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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio
Vol. II
by Wm. Rusler - Publ.
1921
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JOHN ROBB CARNES.
It is oftentimes considered by those in the habit of superficial
thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy
of preservations and that little merit exists among the masses
to call forth the praise of the historian or the appreciation of
mankind. A greater mistake was never made. It is not
a history of the lucky stroke by which some achieve lasting fame
that benefits humanity most, but the persistent study and
continuous effort which in the course of time makes the lucky
stroke possible. Among the citizens of Allen county who
are achieving success along steady lines of action is John R.
Carnes, whose life record thus far has entitled him to the
confidence and esteem of all who know him.
John Robb Carnes is a native son of the county
now honored by his citizenship, having been born in Lima in
February, 1892, and he is the son of Ira P. and Anna P.
(Robb) Carnes. His father was born in Barry, Vermont,
and the mother in Bellefontaine, Ohio. His paternal
grandfather was John Carnes, who came from Vermont to
Ohio, locating first at Upper Sandusky, and later locating in
Lima, where he spent the remainder of his days. The
father, who was employed in the Lima Locomotive Works, died on
Dec. 10, 1913, and was survived but a short time by his widow,
whose death occurred in June, 1916. By a former marriage
Ira P. Carnes left two children, Walter B., of New
York city, and Sabine, the wife of H. H. Phelps,
of Tacoma, Washington.
John R. Carnes received his elementary education
in the public schools of Lima, after which he was a student in
the Miami Military School at Germantown, Ohio, where he was
graduated. He then entered the Western Reserve University
at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1915, and after
which he became an employe of the Lima Steel Casting Company,
being at first assigned to office work, but his abilities and
faithful service won promotions for him until today he occupies
the responsible position of purchasing agent for that company.
He has applied him self indefatigably to the performance of
every duty assigned him in the various positions he has
occupied, and his present position is his only by virtue of
meritorious service.
In June, 1917, Mr. Carnes was married to
Catherine Wyre, who was born and reared in Lima, the
daughter of John and Ada (Hay) Wyre, both of whom are
natives of the Buckeye state, her father having been born in
Wayne county and her mother in Hardin county. To Mr.
and Mrs. Carnes has been born a daughter, Catherine M.
Politically Mr. Carnes gives
his support to the Republican party and his religious
affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 585, Free and Accepted
masons, and he has attained the thirty-second degree in the
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also a member of
Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Lima.
His career, though comparatively brief, has been well rounded in
its motive and action; he has done his full duty in all the
relations of life, and because of his business success and his
high personal character he enjoys the sincere regard and good
will of all who know him.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 62 |
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WALTON E. CLARK.
When the history of music in Allen county shall be properly
written few men will be found who have more deeply stamped their
individuality upon the musical development of their period than
did the late Walton Ellis Clark of Lima. The
complete history of his busy life would be inspiring and serve
as an example to those seeking achievement that can only come
through thoughtful and persistent effort.
Mr. Clark was born at Mattapoisett,
Massachusetts, May 20, 1859, a son of Captain James M. and
Maria (Benson) Clark, natives of the Bay state, who passed
their entire lives within its confines. Mr. Clark
received his education in his native state, who passed their
entire lives within its confines. Mr. Clark
received his education in his native state, and as a youth
displayed a remarkable talent for music, expressed through his
performances on the organ. This talent was given the
opportunity for development and he became a masterful performer
on the pipe organ, and it was as such that he came to Lima in
about 1883. Here he was retained for numerous
entertainments, celebrations, church affairs and other public
performances, where his work was always greatly popular and his
skill and sympathetic rendition of his art was recognized and
appreciated. He is a graduate of the New England
Conservatory of Music and for many years he was a teacher of
music, and many of his pupils becoming talented performers, both
amateur and professional. He was Organist for the Market
Street Presbyterian Church all the years that he lived here.
In all business relations he was known as a honest man whose
dues were strictly paid. He belonged to the Lima Club and
the Knights of Pythias and was a Knight Templar Mason, while his
political faith was that of the Republican party.
Temperate in his habits, his private character was without
reproach, and he was justly recognized as one of the best
representatives of the highest type of manhood. When he
died, Feb. 26, 1903, he left many to mourn sincerely his loss.
Mr. Clark was married June 25, 1889, to May
P. Kibby, born at Lima, daughter of Harmon and Mercy A
(Purdy) Kibby, the former a native of Simsbury, Connecticut,
and the latter of Pennsylvania, although reared at Chili, New
York, where the parents were married. Mr. and Mrs.
Kibby came to Lima among the earliest settlers of this
community, and one of the principal streets in the southern part
of the city is named Kibby in honor of Mr. Kibby, who was
at first the proprietor of a tannery, but in later life
conducted a wholesale grocery. He died Apr. 9, 1901, his
widow surviving him until Sept. 20, 1911. Two children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark; Harmon James, who
died in infancy; and Rodney Kibby, who is unmarried and
resides with his mother in their home at No. 749 West Spring
Street. Mrs. Clark, who survises her
husband, is very popular in club and social circles of Lima, and
is a valued member of the Women's Music Club and the Shakespeare
Club. She belongs to the Market Street Presbyterian
Church, in the work of which she has been actively helpful.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 130 |
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JESSE E. COCHRAN.
Conspicuous among the representative citizens of Lima and Allen
county is the gentleman whose name forms the caption to these
paragraphs. He has made his influence felt for good in his
community, his life having been closely interwoven with its
history for a number of years. His efforts for the
material advancement of this locality and the well regulated
life he has led have gained for him the respect and admiration
of all with whom he has come into contact.
Jesse Egar Cochran, superintendent of
lines and substations of the Ohio Electric Railway, was born at
New Albany, Indiana, on Mar. 17, 1868, and is the son of Dr.
Samuel A. and Catherine (Moore) Cochran. Mr. Cochran
is of sturdy old Scotch stock, his paternal great-grandfather
and two brothers having immigrated from near Edinborough,
Scotland, to the United States, settling first in Pennsylvania,
and later moving to Kentucky. The great-grandfather was a
physician, being a graduate of the University of Chicago.
His father, Mr. Cochran's great-great-grandfather, held
the chair of medicine in the University of Edinborough, and it
is noteworthy that in each generation of the family down to
Jesse E. Cochran, the oldest son in each family followed the
vocation of Medicine. The grandfather, true to the family
tradition, took up the vocation of medicine in Kentucky, moving
to New Albany, Indiana, after his marriage. Samuel A.
Cochran was a graduate of the Louisville (Ky) Medical
College and was a successful and popular practitioner up to the
time of his death, which occurred in 1915. His widow died
in the following year. Of the seven children born to
them the subject of this review is the eldest.
Jesse N. Cochran received his educational
training in the public and high schools of New Albany, Indiana,
after which he taught school for three terms in the country
districts near New Albany. He then attended the State
Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana, taking the teachers'
course. He also gave the greater part of his leisure time
to the study of engineering and electricity, in both of which
subjects he had a great interest. He entered the employ of
the Clover Leaf Railroad at Charleston, Illinois, as foreman of
car repairs, remaining there about one and a half years, and
then for a time he was interested in construction and electrical
work as a contractor, with headquarters at New Albany.
Later he went to Elwood, Indiana, where he was similarly
engaged, becoming superintendent of construction for the Elwood
Mining and Construction Company. During 1900-1904 he had a
part in the construction of the Wabash River Traction Company
and had charge of the line after its completion. He then
entered the employ of the Ohio Electric Railway as foreman of
lines and sub-stations, and had charge of the construction of
the electrical equipment of the line, first on the Lima-Fort
Wayne division, then on the Toledo, Springfield and Defiance
divisions. He has immediate charge of the most important
phase of the operation of the road and has made a splendid
record in his present position. Since 1918 Mr. Cochran
has acted as instructor in electricity in the Smith-Hughes
Night School at Lima, and he also taught a preparatory class in
electricity as a part of the war training work with the class of
1918.
Politically Mr. Cochran gives his support to the
Republican party, and he is a member of the First Christian
Church of Lima. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and
Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and
the Loyal Order of Moose. He also belongs to the Ohio
State Electric Light Association, the Central Electric Railways
Association, and the Lima Rotary Club.
In 1897 Mr. Cochran was married to Cora
Willia, the daughter of William and Martha Willis, of
New Albany, Indiana, and to them have been born the following
children: John William, of Toledo; Earl A.,
of Toledo; Elmer A., of Lima; Jesse E., Charles
Elbert, Thomas Willis and Catherine Cora. In
his chosen field of endeavor Mr. Cochran has attained
splendid success and a high reputation, his services being duly
recognized and appreciated by all familiar with his work.
He has also proved an honorable member of the body politic,
rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, and in every
relation of life easily ranking with his compeers in all things
affecting the life of the community.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 93 |
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ULYSSES M. COCHRAN.
One of the best known families in Marion Township is the
Cochrans, and on land where he was born and reared
Ulysses M. Cochran is still actively engaged in his
agricultural operations. His interests have extended to
farmers and general business organizations, and to every
movement in the locality to promote the general welfare.
Mr. Cochran was born July 23, 1868, a son of
W. R. and Eliza (Baxter) Cochran. His father was born
in Putnam County, Ohio, in 1829 and his mother in Fairfield
County in 1833. After their marriage they settled on the
old farm in Marion Township, and proved themselves people of the
greatest worth and industry in that community. The father
died Aug. 17, 1812, and the mother Apr. 12, 1901. For many
years they were faithful members of the Morris Methodist Chapel,
and W. R. Cochran was a trustee in the church and worker
in the Sunday school. He was affiliated with Hope Lodge of
Masons at Delphos and also filled the office of township
trustee, being elected on the republican ticket. In the
family were nine children: Clara, deceased;
Keziah J., Julia, Newton, William, Frances, Emma, Ulysses
and Isaac M.
Ulysses M. Cochran while growing up on the farm
attended the public schools, and after getting his education was
a successful teacher altogether for seventeen years, though
farming in the meanwhile.
Apr. 16, 1891, he married Emma L. Brand,
daughter of S. J. and Louisa (Peltier) Brand. After
their marriage they settled on the old homestead and Mr.
Cochran owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, but
operates altogether 160 acres. He and his wife are very
active members of Morris Chapel of the Methodist Church, and he
has been identified with that church since boyhood He is a
trustee, and has contributed liberally to the maintenance of
church activities. Mr. Cochran is a past master of
Hope Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, at Delphos, a past
high priest of Delphos Chapter No. 105, Royal Arch Masons, and
is the present thrice illustrious master of Delphos Council No.
72, Royal and Select Masters. He is the present master of
Riverside Grange.
Three children were born to the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Cochran: Ruth, who received a high school
education and is the wife of C. F. Buettner; Charlotte
who graduated from the Delphos High School, from the Oxford
College of Music, and is pursuing post-graduate courses in music
and opera at the Conservatory of Cincinnati and in New York; and
Byron, who died at the age of two years. Mr. and
Mrs. Cochran are rearing a son, Clayton Cochran, in
their home.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 315 |
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HON. JASPER L. COCHRUN.
To his duties in the Legislature Jasper L. Cochrun took
the viewpoint and experience of a successful farmer, a man
thoroughly in touch with the advanced program of his home county
in agriculture and public improvements, and his record at
Columbus has justified all the expectations of his many friends
back home. He has been twice elected to the office of
representative from Allen county, serving with the 83rd and the
84th General Assemblies.
Mr. Cochrun, whose home is at Spencerville,
represents a family that has been identified with the history of
Allen county for the past ninety years. He was born in
Amanda township Feb. 1, 1859, son of Simon and Lucinda
(Miller) Cochrun.
Rev. Simon Cochrun, the ancestor of all the
Cochruns in Allen county, was born Aug. 3, 1755, and died
June 9, 1845, at the age of eighty-nine years, eleven months and
six days. He fought under Washington in the Revolutionary
war and is buried in Allen county.
His son, Wesley Cochrun, who died in Allen
county, Ohio, when upwards of eighty years of age, came to this
section in 1831, and spent his active years as a farmer in Sugar
Creek township. He was an active factor in establishing
and upholding the influence of the Methodist Church in his
community.
Simon Cochrun, son of Wesley and a
grandson of Revolutionary soldier and pioneer Methodist
preacher, was born in 1821, and was ten years of age when he
arrived in Allen county. He died in 1897. Simon
Cochrun married Lucinda Miller. She was born
Nov. 10, 1819. Simon Cochrun was educated in the
public schools, and for several terms taught in some of the old
log school houses of the county. His later years were
given to farming. Throughout his long life he was devoted
to the best interests of his community, was a liberal supporter
of the Methodist Church and a friend of progress everywhere.
He was the father of five children: James, a retired
farmer and merchant at Spencerville; L. Y., a
Spencerville merchant; Lizzie and William, both
deceased; and Jasper L.
Jasper L. Cochrun grew up in the environment of the
old farm in Amanda township, and made good use of his
educational opportunities, first in the district schools and
later finishing his education by taking a normal course at the
Ohio Northern University at Ada. For five years he was a
teacher, and then began buying and shipping live-stock, a
business he has followed ever since. He owns three hundred
and twenty acres of land, two hundred and twenty acres in
Auglaize county and the remainder in Amanda township of Allen
county.
Mr. Cochrun married Catherine B. Carmean
in June, 1881. She was born in Auglaize county, Feb. 28,
1859, a daughter of James and Sarah A. (Bowersock) Carmean,
and received her early education in the common schools.
For twenty-five years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs.
Cochrun lived on their farm in Amanda township, but in 1906
moved to Spencerville. Both are members of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Cochrun is a past chancellor of
Spencerville Lodge No. 251, Knights of Pythias, and his wife is
a member of the Pythian Sisters and the Rebekahs. Mr.
Cochrun has always taken a great amount of interest in
school work, and for years has been president of the Board of
Education at Spencerville. He is also vice president and a
director of the Citizens Bank, Spencerville, a member of the
Spencerville Progressive Association, a member of the Grange and
a member of the Allen County Farm Bureau. His political
allegiance has always been Republican, and it was on that ticket
that he has been twice elected as a representative from Allen
county to the General Assembly.
Mr. and Mrs. Cochrun became the parents of four
children, two of whom died young, the daughter Ruth at
the age of ten. The two living sons are Paul W., a
newspaper man, and James Lee, who gained a distinguished
record as a soldier. James Lee graduated from
the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. This University
has also conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of
Arts for the record he made in the World war.
The day James Lee was twenty-one he received a
commission as second lieutenant in the Phillippine Constabulary,
sailed for the far east and the coming nine years of his life
were spent in the southern islands of the Phillippine group.
For gallantry while in action at the battle of Sahippa's Cotta,
on the island of Jolo, the Congress of the United States
presented him with a medal of valor. It was during this
engagement that he was badly wounded, and was compelled to
return to the States. Returning to civil life, he was made
crop estimator of the state of Ohio by the Agricultural
Department at Washington, which position he held until the
United States entered the World war. War being declared,
he offered his services to his country, was given the rank of
captain and made division adjutant under General Glenn at
Camp Sherman. He went overseas with the 83rd Division, was
promoted to the rank of major and then to the rank of
lieutenant; colonel and placed on the Second Army Staff.
James Lee Cochrun is now living at Akron and is
connected with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 42 |
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PAUL WESLEY COCHRUN,
owner and editor of the Spencerville Journal News, represents
one of the very old families of Allen county. He was born
in Amanda township, Allen county, June 6, 1884. His
parents are Jasper L. and Catherine B. (Carmean) Cochrun.
He comes from Scotch-Irish ancestry, and his great-great-granfather,
Simon Cochrun, was a Revolutionary war soldier.
Mr. Cochrun was born and raised on a farm and
secured his public school education at a country school.
He completed his education at the Ohio Northern University at
Ada, Ohio, and at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware,
Ohio.
For a number of years he was identified with school
work and was a teacher in many parts of the world. He made
a complete tour of the world as teacher, and for one year was
superintendent of schools of the District of Cotabata in the
Island of Mindanao, Philippines.
In November, 1913, after returning to the United
States, he purchased the Journal News at Spencerville.
Since then he has given all his time to his work as editor and
publisher. Mr. Cochrun is a member of the Phi Kappa
Psi fraternity, is a member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F., and
Rebekah orders, a member of the Spencerville Progressive
Association, and is first lieutenant of Company H of the Second
Ohio Infantry.
Mar. 24, 1917, he was married to Laura E. McClure.
She was born in Latty township, Paulding county, Ohio, Feb. 12,
1896. Her parents were Alexander H. and Alice A.
(Bigelow) McClure Mrs. Cochrun received her
early education in the public schools of Paulding county and
finished her education at the Malden, Missouri, High School.
Her ancestry is Scotch-Irish. Her great-great-grandfather,
Nathan McClure, was a Revolutionary war soldier, and he
died at Burnt Cabins, Kentucky, while his son, Samuel McClure,
was fighting Indians at the battle of the Thames.
Mrs. Cochrun's ancestry were among the early
settlers of northwestern Ohio, Moses McClure being the
first white child born in what is now Allen county.
Mr. and Mrs. Cochrun are the parents of one
child, a son, John Wesley, born May 4, 1918. They
are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 42 |
F. B. Cotner Family
&
F. B. Cotner Residence |
FRANK B. COTNER.
As teacher, farmer and banker, Frank B. Cotner has been
prominently identified with the affairs of Allen County, of
which he is a native son. Mr. Cotner's home is at
Lafayette, where he is cashier of the Lafayette Banking Company.
He was born in Richland Township of Allen County, Nov.
2, 1868, son of David S. and Elizabeth Cotner. The
family came to Allen County in pioneer times and his father was
one of the prosperous farmers, always alert to his duties of
citizenship. Frank B. Cotner had a common school
education, and in 1892 graduated from the Ohio Northern
University at Ada. His active career as a teacher
continued from 1890 to 1907, a period of seventeen years, though
in the meantime he was also interested in farming, and is still
owner of farming lands in his section of the county.
Mr. Cotner in 1907 entered the banking business and for a
number of years has been cashier and a director of the Lafayette
Banking Company. He was mayor of Lafayette continuously
form 1908 to 1921. HE has also held several township
offices, and since giving up the role of a teacher has been
interested in school affairs.
Mr. Cotner is a democrat and is one of the
leaders in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lafayette and has
served as superintendent of its Sunday School. He is
affiliated with Sager Lodge, No. 513 F. and A. M., having been
initiated Jan. 25, passed Feb. 22, and raised as Master
Mason, Mar. 28, 1908. He has served the lodge as chaplain
and trustee. He was initiated June 16, 1890, in Beaver Dam
Lodge No. 689, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
At Lafayette, Oct. 15, 1891, Mr. Cotner married
Nancy J. Stoodt, daughter of Frederick and Rebecca
Stoodt. Her father was a Union soldier in the Civil
war and in after yeas a well known farmer of Allen County.
Mr. and Mrs. Cotner have three children: Clifford
A., who married Evadna E. Meyer; Bryan D., who
married Louise M. Urich, and David L. Cotner,
still at home.
Bryan D. Cotner enlisted in the army, from the Ohio
State University in the 37th Division in the World war. He
was in Belgium when the Armistice was signed.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 348
Requested by<roger@cotnerlaw.us>
NOTE: You will
have to contact a library in that area to get a better copy of
these pictures as I don't have the original book ~ Sharon Wick |
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JOHN W. COTNER when one year old accompanied the
family to Amanda Township, and in that locality he grew up,
acquiring a district school education, supplemented by a course
at Valparaiso Normal in Indiana. For one term he taught in
Sugar Creek Township, but his chief work for fifteen years was
at the carpenter's trade. While working as a
carpenter he was in Springfield, Illinois, for some time and
there met Miss Helena Schlitt, a native of that city.
They were married Mar. 22, 1899, and to their marriage were born
two children: Herman, who is a graduate of Lima High
School and is now a student in the Ohio State University, and
Ruth, still in high school.
The family are members of the Lutheran Church at Elida
and Mr. Cotner is a republican. Besides looking
after his farm he is one of the directors of the Farmers Equity
Exchange, is secretary and treasurer and director of the Farmers
Bank of Elida, and is also president of the Elida Mutual
Telephone Company.
Source: A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio - Vol. II - by
Wm. Rusler - Publ. 1921 - Page 243 |
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HARRY M. CRAWFORD, D.
D. S. A well known and highly esteemed resident of
Lima, and one of the leading representatives of the dental
profession of the city. Harry M. Crawford, D. D. S.,
is actively associated with one of the most important branches
of surgery, for its application at some period of life is
required by almost every member of the human family. A son
of John Crawford, he was born Nov. 27, 1876, in Madison,
Indiana, and there grew to man's estate.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, John Crawford came
with his parents to Indiana when a child, and was with his
parents to Indiana when a child, and was brought up and educated
in Jefferson County, and having learned the trade of a machinist
when young followed it successfully for many years in Madison,
that county, where he is now living retired from active
pursuits. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Scott,
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and when a young girl was
brought by her parents to this country, settling with them in
Indiana, where she has since resided.
Obtaining the rudiments of his education in the
district schools, Harry M. Crawford continued his studies
in the high school at Marion, Indiana. His tastes and
inclinations leading him to adopt a professional career, eh
entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, from which he was
graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1907.
Coming soon afterward to Lima, Doctor Crawford has been
successful from the start and deserves credit for the high
position he has won, not only as a skillful and popular dentist,
but as a man and a citizen. He is an active member of the
Northwestern Ohio Dental Association and of the Ohio State and
National Dental associations.
Doctor Crawford married, July 23, 1910,
Evelyn A. Booth, daughter of Walter and Jennie (Whiting)
Booth) of Lima, and they have one child, John E. Crawford,
born Mar. 13, 1912. Politically the doctor is a staunch
supporter of the principles of the republican party.
Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fraternally he belongs to Lima Lodge No. 91, Knights of Pythias.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio
- Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co., 1921
- Page 232 |
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ORA B. CRITES,
township clerk of Amanda Township, is one of the best known men
in that community. He still has the advantage and
resources of comparative youth, and is in the high tide of his
career as a successful and progressive farmer.
Mr. Crites was born in Allen County Jan. 8,
1877, son of O. B. and Eliza R. (Anderson) Crites.
His father was born in American Township May 16, 1853, and the
mother was also a native of Allen County. She died in
1893, while O. B. Crites is now living in Auglaize
County. There were two children, Ora B. and
Bessie, the latter the wife of Ernest M. Burget, of
Amanda Township.
Ora B. Crites spent his boyhood days in American
Township, attended the common schools, the Lutheran Business
College at Lima, and after graduating spent one summer with the
Ohio Southern Railroad Company. He then returned to the
land and has found farming both a pleasant and profitable
vocation.
Mr. Crites married Daisy Daugherty on
June 25, 1898, and they have one son, Roy E., now in high
school. Mrs. Crites was born in Pickaway
County, Ohio, May 28, 1878, but was reared and educated in Allen
County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crites
began housekeeping in American Township on rented land, and from
the position of renters their thrift and industry have brought
them the ownership of 103 acres in Amanda Township, on rural
route No. 3 out of Spencerville. Mr. Crites
is a man of generous sympathies and interests. He is one
of the trustees and a member of the official board of the United
Brethren Church at Kempton, for five years was superintendent of
its Sunday school and is now assistant superintendent. He
is a member of Elida Lodge No. 818 of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, of Acadia Lodge No. 306, Free and Accepted Masons,
and the Royal Arch Chapter. He has filled two offices in
Amanda Township, treasurer and clerk, and was elected to both on
the democratic ticket.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio
- Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co., 1921
- Page 261 |
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HON. S. D. CRITES,
one of the Advisory Board of Editors for the History of Allen
County, is a native of the county, and his abilities have gained
him a most substantial part in its affairs.
He was born in German Township Nov. 28, 1847, son of
Jacob and Mary J. (Cremean) Crites. His father, who
was born in Pickaway County Oct. 19, 1822, was a pioneer settler
in Allen County and was living on a farm in German Township when
he died in March, 1904. During a long and useful life he
was identified with many important interests in the county and
was a highly respected citizen.
S. D. Crites grew up on his father's farm,
attended local schools, and at the age of eighteen began
teaching. Teaching gave him the money to enable him to
enter, in 1869, the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio,
where he came under the supervision of that great educator
Alfred Holbrook. He was soon afterward
appointed superintendent of the Elida public schools, and for
twelve successive years gave his enthusiasm and efforts to his
duties, finally resigning on account of failing health.
From 1876 to 1888 he was also a member of the Allen County Board
of School Examiners, and for nine years served as justice of the
peace in German Township.
In 1883 Mr. Crites in an effort to restore his
health sought outdoor occupation, and for a number of years was
one of the very practical and useful farmers and stockmen of the
county. Besides the stock raised on his own farm he also
bought and shipped to market. After a few years of country
life his health was restored to normal and since then he has
kept his farms under tenants.
In September, 1903, Mr. Crites organized one of
the leading financial institutions of this part of the state,
the Farmers Bank at Elida, and for a number of years has been
actively identified with its management.
Besides the work of education, which is one of the
creditable features of his record in Allen County, Mr. Crites
for a number of years was a leader in the democratic party.
In 1901 he was nominated by acclamation, an unusual testimony of
party esteem, at the Democratic District Convention for senator
to represent the Thirty-Second Senatorial District, comprising
the populous counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer,
Paulding, Van Wert and Williams. He was elected by a
majority of 2,300 votes, and was re-elected practically without
opposition. As a member of the State Senate he gave his
time, thought and energies to the duties of such committees as
finance, agriculture, public works, public lands, benevolent
institutions, universities, colleges, banks, etc. Since
leaving the Senate Mr. Crites has retired from public
affairs and his chief interest today is the bank.
In 1872 he married Sarah Jane Ruchelderfer, of
Pickaway County. She died the same year. In 1876 he
married Emma M. Ditto. They are the parents of four
accomplished daughters: Jessie K., wife of S. O.
Morris, of Morris Brothers, Lima, Ohio; Mabel,
wife of Abner Brenneman, cashier of the Farmers
Bank of Elida; Zoe, wife of Philip Schnabel,
bookkeeper at the Solar Refining Company, Lima; and Grace,
wife of W. L. Hook, a clothing merchant at Upper
Sandusky, Ohio.
While a member of the State Senate Mr. Crites
had the distinction of serving on a number of committees with
Warren G. Harding of Marion. During the past forty
years he has missed only a few seasons hunting big game, and has
to his credit a large collection of fine specimens. On one
of his hunting expeditions he shot an alligator in Florida
weighing 600 pounds, 12 feet long, and claimed to be 200 years
old. Senator Crites also has some of the interests of the
real antiquarian, and has accumulated many old relics and
specimens now quite valuable. Fraternally he is affiliated
with the Masonic Order, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite
Mason, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at
Elida.
Source: History of Allen County, Ohio
- Vol. II - Publ. Chicago: Warner i.e. Warner, Beers & Co., 1921
- Page 329 |
NOTES:
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