Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 39

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 39

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Mr. Reimund was united in marriage with Mary Franks, who is a daughter of Jacob Franks, and they have two children : Clarence and Guyneth. Mr. Reimund is a

member of Hancock Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F.

JAMES R. CLARK, deceased, was one of Findlay's most respected citizens, where, for a great many years he was a leading business man, the pioneer cabinetmaker and later the largest funeral director in the city. He founded the business which is continued by his son. James R. Clark was born July 24, 1824, and died August 13, 1906.

Mr. Clark was of Irish ancestry, his father, Forbes Clark, having been born in Ireland, and he emigrated to America and settled at Harrisburg, Pa., prior to the birth of his son. The latter was but eight years old when he was left an orphan and he was reared in the home of an aunt, in Cumber- land County, Pa., where he lived on a farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then learned the cabinetmaking trade at Get- tysburg, Pa., and lived there and at Phila- delphia until 1848, when he came to the small town of Findlay, which, even then was showing the signs of awakening that indicated excellent business opportunities for the future. Mr. Clark was possessed of the foresight to take advantage of these and in 1849, having made progress in his trade, he added undertaking to his cabinet- making and founded the business with which he was identified during the re- mainder of his life, occupying the same site during all that time. He increased his fa- cilities as the demand for his services grew, and for a long time was the leading funeral director and embalmer in the city. He was a man of quiet tastes and led a simple, well

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ordered life and was a consistent member died in 1876 on his farm in Portage Town- of the Lutheran church.

In 1851, at Findlay, Mr. Clark was mar- ried to Miss Mary Ann Devine, and they had four children, and the eldest son, W. S. Clark, continues the undertaking business, his location being at No. 119 East Craw- ford Street, while his residence is at No. 206 West Sandusky Street, Findlay. For more than a half century James R. Clark was an Odd Fellow, but that was his only fraternal connection.

JOHN W. TAYLOR, who carries on general farming on a tract of 101 acres in Section 25, Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is also engaged in the produc- tion of oil and is one of the representative citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born December 19, 1840, in Van Buren, O., and is a son of Washington and Martha (Moorehead) Taylor.

Washington Taylor was born July 4, 1818, in Bedford County, Pa., but spent part of his boyhood days in Richland County, O., and in 1836 came to Hancock County, and for several years worked at his trade as a cabinetmaker at Van Buren. After locating on the farm, he gave up cabinetmaking and became noted as one of the most energetic and hard working farm- ers of the township, and had little patience with those who shirked their duties. He was married to Martha Moorehead, who was born October 30, 1818, in Stark County, O., and died in Allen Township in 1887. She came to Hancock County with her par- ents during her girlhood days, and was a daughter of John Moorehead, who was born in 1791 in Westmoreland County, Pa., and

ship, Hancock County, O.

John W. Taylor was about two years old when his parents came to Allen Township and settled on a farm just north of his pres- ent one. Here he was reared and as soon. as old enough assisted with the work on the farm. He has ever since engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 1864 came to his present farm of 101 acres, which is lo- cated on the Taylor road about half a mile west of the Perrysburg turnpike road. Since the discovery of oil in this locality, Mr. Taylor has also been extensively inter- ested in the production of oil. In 1890 Mr. Taylor erected a large frame residence, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful country homes in Allen Town- ship.

Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Eliza E. Moyer, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., who has been a resident of Hancock County, O., since her girlhood days, and is a daughter of Elias Moyer, who was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of the following children: Etta, who is the wife of Charles Larkin, of Findlay, O .; Milton, who is a res- ident of Eagle Township, Hancock County, is an oil pumper by trade; Martha E., who is the wife of Samuel Draper; Elmer E., who is now in the gold fields of Alaska ; Josiah Vernon, who lives in Illinois; Carl D., who resides at home; Viola, deceased, who was the wife of Edward Douglas; and two children deceased, one at the age of ten years and one in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Van Buren Presbyterian Church, of which he is also an elder.

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IION. E. LINCOLN GROVES

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HON. E. LINCOLN GROVES, mayor of Findlay, O., and for many years a prominent citizen of Hancock County, was born in Blan- chard Township, Hancock County, February 6, 1861, and is a son of Savadra and Lucinda (Fisher) Groves.

Savadra Groves was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1826, a son of Thomas Groves, who was born in Pennsylvania. In 1828 Thomas Groves came to Hancock County and bought a farm in Blanchard Township where he died at the age of eighty-four years. On that farm Savadra Groves grew to man- hood and spent his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1878. He married Lucinda Fisher, a native of Crawford County, O., who still survives.

E. Lincoln Groves is an only child and he was reared on the old home farm and attended the country schools. He then engaged in the butcher business for a time at McComb, in Hancock County, but shortly after his marriage returned to the farm and continued to live there until he was elected sheriff of the county, January 1, 1905, and his acceptance of the office made removal to Findlay desirable. He served as sheriff through two terms, making an admirable official and retired on January 1, 1909. In the fall of the same year, his Repub- lican friends again called him to public office, electing him mayor of Findlay and he assumed the municipal reins on January 1, 1910. He has always been an active and earnest citizen and many times has been elected to positions of responsibility. For twelve years he served on the Blanchard Township School Board, of which he was president for two years, and in other offices, and was also one of the most highly valued members of the Agricultural Society.

Mayor Groves was married at McComb, O., to Miss Mary Alice McKinnis, a daughter of Thomas McKinnis. She was born and reared in Blanchard Township. Her family is an old one in the county, her grandfather, Charles McKinnis, having settled in Liberty Township in 1827. Mayor and Mrs. Groves have five children, Fern, Carl, Ruth, Albert and Leland. Mayor Groves is a member of Hancock Lodge No. 75, Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, No. 400, and also the Elks and Maccabees. He is giving the people of Findlay a fine busi- ness administration and in his efforts he is re- ceiving the full support and commendation of the best class of citizens.

FRANCIS W. FIRMIN, M. D., senior member of the firm of Francis Wilber and John M. Firmin, physicians and surgeons, at Findlay, O., enjoys the honorable dis- tinction of being the oldest practicing phy- sician in this city. Dr. Firmin was born July 15, 1842, at Richfield, Summit County, O., and is a son of F. B. and Mary C. Fir- min.

Dr. Firmin is able to trace his ancestry very far back, reaching even to William the Conqueror, but he takes greater pride in the courageous forefather who came from Ipswich, England, to the inhospitable shores of Massachusetts, in the winter of 1630, founding on American soil a family that now has honorable representatives all over the land. From Summit County, O., the parents of Dr. Firmin moved to Spring- field, Mass., in 1844, and from there to South Hadley Falls, and later to South Wilbraham, where Francis Wilber attended school. In May, 1862, he came to Findlay and shortly afterward entered Oberlin Col-

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lege, with the intention of completing the regular course of that institution. The agitation incident to the continuance of the Civil War was the cause of many a young man changing the whole current of his life, and young Firmin, with a number of his classmates, determined to leave their books and enter the army to assist in putting down rebellion. His service, which termin- ated with his honorable discharge on March 10, 1864, was in Co. E, 129th O. Vol. Inf.

The young soldier on his return did not reenter college, on the other hand he made the initial step on the path which subse- quently led to a foremost place in the field of medicine at Findlay. He became a med- ical student in the office of his uncle, Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, under whose direction he prepared for the medical department of the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, where he was graduated February 18, 1867. He immediately entered upon professional work in this city, establishing his own office and continuing alone until he subse- quently admitted his son, John M., to part- nership. The latter is a graduate of the Cleveland College of Physicians and Sur- geons, in the class of 1897. The Firmin name has been one of strength in the med- ical profession in this part of Ohio for many years, representing at all times, skill, ability, education and close adherence to professional ethics. The present firm is lo- cated in the Adams Building. Both physi- cians are valued members of the leading medical organizations of the country, in- cluding the American Medical Association, and the older physician was instrumental

in founding the Medical Society of Han- cock County.

As a citizen, Dr. Firmin has been zealous in his support of all measures promising to be of permanent benefit to Findlay, giving liberally of his time, means, and profes- sional services on many occasions. He served four years as a member of the city council, seven years as a member of the Board of Education, and innumerable times on committees for the betterment of civic conditions. Since 1872 he has served continuously as examining surgeon for pensions, in Hancock County, with the ex- ception of eight years, during a Demo- cratic administration, and for a large part of that period has been president of the ex- amining board. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic and has taken an active interest in the post at Findlay. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, in the latter organization being particularly prominent, being a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite 32nd degree and a member of the Mystic Shrine.

Dr. Firmin was married on May 6, 1869, to Miss Mary L. D. Meeks, a daughter of Rev. John A. Meeks, and they have had six sons and one daughter born to them: Otis, deceased; Scott, John M., George, de- ceased; Clara, deceased; Frank Bope and Carl Giles. Dr. Firmin's residence is lo- cated at No. 1009 South Main Street, Find- lay.

JOHN W. SWAB, who is extensively en- gaged in general farming and stock raising on a tract of 312 acres in Marion Township, ad- joining his residence property, which is located in Section 22, is one of the leading citizens of

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Hancock County, Ohio, and was born June 29, 1853, in Washington County, Pa., a son of Sol- omon and Catherine (Gallaway) Swab.

Solomon Swab was born in Washington County, Pa., where his parents, who were na- tives of Germany, settled at an early period. He was reared to manhood on the banks of the Monongahela River, and became a ship builder by trade. He later purchased a farm in Wash- ington County and about 1863 brought his fam- ily to Wood County, Ohio, and settled on a farm, which now forms the northeast portion of North Baltimore. He operated this farm about seven years, then traded the land for our subject's present farm, which was then owned by John Franks. He married Catherine Galla- way, who was also a native of Washington County, Pa., and they had the following chil- dren: Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of James Weaver; Sarah Ann, who died young; Jane, who is the widow of John Weisel; John William; Nancy, who died young; Salina, who is the wife of Frank Bibler; and Alice, who is the wife of James Swartz. The mother of this family died at Findlay, O., and the father's death occurred on the farm.

John William Swab was ten years old when his parents came to the State of Ohio and his educational training was obtained in the dis- trict schools of Wood County. About 1873 the family came to Hancock County and settled on our subject's present farm in Marion Township, where he carries on farm pursuits on an exten- sive scale. He raises and deals largely in stock, keeping about a car load of steers and 100 head of hogs on hand. He has had three gas wells in operation on the place, ran a dairy wagon to Findlay for about eighteen years, and has made extensive improvements on the farm, including the erection of a fine residence.

In November, 1878, Mr. Swab was joined in marriage with Emma Walters, who was born and reared in Hancock County, and is a daugh- ter of David and Amanda (Bear) Walters, who were early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Swab have reared three children: Nettie, who married G. W. Kistler of Marion Town- ship, and they have three children, Grace, Dor- othy, and Lester; Frank, who is a resident of Marion Township, was elected trustee of the township on the Republican ticket, married Bes- sie George, and has one daughter, Helen Fran- ces; and Julia, who lives at home. Mr. Swab is a Republican.

D. M. DREISBACH, a highly respected citizen of Benton Ridge, Hancock County, O., a retired farmer, for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Blanchard Township, where he still retains his valuable farm of 162 acres. He was born in Pickaway County, O., September 28, 1845, and is a son of Abraham E. and Mary Ann (Miesie) Dreisbach.

Abraham E. Dreisbach was born in Bucks County, Pa., February 21, 1818, a son of Rev. John and Fanny (Eyer) Dreisbach. Rev. John Dreisbach was born in Buffalo Valley, Pa., in 1789, and in 1807 he entered the minis- try under the leadership of the Methodist re- former, Rev. Jacob Albright, who had founded the Evangelical Association in 1800. John Dreisbach was married first to Fanny Eyer, who died in 1815, leaving two children: Sa- lome and Elizabeth. In 1817 he married her sister, Katherine Eyer, who was born Septem- ber 22, 1791, and became the mother of his eleven children, named as follows: Abraham E., Isaac E., Catherine E., Sophia E., Jacob E., Leah E., Martin E., Susanna E., John E., Fannie E. and Martha E. In 1831, Rev. John

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Dreisbach came to Pickaway County, O., O. Vol. Inf., and remained in the service until where he invested in much land. He gave all his children a farm and so arranged them that his own farm should be in the center of the settlement. His time was entirely taken up with his ministerial duties. He was a man well fitted for pioneering evangelical work, having the courage and enterprise together with the true zealous religious faith. He purchased the first printing press in Pickaway County and published the first Evangelical hymn book and was the first elder of this religious body in Ohio.

In large measure Abraham E. Dreisbach worthily followed in his father's footsteps. In early manhood he too became a minister and filled various pulpits and during the closing years of his life he traveled as an evangelist. His death occurred at Tiffin, in Seneca County, O. He was married (first ) in 1840, to Mary Ann Miesie, a native of Bucks County, Pa., who accompanied him to Pickaway County, O., in the same year. She died February 9, 1857. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Stroll, who died in September, 1871, and in 1873 he was married to a sister of his second wife, who survived him, his death taking place August 28, 1876. His burial and those of his wives took place at Tiffin. All his children were born to his first marriage. The Dreis- bach family originated in Germany, the name coming from a German word combined with the numeral three, the family having long been established at a point in Germany where three rivers unite.

Prior to the breaking out of civil strife, in 1861, D. M. Dreisbach helped with farm work and, as opportunity offered, attended the dis- trict schools in Seneca County. When the call came for troops he enlisted in Co. B, 195th

the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge on December 22, 1865. He was a brave and faithful soldier at all times but was one of the fortunate ones who returned to their peaceful homes without having been seriously injured by the dangers which they had daily faced. He is a member and for three years was commander of Engler Post No. 109, G. A. R., at Benton Ridge, O. Mr. Dreisbach resumed farming and continued until he re- tired to Benton Ridge, March 1, 1908. Of his farm in Blanchard Township, he has all but four acres under the plow and all of it is well drained. He cleared about one-third of the land after locating on it, and through careful cultivation developed its fertility.

Mr. Dreisbach was married October 15, 1867, to Miss Caroline Wagner, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Brant) Wagner, and seven children were born to them, namely: Lillie W., who lives at home; Silas W., who married Iowa Green, of Hancock County, lives in Blanchard Township; Helena W., who married L. B. Ray, of Benton Ridge; William H., who married Eva Hickman, of Blanchard Township; Aaron W., who is unmarried; David W., who married Edna George; and Arthur W., who married Zella Watkins, re- sides in Blanchard Township.

Mr. Dreisbach has been a lifelong Republi- can, casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. He has creditably filled a num- ber of township offices. Formerly he was identified with the local lodge of Odd Fellows and belongs to Mt. Blanchard Lodge No. 519, F. & A. M.

JOSEPH P. BAKER, M. D., of Findlay, who takes high rank among the medical men

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of Hancock County, was born at Fostoria, Seneca County, O., June 9, 1864. His parents were Joshua C. and Clarissa A. (Moorhead) Baker, the former of whom, a native of Co- lumbiana County, this state, followed the com- bined occupations of farming and teaching. They were married in 1863 and their family in due time numbered six children. When their son Joseph was an infant they removed to Hancock County, where they have since re- sided.

In his boyhood days Joseph P. Baker at- tended school at Portage, and later at Findlay, continuing his studies until he had reached his sixteenth year. From receiving instruction he then took to imparting it, becoming a teacher in the schools of Wood County, O., in which occupation he was engaged for seven consecutive years. He then began the study of medicine, under the guidance of Dr. Anson Hurd of Findlay, an old and well known phy- sician. He subsequently continued his pro- fessional studies at Starling Medical College, at Columbus, O., which he entered in 1888 and from which he was graduated in the class of 1890, his marked ability as a student and his personal popularity having won for him the honor of being made president of the class. On leaving college he began the practice of his profession at Findlay and thus continued for several years. To increase his store of medi- cal knowledge he attended in 1894, the New York Polyclinic, and three years later took a post-graduate course in New York, being de- termined to keep himself abreast with the progress of his profession. His conscientious efforts in this direction have borne their natural fruit in a large and increasing practice and a high professional reputation. Joining the Northwestern Medical Association soon after

his location in this city, he served as its secre- tary from 1895 to 1902, in which latter year the honor was conferred on him of being elected president of this association-an honor that sufficiently indicates the regard in which he was held by his medical brethren, and which was the more remarkable because of his youth. From 1890 until 1893 he served on the Pen- sion Board of Hancock County. He is the leading examination surgeon at Findlay for several of the more prominent life and accident insurance companies, and holds the chair of ob- stetrics and diseases of children, in the Findlay City Hospital. Besides his meinbership in the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, as already mentioned, he belongs to the Hancock County Medical Society, the American Medi- cal Association and the Order of Railway Sur- geons.

As an evidence that he was still held in af- fectionate remembrance by his class-mates, he was elected, in 1901, president of the Alumni Association of his college, being also appointed one of the censors. Dr. Baker is a Free Mason of high standing, in 1891 being made a Master Mason in Findlay Lodge, No. 227, and being also a member of Findlay Chapter, No. 58, Council, No. 59, and Findlay Commandery, No. 49. He was also made a Scottish Rite Mason in 1898, at Cleveland, O., and is a member of Zenobia Temple at Toledo. His other frater- nal connections are with Findlay Lodge, No. 85, Knights of Pythias; Findlay Lodge, No. 75, of the Elks, and Hancock Lodge, No. 73, I. O. O. F.

Dr. Baker was united in marriage May 25, 1892, to Miss Harriet Schwartz, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schwartz, and they have a pleasant home at No. 228 W. Lincoln Street, Findlay. In politics, Dr. Baker is a

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Republican, although his political activity has been confined hitherto to casting his vote.

CHARLES PHILIP ROTH, a much es- teemed farmer and enterprising citizen of Hancock County, O., resides on a fine farm of ninety-three acres located in Section 21, Ma- rion Township, and was born December II, 1876, in Marion Township, this county, a son of George and Eva (Rouch) Roth.

George Roth was born in Darmstadt, Ger- many, and in 1844, with his brother Adam, came to America. They immediately went to California in search of gold, Adam working in the gold fields, and George operating a clothing store and tailoring establishment. They subse- quently returned to Germany, and some time later came to America again in com- pany with a number of other young people, among them being Eva Rouch, whom the father of our subject shortly afterward married. They came to Han- cock County, O., and located at Findlay, where they owned two pieces of property, upon which site the Republican building is now located. This was later disposed of and a farm of sixty acres in Marion Township purchased, and in the course of a few years Mr. Roth returned to Findlay, where he resided two years. He then purchased the Lewis Thomas farm in Marion Township, and there engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred January 13, 1897, at the age of sixty-seven years. He is survived by his widow, who is now seventy-two years of age, and makes her home with our subject. Five children were born to George and Eva Roth, namely : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Harvey Johnson; Mary, who married William Busch; Maggie, who is the wife of Henry Springston;

William, who died aged nine years; and Charles Philip, the subject of this record.

Charles Philip Roth grew to manhood on his father's farm in Marion Township and as soon as old enough began assisting with the work at home. He purchased his present farm of ninety-three acres from the Tussing heirs, and carries on farming in a general way. On October 4, 1900, he was joined in mar- riage with Mary Smith, who is a daughter of Michael and Barbara Smith, both living in Eagle Township. Mr. and Mrs. Roth have three children: Harriet, Edna, and George. The religious connection of the family is with the English Lutheran Church of Findlay. Mr. Roth is a Democrat.

WILLIAM BENSINGER, one of the rep- resentative and substantial citizens of Mc- Comb, a retired farmer and an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born in Wayne County, O., January 14, 1840, and is a son of Reuben and Hannah (Feazel) Bensinger.

Reuben Bensinger was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., in 1818, and died in Ohio in 1884, aged sixty-five years. He came to Medina County with his parents, John and Mary (Als- paugh) Bensinger, the former of whom died in Wayne and the latter in Medina County. The grandfather of William Bensinger was a shoemaker but the father was a farmer and when the latter bought the farm on which he died, all but eight acres was covered with tim- ber. Reuben Bensinger was married to Han- nah Feazel, in Wayne County, where she was born, in 1839. She was a daughter of Pleas- ant and Mary Feazel. Her death occurred in 1902, at the age of eighty-four years. In 1841, Reuben Bensinger, wife and son, moved to Medina County and in 1858, to Hancock

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 39

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

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