JACOB D. FIKE

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 525

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 467

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 298

ELISHA R. FREEMAN, M. D.     The city of Wapakoneta is not without here share of members of the learned professions, who are a credit to the pursuit they have chosen and to the town itself.  Among those who have taken up the calling of a medical practitioner is Dr. Freeman, who devotes himself assiduously to his practice and the scientific investigations which will enhance his professional knowledge and skill.  He is well established in reputation as a physician and is recognized among the ablest of Western Ohio.
     Our subject was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Oct. 20, 1842, and is a son of Isaac and Harriet (Knight) Freeman, also natives of the Empire State.  His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was a man of much learning, being well versed in the law.  He occupied the position of Justice of the Peace for a number of years and departed this life in 1866.  Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Freeman were the parents of three sons and three daughters, five of whom are living.
     The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was the youngest son in the parental family, and received his early training in the public schools of his native county.  He later attended the schools in Fairfield, N. Y., where he was prosecuting his studies on the outbreak of the late war, Abandoning his books, he enlisted in 1861, becoming a member of Company H, First New York Cavalry, which was disbanded a short time after with thirty thousand men.  Mr. Freeman immediately re-enlisted in the Seventy-seventh New York Infantry and participated in many of the important battles, being discharged in the winter of 1863, having been wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg.  He was seriously hurt while crossing the pontoon bridge across Aqua Creek, at which time the bridge was cut loose and Mr. Freeman was struck with a plank.  He lay for some time at White Oak Church and was then sent to Washington, where he received his honorable discharge.  During his service in the cavalry, he occupied the office of Second Lieutenant and in the infantry acted as Corporal of his company.
     For two or three years after returning from the war, Mr. Freeman was unable to do any manual labor, but during that time completed his education and began reading medicine.  Still being in ill health, he continued farming until 1878, when, going to Cincinnati, he was graduated from the Pulte Medical College with the Class of '83.  Returning to Wapaknoeta, Dr. Freeman engaged in the practice of his profession and has long been considered a permanent member of the fraternity here.
     In 1876, our subject visited the Western country and again in 1890 took a pleasure trip to Colorado.  He has a fine education of Indian relics which he values very highly, and which can be seen at his office.  In 1863, he was married to Emma Haff, a native of New York State, and to them were born two children, Lillian and Alice.  Mrs. Freeman died in 1872 and the Doctor chose for his second companion, in 1882, Miss Mary Rathbone, who has become the mother of one daughter, Julia.  They are both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly respected throughout the community.  Among the Indian collections which the Doctor has, is a pipe that once belonged to Sitting Bull and also the war club which was supposed to have been used in killing Capt. Wallace.
     In knowledge and skill in medical science and all matters pertaining to the health of the body.  Dr. Freeman stands in the front rank among the medical fraternity.  His intelligence in other lines of study and affairs and his manly character alike entitle him to esteem and he is regarded in the highest respect, not only throughout his community but in other places where he is known, having an extended acquaintance and an assured position among the learned members of his profession.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 326

GEORGE F. FREYMAN.     Were mention to be made of the farmers of Duchouquet Township, Auglaize County, without giving a prominent place to this gentleman, certainly an injustice would be done both to himself and the community.  His excellent farm is located on section 21, and contains a fine set of farm buildings well adapted to their various uses.  He has introduced on his place many improvements, and evidences of his thrifty management may be seen on every hand.  He has been very prominent in local affairs, and for twelve years was Deputy Sheriff of this county, and for one year was the incumbent of the Shrievalty.
     John Morris Freyman, the father of our subject, was a native of Bavaria, his birth occurring in 1771.  He was a farmer by occupation, and served for a number of years in the Austrian army, fighting against Napoleon Bonaparte from 1794 until 1800, being in active service that entire period.  He was an Aide to Gen. Seckendorf, and in 1806 was Aide to Gen. Hohenlohe, also fighting against Napoleon at that time.
     John Morris Freyman, the father of our subject, was a native of Bavaria, his birth occurring in 1771.  He was a farmer by occupation, and served for a number of years in the Austrian army, fighting against Napoleon Bonaparte from 1794 until 1800, being an active service that entire period. He was an Aide to Gen. Seckendorf, and in 1806 was Aide to Gen. Hohenlohe, also fighting against Napoleon at that time.
     The maiden name of our subject's mother was Margueretta Barbara Mullfinger, also a native of Bavaria, whence she emigrated to America with her family in 18228.  They settled first in Northampton County, Pa., where her father was engaged in work, being in very limited circumstances.  He had been very wealthy in the old country, but had been deprived of his possessions by the long-continued wars.  After spending eighteen months in the Keystone State, the parents of our subject came to Ohio, where they located in Butler County, and in August, 1833, came to Allen, afterward Auglaize County, where the father entered a tract of land on section 33, of this township.  The surrounding country was in its primitive condition, and the Indians still inhabited this portion of the State.  Mr. Freyman, with his sons, set industriously about clearing and improving his estate, on which he was residing at the time of his death, in 1863.  He was followed to the better land a few years later by his wife, who died in 1869.  They were members in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and were held in high esteem by their numerous friends.
     He of whom we write was the youngest in a family of eight children, being born Nov. 11, 1828, in Pennsylvania.  He was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents to this State, and as he was obliged to aid in operating the new farm, was permitted to attend school but six months.
     He grew to manhood on the old homestead, and in 1855 was married to Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Henrietta Heubner, also natives of Germany.
     The wife of our subject, who was born Feb. 14, 1834, in Hesse-Darmstadt, emigrated to America in 1854, and the following year was married to Mr. Freyman.  They located in Wapakoneta, where our subject owned a store a short time and then conducted an hotel.  He later contracted to build the Dayton & Michigan Railroad to that village, and after its completion moved on to a farm in this township.
     In July, 1862, Mr. Freyman enlisted in the Union army, joining the Band of Company I, Twentieth Ohio Infantry.  He acted in the Ambulance Corps, and was one of ten who volunteered their services to go to the front during a battle.  He received his honorable discharge after service of two years.  Mr. Freyman then returned home, his affairs having been ably conducted in the meantime by his efficient and intelligent wife.  In 1865, he removed to Hamilton, this State, and engaged with his brother in the brewing business.  Two years later, however, he returned to Wapakoneta and took the contact to build the St. John's Pike, which was seven miles in length.
     In October, 1868, Mr. Freyman located on his present farm, which then bore but little resemblance to its now prosperous condition.  In January of the following year, he went to California in order to settle the estate of his brother, who had died there, and returned home in June of that year.  He is the proprietor of two hundred acres of excellently improved land, nearly all of which is under the best methods of cultivation.
     Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Freyman, nine are now living, namely:  Fred William, Charles Theodore, George Valentine, Bertha Frederika, Emma Henrietta, William Edward, John Louis, Louisa Matilda, and John Morris.  The eldest son married Samantha Morris, and makes his home in Wapakoneta; Bertha F. is the wife of Jacob John Haus, and resides at St. Mary's.  Mr. and Mrs. Freyman are members of the Lutheran Church, and are active in all the workings of that body.  They have given their children good educations, and our subject has served as a member of the School Board.  In social affairs, he is a Grand Army man, and in politics votes a straight Democratic ticket, on which he was elected Township Trustee.  He is one of the most influential citizens of his township, and his life affords a splendid illustration of the power of patience and perseverance in promoting the prosperity of the individual and crowning his labors with complete success.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 316

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 367