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BIOGRAPHIES
Source #3
Commemorative Biographical Records
of
Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of
Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co.
1899
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RICHARD
GAUDERN, M.D.
For forty-two years has Doctor Gaudern
successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Pioneer,
Williams county, and he has also been prominently identified with the
growth and development of this region. He was born in Oneida
county, New York, July 26, 1832, a son of Richard and Abigail (Stewart)
Gaudern, the former a native of England, where he was twice married,
both wives dying in that country before his emigration to America.
The Gaudern family was originally from France.
The father, with his children, came to the New World, and although a
lace maker by trade he was here employed at farm work by Lord
Livingston. In 1835 he became a resident of Coshocton county,
Ohio, and taking great interest in the cause of education he erected the
first frame school house in his township, in that county. In 1840,
he came to Williams county, locating in Bridgewater township, where he
purchased a tract of unimproved land, which he converted into a
well-improved and highly-cultivated farm. He became one of the
prominent men of his community, served as township trustee, was one of
the early Abolitionists, and was a "conductor" on the "Underground
Railroad," assisting many a slave on his way to Canada and freedom.
After coming to America he married Abigail Stewart (mother of our
subject), a daughter of Solomon W. Stewart, a distinguished man and
noted educator, having taught for forty years in and near the city of
Hudson, New York. He was a native of Scotland, belonging to a
prominent family of that country, and as a British soldier he came to
America. He was captured by the Colonial troops, and afterward
became a loyal citizen of the United States. His children were:
John, Solomon, Phebe, Mary, Abigail and others being
William, a farmer
of Missouri; Catherine, wife of Judge Perkey; Mrs.
Abigail Champion; and
Mrs. Theodosia Graves. The father died in 1850, the mother in
1872, spending her last years with her son, the doctor. Both were
consistent members of the Methodist Church, and were highly respected by
all who knew them.
During his childhood Doctor Gaudern accompanied his
parents on their removal to Coshocton county, Ohio, and in 1840 came
with them to Williams county, attending the common schools in both
counties. Although his school days were over at the age of
sixteen, he still continued his studies, as he was very fond of books,
and would eagerly read all that came within his reach. In 1851 he
commenced the study of medicine in the office of Doctor Jonas H. Roe,
a
highly-educated physician, and in 1852 and 1853 attended medical
lectures in Cincinnati. Returning home he began practice with his
preceptor, but at the end of a year removed to Dansville, New York,
where he was employed as surgeon at the Dansville Model Water Cure.
In 1855 he returned to Williams county, and the following year opened an
office in Pioneer, when that place contained but one store and only a
few dwellings. Giving strict attention to his business, he soon
built up a large practice, which extended throughout the surrounding
country into Michigan and Indiana.
In the summer of 1861 Doctor Gaudern assisted in
recruiting soldiers for the Civil war, and in the following year went to
the field as surgeon; but after some time spent in active service, he
contracted the camp fever and was compelled to return home. After
his recovery he recruited another company in 1863, and in 1864 was
commissioned captain in the Sixty-eight Battalion Ohio Volunteers,
reporting for duty at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. After being
mustered into the United States service he proceeded to Washington,
D.C., and was in command at Fort Willard for two weeks, after which he
went to Point of Rocks, Virginia, being on picket duty between
Petersburg and Richmond until his one-hundred-days' enlistment had
expired.
On his return to his home in Pioneer, Doctor Gaudern
resumed practice, and also became interested in a number of business
enterprises, investing in real estate, and engaging in merchandising in
partnership with Mr. Perkey, a minister, who served as chaplain of the
Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After three years spent in
mercantile pursuits, the Doctor sold out and entered Bellevue Medical
College, New York, where he graduated in medicine and surgery, and since
1873 he has devoted his attention almost exclusively to his large
practice. His army service somewhat disabled him, and to-day he
carries on only an office practice, his patrons being unwilling that he
should retire altogether. He has been an important factor in the upbuilding and development of the village where he has so long made his
home, and is justly numbered among its valued and honored citizens.
In 1857 Doctor Gaudern married Miss
Lucinda Pennell,
daughter of Rev. Abram Pennell, of New York State, who was for fourteen
years a Wesleyan minister, during which time he antagonized the "Millerites,"
and for two weeks engaged in debate with one of their principal
preachers. He afterward became converted to that faith, and was
ordained an Adventist minister. He died full of years in Honeoye,
Ontario county, New York. The only child born to the Doctor and
his wife died at the age of three years, and Mrs. Gaudern, who was a
consistent member of the Methodist Church, and quite prominent in
society, passed away in September, 1862. In the following year
Doctor Gaudern married Miss Lucia R. Pitts, a schoolmate and associate
of his former wife. She was born in New York State, a daughter of
Peter Pitts, an influential farmer and prominent man, and she was a
cultured and refined lady, having received a collegiate education.
She died from affection of the brain in 1870, a faithful member of the
Methodist Church. Three children blessed this union: Abigail
S., who is a graduate of the Michigan University - class of '95
(scientific course); Bessie, an under-graduate at the Ohio Wesleyan
College; and Edward, also a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University,
who also studied law, and is now engaged in practice at Bryan, Williams
county; he married Miss Cora Patten, of Hillsborough, Ohio, a graduate
of Ohio Wesleyan University - class of '96. In 1874 Doctor
Gaudern
married Mrs. Mary Jane Gross, the only daughter of John Kelly, of Irish
descent, who was a prominent woolen manufacturer, and came to Williams
county from Huron county, Ohio. In his family were several sons.
Doctor Gaudern is above the average size, being over
six feet in height and of an athletic build; is a man of pleasant
address, is well posted on all standard literary works, and has
contributed many able articles to leading papers and periodicals.
Politically he is an uncompromising Republican, casting his first vote
for John C. Fremont for President; he was a delegate to the first
Republican Congressional Convention held in his district, which
convention nominated General James M. Ashley for Congress (1856), and
has been a delegate to County and State Conventions many times since.
He has his wife and children are active and prominent members of the
Methodist Church, and in social circles occupy influential positions.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 189 |
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JOHN
C. GRIM. The official surveyor of
Williams county, J. C. Grim, has won a high standing in
professional circles, his reputation for skill and accuracy extending
far beyond local limits, while as a citizen he is deservedly popular,
his ability and high character having gained the esteem of all classes
in the community.
A native of Williams county, Mr. Grim was born
at Bryan July 14, 1857, and his family has been identified with this
State from an early period. His father, Joseph S. Grim (now
deceased), was born in Stark county, and was married there to Miss
Allison Cairns, a native of Scotland. Soon afterward he
removed to Pulaski, Williams county, where he resided until 1864, with
the exception of two years spent in Bryan. He was an excellent citizen,
successful in his business as a wagon maker, and was highly respected by
his associates. Early in 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fifth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of corporal, and in December of
that year he met a soldier's death at Honey Hill, South Carolina. His
wife survived him for many years, her death occurring May 5, 1891, in
Pulaski, Williams county. They had five children, viz.: Martha,
Margaret (who died in Bryan, August 29, 1889), John C., Andrew
(who died in childhood), and Francis.
Mr. Grim's education was begun in the
common schools of Pulaski, which he attended for some time in the winter
only, the summers being spent in farm work. For two years he was
employed as a clerk in a general store in that town, and in 1881 he
began the study of surveying with James Paul, of Bryan.
His talent in this direction was so decided that he made rapid progress,
and he established himself in business readily as a surveyor and civil
engineer. In the fall of 1888 he was elected to the office of surveyor
of Williams county on the Republican ticket, and from June, 1889, to
September, 1898, he served continuously in that position. During this
period he has also been employed by the Ohio State Canal Commissioners
as a draughtsman, and the duties of that position were fulfilled with
his characteristic thoroughness and fidelity. He takes an intelligent
interest in all the questions of the day and is prominent in local
affairs, being one of the leading members of the Republican organization
in his county.
On April 7, 1886, Mr. Grim married
Miss Myrtle Lockhart, daughter of Clark and
Martha (Towers) Lockhart. Her father died some
years ago in Ashland county, Ohio, and her mother is now the wife of
John Scott, of Springfield township, Williams county. Mr.
Grim and his wife have had three children, viz.: Florence E.,
Ruth, and Leland. Socially the family is prominent, and Mr.
Grim is connected with various fraternal bodies, including Bryan
Lodge, No. 215, F. and A. M., and Bryan Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch
Masons.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 295 |
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