Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 48

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 48

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SAMUEL H. BOLTON

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ERNEST W. HOPPER, a leading business man of McComb, proprietor of a general mer- cantile establishment, was born in Wood County, O., between Bowling Green and Pem- berville, December 26, 1871, and is a son of William and Matilda (Gorrell) Hopper.

William Hopper was reared in Wood County, where he became a farmer. His death occurred in 1879, when aged forty-four years. He married Matilda Gorrell, who now resides in Bowling Green. They had five children born to them, as follows: George, who is de- ceased; Frank, who is in the clothing business at Bowling Green; Ernest W .; William A .; who is in business at Bowling Green; and Nel- lie, who is the wife of J. F. Crippen, who is with the street railway company of Cleveland.

Ernest W. Hopper was but eight years old when he lost the protecting care of his father. He attended school at Bowling Green until he was about fourteen years of age and then be- came a clerk in a grocery store and thus gained the experience that encouraged him to embark in the grocery business for himself and for three years he conducted a grocery at McComb. In 1894 he disposed of his grocery stock, going then to Toledo, where he completed a business course. On returning to McComb in 1895 he purchased a half interest in the dry goods firm of Ewing & Hull, Mr. Hull retiring. The new firm, known as Ewing & Hopper, continued in business until 1902 when Mr. Hopper, through close application to business, was able to pur- chase the entire stock which now consists of general merchandise, a fine stock of dry goods, carpets and furnishings, and through good judgment and honorable methods he has de- veloped a large business which has still better prospects for the future. For twenty years he has been identified with the best interests of

McComb and his standing both as a business man and citizen is exceedingly high.

In 1892, Mr. Hopper was married tor Mies Blanche McDonald, a daughter of Robert and Susan McDonald, the latter of whom is de- ceased. Mrs. Hopper was reared and educated at McComb. They have two children: Lulu and Richard, aged respectively sixteen and ten years. In politics Mr. Hopper is a Republican, but has accepted no political position except membership on the school board. He is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias and the Mac- cabees.

SAMUEL H. BOLTON, postmaster at Mc- Comb, O., of which place he has been a resi- dent for the past twenty-five years, is an hon- ored member of John Howard Post, No. 154, Grand Army of the Republic, having bravely won a right to this comradeship through years of valorous service as a soldier in the Civil War. Mr. Bolton was born in Stark County, O., January 10, 1845, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Houk) Bolton.

Both parents of Mr. Bolton were born in Dauphin County, Pa., where they were mar- ried and then came to Stark County, O. There John Bolton worked at the carpenter trade un- til 1846, when he decided to turn his attention to farming, having had some previous experi- ence in Stark County, and after coming to Hancock County he invested in 145 acres of land on the Blanchard River. Later he moved from there to five miles west of Benton Ridge, on the county line of Putnam County, and there his first wife died when about seventy years of age. The father then moved to Find- lay where his death occurred when in his seventy-eighth year, and both he and first wife were buried in the Clymer Cemetery. Eight

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children were born to John and Elizabeth Bol- ton, as follows: Reuben, who was a minister of the Church of God, died at Findlay, in the midst of usefulness; Cyrus S., who is a retired minister of the Disciples church, at Davenport, Neb .; John Henry, who is a farmer, residing near New London, Ia .; Amanda, who is the wife of Levi Hummon, of Leipsic; Michael, who died at the age of twelve years; Samuel H .; Benjamin F., who is a retired minister of the Disciples church; and one that died in in- fancy. Three of the above family served in the War of the Rebellion-Cyrus being a mem- ber of Co. F, 21st O. Vol. Inf .; John H. serv- ing under Col. William Gibson, in the 49th O. Vol. Inf .; and Samuel H., being a member of Co. D, 99th O. Vol. Inf., all surviving the many hazards of war and living useful lives after their patriotic services were over.

Samuel H. Bolton attended the district schools in his boyhood and then went to work on the home farm which he left in order to take up arms for his country. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and the first great battle in which he partici- pated was that of Stone River. He was en- gaged also at Chattanooga and Lookout Moun- tain and was with his command under General Thomas on the march to Atlanta. He was then connected with the Signal Corps at Gen- eral Sherman's headquarters after the memo- rable march to the sea, and from there marched to Goldsboro and then to Raleigh, N. C., and was in that city at the time of General John- son's surrender. He remained in the army un- til the close of the war and took part in the triumphant review at Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged at Gen. Sherman's headquarters at St. Louis, Mo., July 11, 1865.

Mr. Bolton then returned to Hancock Coun-

ty and for twenty years followed farming suc- cessfully on the old homestead and then re- moved to McComb. Ever since he has been more or less interested in building cement tanks, taking contracts for the same all over the country. He has been a lifelong Republi- can and on May 7, 1906, he was appointed postmaster at McComb. This is ranked as a third class office and Mr. Bolton has proved a very popular public official.

In 1866, Mr. Bolton was married to Miss Lucretia Moffitt, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Moffitt, of Union Township, Han- cock County, O., and nine children have been born to them: Mary Elizabeth, Cora O., Ella, William M., John A., Elmer, Elva, Blaine and Nellie Grace. Mary Elizabeth married Wilson Boyer, a very successful farmer of Blanchard Township, and they have four children : Gayle, Carroll, Catherine and Robert. Cora O. and Ella are both popular teachers, the former in the public schools of Cleveland and the latter at Lima. William M. Bolton is principal of one of the public schools of Cleveland. He was educated at Ada, O. He married Miss Pearl Conine, at that time a teacher at McComb, and they have two children, Dorothy and William. John A. Bolton was educated at Ada, O., and Ann Arbor, Mich., and subsequently was grad- uated in the class of 1910, at the Western Re- serve Medical College and is serving as an in- terne in a hospital in Cleveland. Elmer, who is a member of the present senior class of the medical department of the Western Reserve, attended the Ohio Normal University and other excellent schools. Elva, who was also educated at Ada, O., is a teacher in the Cleve- land public schools. Blaine, who is a graduate of the Findlay High School, is assistant post- master at McComb. The youngest of the fam-

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ily, Nellie Grace, died in infancy. William M. Life Company of New York. A natural musi- Bolton of the above family served as a mem- ber of the First O. Vol. Cav., in the Spanish- American War, enlisting at Cleveland. For many years, Samuel H. Bolton has been identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity. He is a mem- ber of the Church of God. This is one of the prominent and representative families of Han- cock County.

CARL KOBE, a representative business man of Findlay, O., a dealer in pianos and mu- sical instruments, with fine quarters in the Niles Block, has been a resident of this city since 1872, coming from Saxony, Germany, where he was born on October 9, 1853. His parents were Hinrich and Johanna (Hornung) Kobe.

Hinrich Kobe never came to America. He was a contractor in mine excavation for many years and was the only man in that section at that time, who had the courage and enterprise to use dynamite for blasting. Later he was given a position as mail carrier. After his death his widow began to listen to the urgings of her son, Carl Kobe, to join him in America and finally consented to cross the Atlantic Ocean, but died in 1900, four weeks after reaching Findlay.

Carl Kobe left his native land when he was over eighteen years of age and came directly to Findlay, where his uncle, Fred Hornung, was already located. He had learned the brick and stone mason trade in Germany and easily found employment at the same and continued until other business opportunities opened up more to his liking, but for a long time he was a well known and successful contractor here. He was interested in the line of life insurance for a time and still handles risks for the Home

cian he soon became identified with musical organizations at Findlay and for eighteen years or more played brass and string instruments in the orchestra at the Findlay Opera House. In 1906, in partnership with his son, Karl P. Kobe, he embarked in the piano business, the latter being a practical piano tuner and maker, having learned the trade in a piano factory at Van Wert. Mr. Kobe is interested in other industries. In 1887 he started the first steam laundry at Findlay, which was located where the McManus mills now stand. He has in- vested carefully in property at Findlay and is one of the substantial citizens of the place. In his political sentiments he is a Republican and his value as a political factor has been recog- nized by his party and many times they have made him a member of both the central and executive county committees.

Mr. Kobe married Miss Minna Fillwock, a native also of Germany, and they have three children: Karl P., Emma and Ida. With his family he belongs to the German Lutheran church, of which he is treasurer and in which he is the leader of the choir. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

SAMUEL STOUFFER, a prominent farmer of Hancock County, .O., who, with his wife, owns 265 acres of valuable land, lying in Washington and Portage Townships, was born on his father's farm in Fayette County, Pa., March 9, 1846, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Dobler ) Stouffer.

Joseph Stouffer was born in Northampton County, Pa. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and in those days the making of coffins by hand work was a large industry, and charges for the construction of the same, of black walnut, were

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regulated by the number of feet, the price being one dollar a foot. From his native county he moved into Fayette County and married Nancy Dobler, and in 1855 they came to Wash- ington Township, Hancock County. This farm was about one-half cleared at that time and here they lived the remainder of their days. His death occurred in 1891, when aged seven- ty-nine years, and she survived until 1895. They had the following children : Mary J., who is deceased, was the wife of Cyrus Eckles, also deceased; Levi, who died in infancy; Henry D., who is in the hardware business at North Baltimore, O .; Samuel; Sarah, who is the wife of James Slosser, of Washington Township; Susann, who is the wife of John S. Stoner, of Westmoreland County, Pa .; Josiah, who is en- gaged in the shoe business at Bloomdale, O .; Catherine, who lives in Washington Town- ship; Jacob W., who is a resident of Findlay; and Magdalena, who died young.

Samuel Stouffer remembers the journey to Hancock County when the trip was made over an early railroad into Findlay, when the old- fashioned iron rails were spiked to a 4x4 plank, the best method that had yet been evolved. He grew to manhood in Washington Township, spending his early years in clearing up the farm and in helping as he grew older, to im- prove and cultivate it. He had little chance to attend school except during the few winter months when farm work had to be suspended. In early manhood he went to Fostoria with the intention of learning the harnessmaking trade, but subsequently decided to return to the country and has followed agricultural pursuits ever since. After he married he settled on the present farm which is part of the old John H. Stoner estate. He bought additional land at a later date and has done considerable building

and improving here. He carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Stouffer has additional interests and is a stockholder in the Union National Bank at Fostoria.

On March 26, 1868, Mr. Stouffer was mar- ried to Miss Sarah J. Stoner, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Overholt) Stoner, who had come to this section as pioneers from Westmoreland County, Pa. They were well known people. Mr. Stoner died January 8, 1867, aged forty-eight years. His widow sur- vived until March 3, 1898, reaching her seven- ty-seventh year. They had four children, namely: Abraham O., of Washington Town- ship; Sarah J., the wife of Mr. Stouffer; Anna E., wife of A. Purkey, of Bloomdale, O .; and Mancinus, who died June 6, 1895, aged thirty- seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Stouffer two children were born: Cora M., who is the wife of Charles Bricker, of Washington Township; and Anna M, who is the wife of T. J. Ma- necke, who operates one of his father's farms. They have two children: Florence E. and Lela Leona. Mr Stouffer and family are members of the United Brethren church, of which he has been a trustee for the past forty years. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and he has served two. terms as township trustee.

ALBERT BURSON LYON, who is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising on a farm of 105 acres, located in Section 2, Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is one of the representative citizens and substantial farmers of the community in which he lives. He was born April 8, 1869, on a farm just east of his present one, and is a son of Lewis S. and Sarah (Weisel) Lyon, the latter of whom died in 1899. The father of our subject was born in Harrison County, O., and at the age of thir-

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teen years came to Allen Township, where he was reared, and subsequently engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until 1903, when he removed to North Baltimore. He became a man of af- fluence, owning 340 acres in Allen Township, the greater part of which contains oil in large quantities.

Albert Burson Lyon, who is familiarly known in Hancock and Wood Counties as Burt Lyon, spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Allen Township, and has made farm- ing his life occupation. The first five years of his married life were spent on his father's farm, and in the fall of 1897 removed to his present property, which he purchased from Lloyd Wei- sel, and which was formerly known as the Frederick Henniger farm. Mr. Lyon has made extensive improvements on the place, re- modeling the house, thoroughly tiling the land, and in various other ways has made changes. He carries on farming in a general way, raises considerable stock, having on hand fifteen head of cattle, eight head of horses and eighty head of hogs, making a specialty of Chester Whites.

On December 24, 1892, Mr. Lyon was united in marriage with Alice Havard, a daughter of Evan Havard of Sandusky County, O., and of their union have been born three children: Elva Anna, Ada, and Mabel Margaret.

Mr. Lyon is politically a Democrat, has served one term as trustee of his township, and in June, 1910, served as a delegate to the Dem- ocratic County Convention at Findlay. He is a member and a trustee of the United Breth- ren church, of North Baltimore, O.

WILLIAM J. HENNINGS, a prominent citizen of Portage Township, Hancock

County, O., who is serving as a member of the township board of trustees, resides on his well cultivated farm of 160 and one-half acres, which lies in Section 7 and was for- merly known as the old Wall farm. He was born in Portage Township, March 15, 1861, and is a son of William and Kathern (Pers- key) Hennings.

Both parents of Mr. Hennings were born in Germany and they came to America on the same vessel and shortly after landing were married in New York. William Hen- nings was a shoemaker by trade and he worked at the same in Hancock County until the last year of the Civil War, when he en- listed in the Union army and served for nine months. He acquired a farm in Port- age Township and resided there during the rest of his active life and then retired to McComb, where his death occurred. His wife had died previously in Portage Town- ship.

William J. Hennings was reared in Port- age Township and has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. After he married he operated his father's farm for two years and then bought a farm of forty acres in Milton Township, Wood County, on which he re- mained for one year and then sold and pur- chased ninety acres in Liberty Township, Wood County, and continued on that place for eight years, having previously rented land there for about six years. When he sold his ninety-acre farm in Liberty Town- ship, in 1907, he purchased his present farm in Portage Township, Hancock County and devotes it to general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Hennings married Miss Orpha Smith, a daughter of David Smith. She was born

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in Crawford County, O., but came to Han- cock County as a girl. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hennings: Roxie, Arthur, Charles, Minerva, Raymond and Lettie. The beloved mother of this family died in October, 1907. Mr. Hennings is a member of the North Baltimore English Lutheran church. In politcs he is a Demo- crat and on the Democratic ticket he was elected township trustee in the fall of 1909 and assumed the duties of office on Jan- uary 1, 1910.

M. M. CARROTHERS, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery for thirty-eight years, has spent twenty-two years of this period at Findlay, O., where he is also identified with those things which interest an enlightened man and good citizen. Dr. Carrothers was born on a farm in Crawford County, O., February 8, 1845, and is a son of John and Eliza- beth (Laird) Carrothers, both of whom are deceased.

Reared on the home farm and educated in the country schools, Dr. Carrothers reached manhood and then taught school before be- ginning his medical studies, three terms in Crawford County and two terms in Richland County. His medical reading was done in the office of Dr. A. E. Jenner, of Crestline, O., and in February, 1872, he was graduated from the medical department of Wooster University, and in 1882 he was graduated from Adelbert College, connected with the Western Reserve University at Cleveland. He entered into practice at Sulphur Springs, Crawford County, O., and from there came to Findlay. Aside from his pro- fessional interests, Dr. Carrothers has led

a busy life in other directions. As early as his age permitted he became a soldier, fol- lowing three older brothers into the army during the Civil War, and for four months was a member of Co. F, 163rd O. Vol. Inf. In 1904 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the Ohio State Legislature and completed one term ; has served many years as a member of the Findlay Board of Health and for eight years has been a member of the city council and is now in his third term as president of this body. He is a broad- minded, liberal man, one who, with judg- ment and discretion, champions movements designed to promote the general welfare.

Dr. Carrothers was married to Miss Mary Wert, who was born in Crawford County, O., a daughter of David Wert, and they have four children: May, who is the wife of Dr. W. B. Keator, of Findlay, O .; Eva E., who is the wife of Rev. A. E. Renn, who is pastor of a Lutheran church at Atchison, Kans .; and John R. and Alta B., both of Findlay. The family is connected with the Trinity Lutheran church, in which Dr. Car- rothers is an elder.

HON. CHARLES I. MOORE, mayor of Rawson, O., one of the town's most enter- prising and substantial citizens, was born near Rawson, in Union Township, Han- cock County, April 6, 1873. His parents were George and Mary A. (Fox) Moore.

George Moore was born on the county line of Franklin County, O., December 31, 1828, and was a son of Edward Moore, one of the old residents of Franklin County. When twenty years of age, George Moore came to Hancock County and settled on the farm in Union Township on which he lived

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until he moved to Rawson in 1890, living at the latter place until his death, which oc- curred March 31, 1909. His widow, a native of Hancock County, still survives and re- sides with her son, Mayor Moore.

Charles I. Moore was reared in his native county and was educated in the schools of Union Township and Rawson. He has been a resident of this town for the past two years and has been a considerable factor in its development. His business interests here are important, including the ownership of property and the operating of a gents' fur- nishing goods establishment and a large and finely stocked grocery store. He has been active in Democratic politics and in the fall of 1909 was elected president of the city council, and on April 1, 1910, assumed the duties as mayor of Rawson.

Mr. Moore was married first, December 28, 1898, to Miss Christina Harpst, who died July 1, 1907. She was a daughter of Jacob and Amanda Harpst, farming people of Union Township. Three children survive her: George R., Price H. and Lloyd E. Mr. Moore was married second on May 12, 1910, to Miss Vera Easterly, a daughter of · William A. and Jennie Easterly, of Gibson- burg, Sandusky County, O. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Christian church at Gibson- burg, O. He is identified fraternally with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, having united with the former body in 1907 and belonging to the latter organization for the past sixteen years.

E. L. DILLER, who has been postmaster at Jenera, O., since May, 1909, owns a one- third interest in the Diller & Pifer general store in that village, and was born June II,

1878, at Bluffton, O., and is a son of John G. and Elizabeth (Shumaker) Diller.

John G. Diller was a native of Putnam County, O., and for many years followed farming in that county, residing north of Bluffton. He died at Pomona, Calif., in 1908, at the age of sixty-seven years. His marriage with Elizabeth Shumaker, who died in 1881, resulted in the birth of eight children, all of whom are living. Politically he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were both members of the Mennonite church.

E. L. Diller was reared at Bluffton, O., and after completing a course of study at the public and high schools of that city, spent one year at the Ohio State Normal at Ada, and Columbus Grove, and two years at Dalton, O., and in 1905 came to Jenera, where he embarked in his present business. He served first as assistant postmaster under his brother, William Diller, who was at that time also interested in the Diller & Pifer general store at Jenera, and since May, 1909, has been postmaster at this place.

In November, 1905, Mr. Diller was joined in marriage with Bessie Thornton, who is a daughter of James Thornton of Columbus Grove, and they have two children : Dolores and Harry Lemont Diller. Mr. Diller is a member of the Methodist Protestant church at Jenera.

FRANK S. ROBINSON, one of the promi- nent men of Hancock County, O., and one of the most successful and progressive farmers, Owns 320 acres of valuable land, eighty acres in Pleasant Township, being his home farm, eighty more being situated in Blanchard Town- ship, while 160 acres lie in Putnam County.

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Mr. Robinson was born in Richland County, O., April 25, 1865, and is a son of William and Mary (Kahl) Robinson.

William Robinson was born in Richland County and died there. His parents were of English birth and were pioneers in that county. They had two sons, William and James S., the latter of whom became one of Hardin County's leading men. He learned the printer's trade and then entered journalism. He estab- lished the Kenton Republican and continued its editor for a number of years. In 1880 he was elected to the office of Secretary of State, in Ohio, and served two terms and for two terms was a member of Congress. He became a man of wealth as well as public importance and en- tertained lavishly at his hospitable home, his residence taking up a whole block at Kenton. He married Hester Carlin, of Findlay, for his second wife, and a son and daughter survive them.

Frank S. Robinson is one of a family of ten children, in which there were five sons and five daughters, he being the sixth in order of birth. Clara, the eldest, is the wife of I. Q. Haver- field, of Mansfield, O. Florence never mar- ried. Charles W. is a farmer in Richland County and married Belle Pittinger. James C. is a farmer in Putnam County and married Flora McClish. Jennie, who is deceased, was the wife of Morris Shively, of Richland County, and is survived by two children: Tola and Harry. Kate is the wife of Paul Roeth- lisberger, of Mansfield. Etta is the wife of Walter Y. McGuire, of Ashland County. George resides on the old farm in Richland County. He married Eliza Myers. Walter, the youngest, married Irene Pittinger. He is a farmer in Richland County.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 48

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

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