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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy Express
 

WELCOME to
ALLEN COUNTY, OHIO
HISTORY & GENEALOGY


 


BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio
Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co.
1896

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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  MARSHALL J. SANFORD. - In connection with the life of Marshall J. Sanford is it manifest that, beside natural adaptability for a profession, careful and thorough preparation is essential to the highest success.  Mr. Sanford is an attorney at law, with his office in the Satterhwaite block in Lima, Ohio, and having as his associate in practice W. T. Copeland, the firm name being Sanford & Copeland.
     The Sanford family are of good Connecticut stock, but William F. Sanford, the father of our subject, was born at Hoboken, N. J.  Their talents were such as to enable them to readily adapt themselves to any branch of business or to any of the learned professions.  One of their most remarkable characteristics, and the one which perhaps had as much influence as any other on their success in business, was their determination to keep out of debt, unless driven to debt by circumstances beyond the power of their will to control.  They were and have been men of integrity and high standing in their respective communities, and have been always industrious and prosperous, their prosperity being the result of their industry.
     Marshall Sanford is a native of Madison county, Ohio, having been born in that county Dec. 20, 1856.  He is a son of William F. and Caroline (Brown) Sanford, the former of whom died in 1886, the latter now residing in Madison county, with her post-office at Rosedale.  William F. Sanford was an extra ordinary man in many ways.  He always took great interest in everything pertaining to the moral and material welfare of humanity.  The right of the young to the best education obtain able, and the duty of the state to provide the best education possible, always found in him an earnest advocate.  He constantly strove for what, in his opinion, was the best in politics, and to attain that end identified himself with the republican party.  He was of a family of six brothers, only two of whom are still living, Edwin, and Dr. Samuel Sanford, both of whom live in Lima.
     William F. and Caroline Sanford were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living, and named as follows: David B., an extensive farmer, and ex-commissioner of Madison county; Mary A., wife of John W. Williams, lumber dealer of Jeffersonville, Fayette county; Fletcher P., a teacher by profession, who was accidentally killed in 1880: Charles F., a successful and wealthy farmer and stock raiser, of Madison county, Ohio, who has been a school-teacher and county school examiner for a number of years; Marshall of whom more will be said later in this sketch; Lida M., widow of Henry P. Hinkle, of Savannah, Tenn., who formerly was a teacher in Ross academy of that place, and who now resides in Madison county, Ohio; Arthur M., formerly a school-teacher and a manufacturer of draining tile, but who died in 1882 of brain fever; Francis M., a school teacher and farmer of Madison county, Ohio; Carrie M., a school-teacher, and Irwin H., who died of scarlet fever, aged four years.
     Marshall Sanford was a school-teacher six years, closing his career as principal for one year of the Ross academy at Savannah, Tenn.  In his youth he received a thorough course of mental training, and graduated from the National Normal university at Lebanon, Ohio, in which institution he took a five years’ course in science, classics and the law.  While in attendance at that school he read law with Judge W. S. Dilatush and John E. Smith, of Lebanon.  Immediately upon graduating he opened an office at Lima for the practice of the law, and has been thus engaged ever since 1885, at first alone until 1894, and since then in partnership with Mr. Copeland.  This firm attends to general practice, not making any specific department of the law a specialty.  In politics Mr. Sanford is a republican, has been chairman of the county central and executive committees, and has at all times been interested in the success of his party.  He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum.  Mr. Sanford was married May 16, 1888, to Miss Tirzah K. Crites, daughter of Daniel L. and Martha (John) Crites.  They are the parents of three children: Paul D., who died at the age of ten months and sixteen days; Marshall Blaine, born Mar. 16, 1893, and Howard Crites, born Aug. 20, 1895.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  They reside in Elida at present and Mr. Sanford goes back and forth to Lima to attend to his professional duties.
     The grandparents of Mr. Sanford on his mother‘s side were James and Mary (Burnside) Brown, both of whom lived long enough to celebrate their golden wedding.  They were among the most prominent of the early pioneers of Madison county, and reared a large family of children.  Mr. Brown was an extensive farmer and was far above the average of men in intelligence, education and wealth.  The educational interests of his children were always carefully looked after, and some of these children were among the early educators of the county.
     The parents of Mrs. Sanford, as stated above, were Daniel L. and Martha (John) Crites, the former of whom was born Oct. 31, 1833, and removed with his parents, Charles and Sophia (Ludwig) Crites, to Ohio.  His early life was spent in assisting his father in the work upon the farm, and in securing suce education as the facilities of pioneer days would permit.  But these facilities were mainly furnished at home, he being his own teacher for the most part, and the traditional pine knot or some other blazing knot supplying him with light.  He was a hard and successful student, as indicated by his beginning to teach school when quite young.  He also engaged in clerical work in the office of the county auditor.  Beside his activity in other directions, he privately took up the study of medicine, which in later years was of practical use to him.
     Mr. Crites was married to Miss John, as above narrated, and they settled in Elida, he teaching school for a couple of terms, continuing at the same time to read medicine.  For a time he was engaged in mercantile business with S. D. Cremean, but this relation lasted only one year, when he sold his interest and engaged in the practice of medicine at Elida for about two years.  Then removing to Fort Jennings, Putnam county, he was engaged, until the fall of 1861, in both teaching and practicing medicine, when he was elected surveyor of Putnam county.  Soon after the breaking out of the war he took up arms in defense of his country, and went to the front as a substitute for Christian Raabe, and was chosen captain of his company; but by order of the war department of the government at Washington, some one else was appointed to the place.  He was enlisted in company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and on Nov. 8, 1862, was appointed second lieutenant of his company.  In 1863 he was detailed for duty under Col. Pierce, as adjutant, and went to Springfield, Mass, to organize a regiment of drafted men.  During the summer of that year he joined Gen. Burnside in east Tennessee, and was appointed chief of ordnance upon the staff of Gen. White.  Afterward he; was appointed provost marshal, but soon resigned on account of ill health, his resignation being accepted Dec. 24, 1863.
     Upon arriving home he entered Bryant & Stratton’s commercial college at Toledo, but in the fall of 1864 once more went to the front as a substitute, from Pickaway county, and was detailed as clerk at Tod barracks, in which capacity he served until Apr. 15, 1865, when he was mustered out.  While in the army he contracted diseases which afterward resulted in partial paralysis.  In 1866 he was appointed deputy county auditor, and in 1869 was appointed auditor to fill out the unexpired term of the auditor who had died.  In 1870 he was appointed deputy clerk of the county court, and again in 1875.  In 1878 he was elected clerk of that court, and while serving in this capacity he was elected journal clerk of the state house of representatives of the sixty first general assembly.  He was sixteen times a candidate for office and was always elected.  In 1882 he retired from official life to his farm near Elida, Ohio, and was thenceforth an invalid until his death, which occurred Mar. 30, 1885.  Mr. Crites was a member of Shawnee commandery, No. 14, of Lima, Ohio, and was a Mason in good standing.  He was a member of Jehu John post, G. A. R., of Elida, Ohio.  By his marriage to Miss John he was the father of two children, viz: Bertha W., wife of Adam Pfeifer, of Elida, and Tirzah K., wife of Marshall Sanford, of Lima, Ohio, both of whom still live to bless their parents.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 455
  EDWARD SARBER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 458

  ISAAC SAWMILLER, a patriotic and industrious citizen of Allen county, residing on section No. 27, German township, was born in that township, Mar. 29, 1845.  He is a son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Huffer) Sawmiller, and was reared in German and Amanda township to farm life.  His education was received in the public schools and his boyhood days and youth, until he was nineteen years old, were spent at home with his parents, to whose kind guidance and advice he owes much of his success in life.  In March, 1864, he enlisted in company B, Fifth Ohio cavalry, and was mustered out of the service at Columbus, Ohio, in Nov., 1865.  He participated in the battles of Resaca, Atlanta, Macon and Savannah, being, as will be seen, with Sherman on the march to the sea.  Besides these important battles Mr. Sawmiller was in many battles of minor importance.  He was one of the last of the volunteer soldiers to be mustered out of service, being held to guard government property at Raleigh, N. C., for a considerable time after the war was really over.  From his exposure to the concussion of roaring cannon and musketry he suffered a partial loss of hearing, which he finds now very inconvenient, and a constant reminder of the attempt by the south to overthrow the national government.
     After being mustered out he returned to his home and lived in Amanda township for a couple of years.  He then went to Decatur and Springfield, Ill., where he was engaged in farming, but returning to Allen county in the winter of 187203, he was married, Mar. 28, 1873, to Miss Margaret Herring, who was born in German township, in October, 1851, a daughter of Emanuel Herring.  After his marriage he lived upon a rented farm for two years, and then purchased forty acres in section No. 27, German township, where he now resides.  To this forty acres he has added other lands, until at the present time he owns 104 acres, finely improved, and having upon it excellent buildings, all of which he has erected himself.  In 1877, he built a fine frame residence, and has excellent barns for his stock and grain.  Stock raising and general farming are the branches to which he gives most of his attention.  He however operates a steam thresher during the Threshing season.  On his farm he also has a feed mill, in which he does custom work for the neighborhood.  From all of what has been recited it will be observed that Mr. Sawmiller is an industrious, and successful man.  Politically he is a democrat, and he is a member of Lima post, G. A. R.  He and his wife are the parents of five children, viz:  John B., married and living on his father's farm; Viola at home; Arville* wife of Samuel Shook, of German township; Ada, and Harley L., who died Nov. 30, 1887, at home.  Mr. Sawmiller is truly a self-made man, for, starting at the bottom of the ladder, without property, he has by his own efforts and industry become one of the prosperous citizens of Allen county, and his family are among the most highly and most justly esteemed.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 459
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:   This may be Arvilla Sawmiller who was married to Sampson Shook
On Ancestry.com Sampson is listed as Simpson Shook who was married to Arvilla
In 1910 Census, Sampson Shook and Arville, his wife was living with  their children and SAmpson's father, Elias H. Shook, aged 75 years and a widower who was born in Ohio and his parents born in Pennsylvania.
The lived on Shook Road.
  ADOLPHUS E. SCHOSKER is one among the representative men of Spencerville, Ohio.  He first saw the light of day in Lorraine, France, Oct. 24, 1852, and is the son of Michael and Tillie (Smith) Schosker.  Both parents are now deceased, the mother dying in 1872 at the age of fifty-six years and the father June 22, 1886, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.  The mother died in New Haven, Ind., near Fort Wayne, and the father at Spencerville, Ohio.
     When the subject of this sketch was ten months old, the family came to America, landing in New York, where they remained four years, at the expiration of which time they moved to Syracuse, N. Y., where the following eight years were spent, when the family again moved, this time locating in New Haven, Allen county, Ind.  In religion the father was a devout democrat.  Five children were born to Michael and his wife, namely:  Lisa, wife of Mr. John Rupple, of Fort Wayne; Christian, of Tipton, Ind., who is an employee in the factories at that place; Adolphus E., who forms the subject of this biography, Michael, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, a drayman of that city; and Franklin, an oil pumper of Spencerville.
     Adolphus E. Schosker, with whom this sketch will now deal, spent his early boyhood in town and received his education in the public schools.  At the age of twelve he began to support himself by working in a stave factory, where he was employed until his marriage, which occurred Jan. 2, 1879, after which he became clerk in a general merchandise establishment in Spencerville, where he occupied the position of head clerk for seven years, when he accepted the position of foreman in the Spencerville stave factory, which place he occupied for two years, when he engaged in grocery business, on his own account, Dec. 16, 1887.  He continued in the grocery trade until Jan. 22, 1895, when he sold out, and on May 22, purchased a half-interest in the Spencerville flouring mills, to which, since then, he has given his undivided attention.  Mr. Schosker is as popular as he is successful.  Jan. 2, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. J. Halter, daughter of Edward and Barbara Halter.  Miss Halter was born in Annapolis, Auglaize county, Ohio, Mar. 18, 1859, and died Jan. 9, 1895, a devout Catholic.
     Mr. Schosker is a thoroughly live business man, and from the humblest beginnings man, and from the humblest beginnings has, by ability and perseverance, amassed a competence.  At the present time he owns a half-interest in the Spencerville mills.  He has held the office of town clerk and clerk of the corporation one term, and was a member of the council two terms, and at the present writing is treasurer of the Spencerville school board.  In politics he is a democrat, true and consistent.  He is a man of genuine worth and an acquisition to the community in which he lives - in business, straightforward and upright and in social life a kind neighbor, a warm friend and always a gentleman.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 460
  CONSTANTINE SCHERGER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 461

  JOHN SCHERGER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 477

  WILLIAM SCOTT

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 462

  DANIEL SELLERS, an intelligent and thriving farmer, was born Apr. 3, 1853, on the homestead where he now lives in Perry township, Allen county, Ohio, and is of Pennsylvania-German descent.
     Leonard Sellers, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Berks county, Pa., born in 1785, where he followed agricultural pursuits for many years, and eventually came to Ohio, making his residence in Franklin county until 1856, when he came to Allen county and purchased 282 acres of land in the wild woods of that part of Allen county known as Auglaize county; subsequently he settled in section No. 30, in Perry township, Allen county, where he owned 100 acres; he also owned 180 in section No. 31, in the same township; in Auglaize county he owned six-six acres, and in Williams county owned 640 acres, but later divided all this land among his children—giving to his sons the land in Auglaize and Allen counties, and to his daughters the Williams county property.  His own homestead was the farm on which his son William now lives, in Auglaize county.  He married Elizabeth Wengar, and to this marriage were born the following children: Joseph, John W., Henry, Samuel, William, Catherine, Susan Eliza and Harriet.  The death of this old and respected pioneer, Leonard Sellers, took place on his Auglaize county homestead in 1861, and his widow died at the ripe old age of eighty years.
     Joseph Sellers, the eldest son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Wengar) Sellers, and the father of Daniel Sellers, our subject, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, about 1829, and was reared on his father’s farm.  On coming to Allen county he selected for his homestead that part of his father’s estate for his home on which his son Daniel now resides, increasing his property by his industry and frugality until in owned 500 broad acres, becoming one of the most prosperous farmers of Perry township.  He married Elvis Crumrine, by which union the children named as follows were born: Daniel, David, William, Catherine, and Margaret.  In politics Mr. Sellers was a democrat and held a term of township trustee, and school director several terms each, but served only at the solicitation of his friends.  Mr. Sellers died in the faith of the Lutheran church, a sincere Christian, but his wife still survives.
     Daniel Sellers, the eldest son of Joseph Sellers, was well educated in the common schools of his native township, and so well trained in agriculture that he is today recognized as one of the best farmers in the neighborhood.  His farm comprises 100 acres and is a model one.  Mr. Sellers was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Beeler, who died in 1888, leaving two children— Clinton and Lewis C.  In politics Mr. Sellers is a democrat, but has never been a partisan in the office-seeking sense of the word, and in religion is a Lutheran of the purest and simplest type, and is greatly respected by his neighbors for the fidelity with which he holds to the teachings of his church.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 482
  JAMES W. SELLERS, one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Shawnee township, Allen county, Ohio, and a man of intelligence and unusually varied experience, is a son of Jacob and Emily (McDonald) Sellers.  He was born May 23, 1853, in the township in which he still resides.  Jacob Sellers, the father, died when his son, James W., was five years old, and the mother of our subject afterward married Jacob Crites, by whom the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Sellers was reared, and educated.  Mr. Crites was a good and kind stepfather and gave his stepson a good common-school education, and put him through the Lima high school.  He was thus qualified to teach, and did teach school in Amanda and German townships, meeting with most gratifying success.  Giving up his profession of teacher, he next engaged in mercantile business at Hume, Ohio, in which he continued for three years, meeting with success in this line, as he had in teaching.  At the end of these three years he located on his present farm of eighty acres, on which he himself made all the improvements, and so has not by any means been lacking in industry or determination to make of his farm work a success.  Beside the eighty acres he owns he is also operating eighty acres more, and thus has all the work he needs always present with him.  Beside farming, he is also engaged in producing oil, having three wells drilled on his own farm.
     Politically Mr. Sellers is a democrat, and though not seeking office of any kind, yet he has been elected trustee of his township, serving during the term of 1885.  However, he has always been and is now ready to do any work for his party, by means of which he can add to that party’s success or prestige, and is thus in good and favorable standing with his party associates.  Mr. Sellers was married, in 1878, to Miss Emma Shoppell, daughter of John G. Shoppell, and by this marriage he has had three children—Carrie M., Orlando C., and one that died in infancy.  Mr. Sellers all through life been true to his convictions of right, and his influence upon the community, though perhaps more of a silent than of a pronounced and an expressive kind, is yet strong and effective.  He is a citizen highly esteemed by all who know him, his acquaintances fully appreciating his worth.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 463
  GEORGE B. SHAFFER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 463


[portrait U. M. Shappell]
U. M. SHAPPELL

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 464

  GEORGE SHEETER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 470

  ALEXANDER SHENK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 472

  REV. ANDREW SHENK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 476

  CHARLES E. SHENK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 471

  REV. JOHN M. SHENK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 475

  SYLVESTER F. SHENK, one of the representative citizens and leading business men of Delphos, Ohio, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and was born Dec. 31, 1847, a son of Martin and Christine (Kern) Shenk.  Martin Shenk was one of the early settlers of Delphos, he having located in this place in the latter part of 1853.  (Further mention of him may be found elsewhere in this work.)  Sylvester F. Shenk received a common-school education, and at the age of thirteen years began work as a clerk in a store in Delphos, which occupation he continued until 1876, when he began business for himself as senior member of the firm of Shenk & Zimerle.  This firm continued until 1880, when Mr. Zimerle retired, since which time Mr. Shenk has been in trade alone.  His place of business is on the corner of Main and Second streets, where he occupies three floors, carrying a complete line of dry goods, clothing, carpets, etc., his establishment being the leading one in his line in Delphos, and one of the largest in this part of the state.
     Mr. Shenk was married June 29, 1872, to Miss Rosilla, daughter of Francis J. Lye, one of the pioneer settles of Delphos, then section No. Ten.  Mr. and Mrs. Shenk have eight children, as follows:  Frank, Mary, Martin, Amedeus, Alexander, Sylvester, Richard and Robert, and the family are members of the Saint John's Roman Catholic church of Delphos.  Mr. Shenk has given his time and attention almost exclusively to his business, and as a natural result has met with flattering success.  While he has never held or sought political office or honors, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his city, county and state, and has never failed to perform willingly the duties incumbent upon all good citizens.  He has always been found ready and willing to assist in the building up of Delphos, having at heart the best interests of the city's enterprises and institutions.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 474
  HENRY J. SHERRICK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 477

  HENRY M. SHERRICK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 479

  EMANUEL SHINDLER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 571

  SAMUEL SHINDLER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 571

  JACOB W. SHOBE

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 486


[portrait Charles M. Shoemaker]
CHARLES M. SHOEMAKER

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 482

  ELIAS H. SHOOK - It is always a pleasant task to write of an intelligent and progressive man, especially of one devoted to the development of modern methods in agriculture.  Such a man is Elias H. Shook, the subject of this biographical sketch, who in this respect is one of the leading citizens of the county.  Mr. Shook was born in Ottawa county, Ohio, near Port Clinton, the county seat, Sept. 301, 835.  He is a son of Isaac and Susan (East) Shook, the former of whom, like his son, was a practical farmer.
     Elias H. Shook was reared in Allen county from the time he was a small boy, about four or five years of age, his parents at that time locating in German township, on section No. 21, where Mr. Shook himself now lives.  He there assisted in clearing up the farm, which contained eighty acres, and in securing his education, at the public schools and in a subscription school, so that he was more than ordinarily well educated for the ties in which he spent his youth.  His father died about 1845, and he then went to live with his uncle, John East, where he remained until he was eighteen years old.  At this time he returned to his home and began to learn the trade of carpenter, which trade occupied the most of his time for twenty years.  Many of the best residences in Allen county have been erected by Mr. Shook.  At the same time, however, that he was engaged in the carpenter trade and in erecting houses for other people, he was also engaged in farming to a considerable extent, and about 1876 he erected a manufactory, for the purpose of making draining tile, at which he was employed in connection with his farming and building until 1892, when he sold out the tile manufacturing business.
     Mr. Shook has purchased the old homestead, which now contains eighty-two acres of land, and upon it has erected a fine frame residence, the old one having been destroyed by fire.  He also has excellent barns for stock and grain, all of which he himself erected.  He is engaged for the most part in general farming and in the cultivation of small fruits, raspberries, strawberries, etc., and is also engaged in raising the best grades of stock, such as the Poland-China hog  and Jersey cattle.  Most of his farm is under a high state of cultivation, and he is generally looked upon as one of the most progressive men in Allen county.  Not only this, but he has public spirit, which is something hard to find, most men thinking that if they successfully carry on their own private business they are doing all that is required of them.  Mr. Shook always is ready to assist any enterprise which bids reasonably fair to promote the public good.  He is a man of broad and liberal views, and is one of the wheel-horses of the democratic party of Allen county, always ready to work for his party in or out of office.  His party has honored him by giving him the office of township trustee, which office he has held for many years.  He has also been sent by his party as delegate to several conventions, and is now a member of the county central committee, and one of the advisory board.
     Mr. Shook was married Sept. 18, 1858, to Miss Mary Blausser, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1832.  She is a daughter of Joseph and Magalena (Stolter) Blausser.  Mr. and Mrs. Shook are the parents of seven children, viz: David, a farmer of German township; Alonzo, also a farmer of German township; Frank, a fireman on the D. & M. railroad, living at Lima; Sherman, in the employ of the L. E. & W. railroad company, at Lima; Charles, another farmer of German township; Princess Almeda, the wife of Clarence Miller, of Lima.  Mr. Miller being a fireman on the P., Ft. W. & C. railroad, and Samson*, living at home.  Mr. Shook is in every way, and in the best sense, as will be seen by what has been written of him in this sketch, a self-made man.  What he has accumulated has been by his own labor and energy, and what he has made of himself personally has been no less by the exercise of his own will and talents.  Too many such men can not be found in any community.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 487
* SHARON WICK'S NOTE:  Samson is listed as Sampson and Simpson census records at www.ancestry.com
He is the son in law of Isaac Sawmiller whose biography is above here.
  JACOB L. SHOOK, a successful manufacturer of a high grade of tiling at Westminster, Auglaize township, Allen county, Ohio, was born in Franklin county, May 21, 1843, and is of German descent,  The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Shook, settled in Ohio about the year 1815; his maternal grandfather, John C. East, was born in Hesserland July 25, 1754, was a soldier in the British army, and was sent to America during the Revolutionary war.  On arriving in this country he deserted the British and joined his fortunes with the patriot army.  Subsequently he located in Pennsylvania, but about 1815 or 1816 came to Ohio.
    
ISAAC SHOOK, father of our subject was born in Allegheny county, Pa., Sept. 10, 1803, came to Ohio about 1815, settled in Pickaway county and died Nov. 1, 1843, a member of the United Brethren church, and in politics a democrat.  He married Susanna East, Sept. 9, 1824.  This lady was born in Pennsylvania Nov. 14, 1805, came to Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1815, and died in Allen county in August, 1882.  The union was blessed with seven sons and one daughter.
     Jacob L. Shook, our subject, worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade until seventeen years of age, when he was appointed, by Gov. Bishop, a guard at the Ohio state penitentiary, a position he held for two years, four months and eleven days, and located at Lima, Ohio, where he bought, with his savings, four town lots, from the sale of which he netted $2,500, and thus profit he invested, some six years ago, in his present business, which has been a source of profit to him up to the present time.  In 1894 he bought a farm of ninety acres in Adams county, Ind., to which he expects to remove in 1896, and follow agriculture for the remainder of his life.  He married in Allen county, Oct. 12, 1878, Miss Mary J. Baker, a native of the county, born Sept. 21, 1858, and a daughter of Jacob L. and Mary (Grubb) Baker, and to this union have been born the following children:  Howard C. and Ada, deceased, Edith G., Jacob L. G., and Nettie M.  The father of Mrs. Shook was born in Washington county, Pa., and the mother in Morgan county, Ohio, and since their marriage have always been identified with Allen county.  Mr. Grubb was an eloquent and successful minister in the German Baptist church, in which the major portion of his life was passed, and in the ministry of which he died Dec. 14, 1893.  In politics he was a democrat.  To his marriage were born children as follows:  Addison (deceased), Andrew M., James I., Jacob M. (deceased), Mary J. and Minnie (deceased).
     Mr. Shook
is a self-made man, all he owns being a result of his well directed toil and good management.  In politics he is a democrat, and with his wife is a member of the German Baptist church, the teachings of which have been the guiding rules of his life.  Fraternally he is a member of lodge No. 581, I. O. O. F., and socially he and wife are held in high esteem by the community in which they live.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 488
  HON. JAMES V. SMILEY

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 490

  JACOB C. SNIDER, the popular young tile manufacturer at Harrod, Auglaize township, is a native of Jackson township, Allen county, Ohio, and was born July 19, 1859.  His great-grandfather, Adam Snider, was a resident of Pennsylvania, of either German birth or German parentage.  Adam Snider, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania and there married Elizabeth Lones, to which marriage were born the following children: Mrs. Sarah Shook; Mrs. Rebecca Hollman, deceased; Mrs. Mary Shrider; Mrs. Susanna Dauenhour; Nancy, widow of a Mr. Carselow; William, Jacob, John and Leonard.  The father of this family came to Ohio in the pioneer days and first located in Perry county, and in 1841 came to Allen county, here entered a large tract of land in Jackson township and hewed out of the wilderness an excellent farm.  He took an active interest in democratic politics and became, a leading citizen of the township.  He was a noted student of the Scriptures, which he read and re-read, and died in January, 1889, a devout member of the German Reform church and a highly respected gentleman.
     William Snider, son of Adam Snider, Jr., and father of our subject, was born in Perry county, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1829, and was twelve years of age when brought by his parents to Allen county, where he was reared to farming and has ever since been identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson township.  He received a good common-school education and was thus thoroughly prepared for the ordinary affairs of business life, in which he has been very successful.  May 15, 1852, he married Elizabeth Matthews, who was born Apr. 27, 1831, a daughter of Samuel Matthews, and this union has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Leonard, Ambrose, Samuel A., and Jacob C., our subject, all married.  Mr. Snider owns a handsome and profitable farm of eighty acres in Jackson township, and is in very comfortable circumstances.  He is a democrat in politics, and, though not a partisan, has never missed attending the polls since he cast his first vote.  He and wife are members of tin German Reform church and are among the most respected residents of Jackson township.
     Jacob C. Snider, whose name opens this biography, received a good common-school education and remained on his father’s farm until twenty-nine years of age.  Dec. 4, 1884, he married Miss Hester May Matheny, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, Sept. 27, 1867, a daughter of Charley and Verlinda (Morgan) Matheny.  Her father was born in Adams county, Ohio, in October, 1829, and his wife was born in Kentucky May 30, 1831.  They were married in Adams county, Ohio, whence they moved to Fayette county, and in 1873 migrated to Hardin county, where they now make their home in Ada.  They have had born to them the following children: Jennie, wife of Leonidas Richeson, proprietor of the tile factory at Ada, Ohio; Lewis A.; Ann, deceased wife of James Johnson; Grant and Melissa F., both deceased; Hester May (Mrs. Snider); Ada F., wife of Charles P. Baker, and Leonidas.  The children that have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Snider are three in number and named Donel Earl, Oca P., and William C.
     In politics Mr. Snider is a democrat, and  he and wife are devoted members of the Christian church, in which he has been assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school.  Mr. Snider has been engaged in making a high grade of tiling at Harrod and has established a fine reputation for the quality of his product.  He owns three acres of land inside the corporate limits of the town and a good home, and is recognised as among the most enterprising young business men of the township.  In the spring of 1895 lie was a candidate for township trustee, and was defeated, but lowered the republican majority one-half, thus fully indicating that he was not only popular with his party, but with the public at large of his township, as a politician and business man.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 491
  PETER SNYDER, an industrious and successful farmer of Bath township, Allen county, Ohio, is a native of New York state and was born in 1820, a son of Philip and Mary (Sharpstem) Snyder, also natives of the Empire state and parents ot twelve children, viz: John, who died in Michigan, where Henry also died; Lydia, died in New York; Cornelius, who died in Michigan; William living in Iowa; Mary, deceased wife of Asa Slocum, of Michigan; Walter, who died in Michigan; Louisa, deceased wife of Samuel Learn, of the same state; Philip, also died in Michigan; Phebe, wife of Mr. Pifer, also expired in that state; Lorenzo D., died in Michigan, where so many of his brothers and sisters took their departure from terestrial life, and Peter is the subject of this sketch, and the youngest of the family.  Philip Snyder, the father of this family, was a blacksmith and an expert at his trade, which he followed all his active life.  His children, as will be seen, nearly all settled in the State of Michigan, where the mother died at the home of her son, Lorenzo D.
     Peter
Snyder, the gentleman with whom this memoir has most to do, was thirteen years of age when he found a home in Trumbull county, Ohio, where he worked out at farm work five years by the month, and economized his earnings.  He then came to Bath township, Allen county, where he worked at any honest employment he could find until his marriage, in 1839, to Miss Clarinda Edgecomb, a daughter of Uriah Edgecomb, of Bath township.  He then rented a farm of 160 acres and diligently set to work to meet the obligations incurred by this very important step in his life, and so far succeeded that he was able, in 1849, to purchase forty-seven acres, which, by intelligent enterprise and well directed effort, he increased by the addition of 100 acres, then, at a favorable opportunity, sold the whole tract and removed to Shawnee township, where he resided until 1861, when he returned to Bath township and purchased 160 acres on which he resided several years, but, finding another opportunity for profit, again sold out and purchased his present farm of 160 acres, which he has thoroughly cleared up, improved, and converted into one of the best farms in the township.
     The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder was blessed with ten children, born as here detailed:  Joseph died a soldier in the late war; Murilla became the wife of Sumner F. Mason, of Bath township; William also died in the army; Walter is living in Indiana; Amy is the wife of Marcus Mason, of Bath township; Henrietta is married to Charles Shimaberry; George lives in Shawnee township; Jasper resides in Paulding county; Newton and Clay C. reside in Lima.  Mr. Snyder lost his wife in November, 1863, and for his second companion he married Mrs. Ellen (Baker) Kollar, widow of George W. Kollar, who died in the army.  The second marriage of Mr. Snyder has been crowned by the birth of seven children, viz: Alta, wife of Albert Roberts, of Bath township; Ida M., deceased wife of James Getz, of Bath township; Della, wife of Dr. Kiser, of Bluffton; Edward F., of Beaver Dam, Allen county; James, Laura and Addie, at home.  Mr. Snyder is politically a republican and has served as trustee of Bath township, a number of years, and no man stands higher in the esteem of his fellow-citizens than he and his family.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 489
  GEORGE SOLOMON, one of the most substantial farmers of Richland township, Allen county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born at Mount Eaton, Wayne county, Feb. 8, 1828.  He is a son of Paul and Catherine (Phillipi) Solomon.  Having acquired all of the limited education supplied by the common schools of his day, he then learned the trade of carpenter.  When nine years of age, in 1837, he was brought by his father, to Ohio, the family settling in Richland township, then Putnam county, now Allen county, where he learned his trade.  Arriving at the age of eighteen years he returned to Wayne county, where he worked one summer at carpentering, but returned then to Allen county, where he finished learning his trade.  In Richland township, Allen county, he married Catherine Lloyd, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, May 7, 1831, and is a daughter of Minor and Mary (Beamer) Lloyd, and then located in Beaver Dam, Allen county, where he lived until 1855, and on December, 25, of that year, he moved to his present home.
     On May 2, 1864, Mr. Solomon enlisted at Beaver Dam in company E, One Hundred and Fifty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve 100 days, under Capt. S. D. McKee.  He served out his full term of enlistment and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, at its expiration.  He had a taste of war when Gen. Farly made his famous raid on Washington, and performed all duties assigned him in the defenses of that city, at Fort Sumner, Fort Reno, and it Fort Simmons.  Most of his company were sick with fever and some from exposure, and at one time there was not one man in the company fit for duty except Mr. Solomon, who was obliged to remain on duty for several weeks at a time every night, so that it is within the limits of truth to say that he performed his full share of soldier’s duty.  At Columbus, Ohio, on account of some oversight, on the part of the company’s officers, the men were obliged to sleep out of doors all night, for want of barracks or tents, and as they had not then had blankets issued to them, many of them suffered a great deal.  Mr. Solomon, however, stood it better than most of the others, because in his early life he had been used to the life of a hunter, and had then slept out of doors more or less in his youth.
     After the close of the war he returned to Putnam county, in the fall of 1864, but on account of being then taken sick he did not settle down at that time, as had been (ns intention.  However, on Dec. 28, 1865, he removed to his present farm, then consisting of forty acres, partly cleared, and which by persistent industry and energy he has succeeded in reclaiming from the wilderness, and has improved it with good buildings, and especially with a fine, substantial residence, and now has a most
comfortable home.  To Mr. and Mrs. Solomon there have been born two children—James B.
and George H. G.  Politically Mr. Solomon is a democrat, and his wife is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church.  He has been honored by election to the office of township trustee, and was for several years a member of the school board.
     The Solomon family is descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry.  Henry Solomon, the grandfather of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was married in his native state.  He removed later to Stark county, Ohio, where he lived until his death.  Those of his children whose names are now remembered were as follows: Daniel, Samuel, David, John, Paul, Susan, Hattie and PollyPaul Solomon, the father of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and became a farmer and a millwright.  In Pennsylvania he married Catherine Phillipi, and, removing to Wayne county, Ohio, became one of that county’s earliest pioneers, settling down on a farm in the woods.  His children were Henry, John M., David, Samuel, Francis, Isaac, George, Sarah, Elizabeth, Susan and Christian.  In 1837, as stated above, Mr. Solomon removed to Richland township, and settled on the land now occupied by the subject of this sketch, not a stick having then been cut, and died there a year and a half after coming to the county.  His sons later cleared up the farm.  He was, so long as he lived, a hard-working, industrious man, and was highly honored as an upright citizen by all who knew him.  While in Pennsylvania he was a member of the state militia, and served in the suppression of the whisky insurrection in that state.  He had two sons in the Civil war, viz: Isaac, who was in the same regiment with the subject, and died from the effects of exposure.
     Minor Lloyd, the father of Mrs. Solomon, was born in Maryland and was of Scotch descent.  He was one of the old pioneers of Putnam county, but sold his property there and removed to Richland township, Allen county, about 1848 or 1850, settling on eighty acres of land which was then covered with the primeval forest and inhabited by wild beasts and game of various kinds.  This farm he cleared, converted it into a good home, and added to it until he had 120 acres, and became a thrifty and well-to-do farmer.  To him and his wife there were born the following children: Margaret, Peter, James, William, Isaac, Elizabeth, Mary J., Eliza A., and Catherine.  Mr. Lloyd died on his farm, about 1856, at about the age of fifty-two years.  He was hard-working and industrious, was highly respected for his honesty and integrity, and was a member of the Methodest Episcopal church.
     Mr. Solomon, the subject of this sketch, has always been an honored citizen.  He was reared amid pioneer scenes and trials in the wilderness, and at the early age of eleven years began to handle the ride and to kill deer and wild turkey, many of which fell before his aim.  On one day he killed seven deer and wounded two others, and caught the two wounded ones the next day.  The last deer he killed in Putnam county was in 1865, and there has been none killed there since. Mrs. Solomon had three brothers in the Civil war—William, James and Isaac—all in Ohio regiments of infantry, in the three years' service, and all of whom participated in many battles.  Beside one brother, Mr. Solomon had four nephews in the army— C. W. Solomon, Isaac Lytle, Lewis Lytle and James H. Lytle.  The three Lytle boys were sons of Mr. Solomon’s eldest Sister, and were all of her sons that were able to enlist.  The youngest of the three was not then of legal age, but being large and strong, was accepted.  Thus it will be seen that the Solomon family in all its branches has patriotism in its blood, and no doubt would be ready again in case of war to take up arms in their country’s defense.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 492
  SIMON SPELLACY - One of the most active, useful and prominent citizens of the town of Lima, Allen county, Ohio, is Mr. Simon Spellacy, a native of Glen Falls, N. Y., and a son of John and Ellen (Byrne) Spellacy, the former of whom was born in county Clare, and the latter in county Wexford, Ireland.  John Spellacy came to the United States in 1832 with his parents, who settled in Glen Falls, N. Y.   The father of John Spellacy was also named John and he spent the remainder of his life, after coming to this country, at Glens Falls.  There John, the father of the subject of this narrative, was reared and educated, his education consisting of such instruction as could then be obtained in the old log schoolhouse of that early day.  Completing his education, he was apprenticed to a cooper and learned that trade in Williamsburg, now the eastern division of Brooklyn, Long Island, with a Mr. Polhemus, for whom he subsequently became foreman.  In 1852 Mr. Polhemus purchased a tract of timber land in Crawford County, Pa.  and upon it erected a saw-mill, placing the entire plant in charge of Mr. Spellacy, which position he filled four years.  At the end of this period, in connection with his brother Simon, he purchased the property and the business, and they operated it together until about the close of the late war, when John Spellacy purchased his brother's interest, and alone conducted the business until 1873, when, owning to the depression of the times, he was compelled to make an assignment.  Since then he has not been engaged in active business, but has lived retired.  In 1894 Mr. Spellacy moved to Saint Mary's, Ohio, where he now resides.  Politically he was a democrat until 1873, when, in common with a large number of citizens of this country, he became convinced that an increase in the circulating medium would be beneficial to the entire country, and became identified with the greenback party, taking an active interest in its work.  In his religious belief he is a Catholic, but accords to all the privilege of choosing for themselves, or not choosing at all, the church to which they shall belong.  His family consists of the following children: Martin, now residing in Indiana; Simon, the subject of this sketch; Timothy, of Saint Mary's Ohio; Catherine, in Chicago; Michael, in Indiana; Peter, of Lima, and Mary, wife of Judge Mooney, of Saint Mary's.
     Simon Spellacy, our immediate subject, was born in Glenn Falls, N. Y., in 1853.  He was reared in Conneautsville,* Pa., and educated in the common schools of that vicinity.  Remaining with his father until 1876, he then went to the oil fields of Bradford and Butler counties, Pa., where he was actively engaged in the production of oil until 1881, during which year he went to Smith's Basin, N. Y., as manager of the company's store for the Keenan Lime company, retaining this position until 1887.  Removing then to Lima, Ohio, he established himself in the grocery business, which business he ahs since conducted.  Politically Mr. Spellacy is a democrat, and ahs been an active and influential member of his party in Lima, which in 1893 honored him by electing him to the city council from the Fourth ward, a position which he filled with credit to himself and general satisfaction to his party friends.  In his religious convictions he is a Catholic, and is a member of Saint Rose Roman Catholic church.  Mr. Spellacy was married in 1884 to Miss Eleanor, daughter of Adam and Mary Kline, of Batavia, Ohio, by whom he has the following children:  Kline, Cecilia, Louisa, Eleanor, and Grace.  Mr. Spellacy is one of Lima's most progressive and enterprising citizens, and is always ready with his means and influence to promote all the local interests of the city of Lima and county of Allen.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 49
*(Sharon Wick's Note:  Conneautsville is actually spelled Conneautville)
  FRANCIS H. STALLKAMP

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 495


[portrait F. Steinle]
FELIX STEINLE

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 500

  CHRISTIAN STEMEN  - see - Samuel P. Stemen
  ISAAC W. STEMEN  - See Peter Stemen below here.
  J. B. STEMEN  - see Samuel A. Stemen
  JOHN M. STEMEN, deceased, was an old pioneer of Washington township, Van Wert county, and was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Aug. 13, 125, a son of Christian and Margaret (Moyer) Stemen, of Pennsylvania - Dutch descent.  At the age of about nine years he was taken to Allen county by his father, and was there educated in the district schools, as well as instructed in the mysteries of farming.  At about thirty years of age, Nov. 15, 1855, he married, in Allen county, Miss Lydia E. Myers, who was born in Fairfield county, Sept. 14, 1839, a daughter of Levi and Rachael (Spitler) Myers, the former of whom was a son of Daniel Myers, the former of whom was a son of Daniel Myers, who was also of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, a substantial farmer of Fairfield county, Ohio, and the father of fifteen children, of whom fourteen lived to adult age and one to adolescence, and were named as follows:  Nancy, Fanny, Inda, Mary, Rebecca, Lee, Caroline, Elizabeth (died at fourteen), Reuben, Etta, Samuel, Levi, Daniel, Noah and Joseph.  The father of this family died in Fairfield county at an advanced age, a member of the German church.
     Levi Myers, the father of Mrs. Lydia E. Stemen, married in Fairfield county, and had born to this union with Rachael Spitler seven children, viz:  Aaron, Caroline, Lydia E., Alvina, Louis H., Noah and David Y., all born in Fairfield county, where the father owned a fertile farm of eighty acres.  In 1852 he moved to Allen County, Ohio, and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Sugar Creek township, which had been partly cleared, and which he afterward made into a good farm and cultivated until his death, at the comparatively early age of forty-one years, a member of the German Reform church.  Of his sons, Aaron served during the Civil war, about one year, in an Ohio regiment; Louis served three years in the Ninety-ninth Ohio infantry, and Noah, when a lad of eighteen, served about six months.
     John M. Stemen, after marriage, settled, Sept. 11, 1856, on the farm now occupied by his widow.  The tract comprised ninety-five acres of dense woodland, on which he built a log cabin, which is still standing.  But he was an industrious, hard-working man and changed his primitively rude condition of  things to one of comfort and beauty.  To himself and wife were born eight children, viz: David B., Mary A., Martha A. (who died at the age of twenty-two years), William E., Louis H. (who died when twenty-five years old), Benjamin F., and two that died in infancy.  The death of Mr. Stemen took place at the age of fifty years on his farm, Oct. 9, 1875, in the faith of the Lutheran church, and in politics a democrat.  He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, a good farmer and obliging neighbor, and a patriotic and useful citizen, whose death was deeply deplored by his sorrowing family and a large circle of friends.
     After the death of her husband Mrs. Stemen managed the farm with care and prudence and reared her children to become respected members of society, giving them all good educations and thoroughly preparing them for the duties of life.  Mary A., now twenty-one years old, is an accomplished school-teacher; David B. is united in marriage with Mary E. Bressler, lives on the home farm, and is the father of six children; Mary A. is married to James Wallace, of Ridge township, Van Wert county, and is the mother of two children; William E. married Leah Stemen, is a farmer of Ridge township and is the father of one child.  Mrs. Stemen is a devout member of the Methodist church, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends, who truly honor her for her many motherly, neighborly and christian virtues.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 742
  PETER STEMEN  was born Sept. 15, 1802, and died in October 1881, at the age of seventy-nine years.  He was born in Rockingham county, Va., and in 1807, his parents, Peter and Margaret, came to Fairfield county, Ohio, where they lived until 1838.  He was brought up on a farm, and Nov. 25, 1824, was married to Miss Mary Blosser, who was born in Fayette county, Pa., May 12, 1807, and was the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth BlosserPeter and his wife, Mary, had a family of eight children:  Andrew, Benjamin, John (deceased), Mary M., Peter (deceased), Isaac W., Elizabeth and Christian. When the parents of these children came to Allen county, Ohio, they located on a tract of 160 acres of unimproved land, excepting a few acres, and here the father spent the remainder of his life, following farming as an occupation.  He was a Mennonite in religious faith, a republican in politics, and held the office of township trustee for a number of years.  Tow of his sons served in the rebellion - John and Christian.  The latter served about nine months, toward the close of the war, in the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was corporal of the guard.
     ISAAC W. STEMEN, with whom this sketch will now deal, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Feb. 6, 1837.  His parents came to Allen county in 1838 and located on a farm in Marion township.  When Isaac grew up he followed farming, obtaining a fair education in the public schools.  In later years he was in the employ of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad company, a part of the time, and for the past ten years he has followed the trade of carpentering.  He was married, Mar. 7, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Cochren, daughter of James and Isabella Cochren, daughter of James and Isabella (Sunderland) Cochren, both deceased, the mother dying in October, 1880, at the age of sixty-four years and the father in June, 1893, at the very advanced age of eighty-eight years.  Mr. and Mrs. Isaac W. Stemen are the parents of five children:  Mary E., wife of A. L. Brower, of Iowa; Sidney G., a teacher in Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa; Orlando, at home; Ada B., a home, a school-teacher; Frank F., a school-teacher by profession but now a student of the Lima college, further preparing himself for his chosen calling.  Politically Mr. Stemen is an ardent prohibitionist and he and his family are members of the United Brethren church.  He is a man who believes in making things move, is always prepared to give a "boost" when needed, and is withal an active, progressive man, imbued with vim and vigor of the kind that succeeds without unnecessary delay.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 496
  SAMUEL A. STEMEN is one of the representative citizens of German township, Allen county, Ohio, and a conspicuous figure in Elida, where he now resides.  He was born in Marion township, Dec. 8, 1851, and is the son of  JOHN B. and Mary J. (Myers) Stemen, natives of Fairfield and Marion counties, Ohio.  The father died Jan. 10, 1865, at the age of thirty-four years, while a soldier in the war of the Rebellion; the mother was a teacher in early life, she is now living in Warren county, Iowa.  The family of Stemen, or Stehmann, are supposed to be of German extraction.  JOHN B. was the second son of Peter and Mary Stemen, who had eight children.  John B. became father of nine children, six boys and three girls.
     Samuel A. Stemen was born and lived on the farm until thirteen years of age, when he began clerking in a store in Lacona, Iowa, where he remained for four years.  After this he was six months on a farm in Neosho county, Kans., and a year in driving cattle from Texas to Kansas, and a year clerking in a store at Tioga, now Chamute, Kans., after which experience he returned to Ohio in 1871, and located in Elida, where he spent two years in a saw-mill - afterward renting the plant and operating it until 1887, when, in company with J. R. Brenneman, he purchased it, and together operated it until March, 1895, when they sold out the business.  In 1881, Mr. Stemen associated himself in the mercantile business with C. B. Rice, the partnership lasting two years, when Mr. Rice withdrew and Messrs, Brenneman & Stemen constituted the firm until Oct. 9, 1893, when Mr. Stemen became sold proprietor, conducting the home mill until June, 1894, when he sold out to S. R. Stemen.  However, he still owned a stock of drugs, which he disposed of last year (1895) and sold the saw-mill, but retained a half-interest in a ill three miles west of Elida.  A new enterprise now claims his attention.  On Dec. 1, 1894, in company with C. H. Mosier he engaged in the Wind Engine and Auburn Engine and Demming Pump company.
     Mr. Stemen was married Aug. 3, 1873, to Miss Ollie Burdge, daughter of Newton and Lockey Burdge.  She died Jan. 10, 1877, at the age of twenty-three years.  Two children were born to them, both dying in infancy.  He next married, September, 15, 1878; his present wife's maiden name was Saloma J. Kirocofe, daughter of Henry and Delilah (Huffer) Kiracofe.  She was a native of Allen county, and was born July 12, 1860; eight children have blessed this union:  Myrtie M., Mary, Lena L., Elva D., Nina A., Floyd K. (deceased), Thomas R. and Clarence B.  Mr. and Mrs. Stemen are worthy and faithful members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Stemen is a trustee and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for the past sixteen years.  When the division of the United Brethren church occurred, Mr. Stemen's sympathy and support was cast with the Radicals.  He is an anti-saloon man and is bitterly opposed to all things in the shape of intemperance.  He has also the courage of his convictions and does not hesitate to declare himself on this important subject.  In conclusion we may say that the Stemen family are among the substantial residents of the county and all are well known as men of unquestioned integrity and honesty, and are good business men and equally good neighbors and citizens.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 499
  SAMUEL P. STEMEN  - The Stemen family is an ancient one in the United States.  While there appears to be no positive historical knowledge upon its origin, yet it is believed that its first American ancestor came from Germany.  The first reliable history of the family that has as yet been discovered is in the old family Bible which was purchased by CHRISTIAN STEHMANN, as the name is spelled in that old Bible, in December, 1770.  In this Bible there is a family record which states that Christian Stehmann was born in the year of Christ, May, 28, 1757, and that he was married to Miss Hannah Barin, Apr. 1, 1770, her birth being given as on Apr. 18, 1750.  To them there were born eleven children, of whom Peter, the eldest, was born Jan. 2, 1771, and Maria, the youngest, was born Feb. 6, 1796.  The intermediate children, in the order of their births, were as follows:  Christian born Apr. 18, 1773; Henry, May 26, 1775; Anna, Oct. 5, 1777; John, Apr. 17, 1780; Samuel, Nov. 12, 1782; Francis, Jan. 5, 1786; Johanna, May, 1788; Elizabeth, June 24, 1791, and Michael, Jan. 21, 1794.
     CHRISTIAN STEHMANN the father of this numerous family, it is believed, was born near Red Stone, Rockingham county, Va.  In 1803, in company with a number of his family, he moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, where they all began to clear away the timber and to make homes for themselves.  Here he lived until after the death of his wife, which occurred July 15, 1834, she being then eighty-four years, two months and twenty-seven days old.  He then removed to Allen county, to his son, Rev. Henry Stemen's home, where he died Aug. 28, 1844, he was ninety-seven years old, and was buried in the graveyard near the Mennonite church.  Mrs. Stemen was buried in what is known as the Stewart graveyard in Fairfield county.  When this ancient patriarch was born the name was recorded in the old family Bible, above mentioned, and was spelled "Stehmann," but when the record of his death was made it was spelled "Stemen," so that the change in spelling of the name was made during his lifetime.
     Peter Stemen, the eldest son of the above, mentioned Christian Stemen, was born Jan. 2, 1771.  He married Miss Magdalena Swick, by whom he had three sons, viz:  Christian, born in Rockingham county, Va., Apr. 23, 1779; John, born in the same county, Sept. 12, 1780, and Peter, born Sept. 15, 1802.
    
CHRISTIAN STEMEN, the eldest of these three sons, moved with his parents to Fayette County, Pa., and in 1807 removed with them to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he resided until Dec. 13, 1821, when he was married to Miss Margaret Moyer, removing immediately thereafter to Perry county, Ohio, and after a short residence there returning to Fairfield county.  In 1834 he purchased a tract of land - not a farm, for it was all timbered land - in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, where he lived the rest of his days, earnestly striving to improve his farm and his condition in life, and enduring all the privations and hardships incident to the life of a pioneer.  But in all his trials and struggles he was nobly aided by his faithful wife.  He was one of the best of men, universally honored and loved; kind-hearted and tender, always having a word of cheer for all he met.  He was twice elected county commissioner for Allen county, and filled the office with credit to himself and with satisfaction to those interested in the manner in which his duties were performed.  He lived upon his farm until Apr. 16, 1865, when he died, his wife having died a few months before, on Dec. 1, 1864.
     Samuel P. Stemen, the eldest son of Christian Stemen, whose life has been briefly outlined above, was born in Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1822.  He removed in 1834, when he was twelve years of age, with his father, from Fairfield county to Allen county, and he is thus one of the oldest settlers and continuous residents of the county.  He well remembers the journey, which was made by horses and wagons, when there were no roads through the wilderness, and their way had to be cut through for miles in order to reach the tract of land destined for their occupation, on Hogg Creek, in German township, where the father had purchased 146 acres of land in the woods, with no neighbors, except Indians, with whom to associate.  Young Stemen had but few educational advantages in the wild region, but he succeeded in learning the cabinet-maker's trade and in becoming a good farmer.  Sept. 7, 1847, he was united in marriage, in German township, with Miss Isabelle Spangler, who was born in Fairfield county in January, 1831, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Lutz) Spangler - Samuel Spangler being a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Allen county, Ohio.  After his marriage Mr. Stemen settled on his present farm, which then comprised sixty acres, but of which he has disposed of twenty acres, as forty were as many as he cared to handle.  As usual with those who settled in the woods, he assiduously set to work and cleared up a farm, which in due course of time rivaled that of any of his neighbors.  The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stemen were ten in number and were named:  Catherine, Mary, Daniel, William, John, Sallie Laura Bell, Lydia A., and two that died young.  The father, mother and elder children were all hard workers and lent willing hands towards building up a home, and it is related that the eldest daughter, after her father had enlisted to aid in saving the Union, put on her father's ants and went into the field to plow. 
     Sept. 8, 1863, Mr. Stemen enlisted in company H, Capt. Isaac Patrick, Fifty-first Ohio national guard, in Sugar Creek township, for five years, but was honorably discharged to be mustered in as corporal, May 2, 1864, into the United States service, with a volunteer regiment, but was again honorably discharged, Aug. 27, 1864, after having defended Washington, D. C.  On his return home Mr. Stemen again turned all his attention to the cultivation of his farm and to the rearing of this family, and has proven himself to be, under all circumstances, a good and true citizen.  Oct. 2, 1885, Mrs. Stemen died in that faith of the United Brethren Church, of which she has long been a pious member.  Mr. Stemen is also a member of this religious organization, and in 18559 was made its first trustee, and is still in office.  He is noted for his strict integrity and for his industry and devotion to his calling and to his family.  All he has is the result of his own labors and that of his lamented wife, assisted by the children, and he is now living in the enjoyment of compensative opulence, respected by everybody in his neighborhood. 
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 497
  DANIEL STEVICK

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 503

  THE STEWART FAMILY, alluded to above (Refers to Charles C. Post family), was represented among the very earliest settlers of Allen county, Ohio; by WILLIAM and SAMUEL, who came to this county in 1824.  They were natives of Pennsylvania and were of a family of ten children.  Their parents were Mathias and Elizabeth StewartSamuel Stewart was born in Lycoming county, Pa., grew to manhood in Champaign county, Ohio, where he was married, and two years after that event, came with his wife and one child, to Amanda township, and entered a tract of land in section No. 9, where his daughter, Mrs. Leonides Post now lives.  His brother William entered land at the same time, adjoining him on the west.  Here they made homes and spent the balance of their lives.  Four children were born to Samuel, viz:  Thomas, Elizabeth, Eliza J. and Matthew; the last named died in childhood, as did ThomasSamuel Stewart was a man of rare and noble qualities - was open-hearted and generous and ever ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed.  He was public spirited and enterprising and was among the first in all good works and undertakings, and was one of the first board of county commissioners of Allen county.  His first wife dying, he was married a second time, and to this marriage two children were born, but both died in infancy.  Mrs. Post's mother's name was Thomas and her father, Capt. Thomas, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was afterward killed by the Indians in Logan county, Ohio, near Bellefontaine, about 1815.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 427
  CHARLES F. STOCKLER, a highly respected citizen of Bluffton, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, is a native of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brokel) Stockler.  Joseph Stockler died in Germany, a member of the Catholic church.
     Charles F. Stockler was born Oct. 13, 1834, was reared on his father's farm, and received a common-school education in his native country coming to the united States after both his father and mother had died, they dying when he was about seventeen years of age.  He embarked, in 1854, at Antwerp, in a sailing vessel, the good ship Amarcand, and was forty-two days on the sea.  He landed in New York, having come in company with two cousins, Alexis Obert, who served three years in the army, and John Brokel, both young men reaching the hospitable shores of the United States, the entire party had left but $2.50.  They found work at Utica, N. Y., on the New York Central railroad, and then at Lyons, and after six months' labor of this kind they came on west to Cleveland, Ohio.  He worked on farms in various parts of the state of Ohio until the breaking out of the war, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged to work for the government at driving and breaking mules.  This he continued to do until Feb. 10, 1865, when he enlisted in company I, Fifty-fifth regiment of Kentucky mounted infantry.  He was promoted to fourth corporal and acted as commissary sergeant, serving in this capacity until the close of the war.  He was in the battle of Stone River and a number of skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Being injured by being thrown from a horse on the turnpike between Georgetown and Mount Sterling, he went to hospital No. 11, at Louisville, where he remained four weeks.  The previous season he had lain in the same hospital two weeks, sick with ague.  Mr. Stockler was always an active soldier when in health, was always on duty, and in all the battles and campaigns of the war in which his regiment participated.  He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., Sept. 19, 1865, the war having come to an end.
     Mr. Stockler was married May 29, 1859, at Urbana, Ohio, to Clarissa C. Henkle, who was born at Urbana, Sept. 9, 1839, and is a daughter of
FLETCHER and Emily (Sampson) HENKLE, the former of whom was born in Virginia, of an old colonial family of German descent.  He was a wagon-maker by trade and move to Urbana when a young man.  His wife was born in Cincinnati, and her people, the Sampsons, were among the first settlers of Urbana.  She and husband were the parents of the following children: John, Clarissa C., William B., Mattie, Kate, Henry and Molly.  Mrs. Henkle died in Chicago in 1891, aged about eighty-two years, having moved to that city about 1873 and engaged in gardening.  He was an industrious man, esteemed by all for his upright and honest course of life.  Both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a class leader and exhorter for some ears.  He was a republican in politics and had two sons in the Civil war - William B. and Henry - in Ohio regiments, the former in the 100-day service, and the latter in the one-year service.  Mr. Henkle was a strong Union man, and a man of sterling character.
     Mr. and Mrs. Stockler settled in Urbana, Ohio, remaining there until 1864, where they removed to Ada, Ohio.  Later they removed to a farm lying a short distance west of Fort Wayne, and moved to their present farm in 1869.  To them there have been born ten children as follows: - Albert E., Ida M., Enos H., Henry (who died in infancy), Lizzie, Mollie, Frank V., Estelle, Tima, and Ross E.  Mr. Stockler has given all his children a good education, four of them being school-teachers - Lizzie, Mollie, Frank and EstelleFrank is now attending the Normal school at Ada, Ohio, with the view of better preparing himself for his work in the teachers' profession.  Lizzie married Prof. Noah Stull, principal of the high school at Spencerville, Ohio.  He is a member of the county board of examiners, and she has taught in the graded schools for ten years.  Mollie married Bert Hawk, of LaFayette, Ohio.  She taught in graded schools for five years.  Estelle has been teaching at Beaver Dam two years.  Mr. Stockler is a republican in politics, and is a member of Ada lodge, No. 343, F. & A. M.  Mr. and Mrs. Stockler are among the most highly respected people of their township, and he has always been an industrious, energetic and successful man.  Assisted by his faithful wife he has reared a family of children, all of whom maintain honorable and responsible positions in the community, and are most useful men and women.
     The Henkles are descended from old Revolutionary stock - directly from County Henkle, an officer in the Revolutionary Army.  The Sampsons were English Puritans and of ancient New England stock, from near Boston, Mass.  Calvin Sampson, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Stockler, was one of the pioneers of Cincinnati, Ohio.  He went down the Ohio river on a flat-boat with his family, and became one of the first merchants of Cincinnati, where his father was the first wholesale merchant.  Hepzabel Leftbridge married Calvin Sampson and lived to be ninety-two years old, and was blind the last fifteen years of her life.  The Sampsons were among the early settlers of Urbana, and also among the first merchants of that place.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 504
  ROBERT G. STOCKTON

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 505

  JACOB N. STOLZENBACH

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 506

  PROF. NOAH H. STULL, superintendent of the public schools of Spencerville, Ohio, ranks among the first educators of the state.  Mr. Stull has been located at this place for the past nine years as teacher and superintendent, having begun his work here in the autumn of 1887.  He was born at Huntsville, Logan county, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1863, and is the son of William and Mary (Scott) Stull, natives of Philadelphia, Pa., and Hardin county, Ohio.  The mother passed away in 1875, at the age of forty-nine years, and the father died in 1883, at the age of sixty-nine years.
     The STULL FAMILY has its origin in Hesse Cassel, Germany, where the grandfather, Abraham Stull, was born, where his earlier life was spent, where he married, and where a part of his family was born.  The grandfather was a distiller by trade, and on coming to America located in Philadelphia, where he died.  He was a magnificent financier and amassed a large fortune.  His private enterprises were many and prospered under his able and efficient direction.  His family was a large one, for whom he amply and generously provided.  His children settled in Ohio principally, and became valued citizens of the state.  The father of Supt. N. H. Stull located on a section of land in the west part of Hardin county, and operated his princely domain for a few years, when he removed to Huntsville, in Logan county, and later to Ada, Ohio, where he retired from business, after having been engaged in railroading successfully for a number of years.  The mother of Supt. Stull was the daughter of Jonathan Scott, of Irish extraction.  The family of Scott were open-hearted, generous and hospitable, and their friendships were wide and valuable.  In religion Mr. Stull was a Methodist and a man who carried his religion into his life and never wore it as a mere Sunday garment.  Nine children were born to him, to all of whom he gave a good education.  The following are their names:  Madison, of Ada, Ohio, a teamster by occupation; Matilda J., wife of John F. Firestone, of Welcome, Neb.; Colonel, of Ada, Ohio, one of the enterprising men of that section; Samantha J., wife of John F. Miller, of Huntsville, Hardin county; William B., a sheep raiser of Australia;
Lena and Ellen, deceased; Squire, a farmer of Milan, Mo., deceased, and Noah H., the subject of this biography.
     Noah H. Stull was born in Huntsville, Ohio, and received his education in the union schools of Ada, from which he graduated in 1882, and also from the Ada Normal school in the class of 1893.  At the age of nineteen he began teaching and has ever since followed this profession as his occupation.  His work is congenial, which may be the secret of his pronounced success as an educator.  Since his connection with the Spencerville schools the regular and prescribed course of study has been adopted, and he has successfully, by degrees, introduced into his curriculum the advanced principles of educational work.  In 1892 he was made one of the county school examiners.  Politically he is a democrat and socially a member of the Knights of Pythias of Spencerville lodge, No. 251.
     Aug. 29, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Stockler, of Bluffton, Ohio, who had been a teacher in the Spencerville schools, and since her marriage has been retained.  She is the daughter of Charles F. and Clarissa (Henkle) Stockler, living near Bluffton, Ohio.  Supt. Stull and Mrs. Stull are both members of the Methodist church and are esteemed as among the county's most worthy and respected citizens.  It is a pleasure to write of such people - men and women who make the social and moral life of a place better for having lived in it.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 507
  FRANK STUMP, one of the well-known citizens of Delphos, Allen county, Ohio, and a leading saloon and restaurant proprietor, is a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born Oct. 17, 1857.  After finishing his education, he served an apprenticeship at the saddle-maker's trade, and followed that trade in the old country until 1873, and then came to America.  He landed at New York city, but came direct from that city to Gallion, Ohio, where two of his uncles were living.  He put in two months and a half at his trade in Gallion, and then he concluded there was not enough in the saddler's trade, and throwing it up he learned the machinist's trade, in Gallion.  He worked at the machinist's trade in Gallion until 1879, and then went to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he worked for two years, going from Fort Wayne to Bucyrus, Ohio, where, on May 25, 1881, he was married to Miss Kate Burmoth, of Crestline, Ohio.  In February, 1883, he came to Delphos and went to work in the Clover Leaf Railroad shops, where he continued until 1890.  Then he spent about eight months in the Lake Erie shops at Lima, and then engaged in the saloon business at Lima for three years; returning to Delphos he opened his present place of business on the west side of Main street, second door from Second streets, which he purchased from H. W. Bechman.  His business embraces one of the first-class bars and the leading restaurant in the city where everything can be found to suit the palate of the most fastidious epicure.
     Mr. Stump takes an active interest in the affairs of Delphos, and formerly was an active worker in the ranks of the democratic party, but has never held or sought public office.  He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Machinists' union and the National union, and is, beside, a member of the Roman Catholic church.  Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stump - Celia and Naomi Ruth.
Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 508
  JOSEPH SUTHOFF

Source:  A Portrait and biographical record of Allen & Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 - Page 508

 

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