USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 93
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Reared upon the home farm. Henry C. Moore obtained his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and later en- gaged in teaching for about ten winters in country schools, being thus employed until 1862. After attaining his majority he also engaged in carpenter work during the sum-
mer season until elected county surveyor in 1856. Through his own unaided study he had obtained an excellent knowledge of civil engineering and land surveying and was well fitted for the position to which he was chosen. He taught his last term of school in the winter of 1862-3.
In 1862 Mr. Moore enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry un- der Colonel Allison and Captain John Rid- (l'e and was made first sergeant. He was in the service three months. principally guarding prisoners at Camp Chase. Colum- bus. Ohio, and was in no engagements. During this time he was nominated for his third term as county surveyor and elected to that office in the fall after his return home. While connected with the army he was sworn in for three years' service and was ordered to return to his regiment and await the call of the mustering officer. but was never called out. Being in poor health when he returned home he accepted a po- sition in the store of J. N. Allen, and was engaged in clerking for five years, at the end of which time he resumed civil en- gineering, being since engaged in the lay- ing out and superintending of the build- ing of pike roads and public ditches. He leveled the roadbed for the western branch of the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad most of the way through Logan county, and does general surveying and civil en- gineering of all kinds in Logan and ad- joining counties. He has been an active surveyor and civil engineer a greater num- ber of years, and has surveyed more land. more miles of pike roads and public ditches than any other one man in Logan county.
On the 4th of August, 1852. in Cham- paign county, Ohio, Mr. Moore married Miss Elizabeth Hancock, who was born in
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that county. September 19, 1831, a daugh- ter of Major and Elizabeth (Fuson) Hancock, of Virginia. Her parents re- moved to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1814. Of their ten children four daughters are still living, namely : Mrs. Martha Deardorff. a widow living in Bellefontaine: Mrs. Moore: Mrs. Anna Anderson, of Indianola. Iowa; and Mrs. Angeline Jones, of the state of Washington. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born six children, namely : Alice, born in 1854. is the widow of Finley Rankin. of Bellefontaine. and has been hookeeper in the auditor's and treasurer's office for fifteen years: Emm. horn in 1856, died in 1889; Ida May, born in 1859. is with her parents; Ehver E .. born in 1861. died in 1863: Olive H., born in 1863. died in 1865: and an infant died unnamed. They have an adopted son. Harry. born in 1876.
Since 1857 Mr. Moore has been a res- ident of Bellefontaine, and in ISto he built his present home at 419 East Columbus avenue. Besides this property he owns some vacant lots in the city. Fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter and council in the Masonic order. He is an active and earnest member of the English Lutheran church, in which he has served as elder for many years, and since its organization in 1856 he has sup- ported the Republican party. For several terms he filled the office of city engineer and has also served on the school board and as township trustee of Lake township. He has been a frequent contributor to the local papers, writing obituaries, and on matters of local historical interest and various other topics. He is widely and favorably known throughout his native county and is de- serving of prominent mention in its history.
CHARLES M. VAN HYNING.
The name of Van Hyning has long figured in Logan county where its repre- sentatives have been active in industrial and agricultural life and the subject of this re- view is still following business interests such as were carried on by his father and his grandfather. He devotes his attention to farming and to the operation of a saw- mill and is a very reliable and enterprising business man. He was born on the old family homestead near his present res- idence about a mile and a half east of East Liberty, his natal day being April 18. 1860. His parents were Robert Nelson and Cath- erine ( Inskeep) Van Hyning. The father was born in Summit county, Ohio, and died at the age of seventy years in the house where occurred the birth of his son Charles. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Abraham and Jane ( Brian ) Van Hyn- ing. The grandfather was a native of New York and his father was born in Holland. After arriving at years of maturity Abra- ham Van Hyning was united in marriage to Miss Jane Brian. The grandfather died upon the farm where occurred the birth of our subject, and the grandmother died in Michigan. The representatives of the Van Hyning family have largely carried on ag- ricultural pursuits and some have been en- gaged in the milling business. The father of our subject was in the sawmill business many years. He was a prominent and re- spected man and one of the pioneers of Lo- gan county. The mother is still living and resides in Perry township, a very estim- able lady.
Charles M. Van Hyning was reared and educated in the neighborhood where his birth occurred and he remained at home
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during the greater part of the time until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated on the 4th of October, 1882. Miss Parrie Haines becoming his wife. She was born in Zane township. Logan county, and by her marriage became the mother of four children, namely : John H. and George H., who were born in the house in which their father's birth occurred : Lillian I., who was born in the present home of her par- ents only a short distance from the old home place; and one child that died at the age of fifteen months.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Van Hyning took his bride to the old homestead and was engaged in its cultivation for sey- eral years. He lived in the old house for some years and then built his present res- idence. His life has been one of untiring industry and diligence and his perseverance and capable management have gained for him prosperity and won for him a leading position in business ranks in this portion of the county. He owns and operates two steam sawmills, one of which is about a quarter of a mile from East Liberty and the other a mile and a quarter from the town. Thus he is engaged in the man- ufacture of lumber and his output finds a ready sale upon the market. In addition he carries on general farming on his land in Perry township, and is a most en- terprising, progressive man. He cares nothing for political office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs in which he is meeting with signal success. In all his dealings he is strictly honorable, closely following commercial ethics, and his name is a synonym for up- rightness in all trade transactions.
Mr. Van Hyning cast his first vote for 46
Governor Bookwalter and his first pres- idential vote for Grover Cleveland. He has always been an earnest Democrat and he has served for several terms as a member of the board of trustees of his township and for one terin was its president. yet the hon- ors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. His fellow townsmen, however, have recognized his ability and have several times called him to public of- fice. The cause of education finds in him a warm and devoted friend and he has aided in no small degree in the improvement of the schools and the advancement of the cause in his locality. For two years he was president of the school board. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is a valued member of the Masonic lodge at East Liberty, in both of which he has filled all of the chairs. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hyning have many warm friends and are widely known in Logan county. His life record proves conclusively that success is not a matter of genius, but may be gained through persistency of pur- pose, marked energy and keen discrimina- tion. His entire life has been passed in this locality and. therefore, his history is familiar to a large majority of the citizens of Logan county who know him as a man of undaunted purpose, of strong individuality and of unquestioned honor.
LAFAYETTE McALEXANDER.
Lafayette McAlexander is identified with the industrial interests of DeGraff, be- ing the junior member of the firm of H. C. Thatcher & Company, proprietors of a
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sawmill and planingmill at that place. His entire life has been passed in this locality. He was born February 24, 1843, on a farm in Champaign county, about six miles south of DeGraff. and is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Idle)' MIc. Alexander. The fam- ily is of Scotch origin. Our subject's pa- ternal grandfather. John McAlexander, was born in Scotland and was probably a mere boy on coming to America with his parents. When the country resolved to throw off the yoke of British oppression, he joined the colonial army and fought for American in- dependence in the Revolutionary war. Our subject's father made his home in Champaign county throughout life, and was successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising, becoming quite well-to-do. In early life he was a Baptist, but afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church and was also a member of the Masonic frater- nity. Politically he was a Republican, but cared nothing for office. In his family were twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter reached years of maturity, and five of the number are still living.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in a rather uneventful manner upon the home farm. and when not in school he assisted in the labors of the field. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, working for a few months at the carpenter's trade. Later he was em- ployed as fireman and engineer in a sawmill in Champaign county, filling those positions for about twelve years.
In the county of his nativity, Mr. Mc- Alexander was married December 14, 1871, to Miss Emma I. Thatcher, who was born at Crayon, Champaign county, and is a daugh-
ter of S. H. and Mary E. ( Walker ) Thatch- er. the former a native of Berkeley county, West Virginia, and the latter of Greene county, Ohio, where their marriage was cel- ebrated. Mr. Thatcher was a life-long lum- lerman and our subject was connected with him for nine years. Mr. and Mrs. McAlex- ander have one child. Nora Belle, who was born in Champaign and received a good ed- ucation, attending school at Delaware. She is now the wife of Harry B. Patterson and lives with our subject.
About 1877 Mr. McAlexander purchased forty acres of land in Miami township, Lo- gan county, on which he lived while en- gaged in farming for four years, and then traded the property for a third interest in the sawmill and planing-mill at DeGraff. becoming manager of the same. He now owns a half interest in the plant and under his management the business has steadily prospered, becoming one of the leading in- dustries of the county. The capacity of the mill is about five thousand feet of sawed lumber and twenty thousand feet of planed lumber per day and employment is furnish- ed to fifteen hands.
Mr. Mc. Alexander cast his first presiden- tial ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has since voted the Republican ticket. He served two terms as a member of the village council, and as a public-spirited and enterprising man he has ever given his sup- port to those measures which he believes calculated to promote the moral, social or material welfare of the community. For many years he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is also connected with DeGraff Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled most of the chairs. By untiring industry and sound judgment
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he has won a merited success and is a the party and he filled a number of local worthy representative of that class of cit- izens, who while advancing individual suc- cess, also promote the public welfare.
FOSTER THOMAS.
More than a century ago Washington said: "Farming is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man." and it was the pursuit which claimed his attention when he was not occupied with the duties of state or of military service. The truth of this statement has been veri- fied throughout the ages and it is also known that agriculture is the basis of all prosperity. Among the men of Logan county who have devoted their efforts to this honorable and useful calling is Foster Thomas who now resides at a pleasant home about a mile from East Liberty. He was born in Warren county. Ohio, January 15. 1847. and is a son of Hanson and Maria (Miller) Thomas. His paternal grand- parents were Isaac and Hannah ( Starr ) Thomas, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. while the maternal grand- parents were John and Elizabeth Miller.
Hanson Thi mas was born in Adams county. Pennsylvania, in ISIS, and in 1851 he came with his family to Logan county, Ohio, living in Bellefontaine for a short time. probably three or four years. During that period he followed the butcher's trade. He then removed to the farm upon which our subject now resides and there his death occurred on the 6th of October. 1865. He was a man of broad general information for his time and in addition to farming he prac- ticed law. In his political views he was an old line Democrat, active in the work of
offices. His life was upright. his ability marked and his enterprise and public spirit made him one of the representative men of his community. His wife, who was born in 1826. died on the old family homestead in September, 1896. Following her husband's death, when she was called upon to take "charge of the family and the property. she manifested splendid business qualifications. She was a very noble woman, esteemed by all. and her memory is still cherished by her family and others who knew her.
Foster Adams, whose name introduces this review, is indebted to the public school system of Logan county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He was reared upon the old homestead where he now lives and. in fact, where he has spent almost his entire life. He has thus formed, a wide acquaintance in the county, and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances. On the 29th of April, 1868, he won as a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Mary Hollopeter, a native of Miami county, Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel and Sarah ( Morton) Hollopeter. Her paternal grand- parents were Mathias and Ella Hollopeter, natives of Pennsylvania, who east in their lot with the early settlers of Miami county, Ohio, and there spent their remaining days. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Thom- as were Israel and Hannah (Conn ) Morton. They were natives of New England and also became early settlers of Ohio where they died. Mrs. Thomas was educated in Middleburg, this state, and is a most es- timable lady. Her home is noted for its hospitality and she is a devoted wife and loving mother as well as a faithful friend. She has one son Perry H., who was born
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on the home farm December 27, 18;2, and was married on the 19th of January. 1894. to Margaret Gray, whose birth occurred in Champaign county, Ohio. He is now a commercial traveler and makes his home in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Mr. Thomas is prominent in the Odd Fellows Socicty, having taken the degrees of both the subordinate lodge and encamp- ment and in his life he is ever loyal to the beneficient teachings of the order. In pol- itics he is a Democrat having voted with the party since he cast his first ballot for General Mcclellan. For several terms he has served as trustee of Perry township and has filled other local offices in a creditable manner, discharging his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity. No man stands higher in the regard of his fellow men than does Foster Thomas because of his social, moral and business worth, and in the history of Logan county he well deserves honorable mention.
F. M. GALER, M. D.
Dr. F. M. Galer, who is engaged in the practice of melicine and surgery in De Graff and is also president of the Citizens Bank, was born near Fredonia, in Licking county, Ohio, July 25. 1843, and was about four or five years of age when his father removed with the family to Columbus, Ohio, where the Doctor remained until he was about twelve or thirteen years of age. His mother died when he was only seven months old, after which time he lived with relatives and with his father at different periods un- til about 1855, when he accompanied his father to Delaware. Ohio, where the suc-
ceeding four years were passed. During that time he had been a student in the Col- lege of Delaware and after his removal to DeGraff he took up the study of medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. R. G. Gilcrest. with whom he continued his reading for two years. He then pursued a course of lectures in the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Eden, Delaware county, where he remained for two years. when he removed to Columbus and entered the office of Dr. J. W. Hamilton. Desiring to further perfect himself in his chosen calling. while reading with that gentleman he also took another course of lectures and was graduated in March, 1867.
Dr. Galer then came to DeGraff and en- tered into partnership with his former pre- ceptor, Dr. Gilcrest. From the beginning hie prospered in his work, securing a good jatronage which has steadily increased in importance as well as in extent. For more than thirty-five years he has resided in De Graff, and is, therefore, one of the well known physicians of this portion of the state. As his financial resources increased he began making investments in farming, and about 1884 purchased eighty acres to which he has added from time to time until his farm now comprises more than two hun- dred acres of rich and valuable land. In June, 1890, he became one of the stock- holders in the Citizens' Bank, and at that time was elected its president. a relation with the institution which has since been . maintained, his careful control of its in- terests resulting in making it one of the substantial financial concerns of this part of the state. He continues his practice in connection with his banking interests and he has likewise found time to devote to
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many public affairs that have had for their object the promotion of the welfare and progress of this portion of the state.
In Delaware, Ohio. in 1871, Dr. Galer was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Loofbourrow. who was born and reared in Delaware county, and they had two chil- dren, Bessie .A. and Nellie G., but the latter died at the age of twenty-two years and Mrs. Galer passed away in January. 1902. The Doctor is a Republican having firm faith in the principles of the party, but has never been an aspirant for office, although he has held some political positions. He has served as president of the school board and as a member of the town council, and he has also been a member of the pension board of Logan county, being appointed to that position in 1897. by President McKin- ley. The Doctor has attained high rank in .
the Masonic fraternity and holds member- ship with Boggs Lodge, No. 292. F. &. A. M., in which he was made Master Mason in 1868. He took the chapter degrees at Bellefontaine and became a Knight Tem- lar at Urbana, but afterward transferred his membership to Sidney Commandery No. 46 K. T., of which he became a charter mem- ber and of which he has been the eminent commander. He took the first eigliteen de- grees of the Scottish rite in Dayton, and then attained to the thirty-second degree in the consistory at Cincinnati, and of the shrine of Cincinnati he is also a member. In the line of his profession he is connected with the Logan County Medical As- sociation, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and the State and National Medical Associations, and has prepared and read before these organizations valuable pa- pers with reference to the subject discussed therein.
DANIEL H. HATCHER.
Daniel H. Hatcher, a leading farmer of Logan county, who owns and occupies a part of the old homestead which has been in possession of the family through four generations, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, February 9, 1853. His parents had removed to that place soon after their marriage, going from near East Lib- erty. They remained in Indiana for about six years and then returned to the old fam- ily homestead, which had been purchased by the great-grandfather of our subject and which has now been in possession of repre- sentatives of the name for a century. The original owner had five hundred acres and Daniel H. Hatcher still owns a fraction less than two hundred acres. His father, Sam- uel N. Hatcher, had been born on this place, May 23, 1827, and lie died a few miles south of the old home, in Zane township, Logan county, in September, 1878. Five genera- tions of the family have been represented in this county and there is no more prominent or honored family in this part of the state. In the year 1848 Samuel Hatcher was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Rhodes, who was born in Maryland in 1829, and died in the old Ohio home in 1869. She was the mother of nine children, seven of whom are yet living.
Daniel H. Hatcher was reared to farm life and the place upon which he is now living is endeared to him through the as- sociations of his boyhood and because of the ancestral history of the family. He early became familiar with the work of the fields and he now lives upon the old home- stead. which is pleasantly located in Perry township, about two miles from East Lib- erty. His farm is splendidly improved and
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provided with modern equipments and ac- was so closely interwoven with the business cessories for facilitating his work and ren- dering his labor more profitable.
On the 4th of April. 1873. Mr. Hatcher was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Jamison, a daughter of one of the oldest settlers of the county. She was born near the old home place of her husband's father and by her marriage she has become the mother of seven children, of whom six are yet living. She and her two daughters are very active in the work of the Christian church, to which they belong, and of the Sunday school, doing much for the pro- motion of the cause in this locality. Mr. Hatcher is a Democrat in his polit- ical affiliations and cast his first presiden- tial vote for Samuel J. Tilden, since which time he has never wavered in his allegiance to the party. He is an active Mason, also a member of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, and in the latter he is a past chan- cellor and has filled all the other chairs. In January, 1898, he was made a representative to the grand lodge for two years. He and his entire family are recognized for their truth, worth and intelligence, -- qualities which have gained them entrance into the best homes of this locality. Their own household is noted for its hospitality and sociability and Mr. Hatcher is widely ac- counted a man of upright character and business honor.
ROBERT A. LAMB.
As long as there are any Bellefontaine citizens who knew Robert Lamb, so long will his memory be cherished. His life
history, the social interests and the moral development of the city that he became widely known and the sterling qualities of his character endeared him to all with whom he was associated. He was a man of marked influence and he ever wielded this power for good. His entire life was passed in Logan county so that his history was in contact, and over his record there fell very familiar to those with whom he came no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. Reliable in business, public-spirited in cit- izenship, devoted to the social and moral welfare of his community, his labors proved beneficial and far-reaching along all these lines and when Bellefontaine felt the need of aid in movements pertaining to the gen- eral good, his assistance was sought among the first and his co-operation was heartily and freely given. He was at all times ac- tuated by principles. that neither sought nor required disguise and moreover there was in him a deep and abiding human sympathy that prompted him to look with kindness and charity upon all. Of him it may well be said :
"Ilis life was gentle: and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world : 'This was a man."
Robert Lamb was born on a farm north of Bellefontaine, July 12. 1834, his par- ents being Mr. and Mrs. John H. Lamb. At the usual age he entered the district schools and in his boyhood he also assisted in the work of the home farm, but not de- siring to fellow the plow throughout his entire career, he left home when a young man and took up his abode in Bellefontaine, here to become an active factor in the busi- ness life of the city. He first accepted a clerkship in a store and after about a year
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