USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 32
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After the Spanish-American war was ended and he was mustered out of service he returned to Bellefontaine where he en- gaged in the life insurance business, but in response to the call made under an act passed March 2, 1899, authorizing the enlistment of thirty-five thousand volunteers for ser- vice in the Philippines, he applied for a captain's commission and received the ap- pointment which made him a captain in the Forty-second Infantry, United States Vol- unteers. This occurred on the 12th of Sep- tember, 1899, the commission to date from the 17th of August previous. He was as- signed to recruiting duty at Bellefontaine for ten days and reported to the regiment on the Ist of October, at Fort Niagara, New York, where he was placed in command of Company G, of the Forty-second Infantry, United States Volunteers. On the 3Ist of October, 1899, the troops left for Prisidio. San Francisco, arriving November 7th. There they remained until November 30, when they embarked on the United States chartered transport Dalny Vostock, which sailed by the way of Honolulu, arriving at the Hawiian port on the 9th of December. On the afternoon of the 12th, the vessel again weighed anchor. and they reached Manila Bay on the morning of Decem- ber 31, the regiment being disembarked on the 2nd of January, 1900, at which time they went into camp on the north line between Laloma church and Caloocan. At that place the Forty-second regiment re- mained until the evening of the 20th, when a detachment composed of six companies of the regiment under command of Lieutenant- Colonel John H. Beacom, started on an ex-
through the province of Leguna and Batan- gas. The expedition covered thirty-five days, and during that time they traversed numerous mountain trails and covered more than three hundred miles, taking part in a number of skirmishes. Among the stations occupied and entered by Captain Kautzman during his service in the Philippines, was the town of Pagsanjan, one of the most impor- tant towns in the Leguna province, at which place he was stationed from the 4th until the 19th of February, 1900. At that place two of his men were killed. The Captain received instructions to keep an account of those going in and out of the town, with the result that twenty-four thousand people were numbered passing in and out, beside twelve hundred vehicles, while one hundred launches were unloaded during the time that he was stationed there. Here he made an important discovery, learning that an Amer- ican by the name of Carmen was associated with a Spaniard by the name of Caranzys, in the copre trade, (copre being dried co- coanut ). This firm owned and controlled this article to the amount of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars in Mexican mon- ey. This was a very great amount and Cap- tain Kautzman's suspicions were aroused be- cause of the extent of the business said to be done. Within fifteen days after the evac- vation of the city by the insurgents, he made a report to his commanding officer in which he stated that something was certainly wrong. As a result investigations were in- stituted, and eight months later the members of the firm were arrested on the charge of furnishing aid and supplies to the insurgents and Carmen was placed under a bond of $10,000.00 in gold, which was forfeited.
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Upon the return of the regiment to head- and has since been engaged in the fire in- quarters, Captain Kautzman with his com- pany was ordered to take up his station at the town of Tanay, on the eastern side of the middle arm of Leguna de Bay, in the most southeasterly part of the sixth military dis- trict. He arrived there February 27, 1900, and remained until April 14. 1901. During that time he cleaned up that portion of the province, sixty-seven men surrendering, and he also secured fifty-seven rifles. He found that the town was almost entirely depopulat- ed, and the people were in a starving con- dition, the death rate being appalling. He immediately instituted a plan of civil govern- ment, organizing a school and taking steps for the immediate relief of the people. He left the town in a prosperous condition with the debts of the city paid. The depleted treasury was replenished and the people and the town were in a thriving condition. the JOHN M. RAUSENBERGER. inhabitants fully appreciating his services in their behalf. On the 24th of April, 1901, Captain Kautzman was transferred to Ma- nila, being stationed at Camp Wallace, on the famous Lunetta, on the banks of Ma- nila bay, until the 28th of May. The reg- iment then went aboard the army transport Ohio, which sailed on the 29th of the month for San Francisco, arriving at the Golden .Gate June 21, 1901. There our subject was mustered out on the 27th of June, and immediately afterward returned to his home. During his service, covering seven- teen months in the Philippines, he did scouting duty of over twelve hundred miles. His service in behalf of his country was ef- fective, beneficial and creditable, and Logan county has every reason to be proud of this representative soldier.
On the 10th of April. 1902. Major Kautzman opened an office in Bellefontaine
surance business with good success. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, and is also connected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, while he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. He was married June 25, 1877, to Miss Marie Frank Myers, a daughter of G. F. and M. C. (Adams) Myers. Unto them have been borne two children, Ola F. and Roy W., the former a graduate of the high school of Bellefontaine and of Witten- burg College, Springfield, Ohio, of the class of 1902. The Major is a genial, pleasant gentleman, and his kindliness and deference for the opinions of others make him popu- lar with a large circle of friends.
John M. Rausenberger was formerly engaged in conducting a meat-market in DeGraff. but is now living retired, and the capital he acquired came as the result of untiring industry and indefatigable effort. He was born in Wittenburg, Germany. August 6. 1819, a son of John and Bar- bara (Hoch) Rausenberger. He attended school until fourteen years of age, and then learned the butchering business, en- tering into a contract to work for two years without pay, in fact. he had to pay forty dollars for the privilege of serving this apprenticeship. He was very faithful and thus won the favor of his master, who. it was reported, was very severe to others less faithful in his employ. He allowed Mr. Rausenberger to make some money by buying and selling stock to be slaugh- tered, and thus he realized enough profit
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to buy his own clothes. For three years rick and has three children. Catherine be- he worked as a journeyman in Porcheim. then for three years in Frankfort-on-the- Main, and afterward for three years in Antwerp. Becoming ill he then went home on a visit, and while there deter- mined to seek his fortune in America.
Mr. Rausenberger sailed from Rotter- dam, Holland, and after forty-eight days he landed in Baltimore, where he worked for three years for one man. who offered to take him into partnership. but Mr. Rausenberger decided upon another course. In Baltimore he had married Miss Dorothy Rexer, who was born in Malms- heim. Germany. She had an uncle in Lo- gan county, Ohio, so they came here in 1848, and Mr. Rausenberger purchased a farm of fifty acres, whereon he made his home for five years. He then added to his place and eventually became the owner of one hundred and thirty acres, which he subsequently sold. He then bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-nine acres and when he disposed of that property he bought ninety acres. He then removed to West Liberty, where he established a meat- market, which he conducted successfully for five years, when he disposed of his store and returned to his farm. extending its boundaries by additional purchases un- til it is now a valuable property of three hundred acres.
came the wife of Jolin Niegler and died, leaving one child. Minnie Niegler, who lives with her grandfather. Sarah became the wife of Upton Moore, who was killed by the explosion of an engine, and left five children. Dorothy is the wife of Samuel Huber, of Harrison township, and they have four children. John, of Shelby county. married Katy Huber and has four children. Mrs. Rausenberger died Janu- ary 25. 1902. at the age of eighty-two years. They were both members of the Lutheran church.
When Mr. Rausenberger landed in Baltimore he had but two dollars, and when he left that city he had accumulated seven hundred and fifty dollars. His life has been a very busy and useful one. and at all times he has been honorable in his business dealings with his fellow men. He has reached the evening of life, being eighty-four years of age, and to him is accorded the respect and veneration due to an honorable old age. His life history also proves conclusively what can be ac- complished through earnest. persistent ef- fort. and should serve as a source of en- couragement to others.
JUDGE DUNCAN DOW.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rausenberger were born six children, who reached mature The concensus of public opinion, as indicated by the election of Duncan Dow for a second term upon the bench of the common pleas court. was to the effect that his first term's service was com. mendable and satisfactory. that the prin- ciples of right and justice were upheld years. George, who married Laura Mohr, learned the meat business, which he car- ried on in Bellefontaine for twenty years, prospering in his undertakings. He died January 17, 1903. leaving four children. Andrew purchased his father's farm in Union township. He wedded Mary Det- by him and that his rulings were fair and
Nuncaw Raw
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
impartial. In the community where his entire life has been passed and where his record is well known to his fellow men. Judge Dow has been honored with a num- ber of positions of public trust and his public career is one which has reflected credit and honor upon the district which has honored him. In an enumeration of the men of the present generation who are regarded as the representative citi- zens of Logan county, it is imperative that mention be made of Judge Dow.
Born in Harrison township, March 13. 1843. he is a son of Robert L. and Har- riet (Brewster) Dow. The family is of Scotch lineage and was founded in Ameri- ca by David Dow, who came to the United States about 1818 and was a pio- neer farmer of Harrison township. He had two sons. Robert and Peter Dow. The family was noted for its fearless de- fense of anti-slavery principles in ante bellum days. Robert Dow, the father of our subject, was born in Scotland and was but a boy when his father. David Dow. brought the family to Ohio. They first located near Marietta but soon afterward came to Logan county, settling upon a farm where the Judge's father spent the years of his active business life. He be- came a leading and influential citizen of his community and at the time of the Civil war he served as captain of Company D. Forty-fifthi Ohio Infantry. He had com- mand of his company from 1862 until 1863 and the following year when he resigned he was adjutant of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment. His first wife. the mother of the Judge, died in 1846. at the age of thirty-three years, and Mr. Dow afterward married Mrs. Mary An- drew, a daughter of Henry Heffley. by
whom he had a daughter. Harriet, who is still living. Mr. Dow passed away at the age of seventy-five years. Of the five chil- dren of his first marriage all are living with the exception of the eldest. David L. The others are Peter B., Simpson L., Dun- can and Robert.
In the common schools of his township the Judge began his education, which was continued in the Union school of Belle- fontaine and in Geneva College, at North- wood. Ohio. In the year 1865 he entered upon the study of law in the office of the late Judge William Lawrence, of Belle- fontaine, and subsequently became a stu- dent in the Cincinnati Law School. in which he was graduated with the class of 1868. The same year he entered upon practice in Bellefontaine, forming a part- nership with J. B. McLaughlin and his son, J. D. Mclaughlin, the firm of Mc- Laughlin & Dow maintaining a continu- ous existence until January, 1897. when Judge Dow was elected to the common pleas bench, and in the same year J. D. Mclaughlin was elected probate judge of Logan county.
Other offices in the line of his profes- sion Judge Dow had previously filled. In 1868 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Logan county and in 1870 was again chosen for the position. In hardling the legal business of the county as well as in private practice he demonstrated his ability to cope successfully with the in- tricate problems of the courts and showed keen analytical power in so arranging his case that every point of evidence had due weight and yet did not obscure in the slightest degree the main point at issue. Judge Dow, however, was not only called upon to enforce the law, but also to as-
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sist in framing them. In 1875 he was
eral assembly of Ohio and was chosen for a second term in the house in 1877, while in 1885 he was elected to the state sen- ate. Perhaps the most important work which he did in the senate was in connec- tion with what is now known as the Dow liquor law, of which he was the author and which passed both branches of the assemb- ly. becoming a law May 14. 1886. This bill provided for the imposing of a tax of three hundred and fifty dollars upon each person engaged in the traffic of intoxicat- ing liquors, payments to be made semi- annually on the 20th of June and the 20th of December. The bill also authorized city and villages to regulate and prohibit the sale of liquors within their municipali- ties, also prohibited the sale of intox- icants on Sunday, and made the tax a lien upon the real estate in which the business was carried on. Under this provision there has been between three and four million dollars collected an- nually and paid into the municipal, county and state treasuries. Judge Dow was also the author of the bill authorizing the railroad companies to put up billboards for the announcement of trains. and other bills introduced during that session owed their origin to him. The Judge is a di- rector of the Bellefontaine National Bank. and he held a number of offices, in addi- tion to those mentioned, prior to his elec- tion to the bench. Upon the bench he has shown patience, urbanity and industry, coupled with thorough and comprehensive understanding of the principles of law and an innate love of justice. As he neared the close of his first term, he was again the candidate of his party and the following
resolution was adopted by the convention elected to represent his district in the gen- at the time of renomination :
"Resolved, That the services of Judge Duncan Dow on the common pleas bench show him to be an efficient, capable and conscientious public official; that his care- ful attention to public business and the prompt dispatch thereof, liis fair trial of cases and the almost unanimous affirma- tion of his decisions, show him an able lawyer, a just judge and an upright pub- lic servant and eminently fitted for re-elec- tion to the office he has so honored and the position he has so adorned."
On the 4th of November, 1873, Judge Dow married Margaret Gregg, a daugh- ter of William and Ella (Ewing) Gregg, of Hardin county, Ohio. Their children are Laura, the wife of Elmer R. Gebby; Ella, who is director of drawing in the public schools of Bellefontaine; and Florence. The Judge and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church and in politics he is an active Republican, his counsel and judgment having great weight in party affairs, but he allows his political views to interfere in no way with the per- formance of his judicial duties. At the time of his renomination the Ohio State Journal said of him: "Judge Dow is a man of deliberate thought and deep con- victions, from which he is not easily swerved. As a .citizen he has broad in- telligence and is alive to all state and na- tional interests, but delights most in the prosperity of his own city, which to him in the best and truest sense is home. From this home he was chosen as a public serv- ant and now lives among his fellow citi- zens, enjoying their approval because of his faithfulness to their trust and because of his many qualities of manhood, industry,
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intelligence, honesty" and benevolence." ment. Here he built a stone mansion (a All who know Judge Dow-and his ac- palatial one in those days) on a high bluff quaintance is wide-recognize in him a commanding views of the Ohio and Miami man of stern integrity and honesty of pur- pose, who despises all unworthy or question- able means to secure success in any under- taking or for any purpose, or to promote his own advancement in any direction, whether political or otherwise.
GENERAL A. SANDERS PIATT.
Abraham Sanders Piatt, farmer, soldier and poet, was born in Cincinnati, May 21. 1821, and is of Franco-Germanic ancestry. John, the head of the Piatt family in this country, when a child fled with his parents from Dauphine, France, during the perse- cution consequent upon the action of King Louis the 14th, in signing the famous "Edict of Nantes." The Pratts belonged to the new faith and were Huguenots. In Holland they found a new home, and subsequently . come over from Europe with Lord Fairfax. John married into the historic family of Van Vliet and Wykoff. The Piatts were held in high repute. an ] a lineal descendant many years afterwards, Admiral Piatt Heine, had a noble statue and beautiful foun- tain placed to his honor on the public square of Rotterdam for bis gallant naval services by the grateful citizens.
John Piatt, of France, came to this coun- try with his six sons, all of whom partici- pated in the war of the Revolution, and were noted for their gallantry and courage. At the close of the war Jacob, the youngest son, came west and settled in Boone county. Kentucky, upon a fine estate given him in recognition of his services by the govern-
valleys for many miles. The old veteran gathered here all the heirlooms from the old world: the arms he had borne in the wars of his adopted country, and treasured far beyond all else was his diploma of the "Order of the Society of Cincinnati," a mil- itary club formed at the close of the war, and composed of officers of the Revolution. George Washington was the president of the club, and his name was affixed to each and every diploma. In after years General Piatt called it "Our American patent of no- bility." At a hale old age this soldier died and on the slab marking his humble resting- place are these significant words : "A Sol- dier of the Revolution, and a Soldier of the Cross."
His eldest son, Benjamin M .. father of the subject of this sketch, studied law, re- moved to Cincinnati and practiced with Nicholas Longworth as partner. He had married a Virginia lady whose ancestors had Their children growing into early manhood, demanded a more vigorous and healthy cli- mate, they removed to Mac-a-cheek, and set- tled upon the fertile acres Mr. Piatt had purchased years before. As tutor for his two youngest sons, Donn and Abram, he engaged an accomplished priest, Father Col- lins. After two years' tuition Abram was sent to Cincinnati to the Athenaeum (now known as St. Xavier's College) and finally graduated at the Kinement Academy, where he had as colleagues many who af- terwards became famous in various ways, notably, the gallant soldier and poet, Wil- liam H. Lytle, and many others who bravely served their country. During his
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scholastic life, he returned often to Mac-a- "of strict construction of the constitution and cheek, to whom the wilds of Ohio (as they always called our Republic "the States then seemed) were full of attraction. He United." became remarkable for his tastes in all that was beautiful in nature. His poetic fancies came at an early age, and were full of tal- ent and beautiful conception. His attach- ment for rural life and tastes has remained with him. He was a graceful and daring horseman, making wonderful escapes by liis agility and presence of mind. An early com- panion of his, Judge Warden related how he had often seen Abram with his horse in full gallop, pick up from the ground the cap he had thrown down a moment before, without at all checking his steed in its rapid career.
With the rifle he was an expert and shot to "kill." His brother Donn preferred the shot-gun, and hunted rather for pastime and the pleasure of wandering over wood and prairies. In early life the marked and dis- tinctive traits of these illustrious brothers were very manifest, notwithstanding many points of resemblance.
Abram was earnest, steadfast and thorough in all he undertook. When his father assigned these lads some light task together, Abram at once set about and ac- complished his share whilst Donn was yet thinking about it. and Abram would often perform Donn's part, knowing that there was no chance for boyish amusements until the whole task was done.
Abram read faw with his father, not with the intention of practicing, but to gain. as he pertinently said, "sufficient knowledge to keep out of it."
At the early age of twenty, he met his lovely cousin, Anna Piatt, whilst visiting her parents in Kentucky, then living in the old ancestral home of the Piatts on the Ohio. Abram returned to Ohio with a fair young bride, and at once applied himself to the cultivation of his large estates, and his leisure hours were devoted to literary pur- suits. He wrote for his own amusement and relaxation. On this account many of his beautiful poems and tales of fiction were never published. He deemed it a duty to curb his expressive taste for poetry and fic- tion as much as possible. When very young. not fifteen, he wrote a novel (possesing, it is said. by those competent to judge) rare merit from one so young. Unfortunately he met his former tutor, Father Collins. After telling him of this literary effort he asked his advice as to the propriety of pub- lishing it. The Father replied "that he was not favorable to works of fiction; as a general thing they were apt to unbalance the mind. Life was a battle and a very serious one; that it required the best ability to pursue it with success. Moreover, fiction impaired the reasoning faculties and from his observation the young Abram had his powers of the imagination sufficiently devel- cped." Having unbounded respect for the Padre he accepted his advice and the "novel" was consigned to the flames. But this did not quench his*poetical fire. He continued at intervals to indulge in pleasures of the imagination, giving to literature now and then poems which, though short, were full of beauty ; breathing of woods, glades and
So with politics, in which he ardently participated, but never seeking office for himself. He was an uncompromising Dein- ccrat, believing in the Jeffersonian doctrine prairie flowers in the most chaste and ele-
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gant diction and containing exquisite sen- of the Thirteenth, organized in Camp Jack- timent and quaint imagery.
More for amusement and relaxation than aught else he departed from the usual routine and established and edited a spicy little journal and styled it the "Mac-a-cheek Press." He alone for one year sustained this paper when his brother Donn returned : from France, where he had been under Mr. Mason, minister to France, charge d'affaires and secretary of the legation. Donn was asked to join in the editorial department which he did principally as correspondent. At the same time was added to the staff John J. Piatt, a cousin and poet of world- wide celebrity, and now resident consul at Cork, Ireland. This was a happy con- junction and the paper became famous and continued until the war between the north and south.
The opening of this trouble found Abram in the midst of heavy grief and anx- iety. Twenty years had flown rapidly in tranquil enjoyment and busy out-door life. A large family of children surrounded him. His aged parents were peacefully enioving their well earned rest. They were full of love and patriotism for the country that had blessed them through their long and valuable lives, and were now ready to as- sume the care, under a competent governess, of Abram's younger children. For, alas, in the prime of life, of beautiful matronhood, in the full career of usefulness, death came and took away the fair wife and tender mother, thus breaking up the happy home. Relieved of the care of his children, Abram offered his services to his country. A com- pany was raised at his call in the village of West Liberty and was the basis of the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In a drenching rainstorm, unparalleled in the April, 1861, he was commissioned colonel history of the country. Cole river, through
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