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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Allen County, Ohio
And Representative Citizens
Edited and Compiled by
Charles C. Miller, Ph. D.
Assisted by
Dr. Samuel A. Baxter
Lima, Ohio
Published by Richmond & Arnold
George Richmond; G. R. Arnold
Chicago, Ill
1906
George Hall, D.D.S. |
GEORGE
HALL, D. D. S.,
one of Lima's leading professional men and formerly postmaster
of this city for a period of nine years, whose portrait is shown
on the opposite page, was born in 1842 in Iowa, and is a son of
the late Harrison Hall, who was once the leading
ontractor in this city, dying here in 1902 at the age of 88
years.
George Hall was educated at Cornell College,
Mount Vernon, Iowa, and began the study of medicine and
dentistry with Dr. Carhart, of that city. At the
outbreak of the Civil War, although but 18 years of age and with
a promising career before him in professional life, he enlisted
in the three months' service but was not mustered in the United
States service because the Iowa quota was filled. The
Doctor then re-enlisted in the three years' service term of
service covered four years and four months, at the close of the
first three years re-enlisting as a veteran. The young
soldier participated in all the battles in which his command was
engaged until July 22, 1864, when in front of Atlanta, he was
made a prisoner of war ,the entire command being captured at the
same time. As a prisoner he was remanded to Andersonville
where three wretched months were spent; three of almost equal
misery were passed at Florence, South Carolina, and one month at
Charleston, where on the third attempt he accomplished his
escape. This was done by jumping from a moving train near
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Dr. Hall had then been imprisoned just
seven months to a day, and did not purpose-being again subjected
to the horrors from which he had escaped. Cautiously he
made his way to Wilmington, then occupied by the Confederates,
and fortunately found a Union family willing to secrete him and
give him necessary food and raiment. After remaining with
these good Samaritans for six days, the city was taken by the
Federal forces, and as soon as possible he reported to the
commander, General Perry. The exposure brought on a
violent illness and he was sent to the hospital at Annapolis,
where he spent 2 months. His honorable discharge was
received on July 21, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Hall then joined his parents at Lima,
whither they had removed during the war, and as soon as he was
fully restored to health he established a dental practice in
which he has virtually been engaged since 1867, although much of
his time has been occupied in the discharge of duties of a
public nature. President Harrison appointed
him postmaster at Lima and he served also under Presidents
McKinley and Roosevelt, having always been more or
less prominent in political matters in this section of the
State. The affairs of his city have also claimed his
interest. He has frequently been elected a member of the
City Council and has been president of that body. He
served two terms on the Board of Education of Lima. and among
thoughtful citizens he is recognized as one of the strong men of
the community.
In 1875 Dr. Hall was married to E.
Virginia Hackedorn. who is a daughter of George G.
Hackedorn, long engaged in a banking business here.
Fraternally, Dr. Hall is prominent in Masonry, belonging
to the Blue Lodge, Council. Chapter and Commandery at Lima.
He is also an Odd Fellow. He has been one of the moving
spirits in Grand Army circles here; has been commander of Mart
Armstrong Post, No. 202, and has served as a member of
the administrative committee of the Department of Ohio, G. A. R.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ.
by Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 477 |
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H. B. HALL,
of the well-known mercantile firm of Grosjean & Hall,
shoe dealers, at No. 55 Public Square, Lima, is a native of
Canada, his birth occurring in 1871, just across the river from
Port Huron. He was reared and educated in the Dominion,
and graduated from a business college there in 1886.
Mr. Hall has been connected with the shoe
business during almost his entire commercial life. In
1891, after. a training in this line for several years in
Canada, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and became associated with
the firm of Mabley & Carew. He remained with
them for three years in their stores at Cincinnati and Detroit,
and then located in Lima. After being employed for three
years in the shoe store of H. J. Jacobson, he returned to
Cincinnati and for one year was associated with The Smith,
Kasson Company of that city. He was then recalled
to Lima by Mr. Jacobson, of the Columbia Shoe
Company, with whom he remained for two years, when he resumed
his former connections in Cincinnati. From The Smith,
Kasson Company he entered the service of I. L.
Fuldheim for a short period. In the meantime Mr.
Netzory had purchased the Columbian Shoe Store at Lima
and secured the services of Mr. Hall in whom he had great
confidence as a practical shoeman. Mr. Hall
again returned to Lima and continued with Mr. Netzory
for two years, then establishing an independent business by
forming a partnership with Mr. Grosjean. The
firm has a favorable location and carries a complete and
carefully selected assortment of foot-wear, conducting probably
one of the largest establishments in Northwestern Ohio.
In January, 1899, Mr. Hall was married to
Helen Mumford, who is a daughter of A. W.
Mumford, a prominent citizen of Lima, who for a number of
years has been connected with the oil industry. They have
one child, James R.
Mr. Hall is connected with Lima Lodge of
Elks. Both members of the firm are identified with the Lima
Progressive Association.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 608 |
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JACOB HALL,
a veteran farmer of Monroe township, owning 110 acres of land in
sections 26 and 35, to the improvement of which he has devoted
the past 50 years, was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey,
Oct. 5, 1830. His parents moved to Carroll County,
Ohio, when he was three years old and one year later settled in
Tuscarawas County where they lived for about 12 years, coming to
Allen County in 1854. His parents were William and
Christina (Smith) Hall, natives of New Jersey. They
were farmers and owned about 300 acres of land in Monroe
township. The father died at the age of 74 years, while
the wife reached her 87th year. They were the parents of
nine children, namely: Delila, Mary, John,
Abraham, Diadama (Lackey), Sarah
Ann, Jacob, Salinda (Jennings) and
Isaac. Except our subject and Mrs. Jennings,
who resides in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, these children have all
passed away.
Jacob Hall resided with his parents until
his 24th year, renting his father’s farm for two years previous
to purchasing his present property of 110 acres. At the
time of purchase, this land was covered with a heavy growth of
timber, all of which has since been cleared off. The
property has all been put under cultivation except about 25
acres of pasture land. During the war, Mr. Hall
was extensively engaged in shipping stock, but has since been
doing general farming and has improved his place until it is
among the best in the vicinity.
Mr. Hall was married Aug. 16, 1855, to
Harriet Wallace, who was born in Northumberland
County, Pennsylvania, Apr. 29, 1836, and came to Allen County 10
years later with her parents, who were John and Rebecca
(Poyer) Wallace, of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
They died in Allen County. The mother had one daughter by
a previous marriage and four children by her union with John
Wallace, namely: Charles, of Van Wert County;
Harriet; William, of Monroe township; and John M.,
who moved to Kansas, where he died. Five children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, as follows: Hilas,
who died at the age of 32 years; Annetta Bell,
wife of Albert Herron; Rebecca Alice,
wife of Adam Roberts, of Columbus Grove;
Christina, wife of Jacob Miller; and
William O. Except Mrs. Roberts, all the
children live in Monroe township, the son living on 40 acres of
the homestead. Mr. Hall has been a
Republican since casting his ballot for Gen. John C.
Fremont. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a man
universally respected and esteemed.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 789 |
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J. N.
HALLER, the enterprising grocer, has been long and
closely identified with the city of Lima. He was born in
June, 1851, in German township, this county, where he was reared
and educated. His father was Samuel Haller who
located in Allen County about 1840 and died in Lima in 1860.
Both the father and grandfather, who was named Samuel,
were brickmasons and built most of the brick buildings which
were erected here prior to their death.
J. N. Haller learned the trade of mason and was
engaged in that work for a number of years, giving special
attention to plastering. He spent three years in the
South, one in the printing office at Singerglen, Virginia, and
two in the shipyards of Baltimore. Returning to Lima,
which had been his home since his third year, he engaged in the
newspaper business, and for eight years had charge of the
advertising and the subscription list of the old Republican.
Being appointed patrolman on the police force of Lima, he served
three years in that capacity, and then was promoted to the
position of chief of police of Lima, in which capacity he served
two years. In 1897 he worked at his trade, and the year
following embarked in the grocery business which he still
conducts. He erected the fine business block at 613 West
Wayne street, where he is located and meeting with merited
success.
Mr. Haller was married in 1873 to Emma Smith,
daughter of Judge Smith who was surveyor of Paulding
County for several years and, later, probate judge. Mr.
and Mrs. Haller have have one son, C. C. Haller who
in the November election of 1905 was the Republican nominee for
sheriff of Van Wert County. He is a prominent Mason and a
Knight Templar. J. N. Haller has taken an active
interest in the good government of the city and was formerly a
member of the City Council. He is a zealous member of the
Disciples' Church and a man who is esteemed for his uprightness
and honor. Mr. Haller was made a Knight in
Concordia Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Baltimore, Maryland, 36
years ago and was a prime factor in organizing Lima Lodge, No.
91. He has passed through all the offices and has twice
represented the local lodge at the Grand Lodge.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by
Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 437 |
Mr. & Mrs.
Theodore A. Handel |
THEODORE A. HANDEL,
a pioneer of Marion township, was born in Granville, Ohio, May
1, 1834, and died May 2, 1904, having just passed his 70th
birthday. He was a son of Nicholas and Myla (Hays)
Handel.
John Handel, the paternal grandfather, was the
founder of the family in America. For generations the
family occupation had been milling, and as a young man in his
native land John Handel was employed as a traveling grain
buyer. While on one of his purchasing trips, he was
accompanied by four assistants and the entire party were seized
by the military authorities, being impressed into the service of
King George III, of England, who was then engaged in his
struggle with the American Colonies.
On the arrival of the vessel at Boston harbor, John
Handel and his companions evaded the vigilance of their
captors, escaped to an American vessel by swimming, and enlisted
with the patriot forces. Grandfather Handel
proved a valiant defender of American liberty and fought
throughout the Revolutionary War. After the close of the
struggle, he settled in Baltimore and engaged in milling.
He married there and then moved to a point on the Shenandoah
River, Virginia, about 20 miles above Harper’s Ferry.
There his first child, Nicholas Handel, was born,
and the only other record is of the birth of a daughter,
Elizabeth. John Handel probably died in
the locality mentioned aged about 80 years. It is a family
belief that the great musical composer Handel, was of the
same original stock as John Handel.
Nicholas Handel, father of our subject, adopted
the family calling, and in early days he also dealt in grain and
other products all along the Potomac River, as far as
Alexandria. He enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812,
when a youth of 18 years. The date of his coming to Ohio
has not been recorded, but it is known that for 40 years he was
chief miller in the Fassett mills, on Raccoon Creek, near
Granville, Licking County, where he was a grain contractor and a
large shipper of flour.
Nicholas Handel married Myla
Hays, who was a daughter of Alanson and Rhoda (Slater)
Hays, both of English descent, but natives of New York.
The Hays family consisted of seven children, the
mother of our subject being the fifth in order of birth.
Her father came to Allen County in 1848. The latter part
of the life of Nicholas Handel was spent at the
home of his son, Theodore A., but just prior to his death
he returned to Granville, Ohio, and there passed away at the age
of 86 years. For a long period he was a worthy member of
the Baptist Church.
Theodore A. Handel attended the common schools
at Granville, Ohio, until he was 10 years old, when he came to
Allen County. From the age of 14 until he was 21, he
worked on the farm of his uncle, Ormond Kephart,
in section 4, Amanda township. At the age of 23 he married
and settled on a farm of 40 acres in that township, which
property proved the nucleus of a property that afterward was
increased to 200 acres. He continued to farm until 1861,
when he loyally offered his services to his country. At
the close of the war he resumed agricultural pursuits in Allen
County, continuing to reside on his farm until the time of his
death and to increase its value through many substantial
improvements.
When Mr. and Mrs. Handel settled on the present
farm it was almost a wilderness, very little of the land having
then been cleared, and their first home was a small, windowless
log cabin. Mr. Handel used his original capital of
$500 to such good advantage that at the close of his life he was
one of the most substantial men of his township. During
his early days he dug ditches, chopped wood, split rails, and
was always one of the foremost not only to improve the roads,
but to promote education and religion.
On Aug. 8, 1861, Mr. Handel enlisted for
three years in Company I, 34th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served
until he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in
September, 1864. He took part in 35 regular engagements
and many skirmishes, chiefly in Virginia and West Virginia, a
partial enumeration being: Chapmansville Gap, Fayetteville,
Louisburg, Trenton, Fayetteville (2), Charleston, Red House, Mud
Bridge, Cloyd Mountain, Greenbrier, James River, Lynchburg,
Staunton, Paw Paw Station, Stone Spring House, the Shenandoah
Valley campaign, including Winchester; Martinsville, the two
battles of Fredericksburg, Monocacy Junction, Charlestown and
Cedar Creek, the closing battle being a fiercely contested
engagement in the vicinity of Winchester. Mr.
Handel was wounded in his first battle while humanely
supporting an injured comrade. The shot was in his ankle,
and he was the second unfortunate in the company. In spite of
his painful wound, he refused to leave the battle-field and did
not even enter a hospital. He was promoted to the rank of
corporal, for more than two years performed the duties of a
deputy sergeant, and at all times was a reliable, loyal and
courageous soldier.
On Apr. 5, 1857, Mr. Handel was married
to Angelina Harris who was born Oct. 13, 1836, at
Lockland, Hamilton County, Ohio. She is a daughter of
Calvin Harris, who was born at Olean, New York, a son
of Samuel Harris, of English descent.
Calvin learned the trade of a wagon-maker, his father being
a boat-builder. His parents settled in Hamilton County,
Ohio, when he was six years old. At the age of 24 he
married Edith Dunn, a daughter of Beracha and Mary
(German) Dunn. In 1847 Mr. Harris sold
his shop at Lockland and bought and operated a boat on the Miami
and Erie Canal, subsequently trading the latter for 120 acres of
partly cleared land in section 20, Amanda township, this county.
His son now resides on the place. Mr. Harris
was township trustee, township clerk and filled other public
offices. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church and for
many years a trustee. The four survivors of his nine
children are: Mary Angelina, widow of our subject;
Roscoe B., living on the old home farm; Florence B.,
wife of David Ditto, of Marion township; and
Clarence Blake, residing on the Harris homestead. The mother
of these children died Dec. 9, 1881, aged 68 years, 9 months and
16 days. The father died on the farm on Jan. 28, 1892,
aged 81 years, 8 months and 28 days.
Mr. and Mrs. Handel had no children of their
own. They reared and educated four other children, and one
of these, Ernest Handel, has proven a son indeed
to those who took pity on his helpless infancy. During the
long sickness which preceded the death of Mr. Handel
this adopted son’s filial devotion was so genuine that no child
of the blood could have been kinder or more helpful and loving.
He was deeded 45 acres of land, lying opposite the old
homestead. He married Lydia Heisler, who
died in April, 1905. They had these children: Myrtle
Angelina and Burton Alfred (twins);
Gladys Gail, Bessie Nelore, and John.
Myrtle Angelina, one of the twins, born in 1884,
is the wife of E. Humphreys and resides with Mrs.
Handel, who adopted her when she was four weeks old.
Mrs. Handel lives just north of her
father’s old home, the farms adjoining. She has 120 acres
in section 17, Marion township, and rents the farm to her
adopted grandson. Her residence is beautifully situated in
a grove. The property will finally revert to Mrs.
Humphreys.
Mr. Handel was baptized in the Marion Baptist
Church, on Nov. 17, 1867, having been converted in the
preceding October by Rev. D. D. Spencer, assisted by Father
Bryant. At the time of his death he was the oldest
member of this church, a position now filled by his venerable
wife. He was deacon and trustee for several years.
Mrs. Handel comes of a long line of Baptists.
She was converted in the winter of 1854, was baptized by
Elder Freyer and first united with the Amanda Baptist
Church. Although for the past seven years Mrs.
Handel has been an invalid from rheumatism, she has always
found time to devote to religious and charitable work.
For a number of years Mr. and Mrs Handel were
members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and he served as overseer
and lecturer of his grange. He also was a member of Reul
Post, No. 95, G. A. R. of Delphos. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs.
Handel accompany this sketch.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 739 |
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F. P. & J. J. HARDIN,
whose extensive agricultural operations and large stock-raising
enterprises are carried on in section 35, Perry township, are
experienced men in their line of activity.
The firm which is made up of Franklin Pierce and
James J. Hardin, brothers, began the raising of Chester-White hogs in
1895. It is probably that no exhibitors at fairs ever met
with greater success, year in and year out, than has this firm. They have exhibited at county, State and international fairs,
meeting the very best in competition, and have frequently
captured every first prize offered, and on all occasions have
secured the lion’s share of the honors. At the St. Louis
Exposition in 1904, they carried off $1,235 in prizes, and it is
a remarkable and unusual fact that at all the various fairs
where they have exhibited, their prizes have been far in excess
of the shipping charges and expense of exhibiting. This
enviable reputation has been made in a period of six years and
it is of so stable a character as to have brought a demand for
their Chester-Whites from every section of this country and from
Canada. The hogs bring fancy prices and are mainly used
by buyers for breeding and exhibition purposes.
The first exhibition made by the firm was in 1898, at
the Ohio State Fair, and the exhibit won four first and a second
prize and two sweepstakes. In this year the firm lost 92
head; so in 1899 they exhibited but two hogs and received one
first and one second prize, and in 1900, three sweepstakes and
four first, four second and three third prizes. At the
Indiana State Fair in 1900, they were awarded five first
premiums, one second, one third and one championship. In
1900 at the Illinois State Fair they were awarded 10 firsts,
three seconds, one third and one sweepstake. In the same
year, at St. Louis, they received 10 firsts and three thirds. In
1901, at the Pan-American Exposition they took six firsts, six
seconds, three thirds, three fourths, one fifth and one
sweepstake. In this same year, at the New York State Fair
held at Syracuse, they received two championship, 10 firsts out
of a possible 11, and three seconds. In 1901, at the
Michigan State Fair, they were awarded 11 firsts out of a
possible 12, three seconds and two thirds. In 1902, at the
Iowa State Fair, held at Des Moines, they received one first,
five seconds and one third prize. In 1902, at the Nebraska
State Fair held at Lincoln, they received eight firsts, six
seconds, four thirds and one fourth, and at the Kansas State
Fair, they received 11 firsts and six seconds.
In 1903 they exhibited at the Ohio State Fair and were
awarded 11 first, all they were entered in, four seconds and one
third. At the Indiana State Fair held at Indianapolis, in
1903, they received eight firsts, two seconds, two thirds and
one championship. In the same year, at the Kentucky State
Fair held at Owensboro, they were given seven firsts, six
seconds and seven thirds. At the Illinois State Fair held
at Springfield in 1903, they were awarded six first and six
seconds. At the Inter national Fair held at Chicago, they were
awarded 10 firsts, six seconds, two thirds and two
championships, this remarkable record of exhibitions and
successes being completed at the St. Louis Exposition, as above
mentioned. Their prize winners at the St. Louis Louisiana
Purchase Exposition were as follows: Junior yearling boar, first
prize; senior under year boar, first and second prize; junior
under year boar, first prize; aged sow, 19th and 20th prizes;
senior yearling sow, second and fourth prizes; junior yearling
sow, second prize; senior under year sow, first and fifth
prizes; junior under year sow, seventh prize. At the same
exposition the championships were: Champion boar under year,
first and reserve; champion sow under one year, first prize;
champion sow, any age. first prize; get of one sire, four
animals, first and fifth prizes; four animals, produce of one
sow, first prize; boar and three sows over one year, first
prize; boar and sow under one year, first prize; best showing of
Chester-White swine in class ring, first prize; best showing of
Chester-White bred by exhibitor, first prize; boar and three
sows, one year and over, bred by exhibitor, first $200 prize;
champion fat barren, one year and under, two first prizes;
champion barren, any age, first prize.
In addition to hog raising the firm engaged in general
farming, and they feed, buy and sell cattle, horses and mules,
also raise seed corn. They keep all kinds of machinery
necessary for their work and include in their possession a full
complement of carpenter and blacksmith tools so that they can
make most of their own repairs. They also operate a
sawmill on one corner of the farm. A large, handsome
modern home is surrounded by all the necessary buildings, which
are made use of in the conduct of such extensive business
operations.
FRANKLIN PIERCE HARDIN, the senior member of the
well-known firm of F. P. & J. J. Hardin, was born Feb.
16, 1865, in Allen County, a half mile east of South Warsaw, and
is a son of John and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Hardin.
Jesse Hardin, the grandfather, was born in
Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Hardin, who
also was a native of the Keystone State, and moved with his
family to Ohio, first settling in Knox County, but locating in
1837 with the pioneers in Auglaize County. Jesse
Hardin married Mary Brentlinger, a native of
Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel Brentlinger, also a
pioneer in Auglaize County. They had the following
children: John, Martha, Louisa, Martin, Catherine, Joseph,
all deceased; Lucinda, wife of S. D. Focht;
Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph H. Lusk,
also deceased; Frank P., of Union township, Auglaize
County; Melissa, deceased; and Marietta, wife of
Dr. Peter Van Trump.
John Hardin, father of Franklin P., was
born Jan. 31, 1840, in Auglaize County, was educated in the
common schools and remained at home until the age of 23, when he
was married on Sept. 14, 1863, to Elizabeth Jacobs.
She was a daughter of Cadwallader and Sallie (Lepley) Jacobs.
They had the following children: Franklin P.; James J.;
Willett L., who is taking up-coal leases for the Symmes
Creek Coal Company; Eli B., of Lima; Baxter S.,
who was drowned July 19, 1902, while on a fishing excursion in
British Columbia; Charles S., who died in infancy; and
Mary Sally, who died Sept. 7, 1900.
In 1863 John Hardin settled in section 26, Perry
township, and five years later moved to section 35. He
cleared and improved the larger part of this farm and resided
upon it until 1894, when he went to California for a year,
returning to Ohio in 1895 and settling at Lima, where he died
Aug. 20, 1900. In 1880 he embarked in the lumber business.
After the discovery of oil and the necessity for oil machinery
arose, he engaged in the manufacture of sucker rods until 1894.
His sons; who compose the Hardin firm, still continue the
business. Prior to this, in 1881, he engaged in the drain
tile business with G. Jennings and D. L. Umbaugh.
In 1890 he bought out his partners, and in 1896 he was in
partnership with J. A. Jacobs, a brother-in-law, in the
Lima Coal & Sewer Pipe Company, and still later he was
interested in the sale of farm implements, carriages and wagons.
continuing an active business man until his death. In politics
he was a Democrat and on several occasions he served in township
offices.
Franklin P. Hardin was three years of age when
his parents came to the present farm in section 35, Perry
township, on the Auglaize County line, on which he has resided
for 37 years. His education was acquired in the local
schools and all his interests have centered around this farm and
its many possibilities. In 1890 the father formed the firm
of John Hardin & Sons and in all his enterprises the sons
assisted. After the father gave up his lumber interests,
Franklin P. and James J. continued the business until
1901. Since 1901 his time has been mostly devoted to
promoting the farming and hog interests of the firm of F. P.
& J. J. Hardin, mentioned above.
On Nov. 1, 1894, Mr. Hardin was married
to Belle Bowyer, who was born in Auglaize
township, Allen County, Ohio, June 21, 1867, and is a daughter
of Henry and Emeline (Eastman) Bowyer. Her
father was a son of Madison and Rachel (Largent) Bowyer.
Four children have been born to this marriage, namely: Celila
Lawrie, born Mar. 6, 1896; Roena Ilo, born June 7,
1898; Avis Anil, born Sept. 24, 1900; and Milba
Hale, born Jan. 1, 1904. Politically, Mr.
Hardin is a Democrat.
As the above record has told, both Mr. and Mrs.
Hardin belong to old established families of this section.
Mr. Hardin is proud of these ancestral lines, as he has
reason to be, and he has in his possession two pictures which
will doubtless be highly valued by his descendants. These
may be termed four-generation groups and those presented on one
picture are his grandmother, Mrs. Mary
Bentlinger Hardin, his father, John Hardin,
himself and a daughter. The other, more interesting,
represents Mrs. Hardin, her mother, Mrs.
Emeline (Eastman) Bowyer, her grandmother,
Mrs. Rachel Bowyer, and her own two daughters,
besides all those in the first group and the mother of our
subject. There are many families who would consider these
priceless treasures had their ancestors been thoughtful enough
to preserve family pictures in this way.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 561 |
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ABRAM HARROD,
a highly esteemed retired resident of Lima, was born in Mercer
County, Ohio, Apr. 27, 1850, and is a son of David and Jane (Rickmire)
Harrod.
The father of Mr. Harrod was born in 1792 in
Knox County, Ohio, and the mother in the same locality two years
later. After marriage they settled near Fort Recovery, in
Mercer County, in 1837, and lived there on a farm until 1852,
when David Harrod went west on a prospecting tour,
in search of a suitable location to which to remove. He
was taken ill with cholera on a steamboat on the Missouri River
and died far from home.
Abram Harrod lived at home in Mercer
County until 1875 and then went to California, where he spent
one year and then settled at Geneva, Indiana, where he engaged
in an undertaking and furniture business for some seven years,
removing then to Portland, Indiana. There he embarked in
an implement business which he continued four years. On
Jan. 1, 1886, he came to Lima and became traveling salesman for
Henry Parham in an implement business. After seven
years in this employment, he took up the duties of county
recorder, to which he had been elected on the Democratic ticket.
He served six years and eight months, having been reelected.
Since retiring from this position he has been traveling
representative of a Court House supply firm. Recently he
has been appointed market master by the Board of Public Service
of Lima.
On May 15, 1875, Mr. Harrod was married
to Harriet Smith, of Van Wert County, Ohio, who is
a daughter of David and Jane (Hartzog) Smith. They
have two sons, viz.: Bert G., who is connected with the
Lima Locomotive Works, and Robert L., who is traveling
for a wholesale implement firm of Kansas City, where he resides.
He is a graduate of the law department of the University of
Michigan, but imperfect hearing interfered with his professional
career. Mr. and Mrs. Harrod are members of the
Methodict Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 452 |
| |
HENRY CLAY HART, M. D.,
now residing on his well-improved farm of 160 acres, situated in
section 25, Spencer township, was one of the earliest physicians
to settle at Spencerville, where he continued in active practice
for many years. Dr. Hart was born July 19, 1841, at
Troy, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Levi and Sarah
Sewell (Tullis) Hart.
Dr. Hart comes of sturdy American patriot stock,
his ancestry reaching directly to one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. The father of Dr. Hart
was born in New Jersey and was one of a family of seven
children. Previous to coming to Ohio he worked as a
machinist; but later he became a farmer and died in Ohio in
1865. He was a liberal man in relation to education and
religion and filled an important place in his community.
He was survived until 1886 by his wife, who was born in
Virginia. The family consisted of four children, namely:
Francis C., Dorisa Ann, Henry Clay and John B.,
the last named deceased in infancy.
Henry Clay Hart grew up on his father's farm and
secured his literary education in the schools at Delphos.
He was employed later by a local business house as bookkeeper
until he reached his majority, when, in August, 1862, he entered
the Union Army. He enlisted in Company F, 118th Reg., Ohio
Vol, Inf., at Delphos, and was mustered out at Evansville,
Indiana, from the Second Battalion, V. R. C., on July 6, 1865.
For nearly 18 months he had held the position of post adjutant.
His health being poor at this time, he was employed mainly at
detached duty and was proffered an honorable discharge by
President Lincoln on this account. This offer he did
not take advantage of and this evidence of patriot ism brought
him a personal letter from the President, commending him in high
terms.
After his return from the army, the young man tried
farming for a time, but his health was scarcely robust enough to
enable him to make of it a success. He then turned his attention
to medicine. He prepared for college with a local
practitioner, and took a course of lectures in the University of
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated Apr. 23,
1869. In the same year he took up his residence at
Spencerville, which at that time was a village of 300 souls.
He was the third physician to locate here, the late Dr.
Campbell and Dr. Rails having come here a
short time before. Dr. Hart practiced here
for 20 years and then went to Monticello for two years. On
account of failing health, he then retired to his farm which,
when he purchased it, was a tract of dense woods lying along the
canal, two and a half miles north of Spencerville. In
addition to being a fertile and productive agricultural
property, it is also valuable for the oil that underlies it, 12
wells having been already developed. Dr. Hart
has cleared all this land with the exception of three acres.
The land is well tiled and substantial buildings have been
erected. Dr. Hart lives retired, having
excellent tenants to look after his farming interests.
In April, 1889, Dr. Hart was married to
Elizabeth Vashti Rathgeber, who is a
daughter of Jacob Rathgeber, of Spencer township.
Two years later the Doctor and wife retired to the farm where
they enjoy all the comforts and a large number of the luxuries
of life. Mrs. Hart takes great pleasure in
her housekeeping and many of the Doctor’s leisure hours are
passed in his well-equipped library.
Dr. Hart is a stanch Republican and for
years was active in party affairs. He has served in
various offices and on numerous boards since coming to Allen
County. During two terms he was a member of the
Spencerville Town Council and while on that body was appointed
street commissioner. During his administration much of the
east part of town was laid out, and it was Dr. Hart’s
suggestion that the street east of Pearl should be named
“College" street. For two terms he was a member of the Board of
Education, and was chairman of the board when the school
building was erected. For over 11 years he was a member of
the Board of Health. In every way he has been one of the
public-spirited and useful citizens of Allen County and is held
in general esteem. He is a member of the local G. A. R. post of
which he has been surgeon.
Dr. Hart is a well-read man and a pleasant
conversationalist, whose reminiscences of the early days of his
practice in this locality are of a most interesting nature.
In those days he visited his patients on horseback, the only
possible way, as his calls often came from distant and isolated
farmhouses, and he has had thrilling adventures when answering
the calls of duty, pursuing his way through cold and storm,
often at night, following bridle-paths through the forest.
The Doctor could have built up quite, a fortune but he
has always given bounteously of his means to all worthy objects.
He has contributed to the erection of all the churches of his
neighborhood as well as to their support.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 816 |
| |
CALVIN HEATH is well and favorably known, not only in
Elida, where he conducts one of the finest meat markets in this
part of Ohio, but throughout the entire county of Allen, having
been engaged in extensive business transactions here during the
past seven years. Mr. Heath was born Aug. 15, 1857,
in Cumberland County, Illinois, and is a son of Joseph Heath,
now many years deceased, who was at one time successfully
engaged in the butcher business.
When Calvin Heath was nine years of age, the
family moved to the State of Missouri, remaining there but one
year when they returned east, locating in Champaign County,
Ohio. That was before the day of the lightning express and
the journey was made by them in covered wagons. Mr.
Heath was educated in Champaign County and there grew to
manhood. As soon as he was large enough, he worked by the
month as a farm hand for several years and later engaged in
farming on his own behalf. In 1898 he engaged in the
butcher business at Elida and also bought and sold stock quite
extensively, meeting with success in both lines of work.
In addition to running one of the best markets in the county, he
ships cattle, hogs and sheep to supply the Pittsburg market and
has made Elida widely known as a shipping point of importance.
In 1881 Mr. Heath was married to Phoebe
Molenhour and four children have been born to them, namely:
Hazel; Oliver, who is associated in business with
his father, Minnie and Ira. Mrs. Heath had
three brothers in the Civil War. Her father, Henry
Molenhour, was a locksmith and followed that occupation for
more than 50 years, being so employed at the time of his death
seven years ago. Mr. Heath has been a member of the
Elida Town Council for the past five years. He has been an
honored member of the United Brethren Church for 18 years and
for a number of those years has served on the Board of Trustees.
When it was decided to erect a new church in Elida, B. F.
Sherrick, Rev. Sords, the pastor, and Calvin Heath
were appointed as the building committee and have carefully
superintended the work which is now in process of erection, and
will soon be ready for dedication, at which time Elida will have
a church that will be a credit and an ornament to the entire
community.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by
Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 430 |
| |
GEORGE W. HERRING, a
prominent agriculturist of German township, owns a well-improved
farm of 80 acres, situated in section 19, about a mile southwest
of Elida. He was born Nov. 4, 1869, in German township on
the old Herring homestead, three-quarters of a mile south
of his present home. His parens, Penrose and
Lydia (Hunsaker) Herring, were both natives of Fairfield
County, where they were engaged in farming before coming to
Allen County. The father, who was born Aug. 24, 1830, died
nov. 5, 1893, and the mother on Mar. 6, 1905; both were laid to
rest in Greenlawn Cemetery at Elida. Mr. Herring's
paternal grandfather was Philip Herring, who was born in
Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio, settling in Allen County
as a pioneer.
George W. Herring was reared on the homestead
farm and has given the greater part of his life to farm work.
He spent some time in preparing himself for office work in
Valentine Brothers’ school of telegraphy and shorthand at
Janesville, Wisconsin, but while he was yet a student his father
sickened and died and his presence was needed at home and the
business course was accordingly abandoned. His farm of 80
acres is one of the best kept and most profitable in German
township. There are 10 oilwells in active operation, five
of which are leased to Mr. Whipple and five to W. L.
Russell.
Mr. Herring was married Apr. 13, 1899, to
Callie F. Sawmiller, daughter of John and Mary (Bower)
Sawmiller, residents of Amanda township. Mr.
Herring has served on the School Board and is now a member
of the advisory board of German township. He is a Democrat
in politics, and in religion a member of the United Brethren
Church, of Allentown He is a zealous worker in the church and is
serving as treasurer of the Sunday-school.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 463 |
| |
PHILIP J. HOFFERBERT
was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1858, and three
years later came with his parents to Allen County, Ohio,
settling in Monroe County, Ohio, settling in Monroe township
where they have since lived.
His parents were Peter and Phoebe (Weaver)
Hofferbert. Peter Hofferbert was born in Hessen,
Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834, and when a young man of about 18
years came to the United States, locating in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania. Here he was married to Phoebe
Weaver, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1811 and died in
March, 1893. He had learned the trade of butcher in his
native land, but after coming to Allen County he devoted his
time to agriculture and acquired three farms comprising 280
acres, of which he died possessed in March, 1895, just two years
after the decease of his devoted wife. He was a loyal
Republican and served nine months in the Civil War. A
member of the German Evangelical Church, he endeavored to live
consistently in accordance with his belief. He held a high
place in the regard of his fellow-men and was trustee of his
township for two terms, discharging his duties conscientiously
and with ability. His children were as follows: Annie
E., who owns 40 acres of land in Monroe township and is a
resident of Lima; John L., who resides in Sugar Creek
township where he owns 80 acres; Philip J.; William L.,
who owns 80 acres in Monroe township and a son that died in
infancy.
Philip J. Hofferbert has resided continuously on
his present farm since 1861, remaining with his parents until
his 25th year, and then taking up the cultivation of 80 acres of
the homestead in section 18, which he afterward purchased of his
father. He was married at this time, in 1884, and at once
took his bride to the home he had prepared for her, and which he
has since improved and beautified, as only the thrifty farmer
ever does, by planting small fruit, shade and fruit trees, and
erecting attractive and comfortable buildings. He is
engaged in general farming, though he also raises considerable
stock. Mrs. Hofferbert, who was formerly
Catherine Bernius, was born Nov. 28, 1862, near the city of
Dayton, Ohio. Her parents were George and Elizabeth (Reitzel)
Bernius, both of whom were natives of Germany where they
grew to adult years before coming to the United States.
They were married soon after their arrival. Six children
have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hofferbert,
namely: Elmer George; Lily Grace; Alta Malinda;
Naomi A.; Clarence P.; and Catherine
Elizabeth. Mr. Hofferbert is a member of
the German Evangelical Church. In politics he is a
Republican and has held a number of local offices. He is a
practical, progressive farmer and has recently added to his home
farm an adjoining tract of 50 acres, which lies in section 1 3,
Sugar Creek township, Putnam County.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio, Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold, Chicago, IL - 1906 - Page 623 |
NOTES:
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