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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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Genealogy Express
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Welcome to
PUTNAM COUNTY,
OHIO
History & Genealogy
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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Putnam County, Ohio,
by George D. Kinder,
Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc.,
Indianapolis, Indiana
1915
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX PAGE >
MR. & MRS.
GEORGE HENRY BELL |
GEORGE
HENRY BACH.
All of the German citizens,
who have made Putnam county their home, have been
unusually successful in whatever line of activity
they have chosen to engage. George Henry
Bach, one of the many farmers of this county who
was born in Germany, has accumulated a farm of one
hundred and thirty-eight acres in Riley township
thought his own hard work and good management.
While he has been accumulating a comfortable
competence for himself and family, he has also taken
an active part in the civic life of the community
and has held various official positions, with honor
to himself and credit to this fellow citizens.
George Henry Bach, the son of John George and
Catherine (Becker) Bach, was born on Jan. 1,
1850, in Bavaria, Germany. His father, who was
a son of John Thomas Bach and wife,
was born in Bavaria on Feb. 7, 1821, and came to
America in January, 1851.
John George Bach was married in Germany and
three of his children, including George Henry,
were born in the Fatherland. He first settled
in New Jersey, and two years later moved with his
family to Hancock county, where he located in
Arcadia. There he leased a few acres of land,
which he cleared for the rental. He later
rented a couple of farms and, after about eight
years, moved to Van Buren township, Putnam county,
Ohio, where he arrived on April 10, 1861. He
bought forty acres of farm land, which he cleared,
and later added eighty acres more. John
Thomas Bach and wife only lived in Ohio about
two or three years, and then returned to New Jersey,
where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Catherine Bach, the wife of John George,
died on July 4, 1868, she and her husband having
reared a family of eight children, Jacob, Mary,
George Henry, Thomas, William, Edward, Eva and
Daniel H. Jacob died at the age of ten
and Edward died at the age of seven.
John George Bach was married the second time to
Fredericka Mollenhaner, in 1872, a daughter
of Philip Mollenhamer, and to this second
union was born one son, Ludwig Berhard.
George Henry Bach was only one year of age when his
parents came from Germany to this country. He
received his early education in Hancock and Putnam
counties, and from his earliest boyhood worked on
his father's farm. He remained at his home
until he was twenty years of age and then worked for
two years in his home neighborhood. He next
went to Cleveland and worked for three years in a
dairy. He followed this with eight years' work
in Iowa. In that state he worked out for four
years, and then, with his brother, bought one
hundred and thirty-four acres, which he farmed for
four years. He then disposed of his interests
in the Iowa farm and returned to Putnam county,
Ohio, where he bought fifty-five acres near the old
home farm. To this he later added thirty-eight
acres adjoining, as well as forty-five acres hear
the village of Townwood. Mr. Bach has
been a very successful farmer, has given particular
attention to live stock raising, and has a fine herd
of Shorthorn and Polled-Durham cattle. This
farm is well improved, and under his skillful
management is yielding satisfactory returns year
after year.
Mr. Bach was married on Oct. 16, 1883, to
Sarah Catherine Smith, a daughter of Henry
and Albertina (Tegler) Smith. She was born
near Fostoria, Hancock county, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1856.
Her parents were born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and
came to America, about 1854, locating immediately in
Hancock county, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. Her father died there, Oct. 4,
1897, at the age of seventy-four years, and her
mother passed away, on Jan. 15, 1896, at the age of
sixty-seven years and four months. Mr. and
Mrs. Smith were the parents of seven children,
Sarah Catherine, William Frederick, George Henry,
Sophia Louisa, John Wilson, Mary Cordelia and
one who died in infancy. Mr. Bach and
his wife are the parents of four children,
Cordelia Elvira, Tena Alberta, Viola and
Viola and Katie L. Tena Alberta,
who died on Jan. 16, 1912, left her husband, John
W. Miller, with one daughter, Florence Edna.
The other three children are single and
still living with their parents.
Mr. Bach and his family are loyal members of the
Presbyterian church. He has served as trustee
of his denomination and is now an elder in the
church. He has given his support to the
Democratic party and has served on the school board
of his township. Mr. Bach is a man of
excellent character and is highly esteemed
throughout the community where he has made his home
for many years.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 368 |
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AUGUSTUS BACHTALL.
It is always a pleasure to record the life of
one who has lived wisely and well, but especially
gratifying is it to commemorate those who embody in
their character of sturdy qualities of famous
ancestry. To endure the hardships of pioneer
life required men and women of strong character and
resolute purpose, and fortunate indeed is he who
comes of such worthy stock. Such is
Augustus Bachtall, whose grandfather and uncle
fought under Napoleon, and those father served for
seven years in the French army.
Augustus Bachtall who is now living on a farm
near Ottawa, Ohio, was born in Stark county, this
state, no Feb. 13, 1849. He is the son of
Nicholas and Elizabeth (Kessler) Bachtall,
natives of Alsace-Lorraine, which was at the time of
their residence there a part of France
Both of Mr. Bachtall's grandparents on the
father's side were born and died in France.
Their children were Mathias, Fred, Catherine,
Elaine, John and Nicholas. The
grandfather was a soldier under Napoleon, as was
also John. who risked his life in the siege
of Moscow, and who witnessed the burning of that
historic city. While many of his compatriots
lost their lives he returned to France and lived to
be honored and aged. The grandparents of
Mr. Bachtall on teh maternal side, Joseph and
Elizabeth Kessler, came to America from
Alsace-Lorraine and settled on a farm of one hundred
and twenty acres in Carroll county, Ohio, where,
after living good and useful lives, they passed
away. Their family of eight children, while
born in the old country, came to America and took up
their residence in Carroll county, Ohio. These
were John, Philip, Michael, Charles, Louis, Mary,
Jacob and Elizabeth.
Nicholas Bachtall, father of the one of whom our
interest centers, was born on Sept. 5, 1812, in
Alsace, Loraine, and died on Aug. 20, 1895. He
received his early education in the old country,
and, true to his military ancestry honored his
country by army service for a period of seven years.
Coming to this country with his brothers and
sisters, who settled in Massillon county, Ohio, he
first worked at his trade of wagon making. In
1846 he was married to Elizabeth Kessler, the
ceremony taking place in Carroll county. The
pioneer instinct was too strong to permit him to be
content with a rented home, so nine years later, on
Apr. 25, 1855, he and his family moved to a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres two miles north of
Ottawa. After clearing the land he built a
splendid home, and engaged in successful farming
until his death in 1895. He was prominent in
local politics, being a Democrat, and during all of
his life attended the Catholic church.
Nicholas Bachtall was survived by seven
children, Augustus, Elizabeth,
Caroline, Mary, Leo, Addie
and Josephine. Augustus, in whom
we are especially interested, was six years old
when, with his parents, he left Stark county, Ohio,
and migrated to Putnam county. Anxious to
succeed as a farmer, the young man learned from his
father the secrets of successful agriculture.
He married Agnes Brendinghoff in 1886,
continuing to make his home on the farm with his
parents. Some years after the death of his
first wife Mr. Bachtall was married to Ella
Reardon. The second wife passed away in
1897. The children of this union were August,
born on Dec. 29, 1891; Carence, Oct. 29,
1896; and Mary E., May 29, 1893. The
eldest son, August, married Viola fry,
widow of John Fry, and her maiden name was
Viola Yager, the ceremony taking place in Nov.
1913. Only nineteen days after the birth of
their son, Erwin Clarence, who was born on
Sept. 3, 1914, the young wife died.
Augustus Bachtall and his son, August, Jr.,
are now living on a farm of one hundred and twelve
acres in Ottawa township. While the active
management of the farm is carried on by the younger
of the two Bachtells yet the experience of
the older man makes him a valuable assistant in
matters pertaining to agricultural enterprises.
Augustus Bachtell, Jr., is a young man
possessing just such sterling qualities as one
coming from a fighting ancestry would be expected to
possess. He is alert, ambitious and energetic.
His usual gaiety of spirits however, has been
married by the death of his young wife. Since
his six years of schooling in Ottawa, he, too, has
been engaged in farming. Like his father
Augustus Bachtall, Jr., has always been a
Democrat, and a life long member of the St. John's
Catholic Church at Glandorf.
While limiting his business activities to farming,
Mr. Bachtall did so in such a way as to become
well-known in his community, and to merit the
confidence and respect of those who knew him.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 809 |
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JOHN P. BAILEY.
John P. Bailey was born in Rockingham county,
Virginia, on Sept. 12, 1853. Laura Edgecomb,
to whom he was married, on Sept. 2, 1875, was born
in Allen county, Ohio, on July 16, 1855. The
children of John P. and Laura (Edgecomb) Bailey
are as follow: Arthur C., born on Aug.
17, 1876; died on Nov. 9, 1879; Maggie M.,
May 2, 1878, died on Oct. 5, 1880; Lena B.,
July 21, 1881; Bessie I., July 5, 1884;
George E.Aug. 16, 1886; Thayer E., July
8, 1890; Ralph E., Dec. 8, 1893, and Alva
E. Feb. 24, 1898, died on Feb. 10, 1914.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1023 |
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SQUIRE J.
BAKER.
A prominent and distinguished citizen of Bellmore,
Putnam county, Ohio, is Squire J. Baker, who has been a resident of
this county since the
spring of 1872. He has an unusual record as a soldier
of the Civil War
during which struggle he was captured by the
Confederates and held a
prisoner for one hundred and ten days. Since the
latter part of the seventies
he has been engaged in barbering in Bellmore, and
for more than forty years
has followed his trade in that place. Mr.
Baker has
been a curio and relic
hunter for more than half a century, and now has one
of the finest collections
of relics in the state of Ohio. He has taken a very
prominent part in the
civic life of his community, and has held various
official positions in a manner
which indicates that he is a man of more than
ordinary ability. He is one of
the most progressive and enterprising citizens of
his community, and has
never failed to give his hearty support to all
worthy measures which were calculated
to improve the community in any way.
Squire J. Baker, the son of John and Elma (Shinn) Baker, was born
Sydney, Ohio, on Oct. 19, 1842. His father was born in Rockingham
county, Virginia, on Sept. 9, 1815, and died on
Sept. 13 1896. John Baker was a son of
John C. Baker, a native of Germany, who came
to
America at an early age and located in Virginia,
where he married Mary Bush, a native of Virginia.
John C. Baker and wife
were the parents of
several children, Henry, Christopher,
John, Squire,
Jacob, Elizabeth, Polly and Lydia
Ann.
John Baker came to Ohio and located in Shelby county
with his parents
when he was a small boy, his father locating on
government land. In that
county John Baker attended the public
schools and on Oct. 4, 1837 was
married to Elma Shinn, of Warren county, Ohio. After
his marriage he
entered a tract of government land, which he farmed
until three or four years before his death, Sept. 13, 1896. In
addition to farming, John
Baker was a local minister in the Methodist
Episcopal church. He enlisted
in the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, but was rejected on account of his
physical condition. Elma Shinn, the mother of
Squire
J.
Baker, was born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, on,
July 3, 1816, and died on June 23, 1898. John
Baker and wife were the
parents of eleven children, Louis, who died at the age of two;
Mary
E., who died at the age
of thirty, of Bellmore; Martha Ann, the wife of a
Mr. Leonard, of Spencer,
Indiana; Diantha, who died at the age of thirty;
Mrs. Margaret Jane Stang;
Anna, of Shelby county, Ohio; Mrs. Manorah
Isabel Stutz, of Spencer,
Indiana; Delilah, who died at the age of fifteen;
William Webster, of Kansas
City, Missouri; Harvey Newton, of Toledo, Ohio, and
Sherman Grant,
of Dayton, Ohio.
Squire J. Baker was educated in the rude subscription
schools of his
home county, which were current in his day, although
he only received
about one year of schooling altogether, his father
splitting rails in order to
secure money to pay for this one year's education. However, his mother
was a well-educated woman, and he gained much of his
education at her
knee. He spent his boyhood on the old home place
and, at the age of eighteen enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Regiment, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and
served until the close of the war, with Generals
Grant and Sherman. His
regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Third
Division Seventeenth
Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, and among
other battles he participated
in the following: Hankinson's Ferry, Raymond,
Mississippi,
Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, Jackson, Baker's Creek,
Kenesaw Mountain,
Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy
Station, Savannah, Pocotaligo,
Orangeburg, Columbia, Cheraw, Bentonville and
Goldsborough. He
was captured at Brandon, Mississippi, and held
prisoner by the Confederates
for one hundred and ten days before he was finally
exchanged, when he
rejoined his regiment and served until the close of
the war, and was finally
mustered out of service at Washington, D. C, May 30,
1865.
After the close of the war, Mr. Baker returned to his
home in Sydney, Ohio, and helped his father on the old homestead. In the spring of 1867
he was married and began farming near Sydney, living
on a farm there until Apr. 2, 1872, on which date he moved to
Bellmore, Putnam county,
Ohio, where he worked in the timber for five years,
after which he^ opened
a barber shop in Bellmore and has been in this
business since that time.
The interesting career of Mr. Baker would not be
complete without
mention were made of his fine collection of relics
and curios. It is impossible
in this brief sketch to give a complete list of the
interesting articles which Mr. Baker has collected, but enough will be
mentioned to show the wide
variety of his collection. He has a tool made of
stone, shaped something like a whetstone, which the
Indians used as a hide dresser, which was
excavated from the Indian mounds on the Ohio river
above Cincinnati. He
has a line specimen of an Indian granite ax, and a
half dozen other stone
hammers and axes which he has picked up at various
places. Two other
interesting relics are shuttles which were used by the
Indians in weaving
fishing and trapping nets. These shuttles are flat
stones with two holes in
them, through which the deer thongs were passed. He
also has a numerous
and varied collection of arrow-heads of all sizes,
many of them significant of
certain tribes. He has a very rare and valuable
scalping-hawk, commonly
known as a tomahawk, which is fashioned like a
hatchet, except that the
hammer end of the hatchet is pointed in shape. This
interesting relic was
exhumed near Upper Sandusky, near the point where
Colonel Crawford
was burned at the stake by the Indians, and probably
this weapon was used in severing the scalp from some
unfortunate victim. An Indian pestle, fashioned from
stone, similar to that now used by a druggist, is
another interesting curio. It is about six
inches tall and from two and one-half to three
inches in diameter. This tool was used by the
Indians in grinding corn in a hollow stone or the
stump of a tree. A stone pipe which was once
in possession of some Wyandot Indian, is in the
collection of Mr. Baker, the pipe
having been found near the remains of an Indian who
had been buried in a sitting posture. A unique
powder-horn obtained from a rebel soldier by Mr.
Baker himself, is artfully carved into a perfect
horn, and the rebel soldier told Mr. Baker
that it was the handiwork of his own grandfather.
Mr. Baker has a splendid collection of Civil
War relics, included in which are bullets,
revolvers, army muskets, tools for repairing
muskets, an original package of cartridges which had
never been untied, and many other interesting
mementos of that terrible struggle. Not the
least interesting of his Civil War relics, is a
soldier's combination knife, fork and spoon, which
closes up like a pocket knife.
Mr. Baker has been twice married, his
first marriage occurring in the spring of 1867, when
he was united to Susan Caroline
Michael, and to this first union three children
were born, Frank, Minnie and John,
who died in infancy. In 1875 his first wife
died, and a few years later he married Mrs.
Delilah Vannator, the daughter of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Dye) Vannator, and to this
second union four children were born, Kitty
May, who died at the age of two; John C.,
who died when he was about two years old; Ethel,
the wife of A. G. Yaunce, of Cleveland, Ohio,
and Orville J., who is now living in
Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Baker has been a life-long
Republican, and has been the recipient of various
honors at the hands of his party. He has
served three terms as marshal of Bellmore, and seven
years as mayor. For eighteen years he held the
important position of notary public and during
Benjamin Harrison's, administration he
was postmaster of Bellmore. Mr.
Baker joined the Methodist Episcopal church when
he was fourteen years of age, and later in life
became a member of the Church of God, serving as an
elder in this denomination for some years.
Later in life he became affiliated with the
Evangelical church, to which he now gives his hearty
support. Mr. Baker has always been
prominent in the life of his community since he
became a resident of the village, and has taken a
conspicuous place as a leader and counselor in
matters pertaining to the progress and betterment of
the community.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1423 |
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THOMAS JEFFERSON
BAKER.
A prosperous farmer of Van Buren
township, Putnam county, Ohio, is Thomas
Jefferson Baker, where he has been a resident
for many years. Mr. Baker has
met with many discouragements in his life, yet
despite the many obstacles which he has met along
life's pathway, he ha maintained a cheerful spirit.
He has made several trips to California, where he
has always succeeded in recouping his losses in
Putnam county, in various ways. He and his
wife have reared a family of children and have given
them all excellent educations.
Thomas J. Baker, the son of George Adam and
Margaret (Weeks) Baker, was born near Van Buren,
Hancock County, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1847. His
father was born in 1822, in Fairfield county, Ohio,
a son of Charles Baker and wife.
Charles Baker was a native of Ohio and moved
from Fairfield to Hancock county in its early
history and entered government land, on which he
lived until his death. Charles Baker
owned three hundred and sixty acres of land, at the
time of his death, and each of his five children
received sixty acres from their father's estate. Charles
Baker and wife reared five children,
Hannah, the wife of Samuel Koggy;
George Adam, the father of Thomas J. Baker;
Solomon, Betsy, the wife of Steven
Warner, and one daughter who died in infancy.
Charles Baker lost his first wife when the
children were very young and he later married, but
only lived nine months after his second marriage,
leaving his children orphans. At that time,
George Adam Baker was only nine years of age and
he, and the rest of the children, were bound out
until they should become of age. George
went to live with a German family in Fairfield
county, and in this way learned to speak German.
He was taught the plasterer's trade and when a young
man of nineteen, married Margaret Weeks,
of Fairfield county. She was the daughter of
Nathan and Barbara (Corfman)
Wrecks, and was born in 1822, and died on
Sept. 5, 1913, at the age of ninety-one.
George Adam Baker and wife were
the parents of twelve children, Hannah, who
first married Cephus Gribble, and had
five children, and after her first husband's death,
married Willis Decker, and had one
child by her second marriage; Solomon, who
married Amanda Lehr, and had six
children; Nathan, who married Fromy
Miller; Thomas J., with whom this
narrative deals; Almeda, the wife of
Steward Skinner, and the mother of four
children; Benjamin, who married Seena
Busong, and has two children, one deceased;
George, who married Mary Warner,
and has five children; Malissa, who married
John Overholl, and had two children,
one dying in infancy; Elmira, deceased, who
was the wife of Louis Roberts,
deceased, and the mother of two children; Ella,
the wife of Ernest Newman, and the
mother of one child, who died in infancy; Clemmie,
who married Kate Kisel, and has nine
children; William, deceased.
George Adam Baker moved back to Hancock county,
after his marriage, and located on the old home
place near Van Buren. He had sixty acres which
he inherited from his father's estate, after which
he bought the share of property belonging to his
brother, Solomon, which gave him a farm of
one hundred and twenty acres. On this he lived
the remainder of his life, dying at the age of
forty-seven, in 1869. He was a man highly
esteemed in his community and was always concerned
in every movement which promised to better the
locality in which he lived.
Thomas J. Baker was educated in the common
schools of his boyhood days and helped his father on
the old homestead farm, in Hancock county, until he
was about twenty-three years of age. He then
took a trip to California, where he worked on a
ranch and served as a "Buck Ayr." He remained
in California a year and then returned to his home
in Hancock county, where he worked out by the month
'until he was twenty-nine years of age. He
then married, and immediately after his marriage,
moved to Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio,
and located on an eighty-acre farm four miles east
of Leipsic. He had bought this farm prior to
his marriage, and at the time he moved upon it,
there was only twelve acres cleared. He
struggled along on the farm for two or three years,
but not being able to make much money, he decided to
go "out West," where he felt that he could get good
wages. He left his little family with his
wife's parents and went to California, where he
again worked for the same man who had employed him
on his first trip to that state. He made good
wages and returned home with nearly enough money to
pay for his firm He remained on the farm for several
years, but his house burning down caused him a loss
of sixteen hundred dollars. Again he decided
that he would go to California and try to make
enough money to pay off his debt and build a new
home. He made the trip the third time and was
again successful and returned with enough money to
start in life anew under favorable circumstances,
and he has since made his home on the farm, and, in
addition to general farming, he has been very
successful in raising fruit and poultry. He is
an extensive poultry raiser and derives no small
part of his income from the sale of this product.
A very interesting story is apropos at this point.
It seems that when George Adam Baker, father
of Thomas J., came to Ohio, that they had no
chickens, so they bought a hen and chickens from a
neighbor. When these chickens became large
enough to crow, it seemed that they did not know
how. An Irish friend explained that the reason
why they did not crow, was because they did not know
how. There were no other roosters in the
neighborhood and the young cockerels had never heard
one of their kind crow. The Irishman
volunteered to teach them this art, and each morning
he went out early, clapped his hands, hopped on top
of a chicken coop and crowed. Strange as it
may seem, the Irishman taught the young roosters how
to crow, and thus the chicken industry started in
the Baker family.
Mr. Baker married Jennie Walker, a daughter of
Abraham and Mary Walker. She was born
in Wood county, Ohio, July 25, 1851, and died Apr.
1, 1908. Her parents were natives of New
Jersey. To this union five children have been
born, Nathan, who is a resident of Phoenix,
Arizona; Alva A., who married Loua
Eastman, and lives at Carmangay, Alberta,
Canada; William B., who married Lulu
Pendleton, farming the home farm; Ira E.,
who married Nona Pendleton, and makes
his home in Cleveland, Ohio; Charles E.,
married Miss Alta Cinder.
Mr. Baker is a Democrat in politics, but
has never been active in the councils of his party.
He has taken a great interest in the education of
his children, and has seen them all receive
excellent training in the public and normal schools,
as well as the universities of Ohio and Indiana.
After graduating from the Leipsic high school,
Alva later attended the Tri-State College at
Angola, Indiana. Nathan was a student
in the Ohio State University at Columbus. Ira
graduated from the Ottawa Business College, while
Charles E. is a graduate in music. Mrs.
Baker was a member of the Evangelical church,
while Mr. Baker is affiliated with the
United Brethren
denomination. Mr. Baker is a man
of genial impulses, kindly disposition and highly
esteemed in the neighborhood where he has made his
home so many years.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 546 |
| |
FRANK D. BALBAUGH.
The progress of Putnam county, Ohio, has been largely
due to the untiring struggle and success of the
German citizens who live in this county. Some
residents have come with their fathers to wild homes
in the great land of freedom; others have been born
in Putnam county after the arrival of their parents,
but all inhabitants born of German parents have
proved splendid citizens, interested in the welfare
of the community, loyal always to the country of
their adoption. An enterprising citizen of
Liberty township, of German descent, is Frank D.
Balbaugh, who has been a resident of the county
all his life.
Frank D. Balbaugh, the son of John P. and
Christiana (Meyers) Balbaugh, was born on Dec.
16, 1863, one-half mile north of Ottawa, Putnam
county, Ohio. John P. Balbaugh was a
native of Bavaria, Germany, and at the age of
eighteen years came to America, locating in Putnam
county shortly after coming here. He became a
farmer in Putnam county, where he first bought land
north of Ottawa, and later, in 1871, purchased land
northeast of Elm Center. This land, in those
early days, was all woods and water, with only a
little dead timber on it. Here John P.
Balbaugh built, a log house and started in to
make a home for himself and family in the
wilderness, and succeeded in developing a splendid
farm of eighty acres. Christina
Meyers came from France, at the age of two
years, with her German parents, who settled north of
Ottawa. John P. Balbaugh and wife both
died on the home farm near Elm Center; she in 1881,
and he in 1892. They were the parents of ten
children, of whom seven are living.
Frank D. Balbaugh has lived on the home place
since 1871, receiving his education in the schools
of his neighborhood. On Thanksgiving Day,
1896, he was married to Minnie Heynes,
the daughter of Frank and Anna M. (Schuler)
Heynes. She was born at Leipsic and reared
in that city. Her father was engaged in the
saloon business in Leipsic until a year before his
death. Frank Heynes was a native of
Germany and Anna M. Schuler was born at Avon,
Ohio, the daughter of Peter and Susan (Tisen)
Schuler, who were natives of Germany and who
lived near New Bavaria, Henry county, Ohio, until
their death.
Frank Heynes moved to Cincinnati, Ohio,
about 1887, and there his death occurred in 1889,
after which time his widow and Mrs.
Balbaugh lived in Scott county, Indiana, later
returning to Cincinnati, and still later moving to
Defiance, Ohio. Mrs. Heynes now
lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. To Frank D.
and Minnie (Heynes) Balbaugh
six children have been born, Gertie,
Alphonse, Harry, Emma, Frances
and Robert.
Frank D. Balbaugh now owns a splendid farm of
one hundred and twenty acres and is engaged in
operating this land. Mr. Balbaugh is a
member of the Democratic party, while he and his
family are devout members of the Catholic church.
They are held in high esteeem in the
community where they have lived for so many years.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1151 |
| |
GEORGE BALL.
There are few better known merchants and farmers living
in Putnam county than George Ball,
who, for nearly thirty years, has been engaged in
the mercantile business at North Creek, Ohio, and
who, for several years, has owned a splendid farm of
one hundred and sixty-seven acres in Palmer
township. Mr. Ball, who is in
partnership in the mercantile business at North
Creek with W. H. Engleman, has here built up
a large and flourishing business, which is the
result of painstaking effort to please his
customers, and scrupulous dealings with the public.
George Ball, the son of Ferdinand and Emaline
(Gross) Ball, was born on Oct. 24, 1857, in
Stark county, Ohio, near the city of Canton. Ferdinand
Ball was born on Aug. 25, 1825, in Germany, and
was the son of Barney and Mary M. Ball.
Ferdinand Ball came with his parents
to America when five years old, and settled with
them in Stark county, Ohio, where they were pioneer
farmers. He was reared on the farm, and was
one of nine children, the others being Barney,
George, Mathias, John,
Carohne, Eva, Mary and
Elizabeth, Magdalene and three others
whose names are not now a matter of record, all of
whom are now deceased, except Eva, Mary
and Elizabeth. Educated in the public
schools of Carroll and Seneca counties, Ohio,
Ferdinand Ball was married to Emaline
Gross, May 13, 1845, and having learned the
blacksmith trade before his marriage, came to be
regarded as an expert in this line. Migrating
with his parents to a farm in section 7, of Palmer
township, Putnam county, Ohio, Ferdinand
lived with them until their death. By hard and
consistent work, and rigorous economy, he was able,
from the profits of the farm and his labors as a
blacksmith, to accumulate two hundred acres of good
land, all in Palmer township. He also owned
forty acres in Monroe township. He passed away
on Jan. 16, 1910, after having reached the age of
eighty-five years. Devoted to the interests of
his family and his business, he cared little about
politics or holding office. He was a stanch
member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church at New
Bavaria, and donated the ground up which was erected
the church building. Mrs. Emahne
(Gross) Ball, the mother of our
subject, was born on June 10, 1831, near Luxemburg,
Germany, and who had come with her parents to
America when a girl, grew to womanhood in Stark
county, Ohio. A good mother, a kind and
patient wife, who did nobly her share toward
building up the family fortunes, she passed away,
Dec. 26, 1895. She also had been a member of
the Sacred Heart Catholic church at New Bavaria. George
Ball, himeself, was one of a family of eight
children. Of these children, Henry
lives on the old homestead farm in Palmer township ;
John also lives on the home farm; William
is living retired on his farm in Palmer township;
Mrs. Mary Engleman lives at North
Creek; Catherine is deceased, and Suzanna
lives on the home farm.
Having left Stark county, Ohio, at the age of eighteen
months, with his parents, who eventually settled in
Putnam county on forty acres of land which they
cleared and improved, George Ball here
grew to manhood, and was educated in the old
district No. 3 school. He farmed until 1887,
when he entered the mercantile business with W.
H. Engleman, at North Creek. Mr. Ball
is a partner in the business and owns a half
interest in the store. He is still active in its
management.
George Ball was married on May 10, 1893,
to Carrie Yearling, a native of
Franklin county, Ohio, and a daughter of Adam and
Catherine (Miller) Yearling. George and
Carrie (Yearling) Ball have had eight children,
as follow: Grace Anna, born on Mar.
13, 1894; Clinton William, Sept. 21,
1896; Raymond Martin, Feb. 16, 1898;
Emaline Catherine, Nov. 14, 1900; Clara
Bertha, Sept. 13, 1902; Matilda
Mary, Feb. 1, 1905; Nelson Lewis,
Aug. 31, 1907, and Helen Theresa,
Sept. 14, 1909. All of these children are
living at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Ball removed to
the property in North Creek, Ohio, where he now
resides. Having acquired one hundred and
sixty-seven acres of fine land in Palmer township,
he divides his attention somewhat between the farm
and his mercantile business. Mr.
Ball's sons, however, farm all the land except
eighty acres which he rents out.
A Democrat, Mr. Ball has never been
ambitious to hold office, but has devoted his life
and his energies to his interests. He is known
to be a keen business man and a man with a
remarkable perception. He is especially
devoted to his home and to his family. He is a
well-known and favorably liked in this community.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1196 |
| |
JOHN BALL.
John Ball, the subject of this sketch, has been
a prominent factor in the development of Putnam
county and especially of Palmer township, where he
has lived so long. He is well known to all the
people of Palmer township as an enterprising,
industrious and successful farmer.
John Ball was born on Jan. 20, 1854, in
Stark county, Ohio, near
Canton. He is the son of Ferdinand and
Emehne (Gross) Ball. Ferdinand Ball
was born on Aug. 25, 1825, in Germany, and was the
son of Barney and Mary M. Ball.
Ferdinand came with his parents to America at
the age of five years. They settled in Stark
county, Ohio. Barney and Mary M. Ball
were farmers and were early pioneers of that county.
They had thirteen children: Barney, Jr.;
George; Mathias; John;
Ferdinand; Caroline; Eva, who
lives in Henry county, Ohio: Mary, who lives
in Defiance county; Elizabeth, who lives in
Washington, D. C. The first six children named
are deceased, and Magdalene is also deceased
and three others who are not now a atter of record.
Ferdinand Ball, the father of John
Ball, was educated in Carroll and Seneca
counties. In Carroll county he grew to manhood
and married. He learned the blacksmith trade
and was an expert at this trade. His parents,
Barney and Mary M. Ball, came from Stark
county to Seneca county, where they farmed for a
time and then moved to Carroll county. Later
they came to Putnam county, Ohio, together with
John Ball's father, Ferdinand,
after his marriage. They settled on a farm of
forty acres in section 7, of Palmer township.
Barney Ball and wife died on this farm
and Ferdinand, their son, farmed this forty
acres. He also had a blacksmith shop on the
farm and followed this trade along with farming.
He, subsequently, increased this forty acres by hard
work and rigid economy to nearly two hundred acres,
all of which lay in Palmer township. He also
had a farm of forty acres in Monroe township, Putnam
county. He followed farming all of his life
and retired from blacksmithing some time before his
death, Jan. 16, 1910. He was a man of strong
physical proportions, a kind, careful, prudent
citizen and a good provider. He was not a
member of any lodge and a man who cared nothing for
political offices. He devoted all of his time
to farming and to his family. He always voted
the Democratic ticket. He was a stanch member
of the Sacred Heart Catholic church, at New Bavaria,
Ohio, and gave three acres of ground for the
building of St. Joseph's church at North creek,
which he attended during his latter years. He
also gave liberally to the support of the church and
was a regular attendant. Both of his parents
died on the home farm where John Ball
grew to manhood.
Emeline Gross was born near Luxemburg,
Germany, and came to America with her parents when
she was quite young. They settled in Stark
county, Ohio. Her parents were farmers in
Germany and she grew to womanhood on a farm in Stark
county. She was educated there. She was
married to Ferdinand Ball, May 13,
1845. She was born on June 10, 1831, and died
on Dec. 26, 1895. She was a good mother, kind
and patient, and worked with zeal and effort to
build up the home. She did her share toward
improving the family fortune and honor. She
was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic
church at New Bavaria and later of St. Joseph's
church at North Creek. Ferdinand and
Emeline Ball were the parents of the
following children: Henry, who lives on the
homestead farm; John, the subject of this
sketch; George, a merchant at North Creek,
Ohio; William of Palmer township; Mrs.
Mary Fugleman, of North Creek;
Catherine, deceased; and Susanna, who
lives on the homestead farm.
Ferdinand Ball was a soldier in the Civil
War, having enlisted at Defiance, Ohio, in the
Sixty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
1864. He served until the close of the war and
was a gallant soldier.
John Ball was educated in the old
district No. 3 school in Palmer township and grew up
on the homestead farm. He was reared a farmer and
still continues to reside on the farm where he was
born. His sister, Susanna, who is
unmarried, lives with him and his brother, Henry,
also lives with him. The buildings on the farm
were erected by Ferdinand Ball.
The house was built in 1880 and the barn in 1882.
John Ball was never married. He is
not a member of any lodge and has held no offices
except that of supervisor. He is a Democrat
and is a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic church
at North Creek. Mr. Ball follows
general farming . He owns a thoroughbred Shorthorn
cow and an imported Belgian mare.
Susanna Ball, his sister, was born on
Apr. 18, 1864, in Palmer township on the homestead
farm. She lives with her brother, John,
and was educated in the No. 3 school of Palmer
township. She is a good, capable,
companionable woman and a keen manager.
John Ball is a congenial man. He is
a good farmer and is prosperous and progressive.
Henry Ball, the brother of John Ball, and
the son of Ferdinand and Emeline (Gross) Ball,
was born on Mar. 23, 1852, in Stark county, Ohio.
He came to Putnam county, this state, with his
parents at the age of six years, and was reared a
farmer, grew up and was educated at the district No.
3 school in Palmer township.
Henry Ball was married on May 26, 1903,
to Mrs. Mary (Welch) Burkhart, who was born
in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, and the
daughter of James Welch and wife,
natives of Ireland.
After the marriage of Henry Ball,
he moved to sixty acres of land owned by his wife,
in Liberty township, and farmed here for two years.
His wife died on Apr. 24, 1905, when the farm was
sold. After this, Henry Ball came back
to the homestead farm in Palmer township and here he
has resided since that time with his brother,
John, and sister, Susanna.
John Ball learned the carpenter trade
when a young man and followed this trade for many
years. He has erected many buildings in Palmer
township. He helped to build the parish
buildings at Miller City, Ohio. Mr.
Ball also farms in a general way and has eighty
acres in section 1, of Monroe township, and here he
raises sugar beets. He also has forty acres in
section 7, of Palmer township, which his brother,
John, farms.
Henry Ball has no children. He is
not a member of any lodges. He was township
assessor for one year, in 1882, and is a Democrat in
politics. He is a member of the St. Joseph's
Catholic church at North Creek. Henry Ball
is well liked in the community where he lives.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1058 |
| |
MARTIN BALL
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1141 |
| |
WILLIAM BALL
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1193 |
| |
ALPHA H. BARBER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 916 |
| |
ISAAC H. BARNES
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1454 |
| |
MRS. LEAH BASINGER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 909 |
| |
LEVI BASINGER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 398 |
| |
WILLIAM BASINGER
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1248 |
| |
HENRY BECKMAN.
The rise from poverty to affluence has developed the
character of many men living in Putnam county, Ohio.
They have remained honest and loyal to their early
interests, however, and are ever interested in the
welfare of the community and in its progress. One of
the most respected and progressive farmers of this
county is Henry Beckman, who lives south of Ottawa
in Ottawa township. Henry Beckman is a
son of Bernard Beckman, Sr., and Hannah M. (Shonhofif)
Beckman.
Bernard Beckman, Sr., was a poor boy, and was in
debt for his passage to America when he landed here.
He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on August 24,
1828, the son of John B. H. and Elizabeth (Barlage)
Beckman. He came to Putnam county, Ohio,
in December, 1848, and lived for a time at Glandorf.
He was married in December, 1850, to Anna M.
Schonhoff, who was also a native of Oldenburg,
Germany, her birth having occurred there on November
2, 1832, the daughter of Herman H. and Mary A. (Wessel)
Schonhoff. She came to America about 1849.
After Bernard Beckman, Sr., was married, he
bought forty acres of land on the south side of
Ottawa township, which was partly cleared. He
paid six hundred dollars for this land, on which was
a house, but not much else in the way of
improvements. A short time before that, he bought
two other forty-acre tracts, one for two hundred
dollars and the other for four hundred dollars. He
spent his life on his farm south of Ottawa.
There were six children who grew to maturity,
John, Bernard H., Henry, Mary B., Joseph and
Elizabeth. The father of these children died on
February 13, 1895, at the age of sixty-six, while
his wife died on October 27, 1899, at the age of
sixty-six. He and his family were devoted adherents
of the Catholic church at Ottawa.
Henry Beckman grew to maturity on the
farm where he was born. He was married on
November 11, 1891, to Anna Kleform.
She was born in Ottawa township, just south of
Ottawa, the daughter of John and Catherine
(Recker) Kleform. John Kleform was born and
readed on the farm where Mrs. Beckman
was born. He was a son of Gerhardt and
Elizabeth (Sponhoff) Kleform, who settled in
Putnam county in 1837. Catherine Recker
was born in 1850, the daughter of H. H. and Mary
Recker, who came to Putnam county in 1835.
John Kleform and wife were married at
Glandorf in 1867, and spent the remainder of their
lives on the farm where Mrs. Beckman
was born.
Ever since Henry Beckman was married he
has farmed the home place. His father was a
cripple, for probably thirty-five years, before his
death, and from the time Henry Beckman
was sixteen years old, he has operated the farm.
After his marriage, his parents lived with him until
they died. Henry Beckman has
followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and for
seven years served as township trustee of Ottawa
township, a position which he filled with
exceptional ability, winning the approval of the
citizens of the entire township.
Henry and Anna (Kleform) Beckman are the parents
of five children living and two who died in infancy.
Those living are Loretta, Philomina,
Salome, Elmer and Hubert.
Loretta is the wife of William Rieman,
and lives northeast of Ottawa. She has one
daughter, Lucile; Philomina is the
wife of John Selhorst, and lives in
Pleasant township.
Henry Beckman is a large,
broad-shouldered man of splendid physique, candid
and outspoken in his manner and more inclined to do
a favor than to promise it. Naturally, he is a
highly-respected citizen of the community where he
resides. Mr. Beckman still has the
spinning wheel which his mother used and also he has
an old flail of pioneer pattern, which is always an
object of interest to visitors. He, with his
family, are members of Sts. Peter and Paul's
Catholic church at Ottawa. He at present farms
one hundred and seventeen acres, all of which is
located in Ottawa and Pleasant township. Mr.
Beckman raises a great deal of poultry and
now has almost three hundred chickens on the farm of
all kinds. Pie sells quite a number and has
been very successful.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1067 |
| [ PORTRAIT
] |
WILLIAM
ALEXANDER BELL
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 472 |
| [ PORTRAIT
] |
CHARLES R.
BLAUVELT
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 504 |
| |
LAWRENCE V. BLUE.
The gentleman whose names forms the caption to this
sketch belongs to that class of men who win the
battle of life by sheer force of personality and
determination, coupled with soundness of judgment
and keen discrimination, and in whatever he has
undertaken, he has shown himself to be a man of
ability and honor, always ready to lend his aid in
defending principles affecting the public good, and,
though he has been but a few years in this
community, yet he has established himself firmly in
the hearts of the people and is generally known to
be a man of sterling worth, conscientious and
considerate, and entitled to the respect and
admiration of his fellow men.
Lawrence V. Blue was born in Ayersville,
Defiance county, Ohio, on Dec. 20, 1887, and is the
son of Dr. N. S. and Henrietta (Brechbill) Blue.
His father was born in Miami county, this state,
where he studied the required number of years to
finish the course and received his diploma as a
medical graduate. He began his practice of
medicine in Pettisville, Fulton county, Ohio, and
after being there for a period of twelve years, he
removed to Ayersville, Defiance county, where he
continued the practice of his profession for
thirteen years and died Mar. 12, 1912. In 1886
he was married to Henrietta Brechbill and to
them were born two children, Lawrence V. and
Helen, who was born Dec. 7, 1891, and is now the
wife of W. C. Imhoff of Leipsic.
Lawrence V. Blues father was a member of the
Knights of Pythias, of Wauseon, Ohio, also the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Free and
Accepted Masons, of Defiance, also vice-president of
the local medical society and a member of the State
Medical Society. His wife survived him and is
at present residing in Defiance.
Lawrence V. Blue received his early education in
the public schools and later went to Defiance
College, where he was a student for some time.
After leaving the college from which he graduated
with honors, he decided to complete a course in
business training, and, therefore, went to the Ft.
Wayne (Indiana) International Business College,
where he made it a specialty to acquire a complete
knowledge of auditing books. On Jan. 11, 1913,
he was married to Ethel M. Heater, a daughter
of W. W. and Dora (Little) Heater, all
natives of Defiance county, and where Mr.
Heater is the superintendant of the county
schools.
Remaining in the city of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he
followed 'the business of auditing books, for a
period of three years, it was here that Lawrence
V. Blue opened up and conducted the "Alt
Heidelberg" hotel, which he managed for two years.
After this, he left for the state of New York, where
he was engaged with a large lumber company, in
Wanekena, as auditor of accounts. He remained with
this company for about a year and returned to
Defiance county at the time of his father's death,
then, at a later date, came to Putnam county and
started a general merchandising store in the town of
Rushmore. This store was opened up for
business on Jan. 1, 1913, and for the past two years
Lawrence V. has enjoyed a good business ever
since. It is said that he carries such a
varied stock of goods, that the demand for almost
any article in dry goods, hardware and groceries can
be supplied. To Lawrence V. and Ethel M.
(Heater) Blue have been born one child, Mary
Elizabeth, whose birthday occurred on Nov.
21, 1914.
Mr. Blue is an active member of the Knights of
Pythias Lodge of Delphos, Ohio, and is strongly
identified with the Republican ranks and took a very
aggressive part in politics in Defiance county
before coming to this locality. Both
Lawrence V. Blue and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, of Rushmore, to which
congregation they lend their support in accordance
with their means. Personally, Lawrence V
Blue is a man whose friendship it pays to
cultivate and he is noted throughout this region for
his genial disposition and courtesy to all. He
is a man of social tendencies, kind, obliging,
unassuming and straight-forward and honorable in all
the relations of life and is universally respected
and popular.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1316 |
| [ PORTRAIT
] |
ISAAC E. BOGART
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1200 |
| |
ROLAND A. BONJOUR
Source: History of Nemaha County, Kansas by
Ralph Tennal - Illustrated - Publ. Standard
Publishing Company, Lawrence, Kansas - 1916 - Page
782 |
| |
ALBERT BURKHART.
The record of Albert Burkhart is that of a
man who has worked his way from a modest beginning
up to a position of considerable prominence by his
efforts, practically unaided, which fact renders him
the more worthy of the praise that is freely
accorded him by his fellow men. His life has
been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and
the notably systematic and honorable methods he has
followed have won of him the unbounded confidence
and regard of all whom have formed his acquaintance
and, in looking over the list of Putnam county's
successful farmers, particularly those whose place
of residence is in Union township, Putnam county,
Ohio, none are deemed
more worthy of representation in a work of this
nature than the gentleman whose name appears above.
Albert Burkhart was born on March 27, 1871,
on the farm in Union township, where he now lives,
and is the son of John and Sarah (Clevenger)
Burkhart, the former came from Reading,
Pennsylvania, and the latter was a resident of Union
township. John Burkhart, with his
sister and her husband,
Amos
Beam,
came to Putnam county, Ohio, about the time he
arrived at mature age. John Burkhart
was a shoemaker by trade and acquired a knowledge of
that business during his youth in Pennsylvania.
After his arrival in that county, he met and married
Sarah Clevenger, then rented the old
Isaac McCracken farm. Three years later he
bought himself a farm, consisting of one hundred and
sixty-four acres, and lived on it until his death.
Mr. Burkhart was a supporter of the
Democratic party, a devout member of the Methodist
church, and at one time served the community in the
office of township trustee. After his death,
his wife again married, this time to William
Rambo, and they reside in Kalida.
By
the first
marriage, Mrs. Burkhart gave birth to
the following children: William,
Albert, Milton, Hattie, Paul, Rosa, deceased,
and August. Of these children,
August married Tizbie Smith and
now lives in Union township;
Hattie is the wife of Albert Stumpf
and lives in Union township; Milton married
Nora McDonald, and William
married Myrtle Sarber and
now resides in Lucas county.
Albert Burkhart was educated in the
county schools and in his youth lived on the farm
with his parents. After attaining his majority, he
rented a farm with his brother, upon which he
resided for about ten years, then acquired the old
homestead farm by purchasing the interests of the
other heirs to it. On April
29, 1904, he was married to Nora
Johnson, daughter of Joseph and Susan
Johnson. To her
parents were born, Margaret, Chloie,
Belle, Albert, Frances,
David, and the wife of our subject, Nora.
Albert and Nora (Johnson) Burkhart have two
children, Emerson, born on January 30, 1905,
and Paul, on July 24, 1908. Mr.
Burkhart is a supporter of the principles of the
Democratic party, and is a member of the Christian
church, to the support of which he contributes of
his means. Besides carrying on a general
farming business, special attention is given to
dairy cattle, and being the absolute owner of two
hundred and thirteen acres of fine land, equipped
with well-arranged and commodious buildings, Mr.
Burkhart enjoys, to a marked degree, the esteem of
his neighbors and friends and is a true type of the
enterprising, representative citizen, and
intelligent, high-minded, courteous gentleman
whom to know is to esteem and
honor.
Source: History of Putnam County,
Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen
& Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1460 |
| |
CLARENCE AUGUSTUS
BURKHART.
While success cannot be
achieved without unflagging industry, the futility
of effort is often noticeable in the business world
and results from the fact that it is not combined
with sound judgment.
Many
a
man
who gives his entire
life to toil, earnest and unremitting, never
acquires a competence, but when his labor is
well-directed, prosperity always follows.
Clarence Augustus Burkhart is one whose work ha^
been supplemented by careful management, and today
he is numbered among the successful farmers of the
locality in which he lives.
Clarence Augustus Burkhart was
born on his father's farm in Union township, Putnam
county, Ohio, January 9, 1873.
He
is a son of John and
Sarah (Cleveneger) Burkhart, the father having
come to Putnam county from Reading, Pennsylvania,
and the mother was a native of Union township,
Putnam county. John Burkhart was
a shoemaker by trade, having acquired a knowledge of
that business during his youth in Pennsylvania, but
did not follow it. Upon his arrival from
Pennsylvania, he was married to Sarah Clevenger,
and they went to live on the old Isaac
McCracken farm, as renters of the place.
Three years later, however, he purchased a tract of
one hundred and sixty-four acres in Union township
and continued farming until his death.
He
was a faithful
supporter of the Democratic party and an ardent
member of the Methodist church. While not
being an aspirant to high political office, yet he
was elected to the office of township trustee, which
office he served with credit and honor. To
John Burkhart and wife there were born,
William, Albert, Milton, Hattie, Paul, Rosa
(deceased), and August. The mother was
married a second time to William Rambo,
and they reside in Kalida, Ohio. Of her children,
Hattie is the wife of Albert Stump
and lives in Union township, this county; Milton
married Nora McDowell; William
married Myrtle Sarber, they reside in
Lucas county; August, the subject of this
review, and Albert married Nora
Johnson.
Clarence Augustus Burkhart, having lost his
father by death when he was but five years old, went
to live with an uncle,
Amos
Beam,
who
lives in Union
township. In this locality he received his
early education and remained on his uncle's farm
until he arrived at mature age.
He
was married, on
June 11, 1907, to Tizbie Smith,
daughter of Madison and Caroline (Eckley)
Smith, the former being a native of
Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the latter of Putnam
county, Ohio.
Mr. Smith has been a traveling
salesman for the wholesale grocery firm of
Overmeyer
&
Co., of Toledo, Ohio,
since 1891, and covers a large territory in the
interests of that firm. His father was one of
the pioneer settlers of Monroe township, Putnam
county, the home being sixteen miles from Ottawa,
the county seat.
Many
times he has related to
his children of walking to and from Ottawa for
provisions in the early days.
To
him and his wife were
born Tizbie, Savilla, Seldon, Harley and
Felicia, all of
whom
enjoy the continued
devotion of their parents, who are still living and
are active members of the Methodist church. The
paternal grandparents of Mrs. Burkhart were
Adam
and
Margaret (Shovis) Smith, natives of the state of
Ohio, to
whom
were born Sylvester,
William, Salathiel, Arthur, Letitia Jane, Lorenzo,
Sanford, Madison, Edson, and an infant
who
died very soon
after birth. Sylvester was a soldier
during the Civil War, serving with the Federal
forces, and later on studied for and became a
Methodist clergyman. The maternal grandparents
were John and Eliabeth Eckley of Putnam
county, whose children were Mary, Jane,
Caroline, Ancil and Doretta. John
Eckley was also a soldier in the Civil
War
with the Federal
forces.
Immediately after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Burkhart they lived on the farm occupied by
Albert M. Burkhart, part of which C. A. owned
for five years.
He
had purchased a
farm consisting of one hundred and sixteen acres in
Union township before marriage and now makes this
place their home. The house was thoroughly
remodeled, new barns and outhouses constructed, and
everything indicating a certain degree of
prosperity.
To
this couple were
born Ivan, on August 7, 1909, and Doris,
October 23, 1911. All of the family are
members of the Methodist church and to this Mr.
Burkhart is a liberal giver, according to his
means. The wife is a
woman
of genial disposition
and has always done her share toward the
encouragement of her husband's undertakings.
Before her marriage Mrs. Burkhart taught
school. She graduated at the high school of Dupont,
Ohio, and also the normal school. She taught
school for five years, two years of which were
taught in the Kalida schools.
Mr. Burkhart is a supporter of the
Democratic party, and has served the community as
township trustee.
He
was also a member of
the town council, is not an aspirant for public
office in any sense, but as an official has rendered
most valuable service to the community.
Personally, he is a good business, farmer, highly
intelligent, genial, well-informed on current
topics, and a
man
in
whom
the utmost confidence
is reposed by those who know him best.
He
is now serving as a
member of the township school board.
Source: History of Putnam County,
Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen
& Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 813 |
| |
EMMETT
L. BURKHART.
Many
citizens of Putnam
county, Ohio, have come themselves, or are the sons
of men
who have come
from the good old Keystone state of Pennsylvania,
and where they are found in this county they are
among the most prosperous citizens. It is a
fact that the most venturesome and ambitious people
are those who have the courage to make their homes
in a new and promising country, and this accounts in
a great measure for the splendid prosperity which
has come to Putnam county in its history. The fact
that its citizens are
men
of courage and
determination, who came here to better their
condition, has given this county a citizenship which
has made for prosperity in every particular.
Emmett L. Burkhart was born in Riley township,
Putnam county, August 21, 1884, a son of Levi and
Catherine (Parcher) Burkhart. Levi Burkhart was
born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
May
6, 1822, and died on
October 16, 1904.
He
was a son of John
and Sarah (Good) Burkhart, who were natives of
Pennsylvania. John B. Burkhart died
when Levi was a small boy, and after his
father's death, Levi went to live with an uncle.
At the age of twenty-six, Levi married
Elizabeth Beyers,
who
was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John
and Nancy Beyers.
To
that union were born
seven children, as follow : John Y., born on
May
12, 1849;
Andrew L., born on June 11, 1851; Naomi,
born on April 24, 1855; Lydia A., born
on October 21, 1858, and who died in August, 1860;
Samuel, born on August 28, 1861; Elizabeth,
born on December 24, 1864, and
Amanda
Ann, born
on February 26, 1867.
Levi Burkhart migrated from Pennsylvania
to Ohio in the early days and settled first in
Franklin county, near Columbus, Ohio, and later, in
1854, came to Riley township, Putnam county, and
settled two and one-half miles east of what was then
Pendleton,
now
Pandora, where his wife
died.
He married again, his second wife being Catherine
Parcher, a daughter of George and Diantha
Parcher. George Parcher was a native of New York
state and came to Ohio during the early days, having
settled near Bucyrus. He served during the
Civil War and died while his children were young.
His wife was a native of Vermont.
To this second 'union was born one son, Emmett L.,
the subject of this sketch, who was born in Riley
township, Putnam county, August 21, 1884.
When Levi Burkhart came to Putnam county, in 1854,
he bought the Douglas farm and
gradually developed it and added to it until he
owned four hundred acres, all of which lay in Riley
township, except forty acres, which extended into
Paulding county. At the time when he settled upon
the homestead it was in practically a virgin state,
heavily timbered and with only a few acres cleared.
He first built a two-room log cabin and a barn,
after which he proceeded to prepare his land,
working at it from year to year until he had
succeeded in getting it nearly all in cultivation.
He operated it as a general farm and met with marked
success. He was a member
of the Republican party, and was an active member of
the Methodist Protestant church, which he attended
faithfully. He
was a
hardworking, honest and upright citizen, and a man
of high ideals.
Emmett L. Burkhart
spent his boyhood on the homestead, where he
attended the district school and helped his father
with the farm work, his father at that time having
been somewhat advanced in years. At the age of
twenty-four, September 4, 1907, he married May
Miller, who was a daughter of William and
Sarah (Lutz) Miller. William Miller
was born in Allen county, Ohio, August 18, 1855, a
son of Wesley and Lydia (Steepleton) Miller.
His wife was a daughter of George and Ustana
(Weaver) Lutz.
After his marriage, Emmett L. Burkhart
continued to live on the homestead. He
purchased a section of forty acres from his mother
and the other heirs of his father's estate, in
addition to the section of forty acres which he had
inherited from his father. On this land he is
engaging in general farming and is meeting with
marked success in his endeavors.
Two children have
been born to n. They are Stanley
Milton, born on April 6, 1908, and Edith
Eleanor, born on February 14, 1910.
Mr. Burkhart is a supporter of the
Republican party, but though he has always taken an
intelligent interest in political matters, he has
never aspired to public office. Mrs.
Burkhart is an active member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Pandora, Ohio.
Mr. Burkhart is a keen, progressive farmer and
is highly regarded in his community, both as a
citizen and as a neighbor.
Source: History of Putnam County, Ohio, by
George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen & Co.,
Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 454 |
| |
HENRY BURKHART.
The Burkhart
family is a very old one in Palmer township,
Putnam, county, Ohio. Representatives of the family
came to this county when it was a swamp and
wilderness and developed good farms. Henry
Burkhart's father farmed the same land and
lived in the same house in which Henry
Burkhart and his wife now live. Henry
Burkhart himself owns a splendid farm of
eighty acres in Palmer township, which was deeded to
him by his father. It comprises a part of his
father's estate. Henry Burkhart has
always lived here, and has always occupied the old
homestead.
He
applies himself
industriously and intelligently as a farmer and is a
hardworking, conscientious citizen. Henry
Burkhart and wife had the misfortune to lose
three children in 1913. It was a sad event and one
which called forth the sympathy of all their
neighbors and friends. The Burkharts
are not only good farmers, but they are highly
respected citizens.
Henry Burkhart was born on April 22, 1868,
in Palmer township. His parents were John
and Gertrude (Pfeiffer) Burkhart.
Henry Burkhart was educated in Palmer
township, and grew up on his father's farm.
He
materially
assisted in the development and improvement of this
farm, and during his youth performed at least his
share of the work on the farm.
He
applied himself
industriously to tasks allotted to him.
Henry Burkhart was married on September 17,
1897, to Mary Klinshirn, daughter of
John and Mary (Kramer) Klinshirn.
Mary was one of eleven children born to her
parents. Henry and Mary (Klinshirn)
Burkhart have had nine children, three of
whom
are deceased: Herman,
the eldest, deceased; Viola, deceased;
Cletis, deceased;
Herman
was the first,
Viola the fourth and Cletis the eighth
child born to the parents. The living children
are Joseph, Delphine, Loretta,
Albert, Virgil and Clarence.
Albert and Loretta are attending
school.
Henry Burkhart's father, John
Burkhart, was born in Germany and came to
America at the age of twelve years, with his
parents. They settled in Lorain county, Ohio,
where he was educated and where he was married to
Gertrude Pfeiffer. After their
marriage, they followed farming for a time in that
county, and later they removed to Palmer township,
Putnam
county, where he
purchased eighty acres of land. This tract was
increased by the addition of eighty acres in section
3, at a time when this part of Putnam county was a
dense wilderness, heavily timbered and with scarcely
any roads. It was necessary to overcome many
obstacles to succeed in farming. John
Burkhart cleared and drained the land and
erected the buildings. At the time of his arrival in
Putnam county the land was especially swampy.
Later he purchased thirty acres more, in section 12,
and at the time of his death he had a total of one
hundred and ninety acres.
He
lived a life of
great activity and unfailing industry. During the
latter years of his life he lived retired, having
divided most of his land among his children.
He
passed away on April
24, 1903. His wife, however, had died many years
previously, October 5, 1889. They had twelve
children: John, Elizabeth and
Nicholas, the three eldest children, are
deceased; Christ is now living in Florida;
Mrs. Catherine Jackman lives at
Fostoria, Ohio; Peter is deceased; Henry
is the subject of this sketch; William lives
in Henry county; Joseph is deceased; Mrs.
Mary Little lives in Palmer township; Frank
is deceased, and one child died in infancy.
Henry Burkhart's paternal grandparents
were natives of Prussia. His grandfather was
Nicholas Burkhart, who came to America
with his family and settled in Lorain county, where
they lived for
many
years, and where they
died. They were sterling German citizens and
pioneers in Lorain county, having been considered
among the substantial citizens of their day and
generation. They had three sons and three
daughters, all of
whom
are
now
deceased. The
sons were Christian, Peter and John.
Henry Burkhart's maternal grandparents
were also natives of Prussia. The maternal
grandfather came to America with his family and
settled in Lorain county. Their daughter,
Gertrude Pfeiffer, was very young at the
time. Mrs. Gertrude (Pfeiffer)
Burkhart had been born in the same province
as her father. Mrs. Burkhart's
parents were both
born
in Germany. Her
maternal grandparents were Henry Kramer
and wife, natives of Germany, who came to America
when their daughter Mary, the mother of Mr.
Burkhart's wife, was but twelve years old.
They settled in Lorain county, and there died on a
farm. Mrs. Burkhart's parents
married in Lorain county, and after their marriage
moved to Henry county, where they settled on a farm.
They first owned forty acres and later sold this
farm and purchased one hundred acres in Pleasant
township. Here John Klinshim lived
until his death.
He
was a Democrat in
politics and a member of the Sacred Heart church at
New
Bavaria, Henry
county. His wife is still living on the old
homestead in Henry county, and is a member of the
same church. His death occurred in 1900, when he was
sixty-three years old. Mrs.
Klinshirn is now about seventy-five years of
age. She was born on December 8, 1839. Six of
their eleven children are deceased. The deceased
children are: John,
who
died in infancy, and a
second child named John; Michael and
Margaret, the fifth and sixth born ; Peter,
the eighth born, and Henry, the tenth born.
George, the third child born, is living in
Henry county, Ohio; Jacob, who was born after
George, is living in Defiance county;
Catherine, the seventh child, married a Mr.
Westrick and lives in Henry county; Mary
is the wife of Mr. Burkhart;
Theresa, the youngest child, also married a
Mr. Westrick, and lives in Henry county.
Henry Burkhart is a Democrat, but has
never been especially active in politics, and is not
active now. The family are members of the Sacred
Heart Catholic church at
New
Bavaria. Mrs.
Burkhart is a member of the Mothers' Society and
prominent in its affairs. Henry
Burkhart is a quiet and unassuming man, is a
worthy citizen and is accorded this rank by his
neighbors, with
whom
he is quite popular.
Source: History of Putnam County,
Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen
& Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1145 |
| |
GEORGE A. BURKHOLDER.
The whole career of George A. Burkholder has
been spent in Putnam county, Ohio, where he was
brought by his parents a few months after his birth
in Pennsylvania. His father was a carpenter and
he followed the same trade himself until a few years
ago, since which time he has been engaged in general
farming and stock raising in Van Buren township.
He now has a well-improved farm, on which he raises
all the crops peculiar to this section of the state.
George A. Burkholder, the son of Alfred and
Mary Ann (Wolf) Burkholder, was born in Perry
county, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1861.
Alfred Burkholder was born in the same county in
1831, a son of Joseph and Caroline Burkholder.
He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and married
Mary Ann Wolf, the daughter of George
and Mary Ann Wolf, natives of Pennsylvania and
Scotland, respectively. Mary Ann
Wolf, the maternal grandmother of George
A. Burkholder, was a native of Scotland, coming
to this country, when she was very young, with her
parents.
Alfred Burkholder was a carpenter by
trade and in 1861 removed from Pennsylvania to
Putnam county, Ohio, where he located in Liberty
township. Within a short time after settling
in Putnam county, he enlisted in the Eighty-eighth
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served
throughout the war. He was assigned to guard
duty at the Federal prison in Franklin, and did not
see active service at the front. After the war
he returned to Putnam county, and continued his
trade as a carpenter until his death. Seven
children were born to Alfred Burkholder
and wife, George A., of Putnam county;
Florence, who married Emery Warden,
and has two children; Joseph, who married
Effie Dick, and has four children;
Delia, who married Sherman Hamon, and has
three children: Jasper, unmarried; Lula,
who is the wife of Edward Emmons, and
has two children; Ardella, the wife of
Terry Connor.
George A. Burkholder was educated in the common
schools of Liberty township, and remained at home
until his marriage. As a young man he had
learned the carpenter trade with his father, and
after his marriage he continued to follow the
carpenter and contracting business in this county.
A few years ago he was injured in such a way that he
was unable to continue his work as a carpenter, and
since that time has devoted himself to general
farming and stock raising.
Mr. Burkholder was married on Nov. 25,
1890, to Lydia Toman, the daughter of
George and Elizabeth Toman, natives of
western Pennsylvania. Mrs.
Burkholder was born in Putnam county, Ohio.
To their union have been born four children,
Elizabeth, Howard, Bon Ware and Harry,
all of whom are single and still living with their
parents.
Mr. Burkholder is a member of the Church
of God, while his wife holds her membership in the
Church of Christ. Mr. Burkholder
and his family are highly esteemed in the community
where they have lived for the past quarter of a
century, and they have many warm friends who admire
them for their many good qualities of head and
heart.
Source: History of Putnam County,
Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen
& Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 1464 |
| |
EWING V. BURNS.
Source: History of Putnam County,
Ohio, by George D. Kinder, Publ. 1915 by B. F. Bowen
& Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana - Page 921 |
|
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