BIOGRAPHIES.
Source:
A Portrait and
Biographical Record of Allen and Van Wert Counties, Ohio
containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative
citizens :
together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents
of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Ohio.
Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co.,
1896
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RAWSON RADER
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 625 |
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JOHN RAHRIG
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 618 |
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GEORGE A. RANK,
a progressive and prosperous farmer of Union township, Van
Wert county, Ohio, is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Myers)
Rank, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in full
detail in the sketch of W. L. Rank, and was born in
Richland county, Ohio, in 1845. When he was ten years
of age his parents brought him to Van Wert county, where he
has grown to manhood. He was reared on his father's
farm and was an able assistant in developing the same from
the wild woods, and his education was acquired in the
primitive log school-house of his early days. He
resided with his parents until his marriage, Nov. 12, 1874,
with Miss Ada Pope, daughter of Cordon and Esther
(Barrow) Pope, to which union have been born two
children—Alta A. and Joseph O. Mrs.
Rank was born in Delaware county, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1850,
her parents being natives of the Buckeye state, but at the
early age of eleven years lost her mother, after which sad
event she lived with her uncle, Edward Barrow,
of Richland County, until her marriage.
After his marriage Mr. Rank settled on a
part of the old homestead, and with the help of his young.
wife continued the improvement already begun. Later he
purchased a portion of the old home farm, and, on the death
of his father, received yet another portion as his legacy.
He later removed to his present home, which comprises eighty
acres, all but ten acres cleared, well drained and in an
excellent state of cultivation. Mrs. Rank
was christened in the Lutheran church, but Mr.
Rank is an active and influential member of the
Methodist church, to both of which denominations he
contributes liberally. In politics he is a conservative
democrat; fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum
lodge of Van Wert, No. 196. He is an enterprising,
public-spirited citizen, and he and family are highly
respected throughout the township and county.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 627 |
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J. F. RANK,
the leading photographer of Van Wert, Ohio, is the third son
of - Joseph and Eliza (Myers) Rank. (For history of
the Rank family see biography of
W. L. Rank.)
J. F. Rank was born Aug. 17, 1847, at Shelby,
Richland county, Ohio; his parents moved to Van Wert when he
was seven years of age, and here he was reared and had the
advantage of both the select and common schools of the town
until he reached the age of eighteen years. He taught
in the public schools of the county for some four years most
successfully; then for a time he became a clerk in a grocery
store. In 1872 he entered the photograph gallery of
Mr. Hartsock as a student; two months later he
purchased the establishment of Mr. Hartsock
and carried on the business successfully for some twenty-one
years, when he disposed of it, and during the following two
years traveled over a large portion of the United States; he
witnessed the stirring scenes attending the opening of the
Cherokee strip in 1893, and then went south, obtaining
photographic views of the Indian settlements along the Texas
border. After ward he joined his family in Iowa, and
later located at Schuyler, Nebr., where he was in charge of
a photograph gallery for a short time. Subsequently he
purchased a residence in Lincoln, Neb., where he remained
for some two years, and then returned to Van Wert, where he
established his present gallery July 1, 1895. This gallery
is located at No. 111 West Main street, and contains a suite
of eight rooms, including reception, waiting, working and
operating rooms, all supplied with elaborate furniture, and
with apparatus of the latest invention, in every detail up
to date. This establishment is conceded to be the
finest in northwestern Ohio. Success has attended
Mr. Rank in this, his second venture in the
business, for which he is well adapted by reason of his
urbane and courteous manners. In connection with his
gallery he also carries an extensive line of all kinds of
picture frames.
Mr. Rank, in 1874, married Miss
Mary daughter of W. F. McBride, of Oskaloosa,
Iowa. To this union four children have been born, viz:
Harry, who died at the age of two years; Ethel
and Mabel, twins, and Myrtle. The twins,
Ethel and Mabel, are so wonderfully alike in
size, color of eyes, hair, complexion and tones of voice
that their parents are sometimes puzzled to tell which is
which. Mr. Rank has been a consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal church since the age of
twelve years; he is an enthusiastic worker in the
Sunday-school, of which he has been superintendent some two
years; politically Mr. Rank is a republican,
and fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., well up in the
degrees, having passed all the chairs. No family in
the community stand higher in the estimation of their
neighbors.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 628 |
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WILLIAM LUTHER RANK,
the leading undertaker of Van Wert, Ohio, was born in
Richland county, Ohio, May 13, 1843. His father,
Joseph Rank, was a native of Cumberland county,
Pa., born Nov. 10, 1815, and son of George and Christina
(Ely) Rank. George Rank was also born in
Pennsylvania, was reared a farmer and was educated both in
German and English. He was married in his native
state and in 1829 came to Ohio, and purchased land near
Shelby, in Richland county, where agriculture engaged his
attention until his death in November, 1851, his wife
surviving until July, 1852. They were the parents of
twelve children, viz: Nancy, Susan, George,
Catherine, Sarah, Joseph (father of our
subject), John, Lydia, Christina and
two that died in infancy. The parrents of this family
were members of the German Reform church, and in politics
Mr. Rank was a democrat.
Joseph Rank, son of the above and father
of our subject, was reared on the pioneer home farm in Ohio
until he reached manhood, when he returned to Pennsylvania
and served an apprenticeship at shoemaking with his brother
Samuel. He worked at his trade as a journeyman
until his marriage, Nov. 6, 1838, to Miss Eliza Myers,
a native of the Keystone state, born Nov. 1, 1813, and a
daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Myers, also natives of
Pennsylvania. After marriage Joseph and his
young wife settled on a farm in Richland county, Ohio, near
Shelby, and there he tilled the soil until 1854, when he
brought his growing family to Van Wert county, Ohio, and
purchased 160 acres in Union township, where he followed
farming until his death, June 18, 1891, having lost his wife
Dec. 8, 1886. The family of Joseph Rank and
wife was comprised of six children, viz: Sebina, wife
of Isaac Hoaglin, of Hoaglin township, Van
Wert county; William L., the subject of this sketch;
George A., a farmer of Union township; J. F.,
a photographer of Van Wert; Pricilla A., wife of
S. Painter, of York township, and Margaret L.,
wife of Charles Barrow, of Union township. The
father of this family was a steward in the Methodist
Episcopal church, of which his wife was also a devout
member; in early life he was in politics a democrat, but
later became a prohibitionist; he was well read and took
great interest in the county schools was a man of
determination and a good and honorable citizen, and by his
industry was enabled to leave his heirs a fine farm of 200
acres.
William Luther Rank had reached
the age of eleven years when his parents settled in Van Wert
county, with whom he remained until he reached his majority.
He then engaged in farming on his own account for one year
on a tax claim in Union township, when, Feb. 7, 1865, he
enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Ninety-second Ohio
volunteer infantry, for one year, and served under Capt.
Isaac W. Patrick until honorably discharged at
Winchester, Va., Sept. 1, 1865; he then located in Van Wert,
and engaged in shoe making until 1874, when he joined his
brother, J. F., in photographic work until 1885, in
February of which year he embarked in the undertaking
business and funeral directing, which is his present
employment, and in which he has ever since been a public
favorite. The marriage of Mr. Rank took place in Union
township, Van Wert county, Oct. 20, 1863, to Miss Lydia
Hattery, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Sept.
6, 1841, a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Jervis) Hattery,
natives of Virginia, who came to Van Wert county in 1843 and
farmed in Hoaglin township until the end of their days.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rank has been blessed by
the birth of one child Vernilis A., Jan. 7, 1877, but
whom they had the misfortune to lose July 18, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Rank are members of the Episcopal church,
in which he is a class-leader and exhorter, and he is also a
master Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Royal
Arcanum and of the National Union; in politics he is a
republican. He owns considerable property, and in
connection with his undertaking business handles picture
frames, moldings, easels, etc., and is very popular as a
business man generally.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 626 |
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CHARLES EDWIN REDRUP
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 629 |
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HARRY C. REDRUP
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 632 |
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THOMAS REDRUP
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 782 |
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FREDERICK REED,
a prosperous farmer and ex-soldier, was born in Van Wert county, Ohio,
on his father's farm in Jennings township, November 9, 1839, a son of
Daniel and Mary (Tipton) Reed, and now resides in Tully
township, in the county of his birth.
Daniel Reed, a native of Pennsylvania, was a son
of Frederick Reed, a Pennsylvania farmer of good old Dutch
stock, and where a young man came to Ohio, and in Harrison county
married Miss Tipton, who was of English extraction, to which
union were born twelve children. About 1835 he came to Van Wert
county, and settled in what afterward became Jennings township,
bringing with him considerable money, but, as there were no stores in
the neighborhood in those pioneer days, he was compelled to go to
Sidney, Shelby county, to do his trading. Daniel entered
one-quarter section of land, and three brothers - Willialm, Quinton
and James - who came with him, and a forth - Peter, who
come later - all entered farms adjoining, making quite a settlement of
their own, but without neighbors. The land was covered with
heavy timber, but they soon made a deadening and raised their corn
among the decaying trees. At one period, for six weeks, they
ground their corn in a coffee-mill, the winter being too inclement to
permit going the long distance to mill. But this episode was
trifling, compared with the many other hardships inherent to pioneer
life, unnecessary to be mentioned in detail. Daniel Reed
assisted, among other early tasks, in putting in the locks of the
Cincinnati & Toledo canal, but of course devoted his efforts chiefly
to the development of his farm, succeeding in claring up an excellent
place of 160 acres; but hard work eventually overcame him and he died
at the comparatively early age of fifty-one years. He and wife
were members of the Christian church and his conduct through life was
most exemplary. He aided in organizing his township offices, and
at one time was county commissioner. For fourteen years his
brother William was a justice of the peace - or until he moved
west.
Frederick Reed, our subject, was reared in the
wilderness above alluded to, doing his share in clearing up the home
farm. He attended the first school established in his township,
which was taught in a rude log structure, with the customary primitive
adjuncts. He married, March 24, 1863, Susannah Berry,
daughter of Malachi and Mary (Taylor) Berry, and the next
December, leaving behind his young bride, enlisted in company G,
Second Ohio heavy artillery, for three years or during the war, under
Capt. Orris King, and served until Dec., 1865, when he was
honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., on account of the cessation
of hostilities. He fought at Strawberry Plains, Bull's Gap,
Knoxville, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, in many skirmishes, and wound up
with guard duty at Knoxville, Tenn. He contracted chronic
diarrhea during his term of service and was laid up a month in his
quarters, and later was attacked with rheumatism, from which he has
never fully recovered. On his return home he reengaged in
farming, buying eighty acres of the old home place, on which he lived
until his removal, in 1872, to his present farm of 100 acres in Tully
township, which he has cleared up and thoroughly improved with
first-class buildings. Here he had the misfortune of losing his
wife in 1884, and on March 20, 1885, he married Catherine Mozel,
the father of whom came from Germany about 1852, bringing his family,
which consisted of himself, wife and one son, Jacob.
Mr. Mozel first settled in Holmes county, Ohio, on a farm, but
about 1860 came to Tully township, bought forty acres, which he
increased to eighty acres, on which he still resides. The
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mozel numbered seven, and were
named Jacob, Catherine, Elizabeth, Peter, John, Louisa and
Louisa, the last two of whom died in infancy. To Mr. and
Mrs. Reed have been born five children - an infant,
deceased, Elva M., Nora B., Olive E. and Arthur O.
The parents are members of the Methodist church, and in politics the
father is a republican, but has never been a seeker after office.
He has fully done his duty as a soldier and civilian, is self-made as
to fortune, and enjoys the respect of all who know him.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 647 |
William Reed |
WILLIAM REED, one
of the original pioneers of Tully township, Van Wert county, Ohio, is
a son of William and Martha (Howey) Reed, the former native of
Chester county, Pa. Jacob Reed, grandfather of our
subject, was a native of Ireland, and with his brother, Andrew,
came to America prior to the war of the Revolution. In that
heroic struggle Jacob served as a teamster, and Andrew
as a brave soldier in the ranks. After the close of the war
Jacob settled in Chester county, Pa.; later removed to near
Greensburg, in the western part of Pennsylvania, while Andrew
settled in Virginia. William Reed, Sr., in April, 1815,
brought his wife from Pennsylvania and settled in Ashland county,
Ohio, where he cleaned up a farm of 100 acres from the woods, and
there lived to be eighty years of age. He, also, was a soldier,
and served in the war of 1812, was a member of the Methodist church,
and was an honored pioneer. His six children, all born in
Ashland county, were named Rebecca, William, Elizabeth, George,
Rachel and Jacob.
William Reed, the subject of this sketch, was born
Dec. 25, 1815, on the farm which his father had opened in Ashland
county, Ohio, the previous April. He was taught the carpenter's
trade, and was married, in his native county, the Martha,
daughter of Jacob and Lydia Martin. For three years after
married he followed his trade in Ashland, then came to Van Wert
county, and in 1839 entered eighty acres of land in Tully township, on
which he settled Oct. 18, 1842. He built a cabin in the woods
and the first winter went to Fort Wayne for his provisions. By
hard work and perseverance he cleared up his original farm and added
to it from time to time until he owned 200 acres, hewn from a
wilderness infested with beasts of prey, but abounding in wild game.
Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, six grew to
maturity and were named Ann, Lydia, George, Rachael, Clara and
Alice. In politics M. Reed is a democrat, served
one year as justice of the peace, several times as township trustee,
has served on the school board in his district, and has been township
accessor two terms; in religion he is a Lutheran, and in this faith,
also, Mrs. Reed was called to rest August 7, 1891. The
six surviving children born to Mr. and Mrs Reed were married as
follows: Ann to the late John Keifer, a farmer of
Tully township, to which union were born three children: George
a farmer of Adams county, Ind., married Elizabeth Hines, who
born six children: Lydia was married to Alexander Rodgers,
a farmer now residing in Fort Wayne, with five children; Rachel,
the wife of Henry Johnson, of Sacramento, Cal., has five
children; Clara is married to Isaiah Clem, an engineer
on the Fort Wayne railroad, and has two children; Alice is the
wife of Peter Mozel, a farmer of Tully township, and is the
mother of three children.
William Reed, our subject, has now living a family of
six children, twenty-four grand children and nine great-grandchildren.
He still retains eighty acres of his well cultivated farm, which he
carved from the primitive forest when he first settled in the
township; the woods occupied almost every rod of land, and were filled
with game of all varieties, and it was his custom to carry a gun when
visiting, or when passing through the forest for any purpose, and he
frequently dropped a deer on the way; his wife herself killed two
deer, and moreover, a turkey or two. These birds frequently came
near the house in flocks of fifty or more, and the settlers had all
the game they wanted.
Peter Mozel, father of the younger Peter,
the husband of Alice Reed, is one of the respected citizens of
Tully township, and was born in Prussia. His father was
Ludwig Mozel, who married Elizabeth Beck, was a soldier in
the wars with Napoleon, at different times fought in both the French
and German armies, and was wounded in battle. He was the father
of three children- Peter, Ludwig and Mary E., and
died at the age of about fifty years, a member of the Presbyterian
church. His son Peter, was reared a farmer and was
educated in Prussia. At the age of thirty years he came to
America, landed in New York in March, 1853, came directly to Ohio, and
located in Holmes county, where he worked as a farmhand, and in 1854
married Louisa Roswiler, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Young) Roswiler. Jacob Roswiler was a Hessian, and
was a weaver by trade and the father of four children - Peter,
Caroline, Louisa and Elizabeth. Jacob Roswiler was a
Prussian soldier in the Napoleonic wars, and he and wife died in
Germany at about the age of fifty years. Peter Mozel and
Louisa Roswiler became acquainted in Prussian, were passengers
together on the same sailing ship which brought them to America -
Louisa being accompanied by her brother, Peter, and sister Caroline
- and they all located in Holmes county, Ohio, where the marriage
of Peter and Louisa too, place, as stated above. In 1862,
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mozel came to Van Wert county and bought forty
acres of land near Convoy, on which they resided three years, then
sold and bought their present place of eighty acres in the forest,
which by industry and hard work, they have converted into a good home.
Mr. and Mrs. Mozel are the parents of four children -
Catherine, Peter (married to Alice Reed), Elizabeth and
John. Mr. and Mrs Mozel are members of the German
Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a democrat. They are
ranked among the most thrifty, industrious and respected farmers of
Tully township, are useful members of the society. and disposed to aid
all enterprises of use to the general public. [PHOTO]
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 654 |
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WILLIAM
J. REED, a prominent citizen of Pleasant township, Van Wert
county, is a son of Jacob Reed, and was born September 8, 1851.
Jacob Reed was born in Ashland county, Ohio, September 15,
1825, was reared on a farm and is still living in comfortable
circumstances on his farm in Ashland county. He was married, in
1849, to Miss Mary Strickland, of Ashland county, Ohio, and to
this marriage there were born five children, viz: William,
born in 1851; Joseph, born in 1853; John, born in
1855; Anna, born in 1860, and Ella, born in 1861.
All are living but Ella, who died in 1862. William
and John are both married and living in Van Wert, Ohio;
Joseph is single and living in Ashland county, and Anna is
married to George Ohl. Jacob Reed, the father of these
children, is in politics a democrat, and is a member of the United
Brethren church. He is of Irish descent, and is in every way a
very liberal man.
William J. Reed was born in Ashland county, was
there brought up on a farm, and his education was received in the
common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he left home and
came to Van Wert county, purchasing a farm in Tully township, upon
which he lived for twenty-two years. At the end of this period,
or in February, 1895, he purchased another farm close to Van Wert,
upon which he now lives. In politics Mr. Reed is a
democrat, and in religion a Methodist. He is a man that has made
his own way in the world, has been successful and is respected by all.
On February 11, 1873, he married Miss Fanny B.
Staman, and is by her the father of five children, viz: Olin,
born in 1873; Myrtle, born in 1876; Frances E., born
in 1879; Pearl, born in 1881, and Millie, born in 1884.
All are living except Myrtle, who died in 1879. Those
living are attending school except Olin, who is a very promising young
man, and now studying telegraphing in the Van Wert office of the P.,
Ft. W. & C. Railroad company.
Miss Fanny B. Staman was born September 19,
1852. Her father was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 9, 1812, and at
an early age began working for his father, who ran a grist-mill and a
tannery. Remaining with his father, thus engaged until his
father's death, he inherited some valuable property, and continued the
business his father left him. In this he was very successful,
and being a careful and economical manager, acquired a good deal of
valuable property. In 1841 he was married to Miss Fanny Lantz
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lantz was a German by birth, a
republican in politics, and a member of the Menese church. He
was the father of nine children, viz: William, Abraham, Anna,
Mary M., Curtis J., Fanny B., Harriet D., Francis L. and Lizzie
E. All are living but Harriet, who died in February,
1885. The rest are married and the heads of families.
Fanny B., the wife of the subject of this
sketch, was born in Ashland county, and at the age of twenty years was
married to Mr. Reed. She was well educated in her youth,
and is a bright, pleasant and intelligent woman, a good wife and a
loving mother. Both she and her husband stand high in the
estimation of the community in which they live. Both are public
spirited and are willing to aid any material improvement and any
charitable enterprise that should be sustained by the public at large.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 630 |
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ROBERT
B. RHODES, mayor of Willshire, and a retired farmer of Mercer
county, Ohio, was born Aug. 25, 1833, in Caledonia county, Vt., and
is a son of JOSIAH K. and Mary (Brown) Rhodes. His
father was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1801, and was a son of
Oliver and Lucy Rhodes. Oliver Rhodes, the
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of England
and a farmer, who, after coming to this country, passed the
remainder of his life in New Hampshire. Josiah K. Rhodes
was reared on a farm and learned the cabinet maker's and joiner's
trades, at which he worked for many years. In 1821 he married
Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of Robert Brown, a native
of Ireland, born in 1795, and came to the United States with her
parents when she was five years of age. The parents located in
New Jersey, and in that state they spent the rest of their lives.
To Josiah K. Rhodes and his wife there were born
four children, as follows: Mary Ann, deceased, who
married Pascal I. Horton, of Granville; John S., a
farmer of Fort Recovery, Ohio, who enlisted in the Union army as
second lieutenant of company C, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio
volunteer infantry, and came out at the close of the war as captain
of his company; Martha J., wife of John Millison,
cabinet-maker and undertaker of Ostrander, Delaware county, Ohio,
and Robert B. the subject of this sketch.
After his marriage Josiah K. Rhodes located in
Groton, Caledonia county, Vt., and lived there until 1838, when he
removed to Ohio, settling temporarily in Strongsville, Cuyahoga
county, where he lived until 1840, and then removed to Licking
county. Here he lived until 1861, when he removed with his
son, Robert B., to Mercer county, Ohio. Josiah K.
Rhodes fought in Canada during the war of 1812-15, and was in
his political views a whig until the formation of the republican
party, when he united with that organization. During his
middle life he was a good deal of a politician, and he was a devoted
member of the Baptist church, while his wife was a member of the
Covenanter church. She died in July, 1870 and he died in
November, 1893.
Robert B. Rhodes was educated in Granville,
Licking county, Ohio, and there learned the trade of gunsmith.
In that county, also, he was married to Miss Catherine Calvert,
Oct. 9, 1859. She is a daughter of Elisha and Sarah (Wichheiser)
Calvert, and to their marriage there were born three children:
John F., who died in 1882; Martha A. and Jennie L.,
both at home. The mother of these children was born in
Savannah, Athens county, Ohio, Nov. 18, 1840, her father having been
one of the early settlers of Delaware county, Ohio.
After his marriage the subject of this sketch settled
in Delaware county, where he followed his trade, in which he was
very proficient and skillful. In 1860 he removed to Indiana,
bought a farm and lived upon it five years, when he sold out and
bought a farm in Mercer county, Ohio, where he lived until 1878.
During all of this time he carried on his trade as well as his
farming. In 1878 he removed to Willshire, where he has lived
ever since, and where he worked at his trade until within a few
years, and now is living retired from all active labor. In
politics he is a stanch republican, with strong predilections toward
prohibition. For twelve years Mr. Rhodes has served as
mayor of Willshire, and at the present time holds that office.
He is a member of the Christian or Disciples' church and has always
been prominent in religious matters. He is one of the most
public spirited men in the county, and has done much toward building
up the town of Willshire; in fact, he is nearly always the first to
move in this direction. He was a most skillful workman in his
trade, and through it made a good living for many years.
His younger daughter is a most gifted artist, is a fine
musician and an excellent teacher. The elder daughter is the
housekeeper, and makes a most successful one, home always being
pleasant where she is. His son, who was a very promising young
man, died shortly before he was to have graduated, to the great
regret of his family and friends. He was the last male
descendant of his line, and with his death the last hope of
preserving the name to posterity became extinct.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 787 |
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CHARLES
P. RICHEY - Or 'Squire Richey, as he is commonly
called, ex-sheriff of Van Wert county, Ohio, and at present justice
of the peace, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1819, is a
son of George and Catherine (Porter) Richey, who were both
natives of the north of Ireland, and there married. On coming
to America the father was employed in teaming until 1819, in
Pittsburg, Pa., when he and his family moved to Pickaway county,
Ohio, where he entered land on a military warrant and was engaged in
farming until his decease. They were the parents of seven
children, four of whom died in childhood; the three that were reared
to maturity were named Andrew, since deceased; Charles P.,
our subject, and Eleanor, also deceased. The parents
died in the Protestant faith, leaving a well improved farm of
seventy acres.
Charles P. Richey was reared on the some farm in
Pickaway county, and there married, Apr. 21, 1839, Martha T.
Maddox, a native of the county, born Sept. 6, 1822, a daughter
of Severn and Elizabeth (Hill) Maddox, the result of the
union being five children, viz.: Nancy E., now of Delphos,
Ohio; Margaret J., of Wisconsin; Elizabeth C.,
deceased; George W., a farmer of Van Wert county, Ohio, and
Martha Ann, deceased. The lamented mother of this
family was summoned to her final home July 24, 1866, and her mortal
remains were interred in the Van Wert cemetery. She was a
pious and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
beloved by all who knew her. Jan. 1, 1874, Mr. Richey
was married to his second wife, Mrs. Missouri T. (McConahay)
Scott, widow of Captain William C. Scott, whose biography
appears elsewhere in this volume. In religion Mr. Richey
is a Methodist and Mrs. Richey is a Presbyterian, but this
difference in church membership has in no manner conflicted with
their conjugal happiness. Since their marriage, 'Squire
Richey and wife have made the city of Van Wert their
permanent home.
Charles P. Richey first came to Van Wert county
Oct. 9, 1844, and located in Ridge township, where he resided
eighteen months, and then bought 120 acres of land in the wild and
dense woods of Pleasant township, built a cabin and cleared up a
farm, on which he made his home until 1859, when he was elected
sheriff of the county, in which office he succeeded himself, and
then, in May, 1864, enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and
Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, for one hundred days, was
assigned to guard duty at Point Lookout, and at the close of his
term was honorably discharged a Camp Denison, Ohio, in November,
1864. On his return home he engaged in the boot and shoe trade
in company with James Clark - a partnership which lasted
eleven years. In the meantime, however, in 1867, Mr. Richie
was again the choice of the republican party for sheriff, an office
he had twice so ably filled, and was elected to serve one term.
In 1875 he sold his interest in the boot and shoe trade and retired
until 1880, when his party elected him justice of the peace, in
which office he has succeeded himself every term since - a
self-evident indication of his capability, integrity and popularity.
The squire's property comprises 180 acres of valuable land in
Pleasant township and considerably realty in the city of Van Wert.
His social standing, it is needless to add, is with the best in the
city and county.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 632 |
H. G. Richie |
HORACE
G. RICHIE, prominent as an attorney, was born in Van Wert
county, Ohio, Aug. 18, 1844, a son of M. F.
and Sarah (Eaton) Richie. He was reared on his
father's farm and educated in the common schools of Harrison
township, his birthplace, until sixteen years of age; he then
attended two terms at the school in Ridge township; at nineteen he
engaged in farming, which he followed until 1875, when he began the
study of the law at home, and this he continued until 1877, passing
less than three months in a law office; in May of this year he
opened his office in Van Wert, and met with success from the start,
his earlier clients being his boyhood friends, and these are still
among his patrons. The marriage of Mr. Richie too place
in Harrison township May 17, 1863, to Miss Mary M. Brittson,
who was born in Adams county, Ind., Nov. 30, 1842, a daughter of
Isaac Brittson. This lady died Mar. 24, 1892, and on May
30, 1893, Mr. Richie took, for his second wife, in Nevada,
Iowa, Mrs. Minerva B. Scott, widow of John H. Scott,
formerly of Van Wert and a manufacturer, who died in Story county,
Iowa, in 1889. Mrs. (Scott) Richie was born in Ridge
township, Van Wert county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Brown,
who was one of the very early pioneers. Mrs. Richie, by
her first husband, was the mother of three children, viz.:
Elizabeth, Lutie and Margaret Scott, who all make their
home with Mr. Richie, at his pleasant residence on Washington
street. Mr. Richie is a Knight of Pythias, being the
first past chancellor and first representative of that order in Van
Wert. Outside of his family and fraternal relations, Mr.
Richie's time is almost exclusively devoted to the duties
pertaining to his large and growing practice, and he is considered
to be one of the most successful and prosperous general attorneys
within the limits of Van Wert county.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 676 |
| |
M.
F. RICHIE, deceased, was born in Beaver county, Pa., Sept.
19, 1807, a son of SAMUEL, also a native of
Pennsylvania and of Irish and French extraction. When but a
mere child, M. F. Richie was brought to Ohio by his parents,
who were located in Columbiana county, where he was reared until
1835, when he moved to Crawford county, farmed until 1839, then came
to Van Wert county, and located in Harrison township; finally, in
1873, he returned to the town of Convoy, where his decease occurred
Oct. 14, 1892. Sarah Eaton, to whom he was married in
Columbiana county, Ohio, was a native of that county, and a daughter
of John Eaton, a native of the Buckeye state. The
children born to M. F. Richie and wife were ten in number and
named as follows: Olivia, wife of W. N. Longsworth;
Catherine, wife of D. R. Bonewitz; John E., common pleas
judge of Lima, Ohio; Ruth A., now Mrs. J. H. Bailey;
George, who died in 1856; Permelia, deceased;
Horace G., whose biography will be found below; Elmira,
wife of Samuel Price; Walter B., one of the most influential
and leading citizens of Lima, Ohio; and Eber, deceased.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and Van
Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
676 |
 
|
ANDREW RICHTER
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
664 |
| |
MATTHIAS M. RITTENHOUSE, a
pioneer and prominent farmer of Union township, Van Wert county,
Ohio, is a son of Christian and Esther (Metz) Rittenhouse,
and was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1827. Matthias
Rittenhouse, the father of Christian, was a Mennonite
minister of Pennsylvania and a wealthy farmer, who died about 1836;
Christian Rittenhouse, his son and the father of our subject,
was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1803, learned the shoemaker's
trade, then went to Canada and worked a year, returned to
Pennsylvania, and about 1825 married Esther Metz, the union
being blessed with the following children: Matthias M., our
subject; Joseph, deceased; David; Hannah, widow of
Zachariah Brown; Eli; Christian, deceased; Katie, wife of
Frank Kneour, of Williams county, Ohio, and Samuel.
In 1825, the father of this family came to Ohio and bought in Wayne
county a farm which he cultivated in connection with shoemaking, and
also operated a tannery for four years. He was a member of the
Dunkard church and in politics was independent. His wife was
called away by death July 15, 1874, and his own death took place in
1889.
Matthias M. Rittenhouse, the subject proper of
this biography, was educated in the common schools of his native
county and was also taught the trade of tanning. Feb. 14,
1850, he was united in marriage with Christena Meely,
daughter of George and Margaret (Stock) Meely, and then, with
a Mexican war land warrant, took up his land in Van Wert county, on
which he built a log house, and cleared up a farm from the woods,
which farm is now in an excellent state of cultivation. In
1875, the log cabin was replaced by a large modern frame structure,
which was erected by his son Charles C., then not twenty-one
years old. Mrs. Christena Rittenhouse was born in Adams
county, Pa., in 1828, and in 1841 came with her parents to Richland
county, where she was married. She has borne her husband six
children, as follows: Margaret E., wife of Richard
H. Martin, whose biography appears in full on another page;
Charles C., now of Hastings, Nebr.; Salome A., deceased;
Katie wife of William Reid, of Union township; Emma
J. married to Dr. E. V. Hall, of Fort Wayne Medical
college, and George M., still at home. Mr. and Mrs.
Rittenhouse are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church; in
politics the former is a democrat and has held the office of
township clerk, township trustee, and justice of the peace. In
1864 he enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Ninety second Ohio
volunteer infantry, under Capt. Patrick and served in the
Shenandoah valley until honorably discharged in September, 1865.
Mr. Rittenhouse has always been an industrious man and has
made a success of life, and has won the respect of all who know him.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 640 |
|
|
J. C. ROBINSON, present county commissioner and a prominent and
successful farmer of Pleasant township, Van Wert County, Ohio, is
the second son and eldest now living, born to Hamilton and Maria
(Riddle) Robinson.
JOHN C. ROBINSON was born in
Richland county, Ohio, Apr. 6, 1848, and when but five years of age
came with his parents to this county, where he has lived ever since.
He was educated in the common schools of his day, was taught
industry in his early youth, and was reared upon the farm by one of
the early settlers of Pleasant township. When but seventeen
years of age, he offered his service for the preservation of the
Union, but was not received on account of his youth. He
remained under the parental roof, assisting his father on the home
farm, until his marriage, which event took place, Feb. 5, 1870, at
which time he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Harris,
of Van Wert. To this happy union one daughter has been born -
Clara, now the wife of Carey Hoghe, an enterprising
young farmer of Pleasant township.
For two years after his marriage, Mr. Robinson
lived on a rented farm. He then purchased near the old
homestead a farm of forty acres, which has covered with woods, lying
in its natural state, which he at once began to clear and improve.
Subsequently he sold this farm and purchased the one on which he now
lives. He has added to his farm from time to time until it now
contains 208 acres is well stocked and improved, and in an excellent
state of cultivation. Mr. Robinson is one of the
classical, well-read farmers of this county, and it being his chosen
work he was elected director of the agricultural board of the
county. He is a leading and influential member of Pleasant
grange, No. 399, and has done much to advance to agricultural
interests of the community in which he lives. As a farmer,
Mr. Robinson is enterprising and progressive, and is one of the
public-spirited men of the county, being at all times ready to lend
a helping hand to any enterprise that would tend to the development
and better condition of the community at large. Politically he
is a stanch supporter of the republican party, which party he has
served as a willing and efficient officer. In 1884 he was
chosen infirmary superintendent, which place he filled to the entire
satisfaction of the directors. At the close of this official
position he was nominated, in the fall of 1888, to fill the office
of county commissioner of his district, and in November of the same
year was elected by the usual majority. Mr. Robinson
and his most estimable wife take a deep interest in matters
educational and the welfare of the rising generation, with whom they
are very popular. They are generous and benevolent and highly
esteemed wherever known.
HAMILTON ROBINSON, the father of
John C., is one of the oldest and most successful farmers of
Pleasant township; he is the son of John and Margaret (Nelson)
Robinson who were both natives of Ireland - the former of county
Down, near Belfast, and who immigrated to America in childhood.
The father of John Robinson was James Robinson, a
Protestant in religion, who was forced to leave his country on
account of his religious belief in 1788, when he came to America and
settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he died in the year 1816.
There John Robinson, grandfather of John C., was
reared to manhood and received a limited education in a little old
log school-house. He served in the war of 1812, and soon after
his enlistment was given a captain's commission and after the war
returned to his farm in Westmoreland county, Pa. Subsequently,
in 1814, he started westward on horseback, accompanied by a friend
by the name of John Law, carrying his camp kettle and
necessary equipment on pack saddles, determined to seek his fortune.
He halted in the wilderness of Richland county, Ohio, where he
entered three tracts of land in the name of himself and two
brothers. On this land, with the help of his companion, he
erected a log cabin, in which he soon established his young family
and began the task of clearing a farm from the woods. About
the year 1800 he was united in marriage with Margaret Nelson,
also a native of Ireland, who had come to America with her parents
in childhood; to their union were born nine children - Hamilton,
the father of J. C., being the youngest and the only one now
living; they were named as fallows in order of birth: James,
John, Alexander, William, Thomas, Agnes, Esther, Margaret and
Hamilton. Mr. Robinson was a man of unusual strength and
courage, steadfast in his purposes and firm in his convictions, and
was a stanch member of the Associated Reform church.
Hamilton Robinson was born in Richland county,
Ohio, Dec. 10, 1817, and there grew to manhood on the old homestead,
which he assisted in clearing from the woods, and was educated in
the pioneer schools of that day. Jan. 25, 1842, he was united
in marriage with Maria Riddle, also of Richland county and
daughter of James and Effie Riddle. To this union
eleven children have been born, viz: Eliza, deceased;
Issabella, wife of James Leslie, deceased; William,
deceased; John C., county commissioner; Margaret,
deceased wife of Martin North; James H., farmer of
Pleasant township; Jane, wife of Emanuel Good; Sarah,
Thomas A., Nancy A., and Esther M., the wife of Lemuel
Dwyer. Mrs. Robinson was born in Washington county, Pa.,
Apr. 21, 1822, and when a child came with her parents of Richland
county, Ohio. In early life she was a member of the Associated
reform church, but upon locating in Van Wert county united with the
Presbyterian church, with which she was connected at the time of her
death, December 24, 1779.
In Sept., 1852, Mr. Robinson moved to this
county and purchased a farm in Pleasant township, upon which he
resided four years; then purchased the farm on which he now lives,
and since that time has been prominently identified with the
agricultural interests of Van Wert county. He is a life-long
member of the Associated Reform church and has always been a liberal
supporter of church and school as well as all benevolent enterprises
and institutions. Politically in early life he was a democrat,
but being opposed to slavery he joined the republican party at its
formation and has since been a strong supporter of its principles.
He is one of the few remaining pioneers of Pleasant township who
were instrumental in the early development of the county, and to him
as much as any other man are largely due the goods roads of the
community and the growth and development of his township and county;
thus he can look back upon a long and useful life well spent, and no
man stands higher for integrity and honor in the county than
Hamilton Robinson.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 -
Page 641&42 |
Dr. B. A. Rose |
BUCKLEY A. ROSE
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
694 |
O. W. Rose
|
OBADIAH WELLINGTON ROSE
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
686 |
|
|
JOHN T. ROSS, of York
township, Van Wert county, Ohio, is a native of Brown township,
Franklin county, and was born Mar. 19, 1831, a son of John and
Mary (Tomlinson) Ross, natives of Virginia. The parents
were married in Madison county, Ohio, and came to Van Wert county in
1835, where they entered 100 acres of land and an additional forty
acres in Mercer county, all located in the wild woods, but which
Mr. Ross subsequently cleared off, laboring at this work until
his death, in his forty-third year. Mr. and Mrs. Ross
were the parents of the following children, namely: Rebecca,
wife of Harrison Boroff, of Mercer county; Robert and
Benjamin, deceased; Nancy widow of Robert
Dunathan of Mendon, Mercer county; William, deceased;
John T., our subject Lydia, the widow of Washington
Price, of Delphosa, Ohio; Lewis, residing in Van
Wert, was a lieutenant in the Civil war; Paul S.,
whose residence is in Colorado; Richard T. residing in Payne,
Paulding county, Ohio, and who was wounded, while serving in the
Forty-sixth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, in the battle of
Mission Ridge, from which wound he has never fully recovered; and
Mary Jane, deceased wife of Rev. William Deal. The
mother of these children for her second husband married John
Arnold, the union resulting in the birth of one son, Dallas
M., of Mercer county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are
now deceased, both dying in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
John T. Ross was reared to farm life,
though when a young man he spent most of his time in hunting and
trapping, and even as late as 1865 killed eighteen deer. In
1847 he entered forty acres of land, which he shortly afterwards
sold and bought eighty acres in 1853, to which he afterward added
200 acres, all of which he has cleared from the forest and improved
with the exception of twenty acres; a little old tumbled down cabin
still covers the spot on which he first made his abiding place in
this wild country, where, at the time, the Wyandot and Cherokee
Indians held away.
Mr. Ross was married to Elizabeth Magdalena
Ross, a native of Hanover, Germany, and to this union have been
born seven children, namely: Henry who died at the age of
eight years; Albert, who wedded Emma Hook, and lives
in Van Wert; Rosaltha, wife of J. D. Anderson, of Van
Wert county; Cyrus, married to Hattie Telis, and
living near the old home; Julia Ettie wife of George W.
Crone, of Paulding County, Ohio; Wilhelmina, wife of
John A. Jones, and mother of one child, named Russell.
Sept. 15, 1861, Mr. Ross enlisted in company A,
Forty-sixth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and had his first
fight at Shiloh, following wich he took part at Corinth, Jackson,
Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Champion Hills and New
Hope church; at Noonday Creek in the Kenesaw valley, the charge at
Kenesaw Mountain; and then at Atlanta, July 23, 1864, and on the
28th of the same month sustained two slight wounds, one of which was
in the forehead. At Jonesboro he was in a fierce fight with
Hood's men; he was next at Blue Ridge, then at Grisselville,
Ga., where the first brigade of the Third division had a combat with
five brigades of Hood's army. He next took part at
Bentonville, the last battle fought by Gen. Sherman. Mr.
Ross was mustered out at Louisville, Ly., July 27, 1865,
and was paid off and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 17 of the
same year. Mrs. Ross died Jan. 4, 1894, and Mr. Ross
still lives on the homestead, surrounded by a large circle of
devoted friends.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 -
Page 648 |
|
|
LEWIS F.
ROSS, retired manufacturer and dealer in drain tile, Van
Wert, Ohio, is a native of Mercer county, Ohio, is a son of John
and Mary (Tomlinson) Ross, and was born June 8, 1835.
John Ross, also a native of the Buckeye state,
was reared to manhood in Franklin county, whence he moved to Mercer
county in 1834, and engaged in farming. He had been married in
Franklin county to Miss Tomlinson, a native of the county,
who bore her husband a family whose names are given in the sketch of
John T. Ross, preceding.
Lewis F. Ross, the subject of this sketch, was a
lad of eight years at the time of his mother's second marriage, when
the family removed to York township, Van Wert county, where Lewis
F. worked on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when he
went to live with his brother, John F., of the same township,
with whom he worked until twenty-one years of age, and then worked
"on shares" until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he
enlisted for three years in company A, Forty-sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry, Sept. 10, 1861, under Capt. J. W. Heath He
participated in all the marches, shirmishes and engagement s
of his regiment until February, 1864, when he veteranized at
Scottsboro, Ala., was assigned to his old company, and granted a
veteran furlough home. On his way back to his regiment he was
taken ill and was left at Chattanooga, Tenn., in charge of the camp
equipage of his brigade, until September, 1864, when he rejoined his
command and served with it until his honorable discharge, at
Louisville, Ky., July 22, 1865. That Mr. Ross was a
true, good and faithful soldier and patriot is proven by the facts
that he was promoted to Fifth sergeant while in the ranks, and at
Camp Sherman, one year later, was promoted to the First sergeancy,
and, Feb. 2, 1865, was commissioned first lieutenant. On his
discharge from the army he returned to York township and engaged in
farming, having purchased a farm of eighty acres. For ten
years he also filled the office of justice of the peace, and then
resigned, and for two years served as township assessor. In
1884 he sold his York township farm and came to Van Wert, and for
two seasons was employed as an assistant to the county commissioners
in opening up and extending the Little Auglaize river for six miles,
and then for a year was engaged in soliciting for the Ohio Farmers'
Assurance association; in 1886 he embarked in the manufacture of
drain tile, which vocation he followed until 1893, when he sold his
plant and is now living in retirement.
The marriage of Lieut. Lewis F. Ross took place
in York township, Van Wert county, Ohio, June 16, 1868, to Miss
Ida E. Roberts, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, Jan. 21,
1851, a daughter of John and Mary (Mitchel) Roberts, and this
union has been blessed by the birth of three children, viz.: Chauncy
C., a merchant of Van Wert, born Aug. 1, 1872; Otis C., a
clerk, born June 8, 1876; Hallie, born July 21, 1882 - died
Mar. 21, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are consistent members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is a member of
G. A. R. He owns 100 acres of fine land in the county.
He owns 100 acres of fine land in the county, and has a very
pleasant residence in the city, where he enjoys, with his family,
the esteem of a large circle of friends.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 -
Page 649 |
| |
S. J. ROWLAND,
of York township, Van Wert county, a native of Harrison
county, Ohio, was born Sept. 8, 1836, and died Dec. 2, 1895.
His father, LEWIS ROWLAND, was
a native of Pennsylvania, and was there married to Mary
Shivers, who ore him six children, in the following
order: William, deceased; Rachel, wife
of George Balor, of Indiana; S. J., subject of
this sketch; Eliza Jane, who died at the age of four
years; John and Sarah Ann (twins) - the latter
the wife of T. T. Whitten, of Van Wert county, and
the former killed in battle near Richmond, Va., when but
eighteen years of age, being a member of the Fifty-fifth
Indiana volunteers. William Rowland was also a
soldier in the late Rebellion, served in the Fifteenth
volunteer infantry, and in the performance of his duty
contracted the disease which caused his death. The
father of this family came to Van Wert county in the fall of
1838, and first entered land contiguous to that now owned by
Seth Painter. Here, in 1847 he lost his wife,
whom he duly mourned, but in 1851 took to himself what he
hoped would prove to be another help-mate, but the union
proved to be uncongenial and a dissolution of the tie soon
took place, and Mr. Rowland died a widower.
S. J. Roland, the subject proper of this sketch,
was reared to a thorough practical knowledge of agriculture,
and received a very good school education. At the age
of twenty-six years he was united in the bonds of matrimony
with Miss Sarah Jane Whitten,
daughter of Philip Whitten, to which union
were born three sons, viz: William H., Barcy A. and
John A. Of these the eldest, William
H., married Miss Emma Ireland, and now resides in
York township, Van Wert county. Mrs. Sarah J. Rowland
bade her last farewell to her husband and children in March,
1890, dying an ardent lover of her Master; her bereaved
husband is also a consistent member of the Society of
Friends.
Mr. Rowland, in his politics, was an
active republican and served as trustee of his township.
His son, William H., is also a republican, but in
religion differs with his deceased father. Our subject was
the owner of a fertile farm of seventy-nine acres, as well
tilled, productive and attractive as any farm of its size in
the county. Mr. Rowland was looked upon
with great respect and esteem by his neighbors, and his
upright course through life won for him many deep and
lasting friendships.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record
of Allen and Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W.
Bowen & Co. - 1896 ~ Page 652 |
| ` |
EMERY RUMMEL,
an official of Harrison township, Van Wert county, Ohio, and
a highly respected citizen, is remotely of German descent,
his lineage, however, being traced only to his grandfather,
a native of Maryland.
JOHN GEORGE RUMMEL, father of our
subject, was also a native of Maryland, born Mar. 28, 1799,
and when but a lad was brought to Ohio by his father, who
located in Mahoning county. John G. received a
very fair education, learning to read and write in German
and English languages, and being also taught the carpenter's
trade. Apr. 4, 1820, he married Susannah,
daughter of Barney Faustnaught, a pioneer of Mahoning
county. In 1846 Mr. Rummel brought his family
to Van Wert county, accompanied, with horses and wagons, by
the families of Joseph Whitenbarger, William May
and William Brothers, and also by his wife's
father, who rode in a one-horse buggy. Beside his
wife, the family of Mr. Rummel consisted of eight
children—Margaret, Sophia, Joseph,
Susannah, Elizabeth, Caroline, Isaac P.
and Emery. The settled on the farm now owned by
our subject, in section No. 6, Harrison township. The
tract was covered entirely with timber, and comprised 143
acres in Ohio and thirty-three acres across the line in
Indiana, and through the usual persistency and industry
characterizing the pioneer, a farm was wrought out, that
afterward became the equal of any in the county.
Mr. Rummel lived to be over eighty-two years of
age—dying Nov. 25, 1881, a devoted member of the Lutheran
church and in politics a stanch democrat.
Emery Rummel was born in
Mahoning county, Ohio, Aug. 31, 1845, and was, of course, a
mere babe when brought to Van Wert county. He was
reared on the home farm and at the proper age was sent to
the pioneer school nearest at hand, and this he attended
three months in the year until he reached the age of
seventeen years. Apr. 3, 1870, he was married, in
Adams county, Ind., to Miss Lavina Barkley,
daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Kahl) Barkley.
The father, Andrew Barkley, was born in Ashland
county, Ohio, was of German extraction, and at the age of
eight years lost his father. His wife, a daughter of
Henry Kahl, was born in Pennsylvania, and
became the mother of five children, viz: Lavina,
John, Henry, Mary and James.
Mr. Barkley was a soldier in the late war and
is now living in retirement in Decatur, Ind., and, with his
wife, is a member of the Church of God. To the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Emery Rummel have been born
ten chidren, in the following order: Bertha A.,
now wife of Lawson Wallis, Mary E.,
John H., George A., Della M.,
Lavina C., Mabel E., Ora S., Francis V.
and Tessie H. The parents are devout members of
the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which Mr. Rummel
has been a deacon for several years, as well as
superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics Mr.
Rummel is a democrat, and has served two terms as
township trustee and two terms as justice of the peace; he
has also been a member of the school board and has served as
supervisor; he is a member of the grange, and has always
been a warm friend of the agricultural progress of his
township as well as an ardent promoter of its educational
interest.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
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J. G. RUMMEL
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
658 |
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H. F. RUMP
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
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ALBERT RUNNION,
a prominent citizen of Pleasant township, Van Wert county,
is a native of Ohio, born in the county of Crawford, in the
year 1853. His paternal ancestors came originally from
Germany, and were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania,
in which state his grandfather, Joseph Runnion,
was born and reared. Joseph Runnion was
a pioneer of Richland county, Ohio, where, in 1817, his son,
John L. Runnion, father of the subject of this
mention was born.
John L. Runnion spent the years of his youth and
early manhood in his native county, and began life for
himself as a farmer in the county of Crawford, Ohio, where
the remainder of his life was passed. On the tenth of
November, 1842, in Richland county, Ohio, was solemnized his
marriage with Emily Bowers, and six children
resulted from the union, as follows: Rachael,
deceased; William, of Seneca county; Elza N.,
of Van Wert; Albert, whose name introduces this
sketch; James F. of Pleasant township, and John,
deceased. Mrs. Runnion was born in
Richland county, Ohio,
in April, 1823, and is descended from Welsh ancestry.
John L. Runion was known as an enterprising
and successful farmer, a useful citizen, and a man of
unquestioned integrity. He was for years a consistent
member of the United Brethren church, for the promotion of
which he gave liberally of his means, and politically
supported the republican party in its infancy. He was
a man of marked individuality, firm in his convictions of
right, and endeavored to guide his life according to the
principles of truth and justice. He took a deep
interest in matters educational, possessed the confidence
and esteem of all who knew him, and his death, which
occurred in 1859, was an event sadly deplored in the
community. About the year 1864, Mrs. Emily
Runnion was united in marriage to Matthias
Corothers, whose death occurred in 1877 (see sketch of
J. L. Corothers). His widow survived him
several years, and departed this life Oct. 2, 1893.
Albert Runnion received his elementary
education in the common schools, and subsequently took a
two-year course at Heidelburg college, Tiffin, Ohio, where
he made substantial progress in the higher branches of
learning. During a part of the time spent in college,
and six years thereafter, he taught school in the counties
of Crawford and Huron, and at intervals followed
agricultural pursuits, in which he met with well deserved
success. In 1882, he sold his farm on the boundary of
Huron, Seneca and Crawford counties, and invested the
proceeds in real estate in Pleasant township, Van Wert
county. Three years later he purchased the farm where
he now resides, which he has brought to a successful state
of cultivation. Mr. Runnion is an
intelligent farmer, a public spirited citizen, and one of
the well-informed men of the community in which he resides;
politically he wields an influence for the republican party,
and was honored by the citizens of Pleasant township, in the
years 1893 and 1894, by being electen to the office of tax
assessor, the duties of which position be discharged in a
manner with credit to himself and satisfaction to all
concerned. Mr. Runnion was married, in
1877, to Jennie M.Corothers, daughter of John and
Susan (Mowery) Corothers, a union blessed with three
children, namely: Francis, Loie B. (deceased)
and Susie. Mrs. Jennie M. Runnion was
born Mar. 2, 1865, in Huron county, Ohio; she is a member of
the Society of Friends, with which church her husband is
also identified.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
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ELZA N. RUNNION,
owner of a fine farm and a retired educator of Liberty township, is
descended from German-English ancestry, and dates the paternal side
of her family history through several generations to the old world.
His great grandfather, JAMES H. RUNNION, was born in Baden,
Germany, came to America in the time of the colonies, and served
eight years in the war of the Revolution, a part of the time as
member of Washington's body guard; he was a farmer, and died a great
many years ago in the state of New Jersey. Joseph Runnion,
grandfather of Elza N., was born in New Jersey, served in the
war of 1812, married Rachael Logan, and, later moved to
Belmont county, Ohio; thence to the county of Richland in the early
development of which he took an active part. His wife died in
1862, and later he removed to Williams county, Ohio, where his death
occurred. He is remembered as a highly respectable citizen and
a man of much local prominence.
JOHN L. RUNNION, son of Joseph,
was born in Belmont county, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1816, and when a mere lad
accompanied his parents to the county of Richland. He was a
well educated man, a United Brethren in his church affiliations,
originally a democrat in politics and later became a republican; he
married Emily Bowers, daughter of Jeremiah and Anna Bowers,
and had a family consisting of the following children, William
A., Elza N., Albert, James S. and Logan. Shortly
after his marriage, Mr. Runnion moved to Crawford county,
Ohio, where his death occurred June 4, 1859. His widow
subsequently married Matthias Corothers, and departed this
life in Seneca county, Sept. 8, 1893.
Elza N. Runnion was born in Crawford county,
Ohio, Apr. 12, 1850. He received a liberal education,
attending first the public schools and later the Baldwin university,
and for a period of eighteen years taught school in various pats of
Ohio. Mr. Runnion has always been a student, and since
retiring from the profession of teaching has paid considerable
attention to literature, being one of the best read men in the
county. On the 3rd day of October, 1872, he entered into the
marriage relation with Arletta Dellinger, daughter of John
and Mariah (Leister) Dellinger, of Crawford county. The
father of Mrs. Runnion is a prominent citizen of the
aforesaid county, a large farmer and stock raiser and successful
business man.
After his married Mr. Runnion settled in
Crawford county, where he engaged in farming and teaching,
purchasing land there and residing upon the same until his
removal to the county of Van Wert. He has been a resident of
Liberty township on teh latter county for twelve years, owning a
good farm which is well improved and successfully cultivated.
He has been a menber fo the school board of Ohio City since coming
to the custody, takes an active interst in matters educational and
has done much for the schools of his township. He is an
earnest supporter of the republican party, and fraternally belongs
to Wide-awake lodge, No. 571, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed
all the chairs, and is also a member of the P. of H. and K. of P.
orders. Mr. and Mrs. Runnion have had a family of six
children, viz: Florence E., Minnie M. J., John E., Verna E.,
Viola and Albert, the last two both deceased.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 -
Page 658 |
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J. F. RUNNION,
son of John L. and Emily A. Runnion, and brother of
Albert, notices of whom appear in the preceding
sketch, is an Ohioan by birth, and first saw the light of
day in the year 1856, in Crawford county. Left
fatherless at the age of four years, his early training
devolved upon his mother, who spared no pains, nor left
unimproved any opportunity of instilling into his youthful
mind the principles of truth and right which have since
borne fruit in his active and useful life. His early
educational training was received in the schools of Seneca
county, supplemented by a two years' course in Heidelberg
college, and later, for a year and a half, he pursued his
studies in the normal school at Valpariso, Ind., preparatory
to engaging in the profession of teaching. At
intervals, while attending college, he taught in the schools
of Crawford county, and thus succeeded in procuring means to
enable him to pay his way in the institutions above
mentioned. His success in the educational field is
attested by the fact of his having taught fourteen terms in
the schools of Crawford, Seneca and Van Wert counties; and
when not engaged in his profession, he gave his attention to
the pursuit of agriculture. In October, 1886, Mr.
Runnion and Miss Lizzie Shade,
daughter of Simeon and Louisa Shade, of Crawford
county, were made man and wife, and three children have
resulted from the marriage - Lester Cleon,
Simon Delbert, and an infant daughter, deceased.
On the 12th day of April, 1881, Mr. Runnion,
with his mother and brother, E. N. Runnion, moved to
his present home in Pleasant township, where, for six years
thereafter, he was engaged in teaching in connection with
tilling the soil. At the end of that time he concluded
to retire from educational work and devote his time
exclusively to agriculture, which he has since done.
He and wife are members of the Methodist church, and while
taking no very active interest in matters political, he
supports the republican party with his ballot. Mr.
Runnion has a well-stored mind, keeps himself posted
in current events, and his educational training enables him
to discharge intelligently the duties of American
citizenship.
The following is a brief outline of the leading facts
in the history of Mrs. Runnion’s family. Her
father, Simeon Shade, was born in Columbiana
county, Ohio, of which his father, a native of Pennsylvania,
was a pioneer, and a farmer, which useful calling he
followed all his life. He was married, in 1857, to
Louisa Knierremen, who was born in Stark county, Ohio,
in the year 1839. The following are the names of their
children: Ilona, wife of Q. R. Brown, of
Bloomville; Lizzie; Simeon A., of Crawford
county, and William E., of the county of Seneca.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Shade are still living in Crawford
county.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page
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NOTES: |
