BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899.

* BABBITT, Dwight S., M.D. * BAKER, George * BAKER, Henry G., Hon. * BENECKE, Ferdinand F. * BERGER, John * BERNARD, Abram * BLOOM, James * BLUE, Frank G. * BLUE, Lewis D. * BŐHM, Nicholas * BOKOP, Henry D. * BRICKER, Henry * BRICKER, John * BUFFINGTON, Jonathan P.   DWIGHT S. BABBITT, M. D.  The Babbitt family originated in Wales, but the direct ancestors of our subject, who is a well-known physician of Defiance, came to America in early Colonial times, settling in New England, many of their descendants being still found in Massachusetts and Connecticut.      Hon. Snellem Babbitt, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born at Savoy, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and as a boy of sixteen witnessed the famous "tea party" in Boston Harbor, when a cargo of tea was thrown overboard by a company of indignant Americans. He was a man of prominence in his day and locality, serving as a justice of the peace for many years, and at one time he was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature. His death occurred at Savoy in 1852, at the advanced age of ninety-four years.      Dr. Snell Babbitt, our subject's grandfather, was born in 1786 in Hancock township, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and during the greater portion of his life he resided in that county, in the town of Adams. He was also prominent as a citizen, while as a physician he held a high reputation, his professional advice being frequently sought by physicians in adjoining States as well as in his own immediate vicinity. He married Jael Edson, by whom he had eight children—six boys and two girls—and his death occurred at Adams in 1853.      Erasmus Darwin Babbitt, our subject's father, was born Dec. 26, 1810, at Hancock, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and was the eldest in the family. He was married Dec. 26, 1830, to Miss Rhobe Mason, a native of Adams, Massachusetts, and a descendant of an old Colonial family. Her father, Nathan Mason, died Jan. 31, 1850, at that place. For about four years after his marriage Erasmus Babbitt followed farming as an occupation, and for twelve years he acted as deputy sheriff of Berkshire county. Although he was of slight physique, being only five feet ten inches in height, he possessed indomitable courage and successfully met all the emergencies of that office. Later he conducted a boot and shoe store at Adams, but on July 20, 1852, he started west with his family, arriving six days afterward at Markesan, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, at six o'clock in the evening. He purchased a tract of farming land in Metomen township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and his judicious management and scientific improvement of the place made it the model farm of the county. His first wife died there on June 13, 1877; in 1879 he sold out and retired to a residence which he owned at Fox Lake, Dodge county, Wisconsin, and later he removed to Bloomington, Illinois, where he now resides at the age of eighty-seven. In 1879 he married a second wife, Nancy Jane Nurse, who died June 7, 1887, and on Sept. 15, 1890, he wedded his present wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Carter. He had four sons, all by his first marriage: Erasmus D., Jr.; Dwight S., our subject; George Dallas, and Nathan Mason, both deceased.      Doctor Babbitt was born Oct. 6, 1841, at Adams, Massachusetts, and his education was begun in the schools of that city. After the removal of the family to Wisconsin, he remained upon the farm for some years, attending the local schools in winter, and at the age of twenty-two he entered Brockway College, at Ripon, Wisconsin, where he spent one year. In June, 1863, he began the study of medicine with an uncle, Doctor Mason, of Green Lake, Wisconsin,, but his work was soon after interrupted by his enlistment in the Union army. On Nov. 17, 1863, he joined Company D, First Wisconsin Cavalry, at Ripon, and from that time until the close of the war he was on active duty, being detailed during a large portion of that term to service in the brigade commissary department. He took part in some severe fighting, being in a number of skirmishes in Tennessee, and his first important engagement was the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. He also participated in Wilson's cavalry raid through Georgia and Alabama, in 1865, and was one of the party that captured Selma, Alabama, and West Point, Georgia, both places being taken on Sunday. Selma was a most important point, large quantities of war material being stored there, and as the orders given to the raiders were to destroy everything that could possibly benefit the Confederates, they were obeyed to the letter, the losses entailed doubtless having a direct effect in bringing the Rebels to terms. Millions of dollars' worth of property was destroyed in this raid, fifteen railroad locomotives being wrecked in one day, and the cavalry lived "off the country" during the entire campaign. On May 13, 1865, the Doctor was at Macon, Georgia, and saw Jefferson Davis, with his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law, delivered as prisoners to General George H. Wilson. On July 19, 1865, our subject was mustered out of service at Edgefield, Tennessee, and soon afterward he returned home, the winters of 1866 and 1867 being spent in teaching school.      In June, 1867, he resumed his medical studies, and in the following January he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, where he attended lectures for two winters, while his vacations were devoted to private study. On graduating on Feb. 9, 1869, he returned to Wisconsin, and in October of that year he located in Ripon, where he practiced successfully for several years. On Feb. 26, 1873, he entered upon a partnership with Doctor E. B. Bracy, at Hicksville, which continued until May, 1875, and from that time until Dec. 8, 1885, Doctor Babbitt carried on his practice at Hicksville alone. He then removed to Defiance, where his abilities soon secured him a large and lucrative practice. While he does much general professional work, he makes a specialty of the diseases of women and children, and in all lines he has met with marked success, being both resolute and capable.      On Nov. 19, 1863, the Doctor was married to Miss Augusta Buchholtz, who died Oct. 25, 1885, and on Feb. 2, 1890, he formed a second matrimonial union, this time with Mrs. Sarah A. Henderson. He has had three children, all by the first union: Ira Dallas, born at Metomen, Wisconsin, Apr. 6, 1867; Erasmus Frederick, born at Ripon, Wisconsin, Dec. 3, 1869; and Dwight S., Jr., born at Ripon Feb. 25, 1872. The family reside in a pleasant home at No. 509 First street, Defiance, and is prominent in social life. The Doctor's office address is No. 214½ Clinton street. He is a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Order of Red Men, the Knights of Honor, and the F. and A. M. In religions faith he is an Episcopalian; politically he gives his allegiance to the Populist party. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 209 H. G. Baker HON. HENRY GEORGE BAKER.  This leading attorney of Defiance, and one of the representative citizens of this section, is a descendant of a well-known family, his ancestors having been prominent residents of Manchester, England, many generations ago. Our subject's great-grandfather, also named Henry George Baker, was a shipowner engaged in the East India trade, and about 1733 he went with his family to Rotterdam, Holland, where his death occurred. A son, John Henry Baker, the grandfather of our subject, succeeded to his business at Rotterdam, but, meeting with reverses, he brought his family to America in 1839, hoping to find a better opportunity here to retrieve his fortunes. He died at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio.      His son, Henry George Baker, our subject's father, was born and reared in Holland, receiving a collegiate education in Rotterdam, and for some years taught school in his native land. When twenty years old he came to the United States and located at Rochester, New York, where he followed successfully the occupation of teaching until the opening of the Mexican war. He then enlisted at Rochester in a New York regiment, and served under General Winfield Scott during the entire war, taking part in all the engagements from the battle of Vera Cruz to the storming of Chapultepec. At the battle of Puebla he was partially deafened by the bursting of a shell very near him, and this infirmity lasted throughout his life. It prevented him from serving in the Civil war, although he assisted in recruiting and organizing a company in Putnam county, Ohio.      At the close of the Mexican war he returned to Rochester, New York. and was married there to Miss Regina Bugle, daughter of John Herman Bugle, who was also a native of Holland. After his marriage our subject's father located in Cleveland, Ohio, engaging in business as a merchant tailor until 1857, when he moved to Glandorf, Putnam county. There he carried on a general mercantile business until 1867, and also established a pearl-ash factory, which was the largest plant of the kind in the West. It was destroyed by fire in 1867, together with the store and the family residence, the loss being estimated at fifty thousand dollars. In the same year Mr. Baker, Sr., went to Defiance to spend his remaining years in retirement, and here breathed his last in 1879. He was a member of the Catholic Church, having united with that faith while in a hospital in Mexico, where he was cared for in his illness by Sisters of Charity, the unspoken teachings of their consecrated lives affecting him even more than their doctrinal belief. He left a family of three children: Cornelia, wife of Bennett Smith, of Defiance; John H.; and Henry George, our subject, of whose life we will now give a more particular account.      Mr. Baker was born Sept. 22, 1857, at Cleveland, Ohio, and was educated mainly in the schools of Defiance. His business abilities were manifested at an early age, and at the age of sixteen he was conducting a grocery store at Defiance. After about five years of successful work in this line, the store was burned out, and he then, at the age of twenty, began the study of law with Hill & Myers. He was admitted to the Bar on examination before the supreme court at Columbus, in January, 1881, and in the same year he engaged in practice at Defiance; after this he passed two or three years of his time in travel and observation through all the Western States, and Territories, including the Republic of Mexico, which gave him an opportunity of observing and studying the various conditions in the laws, manners and customs of the people upon our Western frontier and of its Mexican neighbors. He is a man of pleasing address, exceedingly urbane and courteous to all with whom he comes in contact, and, though not possessing a classical education, he impresses himself upon strangers as a thoroughly educated man. He is an advocate of more than ordinary power, and is a natural orator. Though young in the practice, he has already attained a reputation as one of the best lawyers and advocates in Northwestern Ohio. On the first of January, 1897, he formed a partnership with Hon. W. D. Hill, his former preceptor, and the firm of Hill & Baker now enjoys a lucrative practice at Defiance.      It is conceded by everyone, both friends and political opponents, that in every public position he has filled he has done it with great credit to himself and to the service in which he was employed.  His old-time popularity in Defiance county and Northwestern Ohio has more than returned to him and wiped out the sting of his defeat in 1894, which was brought about by financial failures in Ohio, with which he was supposed to be connected, but in which he was really not interested to the extent of a single dollar. In 1896 his friends urged him to be a candidate for his old position, probate judge, but he declined. His subsequent experience has shown that he would have been elected by an immense majority, but his law practice is more lucrative than the salary of that office. He is a man of untiring energy, and of sleepless vigilance in the prosecution of his business, never neglecting a single detail which he thinks might be of service to his clients. If he continues to grow in reputation and usefulness as he has in the last two or three years, he is destined to become one of the most eminent lawyers of the State.  He is not actively connected with Church or Society affairs, but attends the Catholic Church.      Mr. Baker was married, Sept. 12, 1881, to Miss Lilian M. Steele, of Henry county, a cousin of Chief Justice Waite. Their only child is Myrtle, born Sept. 11, 1882.   The family have their home in a commodious and tasteful residence, built by Mr. Baker himself, at the corner of Wayne and Juliet streets, Defiance.      In public affairs Mr. Baker's influence has been widely recognized. He has been an active worker in the Democratic party since he attained his majority, speaking from the "stump" in every campaign up to the present and serving every year, if in the State, as a member of the county central and executive committees. In the fall of 1889 he was elected probate judge by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office in his county. His work as a commissioner from Ohio to the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, to which office he was appointed by Governor Campbell, should be specially noted. He was chairman of the committee on education, and among other duties which he performed with characteristic tact and skill was the delivery of an address of welcome to the Ohio visitors and the Ohio "Colony'' in Chicago, at the dedication of the State building on those historic grounds. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 282   GEORGE BAKER  Mr. Baker, who is one of the efficient trustees of Richland township, Defiance county, was born there on Sept. 24, 1852.  His father, Andrew Baker, was a native of Germany, whence he came to this country, and in Defiance county, Ohio, married Mrs. Anna (Wertz) Boston, widow of Charles Boston.  They are still residents of Richland township, where their entire married life has been passed.  They have reared quite a large family of children of whom our subject is one of the younger members.      Reared in Richland township, George Baker acquired his education in its public schools, and since reaching manhood he has followed farming there, he and his brother now successfully operating a good farm of two hundred acres.  He was married in that township, Sep. 6, 1882, to Miss Margaret Hein, a native of Germany, and to them have been born four children, as follows: Anna, Joseph, William and Sarah.      Mr. Baker was first elected trustee in the spring of 1895, and so acceptably did he fill that position that he was re-elected two years later.  He has always been identified with the Democratic party in politics, and as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, he takes an active and commendable interest in pubic affairs.  In the Catholic Church he and his family hold membership. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 592   ABRAM BERNARD.      Prominent among the thorough-going and progressive agriculturists of Delaware township, Defiance county, is the subject of this personal narrative, who has made his home in Section 30 since 1856. He was born Jan. 21, 1839, in Crawford county, Ohio, where he spent the first seventeen years of his life, and then came to Defiance county with his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Shade) Bernard, the former a native of Switzerland, the latter of Pennsylvania. They lived upon the present farm of our subject until called to their final rest. Abram is the eldest of their four children; the two daughters died when young; . and Franklin is now a farmer of Mark township, Defiance county.      Throughout his active business life Abram Bernard has engaged in agricultural pursuits, and he is now the owner of the old homestead of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable and highly cultivated land. In Delaware township, he was married Aug. 13, i860, to Miss Lucy Ann Smith, also a native of Crawford county, Ohio, born June 14, 1840. Her parents, Augustus and Elizabeth (Shade) Smith, were natives of New York State and Pennsylvania, respectively, and the father died in Antwerp, Paulding county, Ohio, the mother in Crawford county. In their family were the following children: Jacob, John, Andrew, Abram and Isaac (twins), and Lucy Ann. to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard were born five children, namely: Sarah L., who died at the age of five years; Francis M., who died in childhood; Charles A., who married Dora G. Durfey, of Paulding county, Ohio, and has two children— Elma L. and Erma M.; Susan A., who died in infancy, and William F.      For several years Mr. Bernard has most capably served as trustee of Delaware township, and has also been a member of the school board. For over forty years he has been identified with the interests of the township, and is justly numbered among its valued and useful citizens. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 579   FERDINAND F. BENECKE      Mr. Benecke owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred acres in Section 3, Adams township, Defiance county, which is conspicuous for the manner in which it has been improved and cultivated, and is evidently the homestead of one of the most enterprising and progressive men of the locality.  A native of Henry county, Ohio he was born in Ridgeville township, Apr. 3, 1858, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Schultz) Benecke, both natives of Germany.  The mother died on the old home in Ridgeville township, in 1889.      Our subject, who is the youngest in the family of six children, passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead, acquiring a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits on the home farm, and obtaining a good practical literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood.  He remained with his parents until the age of twenty-five when he married, and located upon his present farm in Adams township, Defiance county.  Being a skilled farmer and a wide-awake, energetic business man, he has met with a well-deserved success in his undertakings.      Near Defiance, Ohio, Mr. Benecke was married Jan. 30, 1883, to Miss Anna Mehring, who was born in Defiance township, Defiance county, Dec. 29, 1859, fourth in the family of seven children of Godfrey and Dorothy (Guenther) Mehring, who are still residents of Defiance township.  Three children have been born to this union, as follows:  William A.; Louis, who died in infancy; and Edelbert P.      Mr. Benecke takes a genuine interest in all enterprises whose object is to promote the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and as a warm friend of the public school system he is efficiently serving on the school board in Adams township.  He and his wife are both active and prominent members of the Lutheran Church, and they well deserve the high regard in which they are uniformly held.  Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 596   JOHN BERGER      Mr. Berger, ex-Mayor of Hicksville, Defiance county, is an honored representative of a family whose paternal ancestry have been of American birth for more than a century.  The homes of the more remote progenitors were in the land of the Rhine, whence Michael Berger, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, emigrated to the New World several years prior to the Revolutionary war, being led to seek a home here in order to secure freedom of religious belief.  His faith was of the reformed type of the Lutheran Church, not wholly in accord with the belief of that body as it existed in Germany at that day.  He was when a young man, and alone left country and friends to enter upon the untried life induced by the courage of his convictions.  He located in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and, imbibing the spirit of his adopted country as the Revolutionary days brought the ferment of those troublous times to a crisis, joined the army and helped the colonies to free themselves from the British yoke. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 79   JAMES BLOOM      Mr. Bloom, who is a member of the well-known firm of Bloom & Co., furniture dealers and undertakers, of Sherwood, Defiance county, was born May 3, 1859, in the town of Shelby, Richland county, Ohio, a son of Jeremiah and Susana (Snyder) Bloom, both natives of Perry county, Pennsylvania.  After their marriage they located in Shelby, Ohio, where they continued to make their home until coming to Sherwood, Defiance county, in 1875.  Here the father followed the furniture and undertaking business until his death, which occurred Apr. 4, 1896.      Mr. Bloom, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest in the family of six children - four sons and two daughters - and was reared in his native town, receiving a good common-school education, which well fitted him for subsequent business life.  With his parents he came to Sherwood in 1875, and on starting out in life for himself became interested in the furniture and undertaking business, which has since claimed his attention.  He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, and as a citizen commands the confidence and respect of the entire community.      In Delaware township, Defiance county, Mr. Bloom was married Mar. 2, 1882, to Miss Louisa Miller, who was born in that county, Mar. 28, 1865, a daughter of Jacob Miller, of Delaware township.  To them have been born two daughters, namely: Ina A. and Bertie B.  In the spring of 1897 Mr. Bloom was elected a member of the school board of Sherwood, and is now ably filling that position.  Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 597   FRANK G. BLUE.  The present efficient clerk of Highland township, Defiance county, F. G. Blue, is a representative of two of the oldest and most highly respected families of Ohio.  His parents, Joseph B. and Rachel (Ashton) Blue, were both natives of this State, the former born in Miami county, Dec. 27, 1810, the latter in Brown county, Sept. 18, 1825.  At an early day they became residents of Highland township, Defiance county, where the father died in 1883.  In their family were three children namely:  Uriah S., Mary E. and Frank G.      A native of Defiance county, Frank G. Blue was born June 1, 1866, in Highland township, where the greater part of his boyhood and youth was passed, and where he has always made his home with the exception of about a year spent in Syracuse, Nebraska.  In the common schools he began his education, subsequently attending Defiance College, and also taking a special course in civil engineering at the State Normal School, Ada, Ohio.  Being well qualified to teach he has successfully followed that profession in Highland township for sixteen terms, and was also principal of the Ayresville high school for four terms, and is engaged for the coming winter at the same place.      On Apr. 10, 1895, in Highland township, Mr. Blue was united in marriage with Miss Ella Stone, a native of that township, and to them have been born two sons, Roger H. and Teddy G.  As an ardent Republican Mr. Blue has always taken an active part in local political affairs, and in the fall of 1893 he was the candidate of his party for county surveyor of Defiance county.  And is now a candidate for the same office this fall.  For one term he acceptably filled the office of constable; in the spring of 1894 was elected clerk of Highland township, two years later was re-elected to that office, and in 1898 was re-elected for a third term. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 307    LEWIS BLUE.  Many of the leading citizens of Defiance county served their country during the dark days of the Rebellion, making a record honorable and glorious, and among them must be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who is one of the prominent farmers of Highland township.      A native of Ohio, Mr. Blue was born near Piqua, Miami county, Sept. 3, 1832, a son of Uriah and Martha (Deweese) Blue, the latter being of Welsh ancestry.  At an early day they become residents of Miami county, Ohio, where they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond.  The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1849, the mother in about 1841.  To them were born fifteen children, Lewis D. being twelfth in the order of birth.      Upon the home farm in Miami county the subject of this sketch continued to reside until 1856, when he removed to the city of Piqua, living there until the spring of 1859. Since then he has made his home in Highland township, Defiance county, where he owns a well-improved and highly-cultivated farm of sixty acres, and to agricultural pursuits devotes his time and attention with good results.      On the 8th of January, 1856, in Miami county, Mr. Blue was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kelly, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Feb. 14, 1836, and is third in the order of birth in a family of eight children. Her parents, Richard and Martha (Levering) Kelly, were also natives of Philadelphia, whence they removed to Piqua, Ohio, about 1839, at which time they had two children: Elizabeth (Mrs. Blue) and Nelson. There the father died, but the mother passed away at the home of our subject in Defiance county, Jan. 21, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Blue have six children living, namely: Anna B., now the wife of George H. Rohn, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Nelson S.; Clarence; Burtice E.; Mattie G.; and Nellie G. They lost three children that died in infancy.      In response to the President's call for troops during the Civil war, Mr. Blue enlisted July 18, 1862, in Company D, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that regiment until honorably discharged Oct. 1, 1863. He then recruited a company for the Second North Carolina Mounted Infantry, and was commissioned second lieutenant, serving as such until discharged on account of physical disability Oct. 16, 1864. Returning to his home, he resumed farming, and in that occupation he has since been engaged. He is now an honored member of Bishop Post, No. 22, G. A. R., and in religious connection both he and his wife are leading and active members of the Baptist Church at Defiance. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. Taking a deep interest in educational affairs, he has most efficiently served in school offices. In 1888, while returning from the encampment held that year at Columbus, Ohio, he was injured in an accident, a "wreck," on the B. & O. R. R., from which injury he has never yet fully recovered. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 360   NICHOLAS BOHM.  One of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Richland township, Defiance county, is the subject of this sketch, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Section 35, South Richland Precinct, where he has made his home for over a quarter of a century. The place, which comprises eighty acres of rich and fertile land, has been improved by him with good buildings, and all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are there found. Within the last few years poultry has received much attention, and the result has been several flocks of improved strains of chickens and ducks.      Like many of the best citizens of the county, Mr. Bohm is of foreign birth, born in Germany, Dec. 15, 1842, the eldest in the family of three children born to John W. and Margareta Bohm, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. In that country he was reared upon a farm, obtaining a good common-school education, which has well fitted him for the practical and responsible duties of life. In October, 1867, he crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York, whence he came direct to Defiance county, Ohio, and for two years and a half he worked as a farm hand by the month. He then married, and located upon his present farm, which he has converted into one of the most highly cultivated tracts in the locality.      On Feb. 24, 1870, in Defiance county, Mr. Bohm wedded Miss Matilda Greenler, who was born in Richland township, Jan. 1, 1845, a daughter of George C. A. and Mary (Hoelbrich) Greenler, natives of Germany, who on their emigration to America at an early day took up their residence in Richland township, Defiance county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. In their family were five children—three sons and two daughters—of whom Mrs. Bohm is the third in order of birth. To Nicholas Bohm and his wife have been born seven children, namely: Henry Otto, a graduate of the Ohio Normal University of Ada; Beta E., now the wife of Edward Brachbill; Laura M., wife of Benjamin Povenmire; George P. Edwin; Elma; John Louis, and Eleanora. Mr. and Mrs. Bohm are consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and give a liberal support to all measures which they believe calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of their community. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to serve in a number of official positions in his township. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 405 H. D. Bokop HENRY DIETRICK BOKOP.  In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success through difficulties we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which will not only stand so rough a test, but can gain new strength from the hard discipline. The following history sets forth briefly the steps by which one of our most successful business men has made his way in life, notwithstanding obstacles, and it cannot fail to be a source of encouragement to any aspiring youth.      Mr. Bokop, who is now a leading citizen of Defiance, was born Feb. 23, 1854, at Graue, Hanover, Germany, the son of John D. Bokop, an agriculturist of that locality. After securing a practical education in the schools of his native land, Mr. Bokop, at the age of sixteen, came to the United States to seek his fortune, coming straight to Defiance, working on a farm for three years, then at the age of nineteen he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1877 he took the position of foreman of the blacksmith department of the Turnbull Wagon Works. In 1882 he established a shop of his own, starting a general repair shop, which, a few years later, developed into a first-class carriage factory. He is a natural organizer, and in addition to the business mentioned he has given his attention to several other enterprises, all of which have proved profitable.      In 1892 he assisted in organizing the Defiance Box Co., of which he was elected general manager, and under his direction the business attained marked growth. In 1896 he assisted in organizing the New Manufacturing Co. This company was duly organized, and had a most promising outlook. Then in 1897, through his efforts, these two companies were merged into one, and Mr. Bokop was elected general manager of the entire plant, which now employs over one hundred hands.      He began his business adventures as an inventor, placing before the people a tire setter and cooler, known as "The Bokop Tire Setter and Cooler." This device has been a very useful invention, is a great labor-saving device for blacksmiths generally, and has been sold in nearly every country in the world. It was in this invention that Mr. Bokop laid the foundation for his business success.      In politics Mr. Bokop is a Democrat, and in 1892 he was elected to the city council from the First ward; re-elected in 1894; served the city four years, and during the last year of the four he was president of the council. In 1877 he was married to Miss Eliza M. Martin, of Defiance. and two children have been born to this union: Clara and Frederick. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 292   HENRY BRICKER  In the success achieved and position attained in this prosperous and highly respected citizen of Hicksville (Columbiana County, OHIO), we see the fruits of a life of patient toil and faithful devotion to the interests of his environments, as also to his own highest good.      Mr. Bricker is of Swiss descent, but the family have long been identified with the life and growth of this country. His great-grandfather, a native of Switzerland, immigrated to America at an early day and settled in Maryland, where he engaged in farming. His son, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In early manhood he married a Miss Norman of that place, and this newly-married couple then left the home of their early days and settled on a tract of land situated in Center township, near New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. This was about 1800, and they were among the earliest settlers of that wilderness section; but undismayed by the dreary outlook, youthful ambition and vigor persevered in establishing a home in that desolate place, where the nearest neighbor was six miles away. Thus cut off from the social converse and helpful intercourse of neighboring pioneers, the drudgery of daily toil in the rude home went on, relieved and cheered, however, by the affections and interests that centered in the family circle, which was increased by new faces, one by one, till it included six children - three boys and three girls - whose presence brought additional brightness to the humble home and made the lonely forest ring with shouts of their happy voices. As time passed on, the opening forest showed the fruits of assiduous toil, and still the work of clearing and tract progressed during the life of this busy man till the whole of it was accomplished. In connection with the farm work he dealt in horses, taking droves of them through the country to Baltimore; and he also followed teaming, driving a six-horse team to Baltimore and back, taking loads of the products of that county, and returning laden with merchandise. In politics Mr. Bricker was a Democrat. He and his wife were devout members of the German Reformed Church, and he received the marked confidence of his fellow members in being elected deacon, an office he held for many years. The death of this wife occurred about 1836, and she was buried in Salem township, that county, in the grounds adjoining St. Jacob's Church. The husband was afterward united in marriage with Mrs. Lethe Clapsaddle, to which marriage there were no children. Mr. Bricker died about 1850, and was buried beside his first wife.      JOHN BRICKER, one of the six children of that pioneer home in Columbiana county, was the father of our subject. He was born in 1808, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. When a young man he came into possession of the old homestead in Center township by purchase and otherwise, and remaining on the farm throughout the whole of his life made agriculture his sole business. His scholastic training was very limited, but he was a man of superior natural ability, and not only thoroughly systematic in the conduct of his affairs, having a place for every tool and utensil used on the farm, where it could be found by any one in the darkest night, but was progressive as well; indeed, was what is known as a scientific farmer, and was continually experimenting in order to acquire improved methods in raising farm crops.      Early in life he married Rebecca Burger, a native of Columbiana county, of German descent, and they had a family of eleven children, as follows: George, Jacob, Henry, Sophia, Nancy, David, Lydia Ann, Catharine, Lucinda, Daniel and Joseph. Sophia married William Grover, and died in Boone, Iowa. Nancy married Joseph Brinker, and resides in her native place. Lydia Ann married James Figley; Catharine married John Figley, and both are widows residing in their native place. Lucinda married David Shine, and died a year after marriage. The mother died in the spring of 1851, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Jacob's Church, Salem. Mr. Bricker married for his second wife, Mrs. Lydia Ervin, née Sampsill, and she became the mother of four children, as follows: Jesse, Rebecca, Eli and Minty. Rebecca married E. Smith, who died, and after his decease she married Newton Long. They reside at Center. Minty married George Long, and resides at Center, also. As this record shows, John Bricker was the father of fifteen children. Two of his sons, Henry and David served as soldiers in the Union Army during the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Bricker was a lifelong Democrat. His religious belief was that of the German Reformed Church, of which he was a valued member. He held the office of deacon in that Church many years. The home place was greatly improved during his life by modern residence he erected in place of the old pioneer dwelling, the home of his birth, and there in 1884 he passed from earth.      Henry Bricker was born Jan. 12, 1837, in the log house that had been the birthplace of his father also, and he was trained to agricultural life on the home farm, remaining there until he was eighteen years of age, when his father, in accordance with his custom with all of his sons, gave him the opportunity of learning a trade with sufficient pecuniary aid furnished to enable him to do so. Accordingly the youth left the parental roof, and became an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade at West Unity, Williams county, this State, Jan. 1, 1854. After serving there two and one-half years he completed his full term of apprenticeship at Haysville, Ashland county, when he came to Hicksville and remained a year, finding employment but not working at his trade. He hauled rails at fifty cents per day, also cut cordwood at twenty-five cents per cord.      On Apr. 3, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Bear, a daughter of Martin and Susan (Gilbert) Bear, from the Allegheny section, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bear was a farmer, son of Daniel Bear, a pioneer of Bazetta, Trumbull county, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Bricker carried on blacksmithing in Swan township, Noble county, Indiana, taking up his trade there by his own unaided efforts; and by diligent application to business was successful in accumulating a sum sufficient to procure a little home, in which he was settled in 1861, when the country being plunged into the war of the Rebellion, with patriotic zeal he responded to the call for volunteers, enlisting Sept. 25, 1861, in the Fifth Indiana Battery of Artillery. Going out as sergeant he served as such for eighteen months, when he became chief artificer of the battery, in which capacity he served during the remainder of his military service. The first engagement of the battery was at Stone river, where the action began at daylight. A half hour later, while in charge of his gun in his duty as sergeant, a shell from the enemy exploded in the air just above him, and a fragment of this shell, striking him, threw him down. This fragment he still keeps as a relic. That engagement lasted from Wednesday morning till Saturday evening, during which time his battery was compelled to fall back, and Mr. Bricker, while attempting to save his gun and attach it to the limber, barely escaped being either captured or killed. While earnestly engaged in his efforts to save the gun he was ordered by the captain to retreat, and again the order was given, when, looking up, he saw the limber had been removed and the enemy was advancing, an then only a hundred yards or even less away. He obeyed the order with all possible haste, starting on a run, but was overburdened with a heavy overcoat, which finally so exhausted him he could hardly stand. Being a sergeant, it was his privilege to have a horse, but it had been left in the hands of a private and the private being wounded, the horse was loose. Just then, in his dilemma, he spied his horse standing close by, his head held down by the hitching strap, which was under his feet. The horse was one he had captured in Alabama, and was named “Jack.” Calling him by name, which the horse appeared to know, Mr. Bricker went to him and after several attempts, succeeded in mounting, the Rebels by that time being close in the rear and still advancing; but the friendly animal starting off on a run, hastened the soldier’s retreat, and without any guilding soon bore him safely to his battery. Mr. Bricker regards his circumstance as providential, as otherwise he would have been killed or wounded. This horse was wounded twice while in his service. The next engagement in which Mr. Bricker participated was Liberty Gap, Tennessee, which lasted one and one-half days, resulting in the loss of but one killed; then followed Tullahoma, an engagement of three-quarters of a day; Chickamauga, two days, resulting in five killed; Chattanooga; Buzzard’s Roost, a sharp contest of three hours’ duration; Whitesides, resulting in a loss of two killed; Resaca; and Kingston. Then, during the Atlanta campaign, there was continued fighting from the spring of 1864 until the 22nd of the following September. He received his discharge from the army Nov. 29, 1864, his entire military service having covered a period of three years and two months.      On his return to the paths of peace he resumed work at his trade at Swan Creek, then in the spring of 1866 removed to Hicksville, where he established himself in the same business and carried it on fifteen years, when he abandoned it and for a while gave his undivided attention to farming, owning a farm of eighty acres in the corporation of Hicksville, which he still operates. He also owns one-third interest in a farm of fifty-five acres in the corporation, and for the past ten years has had one-third interest in the butchering business carried on by his sons.      Mr. And Mrs. Bricker have had seven children, of whom the following is a brief record: William Henry, born Dec. 28, 1858, married Ellen Landis; John Martin, born Dec. 4, 1861, married Frances LaCroix; David Franklin, born Feb. 2, 1867, married Luella Ethel Gaff; Wallace Burton, born May 1, 1870, married Marguerite Steel; Nancy May, born Feb. 14, 1876, died when three years of age; Joseph Alandis, born Aug. 18, 1878 died when five weeks old; Amy Sophia, b. Dec. 5, 1885. The fine modern residence, No. 14 High street, which is the home of the family, was built by Mr. Bricker in 1873.      Our subject is a member of the Republican party, and holds an honorable place in the esteem of his fellow citizens, which, in recognition of his worth, have elevated him to positions of responsibility. He has been a trustee of the township for the past two years, in which capacity he is still serving; has been a member of the town council for five years; and trustee of the Forest Home Cemetery Association since its organization. He was one of the organizers of the association, and one to assist in laying out the lots of the cemetery. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of the United Brethren, in which they are active and zealous workers. Mr. Bricker was a liberal contributor toward the new church edifice, and, with his wonted activity in the advance of a good cause, was one of the agitators and instigators of the movements that resulted in the erection of this fine structure. He was largely instrumental in securing subscriptions, amounting to between seven thousand and eight thousand dollars, preliminary to the inception of the work in June, 1891. He was appointed general superintendent and manager of the erection of the church, and devoted the whole season to the duties thus entrusted to him, proving an efficient supervisor. The work was successfully completed at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars, and on the 3d of April, 1892, the edifice was dedicated. The main auditorium has a seating capacity of about seven hundred. The contributions of Mr. Bricker and his sons toward the work amounted to about twelve hundred dollars, seven hundred and forty dollars of which was given by Mr. Bricker. He has been a member of the Church since 1866; Sunday-school superintendent at different times during the past twenty years, treasurer twenty years, and trustee throughout the whole of his membership. Mrs. Bricker is president and treasurer of the Missionary Society of the Church, and a member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 582   JONATHAN P. BUFFINGTON.  In reviewing the lives of citizens of Defiance county in a volume of this nature, none more properly finds a place in its pages than the honored citizen and representative business man whose name opens this brief biographical notice.      Mr. Buffington is descended from a sturdy, honest and God-fearing stock, remotely natives of England and members of the Society of Friends, who formed part of the colony that came with William Penn and founded the city of Philadelphia, and the State of Pennsylvania.  There his ancestors were farmers, and with strong arms, industrious and steady habits, helped to lay the foundation of a mighty nation.  The ancestral home of the Buffington family was in Brandywine township, Chester county, and on Brandywine creek, of that township, James Buffington, grandfather of our subject, owned and operated a farm which covered part of the ground on which the Revolutionary "Battle of Brandywine" was fought.      Joshua Buffington, father of our subject, lived on and operated the old homestead for some four or five years after his marriage to Eliza Parks, also a descendant of the colony, who came with William Penn, and a daughter of Joseph Parks.  Joshua Buffington, with his family, migrated west in 1832, and located on a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Salem township, Champaign county, Ohio; this farm he improved until it was known as one of the best Ohio.  He afterward bought a farm at West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, to which he removed and lived on until his death in 1884, when he was aged seventy-seven; his wife died in Salem township in 1859, aged fifty-seven years.  They had a family of nine children, and left six living children, named as follows:  Jonathan P., our subject; Anna, who married William Johnson, and died at Spring Valley, Illinois; Caroline, who married Samuel Cowgill, and died in Champaign county, Ohio; Sarah, now deceased, never married; Jacob, who married, and is a citizen of Bement, Illinois; and John, who married, and lives at North Baltimore, Ohio.      Jonathan P. Buffington was born Nov. 12, 1828, on the old homestead of the family in Brandywine township, and was therefore four years old when his parents moved to Ohio.  He was reared a farmer boy, attending the neighborhood schools and the high school at Springfield, Ohio, and later his education was completed by a three years' attendance at Granville College, in Licking county, at which college he had as classmates and fellow students: George H. Williams, afterward district attorney of the United States for Oregon under President Grant; George R. Sage, now judge of the United States Court; George L. Converse, subsequently member of Congress; William H. Corwin, who became a prominent physician and was a son of Hon. "Tom" Corwin; besides others who became honored and prominent citizens.      On leaving college Mr. Buffington was twenty-three years of age, and he soon became engaged in buying and selling cattle.  In 1853 he removed to Defiance, Defiance county, Ohio, and engaged in the drug business in a store on First street, which he occupied for eight years, when he removed to his present store on Clinton street.  In 1854 he also established a drug store at Bryan, conducting both stores for two years, and they at that time had the distinction of being the only drug store in the three counties, Defiance, Williams and Paulding.  For forty-three years Mr. Buffington has conducted the drug business at Defiance, and for thirty-five years he has occupied his present store on Clinton street, and has for a longer time been continuously in the drug business than any other druggist between Toledo and Fort Wayne.      Mr. Buffington has for twenty-two years been a member of the M. E. Church, and in the building of St. Paul's M. E. Church edifice at Defiance he was a large contributor.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar.  Politically he was originally a Whig, and when the Whig party was merged into the Republican he went with his party and has always remained an advocate of the political principles represented by that party; both by means and influence he has been active in his party's interests in his county and vicinity.  He was chairman of the first Republican Judicial Convention ever held in the Northwest, which convened at Defiance, Ohio, in 1855, and represented six surrounding counties; was also chairman of the first Republican Legislative Convention held the same year.  At this convention every county had a candidate; but the delegates could not agree, and had started to go home without nominating a candidate, when Mr. Buffington arrested their attention by calling from a window to them and suggesting the name of a man who had not before been mentioned as a candidate - Judge Haymaker, of Brunersburg.  The name was unanimously accepted, the delegates returned to the hall, and Haymaker was nominated and duly elected.     During the nearly half century in which Mr. Buffington has made Defiance his home, a generously hospitality has always been extended to his friends, all being made welcome by his gentle and genial wife, and during this period he has taken a wide, unselfish and active interest in political and public affairs, numbering among his friends and acquaintances many prominent men in State and Nation, among whom may be mentioned; Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Governor of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury under President Lincoln's administration and Chief Justice of the United States; Hon. James A. Garfield, member of Congress and President of the United States, accompanying both of these distinguished men in their campaigns through this section of Ohio.  He formed a strong affection and love for Mr. Garfield, whom he described as one of the most lovable and companionable of men, and in whose behalf Mr. Buffington, for the first and only time, struck a fellow man, who during Garfield's speech repeatedly insulted him (Garfield) by calling him a liar; Mr. Buffington, who stood by the man's side, could not restrain himself, and knocked the fellow down.  Mr. Buffington was associated in different campaigns with Honorable Columbus Delano, General James Ashley and many others.  One notable trip was taken with Salmon P. Chase, from Defiance to Antwerp (eighteen miles through rainy, disagreeable weather), where Mr. Chase was to speak; they secured a canoe or pirogue, a pair of horses and a driver, which towed them on the canal, arrived at Antwerp at twelve noon, took dinner at the little hotel, and left to return about four o'clock, but on arriving within three miles of Defiance, at Schooly's lock, the canoe got fast and the team gave out, compelling the party to abandon the boat and walk through the rain and mud to Defiance, where they arrived a little after midnight.  By invitation Mr. Buffington dined with Mr. Chase the next day at his hotel; the trip and other political matters were discussed, but neither gentleman suffered from the previous day's exposure.      In 1857 Mr. Buffington was married to Harriet C. Piper, of Clifton Springs, New York, and they have three children:  (1) Florence M., who married J. D. Lamb, an attorney at Defiance, and has two daughters and one son; (2) Mary Alice; and (3) Carie Edna, at home.      During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Buffington was warmly loyal to the Union cause.  He was secretary of the military committee of Defiance county through the entire war; was deputy United States provost marshal for the Northern District of Ohio, and assisted largely in raising two companies of men for the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and one company for the Thirty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He never applied for any compensation for his services, but after the war the government, through their bookkeeping and accounts, discovered that compensation was due him, and the amount was sent, though through no solicitation on his part.  Mr. Buffington has been identified with the business interests of Defiance in different ways:  was formerly a director of the Merchant's National Bank, and is a stockholder in the Turnbull Wagon Works.  He resides on the northeast corner of Jefferson and Second Streets, Defiance, in a spacious house built by himself in 1877-78.  It is one of the most convenient and desirable residence sites in the city. Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton - Publ. 1899 - Page 38

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