Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 70

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 70

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).

be found many articles of more than usual in- terest, notably a collection of horns which is probably the most complete in the state and one pair, elaborately carved, would grace any museum. He is a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner and belongs also to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of gener- ous impulses and his donations to charity are large although very quietly made.

ALPHEUS HOFMASTER,* who is en- gaged in general farming on a tract of 100 acres in Section 24, Washington Township, Hancock County, Ohio, has been a life long resident of the county. He was born Decem- ber 28, 1856, on the old Jacobs farm in Wash- ington Township, and is a son of Jonas and Mary (Jacobs) Hofmaster.

John and Rachel (Eadler) Hofmaster, pa- ternal grandparents of our subject, were na- tives of Germany and were among the early settlers of Mahoning County, Ohio. They sub- sequently came to Hancock County and located on what is now known as the William Earnest farm in Washington Township. Here they spent the remainder of their lives, his death oc- curring at the age of 91 years; his wife died at the age of 86 years. They were the parents of the following children: Paul, deceased; Cath- erine, deceased; Anna, deceased; Jonas, de- ceased; Rachel, deceased; Mary, who is the wife of Isaac Hooper; Ellen, deceased; Lydia; Jacob, deceased; Hannah; and three who died in infancy.

Jonas Hofmaster was born August 13, 1829, in Mahoning County, Ohio, and when a young man came to Hancock County with his parents, who settled on a tract of timberland in Wash- ington Township. He was married to Mary Jacobs, who was born in Hancock County,

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Ohio, and was a daughter of John and Marga- ret Jacobs, natives of Germany, who came to Hancock County in 1833 and entered land one mile north of our subject's place in Washing- ton Township. After his marriage Jonas Hof- master spent ten years on the old Jacobs farm, then bought 80 acres of land from Nick Jacobs, to which he later added 20 acres, the farm now being owned by our subject, Alpheus Hof- master. The land was partly cleared and there was an old log house on the place, but it was later replaced by the house which is now on the farm. Jonas died on this farm January 2, 1904, and was survived by his widow until February 22, 1907, who was 73 years old at the time of her death. They were parents of the following children: Alpheus; Alice Eliza- beth, deceased wife of Clarence Stewart of Michigan; Celestia, who married Dr. N. C. Miller of Fostoria, Ohio; Margaret, the wife of Miron Smith, of Fostoria; Ella, who died young ; and two who died in infancy.

Alpheus Hofmaster was reared on his pres- ent farm, having been just a boy when his par- ents removed from the old Jacobs farm, where he was born. He attended the district schools of the township, but being the eldest child was obliged to devote considerable time to the farm work, and after his marriage, continued to live here, buying the farm from the Hofmaster heirs. He has remodeled the barn, erected milk-houses and otherwise made many im- provements, and in connection with general farming is extensively engaged in shipping cream to Indiana.

Mr. Hofmaster was married November 22, 1887, to Jennie Brown, who is a daughter of Alexander and Mary ( Pughe) Brown, the lat- ter of whom is deceased, and they have two children: Harry, and Mary. Mr. Hofmaster

is one of the public spirited and enterprising citizens of the township and in politics is iden- tified with the Democratic party.

A. C. DICUS,* manager of the Farmers' Elevator and Exchange Company, at Mt. Cory, Hancock County, O., an enterprising and pro- gressive business man, was born June 10, 1850, at Wabash, Ind., and is a son of Burgess and Hannah (Connell) Dicus. The father was born in Maryland, later moved to a farm in Fairfield County, O., and died at Defiance, in 1869, aged fifty-seven years. The mother was born and reared in Pennsylvania and died at Defiance, O., in 1884, aged seventy-two years.

A. C. Dicus was six years old when his par- ents moved to Illinois, where the family re- mained on a farm for ten years and then re- turned to Ohio and located at Defiance. In that city Mr. Dicus obtained a public school education. Following his marriage he estab- lished his home at Mt. Blanchard and five years since came to Rawson, where he has in- vested in property. The Farmers' Elevator and Exchange Company at Mt. Cory has be- come an enterprise of large importance to the farmers of this section. It was incorporated in 1907. The company deals in grain of all kinds, wool, coal, tile and flour. Mr. Dicus has the entire management of the business.

In 1883 Mr. Dicus was married to Miss L. A. Switzer, of Findlay, who was born and reared in Hancock County. They have four children: Glenn, who married Maud Hunt- ward, of Benton Ridge; Anna, who married Grover Fox, of Rawson; S. E., and Harold.

HOMER L. TAYLOR,* who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 160 acres, located about one and a quarter miles east of Van

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Buren in Allen Township, Hancock County, Clyde LeRoy; Sarah Caroline, Edmund Show- Ohio, was born October 24, 1861, on his farm on which he now lives, and is a son of Charles and Caroline ( Fairchilds) Taylor.

Charles Taylor was born in Bedford County, Pa., and in early manhood came to Ohio, and worked at cabinet making in various places. After his marriage with Caroline Fairchilds, he resided several years in Van Buren, Han- cock County, Ohio, but later settled on the farm in Allen Township, which our subject now owns. This he partly cleared and placed in a state of cultivation, and spent the remainder of his life here engaged in agricultural pursuits. The parents of our subject were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living, our subject being the youngest of seven sons.

Homer L. Taylor was reared on his present farm, attended the local schools, and in early manhood learned carpentering, which he fol- lowed some years. In 1894 he purchased the home farm from the heirs, and has since car- ried on general farming and stock raising, and is one of the most prosperous farmers of Allen Township.

Mr. Taylor was married to Madge Show- man, who was born and reared in Allen Town- ship, and is a daughter of Pembroke B. and Caroline (Heller) Showman. Pembroke B. Showman was a native of Maryland, and in 1849, during the gold excitement, spent some time in California, but subsequently came to Hancock County, Ohio, where he had a brother living. Here he married Caroline Hel- ler, who was born and reared in Hancock County, and spent the remainder of his life on a farm in Allen Township, where his death oc- curred in 1901. He is still survived by his widow. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, namely : Charles Pembroke;

man; Donald William; and James M. The family holds membership with the Van Buren Presbyterian Church. Mr. Taylor is a direc- tor of the schools of District 6 of Allen Town- ship.

CHARLES A. KELLEY,* owner of a val- uable farm of eighty acres, situated in Section 3, Portage Township, Hancock County, O., eleven miles northwest of Findlay, was born in Gratiot County, Mich., August 17, 1869, and is a son of Alvin C. and Sarah A. ( Patten) Kel- Jey. When he was about three months old the family moved to Washington Township, Han- cock County, O., where the father bought a farm. Later he retired to Bloomdale, in Wood County, where he still resides, his wife having died there in 1900.

Charles A. Kelley was the third in his par- ents' family of four children, the others being as follows: Edwin H., who died in Washing- ton Township-was a farmer and a teacher and later engaged in the practice of law in the city of Cleveland; Lettie, who is the wife of A. E. Hale, of Findlay; and Louie, who is the wife of James F. Ernest. Mr. Kelley has been engaged in general farming ever since his school days. He came to his present place in 1898 and has made many improvements along sensible, practical lines and these have mate- rially added to the value of his property.

Mr. Kelley married Miss Emma M. Hale, a daughter of Taylor and Zeruah Hale, of Wood County, O., and they have four children: Lynn H., Curtis E., Claire and Charles. They are being given many advantages and give promise of growing into admirable maturity. Mr. Kel- ley and family belong to the Methodist Episco- pal church of North Baltimore, of which he is

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a trustee. He is an enterprising and interested citizen of his township and has served on its school board.

H. J. RUTLEDGE,* manager of the Buck- eye Ice and Coal Company, at Findlay, O., and a representative business man of this city, was born in Fairfield County, O., February 10, 1855, and is a son of Abraham and Nancy Ann (Hughes) Rutledge.

Abraham Rutledge was born in West Vir- ginia and remained there until he reached man- hood, when he came to Fairfield County and some years later to Putnam County, where he lived from 1858 until 1861. He then came to Hancock County and located on a farm in Union Township, where his death occurred, in 1873, at the age of sixty years. His burial was in the Clymer Cemetery, in that township. His widow survived until 1889, dying at Findlay. She was born, reared and educated in Fairfield County. Both were members of the United Brethren church and were worthy Christian people in every sense of the word.

H. J. Rutledge was four years old when his parents moved to Putnam County but he ob- tained the greater part of his schooling in Union Township, Hancock County. He was married first in 1885, to Miss Philena Altman, who died at Mt. Cory, in 1892, aged thirty-two years. Her parents were Jacob and Ellen Alt- man, and her father was a farmer in Union Township. Mr. Rutledge was married second- ly to Miss Louise M. Storel, a daughter of Gotleib and Mary Storel, who were farming people in Hardin County, O. In 1892 Mr. Rutledge moved from Mt. Cory to Findlay, where he and his wife enjoy one of the finest homes in the city, located at No. 315 East Cen- ter Street. They are members of the First

Methodist Episcopal church at Findlay. Mr. Rutledge has been manager of the Buckeye Ice and Coal Company since its incorporation in 1909.

DAVID EDSON PEPPLE,* whose valu- able farm of 160 acres is situated in Section 23, Cass Township, Hancock County, O., is one of the' representative business men of this section. He was born on his present farm, May 13, 1861, and is a son of John and Mary (Groner) Pepple and a grandson of Simon Pepple.

John Pepple grew to manhood in Columbi- ana County, O., a son of Simon Pepple, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In Columbiana County, John Pepple was married to Mary Groner, whose people had also come from Pennsylvania, and after the birth of their first child, John Pepple and wife moved to Hancock County, settling in the woods, their tract being now included in the present farm. The wife had inherited sixty-six acres from her father and later John Pepple added the remainder un- til the aggregate was 173 acres. Their first house was the usual pioneer affair, made of logs, but as the land became cleared and culti- vated and grew profitable, a better one was erected and their last years were spent in great comfort. Her death occurred in 1891, at the age of sixty-six years, while his followed, in 1897, when he was aged seventy-eight years. They had the following children : Samuel, who lives in Minnesota; Reuben G., who lives in Michigan; Elias W., who lives in Cass Town- ship; Lucinda E., deceased, who was the wife of E. Powell, of Hancock County; Simon, who is deceased; John W., who is also deceased; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of C. Sherman, of Hancock County; and David Edson.

David Edson Pepple may be said to have

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CHARLES E. JORDAN

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spent his whole life in Cass Township, the only time excepted being his twenty-first summer which he passed with a brother in the West. He attended the district schools and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and later came into possession of the home farm through purchase. He carries on gen- eral farming and raises stock for his own use. He is a stockholder in and was one of the or- ganizers of the Arcadia Bank and Savings Company, at Arcadia, O.

On September 1, 1887, Mr. Pepple was mar- ried to Miss Ella M. Burman, a daughter of Henry and Susan Burman, of Van Buren, O., and they have one son, Clyde E. This young man, who is a member of the class of 1911 at Delaware College, has made a fine record both for punctuality and scholarship ever since he began attending school. Mr. Pepple and fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Arcadia. He is identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the D. O. K. K., belonging to or- ganizations at Findlay, Toledo and Arcadia.

CHARLES E. JORDAN, president of The Findlay Courier Company of Findlay, Ohio, and vice president of the City Banking Com- pany, is a representative member of the Find- lay bar. He was born in Washington Town- ship, Hancock County, Ohio, December 27, 1870, and is a son of John M. and Isabel (Redman) Jordan.

John .M. Jordan was born on the old home farm in Washington Township, where he died in May, 1881. His father, Charles E. Jordan. an early settler, had come to this place from Belmont County. Ohio. John M. Jordan served as a soldier in the Civil War but sur- vived its dangers and died many years after-

ward after years of peaceful pursuits. He married Isabel Redman, who was also born in Washington Township and died in August, 1881, on the home farm.

Charles E. Jordan, bearing his grand- father's name, was reared on the old family estate and from the country schools entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal University at Ada and after completing the literary course entered upon the study of law. He was grad- uated from the law department of the Cincin- nati College, and was but twenty-two years of age when he was admitted to the bar, in 1893. For six years Mr. Jordan acceptably filled the difficult office of prosecuting attorney for Han- cock County, being elected on the Democratic ticket in 1896, and since then has devoted him- self to a private practice that is more or less absorbing.

Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Gail Dukes, a member of one of the old and prom- inent county families. They have one son, Richard D. The father of Mrs. Jordan was Eli Dukes, a prominent resident of Blanchard Township. Mr. Jordan served as clerk of the police court under Mayor Meehan's admin- istration. He is a member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks.

JAMES O. LINE,* whose fine farm of 160 acres is situated in Eagle Township, Hancock County, Ohio, about seven miles south of Find- lay and three-fourths of a mile west of the Bellefontaine road, in Section 24, has always resided on this place and was born here June 28. 1875. His parents were Elijah C. and Julia A. ( Elsea) Line.

Elijah C. Line came with his wife to Eagle Township in their early married life and he was engaged in farming on this land through

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all his active years. His death occurred here in 1887, his widow surviving until 1891.

James O. Line grew to manhood on the pres- ent farm and obtained his education in the lo- cal schools. From early youth he assisted his father and since coming into possession of the property he has made many substantial im- provements. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and makes the growing of sheep a specialty. In the fall of 1897 he started to housekeeping on the present place, follow- ing his marriage, and his five children have been born here, their names being respectively : Everett, Leroy, Mervin, Thelma and Gerald. In the spring of 1908 Mr. Line began to enjoy the postal free delivery system. He is a well informed man and is particularly well posted along agricultural lines and as he makes a practical application of his knowledge he is very successful.

MARTIN L. WISELY,* secretary of the Buckeye Ice & Coal Company, successors to the Peoples' Ice & Coal Company of Findlay, Ohio, was born December 24, 1871, on a farm six miles east of Findlay, Ohio, and is a son of William P. and Catherine L. Wisely.

William P. Wisely, deceased, was formerly known throughout Hancock County as one of its most successful agriculturists, and was a son of Allen and Amelia (Bright ) Wisely. His father was one of the first five settlers of the county, coming here in 1831 with a party of five pioneers and helping to survey the county when it was still in a state of primeval

wilderness. Seeing that this region had a promising future, Allen Wisely invested in a large tract of land, and spent the remainder of his life in placing it in a state of cultivation. At the time of his death in 1888 he left a fine

estate of three thousand acres, most of which had been improved by his long and arduous labors. He was the father of eight children, those surviving being as follows: Mrs. Sarah Davis, Mrs. America Glick, Loraine, and Dan- iel S. Wisely.

William P. Wisely, father of our subject, was trained to agricultural pursuits, and like his father became a successful farmer, leaving at the time of his death, in middle life, one of the finest landed estates in Hancock County. He was a member of the United Brethren church.

Martin L. Wisely was less than four years of age when his parents died and he was reared by his grandmother, who lived near Jackson, Mich. At the age of 16 he returned to Find- lay, Ohio, where he entered college, but shortly after went to California for his health. He spent one year on a ranch there, sleeping out of doors every night and returned to Findlay greatly improved in health. He followed farm- ing on the home place five years and in 1901, with his brother William P. Wisely, embarked in the ice and coal business at Findlay, the firm being known as the Peoples' Ice & Coal Com- pany. October 1, 1909, the Buckeye Ice & Coal Company was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000, and the following officers elected, W. S. Parker, president, Eli Alexander, vice president, H. J. Rutledge, manager, M. L. Wisely, secretary and Charles E. Jordan, treasurer. The Buckeye Ice & Coal Company, whose offices are located at No. 329 North Cory Street, carry on a retail and whole- sale business and employ from twelve to fifteen men. They also own at Riverside Park an ice-house which has a capacity of 10,000 tons.

Martin L. Wisely was joined in marriage with Clara L. Adams, a daughter of Philip

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Adams, and to them have been born two chil- farm; Eliza, who resides at Buffalo; and Wal- dren : Charles M., and Bernice M. Mr. Wise- ly is politically a Republican and served four years-beginning in 1897-as trustee of Ma- rion Township.

William P. Wisely, brother of our subject, was born September 5, 1873, and graduated with the class of 1891 from the Findlay Col- lege. He is one of the prominent and substan- tial business men of Findlay, and is fraternally identified with the Elks and the Masons, in the latter of which order he has attained the 32nd degree. He married Bessie B. McLeod, a daughter of the late Dr. Joseph R. McLeod, who was one of the oldest and best known phy- sicians of Findlay.

ROBERT I. MACKEY,* a leading citizen of Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., who carries on general farming on over 200 acres of land, including his own and other properties, is a member of one of the old and honorable county families. He was born in 1850, three miles west and one-half mile south of McComb, Hancock County, and is a son of William and Lavina (McVay) Mackey.

William Mackey was born in Jefferson County, O., where his father had settled when he came from Ireland. For many years he carried on farming in Hancock County, having moved to Pleasant Township in 1845. He was married in Pennsylvania to Lavina Mc- Vay, who was born in Highland County, O. Both died on the home farm many years later, the mother in 1902 and the father in 1909, the latter being in his eighty-fourth year. Their children were: Robert I .; Maggie, who is the widow of Frank Van Dyke; Maroa, who is the wife of Harland Stoker, of McComb; Frank, who is part owner of and lives on the home

lace, who lives at McComb, O. The parents of the above family were members of the Pres- byterian church at McComb, the father being an elder in the same. He was a Republican in his political views.

Robert I. Mackey was reared on the home farm and obtained his early education in what was known as the Bail's schoolhouse, in Pleas- ant Township. His interests have been mainly agricultural and since 1872 he has re- sided on his present farm of fifty acres, near Deweyville, land which was formerly owned by his father but was purchased by Mr. Mackey in the above year. It is in a fine state of cultivation and with the exception of ten acres, was all cleared and ditched by Mr. Mackey since coming here. In addition to cultivating this property, he also operates a part of the Goudy farm, and also tracts for E. E. and Charles Ewing, aggregating more than 200 acres. He is an enterprising and progres- sive farmer and all this land is made to return generously for the care and attention be- stowed on it.

Mr. Mackey was married in 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Mowery, of an old Pleasant Town- ship family, and they have one daughter, Mary, who is the wife of Sumner Downing. Mr. Downing is a successful business man of Benton Ridge. They have one son, Marcus. Mr. Mackey is a Republican but has never sought any political preferment. He has al- ways taken an active interest in the public schools, partly on account of his father's long connection with them, he having taught for thirty-three successive terms. Mr. Mackey is one of the oldest continuous residents of this part of Pleasant Township.

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WILLIAM F. DUNCAN, judge of the he is now serving. On the bench he has also court of common pleas of this district, was "made good" and his administration of the office has given general satisfaction. At this writing he has been nominated and is a can- didate for another term. born at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, February 13, 1864, the eldest of seven children of Hon. Thomas E. and Rachel (Frew) Duncan. He was educated in the Judge Duncan in public as well as in private life, has proven honest, able and faithful and has treated all with courtesy and respect, and he, in turn, enjoys the confidence and respect of the bench and bar of his district and the people generally. public schools of the county, graduating from the Mt. Gilead High School in 1883. As a school boy he spent his vacations working on the farm and upon leaving school took a place in his father's flouring mill for about eighteen months as the "all around" man where he learned the first ethics of business and some- thing about machinery. He afterwards sup- plemented his education by a year each in Den- nison and Ohio Wesleyan universities.

In 1886 he began the study of law with his father, Judge Thomas E. Duncan, at Mt. Gil- ead, and the next year entered the senior class of the Cincinnati Law School where he gradu- ated in May, 1888, and was admitted to the bar, from which time he practiced with his father at Mt. Gilead to the first day of January, 1889, when he came to Findlay, his present home. Here he acquired some little reputation as a lawyer and a good clientage.

In 1890 he was elected city solicitor of his city and in 1892 reelected. In this office he proved himself capable and worthy and laid the foundation for future honors. In Septem- ber, 1902, he was appointed by Governor Nash to fill out the unexpired term of about eight months on the common pleas bench of this dis- trict, caused by the resignation of Hon. J. W. Schaufelberger of Tiffin, which he did faith- fully and well and returned to his law practice. In November, 1903. he was elected to another vacancy on this bench, caused by the death of Hon. Charles M. Melhorn of Kenton. The next year he was elected to a full term, which

On May 5, 1891, Judge Duncan was mar- ried to Miss Elba Nile Ireland, daughter of Alexander and Mary Ireland, prosperous farm- ers of Morrow County, of Scotch-Irish descent, like the Duncans. They reside at 506 West Sanduskey street. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is ac- tive in its benevolent work. Judge Duncan is a Republican in politics and is identified with several leading fraternal societies.

COL. JAMES FINDLAY was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1770. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Smith) Find- lay, who reared a family of six sons-John, William, James, Jonathan, Thomas and Na- than-all of whom became prominent and dis- tinguished men. In politics they were Dem- ocrats, and held office of distinction under that party, but in after years James became a Whig. He married Miss Jane Irwin, and about 1795 moved to Ohio, traveling on horse- back by way of Virginia and Kentucky, and settling in Cincinnati, then a small village. Here for a number of years he filled the posi- tion of receiver of public moneys in the land office. In 1805-6 he served as mayor of Cin- cinnati, and again in 1810-11. When the War of 1812 broke out he was commissioned as

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 70

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

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