< BACK TO 1917 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< BACK TO BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
 

	G. FRANK STABLER.     G. Frank Stabler, a well-known and enterprising farmer of Adams township, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of eighty acres located on rural route No. 1, on the Quincy Carrysville pike, two and one-half miles north of Carysville, was born on a farm in Adams township, Dec. 23, 1870, the son of C. G. and Catherine (Pencil) Stabler, the former of whom was a native of Germany, and the latter of Montgomery county, Ohio.      C. G. Stabler was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and lived in his native country until he reached the age of seventeen or eighteen years, when he came to the United States, coming direct to Logan county, Ohio, where he had an uncle, and with whom he worked for some years.  There he met and married Catherine Pencil who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, her parents being also of German ancestry.  After his marriage, he and his wife located on the farm in Adams township, near where his son, G. Frank, now lives, and here the wife's death occurred.  They were the parents of five children, four of whom are now living:  Mary B., wife of B. S. Young, of Rosewood, Ohio; Barbara who died at the age of twenty years; William, a farmer of Adams township; G. Frank, the immediate subject of this review, and John E.      G. Frank Stabler was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, and early in life learned the rudiments and principles of good farming.  For two years after his marriage, he lived on the home place with his father, but in the spring of 1904, he purchased fifty-seven acres of land, where he is now living, making a total of eighty acres which he owns at the present time, and has since made this place his home.  He carries on a general system of farming and stock raising, and ranks among the progressive and successful farmers of his township.      On Aug. 12, 1902, G. Frank Stabler was united in marriage to Daisy D. Stem, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, May 30, 1882, the daughter of William J. and Mary M. (Willard) Stem, both of whom were natives of Frederick county, Maryland, the former born in 1839, and the latter in 1844.  They were married in Maryland in 1861, and in 1865, they came to Logan county, Ohio, where Mr. Stem's death occurred on Oct. 22, 1901.  Mr. and Mrs. Stem were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are now living:  William Earl of Shelby county, Ohio; Ida A., wife of Armor Deitrick of Logan county, Ohio; John living in the state of Washington; Minnie, also a resident of Washington, the wife of Charles Moore; Clara, wife of Van Ford, of Logan county, Ohio; Charles also a resident of Logan county; Eva, wife of Alva, Armstrong, living in Michigan; Daisy D., wife of Mr Stabler, and Joseph G., of Illinois.  The mother of these children is still living in Logan county, Ohio.      Mr. and Mrs. G. Frank Stabler are the parents of two children: Mary Catherine, born Dec. 10, 1905, now a student in the second grade in the Rosewood schools, and Lillian Isabelle, born May 24, 1911, a student in her first year in the Rosewood schools.  Mr. Stabler is a member of the Lutheran church, while Mrs. Stabler is an adherent of the United Brethren church.  Politically, Mr. Stabler is an Republican, but is broadminded and liberal in his judgment of men and affairs. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 958
	JOHN E. STABLER.     One of the enterprising farmers living in Adams township is John E. Stabler, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of sixty-four acres located on the Rosewood-Quincy pike, on rural route. No. 1, out of Quincy, one and one-half miles due north of Rosewood, Mr. Stabler was born in this township on a farm about a half mile west of his present home on Dec. 2, 1872, the son of C. G. and Catherine (Pencil) Stabler, the former of whom was a native of Germany, and the latter of Ohio.      C. G. Stabler was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and lived in that country until he reached the age of seventeen or eighteen years, when he came to the United States, coming direct to the village of Degraff, in Ohio, looking for an uncle of his who had previously emigrated to this country.  At that time Degraff consisted of a few straggling houses, and the country surrounding it only very sparsely settled.  Mr. Stabler found his uncle for whom he was looking, in Logan county. Ohio, and remained with him for a short time, when he came down into Champaign county, where he met and married Catherine Pencil, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, her parents being of German ancestry.  After his marriage C. G. Stabler located on the farm where John E. Stabler was born, and where he is now living, and here they made their home for many years.  C. G. Stabler is still living on the old home place, his wife having passed away some years ago.  To them were born five children, four of whom are living: Mary B., the wife of B. S. Young, of Rosewood; Barbara, who died at the age of twenty years; William, a farmer of Adams township: Frank, also a resident of Adams township, and John E.  The family were earnest and faithful members of the Lutheran church at Sidney, Ohio.      John E. Stabler was reared to the life of a farmer, receiving his education in the district schools of his home township.  After reaching manhood he started out in life for himself by renting land in Adams township, which he farmed for two years, after which he purchased the old home farm in 1892, and has since made this his home.  He is a progressive and up-to-date farmer and is making a success of his chosen calling.      On July 2, 1899, John E. Stabler was married to Minnie E. Scoby, the daughter of Thomas Scoby and wife.  Mrs. Stabler was born in Shelby county, Ohio, near Pasco, and grew to womanhood in that county, making her home with a sister in later years near Quincy, Ohio, in Logan county.  Mr. and Mrs. Stabler are the parents of one child, a son, Charles L., who is now a student in the sixth grade in the schools at Rosewood.      Mr. Stabler is a Republican in politics, and has always taken an active interest in local political affairs, and is now serving his fourth year as a member of the Adams township board of education.  He is a member of Rosemont Lodge No. 253, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of Anderton Encampment No. 292, at Rosewood. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 939
	LEWIS A. STABLER.     One of the substantial citizens and leading farmers of this county is Lewis A. Stadler, farming a fine farm of eighty-six and one-half acres located on the Piqua and Urbana pike, four and one-half miles east of St. Paris, about half way between Urbana and the latter village.  In the early days the old farm house on this place was used as a tavern, known as the Blue Bell Tavern, situated half-way between the two towns, and did a most flourishing business as a hostelry in pioneer times.      Mr. Stadler is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Salem township, on Kings creek, Aug. 20, 1868.  He is a son of Lewis and Caradens (Klickow) Stadler, both of whom were natives of Germany, born near Hanover.  Lewis Stadler and his wife both grew to maturity in their native land, and were married in Champaign county, Ohio, after coming to this country with their respective parents.  After their marriage they rented land in Salem township, this county, on which they lived for a number of years.  By means of untiring industry and effort, they were finally enabled to purchase a farm in Concord township, where they lived for five years, after which they purchased another farm in Concord township, and here they lived the remainder of their lives.  They were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living: George, a traveling salesman of Urbana, Ohio; Emma, living on the old home farm in Concord township, this county; Charles, a graduate of Cincinnati Medical College, now practicing his profession at Lima, Ohio; William, living on the home farm; Lewis A., of this review, and Edward, who died in infancy.  Lewis Stadler and his wife were both earnest and devoted members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Stadler was a Democrat in politics, firm in the principles and doctrines of that party.      When L. A. Stadler was eight years of age he accompanied his parents to the farm in Concord township, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools of the township.  After reaching manhood he decided to follow farming as a vocation, and started out for himself by renting land in Concord township, where he remained twelve years, after which he moved to the farm where he is now living, and here he has since lived, being engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of good grade Shorthorn and Jersey cattle, in which line he has been very successful.      On Jan. 14, 1900, L. A. Stadler was united in marriage to Darleta Comer, the daughter of Thomas and Zarah (Zimmerman) Comer, both of whom were natives of this county, the former born in Johnson township, and the latter in Mad River township.  Mr. and Mrs. Stadler are the parents of six children, all of whom are living: Robert, in high school at Westville; Lee, a student in the seventh grade; Paul, in the fifth grade; Walter, in the fourth grade; Caradena, in the first grade, and Howard, three years of age.  The family have all been reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, and take an active interest in church work.  Mr. Stadler is a Democrat in politics, and while taking an active interest in all local public matters, yet is not an office seeker, or prominent in political matters.  He is a warm supporter of all measures having for their object the betterment of his community. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 460
	W. L. STABLER.     W. L. Stabler, a progressive and substantial farmer and stockman, owner of sixty-five acres of prime land in Adams township, was born in that same township on Sept. 22, 1865.  He is the son of C. G. and Catherine (Pencil) Stabler, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter a native of Champaign county, Ohio.      C. G. Stabler was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in March, 1830.  While still a young man he decided to chance fortune in the United States.  He left his native land and on arriving at port in this country he immediately came along to the state of Ohio, locating in Degraff, and later in Adams township, this county.  His first employment was as a hired hand on a farm and he also worked for a cooper, saving all the available money he could command with the view to engaging in farm work on his own account.  He was united in marriage in Champaign county to Catherine Pencil, who died on Feb. 28, 1915.  Since the death of his wife he has been living by himself.  They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still alive, namely: Mary, who became the wife of Seymour Young; Barbara C., deceased; William L., the subject of this sketch; George F., a farmer, living in Adams township, and John E., also a farmer of Adams township.  C. G. Stabler, during his active life, was engaged in farming and was successful in his agricultural operations.      William T. Stabler was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools of Adams township.  At the close of his school course he worked on his father's farm and remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age.  He was united in marriage on Feb. 17, 1891, to Anna Staley, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools of that county.  Following his marriage Mr. Stabler commenced farming on his own account, becoming a renter of land for some time.  Succeeding in this direction, he subsequently bought some land and he is now the owner of a compact and well-kept farm of sixty-five acres of choice land.  His farm is situated on route No. 1. Quincy, Adams township, and here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, in the latter line raising some good grades of all kinds of stock, and in both branches of his agricultural labors he has met with marked success.  His farm and buildings are in an excellent state and well cared for.      To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stabler three children have been born as follow: Nora C., who is at home with her parents; Raymond, a student in the Rosewood high school, and Junieus.  During Mr. Stabler's residence in Champaign county he has witnessed many important improvements being carried out and in all matters tending towards the public good he has always taken the part of a progressive citizen.  The Stabler family are members of the Lutheran church at Sidney, Ohio, and are warmly interested in all the affairs of the church, ever setting the example of sincere and earnest lives.  Mr. Stabler is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never been a seeker after public office.  Nevertheless, he takes a good citizen's part in supporting candidates who are calculated to serve the requirements of the public in the best manner. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 500
	JOSEPH STEINBARGER.     Champaign county has been quite a good enough place for Joseph Steinbarger to spend his life in. the wanderlust spirit having never lured him away to seek his fortune in other lands, and he has lived to see and take part in many changes during his life of over three-score years here.      Mr. Steinbarger, who is farming in Urbana township, was born in Mad River township, this county, Sept. 4, 1845, a son of Alfred and Margaret (Myers) Steinbarger.  The father was born on the old Abe Shocky place in Mad River township, where his parents settled in early pioneer days.  The mother was born in Ross county, Ohio.  Alfred Steinbarger grew to manhood in his native township, on the home farm, and attended the early day schools.  When a young man he turned his attention to the milling business, in partnership with his father, the old Steinbarger mill being well known all over this and adjoining counties, drawing its customers from remote sections of the country.  In 1858 he moved to Urbana township and bought one hundred acres, the place on which his son Joseph now resides, and there he carried on general farming in his death, which occurred in February, 1882.  His widow survived until 1897.  Alfred Steinbarger was a son of John and Elizabeth (Pence) Steinbarger, both natives of Virginia, where they grew up and married, coming to Ohio shortly thereafter and settling on a farm on Nettle creek, in Champaign county, buying a tract of land, including the Abe Shocky farm.  The elder Steinbarger improved his land, put up a mill, operated by water power and conducted it many years; later moved farther down Mad river, where he built a large mill, which became popular all over this locality.  There he remained until his death, which occurred in 1852.  To Alfred Steinbarger and wife eight children were born, four of whom are now living, namely: Jennie, who married James Perkins; Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Sallie, widow of the late Joel C. Andrews, and James M.      Joseph Steinbarger grew up in Mad River township and attended the common schools there and in Urbana township.  He farmed with his father until the latter's death, then began farming for himself, but has continued on the same farm to the present time.      In March, 1898, Mr. Steinbarger was married to Mrs. Virginia (Hedges) Shellenbarger, a daughter of Newton and Eliza (Todd) Hedges.  To this union one child has been born, a daughter, Ruth, who is now attending high school.  Politically, Mr. Steinbarger is a Republican.  He was at one time road supervisor.  He is a member of the Hickory Grove Baptist church and was the first person baptised in that church. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 911
James Swisher	JAMES SWISHER.     James Swisher, an honored veteran of the Civil War, former county surveyor of Champaign county, former city civil engineer of Urbana, a member of the state engineering corps, resident engineer on the Mechanicsburg pike, and one of the best known citizens of Champaign county, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life with the exception of the period he spent in the army during the Civil War and a later period, during the days of his young manhood, spent in Mexico and the West, where for some }ears he followed an adventurous career and during which time he achieved the honor of having a county in Texas named after him.  He was born on a farm a short distance south of Cable, in Wayne township, June 6, 1849, a son of Joseph and Mary (Hess) Swisher, well-to-do farming people of that neighborhood, whose last days were spent there.      Joseph Swisher was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 7, 1827, and was but a child when his parents, James H. Swisher and wife, came to this county in 1832 and settled on a pioneer farm in Wayne township, becoming influential and useful pioneers of that neighborhood.  James H. Swisher was born on Nov. 25, 1800, and grew up as a farmer in his native Pennsylvania, remaining there until he came with his family to this county, becoming one of the early settlers of Wayne township, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives.  On that pioneer farm Joseph Swisher grew to manhood, learning the practical ways of farming.  He married Mary Hess, who was born at Martinsburg, Virginia, and who had come to this county with her parents in the days of her youth, and after his marriage established his home on a farm in Wayne township and there spent the rest of his life farming, his death occurring on May 28, 1889.  He and his wife were the parents of six children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Perry, Elizabeth, Jane, Jacob and Warren.      Reared on the home farm in Wayne township, James Swisher received his education in the schools of that neighborhood and was living there when the Civil War broke out.  He was a big, husky boy and the call to arms so fired his zeal for service in behalf of his country that before he was fourteen years of age he ran away from home and proceeded to Columbus, where he succeeded in having himself enrolled as a member of Company A, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Two days later his father appeared on the scene, having got trace of the runaway lad, and took him home.  There he remained until in March, 1863, when he again made his way to a recruiting station and on the 23rd of that month, under the assumed name of James Jackson, enlisted as a private in Company E, Fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with that command achieved his desire to get to the front, serving with the same for two years and eleven months, or until after the close of the war, and was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant, which rank he had borne during the last eleven months of his service, having steadily risen from the ranks.  Mr. Swisher's command was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and with that army he saw some of the most active service of the war, having participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Chickamaugua, the Atlanta campaign and then on with Sherman's army to the sea, taking part in the reduction of Savannah and on up through the Carolinas, upon the cessation of hostilities being sent to Camp Dennison at Cincinnati, where he was mustered out.      Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Swisher, who was then under seventeen years of age, returned to the home farm and that same fall entered Delaware College, now known as Ohio Wesleyan University.  After a term of schooling there he taught a term of school in this county and then went to Mexico to join his uncle, Jacob Hess, who was engaged in mining there, but eleven months later was compelled to leave that country, the Mexican government having refused to renew his uncle's mining concession, thus closing the mines. Thus thrown out of employment, Mr. Swisher started with several others to walk to Stockton, California, fifteen hundred miles away.  After an adventurous and perilous trip Mr. Swisher arrived at Stockton and after a brief stay there joined the rush for Carson City, Nevada, where he worked in a saw-mill for three years, at the end of which time he was appointed assistant surveyor under James E. Oliver, of the government survey, and was thus engaged for three years running lines throughout that part of the country.  He then took service under United States Surveyor Wheeler and helped to lay out counties in Utah and Texas, one of the counties in northwestern Texas being named in his honor while he was thus engaged.  The last census report gave Swisher county, Texas, a population of more than four thousand and since then it has developed rapidly; hence Mr. Swisher has no reason to feel other than proud of the distinction accorded his name by the pioneers who named the county in his honor.  After six years of government service, in the surveying department, Mr. Swisher located in Bullion City, Utah, and was shortly afterward appointed surveyor of Piute county.  Other civic honors were quickly thrust upon him and during the three years he lived there he served not only as county surveyor, but as county clerk, assistant county recorder and as assistant postmaster, a record of office-holding to make the average Ohio office-seeker turn green with envy.      Along in the early eighties Mr. Swisher began to permit his thoughts to turn back to the scenes of his childhood and he presently returned to this county, resuming the work here as a school teacher that had been interrupted years before by his departure for Mexico.  For two years he taught school in Salem township and for three years in Wayne township.  In the fall of 1886 Mr. Swisher was elected surveyor of Champaign county, taking office in the following January and serving until Nov. 24, 1902, at the same time serving also as city engineer from 1889 to 1901.  He was re-elected to the office of county surveyor and continued to serve in that capacity until Sept. 4, 1911, later, being appointed resident engineer on the Mechanicsburg pike, as a member of the state engineering corps, a position he ever since has held, and in connection with which he has rendered admirable service, since his appointment to that corps having supervised the construction of seven or eight important bits of road work throughout this district.  Mr. Swisher is a Republican and has ever taken an active part in local political affairs.  He has business interests in Urbana, was one of the organizers of the Urbana Packing Company, of which he is one of the directors, and is treasurer of that company.      On Sept. 6, 1891, James Swisher was united in marriage to Ella G. Smith, daughter of John B. and Malinda (Wilson) Smith, he a native of Vermont and she being born at Marietta, Ohio.  To this union three children have been born, Mark, who married Clara Loomis and is now engaged as an engineer in the maintenance of way department of the New York Central Railroad Company, between Cleveland and Toledo, and Mary and Ruth, who are at home with their parents.  The Swishers are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Swisher is an office-bearer in the same.  He is an active member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and is now quarter-master of the post.  Mr. Swisher is a thirty-second degree Mason and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with the blue lodge at Urbana, the consistory.  Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Dayton, and with Syrian Temple of the Shrine at Cincinnati.  He also is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Patriarchs Militant, affiliated with the subordinate lodge at Cable and with the encampment at Urbana.  He likewise is affiliated with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and in the affairs of all of these fraternal organizations takes a warm interest. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 576
	JAMES L. SWISHER.    The late James L. Swisher, who died at his home in Union township in 1888 and whose widow is still living there, was born in that township and had lived in Champaign county all his life, with the exception of seventeen years spent farming in the neighboring county of Logan.  He was born on June 9, 1833, son of John H. and Lucinda (Lowry) Swisher, the former of whom was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in this county.  John H. Swisher came to Champaign county as a young man and was here married about the year 1831.  He established his home on a farm and was getting a good start toward the creation of a good farming property when he died in 1838.  He and his wife were the parents of three children, of whom James L. was the first-born, the others being Joseph and Eliza J.      Reared on a farm in Union township, James L. Swisher received his schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home and early became a practical farmer.  After his marriage in the spring of 1861 he became engaged in farming on his own account, renting a farm in this county, but two years later moved to Logan county and for seventeen years thereafter was engaged in farming in that county.  He then returned to Champaign county and located on a farm in Union township, later moving to what then was known as the Perry farm in the Ludlow pike, and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on Feb. 21, 1888, he then being in the fifty-fifth year of his age.      On Apr. 9, 1861, James L. Swisher was united in marriage to Nancy McCulloch, who was horn in the neighboring county of Logan, a daughter of George A. and Sophia (Mason) McCullugh, both of whom were born in that same count}- and who spent all their lives there. George A. McCullough, was born on a pioneer farm on the Big Darby, near Zanesfield, and became a successful farmer and extensive stockman.  He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Swisher was the first-born, the others being Samuel C., Catherine, John. George, Benjamin, Sidney, Solomon, Mary, Minerva and William.      To James L. and Nancy (McCulloch) Swisher eight children were born, six of whom are still living, namely: Clara, who married W. G. J. Clark and had one child, a daughter.  Nancy Virginia; John H., who married Myrtle B. Snyder; George L., who married Emma Capsidal and has one child, a daughter, Ethel; Perry, who married Eva Keef and has three children, Frank K., Hugh and Angus M.; William, who married Ella Snyder and has three children, Marjorie, Ruth and Lois, and Eliza Jane, who married William Thomas and has one child, a son, John Willis.      Perry Swisher, the fourth child in order of birth of the children born to James L. Swisher and wife, was born in Logan county on Nov. 29, 1868. and was but a boy when his parents returned to this county and established their home in Union township.  He completed his schooling in the schools of that township and early took up farming as a vocation.  When twenty-live years of age he began farming on his own account and in 1903 bought the place on which he is now living, his widowed mother making her home with him and his family and has ever since made that his place of residence, he and his family being very comfortably situated.  Mr. Swisher has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, all of which is under cultivation save about twenty-five acres of woodland, and he has an excellent farm plant, his operations being carried on in accordance with up-to-date methods.  He has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and is doing well.  He makes a specialty of Duroc-Jersey hogs, having about a hundred head a year, and also raises excellent Red foiled cattle and Percheron horses.  Mr. Swisher is a member of the Union Township Grange and has for years taken an active part in the affairs of that organization and in all movements having to do with the advancement of the county's agricultural interests, having served for some time as a member of the county fair board.  He is a Democrat and has rendered public service as a member of the school board.  Mrs. Swisher is a member of the Union Methodist Episcopal church. Source:  History of Champaign County, Ohio, Vol. II - publ. 1917 - Page 861

.