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AMANDA TOWNSHIP - 561 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AMANDA TOWNSHIP. DAVID S. ADAMS, farmer, P. 0. Kempton, was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 26, 1849; son of Lamyan, a native of Kentucky and an early settler of Warren County, and Maria (Stewart) Adams, who was born in New Jersey. Of their eight children, David S. is the sixth. Our subject, when ten years of age, came to this county with his parents; was raised on a farm, his education being limited to what he could obtain in the common schools. He has always followed agricultural pursuits. He entered upon his career in life with nothing, but by habits of industry and economy, has gained a goodly portion of this world's goods. He is always interested in public improvements, and gives aid to all as far as his circumstances will permit. Mr. Adams was married March 3, 1869, to Miss Margaret Emiline Clark, born in this county January 12, 1854, died July 23, 1884. To them were born six children, two of whom are deceased—Laura and Alonzo. Those living are John Quincy, Forest Dell, Clarence and Samantha. Mr. Adams is an enterprising farmer, a good neighbor, highly esteemed by his friends. ISAAC J. BABER, farmer, P. 0. Lima, was born in German Township, Allen Co., Ohio, October 6, 1842; son of James and Susan. (McMullen) Baber, natives of Virginia and early settlers of this county. Our subject received a limited common school education, and having been raised on a farm has naturally made farming the principal occupation of his life. He was united in marriage, October 27, 1867, with Mary M. Thomas, of German Township. this county, and by her has eight children: William Brinton, James W., Franklin Orwood, Albert, Naoma, Margaret, Walter, and Isaac, Jr. Mr. Baber's sole possession when he started out for himself, at the age of twenty-one years, was a colt valued at $25. He was fully determined to make the most of his opportunities, however, and now owns 121 acres of land, eighty-five of which are under cultivation, proving him to have been an active man. Mr. Baber was formerly a granger. In his political views he is Democratic. He is a consistent member of the Christian Union Church. ISAAC COON, farmer, P. 0. Kempton, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 18, 1829, a son of George Coon, a native of Pennsylvania, who was something over ninety-five years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. The first wife of George Coon was Christine 562 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Moore, the mother of our subject, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and by her he had fifteen children, Isaac being the youngest; she died about 1843. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received his education in the early subscription schools. He was three years of age when his parents removed to Section 4, Shawnee Township, this county, and here he grew to maturity, fully acquainted with pioneer life. At the age of nineteen he received his time from his father and went to Delphos, where he went to work in a saw-mill. In about a year he had saved the money with which he bought forty acres of land in Amanda Township, this county, where he still lives, and to which he has added by subsequent purchases, until now he has 280 acres in this township, and eighty-five in Shawnee, the greater portion of which is under cultivation. At one time he dealt quite extensively in sheep, but at present makes no specialties. Mr. Coon was married March 14, 1850, to Julia Ann Gaskel, who died June 8, 1858. She bore him him three children: Martha E., Martin L., and Benjamin F. His second marriage, which occurred March 3, 1861, was with Sarah L. Cobb, born in Luzerne County, Penn., September 5, 1843, daughter of Aaron and Esther (Halstead) Cobb. To this union six children were born: Sanford C., Orrin F., Albert 0., Charles H., Lizzie L., and Ira E. Mr. Coon was in the service three years in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in several engagements. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he was shot through the right lung, which wound still troubles him. Politically he is a Republican. WILLIAM R. COON, farmer, P. 0. Conant, was born in Shawnee Township, this county, January 27, 1842; son of George J. and Julietta (Decoursey) Coon, natives of New England, and who came to Allen County at an early date. Eight of their thirteen children are living, of whom our subject is the eldest. He obtained a common school education, and having been raised a farmer has made farming the principal occupation of his life. lie is virtually self-made, having entered upon the battle of life a poor man, and has accumulated his property through industry and economy. He is worthy of the reputation he sustains of being a practical farmer and a thorough business man. Mr. Coon was married November 8,1866, to Jane, daughter of James Place. She was born in Missouri, February 22, 1842. By this union were born nine children: Lenora, Susan, Jane, William, Elmer, Belvy L., Hattie (deceased), Alpheus (deceased) and Mercy (deceased). Mr. Coon has twice been a servant of the people of his township. having served as trustee and justice of the peace. In February 1862, he volunteered his services to his country, and was with Sherman, till the close of the war. He is a consistent member of the Christian Church. In politics he is independent. STEPHEN D. CREMEAN, farmer, P. 0. Allentown, was born in Ross County. Ohio. January 10, 1827; son of Smith and Mary (Dillen) Cremean, natives of Maryland. who settled in Ross County, Ohio, about 1805. They were parents of ten children, of whom our subject is the seventh. In 1830 they removed to Allen County, and located in German Township, where Stephen D. grew to maturity fully acquainted with pioneer life. The father died in about 1859, the mother in February, AMANDA TOWNSHIP - 563 1880, aged about ninety years. Our subject obtained a limited common school education, and having been raised a farmer has made that occupation the principle one of his life. For about two years, however, he engaged in mercantile business at Elida and Cridersville, Auglaize Co., Ohio. In the fall of 1848 he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Amanda Township, this county, where he still resides, and which he continued to add to, at intervals, until his farm now consists of 275 acres of choice land, all more or less highly cultivated; and in connection with his farming interests has dealt in stock, more extensively in buying and selling hogs. Mr. Cremean was united in marriage, November 5, 1848, with Tamsey John, born in Ross County, Ohio, April 23, 1829, by whom he has two children: Mary Jane and Curtis. They have, however, raised five other children: Annie Strawbridge, Jessie Carr, Maria Roush, James and Amanda Stalter. Mr. Cremean has filled the office of justice of the peace one term, and is now serving his fifth term as township treasurer. For about ten years he has been a consistent member of the Christian Union Church. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He is a self-made man having accumulated his property by his own efforts. CONRAD B. CULP, farmer, P. 0, Allentown, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 13, 1819, being third in the family of thirteen children of Peter and Susan (Broucher) Culp, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Pickaway County in 1802. Conrad B. was raised on a farm, and early in life learned the trades of carpenter and joiner and shoe-maker. He conducted a shoe store in Pickaway County about five years, and has worked more or less at the carpenter's trade for twenty years. In connection with his trades he has also owned a farm. Mr. Culp was united in marriage, in 1842, with Sarah Duncle, who died in 1847 leaving to hi: care six children: Franklin (deceased), George D. (deceased), Mary S.. John (deceased), Jacob (deceased) and Peter S. (deceased). In 1850 he was again married, this time to Rachael Imler, who died in 1877; she bon him five children: Sarah C. (deceased), Rachael (deceased), Hannah J., Clement Brinlen and Harriet I. In 1847 Mr. Culp went to Auglaize County where he bought a quarter section of wild land, built a water saw-mill, and remained for eleven years, then removed to Lima, thin county, and for two years was engaged in mercantile business am working at his trade. In the fall of 1860 he purchased his present property which was then in a state of nature, and which he has converted into a good farm, having placed the same under a high state of cultivation. it being the third farm he has cleared up in his time, one in Allen County, one in Auglaize County and one in Fairfield County. In 187' he erected a large barn, at that time the best in the neigborhood. Hi education has been obtained in the common schools and in contact witl the world. From the age of fifteen years he was catechized in th Lutheran Church until he united with the Christian Union Church, o which he has been a consistent member for several years. His politica sympathy is with the Democratic Party. JACOB FRY. farmer. P. 0. Conant, was born in Pennsylvania Feb ruary 26, 1827, a son of Abraham and Mary (Beckenbaugh) Fry, c Pennsylvania, of whose family of nine children only four are living 564 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Jacob being the youngest. Our subject was married, October 5, 1848, to Amy J. Chipman, who died in March, 1871. the mother of seven children : Abram L., Mary E. (deceased), Isabel (wife of L. Bowersock), Rosetta (wife of William King), Ida A. (deceased), Mattie (deceased), and William S. Mr. Fry came to Allen County in 1849. and two years later located on his farm in Amanda Township, and has been one of the sturdy pioneers who have cleared away the forests and prepared the soil for cultivation. He has served the people as trustee for three years. During the war he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the service till the close of the struggle. Religiously he is connected with the Baptist Church. Mr. Fry's oldest son, Abram L., was born January 14, 1850, received a common school education, and has always been a farmer. He is still living on the homestead. He has been township clerk two years, and is now serving as such by appointment on an unfinished term. He was married, December 29, 1870, to Josephine Fryer, born in Allen County July 24, 1854, by whom he has had four children: Ida Bell (deceased), Alpheus, Inetta and Effie May. Politically both our subject and son are Democrats. THOMAS GRUBB, farmer and justice of the peace. P. 0. Kempton, was born in Jackson Township; Allen Co., Ohio, September 27, 1852; son of John B. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Grubb, who are still living, the former born in Morgan County, the latter in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio. They were early settlers of Auglaize County, Ohio. They are the parents of four living children: John A., Letitia J., Thomas and Annie E. Thomas was reared on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. His education was limited to such as could be obtained in the common schools of those days. He was united in marriage, August 28, 1878, with Miss Catherine Bowers, of Auglaize Township, this county, born April 20, 1859, daughter of John and Amanda E. Bowers, the former of whom, one of the early settlers of Allen County, died about 1865. To this union three children were born: Rolla G., Laura B. and Maud. Mr. Grubb moved to Amanda Township, this county, in 1879, and settled on the farm where he now resides. He was a charter member of Rattlesnake Grange of Jackson Township. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views he is identified with the Democratic party. He was elected and commissioned justice of the peace in 1880, and during his four years of service has performed most of the official work of this office in the township. Our subject is an energetic and enterprising man, and is destined to become one of the substantial farmers of Amanda Township. CALVIN HARRIS, retired farmer, P. 0. Southworth, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., October 1, 1810, son of Samuel and Sally (Reed) Harris, natives of New York State, parents of five children: Eleazar, Elvira, Daniel, Sarah and Calvin, the last two named being the only survivors of the family. They removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 186, and soon after our subject was bound to a Quaker, with whom he lived on a farm till he was sixteen years old. He then learned wagon-making, a trade he followed about fourteen years. He eventually moved to Lockland, Ohio, where he married Edith Dunn May 28, 1835. In AMANDA TOWNSHIP - 565 1849 he came to this county and located on the farm where he now resides. His wife died December 9, 1881, and he now lives a retired life, having given over his business to his son. He is a deacon in the Baptist Church, of which he has been a consistent member since a young man. He was originally a Whig. but is now a Republican. Of his nine children four are now living: Mary Angeline (wife of T. A. Handel), Roscoe B., Florence B. (wife of D. W. Ditto) and Clarence B. ISAAC HARTER, farmer, P. 0. Conant, was born in Amanda Township, this county, March 17,1837, and is the only surviving child of Charles and Susan (Carr) Harter, and a grandson of Jacob and Rebecca (Copus) Harter, who were among the very early settlers of this county. Our subject was but six months old at the death of his father, and at the age of eleven years was also bereft of a mother's care. He was thus thrown upon bis own resources, although part of his early life was spent with his grandparents. His education was necessarily limited, and he entered upon his career in life with nothing but his own labor to depend upon, but being possessed of a stout heart and energetic nature, he determined to make his way in the world. As a result of his industry and economy he was enabled to purchase a small piece of land in 1862. Three years later he volunteered his services to his country, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Ninty second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served till the close of the war. After that he returned to agricultural pursuits and has now a fine farm, highly cultivated and well supplied with substantial buildings. Mr. Harter was married January 23, 1860, to Elizabeth Eley, born April 26, 1841, in Amanda Township, daughter of Peter and Rosanna (Place) Eley. To this union have been born five children: Susan. Cora Bell, Emma E., Charles (deceased) and Lillie (deceased). Mr. Harter is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Spencerville; is an adherent of the Christian Church. He is not a politician but. votes for men and principles. CYRUS H. HOVER, farmer, P. 0. Kempton, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 5, 1822, and came to Allen County with his parents in 1833, locating at Lima, where he entered on his career of life in 1846, commencing in the foundry business, In 1850 he removed his business to Delphos, where he remained thirteen years. He then purchased a farm in Amanda Township, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. The greater portion of his farm was at that time wild and uncultivated, but now it is under a state of cultivation, being second to none in his township. Mr. Hover was married August 4, 1847, to Martha Past, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, August 7, 1827. and this union has been blessed with eleven children: Elizabeth C. (wife of Rev. Philip Lemasters), Laura (deceased), Joseph 0. (deceased), Mary E. (wife of R. H. Gamble), Charles A., Kate P. (wife of D. H. Crites), Bryant G., Minnie L., Florence, Ada L. (deceased), and Mattie J. Mr. Hover is a man of sound judgment, honorable and upright to a fault in all business transactions. and is one of the most influential as well as substantial farmers of his township. He is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party. Religiously he and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. SAMUEL LUTZ, farmer and stock-raiser, P. 0. Allentown, one of the substantial farmers of this township, was born in Fairfield County, 566 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Ohio, September 13, 1853, son of John and Elizabeth Ann (Miller) Lutz, the former born in Maryland, January 13, 1820. John Lutz was married November 20, 1845, to Sarah Ann Griffith, and by this union was born one child, Phoebe Ann (now wife of David Brennemen of German Township, Allen Co., Ohio). Losing this wife by death July 15, 1850, he married on the second occasion, May 1, 1851,Elizabeth Ann Miller, who bore him four children: William M., Samuel, Sarah J. (deceased), and George A. This wife died December 24, 1859, and he then married June 20, 1861, Sarah J. Doner, by which union there were four children born: Isaac N. (deceased), Louiza I, John W. and Altha C. (deceased). John Lutz was an influential farmer, a man of good judgment and in every sense a self-made man. He died February 22, 1873, and his loss was deeply mourned. Having been raised on a farm, our subject naturally chose the life of a farmer, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married November 21, 1875 to Miss Catherine, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Housel) Alexander, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Allen County, now residents of German Township. They have two sons: Orlo E., born July 30, 1877, and Harry A., born December 4, 1880. Mr. Lutz's early recollections are of the pioneer days in Amanda Township, where his parents located in October 1855. He 'still resides upon the old home farm, where he recently erected a fine residence and frame barn, and where he has raised stock to considerable extent, being interested in high-grade short-horn cattle and sheep, and Poland-China hogs. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Lutz inherits his father's energetic enterprising nature, and is highly esteemed by the community, who sympathize with him in his partial retirement from active life on account of hip-joint disease. CHRISTIAN MACK (deceased) was born in Germany, May 10, 1828. and received a limited education in his native land. In 1840 he came to America with his parents, who located in Marion County, Ohio, and here he grew to maturity, following the occupation of a farmer until 1852, in which year he moved to Allen County and located on the farm where he resided the balance of his days. For many years he owned and operated a threshing machine; for about five years was proprietor of a saw-mill in Auglaize County, which was conducted in connection with his farm. Mr. Mack was twice married; on the first occasion in 1849, to Christine Shibley, who died -in 1855, leaving to his care two sons: Charles and Isaac. His second marriage, February 25, 1856, was with Christine M. Gebhart, born in Germany, April 3, 1835, and who came to America in 1854. Thirteen children were born to this union: John. Katie, Lena. Conrad (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Sarah, William, Frederick (deceased), Emma, Henry, Fanny M. (deceased), Benjamin and Harry (deceased). Mr. Mack, who was a hard-working, energetic man, was one of the pioneers who assisted in developing this part of Allen County. During the late civil war he served about eleven months in Company G, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was for several years a member of the German Methodist Church. In politics he was identified with the Republican party. His death occurred August 11, 1882. His widow still survives, and has successfully managed the farm assisted by her children. AMANDA TOWNSHIP - 567 A. D. MILLER, farmer and teacher, P. O. Allentown, Ohio, was born in Amanda Township, this county, June 18, 1853, son of Joseph and Minerva J. (Shock) Miller. the former a native of Ross County, Ohio, the latter of Allegheny County, Penn. They were early settlers of Allen County. Ohio, and are now residents of Amanda Township. Our subject, the eldest of their pine children, received a commercial and miscellaneous education at the National Normal School of Lebanon, and entered upon his -career in life as a teacher, finishing his first term as such during his fifteenth year, and has followed that profession more or less till the present time. He was for two years engaged in railroad offices at Elida, and during the summer seasons for the last two years has engaged in farming. Mr. Miller was married March 5, 1876, to Miss Darthula Place, born August 21, 1854, by whom he has three children: Lehr E., Freeda G. and Minerva S. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of James Place, who was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 25, 1818, came to this county in 1836 and in 1841 married Susan Culver, of Delaware County, Ohio, born July 4, 1818. Both are still living. Mr. Miller has served the people of the township in several of its offices of trust, and was elected justice of the peace in 1883, since when he has done quite an extensive business in his official capacity. Politically he is considered a leader of the Democratic party in this vicinity, destined to become one of the substantial men of the township. SIMON SHAFFER, carpenter and farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was born in Shawnee Township, Allen Co., Ohio, July 6, 1849. His parents are still living, his father, Michael, a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Miami and Allen Counties,Ohio, being a farmer of Shawnee Township; his mother, Sarah (Whetstone) Shaffer, was born in Auglaize, this county. Their children, thirteen in number, are as follows: Henry, Simon, Nancy, John, Rebecca, Michael (deceased), Alford (deceased), Sarah, Amanda, William, Elza, George and Luella. Our subject was raised on a farm, his education being limited to a few weeks each year in the common schools. Early in life he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, which he has made his principal occupation, and he bears the reputation of being a first-class workman in every respect. He was united in marriage June 24, 1871, with Margaret Richardson, born May 17, 1854, daughter of G. W. Richardson, and to this union were born four children: Rozilla, Alby, Michael and Julia. When twenty-two years of age Mr. Shaffer removed to Auglaize County, this State, but returned to this county in 1879. For five years he has lived upon his farm in Amanda Township, and in 1882 erected thereon what is recognized as the finest frame barn in the county. He is a self-made man, having gained his property through habits of industry and economy. He purchased his time from his father before reaching maturity, paying for the same the sum of $182.50. Mr. Shaffer is an active member of the order of F. & A. M. at Spencerville. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. BENJAMIN F. SOUTHWORTH, farmer. P. O. Southworth. was .born in Clark County, Ohio, January 12, 1828. son of Benjamin P. and Annie (Stacy) Southworth, natives of Vermont and who were parents of six children, of whom but four grew to maturity. The father died in 568 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 1868, the mother's death having occurred about ten years previously. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a common school education. He came to this county with his parents in December, 1835, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married, December 13, 1849, to Elizabeth Sawmiller, born in Putnam County. Ohio, December 20, 1827, and by this union are three children now living: Enos H., Susan (wife of William Lutz). and Josephine (wife of Eugene Grieser). Mr. Southworth entered upon his career in life with but money enough to buy ten acres of land, but through habits of industry and economy has accumulated some property, being considered one amongst the prosperous farmers of the township, The railway station and postoffice near his farm are named in his honor. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Southworth served his country three years, having enlisted in Company B, McLaughlin's Squadron. He is a Republican in politics. ANDREW WEYER, farmer, P. 0. Allentown, was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 13, 1815: son of Barnett and Catherine (Reese) Weyer, natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. They were among the first settlers of Highland County, Ohio, having located there previous to the war of 1812. Our subject's early life was spent upon a farm and in attending the common schools to which his educational ,privileges were limited. As soon as he was old enough he commenced working in a shoe shop with his father, but eventually entered upon his career as a farmer. He came to Allen County in 1836 and located in Jackson Township, near Lafayette. Here he cleared a farm of eighty acres and lived till 1871, when he removed to Amanda Townsbip. He has never engaged in any enterprise other than his farming interests since he has started for himself. His has been an active life, and in his declining days it is some satisfaction for him to know that he has always lived honorable and upright. Mr. Weyer was married in October, 1838, to Nancy Nash, who died twenty years later. By her he had eight children: William H. (who served three years during the late war of the Rebellion), Lewis (who served in same, one and a half years), Malinda, John W.. Nancy E., David H., Andrew H. and Helena. On November 27, 1860, our subject married Miss Elizabeth Rumbaugh, born in Bath Township, this county, April 26, 1840, daughter of William and Mary (Ashcraft) Rumbaugh, early settlers of that township (her father is still living two miles east of Lima, her mother died in about 1864). By this last union Mr. Weyer is the father of six children: Charles (at school in Dayton), Alvan, Thomas, Nettie, Rosana and Viola. In his political views Mr. Weyer was originally a Whig, but has been identified with the Republican party since its organization. WILLIAM H. WEYER, farmer, P. 0. Allentown, was born in Jackson Township, Allen County, Ohio, April 18, 1841; son of Andrew and Nancy (Nash) Weyer. He received a common school education and has mostly followed the occupation of a farmer. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. John C. Walters, and with the company was attached to the Fourth Army Corps. He was in the service till the close of the war, and took part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated, except about two months during which time he was in hospital suffering from a shell AMANDA TOWNSHIP - 569 wound in the head received at the battle of Chickamauga. Mr. Weyer was married, August 6. 1871, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Isaac and Mary (Rumbaugh) Keller, early settlers of this county, and by her he has had seven children: Nelson, John, Adison, Elnora, Irven, Alberta and David Oliver (deceased at the age of eleven months, twenty-four days). For some time after his return from the war Mr. Weyer engaged in the saw-mill business. He removed to Amanda Township in March, 1871, and located on his farm, then in the woods, but now under a high state of cultivation, and supplied with substantial buildings, which demonstrate his desire to develop the farming interests of the county. His reputation is above reproach as a business man and farmer. Mr. Weyer has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since March 7, 1876. He is a Republican in politics. |