The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 51

Author: Kennedy, Robert Patterson, 1840-1918
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1586

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"His work was done, his mission com- plete and Donn Piatt has passed from an individual to an individuality. The prod- uct of his genius and effect of his ex- ample remain upon all he has touched ; and death with him is not departure but transformation."

CHARLES FOLSOM.

Charles Folsom, now deceased, was a man whom to know was to respect and honor. He passed away August 12. 1898, leaving behind him the memory of an up- right life which awakened the admiration and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was a son of Joshua Folsom. who was born in New Hampshire. of Qua- ker parentage. After reaching years of ma- turity Joshua Folsom prepared for the bar and began the practice of law in Balti- more. Maryland, in connection with Rob- ert Goodloe Harper. In 1812 he removed

CHARLES FOLSOM.

MRS. CHARLES FOLSOM.

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to Circleville. Ohio, and in 1837 he came and milling interests in a manner that made to Logan county, settling upon a tract of fifteen hundred acres of land adjoining Zanesfield. Indians were quite common in the locality at that time and would often stop at the house to beg. Soon after lo- cating here Mr. Folsom built a sawmill which was the first in Jefferson township. He also purchased a herd of shorthorn Durham cattle in Kentucky and brought them to his farm. but he was not long spared to enjoy the extensive improve- ments which he had made. his death oc- curring December 15. 1840. His wife passed away about twenty-one years later. her death occurring December 16, 1861.

Charles Folsom, the youngest son of Joshua and Catharine ( Hoffman) Folsom. was born in Columbus, Ohio. September 12. 1824. and under the parental roof he spent his boyhood. early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1845. at the age of twenty-one years, he was united in marriage to Lydia Pennock, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania. She was of Quaker parentage and with her father and his family came over the Alleghany mountains to Ohio in the early '30's. the journey being made in one of the fa- mous Pennsylvania "schooner" wagons common at that time.

At the death of his father. Charles Fol- som of this review came into possession of six hundred and thirty acres of land near Zanesfield, on which was located the old sawmill. This he operated until 1850 in connection with the improvement of his land and then he built a new sawmill near the old one. In 1854 he erected a flour mill, which he also conducted. and thus .his attention was devoted to agriculture

him one of the enterprising and leading business men of his section of the state. In 1870 he removed to Zanesfield. where he turned his attention to commercial pur- suits. He also did considerable building there and served as postmaster of the town. He assisted in building the first railroad into Bellefontaine and he was largely instrumental in the upbuilding and improvement of Zanesfield. contributing liberally to the erection of its churches and its schools and to the promotion of many interests which were of value to the community. He served as editor of the Mad River Blade for three years and he was president of the county agricultural society. He also occupied various other positions of prominence and trust. the duties of which he ever discharged with . promptness and fidelity. In 1876 he sold his mill and four hundred and seventy-one acres of his land to J. N. Dickinson of Mac-a-cheek valley and with his family re- moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he was en- gaged in business for eight years. In 1884 he returned to Logan county, settling in Bellefontaine, where he made his home until called to his final rest, and during that time his attention was given to the supervision of his farming interests. Mrs. Folsom was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania. August 14, 1827. a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Pim) Pennock, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, where her father engaged in mer- chandising and in teaching. He came from Chester county. Pennsylvania, to Co- lumbiana county. Ohio, in the '30's and in the early '40's settled upon a farm near Zanesfield in Jefferson township. Logan county, where he and his wife made

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their home until they were called to their they have three children. He is also in- final rest.

Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Folsom were born six children, whose birth occurred upon the home farm north of Zanesfield. C. Hervey, the eldest, at- tended school at Urbana. Ohio, and on the 25th of September, 1869, he married Miss Jennie Crew, a daughter of Dr. James Crew, a popular pioneer physician of this vicinity. Mrs. Folsom died in December. 1897, leaving her husband and daughter to mourn her loss. In 1872 C. H. Folsom formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of C. & C. H. Folsom and together they conducted the farm and the saw and grist mills. this relation being maintained until 1876, when the son re- moved to Lima, Ohio, where he has since engaged in the real estate and loan busi- ness. He has been very successful in this venture and now has a large clientage. Maria B. Folsom attended school at Urbana, Ohio, and on the 11th of January. 1868. she gave her hand in marriage to Stanton B. Thomas and they have three children. They now reside in Cassopolis. Michigan, where he is engaged in the gro- cery business. Emerson Folsom was edu- cated at Cornell University, became a civil engineer and died at San Miguel. Colo- rado, in 1881. Henry Page Folsom at- tended college at Lebanon, Ohio, after which he pursued a law course in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He practiced law for a few years at Toledo, Ohio, and then formed a partnership with his uncle, Hon. Henry F. Page, of Circle- ville, Ohio, where he is now a well known and successful attorney. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine McLeod Smith, of St. Louis, Missouri, and

terested in the farmers' telephone lines and he is a recognized political leader of his district. He received the nomination for representative to the state legislature and two years ago he was the candidate for state senator. He has always run ahead of his ticket in his own county where the opposition party usually has a majority of eight hundred. Sumner Folsom learned the printing and engraving trades and afterward attended the art academy at Cincinnati, where he learned wood carv- ing. He then worked for George M. Pull- man. of palace car fame, and he is now living at Bellefontaine, where he engages in raising live stock.

Mr. Folsom died August 12. 1898, the day on which the peace with Spain was declared. He was then almost seventy- four years of age and his life was one of usefulness, activity and honor, commend- ing him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he came in contact. He was progressive in matters of citizenship, reliable in business and trustworthy in friendship. He was a charter member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge at Zanesfield and he had a very wide acquaintance through- out Logan county where he was known as an early settler, a successful agriculturist and a prominent citizen. Mrs. Folsom and two of her children. Sumner and Florine, now reside at No. 208 Main street in Belle- fontaine, where she has a fine residence. She also owns a valuable farm of two hun- dred and three acres in Jefferson town- ship and another farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Monroe township. Like her husband she shares in the high regard of many friends and is well known in Lo- gan county.

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JOSEPH . C. BRAND.

A number of the important business in- terests of Bellefontaine have felt the stimu- lus of the energy and executive ability of Mr. Brand, whose efforts have formed no unimportant element in promoting com- mercial activity here, nor has he been re- miss in citizenship; on the contrary; he has been a co-operant factor in many move- ments for the general good, and thus is de- serving of mention among the representa- tive men of Logan county.

This paper was developed, and became rec- ognized as the standard of journalism in this portion of the state, for under the able man- agement it was improved in all ways. A liberal patronage was accorded because of the worth of the paper, and about 1893 the daily edition was established. It. too, was attended with a high measure of success.

In the year 1895 Mr. Brand was elected cashier of the Bellefontaine National Bank, a relation which he still holds. He was in- strumental in the founding of the Citizens' Building & Loan Company, of which he was elected secretary, and in that office he is also serving. This has become one of the most popular business concerns of Belle- fontaine, and has been a very important ele- ment in the improvement of the city. Mr.

J. C. Brand was born on a farm near Urbana, Ohio, in December, 1839, his par- ents being Joseph C. and Lavinia ( Talbott ) Brand, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They became early settlers of Champaign county. Ohio, and . Brand also took an active interest in estab- Mr. Brand assisted materially in the up- lishing the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad and has been interested in manufacturing and other business enterprises of Bellefon- taine, which have proven of great value in the upbuilding of the city. building of many of the industries of the county. Upon the home farm the son was reared, and in the public schools and in Ur- bana University he pursued his education, entering upon his business career at the age In the year 1861 Mr. Brand was united in marriage to Sarah Pearson, a daughter of the late John C. Pearson, and her death occurred in 1889. The two children born of this marriage are John P., of Chicago, and Lavinia, the wife of O. C. Colton, of Lorain, Ohio. In 1890 Mr. Brand was again married, his second union being with Anna Taylor. A liberal education well fit- ted our subject for the arduous duties of a business career, and with keen foresight and enterprise he has labored along lines produc- ing great good for the community, as well as bringing to him individual success. He well deserves to be classed among the rep- resentative men of Logan county, and is deserving of honorable mention in this volume. of seventeen years as a clerk in a mercantile enterprise conducted by his father and brother. From 1861 until 1864 he occupied a position in the register's office of the treasury department at Washington, D. C., and was then transferred to the bureau of statistics in the same department, having charge of that work until 1867. During that period of three years he was chief of the division which published annually the report of commerce and navigation. At the end of that time he resigned to take up pri- vate business life in Bellefontaine. He was chief deputy collector of the fourth internal revenue district in 1885, and the same year purchased an interest in the Logan County Index, in connection with W. S. Roebuck.

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JOHN L. HENGSTELER.

is the next of the family. Louis wedded Mary Tamplin and lives in Union town- ship. They have three children. Flossie, Fern and Fay. Charles married Nellie Neer and lives near Logansville, in Pleas- ant township, where he has sixty-five acres of land. They have one son, Leroy. The father was a Democrat in his political views. but never an office-seeker, and he was a member of the German Reformed church.

John L. Hengsteler owns a farm of ninety-seven acres just south of Logans- ville, in Pleasant township, and devotes his energies to the advancement of his ag- ricultural interests, whereby he is provid- ing for his family. He was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, March 15. 1862, a son of Louis and Mary (Bauders) Hengsteler. The father was a native of Gerinany, born October 10. 1825, and In his boyhood John L. Hengsteler ac- quired a good education in the public schools and when twenty-one years of age he started out in life on his own account. For some time he operated his father's land on the shares, renting land until about 1897 or 1898, when he purchased his when twelve years of age was brought to America by his father. Louis Hengsteler. being fifty-six days on the water. After arriving at man's estate he married Miss Mary Bauders, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, the marriage probably taking place in Westmoreland county. During the. present farm, and now has ninety-seven early boyhood of their son, John, they came acres of rich and arable land. His father erected the greater part of the house and he has built an excellent barn, and has splendid modern improvements. to Ohio, settling in Seneca county, where the father, who was a farmer, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. In March. 1883. he came to Logan county. On the 28th of February, 1884. in De Graff, Mr. Hengsteler was united in mar- riage to Miss Luella Swonger, who was born in Washington township. Logan county, a daughter of Michael and Tracy (Moon) Swonger. Two children were born of this marriage : Omer, born July 7. 1886, and Crissie, who died when seven years of age. The mother passed away June 28. 1900, and was buried in Green- wood cemetery, DeGraff. On the 11th of March, 1902, Mr. Hengsteler was again married in Pleasant township, wedding Miss Etta O. Shaw, who was born in Pem- berton. Shelby county. Ohio, a daughter of David and Mary E. (Hood) Shaw, whose sketch follows this. Mrs. Heng- steler received a good common-school edu- taking up his abode on the farm which is now the home of his son. John. The father died in February, 1891, and the mother passed away in August. 1893. both being laid to rest in Greenwood ceme- tery, DeGraff. Al. of their children. six in number, are still living. Samuel first marrid Laura Bates, by whom he had a son, William, and after her death he wed- ded Mrs. Kate Rhodes, nee Walters. He resides at Rising Sun. Wood county, Ohio. Elizabeth is the wife of Samuel Shaw, who is living near Rising Sun, and they have two children. Bessie and Wayne. George married Ann Graver and their chil- dren were Lulu and Jay. For his sec- ond wife he chose Christina Stoutinger, and they have one child. Datus. John L. cation and at the age of sixteen began

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teaching in Bloomfield township. A few many years. He then took up his abode years later she went to London, Ohio, in Bellefontaine and again resumed work where she pursued a teacher's course. She taught for ten years, four years of the time in Logansville. where she was teaching at the time of her marriage and two months afterward at the carpenter's trade which he followed in connection with the real estate busi- ness, devoting his attention to the dual pursuit until his retirement. It was his desire to provide a good home for his fam- Mr. Hengsteler is a suporter of the Democracy and cast his first vote for Cleveland in 1884. In 1898 he was elected a member of the board of education and also township trustee, serving in the latter office three years. In May, 1902. he was appointed treasurer to fill an unexpired term for his fellow citizens recognized his fitness for office, and in the spring of 1903 he received the Democratic nomination for the same position. ily and he succeeded beyond his expecta- tions, becoming the owner of over nine hundred acres of land, divided into five farms, besides town lots and dwelling houses in DeGraff and Bellefontaine. He was a man of exemplary habits. having never played cards and having never taken but one drink of whiskey. Religiously he held membership in the Methodist Episco- pal church. After a happy married life of thirty years, his first wife died Janu- ary 7, 1874. at the age of fifty years. She was a loving wife and affectionate mother, and a tried and true friend. For his sec- DANIEL S. POOL. ond wife William R. Pool married Mrs. Edith E. Neer, of this county, who now resides with her daughter in New York city. He died on the Ist of April, 1902, when in his eighty-second year. honored and respected by all who knew him.

Daniel S. Pool is a prominent retired citizen of Bellefontaine and represents an old family of Logan county. His father, William R. Pool, was born in Virginia. November 20. 1819. and in early life mar- ried Eleanor B. Strayer, a native of Lo- gan county, Ohio, and a daughter of Rev. Daniel Strayer, who at one time made his home in Miami township. Logan county, and is now deceased. After his marriage William R. Pool resided in Shelby county until 1848. when he came to Logan county, locating on a farm one and a half miles from DeGraff, where he made his home for twenty-nine years, and then re- moved to another farm in Miami town- ship. By trade he was a carpenter but after coming to this country he engaged in general farming and stock-raising for

The children by the first marriage were Daniel S .. of this review; George T., a resident of Bellefontaine: Benjamin W., a stock-raiser and shipper of DeGraff ; Mary Elizabeth, who died at the age of eight years; Isaac A .. also deceased ; Luther H., who is a farmer of Miami town- ship and is now serving as a representative from his district in the state legislature; and Emma. the wife of W. A. Badger, of Harrison township.

Daniel S. Pool was born in Shelby county, this state. December 11, 1843, and obtained a common-school education. In August, 1862, at the age of eighteen years,

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he offered his services to the country as a defender of the Union cause, joining the boys in blue of Company E, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. which was mounted in January. 1863, and assigned to the First Brigade. Second Division, Twen- ty-third Army Corps. Army of the Ohio. He was ill from exposure and confined to the hospital for four months. Under the command of Captain Louis Taylor and Colonel Benjamin P. Runkle he aided in driving Morgan out of Indiana and Ohio, and also participated in the battles of Dut- ton Hill, Monticello. Rocky Gap. Coltim- bia. Buffington Island. Philadelphia. Ten- nessee. Rockford. Halstan River, Knox- ville, Beaman's Station. Resaca. Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro. Lovejoy Sta- tion, Columbia. Tennessee, Franklin. Nashville and other engagements. On the 12th of June. 1865. Mr. Pool was honor- ably discharged at Nashville for the war had been brought to a successful close and the stars and stripes were floating over the capital of the Southern Confederacy.

When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Pool returned to his home in Logan county and engaged in farming in Union township. In February, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Fidler, who was born in Champaign coun- ty, Ohio, a daughter of John Fidler, who came to Logan county at an early day and was a farmer and carpenter here. His death occurred in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pool were born three children : William H., a carpenter of Bellefontaine : Charles W., who is a farmer of Union township, and Minnie May, the wife of Charles S. McCoskin of Union township. The mother died in January, 1883. and has been reached by his sterling qualities

Mr. Pool has been again married, his sec- ond union being with Miss Kate L. J. Vanskiver, a native of Champaign county, Ohio, born August 11. 1854, and a daugh- ter of Abner Vanskiver. who followed farming in Henry county, but is now de- ceased.

From the time of his first marriage Mr. Pool carried on general farming and stock- raising in Urion township until February. 1901. when he came to Bellefontaine and purchased his present home at No. 217 North Main street, where he has since lived a retired life. He still owns his fine farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres which he rents to his son-in-law. He was a progressive and wide-awake farmer and his enterprise and energy brought to him a competence that now enables him to rest from further labor. He has held the of- fice of trustee and supervisor in his town- ship and in politics he has always been an earnest Republican, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. Two or three times he has served as a delegate to its conventions. He is a member of the Grange of Union township and the Knights of the Golden Eagle of DeGraff. His life has, indeed, been honorable and upright and has been strictly temperate. never using tobacco or intoxicants in any way. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bellefontaine and his influence has been a potent factor in the advancement of mor- ality and in fact all that tends to uplift humanity receives his endorsement. As a citizen he has been loyal to his country, not only on southern battlefields, but in all life's relations. With him success in life

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of mind and heart. True to every manly in Perry township. Logan county. April IS. principle, he has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right between his fellow men and himself. He has never swerved from the path of duty and now, after a useful career. he can look back over the past with pride and with a consciousness of having gained for himself by his honorable. straightforward career the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he lives.

JAMES F. REAMES.

One cannot carry his investigation far into the history of Logan county .without learning that the Reames family has been represented here from a very early period in the development of this portion of the state. The grandparents of our subject lived here and it was in Logan county upon the 19th of April. 1828, that Thomas Reames, the father of our subject. was born. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and assisted in the arduous task of develop- ing a new farm. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Jane Outland, who was born April 27. 1832. in this state. Religiously they were active and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of two children, J. F., of this review, and L. J. The latter is living in Kansas, where he follows the occupation of farming. He married Jennie Easton, and they have two children, Bessie May and Quinby E.

James F. Reames, whose name intro- duces this review, and who is a prosperous farmer and extensive land-owner of Logan county, was born on the family homestead

1858. At the usual age he entered the con- mon schools, and therein mastered the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions, continuing his school life until he reached the age of eighteen years. In the meantime he had received practical training at farm work under the direction of his father, with whom he con- tinued to engage in farm labor until twen- ty-one years of age, when he was married and began life on his own account. It was on the 4th of September. 1879. that James F. Reames was joined in wedlock to Miss Dora Freer, whose birth occurred in Perry township, this county. They traveled life's journey together for about seven years and Mrs. Reames was then called to her final rest in 1886. In 1891 Mr. Reames was again married, his second union being with Miss Lillie Dewees, who was born April 2. 1871. There are three children by this mar- riage: Mazey D., born October 10, 1894; Georgia Vesta, horn January 3. 1896: and James Dewees, born June 3. 1899.

Throughout his entire business career James F. Reames has carried on agricultural pursuits and has prospered in his undertak- ings. His labors have been carefully di- rected by sound business judgment, and he is now the owner of extensive land interests, comprising two valuable farms which are well improved with substantial buildings. and all modern equipments. In his business affairs he is far-sighted and rarely makes a mistake in his judgment. He is also very industrious, and these qualities have won for him creditable success, while at the same time his straightforward methods have commanded for him the good will and con- fidence of those with whom he has been associated. The moral interests of the coni-

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munity also receive his support and en- county, Ohio, and for two years was a dorsement. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he is interested in its growth and success, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal prosperity.

ADDISON HENDERSON.

Addison Henderson, who is success- fully controlling important farming and stock-raising interests in Miami township. Logan county, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, October 29. 1822, his parents being Samuel and Nancy (Conrad) Henderson. His paternal grandfather. Alexander Henderson, was of Scotch parentage and served with the Continental army in the Revolutionary war, while the father of our subject, who was born near Alexandria, Virginia, served in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather, Anthony Conrad, was doubtless a native of Ger- many but came to the new world in colonial days and aided in the struggle for American independence. After the cessa- tion of hostilities he took up his abode in Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life. His daughter, the mother of our subject, died in the Old Dominion and Samuel Henderson afterward married Ma- tilda Morgan. There were six children by the first marriage, of whom Addison was the fourth in order of birth. Only two are now living. By the second marriage there were also six children, of whom three are still living.

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The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 51

Author: Kennedy, Robert Patterson, 1840-1918 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1586

Author: Kennedy, Robert Patterson, 1840-1918
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1586