USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 45
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 45
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November 8, 1894, Mr. Weston and Miss Ber- tha L. Cleveland were united in marriage. Mrs. Weston is a daughter of James A. and Jane A. (Prettyman) Cleveland, old residents of Green Camp Township, Marion County. They became the parents of four children: Reuben H., William E., Violetta and Mrs. Weston.
LRICH GERLACH, a retired business man of Pleasant Township, opened the first har- ness-shop in Hardin County at Kenton, Oc- tober 5, 1838, and was continuously engaged in trade until the spring of 1867, when he removed to his farm, which he has since placed in the hands of his sons. He is a native of Hesse-Cas- sel, Germany, having been born in the village of Elm, January 21, 1812.
The parents of our subject were Ulrich, Sr., and Elizabeth (Kress) Gerlach, both likewise na- tives of Elm. The former was a farmer by occu- pation, and died in the Fatherland, when about
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sixty years of age. They were the parents of . eight children: Adam, who was a farmer, and who died in Germany, leaving a family; Sabina; Au- drace, who died while young; Godfried, who came to the United States ten years after our subject; Ulricli, of this sketch; Christopher, who crossed the Atlantic at the same time as his next elder brother; and Eva and John, who came to the United States about 1837.
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Until he was about fourteen years of age Ulrich Gerlach studied in the German schools, after which he was apprenticed to the saddler's trade in Fulda for two years. When the time expired he worked for three years in or near his native village. April 10, 1834, he embarked at Bremen in a sailing-vessel, the "Elizabeth," and after a seven-weeks voyage landed in Baltimore. The trip was very stormy, and one day during a calm they sighted a inastless vessel, the crew of which had been washed overboard. They took possession of the anchors, chains and whatever articles they could carry and then abandoned the wreck. One of the sailors started into the hold of the ship on a searching tour and encountered a shark, which had been washed in, and it is need- less to say that "Jack Tar" beat a hasty retreat. Another incident of the voyage was the meeting of an Australian vessel which had been out of port twenty-two weeks, and was out of provisions. After they had been supplied they proceeded on their way with renewed courage.
For three months Mr. Gerlach worked at his trade in McConnellsburg, Pa., whither he had gone on account of the fact that an acquaintance of his was living there. He then went ten miles into the country, and for a year was employed by a farmer. In the fall of 1835 he went to Pitts- burg, where he worked for two years, and then removed to Mansfield, Ohio, passing the winter of 1837-38 in that vicinity. After three months spent in McConnelsville, on the Muskingum River, he moved to Kenton, where in October he opened a saddlery-shop, which he continued to carry on for about thirty years.
October 7, 1839, Mr. Gerlach married Miss Mary Pfeifer, who was born at Reinhartz, Hesse- Cassel, March 18, 1822. Her parents, John and
Elizabetlı (Schlingelhof ) Pfeifer, were married about 1817, and had four children. George and one other child died in infancy; and Elizabeth, the youngest, who was the wife of Sigmund Kreinbilil, of Kenton, died in the fall of 1891. Jolin Pfeifer owned a farm in Germany, and worked at the tailor's trade until in the spring of 1837 he sailed from Bremen in the "Sophie," and at the end of sixty-eight days passed on the briny deep found himself in Baltimore. At first he set- tled in Zelienople, Pa., where he had friends, but later moved to Ohio and bought eighty acres of timber-land in this township. In February, 1839, he moved to this farm, which he began to clear, and which occupied his attention until his death, which occurred about 1850. His property was then divided between his two daughters. His good wife lived until October 14, 1888, when her death occurred, at the extreme old age of ninety- eight years.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerlach became the parents of eight children, namely: John, George, Adam, Christof, Mary, William, Elizabeth and Caroline. Mary died at the age of one year, and the young- est of the family when seven months old. Christof lives in Versailles, Ohio, where he has been en -. gaged in the saddlery business since 1884. John and Adam succeeded to their father's business in Kenton, but the latter has since opened a shop of his own. George is engaged in farming six miles west of Kenton, in Lynn Township. Elizabeth is the housekeeper for her aged parents. Will- iam lives in a part of the old farm house and manages the homestead. He was married, in Oc- tober, 1879, to Lizzie Schaffner, who was born in this state, but whose parents were natives of Switzerland. The young couple have had six children: Laura, born February 28, 1880; Otilla, born July 4, 1881; Frederick, who was killed by lightning in August, 1894, being then in his thir- teenth year; Maria, born November 16, 1885; Ulrich, September 21, 1892; and an infant who died before receiving a name.
While a resident of Kenton Mr. Gerlach was a member of the City Council and also one of the Trustees. In affairs of national importance he is a supporter of the Democracy. In 1868, while
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working in the forest felling trees, he cut. his hand severely, and blood poisoning setting in he eventually lost tlie use of liis right leg to some extent. Notwithstanding this, he is apparently hale and hearty, bidding fair to reach a good old age. For over threescore years Mr. and Mrs. Gerlach have been members of the Reformed Lu- theran Church, and all of their children are iden- tified with the same denomination.
EVI BOWER is a thrifty and influential farmer, dwelling on section 25, Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County. From a wilderness he has developed a valuable home- stead by his honest and zealous toil, having cleared about one hundred and twenty-five acres himself. In 1895 he embarked in a new venture, the manufacture of tile for drainage purposes, and though the industry is an infant one, it promises to be very successful, as about twelve thousand a year are already being put out and sold.
Levi Bower is the eldest of seven children born to Peter and Amy (Rodgers) Bower. The former was born December 14, 1817, in Pennsylvania, and the latter December 12, 1819, in Ohio. Their other children are: J. A .; Joseph H., who mar- ried Miss Corwin, and lives in Tennessee; Susan, wife of Isaiah Corwin, a farmer of Logan Coun- ty; Lucretia, wife of Martin McAdams, of Logan County; James, a resident of this township; and Mary Jane, wife of Rev. Robert McCormick, 110w living in Illinois.
When in his sixteenth year Peter Bower came to this state with his parents, who settled on wild land in Rush Creek Township, Logan County, which they bought of the Government at $1.25 per acre. Their cabin home was two stories high, 20x24 feet in size, and within its humble walls they lived until 1864, when Mr. Bower sold out and purchased two hundred and fifty acres, of which he cleared one hundred and twelve acres. Going next to Harpertown, he was there
employed in teaming, etc., about a year, after which lie bought fifty-one acres near Big Springs. There were some improvements on tlie place, and here he resided almost twenty years. On retir- ing he sold the farm and moved to Big Springs. He has always been a Democrat in his political . convictions, and religiously is identified with the Disciples Churcli.
The birth of Levi Bower occurred December 28, 1838, in Logan County. He was reared on a farin, and remained with his parents until he was. twenty-four years of age. After his marriage he leased land for six years, but at the end of the first year sold the lease and went to Big Springs, where he engaged in teaming several years. Later he bought a house and lot and a sawmill. The latter he carried on for seventeen years, or until 1889, when he moved the mill to Urbana, Ohio, and after operating it about six months, finally disposed of it. In 1870 he had purchased his present farm of two hundred and forty-three acres and built a cabin 18x26 feet in dimensions. By great diligence he managed to clear about ten acres a year, and in time he had a finely improved farm.
April 3, 1860, Mr. Bower married Hester Ann Johnson, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Jesse Roberts, in Rush Creek Township, Logan County. Mrs. Bower was born August 7, 1839, in that township, being the daughter of William and Eleanor (Stillwell) Johnson, the former of whom died in June, 1850, and the latter October 10, 1865. Mrs. Bower's brothers and sisters were, Ross and Sarah, deceased; Elizabeth, widow of Nathan Karns, who lives on a farm near Ken- ton; Mary, whose husband, John Karns, died in 1892; Isaac, deceased; Addison, who married Rinthe Bell, and is a farmer of Buffalo County, Neb .; John W., who married Hattie Smith, and resides in Big Springs, Ohio; and Robert, de- ceased.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with nine children. Jolin P., born April 29, 1861, is a merchant of Rushsylvania, Ohio. He married Clara Rosebrook and they have one child. Ida, born August 25, 1863, is the wife of Lucian Musselman, of Taylor Creek Township,
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and has one child. Isaac A., born September 19, 1865, married Elizabeth Swigert; they have one child and live at Kenton. Clara, born De- cember 1, 1869, has taught school three terms at Pleasant Hill. William, born May 27, 1870, is unmarried and at home. Orville was born Octo- ber 1, 1873. Charles T. was born June 17, 1877, and died November 3, 1879. Chalmer was born March 12, 1879; and two died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Bower is a Democrat. He con- tributes liberally of his means to help the poor and needy who come to him for assistance. His educational advantages were not of the best, for he was a student in the old-time district schools, which he could attend only about three months each year. However, he is now a well informed man, having become so by contact with the world and by general observation.
ILLIAM "H. CLINE. Many of the old residents of Claridon Township, Marion County, remember well this noble patriot, whose life was offered on the altar of his coun- try's liberties, and who died in the hospital at Washington, October 17, 1862. His widow has continued to dwell on the old homestead formerly conducted by Mr. Cline, and which contains one hundred and seven acres. A son of Abraham Cline, our subject was born April 28, 1828, in Marion, being one of four children, three sons and a daughter, only one of whom survives. Young William lived at Marion until he was four years of age, at which time he was left an orphan. He was then taken into the family of his uncle, Henry Cline, who lived in Troy Township, Dela- ware County .. Under his hospitable roof he con- tinued to make his abode until he reached his majority, and in 1851 he returned to this his na- tive county. He soon located on a farm in Clari- don Township, this place having been taken up by his father from the Government. For over a decade Mr. Cline's time was earnestly given to the improvement of this land, most of which he brought under cultivation.
June 25, 1850, occurred the marriage of our subject and Rachel M. Darst. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 13, 1829, and is the daughter of William and Margaret Darst. To Mr. and Mrs. Cline were born six children. the eldest of whom, Priscilla J., became the wife of James Seboldt, who is a farmer of Allen Coun- ty; Jerome, the eldest son, is an enterprising farmer of Claridon Township; Caroline became the wife of Jarry Brockston; Nancy is Mrs. Rob- ert McElhaney; Etta became the wife of David Barringer, of Ottawa County, Ohio, who is a physician by profession; and Flora J. died when two years of age.
William H. Cline received a comnon-school education, but inade the best of his limited op- portunities, with the result that he possessed an unusual fund of information and practical knowl- edge. He enlisted as a private in Company H, Fourth Ohio Regiment, April 23, 1861, and was sent to Cincinnati. Thence he was ordered to Virginia, where he did effective service. Owing to exposure and hardships incident to army life, he was taken sick, and after two or three months in the hospital departed this life, October 17, 1862, and was buried in the South. In his political faith he was a Democrat, and never failed to dis- charge the duties which devolved upon him as a . citizen.
OHN D. HENKLE is an enterprising and prosperous business man of Larue, Marion County, where he has made his home for nearly two decades. In 1888 he embarked in a general mercantile business in company with his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Holliday & Henkle. They carry a full line of boots and shoes, dry goods, notions, and all things usually found in a general store. Politically Mr. Henkle is a Republican, and is now serving his second term in the capacity of Township Clerk. He has always been interested in educational matters and has served as a member of the local School Board.
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CHARLES W. ROBINSON.
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MRS. EMMA L. ROBINSON.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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The father of our subject, Jacob A. Henkle by name, is a native of the Buckeye State, and at the present time is also a resident of Larue, to which place he came in 1877. In his early man- hood hie learned tlie carpenter's trade, and has followed this calling successfully. He married Margaret E. Simmons, by whom he has had five children, John D. being the second of the family.
The birth of our subject occurred at Vienna Cross Roads, Clark County, Ohio, March 4, 1858, and his boyhood was passed in tliat local -. ity. He received a comnion-school education, and learned the carpenter's trade by working with his father. After coming to Larue he followed his calling for some time, but finally concluded that commercial pursuits were more to his taste. He · wins the friendship and confidence of his custom- ers by his uniformly fair treatment and desire to meet their wislies in every respect.
August 20, 1881, Mr. Henkle married Miss Jessie Holliday, who was born in Rushsylvania, Logan County, and there grew to womanlood. Two children came to bless their home, and are named, respectively, Roy and Mirle. The family are well liked and have many sincere friends in this vicinity.
HARLES WESLEY ROBINSON, who was formerly one of the practical, wide-awake farmers of Jackson Township, Hardin Coun- ty, departed this life in 1893. He came of a good old pioneer family, his father having been an old landmark in the growth and development of the county, and the owner and occupant of a finely improved and well appointed farm.
Our subject was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, March 4, 1830, and was the son of Will- iam and Mary Lydia (Zingins) Robinson. He was eighteen years of age when lie made the journey across the Atlantic with his parents, and, contin- uing his westward journey, arrived in Ohio, lo- cating in Jefferson County. In 1854 the family
came to Hardin County, locating in Goshen Township, eight miles northeast of Kenton, where they settled on an entirely new place, and opened up a good farin in the woods. This neiglibor- hood was then known as the Baker Settlement. . With hard pioneer labor, William Robinson cleared the tract and resided on this farm until death closed his mortal career, in 1869, when at the age of seventy-five years. His good wife had preceded him to the land beyond by two years.
The family born to William and Mary L. Rob- inson comprised four sons, of whom all are de- ceased. They were Cliarles W., John W., Will- iam and James. John W. made his abode on the home farm for a time, and departed this life in Forest; William died in Steubenville, when a young man of twenty-five years; James passed away in Cincinnati, where he was engaged in the commission business.
Charles Wesley remained on the home place until his marriage, October 11, 1866, when hie moved to another farmi. Upon starting out for himself, he first bought eighty acres adjoining his father's place, on which a small area had been cleared. This lie soon liad under cultivation, as, indeed, he did all his subsequent purchases. He was a successful sheep-grower as well as agricul- turist, and gave his personal supervision to the running of his estate. As soon as able he pur- chased other tracts of land, all of which he found to be good investments. He was a hardworking man and a splendid financier. At the time of his decease he was quite wealthy, numbering among his property interests a quarter-section in this township, one hundred and twenty acres in Dud- ley Township, two farms of eighty acres each near the old home, fifty acres in Marion County, be- sides the estate of eiglity acres which he gave to a married daugliter.
Charles W. Robinson and Miss Emma L. Tliew were married on the 11th of October, 1866. The lady was the daughter of Henry and Anna ( Hayward) Thew, of Montgomery Town- ship, Marion County, where they located about the year 1853. Mrs. Robinson was born in what was then the village of Marion, December 27, 1844. Their children are as follows: Ada Belle,
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now the wife of William Grafmiller, of Jackson Township; Marietta, James B., Clarence E., Henry Leroy and Charles Wesley, the latter of whom died, aged eight years. The other sons are all at home and give their attention to man- aging the various estates of their father.
Mr. Robinson died March 4, 1893, on his six- ty-third birthday, and his remains were interred in Goshen Cemetery in Hardin County. Although one of the old and honored residents of this sec- tion, he had never joined the Old Settlers' Asso- ciation. He was an influential member and in- terested worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, helping to build what was known as the Eureka Church near his home, and of which he was one of the Trustees and charter members. He was also Class-Leader and did much toward extending the influences of the denomination in his township. He was at all times active in the matter of education, and for some time served as a member of the School Board. He was a Re- publican in politics, but could never be prevailed upon to hold office, as his extensive interests oc- cupied all his time and thought.
M 6 ARTIN STEINER, one of the prominent farmers of Hardin County, owns a valuable homestead on section 18, Pleasant Town- ship. He has served as School Director and Road Supervisor, and takes a great interest in whatever tends toward the upbuilding of this district. A native of Bavaria, he was born in Landau, February 8, 1829,
The father of our subject, Jacob Steiner, like- wise a native of that place, was born about 1800, being one of seven children born to his parents, who were natives of Switzerland. His father was a linen weaver, who in early manliood settled in Rhenisht Bavaria, where lie was married and sub- sequently resided. His eldest son, John, served under Napolcon, and started for Russia, but on
account of sickness returned home. . After the defeat of the great general, Bavaria claimed the allegiance of Landau, and Jacob Steiner served in hier army from 1818 to 1824. He then married, and in the fall of 1831 sold out his possessions with the intention of moving to America, but ul- timately located about fifteen niiles from Munich, and two years later, on receiving some money from his wife's parents' estate, built a large barn and repaired his house. This work was com- pleted on Saturday, and on the following Tuesday an envious neighbor set fire to them and every- thing was destroyed. In 1848 Mr. Steiner emi- grated to America, regretting that he had not done so fifteen years before. On his way to Havre he passed through Paris, at the time of the Revolution and abdication of Louis Philippe. On the day of their journey through the metropolis three hundred victims of the political overthrow were buried. Upon reaching New York the fant- ily started for Sandusky, by way of Albany and Buffalo, and arrived in Kenton April II. A brother of Mrs. Steiner's had settled near this village, and for that reason the family knew of this region and naturally came hither. Mr. Steiner purchased four acres in the outskirts of Kenton, set out an orchard, and supported his family for some time by day labor. In 1854 he purchased forty acres in Goslien Township, about half of the place having been cleared. A few years later he sold this property and moved to Allen County, Ohio, buying twenty acres three miles and a-half north of Lima. This he owned until 1874, when he bought twenty-five acres on section 18, Pleasant Township, where he died in March, 1875. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Apollinia Dihl, was born in Landau about 1804, and they were married in the latter part of 1825. One of her brothers, George Dihl. marched to Moscow with Napoleon, and as he was an officer fared better than the private sol- diers. On one occasion, with a small detach- ment, he approached an appointed rendezvous near a town where Russian troops were stationed, but was unfortunately too early. The enemy, seeing their small numbers, attacked the party, killing or taking prisoners all but four, of whoni
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George Dihl was one. He came to the United States in June, 1847, and took up his abode near Kenton.
Martin. Steiner is one of five children, being next to the eldest. John went to California in 1851, but returned in 1862; he was later married, and went back to the Pacific Slope, where he died in 1890. Mary became the wife of John Kannel, and died in 1856, leaving one daughter. Valentine died in 1859, and was buried in Illinois, where lie was plying his trade, that of a saddler, Magdelina married Gottleib Steiner, and lives in tlie state of Washington. Our subject was reared with his brothers and sisters in his native land, attending parochial schools from the time he was six until he was fourteen years of age. He was then employed by his father about three years, after which he worked for neighboring farmers two years.
On reaching America our subject engaged in working at various pursuits for nearly a year, at the end of which time he commenced learning the wagon-maker's trade with Frank Meyers, who had a shop in Kenton. After two years he start- ed in business for himself, working for about three years, when he married Barbara, youngest daughter of Frank Schwartz. The latter was quite elderly, and turned over his farm (four and a-half miles east of Kenton) to his new son-in-law on condition that a certain amount be paid to the other heirs. Mrs. Steiner was born in Edesheini, Rhenish Bavaria, in October, 1833, and became the wife of our subject September 1, 1853. Her father came to the New World with six families, who emigrated from the same village in Bavaria. Elizabeth Habarmale, who afterwards became his wife, was a native of the same village.
The marriage of Martin Steiner and wife has been blessed with twelve children, viz .: Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Joseph Burkhart, of Kenton, who is now deceased; John, who died in 1892, leaving a family; Jacob, a farmer of Cessna Township; Mary, who is keeping house for her father; Frank, who is helping to manage the homestead; Charles, a farmier of Jackson Township; Helena, who died wlien six weeks old; Otto, an operator in Morgan's Iron Works at
Alliance, Ohio; Maggie, a sister in the Sacred Heart Convent in Cincinnati; Emma and Joseph, who are at home; and one who died unnamed. Mrs. Steiner was called to lier final rest February 14, 1882, at her old home. She was a faithful :
member of the Catholic Church at Kenton, to which all the family belong.
In 1874 Martin Steiner bought his present farin, which originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres. However, he sold twenty-five acres to his father, and subsequently sold a like . amount to the man who bought the first twenty- . five acres after the father's death. . Formerly our subject was a Democrat, but is now independent, preferring to use his franchise for the one whom he considers tlie best man for any given position.
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05 EORGE ROSBROOK, the leading livery- man of Larue, Marion County, has been en- gaged in the business here for the past three years. He has a large circle of friends, and is always to be found in the foremost ranks of all worthy enterprises. Politically he is a Repub- lican and never fails in discharging his duties as a voter. He belongs to the Odd Fellows' society, Lodge No. 563, of Mt. Victory, and is also asso- ciated with Lodge No. 214, K. of P., of this place.
George Rosbrook is the fifth of nine children born to Peter and Mary (Roberts) Rosbrook. The former was born in Ohio, and continued to make his home in this state until' about 1872, when he moved to Marshall, Ind. He is still living on a farm in that vicinity, and has now reached his sixty-seventhi year. His parents were natives of Virginia and were early settlers of the Buckeye State. His grandfather, who was a Presbyterian minister, was a native of Scotland. Mrs. Mary Rosbrook was born in Virginia, and died when about forty-four years of age. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Old Dominion, and her grandpar- ents were natives of Ireland.
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