USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 59
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 59
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February 26, 1885, Dr. Rhu located for practice in Marion, with which place he has since been identified. It had been his desire since boyhood to become a physician, but his father meeting with reverses in business, he was obliged to start out to make his own way in life, and it was fully twenty years after he determined to devote liis time and talents to his profession before he was able to accomplish the desired end. On both his father's and mother's side were many physicians of note, and the desire to excel in the profession was born in him.
July 8, 1875, Dr. Rhu married Helen Sweetser Sweney, eldest daughter of the venerable Dr. Robert L. Sweney, the principal physician of Ma- rion and for many years thie foremost physician and surgeon of the county. He is now living re- tired in this city. Dr. Rhu entered into partner- ship with his father-in-law after coming here, which no doubt gave him prestige, but it was not long before his natural ability showed itself, and as the result of his own efforts he stands at the head of the profession in Marion County and has the largest and most lucrative practice in this section.
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Dr. Rhu is a member of the American Med- ical Society, the Oliio Medical Society, the Mis- sissippi Valley Medical Society, the Northwest- ern Medical, and is ex-President of the Marion
County Medical Society. He is an able writer on the science of medicine, and his articles have appeared in the leading medical journals of the country and have been favorably commented upon by the press. He is a regular contributor. to seven prominent journals. In 1888 he was awarded a prize of $100 in cash by the "Western Medical Reporter" of Chicago for the best article on the clinic.
The Doctor is a Knight-Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows' fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. He is at present President of the Pen- sion Board, to whichi position he was appointed under Cleveland's first administration.
The only child of Dr. and Mrs. Rhiu is a son, Herman Sweetser, a young man of eighteen years, who is a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University.
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LEXANDER GIVEN. As one of the pio- neers of Hardin County, to whom the high- est praise is due for the honorable part they have borne in the development of this part of Ohio, prominent mention belongs to the venerable and highly esteemed gentleman above named. For sixty-two years he has made his home on the farm where he now resides, and during the long period of his residence in this locality he has promoted its agricultural, religious and social welfare, and has aided in the progress of its higli- est interests.
The father of our subject, William Given, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1781, and engaged in farming on a small scale until his death, in Har- din County, Olio, at sixty-five years of age. In 1807 he married Jane Mahan, who was born in Virginia in 1781. They had three children, Alexander, Mary and Harriet, of whom the first-
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named is the only survivor. The mother, when quite young, went with her parents to Kentucky, and from there removed to Ross County, Ohio, about 1800. Our subject's grandfather, William Given, emigrated from Ireland prior to the Rev- olutionary War, probably about 1770. While in the Old Country he married Isabella Boyd, who died in Indiana at the age of ninety-five years.
During the residence of his parents in Ross County, Ohio, March 14, 1811, the subject of . this sketch was born, and in that county he was reared. As soon as he was old enough to be of assistance in the cultivation of the farm, he as- sisted his father in tilling the soil, the interven- ing months being devoted to his studies. At the age of fifteen he began to work for a neighboring farmer, who gave him $7 per month and his board, and with him he remained for two years. He then began to work on the canal for $10 per month, being thus engaged about two years. Returning home, he assisted his father on the farm until he was nineteen.
In Hardin County, Ohio, May 6, 1831, Mr. Given married Mary J. Campbell, whose father was of Scotch descent and her mother of Irish lineage. Four children were born to them, one of whom is deceased. Those living are Eliza J., Mary and Frank. Eliza married Squire Cooney, of whom mention is elsewhere made; Mary be- came the wife of T. J. McDonald, and they had six children, of whom four are living; Frank has been twice married.
After his marriage Mr. Given spent a year with his wife's parents, for she being an only child, the family wished her to remain near them. Pur- chasing fifty acres of wild land adjoining his father-in-law's farm, Mr. Given built a cabin, in- to which he moved the second year after his mar- riage. The building was 18x20 feet in dimen- sions, with clapboard roof and chimney of mud and sticks. On this place, where he settled sixty- two years ago, Mr. Given is still living (1895). He takes an interest in religious matters, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Church. In early days he was a Whig, but now usually votes the Republican ticket, though in local mat- ters he is independent, always casting his ballot
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for .the candidate whom he deems best qualified for the office, irrespective of political ties. His first Presidential vote was cast in 1832, and he has voted at every national election since that time.
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OSEPH V. WILSON died at his home in Agosta, Marion County, March 8, 1882, while yet in the prime of life and usefulness, having just passed the half-century mark. He was a man who was universally respected and be- loved, who, though he had a great many loyal and sincere friends, had no enemies, as far as known. For a great many years he was a leading member of the Christian Church, and an earnest worker in the local congregation. His residence in this county covered a period of some eleven years, during which time he lived in Agosta and was employed as head sawyer in the mills of this place. He was born in Clarke County, Ohio, February 12, 1831, and was reared on a farmi. When he was about seventeen years of age he began work- ing in a sawmill, and made this his main business in life. For some years he owned sawmills in Clarke and Hardin Counties.
The father of J. V. Wilson, Joseph, was a na- tive of Massachusetts, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Jones, was born in Maryland, and both were of English descent. September 16, 1853, our subject married Eliza- beth, daughter of James and Eliza (Brown) Hans- brough. The former was born in Virginia, and in 1839 emigrated to Clarke County, Ohio, where he operated a farm until his death, which oc- curred when he was about sixty-eight years of age. His parents and his ancestors for several generations were numbered among the sterling old families of Virginia. Mrs. Eliza Hansbrough, also a native of the old Dominion, died in Clarke County when about forty years of age. Her fa- ther was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was a slave-liolder.
The wife of Joseph V. Wilson was born March
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12, 1833, in Hampshire County, Va. By her marriage she became the mother of the following children: Deraustus F., a merchant of Agosta; Charles Fremont, who is in partnership with his eldest brother; Edwin S., a bookkeeper for a Toledo firm; John V., Principal of the Agosta schools; Frank, a prosperous farmer of this county; Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Danner, who is engaged in farming in this county; Jos- ephine, who died when about thirty years of age; and Georgia A., who married Charles Moore, a music teacher, and is now living in Indiana.
Mrs. Wilson is a most estimable Christian woman, and has always been devoted to her hus- band and children. She endeavored to rear the latter to occupy useful positions, and to acquit themselves in an honorable manner toward their fellow-men at all times and under all circum- stances. Her prayers and labors have been re- warded, and she may well feel that her life work has not been in vain. The cause of the needy and oppressed awakes in her sincere sympathy, and as far as lies within her power she has always administered to the wants of the poor.
NDREW D. JONES carries on general farn !- ing and stock-raising on section 4, Washing- ton Township, Hardin County. He has been the owner of this tract of land for over for- ty-five years, and has developed it from the prim- eval forest. On various occasions he has held offices of local usefulness, such as Township Trustee and Treasurer, and has ever kept the welfare of his home district close at heart.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, An- drew Jones, was born in New Jersey. John Jones, father of A. D. Jones, was also a native of New Jersey, but his wife, who prior to her mar- riage was Sarah Bradberry, was of Pennsylvania origin. They had eight children, as follows:
Abner, Christopher, George and Charles, who were in the service; Andrew D .; Mary, Mrs. Will- iam Chamberlain; John M .; and Margaret, Mrs. William Fleming. George lives in Indiana, and Charles in Pleasant Township.
John Jones moved from his native state to Pennsylvania in his early manhood, and about 1820 came to Ohio in a wagon. He purchased one hundred acres of wild land in Knox County and, clearing a place, put up a log cabin. He was numbered among the pioneers of that region, and there he continued to dwell until 1851. At that time he took up his abode in Washington Town- ship, where he bought two hundred acres on sec- tion 23, living thereon the rest of his life. He died in 1866 and was buried in Washington Cem. etery. Both he and his good wife were members of the United Brethren Church .:
Andrew D. Jones was born near Mt. Vernon, Knox County, May 22, 1825. He assisted his father on the farm until he was in his nineteenth year, when he began learning the trade of brick- making, serving a three-years apprenticeship. During this time he received his board and clothes and was allowed to attend school in the winter term. After becoming master of the business, he worked at it for three years more, and the brick for his house he made himself. In the win- ters of 1846-47 and 1848-49 he taught school, and in the mean time made his first trip to this county. He was here a few weeks in the sum- mer of 1846, having made the journey by team. Again, four years afterward, he returned and rented land for two years. In 1854 hie located on the farin which he now owns, and which he had bought five years before. At one time he owned two hundred and six acres, but now lie has seventy-one.
September 23, 1850, Mr. Jones married Jane E. Moses, who was born near Hartford, Com., January 5, 1827, being the daugliter of Asa and Almira (Barber) Moses. Three children were born to our subject and wife: John A., March 28, 1852; Sarah A., April 19, 1854; and Moses M., March 27, 1859. The son married Lena Philies, and had three children, Bessie L., Etta R. and David L. After the death of his first wife Mr.
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Jones married Etta Watson, who became the mother of three children, Andrew, Leo and Maude B. John Jones died June 28, 1894. Sa- rah became the wife of Nathan Spaulding, and has four children, Daisy, Lizzie L., Myrtle and Clay. Moses died March 27, 1859.
Mrs. Jones came to this county with lier parents in 1848 from Portage County, Ohio, whither they had moved in 1830 from Connecticut. Mr. Moses was at one time Trustee in this district. He came from good old Puritan stock, being of English descent, and of the religion of the Plymouth Colony, Congregationalist.
The primary education of our subject was such as was afforded by the local old-fashioned schools, but he subsequently went to Oberlin three win- ters. He is affiliated with the United Brethren Church, in which he is an earnest worker.
NDREW UNCAPHER. The homestead owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch is one of the most desirable and attractive within the limits of Green Camp Town- ship, Marion County. It is pleasantly located and embellished with a good residence and cor- responding outbuildings of ample proportions.
Mr. Uncapher was born October 6, 1819, in Westmoreland County, Pa., to Peter and Eliza- beth (Ringer) Uncapher. The father was born in Virginia, and during his earlier years was a carpenter. He afterward engaged in farming, and continued to follow this vocation for the remain- der of his days. He departed this life some years prior to the decease of his good wife.
To Peter and Elizabeth Uncapher there were born many children. Of these, Michael moved to Illinois in early manhood and died in Galena; George, John and Philip are deceased; Margaret married Louis Ackerman: Andrew was the next- born; Simon lives in Foxburg, Pa., and has in his possession the old family Bible, in which the record of the children's births appear: Hanmalı, Isaac, Catherine, Elizabeth and Joseph are de-
ceased; Anna and Samuel make their home in Pennsylvania. The father of this large family was fairly successful in life and gave to his chil- dren the best cducation which the day and his means afforded. He was a member of the Dutch Presbyterian Church, while liis good wife was a Lutheran by faith and practice. In politics the father was a Democrat, stanch and true.
Andrew Uncaphier was married, February 10, 1857, to Sarah Brinker, the daugliter of Henry and Elizabeth (Shibcler) Brinker, natives of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to this state in 1851, and, locating in Marion County, here made their home until their decease, the mother pass- ing away August 14, 1880, and the father dying January 31, 1887. Their eight children were: Susanna, now the wife of Martin Johnson, of this county; Sarah, now Mrs. Uncapher; John, de- ceased; Mary, the widow of Orland Courts; Catherine, who married Jamies Andrews; Harriet, now Mrs. James Maddox; Lydia, the widow of William Carmine; and Elizabethi, the wife of Jacob Bricker, of Green Camp Township.
Our subject lived at home until attaining his majority, when he entered the employ of a good builder with the desire to learn the carpenter's trade. He worked for the same man for two years, and at the end of that time possessed suffi- cient knowledge of building and materials to be- gin to do journeyman's work, and for five years traveled about the country. He gained a good reputation as a contractor and builder, and after coming to Marion, in 1847, had all he could do in this line of work for seventeen years. He has also dealt quite extensively in buying and selling land, but at the present time is living on a tract of seventy-four acres which lie owns in this town- ship. On this he has erected a substantial resi- dence and good barns and made it one of the very best farms in the county. The tract was covered with timber when it came into his possession, but thirty years' residence ou it has resulted in plac- ing it under the best methods of improvement. His life here has been a happy and successful one, and he is held in highi regard by the people of Green Camp Township and the surrounding country.
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FARM RESIDENCE OF ANDREW UNCAPHER, TWO MILES WEST OF GREEN CAMP, MARION COUNTY, OHIO: :
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Brinker has resulted in the birth of six children .. Mary E. was born December 26, 1857, and is now the wife of John W. Davis, of this county; Laura C., born April 8, 1860, is now Mrs. Wallace McBride, and lives in Hardin. County; Sarah J. was born June 10, 1862, and died May- 28, 1863; Emma F., born September 10, 1865, is now the wife of Enos Swope, a painter by trade, living in Wood County, Ohio; Lydia L. was born April 14, 1868, and is now Mrs. Chris C. Summerlatt, of Green Camp; and Herman, who was born on the 4th of Sep tember, 1879, is attending school. The daughters were all given good educations, and prior to their marriage taught school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Un- capher are members of the United Brethren Church. In politics Mr. Uncapher is a Demo- crat. He was elected a member of the School Board some time ago, and is a man of whom every one speaks well.
LBERTIS C. BOWEN, agent of the Big Four Railroad Company at Marion, deserves worthy mention as being one of the most useful members of the community. He original- ly contemplated entering the ministry, and was prosecuting his studies in this direction when he left college and entered the army. After serving for several years in this conflict, he enlisted under General Custer, and was for five years a soldier on the plains. This life, however, completely changed his plans for becoming an Episcopal clergy man.
Our subject was born in this county, May 21, 1847, while his father, the late Judge Ozias Bow- en, was born near Lockport, N. Y., whence he came to this state in 1820, first making location in Newark. Six years later we find that he re- moved to Marion, where he was an able attorney, and was later elected Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas. His duties in this position fitted him for filling a still higher office, and for two
termis he was on the Supreme Bench of the state. On one occasion he was the candidate of his party for Congress, but failed by a small majority of being elected. He was a leading Republican, be- ing influential in the ranks of the party .in this portion of the state, and died in 1871. Of the early history of this family we have but little in- formation. It is known, however, that the an- cestors of our subject were Welsh people, honored and respected in the community in which they lived.
The mother of our subject was in maidenhood Lydia E. Baker, the daughter of Eber Baker, who was the founder of the city of Marion. He was one of the leading pioneers of this locality, and in addition to his landed interests was the proprietor of a large dry-goods establishment, which was operated by his sons, he giving his entire attention to looking after his other enter- prises. One of his sons, George, was a Baptist minister; and Charles and Lincoln conducted the store. The former is still living and has attained the remarkable age of ninety years. Lincoln died in Marion, aged eighty years.
The parental family included seven sons, of whom Albertis C. was the youngest. Thomas C. was educated in the United States navy and served his country as a soldier in the navy during the Civil War. He later became an attorney, and at one time was Surveyor of Lorain County, Ohio, but is now City Engineer of Marion. Laurin D. was a soldier in Company E, Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, during the late war, and died after its close in Michigan from the effects of his army ex- perience. Marcellus, formerly a prominent mini- ister of the Presbyterian faith in this country, is now in charge of the American Board of Missions, and has been located at Constantinople for the past fifteen years.
As stated in our opening paragraph, our sub- ject began to study for the ministry, but his army life interfering with his studies, he decided to turn his attention to other pursuits. In 1863 he left college and served in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Infantry, and later as a member of Company B, Sixty-fourth Ohio Infan- try. In 1871, on resigning his position under
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General Custer, he located in- Lincoln, Neb., whence he later made his way to California. In 1885, however, he journeyed homeward, and five years later was placed in charge of the station of the Big Four Road at Marion.
Mr. Bowen was married, in 1871, to Miss Zeru E. Arbuckle, of Sidney, this state. To them have been born two sons: Sydnie C., who is book- keeper for the Marion Steam Shovel Company; and Roy H., who is also employed in the same office. In social affairs our subject is a promi- nent Knight of Pythias, and also belongs to the Maccabees, while in politics he is an influential Republican. His honorable, upright career has won him many friends, and in the responsible po- sition which he occupies he has the high regard of all with whom his business brings him in con- tact.
RIGHT R. HEAD, the leading liveryman of Hepburn, conducts a good business in partnership with E. E. Smith. They fur- nish a good line of buggies, carriages, etc., to the traveling public, and keep a fine grade of horses on hand. Our subject is favorably known in this community as a man of good business principles and high sense of honor. He was born Decem- ber 20, 1853, in Burlington, Va., and was the youngest of the three children in the household of George and Ann (VanMeter) Head.
The father of our subject was also born in the Old Dominion, and there made his home until the spring of 1861, when he came with his family to Ohio and settled on a farm in Clarke County. He is now seventy-two years of age, and makes his home with our subject. His wife, who was also born in Virginia, died May 1, 1892, and is buried in Lee Cemetery, at Hepburn.
The original of this sketch remained at home until his marriage. Prior to this event he was engaged in the implement. business at Kenton for two years. His next change found him in Hunts- ville, where he conducted a thriving business
in the same line, and for three years was identi- fied with the successful merchants of that place. He then returned to this county and was occupied as a tiller of the soil until 1893, in which year he formed a partnership with E. E. Smith, and en- gaged in the livery business. Two years prior to this time he was a patent-right agent in this and the neighboring counties. Although hav- ing money invested in the livery business, he is still engaged in farming about one hundred and fifty acres of land in Dudley Township. It is . well improved, and by a proper rotation of crops the proprietor is rewarded by a handsome in- come.
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July 27, 1879, Mr. Head and Miss Dora Nor- ris, of this county, were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. (Baker) Norris, natives of Morrow County and New York State, respectively. Both of her par- ents are deceased. To our subject and his wife there have been born four children, namely: Florence, Fannie, Ray and Norris.
In politics our subject is a supporter of Repub- lican doctrines and principles, and takes an active part in local affairs. He has been Assessor of his township for two terms and has also filled the office of Supervisor. Socially he is a member of Hopkins Lodge No. 619, K. of P., of this place.
L. COLLINS, a successful farmer of Tay- lor Creek Township, Hardin County, is an example of what can be accomplished by a young man without capital, and with only him- self on whom to rely. He started in the battle of life empty-handed, and forged his way to a po- sition of prominence and independent fortune through hard and unremitting toil.
A son of James and Elizabetlı ( Huninger) Col- lins, our subject is one of twelve children, all but three of whom are yet living. The parents were natives of Virginia, but later came to this town- ship. James Collins purchased eighty acres of
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
timber-land, paying therefor $1.50 per acre. He then erected a log cabin, and in the years that followed cleared about half of his land. Deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful in those days, and afforded a grateful change of diet. The farmers of this region were obliged to go to Sandusky when they wanted to have any grain ground. Mr. Collins was a Republican, and in religious views a Methodist.
J. L. Collins, of this sketch, was born March 21, 1846, in this township, and quietly passed his happy childhood days, absorbed in work and play. He continued to dwell with his parents until reaching his twenty-eighth year, when he was married. He was early acquainted with hard and honest toil, and many an hour has he chopped rails and cordwood. At length he had saved enough money to buy forty acres of land, all thickly covered with timber. There stood on the place a log cabin, in which our subject lived for a few years. Nearly one hundred acres of the homestead lie has cleared himself.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are: Margery, living on the old farm; Amanda, de- ceased; Daniel, a farmer of this township, and whose wife was formerly Eliza Lowry; Samuel; Mary, wife of Andrew Gibson, of this township; Thomas T., wlio married Maggie Oglesby and runs a farm in Hale Township; Sarah, Mrs. John . Reefer, a resident of this township; Will- iam and Eliza, who live on the old farm; and two who died in infancy.
March 26, 1875, Mr. Collins and Alice Chain- berlin were united in marriage in Buck Town- ship. Mrs. Collins was born September 9, 1855, being a daughter of Cornelius and Catherine (Queen) Chamberlin. Their other children were: Jane, deceased ; William, who married Alice Pfeifer, and lives in Kenton; Charles; Douglas; Martin, who married Emma Cooper; John, who wedded Lena Phillips, and is a resident of this township; and Henry.
Of the children born to our subject and his wife we make the following mention: Myrtle, the wife of Louis Fislier, a farmer of Logan County, was born September 24, 1874; Clara Belle was born September 14, 1876; Katie, born March 20, 1882,
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