USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 25
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 25
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Mr. Glathart is largely self-educated, though he attended for a short time the subscription schools held in a log cabin near his boyhood's home. He has made a success of his business ventures in most cases, and is now the owner of one hundred and forty-four acres. In politics he is a Democrat, and on that ticket was elected . Township Trustee.
ON. EDMUND CONLEY is one of the leading citizens and business men of Marion. I11 1891 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, by a good majority, as Representative front this district, which comprises the counties of Marion and Morrow. A friend to education, he has been a member of the School Board for about
thirty years. For one year he was a member of the City Council, and he has also served as Town- ship Trustee and in minor positions. All worthy industries and enterprises in this locality find in him a friend and supporter. He is numbered among the stockholders of the Marion Manufact- uring Company, and also of the Marion Milling Company.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Conley, John Conley, was a native of Ireland, but came to the United States in 1797. His son, Henry, the fa-
ther of Edmund, was born in Pennsylvania. On reaching man's estate he married Sarah Kerr, by whom he had seven children, namely: Ed- mund; John, deceased; David, a capitalist, now in California; Ann, Mary and Sallie, deceased; and Josiah H., who is engaged in running a hardware establishment and drug store at Shant- okin, Pa. Henry Conley was a man of good ed- ucation and ability. He died in Pennsylvania in December, 1847, in the faith of the Presbyte- rian Church, with which he had long been asso- ciated.
Edmund Conley was born in what is now Blair County, Pa., December 20, 1829, and was reared at Barre Forge, that county. He started forth to make his own way when fifteen years of age, working on the farm by the month, and during the winter terms attending school for two years. He then served for three years as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade, receiving his board, $3 a month, and three months' schooling during the winter in return for his services. In 1849 he went to Fairfield County, Ohio, and continued to work at his trade during the summer.
The year 1849 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Conley in Marion, where he found plenty of work as a carpenter for the next three years. Desiring to try his hand at farming, he rented land for about eleven years, or until 1873, when he pur- chased a tract of one hundred and ninety-five acres, on which the stone-quarries are now locat- ed. In 1884 he moved to the valuable farm on which he now resides, and which comprises fifty acres adjacent to the corporate limits of the town. Altogether he and his wife own two hundred and fifty acres of improved and fertile farm land, which would command a high and ready price in the market at any time.
November 9, 1852, Edmund Conley married Jane A. Balentine, by whom he has had ten chil- dren, as follows: Harry, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Ellen, who became the wife 'of James B. Riley, of Marion; John, a farmer of this county; Edwin and Ann, twins, both of whom are living; Frank, Julia, William and Sarah, de- ceased; and Charles H. The latter, who is a grad- uate of Marion High School, is now attending
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ELLIS L. MILLAR.
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the State University, and expects. to graduate . from the law department. The family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and enjoy the confidence and liigh regard of all who know them. .
LLIS L. MILLAR. In the columns of the Republican, which is a familiar visitor to the home of almost every resident of Kenton, the opinions, principles and views of its editor, E. L. Millar, are found reflected. The paper is a bright and spicy sheet, which is notable for its interesting local items and for its excellent re- views, under editorial headings, of events of na- tional or world-wide importance.
The family of which our subject is a member has been represented in Hardin County for sev- eral generations. His paternal grandfather was John (better known as "Scotch" ) Millar, to whom the latter appellation was given as a synonym for integrity, perseverance and thrift, and who was one of the sturdy pioneers of this county. .. The father of our subject, John D., was born in Har- din County in 1834, and followed agricultural pursuits here until his death, at the age of thirty- seven. In 1855 he married Ketura A. Williams, a native of Richland County, Ohio, and three children were born to their union, E. L., John F. and Joseph, the latter now deceased.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hardin County in 1857. His educational advantages were good, consisting of several years' attendance at the common schools of Goshen Township, two years in Kenton High School and four years in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, this state. In the latter city, in 1880, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Minnie Manning, and three chil- dren were born to them, of whom the only sur- vivor is Madge, born in 1888.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Millar was editor and proprietor of the Ada Record. That paper, however, he sold in the fall of 1881, and
then went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where for six months he was city editor of the Courier. Re- signing that position, he returned to Ohio, and in May, 1882, purchased a half-interest in the Ken- ton Republican, with which he has since been connected. In 1886 he became the sole . owner of the paper, and has since been its editor and publisher. . In 1892 he established the Daily Re- publican, so that there are now both daily and weekly editions of the paper. They are excellent journals, devoted to home interests, literature and general news, and are well conducted. The edi- tor is a ready and forcible writer, and his papers are bright and newsy sheets. He has secured a liberal patronage, and his subscription list has been steadily enlarged.
Fraternally Mr. Millar is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Elks. While giving his sup- -port, both at the ballot box and through the me- dium of the papers, to the principles of the Re- publican party, he has never cared for positions of prominence in public affairs, but has preferred to devote his attention to private duties. He is a friend to education, and has the best interests of the community at heart. In all works of advance- ment and progress he is found in the front rank, and does all in his power to promote the general welfare. He is a genial, well informed gentle- man, who has the confidence of the people, and his sterling worth has won him high regard.
OLOMON F. ROSENCRANS is a prom- inent farmer of Scott Township, Marion County, and for about twelve years, from 1875 to 1887, was extensively engaged in buying, selling and shipping live-stock. His homestead on section 15 comprises two hundred and forty acres, and altogether he is tle fortunate possessor of three hundred and seventy acres. In politics he is a Democrat, and is at present serving as Justice of the Peace, in addition to which he formerly held the office of Township Trustee.
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The father of the gentleman whose name heads · this article was Jolin Rosencrans, a native of Pennsylvania, born August 8, 1804. His father in turn, who also bore the Christian name of John, was a native of Germany. Our subject's mother, who was known in maidenlood as Margaret Fair- childs, was born in the Keystone State in 1809, and was a daughter of Solomon Fairchilds. John and Margaret Rosencrans became the parents of eleven children, as follows: Mary A., George, William, Elizabeth, John, Emily and Ella(twins), Solomon, Margaret R., and two who died in in- fancy.
By occupation John Rosencrans was a fariner throughout life. About 1848 he made his way to Marion County by team, settling in Scott Township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land, the farm now owned by our subject. About four years before his death Mr. Rosencrans moved to Bucyrus, re- tiring from active business cares. His demise oc- curred in1 1885, and he was buried in Letimber- ville Cemetery. He was very successful and was the owner of eleven hundred acres of land. For thirty-three years he was Justice of the Peace and was County Commissioner for two or three terms. In politics he voted the straight Democratic ticket, and at one time was elected by his party to rep- resent this district in the State Legislature. A man of good education, he taught school for eight or ten termis in his early manhood.
Solomon F. Rosencrans was born in Luzerne County, Pa., near Wilkes Barre, July 2, 1847, and was yet an infant when his parents brought him to this county. He continued to make his home with them until he was twenty-five years of age, in the mean time receiving a district- school education. About 1872 he settled on a piece of land in this township, and cultivated tlie same for ten or twelve years. In 1881 he re- moved to the old homestead, which has since come into his possession.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of our subject and Amanda Lee, who died in 1876, leaving three children, Rose, Flora and John. Mr. Rosencrans subsequently married Mrs. Mary E., widow of Daniel Fairchilds, by whom she had one son,
Francis M. by name. Four children have graced the union of our subject and wife: Emma May, Solomon Earl and Ella Pearl (twins) and Grace. In his fraternal relations our subject is identified with the Knights of Pythias.
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EORGE NEIDHART is a well-to-do Ger- man-American farmer of Pleasant Town- ship, Marion County, where he owns an im- proved and valuable tract of land. He has long been numbered among the early settlers of this region, as his entire adult life has been identified with its development. He was born July 20, 1821, in Hessen, Germany, and passed his first sixteen years in his native land.
The parents of our subject were Stephen and Mary Jane (Snow) Neidhart, who had two other children, both of whom are deceased. They were all natives of the Fatherland, but came to the United States in 1838. The journey across the Atlantic in the slow sailing-vessels of that day took forty-six days. They reached Baltimore in safety, and proceeded to this county in a wagon. Stephen Neidhart purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in this township, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred when he had attained about threescore and ten years. His wife departed this life when in her sixty-sixth year, and both were buried in Pleasant Township Cemetery. Tlie father was a farmer and black- smith, and when he came from Germany brought his tools with him. In his political views he was a Democrat, and in religious faith was a believer in the Reformed Church, to which his wife also belonged.
For several years after becoming a resident of this township, George Neidhart continued to dwell with his parents. At the age of twenty- six years he was married, and soon afterward moved to the farin where lie is yet living. A
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small log house then constituted about . the only improvement on the place, but the land is now well cultivated and has good buildings and fences upon it. In his native land lie received a good German education, but only attended school about two months in the United States, though he very soon acquired sufficient knowledge of the English tongue for all practical purposes. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of . land, which would readily command a higli price in the market.
For several years Mr. Neidhart has been a member of the Sehool Board, and has also acted as Township. Trustee. Politically he is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party. Like his parents before him, he holds membership with the Reformed Church, being a pillar in tlie con- gregation.
April 2, 1848, a marriage ceremony was per- formed by which Elizabeth Kile, of this county, became the wife of our subject. Eight children graced their union: Caroline, wife of John Reich- ard, of Green Camp Township, this county; Eliza- beth, Mrs. John Augenstein, of this county; George, a resident of Marion; Mary, Mrs. Henry Kester, of Henry County, Ohio; John, a farmer of Richland Township; Hannah, who married Henry Sinning, of Marion; Stephen, whose home is also in Marion; and Emma, who is unmarried and keeping house for her father. The faithful wife and loving mother was summoned to the home beyond, May 5, 1892, and was placed to rest in the cemetery at Marion.
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OHN GERLACH. The entire life of this gentleman has been passed in Kenton, where he was born August 1, 1840. He is a rep- resentative of the native-born citizens of Hardin County who have exerted a marked influence in its affairs, and have in various ways contributed to its social, commercial and material advance- ment. By judicious management he has been
enabled to accumulate a competence, and liis la- bors, directed by intelligence, have been crowned withi success.
The father of our subject, Ulrich Gerlach, one of the leading pioncers of Kenton, was born in Germany, January 21, 1812, and emigrated from his native land to America in 1835. Settling in Pittsburg, Pa., he began to follow the trade of a harness-maker, which he had learned in Ger- many. In 1837 .he came to Kenton, but inade only a short sojourn, going from this city to Mansfield, Ohio. I11 1838 he came here again and opened the first harness shop in the place, embarking in that business which he continued until the close of the Civil War. He then retired to his farm, one and three-quarter miles from Kenton, where he has since made his home.
By his marriage with Miss Anna Maria Pfeifer, a native of Germany, Mr. Gerlach had five sons and one daughter, John being the eldest of the family. George is a farmer of Hardin County; Adam is engaged in the harness business in Ken- ton; Christ is similarly engaged in Darke Coun- ty, this state; William is on the old homestead with his father; and Elizabeth, the only daugh- ter, also resides with her parents.
In boyhood the subject of this notice learned the trade of a harness-maker under the guidance of his father, and upon arriving at man's estate selected for his life work the occupation with which he was most familiar. During the late war he entered the army as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guards, and did service near Harper's Ferry. On the ex- piration of his term of service lie returned to Kent- ton, and in 1866, with his brother Adam, he suc- ceeded to the business of his father. The part- nership continued until 1886, since which time our subject has been sole proprietor. His atten- tion throughout life has been devoted to the busi- ness which his father established in 1838, and through unwavering honesty and energy he has maintained tlie higli reputation gained by the projector of the enterprise.
On Cliristmas Day of 1862 Mr. Gerlach was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Balch, and they are the parents of seven children, five sons
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and two daughters. While not a politician in the ordinary usage of that term, he may always be relied upon to use his influence and cast his bal- lot for the Democratic party, believing its princi- ples conducive to the highest good of the coun- try. In his social relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Identi- fied with the Evangelical Church, he and his wife are earnest and consistent Christians, and are sin- cere in the discharge of their religious obligations. They are highly respected wherever known, and possess considerable influence in social circles.
EWIS PFEIFFER. The sons of the pio- neers of Hardin County are among the most successful of its citizens. To thent liave de- scended, as a heritage, qualities of energy, indus- try, perseverance and probity, which they have inherited from their fathers, together with the memory of their upright lives. The subject of this sketch, who is a life-long resident of Goshen Township, is the son of one of the early settlers of this section, John Adam Pfeiffer, who came here as early as 1838, and is remembered as a man of sterling character and great energy.
A native of Hessen, Germany, the father of our subject was reared to manhood in the place of his birth, and received a good education in the German schools. Shortly after his marriage to Miss Sophia Ellsesser, he crossed the ocean, and in 1837 made settlement in Pennsylvania. His sojourn there, however, was but for three months. Believing that better opportunities would be af- forded him further West, he came to. Ohio and purchased land in Goshen Township, Hardin County. This part of the state was then, in many places, in nature's primeval state, covered with dense growths of timber and destitute of any at- tempt at improvement. However, the soil was fertile, and Mr. Pfeiffer found that he was abun- dantly repaid for his labor in clearing the land,
He became. well-to-do, accumulating about five hundred acres in this county, where he remained until his death, at the age of sixty-nine years. In Goshen Township he was very prominent, and for some tinie represented it on the Board of Su- pervisors. In religion he was a sincere Chris- tian and a devoted member of the St. Peter's Evangelical Church. His wife, also a native of Germany, died at the age of forty-seven, and their remains are interred in the Grove Cemetery.
The parental family consisted of the following- named children: Elizabeth, wife of Conrad Brid- enbaugh, of Pleasant Township; John, a farmer of Hardin County; Peter, who owns and operates a farm in Goshen Township; George, who is sim- ilarly engaged; Lewis; and Adam, also a farmer of Goshen Township. Our subject, who is next to the youngest of the family, was born in Goshen Township, Hardin County, January 19, 1847. His childhood years were passed in his father's home, and he aided in the clearing of the farm. At the age of twenty-two he began in life for him- self, having received an eighty-acre tract from his father. This he sold in 1883 and purchased the farm where he has since resided.
On Christmas Day of 1873, Mr. Pfeiffer was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Miller, of Goshen Township. She is the daughter of Adamı and Elizabeth (Ramge) Miller, natives of Darm- stadt, Germany, who came with their respective parents to Ohio, and were here married. They settled in Goshen Township, of which Mr. Pfeif- fer was a pioneer farmer. He is now living in Keuton, at the age of about seventy-seven years. His wife died in April, 1892, ou the old home farm in Goshen Township. They had a family of four children; as follows: Dortha, wife of Adam Fry; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Kaiser; Maggie, Mrs. Pfeiffer; and Louisa, who died unmarried.
There were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Pfeiffer eight children, all of whom still remain with them, namely: Mary Louisa, Maggie Belle, Ada Eliza- beth, Carl Frederick William, Louis A., Miller A., Zona Emma and Ahna Odema. The home farm consists of one hundred and fifteen acres, all of which is well improved and under a good state of cultivation. The land is largely devoted to the
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF LEWIS PFEIFFER, SECTION 31, GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO.
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raising of cereals, though a portion is devoted to the pasturage of Shorthorn cattle and other good grades of stock which Mr. Pfeiffer owns.
In common with all public-spirited citizens, Mr. Pfeiffer is interested in matters pertaining to the progress of the community and the welfare of his fellow-men. Politically he favors Democratic principles, and is one of the leading members of that party in Goshen Township. For a number of years he has served as School Director, and he has also represented the township as Trustee. In these offices, as in the other local positions to which he has been called, he has rendered able service in behalf of his constituents, and both as official and citizen is well and favorably known. With his family he holds membership in St. Pe- ter's Evangelical Church.
HOMAS G. VASSAR is one of the most thrifty and enterprising farmers to be found in Hardin County. He is the owner of a well cultivated homestead on section 26, Taylor Creek Township, where he has dwelt for about thirty years. In 1880 he built a very pleasant and comfortable home, and with good barns, fences, etc., on the place, it is justly regarded as a valuable and desirable piece of property.
The parents of the gentleman referred to above were Daniel and Mary (Kerns) Vassar. The former was born in 1812, and the latter in 1817, and they were married in Logan County, Ohio, in 1836. Daniel Vassar passed his boyhood in Hal- ifax County, Va., on a farm, and on reaching his majority he emigrated to Rush Creek Township, Logan County, this state, the trip being made in wagons, and taking three months. He bought eighty-four acres of wild land, and after putting up a log cabin, 22x26 feet in dimensions, started to clear away the timber. Seven years later he sold out (having in the mean time cleared forty acres) and moved to Missouri, where he became the owner of four hundred acres of unimproved
land. He erected a small house and lived there the remainder of his life. He was killed while ont riding, his horse falling on him. A Repub- lican in politics, he was always on the side of progress, doing all in his power to promote the welfare of his neighborhood. After Mr. Vassar's death his widow married again.
Nine children were born to Daniel and Mary Vassar. Jacob, a farmer of this locality, married Mary Carr; Sophia is the wife of Adam Smith, of Pike County, Mo .; Thomas will be mentioned later in this sketch; John J., born in 1842, was a member of Company C, Twenty-first Missouri Regiment, and died in Scotland County, Mo., in 1864; Nathan married Mary Lancaster, who died in 1885; Mary E., born in 1856, died at the age of fourteen years; and Daniel, born in 1858, mar- ried a Miss Lancaster and lives in Missouri.
Thomas G. Vassar is a native of Logan Coun- ty, having been born near Big Springs, December II, 1840. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, at Belle- fontaine, as Corporal under Capt. I. R. Gardner, and was first sent to Camp Dennison, and later to Parkersburg, W. Va. He took part in several skirmishes prior to the battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded by a bullet in the right thigh and sent to the field hospital. Afterward he was transferred to New Albany, Ind., and altogether was laid up about eleven weeks. During his tedious convalescence he was home on a furlough about six months, and then rejoined his regiment. at that time near Murfreesboro. They started for Chattanooga and were on the field in the bat- tle there for two days. Then followed fifteen or more skirmishies, which were succeeded by tlie battle of Mission Ridge. After staying at Knox- ville about four months, they were sent to join Sherman at Dalton, Ga., and participated in the engagements of Buzzard's Roost and Resaca, which latter battle raged nearly two days. Alto- gether Mr. Vassar was in over thirty-five battles and skirmishes, and at the end of over three years of valiant service was honorably discharged at Chattanooga, June 26, 1864.
January 12, 1865, Mr. Vassar married Minerva Gardner at Bellefontaine. She is a daughter of
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John and Phiœbe (Parsall) Gardner, pioneers of Washington County, Pa. Mrs. Vassar was born April 3, 1844, in that county, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of two children. Newton G., born in Logan County December 17, 1865, is a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical Col- lege and is now practicing in Ridgeway; and Er- nest E., born August 23, 1870, is living at home.
For a year after Mr. Vassar's marriage he worked by the month, then invested his earnings in one hundred and two acres of wild land in Taylor Creek Township, the farm on which he has since resided. Not a stick of timber had then been cut on the place, and the owner had a task before him indeed. He was not easily discour- aged, however, and now, as the result of lris toil, has cleared sixty-three acres and has a well stocked and finely equipped farm. Until 1880 he lived in the humble log cabin, 18x20, with but two windows and two doors, and an old-fashioned fireplace.
Mr. Vassar is not one who is desirous of filling public office, but is prompt in meeting the duties which rest on him as a patriot and good citizen, and in accordance with his belief he votes the Prohibition ticket. A member of the Union Vet- erans' Union, he belongs to Thomas Post, of Kenton, and also to the Odd Fellows' lodge at Ridgeway. Notwithstanding the fact that his educational advantages were not of the best in his youth, he is a well informed man and keeps posted on tlie current events of the day.
OHN W. KRANER. The agriculturists of Marion County, as a rule, possess general in- telligence, thorough understanding of their calling, and great energy, and they therefore rank well among the farmers of Ohio. Among those who for years have successfully engaged in tilling the soil is the gentleman above named, a rep- resentative farmer and stock-raiser of Bowling Green Township. His life has been passed prin-
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