Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 68

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 68

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).

In the spring of 1852 he established himself in the grocery business on Main Street, in what is now the Kimmel Block and was asso- ciated in that business with his brother Jacob until 1858, when he purchased his brother's interest in same. In 1855 he purchased the property where the Edwards Shoe Company is now situated, and three years later traded that for the property upon which the Mystic Thea- tre now stands. In 1866 he built and rented out the building and in 1870 he purchased the building on the corner of Main and Main Cross Streets, and in 1872 moved his store. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Fred Kwis and conducted the business until 1890, when the old building was torn down and the present building erected. In 1896 he bought the stock of Gayer & Davis and associated himself with R. M. Wise. In 1900 he sold his interest to Shafer & Wise and bought the stock of Keiffer & Nonnamaker and the concern is now known as the firm of Karst & Laffey, where they have been for ten years. Mr. Karst erected the first

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AUGUST NEUMAN

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house in the Vance addition to Findlay in 1854.

Mr. Karst was married to Anna Maria Schneider (born in Bregens, Austria, on Lake Constance), and of this union were born eight children-Frank L., Joseph P., Amelia, Cath- erine, Julius, Adeline, August and Martin-of whom two survive, one son and one daughter. The mother, Joseph P., and Frank L. (he left three children of whom one, Edward, sur- vives ) all died in 1881; Amelia, Julius and Martin died young, and Adeline died October 8, 1909. August lives at home and Catherine is the wife of Michael Laffey, who for the past fourteen years has been associated with our subject in business. She is the mother of five children-Mary, Martha, Frank, Charles (de- ceased, and Claire. The father of our subject died in 1880 aged ninety-three years and five months.

Mr. Karst is a member of the Roman Catho- lic Church and has been a liberal contributor. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Roman Catholic Benevolent Society. He has served as member of the town council and was trustee of the water works at the time the new water works system was built.

AUGUST NEUMAN, president of the Board of Infirmary Directors of Hancock County. Ohio, and member of the Agricultural Board of the county, was born February 13, 1856, in Mecklenberg, Germany, a son of John and Louisa Neuman.

August Neuman was fourteen years old when he journeyed to this country with his parents, who came at once to Hancock County. Ohio. The family lived a short time with Ru- dolph Neuman, an uncle of our subject's father, but later settled on a farm in Portage Town- ship, where our subject grew to manhood. He

worked as a farm hand until 1879 and after his marriage rented his father-in-law's farm in Pleasant Township until 1881. He then bought part of the farm, but later sold it back to his father-in-law, and purchased a farm of eighty- three acres in Portage Township, where he followed general farming until locating in Findlay, on March 24, 1910. He then sold the farm and bought a tract of 167 acres in Portage Township, just one mile east of the old farm. In the fall of 1908 Mr. Neuman was elected a member of the Infirmary Board on the Democratic ticket and assumed the respon- sibilities of that office January 4, 1909. At the first meeting of that body he was elected its president, and is now serving his second term as a member of the Board of Agriculture of Hancock County, having been elected a mem- ber of the same in 1908.

Mr. Neuman was first united in marriage with Sarah Brickman, who was born in Han- cock County, Ohio, a daughter of Frederick Brickman, and of their union were born three children: Anna, who is the wife of E. W. Bonham, of Oklahoma, and has two children, Sara Janet, and Harold Neuman; J. Fred, who lives on our subject's farm in Portage Town- ship, and married Bertice Moorehead; and Clara Elizabeth, living at home. Mrs. Neu- man died in 1892 and he subsequently married Lucinda Collingwood, who died in 1895. He then married Angeline Montgomery, who was born in Portage Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and is a daughter of George and Doro- thy Montgomery. Mr. Neuman is fraternally a member of the Maccabees, and has served as a member of the school board and as trustee of Portage Township.

George Montgomery was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 11, 1823, and was the

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only child born to John and Nancy ( Helmick ) Montgomery, the former being killed by a fall- ing tree, when George was but one year old. George Montgomery was reared by his mater- nal grandfather, Nicholas Helmick, who came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1832, and set- tled in Cass Township. His grandfather served in the War of 1812. Mr. Montgomery took up auctioneering and became one of the best known auctioneers in this part of the country. He also became a large land owner and at one time owned a tract of 1,400 acres. Mr. Montgomery was first married in 1844 to Mary Chase, a daughter of George Chase, who was one of the pioneers of Hancock County. She died in 1861, and he later married Doro- thy A. Culp, who was the mother of Mrs. Neu- man, and a daughter of Benoni Culp. Mr. Montgomery served as the first postmaster of Portage Center, which was the second post- office opened in Hancock County. His death occurred in 1895.

ADAM RETTIG,* who is a general farmer in Jackson Township, Hancock County, Ohio, where he owns forty acres of land, was born in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, October 15, 1859. His parents were John and Katherine (Pifer) Rettig. Both were born in Germany and they came to America about sixty years ago, landing at New York and coming immediately to Hancock County, Ohio, where the father purchased land.

Adam Rettig grew to manhood on a farm and has carried on farming and stock raising ever since he grew old enough to use farm tools. He is a very practical, sensible man and thoroughly understands his business. Mr. Rettig was married March 6, 1886, to Miss Annie Appeld, a daughter of Fred and Paulina

(Marolion) Appeld, and they have had six children: Charles, who died in infancy; Linda, who is married to August Clish and they live on a farm in Madison Township; Mary and Sherman, who reside at home and are attend- ing school in Jackson Township; and Clara and Ernest, both of whom died when young. Mr. Rettig and wife are members of the German Lutheran church at Arlington. He has al- ways voted the Democratic ticket.

JOHN MELVIN BYAL, one of the lead- ing citizens of Pleasant Township, who has spent his entire life in Hancock County, be- longs to an old pioneer family of Ohio. His farm of 120 acres is devoted to general agri- culture and the raising of stock. He was born in Findlay Township, August 14, 1865, and is a son of Campbell and Anna (Pendleton) Byal.

The Byal family originated in Ireland. The grandfather, John Byal, settled in Findlay Township, Hancock County, near the site of the Infirmary and he built a mill west of Find- lay. The father of John M. Byal followed farming in Findlay Township and died in 1881. The mother still survives and resides at Find- lay. She was born in 1836 in Hancock County, a daughter of Joel and Amy Pendleton, both of whom died on their farm one and one-half miles west of Findlay. For forty years he was county surveyor of Hancock County. John M. Byal is the eldest of his parents' family of six children and the three other survivors are: Nora, who is the wife of W. E. Gorrell, of Findlay; and Clement and Leslie, both of whom reside in Findlay Township.

John M. Byal obtained his education in the public schools of Findlay Township, after which he engaged in farming and continued to

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reside there until he was twenty-three years of age, when he moved to Blanchard Township. Mr. Byal was a resident of that township for twenty-two years and then came to his present farm. He has a very desirable and valuable property here in which he takes much interest, carefully cultivating his land and growing some very fine stock.

Mr. Byal was married to Miss Frances Cornwell, a daughter of D. J. and R. Cornwell, on March 29, 1888, and they have four chil- dren-Fern, Lester, Gladys and Frederick- all of whom reside at home. Mr. Byal and family are members of the United Brethren church. He is identified with Lodge No. 354, Odd Fellows. Nominally he is a Democrat, but in local elections he generally uses his own judgment about candidates, putting the man and his record before party.

THOMAS C. LINGER,* manager, and- in association with his father, P. F. Linger, of Clarksburg, West Virginia-owner of the Ohio Hay and Grain Company, at Findlay, Ohio, has been established in business in this city since February 1, 1904. He was born in Ritchie County, West Virginia, February 14, 1873, and is a son of P. F. and Susan E. Linger.

P. F. Linger is one of the old residents and substantial men of Ritchie County and he still continues to manage his farm there, together with a general store in which he has been also interested for some years, while he has addi- tional interests at Clarksburg and at Findlay.

Thomas C. Linger was reared through his school period on the home farm and obtained his education in the country. He then decided 10 learn telegraphing and when fifteen years of age left the farm and as his brother was

station agent at Parsons, West Virginia, he went there for instruction. As he was apt and reliable he later became an excellent operator, subsequently succeeding his brother there and still later being sent as operator to other points on the West Virginia Central Railroad. After four years of railroad work, Mr. Linger turned his attention in another direction and took a course in stenography and bookkeeping, at Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1898 he went into the grain business, starting in with the Marietta Brokerage Company, of Marietta, Ohio, and after being with that firm for four years, going to Clarksburg, where he was man- ager of the branch house of the Ohio Hay and Grain Company, which is still continued. From there he came to Findlay. The Ohio Hay and Grain Company is a very large concern and has prospered from the start. In the spring of 1910 the company increased their Findlay fa- cilities by erecting a grain elevator of about 100,000 bushels capacity. They handle hay, flour, and grain and employ ten people, while, during the summer seasons they have several hay pressers at work all over the country and during the busy seasons have from forty to fifty extra men on the pay roll.

Mr. Linger married Miss Alice Peters, of Louisa, Kentucky, and they have one child, Virginia. Mr. Linger is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias and belongs to the United Commercial Travelers' organization.

WILLIAM H. HOUCK, one of Findlay's most highly esteemed retired citizens, for many years engaged in farming and stock raising on his valuable estate consisting of 200 acres, which is situated in Jackson Township, Han- cock County. Mr. Houck was born March 4, 1827, in Baltimore County, Maryland, just ten

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years before his parents settled in the wilder- ness of Jackson Township. They were Jacob F. and Eve (Ebaugh) Houck.

For seventy-three years the Houck family has been identified with the interests of Han- cock County, during this long period contrib- uting in no small degree to its development along every line of progress. The father of Mr. Houck was a native of Maryland and his mother of Pennsylvania, both coming of the sturdy stock that ensured vigorous bodies and strong minds to their offspring. Of their ten children, eight grew to manhood and woman- hood and five of this generation still survive. Jacob F. Houck was a representative man of his time and section, one who served his town- ship in many responsible offices with efficiency and set an example to his neighbors in industry and public spirit. For many years he and wife were among the leading members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.

William H. Houck, as the eldest of the fam- ily, had fewer advantages in education and earlier responsibilities than his brothers and sisters. He became his father's main depend- ence in clearing up the wilderness farm, which preceded the same kind of hard work for him- self, Mr. Houck having the record of having cleared 200 acres of virgin soil in Hancock County. Since 1863 he has owned his present valuable farm in Jackson Township, one of the best improved and best stocked in this section of the county. He was one of the most enter- prising agriculturists of his locality in his prime and owned the first buggy in his town- ship and bought the first grass-cutter in Han- cock County. In 1902 he came to Findlay to make his home with his youngest son, Willie E., his wife having died in September, 1899. At different times during his residence in Jackson

Township, Mr. Houck responded to the wishes of his fellow citizens and served in township offices, but he has never been a seeker for po- litical honors. In looking back over his long life he has the consciousness that as far as he has been able, he has lived usefully and there is nothing to mar his serene old age, but much to bring him comfort.

Mr. Houck was married in 1852 to Eliza- beth Smaltz, a daughter of Henry Smaltz, of Hancock County, and to them were born the following children: Solomon F., Adam B., Catherine E., Annie M., Lottie A., John P., Jacob H., Robert C., Perry H., and Willie E. John P., residing at No. 205 West Hardin Street. Findlay, is connected with the T. & O. C. Railroad Company; Jacob H., resides at Rochester, Pa .; and Willie E., residing at No. 605 West Hardin Street, is general manager of the Boss Manufacturing Company. The latter married Miss Gail Grindle and they have two children. For more than a half a century, William H. Houck has been a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church and a licensed exhorter for about the same time.

DR. J. R. TROVINGER,* one of the lead- ing physicians of Arlington, Ohio, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession since 1889, was born May 17, 1864, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of Curtis and Mary (Neal) Trovinger.

Curtis Trovinger was a native of Maryland and came to Ohio with his father, John Trov- inger, who settled in Fairfield County. He later removed to Perry County, where he fol- lowed farming until the time of his death. The mother of our subject also died in Perry County.

Dr. J. R. Trovinger grew to maturity in

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Perry County, Ohio, and attended the local schools and the Thornville High School, from which he graduated in 1884. He then taught in the schools of Arkansas and Perry County for four years, and in 1887 entered the Colum- bus Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated with the class of 1889. He immediately embarked in the practice of medicine at Arlington, Ohio, where he has since been continuously and successfully engaged in his profession.

Dr. Trovinger is fraternally a member of the Maccabees, No. 179, of Arlington, of which he is past commander, and was for six years surgeon, and also affiliates with the I. O. O. F., No. 184, of Thornville, of which he is past grand commander; also of the Sons of Vet- erans, of which he was elected junior vice commander at Xenia, Ohio, on June 14, 1910. He was United States Pension Examiner un- der Presidents Cleveland and Mckinley, and also served one term as Mayor of Arlington. Dr. Trovinger was united in marriage with Hettie Solt, who was born and reared in Eagle Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and they have always resided at Arlington.

EDMUND C. TAYLOR, president of the Commercial Banking & Savings Company, at Findlay, and also president of the Findlay Foundry & Machine Company, has been iden- tified with the various interests of this city for more than twenty years. He is a native of Ohio, born September 2, 1851. He was liber- ally educated and after completing his course in Oberlin College, became intensely interested in the development of oil in the Pennsylvania oil fields, which was then attracting the atten- tion of the world.

During the first eighteen months of his prac-

tical interest in this great industry, Mr. Taylor was located at Oil City and then went to the Butler County fields and for the six succeeding years took part in the activities of that section, learning during this time the stoicism neces- sary to bear the alternations of fortune arising from speculation. He acquired capital and in 1878 opened a nitro-glycerine factory at Brad- ford, using this explosive in the shooting of wells for prospectors. He was engaged in this work for seven years, when he became an oil producer, in 1881 locating at Richburg, N. Y., where he continued until 1886, and then came to Findlay. Mr. Taylor was connected with the first well drilled for oil in this section and is practically one of the pioneers in the indus- try here. He has never entirely given up his oil interests, having with them laid the founda- tion for his ample fortune, but his active par- ticipation in the industry has long since been abandoned, other important enterprises claim- ing his time and close attention. Since January, 1901, he has been at the head of the Commer- cial Banking & Savings Company, a leading financial institution of this section of Ohio. He owns a finely improved farm of 117 acres. Without being a politician, Mr. Taylor is an earnest Republican and a vigorous supporter of all measures looking to good government. He is charitable to a large degree and a willing promoter of public spirited enterprises whether for a special benevolent purpose or for the gen- eral welfare.

Mr. Taylor was married in 1889 to Mrs. Thirza (Ostermeyer) Moore, of Findlay, and their handsome residence stands at No. 222 Center Street, Findlay. Mr. Taylor is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. Personally

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he is genial and frank and counts his friends by the score.

OLIVER POWELL,* a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Findlay, Ohio, re- siding in a very pleasant and attractive resi- dence situated at No. 608 Center Street, came here from his farm in 1900 and has continued to live here for the past ten years. He is a val- ued member of the G. A. R. Post at Findlay, having served in this organization as chaplain and commander and gained admission to this body on account of his loyal service in the Civil War. Mr. Powell was born November 21, 1834, on a farm stuated in Liberty Township, Hancock County, Ohio, three miles southwest of Findlay, and is a son of Henry and Cath- erine (Fellers) Powell.

Henry Powell was born in Pennsylvania and lived there until after his marriage when he came to Fairfield County, Ohio, and in 1830 to Hancock County, where he entered land in Liberty Township. He developed an excellent farm and lived there until his death in 1876. He was married first to Catherine Fellers. who died in 1838, and secondly to Rebecca Myers.

Oliver Powell was reared on the farm in Liberty Township and attended the old log school that was not far distant from his home. He engaged in farming and in 1858 built a saw-mill and operated it until October 15, 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He became a member of Company H, Joth O. Vol. Cav., and remained in the army until the close of the War of the Rebellion, a period of two years and eight months. With his comrades, Mr. Powell passed all through the Tennessee campaign, mainly doing scout duty, and afterward was under Sherman in the great march to the sea; he was present at the

fall of Atlanta and participated in many of the most stirring events of that section. He did not escape all the dangers of war. When near Raleigh, North Carolina, his commander was surprised by a larger force and Corporal Pow- ell, together with about 200 of his comrades, was taken prisoner. The whole party was marched to Richmond and for two days Cor- poral Powell had a realization of what Libby Prison was like. This was in the spring of 1865 when the Confederates were no longer anxious to keep their prisoners and within two days he was paroled and was given a furlough home by his commander for thirty days. At its end he reported at Columbus but just then an order came from the Government that all paroled prisoners should be mustered out and with this welcome news he was soon on his way home.

Mr. Powell was married on Christmas Day, 1868, to Miss Rachel Comer, who was born in Liberty Township, and died in 1900, at Findlay. Mr. and Mrs. Powell had six chil- dren : Blanche, who is a teacher in the McKee school at Findlay; Grace, who died aged one year; James Powell, who is an engineer on the Lake Shore Railroad and lives at Dunkirk, New York; Gertrude, who is the wife of Roy Flucke, of Findlay; Otto, who died aged two years; and Herbert, who died when seventeen years of age. Mr. Powell continued to live in Liberty Township until 1882 and then moved to his farm of eighty acres near Mt. Cory, which he sold prior to coming to Findlay in 1900. He has been identified with the Repub- lican party almost since its organization but he has never been willing to accept public of- fice. From his youth he has been a member of the Evangelical church. For years he has

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been prominent in the Grand Army and is very people. Peter Arras died in 1897 but his well known in the organization.

BENJAMIN REDICK, whose valuable farm of 200 acres, lies in Eagle Township, Hancock County, twelve miles southwest of Findlay, Ohio, on what is known as the Red- ick road, has lived here for the past seventeen years. He was born in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, February 16, 1873, and is a son of Adam and Christina Redick.

Adam Redick and wife were both born in Germany. He was brought to America by his parents in boyhood and spent his subsequent life in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, Ohio, as a farmer, dying there in 1883. His wife was five years old when her parents brought her to the United States and she sur- vives and resides with her son, Henry Redick, on the homestead in Van Buren Township.

Benjamin Redick remained at home and helped his father until he married, in 1893, when he settled on his present farm, the old Arras homestead. He carries on general farm- ing and raises considerable stock, none of it thoroughbred but all profitably marketable. He has given much attention to improving the place, putting down a large amount of tile and building a modern and exceedingly comforta- ble farm residence, together with barns and other structures made necessary as his farm industries have been developed.

Mr. Redick was married September 21, 1893, to Miss Maggie Arras, who was born on the farm which has been her home all her life, December 27, 1875. Like her husband she was educated in the township shools. She is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Arras. who many years ago settled in Eagle Town- ship where they became leading and respected

widow survives and lives at Jenera, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Redick have had five children, namely : Esther, Harley, Lulu Estella, Cla- rissa and William. Three times has the dread Angel of Death invaded this household. Lulu Estella died October 22, 1897, aged one month and two days. Clarissa died July 26, 1903; William died March 23, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Redick are members of the German Lutheran church at Jenera.

M. C. SHAFER,* a prominent member of the Hancock County bar and a representative of one of the old pioneer German families of Ohio, was born at Findlay, Ohio, December 4, 1866, and is a son of Morgan D. and Mary L. (Buntz) Shafer.

The late Morgan D. Shafer was born in 1838, at Mt. Blanchard, Hancock County, Ohio, and was one of a family of twelve chil- dren born to his parents, Michael and Nancy (Ireland) Shafer, and a grandson of Michael Shafer, who, with a brother, came to America from Germany, and settled in Washington County, Pa. This first Michael Shafer mar- ried there and remained until his son Michael was about thirteen years of age, when he moved to Knox County, Ohio. The second Michael Shafer, who was the grandfather of M. C. Shafer of Findlay, was the pioneer of the family in Hancock County, where he ac- quired property and reared a large family. Throughout life he maintained his old ideas of German thrift and when his children grew old enough to desire more extended educational advantages than the local schools offered, they were required to provide themselves with the means, although at that time he was amply able to give them assistance. Thus, when Mor-

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gan D. Shafer found the environments of the farm too narrow for his ambitions, he left home and taught school until he had earned enough to take a law course in the Ohio Wes- leyan University, being admitted to the bar in 1860. In the following year, however, when the Civil War broke out, he put aside his per- sonal plans and responded to the first call for troops, entering the Federal Army as first lieu- tenant of Company E, 21st O. Vol. Inf. After the end of his term of enlistment he came to Findlay and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he adorned for many years, his death occurring in 1899. He married Mary L. Buntz, who was born at Ellsworth, Mahoning County, Ohio, where her family was exceedingly prominent. She survives and re- sides with a daughter, Mrs. Dr. Jones, at Cleveland, Ohio.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 68

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

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