USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 20
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 20
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January 5, 1846, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage with Martha T., daughter of Richard and Annı (Bothamley) Thew. Mrs. Miller was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 28, 1822, and the following year was brought by her par- ents to the United States, where the family duly arrived after a journey which consumed ten weeks. Their first location was in Richland County, but in 1827 they became residents of Marion County. Mrs. Miller well remembers see- ing the Indians when she first came here, and re- members the county seat when there were only a few log houses in the place. Her education was obtained in an old-fashioned log schoolhouse and her girlhood was spent in a log cabin.
Seven children came to bless the home of Oba- diah Miller and his wife, namely: Elizabeth, who
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HON. FRANK GIVEN.
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died in 1862; William, who is a farmer of this township; Emeline, wlio was called to the silent land when in her ninth year: Mary, who is the wife of George Williams; Alice, widow of Charles Gilson; David, who died in infancy; and Frank, an enterprising young farmer of this township. Mr. Miller was for a long time a member of the Methodist Church, and Mrs. Miller is still an act- ive worker in the denomination.
ON. FRANK GIVEN, Probate Judge of Hardin County, is one of the able, ener- getic and leading citizens of Kenton. He was born in Roundhead Township, this county, thirteen miles southwest of this city, April 28, 1846. His father, Alexander Given, was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 14, 1811, while his grandfather, who bore the name of William, was a native of Maryland, and came of good Scotch stock. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and about eight years after the close of that conflict came to Hardin County, where he died in 1848. Previous to this, however, he was a resident of Ross County, whither he had removed in a very early day.
During middle life Alexander Given was one of the prominent figures in the social and political life of this county. He was for many years Jus- tice of the Peace and Treasurer of McDonald Township, and, being a thoroughly reliable and upright citizen, his advice was often sought by his neighbors and friends. Although eighty- four years of age, he is now living on his farm in McDonald Township, where he has resided since 1830, and by the residents of the community is held in the highest esteem. The mother of Judge Given was prior to her marriage Mary Camp- bell, the daugliter of Daniel and Rebecca Camp- bell. Her father was also a patriot in the War of 1812, and one of the pioneers of Ross County. He became a resident of Hardin County prior to
its organization, and when this important change was brought about was elected its first Recorder. He was a well educated and well informed man, and many years ago was one of the Associate Judges of tlic county, and a man who took an . active part in all the leading movements of the day and locality. He died in 1864, aged seventy- four years. The mother of our subject departed this life in 1850, when he was only four years of age. Slie was the mother of two sons and two daughters, of wliom Daniel C. died in 1859, when quite young. The sisters of our subject are mar- ried and live in this county.
The education of Judge Given was conducted in the primitive schools of liis district, and as these were of a superior kind he improved the moments of every day in which he was allowed to attend, and when young was given a certifi- cate to teach, this occupation furnishing him with the means to continue his studies.
Although filling the office of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, and that of Treasurer and Clerk of Roundhead Township, Mr. Given con- tinued to live on the farm on the estate near where he was born until the fall of 1893, when he was the successful candidate for the office of Probate Judge. He had been brought prominently for- ward by his party on two other occasions, but each time was defeated. He is one of the most prominent Republicans in Hardin County, and is a most highly esteemed and popular official. He is a Mason of high standing, and at all times and in all places has shown himself to be a loyal citi- zen, and is well regarded by his fellow-townsmen.
I11 1865 Judge Frank Given was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Solomon Marmion, one of the pioneers of Hardin County. She became the mother of seven children, and died in March, 1880. Of these, three are deceased. Those liv- ing are Walter C., Boyd, Eva Blanchie and Rob- ert. The two eldest sons reside on the farm owned by our subject, and Robert is a student in the schools of Kenton. Blanchie married Lewis Montville, and their one son is named Perry R. Walter married Elsie B. Hoon, and lias three children, Robert Roy, Virgil and an infant.
Judge Given was married in January, 1882, to
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Malinda Slaybaugh, a lady of German birth, and the daughter of a prominent Indiana farmer. They have three children, Ada E., Mary C. and Louis F. Judge Given has for many years ex- ercised a prominent part in the councils of the Republican party of this county and congression- al district.
G
B ENJAMIN WADDEL. Having spent his entire life within the limits of Richland Township, Marion County, the subject of this sketch is known to almost every resident within its boundaries. He resides upon a valu- able and finely improved farm, which comprises two hundred and thirty acres, and in addition to this property he owns other real estate, his entire landed possessions aggregating four hundred and sixty-six acres. This, however, by no means represents the extent of his life work, for he gave each of his sons when starting in the world $10,- 000 in cash, or its value in land, and he has also been generous in his donations to his nephews and other relatives.
A sketch of the life of Mr. Waddel will be use- ful as an example to the young, for it shows what may be accomplished by an energetic and indus- trious man, even though he begins his business career with nothing but a pair of willing hands and a robust constitution. He was born in Rich- land Township, Marion County, February 23, 1829, and is the son of Jolin Waddel, a Virginian by birth. ' His father died when he was a lad of twelve, and the following year he began to work for others as a farmi laborer, receiving at first only $3 a month. He continued to work by the day or month until lie was twenty-one, and never re- ceived more than $9 per month.
On attaining his majority, our subject sold his interest in his father's estate for $200, and put- ting that amount with what he had earned, he
bouglit one hundred acres of land, paying $1,000 cash and incurring a small indebtedness for the remainder. Settling upon the place, he kept "bachelor's hall" for a year, meantime building a small frame house and barn. January 8, 1852, he married Miss Jane Oborn, and in February they moved to their new honte. April 1, 1853, he sold the farm for $3,000 cash; this was his first speculation, and it certainly was a most encour- aging one.
With the $1,000 which he had earned through his labors on the farm, Mr. Waddel made a loan at ten per cent. interest, and from.that time to this, a period of more than forty years, he has kept that amount and all of its interest, com- pounded at not less than eiglit per cent., without losing a dollar of the sum, which now amounts to over $25,000. A portion of the amount real- ized from the sale of his farm he devoted to the purchase of five acres in Richland Township, near Kings Mills. After paying for the lot and build- ings, he had $1,000 left with which to speculate iu hogs .. He began in that line April 1, 1853, and continued about six years, his profits in that time being some $16,000.
In January, 1859, Mr. Waddel purchased three hundred acres in Waldo and Richland Townships, a portion of the tract being on section 29, and known as the Book Farm. On that place he set- tled April 1, 1859, and the same year built the house in which he now lives. In 1860 he began dealing in sheep and cattle, and also engaged in general farm pursuits. When the war broke out he sent a substitute to the front and remained at home, attending to the management of his estate. Between 1860 and 1870 he made, clear of all ex- penses, about $60,000, all of which was realized from the breeding and sale of stock, except $II,- ooo made frontthe purchase of five hundred and forty acres lying two miles north of Marion, which he sold to E. Coon in 1870.
During 1871 Mr. Waddel began to speculate in life insurance, taking out $50,000 on the straight life plan, but using his dividends to pay on his assessments. For the past twenty-three years he lias been paying $1,500 per year, making about $35,000 altogether, and if he should live tell
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years longer he will have paid out the full amount of his policies. However, while the investment did not prove a profitable one,. he does not regret that he did not die soon enough to cause a loss on the part of the companies, for his policies are free from taxes, and he considers them a safe in- vestment.
A few years ago Mr. Waddel owned about fif- teen hundred acres of land, but he has reduced his acreage about one-third, having learned by experience that the land was less profitable than the money loaned at eight per cent. interest. His success has been gained through his frugality and economy, combined with good business judgment. When he was a boy, people, noticing his frugal habits, called him "stingy," but he always re- plied that he would rather be stingy in boyhood than a pauper in old age. He never spent money foolishly, never smoked a cigar or pipe in his life, and never drank intoxicants; in fact, he is a stanch Prohibitionist, and carries out his princi- ples in his life. In youth he was unable to dress well, and never had a pair of boots or tailor- made clothes until he was twenty-three, when he bought a wedding suit. Styles in those days were radically different from those of the present time. Young men were more anxious to save money than to spend it, and the young ladies did not re- fuse their company, though often they were bare- footed and in their shirt sleeves. Mr. Waddel re- calls distinctly that he was thus arrayed the first time he ever escorted a young lady home, and says that she did not object to his costume, for she invited him to call again.
Buggies were unknown in those days. The first introduced into Richland Township was in 1845 by Titus King, a popular and well-to-do citizen, who was thought by some to be getting proud when he introduced this innovation. In 1835 this same gentleman bought a cook stove, the first in the township. The first mowing-ma- chine was bought by Michael Jacoby in 1855. School privileges were very meager. Our sub- ject attended the Jacoby school for a short time, but all he learned (to quote from himself) was "to chew paper wads and throw at the other pu- pils." The schoolhouse was thirty feet square,
made of hewed logs, with a split puicheon floor; the benches were of basswood, writing desks of rough sawed ash boards, and openings were left between the logs for the admission of light. The bucket in which water was carried was a large home-made concern, very rough, with a home- made rope for a bail and a large gourd for a cup. The teacher taught Dutch and English, having about. twenty pupils in each language. About a half-hour before the time for the spelling-class, he would tell the boys and girls to study their spell- ing lesson out loud, with what result the reader may imagine, though the English pupils were forced to admit that the Dutch scholars could make more noise than they. It was the custom for the children to go to the school very early on Christmas morning and lock the teacher out, re- fusing to admit him until he promised to treat them to two bushels of apples. This they had done one Christmas as usual, and had secured the desired treat, but the following New Year's Day, when they tried the plan a second time, hoping for another treat, their teacher outwitted them. Getting a ladder, he climbed upon the roof of the building and covered the chimney with boards, so that the boys were smoked out of the house. It will be seen from this that, while there was plenty of hard work, there was no lack of fun as well.
The lady who for thirty-nine years was the de- voted wife of Mr. Waddel was Jane, daughter of Joseph and Mary Oborn. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1831, and died May 20, 1891, aged sixty years, one month and ten days. They reared six children, all sons. The eldest, George, was born November 2, 1852, and died September 10, 1893, when about forty-one years old. The others are Joseph, born September 30, 1856; John Lee, December 8, 1860; Benjamin, Jr., Decem- ber 13, 1866; William O., August 6, 1869; and Fant, April 7, 1873. All thie sons are doing well, and are energetic and promising young men.
Mr. Waddel believes that success is a matter, not of mere luck, but of economy, determination and industry. When starting out for himself, he found that the best way to make money was
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to save it, no matter how small the amount. He earned his first two cents by gathering two dozen goose quills and walking three miles to sell them. His first nickel he received for kissing his aunt; and his first dollar was made by catching and skinning twenty rabbits, which he walked nine iniles to sell. This was fifty-eight years ago, but the lesson of industry which it teaches might be learned by the rising generation to their benefit.
The first railroad in Ohio was built in 1851 and was called the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincin- nati, or The Three C's. Mr. Waddel shipped the first load of cattle shipped from Cardington, Ohio. The first gravel road in Marion County was built in 1869, by a joint-stock company. It was ten miles long and cost $21,000. Judge Bowen went to Columbus and secured the charter from the Legislature, while Edward Uncapher and Mr. Waddel circulated the subscription paper and raised the required amount. For twenty-four years it was run as a toll-road, after which it was sold to the county, and it was made free in 1883. There are now twelve free pikes running into Marion, all of which are first-class. In fact, the example set by this county in securing good roads might well be imitated by other counties of the state.
M ICHAEL JACOBY carries on general farm- ing on section 29, Richland Township, Ma- rion County. He is recognized as a prac- tical and progressive farmer, for fifteen years being a member of the Agricultural Board of this county. In the local Methodist Church he has long been very prominent and active, has served as a Class-Leader, and has acted in the capacity of Steward for eigliteen years.
The birth of Michael Jacoby occurred on sec- tion 29, this township, May 24, 1843. His fa- ther, who bore the same Christian name, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Schuyl- kill County, in March, 1809, being of Dutch de-
scent. His wife, Elizabeth, formerly a Miss Wor- line, was a native of Delaware, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of ten chil- dren. Michael Jacoby, Sr., emigrated to Fair- field County, Olio, with his father, John Jacoby, in 1821, and the following year settled in what is now Richland Township, of this county. His father took up eighty acres of Government land on section 29, and put up a log cabin in the midst of the forest, this structure being still in a fair state of preservation. About 1830 Michael Jac- oby, Sr., entered one hundred and sixty acres of Goverment land adjoining his father's farm, and about 1843 moved to the homestead now owned by our subject. This was a place of eighty acres on section 29, and only seven acres had been cleared. He erected a good frame house, which is yet standing, and lived here until the fall of 1889, when he retired and passed his last years in Marion. At the time of his death he owned about six hundred acres, entirely the result of his own energy and business ability. He began life a poor boy, and the first year that he worked for himself received $53, of which he saved all but $3. His experience was that common to the early pioneers of this region. His grain was hauled to Sandusky; he helped to lay out roads and organized schools, and it was within his rec- ollection when Marion contained only one store, a blacksmith shop and one dwelling-house. He was twenty-one years old when he was elected Township Clerk, and for eighteen years he was Justice of the Peace. He died in the faith of the Methodist Church, May 11, 1890, and was in- terred in the family burying-ground by the side of his wife, who had preceded him to the silent land by about four years.
The subject of this narrative has lived his en- tire life, with the exception of the first six months of his infancy, on the farm which he now carries 011. To the original eighty acres he has added other tracts, until he is now the owner of two hun- dred and fourteen acres. He received a district- school education, but made the best of his oppor- tunities, and has had sufficient knowledge to en- able him to fight bravely the battle of life.
September 7, 1865, Michael Jacoby married
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Miss Catherine Emery, who was born March 24, 1845. They became the parents of six children: Charles; Henry W., who died when two years old; John W., Florence D., Virginia E. and Mary J. The two elder sons are attending college at Delaware, Ohio. Charles is pursuing a medical course, and John is preparing himself for the legal profession.
Politically Mr. Jacoby is affiliated with the Democratic party. He has held the offices of Township Clerk, Constable and Coroner to his own credit and to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents. His faithful wife, who was a true friend and companion in all his joys and sorrows, died August 25, 1894.
The brothers and sisters of Michael Jacoby and the dates of their births are as follows: Cather- ine, August 27, 1833; Mary, January 8, 1836; Henry, March 23, 1838; James, July 25, 1840; John, October 27, 1845; Elizabeth, July 29, 1849; Margaret B., February 18, 1852; Elias, January 10, 1855; and Maria, February 23, 1859. James was a Lieutenant in Company K, Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and Henry held the same office in Company D, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry. He was killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1864, and his remains were brought back home.
HILIP DIETERICH was a pioneer in the tailor's trade at Marion, the county seat of Marion County; and conducted an estab- lishment of his own from the year 1835 up to within two years of his death, which occurred in 1890. A careful and exact workman, he was re- liable, and could be depended upon in every par- ticular, thus winning friends as well as customers. In religious work he took a great interest, and was a very active member of the old Lutheran Church, which he helped to organize, and for years was a teacher in the Sunday-school. For about fifty-five years he worked uninterruptedly at his trade, and was rarely idle for more than a
day or so at a time. Fraternally he was a Ma- son, and at his demise his funeral services were conducted by the local lodges.
The birth of our subject occurred February 26, 1804, in Germany, on a farin. He received a good education in the mother tongue, and passed his boyhood engaged in agricultural pursuits. When he was twenty years of age he learned the tailor's trade, and worked at that calling for a few years before coming to America. In 1835 he crossed the Atlantic, and for a short time was located at Baltimore, Md. However, he soon continued his journey westward, and on arriving at Marion concluded to make the promising village his per- manent home.
I11 1839 Mr. Dieterich married the lady who survives him, and whose maiden name was Mary Bolander. She was born in the Buckeye State, and here grew to womanhood. Three children came to bless this union, the eldest, Eugene, hav- ing been born October 30, 1841. He received a good general business education, and assisted his father in his tailoring business for some years. Josephine was a successful teacher in the public schools of Marion for several years; and the youngest of the family died in infancy. In 1892 Mrs. Dieterich, with her remaining son and daughter, moved to her present home, a very. pretty place situated just outside the city limits, and comprising about forty-one acres. As was her husband, Mrs. Dieterich is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a liberal contributor to religious and benevolent enterprises. The family is respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends.
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EORGE FETTER, JR., was the owner of two hundred and sixty-six acres of land at the time of his demise. On this property lie had made all the improvements and liad so great- ly increased its value that it was considered one
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of the best in Claridon Township. He was a native of Marion County, having been born on section 20, this township, in 1836. He was of German descent, and possessed the energetic and industrious qualities which are well known char- acteristics of the race. He received but a limited education and started out in life a poor boy, but, undaunted by the difficulties which he found in his pathway, rose steadily year by year, and ac- quired not only a competence, but an enviable place in the hearts of his neighbors and acquaint- ances. He was ever anxious to help worthy public enterprises and benevolences.
The parents of our subject were George and Elizabetlı A. (Kile) Fetter, who were both born in Hessen, Germany. They had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, name- ly: George; John, who died in Indiana; Leonard, now a resident of Galion, Ohio; Mary, the wife of John Lust, now living in Marion; Philip, a res- ident of Marion; Caroline, wife of Jacob Lust, a farmer of Pleasant Township, Marion County; and Henry A., a resident of Ft. Recovery, Ohio. They left the Fatherland about 1832 and became residents of this township. George Fetter, Jr., was quite young when his parents moved to the old homestead, which he afterwards owned and cultivated up to the time of his death. It was then unimproved and comprised one hundred and sixty acres. Remaining at home until reaching his majority, young Fetter then rented land and operated the same for about ten years. After- ward he purchased his grandfather's farm, upon which he made inany improvements, and to this tract he added another one hundred acres, thus making him the owner of two hundred and sixty- six acres altogether. He carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising, and usually carried to a successful completion whatever lie undertook.
April 27, 1858, George Fetter was married to Mary, daughter of Gottlieb and Cliristina Rosa (Miller) Mautz, who were both natives of Ger- ' many. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, and became residents of the United States about 1830. For seven years they resided in Pennsylvania, later coming to Marion County. Of their children we make the following
mention: Caroline, wife of Daniel Fishenberger, is now deceased; Jacob died April 10, 1895; Mary A. is the next in order; Christina became the wife of Christian Behiner, but bothi are now deceased; Gottlieb died when a few months old; John is now a resident of Pleasant 'Township; Christ F. died at the age of four years; and Lydia, the wife of Albert Zimmerman, is now living in Marion.
Mrs. Fetter was born in the Keystone State, January 6, 1837, and by her marriage with our subject became the mother of ten children. George F. is a resident of Marion; Jacob is a fariner of this county; Amelia M., who was one of twins, died January 11, 1890; Samuel H., William P. and Frank J. all reside in Marion; Clara L. and Alice were twins. The latter died when a few months old, but Clara is living at home. Ed- ward H. is next in order of birth; and one died in infancy.
George Fetter was an ardent and zealous mem- ber of the Lutheran Church for many years, and to the same denomination his wife also belongs. He was a Democrat and held a number of town- ship and school offices to the satisfaction of all. He was called to his final rest July 11, 1884, and his remains were interred in Marion Cemetery.
HOMAS J. CANTWELL. Few residents of Hardin County have gained such marked prominence in the business world as has the subject of this sketch, whose life furnislies a splendid illustration of what it is in the power of an ambitious and industrious man to accomplish for himself. Starting at the close of his school days as a clerk on a sinall salary, within twenty years he has built up a business of more than $125,000 per year, and stands at the liead of the hardware merchants of central Ohio. By up- right dealings and good management he has amassed a fortune. As a model progressive and sagacious business man, he has no superiors and
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