USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
509
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
modern methods. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and the improvements largely stand as mont- ments to his enterprise.
On the 20th of December. 1873. Mr. Funk was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Cooper, who was born March 9. 1859. in Liberty township, Logan county. a daughter of William and Mary A. (Stiles) Cooper. Her father was a native of county Fermanagh. Ireland, and came to America about 1840 on a sailing vessel. which was six weeks in making the voyage. He landed in Albany. New York, and from there came to Logan county, Ohio, where he and three brothers bought a tract of land, which was subsequently divided be- tween them. His son, William M., now lives on the old homestead. The father was married February 29, 1854. to Mrs. Mary A. (Stiles)' Covington, a native of Athens county, Ohio. She first married Mathew P. Covington, who was born in Champaign county, and by that union had one child. Mathew K., now a resident of Huntsville, Ohio. By her second marriage she had three children : Sarah E., wife of our sub- ject; William M .. who lives on the old Cooper homestead ; and Thomas M., whose home is near Lewistown, Logan county. The father of this family died October 4. 1860, and the mother passed away Septem- ber 25, 1894. He was a Republican in pol- itics, and an active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. There being no house of worship near his home, he erected a log building, in which church services were held for some years until the building could be replaced by a more modern and imposing structure. At length about one- half mile west of there was built what was called Power Chapel. Mr. Cooper being its founder.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Funk were born two children: William, who was born August 26, 1882, and is now deceased ; and Gertrude, born April 6, 1885. The family home is a fine one, the residence being built in modern style of architecture, and is sup- plied with tasteful furnishings. It stands upon a well-kept lawn, shaded with fine trees and gives an excellent view of the surrounding country. By his ballot Mr. Funk supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never cared for political honors. He is a member of Lib- erty Lodge, No. 96. I. O. O. F., and his wife is a member of the Daughters of Re- bekah. In religious faith they are Luther- ans, and they are numbered among the most highly respected citizens of their com- munity.
GEORGE E. HAHN.
George F. Hahn is now serving as mayor of Quincy, and is also collector and notary public. He was born in Miami township, this county, about three and one-half miles east of Quincy on the 13th of June, 1853. and is a son of John Andrew and Christine Barbara (Shurr) Hahn. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm and to the common school system he is indebted for the educational privileges extended him. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age and then joined his brother in the operation of a threshing machine. After about two years he purchased his brother's interest and carried on the business alone for about seven years longer. When twenty-five years of age he began teaching writing during the winter months and thus was busy throughout the year. In 1884 he
510
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and a half he removed this plant to Van Wert county. Ohio, where he engaged in its operation until 1895. Mr. Hahn has also bought and sold real estate and. be- coming the owner of property in New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, he removed to that place in 1896. There he became associated with L. C. Feighner, an attorney at law, of Bucyrus, Ohio. Mr. Hahn had read law while operating his sawmill and he remained in New Washing- ton until 1902. when he came to Quincy. He is still associated with Mr. Feighner and although he has not been admitted to the bar he has a good clientage.
On the 22d of December. 1881, in Sidney, Ohio, Mr. Hahn was united in marriage to Miss Lenora E. Hain, who was born in Shelby county. Ohio, a daugh- ter of Leonard and Emeline (Camp) Hain. Mr. Hahn is a Republican who has sup- ported the party from his boyhood days. He cast his first presidential ballot for Hayes in 1876, walking seven miles in or- der to do this. While in New Washington he was nominated for the position of mayor but did not expect election because there were nearly all Democratic voters there. In October. 1902, he was appoint- ed mayor of Quincy and is now filling the office, discharging his duties in a prompt. acceptable and commendable manner.
WILLIAM LINEWEAVER.
When the tocsin of war sounded, and men from all walks of life responded to the country's call for aid in her hour of trial.
traded his threshing machine for a saw- William Lineweaver was among those who mill at Bodkin Station and. after a year offered his services to the government and wore the blue uniform upon southern battle- fields, while fighting for the preservation of the Union. Taking all things equal. the soldier makes a better citizen than any other man, because he understands what it means to fight for his country, and, thus develop- ing a love for it, he is always anxious and willing to promote its best interests.
Mr. Lineweaver, who is now living in Rush Creek township, Logan county. was born October 16, 1830, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and is a son of Casper and Mary (Frederick) Lineweaver. His father, who was a native of Maryland. served with dis- tinction as a soldier of the war of 1812. and died about 1838. The mother long survived her husband, dying in Columbus, Ohio, about 1859, at the advanced age of ninety- four years. In the family were seven chil- dren, our subject having five sisters and a stepbrother. John Keller, but Mr. Linewea- ver is the only one of them now living.
After the death of his father our subject made his home among strangers, and did not see his mother for thirty years. He first lived with John Clause, anl later with George Rowe, whose home was east of Cir- cleville. Ohio, the county seat of Pickaway county. His educational privileges were very meager, and he never attended school after attaining his thirteenth year. He earned his first wages by working for John Metsgar, at Circleville, and from that place went to Clark County, Ohio. were he worked for his brother-in-law, Joseph Heck, remaining with him until his removal to Martin county, Indiana. After spending one year in that state he returned to Clark county, Ohio, and subsequently bought property at Lakeview, in Logan county,
WILLIAM LINEWEAVER.
MRS. WILLIAM LINEWEAVER.
515
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
where he lived for about four years. He (Green) Johnson, were both natives of next made his home in Springfield. and in Maysville, Kentucky, and were early set- 1898 came to Rushsylvania. purchasing the tlers of Logan county, Ohio, her father hav- property where he now resides.
His patriotic spirit being aroused during the Civil war, Mr. Lineweaver enlisted at Springfield. June 9. 1863. for three years, as a member of Company K. First Ohio Heavy Artillery. under Captain William Pease and Colonel Holley, Colonel Keath afterward commanding the regiment. Our subject was mustered in at Covington, Ken- tucky, and from there went to Camp Nelson. and later to Knoxville. Tennessee. He was engaged in skirmishing through the Car- olinas until the summer of 1864, and was later stationed at Nashville, and Greenville. Tennessee. The war having ended he was honoraly discharged at Knoxville. Tennes- see. July 25. 1865. Thomas McDermott being captain of the company at that time. while Mr. Lineweaver was acting as cor- poral, his appointment being received August 12, 1863. and signed by F. M. Keith, lieutenant-colonel of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and W. E. Jralton, adjutant.
ing extensive land interests near Pickrell- town. He made the journey to this county on horseback, carrying two of his children. Mrs. Lineweaver's father was a supporter of the Republican party and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He died in July. 1857, in the faith of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he had long held membership. and his wife passed away in 1870. They were the parents of six chil- dren. three sons and three daughters. namely : Rensselaer, a resident of Ridgeway. Ohio; Rachel Sophia, the wife of our sub- ject : Mary Jane, wife of Henry Corwin, of Rushsylvania; Nelson, a resident of Belle- fontaine: Pauline, wife of John Carrahoof. of Rushsylvania; and Clark, who died and was buried in the soldiers' cemetery, Louis- ville, Kentucky. All the sons fought in the Union army during the Civil war. On the 2Ist of April, 1857, Miss Rachel S. Wil- liams gave her hand in marriage to Jarvis D. Corwin, who was born near Zanesfield. in Logan county, and was a farmer and mechanic by occupation. He was also num- bered among the boys in blue, during the war of the Rebellion, serving for three years as a member of Company K. One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was afterward an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was a Republican in politics. He died in this county, March 14. 1886, and his wid- ow afterward became the wife of our sub- ject.
On leaving the army Mr. Lineweaver re- turned to his home in Clark county. He was previously married in 1853 to Miss Sarah Athy, who died in 1888, leaving three children : Albert H., Clara A. and John W. Mr. Lineweaver was again married. Oc- tober 21. 1897, his second union being with Mrs. Sophia ( Williams) Corwin, who was born in Urbana. Champaign county, Ohio. October 8. 1839. Her father, Mickjah J. Williams, was a native of Logan county, Ohio, born in 1812. After his father's death, his mother married John Williams. While residing in Mad river township. Clark county, Mr. Lineweaver served as constable for many years, and was also a Mrs. Lineweaver's mother bore the maiden name of Jane Johnson, and was born in 1815. Her parents, Jacob and Rachel member of the school board. In matters of
516
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
citizenship he is as true and loyal to his duties to-day as when he followed the stars and stripes to victory on southern battle- fields. He was formerly a member of Mit- chell Post. No. 45. G. A. R., of Springfield, and Ephraim Lodge. No. 146. I. O. O. F .. of that city, with which he has been con- nected since 1872, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Rebekah Lodge of Rushsylvania. Their many excellent traits of character and genuine worth have found recognition in the friendship of many with whom they have come in contact and they are widely and favorably known in the com- munity where they make their home.
JOSEPH E. THATCHER. D. D. S.
The execution of excellent dental work has led to the very desirable success which is now erowning the efforts of Dr. Joseph Ellsworth Thatcher of Bellefontaine. He was born in Pierceton, Indiana. Decem- ber 29. 1868, and was but four years of age when his parents removed to De Graff, Ohio, where his father was engaged in the lumber business and the operation of a sawmill until 1882. His parents were Jonathan and Leah A. (Long) Thatcher. The father was born in Greene county. Ohio, and his people came to this state from Virginia. The Doctor is the young- est son in the family of seven children. namely: W. H .: George S .: Charles A .; John A .; Joseph E .: Mrs. Ida Hunt ; and Mrs. Amy Sutphin, of West Liberty.
Dr. Thatcher was fifteen years of age when the family removed to West Liberty, where the father again engaged in the lumber trade, and the Doctor attended the
common and afterward the high school of that place. Subsequently he engaged in the grocery business as a member of the firm of L. A. Thatcher & Son, being thus connected with commercial pursuits in West Liberty for four years. In Janu- ary. 1891, he came to Bellefontaine, where he secured the position of shipping-clerk with the Chichester & Haviland Chair Company. He served for two years and a half in that position and then went to Cincinnati in July, 1903. in order to take up the study of dentistry, for he had deter- mined to make its practice his life work. He entered the dental office of his brother, Dr. C. A. Thatcher, with whom he re- mained for two years and a half. receiving careful instruction and practical experi- ence in dental work. After passing his examination before the Ohio board of dental examiners in July, 1895. he located in Bellefontaine the same year and has had his office here since. In 1897 he took a special course in erown and bridge work at Dr. Weller's Dental School in Roches- ter. New York, and two years later took a post-graduate course in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, since which time he has continuously engaged in prac- tice in Bellefontaine. He is a member of the Ohio State Dental Society and is a worthy representative of his profession. for research, study and investigation have continuously broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency.
The Doctor has been twice married. In August. 1889. he married Miss Myrtle Walker, who died in March. 1895. leaving a daughter. Margaret, who was born on the toth of July. 1891. On the Ist of No- vember. 1900. the Doctor was joined in wedlock to Miss Mayme Miller of Gretna,
.
517
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Ohio, and they occupy a very enviable po- ard. His paternal grandfather, Adam sition in social and religious circles. Their Leonard, lived and died in Virginia. He was a valiant soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving with the Sixth Maryland Regiment. The father of the Doctor was George Leonard, who was born in 1777 in Jefferson county. Virginia, whence he came to Ohio in 1806. settling in Cham- paign county. He married Miss Pollock, who died in 1862, when seventy-two years of age. while his death occurred in 1868. They reared a family of seven children : John: Joseph; Elizabeth. the wife of Mathew Cretcher ; George; Mary: Perry, who died at the age of twenty-two years ; and Benjamin B., the subject of this re- view. home is at No. 402 East Columbus avenue and they have a large circle of friends in Bellefontaine. The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity here, of the Protected Home Cirele and of the Tribe of Ben Hur, and is past chancellor and trustee of Wilfred Lodge. No. 67. K. P. He is also connected with the Dra- matic Order of the Knights of Korassan, at Sidney, and in his political views is a stalwart Republican. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church, of which he is a deacon and has also served as superintendent of the Sun- day-school for the past six years. He is an extremely busy and successful practi- tioner, and constant demands are made upon his time both professionally and so- cially. He is an industrious and ambitious student, whose research and investigation have been productive in broadening his knowledge, so that his work in the pro- fession has been of a superior order. and his reputation classes him among the lead- ing representatives of dentistry in this por- tion of the state.
BENJAMIN B. LEONARD, M. D.
For more than fifty years Dr. Benja- min B. Leonard has been a practitioner of medicine and surgery in Logan county and today, although seventy-eight years of age. he is still an active representative of the profession in which he has conferred great good upon his fellowmen. He was born near the city of Urbana. June 8. 1825, a son of George and Mary ( Pollock) Leon-
Dr. Leonard attended the common schools of this state during the period of their early development, and on the 20th. of March, 1847. he rented the office of Dr. S. W. Fuller, who was then a prac- titioner of West Liberty. For nine years he remained in the Doctor's office, gain- ing broad practical as well as theoretical knowledge. On the Ist of March. 1853. he was graduated in the Medical College of Ohio and. returning to West Liberty, he practiced with his old preceptor until 1854. when he entered upon an independ- ent business career and has since con- tinued alone. He has long been recog- nized as one of the most successful and capable physician and surgeons of his lo- cality and has been in constant practice for a half of a century. During all this time he has easily maintained a foremost place in the ranks of the medical fraternity because he has constantly kept in touch with the progress that has been made and with the advancement that has been achieved in medical and surgical science.
518
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Of the numerous surgical operations he Ohio Volunteers during its term of en- has performed during all these years of listment. Although he has advanced far practice. only three of the entire number on life's journey he is a man of wonderful mentality and physical vigor. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness and it need not suggest, as a matter of course, want of occupation. There is an old age which grows brighter and better as the years pass, and gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience. Such is the career of Dr. Leonard who has not only gained distinction in his professional life, but through his efforts in behalf of hu- manity has won the love and confidence of young and old, rich and poor. were not restored to their health. His wonderful skill and ability have gained for him the recognition and admiration of the medical profession far and wide, and his methods have been sought out and ac- counts of his work have been published in the leading medical journals through- out the country. On the Ist of March, 1903, the Doctor completed his fifty years of continuous practice and the occasion was duly celebrated in a fitting manner. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, of which he was president for sometime. and he was likewise president of the Northwest Medical Society. He belongs to the American Medical Associa- FRANK S. MITCHELL. tion, and is an honorary member of the Indiana State Medical Society and the West Virginia State Medical Society. He was also connected as an honorary mem- ber with the Alumni Association of Jef- ferson Medical College.
In 1855 the Doctor was united in mar- riage to Miss Addie Sieg. of Staunton. Vir- ginia, who died at the age of twenty-nine years. leaving two children: Ben S., who is now a practicing physician of West Lib- erty; and Mary, the wife of L. N. Leslie. of Kansas City. For his second wife the Doctor chose Emily E. Hildebrand of West Liberty and their children are: Car- rie Gertrude. Frank Fuller, Hattie C., and Max.
The Doctor belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and he is an elder in the Presbyterian church. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to his country by serving as a sur- geon in the Eighty-fourth Regiment of
Frank S. Mitchell. part owner and manager of the Bellefountaine Stone & Lime Company, is a valued addition to business circles here for in every business relation in which he had previously been found he was ever reliable, progressive and energetic, and such men are in demand everywhere. A native of Montgomery. Alabama, he was born May 10, 1860, a son of E. R. and Geraldine (Vincent) Mitchell, the former a native of New York city and the latter of Alabama. Both are now deceased.
In the public and private schools of his native city Mr. Mitchell pursued his education, and as he approached manhood entered upon his business career in the capacity of secretary to a company own- ing and controlling cotton mills in Mississ- ippi, filling that position from 1880 until 1882. As civil engineer he entered the service of the New Orleans & Northeast-
519
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ern Railroad Company. with which he he came to Bellefontaine and purchased contnued during the construction of its a third interest in the Bellefontaine Stone & Lime Company, of which he was chosen the manager. Since that time the operating capacity of the plant has been increased until the sales now amount to at least fifty thousand dollars per year. Mr. Mitchell is also financially interested in and is one of the promoters of the new quarry opened in 1902 in East Liberty, being general manager of the new con- cern. His marked ability as a civil en- gineer has been of immense value to him in his new field of activity and his enterprise and progressive business ideas have been a motive factor in the control of his in- terests that has been followed by substan- tial results.
line, after which he was employed by the Cincinnati. New Orleans, Texas & Pacific Railroad with headquarters at Chattanooga, Tennessee, for three years. Following this, up to 1887. he was civil engineer for the Cincinnati. New Orleans, Texas & Pacific system. embracing the following roads: the Cincinnati Southern, the Ala- bama & Great Southern, the Vicksburg & Meridian, the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific, and the New Orleans & North- eastern. Subsequently he was with the Sheffield & Birmingham Railroad and after its completion he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where from 1889 until 1894 he had an office as civil engineer for the exe- cution of all kinds of railroad work. Go- ing from St. Louis to New York, he en- tered the employ of W. B. Strang. Jr .. do- ing some line work and later he came to Ohio, where he had charge of the con- struction of the Lima Northern Railroad, following which he was on the construc- tion of the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad, in 1807. He was the division engineer who superintended the building of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad from Tus- caloosa to , Montgomery, Alabama, and afterward he went to Detroit, Michigan. as chief engineer of the Northwestern Construction Company, constructing the Detroit & Lima Northern Railway. After some months he came to Bellefountaine as chief engineer for the Columbus & Northwestern Railroad Company, follow- ed by service in Toledo as chief engineer of the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line Rail- road. In 1900 he became connected with the construction of the Cincinnati Water Works, and in the following year, 1901,
On the 23d of July, 1901, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage at Buffalo, New York to Mrs. Maude Phillips Ryerson, a daughter of Dr. John Phillips, of Chicago, and they have been hospitably received into the best homes of Bellefontaine dur- ing their residence in this city. Socially Mr. Mitchell is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
JOHN OLDFIELD CRETCHER.
John Oldfield Cretcher is a butcher and farmer of Miami township, living three miles southeast of DeGraff. It was upon this farm that he was born March 17. 1826, his parents being Jabez and Nancy (Pollock) Cretcher. The father, a native of Kentucky, was a son of John and Sarah (Oldfield) Cretcher. The mother of our subject was probably a native of Ten- nessee and was a daughter of Robert Pol-
520
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lock. Her people removed to Kentucky and there the parents of our subject were married and lived until after the birth of their second child. when in 1813 they came to Ohio, settling near Lewistown. Logan county. A few years later the father sold that property and removed to Harrison township. Champaign county, but subse- quently he came to the farm upon which our subject now resides. Here he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land and later added to it a tract of eighty acres. In the log cabin which stood upon this place occurred the birth of his son. John Oldfield, and the family lived in that pioneer home until the son was seven years of age. when the father erected a house which is now occupied by our sub- ject. It was built in the 'thirties and every stick of timber was hewed from the woods. the shingles were split and shaved up- on the farm and the lathes were also here made. It was during the pioneer epoch in the country's history and the early settlers depended almost entirely upon their own labors for everything that they needed. The father lived to be about eighty-four years of age, dying in 1870. while his wife passed away in 1872. Unto them were born eleven children, of whom nine reached years of maturity, but John O. is the only one who now survives. Elizabeth became the wife of John Proctor and both died in Logan county. Mary was the wife of Joseph Woods and died in Champaign county. Jabez married Dor- cas J. Hook and died in Iowa leaving eight children. Margaret became the wife of James Town and died in Champaign county. Matthew L. married Lucinda Sayres and died in Iowa, leaving nine chil- dren. all living. Nancy J. married James
McMillen and died in Kansas, leaving five children. John O. was the next in order of birth. William Y. was married in Iowa where he lived for some time and then re- moved to Kingan county, Kansas, where he died leaving seven children. Joseph P. married Catherine Huston and died in Logan county, leaving six sons. Jabez Cretcher, the father of our subject, was a Whig in his political views, but never as- pired to public office. . \ consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. he served as class-leader for many years and was also a trustee of the church. The con- gregation with which he was identified was organized in his home and later a little church house was built at Spring Hill. Champaign county. Mr. Cretcher always took a very deep and active inter- est in Christian work and did everything in his power to promote the cause.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.