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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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Spencer Twp. -
JOHNZEY
KEETH (deceased), whose portrait appears in this work, was
born in Baltimore County, Md., June 20, 1817. His early life was
spent at home receiving the benefits of the country schools and
assisting in tilling the soil on his fathers farm. In 1834 he
accompanied his parents to Madison County, Ohio, and soon after to
Van Wert County, where on arriving at the age of twenty-one, he
engaged upon his career in life as a farmer. In 1853 he went to
Mercer County, and three years later came to this county, settling
in Amanda Township. He commenced farming, a poor man, but by
honesty, industry and economy he gradually increased his land and
business interests, until he became the most extensive stock
dealer, and was considered the wealthiest farmer, in Allen County,
owning at one time about 2.000 acres of land in Amanda and Spencer
Townships. In 1869 he removed to Spencerville, and engaged in
several business enterprises, but still retained his farm and
stock interests. At one time he owned and operated two grist
mills, a woolen mill and a saw mill. When the Chicago & Atlantic
Railroad was talked of, Mr. Keeth took an active interest
in securing right of way, as well as making personal donations to
the company. As monuments of his thrift and enterprise, many fine
buildings are standing, among which may be mentioned his late
residence and a fine three-story brick block called the Keeth
House, which was not quite completed at the time of his death.
which occurred July 12, 1883. He was a prominent Democrat, and in
addition to filling several of the township and town offices, he
also served the people of the county as commissioner four years.
June 22, 1841, our subject married Priscilla Arnold, who
was born in Fayette County, Ohio, June 26, 1822, and to this union
were born nine children : Rachel E., widow of Henry
Backus; John, surveyor of Allen County, a resident of
Lima; Samuel, a farmer of Amanda Township; Anderson;
Jacob A.; Frank M; Mary Ann, Albert, and Emma—deceased.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 807 |
Spencer Twp. -
FRANK M.
KEETH, proprietor of the Keeth House. Spencerville,
was born in Amanda Township. Allen Co., Ohio, October 14. 1860.
His father, Johnzey Keeth, was born June 20,1817, in
Maryland. Our subject received a common school education, and in
1877 entered the employ of the T. D. & I. R. R. Co. as station
agent at Spencerville. After remaining with this company over two
years he engaged as railroad express agent with the United States
Express Company about two and a half years. He then embarked in
the drug business in which he continued about a year.
On October 13, 1884, he became proprietor of the "Keeth
House," and, although young in years and experience, he performs
the duties of "mine host" in a genial and courteous manner. He was
united in marriage, June 22, 1882, with Miss Jennie Renner,
who was born in North Baltimore, Ohio. December 11, 1861. To them
was born on September 8, 1884, a son—Grover.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 807 |
Ottawa Twp. -
PHILIP KEIL, retired, Lima, was born July
26, 1842, in HessenDarmstadt, Germany, next to youngest in the
family of Sebastian and Josephine (Miller) Keil,
who had eleven children, seven of whom came to America, viz.:
Margaret, Mary, John B., Christena, Josie, Philip and
William. Our subject was educated in his native land.
He came to America in 1860, settling in Marion County, Ohio, and
the year following (1861) came to Lima, where he was engaged in
cabinet-making up to within a few years. He has been a
successful and extensive manufacturer. He built a large
brick block on Main Street, and owns the large brick block on
Main Street, and owns the large manufactory in its neighborhood.
Mr. Keil was married, in 1867, to Elizabeth Amlung,
a native of Germany, and who came with her parents to Allen
County, in 1850. To this union were born the following
children: Hoechila, Josephine, Mary, Midleo, Clara, Eliza,
and a son who died in youth.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 706 |
Ottawa Twp. -
JOHN W. KELLER, cabinet-maker, Lima, was
born June 9, 1828, in Bedford County, Penn.; son of Samuel
Keller, who came to Ohio and settled near Massillon,
Wayne Co., Ohio, and there passed the remainder of his days.
His children were as follows: John W., Mary, Elizabeth,
Samuel, Daniel, Wilson, Isaac, Sarah and Emily.
Our subject received his education in Ohio, and spent the years
1845-46-47 and 1848, learning the cabinet trade, which he has
since followed, and he is now manufacturing all kinds of
furniture. He was followed, and he is now manufacturing
all kinds of furniture. He was married, in 1849, to
Elizabeth Waters, and this union has been blessed with three
children: Henry, Charles (both conductors on the
railroad with headquarters at Lima), and Anna
(married to Dr. A. Amerman, and now residing in Alliance,
Ohio). Mr. Keller has been an eye witness of the
growth of Lima, contributing his share toward its improvement.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 706 |
Ottawa Twp. -
OTTO F. KEMMER, insurance, Lima, was born
Aug. 29, 1857, in Lima, Ohio; son of Charles and Sophia
(Leopold) Kemmer, natives of Saxony, Germany, and who came
to America in 1851, settling in Lima, where they have since
resided. (Charles Kemmer, who was a captain in the
regular army in Germany, and commissary sergeant in the late
war, has followed the cooper's trade since coming to America).
Their children, seven in number, are all living: Agatha,
(Mrs. Rosler), Augusta (Mrs. William F. Miller), Bernard E.,
Charles W., Christian G., Otto F., and Ida A. (Mrs.
C. H. Breckheisen). Our subject was educated in Lima,
and entered the insurance business in 1877. He was
married, Oct. 1, 1884, to Sarah, daughter of Rev. A.
S. Bartholomew. Mr. Kemmer is a member of Lima Lodge,
No. 91, K. of P.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 707 |
Spencer Twp. -
GEORGE H.
KEPHART, proprietor of saw-mill and handle factory at
Spencerville, was born in Amanda Township, Allen Co., Ohio,
October 31, 1846; son of Ormond and Ann A. (Hayes) Kephart,
the former of whom, an influential farmer and early settler of
this county, died in 1856; the latter, a native of New York, still
survives him, the mother of five children: Cordelia,
Oscar M., Alexis E., Ormond, and George H. Our subject
graduated in the scientific course at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1809, and
entered upon his career in life as a teacher, but eventually
embarked in the lumbering business. He commenced a poor boy, and
by energy and perseverance has accumulated property. He first
entered a saw mill in 1875, and two years later came to
Spencerville. In 1880 he purchased a woolen mill and for a while
also operated it, and in connection with the same started a handle
factory, which he still runs, but has traded the woolen machinery
for land in Mississippi. Mr. Kephart was united in
marriage, September 18,1870, with Ellen A. Tone of Allen
County, formerly of Delaware County, Ohio, and by her has had
three children: Clarence E., Albert N. (deceased) and
Myrtle May. Mr. Kephart is a Republican in politics and
has served as mayor one term. He is a F. & A. M.; a member of the
Baptist church.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 805 |
Ottawa Twp. -
HARMAN KIBBY, retired, Lima, was born Feb.
1, 1819, in Simsbury, Conn., the only son who grew to manhood of
Moses and Tamar (Knight) Kibby (formerly Kibbee).
Moses Kibby is a descendant of an old Welsh family, who
left their native country during the religious persecutions, and
settled in Connecticut. Moses Kibby came to Ohio,
in 1819, and located in what was then Geauga (now Lake) County,
Ohio, being among the early settlers of that county and of the
reserve; he lived there until 1837, when he moved to Hardin
County, same State, and settled ona farm; he died in December,
1877, his wife in 1856. Their family of thirteen are all
dead except Maryett (now Mrs. L. Manly, residing
in Lake County, Ohio), and Harman. Our subject
received his early education in the schools of Geauga County and
at Painesville. He commenced life by teaching school, and
then followed the business of builder and contractor. He
subsequently took contracts on the Mad River & Lake Erie
Railroad, and in 1848 came to Lima. He then followed the
occupation of general collector, having twenty-five counties in
northwestern Ohio, and three in Indiana, doing his traveling on
horseback. Mr. Kibby was married in November, 1853,
to Mercy A., daughter of Eliab and Mary (Harford)
Purdy, of New York, and they had a family of three children:
Clara T. (married Dr. A. N. Smeall, of Toronto School
of Veterinary Surgeons, Ontario), Laverne H. and May
P. Mr. Kibby dealt in live stock for ten years,
until the close of the war of the Rebellion, from the West
to the East, and came out successful. He was for a time
engaged in the tanning business in which he also met with
success up to 1872, and then entered the jobbing grocery trade;
closing this out at the end of five years, he commenced building
the fine residence in which he now lives. In 1881, he
established, along with others, the Lima Iron Fence Company, and
in May, 1884, began the block at Lima known as the Kibby Block,
in which the K. of P. have the finest hall in Ohio, 79x81 feet.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 707 |
Spencer Twp. -
NICHOLAS KILL,
farmer, P. O. Landeck, was born in Germany, January 22, 1835; son
of Jacob and Mary (Thorn) Kill, also natives of Germany and
parents of six children, of whom only three came to America. Our
subject obtained a common school education in his native land, and
has made farming the principal occupation of his life. He came to
America in 1858 and located near Tiffin, Ohio, where he remained
till 1863, when he came to this county and in 1865 to the farm
which is still his home, and which from a state of nature he has
placed under high cultivation, proving himself to be an energetic
man. He erected the second brick dwelling in the township, which
stands as a monument to his enterprise. His property is the result
of his own efforts, and today he is considered one of the
substantial farmers of the township. He has held several offices
of trust and is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in
Spencer Township. Mr. Kill was married, April 16, 1861, to
Elizabeth Rahrig, born in Seneca County, Ohio, May
8,1838, daughter of Philip and Annie (Myers) Rahrig,
who came to America in about 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Kill
have ten children: Vincent, Mary, Joseph, Treca, Sylvester,
Lucy, Lizzie, Katie, Julia and Lewis. He and his wife
are consistent members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 808 |
Marion Twp. -
JOHN KING, attorney at law, Delphos, was
born in Greene County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1822, his father, David
King, a farmer, having located there from North Carolina;
the original members of the family settled in Virginia in early
times. Mr. King completed his literary training at
the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio, and engaged in
the practice of law, coming to this locality about 1846.
He married in Delphos, in 1848, Miss Annie M. Metcalf, of
Cincinnati, daughter of Rev. Amos and Sarah (Clymer) Metcalf
(former deceased), and niece of the late Hon. Benjamin
Metcalf, of Lima. They have one daughter - Fannie,
wife of Horace A. Reeve, attorney at law, Delphos.
Mr. King has always given a hearty support to measures in
the interest of the social and business life of the city.
He is a prominent member of the Methodist Church; has been for
many years a F. & A. M., is a R. A. M.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 643 |
Jackson Twp. -
SAMUEL KNOBLE, dealer in stoves and
tinware, Lafayatte, was born in Switzerland, July 27, 1830, son
of Frederick and Anna (Zeiset) Knoble (both deceased).
Of their nine children six are now living: Elizabeth,
Ann, Susannah, Samuel, Mary and John. Those deceased
are Frederick, Mary M. and an infant. In 1834 our
subject's parents immigrated to America, and in 1835 located in
Wayne County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. In early
life he served an apprenticeship to the trade of tinsmith.
In 1860 he removed to Allen County, and for three years was
engaged in business at Beaver Dam, and then removed his stock to
Lafayette, this county, where he has since continued his
business, and in 1876 took his eldest son, Henry, into
partnership. In connection with the regular stock of
stoves and tinware they handle agricultural implements, and make
a specialty of roofing and spouting. In 1861, Mr.
Knoble enlisted as a musician in the Eighty-first Ohio
Volunteer Infantry Band, serving one year. Mr. Knoble
was married, in 1854, to Jane E. Chitester, who was born
at Mount Eaton, Wayne County, Ohio, July 10, 1831, and their
children are Henry, Sarah E., (wife of J. L. Heath)
and John G. Telegraph operator. Henry was born
Mar. 27, 1855, married Mar. 16, 1882 to Jennie Gansel,
who bore him one child, Goldie, born Mar. 16, 1883.
Several years since our subject became a member of the Lodge F.
& A. M. at Massillon, Ohio, and at its organization became a
charter member of Sager Lodge, 513, of Lafayette. He is
identified with the Lutheran Church; politically he is a
Democrat. He has held the offices of township clerk and
recorder of the corporation.
Source:
History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by
Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 607 |
Spencer Twp. -
CHRISTOPHER
T. KOENIG, undertaker, Spencerville, was born in
Germany, November 8. 1846. He was educated in his native land, and
when nineteen years of age came to America and located in
Cincinnati, Ohio, where for nearly two years he was engaged in the
wholesale factories at his trade, that oil cabinet making, which
he had learned in Germany. He came to Spencerville in 1868 and
embarked in the furniture and undertaking business. His capital
was limited, but he has increased his stock in proportion to the
demand until he now has quite an extensive stock, and a steadily
increasing trade. His marriage, which occurred November 18, 1869,
was with Miss Elizabeth Kleinhans, also a native of
Germany, born November 18, 1844. To them have been given live
children: Edward, Clara. Bertha, Theodor and Minnie.
Mr. Koenig has served the people as a member of the school
board, and is now one of the council, an office he had held
several times previous to this term. He is a stanch advocate of
the principles of the Republican party. For a number of years he
has been a consistent member of the German Reformed Church. Mr.
Koenig is virtually a self-made man, having by his own energy
and industry, together with his obliging manner of waiting upon
his customers, made his property, and in all his business
transactions has won for himself the reputation of being an honest
and upright man.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 808 |
Monroe Twp. -
JACOB KOHLI, farmer, P. O. Columbus Grove,
Putnam County, was born Apr. 1, 1839, in Holmes County, Ohio, son
of Christian and Margret (Berkey) Kohli, former of whom,
a native of Germany, came to Holmes county in 1821, when about
thirteen years of age; latter a daughter of John and
Christina Berkey, natives of Pennsylvania, and who died in
Holmes County, Ohio. Jacob Kohli, who was a son by
his father's first marriage, received a common school education,
and began life for himself at eighteen years of age. He
learned wagon manufacturing, at which he worked until Aug. 25,
1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth Regiment, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, served three years, was discharged and
immediately re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and
regiment, and was discharged at the close of the war as
sergeant. He participated i the battles of Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, Jonesboro and others, his life being twice saved
by the bullets striking his gun barrel while in the act of
shooting; in the engagement at Goldsboro, he was color-bearer of
his regiment. He came with his father to Putnam County,
Ohio, settling near Columbus Grove, in 1845. Our subject
was married, Aug. 24, 1865, to Nancy Featheringill,
a native of Putnam County, Ohio, born Oct. 3, 1846, daughter of
John and Martha (Ramsey) Featheringill, who came to
Putnam County, from Franklin County, Ohio in 1833. The
father died in 1867, aged sixty-three years, the mother still
living aged seventy-six years. To this union were born
nine children: John C., Charles H., Annie M., William F.,
Peter N., Mary I., Theodore G., Brice J., and Jesse G. Mr.
Kohli came to his present farm in the fall of 1870.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 669 |
Marion Twp. -
FREDERICK KOLLSMITH, wagon and carriage
manufacturer, Delphos, was born near Osnabruck, Hanover,
Germany, Oct. 19, 1835, his father, Henry Kollsmith,
being a blacksmith there. Frederick was reared to
that business, and at the age of sixteen came to America and
settled in Delphos, where he has since been successfully
connected with this industry, his various kinds of wagons, etc.,
being well and favorable known, the business being started in
1855. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mary Ossenbeck,
born near Deep Cut, Auglaise County, in 1839, her
father, Henry Ossenbeck, a brewer, having settled in the
state, (from Germany) in early times. Mr. and Mrs.
Kollsmith's family consists of six sons and three daughters:
John, Frank, Clara, Henry, Joseph, Theresa, Freddie, Flora
and Leo. In January, 1884, Mrs. Kollsmith
passed away in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church,
and is buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery here. Mr.
Kollsmith has always given a cordial support to all measures
tending to the city's development. He was chief of the
fire department for three years; has been a member of the
council, and has held other important local official positions.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 643 |
Ottawa Twp. -
SAMUEL K. KRAUSS, Photographer, Lima, was
born Aug. 23, 1839, in Lehigh County, Penn., son of Jacob and
Lydia Krauss, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of eight
children, of whom Samuel K. is the only one who came to
Ohio. Our subject was educated in his native State, and
came to Ohio in 1864, settled at Wooster and went into the
photographic business, from which place he went to Maumee City,
Ohio, and in 1866 came to Lima. He was formerly a
mechanic, having early learned the carpenter's trade, at which
he worked at Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. Krauss was
married Mar. 14, 1i867, to Catherina E., daughter of
Rev. M. Workman of Wooster, Ohio, and by this union was born
one child who died in infancy. Our subject took into
partnership R. H. Ebersole in the photographic business
in July, 1883, and the firm ranks among the leading artists of
the northwestern part of Ohio.
Source: History of Allen
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: by Warner, Beers & Co.,
1885 - Page 708 |
Marion Twp. -
KRUTSCH BROS.,
dealers in furniture, etc., Delphos, represent a leading factor
in this important industry here. The firm consists of two
brothers, Charles A. and Frank H., who for many years
carried on contracting in painting and decorating here.
They established their present business Apr. 4, 1881, and now
propose to do considerable in the way of manufacturing.
They come from a pioneer family in the State, their grandfather,
George Krutsch, having settled in Fairfield County, Ohio,
from Germany, about 1805. Their father, George W.
Krutsch, now a contractor and builders in Delphos, was born
in Fairfield County, Apr. 17, 1822, and had four brothers and
four sisters: Rachel (deceased). Benona C.,
a carpenter in Delphos; Elizabeth (deceased), William
(deceased), Catherine (deceased), Margaret, David
Otho, a carpenter and builder; and Henry C.
(deceased). George W., the father, learned wagon
making in Perry County, and in 1849 came to Marion Twp. where he
subsequently engaged at carpentering and building. He
married, Sept. 7, 1848, Miss Rosanna Burkett, by whom he
had five sons and a daughter, of whom Charles A. and
Frank H. survive. The deceased are Oliver H., Mary
Elizabeth, Joseph and George B., all buried in the
city cemetery here. He did active service in the Mexican
war. Since coming here he has accumulated a nice
competence and has given a helping hand in the furtherance of
many of the interests of Delphos.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 643 |
Marion Twp. -
HENRY KUNDERT, livery, feed, sale and
exchange stables, Delphos, was born in Delphos, Sept. 28, 1860,
son of Henry and Wilhelmina Pedicord (Myers) Kundert, the
former a native of Switzerland, the latter of Rotterdam,
Holland; she had one child, William, by her first
marriage, and he is in the saddlery business at Fennimore, Wis.
Henry Kundert was a contractor and builder, and carried
on business many years in Delphos before his death. The
children by his first wife were Fred and Annie,
who is the wife of Walter Cordell, both of Delphos; and
the children by the second marriage were Martha, wife of
Evan J. Williams of the firm of Tuar & Williams;
Henry, Egbert, Jacob and Minnie. The subject of
this sketch, owning to his father's death, started out for
himself early in life, engaging first in the produce and
commission business, in which, by shrewdness and business tact
he was successful. He then embarked in his present
business, in which he is one of the foremost in the city.
He is affable and pleasant, an energetic and enterprising
business man.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago:
by Warner, Beers & Co., 1885 - Page 643 |
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