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Biographies
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source :
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, OHIO
and Representative Citizens
Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton, Celina, Ohio
Published by Biographical Publishing Co.
Chicago, Illinois
1907
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EDWARD
LANDFAIR, who for six years served the village of
Celina as mayor, is one of Mercer County's prominent citizens.
He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1845, and was about
six years old when his parents' moved to Washington township,
Mercer County, settling on a farm in the woods.
Edward remained at home, giving assistance to his
father in clearing up the farm, until he was about 17 years of
age, when he went back to Fairfield County and for a time
engaged there in farm work. In the meantime he took advantage
of every opportunity to secure an education and when about 20
years of age returned to Mercer County and for a time taught
school during the winters and attended school as much as
possible, during the summers. He thus became very well known
and in 1870, when he came to Celina, he was invited to take
charge of the village schools. During the four years that he
remained at their head, they made great advances. He was too
intelligent a man not to be interested also in public affairs
and became something of a politician. In 1868 he was appointed
a member of the County Board of School Examiners, a position
he held for 17 consecutive years. In 1871 Mr.
Landfair was elected recorder of Mercer County and served
in that position for six years. In 1881 he was elected clerk
of the courts of Mercer County and assumed the duties of the
office in 1882, which office he held for six years, being
twice re-elected. From 1899 until 1903 he was mayor of Celina.
Since retiring from public life, Mr. Landfair
has been in the loan and investment business.
In 1868 Mr. Landfair was married to
Adarene Blake, who died in April, 1903, leaving one
son, Robert B. The
latter was educated in the schools at Celina and Lexington,
then studied law, was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School
and was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Ohio
at Columbus, all this before he had reached his majority. He
is one of the successful young law practitioners at Celina.
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Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 685 |
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ROBERT
B. LANDFAIR, one of the younger members of the Celina
bar, was born, reared and educated at Celina. He is a graduate
of the Cincinnati Law School, and commenced the practice of
the law at Celina, where he has won the distinction of being
one of the ablest advocates at the bar. Mr. Landfair
is recognized as being a skillful trial lawyer, well versed in
the law; he handles his cases with ease and skill.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 252 |
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JOHN
HENRY LANGE, a prominent and prosperous farmer of
Granville township, who owns a fine farm of 350 acres of
land in section 29, in two tracts, separated by the Lauber
turnpike, 240 acres being in one and 110 in the other, was
born on the Lange homestead, in Granville township,
Mercer County, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1855. He is a son of
John Henry and Elizabeth (Overman) Lange.
John Henry Lange, Sr., was born in Germany and at
the age of 19 years came to America. His parents,
Henry and Mary Lange, were willing that their son should
try his fortune in the land across the ocean, but they were
poor and it took a large amount of money to pay his passage.
They went to every extreme in order to secure the amount,
even to selling the family cow. Later he assisted them
to join him in America. When he landed in the great
American metropolis of New York, he had just 50 cents in his
pocket! It did not take him long, however, to find
employment, but the work was the carrying of iron and after
laboring for three days his shoulder became so sore that, in
spite of what he considered fabulous pay, he was obliged to
give it up. In Germany he had received $19 a year for
his work, while the great iron company paid him $2 a day.
He then went to Cincinnati and became acquainted with a
contractor, who employed him during the summer in
excavating. During the winter he went into the woods
and cut cord wood, with his two partners camping out and
doing their own cooking. Later he went into the
excavating business as a contractor and filled out a
railroad contract between Minister and Cincinnati.
After this he bought 80 acres of land in Granville township,
Mercer County, on which he built a log house which provided
shelter until he could erect a better one, which latter one
is still standing. A man of his energy and
perseverance could not help being successful. He
acquired and sold large tracts of land, handling over 1,000
acres in his tie. He died on his farm on Apr. 23,
1879.
During his residence in Cincinnati, he married
Elizabeth Overman, who was born in Germany and came to
America with her parents when she was six years of age.
She died in Granville township, Feb. 12, 1894. They
had eight children, namely: Bernardina, who married
J. H. Hulsman and lives at St. Henry; Anna,
who married Anton Lammers, and lives at St. Henry;
Mary, who married G. H. Moeller, and lives at St.
Henry; Elizabeth, deceased in infancy; John
Henry; John Herman, living on the home place, who
married (first) Mary Morman, and (second)
Elizabeth Dabbelt; Elizabeth (2), deceased, who was the
wife of Bernard Borger; and Frank, who married
Mary Steinlage, and lives near our subject.
John Henry Lange bears his father's name.
He continued to work the home farm, after finishing his
schooling in the district schools, until he was married and
ready to establish his own home. He had already
secured 80 acres from his father and this he cleared, living
on it, and later bought 30 acres from Paul Henry
Hemmelgarn, and, still later, 120 acres from the
Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, and subsequently 40
acres more from the same organization. Later he
purchased 80 acres from Fred Beimel and still late
purchased 107 acres in Darke County, Ohio, making his total
possessions amount to 457.
In 1881 Mr. Lange built his comfortable,
nine-room, frame residence and continued to add improvements
of various kinds to the homestead. In 1893 gas was
found on his farm and later oil was also discovered.
Mr. Lange has often heard his father tell of the
wild condition of the country when he first settled here.
On many occasions he had to drive deer out of his wheat
field. He raised flax and kept sheep for the wool,
which the women of the household spun and then wove into
fabrics, with which they made the clothing for the family.
They were accustomed to go to church in wooden shoes.
At first they went 40 miles with their grist to secure flour
for bread.
On May 24, 1881, Mr. Lange was married to
Frances Drahman, a daughter of Bernard and Mary
(Hemmelgarn) Drahman, who were born in Germany and died
at St. Henry. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Drahman
were: Henry; Bernardina, deceased, who was the
wife of William Grave; Anna, who was a nun in a
convent at Brooklyn, New York, where she died in 1892;
Theresa, wife of Joseph Macke; John; Elizabeth, deceased,
who was the wife of Martin Schoeneberger; Joseph;
Frances; Bernard, who died aged 14 years; and Mary,
who died aged seven years.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lange were:
Rosalia who is the wife of Andrew Evers
and a resident of Butler township; Joseph; Theresa;
Amelia; Ludwig; Bernard; Henry; Albert; Ferdinand and
Otilia, both deceased; and Ludvina. Mr. Lange
and family belong to St. Henry's Catholic Church at St.
Henry. In politics he is a Democrat.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 460 |
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JOHN
H. LAUDAHN, general merchant and prominent citizen at
Hinton, and the owner of a good farm of 40 acres in Liberty
township, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, April 28, 1867,
and is a son of John and Sophia (Bader) Laudahn.
Our subject was 15 years of age when he accompanied his
parents to Ohio. They resided in Auglaize County from 1872
until 1882, when they came to Mercer County and settled in
Liberty township. The father died in 1893, but the mother
still survives and resides with her son.
Prior to entering into his mercantile business at
Hinton, Mr. Laudahn followed farming. This industry he
still carries on in addition to his other business. For some
years he was postmaster at this point. He conducts a general
store and carries a sufficient stock to fill the demands of
local trade.
In 1881, Mr. Laudahn was married to
Salena Preshun, and they have five children,
namely: Cora Sophia, Fred William, Frank H., Lesetta
S. and John P. Politically Mr. Laudahn is a
Republican. He belongs to the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 633 |
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JACOB
LEININGER, a most highly esteemed resident of Liberty
township and one of the old settlers of this locality, resides
on his valuable farm of 160 acres, on which he located more
than 50 years ago. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, November
11, 1832, and is a son of John and Margaret Leininger.
The parents of our subject were born in Alsace, now a part of
the German Empire, and came to America about 1826, locating in
Stark County, Ohio, where they lived until 1833, when they
removed to Mercer County. They were early settlers in
Washington township and there 'they spent the rest of their
lives.
Jacob Leininger was reared in Washington
township and his school opportunities were only those afforded
by the pioneer schools of the time. When he came to Liberty
township the native timber still stood on his present farm and
years of hard work ensued before the land was entirely
cleared. It is now a fine property, valuable from every point
of view.
Mr. Leininger was married in young manhood to
Catherine Kettenring, who was born in Germany and is a
daughter of Henry. Kettenring, who brought his family
to America when Mrs. Leininger was a child and settled
in Holmes County, Ohio. At a later date the family moved to
Washington township, Mercer County, where Mrs. Leininger
was married. To this union 10 children were born and eight of
these are still living, as follows: Margaret, widow of
Frederick Betzel, residing at Fort Wayne, Indiana;
Theobald, of Black Creek township; Christina, wife
of Andrew Harb, of Black Creek township;
William H., also of Black Creek township; Mary,
wife of Frederick Schaadt, of Van Wert County;
John, residing on his father's farm; Phebe, wife of
Henry Brehm, of Liberty township; and George S.,
of Black Creek township.
Mr. Leininger is one of the substantial
members of the Democratic party in Liberty township. The only
office he has ever accepted has been that of township trustee.
For many years he has been a member of St. Paul's Evangelical
Church. He is one of the township's representative men.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 619 |
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SEBASTIAN
LEISTNER, a representative citizen of Rockford, was
born in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, March 1, 1844, and is a
son of John Andrew and Barbara (Leistner) Leistner.
John A. Leistner and wife, who were natives of
Bavaria, Germany, came to this country when young and settled
in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio. They were married in 1836 at
Trenton and in 1853 moved to Mercer County, locating in Black
Creek township, where Mr. Leistner entered 240
acres of land north of Chattanooga and placed the same under
cultivation, making this his place of residence until his
death, which occurred in August, 1894. Three sons and one
daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner; John,
a resident of Chattanooga, who is engaged in farming;
Barbara, who married William Adams and died
October 22, 1892; Andrew, residing in Chattanooga where
he owns a farm; and Sebastian, the subject of this
sketch. Mrs. Leistner died November 11, 1892.
Sebastian Leistner
spent his early childhood days in Trenton, Butler County,
Ohio, and when he was nine years old his parents moved to
Mercer County, where he was reared and educated. Mr.
Leistner offered his service to the government at the
outbreak of the Civil War, but was rejected on account of his
youth and his inability to pass the physical examination.
Mr. Leistner owns two farms in Black Creek
township.
Mr. Leistner was married January 13,
1867, to Mary Ann Knight, a daughter of
Peter Knight. Her parents, who were natives of
Pennsylvania, settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, when she was
quite small. Later they entered and settled upon land in Black
Creek township, Mercer County, Ohio. Three children, were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner: Augusta, wife of John L.
Davidson, of Van Wert, who is engaged in railroading;
Annie E., who married Harry Rutledge and resides on
a farm in Black Creek township; and William Andrew,
who married Bell Cook and resides in Rockford.
Mrs. Leistner died August 21, 1897. In 1899 our
subject retired from farm life, taking up his residence in
Rockford, where he purchased the house in which he now
resides. .Recently he built a house on the lot adjoining.
Mr. Leistner's second marriage was with Mrs.
Mary Williams, a daughter of Joab and
Sevilla Borton. She had two children by her
first marriage: John Williams, who married
Grace Stober and resides in Black Creek township;
Ada, who married Clarence Skinner and
resides in Lima, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Leistner are
both members of the United Brethren Church at Rockford.
Politically, he is a Republican.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 622 |
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PETER LINN,
a prominent citizen of Liberty township and a member of the
Board of County Commissioner, resides on his finely improved
farm of 80 acres, which he has placed under a fine state of
cultivation. Mr. Linn was born in Bavaria,
Germany, Mar. 4, 1859, and is a son of Philip and Gertrude
(Fuchs) Linn.
The parents of Mr. Linn were also natives of
Bavaria. His mother died when he was 11 years of age
and he was 14 years old when his father brought the children
to America and settled in Liberty township, Mercer County,
Ohio. Two years later the father went back to Germany,
where he died.
Peter Linn grew to manhood in Mercer County.
The schooling he had received in Bavaria was supplemented by
that he obtained in Liberty township, and as a large part of
his life has been spent among intelligent people and as he
has held important offices in his neighborhood, in the
discharge of the duties of which offices he has been obliged
to use great good judgment, Mr. Linn may be fairly
considered one of the best informed men of his locality.
He has resided upon his present farm since 1882.
In 1881 Mr. Linn was married to Caroline
Menchofer, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio,
and they have had six children, namely: Mary, who
died aged two months; Saloma, Adrienne, Annie, Bertha
and Walter.
Politically Mr. Linn is identified with the
Democratic party. For three years he was a trustee of
Liberty township, of which he has also been land appraiser.
In the fall of 1902 he was elected county commissioner and
entered upon the duties of this important office in
September, 1903, and is still serving, having been reelected
in the fall of 1905. He is a member of the Lutheran
Church. He stands as one of the representative
citizens of his township and personally is held in high
esteem.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 565 |
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AARON
MORTEN LOWRY, one of the largest landholders of
Gibson township, owning 400 acres of County line in Darke
County, was born in Jefferson County, New York, May 14,
1823, and is a son of Benajah and Philena (Grinnel) Lowry,
both natives of New York State, who died in Gibson township,
Mercer County.
Aaron M. Lowry spent his early boyhood
days in New York State, and when 15 years old accompanied
his parents to Ohio. They located in Clark County,
where they remained until 1860. Our subject remained
in Clark County one year after the removal of his parents to
Mercer County. While in that county he was engaged in
carpentering for a number of years. In 1861, in
company with his wife and two children, he moved to Mercer
County and located on a farm of 80 acres which he had
purchased in 1850. This land was all covered with
timber, which has since been cleared; many other
improvements have been made, including new buildings.
Mr. Lowry was married Nov. 1, 1854, in Clark
County, Ohio, to Elizabeth A. Bireley, and they have
had four children: William Henry, a sketch of whom
will be found in that work; Lyman Leslie, living on
the farm with his father, who married Elizabeth Ulner,
a daughter of Daniel Ulner, and has one child,
Ella; Sarah Elmaretta, who married Charles Hastings,
lives in the State of Washington and has three children
- Anna, Sherman and Eva; and a child that died
in infancy. In politics Mr. Lowry is a
Republican.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 690 |
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HENRY
M. LOWRY, one of the pioneers of Mercer county, Ohio,
was born in Lorraine, Jefferson county, N. Y., May 23, 1827,
and is a son of BENEJAH LOWRY, who was
one of the early pioneers of Clarke county, Ohio. On
his father's side of the family the subject of this sketch
is of English ancestry, while on his mother's side he is of
Irish stock. His mother whose maiden name was
Philena
Grinell, was born
near Schenectady, N. Y., June 7, 1796, and was married
to Mr. Lowry, Mar. 3, 1819.
Benejah Lowry, father of the subject, was born
in Lorraine, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1796, and served his country as
a soldier in the war of 1812. He and his wife were the
parents of seven children, as follows: Betsey C.,
born Dec. 11, 1819; Electa L., born Sept. 12, 1821,
and died in infancy; Aaron M., born May 14, 1823;
John M., born Apr. 22, 1826; Henry M., born May
23, 1827; Thaddeus M., born Mar. 29, 1829, and
Asenath L., born Apr. 18, 1834. The mother of
these children had previously been married to a Mr. Shaw,
by whom she had one son, Alva B. In 1838
Benajah Lowry moved with his family to Ohio, settled in
Clarke county, and was engaged in the mercantile business
for some years at Vienna Cross Roads. In the spring of
1854 he removed to Mercer county, bought land in Gibson
township, and there made a home. His death occurred in
this county in September, 1878. He was a hardworking
industrious man, in politics a republican, and highly
respected by all that knew him.
Henry M. Lowry, the subject, received but a
limited education, and began working for himself when
fourteen years of age. He began to learn the saddler's
trade in Vienna, Clarke county, when about sixteen years
old, and continued to follow that trade for three years.
Not liking his trade, he followed farming, and was married,
the first time, in butler county, Ohio, to Olive J.
Barnhart, who died eight months after marriage.
Mr. Lowry removed to Mercer county in 1851, bought part
of his present farm, then consisting of eighty acres of
woodland, which, by diligent labor, he cleared and converted
into a good farm, and home. He married, for his second
wife, Margaret Grant, a widow, whose maiden name was
Replogle, and who was born in Germantown, Ohio, June
26, 1826, and was a daughter of Philip and Betsey (Grosard)
Replogle. Her father was of sturdy
Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and a farmer by occupation.
He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children,
eleven of whom lived to the age of maturity, as follows;
Katie, John, Frederick, Susan, Philip, Betsey, Nancy,
Jacob, Mary, Margaret and Sallie. Polly
died when she was fifteen years of age, the rest dying still
younger.
Philip Replogle was a cooper as well as a
farmer, and in 1834 removed to Darke county, becoming one of
the earliest of its pioneers, long before the Indians left
the country. He was the first settler at Rose Hill,
and there entered eighty acres of land, his nearest neighbor
being nearly four miles away. He was a great hunter,
and killed many deer, turkeys, wolves, wild cats, and bears.
He was also a famous bee hunter and found in all fifty-seven
bee trees. Mr. Replogle was known far and wide
as a straightforward, honorable man, a good citizen, and was
highly respected by all, dying when he was fifty-six years
of age. He and his wife were members of the United
Brethren church, and in early days the meetings were held in
his house.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowry, after their marriage,
settled on their present farm and worked with great industry
and faithfulness to make a good home for themselves and
their family. At first Mr. Lowry erected a log
cabin, and improved his farm, later erecting a good frame
house and now has a comfortable home. to Mr. and
Mrs. Lowry there have been born four children, as
follows: Francis M.; Rosetta, who died
when seventeen years of age; Elnora, and Violetta.
Mrs. Lowry had been married to Alexander Grant, a
pioneer of Mercer county, Ohio, for fuller reference to whom
the reader is referred to the biography of James Z. Mott,
elsewhere in this volume. By Mr. Grant she was
the mother of two children, Sarah L. and Mary E.
Mr. and Mrs. Lowry are both members of the
Christian church, and in politics Mr. Lowry is a
republican. He has served as member of the school
board and as supervisor. Having been an industrious,
hard-working man, and a careful manager, he has prospered
beyond the average citizen, and owns a good farm of 180
acres of land, and his son, Francis M., who is a
single man, owns 133 acres. The family is among the
most highly respected in the county, standing high in every
respect. The daughter, Sarah Louisa, although
reared when schools were poor, is well educated, mainly
through her own efforts, and has been a school-teacher in
the county. All are industrious, moral and religious,
and stand socially high among their fellow citizens.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 414 |
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WILLIAM
HENRY LOWRY, a well-known business man of Fort
Recovery, was born in Clark County, Ohio, near Springfield,
April 1, 1856, and is a son of Aaron Morton and Elizabeth
(Byrely) Lowry.
Aaron Morton Lowry, who was a native of New York
State, came to Clark County, Ohio, with his father,
Benjamin Lowry, when a boy. Benjamin
Lowry moved to Mercer County with his family in i860 and
settled on. a farm in Gibson township, where he still resides.
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Morton Lowry became the parents of
three children, namely: William Henry, the
subject of this sketch; Leslie, who lives in Gibson
township, and Elmaretta, who married Charles
Hastings and lives in Merritt, Washington.
William Henry Lowry came to Gibson township,
Mercer County, Ohio, with his parents when five years old.
Here he was reared, obtaining his education in the district
schools. In 1884 Mr. Lowry moved to Fort
Recovery, where he has been engaged in the live-stock
business, buying, selling and shipping stock. He is also a
contractor, building gravel roads and is now engaged in
building 24 miles of road in Wells County, Indiana. Mr.
Lowry owns a great deal of land, having 330 acres of
farm land in three different counties—Mercer and Darke
counties, Ohio, and Jay County, Indiana. Mr. Lowry
resides in a large brick house in Fort Recovery, which he
erected in 1907, and where he has since made his home. He has
been married twice; first, in 1880, to Anna Hunter,
a daughter of Robert Hunter; they had one child,
Harry. Mrs. Lowry died in 1883. His
second marriage took place in November, 1890, to Katherine
Flaherty, a daughter of Thomas Flaherty. They
have had two children: Donna and Victor.
In 1893 Mr. Lowry was elected county
commissioner on the Independent ticket. He was nominated
against his wishes and made no fight to win the office, but
was elected and served three years. He is a Mason and is a
member of Portland (Indiana) Lodge, B. P. O. E.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 638 |
| |
J. FRANK LUMB, who for a
period of more than 28 years past has held a professorship
in the Ohio State School for the Blind at Columbus, resides
at his beautiful country home, "White Hall," in Center
township, Mercer County.
Mr. Lumb was born at St. Mary's, Auglaize
County, Ohio, Aug. 9, 1854, and is a son of John and Mary
(McKinnie) Lumb and a grandson of Abram Lumb, who
was the first of the family in the United States, locating
at Zanesville, Ohio, where he was prominent as a woolen
manufacturer. Abram Lumb, who was a near
relative of the Duke of Wellington, came from Yorkshire,
England.
John Lumb, father of our subject was born in
Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, and supplemented a
common-school education with a course in Dennison University
at Granville, Ohio. He then engaged in teaching a
number of years. Subsequently he moved to Dayton,
Ohio, thence to St. Marys, where he opened what was known as
the "lock Store" on the bank of the canal. In 1854 he
came to Center township, Mercer County, and purchased what
has since been known as the Lumb farm. Here he
lived until his death, Jan. 17, 1897, at the good old age of
82 years. His wife's death followed in October of the
same year. His wife, Mary McKinnie in maiden
life, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and was a daughter of
Josiah and Elizabeth (Smelzer) McKinnie, the former of
Highland Scotch parentage and the latter of Pennsylvania,
locating in Zanesville, where he rose to prominence as a
citizen and merchant, being regarded as a leader who shaped
the policies and largely directed the affairs of that city.
Mr. and Mrs. John Lumb became the parents of the
following children: Robert, who died in Andersonville
Prison in July, 1863; Abram, who lives on the home
farm with our subject; John H., who died at an early
age; Mary, who died at three years of age; Julius,
who died aged six years; and J. Frank. John
Lumb was a Republican in politics, but never aspired to
political preferment. He and his wife were members of
the Baptist Church at Neptune.
J. Frank Lumb was six weeks old when brought by
his parents to Center township, and his present farm has
been his home ever since. He was reared here and
entered school at the age of six years. He was
permitted to enjoy but three years of school life in the
manner of the average boy, for at the age of nine years he
was stricken with blindness as a result of scarlet fever.
At the age of 12 years he entered the Ohio State School for
the Blind at Columbus, from which he was graduated in June,
1874. He then entered Ohio Wesleyan University at
Delaware, Ohio, in the meantime teaching music throughout
Mercer and Van Wert counties during his vacations. On
June 19, 1878, he accepted a position as teacher in the
primary department of the Ohio State School for the Blind,
and has since been identified with this institution, having
in June, 1906, been selected for the 29th consecutive term.
At the present time he is serving as professor of history
and literature. During the administration of
Governor Campbell, he was tendered the
superintendency of the institution and was strongly urged to
accept by the governor, whose personal friend he was, but he
declined as the additional duties would have prevented his
giving his usual attention to his aged parents, who always
came first in his mind and heart. It was for them that
he built, in 1884, one of the largest and most beautiful
country homes in Mercer County, planning the details of its
construction and arrangement himself, and even planning the
beautiful lawn with its walks, trees and shrubbery.
The house contains 10 rooms of unusual size, which are
finished in hardwood - some in walnut, others in cherry and
some in white ash. His mother's room is sacredly kept
the same in furnishings and arrangement as it was during her
lifetime. The faculty of the institution gave Mr.
Lumb's country residence the name of "White Hall," after
that of Cardinal Wolsey, the English statesman,
because of a certain similarity in the two men. Mr.
Lumb was undoubtedly due for appointment as
superintendent of the school by Governor Pattison in
1906, but the Governor was cut short in his great career
before the appointment was made. Mr. Lumb has
made it a rule to return to his country home at least once a
month, has never missed voting at a State or National
election, and has missed but two local elections during the
28 years he has taught in Columbus. Some yeas ago in a
public address he made the statement that his trips to and
from Columbus represented over 50,000 miles of travel, or
more than twice the circumstances of the world. At the
present time it would be nearly three times the distance
around the world.
Mr. Lumb was married in May, 1901, to Lucy A.
Ziegler, of Columbus, Ohio, where she had taught first
in the public schools and later in the State School for the
Blind. She was born and reared in that city and is a
daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Bugh) Ziegler.
Politically, Mr. Lumb is a stalwart Democrat.
He has been a candidate for office but once. At the
death of Judge Beckman, he became a candidate for the
office of probate judge but withdrew before the election,
because of the serious illness of his mother, who died
shortly afterward. Religiously Mr. Lumb is a
member of the Congregational Church. He is a member of
Celina Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Lumb
has but one wish to express, and that is to return to "White
Hall" when his public life is ended, and spend his declining
years in the happy companionship of his estimable wife and
his lifelong friends.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 417 |
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JOHN
JOSEPH LUTHMANN, one of Butler township's prosperous
agriculturists, who resides on a highly-cultivated farm on
80 acres located in section I, was born at Egypt, Auglaize
County, Ohio, March 23, 1861, and is a son of John C. and
Mary Luthmann.
John C. Luthmann was born in Germany. He was a
school teacher prior to and after coming to America.
He located in Auglaize County, Ohio, and taught for some
time at Wapakoneta and at Egypt. He died Aug. 16,
1894, near Minster, leaving a farm in 149 acres in Adams
County, Indiana.
John J. Luthmann was reared in Auglaize County.
In 1884 he went to Adams County, Indiana, to cultivate the
land left by his father, and acquired a farm of 69 acres in
Adams County, which he sold in 1898, when he purchased his
present farm in Butler township. In 1901 he built a
large frame house and barn; he has made other necessary
improvements.
Mr. Luthmannwas married (first) in 1884 to Dora
Deneka, of Adams County, who died 22 months later.
He was married (second) in 1886 to Tracy Robin, who
died 13 months after marriage. They had one child,
Casper, who died at the age of 10 months. Mr.
Luthmann was married Oct. 16, 1900, aged 11 years.
Mr. Luthmann and his wife are members of the Catholic
Church.
Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S. Scranton,
Celina, Ohio - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.,
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 - Page 527 |
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