Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Google

JOHN D. THOMAS

Digitized by

Google

487

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

known contractor. The mother is still living. of Wales. When they came to Morrow County

William C. Nusser was reared at Findlay and attended the public schools. He then went to work in the gas works in his native city and remained an employe for four years, coming then to the water works department, by which he was engaged as a lineman. He continued in that position until he was appointed superin- tendent in 1901. The old office was in the Jones Block, near the First National Bank but as soon as the new city building was completed, which was in 1903, the water works offices were installed there. Mr. Nusser has had ad- ditional public duties, having been street com- missioner since February 1, 1908, to April I, 1910. In whatever position he is found there will be seen an efficient man, one whose value to his native city has been thoroughly tested and proved.

Mr. Nusser was married to Miss Charlotte J. Jacobs, of Findlay, who is deceased. His second marriage was to Miss Bessie E. Rob- erts, a daughter of David J. Roberts, of Find- lay. Mr. Nusser has five children: Roy C., a bookbinder, who married Gertrude Bucking- ham, and resides at Marion, Ohio; and Alfred G., Earl, Wilbur and Miles. Mr. Nusser is a member of the order of Ben Hur, of the Odd Fellows, Encampment branch of the Masons, and of the B. P. O. E.

JOHN D. THOMAS, funeral director, who is engaged in business at McComb, O., was born in Indiana, May 24, 1855, and is a son of Benjamin and Marilla (Westbrook) Thomas.

Benjamin Thomas and his wife were both born in Morrow County, O., where the Thomas family was established by the grandparents of John D. Thomas, many years ago. They were John D. and Lena Thomas and were natives

the land was yet so much of a wilderness that they could only safely make their way through the forests by blazing the trees as they pushed through. Benjamin Thomas as- sisted his father in clearing the farm. He re- sides with his son, John D. Thomas, being now aged eighty-five years. His wife died over fifty years ago. Four sons were born to them: Wilbur, who is a farmer in Morrow County; Martin, who was a resident of Detroit, Mich., for a number of years; Elmer, who lives in Morrow County; and John D., of McComb.

John D. Thomas was born while his parents were making a short sojourn in Indiana, but he was reared and educated in Morrow County. In August, 1878, Mr. Thomas was mar- ried to Miss Alice Needles, who died in No- vember, 1900. Her father was Levi Needles, of Morrow County. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had two daughters: Cora and Elise, both of whom reside with their father.

Mr. Thomas came to McComb from Fred- ericktown, in April, 1908. He took his exam- ination as an embalmer at Zanesville, O., and 'received his license in 1902. He has a finely equipped establishment and has so gained the confidence of the public that calls come for his services from all this section. Mr. Thomas is identified with a number of fraternal bodies, including the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Mac- cabees. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Re- publican.

J. N. LANNING, an enterprising farmer of Hancock County, residing on a farm of forty- eight acres located in Section 22, Marion Township, has been a life-long resident of this

Digitized by

Google"

488

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

county and was born October 24, 1844, a son of Gershom and Sarah (Swab) Lanning.

This branch of the Lanning family was es- tablished in Hancock County, O., at an early period by Isaac Lanning, who came from New Jersey and settled on a small farm in Eagle Township. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed, while his sons operated the farm. He was the father of five children, all of whom are deceased, namely: David, Ger- shom, Hiram, James and Margaret. Gershom Lanning was born in Fairfield County, O., in 1813, and during early manhood came to Han- cock County with his parents and here followed his trade as a blacksmith and worked out by the day. He served in the Civil War, enlisting in Co. G., 57th O. Vol. Inf., and died in 1863, while in service. He was four times married, his first wife and mother of our subject, was Sarah Swab, who died in 1849 aged thirty-two years. Of their union were born four chil- dren: James W., who served in the 57th Ohio Vol. Inf., and died in the army; John Nelson, our subject; Sarah S., who is the widow of Andrew Shafer; and William. His second union was with Mary Bercaugh, by whom he had one son, William T. His third union was with Mrs. Mary Fellers, which resulted in the birth of one son, Jacob H. He later married a Mrs. Harris.

John Nelson Lanning at an early age started out in life for himself. At the age of eleven years he went to live with John Croft of Eagle Township and made his home there until twenty-two years of age. He attended the dis- trict schools of the township, the Findlay High School, and later took a course at the Ohio State Normal at Ada. He then engaged in farming during the summer months and taught school in Hancock County for twelve winters.

In 1882, two years after his marriage, he aban- doned teaching and purchased his present farm from U. H. Grable, and has since devoted his entire time to general farming.

On April 11, 1880, Mr. Lanning was joined in marriage with Julia A. Smith, a daughter of Isaac and Mary B. Smith, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Lanning is a man of public spirit and always takes an active interest in af- fairs pertaining to the welfare of the commu- nity in which he lives. He is a Democrat.

HON. S. E. LOWE, mayor of Mt. Blanch- ard, O., and the owner of a valuable farm of 160 acres in Jackson Township, Hancock County, O., was born and reared in Jackson Township, his birth taking place on October 18, 1851. His parents were William and Sarah (Hendrick) Lowe.

William Lowe was born in York County, Pa., and from there came to Hancock County and settled on a farm in Jackson Township in 1840. He was a man of local importance for a number of years, being enterprising and use- ful in his neighborhood. He followed farming.

S. E. Lowe was reared on the home farm and obtained a country school training in boy- hood, after which he followed agricultural pur- suits until 1900, when he moved to Mt. Blanch- ard. He has been an active and interested citizen and served two years on the town coun- cil before he was first elected mayor, in 1907. His administration of this office received pub- lic endorsement by his reelection. In politics he is a Democrat but in the governing of the city, Mayor Lowe has shown favor only to those office-holders who have demonstrated their efficiency in public matters, irrespective of party.

Mr. Lowe was married the first time to Miss

Digitized by Google

489

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Susan Foster, who was born and reared in which was organized in Harrisburg, Pa. Com- Jackson Township, and died at Mt. Blanchard pany C was organized by J. J. Wirsing and William Logan and was named the Foster Guards, after Hon. H. D. Foster. Among the battles referred to in which Mr. Geisey partic- ipated were the following: Fredericksburg, Winchester, Fort Royal, Fort Republic, Sec- ond Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Pe- tersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom and Poplar Spring Church. The 84th was consoli- dated with the 57th Pa. Vols., both regiments being nearly annihilated before the close of the struggle. in 1904, at the age of fifty-two years. Three children were born to that marriage, namely: Wesley M., who died at the age of five months; Lelia L., who died aged five months and twen- ty-six days; and Grover, who died aged two months. Mr. Lowe was married the second time to Miss Alice Sockrider and they have one daughter, Frances N. Mayor and Mrs. Lowe are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with Lodge No. 481, Knights of Pythias, and with Lodge No. 344 .Odd Fellows, both at Mt. Blanchard, and is chaplain of the latter organization.

ULYSSES GRANT GEISEY, a well known hardware merchant and highly esteemed citizen of Van Buren, has been constable of Al- len Township for about twelve years and a resident of Hancock County since 1893. He was born April 4, 1869, in Westmoreland County, Pa., and is a son of John and Lydia (Garvin) Geisey, the former of whom was a bridge builder by trade and a veteran of the Civil War. John Geisey died December 21, 1907, at the age of seventy-two years, the cause of death being heart failure. His wife died August 4, 1907, of paralysis. They were mar- ried in 1858 and had twelve children, namely: "Bub," who is deceased; George Hamilton, Mrs. Ellen Lewis, Mrs. Harriet M. Wilson, Ulysses Grant, Harry, Luther H., Mrs. Molly M. Knox, Mrs. Martha J. Glasser, Mrs. Nellie V. Drum, Emma V. and A. Katherine. John Geisey had an enviable war record. He par- ticipated in thirty-two battles but was never wounded and never in the hospital, though his period of service covered three and a half years. He was a member of Co. C, 84th Pa. Vol. Inf.,

Ulysses Grant Geisey spent his early boy- hood days in Westmoreland County, Pa., and at the age of fourteen began learning the har- ness making trade at Greensburg, Pa., in which line of business he has been since engaged. In 1893 he came to Van Buren, O., and opened a harness shop, and since 1901 he has also dealt extensively in hardware, farming implements, drain tiles, etc., and commands a very large patronage throughout this section of the county.

Mr. Geisey was united in marriage with Nancy Lyon, a daughter of Lewis S. Lyon, and they have been the parents of four children -Lydia, Lewis, Marjory and John. In poli- tics Mr. Geisey is a Democrat. He is affiliated fraternally with the Sons of Veterans at New Florence, Pa., also with the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America at Van Buren.

CHARLES RIECK, interior decorator and contract painter, who is located at No. 522 South Main Street, Findlay, O., also deals in painters' supplies, wall paper, pic- ture frames, etc., and is one of the foremost

Digitized by Google

490

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

business men of the city. He was born November 7, 1864, in Germany, and is a son of Carl and Elesie Rieck, the latter of whom died in Germany, her native country. The father died in America, where he lo- cated some years after our subject came to this country.

Charles Rieck was reared and educated in his native country, where he learned painting and decorating. He came to America in 1881 and located at Chicago, Ill., where he worked at his trade until 1889, then came to Findlay, O., where he established his present business. Mr. Rieck began on a small scale, but now employs from three to twelve men all the year, and carries on an extensive and profitable busi- ness, and is one of the substantial men of Findlay. He is a member of the board of directors of the Majestic Theatre of Find- lay. He belongs to the fraternal orders of I. O. O. F. and the B. P. O. E.

Mr. Rieck was united in marriage with Flora M. Watt, a daughter of John Watt, of Findlay, and to them have been born three children : Edna, Anna, and Carl.

HENRY L. LYON, township trustee of Portage Township, Hancock County, O., and also a member of the school board, is one of the representative farmers of this section, operating from 100 to 125 acres of land in this township. He was born on a farm in Allen Township, Hancock County, November 28, 1869, and is a son of E. S. Lyon, an old resident of Allen Township.

Henry L. Lyon was reared in his native township and was afforded excellent school advantages and completed his High School course at Van Buren. Farming and stock

raising have been the industries to which he has devoted himself. He owns the tract of twenty-three acres on which he lives, which lies in Section 3, near the Ten Mile church, and he also has a farm of 115 acres in Okla- homa.

Mr. Lyon was married to Miss Isabel Perry, a daughter of Frederick Perry. She was born in Pennsylvania and came to Han- cock County when thirteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have two children : Raymond and Grace. Mr. Lyon and fam- ily attend the Ten Mile church and he is as- sistant superintendent of the Union Sunday school connected with it. In politics he is a Democrat and in the fall of 1909 he was elected township trustee and is serving in his third term on the school board, on ac- count of his deep interest in educational matters, willingly accepting the duties and responsibilities of this position. He is iden- tified with the order of Maccabees at North Baltimore, O.

DEWITT C. WESTFALL, D. O., with offices in the Niles Building, Findlay, O., has been established in practice in this city since 1901, coming directly from the Amer- ican School of Osteopathy following his graduation. Dr. Westfall was born at Grayville, Ill., March 19, 1868, and is a son of Milton and Elizabeth Westfall.

While he was young. Dr. Westfall lived on his father's farm, but the latter moved to Grayville and there conducted a shoe store, later moving to Browns, Ill., where he operated the Westfall Hotel fifteen years and the son assisted in the capacity of clerk. Later, the latter taught school and then, with his two brothers, operated

Digitized by Google

491

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

the Southern Illinois cannery, at Browns, grew up where settlements were nearer to- Edwards County, Ill., for two years. After selling the cannery, he became a student in Westfield College, at Westfield, Clark County, Ill., after which he entered the ministry of the United Brethren in Christ church, and served as pastor for two years at Seaton, Ill., and the three following years at Alexis, Ill. Loss of health led him to first become interested in osteopathy and later to his attending college at the fountain head, Kirksville, Mo., his subsequent grad- uation and his successful practice of this method of healing.

Dr. Westfall married Miss Anna E. John- son and they have two children: Eugene R. and Kenneth Milton. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Oste- opathy, the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor and retains membership in his college fraternities, Colomentian and the Iota Tau Sigma. Dr. and Mrs. West- fall are valued members of Findlay's pleas- ant social circles.

MRS. MARY WOLF, widow of the late Levi Wolf and a daughter of William Davis, who was an early settler here, is well known all over Hancock County not only for her womanly qualities but also for her remarkable business capacity. She has re- sided on her present home farm of fifty-nine acres, which is situated in Section 10, Mar- ion Township, since her marriage. She owns a second farm, situated in Sections I and 2, Marion Township, which contains 120 acres.

Mary Davis was reared among almost pioneer surroundings and she had fewer ed- ucational opportunities than had those who

gether. She recalls the days when she at- tended church at Findlay, riding to and from on horseback, the road leading en- tirely through the woods. She was married August 14, 1851, to Levi Wolf, who was born in Fairfield County, O., August 20, 1825. His parents were David and Lydia (Swartz) Wolf, who came to Hancock County and settled near the Davis home- stead. Levi was then a young man and had learned the blacksmith trade and subse- quently ran a shop on the farm on which Mrs. Wolf now lives. He purchased a part of this land but before he had time or op- portunity to get it cleared, he entered the army during the Civil War. He enlisted in February, 1861, in the 57th O. Vol. Inf., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and was incarcerated in Macon, Ga., where he was confined until April 7, 1862. When released he was in such a condition that on his way home he was obliged to go to a hospital and his death followed on July 3, at Cincinnati, from his injuries.

Mrs. Wolf found herself with four chil- dren to rear and educate, these being : Mar- garet Jane, who resides with her mother; Lydia, who is the wife of Dr. J. C. Tritch, of Findlay, and they have two children, Gail and Martha; Fannie, who died at the age of three years; and John, who died when aged thirty-one years. Mrs. Wolf's training in all things practical now stood her in fine stead, enabling her to complete payments on her home farm, acquire more land and make excellent improvements of all kinds. In the course of years she has remodeled the farm house three times and has erected four substantial barns. On her

Digitized by Google

492

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

second farm handsome buildings have been engaged in teaching school and for one erected and eighty acres have been cleared and put under cultivation. On that farm the first oil in Marion Township was dis- covered, the successful operators being her son, John Wolf, David Davis, her brother, and a Mr. Righter. The drilling was being done for gas but oil was struck, the first well being a 250-barrel well. She has real- ized $40,000 from oil and there is still some production going on. Mrs. Wolf has al- ways managed her business herself even when her interests have been numerous. She keeps about seventy-five sheep and enough cows to provide for the selling of a large amount of cream. She has always been a hard worker and her mind has been as strong as her body. Her husband was a leading man in public affairs in his town- ship and was elected township treasurer on the Republican ticket.

JOHN POE, deceased, formerly a mem- ber of the law firm of Poe & Poe, at Find- lay, O., was one of the Nestors of the bar in Hancock County, his practice covering a period of thirty-one years. He was born on a farm in Liberty Township, Hancock County, O., November 22, 1849, and died at Findlay, September 22, 1909.

Robert Poe, father of the late John Poe, accompanied his father, Jacob Poe, from Chillicothe, O., to Hancock County, in childhood, and one of his brothers was the first white child born in the county.

John Poe was reared on his father's farm and first attended the country schools, and was sent from there to Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa., where he graduated with class honors. For some time afterward he

year following his graduation from college he was principal of the Findlay High school and for one year more was superintendent of the schools of Carey, O. He then en- tered upon the study of law with Attorney Aaron Blackford, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1878 and immediately located at Findlay. For many years he commanded a large practice and remained alone until his son, Merle N. Poe, had completed his literary and law education, when he was admitted to partnership. The firm of Poe & Poe continued the legal success which had attended the senior member's practice and a large amount of important litigation in the courts of the county was entrusted to them. John Poe was honored and trusted by hundreds of clients and he was known to his associates and to his fellow citizens in general as an able lawyer, a scholar and a gentleman.

John Poe was married to Miss Sarah C. Trout, who was born on a farm in Allen Township, Hancock County, and is a daugh- ter of George Trout. Three children were born to them: Merle N., Caroline, wife of W. B. Newton; and Janet.

Merle N. Poe was born at Findlay, O., March 30, 1875. He attended the schools in his native city and was graduated from the Findlay High School in 1893, and then entered Princeton University, where he was graduated in 1898. Later he read law under his father's supervision and completed his studies in the New York Law School, and subsequently became a member of the law firm of Poe & Poe. He is affiliated with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen and for some time has taken a

Digitized by Google_

Google

Digitized by

LORENZO FIRMIN, M. D.

Digitized by Google

495

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

large amount of interest in military matters and is captain of Co. A, 2nd Ohio National Guard.

LORENZO FIRMIN, M. D., deceased, for almost forty years was a citizen of Findlay and his name is identified with much that has brought this city into deserved prominence and which contributed to its advance in substantial and material lines, as well as on the higher levels of professional and social effort. Dr. Firmin was born March 31, 1808, at Wilbra- ham, Mass., and was a son of John and Lovina (Green) Firmin, his parents coming of old established New England families.

Dr. Firman remained under his father's roof until he was twenty-two years of age, during that time obtaining educational training in the village schools and under his father a knowl- edge of shoemaking. In 1834 he came to Ohio, and at Richland, in Summit County, embarked in a tanning business with Dr. Rawson. In 1838 he was married to Miss Clara Harriet Rawson, a daughter of his partner, and he then came to Findlay and established himself in the shoemaking business. Shortly afterward, however, he began the study of medicine, under the supervision of Dr. Bass Rawson, completing the course as then required and en- tering into practice. With the exception of one year, during which he followed his profes- sion at Benton Ridge, Dr. Firmin's whole period of professional activity was spent at Findlay, where he continued in active practice until his retirement, in 1877. During three years of this time he was associated with Dr. F. W. Firmin. In the meanwhile he had be- come interested in business enterprises to which he later gave closer attention with cor- responding advantage. Many of them grew

to important proportions, and through them he derived the fortune with which he was so ready and willing, at all times, to help the un- fortunate or to aid public-spirited, philan- thropic and benevolent movements. As one of the organizers of the First Congregational Church at Findlay, he was ever generous in contributing to its support, and he was equally liberal in his contributions to the Y. M. C. A. of this city; on many occasions also Oberlin College benefited through his generosity. Dr. Firmin was widely known and was held in high esteem, for he possessed many endearing personal qualities. In early manhood he was a Democrat but later he identified himself with the Republican party, though from disinter- ested motives, as he invariably declined politi- cal honors. He attained a venerable old age, retaining his faculties to a remarkable degree, passing quietly out of life on October 12, 1901.

Dr. Firmin was twice married. His first wife died in 1891. In 1894 he was united to Miss Mary B. Humphrey, who was born at Findlay, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jarvis and Julia (Barber) Humphrey. Mrs. Firmin was the youngest of her parents' family of six chil- dren and the only one born in Ohio. She was educated at Findlay and for some years prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. She resides in her beautiful home at No. 914 North Main Street, Findlay.

JARVIS HUMPHREY, deceased, was one of Hancock County's well known residents and here he spent the greater part of a long and exemplary life. He was of English an- cestry but of New England parentage. His father, Dudley Humphrey was born at Sims- bury, Conn., and at the same place, Jarvis Humphrey was born in 1809. The latter was

Digitized by Google

496

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

among the agriculturists who sought homes on the rich lands of Hancock County, in 1851, bringing his wife and five children from Con- necticut. He was a man of some substance and the family resided at Findlay during the months in which he was selecting a farm for purchase, to which they subsequently moved. At Simsbury, Conn., he had married Julia Bar- ber, who survived her seventy-seventh birth- day. The children of this marriage were the following: Chauncey D .; Marion, Mrs. George E. Cook; Ellen A., Mrs. B. O. Robin- son; Justine, Mrs. John H. King; Jarvis S .; and Mary B., who is the widow of the late Dr. Lorenzo Firmin of Findlay.

Jarvis Humphrey continued his agricultural pursuits until far beyond middle life and then retired to a comfortable home at Findlay where his death occurred April 21, 1897, when he had rounded out eighty-four years. In his religious connection he was an earnest mem- ber of the Congregational church. Although never an office-holder, he was actively in- terested in public matters and cast his vote with the Republican party.

REV. JOHN J. NONNAMAKER, one of Mt. Cory's highly esteemed retired citizens, is the owner of valuable real estate here and owns also a valuable farm of 180 acres, which is situated in Section 33, Union Town- ship, and Sections 3 and 4 Orange Town- ship, Hancock County, O. He was born on a farm in Eagle Township, two miles east of Canonsburg, O., January 7, 1842, and is a son of Ami Lucinda (Houdeshell) Nonna- maker.

Ami Nonnamaker was born in Germany and was six years old when he accompanied his parents to America, in 1815. His parents

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 53

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

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