BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
History of Allen County, Ohio
Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns,
Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.; Portraits of
Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies;
History of the Northwest Territory;
History of Ohio; Statistical and
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.
- Illustrated -
Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co.
1885

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Ottawa Twp. 694 EMANUEL GALE, merchant tailor, Lima, a native of England, was born in October, 1844, son of George Gale, who lived and died in that country.  His parents had three children of whom he was the only one to come to America.  He learned his trade in his native land, whence he came to New York, where he remained for a few years, and in 1869 he came to Ohio.  Mr. Gale was married in September, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Frazier.  In March, 1879, he came to Lima, and opened a merchant tailoring establishment.  In 1883 he removed to the Fall Block, where he conducts one of the most fashionable tailor shops in the city, making perfect fits and keeping on hand a large and well-selected stock of goods. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page

Ottawa Twp. - N. H. GARRETSON, dairy farmer, P. O. Lima, was born Oct. 4, 1824, about thirteen miles East of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, son of William and Elizabeth (Sleighle) Garretson, who were of Scotch-Irish and German descent, respectively.  William Garretson came to Ohio in 1816 and settled in Stark County, soon after buying a farm in Wayne County, where he labored for many years and reared his family, consisting of three sons and five daughters, four of whom are now living:  William, Sarah (Mrs. Bowman), Mary (Mrs. Hardesty), and N. H.  Our subject was married Mar. 21, 1849, to Cynthia, daughter of William Hunter, and to this union were born William H. (married to Carrie Harris), Charles S. (married to Emma Carns, and who is a furniture dealer), Robert M., Theodore S. (married to Stella Gardner of Louisville, Ky.), Mary A. (married to Robert W. Parmenter), Steel L. (a mute, was educated at Columbus, Ohio, and graduated in 1879, when he returned to Lima), Sarah C. and Lydia B. (latter deceased).  Mr. Garretson came to Lima in 1840, and for fifteen years has been engaged in dairying, keeping from twenty to thirty cows most of the time. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 694

Richland Twp. - CHRISTIAN GEIGER, farmer, P. O. Columbus Grove, Putnam County, was born in Switzerland, November 16, 1835; son of Peter and Anna (Welty) Geiger, also natives of Switzerland, former of whom came to America in 1837, settling on a farm in Richland Township, and raised a family of eight children. Christian, the youngest, was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and has made farming the business of his life. He is the owner of a well-improved farm of eighty acres of land. He was married, in 1858, to Anna, daughter of Peter Thut, a native of Switzerland and a pioneer of Allen County. To Mr. Geiger and wife were born Elizabeth (wife of Albert Shutz, a farmer in this county), Elias (a farmer), Emma (at home), Mary and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are members of the Mennonite Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 762

FREDERICK GEIGER, farmer, P. O. Bluffton, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, October 17, 1838; son of John and Barbara (Welty) Geiger, natives of Switzerland, who came to America in 1835, and settled on a farm in Riley Township, Putnam County, Ohio. They were parents of seven children, three boys and four girls, all of whom are now living and prospering. Our subject, the sixth born, was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and early in life learned the cabinetmaker's trade. He is of a mechanical turn of mind, and a first-class workman. In 1853 he completed the first pipe organ in Richland Township, which is still in use. Farming, however, has been the principal business of his life, and he is now owner of 116 acres of well-improved land in Richland Township. Mr. Geiger was married, in 1864, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Hilty, a prominent farmer of Allen County, Ohio. Her parents were natives of Switzerland. To our subject and wife were born ten children: Amos, Paulina, Calvin, Menno, Katie Ann, Emma, John, Isaac W., Lavina and Lillie May. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are members of the American Mennonite Church, in which he is a deacon. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 762

CHRISTIAN GERBER, farmer, P. O. Bluffton, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 6, 1823, only child of Ulrich (a farmer) and Elizabeth (Leatherman) Gerber, natives of Switzerland, and who came to America in 1822, settling in Wayne County. Our subject received a common school education, and has been a farmer all his life. He is now the owner of a well-improved farm, comprising 116 acres of land, in Richland Township, where he has resided since 1852. He was united in marriage in 1854 with Mary, daughter of John Basinger, a farmer and an early settler of Allen County, Ohio, and of German descent. Their children are Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Amstutz ; Leah, wife of Peter B. Amstutz ; David, farming on the home farm, and Hannah. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber are members of the Mennonite Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 762

Ottawa Twp.  - GEORGE A. GIBSON, cabinet-maker, Lima, was born Sept. 18, 1831, in Franklin County, Penn., son of George A., Sr., and Hannah (Buchanan) Gibson, former a native of Pennsylvania, and who came to Ohio, settling in Crawford County, where he remained until his death six years later.  His family numbered nine children: John, Isaac, Mary A., Eliza J., Rebecca (deceased), William A., George A., Robert C. and Claudius B.  Our subject was educated in Crawford County, Penn., and there learned his trade with C. Howenstein.  He was married in 1851 to Sarah R. Perkins, by whom he had five children, three now living: W. R. married to Alberta Hanson; Eva B. and Alton.  Mr. Gibson came to Lima in 1849 and began his trade with Nicholas Gonkle, with whom he continued five years.  He then removed to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and there remained ten years; then returned to Lima, and in company with A. R. Webber, commenced dealing in musical instruments, a business he carried on for fifteen years successfully.  In 1881 Mr. Gibson obtained the contract to furnish foundation stone and lay the stone sidewalks for Lima, and has since been busily engaged in improving the city.  He served as deputy provost-marshal in 1862-63. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 695

A. D. GOBLE, a member of the Bluffton Tile Company, Bluffton, was born in Alabama, September 15, 1849. son of John and Catherine E. (Isbel) Goble, natives of Pennsylvania; former of Scotch-Irish descent, a Presbyterian minister, who came to this county in 1866; latter of English origin. They were parents of six children, of whom A. D. is the next to the eldest. Our subject was educated at Hayesville Institute, and chose for his occupation the drug business, in which he continued but one year, however. He then went West, remaining for four years, then ran an engine ten years, and in 1874 came to this county, embarking in his present business in 1884. He was married in 1872 to Rachel J., daughter of Jacob Dilley, a farmer residing at Beaver Dam, Ohio. They are of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Goble have had four children : Otis, Lewis C., Irma Zoe and Harley. Mr. Goble is a member of the Lutheran Church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 763

Ottawa Twp. - LEWIS F. GOEBEL, shoe-maker, LIma, was born Dec. 3, 1850, in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, son of John and Mary (Brost) Goebel, natives of Germany.  John Goebel first immigrated to Canada, thence moved to New York State, and in 1850 came to Ohio where he reared his family of six children, all of whom are now living:  John G., Anna M., Lewis F., Andrew N., Joseph and Philip.  Our subject learned his trade with L. Van Pelt, in Lima, beginning in 1868.  He was married in 1874 to Caroline Ogan, a daughter of an old settler of Putnam County.  This union was blessed with six children, three now living:  Willie (deceased), Carrie (deceased), Maud (deceased), Bessie, John B. and Luah.  Mr. Goebel is now engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, along with L. Van Pelt of Lima. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 695

Marion Twp. - H. GOETTE, secretary and treasurer of the Pittsburg Hoop and Stave Company, Delphos, was born in Berlin, Prussia, Nov. 22, 1840, and there received a thorough mercantile business education.  In 1866 he came to this country and engaged in his professional work in New York City, from which he traveled in the interest of wholesale trade for several years.    In 1878 he went to Pittsburgh, where he was connected with merchandising till 1880, and in that year he engaged with the Pittsburgh Keg and Barrel Company, who had established a business here, and came here in their employ as book-keeper and cashier.  After the burning of their building here he joined F. A. Weger, and bought the plant, etc., which he represents.  Mr. Goette was married at Pittsburgh, in 1875, to Miss Emily, daughter of G. G. Backofen, a hardware and tinware merchant of that city, a native of Nuernburg, Bavaria, Germany.  Mr. and Mrs. Goette have one son and two daughters: Elida, Carl and Catherine.  Our subject has been an active supporter of matters tending to the city's growth since coming here, and may be reckoned as among the prominent enterprising citizens of Delphos. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 635

Ottawa Twp. - JOSEPH GOLDSMITH, proprietor of Lima House, Lima, was born in 1834 in German; son of Simon and Henrietta (Levi) Goldsmith who lived and died in their native land.  Our subject was second of five children living, three of whom came to this country.  Joseph Goldsmith to America in 1851, located at Akron, Ohio (his two brothers came later) where he remained three years; lived about three years in Newark, Ohio, and Indianapolis and South Bend, Ind., and in Mansfield, Ohio, from April 1857 until January, 1862, when he was appointed quartermaster in the Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which capacity he served until June, 1863, when he resigned. He then went to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he entered the clothing business in which he had previously engaged.  Mr. Goldsmith was married in 1863 to Nancy, daughter of M. Simon, of Bucyrus, and by this union are two children: Etta and Sally.  Our subject removed to Cleveland in 18675, but returned in 1868 to Bucyrus, and conducted the Sims House until 1873, when he and his father-in-law, M. Simon, came to Lima and purchased the Lima House, where Mr. Goldsmith has since been a business.  He is a F. and A. M., a member of the I. O. O. F. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 695

JACOB C. GOOD, farmer, P. O. Elida, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 6, 1828; son of Joseph and Hagdalene (Campbell) Good, both now deceased. Our subject came to this county with his family in 1853, and settled in Sugar Creek Township, where he still resides. He was married in 1851, to Miss Anna Blosser of Hocking County Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Grove) Blosser, the father deceased several years since, the mother now. residing in Hocking County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob C. Good have been born the following children: Lydia, Amon, Magdalene, Demas and Anna. Mr. Good has cleared up and improved his farm in many ways. He and his wife are members of the Mennonite Church. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 818

Ottawa Twp. - WILLIAM B. GORTON (deceased) was born April 1, 1825, near Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, a descendant of the Gorton family, originally from England, and who were prominent in the early history of the United States, their lineage here extending back to 1614, when they are first mentioned in connection with the political events of American history.  His parents, Benjamin and Eluthera Gorton, were natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively, and were the parents of two sons and four daughters: Ellen (Mrs. Freeman, residing in Florida), F. W. (deceased), Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Hathaway, a resident of Wisconsin), Laura, Anna and William B. (deceased).  Our subject was married, in 1848, to Frances L. Roberts, and to this union were born two daughters:  Mary (wife of George W. Myers), Ella F. (wife of E. C. Mackenzie, clerk of the Lima courts).  Mr. Gorton received his education in Painesville and was a mechanic and a manufacturer of wood.  He came to Lima in 1868 and purchased the Ottawa Mills, which he conducted up to time of his his death, having improved them so that they became the most popular in the county, their capacity being 125 bbls. per day, operated by the new process or roller system.  Mr. Gorton died very suddenly of heart disease Jan. 1, 1885, deeply lamented.  He was a K. T. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 696

Shawnee Twp. - CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM, farmer, P. O. Hume, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Apr. 3, 1825; son of William and Mary (Johnson) Graham, who settled in Union Township, Allen (now in Auglaize) Co., Ohio, in 1835, where they cleared and improved a farm on which they lived and died.  They reared a family of seven children: Richard (deceased), Christopher, John (deceased), Mary A. (Mrs. David McPheron), Charles and William C. (who reside on the old homestead) and Barton E.  Our subject was reared in Union Township, now in Auglaize County, Ohio, from ten years of age.  He settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1847, locating on the farm where he now resides, entering eighty-seven acres of land from the government, which he cleared and improved, and he has since added to his possessions by enlarging the farm to 262 acres.  He was married, June 22, 1848, to Mary T., daughter of Miles and Fanny (Blew) Cowan of Auglaize County, Ohio, by whom he has had ten children: Beach, Fanny I. (deceased), Ann B., John, Missouri I. (Mrs. Theodore King), Ida L. (Mrs. Charles Settlemire), Edla A. (Mrs. Daniel Hoak, deceased), Mary R., Jerusha L. and Roger.  Mr. Graham has held several of the minor offices of the Township.  In politics he is a Democrat. ( Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 791)

REV. PETER GREDING, D. D., farmer and minister, P. O. Beaver Darn, was born in Thusis Graubunden, Switzerland, February 28, 1837; son of Peter and Barbara (Pernisch) Greding, also natives of Switzerland, where the former died, leaving a widow with two children, Peter being the younger. Mrs. Barbara Greding came to America with her family in 1858, and settled in Milwaukee, Wis. Our subject received a good education in his native land, graduating from the Cantonal College, in Chur, in 1856. After coming to America he studied the English language and theology in Heidelberg College and Seminary, Seneca County, Ohio, where he was afterward a professor. He is a member of the Reformed Church in the United States, was ordained a minister in that denomination in 1859, and the same year came to Allen County, Ohio, where he established the first German Reformed Church at Lima, and organized the Emanuel's congregation at Riley Creek. He has been the means of having several churches built in different parts of the country since he was stationed in Ohio, and is actively engaged in ministerial duties, filling the pulpit regularly. The farm on which he now resides, and which he operates, comprises 133 acres of land. Our subject was married in i860 to Miss Anna, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Matter, also natives of Switzerland. They have following named children : Lydia, wife of J. Scott; Jennings, a farmer and school teacher; Calvin; Emma; Bertha; Clara; Amelia; Leander, and Hulda. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 763

Bath Twp. - STEPHEN H. GREER, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1827, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Kelly) Greer.  His father settled in Bath Township, his county, in 1841, where he cleared and improved the farm on which he lived until his death; he was twice married, and by his first wife, Elizabeth Kelly, had three children: Chrisitana (wife of John Patterson), Ruth (wife of Thomas McClure), and Stephen.  His second wife was Rebecca Pearson, by whom he had four children: Elizabeth (wife of Moses McClure), Rachel (wife of William Hardesty), Moses, Jane L. (wife of Harrison Bible).  Joshua Greer, died May 6, 1875, in his eighty-second year.  Our subject was reared in Bath Township, this county, from fourteen years of age, assisted his father in clearing the farm, and has always lived on the old homestead.  He was married, Apr. 22, 1852, to Malinda A., daughter of William and Ruth (Paulin) Neely, of Bath Township, and by her he had five children: William, Joshua (deceased), Loretta J. Matilda E. and Sarah E.  Mr. Greer is a representative farmer and citizen has been elected to the office of assessor three terms, although his party is in the minority in the township.  In politics he is a Republican.  During his residence in Bath Township, Mr. Greer has chopped and split rails for 25 cents a hundred. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 581

LEWIS GRIFFITH, farmer, P. O. Gomer, is a native of Radnorshire, Wales, born January 14, 1828; son of Lewis and Jane (Mills) Griffith, natives of Montgomeryshire, Wales, where they were married; they had two children, Margaret and Lewis, who came with them to America in 1832. The family settled first in Butler County, Ohio, where the father died in 1884; the widow married again in that county where she and her husband lived until 1841, then moved to that part of Putnam County, Ohio, which is now Sugar Creek Township, this county, and here she died in June 1877; her second husband died in July, 1883. Our subject was married, May 2, 1S57, to Miss Hannah Evans, of Sugar Creek Township, this county, a native of Carnarvonshire, Wales, born in May. 1841, daughter of William and Jane Evans.  To our subject and wife were born rive sons and four daughters: Joseph H., Jane, William L., John M.. Margaret A., Evan F., Kate M., David C. and Cora E.. all now living. Mr. Griffith purchased, in 1882, the home farm where he now resides, which he rented from the time of his marriage and which he had greatly improved. The original homestead building having been destroyed by fire in 1872; our subject's stepfather, who owned the farm at the time of the fire erected in its place the present substantial residence. Mrs. Griffith is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. Griffith is a Republican. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 819

JOHN GRISMORE, farmer, P. O. Bluffton. was born in Pennsylvania, August 26, 1812. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Kerchner) Grismore, were natives of Germany; the father was a farmer, but not very successful, for he died a poor man leaving a family of ten children. Our subject, from childhood, had to practice economy. He learned the tailor's trade which he followed for seventeen years. He was united in marriage, in 1837, with Catherine Weaver, of German descent, and who was born November 8, 1816, in Butler County, Ohio, daughter of Henry Weaver. To this union were born nine children: Sarah (deceased), Henry, Mary Ann, George, Elizabeth and an infant son (deceased), Harriett, Phebe Ann, and Martin. Mrs. Grismore, a member of the Lutheran Church, died in 1880. Mr. Grismore has been a resident of Richland Township, this county, since 1842 and has done more to increase its prosperity than any other man here. He first bought sixty eight acres of land, to which he added by subsequent purchases, until at one time he owned 630 acres. He has been industrious, economical and very successful, financially, and by judiciously investing his money has now a comfortable competency. He is a Democrat in politics. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 763

MARTIN GRISMORE, farmer, P. O. Bluffton, was born in Rich-land Township, this county, May 17, 1861, son of John Grismore, a wealthy retired farmer and pioneer of Allen County. Our subject received a common school education and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, being owner of the farm on which he now resides. He was married, in 1882, to Barbara, daughter of Godhard Althaus, also a farmer here. Mr. and Mrs. Grismore have two children: Viola May and Harry Lee. Mr. Grismore is a Democrat in politics. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 764

Ottawa Twp. - JAMES GROVE, manufacturer of carriages, wagons and buggies, Lima, was born Oct. 12, 1825, in Fairfield County, Ohio, son of Jacob and Jane (Stewart) Grove, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, and who came to Ohio in a very early day, living to a ripe old age.  They reared a family of eight children (seven of whom are still living): James (in Allen County), Susan, Mary (married to Thomas Starr), Augustus, Anna (married to H. Poland), Ella (deceased), and Jacob (in Allen County); the rest of the family were residents of Hocking County, Ohio.  Our subject, in the fall of 1836, when but a lad, began learning his trade in Logan, Hocking Co., Ohio.  He was married Sept. 2, 1849, to Ruth Eldridge, who died in 1876 leaving to his care six children: Eleanor, Zoah M., Ida B., Emma, Eva J. and James.  The daughters keep house for him.  Mr. Grove was a soldier in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting Nov. 9, 1861 in Company G, Eight-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in which he served for three years, the last year in the capacity of repairer of tools with Gen. Dodge's pioneers.  He was mustered out at Rome, Ga., Nov. 8, 1864, and returned to Pulaskiville, Morrow Co., Ohio.  In the spring of 1865 he moved to this county and opened a carriage, wagon and buggy manufactory in Lima, where he has since been engaged, and is now carrying on the business. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 696

THOMAS GRUBB, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Kempton, was born in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio, Sept. 27, 1852; son of John B. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Grubb, who are still living, the former born in Morgan County, the latter in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio.  They were early settlers of Auglaize County, Ohio.  They are the parents of four living children: John A., Letitia J., Thomas and Annie E.  Thomas was reared on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits.  His education was limited to such as could be obtained in the common schools of those days.  He was united in marriage, Aug. 28, 1878, with Miss Catherine Bowers, of Auglaize Township, his county, born April 20, 1859, daughter of John and Amanda E. Bowers, the former of whom, one of the early settlers of Allen County, died about 1865.  To this union three children were born: Rolla G., Laura B. and Maud.  Mr. Grubb moved to Amanda Township, this county, in 1879, and settled on the farm where he now resides.  He was a charter member of Rattlesnake Grange of Jackson Township.  He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In his political views he is identified with the Democratic party.  He was elected and commissioned justice of the peace in 1880, and during his four years of service has performed most of the official work of this office in the township.  Our subject is an energetic and enterprising man, and is destined to become one of the substantial farmers of Amanda Township. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 564

CHARLES GUSTWILLER, manufacturer of carriages, buggies and wagons, Bluffton, a native of Germany, was born January 9, 1850, son of Sebastian Gustwiller, also a carriage-maker, and who came to America locating in New York, subsequently moving to Detroit, Mich., where he followed his trade till 1860, when he came to Allen County, Ohio, remaining here till 1862; he then went to Henry County, same State, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1882. Of the six children born to his parents, Charles is the eldest son. He received his schooling in this county, worked with his father at carriage-making, and in 1871 came to Bluffton, working for different parties until 1875, when he went into business on his own account. He was united in marriage, in 1873, to Sarah E. Cahill, a sister of R. F. and a daughter of Richard Cahill, M. D. (deceased).  They have two children: Lulu B. and Richard Clair. In politics, Mr. Gustwiller is a Democrat. He is secretary of the R. A. at Bluffton. Source:  History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by  Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 764

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