Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 58

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 58

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year he erected a modern residence, which is one of the finest homes in Van Buren, having all of the latest conveniences and luxuries, in- cluding steam heating, and a hot and cold water system. He also owns an interest in the old home farm of 150 acres in Cass Township, which is very valuable oil property.

In 1886, Mr. Van Eman was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born and reared in Cass Township, and is a daughter of Aaron and Margaret (Gross) Smith, who were prominent farmers of this township. The father died in the spring of 1906, and the mother died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Van Eman have one son, Charles Ross, who, after graduating from the Van Buren High School attended Wooster College for two years, after which he taught two terms in Cass Township. Mr. Van Eman is a man of public spirit and enterprise, and has served in various township offices, having been constable of Cass Township for six years, road super- visor for two years, and truant officer of Van Buren one year.

JOHN T. MONTGOMERY, who stands at the head of many of the financial institutions and important industries of Hancock County, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Findlay. He is vice-president of the Com- mercial Bank and Savings Company and also president of the Independent Torpedo Com- pany, both of Findlay; is president of the East- lake Milling and Mining Company of Edwards County, Colo., and also president of the Ar- kansas Land and Developing Company and of other smaller business combinations. Addi- tionally he owns farm and oil lands in Hancock and Mercer Counties and properties of value in other parts of the country, and is one of the

very successful developers, producers, dealers and contractors in oil.

John T. Montgomery was born at Renfrew, near Ottawa, Dominion of Canada, in 1853, and is a son of William Montgomery, who was born in Ireland in 1820 and emigrated to Can- ada, where he died in 1894. Mr. Montgomery is a true type of self-made man. He had few advantages of any kind in his youth and was yet a boy when he learned the blacksmith trade and spent his early manhood working at the forge. When twenty-four years old, in 1877, he went to the Pennsylvania oil fields and worked for a time as a blacksmith in Clarion County, in the meanwhile carefully investigat- ing and subsequently acquiring a small lease in Allegany County, N. Y., which was a part of the Bradford oil fields, lying just across the state line from Mckean County, Pa. Just ten years later, in 1887, Mr. Montgomery trans- ferred the scene of his operations to Findlay, O., entering then upon what has proved a re- markably successful career as a producer and contractor in oil. He became senior member of the firm of Montgomery & Stitt, at the be- ginning of his operations, one of the most widely known firms in all this section, one that owned wells in Hancock, Wood, Mercer, San- dusky and Lucas Counties, O. He also became interested in lumber and at one time, in aso- ciation with two other capitalists, was the owner of the Findlay Lumber Company, which acquired large tracts of timber land in Mis- souri. Gradually his business interests broad- ened and, as mentioned above, he is identified with numerous enterprises of recognized worth and importance in different sections. Mr. Montgomery in many ways has been a decided factor in the development and progress made at Findlay, for in the advancement of the city

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he chose as his home, he has taken pride and in numerous ways he has contributed to its welfare, not ostentatiously, for such is not Mr. Montgomery's nature, but along the quiet lines that make for permanency. He is notably char- itable and the support he gives to benevolent bodies has been willingly and cheerfully be- stowed.

In September, 1893, Mr. Montgomery was married (first) to Miss Anna M. George, who, at death, was survived by one daughter, Hor- tensia. In 1897, Mr. Montgomery was married (second) to Miss Lida M. Shultz, a daugh- ter of Rev. J. M. Shultz, then pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Findlay. Two children were born to this marriage: John William, and Irene. The family home is a beautiful residence situated at No. 510 W. San- dusky Street, Findlay. Both Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and they occupy a leading positon in the city's pleasant social cir- cles. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

GEORGE S. STOUGH, president of the school board in Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is a general farmer and stock dealer, and resides on a tract of eighty acres located in Section 32, Allen Township, and is one of the leading citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born September 1, 1868, on a farm in Cass Township, Hancock County, O., and is a son of Christopher Stough.

George S. Stough was three years of age when his parents settled in Allen Township, where he has lived continuously since that time. His education was obtained in the schools of the district, and he has always made farming

and stock dealing his occupation. He has made many important improvements on the farm, in- cluding the erection of his fine frame residence, to take the place of the old dwelling which was destroyed by fire on January 2, 1905.

Mr. Stough was joined in marnage with Annie Hudson, who was born and reared in Allen Township, a daughter of John W. Hud- son, and of their union have been born the fol- lowing children: Chloe, Collins F., Gail, Glen, Ralph, Merle, Bessie, Gladys, and Clarke. The three last named are deceased, Clarke dying in the fall of 1909, aged three years. Mr. Stough holds membership with the I. O. O. F., and order of Ben Hur. He has been a member of the school board of Allen Township for the past four years, and was elected president of that body in 1909.

DANIEL F. LIGHTFOOT, a leading citi- zen of Portage Township, Hancock County, O., and township road superintendent, resides upon his valuable farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Section 9, three and one-half miles northeast of the farm on which he was born, December 3, 1851. His parents were Henry and Margaret (Russell) Lightfoot.

Henry Lightfoot was born in Indiana and was a son of Henry H. Lightfoot. The former came to Portage Township when a young man and the latter followed at a later date and died here during the Civil War. Henry Lightfoot served three years as a soldier in that great struggle, being a member of Co. K, 21st O. Vol. Inf. He was married to Margaret Rus- sell, who was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Portage Township in girlhood, by her parents, Thomas and Susan Russell. In 1858, Henry Lightfoot and family moved to

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Findlay and he died there in 1900 and his wife in 1895.

Daniel F. Lightfoot was seven years old when he was brought to Findlay where he was reared and educated. He had a natural leaning in youth toward mechanics and learned the business of stationary engineer and for twenty-one years made that his main line of work, for seven years of this period being em- ployed at the electric light station at Findlay. He has owned his present farm since 1887 but did not locate on it until the spring of 1905. He carries on a general farming line and has demonstrated that a man may be competent in more than one line of activity if he exercises good judgment.

Mr. Lightfoot was married to Miss Louisa Pendleton, a daughter of Joel and Amy (Sher- man) Pendleton, the former of whom died in 1893 and the latter in 1905. Joel Pendleton was a leading citizen of Hancock County for years and was county surveyor. Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot have had six children: Frank, who is an electrician, lives at Los Angeles, Calif .; Carrie M., who resides at home; Bessie B., who died aged nine years; Amy E., who is the wife of Wallace A. Archer; and Willie J. and Myrtle O.

In politics Mr. Lightfoot is a Republican and he has served in a number of responsible public positions. From 1889 until 1895 he was superintendent of the Hancock County In- firmary, and from 1886 until 1889, he was su- perintendent of Maple Grove Cemetery. He has been interested in military affairs for a number of years and helped to organize the old organization known as Co. B, IIth O. N. G., which now forms Co. A, 2nd O. N. G., of which he was captain for several years. For eleven years he was identified with the National

Guard, entering as a private and advancing through merit to a captaincy. During the Spanish-American War he served as captain of an organization of the Sons of Veterans and he is generally known as Captain Lightfoot.

CLARENCE JOSEPH OLLER, cashier of The Commercial Bank & Savings Com- pany, at Findlay, O., of which he was one of the organizers, has been identified with the banking business for more than twenty years. He was born on a farm in Delaware County, O., August 23, 1863, and is a son of John and Mary Oller, the latter of whom is deceased, but the former continues to live in Delaware County.

Clarence J. Oller remained on the farm until he was seventeen years old, and then attended school at Delaware, O., securing a complete Normal and business trainng in the Ohio Business College and the National Pen Art Hall and Business College of Dela- ware, O., and the Iron City Commercial College of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. Oller, after having graduated from the above named schools, purchased an in- terest in the National Pen Art Hall and Business College and was associated with Professor George W. Michael for one and one-half years, severing his connection with this institution in 1883. He came to Find- lay and organized the Findlay Business Col- lege, which he successfully conducted for about seven years, after which his connec- tion began with the banking business. He began with The Farmers National Bank, now The Buckeye National Bank, where he remained eight years, and then went to Greenspring, O., where he organized The Commercial Bank Company and remained

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three and one-half years, and then returned to Findlay.

The Commercial Bank & Savings Com- pany, of Findlay, was organized in the lat- ter part of 1900 and began business on Feb- ruary 20, 1901. Mr. E. C. Taylor was the first president, and continued until the spring of 1910, and Mr. Oller has been cashier from the beginning. The other officers are: John B. Heimhofer, of Find- Jay, president; John T. Montgomery, vice- president; and Charles H. Bigelow, secre- tary-treasurer. The officers are directors, together with Dr. N. L. MacLachlan and W. J. Frey, treasurer of Hancock County, O., and N. W. Cunningham, of Bluffton, O. These are all men of capital and high per- sonal standing.

Mr. Oller was married to Miss Nellie J. Ballard, of Hancock County, a daughter of Dr. H. D. Ballard. They have one daughter, Mary Imogene.

Mr. Oller is additionally interested in suc- cessful business enterprises, being director and treasurer of The Findlay Sucker Rod Company, a director in The United States Electric Porcelain Company, treasurer of The Buckeye Steam Laundry Company, vice-president of The Commercial Bank Company, of Greenspring, O., and cashier of The Vanlue Banking Company, Van- lue, O.

He is identified with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the First M. E. church of Findlay, O.

MNASON A. ADAMS, a well known farmer and much esteemed citizen of Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is the owner of 164 acres of highly cultivated farm

land, eighty-four acres of which lie in Sec- tion 20, and eighty acres in Section 29, and has practically been a lifelong resident of this community. He was born July 7, 1833, near Danville, Columbia County, Pa., which is now known as Montour County, and is a son of Paul and Margaret (Diehl) Adams.

Paul Adams came from Montour County, Pa., to Ohio in 1835, bringing his family in covered wagons, and settled in Richland County. Being a man of education and cul- ture, and unaccustomed to manual labor, he taught school there until 1841. He then came to Hancock County, where in 1833, he had entered a tract of eighty acres in section 29, Allen Township, for himself, and eighty acres in Section 20 for his brother- in-law, Jacob Foust, who came to the county in 1838 and spent the remainder of his life here. On the evening of March 28, 1841, Paul Adams and family arrived at Van Buren, O., and soon after began prepara- tions toward making a clearing on his land large enough to erect a cabin. The news became circulated in this section of the township of Mr. Adams' intention to build a cabin of hewn logs cut from standing tim- ber, and when the appointed day arrived, there were enough neighborhood men on hand to cut and hew the timber, and they erected before sun-down a cabin which was 18 by 22 feet. Mr. Adams taught school here during the winter months for eight years, and in the summer devoted his time to clearing the land, which was wet and in need of draining, and placing it in a state of cultivation. Here his death occurred Jan- uary 28, 1850, of typhoid fever. His widow subsequently married David Dorsey, now deceased, and her death occurred in Decem-

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ber, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty- all of the improvements on the farm, erect- three years.

Mnason A. Adams was reared on his pres- ent farm and attended the district school of the township about four months each year, attending five terms while his father was the instructor. He was sixteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and being the eldest of the seven children liv- ing, a great many responsibilities fell to his lot. At that time there was considerable illness in the neighborhood, and often the whole family was down and scarcely able to wait upon one another.

Mr. Adams, like his father, was a teacher for a number of years and continued to teach during the winter seasons until he was twenty-nine years of age. In 1852 he taught school in a small round log house, in which the seats were made by splitting small trees and smoothing off one side, putting in wooden pegs for supports. The desks were arranged along the sides of the building and were made of two-inch boards with holes bored in and wooden pins driven through for foundations. He taught a month of twenty-six days and received fifty cents a day for his services and boarded himself. With a part of the first money so earned he purchased his first cook stove. When he moved on the place on which he lives it was one and one-half miles distant from any other house east or south. One family lived one and one-half miles west and there was one mile between him and the nearest house on the north. The land all around was forest and was owned by speculators.

Mr. Adams finished clearing the land, which he has thoroughly tiled and placed in a high state of cultivation, and has made

ing a fine brick residence in 1884. He also purchased the tract of forty acres which his father had sold previous to his death, and also bought in small portions, the eighty- four-acre tract which his father had entered for Mr. Foust. Mr. Adams has always fol- lowed farming in a general way in connec- tion with stock raising and is recognized as one of the most substantial and progressive farmers of the township. He is politically a Republican and served twenty-six years on the school board of the township, and as justice of the peace some time, although the township is strongly Democratic. He is a member, trustee, and steward of the Salem M. E. church in Cass Township.

In October, 1863, Mr. Adams married Cordelia Dorsey, his step-sister and a daughter of David Dorsey, and to them have been born nine children: Margaret, who is the wife of Jos. Wineland, who operates the home farm; Clara Arabella, who died in July, 1893, was the wife of George Gaylord; Sarah Anna; Viola Cordelia, who died aged six months; Samuel Mnason, who is a ma- chinist, is employed by the Buckeye Trac- tion Co. of Findlay; Paul David, who died in infancy; one son who was born dead; Nellie, who married Nelson Hiestand of Michigan, and May Adeline.

NICHOLAS ARRAS, who resides on his valuable farm of 203 acres, which lies in Section 31, Eagle Township, Hancock County, O., twelve miles southwest of Find- lay, along the Redick road, was born on this farm, May 27, 1861, and is a son of John and Margaret (Essinger) Arras.

John Arras was born in Germany and was

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brought to America by his parents when Buren Townshrip, Hancock County, where he was ten years old. His father, Peter she and Mr. Rauch still reside on their farm. Mr. and Mrs. Arras have had four children : John C .; Adam W., who graduated from the Findlay Business College, with class honors, in 1908; Amanda L., who died in 1892, when one year old; and Eva Katie. Mr. Arras and his family are members of the German Lutheran church at Jenera, O. Mr. Arras is one of Eagle Township's representative men and has served three years as a mem- ber of the township school board. Arras, was one of the early settlers of Marion County, O., locating about 1831 and later removing from there into Hancock County and acquiring land in Eagle Town- ship on which he lived until his death. John Arras engaged in farming in Eagle Town- ship and became a man of excellent standing in his neighborhood. He died in 1899. He married Margaret Essinger, who was also born in Germany, a daughter of Nicholas Essinger whom she accompanied to America in girlhood. Her father settled in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, O., and was engaged in farming and stock raising. Mrs. Arras died in 1894.

Nicholas Arras grew to manhood on the home farm and attended the district schools of Eagle Township. Since the farm came into his possession he has made many im- provements, erecting a commodious and comfortable farm residence and substantial barns and granaries, much of the improv- ing having been done within the last five years. This farm is said to be the best tiled one in the township. Mr. Arras is a progressive farmer and a very successful one, a partial explanation of this being that he uses only high grade seed. He raises considerable stock and makes a specialty of hogs, each year having many head ready for market.

Mr. Arras was married on September 10, 1885, to Miss Margaret Rauch, a daughter of Christian and Maria Rauch, the former of whom was born in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, and the latter in Germany. Mrs. Rauch was brought to America and Ohio when yet a girl and married in Van

ALVIN C. EWING, county recorder of Hancock County, O., now residing at Find- lay, is a prominent citizen of this county and an influential member of the Democratic party. He was born in Liberty Township, Hancock County, O., November 26, 1854, and is a son of Cornelius S. and Elizabeth (Ensley) Ewing.

Alvin C. Ewing was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the country schools. At the age of twenty-one he came first to Findlay, where, for seven years he was a clerk in a general store, after which he returned to the farm and shortly afterward was appointed superintendent of the county infirmary, which office he re- tained for two years and then resumed farm- ing. Later he embarked in the mercantile business at Mt. Cory and for six years served as mayor of that town. For ten years previous to assuming the duties of county recorder, on September 1, 1909, he resided on his farm in Union Township, where he also, at different times, filled the offices of township clerk and trustee.

Mr. Ewing married Miss Malissa A. King, who was born and reared in Hancock

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County and is a daughter of John King, Sr. ing his home at Findlay, where he resided for They have one child, Maud May, who is the wife of George F. Guin. Mr. and Mrs. Guin have a daughter, Josephine. Mr. Ewing be- longs to the fraternal orders of Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees, also is an asso- ciated member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

ELIPHES WANAMAKER, deceased, for- merly president of the Independent Torpedo Company, an important business enterprise of Findlay, O., was numbered with the city's able business men and substantial citizens. He was born in 1849, in Westmoreland County, Pa., and died at Findlay, May 5, 1910. He was a son of Lewis and a grandson of Peter Wana- maker. The name of Wanamaker is one that has long been held in very high esteem in the United States, invariably representing, as it does, high standards of citizenship and busi- ness capacity above the ordinary. The origi- nal branch probably came from Holland but for generations it has grown and prospered in Pennsylvania and from there has scattered over the Union.

Eliphes Wanamaker grew to sixteen years on his father's farm and then learned the car- penter trade. He was more ambitious than some other members of the family, and was not afraid to venture out from home surroundings into the oil fields and try his fortune contesting with others gathered from every part of the country. He went to work as a tool dresser and from that became an oil well driller and in this capacity became a judge of property and subsequently a shrewd investor, going into the oil contracting business. Prior to 1885 he worked mainly in the Venango oil fields but in that year came to Hancock County, establish-

twenty-four years. During this time he be- came interested in numerous successful busi- ness enterprises, one of these being the Inde- pendent Torpedo Company. In-politics he was a Democrat but never consented to hold politi- cal office, although he possessed many of the qualities so needful in a public official-judg- ment, foresight, courage and personal integ- rity. He belonged to both branches of the order of Odd Fellows, and also to the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Wanamaker was married to Miss Vina C. Mainhart, of Johnstown, Pa., and they had one daughter, Verna, who married E. C. Ed- wards, of Leipsic. With his family he be- longed to the Lutheran church. The comfort- able family home is located at No. 903 South Main Street, Findlay.

ISAAC HART, who served as a member of the board of county commissioners of Hancock County, O., from 1901 until 1907, resides on his farm of 160 acres, situated in Section 27, Portage Township, and owns a second farm, of eighty acres, which lies in Section 16 in the same township. He was born on his father's farm located in the southwest corner of Section 27, Portage Township, June 13, 1845, and is a son of Abraham and Christianna (Linn) Hart.

Abraham Hart was born in Pennsylvania, followed farming all his life and died on the old Hart homestead in advanced age. He was married in Ashland County, O., to Christi- anna Linn, who was born in Maryland and died also on the old homestead in Portage Township.

Isaac Hart was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools and later spent several years alternating teaching in the

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winter seasons and cultivating the farm in the ests involved and contributed to the efficiency summers. After marriage he located on this of the board by his advice and good business judgment. farm but subsequently removed to Findlay, where he resided for seven years, attending to other business interests, but moved back to the RICHARD M. FOREMAN, who resides on a well improved and highly cultivated farm of eighty acres, which is located in Section 9, Eagle Township, Hancock County, O., was born on his present farm August 15, 1866, and is a son of John F. and Mary (Yates) Fore- man. farm in March, 1909. For a number of years Mr. Hart has been selling a patent farm gate which has attracted much favorable notice through the agricultural districts wherever shown. Mr. Hart has exhibited the Chain Hinge Gate all over the state, making use of tests to prove its strength under strain and its John F. Foreman was a native of Pennsyl- vania and engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm now owned by our subject, his death occurring there January 14, 1908. His wife was born and reared in Eagle Township, Han- cock County, O., her parents having been prom- inent farmers of the county. She also died on this farm, January 11, 1898. general utility. He makes use of thirty-two of these gates on his own 240 acres and has dis- posed of 160 in Hancock County and a large number in Van Wert, Lucas, Wood and Logan Counties, farmers recognizing that it has supe- rior points to anything of the kind ever before called to their attention. Mr. Hart does not personally cultivate his land, having a capable farmer in charge.

Mr. Hart was married to Miss Miriam Moorhead, who was born and reared on the present farm and died here in September, 1897. She was a daughter of John Moorhead, Sr. They had seven children, namely : William L., who is a farmer residing in Kansas; Laura, who is at home; Edgar J., who resides in Allen Township west of Van Buren; Mary Belle, who is the widow of Jacob Burman; Albert Marion, who died aged thirteen years; Dora C., who is the wife of William Poole, of Arkansas; and Harriet Blanche, who died aged four years. Mr. Hart is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church at Findlay and is one of its board of trustees. He is a Republican in his political views and has been more or less interested in public affairs ever since reaching manhood. During his long period of service as a county commissioner, he proved faithful to the inter-

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 58

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

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