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JOHN F. BAKER,
one of the representative men of Hoaglin township, who resides on
his well-cultivated farm of 70 acres, situated in section 8, was 70
acres, situated in section 8, was born in Coshocton, Ohio, Feb. 22,
1856, but was raised in Fairfield County. He is a son of
Amos and Lucinda (Valentine) Baker.
It is not known definitely where Amos Baker
was born, but probably in Coshocton county, Ohio; his wife, a native
of Pennsylvania, was brought to Fairfield County, Ohio, when she was
a small child. The family ancestry is Scotch.
Our subject was reared to the age of 19 years in
Coshocton County, being educated in the local schools and then going
to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1889.
He then came to Van Wert County an din the fall of 1892 settled on
his present farm, which he has vastly improved, possessing now good,
substantial buildings and well-cultivated fields.
On July 30, 1879, John F. Baker was married to
Eliza J. Helvering, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio,
Mar. 22, 1863. They have four children, viz.: J. William
of Paulding County; Estella M., wife of Eldo Myers, of
Van Wert; Leafie D., living at home; and Roy V., of
Hoaglin township. The parents of Mrs. Baker, George and
Elizabeth (Cline) Helvering, were old settlers in Pickaway
county, the father dying when she was an infant. Politically
Mr. Baker is a Democrat. He has served three years as a
trustee of Hoaglin township, and is considered one of the township's
excellent citizens in every respect.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio -
Publ. by Richmond & Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page
550 |
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JOHN G. BAKER,
who is one of the leading citizens of Hoaglin township, this county,
was born in Knox County, Ohio, Apr. 15, 1859, being the eldest son
of Simeon and Josephine (Tissern) Baker. The father was
born June 9, 1830, in Holmes County, Ohio, and the mother at Paris,
France. In 1860 the family removed from Knox County to Hoaglin
township, Van Wert County.
Simeon Baker, the father, was for many years a
leading man in this township and served at one time as township
trustee. In the fall of 1901 he moved to Michigan, and now
resides in Kalkaska County, that State. It was during his
residence in Van Wert County that Simeon Baker joined the
military service as a supporter of the Union cause, being drafted
Oct. 24, 1864, into Company F, 41st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., Second
Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps. He was mustered
out in June, 1865, and during his eight months of service
participated in the battles at Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, all
in Tennessee. At the Nashville engagement he was wounded in
the left knee and head, but as his waist belt was also shot away he
felt, even with these injuries, that he had had a narrow escape.
Although Mr. Baker has reached an advanced age, his wounds
have caused him much trouble, especially during recent years.
In politics Simeon Baker is a Democrat. The surviving
children of Mr. Baker by his first marriage are: John G.;
James K. and Nora E. (wife of William Sattler),
both residents of Michigan; William M., of Shelby County,
Ohio; Alma, widow of the late Charles Murphy, who
resides in Van Wert; Frank E., of Kalkaska County, Michigan;
Harry, of Benzie County, Michigan; and Cora E., wife of
David Davis, of Sidney, Ohio. Mr. Baker died
July 7, 1880.
ON Feb. 7, 1889, John G. Baker, immediate
subject of this sketch, was married to Elizabeth J. Sattler,
who was born June 29, 1868, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary
A. (Kotterman) Sattler. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, have four
children, viz.: Joseph V., Mary R., Dennis A. and Jesse L.
Politically Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is one of
the representative men of the township and has filled various local
offices, serving as road supervisor to the satisfaction of all
concerned. The family is one of social prominence, and its
members are generally respected where best known.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio -
Publ. by Richmond & Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page
386 |
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LOUIS BENDER has been
an esteemed resident of Hoaglin township since the spring of 1888,
when he moved to his recently purchased farm of 103 acres in section
5, which has since been his home. He was born in Erie County,
Pennsylvania, Oct. 13, 1854, and is a son of Lewis and Lena
(Rupert) Bender, both of whom were natives of Germany.
They came to America about the middle of the last century and were
married in Erie County which was their home until 1865. At
that time the family removed to Franklin County, Ohio, in which they
remained a short time before finally locating in Licking County
where both parents passed away many years ago. The children
born to them were as follows: Louis, John, of Franklin
County; Charles W., of Colorado; Otto L.; Elizabeth,
wife of Allen Barb, Mary, wife of John Link; Emma,
married to Homer Gerheart; and Daniel. The five
last married still reside in Licking County.
Louis Bender was 10 years of age when the family
located in Licking County and it was there he grew to manhood.
When quite young he began working on the farm by the month and in
this way gathered the funds which enabled him to stock a rented farm
and, in 1888, to purchased his present holdings. It is a case
where industry and perseverance have brought their reward, and but
shows that success awaits those who strive for it by practical
means. Mr. Bender was married Feb. 12, 1888, to
Olive Bourne, a native of Indiana, by whom he has a family of
four children, viz.: Elizabeth B.; Charles W.; Frederick; and
a child who died as an infant. Mr. Bender is a
prominent member, class leader and steward of the Grand Victory
Church, of Hoaglin township, and one of the most indefatigable
workers in the Evangelical Association.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio -
Publ. by Richmond & Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 625 |
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JOHN B. BROWN, one of
Van Wert County's well-known and respected citizens, and a prominent
farmer of Pleasant township, residing in section 31 on his
well-improved farm of 80 acres, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio,
Dec. 7, 1849, and is a son of William and Mary (Baum) Brown.
The father of Mr. Brown was born in
Pennsylvania and his mother in Maryland. In 1835 they moved to
Montgomery County, Ohio, as very early pioneers, where they became
substantial farming people. The survivors of their family are:
John B., of this sketch; Martin, a resident of
Van Wert, Catherine, widow of Ephraim Summers,
of Montgomery County; and Annie, wife of Amos Dilts,
of Pleasant township.
John B. Brown was reared on his father's farm,
attended the district schools and was trained to be a practical
farmer. He has been a resident of Pleasant township since
1833, and has lived on his present farm since 1903. It is
considered one of the very valuable farms of the township and it is
very well managed by its owner.
Mr. Brown was married June 1, 1881, to Etta,
Eckfeld, who was born in Harrison township, Van Wert County,
Ohio, Jan. 22, 1861, and is a daughter of John N. and Catherine (Gehres)
Eckfeld, both natives of Germany and early settlers in Harrison
township. For many years the Eckfelds lived in Van Wert,
where the father died June 5, 1888, and the mother, Apr. 12,
1903. The children who survive John M. Eckfeld and wife
are: Elizabeth, wife of Martin Brown of Van Wert;
Etta, wife of our subject; Esther wife of M. H.
Standish, of Van Wert; and John E., who resides in Van
Wert.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had these children:
Catherine M., William J., Elizabeth, Leah and Carl,
the latter deceased.
Politically, Mr. Brown has always been
affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1897 he was his
party's candidate for the office of sheriff, but was defeated by a
man who was also very popular, Sheriff John M. Webster, who
had but 130 more votes.
Mr. Brown is a great advocate of good roads and
he has been agitating this question for a long time. It was
mainly through his earnest efforts that the first turnpike road was
built in Van Wert County, which runs through Pleasant township, and
which was named the Brown turnpike in his honor. He has proved
himself one of the township's valuable and public-spirited citizens.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 491 |
Residence
and
Farm Buildings of
Matthew Henry Brown |
MATTHEW HENRY BROWN,
one of the large farmers and substantial citizens of Union
township, who owns an estate of 100 acres situated in
section 18, was born near South Bloomingville, Hocking
County, Ohio, May 1, 1853, and is a son of Adam and Nancy
Agnes (Johnston) Brown.
The Brown family is of
Irish descent, and the Johnstons of Scotch.
Adam Brown, the father of Matthew H., was born in
Hampshire County, Virginia, but the greater part of his
married life was spent in Hocking County, Ohio, where his
wife died, his own death occurring in Columbus. The 12
children of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Brown were:
Sarah (Mitchell), of Madison County; Hiram S., of
Hocking County; Margaret (Poland), of Columbus;
Tabitha, who died at the age of three years; Mary Ann,
who was born in 1841, and died Aug. 25, 1892; Lydia
(Williams) and Harriet (Hutchison), both of
Columbus; Thomas P., of Vinton County; Isaac,
of Columbus; Matthew Henry; Andrew, deceased; and
Jane (Rochte), of Fulton County.
Matthew H. Brown remained on the home farm with
his parents until he reached his majority, working as a
lumberman during the winter seasons in Athens, Hocking and
Vinton counties. Later he entered the business
himself, buying, cutting and shipping lumber, his main depot
being Columbus. For about seven years he was in
partnership with his brothers, Hiram S. and Thomas
P. Brown. He then went to Lyons County, Kansas,
where he was engaged in the carpenter and stone-mason lines,
having a practical knowledge of many trades, as well as a
natural skill in actual workman ship. After spending a
few months in Kansas, he was taken down with typhoid fever,
which necessitated his return to Hocking County, where he
was married. He then removed to Wood County and worked
for one summer as a carpenter, after which he returned to
Hocking County, where he assisted in the building of 22
houses and, working with a partner, cut 375,000 feet of
logs.
In June, 1887, Mr. Brown came to Van Wert County
and bought 100 acres of woodland in sections 17 and 18,
Union township, paying $1,450 for 80 acres as a first
purchase, the additional 20 acres costing him $800. He
has recently been offered $110 per acre for the entire farm
of 100 acres, all of which he has cleared with the exception
of 15 acres. The land is all under a high state of
cultivation and is very productive, and the improvements he
has made in the way of erecting substantial buildings, have
made the property of great value. Views of Mr.
Brown's residence and farm building accompany this
sketch. Mr. Brown has always been a good
business man, and has not only made money for himself, but
his assisted those in business with him. He helped his
father pay off a debt of $1,500, and he has always been
ready to assist in necessary public improvements - in the
way of making goods roads and providing school facilities.
Finally, he is a man of excellent standing and commands
general respect among his neighbors, his fellow-citizens and
in the more general community.
On Mar. 17, 1886, Mr. Brown was married to
Ella Nichols, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, Aug.
26, 1767, and is a daughter of Andrew and Amanda (Bagley)
Nichols. The former is a native of Morgan County
and the latter of Muskingum County, Ohio. Mr. and
Mrs. Brown have these children, who form a happy,
domestic home circle: Agnes, Floyd, Orlana, May, Jessie,
Walter, Clinton, Arthur and Oscar. Another
child died as an infant. Politically Mr. Brown
is identified with the Republican party, and formerly was
connected with the local grange.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 671 |
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SAMUEL ANDERSON BROWN,
for many years one of prominent and substantial farmers of
Liberty township, now lives in comfortable retirement at
Ohio City, where he is held in high esteem as a good
citizen, and also as a veteran of the Civil war.
Mr. Brown was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in
1843, and is a son of Robert and Margaret (Wright)
Brown.
The parents of Mr. Brown,
who also were natives of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, came
to Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1844, settling in York
township. Their children numbered 12, six sons and six
daughters. Of these the following survive:
Elizabeth, wife of Peter Moore, of Michigan;
Abraham of Dakota; W. J., of Dakota; J. C.,
of Dakota; Nancy, of Mercer County, Ohio; and
Samuel Anderson, of this sketch.
Samuel A. Brown was but 15 months old when his
parents brought him to Ohio, and he has given his adopted
State good reasons to be proud of him. When but 18
years of age he left home to answer the call for defenders
of his country, enlisting in September, 1861 in Company A,
46th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered in at Camp
Lyon, where several months were spent in drilling and
preparing for the dangers to come; but about February his
regiment was sent to Camp Dennison, thence by boat to
Paducah, Kentucky, and with the whole brigade was sent to
Pittsburg Landing. At the terrible battle of Shiloh,
the young soldier had his first realization of real war;
then quickly followed the seige of Corinth; then Vicksburg,
after which the regiment was sent to Jackson, Mississippi.
From there is regiment returned to Black River and thence to
the rear of Vicksburg, where it remained until September,
when it marched to Chattanooga, and took part in the battle
of Mission Ridge. The command to which Mr. Brown
belonged was then sent to relieve Burnside and went
on to Scottsboro, Alabama.
It was at this point that Mr. Brown, having
completed his first enlistment, again entered the service of
his country, contracting for three more years or until the
close of the war. Again he took up the duties of a
brave, cheerful, loyal soldier, marched with his companions
through that memorable campaign which extended from
Chattanooga to Atlanta. At Resaca he received a wound
which placed him in a hospital at Louisville for a long
period. He was then sent back to Camp Dennison, and it
was not until his regiment had reached Raleigh that he was
able to rejoin it and march to Washington to take part in
the glorious review in that city. He was mustered out
of the service July 22, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.
After the close of his veteran service, Mr. Brown
returned to Van Wert County and became engaged in farming
and stock-raising in which he continued until about a year
ago, when he removed to Ohio City. In the spring of
1867 he settled on 80 acres of land, situated in the virgin
woods, not a stick of timber having been removed. His
brother had purchased it for him with money he had saved
while he was in the army. The first trees felled upon
the property were those with which he built his cabin.
After clearing all but 17 acres of the tract, he sold it and
bought a farm of 240 acres in Van Wert County and 40 in
Mercer County and cleared about 40 of this. He is
considered one of the most substantial men of Liberty
township.
In 1866 Mr. Brown was married to Maria Kesler,
who is a daughter of John Kesler who came to Van Wert
County in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have nine
children, namely: Lewis, a farmer of Liberty
township; John W., at home; Rosa, wife of
William M. Medaugh, of Willshire township; Della,
wife of J. G. Medaugh, of Ohio City; Edith, at
home; Nancy, wife of Russell Straw of Pleasant
township; Susan, at home; and Gaylord and
Fernie who are attending school.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Mount Zion United
Brethren Church at Mount Zion. Although never a
politician, he is identified with the Republican party.
Mr. Brown has always been an active citizen, and at
all times matters pertaining to the welfare of Liberty
township have received his careful attention.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 797 |
NOTES: |
