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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Shelby County, Ohio
and
representative citizens
Publ.
Evansville, Ind.
1913
947 pgs.
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JOSEPH
V. GAIER, a general farmer and respected citizen
of Cynthian township, who owns seventy-six acres
situated in section 18, Basinburg Special School
District, one-quarter mile east of St. Mary's turnpike
road, was born in McLean township, Shelby county, Dec.
26, 1877, and is a son of Jacob and Louisa (Wise)
Gaier.
Jacob Gaier was a farmer throughout his active
years and resided in Shelby county where he was a man
well known and much respected. He died when aged
sixty-five years and his burial was in the cemetery
attached to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort
Loramie, he having been a member of that church.
He was twice married and two children were born to his
first union and seven to the second.
Joseph V. Gaier attended school in boyhood in
the Berlin district and then helped his father on the
home farm in McLean township until his marriage when he
settled on his present place where he has carried on
general farming and stock raising ever since. He
remodeled and repaired the buildings and made many
improvements and has a home and farm in which he justly
takes pride, all of his land being under cultivation
except ten acres in timber.
Mr. Gaier married Miss Elizabeth Barhorst,
a daughter of Joseph Barhorst, a daughter,
Helen Elizabeth. Mr. Gaier and family belong
to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.
Like his late father he is a democrat but has never
desired public office of any kind. He is a quiet,
industrious farmer, one who attends to his own business
and performs his duty as a citizen according to his best
judgment.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
537 |
WALDO
M. GAINES, M. D., physician and surgeon,
at Pemberton, O., has been professionally established
here since June, 1910, and has built up a very
satisfactory practice, and, as a permanent citizen, has
identified himself with the best interests of the place.
After completing the high school course at Covington,
O., he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and
subsequently the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at
Indianapolis, Ind., where he was graduated in the class
of 1905. For five years he was engaged in medical
practice at Covington and from there came to Pemberton.
Dr. Gaines is a son of Dr. Charles E. and
Laura (Stevens) Gaines, the former of whom has been
engaged in medical practice at Covington for twenty-five
years. The other two members of the family are
residents of Covington, namely: Mabel, wife of
Clifford Townsend, and Theodora.
In 1908, Dr. Waldo M. Gaines was married to
Miss Lena Brown, who was born in Miami County,
O., a daughter of William and Mary (Tobias) Brown.
The father of Mrs. Gaines was a contractor in
Miami county and died there. She has one sister
and one brother: Cora, who is the wife of
George Thompson; and Edward. Dr. and Mrs.
Gaines have one daughter, Mary Frances.
They attend the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist
churches. Dr. Gaines is identified with the
leading medical organizations of the county, is a
republican in his political views, and fraternally is
connected with the Knights of Pythias at Covington.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
738 |
SAMUEL
I. GAMBLE, the subject of this sketch, is among
the oldest if not the oldest native born citizen of
Sidney. He was a son of Samuel and Mary
Gamble and became one of the lights of their
household, November 18, 1828. The humble domicile stood
on the site of James Crozier's carriage
factory on Ohio avenue. At that time all north of North
street and south of South street was a forest. The
streets were ungraveled, the side walks but little
better, and no artificial lights penetrated the gloom of
night or annoyed strolling lovers. When Samuel
junior was three years old Samuel senior
bought 220 acres of land in Salem township for $5 an
acre and which now is comprised in the farms of
Joseph P. and John Thomas
Staleys farms. When old enough Samuel entered
the freshman class-in a log school house from which he
graduated in due time, completing his education in the
edifice with the bark-on.
In 1846 he went to Sidney to learn the cabinet makers
trade of James Irwin, Sr., but in
two years left for a clerkship in the store of James
and Samuel McCullough on the site of
Clemens Amann's drug store. The 1849 gold
fever raged worse than ever in 1850 and attacked
Samuel, his brother William, his father and
sixty-one others. Five persons usually accompanied one
wagon. Equipped with a wagon made upon honor by the late
.Jacob Piper, and a yoke of oxen they
started for Cincinnati, March 26, 1850, bought
provisions there, good bacon at $2.50 a hundred pounds,
took a boat for St. Joseph, Mo., and arrived there April
12. Mr. Gamble, Sr., took sick on
the river and died in two days after reaching St.
Joseph, where he was buried. The party stayed there for.
four weeks waiting for grass to start. Two yoke of
steers and a yoke of cows were bought when the long
journey was commenced. They knew that the land before
them did not abound in milk and honey so the cows were
bought and furnished them with lacteal fluid but they
did not buy a swarm of bees so had to forego the honey.
The California trail, beaten by the immense tide of
emigration, was a good road over which they averaged
about twenty miles a day. The Indians were very friendly
giving them no annoyance, but they saw but few buffalo
or game of any kind as they did not take kindly to the
stream of civilization across their domain.
They arrived in California, September 11, losing but
one out of their teams., a cow while crossing a desert
40 miles wide. It was estimated that 125,000 people
crossed the plains in 1850. Oxen stood the tramp better
than horses. Samuel and his brother William,
followed placer mining with fair success for thirteen
months when they sold their claims, which subsequently
proved to be very rich .and after staying in the Golden
state two years they took a sail vessel on the Pacific
for Panama, landing at San Juan and crossed the isthmus
where the canal is now being excavated, then took one of
Commodore Vanderbilt's sailing vessels for
New York, where they arrived just six hours less than a
three month's trip and as soon as his sea legs had
resumed their normal condition and became land worthy,
started for Sidney, finding the burg very much the same
as he left it two years before, for the city had not
then begun to tear off the moss and' stir with growing
pains and more modern ideas.
He bought a half interest in the drug store of his
brother-in-law, Benjamin Haggott, situated
where Dickensheets grocery on Main avenue now is,
then moved to the room now occupied by the Elk saloon,
in Poplar street. He soon bought out Mr.
Haggot and rented one half the room to S. N. Todd
for a book store and after nine years in the
business sold out to Todd and Vandegrift.
Being of horticultural taste, he engaged in fruit and
vegetable raising on his little farm northeast of Sidney
and followed it for several years, then moved to Sidney
to the double lot near Benjamin's D. Handle
factory, where he has lived for thirty years and where
he indulges in the luxury of small fruits grown in this
climate and which he richly enjoys.
In March, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Cunningham on the farm north of Sidney,
latterly known as the Joseph Fry farm. Three sons
were born, Wallace, now first steward of the
insane asylum at Logansport, Indiana; William,
now of Sidney; and John, who lately with his wife
returned from a home visit to Sitka, Alaska, where he
has lived about twenty years. John went there as
teacher employed by. the Presbyterian church industrial
school, but is now engaged in mining in Chickagoff
island, forty miles from Sitka.
In 1864 Mr. Gamble enlisted in the army
and was at Petersburg,. Virginia, during the long
bombardment of that city, but escaped unharmed.
Mr. Gamble belonged to the United
Presbyterian church here as an active member for forty
years and then joined the First Presbyterian church. He
has been identified with the Sunday school for more than
seventy years and as teacher for fifty years. In
politics he has always been a stalwart Republican since
the organization, with the outspoken courage of his
convictions.
Such, in brief, is a biography of Mr. Gamble,
who for eighty-four years has been identified with
Sidney and close vicinity as one of its most esteemed
citizens.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
411 |
GEORGE L. GEARHART,
who carries on general farming and stock raising on his
valuable farm of eighty-four acres, which lies in Perry
township, Shelby county, O., was born in this township,
Jan. 18, 1870, and is the only son of Anthony and
Elizabeth (Burditt) Gearhart. The father, who
is now deceased, was born in Miami county, O., and the
mother in Hancock county and the latter resides with her
only daughter, Marilla, who is the wife of
Wyant A. DeWeese.
George L. Gearhart remained on the home farm
assisting his father after his school days were over,
until he was twenty-three years old and then started out
for himself. He began by renting 164 acres in
Perry township, which he cultivated until his father
died when he inherited his present farm of eighty-four
acres and settled here. Many improvements seemed
desirable and as rapidly as possible Mr. Gearhart
brought them about, these including the tiling of the
land in many places, the remodeling of the barn and the
erection of a handsome residence with many modern
comforts installed. He is a wide awake,
progressive farmer and is prosperous.
In December, 1892, Mr. Gearhart was married to
Miss Lavina J. Fogt, who was born in Shelby
county, a daughter of John B. and Isabel (Ragan) Fogt.
They were farming people of this county and the father
died on his farm in Franklin township and his burial was
in the Pearl cemetery. The mother survives and is
a resident of Pemberton, O. They had the following
children: Minnie, who is the wife of
Frank Young; Elizabeth; Albert; Elmer; and Bertha,
who is the wife of Charles Knief. Mrs.
Fogt subsequently married William Line and
they have one daughter, Ona, who is the wife of
W. J. Foster.
Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart have two children:
Gladys Ruth and Joy Marie. They attend
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gearhart
has always been a democrat in his political preference,
and fraternally is identified with the F. & A. M. at
Port Jefferson, O.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
727 |
JOHN
C. GERBER, one of Dinsmore township's most
substantial and best known citizens, was born on his
present home farm of 160 acres, in Shelby county, O.,
Oct. 7, 1837, and is a son of Peter Gerber, who
was a pioneer here. Peter Gerber was born
in Switzerland and probably lived in Pennsylvania after
first coming to the United States, as his wife was born
in that state. They were married at Miamisburg,
O., and came later to Dinsmore township, Shelby county,
settling in the wilderness, and, as all pioneers, had to
battle with many difficulties. They passed the
rest of their lives on this farm. Three children
were born to them: Samuel, John C., and
Lucinda, John C. being the only survivor.
John C. Gerber had but meager educational
opportunities in his youth but whenever his father could
spare him in boyhood, attended the district schools.
Farming in all its phases and stock raising engaged his
attention until within a few years, since when he has
lived in comfortable retirement. His home farm of
160 acres lies four miles northeast of Anna, O., and his
total aggregate of land in Dinsmore township is 740
acres. These farms have been well improved through
his own industry and with the assistance of his sons.
Mr. Gerber married Miss Mary Catherine Smith
and they have had a family of nine children born to
them, one of whom died in infancy. Sarah, the
eldest daughter, married George Metz and they
live near Jackson Center, O. Lizzie married
George Billing and they live in Salem township.
Edward married Elizabeth Metz and they
live near Jackson Center. Albert married
Catherine Sherer and they live four miles southeast
of Botkins, O. Clara married Samuel Fogt
and they live in Dinsmore township. George,
Henry and Anna all reside at home.
Mr. Gerber and family belong to the Lutheran church.
Politically he is a democrat and his sons are of the
same faith. During his long life spent in Dinsmore
township he has seen many changes take place and old
families and customs pass away and his reminiscences are
exceedingly interesting. He has proved in his own
case and his own family that investments in land are
safe and profitable and that agriculture gives
prosperity and contentment when intelligently and
persistently followed.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
758 |
WILLIAM ENOS GILFILLEN,
who, in association with John A. Wones, does a
large business at Maplewood, O., under the firm name of
the Maplewood Elevator Company, dealing in grain, grass
seed, coal, lime, cement and other commodities, was born
in Salem township, Shelby county, O., Sept. 21, 1873.
The parents of Mr. Gilfillen, William and
Margaret A. (Baker) Gilfillen, were residents of
Shelby county, the father for many yeas carrying on
agricultural industries with success. He died in
Jackson township, where his widow still lives.
They had the following children: Emma D., wife of
W. E. Coleman; Elizabeth, wife of Logan
Clayton; and William Enos.
William E. Gilfillen, obtained his education in the
public schools and afterward worked with his father on
the home farm until he was twenty-five years old, after
which he rented land and carried on general farming
until March, 1912, when he became the junior partner in
the firm of Wones & Gilfillen, by
purchasing the interest of E. E. Young in the
Maplewood Elevator Company. The business is in a
prosperous condition and is on a safe financial basis.
In 1893 Mr. Gilfillen was married to Miss
Rhoda Davis, who was born in Auglaize county, O.,
but was reared in Shelby county. She is a daughter
of Harvey and Catherine (Morris) Davis whose
other children were: Louie, who is the wife of
Hamer Wagner; Floyd; Eliza, who
is the wife of Albert Thompson; Charles;
Mabel, who is the wife of H. A. Stahler;
Fannie, who is the wife of Frank Reese; John;
and Pearl, who is the wife of Henry Dosic.
Mrs. Gilfillen was the third born in the above
family. Two children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Gilfillen: Raymond and Vernon. He
is nominally a republican but reserves the right to
exercise his own judgment in political matters and
frequently votes accordingly. He has served on the
school board, having a good citizen's interest in the
public schools. For some years he has been
identified with the Odd Fellows at Jackson Center, and
both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
707 |
SAMPSON
G. GOODE, M. D., a physician and surgeon in
active practice at Sidney, O., with office and residence
at No. 310 North Ohio avenue, has been a resident of
Shelby county for thirty-one years and established in
his profession at Sidney since 1894.
Dr. Goode was reared in Champaign county,
O., and from the country schools entered the academy at
Urbana, where he made such unusual progress in his
studies that he was awarded a teacher's certificate when
he was but fourteen years of age. Afterward he continued
to divide the seasons, working on the farm during the
summers and teaching school, mainly in Champaign county,
during the winters, for about fourteen years. He never
had the leisure to wander far from this strict
discipline as he was ambitious and dependent on his own
efforts in order to prepare for the medical career
which was his goal from early youth. He prepared for
college while teaching, under the direction of Drs.
B. F. Baker, D. R. Barley and Dr. Musson, all
of St. Paris, O., and after seven years of study was
graduated from the Eclectic Medical College at
Cincinnati, O., in 1880. In the. following year he came
to Shelby county, locating at Pemberton, two years later
removing to Port Jefferson and from there came to
Sidney. Here he has been very successful in his
professional life and has been active in public matters
and -on one occasion was the candidate of the democratic
party for the state senate.
On January 2, 1867, Dr. Goode was married
to Miss Mary Jane Ammon, of
Champaign county, O., and two children were born to
them: Dora, who is the wife of Charles W.
Ogden, a merchant at Port: Jefferson; and, A. G,
a graduated physician now in Alaska. Dr. Goode
is physician and surgeon for the Shelby County Infirmary
and Asylum. He belongs to the State and National
Eclectic Medical societies and: is identified
fraternally with the Elks.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
443 |
THOMAS
GREEN, whose farm of 100 acres lies in a
beautiful section of Shelby county, in Washington
township, nine miles southwest of Sidney, was born in
Butler county, O., March 28, 1832, and is a son of
John and Elizabeth (Pearson) (Roseyboom) Green.
John Green was born in Licking county,
O., where his people had settled at a very early day. He
was married in Butler county and later moved into Mercer
county, where his death occurred about 1869. His
occupation was farming after his return from serving in
the War of 1812. Of his children, four sons and two
daughters lived to maturity and one daughter died at the
age of eighteen months.
Thomas Green went to school in both
Butler and Mercer counties and farming has been his main
business in life. During the Civil war he enlisted in
the 100 day service as a member of Company I, 156th O.
Vol. Inf., but was sick during the larger part of the
time, the hardships and unusual exposure bringing many a
brave man to the army hospitals in those days Mr.
Green is a member of the G. A. R. post at Piqua,
O. On November 2, 1865, he came from Mercer county, his
previous home, to Shelby county and has lived ever since
on his farm in Washington township, which he still
oversees but is now retired from active labor.
Mr. Green married Miss Sarah
Jane Preston, who came of a very loyal and
patriotic family, her father and three of her brothers
serving in the Mexican war and all, even the father, who
was then beyond the age limit, serving in the Civil war,
and one brother died in Tennessee. Mr. Green
and wife have had five children:
Cynthia, who is the wife of Henry Bailey;
William A., who lives near his father;
Benjamin, who is a resident of Chicago; Ella,
who died at the age of eighteen months; and Carrie
B., who married John Jones. Mr.
Green and family are members of the United Brethren
church. He votes with the republican party and formerly
served as a trustee of the township. He is one of
Washington township's most respected citizens.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
431 |
JOHN
F. GRISEZ,* general farmer and carpenter, who
resides in section 15, Cynthian township, Shelby county,
O., where he owns fort-five acres of excellent land, was
born in Darke county, O., Jan. 8, 1876, and is a son of
Frank and Mary Grisez. The father was
born in France and the mother in Ohio and there were
seven children in the family.
John F. Grisez was six years old when his
parents brought him to Shelby county and he attended
school at Sidney and afterward learned the carpenter
trade. He resided at Dayton, O. , until 1907,
following his trade and then came to Cynthian township,
Shelby county, and purchased the farm he now occupies.
The buildings on the place required to be remodeled
before they satisfied Mr. Grisez and he has done
other improving and now has all his land, with the
exception of five acres in timber, under fine
cultivation. a farm that adjoined that of his
father, and is a daughter of John Stifel.
While residing at Dayton, Mr. and Mrs. Grisez had
three children born to them: Henry,
Louis and Anna, and after coming to the farm
two daughters were born, Bertha and Margaret.
Mr. Grisez and family belong to S. S. Peter and Paul
Catholic Church at Newport, O. A stanch democrat,
Mr. Grisez has frequently been elected to
position of responsibility by his party and served one
term as road supervisor and for five years has been a
member of the board of education of the Grisez
special school district, of which, at present, he is
clerk, this district having been named in honor of his
family.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and
representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page
838 |
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