USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 49
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 49
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The original of this sketch was given a good common-school education, and remained at home until his marriage, which event was celebrated August 8, 1843, when Miss Mary K. McLean be- came his wife. She was born in Muskingum County, this state, April 8, 1826, and was the eldest in a family of three children born to her parents, Ephraim C. and Nancy (Craig) McLean. The former was born and reared in the Keystone State, after which, in 1825, he came to Ohio, choosing a farm near Zanesville for his home. On this he lived until 1842, the year of his com- ing to Hardin County, when he purchased prop- erty in Dudley Township. There he was living at the time of his decease, which occurred when in his fifty-eighth year. A very prominent man in local affairs, for two terms he was called upon to occupy the office of County Commission- er, and for a period of seventeen years was Justice of the Peace, in discharging the duties of whichi offices he gained the respect of all with whom he had dealings. He was a member in excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His parents, who were also Pennsylvanians, were of Scotch extraction.
Mrs. Smith's mother was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and now, at the advanced age of ninety- four years, is living on the old homestead in this county. She, too, is a member of the Methodist Church, and in her younger days took an active part in church work. Soon after his marriage, our subject came to this county and became the owlt- er of a large tract of land, comprising four hun- dred and thirty acres. This was located in the Military Tract, and was covered with heavy tim- ber, but he made it his first duty to clear a space
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and erect a log cabin, after which he began the arduous task of felling the trees and placing the primeval soil under cultivation.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith there have been born six children. Nancy Jane is now the wife of George Banning, a prosperous farmer of this township; Ephraim E., a large land-owner in this township, is manager of the elevator at Hepburn, and his history appears on another page in this volume; Elizabeth Ann is the widow of Joseph Hastings, formerly a citizen of this county; Su- san C. is the wife of Theodore McElheney, a farin- er of Hardin County; John S. resides on a fine farm in Hamilton County, Iowa; and Clarence H. is also the owner of a farm in that county, which he cultivates in addition to carrying on the pro- fession of a lawyer. The members of this family have all been well educated and are respected wherever known.
Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican in politics. He has been Township Trustee, for one term was Land Appraiser, and in various ways takes a deep interest in the prosperity of this community. Both himself and wife are devoted members of the United Brethren Church.
ICHAEL WADDEL, a well known citizen of Marion, and one of her leading business men, is now officiating as Clerk of the Court of Marion County, having been elected in the fall of 1893, on the Democratic ticket. He has been Clerk of the Board of Education for two years, and is also a Director in the Public Library. At all times he has the interests of his constitu- ents and the public at large foremost in his thoughts, and to the best of his ability he endeav- ors to carry out their wishes.
The progenitors of the Waddel family were na. tives of the Highlands of Scotland, and left their native country to settle in the United States dur- ing Colonial days. The grandfather of our sub-
ject, John Waddel, was born in Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio from Wheeling in 1821, set- tling on a farm in Richland Township, Marion County, nine miles southeast of this city. Here lie lived until he was sumnioned by death in 1841, and on the same old homestead his son Samuel and his grandson Michael were born ..
The birth of Samuel Waddel, father of our sub- ject, occurred April 18, 1829, and during the years from 1865 to 1868 he was one of the Com- missioners of Marion County. He is still living in this vicinity and enjoying good health. His wife, Catherine, was a daughter of Michael Ja- coby, who came from old Pennsylvania-German stock and settled in this county in 1824. One of his sons, Henry, was a Lieutenant in the eiglity. second Ohio Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; while another son, James, a Lieu- tenant in the Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, was wounded, taken prisoner, and for some time was confined in Andersonville. Samuel Waddel and his wife became the parents of seven sons and four daughters, all of whom are still living. W. R. is a pension agent in Marion; Hiram re- sides in Missouri; Daniel is still living in this county, as is also his brother Walter; Henry and Wesley are in Nebraska; Mary is the wife of James L. Douce, a fariner of this county; Jane and Maggie are teaching school in Missouri; and Bertha, also a teacher, lives at home. Nearly all of the family have been engaged in teaching school at some time in their carcer, and our sub- ject is no exception, as he had charge of schools for eight terms.
Michael Waddel was born May 2, 1853, and is the eldest child of his parents' family. He was reared on the farm and received a public-school education. He continued to live at home until 1887, when he came to Marion and engaged in the insurance business. Before much time had elapsed he had succeeded in building up the larg- est business of its kind in this section, and though he cannot give much personal attention to his private affairs, on account of his public duties, has not severed his connection with the same up to the present time. Socially hie belongs to the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar; he is
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Senior Deacon in the blue lodge, Captain of the Hosts in the chapter, Captain of the Guards in the council, and Warden of the commandery. He is also a Knight of Pythias, having filled all of the offices in the local lodge, and for three years lias been a Representative of the Grand Lodge. In religious work he takes much interest, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
In 1879 Mr. Waddel married Mary E. Rupp, who died May 2, 1886, leaving two children, George Earl and Bessie I. The lady who now bears his name, and who was formerly Nettie A. Redd, is a cousin of liis first wife. They were married October 13, 1887, and have one child, Roy. They have a pleasant home and take great pleasure in entertaining their friends within its hospitable walls.
REEMAN PORTER is one of the native sons of Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, his birth having occurred here Feb- ruary 16, 1837. He lias been engaged in the de- velopment and improvement of his farm on sec- tion 22 since moving here in 1860, with the ex- ception of the time which he spent in fighting the battles of his country. His original farm con- tained but fifty acres, covered with forest and with a small cabin in an unfinished condition. He has cleared eighty acres of his farmi alone and has made substantial improvements, which have greatly increased its value. In 1878 lie was elect- ed to the office of Township Trustee, and served for two terins. He has also been a School Direc- tor and Road Supervisor, and takes great interest in the success of the Republican party, with which he has long been connected.
Andrew Porter, father of Feeman, was born in Kentucky in 1800, and his wife, Rebecca, a native of Ohio, was born five years later. They moved to this county in the fall of 1833, settling on a tract of wild land in this township. The
farm comprised one hundred and eleven acres, on which Mr. Porter erected the first brick house in the county, in 1846, and the building was in a fair state of preservation until the winter of 1894. At first, however, the family lived in a log cabin 18x20 feet in dimensions, with but one door and window. Indians were numerous in those days, and wild game was plentiful. At the time of liis death Mr. Porter had cleared about seventy acres, this being at the rate of nine or ten acres a year. At first he was a Whig politically, and afterward a Republican, and served both as Supervisor and as School Director. For many years he was a member of the Disciples Churcli, and died in that faitlı October 6, 1867. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away in December, 1884. Of their seven children all but two are still living. They are named as follows: Mary Ann, Green, Freeman, Serepta J., Susan, J. T. and Robert.
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Freeman Porter remained at home with his parents until reaching his majority, and after his marriage settled about a mile from the old home- stead, renting fifty acres of land. At the end of a year lie moved to a farm of one hundred and thirty acres west of Belle Center, Logan County, and in 1860 traded his place for fifty acres of the land on which he is yet living. Responding to the call of duty, he left his wife and three small children in the little cabin alone while he fought for the Stars and Stripes. October 5, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-third Ohio Infantry, under Captain Scott, and was sent to Nashville, Tenn. He took part in the battle of Stone River, tlien fell back to Spring Hill, where lie participated in an engage- ment, and then met Hood in battle at Franklin. Retreating to Nashville, he remained there two weeks, and then was in the attack on Hood, wlio was driven out of his works and many of whose men were captured. After following Hood to Stone River, Mr. Porter went by boat to Cincin- nati, and thence to Washiington, where he re- mained about four weeks. Then sent to Alexan- dria and North Carolina, lie took part in a cam- paign there, meeting Sherman on his return from the marchi to the sea. Going to Salisbury, he
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HENRY P. FEASTER, M. D.
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stayed there for three months, when he was mus- tered out, obtaining his final discharge at Column- bus, Ohio, in August, 1865.
March 4, 1858, at Dunkirk, Ohio, was cele- brated the marriage of Freeman Porter and Louisa Mains. The latter was born July 17, 1835, in 'Richland County. Ohio, to Ed and Margaret (Young) Mains, natives of Ireland and Virginia, respectively. She is one of eight children, all but two of whom yet survive. A large family of children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Porter .. Charles A., born December 19, 1858, married Cornelia Wallace, and lives in Taylor Creek Township; Adela, born November 9, 1860, mar- ried John Nash, of this township; Anna R., born September 12, 1862, is the wife of John W. Young, of Belle Center, Logan County ; Freeman G., born August 8, 1866, graduated in 1885 from the union school at Ada, and is now a druggist in Crawford County, Ohio; Sherman, twin of Freeman, died in infancy; Lizzie J., born January 12, 1868, at- tended the normal school at Ada about three years, and for four or five years she tauglit in tlie home district, but is now teaching in the union school at Ada; Hattie, born November 4, 1870, is the wife of Emory B. Mercer, a merchant at Ada; Horace M., born June 7, 1872, is a jeweler by trade; and Edward T., born April 5, 1876, is deceased. In order to give his children better advantages, Mr. Porter moved to Ada in 1884 and made his home in that place for about four years. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and fraternally he belonged to the Union Veterans' Union at Kenton.
ENRY P. FEASTER, M. D., opened an office in Larue October 31, 1893, and though only a short time has elapsed, has succeeded in building up a fair practice, which is constantly increasing. He possesses good business ability, and is wide-awake and enterprising. Though a new-comer in Larne, his practice has been very
large during. the past year, and he now owns a very convenient office and liandsome residence property in the village. In addition to this he has an interest in the flouring-mill at Agosta, in which he was formerly Vice-President. When he graduated from his Alma Mater in the spring of 1890, he was over $1,000 in debt for his med- ical education, and it can therefore readily be seen what he has accomplished in the past four or five years.
Dr. Feaster was born October 31, 1859, in Del- aware County, Olio, being the fourth in a family of six children born to Jaines and Elizabeth (Wolf ) Feaster. The former was born in Olio, and is still living at his early home, being now in his sixty-eighth year. His father, a native of New Jersey, was of German descent, while his mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, was like- wise of German ancestry. Mrs. Elizabeth Feas- ter, whose birth occurred in Ohio, is now sixty- one years of age. Her parents, natives of Penn- sylvania, were of German extraction. Dr. H. P. Feaster attended the common schools near his father's home until he was of age, and helped considerably in the management of the homestead.
November 7, 1880, the Doctor married Ella Woodward, of Delaware, Ohio, and soon after- ward the young couple settled in Prospect, Ohio. For about four years he clerked in a general store, after which he. read medicine with Dr. Howard for a year. Then, entering the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, he took the required course, and was duly graduated with the degree of M. D. in the spring of 1890. He had pre- viously settled upon Agosta, a village of this township, as his first field of work, and was en- gaged in practice there until the fall of 1893, when lie took up his permanent residence in Larue.
To the Doctor and wife have been born tliree children: Carrie, August 24, 1881; Selden W., December 26, 1885; and Ruthella, September 17, 1891. The only son died in infancy; and the two daughters, very bright and prepossessing chil- dren, are the joy of their parents' home. Dr. and Mrs. Feaster are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which they are active workers.
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Though he was reared in the faith of the Dem- ocracy, our subject is a Republican in his politi- cal views. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, of which body he was President in 1893, and is also a member of the Central Ohio Medical Association. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows' society at Agosta. and also belongs to Marion Encampment. He is popular with all who know him, and is a young man who has a promising future before him.
RANK A. HUBER. As an active, able and enterprising young business man of Marion, the gentleman above named is favorably known throughout the county. Such has been the energy with which he has prosecuted his business affairs, that he has already achieved a degree of success often sought in vain by his seniors. While it is true that he had the advantages of wealth and social position to aid him, we believe it to be equally true that, had he been unaided by extraneous circumstances or the prestige of family, he would have been equally certain to have worked his way to success, for he possesses in an unusual degree the qualities of character that bring a man prominence and prosperity.
The history of the Huber family will be found in the biographical sketch of Edward Huber, pre- sented on another page of this volume. He is one of the native-born sons of Marion, and his entire life has been passed within this city. His birth occurred January 29, 1867, and he is therefore still on the sunny side of life. At an early age his studies were commenced in the pub- lic schools of this place, and some years later he entered Nelson's Business College at Cincinnati.
On completing his studies, Mr. Huber became an employe in his father's shops, where he learned every detail of the business. Contrary to the custom of many young men who have wealthy fathers, he did not sit idly down to enjoy himself, nor did he aspire at the beginning to a position
of prominence. He began at the bottom of the ladder, learned the business in its smallest de- tails, and drew his small wages the same as other laborers. Few young men possess the stamina for such a course as that, but it proves the inde- pendence and uprightness of Mr. Huber's dis- position.
When twenty-one years old Mr. Huber's father presented him with ten shares in the Huber Man- ufacturing Company, and also ten shares in the Marion Steam Shovel Company. Since then he has added considerably to his stock. In January, 1891, he was made the Treasurer of the Steam Shovel Company, and this responsible position he has since filled. In addition to this, he is inter- ested in other prominent concerns of Marion, be- ing. Vice-President of the Fahey Banking Com- pany, stockholder in the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, the Huber Manufacturing Company, Au- tomatic Boiler Feeder Company, Marion Tool Company, Marion Implement Manufacturing Company and Marion Malleable Iron Company.
A very important event in the life of Mr. Hu- ber was his union in marriage, in April, 1893, with Miss Nona B., daughter of Timothy Fahey, the well known and wealthy banker of Marion. Their only child, Mary Fay, was born May I, 1894. Mr. Huber is a citizen of whom any com- munity might well be proud, and the people of this locality, fully appreciating his ability, accord him a place in the foremost rank of representa- tive business men.
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- ICHOLAS RAREY, one of the substantial farmers of Pleasant Township, owns a valu- able and improved homestead, comprising four hundred acres in one body, and an additional tract of sixty acres elsewhere. His house is on section 12, Pleasant Township, where he has made his home for nearly forty-five years. For
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thirty successive years lie has served acceptably as School Director, and in politics has been a Republican since the formation of the party.
A son of Parker and Sarah (Burgett ) Rarey, our subjeet was born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 2, 1824. His parents were married in Franklin County, about 1822, and were natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively. Parker Rarey was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came to Ohio in early times, before the city of Columbus had sprung into existence. He was a life-long agriculturist, and died on his farm in Franklin County about 1875. His wife survived him a few years, dying in 1880.
Nicholas Rarey received the benefits of a dis- trict-school education, and continued to live under the parental roof some time after his marriage, or until he was twenty-seven years of age. In 1851 he came to this locality, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm. In April, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and served for over one hundred days, during which time he took part in the engagement at Harper's Ferry. He received an honorable discharge in September, 1864, and returned to peaceful avoca- tions. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in 1892 attended the reunion at Washington. Since 1865 he has been affiliated with the Odd Fellows' society.
August 8, 1843, Mr. Rarey and Sarah Johnson were united in marriage. The lady was born in the state of Delaware, January 24, 1824, and died February 8, 1854. Of her five children the four eldest, Melissa, Francis, Jefferson and Par- ker, are deceased. Ann, the youngest, became the wife of John C. Johnson, of Buck Township. The lady who now bears the name of our subject became liis wife November 23, 1854. Prior to that event she bore the name of Maria L. Allen, her parents being Abel H. and Rebecca (Mackay) Allen, natives of Virginia and Franklin County, Olio, respectively. The latter's birth occurred July 12, 1810. Mrs. Rarey was born in Pleasant Township, January 4, 1834. Five children came to bless the union of our subject and wife. Iva and Clara are deceased. Maria is tlie wife of Jolin
Bishop, of Buck Township. Judson married Iva A. Marshall, and they have one son, Francis M. Edmund M., the youngest son, is single and at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rarey are members of tlie Methodist Church, as are also Judson Rarey and wife.
HARLES MITCHELL is one of .the leading and representative citizens of Lyin Town- slip, Hardin County, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land, pleasantly located on sections 21 and 28. His life, while unmarked by any startling events, has been characterized by diligent efforts and untir- ing labor, and has been such as to win and hold the esteeni and confidence of the community.
Our subject is the son of Hugh and Jane (Reed) - Mitchell, and was born on a farm near Dublin, Franklin County, Ohio, January 7, 1835. He lived with his parents on the old place, and worked at farming until 1861, when, having been married some months previously, in August, 1860, he started out to make his own way in the world. The lady of his choice was Nancy M., daughter of James M. Drake, pastor of a United Brethren Church in Scioto County.
While the Civil War was in progress, our sub- ject enlisted, May 2, 1864, and served one hun- dred days in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Infantry. Upon returning to farin life, he rented property for a few years, and when ready to purchase a piece of property be- came the owner of a tract of fifty acres, which is now included in his present fine estate. Only about one acre of tlie land was cleared at that time, and the only other improvement which it bore was a little log cabin, very rudely construct- ed. He moved upon this purchase November 8, 1868, and as the years passed by and he becanie prosperous, increased his acreage until it now in- cludes a quarter-section of as fine land as can be found in Hardin County. This he cultivates in
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an intelligent manner, deriving a good income from grain and stock, which he raises in large quantities. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the par- ents of an interesting family. ' The eldest, George Elnier, born July 3, 1861, is now farming on Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County; Clem- entine was born May 3, 1863, and became the wife of Alexander Jordan, who is now deceased; Auta was born December 21, 1865, and is at home; Lester was born February 17, 1868, and makes his home with Mrs. Jordan; Carrie Jane, born May 9, 1870, is the wife of. William Spitzer, and is engaged in teaching school in Goshen Township; Charles Beecher was born September 20, 1872; Enima, who was born June 24, 1875, married Richard Longbrake, of Belle Center, this state; Oliver Perry was born November 6, 1877, but died nine months later; and Elsada, born Oc- tober 26, 1879, is at home.
The original of this sketch is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. He has been called upon by his townsmen to represent them in various posi- tions of trust and lionor. He served as Town- ship Clerk for six years, and was a member of the Agricultural Society eight years. In manner he is very courteous and genial, and his friends are numerous and devoted.
P LVIN J. SPONSLER is engaged in farm- ing on one hundred and fifty-five acres lo- cated seven miles south of Kenton, on the Kenton and Bellefontaine Pike. He has always taken an active part in all enterprises calculated to benefit the public at large and this community especially. Though he received only ani ordi- nary education in the district schools of his boy- hood, he is well informed on the current events of the day and endeavors to keep abreast of the times. He is a worthy example of the agri- cultural class, who constitute truly the bone and sinew of every country. It is with pleas-
ure that we accord to him a place in the rec- ord of the influential men and sterling citizens of Hardin County.
Born December 11, 1842, in Cumberland Count- ty, Pa., our subject is the son of Jacob M. and Margaret Sponsler. He lived under the parental roof until arriving at man's estate, when he learned the carpenter's trade. July 21, 1863, he enlisted at Camp Dennison as a private under Captain Koehney, of Company A, Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, for three years' service. The regiment rode to Cincinnati on horseback, and from there proceeded by train to St. Louis. From Benton Barracks they were ordered to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. When Quantrell made his raid in Kan- sas and burned Lawrence, the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry was ordered out after him. They remained in that locality from August until the middle of September, and on the 16th of the latter month they started for Ft. Laramie, riding past Ft. Kearney, up the North Platte River to Julesburg, and thence to their destination. Wild game was in abundance and several buffaloes were killed on the trip.
On the re-organization of the company at Ft. Laramie, Mr. Sponsler was transferred with other recruits to Company L. In the summer he went to South Pass, where in the following October the forces were divided into three parts. After a few months spent in winter quarters at Ft. Laramie, he was sent to Ft. Collins, Colo., and in May was transferred to Denver. The next month he was sent to Julesburg, Neb., and, crossing the Platte, returned again to Ft. Laramie. Captain Foutz was killed about this time, while taking a band of Indians to a reservation, and the army was sent after the fugitives who had escaped from custody. On the third day the soldiers had stopped about noon to rest and allow their horses to graze, when the Indians attacked thiem, stani- peded the horses and managed to get a number of them. This was at a place one hundred and ten miles east of Ft. Laramie, and there was nothing to be done except to walk back. They had been taken by surprise, as there had been 110 pickets out, and as they had no supplies a few messengers were dispatched and they met their
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