Scale Company and traveled extensively. While West, he did not fail to improve the oppor- tunity of digging for gold. and was at Leadville, Gunnison and San Juan County and many other points in the mining district. lle prospected at Leadville and the Black Hills and had some thrill- ing experiences in both places. During the year 1880, he returned to his native State, cured of his ailment, and has been strong and hearty ever since, weighing at the present time two hundred and fifty pounds. Ile is a man of strong build and physique. While in the West. he was compelled to remain six weeks in Ouray, Colo., on account of the war with the Indians.
On the 10th of January, 1880, he hung out his shingle again in Wapakoneta and has since prae- ticed his profession with marked success. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in October, 1882, and
has held the office continuously ever since. This is a record that very few can boast of. The Colo- nel was elected City Solicitor in April, 1883, and has held the office without interruption up to the present time, having been re-elected five times. In January, 1884, he was appointed by Gov. Hoadley aid-de-camp on the military staff, with the rank of Colonel and served in that capacity during the Gov- ernor's term. While thus serving, he was appointed one of the court of inquiry and court-marshal held at Dayton npon certain officers of the Fourth Regiment for cowardice during the Cincinnati riot. He was also selected by Gov. Hoadley as the State Representative at the dedication of Washington's monument, on the 221 of February, 1885. He has been Chairman of Auglaize County Democratie Committee several times and was offered a position on Gov. Campbell's staff, which he declined to ac- cept.
Col. Layton selected his life companion in the person of Miss Kittie L. Green, of Titusville, Pa., and one daughter has been born to this onion, Marguerite Koneta. Mrs. Layton is a member of the Lutheran Church and an accomplished and re- fined lady. Socially, the Colonel is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Elks.
OSEPH C. BRAND, JR. The Logan County Index, of which this gentleman is proprietor and publisher in company with W. S. Roe- buck, whose sketch also appears in this vol- ume, is justly considered one of the brightest and most sparkling local papers of this county. It is an eight-page folio and chronicles the latest and most interesting happenings in the social, business and political world. Since it came into the hands of the present firm, it has grown rapidly in influ- enee, and is now a welcome guest in many homes, while as an advertising medium it enjoys an es- tablished reputation.
A native of this State, our subject was born in Champaign County, December 11, 1839, and is a
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son of the Hon. Joseph C. and Lavinia (Talbott) Brand, natives respectively of Bourbon County, Ky., and Shepherdstown, Va. The ancestors of our subject on both sides of the house were soldiers in the War of 1812, the Brand family being of Scotch origin, while the Talbotts were of English stock. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a Methodist minister and served as Clerk of Lewis County (Va.) Court for about twenty years, and died in that county while the incumbent of that position.
The HIon. Joseph C. Brand has been very promi- nent in local affairs, and was a farmer for a num- ber of years. He has spent the greater part of his life, however, as a general merchant, and located in Champaign County, this State, in 1832, when a young man. Ile represented his county in both branches of the Legislature, was a soldier in the late war, and was Consul to Nuremburg, Germany, during Grant's administration. After his return to the United States, he was elected Mayor of the city of Urbana, this State, for three successive terms.
The original of this sketch is the fourth child in the parental family of nine, and was reared in Ur- bana, where he was given an excellent education in the common schools, and later in the Urbana University. After completing his education, he was engaged in teaching school, and later in book- keeping for about twenty-two years. He has served in many public positions, and has been Deputy Internal Revenue Collector, and was Chief Deputy of the old Fort District for a period of sixteen years.
In 1885, Mr. Brand purchased a one-half inter- est in the Logan County Index, and has charge of the editorial department. Although not a practi- cal printer, he is a gentleman well qualified to fill the position which he occupies, and his paper now enjoys a wide-spread reputation. He is Secretary of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association, which was the first company organized on the per- petual plan in Bellefontaine, and is the largest in the county. Mr. Brand was also a member of the City Council, and in Masonie eireles occupies a high place.
Ile of whom we write was married in 1861 to
Miss Sarah R. Pearson, by whom he became the father of two children, John P. Brand and Mrs. Lena B. Colton. On the death of his wife, he chose for his second companion Mrs. Anna E. Taylor, to whom he was united in marriage No- vember 20, 1890. They are both influential mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at their hospitable home are wont to entertain their many friends.
G EN. JAMES O. AMOS, one of the foremost men in Shelby County, has added to the long list of his distinguished ancestors one more honorable name. Gen. Amos has the satisfaction, a rare one among Americans, of being able to trace back his ancestry to the settlement of Maryland under Lord Baltimore in 1629. Our subject was himself born near Beallsville, Ohio, March 30, 1833. He was reared on the liome farm, receiving such training as the locality at that time offered its youth. From the age of eighteen until he was twenty-seven, Gen. Amos divided his time impartially between teaching and farming, He himself had, after finishing the public schools, spent one year in an academy and thereafter prose- cuted his studies at home.
Having conceived the idea of becoming a lawyer, our subject procured the necessary books and prosecuted his studies at home. To sueli purpose did he read law that he was admitted to practice at the Bar in 1859. In 1861, he was elected Prose- enting Attorney of Monroe County, and in 1863 received the compliment of a re-election. From 1860 until 1870, our subject was a member of the Board of School Examiners, and in 1869 received the honor of an election to the Senate. He was again re-elected to the General Assembly, and in 1874 Gov. Allen appointed him as Adjutant-Gen- eral of Ohio, which position he held for two years.
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