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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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HON.
BLAIR HAGERTY,
M. D. Among those who devote their time and attention to the
practice of medicine and surgery in Williams county, and have gained a
leading place in the ranks of their profession, is Doctor
Hagerty, of Montpelier.
A native of Williams county, he was born in Bridgewater
township, December 14, 1840, a son of Blair and Rebecca
(Goodrich) Hagerty, natives of Washington county,
Pennsylvania. In 1807 his paternal grandparents came to this country
from Ireland, locating in Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna river. During
the Indian troubles, while their son, Blair, Sr., was quite small, they
were obliged to leave their home and seek a place of safety. In order to
reach the blockhouse erected for the protection of the settlers in that
region, they had to cross the river where it was over a mile in width.
On horseback they swam across, the mother carrying her child in her arms
and the father leading her horse by a long rope. After a hard struggle
they reached the opposite bank in safety, and finally arrived at the
primitive fort. Throughout life they remained residents of Washington
county, Pennsylvania, where the grandfather engaged in the distilling
business.
In 1844 Blair Hagerty, Sr.,
brought his family to Bridgewater township, Williams county, Ohio, where
he improved a farm in the midst of the forest, and here spent his
remaining days, dying at the age of eighty-four years, his wife in the
spring of 1897, at the age of eighty-one. Both were faithful members of
the Church of Christ, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew
them. Their children were: Joseph L., a practicing physician of
Topeka, Kansas; James R., a jeweler (now deceased); Blair;
Spencer, a real-estate dealer; Almyra; Elizabeth and
Rhoda.
In the public schools near his childhood
home, Dr. Hagerty commenced his education, and later attended
college at Hillsdale for one term after which he began reading medicine
while clerking in a store at that place. In 1861 he made a visit
to Chicago, where he enlisted for three years in Company F, Forty-second
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Western
Department, Army of Missouri, but was later transferred to the Army of
the Tennessee. After one year spent in the ranks, the Doctor was
made hospital steward, by General Rosecrans, and soon afterward
was promoted to assistant-surgeon, having full charge of a hospital,
where he remained until the expiration of his term of service in 1864.
Going to Louisville, Kentucky, he was honorably discharged and returned
to his home in Williams county. Here he commenced the practice of
his chosen profession, subsequently attended medical lectures in
Detroit, Michigan, and in 1870 graduated at Bennett Medical College,
Chicago, also at the Eye and Ear College in that city. He has
neglected no opportunity to advance himself in his chosen calling, keeps
abreast with the latest discoveries in the science, and is acknowledged
to be one of the most skillful surgeons and successful physicians of
Williams County. Since 1873 his office has been in Montpelier, but
his practice is not confined to the city, it extending over a large
section of the surrounding country.
Politically Doctor Hagerty is an uncompromising
Democrat, taking an active and prominent part in public affairs.
He is a recognized leader of the party in his community, is one of its
most influential workers, and has often led the hosts to victory in
Williams county. In the General Assembly of Ohio, he represented
his district in 1869-70, was a member of several important committees,
and served with distinction and to the entire satisfaction of his
constituents. Subsequently he was the Democratic candidate for
State senator, but was unable to overcome the large Republican majority.
Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of Northwestern Ohio
- Chicago - J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 580 |
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JACOB
CONRAD HALM.
In all parts of the United States, whether in rural
hamlet or crowded city, there may be found those who trace their descent
from the studious and philosophic German race. In every walk of life
their ability and energy have gained for them a foremost rank, and they
constitute an important factor in the development and maintenance of
American institutions. The superior advantages of this section have
naturally attracted a large number of this enterprising class of
citizens, and the following sketch supplies a typical instance of a
family which has for many years occupied a leading place in the business
and social activities of the thriving city of Bryan.
The ancestors of our subject had their home for many'
generations in the south of Germany, in or near the village of
Baltmannsweiler, Schorndorf, Kingdom of Wurtemberg. His grandfather,
Jacob Halm, who was a wealthy land owner and agriculturist of
that vicinity, throughout his life held a prominent place as a citizen
by reason of his high character. Like all the members of the family,
Jacob Halm was a devout believer in the doctrines of the
Lutheran Church, in which he was an active worker, and he died in that
faith at the advanced age of eighty years. He and his wife reared a
family of children, among whom was a son, Jacob (2), our
subject's father.
Jacob Halm (2) was born in 1834, at
Baltmannsweiler, and in his youth received an excellent education in the
schools of that locality. Thus equipped for the battle of life, he
determined in early manhood to seek in America a better opportunity for
advancement than his native land promised him, and in 1854 he crossed
the Atlantic. On reaching New York City he found employment in a large
wholesale wine and liquor establishment, where he remained about four
years. In 1858 he came to Ohio on a prospecting tour, but, being
dissatisfied with the outlook, he returned to New York. In 1863 he again
came west, the rapid development of this section having dispelled all
doubts as to the future value of investments here, and soon after his
arrival he located at Bryan, purchasing three or four lots on the north
side of the public square, including the present site of the First
National Bank. He at once opened a grocery and saloon there, but after
carrying on the business for a year he sold the property and removed to
a farm in Defiance county, five miles south of Bryan. In 1865 he sold
out and returned to Bryan, having purchased from Henry Arnold
the old brewery there. It was then a common frame structure, limited in
its capacity and crude in its fittings, and with characteristic
foresight and energy he added various modern improvements.
In 1873 he removed the old buildings entirely,
and erected a modern brick structure, ninety feet square and four
stories in height, with basement, and equipped it with the most approved
appliances. His special aim was to secure a good quality of beer,
absolutely free from adulteration, pure malt and hops being used instead
of the cheaper substitutes which are sometimes employed by other
manufacturers. The water for the plant was obtained from an artesian
well, thus insuring perfect purity, and even this was carefully
sterilized before being used. It is not strange that with such methods
he soon established a reputation for making a first-class product, and
the demand rapidly increased until he had an extensive and profitable
business. At the time of his death, which occurred March 7, 1883, he was
worth more than seventy-five thousand dollars, and was regarded as one
of the substantial business men of the locality.
He was a generous man, liberal in thought and in his
dealings with others, and as a citizen he was public spirited and
progressive. In politics he was a Democrat, and during two terms he
served acceptably as a member of the city council. For many years he was
a leading member of the German Lutheran Church, and socially he was
identified with the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic fraternity. His death
was a sad blow to the community in which he had so long resided,
especially as it came without warning. While over seeing some work in
the brewery his sleeve was caught by a set screw on a rapidly revolving
shaft, and he was instantly killed. His wife, Caroline Kiesel,
to whom he was married in New York City October 20, 1858, survived him
several years, dying June 15, 1895, and their remains now rest side by
side in the Fountain City cemetery, at Bryan. Their acquaintance had
begun in childhood, at Baltmannsweiler, Germany, where Mrs.
Halm was born May 26, 1834, and as she came to America in 1853 they
had known but little separation throughout their lives until death came
between them. Of their five children—the eldest, Caroline, died
at the age of twenty, unmarried; Rosa married A. G. Helwig,
a stenographer, residing at Kendallsville, Indiana; Jacob C, our
subject, is mentioned more fully below; Julia married F. H.
Kreagloh, now the secretary of the Halm Brewing
Company at Bryan; and William died (unmarried) in 1892, aged
twenty-three years.
Our subject was born July 15, 1864, at the farm then
owned by his father in Defiance county, and his education was secured in
the schools of Bryan. During his boyhood he began to take an interest in
the management of the brewery, and in time he became thoroughly
acquainted with all the details of the work. At the time of his father's
death, although only eighteen years old, he took entire charge of the
business, and he has ever since conducted it successfully. Under his
able and progressive management the plant has been improved, any new
device being added which will increase the efficiency of the works and
the value of the product. The plant has a daily capacity of sixty
barrels, about double the daily product at the time he took charge, and.
nine men are kept constantly employed. As may be supposed, he has taken
no backward steps, and, following the example set by his father, he
permits no adulterants to be used in the goods bearing the name of his
company. Under his able and progressive management the reputation of the
product has been greatly extended, and it commands, as it should, the
highest market price.
Mr. Halm resembles his father in many
respects, and especially in his courteous manner and generous and
hospitable disposition. He enjoys wide popularity and socially is
identified with various orders, including the F. and A. M. and I. O. O.
F. In religious faith he is a Lutheran; politically he affiliates with
the Democratic party. His enterprise is displayed in local affairs
as well as in his private business, as he is always ready to assist in
any movement which promises to benefit his community, and he has served
two terms as treasurer of Pulaski township, Williams county. On December
15, 1887, he married Miss Millie M. Rankert, a daughter of
Michael Rankert, now an honored resident of Bryan. This
venerable gentleman was born in 1816 in Alsace (now a province of
Germany), and for seven years was a soldier in the French cavalry,
serving in the African campaigns, and the reminiscences of his long life
are full of interest. Mr. and Mrs. Halm have
had three children, viz.: Lorene, born January 6, 1890, and died
when only eight months old; Jacob Charles, born April 5,
1891, and Arthur William, born September 30, 1893.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 580 |
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