Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 37

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189

USA > Ohio > Hancock County > Findlay > Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens > Part 37

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his son. In later years Mr. Gibson was in- terested in the threshing business and for some years operated his machine through the county. His different activities have made him well known to many people and in all sections of the county he has friends.

In 1860, Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Susan Bolander, of Putnam County, O., a daughter of Henry Bolander, and seven chil- dren were born to them, namely: John Fremont; David P., who conducts a store at West Independence; Emma, who married John Wynkoop, of West Alexander; Levi Wesley, who is proprietor of a clothing store at Fostoria, for a number of years was postmaster at West Independence; William, who operates the saw mill started by his father; and Milton E., who is a min- ister in the United Brethren church at Columbus Grove. Mr. Gibson has eleven grand- children, as follows: Alberta, daughter of John Fremont; Clara and Oland, children of David P .; Floyd, Ralph, Fay and Allen, children of Emma; Reba, who is a daughter of William; and Lowell, Helen and Emer- son, children of Milton E. They are all bright and intelligent and Mr. Gibson has great reason to take pride in his descend- ants. The family belongs to the United Brethren church at West Independence. In politics, Mr. Gibson is a Republican. He served acceptably for three years in the office of justice of the peace and for one year as constable. He is identified with both the Masons and Odd Fellows at West In- dependence.

RUFUS E. TAYLOR, capitalist and well known citizen of Findlay, where he owns a beautiful home at No. 207 Center Street,

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formerly and for many years, was closely identified with the oil interests of both Ohio and Pennsylvania. He was born June 6, mercial Banking & Savings Company of this 1859, in Geauga County, O. When thirteen city. years of age he left home and joined his older brother, E. C. Taylor, who was then conducting a store at Petrolia, in the center of the Pennsylvania oil fields.

That region, at that time, was a poor place for a lad of tender years and his brother soon sent him back to Ohio. To prove that he could be self-supporting, he worked for seven months on a farm in Lake County and then returned to Petrolia, where, when fifteen years of age he was earning a salary large enough to turn the head of any youth. When he left Petrolia a second time, his money had all been lost in oil speculation and he spent the next year hard at work in Connecticut. In the course of time the homing instinct took him back to Ohio, where he married and continued to reside for eighteen months and then spent six months in the oil business in Allegheny County, N. Y. In 1886, Mr. Taylor came to Findlay and with his experience in oil, was qualified as a desirable partner in oil enter- prises, and shortly afterward became asso- ciated in this relation with H. A. Watts and E. C. Taylor. They formed a firm for the drilling of oil wells by contract and he continued with these partners until 1897, disposing of his interests after ten years of profitable work. During the following year Mr. Taylor enjoyed a period of travel and after he returned to Findlay was interested for several years in a local enterprise, from which he released himself in 1902. He is one of the city's capitalists, a state brought about through his own efforts, with no ad-

vantages in early life, either educational or social. He is a stockholder in the Com-

In 1880, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Ella L. Leland, a daughter of William L. Leland. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally he is a 32nd degree Mason, an Odd Fellows, Elk and Knight of Pythias. Since possessed of capital, Mr. Taylor has been a generous citizen of Findlay and has been actively interested in her welfare, for one year serving very efficiently on the board of city improvements.

HON. CHARLES BRIGHT, a former member of the Ohio State Legislature, a veteran of the Civil War and the owner of 353 acres of valuable farm land in Section 16, Marion Township, Hancock County, O., belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Fairfield County. He was born in the log house that stood on his father's farm at that time, in Fairfield County, O., December 28, 1835. His parents were David and Leah (Arnold) Bright.

David Bright was born also in Fairfield County and was a son of David Bright, who was born in old Berks County, Pa., of Ger- man parents, who lived near Reading. Grandfather David Bright moved to Ohio in 1800, the land having been entered previous to that time. On that land David Bright the second grew to manhood, doing a large share of the clearing and developing. He was the second born in a family of five children, the others being: John, Mary, Sarah and Susan. He was twice married, first to Leah Arnold, who died in 1855, and his second wife was Susan Jessell, who sur-

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vived him, his death occurring in 1889, when he followed farming and stock raising and he was seventy-seven years of age. To his these industries are still carried on by his son, David R. first union the following children were born : Charles; Samuel, who is deceased; Emily Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bright: John C., who is in the oil business; David R., who manages the farm, married Chloe Morehead, and they have one child, Marilyn; and Effie E., who is the wife of C. M. Wisely, of Findlay, and they have four children: Evelyn, Catherine, Ruth and Dorothy. Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Adam Fisher, also deceased; James, who is de- ceased; Julia Ann, who is the wife of Wil- liam Spangler; and two children who died in infancy. To the second union two sons were born : David L. and John. The latter still lives on the old homestead.

Charles Bright grew to manhood in Fair- field County and attended the district schools. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. F, 17th O. Vol. Inf., and remained in the army for three years and six weeks, at that time receiving his honorable discharge. He was a brave and ready soldier and gained promotion, bearing the rank of sergeant at the close of his service. He participated in many de- cisive battles of the great struggle, among these being: Corinth, Wild Cat Mountain, Hoover's Gap, Buzzard's Roost, Jonesboro and Chickamauga, at times being in the very center of danger but escaped injury, the nearest to it being when he discovered that two bullets at the battle of Chicka- mauga had been stopped in their probably otherwise fatal errand, by his knapsack.

Mr. Bright returned then to Fairfield County and was married there on Septem- ber 25, 1866, to Miss Catherine A. Carnes. In the following spring they moved to Han- cock County and he first bought 157 acres of his present farm from the David Tussing heirs and later added the rest of the land. In 1886 he completed the erection of his commodious and comfortable brick resi- dence. Until he retired from active labor,

Mr. Bright has long been prominently identified with the Republican party, and in 1893 he was elected to the Legislature and served most acceptably during one term in that body.

RICHARD B. DEMING, a representa- tive farmer and stock raiser of Portage Township, Hancock County, O., owns 240 acres of valuable land, separated into two adjoining farms, one of 160 acres, in Sec- tion 10, on which he resides, and one of eighty acres, in Section 15, just south of the larger farm. He is a native of Portage Township, born on a farm one-half mile from his present one, January 12, 1850, and is a son of Treat Deming and wife, both of whom died on their farm in Portage Township.

Richard B. Deming was reared and at- tended school in Portage Township and has been engaged in farming ever since old enough to use farm implements. After mar- riage he lived for some years in Allen Town- ship but has resided on his present place for the past twenty-five years. He purchased the other farm in 1908 from the Samuel Culp heirs. Mr. Deming operates but eighty acres of his land himself, having the re-

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SAMUEL S. FOLK

JOHN C. FOLK

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mainder rented out to good tenants. He has made all the substantial improvements and the whole extent of his property would command a very high price if put upon the market, and its value increases each year.

Mr. Deming matried Miss Amelia Ausen- baugh, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Sal- mon) (Lyon) Ausenbaugh. The father of Mrs. Deming died in April, 1857, when she was a child. Her mother survived until 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Deming have two chil- dren : Daisy and Mary Adeline. Daisy married George Strouse and they have three children : Ethel, Ruth and Willard. Mr. Deming takes no very active part in politics but he has always been interested in educa- tional matters and has served seven years as a member of the Portage Township School Board.

GEORGE PELTON JONES, cashier of the First National Bank of Findlay, O., is a man of exceeding prominence both in busi- ness and political life in this section of Ohio. He was born at Findlay, May 13, 1866, and is the only son of the late Elijah Pelton and Mel- lie (Johnson) Jones, the latter of whom sur- vives.

George Pelton Jones grew to manhood in a cultured, refined home and its influences have been invaluable to him. He was carefully edu- cated and after graduating from Williams Col- lege, in 1884, took a business course in a com- mercial college in New York and then returned home ready to begin a course of business train- ing that commenced at the bottom of the ladder, his father insisting that he should enter his bank in a humble capacity and advance through merit alone. From messenger or run-

ner he won his way to his present position, which he has filled since 1894. The First Na- tional Bank of Findlay, of which his late father was one of the organizers, and its president un- til his decease, in 1894, stands among the fore- most financial institutions in the state and the conservative methods which marked its prog- ress during the life of the late Elijah Pelton Jones, are in use in its present management. Mr. Jones is widely and favorably known as a financier and is president of the Ohio Bankers' Association. He has additional business inter- ests. In his political views he has always been a stanch Republican but has been consistently averse to holding public office, his only excep- tion having been a service of five years as a member of the city council, accepted as a friendly concession to his ward. He is a mem- ber of the fraternal order of Elks and since 1888 has been a Free Mason.

Mr. Jones was married on September 16, 1891, to Miss Cora Elizabeth Carr, whose father was a large glass manufacturer at Bel- laire, O. They have one daughter, Gertrude, who was born August 24, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Episcopal church. Their beautiful home at No. 719 S. Main Street is frequently the scene of many society func- tions.

FOLK BROTHERS, manufacturers of of- fice furniture, store fixtures, tables, counters household furniture, kitchen cabinets, etc., with offices and works at No. 402 East San- dusky Street, Findlay, O., have been partners in this business since November 15, 1888. The firm is composed of Samuel S. and John C. Folk, brothers. The former was born on a farm in Perry County, O., in a pioneer log

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house, September 13, 1852, and the latter was born at Findlay, O., at the family home, No. 351 South Blanchard Street, September 12, 1868. They are sons of George and Sarah Ann (Pence) Folk.

George Folk, the father, was a natural me- chanic and he was equally at home as a black- smith, a carpenter or cabinetmaker. His death occurred at Findlay, March 12, 1904. His widow survives and is in her seventy-eighth year. The Folk brothers have inherited their tastes for working in wood, this having been a family trait for generations of Folks. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Pence, was a sol- dier in the War of 1812 and later in the Mexi- can War. He was with Commodore Perry at the naval battle fought off Put-in-Bay Island and in this connection a very interesting bit of history may be recorded. Many of the older generation will remember the historical picture that was sure to attract their attention in their old geographies, which represented Commo- dore Perry and several of his men in a skiff, rowing from Perry's flag-ship to another ves- sel, during this battle, after the flag-ship had been destroyed. One of the rowers is shown with his head tied up and the original was Isaac Pence, who had been slightly injured and had tied a cloth across the wound. It was the intention of the artist to make the picture his- torically correct and he succeeded in doing so. Mr. Pence passed through Findlay as a soldier following the old Indian trail and assisted in the building of old Fort Findlay which stood on the west side of Main Street, just south of the bridge. Later in life, Mr. Pence went out as a soldier in the Mexican War.

The Folk brothers began business in a small way at the old family home place, No. 351

South Blanchard Street, where they remained until the completion of their factory on East Sandusky Street, in 1891. In 1901 they made extensive improvements, equipping their works with a full line of modern machinery. Both brothers are skilled mechanics themselves and they entrust their manufacturing only to those equally qualified, giving steady employment to from seven to twelve men. In the main they have been continuously prosperous although they have suffered some misfortunes, including robbery and destruction by fire. On the anni- versary of the day of their starting into busi- ness they had their safe blown open and had the robbers made their visit on the day before they would have secured over $2,000, which the firm had deposited there. Fortunately this large sum had been removed and the loss ag- gregated only $15 in money and a trifle in postage stamps, not counting in the damage to the safe. In their second year of business they suffered from a fire. Both brothers are equally public spirited and show an interest in all that concerns the welfare of their city and county. They reside in adjoining houses on East Main Cross Street, the residence of Samuel S. Folk being at No. 500 and that of John C. Folk at No. 506.

Samuel C. Folk married Miss Lizzie A. Early, of Wood County, O., and they have one son, Fred R. John C. Folk married Miss Es- tella I. Grubb and they have five children: Gaylord A., Violet, Mildred, John and Martha Jennette. The brothers are members of the Modern Woodmen and Samuel S. is identified also with the Maccabees and the Red Men. Neither takes an undue part in politics but the responsibilities of citizenship are never shirked.

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tial farmers and highly respected citizens of Jackson Township, Hancock County, O., was born February 18, 1855, near Baltimore, Md., and is a son of Hinkle Edward and Mary (Standiford) Sampson, both natives of Mary- land.

ALBERT SAMPSON, one of the substan- and is said to have been a cousin to Jefferson Davis of Confederate fame. With his father, Alfred Davis came from Kentucky to Hancock County and had some school advantages. He was married the first time to Nancy Houchens and they had five children: Laura, N. D., Deli- lah, Lewis and Herman. After the death of his first wife he married Amanda Stough and they had two children: Nancy May, wife of Frank Robinson; and D. H. S. Alfred Davis entered the farm now owned by his son, N. D. Davis, at first in association with his brother whom he later bought out, and owned 160 acres in all. He became a successful farmer and gave his entire attention to farm pursuits. His death occurred here May 30, 1896, when aged eighty- one years and six months, and his burial was in Blanchard Township. His first wife died August 6, 1858, at the age of thirty-eight years. She was a faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.

Albert Sampson was reared in Jackson Township and obtained his educational train- ing there. He has always followed farming and has one of the best improved farms in the township, having a fine brick house and barn, the former of which was erected in 1906, and the barn was built six years ago. Mr. Sampson is politically a Democrat, and has served as per- sonal assessor and land appraiser. At present he is appraiser for the Mutual Insurance Com- pany. He is a member and trustee of the M. E. church at Union Chapel, of which he has been a member for thirty years, and is also a trustee of the Cemetery association.

Mr. Sampson was married in 1881 to Lucy Hoy, who is a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Hellen) Hoy, who were well known residents of Hancock County, and of their union were born the following children: Edith M., mar- rid Wesley White, a drayman of Forrest, Ohio, and has one son, Waldo; Agnes R., married John C. Smith of Eagle Township, and is the mother of two children, Florence M. Smith, and Edson A. Smith; Frederick C .; Annie E .; Golda P .; Virgil, who attends school in Jack- son Township.

N. D. DAVIS, a retired farmer and a highly respected citizen of Blanchard Township, was born on the place on which he lives, a valuable farm of 120 acres, October 5, 1844, and is a son of Alfred and Nancy ( Houchens) Davis.

Alfred Davis was born in Cynthiana, Ky.,

N. D. Davis was reared in Blanchard Town- ship and attended the district schools and then assisted his father on the home farm. After his own marriage he went to live in Putnam County, not far from McComb, and remained there until 1905, when he came to the old farm he now lives on and owns.

In September, 1869, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Annie E. Vangilder, who was born in Jefferson County, O., later living in Hancock County, and moving from here to Iowa where she was a school teacher. They had three chil- dren: Cora, Ora T., and Myrl C. Cora mar- ried B. R. Dukes and they have three children : Louis, Arlo and Doras. Ora T. married Blanche Nebeil and they live in Putnam County. Myrl C. is a student in a medical school at Cleveland. The mother of the above family died May 22, 1901, in the Robinwood

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Hospital, at Toledo, O., and her burial was at twenty acres of land, to which he subsequently McComb. She was a lady of Christian char- acter and many virtues and was a member of the Presbyterian church. Since then Mr. Da- vis has united with the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican. He has always been a law abiding citizen but has never accepted any offices in Hancock County.

WALLACE DORSEY, one of Hancock County's well known citizens, has had large business interests here for many years and to- gether with operating a farm of 160 acres, for some thirty years has been engaged in the manufacturing of drain tile. He was born in Allen Township, Hancock County, O., July 5, 1836, and is a son of William and Louisa (Bryan) Dorsey.

William Dorsey was born in Pennsylvania, May 14, 1804, and died September 3, 1886. In early manhood he came to Hancock County, O., and in April, 1835, he was married to Louisa Bryan, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1811 and died in 1896. William Dor- sey secured 160 acres of uncleared land from the Government, which he developed into a productive farm, and both he and wife spent their lives on that place, both fulfilling every duty which life presented to them. William Dorsey was one of the honest, reliable men of Allen Township, and frequently was called upon to serve in public office. His eight chil- dren were given the following names: Wal- lace, Elizabeth, William C., Amanda J., Cor- delia, Edson, Winfield A., and Milton.

For twenty years of early manhood, Wallace Dorsey worked as a carpenter, contractor and builder, and through the excellence of this work gained a favorable reputation that extended all over Hancock County. In 1863 he purchased

added, and later settled on his property and devoted himself to its improvement. In 1877 he began the manufacture of drain tile and built up a large industry, equipping his plant with machinery that enabled him to make all sizes demanded by the trade. In this business as in other lines, Mr. Dorsey has always main- tained the same honesty of effort that produces commodities which ensure the continuance of custom.

Mr. Dorsey was married (first) February 28, 1861, to Miss Lois Nelson, who was born in Ohio, January 10, 1829, and died September 13. 1897. They had the following children: Luella, Charles W., William W., Albert E., Elwood N., Lloyd W., Mary B., Homer O., and Milton L. Mr. Dorsey was married (sec- ond) January 28, 1902, to Mrs. Frances E. Bennett. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, Mr. Dorsey is a Democrat. He has never cared for public of- fice, but when elected township trustee, served faithfully and acceptably.

Hon. Homer O. Dorsey, of the above family, is one of Hancock County's leading young men of affairs and is serving in the office of probate judge.

ANDREW JACKSON MOORE, who cultivates 160 acres of valuable farm land situated in Section 15, Big Lick Township, Hancock County, O., is a graduate of the Colorado State School of Mines and fol- lowed his profession for three years. He was born on this farm, January 11, 1873, and is a son of A. J. and a grandson of William Moore.

A. J. Moore, Sr., was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1827, and came with his

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father, William Moore, to Hancock County. terests in Hancock County, was born in In 1853 he was married to Nancy Moore, Hardin County, O., Oct. 1, 1874, and at the present time is in the prime of a vigorous manhood. His parents were J. F. and Katie Leeper, the former now being a resident of Findlay. He, like his son, is a native of Hardin County and for a number of years was engaged in farming. He settled in Findlay about four years ago, and though somewhat advanced in years is a man still capable of much active exertion. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, comes of a good Catholic family of Hardin County. She is still living and resides with her husband in Findlay. who was born in Ashland County, O., and was brought to this township when she was three months old. Six children were born to them, namely: John F., who has four children-Calvin Lee, Clyde M., Frank Homer and Charles Brooks; William Carl- ton; Samuel A., who is deceased; Mary A., who married A. W. Lackey, of Morris County, Kan., and they have six children- Edith, Harry, Grover, Grace, Roy and George; Nancy Cassie, who married J. C. Martin, of Wayne County, Kan., and they have four children-Clinton, Lulu, Emery and Carl; and Andrew Jackson, subject of this sketch. The father of this family died in 1897 but the mother still survives and is in the enjoyment of health and has a wide circle of friends, a number of these of many years standing as she is well known in this section.

Andrew Jackson Moore was educated in the township schools. Following out a natural inclination, he then became a student of mining, at Lincoln, Neb., and later at- tended the Colorado State School of Min- ing, with the result mentioned above. Al- though Mr. Moore has a fine technical edu- cation in his chosen profession and success- fully practiced it until 1901, he has also been very successful as a farmer.

Mr. Moore was married in 1907 to Miss Ida M. Roth, of Findlay. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM OLIVER LEEPER, a sub- stantial resident of Jackson Township, who for a number of years has been actively identified with business and property in-

William O. Leeper was reared in Hardin County and resided there until about four- teen years ago, at which time he came to Hancock County, settling in Jackson Town- ship. In youth he was trained to agricul- tural pursuits and has been thus engaged much of the time since. His present farm in Jackson Township consists of 300 acres and is a well improved piece of farming prop- erty. Mr. Leeper has also had some expe- rience in manufacturing industries, having been employed both in the tile and the tar- get works, in all some seven years. By means of hard work and thrifty living he has attained to a comfortable degree of prosperity. He has invested to some extent in real estate and now owns good residence property on Washington Avenue, Findlay.

Mr. Leeper was married October 3, 1894, to Mary Elizabeth Phillips, a daughter of Joseph and Elmira (Wolfrum) Phillips, of Williamstown, in which place Mr. Leeper's parents both died. Of this marriage there have been the following children: Aloyda Adelbert, who attends school in Findlay ;

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Joseph Franklin, who died at the age of ten years; Guy Theodore and Albert Leroy, both of whom attend the Findlay schools; Lester D. and Ethel May, the last mentioned of whom died in infancy. Mr. Leeper is a member of the United Woodmen and the United American Mechanics. His political affiliations are with the Republican party but he takes no active part in politics be- yond casting his vote.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 37

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1189

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189