USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 39
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 39
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In April, 1864, Mr. Merriman opened a store in Kenton in company with his brother-in-law, Anson Norton, and this connection continued until September, 1866. During the years 1866 and 1867 he erected the business block on the northwest corner of the square, and in July of the latter year he and Mr. Norton began in business
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in the new building. In 1877 our subject pur- chased Mr. Norton's interest and took his son, Charles C. Merriman, into partnership, the firm continuing in the retail business until January, 1880, when they became wholesale dealers in no- tions and men's furnishing goods. A remunera- tive and extensive trade was conducted until the death of the son, March 22, 1882, after which Mr. Merriman closed out the business.
Although he was successful in the mercantile business, our subject has made the larger part of his fortune in his real-estate and other invest- ments, to which he has given his attention since retiring from the former. He owns a great deal of property in this and other counties of the state, including several farms in Hardin, Marion and Wyandot Counties, besides large landed interests in Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. He is propri- etor of the block in which the Kenton Savings Bank is situated, and owns the block of buildings in which he formerly conducted his mercantile business. The St. Nicholas Hotel, which is the largest house of its kind in the city, is his prop- erty, besides much other valuable real estate within the city limits.
Early in the 'jos Mr. Merriman became inter- ested in the banking business, purchasing, with other prominent men of the city, a bank which had been organized some time before, changing its name to the Kenton Savings Bank. He was elected President, and has served in that capacity about twenty years. He was also prominent in the organization of the Home Savings, Building and Loan Association, of which he is likewise the head. Aside from these institutions he is inter- ested in several manufacturing and stock com- panies of Kenton, and has never let an opportu- nity go by when he could, by giving of his means or advice, aid in the upbuilding of his community.
The lady to whom our subject was married, February 8, 1850, was Miss Rebecca Hooker. They became the parents of three daughters and two sons. Charles C. is deceased. Adelbert G. is at home. Luella is the wife of F. C. Dough- erty, one of the leading attorneys of Kenton. Clara is next in order of birth; and Belle married D. T. Robey. The latter was formerly a promi-
nent business man of this place, but died in Colo- rado, while there for his health. Mrs. Robey now lives with her parents.
Mr. Merriman and his family occupy one of the finest residences in Kenton. It is furnished in a manner which indicates its inmates to be people of refined tastes, with abundant means at their command, and they number among their friends the best people in the county. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, having supported his party since its organization. Mrs. Merriman is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
EREMIAH KRISHER, who has been num- bered among the influential agriculturists of Washington Township for the past twenty- three years, makes his home on section 32, where he owns a well improved farm. He is one of the boys who wore the blue during the late Civil War, and is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The parents of Mr. Krisher were John and Mary Christine (Campbell) Krisher, both natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in that state and became the parents of twelve children, namely: William, Betsey A., Rudolph, Jere- miah, Sarah, Nancy, Lemuel, Delilah, Lambert, Huldah, Allen and Alferetta. Lemuel was a Lieutenant in the Sixth Ohio Light Artillery for four years and four months.
Jeremiah Krisher is a native of Cumberland County, Pa., and was born near Hagerstown, November 13, 1832. His boyhood days were spent in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. In 1832 he moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he grew to man's estate, and the first independent effort of the young man was as a farmer, working by the month at a small salary. I11 1853 he went to Wyandot County, and oper- ated a farm up to 1872, in which year he pur-
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JAMES M. BAKER.
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chased a homestead of forty-three acres, his pres- ent farin, and since then has been engaged in its cultivation.
May 2, 1864, Mr. Krisher enlisted in the hun- dred-days service as a private in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battle of Monocacy, Md. September 30 following he became a member of the Sixth Ohio Light Artillery, being mustered into the service at Columbus, and from there was sent to Chatta- nooga. His first engagement was at Columbia, after which he took part in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. He was in the hospital about four months, and received his final discharge June 12, 1865. Politically he is a stanchi Republican.
August 21, 1856, occurred the marriage of Mr. Krisher and Elma Pool, daughter of Alexander and Phoebe H. Pool. She was born May 13, 1836, and has the following children: Allen, who is living in Paulding County, Ohio; Milton, a farin- er of Cessna Township; Jennie E., wife of Dr. J. Sager, of Salina, Ohio; and Gertrude, wife of M. E. Loutzenliser, a farmer of Liberty Town- ship. Mrs. Krisher, a most estimable lady, is a member of the Methodist Church.
AMES M. BAKER. One of the valuable farms of Goshen Township is located on sec- tion 7, and is owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch. It is conveniently located six and one-half miles northeast of Kenton, and on it are a commodious residence, necessary build- ings, and farm machinery of improved designs.
Mr. Baker was born in Brooke County, W. Va., October 19, 1824, and is the son of Morris and Mary (Campbell) Baker, representatives of old and prominent families of the above state. When twelve years of age James M. came to Hardin County with his parents. A family by the name of Jones, from the same neighborhood in West Virginia, also came with them. They located in
Goshen Township, one mile east of where our subject now lives, and there the father entered a quarter-section of land from the Government, making it his home until his decease, at the age of eighty years. His wife had passed away be- fore him, when in her sixtieth year. They were among the earliest residents of the . community, and together worked to establishi a good home for themselves and children.
Five of the seven members of the parental fani- ily are now living. Those besides our subject are Fannie J., who married John Simms, of this township; Rachael, now Mrs. G. W. Armstrong; William, who lives in Adams County, Neb .; and Nathan, of Marion County. James M. was twen- ty-three years old when he started out in life for himself. His first purchase of land consisted of seventy-one acres, for which he paid $300. He was married, January 9, 1851, to Miss Susannah Scott, of Wyandot County, and the young couple at once settled on this farm, determining to accu- mulate for themselves a competence. That they were successful is made evident when we state that at one time our subject was the possessor of six hundred acres of land. He now, however, has only ninety-five acres, the remainder having been divided among his children, who are farin- ing in this locality. In addition to raising the usual amount of grain, he paid a great deal of at- tention to breeding fine grades of stock, which business he found to be a very paying one.
The family belonging to our subject and his wife is composed of the following children: Ches- ter J., operating a farm in Pleasant Township; Matthew A., living in Kenton; Mary Elvira, who married Marshall Miller, a farmer of Pleasant Township; Guernsey Marshall, who is farming in Goshen Township; Sarah Jane, the wife of Jamies Graffiniller, of Jackson Township; and Eva Rodella, who married Henry Hommel, and is now living on a tract of land adjoining the old homestead, in which vicinity Thomas Robinson also lives. The mother of this family died Octo- ber 11, 1891, aged sixty years, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Church.
April 16, 1895, Mr. Baker married for his sec-
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ond wife Miss Rose Scliorer, daughter of Rudolph Schorer, both residents of Kenton. Politically our subject votes in favor of the Democracy. He has served acceptably as Trustee, but has not otherwise been interested in township affairs. Reliable in citizenship, kindly and considerate in neighborly associations, and honorable in his dealings, he is held in respect by his fellow-men, while as an agriculturist he always stood above par.
ACOB HOWSER was one of the wealthy and extensive land-owners of Marion County, his home being on section 28, Claridon Town- ship. At the time of his death his estate com- prised about nine hundred acres of well cultivated and valuable land. He made a specialty of rais- ing fine blooded cattle and horses of high grade, and was a very successful and practical business man. When death called him from his labors his loss was felt to be a public one, and his old friends and neighbors sincerely mourned his de- parture.
A native of Kentucky, Mr. Howser was born in Mason County, January 28, 1814, and was a son of Jacob and Sarah (Loveless) Howser, the former a native of Maryland and of German de- scent. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters. Our subject re- mained on his father's farm until reaching matur- ity, and when eiglit years of age, or in 1822, went with them to Cadiz, Ohio. From there he re- moved to a farm near Stillwater, and when seven- teen years of age began working for neighbors by the month. He continued in this business for four years, and finally, about 1842, emigrated to Belniont County, where he rented land for ten years. At the end of that time he moved to this county by team, and then first took up his resi- dence in Claridon Township.
For a year after coming here Mr. Howser rent- ed a farm, after which he purchased three hun-
dred and forty acres, partly improved. He con- tinued to cultivate and develop this farm up to 1883, when he moved to the place where his widow now resides. He was called to the home beyond October 19, 1894, being then in his eighty-first year. He was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church, and supported various religious and benevolent enterprises. In politics he was originally a Whig, and afterward became identified with the Republican party.
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March 10, 1842, Jacob Howser wedded Eliza- beth Smith, who was born in Jefferson County, Va., January 12, 1822. Eleven children were born of this union, namely: John H., James H., Sarah M., William E., Andrew H., Amanda, Benjamin R., Loring C., Florence E., Isabella and Dollie. Loring and Dollie are deceased. Mrs. Howser is still living on the old homestead and has the general supervision of its management. She was a worthy helpmate to her husband, and with her womanly cheerfulness and courage as- sisted him when he was beset with difficulties. She is an active and devoted member of the Free- Will Baptist Church.
OHN McDONALD. Success in business is due, in every instance, to energy, persever- ance and judicious management, and the prosperity which Mr. McDonald enjoys is the direct result of these qualities. Since 1873 he has been numbered among the business men of Mt. Victory. In that year he becante interested in the old-established general mercantile business of M. S. Elder, and this they carried on jointly until the death of tlie senior partner, which oc- curred August 1, 1884. The building which he owns and occupies is a substantial brick structure, situated in the business center of the village, and stocked with a contplete assortment of goods.
The subject of this sketchi was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 10, 1848, and is next to the youngest of eight children, comprising
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the family of George and Margaret ( McCrary) McDonald. His father was a native of Pennsyl- vania, but was brought by his parents to Logan County, Ohio, in early childhood, and in 1859 moved to Hale Township, Hardin County, and there continued to reside until his death, which occurred after passing the seventy-first anniver- sary of his birth. He was a farmer by occupation, and met with success in his enterprises. An in- dustrious, self-respecting man, he had the esteem and confidence of the community in which he lived, and his character was above reproach. He was a Republican in politics, and on this ticket he was elected Justice of the Peace.
During the Civil War George McDonald served for one year as a private in Company D, Fifty- sixth Ohio Infantry. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and generous in his contributions to it. His wife, who, like himself, was of Scotch extraction, was born in Logan County, Ohio, and died at Mt. Victory, at seventy-three years of age. She was a devoted church member and worshiped with the Method- ist congregation near her home.
Though trained to farm pursuits, our subject, upon leaving home, apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a carpenter. He worked at this oc- cupation about five years, and then abandoned it to embark in the mercantile business. In 1873, as above stated, he was taken into partnership with M. S. Elder. Since that time, with the ex- ception of three years, he has engaged in mer- ehandising in Mt. Victory. As a matter of course, he is well known throughout this section of country, and is recognized as one of the leading business men of the county. In 1886 he sold his dry-goods store and purchased an interest in the Mt. Victor Mills, of which he was made manager, remaining in that capacity till 1891, then disposing of his interest in order to re-enter the mercantile business. In addition to other interests he is the owner of forty acres in this county.
December 5. 1872, Mr. McDonald married Miss Clara B. Elder, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Myrtle, Guy Elder, Bertha, Blanche, Nellie and Bessie (twins). The latter
died in infancy. In politics Mr. McDonald is a Republican, and socially belongs to Latham Lodge No. 154, F. & A. M., at Kenton; the Commandery at Marion, and the Odd Fellows' lodge at Mt. Victory. He and his wife are men- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EATON JACKSON, a prominent and hon- ored citizen of Cessna Township, Hardin County, has owned and operated his home- - stead on section 8 for over forty years. During this period he has been a witness of vast changes in what was then almost a wilderness, and has himself been a factor in bringing about the pres- ent condition of prosperity.
The birth of our subject occurred in Loudoun County, Va., April 21, 1827. His parents, John and Mary (Huff) Jackson, were natives of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. They had six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth. The father died when Heaton was only seven years old, and the mother passed away about a year later. Thus orphaned, the poor lad was obliged to go to the home of strangers and work his own way thenceforth. Until he attained his majority he received little besides his board and clothes.
In the fall of 1848 Mr. Jackson came to Ohio and was employed at various things in Spring- field and vicinity up to 1852. It was in the time of late harvesting that he first beheld this beau- ful stretch of country, with its rich promises for the future, and he wisely decided to make his abiding-place here. For the first two years he rented land, thus getting a good start, and then invested what money he could raise in the farm on which he has lived ever since. The only at- tempt that had been made to improve the farm, covered as it was with forests, was a small patch of cleared land, on which stood a partly finished log cabin. This humble dwelling was the home
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of the owner for many years, but in 1873 it gave place to a substantial and convenient residence. Mr. Jackson hewed away the timber, using ox- teams to haul the logs.
October 5, 1852, our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hause, and seven chil- dren graced their marriage. They were named as follows: Harriet E., Elizabeth R., Martha, William O., John, Phoebe E. and Milton H. The mother departed this life in 1870. April 2, 1872, Mr. Jackson married Mary A. Way, and their two little ones died in infancy.
October 12, 1864, Mr, Jackson enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Eight- ieth Ohio Volunteers. His first engagement was at Nashville, Tenn., after which he was a partici- pant ·in the battle of Kingston and others of less note. His final discharge was granted him in July, 1865. In politics he is a Democrat, and though he has not sought office has acceptably filled the positions of Trustee, School Director and Supervisor. He is ever in favor of giving the young the best possible educational privileges, for he knows by experience the value of practical fitting for life's duties. In his own case he at- tended the old-time subscription schools, in a log house two miles from his home, and even this much did not fall to his lot until he was fourteen years old. As the result of his army life and the privations and exposure incident thereto he lost the use of his eyes in 1892, up to which time he was an earnest worker in the Methodist Church, to which he belongs.
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OHN W. FLINN. This respected agricult- urist of Hardin County has been engaged for many years in carrying on a fine estate lo- cated in Lynn Township. He has been enter- prising and industrious, and through the exercise of these qualities has succeeded in making ample provision for the wants of his family, and has also
laid aside a certain proportion of his income, so that. he is now enabled to live.in ease and com- fort, retired from active work of any kind.
Our subject was born at Berkeley Springs, W. Va., May 21, 1823, and is the sixth in order of birth of the family of Jolin and Mary (Smith) Flinn. The grandfather, Alexander Flinn, was a native of Delaware, and during the Revolution- ary War served on the side of the Colonists for seven years.
John W. Flinn was born on a farm, but as soon as old enough to earn his own living began teaming. During early manhood he was chosen Deputy Sheriff of Morgan County, W. Va., serv- ing from 1844 to 1846. March 30 of the last- named year he was married to Margaret Alder- ton, who died nine months later and was buried in Morgan County. Wishing to see more of the country, our subject traveled about from place to place, visiting points in his native state, Mary- land, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. He clerked in a store in Scioto County, Ohio, for eighteen months, after which he removed to Pickaway County, where he was married, December 16, 1849, to Miss Eliza Ann Henderson. The succeeding five years were spent in farming in that county, where he raised im- mense crops of broom corn. Mrs. Eliza A. Flinn. departed this life September 31, 1853, and was buried in Pickaway County.
In 1855 Mr. Flinn came to Hardin County, and for some time farmed on rented land lying in Mc- Donald Township. July 16, 1854, he had been married to Catherine, daughter of John and Mary (Miller) Fultz, who located in the above town- ship sixty years ago. They are both now de- ceased, the father'passing away in 1867, and Mrs. Fultz dying in 1848.
Of the children born to the union of Miss Fultz and our subject, we mention the following: Jo- sephine V., born November 6, 1855, married Nathan D. Bailey, August 31, 1871, and died July 28, 1882; William P. was born January 17, 1857, and died July 8, 1886; Myron D. was born June 22, 1858, and is now car inspector for the Toledo & Ohio Central Railway Company, whose shops are located at Kenton, this state; Louis N.
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was born February 9, 1861, and is now farming in Lynn Township; Fernetta S., who was born September 15, 1862, married John F. Kissling, a farmer of McDonald Township, Hardin County; Sadie, who was born August 18, 1864, is unmar- ried and living in Kenton; Mary M., born Au- gust 3, 1866, married Henry Bradley, a well-to- do agriculturist of Lynn Township; Joseph W. was born July 23, 1868; John W. T. was born Feb- ruary 27, 1870, and lives in this township; Cath- erine E. was born December 16, 1871; and Syl- vester O., January 4, 1874. Joseph W. was for some time in the employ of the Salem Wire Nail Company of Findlay, this state, and has also had some experience in railroading.
There are only three of the old residents 110w living who were among the early settlers of Lynn Township when our subject located here. His first work was to build a cabin for his family, aft- er which he began the arduous task of clearing the forest and placing the primitive soil under cultivation.
November 16, 1861, soon after the outbreak of the late war, our subject enlisted as a member of Company B, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, being mustered in at Kenton. The command first went into camp south of the city, where they remained until the following January. They were then or- dered out, and went to Grafton, W. Va., thence moving on to Moorefield, on the south branch of the Potomac. In May, 1862, occurred the first engagement in which he participated, the battle of McDowell. At Winchester Mr. Flinn was taken seriously ill and was sent to Ft. McHenry, arriving there on the 8th of July. He remained in the hospital until August 16, when he was dis- charged and came home. When fully recovered from his sickness he re-enlisted, in September, 1864, and was mustered into Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, and with his regiment went to Camp Chase and from there to Nashville, being in the reserve force on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864. After this his company did garrison duty until mustered out, June 17, 1865.
On receiving his discharge, Mr. Flinn lost no time in making his way back to his wife and fain-
ily in Hardin County. This time, however, he found it no easy matter to regain his lost health, as for three years he was an invalid, and even at the present time he is not a strong man. He has taken a very active part in the development of his adopted county, and is in sympathy with all progressive measures. Genial in manner, hon- orable in all his dealings, and kind to those in distress, he is worthy of the confidence and es- teem of his associates. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, and on this ticket has served as Trustee of his township, and for a number of years was a member of the Board of Education.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Flinn are members of the Church of Christ at Kenton, with which they have been connected since 1857. On the 16th of July, 1894, they celebrated the fortieth anniver- sary of their marriage. On this occasion one hundred and fifty people were present at their home, conspicuous among whom were nearly all the members of "Pap" Thomas Commandery No. 14, U. V. U.
PHRAIM E. SMITH, an enterprising and prosperous business man of Hepburn, holds the responsible position of manager of the elevator of this place, which is owned by the M. E. Burke Milling Company. He is a man of push, and besides owning an interest in the eleva- tor, has stock in four mills located in other parts of this and Marion Counties. To him is . given the credit of establishing the elevator at this place, for it was under his instructions and guidance that it was erected in IS91. He soon thereafter sold stock in the enterprise, when it was organ- ized as the M. E. Burke Milling Company.
Our subject is a native of this county, and was born January 19, 1846, to Nathan and Mary K. (McLean) Smith, natives of Muskingum County, this state. The former was the son of Edward and Jane (Shafer) Smith, natives of Virginia. The grandfather, after attaining man's estate,
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came to Ohio, and became the owner of the land now occupied by the city of Zanesville. He was one of the most prosperous agriculturists in the locality, and contributed liberally of his means toward the furtherance of all good measures. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Ephraim C. and Nancy (Craig) McLean, natives of Pennsylvania. Grandfather McLean came to Ohio in 1825, and was at that time one of the first to make a location near Zanesville. He made his home in that locality until 1842, when he made his advent into Hardin County, and lived here until his decease, several years thereafter.
Ephraim C. McLean was an influential member of this community, and very popular with rich and poor. For seventeen years lie discharged ac- ceptably the duties of Justice of the Peace, and for two terms was County Commissioner.
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