USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 31
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 31
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The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jolni Guthery, was born in Scotland, and accompa- nied his parents to America in childhood, set- tling in Lancaster County, Pa., where he was. reared and married. He was engaged in the dis-
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tilling business there until 1797, and then removed to the tract of land known as the Northwestern Territory, now included within the limits of Pike County, Ohio. At that early day the country was in the primeval condition of nature, and even the most sanguine of the pioneers did not antici- pate its future wonderfui development. Between Piketown and Portsmouth, a distance of twenty- four miles, there was but one cabin, and other portions of the country were equally desolate. He journeyed up the Scioto River in a boat, and reaching Piketown became one of its earliest settlers. He built a gristmill on Beaver Creek, where he remained until his death, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a man of great pat- riotism, and during the Colonial days was one of the feeble band who dared to withstand the op- pressive tyranny of Great Britain. Entering the Revolutionary War as a private, he received iner- ited promotions and was discharged as Colonel. When the War of 1812 began, he and four of his sons were among the first to volunteer in defense of our country, and they rendered valiant service until the close of the conflict.
The mother of our subject was born in Ken- tucky and came to Ohio, settling in Scioto Coun- ty prior to the War of 1812. Her death occurred in Marion County in 1858, at the age of sixty- eight, and her body lies beside that of her husband near their old home. She was a consistent Chris- tian and a devoted member of the United Breth- ren Church. The family was of Irish and Eng- lish extraction. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and her father was a private in the War of the Revolution. He lived for many years after- ward, and 'from him his children and grandchil- dren heard many thrilling incidents connected with that period of our country's history. He was drowned February 10, 1827, when sixty-one years of age.
At the time of removing to Marion County, our subject was eight years old. His school ad- vantages were very limited, but being a student he has acquired a very fair education. Early obliged to assist in the maintenance of the family, he worked out on farms by the day or month, con- tinuing thus engaged for some years. In 1836
he came to Bowling Green Township and "squat- ted" on land, building a log cabin for his liome. About a year later he bought one hundred acres, for which lic gave $3 per acre, paying $19 in serv- ices and the remainder in notes, as he liad no money. He was one of the first to settle in Bowling Green Township, and here he has made his home ever since. ·
April 23, 1854, Mr. Guthery married Miss Susan Fredrick, a native of Virginia. Ten children were born of their union, of whom two died in infancy. Of the others we note the fol- lowing: Josephi D. is a prosperous farmer of Bowl- ing Green Township; James B. assists his father in the cultivation of the home farm; Emma died at the age of eleven years; Rachel Ann is the wife of Charles N. Barnes, of Lacon, Ill., who is now a member of the State Senate; William L. is with his parents on the home farm; John H. is engaged in farm pursuits in Big Island Township, Marion County; Isaac S. is a farmer of Bowling Green Township; and Fred E. is an attorney of Marion, Ohio.
Politically Mr. Guthery is a stanch Democrat, and has taken an active part in local affairs. In youth he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served in that capacity for twenty-one years. For a long time he also held the office of Town-' ship Clerk. In 1875 he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, and two years later he was re-elected, serving until 1879. He was Land Appraiser of the county for twenty years, and has also served in other positions of honor and responsibility. Socially he is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity at Larue. Though not a member of any denomination, he contributes liberally to the support of tlie Baptist Church, with which his wife is connected.
The original one hundred acres upon which the family settled in 1838 is still in the possession of Mr. Guthiery. He now owns about twelve hun- dred acres of valuable land in Bowling Green Township, as well as property in adjoining town- ships. In stock-raising he has been successful, having had on his place horses, sheep and cattle, and he has also carried on an extensive trade in the buying and selling of stock. He takes an in-
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telligent interest in all progressive measures hav- ing for their object, eitlier direct or indirect, tlie material welfare of the people, and he may always be found on the side of right and justice.
ROF. ARTHUR POWELL, who holds the responsible position of Superintendent of the Marion city schools, ranks as an educator of the highest order. Perhaps there is no state in the Union which is more advanced than Ohio in the attention which is paid to tlie interests of the young; all over the state there are earnest, disin- terested workers in the good cause, men and women who have devoted their lives to the prog- ress of the coming generation, and whose highest reward is to see the advancement of the race. In this good work 110 one has taken a greater inter- est, or devoted himself more untiringly, than Professor Powell.
- Our subject is comparatively a young man, the date of his birth, which occurred on his father's farm near Sharon, Noble County, Ohio, having been October 22, 1853. His father, Andrew Powell, who is living at Worthington, this state, is also a native of Ohio. He is of Scotch descent, ancestors of the family having emigrated from Scotland and settled in Virginia. Being people of great force of character and a high order of in- telligence, they soon became prominent in their adopted country, and took an active part in the history of Virginia. His grandfather, Samuel Powell, was a minister in the United Brethren Church, and died in the pulpit, while engaged in his duties as a preacher. The mothier of the Professor, who was in her inaiden days Miss Marthia Lyons, was born in this state, and bore her husband two sons, the elder of whom is our subject; the younger is living in Worthington with his parents.
Brought up on a farm, and his services being almost indispensable in its operation, Professor
Powell up to the age of sixteen years had received only a district-school education. But the boy was ambitions, and determined on having that which lic knew was one of the greatest aids in fighting the battle of life-an education. His first step was to enter the Ohio Central Normal at Worthington, where he worked his way, tak- ing a preparatory course. After this he took a course of one year at the preparatory school at Oberlin, and during this time taught a select school, and also took private lessons from a proni- inent and highly educated Episcopal clergyman. At eighteen be began to teach school to get the wherewithal to still further pursue his collegiate education, and tauglit for four years before his ambition was fulfilled. At twenty-two, however, he entered Oberlin College. I11 1880 he gradu- ated with the degree of A. B., having completed the five-year course in four years. At his gradu- ation he stood at the head of his class, and was also one of the students selected for the oratorical contest, in which he acquitted himself with great distinction; in fact, his whole college career was highly creditable to himself and his instructors.
On leaving Oberlin, the Professor first took charge of the schools at St. Paris, this state, and then for six years was Principal of the schools at Wadsworth, also in this state. In both these places he won the regard of pupils and parents, and the reputation of being one of the most thor- ough teachers the schools had ever had. His 11ext position was as Principal of the Barnesville schools, and from that place he came to Marion to fill the same position in the schools liere.
During Professor Powell's stay in Marion, he has worked almost incalculable good in the cause of the higher education of the pupils of the city. Of the many improvements which he lias intro- duced in the schools is the teaching of vocal mu- sic, a branch of study which has added materially to the interest taken by the pupils in their work. He has revised the liigli-school course, raising the standard of instruction so much that pupils are now admitted to any college in the state on presentation of a certificate from the Marion High School, a feature that lias worked to the great advantage of the students by stimulating them to
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further effort, with a greater end in view, and set- ting an example for other high schools in the state to . follow. The superintendency of the school involves the oversight of forty-two teach- ers, who in turn have charge of about eighteen hundred and fifty pupils, and the work necessary in prescribing the different courses of study for these, and in laying down rules for their manage- ment and discipline, renders the position of Su- perintendent no sinecure.
Knowing from long experience the benefits to be derived by both teacher and pupil from an abundance of light and air and space, Professor Powell earnestly advocated the erection of a new high school building, and the result is a splendid new school, one of the finest in the state. In count- less other ways his influence is felt, and indeed it would be strange if it were not so. Imbued with a love for his work, and thinking it one of the highest that man can engage in, he enters with a vim into everything that tends to raise the stand- ard of education, not only in Marion, but through- out the state. He is particularly interested in teachers' institutes, and for many years has taken a leading part in theni, attending them in differ- ent parts of the state, and organizing and holding many of them in various counties. So successful has he been in the conduct of these, that it is no unusual thing for him to be recalled five or six times, and the inany congratulatory press notices and private communications received by him show in what regard his services are held. He has also taken an active part in the State Teach- ers' Association, in which he is an officer, and in the work of the Northwestern Teachers' Associa- tion, of whichi he is President.
While living at Wadsworth, July 23, 1884, the Professor was married to Miss Ada E. Franks. Mrs. Powell is a lady of liberal education and of « much refinement, who takes a great interest in her husband's work, and shares with him in the regard with which he meets. They have two children, Stanley Franks and Carroll Arthur. The family occupies a beautiful home on an ele- vation in the southern part of the city, command- ing a fine vicw.
Professor Powell lias always taken a great in-
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terest in Masonry; and himself is prominent in the order, being a Knight Templar and Prelate of his commandery. Heisalso a Knight of Pyth- ias and an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a Re- publican. He and Mrs. Powell are members of the Metliodist Episcopal Church.
REDERICK WOLF. In enumerating the successful farmers of Hardin County, prom- inent mention belongs to the gentleman above named, who is the owner of a valuable place on section 33, Goshen Township. His farın, which comprises one hundred and eighty- two acres, is improved with a substantial resi- dence, good barn and conveniently arranged out- buildings, all of which were erected by the pres- ent owner. An excellent system of tiling has been introduced, as well as all the other improve- ments characteristic of a model estate.
A life-long resident of Hardin County, Mr. Wolf was born in Kenton, September 30, 1838, being the third child in the family of Jacob and Barbara (Wang) Wolf. Of his brothers and sis- ters we note the following: Jacob makes his home with our subject; Henry is a prosperous fariner of Goshen Township; John owns a part of the old homestead in this township; Sylvia is the wife of Peter Pfeiffer, a farmer of this locality; Eliza- beth married M. Gookemberger, of Hardin Coun- ty; Barbara is the wife of George Aulthouser, of Goshen Township; and five children died young.
Though born in this country, our subject is of foreign parentage. His father was born and reared in Germany, and there learned the trade of a cooper. When a young man, he came to America, and first made a short sojourn in Spring- field, Ohio. He came to Hardin County in 1832, and entered land here. His marriage took place at Springfield in 1833, and there he worked on tlie canal until 1834, when he again came to Har- din County, and bought five acres, comprising a portion of the present site of Kenton. Erecting
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF FREDERICK WOLF, SECTION 33, GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO. :
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a log eabin for the abode of his family, he began to work at the cooper's trade, following this oe- cupation in the winter, while the summer seasons were devoted to work on the farm and canal.
Several years were thus passed, Mr. Wolf lay- ing in the mean time the foundation of his sub- sequent sucess. From that place he removed to the traet of land in Goshen Township which he had entered in 1832. He at once began to elear and improve the farm, devoting his leisure days to his trade. Being a man of great industry, as well as considerable sagaeity, he gained more than ordinary sueeess, which was especially re- markable in view of the fact that he eame to Ohio entirely without means, was obliged to endure all the hardships incident to life on the frontier, and had a large family dependent upon him for support. At his death he left a farm of two hun- dred and seventy aeres, all of which he had gained through his own labors, and the larger part of which he had eleared from the heavy timber. His wife, also a native of Germany, accompanied her parents to America in girlhood and continued to live in Ohio until her death, on the homestead in Hardin County.
Nothing of especial importanee oceurred to break the ordinary routine of life for our subjeet in his boyhood years. During the summer months he assisted in ploughing the ground, planting the seed and harvesting the ripened grain. As the cold weather approached the farmi work was lightened and he was given an opportunity to go to school. This lie did for several suceessive win- ters, attending the sehool taught in an old-fash- ioned log house, meagerly furnished and desti- tute of all the convenienees now considered so es- sential to teaching.
Upon attaining his majority, Mr. Wolf pur- ehased from his father forty aeres of timbered land, which he eleared and upon which he built a house. During the years that have sinee in- tervened, he has plaeed many modern improve- ments on the farin and has brought the land to a high state of eultivation. In all his undertak- ings, he has had the efficient co-operation of his wife, whom he married July 4, 1862. She bore the maiden name of Barbara Ritcler, and was
born in Germany, Mareh 3, 1842. Her parents, John G. and Franees (Smith) Riteler, came to Ameriea in 1847, and settled in Dudley Town- ship, Hardin County, where her father engaged in farming, and also had a large trade in buying and selling land. He died here at the age of sixty-one, and his wife when eighty-eight.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wolf consisted of twelve children, namely: Barbara, who died in infaney; John George, who passed away at nine- teen years of age; Jacob, a resident of Hardin County; Lizzie, wife of William Pfeiffer, a farm- er here; Frederick A., who is an agrieulturist of Goshen Township; Louisa, wife of Henry Raber, of Kenton; Peter William, Barbara M., George, William, Lena and Edward, all of whom are with their parents. The family attends the Presbyterian Chureh, in which Mr. Wolf has taken an aetive part. Politieally a Democrat, he has filled a number of local offices, ineluding that of Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served for three years.
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OBERT WALLACE RUNSER is one of the influential farmers of Hardin County, his home being situated on seetion 35, Liberty - Township. Here he owns a quarter-seetion of valuable land, which is well adapted for general agriculture or exelusive grain or stoek raising. Eighty aeres of Mr. Runser's possessions came to him from his father, but the remainder he has acquired through his own unaided efforts.
Our subjeet was born in Sharpsburg, Mereer County, Pa., June 14, 1845. His parents were Andrew and Isabella (McDowell) Runser, both natives of Alsace, France. For a complete his- tory of this worthy couple we refer the reader to their biography elsewhere in this volume.
Robert W. was about six years of age when the family came to Hardin County, hence he attended his first school in this section. His advantages
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in that line were limited, and consisted of only a few montlis' schooling in each year. On the out- break of thic Civil War he volunteered his. serv -. ices, but, being a minor, was not accepted. In July, 1863, he enlisted again, and this time was mustered in as a member of Company B, Forty- fifth Ohio Infantry. Later he was transferred to the Fifty-first Infantry, from which regiment he was discharged at the expiration of liis term of service, September 5, 1864, at Victoria, Tex. The first engagement in which he participated . was at the siege of Atlanta. This was followed by the battles of Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville.
On his return home from the battlefield Mr. Runser lived with his parents until the fall of 1867, when he was married. His father thien gave him as his portion of the estate eighty acres, on which he built a brick house, in which he has made his home ever since. He has added to the value of the place by erecting thereon a large barn and all the necessary outbuildings. About five acres of the eighty were cleared when he located upon the place, and fifteen acres were in a partial state of improvement. He has been very successful in his farming ventures, and as the years have passed has added to his estate until he is now the possessor of a quarter-section of land, besides valuable town property.
November 27, 1867, Robert W. Runser and Miss Jemima Patterson were united in marriage. The lady was born in Marion Township, Hardin County, May 7, 1846, and is the daughter of Samuel and Jane (Davis) Patterson. The father was born in Ireland in the year 1807, and came to the United States in 1815, first locating in Harrison County, Ohio. He was married to Miss Davis in 1831.
To our subject and his estimable wife were born six children. Minda Belle died when about twenty-two years of age; Cliloe Eva is at home; Maggie Holmes is now the wife of Oscar High, who is farming on property located one mile south of Ada; and Samuel Moody, Clara Jane and John Lemuel complete the family. Both Mr. and Mrs. Runser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Huntersville. In politics the former
is a stanch Republican, and on that ticket was elected to the position of Township Trustee. So well and efficiently did he fill the office that he was urged to become a candidate for the same office afterward, but refused, preferring to give . liis attention to his private interests.
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00 S. MADDOX, M. D., a successful and prosperous young physician and surgeon of Marion, has an excellent and rapidly in- creasing practice in his neighborhood, and as an energetic citizen is worthy of the confidence and esteem in which he is held. Our subject was born in Millburn, Essex County, N. J., Decem- ber 8, 1860, and is the son of Joseph Maddox, a native of Kentucky. The latter removed from the Blue Grass State to Comecticut, and at the time of liis decease, in 1879, was living in Bridge- port. During the late war he rendered his coun- try valuable service as hospital surgeon.
The records state that more than three hun- dred years ago members of the Maddox family were living in both the states of Virginia and Maryland. As a complete history has never been kept of the family, we find it impossible to give connectedly even the most prominent incidents in their lives, and must therefore begin with the grandfather, Smallwood Maddox, a native of Vir- ginia, who, it is stated, was a well-to-do farmer and served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
The mother of Dr. Maddox was Cornelia ( Bel- den) Maddox, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of David Belden, of Newtown, Conn. Mrs. Maddox died in 1869, when our subject was nine years of age. The latter completed his lit- erary education in the Capitol City College of Trenton, N. J., in 1879. Soon after leaving school he began to learn the drug business in Bridgeport, Conn., and for the following five years filled prescriptions. About this time hie
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was seized with the western fever, and journeyed to Denver, Colo., from which place he made his way to San Francisco, Cal., where he engaged in the study of medicine. Returning at the end of two years as far east as Louisville, Ky., he en- tered the medical college in that city, from which he was graduated in 1884. After looking about for a suitable location, he finally removed to Fair- field, Franklin County, Ind., and remained there for two years, engaged in his practice. For a time thereafter he made his home in Cincinnati, and in October, 1889, came to Marion, where he has built up a lucrative business in his profession. In September, 1893, he was appointed a member of the Pension Examining Board, of which he is Secretary, and for the past two years has served as County Coroner. He belongs to the Ohio State Medical Society and is Vice-President of the Ma- rion County Medical Society. He is thoroughly devoted to the duties of his profession, and as an earnest, energetic citizen takes an interest in the local progress and leading movements of his home neighborhood and vicinity, and is proving an im- portant factor in the upbuilding and advancement of the prominent enterprises of the day. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, and in politics votes the Democratic ticket.
R OBERT PRESTON, JR., a son of that ster- ling old pioneer, Robert Preston, Sr., now occupies the old homestead, lying on section II, Marion Township, Hardin County. He was born at old Wyandot Mission, in Upper Sandusky, this state, February 16, 1831. His mother, whose maiden nante was Anin Powell, was married to Mr. Preston at Big Island, Marion County, about 1830.
The father of our subject was born in the city of York, Yorkshire, England, August 2, 1796, and came to America when a young man of twen- ty. two years. The vessel on which he sailed was wrecked and he was cast upon an island, on which
he remained for sixteen days, and would have perished had lie not been been rescued by fisher- men. He was taken by them to Quebec, whence he proceeded to this state, stopping first in Cin- cinnati, where he obtained employment in a liv- ery stable. He worked but a short time when he was taken sick, and on recovering came to Big Island, Marion County, where his brother, who had preceded him to America, was living. He farmed on rented land in that vicinity for one sea- son, when he was installed as manager of the Mission Farm at Upper Sandusky. He re- niained there for three years, and then removed to within three miles of that place, taking a ten- year lease on the Wyandot Reserve. He contin- ued to make his home in that section for eighteen years, when he moved upon section 11, a portion of our subject's farm. There he had entered a tract of four hundred and eighty acres several years before coming to Hardin County, and after locating upon it lived here until his decease, No- vember 11, 1878. He was a member of the United Brethren Church.
Ann (Powell) Preston was born in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, England, December 20, 1788, and died October 28, 1873. She was the daughter of Benjamin Powell, who came to America about 1820. He and his wife are buried at Big Island, where they died shortly after emigrating hither. Ann was one of a family of four daughters and three sons. The father of our subject had two brothers and one sister, John, William and Mary. By his union with Miss Powell there were born two children: Robert, Jr., and Mary, now the wife of Alfred Rayl, a farmer on section 12, of this township. Ann Powell had been previously married to William Preston, the brother of our subject's father, by whom she became the mother of nine children.
The original of this sketch lived in Upper San- dusky until a lad of eleven years, when he came with his parents to Hardin County. Prior to this time he had only attended school for two weeks, but after locating here was a student in the schools of Marion Township until reaching his majority. He remained at home working on the farm, gradually assuming the responsibility of its
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