Mercer County, Ohio - Chapter 12: Military Record of Mercer Covnty in the Civil War, 1907 (part 12 of 12)

Mr. Watkins was married January 6, 1875, to Minerva E. Sutherland,, and they had five children : Charles N., married, who is practicing medicine at Chattanooga, Mercer County, being a graduate of the Ohio Medical University at Columbus; Minnie Annetta, who married Amos Ulmer and has three children; James S., a resident of Fort Recovery, who is married and has two children; William, who died in infancy; and an unnamed son that died in infancy. Mrs. Watkins died May 4, 1887. Mr. Watkins married Martha Alice Pearson on January 12, 1889, and one child was born to this union: Elsie L., who died an infant. After the death of his second wife he

Mr. Watkins is now serving his second term as justice of the peace of Gibson township. He was for some time a member of the School Board. He is a member and trustee of the Evangelical Church.

Michael Schott

Michael Schott, a prominent citizen of Liberty township, a wellknown agriculturist and a man who is a leader in oil development, owns a farm of 76 acres in section 7, which has been shown rich in both oil and gas. Mr. Schott was born in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, October 28, 1855, and is a son of Michael and Catherine (Breckhisen) Schott.

The parents of Mr. Schott were born in Germany. In 1850 they emigrated to America and came directly to Mercer County, and were settlers at an early date in Washington township. Of the children of the parents of our subject, three survive, namely: Mary, wife of Adam Martin, of New Corydon, Indiana; Barbara, wife of Ferdinand Huffman, Jr., of Liberty township; and Michael, of this sketch. Of the deceased, Jacob left a widow and five children, who live in Washington township.

Michael Schott was reared in Washington township until the age of eight years, and then came to Liberty township with his mother and stepfather, Nicholas Martin. His own father had died when he was two years of age. He attended school in Liberty township and assisted Mr. Martin on the farm for some years, but he is practically a self-made man, acquiring his

On November 12, 1874, Mr. Schott was married to Margaret Kuehm, who was born in Germany and came to America when 18 years of age, ini company with her parents, who settled in Jefferson township, Adams County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Schott have had nine children, the survivors being : August M., Elizabeth, Frederick W., Mary C., Lorena B., Walter A. and Margaret O.

Mr. Schott is identified with the Democratic party. He has served two terms as assessor of Liberty township. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Schott is a practical oil operator and is well-known in the various fields. He is in the employ of the State Line Oil Company, of Newark, New York, with which organization he has been connected for a considerable period. He is known to be a man of business ability and personal integrity and enjoys the respect of his fellow-citizens.

Jacob Hildbold

Jacob Hildbold, a substantial farmer of Gibson township, whose fine farm of 160 acres is located in section 23, was bom in Switzerland, March 25, 1830, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Senn) Hildbold, the former a miller by trade, who owned a mill in Switzerland.

Jacob Hildbold was reared in Switzerland, where he worked in his father's mill until he was 18 years of age, after which he worked in a factory until he was 24 years old. He then came to America and first located at Gabon, Ohio, where he engaged as a blacksmith in a railroad shop fob about 16 years. After leaving Gabon, Mr. Hildbold bought a farm of 50 acres in Morrow County, Ohio, where he was engaged in general farming for about five years. After selling his farm, he moved to Crawford County, where he purchased a 70-acre tract in that county. After five years' residence on this farm, he sold and moved to Mercer County, and in January, 1882, bought his present farm in Gibson township, where he has since continued to reside.

Mr. Hildbold was married in 1856 to Anna Mathias, a daughter of George Mathias, who is a farmer living near Crestline, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hildbold have had nine children, as follows : Charles, living in Gibson township, who is married and has three children - Harry, Florence and Walter; John, a resident of Gibson township, who is married and has two children - Leo and Helen ; Herman, living on the home farm, who married Mary Hall, a daughter of Frank Hall, and has four children - Ralph, Grace, Nellie and Donald ; Mary, who married Henry Weil, of Jay County, Indiana, and has three children - Cora, Ora and Ethel ; Henry, living in Recovery township.

September, 1896. Mr. Hildbold was raised a Presbyterian, but is now a member of the Lutheran Church, there being no Presbyterian Church near.

William S. Hansel

William S. Hansel, who for more than 41 years was a successful agriculturist of Hopewell township, where he still owns an excellent farm of 120 acres, has been a retired resident of Celina since October, 1901. Mr. Hansel was born in Hocking County, Ohio, November 26, 1835, and is a son of George and Mary (Pontius) Hansel.

The father of Mr. Hansel was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he married. He and his wife became early settlers of Hocking County, where they lived quiet, agricultural lives for many succeeding years.

William S. Hansel was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools. On August 13, 1857, he was united in marriage with Sarah A. Hanby, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, March 27, 1839, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cloud) Hanby. Mr. and Mrs. Hanby, who were natives of Pennsylvania, were pioneers in Hocking County and thus Mrs. Hansel was well trained in the pioneer life and the hard conditions to which she was subjected when she accompanied her husband to Hopewell township.

Mr. Hansel remained in Hocking County until after the birth of two children and then decided to remove to Mercer County. The family effects were packed in a two-horse wagon and the journey consumed four and a half days before the new horiie in section 11, Hopewell township, was reached. At that time the forest still covered what is now one of the finest farms in the township, and to the development of this Mr. Hansel devoted many years of his life. He was amply repaid for his industry and remained on the farm until advancing years caused him to seek a retired life. He was one of the township's leading citizens and was ever ready to do his duty in advancing the educational interests of his neighborhood and in assisting in public improvements.

of Hopewell township; Mary E., wife of Jasper Wilson, of Greene County, Ohio; Lucinda, wife of Frank Warthman, of Dublin township; and George, Joseph, Henry, Ida (wife of Jacob Beougber) and August, all of Hopewell township.

God for very many years and Mr. Hansel has been a trustee, an elder and a deacon in the same. They are well known and are beloved by a wide circle of friends. The half-century anniversary of their marriage is approaching and it is the earnest wish of kindred and friends that many more years of happy life together may be vouchsafed them. Their pleasant home on Wayne street and Nickerson avenue, Celina, is one of great hospitality.

Adam Beach

Adam Beach, who is at the head of the only boot and shoe store in Fort Recovery, was born in Germany, January 3, 1859, and is a son of Andreas Beach, who is still a resident of Germany.

Adam Beach was reared and educated in Germany and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1882, when 22 years old, he came to America, landing at New York. He first located in Crestline, Ohio, where he worked for about four years as a shoemaker, in 1885 removing to Fort Recovery, where he opened a repair shop. Two years later he put in a line of shoes, expending about $200. He kept increasing this stock and at present has the only sho^ store in Fort Recovery, having bought out E. T. Hastings' stock of shoes in the fall of 1905 and combined it with his own. Mr. Beach owns his residence property and also owns a storeroom, which is at present occupied by a poultry store.

Mr. Beach has been married twice, his first marriage occurring in 1885 to Margaret Mathias, a daughter of John Mathias. They had one child, Leonora Anna. Mrs. Beach died in 1887. He was again married, in 1888, to Elizabeth Mathias, a sister of his first wife, and they have had three children, namely : Aurelia Marguerite, Arden and Ruth.

Mr. Beach served as trustee of Gibson township for six years. He has served as treasurer of the Recovery corporation for the past five years. He has also been a member of the Fort Recovery Village Council. Religiously, he is a member and trustee of Trinity Lutheran Church at Fort Recovery.

Peter J. Schmitz

Peter J. Schmitz, whose excellent farm of 103J4 acres of well-cultivated land is situated in Gibson township, was born in Lorain County, Ohio, May 21, 1862. He is a son of John and Mary Ann (Pfiefer) Schmitz.

John Schmitz, father of our subject, was born in Germany, April 3, 1817, and still survives, being probably the most venerable resident of Sharpsburg,

Gibson township. He came to America in 1844 and settled in Lorain County on a property that his father had purchased. After his marriage, he bought a farm in that county on which he lived for some 20 years, leaving it to remove to Mercer County, in 1864. After selling the old farm, he bought 80 acres in Gibson township, this being the farm now owned by our subject. On this he erected a log house which is still inhabited and later bought 8ol acres adjoining. Still later he added 50 acres more, situated in Darke County. He was considered a very judicious business man during his active life.

home is in Oregon; Joseph, a resident of Gibson township; Jacob, who lives in Minnesota; Gertrude, the wife of Joseph Remanklus, of Jay County, Indiana; Emma, wife of David Schlamp, of Gibson township; Peter J., of this sketch ; and an infant that died unnamed.

Peter J. Schmitz was two years old when his parents brought him to Mercer County and he was reared in Gibson township. He learned the carpenter's trade and has followed that in connection with farming. He has many improvements about the place and in 1905 he built a large, convenient barn for his use. He carries on general farming.

On August 17, 1886, Mr. Schmitz was married to Elizabeth Leiser, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Agler) Leiser. Frederick Leiser came with his parents to America from* Germany, when seven years of age, his parents settling in Tuscarawas County, where he married when grown to manhood. He had 13 children, namely: Valentine, who died in infancy;

Philip, who died aged five years; Katie, wife of Patrick Reedy, of Darke County, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Bright, of Dayton, Ohio*; Elizabeth, wife of our subject; Charles, of Canal Dover, Ohio; Martha, wife of Englebert Schmitz, of Dayton; Anna, wife of William Camper, of Dayton; Maggie, wife of Peter Rummel, of Granville township; John, a teacher in Gibson township ; Carrie, wife of Benjamin Hulsman, of Gibson township ; William, a teacher in Gibson township; and Lawrence, who died aged four years. Mrs. Schmitz was 12 years old when she accompanied her parents to Mercer County.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz moved to Oregon, where Mr. Schmitz bought 40 acres of land, on which they lived for seven years and then came back to Mercer County. They have nine children : Frederick

William, Mary Anna, Ursula, Emma, George, Henry, Lawrence, Charles and Gertrude. Mr. Schmitz and family are members of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg, of which he is one of the directors.

Andrew J. Smith

Andrew J. Smith,* a highly respected citizen and representative agriculturist of Hopewell township, residing on his well-cultivated farm in section 29, was born February 13, 1862, in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Karch) Smith.

The parents of Mr. Smith were natives of Germany. His father was an early settler in Liberty township. When the Civil War broke out, he went into the service and died, from hardships endured, shortly after its close. The survivors of his family are: Andrew J., of this sketch; George, of Jefferson township; Matilda J., wife of John J. Hole, of Paulding County, Ohio; and Mary, wife of Levi Lincoln, of Lima. A half-sister of our subject is Sophia, wife of Stephen Garman, of Hopewell township.

Andrew J. Smith has lived in Hopewell township since his youth and has been on his present farm since 1879. His education was obtained in the district schools where his children are now receiving instruction, but under much more advantageous conditions.

In early manhood he was married to Mary Kanorr, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Richard Kanorr, who gave up his life for his country, as a soldier in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children, namely; Leroy (deceased), Myra, Stephen,, Edith, Cleteth, Alonzo and Sevilla.

Mr. Smith has always been identified with the Democratic party but he has not desired political office, the affairs of his business requiring his time and attention.

Hugh Kincaid

PIugh Kincaid,* who has been a resident of Liberty township for over a quarter of a century, living on a valuable farm of 77 acres, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War. Mr. Kincaid was born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 7, 1839, and is a son of James and Susan (Gilliland) Kincaid, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio.

Hugh Kincaid was reared in Jackson County and received his education in the district schools near his father's farm. Until the second year of the Civil War, he continued to till his father's fields, but in the summer of 1862 he decided that his duty lay in becoming a defender of his country's flag and he enlisted in Company F, 117th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served one year in that regiment. It then became a part of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and he still remained a member of the 117th, participating in all its dangers and victories until he was honorably discharged and was mustered out of the service in the spring of 1865. The most serious battles in which he participated were those at Strawberry Plains and Jonesboro. He left the service of his country with a record of which his kindred may always feed proud, faithful to every call of duty and cheerful and obedient in the face of almost certain death on many memorable occasions.

After his return from the army, Mr. Kincaid resumed farming, for three years at Missouri, Putnam County, Ohio, from there going to Jay County, Indiana, later removing to Washington township, Mercer County, and in 1878 locating on his present farm in Liberty township. He carries on general agriculture, having the larger part of his farm under an excellent state of cultivation.

Mr. Kincaid was married (first) to Micha Wilson, who was born in Scioto County, Ohio, and they had nine children, six of whom survive, as follows: Alexander, of Liberty township; Susan, wife of P. Bodkin, of Au-

* glaize County; William, of Jefferson township; John, of Jay County, Indiana; Leo, of Washington township ; and Altlia, wife of Frederick Hess, of Mercer County. Mr. Kincaid's second marriage was to Emma Linch, whoi was born in Indiana, and they have the following children : Grace, Cora, Opal, Bessie, Frank and an infant.

Mr. Kincaid enjoys the friendship of his neighbors and the respect of his fellow-citizens throughout the township. He takes an active interest in its affairs and is considered one of its representative men.

Tobias Eichenauer

Tobias Eichenauer,* a well-known agriculturist of Hopewell township, who resides upon a fine farm of 130 acres, situated in section 20, has lived here some 32 years. Lie was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, December 30, 1850, and is a son of Frederick and Anna C. (Rodiger) Eichenauer.

Mr. Eichenauer was 17 years of age when he came to America, leaving his parents in the old country. He lived for a time in Lorain County, Ohio, but in 1874 he came to Mercer County and has become one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of this locality. His land is well cultivated and the improvements he has put on it have cost considerable money.

On February 24, 1874, Mr. Eichenauer was married to Elizabeth Schmidt, a daughter of the late John E. Schmidt, who was born in Germany and was an early settler in Hopewell township, having established his home here in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Eichenauer have had 10 children and seven of these still survive, as follows: Frank W. and William H., both of Hopewell township, the latter being a popular teacher; Daniel W., a farmer in

Hopewell township; and Roy T., Benjamin H., Nora M. 'and Richard R., all at home. Mr. Eichenauer has given his children every advantage in his power and has seen them develop into bright, intelligent and respected young people.

In politics, Mr. Eichenauer is a Republican, but he has never been willing to accept any office except that of school director of District No. 4, which he has faithfully served in this capacity. He is a valued member of the Evangelical Association and takes a very active part in church and Sunday-school work. He is a very highly respected citizen, one who has prospered through his own industry and one who can number many friends among his neighbors.

William Weir

William Weir,* a representative farmer and well-known citizen of Hopewell township, who owns a superior farm of 80 acres, situated in section 30, was born here, December 9, 1855, and is the only son of Christian and Minnie (Vogel) Weir.

The parents of Mr. Weir were both born in Germany and came to Mercer County as settlers when the greater part of this township was awaiting development. Christian Weir purchased 40 acres of land, right in the green woods, obtaining it from the government. He was a hard-working, thrifty man and cleared his land and reaped ample returns from it. He was twice married, the mother of our subject dying in 1871. Politically he was a Democrat. Religiously he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Christian Weir lived to advanced age, dying May 17, 1902, in his 90th year.

William Weir remained at home assisting his father and securing a fair common-school education in the vicinity of his home. He has always devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits and, with the exception of a residence of nine years in Shelby County, has always lived in Mercer County.

Mr. Weir was married (first) to Mary A. Wenker, of Shelby County, who became the mother of four children : Clara M., wife of Charles Haney, of Hopewell township; Henry C., of Hopewell township; Minnie, who resides at New Bremen; and John William Edward, who lives at home. Mr. Weir married (second) Elizabeth Eichenauer, and the two children of the second marriage are : Ada L. and Orville E.

Mr. Weir is a good citizen and an intelligent student of public affairs. He has not identified himself with any political party, but casts his vote as his judgment dictates. In local matters his fellow-citizens know that they can depend upon his support in promoting all objects looking to the development of the agricultural resources and the betterment of the public schools.

Foster Jackson

Foster Jackson,* a prosperous farmer of Union township, residing on a farm of 80 acres owned by him and his brother, located in section 7, was! born in York township, Van Wert County, Ohio, August 27, 1880, and is a son of Simeon and Rebecca (Hays) Jackson.

Simeon Jackson was born in Van Wert County in 1851 and died in 1902. He was a son of Federal Jackson, who was one of the pioneers of Van Wert County, and who died when his son was a small child. Simeon Jackson enlisted in Company A, 49th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served four years and three months. He participated in a number of severe engagements, including the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. He was at Atlanta, also at Jonesboro and at Lovejoy. Mr. Jackson was mustered in at Lima, Ohio. He was wounded in the jaw during the war, which caused a cancer and resulted in his death in 1902. Mrs. Jackson was born in 1851 and is still living at the age of 55 years. They became the parents of sons and daughters, namely : Otis, who is traveling through the West; Elzy, who married Etta Couch, of Spencerville and resides on the farm that he and his brother Foster own; Oscar, who lives on the home farm with his mother in York township, Van Wert County; Minnie, widow of George Lamb, residing with her mother in Van Wert County, who has two children - Leah and Leslie; Sallie, who married Charles W. Brown and died in 1897, leaving five children - Louis, Cole, Rea, Jessie and Florence (deceased) ; Willis, who married Ella Rickets, of Baltimore, Ohio, where he now resides - he has five children.

Foster Jackson was reared in York township, Van Wert County, until 15 years of age, attending school in District No. 3, and then went South to Birmingham, Alabama, being also at Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a time. After returning home, he went to Illinois and Indiana for one year, after which he returned to Ohio again and engaged in the moving business, moving houses and buildings. He met with much success and continued in this business until 1904, when he located on the Branson Roebuck farm. Two years later he bought the Doc. Cole farm of 80 acres, on which he now resides, where he has since been engaged in general farming. Mr. Jackson also owns an 80-acre farm in Idaho, which is under irrigation; on this land in 1906 he raised 1,500 bushels of wheat from 72 acres. The farm in Union township is owned in partnership with his brother, who is now engaged in the moving business.

Mr. Jackson was married in 1901 to Maud Dull, a daughter of Delbert and Melissa (Roebuck) Dull, of Union township. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson; Ralph, aged three years, and Roy, who is one year old.

William Cron

William Cron,* one of the leading business men at Celina, who conducts the largest carriage factory in Mercer County, is a native of Ohio and was born at Marysville, in December, 1848. He is a son of John and Theresa (Meyer) Cron.

John Cron, the father of our subject, was born in Germany and remained in his native land until he was 23 years of age. He then came to America, later to Ohio, and worked for a time at blacksmithing at Canton, and then settled permanently at Marysville (Cassella), where his death took place. He married Theresa Meyer and they had five children : John, Jacob, Mary,

William Cron was reared at Marysville and was educated in the district schools. He worked as a farmer until after the death of his father, when he went to Cincinnati, then to Indianapolis and in the latter city he served four years learning the blacksmith and carriage building trade. In 1869 he settled at Celina and for many years he has been a very prominent business man here. He established a carriage and wagon factory in connection with blacksmithing and now controls a large part of the trade of the county in this line of industry. Constant employment is given a large force of expert workmen.

In January, 1871, Mr. Cron was married to Lizzie Hierholzer. They have seven children living, namely: John, who is engaged in carriage manufacturing at Wauseon, Ohio; Flora, wife of B. H. Scheie, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Fred, foreman trimmer in his father's carriage works; Ada, living at home; Harman, bookkeeper and salesman in his father's establishment; Carl, who is in charge of the distributing office of the Standard Oil Company, at Lima, Ohio; and Hildgard, who lives at home. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Catholic Church and, fraternally, of the Knights of Columbus. He is a Democrat in politics and has held several city offices, at the present time being a member of the Village Council. Mr. Cron is one of the self-made men of Celina and has become one of its capitalists, owning a large amount of real estate.

Herman Pulskamp

Herman Pulskamp,* a prosperous business man of Celina, a leader in the furniture line, has been established here since 1889. He was born in 1859, at Cincinnati, and is a son of the late Hon. H. H. Pulskamp.

Hon. H. H. Pulskamp was long a prominent citizen of Mercer County. He was born in Germany, emigrated to the United States and worked for a number of years as a wagonmaker at Cincinnati and at St. Johns, Mercer

County. He served through two terms as county treasurer and two terms as probate judge of Mercer County. He died in 1892. His wife, Mary Schafer, who was also of German extraction, died in 1886. Their surviving children are: Catherine, wife of Henry Goecke, of St. Johns; Herman, of this sketch; Henry, a hardware merchant at Celina; John, cashier of the Commercial Bank of Celina; Bernard, a physician; George, editor of the Bote, a German newspaper at Celina; and Edward, who lives at St. Bernards, a suburb of Cincinnati. Four children died in infancy.

Herman Pulskamp learned the carriage-making trade at Celina, after completing his education, and worked at his trade for about 13 years and then engaged in the furniture business. To this he has added undertaking and the business is carried on under the firm name of H. & J. Pulskamp.

In September, 1881, Mr. Pulskamp was married to Catherine Hein, a daughter of Henry Hein, and they have four children, viz. : Fred, Clara, Nora and Ada. With his family, Mr. Pulskamp belongs to the Catholic Church. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Society and the Catholic Knights of Ohio. Among his fellow-citizens he stands as an honorable business man, who for the past 15 years has carried on business with methods which have won him the respect and confidence of all and the esteem and friendship of a large number.

Peter Niekamp

Peter Niekamp,* a representative farmer of Marion township, fvho owns an excellent farm of 160 acres in section 10, was born on this farm, February 10, 1859, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Stammen) Niekamp.

The father of our subject was born in Germany in 1811 and came to America in young manhood. For a short time after reaching America, he worked at Cincinnati, as a laborer and then went to Tippecanoe, Ohio, where he lived for 16 years. He hauled the logs that were used in building the! first house in this place. Here he married a lady who was born at Dayton, Ohio, and they had four children, viz. : John, Clemmens, Joseph and Mary, who married Rudolf Klostermann.

In 1850 Mr. Niekamp moved to Mercer County and later traded an old surrey buggy for the land which is now a part of our subject's farm. About seven acres had been cleared. He was one of the earliest settlers in this region. He built first a log cabin which he replaced in 1872 by a large sixroom brick residence which our subject now occupies. About two years after settling here, his first wife died and he married Catherine Stammen, who came from Germany. To this union were born these children : Henry, who married Catherine Koch; Minnie, who married John Ronnebaum; Gerhard, who married Elizabeth Mestemaker; Peter; Frank, who married Elizabeth Klostermann; and Elizabeth and Catherine, both deceased. Mr. Niekamp soon acquired fluency in speaking the English language and in the early days, with Joseph Siefken and a Mr. Loocterfelt, frequently accompanied German neighbors when they went to Celina to settle legal difficulties and business matters. He died August 18, 1894, aged 83 years, his wife having passed away in the month of May previous. They were most worthy people, widely known and highly esteemed.

Peter Niekamp was reared in Marion township and worked for his father into manhood. On September 25, 1884, he was married to Frances Bertke, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Bertke, who was born in Germany and emigrated to America before the birth of Mrs. Niekamp. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bertke were: Elizabeth, who married Barney Vahorn; Ann, who became the wife of Harman H. Schwietennann ; Mary, who married Barney Knopke; John, who married Dinah Clune; Mathias, who married Mary Hostelinger ; and Barney, who married Catherine Knopke. The father assisted in the construction of the canal, from Cincinnati to the reservoir. He died in 1905, at St. Marys, where his wife had died in 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Niekamp have had nine children, namely : Clemmens, Catherine, Fred, Matilda, Leboretta, Leo, Tocilla (deceased), Regina and Richard. Mr. Niekamp and family belong to the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw.

In 1888 our subject bought this farm from his father. He is interested also in the Chickasaw Grain & Milling Company, having become a partner in 1906. This promises to be one of the leading business enterprises of thq place.

James K. Heap

James K. Heap,* one of the prominent citizens of Fort Recovery, now retired from active business life, was born at Dayton, Ohio, September 19, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Olivia (Reed) Heap.

The father of Mr. Heap was born in England, where he remained until he was 20 years of age and then came to America, finding employment a,t Philadelphia, as a cotton spinner. In that city he married Olivia Reed, a daughter of William Reed, who was a prominent public official of Philadelphia. During the War of 1812 Mr. Reed was powder inspector at Philadelphia. After his marriage, Henry Heap removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he went into business with a Mr. Wise, as a woolen manufacturer, and later became foreman for the Gibson woolen-mill, a position he filled for a number of years'. Both parents of our subject died at St. Marys, Ohio, the father in1 1898 and the mother in 1895. Their children were as follows: Edward, who died when his parents were crossing the mountains, on their way to Ohio from Pennsylvania; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Hoffman, also deceased; Ellen, who married (first) Noah Bretz, and (second) Howard Levery; Henry, a resident of St. Marys; Ann, wife of John Binkler,.of St. Marys; and James K.

When our subject was about five years old, bis parents removed to St. Marys, making the trip on a canal-boat. He was reared at St. Marys and attended the public schools and subsequently learned the grist-mill business, which he followed for some years. He then engaged in farming until 1881. He still owns 30 acres of fine land in Auglaize County. After leaving the farm he removed to St. Marys and was in the hardware business there until 1885, when he came to Fort Recovery and bought a grain elevator, which busi less he conducted until he sold it in November, 1905. Mr. Heap owns considerable valuable property in addition to his farm mentioned. In 1890 he purchased his fine residence at Fort Recovery, located on a five-acre tract of land, and he has a number of improved lots in St. Marys. He has served on the village Council of Fort Recovery with efficiency and to the advantage of the public.

In 1872 Mr. Heap was married to Elizabeth Ferguson, a daughter of Archibald and Margaret Ferguson, and they have had four children, namely : Harry, who died aged nine years; Roy, who is in the clothing and men's furnishings business at Montpelier, Indiana; Maude and James Edward. Mr. Heap's daughter is a very highly accomplished young lady. She graduated from the Fort Recovery High School and then became a student in the Lake Erie Seminary, at Painesville, Ohio. Since 1896 she has been a successful teacher in the primary schools at Fort Recovery. Every summer she enjoys a vacation course at Oxford, Ohio. The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Heap is a practicing physician at St. Marys. He also graduated from the Fort Recovery High School, later from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and spent one year at the Good Samaritan Hospital and one at the German Deaconess' Hospital, Cincinnati.

Mr. Heap is prominent in Masonry, being a member of the chapter and commandery at Celina, and has been identified with the fraternity since he was 24 years of age.

Lanney Lee Sheeley

Lanney Lee Sheeley,* one of the prominent farmers and first-class citizens of Franklin township, resides on his 240-acre farm, located in section

28, ancl also owns 43 acres in section 16 and 59 acres more in section 21, making his total holdings 342 acres of some of the best farming land in the southeastern section of the county. Mr. Sheeley was born June 27, 1870, on the old Sheeley home place in Greene County, Ohio, ancl is a son of Isaac and Susan F. (Richardson) Sheeley.

Rev. Philip Gatch, our subject's great-great-grandfather on the maternal side, was the first Methodist preacher in Ohio ; he settled at Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, as early as 1772.

The first member of the Sheeley family to settle in Ohio was our subject's great-grandfather, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to America and settled at Jamestown, Greene County, where his son William was subsequently born. William Sheeley married Elizabeth Ausborn and they had seven children, namely: Presocia, Sarah Mary, David O., Isaac, Lydia, Alice and Harriet, all of whom survive except Presocia and Alice.

Isaac Sheeley was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 14, 1849, and lived at home until his marriage, after which he purchased a farm in Fayette County, on which he resided for a time and then removed with his family to Mercer County, in the fall of 1881 settling .at Montezuma. In Greene County he married Susan F. Richardson, who died in the spring of 1887. She was a daughter of Wilson Richardson, who came to Ohio from Virginia. Before the parents moved from Greene County, our subject and his. sister Lou were born. Lou subsequently married H. F. Littlefield: they live in California.

Lanney L. Sheeley remained at home until the death of his mother, when he went to work for John Beauchamp, who was a farmer in Franklin township, and made his home with him for two years. When he was about 19 years of age, he embarked in the fish business on his own account and conducted it at Montezuma before and after his marriage. He made considerable money in this venture, enough to enable him, in 1890, to purchase his first farm of W. F. Short. In 1898 he removed to his present farm, which he had bought of Hon. Stephen A. Armstrong and which is a very valuable property. All of his land is well located, his 43-acre tract in section 16 bordering on Lake Mercer and being also bounded by the Bennett turnpike and Prairie Creek. He carries on general farming and is very successful in his agricultural operations.

On November 23, 1892, Mr. Sheeley was married to Laura Belle Watkins, a daughter of Ezra Watkins, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Mrs. Sheeley has the following brothers and sisters : Mollie, who married Harry Sholley and lives at Lebanon, Pennsylvnaia ; Almeda, who married John Miller and lives at Anderson, Indiana; Eri, who married Jane Downs and lives at Zanesville, Ohio; Charles, who married Nellie Peeie and resides at Pickrelltown, Ohio; Jennie, who married Addison Clarridge and lives in Logan County near her brother Charles; Effie, who lives on the Watkins home place in Logan County; and Howard, who married Alice Loughridge and lives at Lewisburg, Ohio - both he and his wife are preachers in the Society of Friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Sheeley have two children, namely : Beulah Elizabeth, born October 18, 1895; and Lysle Lee, born April 7, 1899. Mr. Sheeley and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch has given efficient service on the township School Board, but has held no other office, devoting his time to his business. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.