USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 28
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 28
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Dr. and Mrs. Rogers had three children, Er- nest, Eugene and Kate. Ernest died in 1862; Eugene, who is unmarried, resides in Kenton
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with his father; Kate is the wife of Thomas J. Cantwell, one of the leading business men of Kenton. The mothier of this family died in 1857, and in 1858 the Doctor married Ann Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Walter and Mary (Nesbett) King, the former a native of Stafford, Va., and the latter of Maryland. By this union the Doc- tor has three daugliters, namely: Mary Belle and Margaret, who are at home; and Clara, who in March, 1891, married Capt. P. A. Campbell, of the Ohio National Guards, and son of William Campbell, the extensive stave manufacturer, with whom he is associated in business.
Aside from his business enterprises, Dr. Rog- ers is a stockholder and Director of the Kenton Gas and Electric Company. In1 1848 he, with several others, organized the Latham Masonic Lodge No. 154 of Kenton, of which he is the last surviving charter member, and in which he has filled all the offices. He has been a Mason since April, 1844. Politically he was first a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican par- ty has been identified with that organization, but has never sought nor been willing to accept public offices.
MANUEL HATFIELD, one of the well-to- do farmers of Hardin County, has a fine estate located 011 section 17, Roundhead Township, and for several years has been num- bered among the substantial agriculturists of this locality. He is practical and industrious in the pursuit of his chosen vocation, and has brought his farm under good cultivation and improve- ment.
A native of Carroll County, Olio, Mr. Hat- field was born March 11, 1838, to John and Sal- lie (Hites) Hatfield, natives of Maryland. The parents came to this state about 1833, choosing Carroll County as their home. There the father farmed rented land until 1840, the year in which he came to Hardin County, when he made his
home in McDonald Township. His circum- stances were such at this time that he was enabled to purchase sixty-two acres of wild land, on which his first duty was to erect a cabin for his family. He next set himself about the task of clearing the land, on which he made liis home for twenty years. He then sold out, but continued to reside in that township during the remainder of his life, passing away in 1858. His wife preceded him to the land beyond. John Hatfield was a Whig in politics. and a member of the Lutheran Church.
The original of this sketch was married, March 1, 1866, in McDonald Township, to Miss Lydia E., daughter of R. A. Poe. She was born in Oc- tober, 1846, in McDonald Township, and by her union with Emanuel Hatfield became the mother of four children. Of these, John F. was born De- cember 28, 1866. He married Catherine Loomis, and has two children, Rue E. and Herald E. The next child died in infancy. William Howard and Elisha Estella (twins) died at the age of about four months.
After being deprived of both father and mother, our subject was compelled to look out for himself, and until 1861 worked at various places, receiv- ing at first only $9 per month. On the call for volunteers to enter the Union service he promptly responded and was mustered into Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, serving under Cap- tain Thompson. The regiment was soon after- ward ordered to Maryland and was transported to Grafton, that state, by train. He first saw the smoke of battle at McDowell, and the next ell- gagement in which he participated was Cross Keys, which was followed by the second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After the last conflict the Eighity-second was ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn., where occurred the battle of Lookout Mountain. After this they joined Sherman on his march to the sea, fighting at Buzzard's Roost, Bentonville (N. C.), and at va- rious other places. Although in the service for three years and nine months, Mr. Hatfield was never taken prisoner. He was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 17, 1865, and, returning to this county, began farming in McDonald Town- ship.
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The first property which our subject ever owned consisted of forty acres of wild land. This he later traded for a tract of thirty acres lying in the same township, on which he moved. To this he added at one time thirty-four acres and at an- other a tract of fifty acres, making in all one hun- dred and fourteen acres. Of this he cleared and improved fifty acres, and in 1881 sold it and re- moved to Roundhead Township, becoming the owner of one hundred finely improved acres lying on section 17.
Mr. Hatfield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is active in all good works in his neighborhood. He is a Republican in pol- itics, and aside from serving as Supervisor of his township has never held office. He is greatly interested in the cause of education in his district, as his own advantages were limited for attending school, and it is his desire that the children of the present day, especially of his locality, may be af- forded every means for being intelligent citizens.
HARLES WESLEY RUNSER, one of the leading grain and stock raisers of Hardin County, is the owner of a finely cultivated homestead on section 2, Marion Township, con- taining one hundred and eighty acres. His birth occurred in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, Jan- uary 9, 1843.
Our subject is the son of Andrew and Cather- ine (Cowen) Runser, both of whom were born in Alsace, France, and of whom a full history will appear on anotlier page, under the name of An- drew Runser. Chiarles W. was about four years of age when his parents moved to Pennsylvania, and, settling at Sharon, he there attended school for about two years. At the end of that time an- other change was made. This time the family located in Hardin County, where lie continued his studies until attaining his twentieth year, a part
of the time attending the excellent schools of Ada.
Charles Wesley continued to make his home with his parents, aiding in the farm work, until four years after attaining his inajority, when he was married and began farming on his own ac- count on a tract of seventy-two acres which had been given him by his father. . The latter was a large land-owner of this township, having at one time five hundred and fifty broad acres. This he accumulated with the intention of helping his sons and daughters to a start in life, and was the means of their all becoming well-to-do financially. We must not neglect to say that prior to estab- lishing a home of his own, our subject taught three terms of school in his district, and also bought and sold cattle and farm machinery.
Four acres out of the seventy-two acre tract had been cleared when our subject located upon it, but before giving his attention to cultivating the soil he made it his first duty to build a house. This by his efforts was inade as commodious and comfortable as possible and served as a shelter for the family for a number of years. Mr. Run- ser is a practical farmer, and by the intelligent manner in which he carried on his estate pros- pered and later added thereto one hundred and ten acres, so that he is now the owner of a tract of one hundred and eighty. two acres. The little framne house above referred to has long since given way to a larger and more conveniently ar- ranged residence, and Mr. Runser bears the dis- tinction of having the largest barn in the county.
Our subject was married at Rantoul, Cham- paign County, Ill., October 30, 1867, to Miss Martha Lawrence, who was born at Beaver, Pa., June 6, 1842. She was the daughter of John Lawrence, who was also a native of that state. To theni have been born five children. Clarence D. is married and lives on a farm in Liberty Township; William W. is attending school at Ada; Clement C., Roscoe and John Franklin are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Runser are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hunt- ersville. In politics the former is a stanch Re- publican. He served for some eighteen years as Justice of the Peace, for six years was County Commissioner, and has also been Clerk of the
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township. His interest in educational affairs led him to be placed on tlre board, and in the capac- ity of Director he rendered efficient service for several terms. Several brothers of Mrs. Run- ser were soldiers in the War of the Rebellion.
ARREN G. HARDING, editor and propri- etor of the Marion Daily and Weckly Star, was born in Blooming Grove, Morrow County, Ohio, November 2, 1865. His father, Dr. G. Tryon Harding, a leading physician of Marion, was born in Morrow County in 1843, and was a son of Charles A., a native of Wyoming County, Pa., who came to Ohio about 1830, in company with his father, Tryon Harding. The latter was a direct descendant of a noted Gover- nor of Commecticut.
In 1864 Dr. Harding married Miss Phoebe Elizabeth Dickerson, who was born in 1843, the youngest of eight sisters. A peculiar fact in this connection is that the Doctor was an only son and had eight sisters, while his wife was one of eight sisters and had one brother. In 1871 our subject accompanied his parents to the eastern part of Marion County, and received his primary education in the village school. In 1882 he was graduated from the Ohio Central College with the degree of B. S., and then took up the study of law, through which he drifted into the insur- ance business.
The first newspaper work done by Mr. Hard- ing was during his collegiate course, when he was editor of the Spectator, the college journal. While thus engaged he displayed natural ability for that class of work, and also developed a lik- ing for journalism. In the summer of 1884 he became city editor of the Marion MMirror, and in November of the same year he bought the Ma- rion Daily Star, a paper wholly destitute of rep- utation or circulation. Though without any means of his own, he set about the task of build- ing up the paper, and this he did with a deter-
mination that knew no opposition. In 1885 lie established the Weekly Star in connection with the daily, and it was not long before he became an important factor in the newspaper business in Marion County. From the first he prospered, and now has one of the largest and best equipped offices in central Ohio. He occupies his own building, all of which is devoted to the publish- ing business.
In the political affairs of Marion County Mr. Harding is no unimportant factor. Ever true to the principles of the Republican party, he up- holds its candidates and measures of all occa- sions. July S, IS91, he married Florence, eldest child and only daughter of Hon. Anos H. Kling, an accomplished young lady, who assists him very materially in the management of lris paper and shares with lrim the esteem of the best people of the city.
18 ANIEL B. CLIFFE, D. V. S., one of the leading veterinary surgeons of Marion Coun- ty, and a prominent citizen of Scott Town (Cochranton Postoffice), is a native of Ofrio, and was born in Ashland County, March 6, 1859. He is the second among twelve children comprising the family of Joseph C. and Adassa (Kidwell) Cliffe, both natives of Ohio. Very early in life he begar to earn his own living, starting at the age when most boys are attending school. His edu- cational advantages were very meager, but lie availed himself to the utinost of such opportuni- ties as cante to him, and through reading and ob- servation, rather than from definite training, he has become well informed upon topics of histori- cal, general and local interest.
As far back as he can remember, our subject has had a great fondness for horses, and having made a study of the animal, lie is particularly well posted concerning the treatment of diseases peculiar to it. When only eleven years of age he began to ride race-horses and soon became an ex-
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pert in their management. The summer months were thus employed, while during the winter he attended the common schools. At the age of eighteen he began to drive trotting and pacing horses, and soon established a wide reputation as a trainer and driver.
In order that he might be even more success- ful in his work,- our subject studied veterinary surgery under the preceptorship of his brother, and afterward took a course of lectures at the Toronto Veterinary School of Toronto, Canada. In the spring of 1892 he was graduated from the Ohio Veterinary College at Cincinnati, and at once located in Upper Sandusky, Olio, where he practiced his profession for a short time. From that place he removed to Scott Town, Marion County, where he has gained a good reputation for skill in the profession.
Though his residence in Marion County covers a comparatively brief period only, Dr. Cliffe is well known in the village where he resides, and also through the surrounding country. He has given considerable attention to the great questions before the people to-day, and, being an advocate of free trade, naturally supports the men and measures of the Democratic party. Should he be called to official positions, he would without doubt give to them the same thoughtful consider- ation and judicious management that he gives to his private affairs. Fraternally the Doctor be- longs to Chapter No. 463. F. & A. M., at Larue.
OUIS SPIECE, a general farmer and stock- raiser of Marion County, owns an improved farmi on section 28, Tully Township. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and thoughi not desirous of holding public positions, as he finds his time fully occupied in looking after his business inter- ests, he once officiated as Township Trustee, dis- charging his duties with zeal and faithfulness.
The father of our subject, Jacob Spiece, was
born in Prussia, Germany, October 18, 1806, and on reaching his majority entered the army, in which he served for three years. He later learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed to a greater or less extent from that time forward. In1 1830 was celebrated his marriage, and about ten years later lie emigrated with his family to the United States. They were tossed to and fro in a sailing-vessel for eleven weeks, but at length reached Baltimore and continued their journey to Crawford County, Ohio. For a few years the fa- . ther engaged in farming there, but in 1847 came to this county and bought a farm. Subsequently he became the owner of the homestead which his son Louis now operates, and which has one hun- dred and twenty acres within its boundaries.
Jacob Spiece was twice married, his first wife being Miss Krauskopf, who bore him eight chil- dren, as follows: Henry, now deceased; Charlie; Elizabeth, Mrs. Jacob Newman; Louis, our sub- ject; Mary, wife of August Schneider; Peter, who died at the age of eleven years; Lucinda, now de- ceased, but who was formerly the wife of Henry Christman; and Jacob. The mother departed this life in 1844, and some years later Mr. Spiece married Philoepena Weaver. They had two chil- dren. Maggie died in infancy; and Minnie and her husband, William Herr, live on the home farm.
The birth of Louis Spiece occurred in Crawford County, this state, November 20, 1843. He con- tinued to dwell with his parents until shortly be- fore he reached his majority. For five years he worked at the carpenter's trade, after which he carried on a rented farm for six years. In 1878 he bought sixty-four acres in Tully Township, and has since devoted his time to its develop- ment and cultivation. He received a good edu- cation, and has always been interested in school affairs, using his influence in favor of better fa- cilities in this direction for the rising generation.
February 4, 1872, our subject married Melissa Coulter, who was born in Crawford County, Oc- tober 9, 1851, and has been summoned to the better land. She became the mother of three children, namely: Annie M., born No- veniber 29, 1872; Harvey, June 2, 1882; and Nettie, January 21, 1885. Mr. Spiece, who is
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one of the pillars and active members of the Ger- man Reformed Church, lias been a Deacon in the congregation for eleven years and is now one of the Elders. He possesses an enviable reputation for . uprightness of word and deed, and is well liked by those who know him.
6 - ENRY YOUNG, one of the prominent bus- iness inen of Ada, is the fortunate possessor of a beautiful home in the heart of the vil- lage, surrounded by four or five acres of land. Though he is one of the solid men back of the Ada Bank, being a stockholder and director, he gives the business little attention, preferring to devote his time to floriculture.
Henry Young was born near Ft. Wayne, Ind., February 9, 1840, and is a son of George Jacob Young, a native of Germany. He was a soldier in the German army for six years, serving under Wellington at the battle of Waterloo. By trade he was a locksmith, and followed that occupation after coming to the United States, in Stark Coun- ty, Ohio, where he first settled. Later he entered land in Indiana, near Ft. Wayne, and there spent the rest of his life. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna M. Stuyp. She survived him a number of years, dying in Ada. She became the mother of eleven children, of whom we make the following mention: Elizabeth, who is now in her seventieth year, married a Mr. Butler, and resides near Ft. Wayne; Jacob died at Denver, Colo .; Stephen lives at Ft. Wayne; Christian is one of the wealthy inen of this place; and Will- iam, the youngest of the family, died in Ada, in 1888.
The early education of Henry Young was rather limited and, not being satisfied with ordinary ad- vantages, he spent two terms in the Ada Normal. Since then he has been a great student, and lias frequently imperiled his health in his search after knowledge. Years ago he began to form a libra- ry, and has continued to make additions to it ever
since. He is versed in the wisdom of all the great philosophers and thinkers, being a believer in the doctrines set forth by Darwin and Paine, and he is an evolutionist in the strictest sense of the word. He is liberal in his donations to churches and benevolences which he judges to be worthy, and 110 poor person, in need of a little timely assistance, is turned from his door empty- handed.
In 1863 Mr. Young came to Ada, and in conl- pany with his brother engaged in the milling business. Afterwards he became interested in the lumber trade, but in 1875 he retired from the commercial world that he might pursue his favor- ite studies uninterruptedly.
Socially Mr. Young is a very firm friend of Masonry. He has made an especial study of the origin and growth of the order, and few men in the state are better posted than he on everything pertaining to the subject. He deposits his ballots in favor of Republican nominecs and measures. The lady who presides over his home with tact and grace was formerly Miss Emma Deiffenderfer, a descendant of a respected German family of Pennsylvania.
EN. T. EVERETT, one of the most influ- ential and worthy citizens of Marion Coun- ty, is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 21, Grand Township. Few men in this locality are better known or more sincerely es- tecmed by one and all, for he has always had its welfare deeply at heart.
Our subject is a native of this county, and was born in Big Island Township, March 10, 1849. He was the third in order of birth of the family of seven children born to William and Electa L. (Lewis) Everett. The father was born in Mus- kingum County, this state, and was a lad of ten years at the time of his parents' removal to Ma- rion County. They entered land in Big Island Township, and were among the first to locate
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there. This was about 1820, when the country was inhabited by Indians, who oftentimes asked for shelter and food, and many times proved very troublesome to tlie pioneers. William Everett passed the remainder of liis life in this county, dying when in his sixty-third year. He was in early life a Whig, then an Abolitionist, but after the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and was one of its influential advocates in his township. He was fairly well educated, and kept himself informed on all the leading questions of the day. His success in life was due to his energy and industrious efforts, and at his death he left his family well provided for. His father was born in Vermont, and served as a soldier during the War of 1812, while the great-grand- mother of our subject was a native of Germany. Mrs. Electa Everett was born near Albany, N. Y., in 1822, and is now in lier seventy-fourth year. She makes her home on the old place in Big Is- land Township, in which section her parents were among the first settlers.
The subject of this sketch remained at home until attaining his majority, with the exception of the time spent in pursuing his studies in the Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Mich. He was married, November 16, 1871, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Nehemiah and Mary Ann (Smith) Davis. The father of Mrs. Everett was born in Washington County, Ohio, from which place he was brought to Marion County by his parents when a lad of thirteen years. They chose a loca- tion in Grand Township, and here Mr. Davis was reared and passed the remaining years of his life. His wife is now seventy-four years of age, and is living with her daughter, the wife of our subject. Mr. Davis started out in life a poor boy, but so prosperous was he in his agricultural pursuits that at the time of his demise he left his family an estate comprising over nine hundred acres of some of the most valuable land in the county. He never identified himself with any church organ- ization, but always lived according to his inter- pretation of the Golden Rule, and was beloved and respected by all who knew him. He died December 9, 1891.
After his marriage, our subject rented a tract of
land for one season in Salt Rock Township, and the following year went to Wyandot County, this state. He subsequently engaged in the livery business at Sandusky, and five years later re- turned to Marion County, renting land in Salt Rock Township until 1891, the year in which he took possession of his present valuable estate. It is two hundred and fifty acres in extent, and be- sides raising a goodly amount of grain, he gives considerable attention to breeding fine sheep.
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Our subject is an active Republican in politics, and on one occasion was the candidate of his party for the office of County Commissioner, but was defeated by a small majority. He has been Jus- tice of the Peace for six years, and during his in- cumbency of the office commanded the respect of all who had dealings with him. He is not con- nected with any church organization, but believes that with justice in the right hand and sincerity in the left he will meet the approbation of the Creator. However, he contributes liberally toward the support of the churches in his vicinity.
EORGE CESSNA was actively identified with the welfare of Cessna Township, Har- din County, from his early years until death put an end to his labors, April 29, 1890. From 1876 he lived on a good farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 14, Cessna Township.
The birth of our subject occurred in Holmes County, Ohio, March 30, 1828, his parents being William and Keziah (Davis) Cessna. He received a good common-school education and practical equipment for the duties of life, and soon gave evidence of the superior business ability with which nature had endowed him. When he was about twenty-two years of age he went to Iowa, where he worked on a farm for a couple of years. Coming back to Hardin County, he remained here for a time, and then went overland to California, where he engaged in mining and prospecting.
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GEORGE W. ARMSTRONG.
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On his return, about 1860, he invested his sav- ings in a tract of eighty acres, lying on section 2, and cultivated the same until 1876, when he pur- chased the home place, where his widow now re- sides.
December 28, 1852, George Cessna married Jemima Beem, by whom he had two children: Keel, who is now living in Union County, Ohio; and James W., who lives in Kingman, Kan. January 4, 1863, Mr. Cessna wedded Katherine Kibler, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born April 20, 1837, and a daughter of John and Mary Kibler. Three children came to grace the mar- riage of our subject and his second wife: John G., a farmer of this township; Joseph H., also a farmer near the old homestead; and Roy M., who lives with his mother on the old farm.
A man who was mainly self-made, both as re- gards education and wealth, Mr. Cessna was al- ways in favor of progressive ideas along all lines of human activity, and was not sparing of his means when his fellows might be benefited there- by. Politically he was a Republican. He held the offices of School Director and Supervisor. In the Methodist Church, to which he belonged, he was a Class-Leader and Steward at various times. When he was gathered to his fathers at the close of a useful and happy life, he was tenderly placed to await the last trumpet-call in Salem Cemetery.
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