Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 38

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 38

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HON. THEODORE TOTTEN, formerly mayor of Findlay, O., and now serving in his second term as postmaster, has been a promi- nent citizen here for many years and has been an active member of the Republican party in Hancock County, and at the same time has been a representative member of her bar. He was born on Staten Island, N. Y., January I, 1848, and is one of a family of seven children born to his parents, who were William and Susan (Platt) Totten.

Theodore Totten was educated in the public schools and when only fifteen years old left home and enlisted in the United States Navy. Probably the fact that his father was a ship builder and the youth was more or less accus- tomed to hearing of life on the water in this connection, may have determined his choice of the branch of the service to which he attached himself, but the record shows that he was a brave if an unusually young sailor. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public.

In 1866, Mr. Totten came to Findlay and embarked in the cigar and tobacco business and later added to his duties and responsibilities by accepting the agency of the Western Union Telegraph Company, with which corporation he continued to be connected for twelve years.

Although early circumstances had prevented his following his natural bent and entering into the law in early manhood, he was still suf- ficiently interested to pursue his legal studies by himself and in 1881 gained admittance to the bar. He engaged in the practice of law from then until 1904, in the meanwhile serving one term as prosecuting attorney of Hancock County and one term as mayor of the city of Findlay. In the above year he was first ap- pointed postmaster and was reappointed in Jan- uary, 1909. This office is systematically man- aged and the people of Findlay boast of its good service. In his assistant, Charles A. Saunders, Postmaster Totten has an able helper and he has under his direction and su- pervision twenty-four other employes, with all of whom his relations are most cordial.

Mr. Totten was married to Miss Melinda Porch, a daughter of Henry Porch. Their pleasant family home is situated at No. 208 First Street. Mr. and Mrs. Totten are mem- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal church. He is affiliated with a number of organizations and long has been a Free Mason.

IRVIN FETTERS, one of the successful farmers of Marion Township, Hancock County, O., where he owns 160 acres of valua- ble land, situated in Section 26, was born on a farm which is now included in the city of Find- lay, O., February 22, 1855. His parents were Peter and Catherine (Philipps) Fetters.

Peter Fetters was born in Pennsylvania and after the death of his father he accompanied his mother when she removed to Hancock County, where she was subsequently married to a Mr. Fulk. Peter Fetters grew to man- hood in this section and became a farmer in Eagle Township, where he owned the place on

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LEONARD C. GLESSNER

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which he died. Thirteen children were born to Peter and Catherine Fetters, as follows: An- drew, who is deceased, was a soldier in the Civil War; Elizabeth, who is deceased; Mary Ellen, deceased, who was the wife of Calvin Smith; Eli, who is deceased; Sarah, who is the wife of A. Bond; Isaiah; Irvin; Caroline, who is the wife of Jefferson Baker; Jane, who is the wife of Clayton Van Sant; Uriah; Criselda and Lemuel, both of whom are deceased; and Emma, who is the wife of Lewis Marchall. The venerable mother of this family still survives and her home is at Findlay.

Irvin Fetters remained at home until his mar- riage, having assisted his father after his school days were over in the old log school- house, with its split log benches. He has de- voted himself exclusively to farming and pur- chased his place from his father-in-law. He has made many improvements, in large degree follows modern methods of agriculture and owns excellent farm machinery. He married Miss Nora E. Bennett, a daughter of Rawson and Matilda (Cooper) Bennett, and they have five children: Aerie, Katie, Clark, Howard and Nelia. Mr. Fetters casts his vote with the Democratic party.

HARRY J. PARKER, who is engaged in general farming on a tract of eighty acres located on the Houcktown-Findlay road in Jackson Township, has been a lifelong resi- dent of Hancock County, and was born April 4, 1876, at Vanlue, Hancock County, O., a son of Wilbur S. and Mary A. (Shuler) Parker. Wilbur S. Parker was also a na- tive of Hancock County, and followed har- ness-making at Vanlue, where he was resid- ing at the time of his death. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania.

Harry J. Parker was reared in Jackson Township and received his education in the schools of the district, and has always fol- lowed farming as an occupation. He pur- chased his present farm of eighty acres in 1905, from the William Doty estate. Mr. Parker is politically a Republican, and. al- though never caring to hold office, is at pres- ent serving as township clerk. He has for twenty years been a member of the M. E. church at Houcktown.

In November, 1898, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Letie Houck, who is a daughter of S. F. and Rebecca (Samp- son) Houck, the former a resident of Houcktown, O., the latter being deceased. Mr. Parker is fraternally a member of the Maccabees, Lodge No. 197, at Findlay, and of Post No. 67, Sons of Veterans.

LEONARD C. GLESSNER, president of the Glessner Medicine Company, of Findlay, O., was born at Delaware, O., March 17, 1853, and is a son of Lewis Glessner, who con- ducted the Hancock Courier from 1861 until 1879. His mother was Georgiana (Cowles) Glessner, a granddaughter of Col, Moses Bixby, a Revolutionary soldier, who was one of the founders of the town of Delaware, O. .

Leonard C. Glessner was only a boy when he accompanied his father to Findlay and he remained here until 1874. He learned the printing business in his father's office and upon leaving Findlay published newspapers at dif- ferent points in Illinois and Missouri, until 1887, when he returned to Findlay, where he became city editor of the Courier. As a side issue, in 1889, he began the manufacture of medicine but in a short time this interest be- came paramount and he found it profitable to

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devote all his time to it. For twenty-one years he has been manufacturing the famous com- pound known as Dr. Drake's German Cough and Croup Remedy, which is considered a ne- cessity in many households, trade being heavy all over the United States and in Mexico and Canada. While this remedy is probably best known the company also manufactures another which has no equal of its kind, this being Leonard's Sweet Worm Wafers. The present company was organized in 1905 and was then incorporated with a capital stock of $60,000. Its officers are : L. C. Glessner, president and general manager; Edward Schwartz, vice-pres- ident; Hon. A. E. Kerns, formerly probate judge, treasurer; and Lewis W. Glessner, sec- retary. In 1910, the Glessner Medicine Com- pany took control of the Duke H. Watson Company, which was an old established con- cern manufacturing livestock remedies, making a specialty of the G. Be German Blemish Erad- icator, which is used by horsemen all over the United States. The Glessner Company keeps from two to six men out on the road represent- ing it. The company understands modern bus- iness methods and gives much attention to ad- vertising. They own their own printing estab- lishment which is used exclusively in their own business and is larger than any other printing house in Findlay. It is a fact that the Glessner Medicine Company sends out more advertising matter than any other two concerns in the city.

Mr. Glessner was married at Farmer City, Ill., to Miss Emma Chappelear, who was born 'in Missouri. At that time, Mr. Glessner was conducting a newspaper at Farmer City. They have three children: Lewis W., who is secre- tary of the Glessner Medicine Company ; Harry C., who is also connected with the business; and Mary E. Mr. Glessner and family are being one of the largest landowners, but

members of the First Presbyterian church and he is president of its board of trustees. He is especially well known in Knights of Pythias circles, being a member of Findlay Lodge, No. 85, and since 1900 has been representative to the Grand Lodge and is a member of the finance committee of the latter body. Few citizens of Findlay are more enterprising or progressive and few are better known.

ISAAC DAVIS, one of Findlay's repre- sentative business citzens, who carries on a wool and seed business at No. 215 Park Place, is also the owner of many acres of some of the best oil and gas land in Han- cock . County. He was born in 1837, in Marion Township, Hancock County, O., and is a son of William and Margaret (Laf- ferty) Davis.

Henry Davis, the grandfather of Isaac Davis, was probably born in Wales. He was twice married, (first) to Margaret Craig, and (second) to Betsey Hammond. Seven children were born to the first union and five to the second. He seems to have settled in Maryland after coming to America and probably died there.

William Davis, father of Isaac, was born in Maryland. He came to Hancock County in 1832, accompanied by his wife, to whom he had been married in 1828. She survived him many years, being, at the time of her death, one of the oldest residents of Marion Township. They had ten children, the two surviving sons being: A. L., who is a prac- ticing physician at Findlay ; and Isaac, who has spent his life in Hancock County. William Davis was a man of consequence in this part of Ohio, not only on account of

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also because of his sterling traits of char- acter. Twice he served Hancock County as a commissioner, and for thirty-two con- secutive years was a justice of the peace in Marion Township. He died in 1863.

Isaac Davis, whose landed possessions amount to some 600 acres, on which are valuable oil and gas wells, while one of Find- lay's most substantial citizens, is one of the most unostentatious. For many years he has, in large measure, divided his attention between his agricultural affairs and his wool and seed business. Upon solicitation, he has, at times, accepted township offices, in- cluding that of justice of the peace, but he has cared little for political honors, finding himself sufficiently interested in looking after his private affairs.

In 1860, . Mr. Davis was married to Miss Caroline Gifford, who was born in 1840, in Hancock County, O., on the farm which is now the summer home of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have the following children : William, Florence, David T., George W., Gertrude and Henry. Howard V. is de- ceased. The family residence is situated at No. 214 Center Street, Findlay.

JOHN HENRY RIDDLEBAUGH, one of Marion Township's well known and highly respected citizens, carries on general farming and owns 195 acres of valuable land, situated in Section 25, not far distant from Findlay, O. He was born in Fairfield County, O., Septem- ber 28, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Cath- erine (Shoemaker) Riddlebaugh.

Henry Riddlebaugh was born in Germany and on account of participating in the revolu- tion of 1849, he was expelled with other revo- lutionists and came then to America. He lo-

cated at Lancaster, in Fairfield County, O., where he followed the blacksmith trade during his active years. He still survives and in his long life of eighty-six years he has witnessed many wonderful changes, not only in his na- tive land, but also in the one which he adopted. In 1856 he was married to Catherine Shoe- maker, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1901, at the home of her son James, in Crawford County, O. The Shoemaker family came to Pennsylvania from Switzerland in 1742. Six children were born to Henry and Catherine Riddlebaugh, namely: Jacob, who lives in Crawford County ; John Henry ; James, who also lives in Crawford County; Theresa, who is the wife of John Snyder, of Hocking County, O .; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Angle, of Hocking County; and Au- gustus, who resides at Columbus.

John Henry Riddlebaugh started out to take care of himself when he was twelve years old. He came to Hancock County and went to work for Charles Bright, with whom he remained for two years; worked then for George Wise- ley, in Marion Township, for three years and for William Thomas for two years, and then went into Big Lick Township and worked one year for William Bright. He had been saving and by this time had enough capital to enable him to buy forty acres of land in Pleasant Township and later bought a second forty acres and sold the timber from both tracts. He then rented land for a short time, but in March, 1896, bought eighty-five acres of his present farm, purchasing from Charles Johnston; later bought thirty-five acres from Tolliver Jacobs; fifteen acres from A. Beard, and twenty acres from the A. Beard estate. To this was added forty acres which was given his wife. It is a fine thing to own 195 acres of valuable land,

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but it required much hard work to make a large part of it valuable. Mr. Riddlebaugh by his own toil cleared 100 acres of stumps, did all the necessary ditching and tiling, built his substan- tial barn and made the other improvements which have transformed what was once merely waiting soil into one of the richest farms and most comfortable homes of Marion Township.

On November 9, 1882, Mr. Riddlebaugh was married to Miss Elvira Wiseley, a daughter of Henry and Loraina (Wiseley) Wiseley, of Pleasant Township, and fourteen children have been born to them, the record being as follows : Iva, the eldest, is the wife of Edward Hunting- ton, of Toledo, O. Ethel is the wife of Porter Shuck of Big Lick Township and they have one child, Pauline. The eldest son is his fa- ther's helper and bears the name of Ray. How- ard lives at Toledo. He married Mattie Wes- cott. Earl, Paul, David, May, Alice and Doris, all live at home. Margaret died when aged three years and Lulu died when aged two months. Irma and Helen complete the list. All the children remaining at home who have reached school age are bright, intelligent stu- dents. The family belongs to the United Brethren church. In politics he is a Republi- can but has never consented to accept public offices, the care of his large farm and his other duties so far absorbing the most of his time. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity at Findlay.

SAMUEL C. DAILEY, who, since 1896, has been successfully operating a farm of 171 acres, which is situated in Section 3, Portage Township, Hancock County, O., was born on a farm in Cass Township, May 12, 1869, and is a son of Baker and Mahala (Fisher) Dailey. Baker Dailey was born on a farm in Wash-

ington Township, Hancock County, O., No- vember 14, 1839, and is a son of D. J. and Mary Elizabeth (Hale) Dailey. D. J. Dailey was born at Steubenville, O., in 1811 and came with his parents and other mem- bers of his family to Hancock County in 1825 and located in the centre of Wash- ington Township. The wife of D. J. Dailey was born near Wheeling, now in West Vir- ginia, in 1815, and came to Washington Town- ship with her brother, Baker Hale, who entered 160 acres of land in Washington Township, in 1830. After her marriage, D. J. Dailey pur- chased eighty acres of this land and this con- tinued to be their home. Baker Dailey was reared amidst pioneer surroundings but he was afforded much better educational advantages than were enjoyed by many, attending school at Findlay and Fostoria. When nineteen years of age he began to teach school and continued to teach for fifteen winters, engaging in farm- ing in the summers. He still resides on his farm in Cass Township. On November 6, 1862, he was married to Mahala Fisher, who was born in Carroll County, O., January 9, 1840, and died in 1906.

Samuel C. Dailey was reared in Cass Town- ship and attended the local schools in boyhood and later the Ohio Normal School. He became a very successful and acceptable teacher and for some seven years was engaged in educa- tional work in Cass, Allen, Marion and Por- tage Townships. Since his marriage he has confined himself more or less to farming and stock raising. With his father-in-law, Levi M. Thomas, he put up all the substantial buildings on the present farm which belongs to his wife. It is well improved and a valuable property. The residence stands on the road that is the dividing line between Portage and Allen Town-

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ships, about one and one-half miles southwest of North Baltimore, O.

On September 12, 1895, Mr. Dailey was married to Miss Elsie E. Thomas, a daughter of Levi M. and a sister of J. Curtis Thomas, members of an old and prominent family of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Dailey have four children: Laurel Lynette, Deloy Thomas, Dwight Emerson and Vernard Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. Dailey are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at North Balti- more, in which he is a steward. He takes no very active part in politics but is numbered with the most useful and representative citizens of his township, being public spirited, broad minded and law abiding.

ISAAC WALDO MARVIN, one of Find- lay's retired citizens of ample fortune, residing in a comfortable and attractive home at No. 206 East Main Cross Street, belongs to an old Han- cock County family, which was established here in 1828. He was born at Findlay, No- vember 17, 1855, and is a son of Stephen and Mary (Kelley) Marvin.

The Marvin family, as the name indicates, originated in England. It can be traced in America to Rev. Zera Marvin, who was a well known minister in Pennsylvania, and he was the great-grandfather of Isaac W. Marvin, of Findlay. William Marvin, the grandfather, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, came to Hancock County, O., in 1828, and for a number of years, as proprietor of the old Marvin Inn, east of Findlay, was well and favorably known to the traveling public.

Stephen Marvin, father of Isaac W., was born in 1820, in Luzerne County, Pa., and was eight years old when he accompanied his par- ents to Hancock County. He acquired land

which he cultivated and also followed the trade of millwright. In 1841 he married Mary Kelley and they both died at Findlay, in 1893. They were survived by four sons: Isaac Waldo, Cloyd, Clinton and James.

Isaac Waldo Marvin obtained his education in the public schools in the neighborhood of his present home, and at the age of twenty-one he settled down to an agricultural life. For about ten years he continued to farm and raise stock and still retains a large body of farm land, which, since his retirement, he has taken pleas- ure in quietly overseeing. He is the owner of much real estate in the city of Findlay, included in which is the Marvin Block opposite the Court House. Formerly he was a director in the Farmers' National, now the Buckeye Bank. After leaving the farm and moving to Findlay, he was associated with his brother for some five years in a lumber and planing mill business.

Mr. Marvin was married (first) in 1881, to Miss Lucy Bish, who died in 1886, and was survived by one daughter, Frances, who is a talented and accomplished young lady, a favor- ite in social circles. In 1890, Mr. Marvin was married (second) to Miss Ada Anthony, and they have had five children: Berenice, Stephen, Mary, Ada Gertrude and Isaac W., Jr. Ste- phen died in 1906. Mr. Marvin and family are members of the Lutheran church. He has never taken any very active interest in politics, but has always been a good citizen, doing his full duty as such. He is affiliated with the Re- publican party.

BENJAMIN F. OPP, one of the represen- tative men of Marion Township, Hancock County, O., who has filled many public offices with credit, resides on a farm of seventy-five acres which lies in Section 36, Marion Town-

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ship and owns a second farm, containing thirty- seven acres, which is situated in Section 31, Big Lick Township, both in Hancock County. He was born on the old family homestead in Lynn Township, Lehigh County, Pa., January 6, 1840, and is a son of John and Lucinda (Kohler) Opp.

John Opp was born on the same farm as his son, in the old stone house, and was a son of Conrad Opp, who was also born on this farm and whose father had come to Lehigh County from Germany. Conrad Opp became a large land owner, not only in Lehigh County but also in Northeastern Ohio and also built and oper- ated a saw mill on Conneaut River, Pa. He died in 1842, in the old stone house probably still standing, which his father had built when he first came to Pennsylvania. His widow, Magdalena, survived him seventeen years. John Opp, father of Benjamin F., was the eldest son in a family of sixteen children. He became a carpenter and cabinetmaker, having natural mechanical skill as was evidenced when, with no technical training, he built an organ that was subsequently sold at Tiffin, O., for $500. He was also interested for a time in the dry goods business at Barnesville, Pa. His death occurred in July, 1861, at the age of sixty-five years. He married Lucinda Kohler, who was born in Luzerne County, Pa., who lived to be seventy-two years of age. They had two chil- dren: Fianna, who is now deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Bailey, also deceased; and Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin F. Opp grew to manhood in Lynn Township and attended school there, having better advantages than were afforded many of his associates and began to teach school when he was seventeen years of age. He then came to Ohio and located in Hancock County and

remained away from home for two years, then went back to the old farm for a short time and was married in Lehigh County, returning then to Hancock County. He purchased eighty acres of his present Marion Township farm, which was then mainly swamp land, paying $800. He had the foresight to look forward when this land, properly drained, would be rich in all the essentials for crop production and he kept adding from time to time and improving, laying down a large amount of tile before he was satisfied, and now owns one of the best paying farms in Marion Township. His other property is also valuable and both farms are under careful cultivation at present.

Mr. Opp was married to Miss Sarah Mus- sick, who died in 1892. They had the follow- ing children: John, who married Hattie Alt- man, has two children-Bertha, who is the wife of Harry Thomas and they have one child, Ruby, and James, who is a graduate of Findlay College; Alexander L., who married Esther Beard, has three children-Onen, a graduate of Findlay College, Grace and Ro- sella; Ella, who married O. C. Myers and they have two children-Ruth and Walter; Lu- cinda, who died aged nineteen months; Charles, who married Nellie Smith, has one daughter, May; Flora, who married B. Routson and they have one son, Frank Samuel; Catherine, who is a teacher; and Emmet, who assists on the home farm. Mr. Opp is a member of the United Brethren church. He is a Democrat and has served as a justice of the peace, as township trustee and as a member of the school board.

JOHN REIMUND, who resides on a farm of eighty acres in Allen Township, is also the owner of another farm of forty acres in Allen Township, Hancock County,

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O., and is extensively engaged in the pro- duction of oil. He was born November 28, 1871, in Findlay, O., and is a son of William and Martha (Byal) Reimund.

William Reimund was born in Germany and at the age of three years came to Amer- ica with his father, Peter Reimund, who settled on a farm in Liberty Township, and was there reared to manhood. When a youth he began learning the harnessmak- ing trade with William Edwards, of Find- lay, O., and remained in his employ about eighteen or twenty years. He then rented the old Price farm in Liberty Township for a time, and later purchased a farm in the same township, where he died in 1896. The mother of our subject is still living.

John Reimund went to live with his uncle, Philip J. Reimund, of Liberty Town- ship, when quite young, and was there reared to maturity. When oil was discov- ered in this section of the country, he be- came an oil pumper and pumped some of the first wells operated in this field. He has been extensively engaged in the produc- tion of oil since 1902, his first production being on the Franks' farm in Allen Town- ship, and has become very well known in the county as an oil operator. He has been residing on his present farm, which is lo- cated in the southwestern corner of Allen Township, since 1907, but previous to that time was living on a farm of forty acres, located on the Decker road. He resides in a fine frame residence which he erected at the time he located on the place.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 38

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

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