USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 60
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 60
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died February 7. 1889; James G. was born Octo- ber 12, 1884; Alonzo, born August 1, 1888, died January 29, 1890; and Roy was born May 18, 1890.
Mr. Collins takes a great interest in the suc- cess of the Republican party, and never fails to be present at his post of duty as a good citizen when the time of election comes round. Religi- ously he is identified with the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
ENRY W. SAGER, a leading young phy- sician of Marion County, has been continu- ously engaged in practice in Agosta since the fall of 1892, and finds his time fully occupied in attending to the needs of his numerous pa- tients. He has acquired a favorable reputation as a young man of ability, and one who is thorough- ly acquainted with the best methods of combat- ting disease. He still keeps up his studies in the line of medical discoveries and scientific investi- gation, and thus keeps in touch with the times,
The Doctor's father, Benjamin Sager, was born in Ohio, and for a great many years was one of the best known and prominent farmers of this county. The grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, where several generations of the family were located. Grandfather Sager was the first settler on Brush Creek, and owned the first gristmill in that part of the county. He lived to attain the good old age of eighty-six years, and was respected and honored by all who knew him. On arriving at man's estate Benjamin Sager chose for his wife and helpmate Sarah Couger, who was of German descent. She was born in West Vir- ginia, but is now living in this county. The father was of German and French extraction.
The birth of Dr. Sager occurred on the an- niversary of our National independence, July 4, 1862, in Bowling Green Township, Marion Coun-
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ty. He was the third in a family of six children, and was reared by his estimable parents in a most exemplary manner, with a due regard for the rights of his fellow-men. He remained on the home farm, attending the district schools more or less until he was a youth of eighteen years. De- siring better educational advantages, he then en- tered the college at Ada. Ohio, and took a normal or teacher's course, spending five terms in that institution. During this time he taught in the winter months in his home district. In 1889 he went to Valparaiso, Ind., and attended the nor- mal there for about six months, after which he en- tered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio. When he had taken two terms of lectures, his studies were interrupted by sickness, and after he had recovered he concluded to finish his medical education at Lebanon College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He came direct to Agosta, and entered upon his professional career, in which he is meeting with gratifying success.
Dr. Sager uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is not a member of any church organization, but is a young man of good habits, upright in his dealings with all, and possessed of a high sense of right and justice. It is safe to predict for him a very prosperous and useful future, judging by the results which he has al- ready accomplished.
AMES LOWERY. It is now almost thirty years since this respected resident of Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, moved to his present homestead, on which he has made vast changes. It is one of the best in the county and is situated on section 29, being well adapted for general farming and stock-raising. Tlie agri- cultural portion of our population is justly termied the bone and sinew of the country, and there need
be no fears for the future of our beloved land while she has such thrifty, upright and patriotic sons as he whose name stands at the head of this sketcli.
The birth of James Lowery occurred in Rochi- ester, N. Y., December 19, 1834, his parents being Robert and Agnes (Woods) Lowery, na- tives of Belfast, Ireland. They sailed for Amer- ica in the spring of 1832, and experienced a storiny voyage of eight weeks before reaching New York. They were married in 1833, after Mr. Lowery had become established in business and felt prepared to support a wife. He worked in the metropolis at his trade, that of a cooper, until 1836, when he came to Ohio, going by boat to Sandusky and from there to Big Springs by means of a hired wagon and team. He bought one hundred acres of land covered with heavy timber, and located in Logan County. He made this trip alone in order to prepare a place for his family, who came a year later, taking up their abode in a small log cabin, wherein they dwelt during the next eighteen years, when a new house was constructed. In 1865 Mr. Lowery sold out and moved to Rush Creek Township, that county, buying one hundred and nine acres, fifty of which had been cleared. There, surround- ed by the comforts which their own labors had provided, the parents happily spent their declining days, and when their work was finally ended they were placed to rest in the cemetery of that dis- trict.
James Lowery lived with his parents, giving them his dutiful assistance in clearing and devel- oping their new farin, until he was twenty-four years of age. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which calling he followed steadily for about ten years. In 1866 he moved to this township and invested in eighty acres of land, on which there stood a log cabin. Subsequently he pur- chased twenty acres more, and now has eighty of this cleared, having hewed the forest away from sixty acres himself. As lie began life a poor boy and had his own way to make, great credit is due him for what he has accomplished.
November 17, 1859, Mr. Lowery married Miss Jane Porter, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Porter, and one of their seven children, all but
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one of whom are yet living. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lowery has resulted in ten ehildren :. Rob- ert, born October 27, 1861, died January 21, 1884; and the others are Wayne, born October . 22, 1862; Elvira and Elmira, twins, born January 30, 1865; Mary R., February 19, 1869; Alice J., October 1, 1872; Cora A., October 2, 1874; James Hayes, January 5, 1876; Lucretia B., May 2, 1879; and Hattie G., May 27, 1882.
Mr. Lowery has taken an active part in all lo- cal enterprises. He was a Sehool Director for some time and served as Trustee for nine years, having been elected by the Republicans, his own party. He is a member of the Metliodist Episco- pal Church, and among those who know him well he bears a reputation for integrity of word and deed that must be very gratifying both to himself and to his family.
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AMES F. MARSH is one of the representa- tive citizens of Larue, Marion County, where he owns a beautiful home and considerable property. He is now virtually retired from aet- ive cares, although he looks after his estates and investments. His wife was a daughter of the well known Major Larue, in whose honor this village was named, and as she was the only child, it fell to her and our subject to take charge of the old pioneer's large landed possessions.
The parents of James F. were Peter and Eliz- abeth (Foresman) Marsh, who had a family of six sons and one daughter. Austin C., the eld- est, is a resident of McCook, Neb .; our subject is next in order of birth; Erastus makes his home in Iowa; Lueretia married Adam Frasier, of Har- din County, Ohio; Milton is in Marion; Josepli is a resident of Kansas; and liis twin brother, Ben- jamin, was wounded in the late war and died soon afterward, aged about thirty-three years.
Peter Marslı was born in Northampton County, Pa., and there grew to manhood. After his mar- riage lie emigrated to Seneca County, Ohio, about
1825, and entered land, on which he made his home until 1842. He later went to Hardin Coun- ty and bought the land which he cultivated until his death, at the age of sixty-five years. . At an early day he was an officer in the State Militia, in politics was a Democrat, and for two years was County Commissioner of Hardin County. One of the first settlers of this region, he did much toward the improvement of his township, and helped to build and organize the first eltureli liereabouts, which was located half a mile west of Larue, before the town was laid out. For years lie was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and in all his dealings exemplified the principles he professed. His parents were natives of Germany. Mrs. Elizabeth Marsh was born in Elimsport, Pa., and died at the old homestead in 1860, aged sixty-two years. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of the old Presbyterian stock.
The birth of James F. Marsh occurred June 20, 1830, in Seneea County, Olio, and lie was about eleven years old when his parents removed their family to this seetion. There was no house on his father's land when they arrived here in April, and for a week or so, or while one was being ereeted on their farm, they lived in a vacant cab- in about four miles from the present town of La- rue. In order to reach their future home they were obliged to cut a path through the timber. About a week after they had removed thither our subject and his younger brother were lost in the forest for several hours and all the neighbors turned out to seareh for them. They were obliged to go about thirty miles to mill, and the usual experiences of pioneer life fell to their lot. The. country abounded in game and wild animals and those were happy days for the hunters. Mr. Marsh well remembers when Major Larue lived where the town of the same name has since been built, and when he had but thirty aeres of land cleared. Young Marsh worked for him at odd times, and helped build the second barn in the place. The first frame barn built in Montgomery Township was ereeted in 1839. When it was not filled with hay and stock the first-mentioned building was used for a church, and at other
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times services were held in a mill. . James attend- ed the log schoolhouse of the township for two ternis, and then went to the Marion Academy for two terms. Obtaining a certificate, he next engaged in teaching school at Ridgeway, Hardin County, for two terms. One winter he fed the cattle and was otherwise employed by a man named Williams of this county. Returning home for a time, he was next employed with a surveying party on the Big Four Railroad between Marion and Bellefontaine for several months.
In June, 1853, J. F. Marsh married Selinda, daughter of Maj. William and Cynthia (Brine) Larue. The former was a native of Washington County, Ohio, who had entered land in this coun- ty about 1823. He was one of the very first set- tlers in this township, as only six had preceded him. In 1832 he laid out the village of Larue, giving the Big Four Railroad a right of way and land for a station, with the understanding that all trains should stop here. He undoubtedly did more for the development of Larue than any other person. He accumulated a fortune and owned a farm of about three hundred and twenty acres in Montgomery Township, and one of two hundred and twenty-five acres in Bowling Green Town- ship. The first township election was held in his house, when there were but nine voters within its limits. He was Land Appraiser of the town- ship for two terms, and at an early day was Cap- tain of a militia company. His grandfather was a native of France. The Major died in August, 1879, aged eighty-one years. Though he was not a member of any church, he was very gener- ous in his contributions toward religious purposes and gave lots to all the local churches. His wife was born in Meigs County, Ohio, and died here at the age of fifty-seven years. She was the first person buried in Bonner's Cemetery. Religiously she was a strict member of the Baptist Church.
When James F. Marsh was married, Major Larue gave the young couple seventy-six acres of land, on which a large share of the town now stands. For four years Mr. Marsh engaged in cultivating this place, and at the expiration of that time, his mother-in-law having died, he re- sided with Major Larue until 1863, and then went
to Iowa, where his father-in-law had entered one thousand acres of land. He took the manage- ment of this immense tract, and continued to live there from 1863 until the fall of 1866, when the land was sold. During this period Mr. Marsh organized a militia company, known as the Strick- land Guards, of which he was elected First Lieu- tenant. They were called into action in Kansas and Missouri, spending some months on guard duty. Since the Iowa property was sold our sub- ject has made his home in Larue.
To Mr. and Mrs. Marsh were born five chil- dren: William, who makes his home with his fa- ther and has served as Postmaster of this place; Ella, who graduated from Oberlin College and was an accomplished musician; Arthur, who is now on the farm; and two who died in infancy. Ella, whose death occurred in August, 1889. became the wife of Ezra Anderson, by whom she had three children. Mrs. Marsh was called to her final rest October 13, 1890, her death resulting from heart trouble. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Marsh also belongs. He is a Republican, and has always taken great interest in the welfare of his party. For nine years he served as Township Trustee, but has never been desirous of public positions.
AMUEL SMITH, of Claridon Township, was born and reared in Marion County, and has passed the greater portion of his life within its limits. The farm which he now owns on section 21, and on which he makes his home, comprised ninety-eight acres of forest land. Few improvements had been made on the place, though a small log house had been erected. This has all been changed, and the well kept fields and farin yards bear little resemblance to the wild tract which it was when Mr. Smith became the owner of the homestead.
Born February 17, 1821, Samuel Smith is the son of David and Katherine (Willey) Smith, the
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former of whom was born March 12, 1799, and the latter October 17 of the same year. They were the parents of thirteen children, but the only survivors of the family are Samuel, David, Al- mira and Catherine.
The father of the above-named children was reared in Connecticut until about 1810, when he came to Ohio with a team, and in this state he grew to manhood. He was married in the year 1817 and later came to this locality, settling in Waldo Township. He rented land for three or four years and then purchased a place, which was covered with heavy timber. He put up a log cabin and devoted his energies to cultivating and clearing . the farm. His death occurred there September 28, 1870. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and helped to organize the first schools of the district. He held a num- ber of township offices, helped to lay out the roads, and in other ways assisted in developing the county. His wife died in October, 1885, be- ing then in her eighty-seventh year.
Until he was fourteen years of age, Samuel Smith's life passed uneventfully, and in the usual manner of farmers' boys. He lent his services to his father in clearing the farm and early knew what hard work meant. In his fifteenth year he started forth to make his own living, and for the next three years was employed at $75 a year. He then went to Delaware, Ohio, and began serv- ing a three-years apprenticeship at cabinet-mak- ing, receiving only his board and clothes. For a few months he was then employed at Cardington, after which he came to this county, and for six- teen years worked industriously at his trade in Waldo. He then. sold out his business and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In this calling he has been very successful, for lie is thoroughly competent and practical in the man- agement of his farm.
October 16, 1842, Samuel Smith wedded Miss Mary G. McWilliams, who was born August 22, 1821. Two children came to bless their home: Noah N., born August 7, 1843; and David, Jan- uary 28, 1845. The latter married Catherine Liv- ingstone, February 20, 1868, and had five chil- dren: Mary E., born March 25, 1869; Francis
M., October 29, 1870; Ella R., September 7, 1872; Samuel D., January 24, 1875; and Harry W., March 16, 187S.
The devoted wife of our subject was called to the silent land January 4, 1887. She was a faith- ful member of the Baptist Church and remained steadfast in her belief to the last. She was a most worthy Christian woman, who readily won the affection of all with whom she was thrown in contact. Mr. Smith holds membership with the Baptist Church of Claridon, with which he has long been identified. In politics he uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party.
HOMAS P. EVANS owns a valuable home- stead in Buck Township, Hardin County, and has been engaged in farming here since he started out to make his own livelihood. For many years he has been very successful as a buy- er, seller and shipper of live stock. His experi- ence as an agriculturist covers about half a cent- ury, forty-five years of which have been passed on the farm referred to.
The father of our subject, David Evans, was born June 20, 1813, in Wales. When he was three years old he was brought by his father, Thomas Evans, across the Atlantic on a sailing- vessel, the voyage taking six weeks. They landed at Baltimore, wlience they proceeded to Gallia County, Ohio, and later to Delaware County. There the father purchased two hundred acres of land in the unbroken forest, on which he built a log cabin, 18x20 feet in dimensions, and contain- ing only one room. He was killed in 1818, and his brother took charge of the place. His wife lived until 1859. David Evans married Lovina Price, who was born in Union County, Ohio, Sep- tember 11, 1816.
Thomas P. Evans was born March 20, 1845, in Delaware County, Ohio. Of his brothers and sisters we mention the following: Elizabeth. who
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was born in 1837, married James Bailey, of Pleas- ant Township, who died in 1888; they had seven children. Margaret, born in 1839, married P. K. Sieg, and died in November, 1888, leaving nine children. Bathena married Rev. Ira Richards, of Silver Creek, and is the mother of two children. Mary became the wife of Thomas J. McElree, who died January 2, 1895. Nancy married Ed- ward Moy, who died in April, 1889, leaving two children. Phobe is the wife of Chiarles White, a fariner of Allen County, Ohio. Maria died in 1867, aged nineteen years. William H., a farmer of Taylor Creek Township, married Mattie Wiser, by whom lie has five children. Maud married John Jackson, a farmer of McDonald Township, and has three children; and four children died in infancy.
In March, 1867, Mr. Evans married Laura Tyler, who was born Marchi 7, 1846, and is a daughter of John H. and Salome (Gates) Tyler. The father was born November 2, 1793, in Rut- land, Vt., and the mother August 13, 1814, in Orleans County, N. Y. They were married in 1844, and had three children, of whom Mrs. Evans is the eldest. Lydia was born in August, IS47, and married Morris Mansfield, to whom she has borne four children. John J. was born March 2, 1850. John H. Tyler died August 1, 1856, and his wife departed this life February 14, 1881.
To Mr. and Mrs. Evans were born six children. Salome, born December 14, 1867, was married, December 24, 1892, to J. E. Hannah, a farmer of this county; Arthur T., born February 7, 1869, married Avice Gary, and lives in Buck Town- ship; Loah was born January 2, 1871; Asher was born August 17, 1872; Gertrude, born Septem- ber 11, 1874, died April 16, 1888; and Alta Maude was born August 7, 1880.
Soon after liis marriage Mr. Evans began farin- ing on eighty acres of land which his father had given hint. About twenty-five acres of this had been cleared of timber, and from time to time lie has added more land to his original farm. In 1880 he purchased forty-two acres, which were partially cleared; late in 1882 he bought forty acres more; and seven years later purchased an
additional two hundred and ten acres. Of tliree hundred and seventy-two acres which he owns, all but fifty have been cleared. During the quar- ter ,of a century in which he has been extensive- ly engaged in the shipping of liorses and cattle, he has beconie widely known.
Thoughi interested in the success of the Repub- lican party, with the welfare of whichi he is asso- ciated, he has never been desirous of holding public office, and has never served in a public capacity. . Mrs. Evans belongs to tlie Methodist Episcopal Church of Kenton.
HOMAS J. UNCAPHER, whose biography we take pleasure in writing, is one of those worthy inen who are pursuing the even tenor of their way, and accumulating as the years pass by the wherewithal to indulge in luxuries, should they feel so inclined. He comes of a fan- ily well known in the history of Marion County, and at present is living on a good estate on sec- tion 33, Big Island Township.
Our subject was born June 12, 1846, to Joseplı and Rebecca (Stonebarger) Uncapher, natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively. They followed the vocation of farmers all their lives, and were people highly respected in their neigh- borhood. Their family included eight sons and daughters. Of these, Daniel who lives in this county, is in the pension and insurance business; Isaac is deceased; Silas is engaged in farming in this vicinity; Perry is at home with his parents; Darius makes his home with his brother Jolin; Thomas J., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; John N. was his younger brother; and Hiramı L. is mentioned on another page in this volume.
Thomas J. Uncapher was married, February 20, 1871, to Hannalı Simons, who died November 20, 1880. On the Stli of August of the following year, our subject cliose for his second companion Ida, the adopted daughter of Martlia E. Kenyon,
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FREDERICK STROBEL.
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of Waldo, this state. Her parents were Jacob and Anna (Kenyon) Rose, natives of Ohio Their three children were Ida, born September 16, 1862; Louelle M., who married William Watson; and is now living in Alabama; and Matilda W., who became the wife of J. J. Payne, who lives in the state of Georgia.
REDERICK STROBEL. Among the var- ied and extensive business operations carried on in this city, there is none that meets with more general recognition than that of which our subject is superintendent, and which is known as the Marion Manufacturing Company. It turns out yearly large numbers of threshing-machines and steam-engines, and is one of the largest plants of this kind in the state.
Mr. Strobel is a native of this county, and was born January 26, 1850, in Waldo Township. His parents, Louis and Riecka Strobel, were both na- tives of Germany, and on coming to the New World made permanent location on a fine piece of land in the above township. On this tract our subject spent his boyhood days, gaining a good knowledge of agriculture. He attended school a few months in each year, but spent most of liis tiine in and around his father's sawmill, which was located on the estate. In early life he dis- played quite an inventive turn of mind, and in order that he might develop this talent he entered the shops of the Huber Manufacturing Company at Marion. Herapidly worked his way up to a good position in this establishment, and while there invented the threshing-machine which has made him famous. In order to place this ina- chine on the market, he was aided by the Huber Manufacturing Company, with which he contin- ued until 1885.
In the above year Mr. Strobel organized the Marion Manufacturing Company, which makes a specialty of turning out threshers and steam-en- gines. He was the first President of the concern,
which from the very first proved to be a great money-making enterprise. The company have kept adding buildings to their plant until it is now one of the largest of the kind in Ohio, and tlie products of the factory are shipped to all points in the United States.
Another of the useful inventions of our subject is a washing-machine, for the manufacture of which he has built a factory, and he is conducting this branch in the business-like and paying man- ner which characterizes all his undertakings. He retired from the Presidency of the manufacturing company some years ago, in order that he might give his attention more closely to the mechanical part of the business, leaving the details of the of- fice work to others interested. He has also in- vented many other useful machines, which, al- though not so well known as the thresher, have brought him in handsome returns. He is the largest stockholder in the concern, and so success- ful is the business that an interest could not be purchased at any price.
Frederick Strobel was married, in 1872, to Han- nah Bender, who was born in 1852, and died in 1884, leaving two children. Flora's decease oc- curred at the age of twenty years; and Eddie lives with his father. In 1886 Mr. Strobel chose for his second companion Lucy Court, of Marion. Our subject is serving as a Councilman of the city, in which capacity he is giving entire satisfaction, as he does in everything with which he is iden- tified.
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