USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 65
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During his boyhood John W. Head- ings remained with his father upon the home farm and besides attending the country schools. he was for nine weeks a student in the Northwestern Ohio Nor- mal University at Ada. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for two win-
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ters-one in Harrison township and the the different medical societies with which other in Union township. Since then he he is connected. He has now practiced in Bellefontaine for twenty-two years and in Logan county for a year longer. has devoted his time and energies to farm- ing and in his chosen occupation has met with well mericed success.
In Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 22, 1894. was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Headings and Miss Eliza- beth Yoder, who was born in that town- ship. February 7. 1860, and is a daughter of Michael and Juliana (Starook) Yoder. She obtained a fair education in the com- mon schools of her native county and later came to Ohio, where she became acquaint- ed with Mr. Headings. They have one child, Jesse Michael, who was born on the 3d of January, 1895. Religiously they hold membership in the Amish Mennonite church and Mr. Headings has served as superintendent of the Sunday school. In his political views he is a Republican. His upright hororable life has gained for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social affairs and he has a host of warm friends in the com- munity where he resides.
CHARLES W. HEFFNER, M. D.
That Dr. Charles W. Heffner is recog- nized as a most capable representative of the medical profession and that his learn- ing and skill have advanced him beyond the average practitioner is indicated by the fact that he is frequently called upon to prepare papers to be read before various medical societies and that the result of his original researches, experiments and in- vestigations are considered of value to
The Doctor is one of the native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Harrison township. April 2. 1854. his parents being Daniel and Mary ( Hileman) Heffner. the former a native of Franklin county and the latter of Clarion county. Pennsylvania. The father was born in October. 1797. and died in September. 1896. lacking only one month of reaching the extreme age of one hundred years, while his wife had passed away in 1889. at the age of seventy-eight years. They had removed from the Keystone state to Logan county in 1852 and here remained until called to the home beyond.
Having attended the common schools in his early youth. Dr. Heffner later pur- sued a course in Wittenberg College, of Springfield, Ohio, and then entered Jef- ferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880. He began practice in1 Zanesfield, Logan county, and the follow- ing year came to Bellefontaine. where he has since remained, following his chosen calling with ever increasing success, both from the standpoint of the practitioner and of the business man who seeks a com- petence. He makes a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear. nose and throat and is considered authority in these lines and is frequently called upon to read papers upon such subjects before differ- ent medical associations. In 1896 the Doc- tor took the post-graduate course of the Polyclinic, Philadelphia, and in 1902 took a post-graduate course in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he gave
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especial attention to the diseases of the Short continued to reside in the same lo- eye, ear, nose and throat. He also at- tended a course of lectures at Bellevue Medical College, New York, the same year. He is a prominent member of the Logan County Medical Society, of which he has been president and secretary, and also belongs to other societies.
On the 29th of December, .1880, Dr. Heffner was married to Miss Dora Secrist, a daughter of Henry B. and Savina Secrist, of Liberty township. Logan county. They have one child, Rose-Merrill Secrist Heff- ner. The Doctor belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in all of its branches, also to the Knights of the Golden Eagles in its various departments, to the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Path- finders, and while his social, genial nature renders him a companionable and a favor- ite in these organizations, he never allows social pleasures to interfere with the prompt and faithful execution of his pro- fessional duties.
BENJAMIN F. SHORT.
Benjamin F. Short, who follows farm- ing in Monroe township, is a representa- tive of one of the oldest families of this portion of the state. his grandparents hav- ing come to Logan county in pioneer times. Henry Short, the father of our subject, was a native of Ohio, born April 16, 1817. and during his boyhood days he came with his parents to this county, the family casting in their lot with the early settlers who took possession of the wild land and transformed it into good farms. They located near Pickrelltown and Henry
cality with the exception of one year which he spent in Indiana. He was there en- gaged in farming and, in fact, followed the same pursuit throughout his entire life. He died at the age of eighty-four years, his residence in Logan county covering many decades, during which time he was not only a witness of what has been ac- complished here, but was also an active participant in the work which has led to the substantial development and material upbuilding of his locality. In early man- hood he was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Williams and they became the par- ents of the following children: Ora; Jessie : Eliza : Nancy ; Lydia, deceased ; Ben- jamin : Emma; John and Mary.
No event of special importance oc- curred to vary the routine of farm life for Benjamin F. Short in his youth. The pleasures of the playground and the duties of the schoolroom occupied his attention and interest to a considerable extent. He pursued his studies in the common schools until he reached the age of nineteen years, after which he was identified with farm work on the old homestead for a year. He then entered the employ of G. W. Rollins and was engaged in selling organs for two years. At the end of that time, how- ever. he resumed agricultural pursuits, and is to-day one of the wide-awake and pro- gressive farmers of Monroe township, where he has sixty-five acres of land, con- stituting a rich farm.
In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Short and Miss Mary E. Randall, a daugh- ter of James and Emily (Willett) Randall. Mrs. Short was one of three children, but her brother. Lafayette, who was the eld- est, is now deceased. . Her sister is Nancy
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A. Randall. Mrs. Short was born March in the cemetery in 1867. when forty-nine 31. 1866. and by her marriage has be- come the mother of two interesting sons : Paul. born July 14. 1888. and Kelley, born August 18, 1890.
Mr. Short and his family attend the services of the Baptist church, of which he is a member and to its support he con- tributes liberally. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party with which he has affiliated since attaining his majority. His life has been quietly passed. yet in it are elements well worthy of emu- lation. He has always been found true to his duty, to his family, to his neighbor and to his country.
JOSEPH ROBERTS.
Joseph Roberts, who since 1880 has served as sexton of the cemetery of Belle- fontaine. was born in Mount Vernon. Knox county, Ohio, October 17. 1844. a son of Hugh and Mary C. (Sisk) Roberts. When only twelve years of age Hugh Rob- erts came with his father and brother to America from his native land-the little rock-ribbed country of Wales. On reach- ing our eastern coast they journeyed across the country to Ohio and soon after- ward Hugh Roberts became separated from his father and brother and never again heard aught of them. This necessi- tated him earning his own living when very young. He became a resident of Knox county about 1835 and for several years he was sexton of the cemetery of Bellefontaine. accepting that position in 1854. He dropped dead while employed
years of age, but his widow, who is a native of eastern Virginia, still survives him. They reared a family of eight chil- dren, of whom seven are yet living. It was in the fall of 1848 that they removed with their family from Knox to Logan county, Ohio.
Joseph Roberts pursued his education in the public schools until fifteen years of age when he sought employment in a planing-mill where he worked from 1861 until 1867. From that time until 1874 he was employed as sexton of the Bellefon- taine cemetery, and then resigned. In the latter year he began drilling wells and dealing in pumps, carrying on business in that way until the Ist of April. 1880, when he resumed the duties of sexton of the Bellefontaine cemetery and has since acted in that capacity, his labors giving entire satisfaction to the public for he is continu- ally laboring to improve the grounds and to add to the beauty of this quiet city of the dead.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Roberts and Miss Elizabeth J. Rhodes, a daughter of Rudolph B. and Catherine A. Rhodes, both of whom are now deceas- ed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have been born five children who are still living, as follows : William L., who married Della Woodard: Ida May, the wife of Charles Webb: Joseph R., who married Addie Parker; David M .. who wedded Nellie Cox: and Henry W. Those deceased are Anna L. and. Jennie G. Having spent almost his entire life in Bellefontaine, Mr. Roberts is well known and all respect him for his genuine worth. For many years both he and his wife have been earnest members of the Baptist church.
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HENRY EVRINGHAM.
Henry Evringham has resided in Ohio for seventy-nine years. He has now passed the eighty-first mile-stone on life's journey and while his life has been quietly passed. his has been a useful and upright career. He is now living retired in Bokes Creek township, where he has long resided. His birth occurred in New Jer- sey, his parents being William and Mary Evringham, the former a carpenter by trade. When their son Henry was but three years of age they removed to Ohio, settling in Stark county. Everything was wild and unimproved in that locality and the family became pioneer settlers there and aided in the work of transforming the wild land into fields for cultivation.
Mr. Evringham of this review attended the common schools, but his educational privileges were somewhat limited both on account of the primitive condition of the schools and also because his services were needed upon the home farm. He early learned to assist in the ardnous task of developing new land and he continued to reside in Stark county until he was a young man, when he removed to Miami county, there remaining until about twenty-one years old, when he came to Logan county. He has remained here continuously since, with the exception of the period which he spent as a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war. In his early youth he found his chief recreation in hunting and fishing, but his time was largely occupied with the duties of the home farm. He also learned the stone- mason's and carpenter's trades and follow- ed that dual pursuit for some years, but agriculture has been his chief occupation.
At the time when the southern states attempted to overthrow the Union Mr. Evringham, with patriotic spirit, offered his aid to the government and joined the Light Artillery service. He was in the Thirteenth Ohio Battery for a time and afterward entered the Fourteenth. He went to the front from Zanesfield, in Lo- gan county, in 1862, and his command was attached to the army of General Sher- man, participating in the campaigns under that resolute and gallant leader until 1865 when, the war having ended. Mr. Evring- ham returned to his home.
When twenty-one years of age Mr. Evringham was united in marriage in Miami county, about 1842, to Miss Saphronia Dolson, a native of that county, and unto them nine children were born. The mother passed away and it was twenty years afterward before Mr. Evring- ham was again married. He was then joined in wedlock to Cynthia Heisler and after her death he was married again about four years ago, to his present wife who bore the name of Arvilla Lyons.
For many years Mr. Evringham car- ried on agricultural pursuits, but is now enjoying a well earned rest and is living in honorable retirement from further labor in West Mansfield. He has long been a devoted member of the Methodist Episco- pal church and his life has been in har- mony with its teachings and its principles. He has been a very temperate man. never using tobacco or liquor in any form. His entire career has been upright and honor- able and his life record is. indeed, in many respects well worthy of emulation. Few of the residents of Ohio can boast connection with the state covering seventy-nine years and comparatively few
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of the citizens of Logan county have lived here for sixty years as Mr. Evringham has done. He has watched almost the en- tire growth and development of Ohio and has taken great pride in what the state has accomplished. Its improvement is due to the united efforts of the citizens of differ- ent communities and in his own commun- ity Mr. Evringham has taken his part in the work that has led to the substantial progress of this county.
CHARLES S. HUMPHREY.
In the days of early industrial develop- ment in Bellefontaine the Humphrey iam- ily became interested in the fou adry busi- ness here. in fact. Joseph A. Humphrey, the father of our subject. established the first enterprise of the kind in the city and Charles S. Humphrey has since become interested in the concern and is now one of the foremost business men of Belle- fontaine. It is true that he became in- terested in a business already established. but many a man of less resolute purpose in carrying forward and enlarging such an undertaking would have failed. He, however, possessed tireless energy, keen perception and a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense, and these characteristics have made him a leader in industrial circles and have proven that success is not the outcome of genius but clear judgment and experience.
Mr. Humphrey is a native of Kokomo. Indiana. his birth having occurred January 4, 1859, but when he was two years of age he was brought to Logan county by his
parents. Joseph A. and Catherine (Callan- der) Humphrey. His father was born in Jefferson county, Ohio. July 12, 1818, and the grandfather was an agriculturist of that locality. In the place of his birth Joseph .A. Humphrey was reared and edu- cated and when eighteen years of age he came to Bellefontaine, where he learned the machinist's trade. which he followed for some time. He then established a foundry which was the first in this city and he continued in the business for more than forty years, building up an enterprise of importance to the city as well as a source of profit to himself. During the latter part of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Ohio Regiment, and remained at the front until after the close of hostilities. This interrupted his business career and he practically lived retired from that time forward, his son relieving him of much of the arduous care connected with the con- duct and supervision of his business. On the 4th of March. 1844, occurred the mar- riage of Joseph .. A. Humphrey and Cather- ine Callarder, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Isam) Callander. When only three months old. however, Mrs. Humphrey was left an orphan and at the age of eight years came to Bellefontaine to live with her elder sister. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Humphrey were born three chil- dren. Mary J., the eldest, became the wife of James M. . Morrow and had two chil- dren : Inez D .. who is now the wife of G. M. Frazer. a prominent druggist of Belle- fontaine, by whom she has three chil- dren-Mary. Donald and James; and Harry, who resides at Bellefontaine and is
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a molder in the foundry of his uncle, upbuilding of the cause and died in the Charles S. Humphrey. He wedded Miss Christian faith. Nellie Prall and they have one son, Fred. The second of the family is the subject of this review and the youngest was John C., who died at the age of nine years. Joseph A. Humphrey led a very busy, yet quiet life. applying himself closely to his busi- ness, yet taking a deep interest in the wel- fare of his city and county and in an un- assuming way doing his full share toward its development and progress. He passed away March 12. 1889. at the age of seventy years, eight months and ten days. and his widow, still surviving him, resides in Bellefontaine at the age of seventy-six years. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and her life, in har- mony with her professions, has been a con- stant help and inspiration to her children and to those with whom she has been as- sociated.
Robert Y. Humphrey, a brother of Joseph A. Humphrey, was born in Jeffer- son county. September 21. 1816, and died June 20, 1887. He came to Logan county with his parents about 1830 and previous to that time he had learned the tanner's trade with his father. Soon after the re- moval to this city he left home to seek work, spending some time in Urbana and Springfield, and afterward engaging in the tanning business on his own account. In 1852 he came to Bellefontaine and with his brother. Joseph A. Humphrey. en- gaged in the foundry and machine busi- ness under the firm style of J. A. & R. Y. Humphrey. In polities he was a pro- nounced Republican and served as justice of the peace and township trustee. Long a faithful member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, he labored earnestly for the
Charles S. Humphrey, whose name in- troduces this record, has spent almost his entire life in Bellefontaine. He pursued his education in the public schools here and afterward worked with his father in the foundry and machine business. For some years prior to his father's death he had entire charge of the business and has ever since continued it. Under his ca- pable control the enterprise has been en- larged and the trade extended so that the output now brings a splendid financial re- turn each year. Iron sewer pipes are the principal products and a large jobbing trade is also carried on. The present foun- dry was built about seven years ago by Mr. Humphrey and is a splendidly equipped plant, supplied with all modern machinery and accessories for facilitating the work and producing the best results known to the trade.
In June. 1895. occurred the marriage of Mr. Humphrey and Miss Eva Stilwell. a native of Logan county and a daughter of Martin C. and Sarah Stilwell. They re- side at No. 112 Spring street, but Mr. Humphrey is now completing a new resi- dence on South Mad River street, which will be a modern structure in every respect and one of the fine homes of the city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey has been born a son. Robert J .. now an interesting little lad of five summers. Mr. Humphrey is connected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle and in social as well as business circles occupies an enviable po- sition. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always cour- teous, kindly and affable, and those who
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know him personally have for him warm suffering many of the hardships of prison regard. A man of great natural ability. his success in business from the beginning of his connection with industrial life has been uniform and rapid for. having per- severed in the pursuit of a persistent pur- pose. he has gained a most satisfactory reward.
AMOS RICHARDS.
Amos Richards, a well known repre- sentative of farming interests in Rush Creek township, is a son of Elias and Eliza- beth (Rudisill) Richards, and was born August 1. 1824. In the family were seven children : Mary, deceased : Amos : Joseph : Lydia; Michael : Mary and Joseph.
In the common schools Amos Rich- ards pursued his education until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he be- gan working by the day as a farm hand, being thus employed until he was twenty years of age. At that time he entered upon an apprenticeship to the harness- maker's trade. devoting his energies to the mastery of that business until 1862. when he put aside all business and personal con- siderations in order to aid his country in her hour of need. Joining the Union army he served for three years as a loyal defender of the stars and stripes and was then honorably discharged. The first bat- tle in which he participated was that of Dutton Hill, Kentucky, on the 30th of March, 1863. He participated in the en- gagement at Philadelphia. Tennessee. where he was taken prisoner on the 20th of October, 1863, and was held as a cap- tive for nine months and twenty-two days at Belle Isle, near Richmond, Virginia,
life. He was then paroled at Annapolis, Maryland. after which he received an hon- orable discharge June 23. 1865. and re- turned to his home. He had faithfully done his duty as a defender of the Union and he deserves the gratitude of the coun- try for what he accomplished in its behalf.
On the 26th of March, 1857. Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Jemima Shaul. a daughter of Saul and Celia (Dalrymple) Shaul. both now de- ceased. Her father was born in Clark county, Ohio, where he was married. though his wife was a native of South Carolina. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. and Mr. Shaul was a Republican in politics. Their children were Jane and Mathew, both de- ceased : Mary and Jemima. twins : Lemuel. a resident of Alexander. Indiana : and Ann. who has passed away. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Richards has been blessed with six children: Mary E .. born Febru- ary 5. 1858, is now the wife of Isaac James. a farmer of Hardin county, Ohio. Joseph L., born January 12. 1860, married Jennie Austin and died leaving three children. His widow afterward married Charles Conner and now resides in Morrow county, Ohio. Coran, born May 10. 1862. is also deceased. Willis, born November 4. 1866, Henry, born September 2. 1871. and John E. P .. born February 26. 1877. complete the family.
After his return from the war Mr. Rich- ards again resumed the pursuits of busi- ness life and for many years has been numbered among the energetic and repre- sentative farmers of Logan county. He still supervises his agricultural interests and also devotes a portion of his time to
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work at the harnessmaker's trade although he is now nearly seventy-nine years of age. His life has been well spent and has been characterized by fidelity to duty in every relation. His political support is given the Republican party, which has ever been the party of reform, of progress and of protection to American interests. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and all who know him recognize his fidelity to its teachings.
WILLIAM KLEINOEHLE.
The German element in our American citizenship has ever been an important one. Representatives of the Teutonic race have steadily moved westward carrying with them into new sections of the world the civilization and advantages of the older districts. They have always been quick to adapt themselves to changed con- ditions ard to make the most of every op- portunity and many are the worthy sons of the fatherland who have improved the advantages of the new world and have found here good homes and comfortable competence. Among this number is Wil- liam Kleinoelle, who was born in Frei- burg, Baden, Germany, in 1828. He is now living a retired life in Bellefontaine and for a long period has been a resident of Ohio. He pursued his education in the common schools and the gymnasium of Germany and at the age of eighteen years entered upon his business career as a gro- cery clerk. When twenty years of age he became a soldier in the German army. serving in the revolution of 1848, fighting with Siegel.
In November, 1850. when twenty-two years of age, Mr. Kleinoehle sailed for America from Havre, France. He took passage upon a sailing vessel carrying be- tween seven hundred and fifty to eight hundred people. of whom seventeen died while on the voyage. After ninety-six days, however, the anchor was dropped in the harbor of New Orleans, where Mr. Kleinoehle spent some time, finally going to Shrevesport. Louisiana. and later to Evansville. Indiana, where he was engaged in clerking. He located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1855, and there he remained until 1888. when he came to Bellefontaine. While in Cincinnati he was employed as bookkeeper in a pork packing house for fifteen years. a fact which indicates his faithfulness to duty and his capability. He was then appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue for the first district of Ohio through the urgent solicitations of some of his loyal friends and he remained in that office for two years.
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