USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 10
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From the establishment of this concern our subject's success in life dates. The invention
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proved a great boon to farmers, and before they ceased manufacturing it the firm sold inore than two hundred thousand. In 1870 the firm became Huber, Gunn & Co., and continued thus until our subject organized the Huber Manufacturing Company, withi a capital of $75,000. He liad in the mean time invented and patented another valuable implement-a revolving road scraper, which also niet with a great sale. Indeed, one of the chief elements in liis success is the fact that all the implements turned out by the different firms with which lie is connected fill a want that noth- ing hitherto in the market has been able to. In 1880 he invented the Huber Threshing Machine and Engine, that has given him a reputation which extends throughout America, and made his name a household word among the farmers. It has proved the most profitable of all his inven- tions, and in order to facilitate its manufacture large new shops were erected in 1889. In this great establishment, as stated before, more than four hundred men are given employment, and the advantages accruing to the town from its location here are incalculable. In addition to being the head of the Huber Manufacturing Company, Mr. Huber is. President of the Marion Steam Shovel Works, which also owe a great deal of their pros- perity to his fostering care. When H. M. Barn- hart invented the steam shovel, he had no means to build the first one, and thus demonstrate its capabilities, and in his extremity applied to Mr. Huber, who, with no mean professional jealousy, provided the capital to build the first machine. The article proved all that its inventor had hoped for, and when the Marion Steam Shovel Com- pany was organized, Mr. Huber took a large block of stock, and was made the President of a concern which has made all those who took shares in it rich. He was also the founder, and is the President, of the Marion Malleable Iron Works, is President and one of the founders of the Marion Automatic Boiler Feeder Company, President of the Marion Implement Company, is a Director in the Electric Light and Power Company, Vice-Pres- ident of the Marion Milling Company, and a Di- rector in a large bank of the town. In fact, there is hardly an enterprise of any importance what-
ever in the place which has not felt the benefit of lis intelligent appreciation of its individual needs, and of his forethought and judgment in discern- ing the proper policy to be pursued in its man- agenient. His is the master mind which sets in motion and harmonizes the working parts of the manifold interests under his control, until each be- comes in its way a perfect mechanism, bringing prosperity to all connected with it.
In the town in which he has lived since 1865, the year in which was established the little shop out of which have sprung such great results, Mr. Huber is regarded as a man worthy of the highest confidence. A good man of business in all lines, the town has felt the benefit of his pro- gressive nature, and everything that he has done has been done with an eye single to the good of the place. Filling the position that he does, he is beset with trials that individuals in the ordinary walks of life know little about. His success or failure means the success or failure of the many beings to whom he furnishes employment, and the sense of responsibility that is produced by that fact would unfit most men for their work. But he still keeps liis clear brain and elastic nature, and, like Cæsar, is still "looking for new worlds to conquer."
On the 30th of October, 1865, Mr. Huber mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Hammerle, a lady who shares with her husband in the esteem and confidence of her acquaintances, and has helped him in the numberless ways in which a true woman helps those who are near and dear to her. They have two children: Frank A., who is Treasurer of the Marion Steam Shovel Company; and Catherine, who married John Schroder, who manages the shipping department and is purchasing clerk of the Huber Works. Mr. Huber has lately com- pleted what is considered the finest residence in this part of the state, and which was built at a cost of $40,000. Here lie and his wife receive their guests with a tactful and genial courtesy and hospitality whichi render a visit to the charm- ing home a joy to be remembered.
Mrs. Huber is an attendant at the Catholic Church. When the Young Men's Christian As- sociation Building was in course of erection, Mr.
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Huber, who has always taken a great interest in the work of tlie association, remembering his own early struggles and privations, was among the most liberal contributors to the fund. Though an exceedingly busy man, he still finds time to take an interest in politics, but holds himself in- · dependent of party ties.
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OSHUA COPELAND, M. D. This vener- able physician of Marion County has been identified with its history for a long period, and has witnessed its growth and development. His life lias been an honorable and useful one, and though now in the twilight of his years, he is still robust and hearty, with intellect unimpaired by the flight of time. He was born December 27, 1817, on the site of the present city of Colum- biana, Ohio, and is the only surviving child of George and Rebecca (Dixon) Copeland, natives, respectively, of Loudoun County, Va., and Ches- ter County, Pa.
The maternal grandparents of our subject, Joshua and Dinah Dixon, moved from Pennsyl- vania to Olio and settled wliere Columbiana now stands. There he entered a quarter-section of land for himself and each daughter, and a lialf- section for each son, the entire tract lying in the midst of the woods. Later, when the increasing population of the locality warranted such an ac- tion, he platted lots and started a town, which he named Columbiana. It rapidly increased in pop- ulation, and, being surrounded by a ricli farming country, its importance as a commercial center has enjoyed a steady advance. The maternal grandparents had seven children, there being four sons and three daughters.
Upon one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his wife, George Copeland settled and began the task of clearing the land. He built a cabin, in which he put down a puncheon floor and made a chimney of sticks and clay. Wolves, panthers
and bears were numerous. After ten years he sold the farm for $10 per acre, and bought three hundred and sixty acres adjoining, for which he paid $4. Building a house, lie moved his family into it, and with the assistance of his sons cleared the place.
At the age of twenty-two our subject started out for himself, and for several years taught school several months every winter, working on a farm in the summer. Meantime he devoted his spare time to the study of medicine, applying himself closely to the profession for three years.
In November, 1844, the young doctor bought some medicine and a few instruments, which he packed in a buggy, and with an acquaintance started out in search of a location. When they reached Waterford, Knox County, the weather was rough and they stopped all night in that small village. Learning that there were two physicians in that place, as well as many in the surrounding villages, our subject concluded his chances were poor there. However, he stopped three again November 11, 1844, and remained four years. The first week he made enough to pay his expenses, and his practice steadily increased, so that he was enabled to pay the $200 he owed · on his medical education and have some money left.
September 19, 1847, Dr. Copeland married Lydia F. Walters, whose brother Thomas had graduated from a medical school a short time be- fore. The Doctor concluded to let him take his place at Waterford, and he removed to Rushsyl- vania, Logan County, a sinall village with three doctors, one of whom he bought out. In less than a year he had a large' practice, and was in the front rank of this fraternity .. During the epi- demic of cholera that raged in Logan County, lie lost his wife and child, in August, 1851. Soon afterward he disposed of his property in Rushsyl- vania, and, going to Knox County, visited his wife's relatives for some time, then went to Col- umbiana and remained with his parents for a few months.
Returning in the spring of 1852, Dr. Copeland spent a night with William Larue, the owner of a large farm where the village of Larue now
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stands, and the founder of the town of that name. Three doctors were there, waiting for the village to grow. It had been our subject's intention to return to Columbiana, but Mr. Larue urged him to stop, and he finally consented, though not feeling like business. In July an epidemic of flux arose. The other doctors failed to manage the cases successfully. . Our subject was called in consultation to the house of Philip Rush, whose two daughters were very low, and consent- ed, though reluctantly, to take charge of the cases. He stayed with his patients day and night, and finally succeeded in restoring them to health. This at once established his reputation, and his practice soon became extensive. In the course of a year his competitors retired from the field; but later others settled there, among them Dr. DeLong, a man of age and experience, and Dr. Wilkins. Larue is now a prosperous village, and though Marion, which has become an important railroad center, injures it to some extent, it is nevertheless a thriving place. The Doctor owns more than seven hundred acres in the neighbor- hood, the larger part of which has been cleared. In addition to this property, he has given his children one hundred and eighty acres.
Owing to ill health, Dr. Copeland sold his practice to Dr. Shira; who still remains in Larue. He then moved to a farm two miles from the vil- lage, on the Kenton gravel road, where he owns two hundred and thirty-eight acres of first-class farm land, having paid $11,850 for the place. He has erected a good house, a substantial barn and other buildings, and has established one of the most desirable homes in the township of Mont- gomery. . After the death of his first wife he re- mained a widower about fifteen years, and then, January 1, 1866, married Nancy Ann Hopkins, daughter of Robert and Nancy Hopkins, of Mar- ion County. They have three children, May, Lincoln Grant and Mary Alma.
Dr. Copeland commenced in practice with $47, which amount, in silver dollars and half-dollars, was all he had on his arrival in Waterford. In- dustry, economy and prudence were the stars that lit his path, true honor and integrity his motto, and it is therefore not strange that he has
been successful. In his profession he made it his'rule never to charge unreasonably nor to op- press the poor. Many years ago he was thrown from his horse, his foot caught in the stirrup and he was dragged about twenty rods over frozen ground. Finally, his boot coming off, he was en- abled to release himself. For two months after- ward he was unable to walk or bear any weight on that foot, and has been more or less lame ever since, not having walked a step on that foot for two years or more. With the exception of con- tinual pain in the injured ankle he is in good health.
For years Dr. Copeland has kept a record of the seasons and all important events, not only of general interest, but also those pertaining to his own life, making the book a valuable one for his posterity. It has been his experience that this life is measurably what we make it. We are the arbiters of our own fate to a very great ex- tent, and make our own luck generally. It is true that some seem to fall heir to more than they deserve, but dishonest gains frequently take wings and fly away.
Little mention has been made of the father of our subject, and something concerning his life may be of interest. His parents died when he was a boy, and he was reared by John McClun, a neighbor, who afterward moved to Columbiana County, Ohio. He was a tanner, and carried on business at first on a small scale, but more exten- sively as he prospered. On reaching maturity he married Rebecca Dixon, and settled upon the land given her by her father. As above stated, he afterwards disposed of this property and bought a tract adjoining it on the east. Of his ancestors little is known, except that they lived in Lou- doun County, Va., near some of the historic bat- tle sites of the Rebellion.
Dr. Copeland received a thorough medical ed- ucation, commencing the study of the profession under the direction of George L. Metzger, of Columbiana, and later attended the College of Medicine and Surgery in Cincinnati, from which he was graduated. Later he was offered the pro- fessorship of materia medica, but refused, not feeling qualified for the position. Politically he
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is a Republican and has voted at every .national election since attaining his majority, with one ex- ception only. In November, 1844, he cast his ballot for Henry Clay for President. The rec- ord of his life . is worthy of emulation by the young, and will repay perusal on the part of the old, for it shows how industry, persever- ance, determination and honesty bring their re- ward in worldly success and in an enviable rep- utation for nobility and true worth of character.
OHN FETTER, of Claridon Township, has lived in Marion County for over a quarter of a century. About 1870 he purchased a farm on section 32, and has since been engaged industriously in its cultivation and development. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and always upholds worthy religious and benevolent enterprises.
A native of Germany, John Fetter was born and reared on a farmi in that country, and there spent his early manhood. The date of his birtlı was October 15, 1817. When fifteen years of age he began working at the shoemaker's trade, and served an apprenticeship of three years, during which time he received only his board in return for his services. According to the law of his na- tive land, he was in the army from the time he was twenty-one until he was twenty-six years of age.
In 1867 our subject determined to try his fort- unes in America and embarked on the sailing- vessel "Caroline." For sixty-five days he was tossed to and fro on the briny deep, but eventual- ly reached his destination, New York City, in safety. Arriving in Marion County, he went to the county seat, and there worked at his trade for three years. As he was thrifty, he managed to lay aside a certain portion of his earnings, which he invested in a farin in Claridon Township about 1870. For the succeeding twelve years he toiled / unremittingly to bring the place under better cul-
tivation, and succeeded in becoming well-to-do. His present homestead is a place of forty-four acres, on which stand good buildings and other substantial improvements.
April 5, 1844, Mr. Fetter married Elizabeth Linden, by whom he has had five children, all sons, and named as follows: Martin, John, Mich- ael, Henry and Peter. They are all living and are useful citizens in the communities where they make their homes. . The faithful wife and mother was called to the silent land in 1882, and was placed to rest in the Lutheran Cemetery of Rich- land Township.
In his religious faith Mr. Fetter is a Lutheran, as were his forefathers for many generations. He is an active member of the local church and a lib- eral contributor to its expenses. Politically he has used his ballot in favor of the Democratic party ever since becoming a voter.
SAAC SLAGLE. Farming and stock-rais- ing have formed the principal occupation of this gentleman, and the energetic manner in which he has taken advantage of every method tending toward the advanced value of his prop- erty has contributed materially to his success in life. In addition to raising the various cereals, he has a large number of cattle, sheep and hogs on his place, and is considered an authority on the subject of stock-raising. His farm is located on sections 12 and 13, Pleasant Township, and is justly counted among the best estates in the county.
In Eagle Township, Ross County, Ohio, the subject of this sketch was born January 11, 1850. He is the son of Francis B. and Nancy (Comer) Slagle, natives respectively of Virginia and North Carolina, of whom mention is made upon another page. When about three years of age he was brought by his parents to Hardin County, and
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here he grew to manhood, spending his summers in farm work and the winter months in attend- ance at the Greenwood School, one-half mile south. After arriving at his majority he began to farm his father's place upon shares, continu- ing thus engaged for three years.
Establishing domestic ties, Mr. Slagle after- ward engaged in cultivating a quarter of section 12, belonging to his father. The latter in 1870 presented him with a forty-acre tract, to which, by purchase, he added a similar amount, and later bought the remaining eighty acres of tlie southwest quarter of section 12. In April, 1892, he purchased forty acres of the Comer homestead, which adjoined his property on section 12. This property, through his energetic, capable efforts, has been brought under a high state of cultiva- tion, and contains all the improvements of a model estate.
In Pleasant Township, August 20, 1874, Mr. Slagle was united in marriage with Miss Maria Charlton, whose birth occurred in this township, April 27, 1854. For her ancestral history the reader is referred to the biography of Henry Charlton, presented elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Slagle received excellent educational advan- tages in her girlhood, and attended the Liberty dis- trict school until about eighteen. Under the wise training of her mother she was fitted for the su- pervision of a home of her own, and was prepared to fill a position of usefulness in society. Four children have blessed her marriage, of whom the eldest, Ida and Eva, are twins. The former re- sides with her parents; the latter was married, March 29, 1894, to Charles Gay, a farmer resid- ing in this locality. The other children are El- mira and Burley, the latter a student in the Greenwood School.
In their religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Slagle are devoted members of the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church, with which their children are also identified, and in which he has ren- dered faithful service as Class-leader. His con- victions throughout life have always been on the side of the protection of home industry, and in consequence we find him favoring Republican principles. However, being a man of strong
temperance sentiments, and believing the whiskey traffic the greatest curse of our country, he has at times voted the Prohibition ticket, and in prin- ciple always favors that cause.
OHN F. GRAY. This gentleman, who is one of the well-to-do agriculturists of Big Is- land Township, Marion County, has been a resident of this section since his marriage, which occurred in 1866. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer, and since his early years has had a knowledge of that industry. He was born October 28, 1834, in Marion County, to George and Mary Jane (Barr) Gray.
The father of our subject was born May 18, 1806, in Sussex County, Del. He was fairly well educated, and upon commencing in life for himself chose the occupation of carpentering, which he followed with success. He died Decem- ber 29, 1880, at Scott Town, Ohio, aged seventy- four years. He was very prominent in the Buck- eye State, and in politics was an old-time Demo- crat. In 1835 he was chosen Associate Judge by the Legislature of Ohio, and afterward filled the office of Justice of the Peace acceptably in Grand Township, this county. In 1858 he was ap- pointed Postmaster of Cochranton, and two years thereafter was elected Probate Judge of Marion County, being re-elected to the latter office at the expiration of his term. His great popularity is shown by the fact that he was called upon to serve the people of the city of Marion as Mayor, but shortly after being installed in the office re- signed and retired to private life.
Mrs. Mary Jane Gray was born in Sussex County, Del., October 29, 1809, and married George Gray February 13, 1827. To them were born seven children, namely: William Henry, born January 31, 1828; David B., October 15, 1829; James K., April 16, 1831; John F., October 28, 1834; Sarah E., July 29, 1838; Amos, April 23, 1841; and Mary A., July 25, 1843. Of these
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only four besides our subject are living, Jamies, Amos, Sarah and Mary.
Grandfather Frazer Gray was born in the state of New Jersey, July 26, 1761. When young he was taken by his parents on their removal into Sussex County, Del., where his boyhood days were spent on a farm. Upon attaining his cight- eenth year lie volunteered as a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War, serving as one of the "Blue Hen's Chickens" until the close of the conflict. Although a private during his army life, he was associated with one event of particular note in the history of that period, and one personal incident of more than ordinary interest. He was with his regiment on the Hudson River at the time Major Andre was captured, and to him was assigned the duty of aiding in guarding that noted inan, and when he was hung he stood near the gallows. The following is a statement of the occurrence: Andre was well and neatly dressed, was polite and courteous in his manner, never betraying the least emotion. When on the scaffold he made a thrilling speech, full of loyalty to his king, and denying all intention of acting the role of spy. He claimed that under the circumstances he ought not to be hung. A soldier's death by shooting should be ordered, and as this, his last appeal, met with no response, he turned to the officer nearest him with a smile on his face, and signified his readiness to die in any way for his king and country.
The grandfather of our subject was personally acquainted with General Washington. The fol- lowing incident in this connection is related by him: "A few of the 'Blue Hen's Chickens,' my- self among the number, had been given leave of absence to go out of the lines chestnutting one Sunday. While thus engaged, Washington and his orderly rode near us, and the General called me to him. 'What are you doing here ?' lie asked. 'Gathering some nuts by perinission,' I replied. The General answered, 'It is right then, but re- member that green nuts are very unwholesome; so be careful not to eat too many of them, for we cannot spare any Delaware men,' and with a mil- itary salute he rode away." Frazer Gray de- parted this life October 9, 1849, at the age of
eighty-eight ycars. But little is known of the early history of our subject's motlier, other than that her parents died when she was quite young, and that she was reared by lier grandparents.
The original of this sketch was married in Ma- rion -County, Ohio, May 31, 1866. The maiden name of his wife was Almedid Ellen Riley. Her parents were of Irish descent, and were classed among the substantial residents of Marion Coun- ty, in which section they owned a valuable tract of land.
To our subject and his estimable wife were born six children, of whom those living are, David, Robert, Cora A. and Edmund L. David married Miss Flora Heiner. The sons and daugh- ter of our subject are all well educated, Robert and Cora having attended school at Ada, Ohio, and Valparaiso, Ind.
Mrs. Gray departed this life February 24, 1888. She was a woman greatly esteemed, and was a valued member of the Swedenborgian Church, to which body her husband also be- longed. In politics he is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles.
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LIVER MONNETTE. That our subject is one of the shrewdest and most intelligent agriculturists of Crawford County is shown by the success which has crowned his efforts, for he is now one of the wealthiest residents within its boundaries. He is a man of much practical business talent and financial ability, and by the jndicious investment of money has accumulated a handsome property, his estate embracing fourteen hundred acres, lying in Crawford and Marion Counties. Mr. Monnette resides in the former county, just across the line, and occupies a mnost beautiful residence, bearing all the modern con- veniences and furnished in a manner which indi- cates that tlie occupants are people of means and refined tastes.
Our subject was born August 12, 1840, in Scott Township, Marion County, and was the
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third child in the family of Abraham and Cather- ine (Browker) Mounette, which comprised twelve children. Ephraim B., the eldest, is now a re- tired fariner and prominent resident of Bucyrus, this state; Martha is the wife of G. H. Wright, of Marion; Oliver was the next-born; John T. is a merchant and farmer of this county; Elsie mar- ried J. H. Malcomb, of Bucyrus, Crawford Count- ty, where her husband is a prominent fariner and stock-raiser; Edward is engaged in the stock busi- ness of the Kansas and Colorado line, and also has mining interests in that section; Mervin J. is President of the Second National Bank of Bu- cyrus; Mary Jane married J. G. Hull, of Findlay, this state; Melvin and Madison are twins, the former a prominent farmer and stockman of Scott Township, this county, and the latter engaged in the mercantile business at Grand Rapids, Mich .; Mina is the wife of J. C. Tobias, Judge of the Probate Court of Bucyrus and a prominent at- torney; and Catherine married Linus H. Ross, an agriculturist of Crawford County.
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