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Biographies
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source :
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, OHIO
and Representative Citizens
Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio
Published by Biographical Publishing Co.
Chicago, Illinois
1907
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NELSON
MAFFETT, residing on his 145 acre farm in Jefferson
township, in section 4, township 6 south, range 2 east, was
born in Carroll County, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1844, and is a son of
Joseph and Mary (Cheetham) Maffett.
The father of Nelson Maffett
was born in Columbiana County, Ohio and was a son of
William Maffett, who was a native of Loudoun County,
Virginia. William Maffett married Catherine
Lodge and they owned slaves and a large plantation,
which they sold when they moved to Columbiana County, Ohio.
He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a man of
some prominence in his locality. He died in 1865, aged
96 years, his sturdy strength having some from Scotch
ancestors.
When Joseph Maffett was six yeas old he
was taken by his parents to Carroll County, Ohio, where he
later married Mary Cheetham, who was a daughter of
John and Jane (Brown) Cheetham, substantial
farmers, who were natives of Manchester, England. Mr.
and Mrs. Cheetham both died in Carroll County.
Mrs. Maffett was seven years old when she accompanied
her parents to America.
Nelson Maffett was reared on his father's farm
in Carroll County until the age of 12 years, when the family
removed to Wyandot County, where his parents died, the
father in 1880 and the mother in 1885. Mr. Maffett
lived in Wyandot County until the fall of 1884, when he sold
the farm of 40 acres and bought a farm of 105 acres in
Jefferson township, Mercer County, mainly timberland.
This land he has cleared and developed and has continued to
improve, building here a large, comfortable frame house and
substantial barn. He pays intelligent attention to the
raising of Black Polled Angus cattle and Percheron horses.
Mr. Maffett's property would command a high price in
the market and its value is mainly due to what he has
accomplished by his persevering industry and excellent
methods.
On Oct. 6, 1874, Mr. Maffett was married to
Julia Landon, a daughter of James and Ruth Landon,
of Ada, Ohio. Mrs. Maffett, is a direct
descendant of the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey, of
English history, and her mother came from the noble old
family of Dudley.
Mr. and Mrs. Maffett have four children, namely:
Alberta, who married Newton Petrie, lives in
Jefferson township and has two children, Harry and
Gladys; Elmer Joseph, residing at home; Mary,
who married William Preston Finley, lives in
Jefferson township and has three children - Ruth, Irma
and Berle; and Addie, who lives at home.
Our subject and children through his great-grandfathers, are
eligible to the societies of the Sons and Daughters of the
American Revolution, both of these worthies having fought
under General Washington.
Mr. Maffett does not
take any very active interest in politics, but he is always
concerned in the progress and development of his community.
He is serving as a member of the township Board of Education
and is one of the reliable, honorable citizens who reflect
credit upon any neighborhood.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 568 |
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WALTER J. MERSMAN
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 406 |
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W.
A. J. McDANIEL, who is at the head of a large
furniture and undertaking establishment at Celina,
established here in 1884, was born in Lima, Ohio, in 1861
and is a son of M. McDaniel, who was engaged in the
furniture and undertaking business practically all his life.
M. McDaniel died in 1901.
The subject of this sketch lived in Troy, Ohio, until
about seven years of age, his parents having moved there
from Lima in his infancy. His parents afterward moved
to Greenville, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood,
learning his present business of his father, who had a
furniture or undertaking establishment. After
attaining his majority, he became a member of the firm of
M. McDaniel & son. In 1884 the firm moved to
Celina and engaged in the same business and since 1885 it
has been owned and under the charge of W. A. J. McDaniel.
Mr. McDaniel was assisted in the undertaking department
by Asa W. Meister until August, 1905, when the latter
became a partner in the undertaking business. Our
subject is an Odd fellow and Knight of Pythias.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page - Page 583 |
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JOSEPH
A. MEINERDING, one of the substantial business men of
Fort Recovery, dealer in hardware and farming implements,
was born in Fort Recovery, Mercer County, Ohio, Feb. 1,
1875, and is a son of Wessel and Agnes (Romer) Meinerding.
Wessel Meinerding was born at Maria Stein, Mercer
County, and was reared in this county. He moved to
Fort Recovery after his marriage and opened a general store
which he operated for several years, finally changing it to
a dry goods and clothing store. He also ran an
elevator. His death occurred in 1884. His wife
is still living in Fort Recovery. They had seven
children, namely: Elizabeth, who married W. H.,
of Petersburg, Indiana, who is in the dry goods business;
Agnes; Joseph A.; and Wessel, of Chicago,
Illinois.
Joseph A. Meinerding was reared and educated at
Fort Recovery. After his marriage he assisted his
brother-in-law, J. W. Schroeder, who was engaged in
the hardware business, which he established in 1891.
After some experience in this business he formed a
partnership with Mr. Schroeder in 1897, and at the
death of the latter, in 1903, he took possession of the
entire business.
Mr. Meinerding was married Sept. 1, 1902, to
Gertrude Forbing, a daughter of Peter Forbing.
They have two children: Paul B., and CAtherine
Gertrude. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
Fraternally, he is a member of Lima Council, Knights of
Columbus.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page - Page 662 |
Hugh Mercer |
HUGH MERCER
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Pages 48 - 49 - CHAPTER II |
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ALBERT MERSMAN, who is a
director of The Mersman Bros., Brandts
Company, of Celina, manufacturers of dining tables, and who
holds the position of foreman of the shipping department,
was born at Kendallville, Indiana, Oct. 16, 1880, and is a
son of J. B. and Mary (Maag) Mersman, the former a
native of Putnam County, Ohio, who is now engaged in a
lumber and sawmill business in Arkansas.
The subject of this sketch was educated at Ottoville,
Ohio, and assisted his father in the planing and sawmill
business at that place and was also employed in the table
factory that his father established in Celina. When
the present company was organized he bought stock in it and
is now a member of the board of directors.
Albert Mersman was married June 24, 1903, to
Norah Fortman, of Celina, and has two children,
Thomas and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Mersman are
members of the Catholic Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 439 |
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EDWARD H. MERSMAN,
a leading business man of Celina, president of The
Mersman Bros., Brandts Company, which is
exclusively engaged in the manufacture of furniture, was
born in 1872 at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is a son of J.
B. and Mary (Maag) Mersman. J. B. Mersman
was born in Putnam County, later resided in Indiana and
subsequently returned to Putnam County, where he was engaged
in the planing and sawmil business for some 12 years,
finally removing in 1900 to Celina, where he established a
factory for the manufacture of extension dining tables, both
medium and high grade. In 1901 he sold his business to
his sons, Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman, and
Henry Lennartz. They continued the business
under the firm name of Lennartz & Mersman Brothers
until May, 1906, when the firm name became Mersman
Brothers & Brandts. The following September
the business was incorporated under laws of Ohio with a
paid-up capital stock of $150,000, under the present style
of The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company.
Henry Lennartz disposed of one-half his
interest in 1904 to Edmund Brandts and in May,
1906, the remainder of his business was purchased by
Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman and Edmund
Brandts. At the present time the company
manufactures dining tables exclusively, an annual business
of over $200,000 being done. Employment is given to
125 men in the factory and 10 traveling salesmen represent
the company on the road. Shipments are made to nearly
every State in the Union and to Canada. At the present
stage of growth, it will only be a few months until the
company will have the largest dining table factory in the
United States. Edward H. Mersman is president;
Walter J. Mersman, vice-president and superintendent;
and Edmund Brandts, secretary and treasurer.
Edward H. Mersman was reared at Kendallville and
LaGrange, Indiana, securing his education mainly in the
latter place and becoming an employee at the bed factory at
LaGrange as soon as he left school. Later he was
employed in a planing-mill and a sawmill, removing later to
Ottoville, Putnam County, where he continued in the same
line until he came to Celina. Here in conjunction with
his brother, Walter J. Mersman, and Henry
Lennartz, he purchased his father's business and has
continued the same successfully ever since.
In 1895 Mr. Mersman was married to Rosa Grewe,
a daughter of Henry Grewe, a retired resident of
Delphos, Ohio. They have one child, Marcella.
Mr. Mersman is a member of the Catholic Church
and belongs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio. In politics he
is a Democrat.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 388 |
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WALTER J. MERSMAN,
vice-president and superintendent of The Mersman Bros.,
Brandts Company, of Celina, was born at Kendallville,
Indiana, May 15, 1876, and secured his education in the
schools at LaGrange, Indiana, and Ottoville, Ohio. He
is a son of J. B. and Mary (Maag) Mersman, the former
a native of Putnam County, Ohio, who is now engaged in a
lumber and sawmill business in Arkansas. He became
thoroughly conversant in the saw and planing-mill business
at Ottoville under his father and was a practical man in the
business when, with his brother, Edward H. Mersman,
and Henry Lennartz, he purchased the dining table
manufacturing business of his father in 1900. He has
charge of the factory as superintendent.
Mr. Mersman was married on June 5, 1900,
to Elizabeth Miller, of Ottoville, Ohio. They
have two children—a son, Cyril, and a daughter,
Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Mersman are members
of the Catholic Church. In politics the subject of
this sketch is a Democrat.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 406 |
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ANTON
MESCHER, proprietor of the Mescher dairy and
the owner of 80 acres of rich farming land situated in
section 28, Butler township, is one of the substantial men
of this part of the county. Mr. Mescher was
born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1852,
and is a son of Bernard and Katherine (Tangemann)
Mescher.
Bernard Mescher was born in Germany and came to
America at the age of 18 years. He made his way to
Mercer County, where he worked for several years on the
canal then in course of construction, and then settled near
Maria Stein. His wife was about 1800 months old
when she was brought to America by her parents who were
pioneers in this part of Mercer County. Both parents
of Mr. Mescher died in Marion township.
Anton Mescher was reared in Marion township and
was educated in the district schools. He was trained
to be a practical farmer and his father recognized his
ability to operate a farm of his own, when he was still a
young man, and purchased the present farm in Butler township
for him. Anton settled on his property in the
year preceding his marriage and has resided here ever since,
carrying on extensive farming and successfully operating a
dairy. He has continued to improve his property and
has erected a handsome brick residence and substantial barns
and other buildings.
In 1882 Mr. Mescher was married to Mary
Fischer, a daughter of Henry Fischer. Mr. and
Mrs. Mescher have eight children, namely: Henry,
Louis, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Margaret, Bernard and
Susan. Mr. Mescher has given his children good
educational advantages and has also reared them carefully in
the Catholic Church. His sons are members of the
Knights of St. John. They all stand very high in
public esteem, being noted for their industry and good
citizenship.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 500 |
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FELIX
METZGER, a successful farmer of Gibson Township, who
owns 240 acres of valuable and highly cultivated land in
sections 35 and 36, was born in Baden, Germany, Jan. 14,
1836. He is a son of Anthony and Tillie Metzger,
both natives of Germany.
Felix Metzger spent his early boyhood days in
Germany, and when 10 years old accompanied his parents to
America, making the three months' trip in a sailing vessel.
They landed at New York and after staying there found a
small farm, on which he lived until his death.
Mr. Metzger was reared and educated in Richland
County. In 1883 he sold a farm of 60 acres which he
owned and moved to Mercer County. Here he purchased a
farm of 160 acres situated in section 35, Gibson township,
on which he made his home for many years, making many
improvements, among which was the erection of a fine large
barn. In April, 1902, he bought 80 acres adjoining his
first farm and one year later built a fine large barn on the
place; in 1905 he erected a frame house and moved on the
place, renting the other farm.
Mr. Metzger was married in 1866, while a
resident of Richland County, of Mary Keeler and they
have had four children, as follows: Rosa, who
lives at home; Frank, Joseph and Anthony.
Mr. Metzger and his family are connected with the
Catholic Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 675 |
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HON C. G. O. MILLER,
mayor of Celina and formerly probate judge of Mercer County,
whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has been a prominent
citizen for many years and closely identified with many of
the most important interest of this section. He was
born Mar. 19, 1847, in Saxony, Germany, and accompanied his
parents to America in 1852.
Mr. Miller was but five years old when the family
located at Somerset, Ohio, and eight years old when
settlement was made at New Lisbon. The family remained
there for three years and then removed to Upper Sandusky.
In 1859 Mr. Miller became a resident of Celina, where
he attended school until he was 17 years old and then
enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Company D,
193rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. Alexander Gable.
Mr. Miller served through 1864-65 and was honorably
discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio.
After the close of his army service, Mr. Miller
returned to Celina and to the school-room and subsequently
taught school. In 1870 he entered the mercantile
establishment of August Fanger is the capacity of
Clerk, and remained there for five years and then again
taught school. In 1876 he was elected justice of the
peace for Jefferson township and served efficiently, having
commenced the study of the law in the previous year.
In 1877 he was admitted to the bar and his promotion was
rapid, in 1884 being elected prosecuting attorney of Mercer
County. His administration was such as to bring him
into great prominence and his reelection followed in 1887.
Mr. Miller has been a life-long Democrat and in
1893 he was chosen by his party as a member of the election
board, on which he served two terms. In the meantime
he managed a large practice. In 1907 he was elected
city solicitor of Celina and in November of the following
year he was elected probate judge of Mercer County. He
entered upon teh duties of his office as mayor of Celina, on
Jan. 1, 1906. It will thus be seen that his name has
been linked with military, judicial and civic services in
his adopted country, and he stands, to-day, as one of the
representative men of Northwestern, Ohio.
In 1880 Mr. Miller was married Edna D.
Bradley, of St. Marys, Ohio, daughter of Dr. Joseph
Bradley, a prominent physician there. Socially he
is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Celina Lodge, No. 199; he is
also a member of Celina Lodge, No. 399, Knights of Pythias.
He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 363 |
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FRANK P. MILLER,
one of the representative and successful agriculturists of
Hopewell township, whose homestead of 160 acres in section
29 is known as “Pleasant View Farm,’’ belongs to one of the
township’s prominent pioneer families. Mr.
Miller was born on this farm, Mar. 13, 1854, and is a
son of John and Emily (Lincoln) Miller.
The father of Mr. Miller was born in
Pennsylvania, but his mother’s people came from New York.
In young manhood John Miller became a resident
of Richland County, Ohio, whence he came to Mercer County,
settling on the farm which is now owned by our subject.
He was a very early settler here and was concerned in the
development of this locality. He was widely known,
served many years as a justice of the peace and was held in
the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens. He was one
of the strong men of his times, honorable and upright and
worthy in every relation of life. He died in 1891,
having survived his wife since 1875.
Frank P. Miller spent his boyhood like other
youths of his day in this section, plenty of hard work with
a little schooling mixed in. Mr. Miller
has always shown his interest in the public schools and has
given support to all enterprises calculated to increase
their efficiency and make them practical. He has
always given particular attention to farming and has met
with very satisfying success in this line. His land is
so favorably situated that its name of “Pleasant View”
precisely describes it. Mr. Miller
carries on general farming and some good stock can be seen
in his pastures.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage with
Margaret Smith, who was born in Liberty township, Mercer
County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late George Smith.
They have four children, namely: Gertrude A., Lurilla O.,
Clarence F. and Richard F. The eldest
daughter married Asa Meister, a business
citizen of Celina, and the second one is the wife of
Walter Fetters, of Hopewell township.
For some years Mr. Miller served as a
justice of the peace in Hopewell township, and also as
school director. With his family lie belongs to the
Evangelical Association. Politically he is a
Republican.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 428 |
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FREDERICK MILLER,
veterinary surgeon at Fort Recovery, was born Feb. 19, 1869,
in Jay County, Indiana, and is a son of Henry and
Margaret (Stoltz) Miller.
Henry Miller was born, reared and educated in
Alsace, Germany, and was there engaged in farming until 26
years of age, when he came to this country, landing at New
Orleans, Louisiana, where he remained for a number of years,
subsequently moving to Jay county, Indiana. Mr.
Miller was married to Margaret Stoltz, a native
of Germany, who came to America with her father, Nicholas
Stoltz,a well-known farmer of Jay County, Indiana.
Mr. Miller and his wife became the parents of five
children, as follows: Frederick, George, Adam,
Charles and William, all of whom are married and
live in Jay County, with the exception of Frederick,
the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Miller
are also residents of Jay County, Indiana, residing on a
farm.
Frederick Miller was reared and educated in Jay
County, attending the district schools during the winter
months and assisting on the farm during the summer.
When 18 years of age, in 1888, he spent one year at the
experimental station at Purdue University, Indiana. He
returned home for a time and in the fall of 1890 entered the
Chicago Veterinary College, from which he was graduated Mar.
24, 1891, when he was just 21 years old. He opened an
office in Fort Recovery in May, 1891, and has since been
successfully engaged in the practice of his profession.
In 1903 he erected the Miller veterinary hospital in
Fort Recovery. Mr. Miller also owns a
fine stock farm of 30 acres in Recovery township, where he
raises blooded horses; he takes great pride in his
stallions.
Mr. Miller was married May
3, 1891, to Mary Loretta Huey, a
daughter of Isaac Huey. They live in
fine, large residence which Mr. Miller
purchased some years ago and on which he has made many
improvements. He is a member of the Ohio State
Veterinary Association. He belongs to the Modern
Woodmen of America and to the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 356 |
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PERRY C. MILLER, a member
of the firm of Palmer & Miller, grain dealers
of Celina, who own a line of elevators and carry on an
extensive commission business in buying and selling grain,
was born in Hopewell township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1869.
He is a son of Joseph Miller, who was born in
Hopewell township, Mercer County, and is one of the leading
citizens of his locality, where he has always lived and been
engaged in farming. He was for many years justice of
the peace.
Perry C. Miller was reared and educated in his
native township, receiving his early education in the public
schools, later attending the Ohio Normal School at Ada.
Upon completing his school education, Mr. Miller
taught school for six years, after which he was engaged in
general merchandise business at Tamah, Ohio, for three
years. In 1898 Mr. Miller engaged in the grain
business, forming a partnership with W. T. Palmer, in
which business he has since continued.
In 1904 Mr. Miller was married to Mary
V. Sherrick, of Allen County, Ohio. They have two
children: Marjery and Emily May.
Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 349 |
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WILLIAM M. MILLER,
who carries on an extensive furniture and undertaking
business in MEndon, is one of the most successful and
enterprising citizens of the village. He was born Dec.
17, 1873, in Center township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a
son of Harrison P. and Amanda (Moore) Miller.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Michael
Miller, was one of the pioneers of Mercer County,
settling in Center township when the country was a
wilderness. He entered over 400 acres of land in the
county. He died in 1899 when nearly 80 years of age.
His wife survived him until 1901, her death occurring when a
little over 80 years old. They were the parents of
three sons and one daughter: George, deceased;
Silas, who resides in Center township, where he owns and
operates a fine farm; Mary, a resident of Union
township, whose deceased husband, William Hamilton
was a stock-buyer; and Harrison P., the father of our
subject.
Harrison P. Miller and his wife were both
natives of Mercer County. He was born in January,
1845, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
He is at present a resident of Mendon.
William M. Miller was reared in Center township
and attended school in District No. 8. He remained on
the farm until he had finished school and then entered the
employ of Mr. Yocum, who was in the undertaking
business at Mendon. He remained there for about three
years and then took a three years’ course at Zanesville.
In 1896 he bought out his former employer, Mr.
Yocum, and one year also engaged in the furniture
business, in which undertaking he met with great success.
In 1901 he erected his present large building, which is a
fine, two-story structure with a pressed brick,
stone-trimmed trimmed front. The wall on the south
side of the building is 17 inches thick, being so
constructed for protection in the event of fire, as all the
buildings on that side are frame. The second floor of
the building is occupied by the Odd Fellows’ lodge.
Mr. Miller has the foundation for another
building laid, which is a duplicate in every way of his
present building, except in length. Mr. Miller
has met with much success as an undertaker and averages one
funeral a week. He conducts his furniture business on
a systematic basis, keeping a record of all goods sold.
He has perhaps the largest furniture store in the county.
He even encroaches on the business of other towns, selling
goods in all the surrounding towns, such as Rockford, Lima,
Spencerville, St. Marys, and numerous other places. In
the past five years only two sales of furniture have been
made in the town of Mendon by outside parties. Mr.
Miller owns one of the prettiest and most attractive
homes in Mendon, which he erected in 1905. He has
installed in the basement a water-works system designed on
his own plans. He is of an inventive turn of mind.
Mr. Miller was married to Mary E. Norris,
a daughter of William Norris. She was born in
the eastern part of Ohio and came to Mercer County with her
parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three sons:
Elra N., Lowell H., and Hubert.
Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, but
reserves the right to vote for the best man. He is a
member of Mendon Lodge, No. 750, I. O. O. F., and Mendon
Lodge, No. 416, K. of P. He and his family are
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mendon.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 369 |
| |
HENRY
MOORMAN, who resides on his valuable farm of 80 acres
situated in section 16, Butler township, owns in all 160
acres of fine land. He was born in Hanover, Germany,
Oct. 31, 1858, and is the son of William and Engle
Moorman, both of whom were born and also died in
Germany.
Henry Moorman was reared in Germany and always
worked on a farm,. He was married in 1880 to
Elizabeth Sager, a native of Germany, and they have had
nine children: Lucy, who died at Dayton, Ohio,
aged two years; Fred, who works in the Barney &
Smith Car Company's shops at Dayton; William who
married Josephine Rabe, lives on a farm in Washington
township, but will soon move to his farm of 80 acres in
Butler township; Emma, who lives at Dayton; and
Annie, Clara, Nora, Charles and Edward.
In 1883 Mr. Moorman, his wife and two oldest
sons, William and Fred came to America and
settled at Dayton, Ohio, where for eight year he worked in
the Barney & Smith Car Company's shops. In 1891
he moved to Butler township, Mercer County, where he
purchased a farm of 40 acres, about one mile from his
present location, which he cultivated for six years and then
sold and bought 80 acres in section 16, where he now
resides. In 1902 he added 80 acres, situated in
section 15, Butler township. He carries on general
farming. Mr. Moorman is a member of the
Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 526 |
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JOHN
HENRY MORROW, a well-known citizen of Hopewell
township, formerly assessor of the same for several years,
resides on his home farm of 80 acres, in section 22, and
owns 40 additional acres in the vicinity. Mr.
Morrow was born in Hopewell township, Mercer County,
Ohio, Jan. 27, 1856, and is a son of William and Mary
(Wilson) Morrow, both natives of Ohio.
Mr. Morrow was reared on his father's farm in
his native township and attended the local schools.
His occupations have always been of an agricultural nature,
and as he was thoroughly trained in practical farming he has
met with very satisfying success since he has been engaged
on his own account. His 120-acre estate is valuable
land and his home is one of comfort and convenience.
Mr. Morrow married Mary Weaver, the
estimable daughter of John Weaver, of Hopewell
township, and they had four children, as follows:
Stella Perry, Clara and Nora. Stella is the
only survivor. With his family, Mr. Morrow
belongs to the United Brethren Church, in which he is
serving as a trustee. He is well known in his
neighborhood and is held in esteem on account of his
sterling qualities and good citizenship.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 566 |
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JOHN M. MOSIER,
and early settler and a prominent farmer of Mercer county,
Ohio, was born in Fairfield county, Aug. 30, 1817.
Reared upon his father's farm, he remained at home with his
parents until he was married, in 1841. Immediately
afterward he began life for himself on rented land, which he
farmed until 1844, in which year he bought the tract of
land, on which he yet lives. In the original tract
there were eighty acres, but Mr. Mosier not long
afterward bought forty acres more, making his farm then
consist of 120 acres. Very soon after removing to
Mercer county Mr. Mosier had a log cabin erected and
began the work of clearing and improving his land. He
was one of the first settlers in the region in which he now
lives, and neighbors were then few and far between.
The county seat had already been located at Celina, which
was a very small place, having less than 100 inhabitants,
and his nearest neighbor, otherwise, was three miles
distant. For the purpose of holding court and
transacting the county business, a temporary court house had
been erected, or rather was rented, which served for some
time. Mr. Mosier has himself assisted in the
erection of two court houses, and he has seen the town and
surrounding country develop from the condition of a
wilderness to that of a highly civilized and prosperous
state.
The land that he purchased when he first came to Mercer
county cost him $140, all that he was able to pay for it.
Since then he has made his own way in the world, aided
materially and always encouraged by his excellent wife.
He has now over 100 acres of land in a high state of
cultivation, with a good, large dwelling house, and a fine
barn, an unusually fine orchard, etc., everything, in short,
that goes to make a good farmer's home. His farm is
located one mile from the court house in Celina, and borders
on the corporation line. Both he and his wife take
great interest in public affairs, and are public-spirited
citizens. Mr. Mosier is a democrat in politics,
but does not aspire to office of any kind. He has,
however, held the office of township trustee and a few other
minor offices, but not because he desired political
prominence or anything of the kind; only because he was
willing to perform his duty to the public whenever
necessary.
Mr. Mosier married Miss Jemima Davis, who
was born in Licking county, Ohio, Dec. 7, 1819, and is a
daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Perry)
Davis, the former of whom was of Welsh descent, and
the latter of German. He was a farmer and died in
Fairfield county. He and his wife were the parents of
nine children, viz.: Thomas, Catherine, Jemima,
wife of the subject; Mary, Elizabeth, Susanna, Christina,
Sarah and Jacob. Only three of the above,
all of them daughters, are now living.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mosier, there
have been born eight children, viz.: Mary C. and
Emily J., both of whom died young; Philip, who
died at the age of fourteen; Perry, who died when
quite young; Jacob, who died Dec. 4, 1895, aged
forty-four years; George, who died young; Maggie,
wife of John Younger, who is at the present time
marshal of Celina, and William, married and farming
on the old homestead. Both parents and all the
children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
It will now be appropriate to treat somewhat briefly of
hte ancestry of Mr. Mosier. He is a son of
Philip and Catherine (Dust) Mosier, both of whom were
from Virginia. After their marriage they removed at a
very early day to Fairfield county, when Lancaster had but a
very few houses in it. r. Mosier was offered
almost any quantity of land that he might be willing to
take, for the team of horses he brought into the county with
him, but preferred to keep his team. He settled on
a piece of land, which he cleared and improved, and upon
which he lived the remainder of his days, dying about 1840.
He and his wife were among the bet class of the pioneers,
always friendly and kind to all, and always ready to lend a
helping hand. They were both Lutherans, and reared a
family of seven children, viz: Sarah, Henry, Margaret,
George, Daniel, Polly and John M., the latter two being
twins. The subject of this sketch is the only one of
the above family now living, and he and his brother
George were the only members of the family that ever
removed to Mercer county. George Mosier removed
to Mercer county in 1839 and died July 13, 1895. He
was one of the pioneers of his part of the county, and
became a prominent farmer.
 Source:
A Portrait & Biographical Record of Mercer and Van Wert
Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1907 -
Page 449 |
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ABRAHAM MOTT,
a well-known citizen of Fort Recovery and owner of 240 acres
of farm land in Gibson township, was born in Darke County,
Ohio, Nov. 1, 1838, and is a son of Abraham and Abigail
(Coates) Mott.
Abraham Mott, Sr., a son of Zachariah Mott,
was born in Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated.
Upon coming to Ohio, he lived for a time in Warren County
and also in Miami County, subsequently settling in what is
now Gibson township, Mercer County, but at that time
included in Darke County, where he entered 80 acres of land,
and later bought 23 acres of land in the same township.
The farm on which he located is now owned by his son
Abraham. He was married to Abigail Coates,
a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio when a young girl
with her father, James Coates, who was also a native
of Virginia. Abraham Mott, Sr., was the father
of 12 children, of whom our subject was the fifth.
Abraham Mott was reared and educated in what is
now Gibson township, Mercer County. His father was one
of the earliest settlers of the township, locating here in
1835. Mr. Mott remembers the time when the land
was all a wilderness and when deer and other wild animals
were often seen. Mr. Mott was educated in
the district schools but never had more than three months
schooling in any one year, being obliged to assist his
father in clearing the land and in attending to other
necessary farm work during the summer months. In 1863
Mr. Mott enlisted in Company D, 134th Reg., Ohio Vol.
Inf., and served one year in the army under General
Butler, taking active part in all the regiment's small
engagements and skirmishes in Virginia. After
returning home from the war, he taught school for 27 years
during the winter months and farming during the summer.
He also engaged in the threshing business with George
Sigler and John Wagoner; together they owned
three threshing machines. Mr. Mott moved to his
present home in August, 1905, where he has a large frame
house situated on a two-acre lot.
Mr. Mott was (first) married to Delilah
Wagoner, a sister of one of his partners in the
threshing business. She died in 1874, leaving one
child, Allen, who lives in Joliet, Illinois, and is a
railroad engineer. Mr. Mott was married
(second) to Sarah Mahala Travis, who died in 1899,
leaving four children: Russell Tilden, who owns and
resides on a farm of 164 acres in Darke County; Delphos
Elra, who is married and lives on his father's farm;
Minnie Ola, who married Daniel Trieschman and
lives in Gibson township; Arlie Walter, who is
married and lives in Fort Recovery, where he is engaged as a
rural mail carrier. Mr. Mott's third marriage
was with Mrs. Sarah A. (Moyer) Bobb, widow of John
Bobb Their marriage occurred in April, 1905.
Mr. Mott has served his township as clerk and also as
trustee. He was for three years county commissioner,
his term expiring in 1894. He is a member of the
German Baptist Church. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs.
Mott accompany this sketch.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 343 |
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ABRAHAM MOTT, Jr. born
November 1, 1838 was reared and educated in what is now
Gibson Township, Mercer County. He remembered when the land
was all a wilderness and deer and wild animals were often
seen. In 1836, he enlisted in Company D 134th regiment and
served in the Army under General Butler in Virginia. He was
educated in the district schools but never had more then
three months of schooling in any one year. He was obliged to
help his father in clearing the land and doing farm work in
the summer months. After returning home from the war, he
taught school for 27 years during the winter months and
farming during the summer. He was first married to Delilah
Wagoner, who died in 1874. She had one child, Allen Noble, a
railroad engineer, who lived and died in Joliet, Illinois.
In 1874 he married Sarah Mahla Travis, who died in
1899, leaving four children. The names of the children were
Russel Tilden, Delphos Elra, Minnie Ola, and Arlie
Walter.
In 1905, he married Sarah (Moyer) Bobb, widow of
John Bobb.
He served his township as a trustee and a clerk. He was
County Commissioner for three years and a member of the
German Baptist Church. He owned 240 acres of land in Gibson
Township. Delphos E., his son, remained on the Mott
Homestead.
Found on page 277, Mercer County History 1978
(Contributed by
Tracy Clark ) |
| |
ABRAHAM MOTT, Sr.,
a son of Zachariah Mott, was born in Pennsylvania where he
was reared and educated. He lived for a short time in Warren
County and also in Miami County, subsequently settling in
what is now Gibson Township in Mercer County, but at that
time included in Darke County, where he entered 80 acres of
Land. Later, he bought 23 acres of land in the same
township. The farm on which he located was later owned by
his son Abraham Junior. He was one of the
earliest settlers of the township, locating there in 1835.
He was married to Abigail Coates, a native of
Virginia. They were the parents of twelve children -
Elizabeth, Moses, Mary, Maria, Abraham Junior,
James Z., Nancy A., and Lucinda. All children
lived to mature years. He and his wife were members of the
German Baptist Church. All were good, highly esteemed people
and he died in Gibson Township at the age of 76.
Page 277 in the Mercer County History 1978 book
(Contributed by
Tracy Clark ) |
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JAMES Z. MOTT, a
representative farmer of Gibson township, owner of 174 acres
of excellent farming land in section 27, 34, and 25, was
born July 12, 1841, in what was then Darke but is now
included in Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a
son of Abraham and Abigail (Coates) Mott.
Mr. Mott was reared on his father's farm
and agriculture has always had more attractions for him than
any other occupation. He was only 19 years of age when he
answered his call for defenders of the country in the days
of the war between the North and the South, enlisting as a
private, on November 3, 1861, in Company K, 40th Reg., Ohio
Vol. Inf., contracting to serve three years. He faithfully
fulfilled this contract and in doing so he endured many
hardships, fought many battles and suffered from the enemy's
bullet on one occasion, being shot in the left ear. He
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Nashville and innumerable
smaller engagements, and after the expiration of his first
term he reenlisted, in 1864, at Shellmound, Georgia, and was
finally discharged at Victoria, Texas. He was mustered out
with the rank of commissary sergeant, on November 3, 1865.
After his return from the army, he resumed his duties
on his father's farm, where he continued until his marriage
in the following year, when he settled on his present farm,
which he had partly purchased while in the army. His first
purchase was on 80-acre timber tract, in the midst of which
he erected a log house. Later a commodious frame dwelling
took its place and barns and other necessary outbuildings
were constructed. He carries on general farming and is
ranked with the substantial men of his neighborhood.
On November 28, 1866, Mr. Mott was
married to Elizabeth Grant, who was born in
Darke County, Ohio, about five miles from the present home.
She is the daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Reprogle)
Grant. Her grandfather, Alexander Grant,
was one of the earliest settlers in this locality He entered
this land from the government and at one time owned 1,100
acres. Mr. and Mrs. Mott have had six children,
namely: Henry Silas, who was reared and well
educated in Gibson Township, married Harriet Bond, and died
in 1907, aged 28 years, leaving on son - Edward Silas;
Clarence, who resides at home; Annie Viola,
deceased at the age of three years; George Marion,
who lives at home; Lemuel, who died aged 17 years;
and Harry, who married Mary Tillie
Miller, has one son, Walter, and resides in
Indiana.
Mr. Mott has been a prominent man in his
township for many years, taking an active part in
educational and other movements and for a long period
serving as a member of the Board of Education, of which he
is now president. He is a leading member of the German
Baptist Church. In any gathering Mr. Mott
would attract attention on account of his fine physical
appearance, his army height, when but 19 years of age,
having been 6 feet 3.5 inches. In politics he is a
Republican.
Source: History of Mercer
County, Ohio and Representative Citizens -
Published by Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Pages 318-319
(Contributed by
Tracy Clark ) |
 |
GILES PETER MURLIN, a
successful and enterprising farmer of Union township,
residing on his farm of 120 acres in section 33 and 28, was
born on the farm where he now resides, June 5, 1849, and is
a son of Daniel and Laura (Davis) Murlin.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was John
Murlin, a native of Ireland, who moved to Kentucky in
1816, from the State of New York, after having resided a
number of years in Ontario County. He married Sarah
Doderer, who was of German descent and a resident of New
York. They were the parents of 10 children - three
sons, and seven daughters. The sons - Daniel, Abram
and William - all came to Ohio and settled.
Four daughters, among whom were Betsey, Caroline,
wife of Milton Wright, and Mrs. Amos Barber,
also came to Ohio. The three others, among whom were
Mrs. Jane Burbey and Sarah (Mrs. John Rider),
remained in Kentucky.
Daniel Murlin was born in Ontario County, New
York, Dec. 28, 1798, and removed to Hardin County, Kentucky,
in 1816, with his parents. He became one of the
pioneers of Union township, Mercer County. He first
marriage was in 1819 to Sarah Brown. Seven
children were born to this union, namely: Adelaide,
who married William Roebuck and resided in Union
township until after the death of her husband, when she
married the late Loomis Shanklin - she is now nearly
80 years old and resides with her daughter; Susan,
about 80 years old, who married Justus Davis and has
lived all her life in Center township; Albert, who
lived in Auglaize County until a few years before his death,
when he moved to Mendon, where he received the final
summons; Eleanor, who married Andrew Thompson
and resided for a number of years in Center township, after
which she moved with her husband to Iowa - both are now
deceased; Theresa, deceased; John; and
Pearly Ann, deceased, who was the wife of George
Purdy.
The second marriage of Daniel Murlin
occurred in 1836, Laura Davis, a daughter of
Samuel Davis, becoming his wife. Samuel Davis
was born in Ontario County, New York, and later moved to
Miami County, Ohio, coming in 1834 to Mercer County, Ohio,
and settling on the northwest quarter of section 35, Union
township, where he remained until his death in 1868.
His wife, Laura (Spicer) Davis, who died in 1866, was
a daughter of Samuel Spicer, who was born on the
ocean. There were born to Samuel and Laura (Spicer)
Davis, the maternal grandparents of our subject, the
following children: Samuel, deceased; Laura,
the mother of our subject; Justus, deceased;
Carney, deceased; Mary who married Albert
Murlin; Eliza, who married Marshall Culver
and died in Muncie, Indiana - Mr. Culver resides in
Kansas.
Daniel and Laura (Davis) Murlin had seven
children, as follows: William, deceased in
August, 1865, who enlisted, in December, 1861, in Company D,
71st Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., under Captain Goodwin, who
organized the company, and served until the close of the
war; Jerusha, who married C. B. Collins, a
prosperous citizen of Union township, July 1, 1865, and died
July 2, 1866; Mary, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, who
is the widow of J. J. Phillips whom she married in
April, 1865; Samuel, who was among the fortunate when
the oil boom reached the section of Auglaize County, where
he owned and operated a farm and who is now retired, living
at St. Marys, where he has built a home; Giles Peter,
the subject of this sketch; Eliza, who married
John Moore and resides in Center township, and
Josephine, who died aged four years. Daniel
Murlin died in 1875 at the age of 77 and his wife died
in 1878, aged 62 years.
Giles P. Murlin has lived
all his life on the farm where he was born. He
received his education in the township schools, working on
the farm during the summer and attending school in the
winter. There was but little land cleared when Mr.
Murlin began assisting with the work, and there were but
few houses on the road to St. Marys. The farm
was situated on one of the old Indian Trails and there was a
bark shanty on the place which had been built by the
Indians.
Mr. Murlin was married Dec. 2, 1882, to Susan
Barber, a daughter of Warren and Sallie Barber,
of Union township. Mr. Murlin has one child,
Josephine, who married Alpha Miller, a native of
Auglaize County, on Nov. 26, 1903. Mr. and Mrs.
Miller have two children, Dwight Murlin and
Clayton Leon, and reside with the subject of this
sketch. Mr. Murlin has been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 44 years.
He is a Republican, but reserves the right and privilege to
support the best man for his office. Mr.
Murlin is a man of pleasing address and stands high in
the estimation of his fellow-citizens.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 691 |
| |
JOHN
W. MYERS, a well-to-do agriculturist of Gibson
township, whose 80-acre farm is located in section 23, was
born Nov. 21, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Rachel
(Brown) Myers, and a grandson of John Myers, who
was a native of Pennsylvania.
Jacob Myers was born in Hamilton County, Ohio,
where he was reared, educated and married. His father,
who had seven sons, had entered seven quarter sections of
land in the State of Ohio, one quarter being for each son.
There were three of these quarters in Darke County and four
in Mercer County. In 1845 Jacob Myers and his
wife moved to Mercer County and located on the section just
across the road from the farm now owned by our subject.
Jacob Myers had a family of nine children, of whom
five are living, namely: Mrs. May Miller, of Darke
County; John W.; Mrs. Dorcas Conklin; Robert; and
Adam, lives on the home place. The deceased are:
Almaretta, Anna and two infants that died unnamed.
Jacob Myers died December 17, 1904. His wife
died in 1881.
John W. Myers was reared and educated in Gibson
township. He bought his present farm in 1876 and has
made all the improvements on the place, having erected a
fine large frame house and barn, and other necessary
buildings. When 25 years of age, he married Rachel
Ainsworth, who lived only six weeks after marriage.
He was married in 1880 to Christina B. Rantz, a
daughter of Abraham Rantz. They have had four
children: James Earl, deceased at the age of 17
years and 5 months, who would have graduated from High
School the spring following his death had he lived; Mary
Eleanor, who is a graduate of the Fort Recovery High
School; Berle A., a graduate of the Fort Recovery
High School, who has taught school for three yeas, one year
at Chattanooga, and two years at the College Corner school
in Gibson township - it is his intention to attend college
this coming year, and Jacob Oral, also a graduate of
the Fort Recovery High School, who is now teaching school.
Mr. Myers has served as a school director in Gibson
township for a number of years.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 452 |
| |
JESSE
W. MYERS, a representative agriculturist and
well-known citizen of Butler township, who lives on his
valuable, well cultivated farm of 100 acres, 50 acres of
which are in section 22 and 50 in section 27, was born in
Shelby County, Ohio, January 18, 1847, and is a son of
John and Orilla (Philipps) Myers.
James Myers, the grandfather of our subject, came
from Pennsylvania, a pioneer to Shelby County, Ohio, and in
the pioneer home there John Myers father of our
subject, was born. When Jesse W. Myers was
eight years old the family removed to Miami County,
remaining there three years and then returning to Shelby
County, finally removing to Greenville, Ohio, where the
father passed the rest of his life.
Jesse W. Myers came to Mercer County in 1866,
when 21 years of age, having visited several of the Western
States prior to this. He worked as a farmer and later
purchased land which was then all covered with standing
timber. This he cleared, and effected many other
improvements here during the ensuing years. Finally he
owned 164 acres of excellent land. Subsequently he
gave his son 64 acres, retaining 100 acres, which he has
placed under excellent cultivation. Mr. Myers
carries on general farming and raises some stock.
In 1870 Mr. Myers was married in Mercer County
to Mary C. Wyett, a daughter of John T. D. Wyett.
Mrs. Myers died in January, 1893, leaving one son, John
A., who resides on the home farm, unmarried. On
January 1, 18194, Mr. Myers was married (second) to
Mrs. Jane (Frick) Andrews, widow of James Andrews.
She had three children by the first marriage namely:
Chloe, who married Earl Poor and has one
child, James Lowell; Clyde, who is employed in
Judge Charles S. Younger's office; and Pearly,
who died in infancy.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 452 |
NOTES:
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