USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 50
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
--
5
K
D
RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF ALVIN J. SPONSLER, SEVEN MILES SOUTH OF KENTON, ON THE BELLEFONTAINE PIKE, HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO.
.
:
461
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
returning comrades about twenty miles from the fort. During the attack two of their men were wounded in the skirmish, but nothing more was seen of the Indians. The next summer Mr. Sponsler was detailed to carry mail between Ft. Laramie and Ft. Mitchell, and then with his company was sent to Horseshoe, Ft. Marshall and Deer Creek. In May they were ordered back to Ft. Laramie, and during that month there was a heavy snow fall. June 1 they started for Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., where they were mus- tered out July 14, 1866, and our subject received his discharge July 20, at Columbus, Ohio.
On returning to the peaceful avocations of life, Mr. Sponsler was employed at the carpenter's trade until June, 1869, making his headquarters at his old home. In the year just mentioned he started West, and after farming for a few months in Cass County, Mo., went to Montgomery Coun- ty, Kan., working at his trade in Parker until the spring of 1873. Then for a year he remained at home, working as a carpenter, and after his mar- riage, which occurred the following year, de- voted himself more industriously than ever to the acquisition of a home and competence. In 1882 he settled on ninety-five acres of the Jacob Spons- ler estate, of which he cleared twenty acres, and later bought sixty acres adjoining. His farm is a valuable one, well adapted to raising all kinds of crops and stock.
March 31, 1874, A. J. Sponsler and Miss Ad- elia C. Sieg were united in marriage. She was the daughter of Paul K. and Rebecca Sieg, and was born February 8, 1846. To the union of our subject and his wife were born three children: Maud, May 19, 1875; Maggie, March 30, 1877; and Paul, June 24, 1880. The wife and mother died. April 20, 1882, and was buried in Sieg Cem- etery. November 19, 1884, Mr. Sponsler mar- ried Miss Mary E. Johnson, whose birth occurred May 19, 1852, in this county. She was a daugh- ter of Henry and Martha (Smith) Jolinson, na- tives of Olio and the parents of ten children, nine of whom survive. Mrs. Jolinson died in the year 1887. Mr. Jolinson has always been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and has been a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal denom-
ination. Two daughters were born to Mr. Spon- sler and his second wife, namely: Ethel, July 28, 1886; and Eva Mary, March 29, 1889.
In his social relations Mr. Sponsler liolds men- bership with "Pap" Thomas Commandery, U. V. U., of Kenton. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party, and has acted in the capacity of School Director and Supervisor. He is noted for his generosity and justice to all with whom lie comes in contact, and is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OHN H. THOMAS, the present Postmaster of Marion, has always taken great interest in local politics, and in 1872 was elected As- sessor of Prospect Township, serving as such for five years. In ISSo he was elected Land Ap- praiser of Prospect Township, and in the fall of the following year was honored by his election to the position of Clerk of the County Court. He took charge of the office Marchi 9, 1882, and dur- ing the six years of his service in that trust- worthy position won laurels both for himself and for the Democratic party, whose candidate he was. In May, 1894, he received the appoint- ment to the Postmastership of Marion, and is a very popular and genial official.
Mr. Thomas was born in Prince William Coun- ty, Va., May 25, 1846, being a son of Benjamin F. Thomas, also a native of that state, but of Scotch ancestry. He was an extensive farmer, speculator and slave-owner, and besides was pro- prietor of a fleet of boats. In 1852 he moved to Washington and soon afterward died. It was found that his estate was not in as good a condi- tion as had been expected, and for a time his widow conducted what is now known as the American House, on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Seventh Street. Her maiden name was Sarah A. Howison, and she was a native of Virginia, being a member of one of the best old families of that state. From her aunt, who was
:
·
462
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a large slave-holder, slie inherited hier entire es- tate and twenty slaves, but liberated the latter in Washington. In 1858 she moved to Delaware County, Olio, and the following year was mar- ried to William Ward, who died in 1861. In May, 1869, she removed to Marion County.
Our subject is the eldest son and the fifth in a family numbering eight children. Three of his sisters died when young; Julia E. married a Mr. Landon, who is now deceased; Charles E. is a farmer of this county; and B. F. is Street Com- missioner of Marion. John H. Thomas was reared upon a farmi and received but a limited education. He completed his schooling at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and for some time thereafter engaged in teaching school. Inheriting many of his father's traits, he early engaged in buying, selling and speculating with good success. In 1869 he settled on a farm about a mile north of Prospect and embarked in the stock business, buying and shipping to Eastern markets. In 1882 he was one of a company formed for the purpose of importing fine horses, and it is said that there is no better judge of high- grade animals in the county. In all his under- takings he has met with success.
December 19, 1876, Mr. Thomas married Miss Mary E., only daughter of Dr. E. R. Cook, of Prospect, and they have three daughters, Rox- ana, Addie and Florence, aged, respectively, fif- teen, thirteen and eight years. Georgia died when a little less than two years of age. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Board of Education, and in his fraternal relations is a Knight-Templar Mason, a member of the Order of Elks and Past Grand of the Odd Fellows' society.
P RANT E. MOUSER, one of the youngest and most brilliant members of the Marion County Bar, is now serving as Prosecuting Attorney of the county, having been elected to that trustworthy position in the fall of 1892, 011
the Republican ticket. He had barely reached liis majority when he was graduated with hon- ors from the law department of the Cincinnati Law School, and was soon admitted to the Bar, at once beginning practice in Marion, where he has a large and increasing clientage. In the spring of 1893 lie was made a candidate for the office of City Solicitor, and although tlie opposi- tion party had a large majority in the city; he came within sixty votes of being elected. The following fall lie received a majority of five hun- dred and eighty-five votes when running for liis present office, overcoming a Democratic majority of nearly eight hundred, and making a total gain of almost fourteen hundred votes.
The father of the above-named gentleman, Dr. J. A. Mouser, who was born in this county, was a surgeon during the Civil War, and has been a prominent physician for a great many years. He is now a resident of Larue, where he is still en- gaged in practice. His father, Isaac Mouser, was a native of Virginia, and one of the very early pioneers of this county. He was killed on the railroad during the Civil War. Three of his sons were lawyers. Ambrose entered the service and was killed while fighting for the Stars and Stripes; Homer is an attorney-at-law in Huron, S. Dak .; Abram C., also a lawyer, is now living in San Diego, Cal .; and Isaac is practicing law in Har- vey, Ill. The wife of Dr. J. A. Mouser, who be- fore her marriage bore the name of Sarah De- Long, was a native of Hardin County, Ohio, com- ing front one of the old pioneer families. To the Doctor and his wife were born nine children, of whom Ambrose is a physician at Latty, Ohio; George is practicing law at Marion, Ind .; Lloyd is a medical student; Howard is pursuing law studies; Maude is a teacher in the Larue Union Schools; and May is the wife of Frank Holland, of Delphos, Ohio, a well known railroad man of that place.
Grant E. Mouser was born in the village of Larue, this county, September 11, 1868, and passed his youth there, receiving excellent in- struction in the public schools. Subsequently he attended the Olio Normal University at Ada, and upon obtaining a certificate engaged in teaching
1
463
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
school for four years. He had long cherished the desire to enter the legal profession, and when the chance offered, he entered the office of Charles Fisher, of this city, and afterward pursued his studies in the law department of the Cincinnati Law School. He is a very popular official, and is one of those energetic and promising young men of whom it is safe to predict a very successful future. He is a leading meniber of the Knights of Pythias, and is also identified with the Elks and Tribe of Ben Hur.
November 28, IS92, the marriage of G. E. Mouser and Della E. Ridgway was celebrated at the home of the bride's father, a prominent farm- er residing near Larue.' To our subject and his wife have been born two children, Helena M. and a so11.
QUIRE GRANT is one of the old residents of Hardin County, and a progressive farmer residing 011 section IS, Liberty Township. He has been identified with the interests of this section since 1863, and during that time success- fully. engaged in pursuing his vocation. He was born in Richland County, this state, March 25, 1822, and is the son of Josiah and Susanna (Bowers) Grant, who were married in the state of Vermont, about the year 1810.
The father of our subject, who was an only child, was born in the Green Mountain State, April 21, 1787. He was deprived of his father's care when a babe of two months, but was reared in his native state by his mother. Upon reaching manhood he came to Ohio, settling near Mans- field, where lie resided until 1834. That year we find him living in Crawford County, and a num- ber of years afterward he became a resident of Elk- hart County, Ind., where his death occurred. Although having learned the shoemaker's trade, he never followed it, more than to do work for his family, as he believed that farmning was a more profitable business. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Susanna Bowers was born in New Jersey, May
30, 1797, and was the daughter of Jesse and Mar- tha Bowers, who were likewise natives of that state. Her father was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, serving the entire period of seven years. He lived to the advanced age of ninety- seven years, passing away in 1830, at the resi- dence of our subject's father, in Crawford County.
To Josiah and Susanna Grant there were born fifteen children, named in order of their birth as follows: Matilda, Osmus Perry, Newel, Squire, Dickson, Laura, John Russell, Susanna Maria, Castile, Cynthia, Orsilla, Sally, Abner, William and James Chilcoat. Of these, our subjeet, Ab- ner, Laura and John R. are all that survive. Abner and Jolin reside in Elkhart County, Ind .; and Laura, Mrs. Rosser, makes her home at ·White Rock, Mich.
Our subject was a lad of eight years at the time his parents moved to Crawford County, and there was but one other house in Cranberry Town- ship when they located there. The fatlier e11- tered a quarter-section of land, cleared a space, and erected a cabin, after which he began the arduous task of improving his farm. The coun- try round about was little more than a wilderness, and the nearest house was at Massillon, six miles away. There were no schools in the neighbor- hood, and indeed there was no need of them, as the population was very small. As a consequence, our subject only attended school three months during his entire life. He began working out by the month when fourteen years of age, finding employment on a farm about thirty miles from his home.
When twenty-three years of age, Mr. Grant purchased sixty acres of land in Allen County, which he began clearing. He kept "bachelor's hall" on this property for seven years, when he was married, March 12, 1852, to Miss Eve Hall. The continued to reside on that place until 1863, when, April 7, he bought his present place of eighty acres. It was all timber-land when he took possession of it, but it has since been de- veloped into one of the most productive estates in the township. Mr. Grant believes that he lias cleared as much as three hundred acres of land, including his present place.
464
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mrs. Eve Grant, who was born in Pickaway County, September 1, 1829, was the daughter of Joseph and Sallie (Staley) Hall, the former of whom came front Pennsylvania, and was in turn the son of Thomas Hall, of English descent. Sallie Stalcy, who was born in the Keystone State, was the daugliter of Peter Staley, and died February 2, 1883. To herself and husband were born eight children, all deceased, namely: Mel- choir, Peter, Jacob, John, Katie, Sallie, Betsey and Eve.
By his union with Miss Hall, our subject be- came the father of seven children. Elvira is the wife of Joseph Dearth, a carpenter of Ada; Will- iam is engaged in business in that city; Ella is the wife of D. O. Helser, of Allen County; and Sarah, Louis, Joseph and James are deceased .. On the death of his first wife, which occurred February 2, 1883, Mr. Grant was married to Mary Ann, daughter of George and Catherine (Stover) Sprankle, their union being solemnized Novem- ber 21, 1894. They are both members of the Christian Church, as was also Mrs. Eve Grant. In politics our subject is a Republican and has been School Director for many years. He is also identified with the Grange, and is a man of pa- triotic and public spirit.
+
ILLIAM D. SMITH, who is one of the most enterprising young business men of Kenton, is President, Superintenden't and Manager of The Smith-Silk Machine Tool Com- pany, which is one of the important industries of the city. This gentleman was born in Newport, Ky., April 17, 1859, and is the son of Daniel Smith, also a Kentuckian by birth. The latter is still living in Newport, and as a loyal citizen has the respect of those about him.
Mrs. Caroline (Wagner) Smith, the mother of
our subject, was born in Germany, whence slie was brought to this country by her parents when a child. By her union with Daniel Smith, she became the mother of four sons and two daugh- ters, of whom William D. was the second-born. His eldest brotlier, Charles A., was formerly a diantond-setter, which trade he has abandoned of late years in order to engage in the coal and oil business in Chicago; Jacob is an engraver by trade, and at present has a good position with the Dueber Watch Case Company of Canton, this state; John, who was also a watch engraver, de- parted this life in Newport, Ky., in 1893; Mary is now the wife of George Kyle, a shoe manufac- turer of Cincinnati, this state; and Elizabeth is unmarried and lives with her parents in Ken- tucky.
The original of this sketch attended school in Newport until old enough to be of assistance to his father, when he worked in the sawmill. Later, however, he obtained a position in a rolling-mill, filling tlie sanie for several years, when he be- came desirous of learning the machinist's trade. His liking for this particular branch of work aid- ed him greatly in mastering it, and he soon be- came an expert machinist. He finally started in business for himself in Cincinnati, manufacturing tools of all kinds, and in 1890 changed his loca -. tion to Kenton, where a better future was offered him. Here he laid the foundation for the large business of which he is the head, and which he" has shown himself capable of conducting. Soon afterward he organized the business into a stock company, under the name of The Smith-Silk Ma- chine Tool Company, the citizens of Kenton tak- ing $10,000 worth of stock. Mr. Smithi was elected its President and General Manager, and under his control has been built up a large busi- ness for the company. The company manufac- ture all kinds of heavy machinery and tools, and employ about forty men in the factory. Mr. Smith gives his personal attention to the mechan- ical department, and so just and reliable is he in all his dealings, and so pleasant with the men in his employ, that he has the respect and good-will of all.
William D. Smith was married, in ISSI, to Miss
-
------
460
CHRISTOPHER GERLACH.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
467
Bessie Williamson, a native of Newport, Ky., and the daughter of Robert . Williamson, a native of England. They occupy a nice residence in Ken- ton, and number among their friends the best. peo- ple in the city. In politics Mr. Smith is a Re- publican.
HRISTOPHER GERLACH, deceased, was for a great many years one of the leading German-American farners of Pleasant Town- ship, Hardin County. In March, 1844, he bought eighty acres of timber-land, built a log cabin, and continued to improve and cultivate the place un- til his last years. From time to time he pur- chased adjoining tracts of land, until at his death he owned two hundred and twenty acres, all in one body, and all but twenty-five acres of this he cleared himself. After a long and well spent life he was called to his final rest, dying surrounded by his family, September 29, 1881. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, and was loved and respected by his neighbors and ac- quaintances. On political questions he was al- ways to be found on the side of the Democracy, and though he was not partial to holding public office, served his fellow-citizens as School Director and Road Supervisor when called upon to do so.
The birth of Cliristopher Gerlach occurred in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, June 1, 1815, he being a son of Ulrich Gerlach, Sr. In the spring of 1834 he emigrated to the United States, and for five or six years resided in Pittsburg, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade. On account of poor health he then engaged in farming for a time, and in March, 1839, moved to Kenton. For two years he was engaged in running a sad- dlery business in partnership with his brother Ulrich, Jr. Subsequently, going to Champaign County, Ohio, he worked by the montli for farm- ers for two years, between the villages of Liberty and Urbana, and then rented a farm for a year.
In the spring of 1844 he became the owner of the farin on which his widow still resides.
In Allegheny City, Pa., a marriage ceremony united the fortunes of Christopher Gerlach and Elizabeth Arn, March 13, 1839. She was a na- tive of the canton of Berne, Switzerland, born June 5, 1820, and is a daughter of Adam and Mary Arn, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Gerlach was a little girl. There were six other children, but all are now deceased. They were as follows: Annie, Mary, Jolin, Barbara, and two who died in infancy before receiving names. Mr. Arn first came to America in 1826, was married, and re- turned to Switzerland in the fall of 1832 for the other members of his family. On his return, he sailed from Havre de Grace, France, reaching New York City after a sixty-five days' voyage. He later went to Philadelphia, but started from that point by wagon to Powhatan, Ohio, about twenty iniles below Wheeling, W. Va., and in that vicin- ity passed the remainder of his life. In 1836 Mrs. Gerlach went to make her home with her married sister in Pittsburg, where she was em- ployed as a domestic. After her marriage she came direct to Kenton.
Seven children came to brighten the home and gladden the hearts of Christopher Gerlach and wife, as follows: Mary, who died in infancy; John, who is engaged in farming near Grant; Adam, a farmer of this township; Margaret, wife of God- fried Germuth, of this township; Elizabeth and George, twins; and Henry, who manages the old homestead, and lives with his mother. George died when twelve years of age, and liis twin sis- ter became the wife of Nicholas Lutz, who owns a farm two and a-half miles east of Kenton, on the Marion Pike. Henry Gerlach was born Feb- ruary 19, 1857. April 24. 1889, he married Cal- lie, daughter of Anthony and Mary (Stern) Range, all natives of Hardin County. The fa- ther lives a mile and a-lalf west of Kenton, but the inother died when Mrs. Gerlach was only a year old. The latter was born in Kenton, July 15, 1867, and by her marriage has become tlie miotlier of a little son, Clarence, whose birth oc- curred June 8, 1890. In politics Henry Gerlach adheres to his father's political principles, being
18
---
468
.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, · belonging to Lodge No. 79, of Kenton. Mrs. Elizabeth Ger- lach is a member of the Reformed Church, and is a lady much beloved by all who know her.
.
BEL MARTIN. The venerable gentleman whose honored name introduces this sketch is one of whom the biographer esteems it a privilege to write. A man who has trod the patlıway of life for seventy-six years with un- daunted courage in the face of trials and hard- ships, and who has shown the devotion to right, and the beautiful traits of Christian character, which have distinguished Mr. Martin, deserves more extended praise than the feeble pen of the writer can give.
Mr. Martin, who is one of the honored pioneers of Marion County, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Pickaway County, August 4, 1819. His parents, Robert and Sarah (Norris) Martin, reared a family of fifteen children, of whom Abel was the thirteenth in order of birth. Of this large household, all are deceased with the exception of our subject. The father was born in Hampshire County, Va., and when quite small his uncle, Luther Martin, took him to rear. He remained an inmate of his home until attaining his six- teenth year, when he went to sea, and for five successive years was a sailor. About that time he was married to Miss Norris, and, locating in his native state, engaged in farming until 1802, when we find him a resident of Pickaway Coun- ty, this state. He remained in that section until 1826, when he again took up the line of march and identified himself with the interests of this county, locating in what is now Salt Rock Town- ship. Here lie entered a tract of land from the Government, and in addition to its cultivation gave considerable attention to raising cattle, be- ing at one time the largest stock dealer in the county. He lived in this section until his death,
which occurred when he was eighty-eight years of 'age. He served for many years as Justice of the Peace, but with this exception could not be prevailed upon to hold office. During the War of 1812 he served as a soldier in its ranks. His parents, who bore tlie names of Robert and Susan Martin, were also natives of the Old Dominion, while the great-grandfather of our subject came from Ireland and his wife from Scotland.
Mrs. Sarah Martin was likewise a Virginian by birth, and her death, which occurred when she was forty years of age, took place in Marion County. Her son, our subject, was a lad of seven years when the removal was made to this county, and he continued to make his home with them until thirty-one years of age. In the mean time he had acquired a good education in the schools of the district, and February 20, 1851, the date of his marriage, was thoroughly fitted to com- mence life for himself. The lady who became his wife was Miss Mary Brady, born July 23, 1831, in Marion County, and was the daughter of John and Phebe (Wallen) Brady. Her father was born in New Jersey, where he was reared and married. Hither the young couple removed in an early day, and in 1830 took up their abode in Marion County, where Mr. Brady purchased land in Big Island Township and lived until his death, which occurred when he was seventy years of age.
To our subject and wife there were born ten children. John, the eldest of the family, is en- gaged in business in the village of Morral; Phebe is the wife of William Gump, a farmer of this county; Rosanna married William Miller, also en- gaged in cultivating a portion of the soil of this township; Lavina married Charles Mount, a farmer of Marion County; Frank died when eight- een years of age; Ellen married Scott Niff, an ag- riculturist of this locality; Maggie departed this life when in her ninth year; Einma passed away when seven years old; Clara died at the age of six; and Herman still resides with his parents.
For the first year after his marriage Mr. Martin rented a farm, but soon thereafter purchased eighty acres of wild land in this township, on which he built a log house and lived with his
---------.
469
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
family until circumstances enabled thein to erect a more substantial and comfortable dwelling. Five years later he sold this property and became the owner of a quarter-section of land in the same township. This he cultivated successfully until 1876, when he rented the farm and moved into the village of Morral, engaging in the mercantile business in partnership with his eldest son. This they conducted with good results until 1888, when the store was sold and our subject returned to the farın, retiring from work of any kind. Although not compelled to farm himself, he looks after his interests in this direction and sees that the estate is managed properly. His possessions aggregate three hundred and eighty broad acres, which rep- resent his own earnings, as he started out in life with nothing whatever.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.