USA > Ohio > Fulton County > The County of Fulton: A History of Fulton County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on Various Subjects, Including Each of the Different Townships; Also a Biographical Department. > Part 55
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ISAAC LESTER, one of the prosperous farmers of Gorham town- ship and a member of one of the pioneer families of Fulton county, was born on the homestead farm, in the township mentioned, on the 23d of July, 1849, his birth-place being one mile east of his present home. He is a son of Thomas C. and Mary (Lepard) Lester, the former of whom was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., February 22, 1819, being a son of Crandall Lester, a representative of an old and prominent family of the Empire state, and Mary (Lepard) Lester was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, where her parents settled in an early day. The parents of Thomas C. Lester removed from Ohio to Allegan county, Mich., becoming pioneers of that section and pass- ing the remainder of their lives on a farm near Wayland, where both were laid to rest. Thomas C. Lester was a successful school teacher when a young man, and later turned his attention to farming, becoming one of the prominent agriculturists of Gorham township, where he died in 1891, and his wife is still living on the homestead. They became the parents of six children, namely: Isaac, subject of this sketch; Nelson, a resident of Duluth, Minn .; Frank, deceased; Lee, engaged in the operation of the old homestead; Olive, wife of A. D. Way, of Waldron, Hillsdale county, Mich .; and Al, a resident of Duluth, Minn. Isaac Lester passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm, in Gorham township, and after attending the district schools, supplemented the rudimentary discipline by a course in the graded schools of Fayette. In 1875 he purchased thirty-three acres of land, in Gorham township, to which he has since added until he now has a well-improved and highly-productive farm of eighty acres, the greater portion of the tract having been cleared when he came into possession of the property, and he has made excellent improve- ments on the place, which is one of the handsome rural homesteads of this part of the county. Mr. Lester is a natural mechanic and has worked to a considerable extent at the trade of carpenter, finding his services in much requisition along this line. In politics Mr. Lester is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church. He has held various local offices, including that of township supervisor, and he commands the unqualified esteem of the people among whom his entire life has been passed. January 12, 1875, Mr. Lester was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Snyder, daughter of Jonas and Sarah (Held) Snyder and a native of Morrow county, Ohio. Her father was born in York county, Pa., on the 26th of October, 1825, and in 1835 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Morrow county, Ohio, where he was reared to maturity. October 15, 1861, he came with his family to Fulton county, locating on the farm now owned by Mr. Lester, who purchased the place at the time of his marriage, in 1875. April 17, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder came to live with their daughter, Mrs. Lester. Mrs. Snyder died, June 30, 1903, at the age of seventy-five years, one month and eight days, and Jonas Snyder died, July 26, 1903, aged seventy-seven years and nine months, so that in death they were not long divided. Mrs. Snyder was born in Lebanon county, Pa., May 22, 1827, and in 1832 her parents removed thence
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to Morrow county, Ohio, where she was united in marriage to Jonas Snyder, on the 24th of September, 1848. They came to Fulton county, October 10, 1861, and on the 5th of the following May re- moved to a farm one-half mile west of the present Lester homestead in Williams county, where they maintained their home many years. Both were devoted members of the Lutheran church. They became the parents of four children: William, who is a resident of Adrian, Mich .; Frank, who resides in Fayette, Fulton county, Ohio; Amelia, who is the wife o fthe subject of this review, and Sarah Jane, the wife of David Kibler, a prosperous farmer of Williams county. Mr. and Mrs. Lester have five children: Jennie M. is the wife of Nelson Brink, of Fayette; Charles T. also resides in Fayette; Miles J. is a resident of Adrian, Mich .; Elmer L. and his wife are associated with his parents in the operation of the home farm; and Nora is the wife of John Soverance, of Adrian, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Lester have one granddaughter, Lois E. Brink, born February 17, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Lester lived on their farm over thirty years, but recently they decided to leave the farm and they purchased a beautiful home in Alvordton, Ohio, where they moved on November 14, 1905, to enjoy the rest of their days.
LEE LESTER, who is one of the well-known citizens and promi- nent farmers of Gorham township, was born on the old homestead where he now resides, on the 19th of June, 1857, and here he has made his home from the time of birth, and he has proven a worthy successor of his father, who was one of the honored pioneers of this section of the State. His farm comprises ninety-seven acres, is improved with good buildings and is maintained under effective culti- vation. Mr. Lester is a Republican in his political adherency and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. January 21, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Alphreta McDaniels, of this county, who was born in Sandusky county, Ohio. They have one child, Crandall. Thomas C. Lester, father of him whose name in- troduces this article, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., February 22, 1819, and his parents early came to Ohio, becoming pioneers of Seneca county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. He was a son of James and Esther (Crandall) Lester, both of whom were born in the State of New York. Thomas C. Lester settled in Williams county, Ohio, in 1837, securing a tract of wild land, in that portion of the county which is now included in Fulton county, which was organized about thirteen years later. In 1848 he located on the farm which is now the home of his son Lee, in Section 7, Gorham township, developing the place and making it one of the valuable properties of this section of the county. He continued to reside on the old homestead until his death, in 1891, at the age of seventy-one years. He was a stanch Republican and was an influ- ential factor in public affairs of a local nature, having served in various township offices. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. February 10, 1848, in Seneca county, he was married to Miss Mary A. Lepard, daughter of Isaac.
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and Nancy (Huffman) Lepard. She was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, whence her parents removed to Seneca county, where they made their home until death. Thomas C. and Mary A. Lester became the parents of six children: - Isaac, who is a resident of Williams county; Nelson, who makes his home in Duluth, Minn .; Frank, who is deceased; Lee, whose name initiates this sketch; Olive, who is the wife of Albert D. Way, of Hillsdale county, Mich .; and Allen, who is a resident of West Superior, Wis .. The mother is now residing with her son, Lee, at eighty-four years of age.
AARON LEVY, a retired merchant of Archbold and one of the honored pioneer business men of the town, where he is treasurer of the Archbold Milling and Elevator Co., and also has other in- terests of importance, has been the architect of his own fortune, coming to America from a foreign land and bending his energies to well-directed effort until prosperity finally crowned his labors. He was born January 9, 1842, in France, where he was reared to the age of fifteen years, there receiving fair educational advantages. He then came to America, remaining a few years in New York city, and then coming to the middle West, locating in Butler, Ind., in May, 1867, and for a time going about through various parts of that State, as well as Ohio, engaged in peddling, and he manifested the utmost frugality and showed his good judgment by carefully saving his earnings. In March, 1869, he engaged in the mercantile business in a small way, in Spring Lake, Williams county, whence he came to Archbold in 1871. The town was at that time a mere ham- let, with only two or three stores, and he established himself at the corner of Broadway and Depot streets, opening a small stock of general merchandise. At this location he built up an excellent trade, gaining the confidence and respect of the community and there con- tinuing his general merchandising enterprise until 1891, when he disposed of his well-equipped establishment, having since lived prac- tically retired. He was one of the organizers of the Archbold Milling and Elevator Company, in which he is one of the principal stock-holders and also treasurer. Mr. Levy is liberal in his views and has done his share in furthering the material and social advance- ment of his home town, taking a lively interest in public affairs and having been a valued member of the village council; and he has con- tributed to church and charitable work and proven a loyal and help- ful citizen. In politics he supports the cause of the Independent party. April 9, 1872, Mr. Levy was married to Miss Caroline Hirsch, of Archbold, and they have eight children: Sarah remains at the parental home; Benjamin is a clothing manufacturer in Chicago; Henry is a resident of Toledo; Ida is the wife of Myer Greenberg, of Toledo, Ohio; Rose is the wife of Lee Dreyfus, of Chicago; Louis also resides in Chicago; Emil is attending school in Terre Haute, Ind .; and Ruth remains beneath the home roof.
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AUGUST LINDAU, who is living retired in the village of Arch- bold, has had a somewhat eventful career and was for many years identified with railroading interests, principally in the capacity of engi- neer. He was born in Lindau, Standahl, Germany, February 2, 1844, being a son of Christian and Caroline Lindau, and he was about eight years of age at the time of his parents' immigration to America. They settled in Adams township, Defiance county, Ohio, where the father continued engaged in farming until his death, in 1865, his wife also dying in that county, and the remains of both lie at rest in the Ridge-Road cemetery, in Adams township. Of their children the following is a brief record: Caroline became the wife of David Coulter and both died in Wauseon; Louisa is the widow of Christopher Dittmar and resides in Ridgeville, Ohio; Christopher is a resident of Napoleon, this State; Frederick also resides in that village; August was the next in order of birth; Charles is a resident of Archbold; Dora is the wife of Christopher Shultz, of Napoleon; and Minnie died in early childhood. August Lindau secured his elementary education in his native land and sup- plemented this by study in the public schools of Defiance county,. Ohio, continuing to be identified with farming in Adams township, that county, until he was seventeen years of age. He then went to Janesville, Wis., in which vicinity he farmed two years, passing the following eighteen months in Wauseon, Ohio, after which he was engaged in the blacksmith business about one and one-half years, in this county. He then returned to Rock county, Wis., being employed as agent for a brewery in Janesville for one year. The following year he was engaged in business in Rockford, Ill., after which he passed about a year as a merchant in Napoleon, Ohio. He then con- ducted a hotel about a year in Wichita, Kan., after which he located on a claim which he secured in that locality, but two years later he went to the Black Hills, but found that the conditions of the Indian treaty were such that prospectors could not be allowed in the district, so he made his way to Colorado, whence he returned about a year later to the Black Hills, where he remained about two and one-half years, engaged in teaming and mining. He then went to St. Paul, Minn., where he became fireman on a locomotive engine. In 1873 he was promoted to the position of engineer, working twelve years on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha lines, and being passenger-train engineer between St. Paul and Stillwater for five years. Thereafter he was associated with his brother in a business enterprise at Napoleon, Ohio, for one year, and he was then employed by the Great Northern Railroad company in Minnesota and Wiscon- sin, working as engineer on the various branches and remaining twelve years. Thereafter he was employed in a similar capacity on the various branches of the Great Northern railroad, running a pas- senger engine between Duluth and St. Paul for ten years. In his long experience in railroading he had a number of wrecks, but was never seriously injured. He quit the railroading business in Novem- ber, 1894, since which time he has maintained his home in Archbold, to which place he made his first visit as a boy, more than fifty years
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ago, the town being then a little hamlet in the midst of the forest. Mr. Lindau was among the organizers of the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers and was prominent in its ranks, having held various offices in the same and having been a delegate to its national conven- tions at San Francisco and Minneapolis. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, taking much interest in the promotion of the party cause. November 20, 1863, Mr. Lindau was married to Miss Nina Hitchcock, of Janesville, Wis., and they became the parents of four children- Charles, Bert, William and Lucius. All are deceased except Charles, who resides in Minnesota. Mrs. Lindau's death occurred November 20, 1900, in Archbold, where she was laid to rest.
JAMES W. LIVINGSTON, a prosperous and honored farmer of Amboy township and a veteran of the Civil war, is a native of the old Keystone State of the Union, having been born in Bedford county, Pa., on the 27th of October, 1834, and being a son of William and Jane (Grove) Livingston, both of whom were likewise born in Penn- sylvania, being members of sterling pioneer families of the State. Shortly after the close of the War of the Rebellion they removed to Iowa, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father having been a farmer by vocation. James W. Livingston was reared and educated in his native county, where he learned the allied trades of stone-mason, brick-mason and plasterer, becoming an expert work- man in each branch and thus being well fortified for the battle of life. In 1855 he located in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade four years, at the expiration of which he removed to Toledo, where he was similarly engaged until the outbreak of the Civil war, when his intrinsic patriotism led him to offer his services in defense of the integrity of the Union. November 4, 1861, he en- listed in Company A, Sixty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he served nearly three years, being discharged by reason of physical disability. On the 30th of June, 1862, he was ship-wrecked on Chesapeake bay, opposite a lighthouse and twelve miles distant from Fortress Monroe. At this time he received the injuries which later resulted in his discharge from the service. He took part in the battles of Winchester and Port Republic, besides several skir- mishes, and his military record is one betokening fidelity and valor in all regards. In 1865 Mr. Livingston took up his permanent resi- dence in Fulton county, purchasing forty acres of land in Section 23, Amboy township, where he has ever since maintained his home and where he has the confidence and good will of the entire community. He reclaimed a considerable portion of his land from the wild state and has made good improvements on the place, including substantial buildings, and the farm is devoted to diversified agriculture and to the raising of live-stock of good grades. He is a valued member of Irvin Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Metamora, and served one term as commander of the same, ever showing a deep interest in his old comrades in arms. In politics he is an uncompromising Re- publican. In 1860 Mr. Livingston was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Welch, daughter of Nathaniel and Drusilla (Phillips) Welch,
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who were well-known pioneers of Amboy township, and the children of this union are here designated: Thomas, who is engaged in paint- ing, in Swanton; Tama J., who is the wife of George Wood, of West Pullman, Chicago, Ill .; Sarah, who is the wife of Allen Spooner, of Michigan; Susan, who is the wife of Lee Ketchum, of California; William, who is a painter by vocation and a resident of the paternal home; Virginia, who is the wife of Thomas Shaffer, of Amboy town- ship; and Lyman, who remains at the parental home, being associated with his father in the management of the farm.
JOHN LUKE, who is one of the representative citizens and pro- gressive farmers of Fulton township, and who is incumbent of the office of township trustee, was born in this township, on the 15th of September, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Amanda (Schrock) Luke, the former of whom was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and the latter in the State of Pennsylvania. They were married in Holmes county and, early in 1850, came to Fulton county, and the father purchased a tract of wild land, in Fulton township, and this he has reclaimed and developed into one of the valuable farms of the county, the same comprising one hundred and sixty acres and having excellent im- provements. He is one of the well-known and prosperous farmers.of the county. His first wife died when their son John was a small child, and he later married his present wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Kreiger. Of the three children of the first marriage two are living, John being the younger. His sister, Malinda, is the wife of Jacob Enfield, of this township. Six children were born of the second mar- riage-William H., Isaac, Amanda (deceased), Edward, Franklin and Harvey. The sons are all residents of Fulton township, engaged in farming, and the youngest remains at the parental home. John Luke secured a good common-school education and his earliest recollec- tions are in regard to the work and scenes of the pioneer farm, in whose cultivation 'and improvement he early began to lend his aid. He has always been identified with agricultural pursuits, through the same has gained marked prosperity, and for many years he did a large business in the operation of threshing outfits, having owned several machines, including those operated by steam. In the spring of 1877, shortly after his marriage, Mr. Luke located on his present farm, which comprises one hundred acres, all of which tract is avail- able for cultivation except about ten acres, which are covered with val- uable young timber. The improvements on the place are of substantial order, and thrift and prosperity are indicated on every side. Mr. Luke is an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, he has served as trustee of his township since 1899. He has also served as constable, and for many years has been an efficient member of the school-board of his district. He is affiliated with Swanton Lodge, No. 528, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, and both he and his wife hold membership in Berry Grange, No. IIII. They are regular attendants of the German Reformed church. December 31, 1876, Mr. Luke was united in marriage to Miss Etta Taylor, a daughter of Lucius P. and
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Susanna (Ozmun) Taylor, the former of whom was born in Massa- chusetts and the latter in Ohio, their marriage having been solemn- ized in the city of Cleveland. They located in Fulton county in 1884, and Mr. Taylor has ever since resided on the same farm, in Pike township, his wife having passed away in 1892, They became the parents of three sons and six daughters: Lucy Ann, Orrin O., Jesse, Charlotte (deceased), Emma, Ida, Etta, Olive and Henry. Orrin met his death while serving in the Civil war, and Jesse, who was likewise a soldier in that conflict, is deceased. All the others reside in Fulton county except Emma, who lives in Cuyahoga county. Mrs. Luke was educated in the public schools, having completed a course in the high school at Wauseon, and she was successfully engaged in teach- ing in the schools of this county for eleven terms, prior to her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Luke have one son and one daughter. Edith Pearl is the wife of Isaac Everett and they reside in Fulton town- ship, having one daughter, Hope, four years of age. Verne, who is a student in a business college in the city of Adrian, Mich., has been associated with his father in the work of the home place.
GEORGE McGUFFIN, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon of Pettisville, was born in London, Ontario, March 3, 1872. His father died when George was only eight years old, and his mother is still a resident of London. Eleven children were born to the parents, six sons and five daughters. Dr. George McGuffin was reared in London, where he received a liberal education in its ex- cellent schools. After completing the course in the London schools, he entered the Western University located there, in 1896, and four years later was graduated from that institution. His first work after graduation was to serve for three months as physician in an insane asylum. He next located at Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia, where he continued the practice of medicine for about nine months and then returned to London. Soon after this he made a visit to Dr. Baker of Delta, O., an old acquaintance of his, and was so favorably impressed with the country and its thrifty people that he decided to locate in Fulton county and practice his profession there. Returning to London he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Piercy, of the same city, and immediately came to Fulton county, O., locating at Pettisville, in June, '1901, and here he now enjoys a lucrative and rapidly growing practice. Thoroughly posted in his profession and quite skillful in the practice of surgery, the Doctor is an active member of the Fulton county and Ohio State medical societies and the State medical association. His connection with these organiza- tions is not confined to mere membership, but he takes an active part in the discussions that come before them. He is identified with the Masonic and Pythias fraternities. To him and wife there have been born two children, named Kenneth and Marjorie.
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JACOB L. McKIMMY is known as one of the progressive and able busi- ness men of the younger generation in Fulton county, and his initiative and executive powers have shown forth in high relief through his building up of one of the largest brick and tile manu- factories in this section. Jacob Luther McKimmy has the distinction of being a native of the beautiful Old Dominion State, having been born in Preston county, Va., on the 6th of May, 1871, and being a son of Perry and Caroline (Wotring) McKimmy, of Irish and Hol- land Dutch lineage, respectively.
J. L. MCKIMMY. In 1874 his parents took up their residence in Lenawee county, Mich., where the father became a prosperous farmer of Ogden township, and he and his wife still maintain their home there. They have eight children, namely: John, Theodore, Nathan, Jacob Luther, Saloma (wife of David Cowel), Frederick, Alva and Addie. Jacob L. Mc- Kimmy was reared on the home farm, in Ogden township, Lenawee county, Mich., and he was afforded the advantages of the public schools, mak- ing good use of his opportunities and amply fortifying himself for the hand- ling of his business affairs in later years. On attaining his majority he came to Fulton county and purchased a farm, in Amboy township, operating the same two years and then exchanging the property for the brick and tile plant of which he is now proprietor. The fol- lowing description of the plant was re- cently published in a local paper and is consistently reproduced in this con- nection: "The brick and tile plant is AGNES MCKIMMY. located two miles south and one-half mile east of Metamora. It is owned and operated by J. L. McKimmy, who purchased the property of A. H. Crissey, in 1895, and at once began to improve and enlarge the plant, which now has the most modern facilities for the manu- facturing of brick and tile. In 1897 Mr. McKimmy erected a shed. 30x100 feet, the following year he added 100 feet to this shed, mak- ing it 30x200 feet in dimensions, and in 1899 he built another shed, 30x100 feet, while in the following year he erected still another, 30x75 feet, making in all a building 30x375 feet, built throughout of first-class material and utilized only for the drying of brick and tile. The engine room is 30x40 feet, and the machinery is run by a 25- horsepower engine, with crusher and a modern automatic cut-off in
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