Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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 66

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).

Mr. Niles' first business experience was in Cleveland, from which place he went to Ash- tabula, O., where he was connected with the old Farmers' Bank, and later he went to Hud- son, Mich., where he took a responsible posi- tion in the banking house of Boies, Rude & Company, also for a time being interested in the mercantile business.

In the early sixties, Mr. Niles came to Find- lay, and with the late E. P. Jones, organized the First National Bank, in the spring of 1863, and he was its cashier for thirty-one years, or up to the time of the death of its president, E.

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P. Jones, in 1894, after which time he was on the train while en route, on Saturday even- president of the institution. In 1895-1896 he ing. March 28, 1908. was president of the Ohio Bankers' Associa- tion. Mr. Niles was one of the best known bankers in the State. "He was an indefatiga- ble worker and was a shrewd observer of men and events. He was at his desk every business day with the regularity of a clock, always im- mersed in his duties, but never too busy to at- tend to the wants of a customer, no matter how humble or how inconsiderable his desires. His management of affairs was almost perfection, and his judgment almost infallible. During his long connection with the bank its influence became great, and it was rated among the best conducted and soundest in the land. Confi- dence in its integrity and standing was never shaken through all the financial storms that swept over the country."

His close application to his duties affected his health, which began to fail a year or more previous to his death. He finally decided to go to Florida for needed rest and recreation, in hopes that he might regain his old-time vigor and strength, and in February, 1908, this reso- lution was put into effect. Accompanied by his daughter-in-law, he journeyed to Sarasota, said to be an ideal spot, noted for its pure at- mosphere, charged with health giving qualities. Mr. Niles and his daughter had been there but a short time when a stroke of paralysis resulted in his utter prostration. He subsequently ral- lied from this shock, however, and hopes were entertained for his final recovery. When he had become strong enough, it was decided to risk the journey home to Findlay. The start was made, with his wife, daughter and a nurse, but he had scarcely journeyed two hundred miles, just before reaching Jacksonville, when he was stricken with another attack, and died

Mr. Niles was seventy-two years old, and had resided in Findlay the greater part of his long, busy and useful life. His widow, and one son, C. F. M. Niles, president of the Se- curity Savings Bank & Trust Company of Toledo, were left to mourn their irreparable loss. Mr. Niles was pre-eminently a domestic man, being rarely seen away from his own fire- side, when not attending to his daily business duties. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith, a staunch supporter of the First Presby- terian church of Findlay, and a generous con- tributor to every local charitable institution.

Mr. Niles was a Son of the American Revo- lution, a Free Mason of high degree, belonging to the various Masonic bodies and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and was also a very promi- nent Odd Fellow, being one of the oldest mem- bers of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and was grand treasurer thereof for eleven years prior to his death. He was one of the early mem- bers of Hancock Lodge, No. 73, of Findlay, in which he filled every office, and was also a member of Golden Rule Encampment, Findlay Rebekah Lodge, and was colonel of the Patri- archs Militant. Many prominent Odd Fellows and bankers, as well as other leading citizens from all parts of Ohio, were present at the fu- neral services to pay their last tribute to their beloved friend and comrade. In his case fur- ther eulogy is superfluous. The strength and fullness of his well rounded character, and his genial and attractive personality are well known to all prominent citizens of Findlay and throughout Hancock County. In him the county lost one of the most valued of its adopted sons.

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MOSES McANELLY, who owns 341 acres of valuable land in Hancock County, O., one farm of 160 acres and one of eighty-one acres, situated a half mile north of the New Haven road, eight miles east of Findlay, is a very suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser of Big Lick Township. He was born March 15, 1853, on this farm, and his parents were Hon. Moses and Mary (Roller ) McAnelly. Hon. Moses McAnelly was a prominent man in Hancock County for many years, serving two terms in the lower house of the state legislature, and two terms in the senate. He was born in Penn- sylvania, in Westmoreland County, in 1804, and came to Hancock County in 1830, where he engaged in teaching school. He was a man of intellectual attainments, fine address and naturally became a leader. In 1833 he married Mary Roller, who was born in Pennsylvania in September, 1812, a daughter of Judge Will- iam and Nancy Roller. When she was twelve years old her parents came to Richland County, O., and from Lucas to Hancock County, O., and entered land from the Government which consists of the present farm. To Moses and Mary McAnelly the following children were born: William, who is deceased; Jefferson (was a county judge in the State of Colo- rado) : John, who is deceased; Mary, who mar- ried a Mr. McAnelly; Nancy, who married Nathaniel Thomas; Lucinda, who married Charles Beamer; Charlotte, who married Ben Cole; and Moses, who bears his father's name. Judge Jefferson McAnelly married Sarah Leonard. The father of this family died in 1852, aged forty-eight years. The mother sur- vived to be eighty-three years of age. her death occurring on March 5, 1898.

Moses McAnelly enjoyed fewer educational advantages than would have been his had his

father lived, but the latter's early death threw heavy responsibilities on the sons, and Moses very soon became the home farmer and has resided here all his life. He does general farm- ing, but is mainly interested in raising stock. During the early days of the oil excitement he was somewhat interested and met with success in the ventures he made in connection with that industry.

In 1881, Mr. McAnelly was married to Miss Phebe Cooper, who was born and reared in Portage Township, Hancock County, and they have five children: John C .; May Ann, who was married in 1908 to Wilson Long, and they have twin daughters-Mary and Martha; Thomas Homer, who was married in 1908 to Jane Tobey ; and Roller C. and Lois. Mr. Mc- Anelly and family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never consented to ac- cept public office. He is identified with the order of Ben Hur, at West Independence.

HENRY DEEDS, the owner of 130 acres of rich farm land, which is situated in Section I, Union Township, is one of the old settled residents of this neighborhood, having lived on his present homestead for thirty-six years. He was born in this township, October 5, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Margaret Deeds.

Henry Deeds was born in Pennsylvania and when young was brought by his parents to Fairfield County, O., where he grew to man- hood. He was subsequently married there to Margaret Kramer, who was born in Fairfield County, and like himself, came from an agri- cultural family. Later-in 1833-they moved to Hancock County, Ohio, where Henry Deeds carried on farming all his life, his death occurr-

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ing in Union Township in 1892. His widow survived him for only six years.

Henry Deeds, the present bearer of the name, was reared in Union Township and at- tended the district schools whenever he had the opportunity, but in his boyhood days school privileges were not afforded as they are in the present time. Following his marriage he lived for five years in Eagle Township and then moved to his present farm, on which, at differ- ent times he has made improvements, rebuild- ing both house and barn and attending to all the other details which, to an experienced eye, distinguishes a well kept farm from one which is neglected. He carries on general farming and raises stock, not indulging in any regis- tered animals, however, finding the common kind, when well cared for, sufficiently profita- ble. He has money invested in other property and owns a large frame dwelling house which is in the heart of the business district of Find- lay.

In 1869, Mr. Deeds was married to Miss Ellen Elsea, of Eagle Township, Hancock County, and they have had five children : Etta May, who is the wife of George Crozier, of Eagle Township, (they have four children- Dorsea, Roy, Nellie, and Gale) ; Roy, who married Amanda Schwine, of Union Town- ship and after her death, Gertrude Powell, and died at Findlay, in 1905; Maggie, who died on the farm in 1893, aged nineteen years; Cora Dell, who died here in 1899, aged sixteen years; and Myrtle Estella, who is the wife of Eaber Davis, of Eagle Township. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been called upon to bear heavy domestic affliction. They are members of the United Brethren church at Findlay, in which Mr. Deeds is an elder.

OLIVER HUFFMAN,* a representative citizen and excellent farmer of Union Town- ship, Hancock County, O., resides on the farm of 100 acres on which he was born, May 30, 1860. His parents were C. W. and Barbara ( Fleck) Huffman.

C. W. Huffman was born in Fairfield

- County, O., and came to Union Township, Hancock County, with his parents when only three years of age, his father, Jacob Huffman, being one of the pioneer settlers in this section. The Huffmans have always been farmers and have been people of high standing in the town- ship.

Oliver Huffman has always lived on the home farm which he now owns and since it came into his possession he has made many substantial improvements, the last ten years having witnessed the tiling of the land and the building of his comfortable residence and com- modious barn. Mr. Huffman is one of the progressive agriculturists and has his land in such condition that excellent crops are invaria- bly produced and different kinds of stock have their natural increase.

Mr. Huffman was married in 1885, to Miss Katie Smith, a daughter of Christian and Eliz- abeth Smith, both of whom were born in Ger- many. Mrs. Huffman was born in Union Township and she and husband attended the same school. They have had two children: Charles, who was born in 1887, died at the age of ten years; and Clarence, who assists his father. Mr. Huffman has always taken a large amount of interest in public education and served on the township school board from 1891 until the fall of 1909.

A. L. OPP, dealer in wool and other farm products, who resides on his farm of 120 acres

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situated in Sections 34 and 35, Marion Town- installed the telephone, which he finds neces- ship, is also the owner of a farm in Section 8, sary to the prompt transaction of his large vol- ume of business. comprising 11614 acres, located near Findlay. In addition to these interests he also cultivates the Beard farm of 120 acres. He was born October 12, 1866, on the old Opp homestead in Marion Township, a son of B. F. and Sara Ann Opp, his parents being old settlers and representative people of Hancock County.

The subject of this sketch, after securing a district school education in his boyhood, began to take up farm work, of which he soon ob- tained a practical mastery. After his marriage he removed to the home farm of his wife to take charge of it, later purchasing other desira- ble land, and he has been a prominent repre- sentative, of the agricultural interests of the county ever since. Besides engaging in gen- eral farming, he makes a specialty of raising sheep, keeping a flock of about 200 and deal- ing extensively in wool, both buying and sell- ing. He also carries on a coal business, owns stock in the Buckeye Clay works at East Liv- erpool, Ohio., and also owns stock in the Peat Fuel & Gas Company of Michigan. Thus in various ways he shows his enterprise as a busi- ness man and his efforts have been rewarded with a gratifying degree of prosperity.

On July 18, 1886, Mr. Opp was married to Miss Esther Beard, a daughter of the late James and Henrietta Beard. They have three children-Onnon, who is a graduate of Find- lay College; Grace, who is a teacher of public school; and Rozella, who is a Boxwell grad- uate. Mr. Opp and his family are members of the United Brethren church, which he has served as a trustee for many years. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and has held the office of township trustee. In addition to other mod- ern improvements on his place. Mr. Opp has

CHARLES DETER, a general farmer and representative citizen of Portage Township, is a member of one of the old and substantial families of this section. He was born on the Deter homestead, situated in Section 8, Por- tage Township, this county, April 25, 1874, and is a son of Peter and Mary Jane (Thomas) Deter.

The father of Mr. Deter was born in Penn- sylvania, a son of Jacob Deter. The latter moved to Richland County and in 1836 brought his family to Portage Township, Han- cock County, and bought the present farm from Jasper Franks, who made the entry. Ja- cob Deter and wife died on this farm. Here the father of Charles Deter was reared from the age of eleven years and spent his life, his

death occurring on January 11, 1900. He was widely known and a highly respected man. He married Mary Jane Thomas, who was born east of Findlay, in Hancock County, a daugh- ter of Jacob Thomas, who moved to Pleasant Township when she was eleven months old, and she was reared there. Mr. and Mrs. De- ter had five children, namely: Alice, Ida, Laura, Clifford and Charles. Laura is the wife of W. A. Wiseley, of Vanlue, O. The Deter family own collectively 280 acres of some of the finest farm land in Portage Township, their possessions individually being as follows: The mother owns the homestead of 160 acres; Charles owns forty acres, in Section 8; Clif- ford owns forty acres; and Ida and Alice to- gether own forty acres. The whole farm is managed and operated by Charles and Clifford Deter. They carry on general farming and are

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numbered with the successful agriculturists of farm, October 15, 1864, and is a son of John this section. They are not very active in poli- F. and Margaret ( Yates) Foreman. tics but both take a good citizen's interest in public matters.

M. L. COFFIN,* cashier of the Commercial Bank, at Rawson, O., a position he has filled ever since the organization of this institution in 1902, was born in Rush County, Ind., June 27, 1877, and is a son of Zeno and C. (Gard- ner) Coffin.

Zeno Coffin was born in Rush County, Ind., where he spent his life, his death occurring in 1901. He was a blacksmith by trade. He mar- ried a daughter of Milton Gardner. Mrs. Cof- fin, who was born in Union County, Ind., still survives.

M. L. Coffin attended school more or less regularly until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he went into railroad work and continued until 1902, when he turned his at- tention to banking and has been a resident of Rawson ever since. He is an active and lead- ing citizen of the place and for two years has been a member of the school board and of the board of health.

Mr. Coffin was married April 22, 1903, to Miss Dora Hawk, a daughter of John and Per- melia Hawk, prominent farmers of Meigs County, O. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin have three children: Frank, Phebe and Milton. Mrs. Coffin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Rawson and is active in the social life of the place. Mr. Coffin is a Mason and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias.

RUFUS FOREMAN, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in Eagle Township. Hancock County. O., was born on his present

John F. Foreman and wife were born in Pennsylvania and came early to Eagle Town- ship with their parents. When the present Foreman farm was acquired it was entirely un- developed land. John F. Foreman did consid- erable clearing and followed an agricultural life here. His death occurred in 1908 and that of his wife on January 11, 1898.

Rufus Foreman grew to manhood on the farm he now owns, a tract of eighty-two acres, situated within five and one-half miles of Find- lay, to the southwest, in Section 9, Eagle Township. He has done a large amount of improving here and has erected all the substan- tial farm buildings on the place. He has his farm well stocked and makes a specialty of raising cattle, hogs and horses.

Mr. Foreman married Miss Catherine Yates, a daughter of Samuel B. and Mary (Oman) Yates. The former was an early set- tler here and died in Eagle Township, as did his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman have no children of their own but they have been par- ents and protectors to two orphans, Edward Arnold and Hazel Yates, these children finding a home with them when but four years old. For ten years Mr. Foreman has been a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is a well informed and highly respected cit- izen of Eagle Township and is considered one of its best farmers.

HON. WILLIAM ROSS KINDER (de- ceased ). was once one of Butler County, Ohio's most brilliant men, a lawyer of ability, a newspaper man of influence and a jurist of high character. His span of life was compara- tively short, but within it he accomplished

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more than have many whose lives have been prolonged to four score years and ten. His birth took place at Franklin, Ohio, in Decem- ber, 1826, and his death occurred on February 10, 1860.

From Holland came the first Kinders to America and the sterling qualities of their an- cestry have always been more or less noticea- ble in the descendants. Philip Kinder, son of the settler, was born in Holland and he partici- pated in the Revolutionary War, entering the Patriot army from Berks County, Pa. There lived his son, George Kinder, who was the father of Abraham Kinder, who came to Ohio in 1800, a pioneer, entering land from the gov- ernment in Warren County. On the Warren County farm the father of Judge William R. Kinder was born, in the same year that the family settled in that wild section, and there he followed agricultural pursuits for a time and then became interested in traffic on the Miami and Erie Canal, owning and operating boats on that inland waterway. He died in 1863.

William Ross Kinder became a student of law in early manhood, his preceptor being Hon. John B. Weller, then a resident of Hamilton, Ohio, but subsequently governor and United States Senator of California. When Judge Weller was appointed a member of the govern- ment commission to determine the boundary lines between Mexico and California, he ten- dered the position of private secretary to his pupil, and they were thus associated until the satisfactory settlement of the contention. For two subsequent years they were law partners in San Francisco. In 1852 Mr. Kinder re- turned to the East and in the same year pur- chased the Hamilton Telegraph, a weekly newspaper, which, under his able management,

increased in patronage and influence and he continued its publication until 1858, when he disposed of his interest in order to assume the duties of probate judge of Butler County. His record of two years on the Bench reflected only credit and his name is recorded with others of eminence of a period of particular importance, just preceding, as it did, the great Civil War, Judge Kinder died in harness, not having sur- vived to finish his term of office.

In 1852 he was married to Miss Agnes Long, a native of Cincinnati, a daughter of Jacob and Maria (L'Hommedieu) Long. They had four sons, two of whom survive: Hon. Walter H. Kinder, who is judge of the Circuit Court of the Third District of Ohio; and Stephen L'H., who is identified with the Chicago and Michigan Railroad.

HARRY L. TARBOX, senior member of the firm of Tarbox & McCall, operators of a large stone quarry on Western Avenue, and manufacturers of cement block, porch columns, yard vases, etc., has been a resident of Find- lay, O., since the spring of 1889. He was born April 24, 1858, in Cedarville, Greene County, O., and is a son of Samuel L. and Ruth L. (Jackson) Tarbox, and is a direct descendant of Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States.

Samuel L. Tarbox, a native of Maine, was for many years extensively engaged in the lumber business in Greene County, O., and in addition to his lumber operations was also a successful farmer and civil engineer. He was also interested in the stone quarries of Greene County. The mother of our subject was born in Greene County, O., a daughter of David and Mary Jackson. Her father, David Jackson, was born March 3, 1794, in Westmoreland

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County, Pa., a son of Robert and Elizabeth (McCorkle) Jackson, who were married in 1786. Robert Jackson's father was David Jackson, and was a son by a second marriage of Dr. Joseph Jackson, who was born in 1690, in North Ireland. David Jackson emigrated to America in 1762 and located in Chester County, Pa., where he followed blacksmithing and farming for many years. He died in Lan- caster, Pa. His stepbrother, Andrew Jackson, who was born of his father's first marriage, also emigrated to America, and in 1765 located in South Carolina, where, on March 15, 1765, was born his son, Andrew Jackson, the distin- guished soldier and statesman, and the seventh president of the United States.

Harry L. Tarbox was reared in Greene County, O., and after leaving school began working for his father who operated a stone quarry, and has since made that his life occu- pation. In the spring of 1889 he came to Find- lay, O., and leased and operated a stone quarry in the western part of the town until 1898. He then formed a partnership with Mr. McCall and opened their present quarry on Western Avenue at Findlay, and abandoned the old quarry. Mr. Tarbox is also largely interested in the development of coal lands in Columbiana County, O.

Mr. Tarbox was married March 12, 1884, to Essie Daugherty, who is a daughter of Elip- halet and Sarah Daugherty of Greene County, O., and they have the following children: Nel- lie; Frederick, who is a student at the Ohio State University at Columbus; Belle D .; Frank; and Edna and Edwin, twins. Mr. Tar- box is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and belongs to its board of trustees.

. DANIEL W. FRICK, one of the leading

citizens of Allen Township, Hancock County, O., who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 200 acres, which is located about one- half mile north of Van Buren, O., was born July 7, 1855, in Marion County, West Va., and is a son of David and Maria (Lenhart) Frick.

Daniel W. Frick was an infant when his parents removed to Iowa where his mother shortly afterward died. When two years of age he went to live with his uncle, Daniel Frick, of Van Buren, Hancock County, O., and there spent his early boyhood days. His uncle came to Van Buren in 1855 and engaged in the mercantile business and later also operated a grist mill. In 1871 he located on the farm now owned by his nephew, Daniel W. Frick, but spent his declining years at Van Buren, where his death occurred. Daniel Frick was the father of two children, both of whom died in infancy, and at his death he left his farm to our subject.

Daniel W. Frick attended the local schools of Van Buren, O., and has lived on his present farm since 1871. He carries on general farm- ing and in the spring of 1909 added to the 160 acres left him by his uncle, a tract of forty acres, which he purchased from Joseph R. Kagy. He was married in 1885 to Lena Neu- man, a native of Germany, who at the age of twelve years came to this country with her father, Frederick Neuman, who located in Hancock County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Frick have one daughter, Virginia Frick.

Mr. Frick is a member of the Knights of Pythias, No. 473, at Van Buren, O.

WILLIAM G. WAGGONER, an enter- prising farmer and much esteemed citizen of Marion Township, Hancock County, O., re-

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sides on a fine farm of 791/2 acres located in Township, Hancock County, Ohio, where his Section 12, and has spent the greater part of his life in Hancock County, O. He was born March 4, 1840, in Jefferson County, Ohio, a son of Edward and Eliza (Allen) Waggoner, and a grandson of William Waggoner, who was a native of Germany and one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, Ohio.

William Waggoner and a brother came to this country to avoid military service, their father being a member of the German royalty. William first located in Pennsylvania, but later came to Jefferson County, Ohio, and lo- cated near Steubenville, where he resided until the time of his death. His brother went to Canada, and each thought the other dead until some years later, when a brother of our subject went to Canada on a visit. William married a Miss Jackson, who was a distant relative of President Jackson, and of their union were born the following children: John, Caleb, William, James, Edward, Josiah, Louisa, Jane, Sarah, Keziah, and Joseph, all now deceased.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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

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