BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
BUCYRUS TOWNSHIP
SECTION THREE
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large circle of friends, as a faithful friend, honest counselor, able advocate and just Judge. His heart was open as his charity was boundless, and the poor were never turned away hungry from his door.
DAVID PRICE proprietor of Monnett House. Bucyrus: son of .John and Anna (Watts) Price. was born Sept. 6, 1823, in Manhattan Co., Island of Manhattan, then Harlem, where he went to school until he was14 years old. His father was a butcher, and our subject attended on a stall in Washington market in the meantime. Mr. Price has roamed through many lands: "for years he was a sailor, and his life was spent on the ocean wave." his home was on the rolling deep,"and to use his own words he never felt so much at home as when on blue water." In addition to his other sailor experiences and other voyages, he made a trading voyage around the world. leaving New York in 1844. His vessel, which was the sail vessel Truscot, sailed from New York direct for the gulf of Guinea, oil the coast of Africa, where they took on a cargo of ivory thence rounded the Cape of Good Hope: passing across the Indian ocean, they touched at Australia: thence north to Kamtchatka and the sea of Okhotsk: thence among the islands of the South Pacific for spices thence rounded Cape Horn, up the South Atlantic and back to New York, after an absence of thirty-nine month,. He shipped, originally, as a cabin boy in the Live Oak, schooner, bound to Florida, which he continued at intervals until he started on his " voyage round tile world." He began his nautical career as cabin boy, then served as a sailor, and finally as fourth mate. In 1850, he left the high seas, intending to confine his voyages to the lakes: took one trip to Marquette, but, not liking it he retired from the business and settled in Cleveland, when he started a butcher shop, Which proved successful. He became clerk in Gorham & Aplin's grocery for some time. He was next money, deliverer for the American Express Co., which position he filled for about three years. In 1872, he became proprietor of the Gibson House, at Crestline, and operated it for about three years. July 1, I875, he purchased the furniture and fixtures, and leased the Monnet House, of Bucvrus, and has done a good business, ever since as its proprietor. The house contains forty - nine light, airy rooms, all newly furnished and re-fitted. It has two large and elegant sample rooms on first floor, and his table is furnished with all the delicacies in their season, and if his guests do not get hold of them it is not his fault. He has made such improvements as render the Monnett House first-class in every respect. In September, 1859, he was married. In Milwaukee, Wis., to Miss Abbie M. Shurbin, of Concord, N. H.
E. P. PENFIELD. physician and surgeon, Bucyrus: is the son of Samuel and Clara E. (Woodworth) Penfield, and was born in Huron Co., Ohio. April 5, 1833. His home was in North Fairfield until he had attained to the age of 14 years. He then went to the Normal Academy at Norwalk, and received a good education. He commenced the study of medicine in 1854, with Dr. D. H. Reed. of his native village, and graduated at the Homeopathic Medical College in 1859, and immediately after, went to Newark, Ohio, where he entered into a good practice. remaining some three years. He removed to Bucyrus in June, 1861. and opened an office. During this time, he has built up an excellent practice, and gained an enviable reputation as a skillful physician, being the only representative of the homeopathic school in the city. He is a member of the state Homeopathic Association, and was at its second session, elected Secretary. On April 15, 1857, He was married to Louisa
H. Smith of North Fairfield. Huron Co. Three sons are the blessings of this union-Charles S., James W. and Arthur E. The eldest. Charles S., is a graduate of Hahnemann Homeopathic School of Chicago, and is practicing there at present. The doctors father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. They were early settlers in Huron Co., where his father was a wagon - maker, but followed farming later in life. Dr. E. P. Penfield is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been Trustee for nine years. As a physician, he ranks among the first in the city, anal has been a prominent and valuable citizen, and one who is well known as a man of principle and true worth.
WILLIAM POPE. manufacturer, Bucyrus; is the son of Perry Pope and a native of New York, having been born in
Edmeston, Otsego Co., N. Y., Aug 7, 1825. His earlier years, until he had attained the age of l5, he spent upon the farm and
secured such education as was afforded by the common school in his
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neighborhood. At the age mentioned he began the harness trade, working in his native county for some five years; subsequently he engaged in work at an art gallery, where he continued for some eight years, In the meanwhile he read medicine, and, in 1852, he commenced the practice of medicine in the Western part of New York. In the spring of 1855, he came to Crestline, where he continued the practice of his profession until 1870. In the meantime in connection with William Franz. He became interested in the improvement of knitting machines, and applied for their first patent in 1868, which was Granted in the following March. Since then they have taken out eight patents on these machines and have purchased six others. In 1870, Mr. Pope, in company with Dr. C. Fulton, James Clements, John Franz and others, became incorporated for the purpose of manufacturing these machines and knit goods. Their first machines were put upon the market in 1870, when they became quite popular and are now used extensively as a family machine and by manufacturers. Mr. Pope is President and General Manager of this company, and has shipped goods to Germany, England and Japan. He was married to Cornelia Waring, of Franklinville, N. Y., on Nov. 17, 1856. Seven children have been the fruit of this union-William W., Lois, Ida. Kate, Henry, Anna and Frank.
REV. JAMES, T. POLLOCK. Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bucyrus: is a son of William and Fannie R. (Thomson) Pollock, and was born in Leesburg, Carroll Co., Ohio. Aug. 14, 1835. He was reared on a farin and went to a common school until he was 16 years of age. He was then given the advantages of a higher education, and at the age of 22 he graduated at Geneva College, Loran Co., Ohio. He was licensed to preach, April 16, 1860, by the Scotch Covenanter Church, and was ordained at Utica, Ohio, July 11, 1861. He entered upon his ministerial labors at Bovina, N. Y., serving from 1861 till 1863 with gratifying success. In the following year he enlisted as Chaplain of the 91st Ind. V. I. and continued until the close of the war, witnessing the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and proving of great assistance to the wounded. After the war, he was called by the New School Presbyterian Church, of Osborn, Greene Co., Ohio.. to fill their pulpit, where for four years he labored successfully. For the three years following, he was Pastor of the Church at Monroeville, Huron Co., Ohio. The Presbyterian Church of Tiffin next gave him a call and here he labored in his chosen calling until 1877, when he removed to Maumee City, remaining but six months, and in January, 1879, he came to Bucyrus, where he has proven himself a model Pastor and beloved of his people. He was married, June 12, 1867, to Elizabeth A. Andrews, of Montgomery Co., Ohio. Of this union there are three children living - Fanny T., Margaret R. Melville A. A son .Charles F., is dead.
ZALMON ROWSE (deceased) whose portrait appears in this work, was one among the earliest of Crawford County's pioneers. He was born in December of 1789, in the State of Massachusetts His parents were poor and unable to give him the advantages of a classical education. He was endowed with a quick and comprehensive mind. and by his own efforts he succeeded in getting a good education, which he turned to the best advantage by engaging in school teaching. When 16 years old he went to Wayne Co., Penn., and while there, when he had arrived at the age of 19, he was married to Miss Mehetabel Kent, who was then 16 years old. In the spring of 1821, he walked from Wayne Co., Penn.- 500 - miles to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he entered three tracts of land of 80 acres each after which he again walked to his home. In the fall of the same year. He moved to this county with his family, which consisted of his wife and six children. They started on the 12th of October 1821, and with a team of oxen made the journey to Crawford County by the 2d of December following. Mr. Rowse first located in Whetstone Township on one of his purchases, that now lies within one-fourth of a mile of the incorporate limits of Bucyrus. He remained there about two years and then removed to another of the three original eighties, which is now owned and resided upon by Col. William Monnett. Mr. Rowse taught one term of school after he came to Crawford County. Shortly after his arrival, he was made one of the County Commissioners, and following; this he was elected Justice of the Peace. He was then appointed Clerk of the Court of Crawford County, in addition to which he also held the office pd County Recorder. These different offices he held about fifteen years. He was a member of
BUCYRUS TOWNSHIP. - 797
the Whip party, and at the organization of the Crawford County Militia, he was re-elected Colonel. He never engaged in the mercantile business, but bought and sold many tracts of real estate in and about Bucyrus. He also did contracting of almost any kind. When the old Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike was built, he contracted and built several miles of it, which ran through Bucyrus. His greatest amusement was hunting, at which in those early days he had a decided advantage to gratify his passion, as game of almost every description common to the climate was abundant. He was a member of the order of A. F. & A. M., and for twenty years previous to his death he was a member of the M. E. Church, as was also his wife, whose death occurred in 1849. Mr. Rowse survived his wife until Aug. 16, 1854. when he also passed away. They were both interred in the old burying-ground east of Bucyrus, but subsequently their remains were removed to Oakwood Cemetery. They left a family of children to mourn their loss, among whom were the sons, Horace and William, who have since become prominent business men of Bucyrus, and to whom we are indebted for many of the facts and data of this sketch and for the portrait of their father, the subject of this memoir. Col. Zalmon Rowse.
WILLIAM ROWSE. merchant. Bucyrus. is a son of Zalmon and Mehetahel (Kent) Rowse, and was horn in Bucyrus April 24, 1824.. He was among the earliest born in this city, and is now, probably the oldest native of the town, now living. He spent his youth in tilling the soil, and attended school, acquiring a serviceable education. At the age of 21, Mr. Rowse began to labor for himself, and commenced farming on the place now owned by William Monnett, which land had been entered by his father, Zalmon Rowse. For three years he continued to farm this property, and then exchanged it for one in Whetstone Township, where, for seven years, he lived and farmed. with good success. In 1859, he removed to Bucyrus, and, in connection with his brother Horace, built the Rowse Block. After its completion, they opened a general store, and with the exception of one year. Mr. Rowse continued in this business until 1876, meeting with splendid success. In March, 1878, he opened a store at No. 3 Quinby Block, and is at present doing a flourishing business, carrying a general stock of dry goods, groceries and boots and shoes. He was married, in September, 1849, to Catherine C. Finn, of Dundaff. Six children were the fruits of this union, three of whom are dead. Those living are Charles H., Cora A. and Carrie A. Mr. Rowse is an old resident of the city, and one of its influential men. He is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, being one of its Trustees, and is a man of noted honesty and integrity, who shares largely in the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
HORACE ROWSE, merchant, Bucyrus, was born Sept. 23, 1811, among the hills of Wayne Co., Penn., and is the son of Zalmon and Mehetabel (Kent) Rowse. The subject of our sketch spent the first fifteen years of his life on a farm. When aged 10 years, his parents removed to this county, and located on what is now known as the Ludwig farm, one mile east of town. They next moved to the William Monnett place, when Horace, who was then 16 years of age, came to Bucyrus, and went to school the first winter to a teacher named William Blowers. He worked for his father on the farm till he was 23, and, in the meantime, taught his first term of school at the age of 21; continued to intervals, teaching some four terms. For three years he worked for his father on a contract of the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike. He and his brother bought 400 acres of land, about two and a half miles from town, where he lived about two years. 1n 1838, he removed to town, and worked on the jail and boarded other employees. In 1842, himself and brother opened in the mercantile line, but Horace sold out in two years, and removed to Sulphur Springs, where he kept a general store. He was here in business for seven years, and then bought the old homestead, where he remained two years, and then selling it to William Monnett in 1853. Returning to Bucyrus, he opened a store where Malic is now. Two years afterward he purchased the corner, and exchanged that for 400 acres of land in Whetstone Township, which he rented. In 1856, he put a stock of goods in Rowse's Block, and was there until 1858. He and his brother then built the structure which he now occupies, and continued business for some ten years. In company with his son, he opened a shoe store in the Quinby Block, in 1875, and subsequently put in a stock of dry goods. He retired in 1878, and, in 1879, he
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and his son opened a grocery and provision store, also a news depot, in which business they still continue, and have been successful. He was married. in September 1834, to Catherine Bell, of Delaware Co., Ohio, and of that marriage six children are living- Eva, Ada. Theron A., Emma, Kate and Henry. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and Steward of its organization. Mr. Rowse has been a successful business man and is a much respected citizen.
ALEXANDER A. RUHL. Clerk of Courts. Bucyrus. The genial and popular Clerk of Crawford County was born April 4, 1828, in Shrewsbury, York Co., Penn., and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Daws) Ruhl. His father was a farmer and came to Ohio in 1833. settling near Galion, the north part of which city is now on land that he once owned. At the time of his settlement there. Galion was composed of a few cabins. The subject of our sketch gathered chestnuts on what is now the public square, and deer were common even in his day. Mr. Ruhl. Sr., cleared that portion of the city north of the square. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a highly respected citizen, and died at the age of 63. His family consisted of nine children, eight of whom are still living - Conelius K., died in July 1863; .Joanna, wife of O. T. Hart, of Galion Margaret, wife of C. G. Rupp, of Bucyrus; James H., farmer in Allen Co., hid.: Mary M. lives in Galion: Louisa M., is now the wife of W. H. Clymer, editor of The Times, Van Wert. Ohio: Calvin E., dentist at Findlay:: Sarah G., married S. G. Cummings. These. including the subject of our sketch, composed the family, Alexander was but four years old, when he came to Ohio with his parents, and attended school but little, the advantages of education not begin as at present. At the age of 22 he entered Wittenberg College, at Springfield attending two years. In 1850, he came to Bucyrus, and entered the dry-goods store of Henry Converse, and remained some four years. In 1859, he was elected Auditor and discharged the duties of that office four years. He traveled extensively through the West and South during the years of 1866 and l867. When in 1868, the Bucyus Machine Works were started under the direction of a stock company, Mr. Ruhl was elected Secretary, and filled the position with satisfaction for some eighteen months, when he commenced traveling and selling machinery for McDonald & Co., of Wooster. Ohio, and continued for five years. In 1875, he commenced selling machinery of various kinds in Bucyrus, and continued until his election as Clerk, in October 1879. He w-as married. Dec. 27,. 1853, to Aurelia M. Shauke, of Bucyrus, and they have three children-lda B., Geo. S., and Frank I. Mr. Ruhl is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a highly respected citizen.
JOHN REXROTH, farmer : P. O. Bucyrus ; a son of John N. and Anna M. (Writman) Rexroth, was born May 10. l836, in Bucyrus : at the age of 3 years. His parents removed to Winchester. where ten years of his youth were spent He attended school at that place three months each year, and returned to Bucyrus with his, family in 1849, going to school here until the winter of 1854. under John Hopley, Esq. He and his brother rented land near Bucyrus, and supported the family by teaming and other work. He aided his father in his shop until he gave up blacksmithing, about 1855. The family exchanged town property for 80 acres of land, in 1S57, lying just south of town, to which they moved. Here they lived some time, and then removed to another farm - the Riley Pettitt farm-where they lived until 1867: his father died there June 15, 1867. Then returned to Bucyrus. Thus far the subject had been a member of the family and its chief support in early part of the time: all working together, however, he was married. Dec. 18,1867, to Miss Maggie S. Frey, of Bucyrus, who was born June 11, 1847, in Germany, and came to this country when but 6 years old, and was educated here. They have four children living - Charles F., born Oct. 1, 1868: Lilly J., born .July 5,1875: Royal R., born Dec. 8, 1877: Clyde N. born Sept. 15, 1879: John Jay died when only 3 years old. After marriage, Mr. Rexroth removed to his present place two and a half miles south of Bucyrus, where he owns at the present time 296 acres of fine farming and grazing land, with some beautiful groves of light timber, and with four flowing springs. These springs have been bored to different depths: the deepest to a depth of twenty - one feet. and yields a sufficiency of water for 1,000 head of cattle. It is of mineral nature (slightly impregnated with iron). He began life in the spring of 1855,
BUCYRUS TOWNSHIP. - 799 .
without a dollar, and in twenty-five years, by hard work and careful management has accumulated a good property. During, the war he dealt largely in sheep, buying, grazing and selling He is now engaged in farming and stockraising breeding high grade of Merino sheep, and has a fine flock He has always been Republican in politics, and is a member of the M. E. Church at Bucyrus. John Rexroth, the father of John Rexroth, was born Nov. 6, 1800, in the village of Erbach, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and went to school there from 6 to 14 years of age after which he learned the trade of blacksmithing, probably with his father. He followed his trade in the old country until 30 years old. when he came to the United States, landing at Baltimore. after a voyage of six months, being wrecked twice on the way. At Baltimore, he met and married Anna M. Writman, who was born near Carlsruhe of Baden. She came over about the same time as himself the only one of her family, and they were married March 1, 1831, in Baltimore, and at once removed to Gettysburg, Penn., where they lived little more than a year. In 1833, they came to Bucyrus, where he followed his trade until 1855, accumulating property rapidly. He purchased considerable land by his indefatigable industry, but by security debts for, friends, lost nearly all except a comfortable home, and they worked together until all the children were educated. Mr. Rexroth was raised a Lutheran, and when he came to Bucyrus he united with the Evangelical Association, but that society did not prosper, and he united with the German M. E Church, and was a devoted Christian to the time of his death, which occurred .June 15, 1867: and was classleader for many years. He had two remarkable visions or dreams: some twenty- year, before his death, when reverses had come upon him and he retired feeling very despondent, like Bunyan, he "saw in his dream" a "presence," which said, "Come and I will show you your future:" following it, he saw a house, larger than the one then occupied: they went on for some time, when the" presence,". said,."Here you stop": these appeared to be like in appearance to his future home and the last was the exact counterpart of the place where he afterward died. A stranger, a countryman, once called on Mr. Rexroth, and, after remaining with him a couple of hours, left. and went to his home, some four miles distant; a few weeks later, he had a dream. in which he was required to go to his stranger friend, as he needed his assistance; three times this vision appeared, each time as if a person talking to him and telling him to go; he went to work in the morning, but could not rid himself of the impression, and finally he decided to go and see the man: upon his arrival, he found him dying. Mr. Rexroth was the father of ten children, nine of whom grew to man and woman hood - Adam (deceased), Catharine Albright, John, Daniel, Elizabeth, Sarah, Lydia, Samuel (now also dead), David., Margaret (wife of C. Kurtz)., Elizabeth (is the wife of Rev. G. Lease, of Kenton, Presiding Elder); Lydia is the wife of B. Beal, Esq.
JAMES H. ROBINSON, County Auditor, Bucyrus: was born in Chatfield Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1839, and is the son of James M. and Mary E. (Cooper) Robinson, who were parents of the following family: John, .James, Nathan (deceased), William, Abner (deceased) and Melvina (deceased), the father was born near Wheeling, Va., in October 1807, and, about the year 1825, he together with his parents, came to Chatfield Township, where our subject was born; the grandfather of James H. was a man of considerable means, and. on his arrival. he purchased a large tract of land, which he tilled for many years: at his death, his son, the father of James H. took charge of the farm which he also farmed until his death, which event occurred in October, 1874. It was on this farm that James H. passed his early years: he received a good education, which was finished by attending the Otterbein University during the winter of 1860-61: Mr. Robinson then began teaching, and continued eight terms with success, three of these terms being taught in Richville: while in the latter place. He was in the mercantile business in connection with teaching. On July 4, 1865, he was united in n marriage with Miss Louisa Hipp, of Chatfield Township, and by her had two children - Minnie. born Nov. 19, 1867, and Francis M., who died when 5 years old. Mr. Robinson was elected County Surveyor during the fall of 1872, and continued in that office until 1877, when the people of the count\y recognizing his ability, selected him for Auditor of Crawford Co.: he was elected. and re-elected
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in the fall of 1880. Mr. Robinson is a consistent Christian, and takes au active part in the advancement of his church.
WILLIAM P. ROWLAND. retired. Bucyrus; is the son of John M. and Martha (Martin) Rowland, and was born Feb. 6, 1837, in Green Township, Richland Co., Ohio: his father was a native of Washington Co., Penn., and came to Ohio when very young, and was consequently one of the pioneers of that county his grandfather was in the war of the Revolution: there are two sisters and one brother of our subject living-Mary Hickoks, of Denver. Colo.; Laura Miner, of Mansfield, and Shannon, of Leadville, Colo. The subject of the present sketch attended district school until he was 18 years of age, and then became yard dispatcher at Crestline, which position he held for four years; next, he spent two years in the ticket and freight office; in the fall of 1861, he became proprietor of the St. James Hotel (then the Weldon), of Mansfield, and was its landlord for two years; in 1863, he came to Bucyrus and engaged in the sale of stoves, tin and hardware as a partner in the firm of Rowland & Picking, this partnership existing until 1874, when Picking died, and Mr. Rowland sold out the business to J. G. Ott & Sons, and retired from active business life since then, he has visited several of the Western States, and has spent one winter with his family at Lookout Mountain, Tenn. He was for three years President of the School Board. and also a member of the City Council. He is a member of Masonic Lode. No. 272, and of the Knights of Pythias, Demas Lodge, No. 108. He was first married in October. 1858,. to Miss Lizzie Sloane, who died eleven months thereafter: he was married again, July 9, 1862, to Miss Kate Picking; of Bucyrus, daughter of John Picking: they have two children - Jesse and Mollie
CHARLES ROEHR, Bucyrus:: is the son of Henry and Caroline (Gresky) Roehr, and was born July 26, 1835, in Ihna, Saxons. He attended school until his 14th year, and then for six years following he clerked in a store. In August, 1855, he sailed for the new world from Hamburg, and arrived in New York after a voyage of six weeks. He came at once to Bucyrus, where he commenced an apprenticeship with George Stoll, in the carpenter's trade. After serving two years, he commenced business for himself in contracting work, and continue until 1868. In October of that year, he became a partner in the firm of Stoll Bros. & Co., all this business union lasted five years. John Stoll retired at the expiration of this time, and Mr. Roehr became an equal partner with Jacob Stoll and .John Shealy, running a large planing mill anal lumber-yard at Bucyrus, also running a branch establishment at Upper Sandusky, Mr. Roehr has managed the business for twelve years, which began with the help of eight men while they now employ thirty-five and occupy some three acres. Mr. Roehr is a member of the German Lutheran Church. He has dealt considerably in real estate, and has built over twenty buildings in the town. He was married, in November 1858, to Miss Lizzie Eberth, of Bucyrus. They have eight children-Kate, Edward, Emma, William, Helen, Henry, Carl and Alma.
HENRY M. ROWE, liveryman. Bucyrus. is the son of Norman Rowe and was born March 22, 1828, in Oswego Co., N. Y.: was a farmer's son, and spent the first sixteen years of his life on a farm, working after he was 16 at $8 per month. In 1844, he came to Ohio and stopped at Newark. He then commenced traveling throughout the State selling notions and medicines until 1853. He also made a trip to the West to see the country. Having made Bucyrus his headquarters, he started a livery-stable here in 1856, in partnership with C. D. Ward. Which business relation existed for six years. In 1862, Mr. Rowe bought out his partner an continued the business as sole proprietor until 1868. During the war he was prominent in the shipping of horses, and also was engaged in this branch until 1875. In 1868. he sold out his stable to .John Keil. In 1876, he went to New York and enraged in the mercantile business with his brother at New Haven. He retired in September, 1879, and, in June 1880, he started a new livery, sale and feed stable in Bucyrus, in the southwest corner of public square, where he is doing a thriving business. Mr. Rowe is a member of Crawford Lodge No. 443, A. F. & A. M., also of Ivanhoe Chapter. Has also been a member of City Council. He was married in September 1849, to Martha Burke, of Wyandot Co., Ohio. His wife died May 5, 1872.
CHARLES G. RUPP ; P. O. Bucyrus; is the son of Peter and Hellena (Earnst) Rupp, an was born Feb. 3, 1822,. in York. York Co., Penn.
PAGE 801 PICTURE OF CATHARINE MILLER
PAGE 802 BLANK
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His grandfather, Gottleib Rupp, was a native of Germany, and came over late in the eighteenth century, settling at York, where he was a butcher. He raised four sons and two daughters of whom Peter, the father of our subject, was the third son, and followed the trade of his father. Peter married Hellena Earnst, a native of York, and they were blessed with four sons and two daughters, three of whom are now living-Dr. Peter Rupp, of South Bend, Ind.; Melvina, widow of Rev. A. Kuhn, formerly of Galion, and later the widow of David Seltzer, of Crestline. The father died at York, Penn., in 1825, while the mother survived him fifty-three years, dying at Wapakoneta, Ohio, in March, 1878, aged 93 years. The subject of our sketch received but a limited education, and, at the early age of 11 years, he entered a store in his native town, where he was employed for ten years. In May 1843, he came to Ohio by stage and canal, the journey occupying two weeks. He remained a year at Galion, where his sister lived, and then went to Leesville, at that time a better trading-point than Galion. He kept a general store there for three years, and removed to Bucyrus in 1848, and was employed as a clerk for four years. He then opened a store in partnership with .John Moderwell, continuing two years, and, upon the retirement of Mr. Moderwell. Horace Rowse became a partner for three years. He next engaged in business with Fisher and Hall, doing a large business on the old Kaler corner. Mr. Rupp retired from the firm in about a year, on account of ill health. He then became a clerk for his old partner, Horace Rowse, and continued in that capacity until the close of the war. He then left mercantile pursuits and purchased an interest in a woolen-mill, and also, some time after, an interest in the Bucyrus Machine Works: also in a grist and saw mill, selling out this last-mentioned venture. however, in a short time. About the year 1868, he became a partner in the firm of Rupp, Rowse & Lauck, and afterward, of William Rowse, in the shoe-store. On the failure of the Bucyrus Machine Works, Mr. Rupp became assignee and settled up the business, which occupied some three years. He has also been engaged in settling up some fifteen estates. In 1873, he bought a stone quarry at Leesville, which has been lucrative, the stone being known as the Waverly group, and of the same grit as the Berea. and a fine stone for building purposes. He was Postmaster at Leesville during the administration of James K. Polk, and was, during the Kansas and Nebraska troubles, a Free-Soiler, and is now a Republican. He was a candidate for County Treasurer in 1858, and made a popular run, cutting down the Democratic majority to the extent of 600. He was married, July18. 1848, to Margaret J. Ruhl, of Galion. Four children-Annie, Clara, Maggie and Lincoln are living, and five died in childhood.
JOHN ROSS, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus is the son of Linus H. and Jane (Emerson) Ross, and was born Dec. 12, 1831, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. His father was born near Elizabethtown, Y. Y., Oct. 19, 1799, and was of Scotch-English descent. He came with his parents to Pickaway Co. when 6 years old, and, at the age of 25, he was married to Miss Jane Emerson, a native of Kentucky. They had seven children, three of whom are yet living - Abigail Monnett, of White Co., Ind.; Eliza Hostler, of Cairo, Ill.; and our subject. The father died in August, 1871, in his 72d year, the mother dying Sept. 28, 1878; in her 73d year. His father commenced life poor, first as a brick-burner, and later as a mason: but at one time owned 1,700 acres of land. The subject of this sketch worked on a farm until he was 14 years of age, at which time his father's family came to Crawford Co. and settled in Dallas Township, where, in 1837, the father had entered a large tract of land, and had grazed large numbers of cattle on it until 1845, when he removed there. Mr. Ross received a common-school education, and, at the age of 17, began handling cattle, doing quite a prosperous business. In 1853, he removed to his present farm, where he has 340 acres of fine farming land. He is at present engaged in raising thoroughbred cattle, and has a fine herd of fifteen short-horn Durhams, being of the finest Kentucky' blood. He is also engaged in buying and feeding sheep. He is one of tile prominent. influential men of his township, and is enterprising and a good business manager. He is a Republican in politics. He was married. Oct. 19, 1853, to Miss Lucinda W. Tharp of Bucyrus Township, the daughter of Joseph Tharp and Phoebe (Kinnear) Tharp, and was born in Whetstone Township June 20, 1834 They have seven children all living-Linus H., born Aug. 21, 1854: Jennie, Feb. 15, 1857 John P., Dec. 28, 1858 ; Maggie H., March 24,
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1862; Anna K.. Jan. 3, 1865; Joseph W., April 16, 1868 ; and Talmage J., Nov. 28, 1871.
JAMES G. ROBINSON. deceased. He was born on the 25th of December, 1838, at Washington, Penn., where his father. William Robinson, a merchant, then resided. At the age of 14 he entered the printing office of John Bausman to learn the mystery of type-setting, going to Pittsburgh a few years later and acting as foreman in the office of the Pittsburgh Dispatch. Here he began a friendship with D. R. Locke, which lasted over a quarter of a century. In 1853, on the occasion of a printer's strike, he left Pittsburgh with Mr. Locke, and in company with him revived the Plymouth Advertiser, in Huron Co., Ohio. Soon after, in 1855. He and his partner disposed of this paper, and purchased the Mansfield Herald, in company with a young lawyer, Rudolph Brinkerhoff. In a few months, Mr. Locke sold out his interest and bought the Bucyrus Journal, and urged Mr. Robinson to join him in this new venture, which he died in April, 1857. Here Mr. Robinson was marked for his public enterprise, to whom, in company with Mr. Locke, is due many of the public improvements enjoyed by the citizens of Bucyrus today. In 1861, he was appointed Postmaster, and in 1863, Mr. Locke having accepted a position elsewhere, he associated his younger brother, J. Ralph Robinson, with himself in the printing business. In September, 1867, he disposed of his share in the business and engaged in the drug business with Dr. Cuykendall, whose interest he purchased in January 1870, and continued the business until his death. April 14, 1872. He was universally esteemed by the community in which he lived. was sincerely and conscientiously a Christian gentleman, and in his daily life was an exemplary model for all. He was married to Miss Sarah Benscooter, daughter of Dr. Benscooter, of Plymouth, Ohio, in October. 1851. Her grandfather was a Van Benschoter, one of the famous Knickerbocker family who first settled New York. The marriage of our subject was blessed with six children-three of whom are living as follows: Irene, wife of Rev. C. S. Sprecher, of Ashland, Ohio; Sarah J., and Jay G. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Robinson has resided in Bucyrus, where she has educated her family.
DANIEL REXROTH, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus; son of John N. Rexroth ; was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1837. The family were in moderate financial circumstances, and young Rexroth spent his youth in town, working for the farmers during the busy seasons, at $6 per month, doing a mans work at 15. During the winter mouths he acquired such education as the public school of the time afforded. At the age of 16, in company with a younger brother, with only $45 in money. he bought a horse and the necessary implements to put in 100 acres of corn. Heretofore he had contributed his earnings to the support of the family, but thence forward these boys started out for themselves, gaining the confidence of the farmers by their honesty and industry, and achieving a good degree of success. Marrying in 1862, he enlarged the scope of his industry, dealing in sheep for about a year. In 1864, he purchased 195 acres of his present farm for $11,700 where he has since made his home. He has devoted his attention since that time entirely to farming, and has been remarkably successful. He now owns 315 acres of as fine farming lands as are to he found in the county. It is finely watered. has a deep soil of great richness. Here his labor has been bestowed with such good judgment as to gain the credit of having the second-best farm in the county. In 1879, he erected a fine frame dwelling of ten rooms, which is an ornament to the place. He devotes his care to the growing of grain and the raising of sheep keeping a flock of some 600 constantly on his farm. Mr. Rexroth's father was a German Republican, who came to this country for that free door of speech and action for which this land claims preeminence. The subject of this sketch has followed in the footsteps of his father, and is, politically, a member of the Re publican organization. He and his wife are members of the Scioto Chapel M. E. Church he was married, Dec. 2, 1862, to Miss Mary Purkey, of Bucyrus, a daughter of John and Phoebe (Kinnear) Purkey. She was born near Gallon Dec. 29, 1835. Four children have resulted from this union-Edward K., born Sept 30, 1866; Effie N., March 27, 1868 ; Anno M. Dec. 4, 1870 and Nellie B., Jan. 20, 1872.
THE RELIABLE CLOTHING HOUSE Among the substantial business firms of Bucyrus, the above-mentioned house has a history worthy of note. Joseph Nussbaum, the present proprietor, to whose eminent business qual-
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ities the signal success of the house is almost wholly due, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 11, 1853. He was carefully educated in his native land until 13 years old, when he left school and worked at tailoring one year. In 1867, he sailed from Bremen, and. after a short voyage. He arrived at New York July 19. He came at once to Cleveland. Ohio. where he attended the public schools for six months. He gained a fair knowledge of the English tongue, and started on foot through the country to sell notions. He followed this occupation about six months. then accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store, which he held four years. He next opened a dry-goods store of his own in the city of Cleveland where he did a prosperous business for three years. In August 1877 Mr. Nussbaum came to Bucyrus. and. in company with Edward Braun, opened a large stock of clothing in Niman & Fisher's Block, where they have built up a large and constantly increasing business. The dimensions of the present room are 80 x 25 feet, making an area of 2,000 feet, with every available space occupied by the different departments of the business. The read made clothing department is arranged on the plan adopted by the large houses of the cities. not on high shelves, but on a great number of large tables, within easy reach of the customer, who may examine the vast stock without the aid of clerks. The merchant tailoring department is represented by a full line of imported and domestic cloth, and a full corps of skilled workmen. among whom is Benjamin Nussbaum, lately arrived from Europe, brother of the proprietor. He is a tailor of ability and experience, who will devote his time to the trade. The gents' furnishing and hat and cap department furnishes the customer with it almost bewildering variety of the latest and most attractive styles to select from. The entire stock of this enterprising house is purchased by Mr. Nussbaum of Eastern manufacturers, at the most favorable seasons of the year. His purchases are made for cash, giving his customers the benefit of large discounts thereby. Mr. Braun retired in January, 1880, leaving Mr. .Joseph Nussbaum sole proprietor. He is aided in the different departments by his brothers Isaac and Benjamin, who, like himself, have been raised in the business, their father having been a tailor. They labor constantly together to build up the honor and good name of the house. Among the factors that have contributed largely to the success and popularity of their store, was the adoption of the one price system in the clothing trade. This has produced a much desired revolution of the old scheme of asking over much and taking less, and is hailed with satisfaction by buyers of clothing. The term "reliable" is synonymous with the operations of this house, where goods are represented as they are and offered at their true value.
CHRISTIAN RENKERT, shoemaker and dealer. Bucyrus ; was born March 28, 1831 in Baden, Germany, city of Freyburg, and is a son of Christian and Anna M. (Buckmiller) Renkert. He went to school from the age of 6 to 14 years. In his 15th year his parents came to the United States, and settled in Erie Co., N. Y., about the year 1845. They lived on a farm here for three years, but in the meantime the subject of this sketch was apprenticed to learn the shoemaking business with a man mined John West, of Buffalo. N. Y., serving two years, and remaining one year after his term had expired. He came to Bucyrus in the fall of 1849, and was employed by Frederick Schuler for seven years. In 1856, he started a shop of his own, north of the railroad. , where he worked three years. In 1876, he removed to his present room in Schaber's building where he keeps a full stock of boots and shoes of every style and quality; has a repair shop and manufactory, turning out the best kind of work. He was married. Dec. 25, 1856, to Miss Helma Vollrath, of Bucyrus. Eight children have been born to them, of whom six are living, viz.: Frank, Tillie, Otto, Aggie, Frederick and Agatha. Charles died in his 7th and Anna in her 18th year. Mr. Renkert has always been a Democrat, and is now Trustee of the township; was President of the Loan and Building Association. He and family are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the Howard Lodge of Knights of Honor. He began life with but little capital. and by his own energy and industry has accumulated sufficient of the world's goods to render him comfortable.
WILLIAM M. REID, grain dealer, Bucyrus; was born in Whetstone Township Nov. 23, 1834, and is a son of George and Mary A. (Foster) Reid. The latter gentleman was born in Ireland Jan. 7, 1812, and came with his parents
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to America in 1816, stopping near Newburg, N. Y., but shortly afterward removing to Washington Co., Penn., and some six years later (in 1824) to Crawford Co., Ohio, settling near Bucyus on new land which his father had entered some two years before. There was no school at that time in the neighborhood, and young Reid. who was an only child. was deprived of educational advantages. At the age of 21, he married Mary A,. Foster, and settled on the homestead, where he lived until 1863, when he removed to Bucyrus. His wife died in 1860, and in 1865, he was married to Mrs. M. P. Bodge of Worthington, Ohio; four children were born to Mr. Reed - Robert, William M. (the subject), George and James H.; two are dead, a son and daughter; he owned 280 acres of land. William M., whose name heads this sketch, attended the district school until he was 18 years old, when he entered the Bucyrus High School in 1851, he went to the Granger Commercial College at Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated the same summer, and afterward taught two years; in 1857-58, he engaged in the mercantile business in Bucyrus, but sold out April 1, 1860. and went to Utah Territory by overland journey. There were four in the party, and. after a pleasant journey of forty-five days with a team, they arrived in the vicinity of Breckenridge City, where they worked with moderate success, returning home in November of same year. Upon his return to Bucyrus, he commenced buying grain, continuing the business alone until 1866, when John Baler became his partner, and the business is still continued under firm name of Reid & Baler. They leased the present warehouse in 1870. and do a large business in grain, seeds, pork and wool. He was married. Jan. 1, 1862, to Mary E. Moderwell, of Bucyrus: one daughter (Anna M.) was born of this marriage. His wife died in 1863;. and Aug. 16, 1864, he married Emily McCracken. of Ft. Wayne, Ind. Seven children have been the fruit of this marriage, one of whom is dead; Edward G., Lathrop F., William T., Charles, Robert T. and Sue. At the age of 15 years. Mr. Reed united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1863, he ,joined the Presbyterian Church, of which body he has since remained a consistent member. He has been Superintendent of Sabbath school for sixteen years; Trustee several terms, and is at present an Elder in the church: was Treasurer of the State Sunday School Union for six years, and is now a member of Executive Committee. He has been elected by the people Mayor of Bucyrus, a position he held with credit.
ALBERT J. RICHARDS. insurance agent, Bucyrus; son of Samuel R. and Amy (Eggleston) Richards, was born Oct. 13, 1852, at Leroy, Medina Co., Ohio, where he spent his youth going to school until about 17 years old, when he entered. in 1869, Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio. remaining two years. (His father was Postmaster, and in youth subject assisted him in the office.) In 1872,. he became the agent of the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company, located at Leroy, but worked Crawford County, which has since been his field of operations. Dec. 20, 1876, he was married to Mrs. Mary E. Charlton, a daughter of W. B. Tobias, of Bucyrus, and widow of the late Alexander Charlton, by whom she had one son-Marquis, of the present marriage one child is living -Mabel one son, Guy, died in his second year. After his marriage, Mr. Richards lived in Holmes Township until September, 1879, when he moved to Bucyrus. He has done a large business in insurance, having over 2,000 risks in tile county at this time. This company is a very reliable one, with a cash capital of nearly a million dollars. Mr. R. and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. His father was born in Watertown, Conn., probably in June, 1816. He lost his father when about 8 years old, when the family moved to New York, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. He came to Akron, Ohio, and worked at his trade, and about 1842, removed to Leroy, Medina Co., where he now resides. He married Amy Eggleston, then living in Medina County. They have five children living -Maria, William, George, Albert J. (the subject) and Cora. He has been Postmaster at Leroy since 1861. In 1855, he became agent for Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company, has worked in the county for twenty-five years and is well known and respected.
MRS. LUCY ROGERS. Bucvrus. " Mother Rogers," as her friends familiarly call her, one of the aged pioneers of Crawford Co., has been so long, identified with the county as to deserve an extended notice in this department. She was born Aug. 11, 1802, and is the daughter of Eli and Lucy (Green) Widger, of Preston, Chenango Co.. N. Y. The ancestry of her family
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is traced to the "manors" of En England, and her father, in his day, was considered a man of wealth, being an industrious and prosperous farmer. Mrs. Rogers was educated in the common schools of her native place, and, at the age of 18 years, was married , to Ichabod Rogers, of Connecticut, who was born Sept. 30, 1798: the marriage was solemnized July 21, 1821. The first year after marriage, they kept a dairy of thirty cows, and so favorably impressed with her frugality and industry was the owner of the dairy, that lie offered then $500 to stay in the same capacity for another year, but they had caught the Western fever, consequent upon the flattering stories told of the alluring prospects of fortunes awaiting all those who should go to the rich country of Ohio, and June 30, 1822, they started in a one-horse wagon, with all their worldly effects, but rich in hope and expectation. They were young and buoyant and thought not of hardships and dangers. They were a month on the road, and traveled over 600 miles: the young wife walked over 100 miles of the distance, and wore out one pair of shoes on the journey. They thought to settle at Pittsburgh, but upon their arrival there, being disgusted with the smoky appearance of the town, they determined to carry out their original intention and proceed to Ohio. They had about $130 in money; $100 of this was exchanged for a counterfeit bill. Its fraudulent character was not discovered until they came to Pittsburgh and attempted to make a purchase. When they reached Bucyrus, tired and disheartened, they decided to go no further. Mr. Rogers left his wife at the house of a Quaker named Beadle, near the Deardorf place, while he returned to Chenango, N.Y. to recover his $100. This attempt resulted in a lawsuit and a failure to recover the money. Now completely moneyless, he borrowed $75 of his brother and sister-in-law and returned to Bucyrus. With this he went into business, and he and Samuel Norton were partners for one year. In 1833-34 he started a hotel on the corner of Perry street and Sandusky avenue, where Mother Rogers now resides near the gasworks. This tavern was closed in 1838, and ever since the building has been occupied by her in the quiet routine of home duties. Here for more than half a century she has lived; here she spent her best days; here she raised her children from infancy to man and womanhood ; here died the husband of her early love, and the sharer of her joys, toils and sorrows. Of their early life in Ohio. Mrs. Rogers relates the following incident : Her brother George came out to see them from New York, and, seeing the privations they suffered. He said: "What would father and mother say if they knew how you suffer? " Said she. "I do not suffer. I have come to a new country, and expect to live here and grow up with it. I am not homesick, either. Tell them when you go back, that I am well, hearty, and smart as a deer, but can't jump quite as far. You must not tell them how I live, or what privations we endure. Just tell them you guess I live well enough, and will get along." Six years later, Mrs. Rogers returned to her old home in New York on a visit, and while at the father's (Eli Widger's) he, referring to hard times, said. "None of my children know what suffering is. I served three years under Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary war; one time we were on a scout for three days, and nothing to eat but three biscuits; we finally came to a settler's cabin, in a clearing. nearly starved." Mrs. Rogers then related her own experience in the wilds of Ohio; how upon a certain occasion the husband was taken sick, and was for awhile bedfast, and their scanty store was exhausted; how, when starvation stared them in the face, she, to save her loved ones, went forth to beg- walked through the tall wet grass to William Langden's, told her pitiful story, and begged for something to keep her husband and babe from starving, and when, after getting a little flour, she returned on foot. The recital brought tears to all eyes and even the old Revolutionary soldier was forced to acknowledge that her sufferings had been; greater than his. Mrs. Rogers made six trips to New York to see her parents, and each time crossed Lake Erie, once encountering a terrific storm. Her husband died Jan. 10, 1853. They had five children born to them; three sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. Rowena, widow of the late Alexander P. Widman; Jane Eliza, wife of John Heinlen, of San Jose, Cal. (first girl born in Bucyrus), and George W. Rogers, Esq., of Bucyrus; William B., farmer near San Jose, Cal., Henry D., of San Francisco, Cal.
SAMUEL SHROLL. Bucyrus. Mr. Shroll's parents, John and Elizabeth (Coleman) Shroll, were born, raised and married
in the "Key
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stone" State. where they resided until 1822, when they moved to Stark Co., Ohio, living there until their coining to this county in 1827. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. In 1834,. the father died of cholera, as did three of his brothers and the wives of two of them who had come to the county at the same time. The twelve children were living at the time of the father's death, and the family endured many hardships and privations before the they found themselves in comfortable circumstances. Samuel Shroll was born in Bucyrus Township Nov. 8, 1828, and. from early boyhood to the present time, has found employment upon a farm. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Stockman July 27, 1855. She was born in Liberty Township, this county. Feb. 19, 1837. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shroll, viz.: Mary J., Susan E., Martha A. and Lettie M. Mr. Shroll began for himself by working by the month upon a farm. He is in the fullest sense of the word, a self-made man, and one who has the respect and confidence of the entire community. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his views regarding men and religion. He has a nicely improved farm of 70 acres, upon which are good substantial farm buildings.
JOSIAH SCOTT. son of Alexander Scott and Rachel McDowell. was born near Cannonsburg, Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 1, 1803. While yet a youth he entered Jefferson College walking from home every day and back and graduated in 1823. After this he spent nearly six years in teaching-two years in Newtown, Berks Co., Penn., two years near Richmond. Va., and two years as tutor in his Alma Mater. While engaged in teaching, he studied law privately, borrowing books for that purpose. He commenced the practice of law in Bucyrus in the spring, of 1829. Some tow years after this he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, and in 1844, was the elector for his district on the Henry Clay ticket for President. In 1850, he removed to Hamilton, Ohio, and in 1856 was elected to the Supreme Bench of the State, and twice afterward re-elected, positively declining a re-nomination. In 1868, he returned to reside in Bucyrus, and, in 1876, Gov. Hares appointed him as the head of the Supreme Judicial Commission, on which he served for the three fall years of his appointment. He died June 15, 1879, about three months after his term of service had expired. Mr. Scott never sought and official position to which he was chosen or appointed. The office sought the man, and not the man the office. Although a man of great and varied talent, he was constitutionally modest and diffident. He was a man of extensive learning - a fine scholar in all the branches of an academic course. He excelled both as a linguist and mathematician. He could translate the Greek and Latin authors with great case and accuracy. He learned to read the Hebrew Bible without a lexicon, grammar or instructor. He was a complete master of mathematics and it is said never failed to solve any problem given him that was solvable. He was the author of the rules for the formation of "perfect magic squares." As a lawyer he was logical, eloquent, brilliant, humorous, pathetic or sarcastic, as the circuit stances dictated. As a Judge, he was learned, profound, concise and throughly conscientious. As a Christian he was humble, devout, thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, and a fine theologian. He was a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church fur nearly forty year: He had an unusually large head and brain, an without effort could concentrate his mind upon all questions he was called upon to consider, His moral character was above reproach.
"His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in Him, that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this was a man."
FREDERICK SWINGLY, M. D., retired Bucyrus, whose portrait has been chosen to illustrate the history of the medical profession of Crawford Co., was born in Washington Co., Md.., in Nov. 22, 1809. He is the son of Leonard and Prudence (Brentlinger) Swingly, both of whom were descendants of early settlers of the "Pine Tree State." Up to his 18th year the Doctor had the advantages of the Hagerstown schools, of Maryland. His first occupation after leaving school was that of salesman in a dry- goods store. He had been engage at that work for about eighteen months, wife his parents removed to the county whither he went with them. The next two years of his life were spent at work upon his father's farm Determining, however, to study medicine, he secured a place in the office of Dr. Russel, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, under whose instruction he remained for about eighteen months, and then took his first course of lectures at the Jefferson
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Medical College, of Philadelphia. He then attended the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1840. He began his first practice in Chesterville, Ohio, where he remained seven years and then spent one year in practice in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. In December of 1843, he came to Bucyrus and at once engaged in the practice of his profession. In his collegiate course and from the beginning of his practice until locating in Bucyrus, the Doctor had devoted much time and hard study to surgery. His success as a physician and surgeon in former fields of practice becoming known to the people of Bucyrus and vicinity, he was, shortly after his arrival, in the midst of a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor was the first physician of any standing to locate in Bucyrus, and to him is given the palm of pioneer ship of all the medical fraternity of Crawford Co. In those early days his reputation as a skilled surgeon spread over all area of many miles around Bucyrus. Success to the physician, in those days. brought long, hard rides in cold and stormy weather, over almost impassable roads and across unbridged streams, the fording of which, at some seasons, was dangerous to both horse and rider. The Doctor spent many years in this trying practice, but later in life he has allowed most of his business to drift into the hands of younger and hardier men, until now he has retired from the practice. On June 21, 1836, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Trobridge) Denman, of Knox Co., Ohio. Of this marriage, there were six children reared to Honorable man and womanhood. They are now situated as follows: Edith V., wife of James B. Gormley, banker of Bucyrus ; Ellen M., late Principal of the Bucyrus schools ; John R., Fruit Culturist and Purser of the Valley City Steamer, Frederick, ex-Auditor of Crawford Co.; Mary D., teacher in the public schools of Bucyrus and widow of William Beer, late member of the Crawford Co. bar, and Kate N.. wife of H. M. Fulton. Mrs. Swingly, upon whom devolved much of the early training and educating of her children, and whose noble qualities of heart and mind have never been forgotten by them, now lies in Oakwood Cemetery. Her death occurred on Feb. 29, 1874, and was mourned deeply, not only by her own devoted family, but by very many tried and true friends of her earlier life. For some years after the death of his wife, the Doctor made his home with his widowed daughter, Mrs. Beer. On June 5, 1879, however, he again married this time to Mrs. Barbara R., widow of the late Isaac Vanvorhis, and daughter of George Hancock, who was one of the early settlers of Crawford Co. Their home is in the Southern suburbs of Bucyrus, where the closing years of the Doctor's life are being spent in peace, plenty and contentment.
JOHN SHULL (deceased), Bucyrus, whose portrait appears in this book, was the son of Solomon and Catharine (Huber) Shull; he was born Oct. 3, 1809, in Fairfield Co., Ohio. where he lived with his parents on a farm until his 18th year. He then went to Lancaster to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. About the year 1830, he came to Bucyrus and began working at his trade. But little building was done in those early times in the history of Bucyrus. In later years, however. Mr. Shull had plenty of business, and today, many of the buildings in Bucyrus may he pointed out as standing monuments of his workmanship. Notable among these, were the, old Methodist Church, also the Lutheran Church; the old Sims House and the Bowman Block were also built by him. He was an active, energetic man, and, more than all else, all honorable. upright arid respected citizen. In the year of Van Buren's election to the Presidency, Mr. Shull was elected Sheriff of Craw ford Co. by the Democratic party, but, upon the organization of the Republican party, he joined their ranks, and ever after cast his vote with them. For forty years previous to his death, he had been a consistent member and an active worker in the Baptist Church. His death occurred on the 12th of October, 1875, in his 66th year. On Dec. 14, 1833, Mr. Shall was married to Miss Catharine, second daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bucklin) Norton (a history of whose lives is also given in this book). She was born in Luzerne Co,: Penn., on Dec. 17, 1813, and. in her 4th year, was brought to Bucyrus by her parents, who were the first white man and wife to settle upon the site of the town. The early life of Mrs. Shull, like that of her sisters, was spent in the wild and uncultivated country of Bucyrus and vicinity. The whole country seemed to be peopled with Indians and inhabited by wild animals. Schools for a time were almost un-
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thought of, and, when opened, they were of a very modest and unassuming character. With such surroundings and advantages, but little opportunity was afforded Mrs. Shull for attaining an education. Instead of attending the fashionable boarding-schools, she learned how to card, spin and weave; accomplishments of much greater importance at that day than a slight knowledge of French and the ability to paint a few dizzy pictures in water-colors. Mrs. Shull was married at the age of eighteen years, and, for some time following this event, she and her husband lived on the site of the Main Street Mills. In 1834, they removed to their home on East Mansfield street, where Mrs. Shull still resides. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shull five children, all of whom were daughters, and one of whom, who was the wife of J. B. Franz, is now dead. The four now living are all married, and situated as follows: Lettie, wife of Mr. Field Bush, of Mansfield, Ohio; Mary. wife of James R. Stuart, of Whetstone Township; Lizzie N., wife of L. C. Caldwell, of Bucyrus, and Orpha, wife of Frank Felton, of Ft. Wayne, Ind.
JOSEPH W. SHARROCK, Bucyrus; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Nov. 4,1814. He is the son of Benjamin and Constantine (Williams) Sharrock, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Maryland. They were married in Guernsey Co., and removed from there to near Iberia. Morrow Co., in 1817. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are yet living. The father died Nov. 16, 1879, being at the time over l00 years of age. He had been a soldier of the war of 1812, and was a man of much more than ordinary intelligence. The Sharrock family are descended from one James Sharrock. who came to America in 1775, as a British soldier. After learning the true cause of the revolt against the mother country, he, with others, deserted, and, from that time until the close of the war, fought with the American army under Washington and La Fayette. Joseph W. Sharrock was raised upon a farm. He received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. His wife, Miss Mary Woodside, was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 17, 1818. They were married April 18, 1813, and are the parents of six children, viz., Garrett, Charles, Oscar, Benjamin F. and James, living. Gardiner was the name of the one deceased. Two years after his marriage, Mr. Sharrock came to Crawford Co., which he has since made his home. He owns 290 acres of well improved land, which he has obtained by his own hard work. He is a Democrat, and a man of broad and liberal views regarding man and religion. He is one of tile county's early settlers, and a highly respected citizen.
PETER STOCKMAN. Bucyrus: was born in Stark Co., Ohio. July 11, 1823. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Bolinger) Stockman, were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Stark Co., and were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. In 1828, they came to Crawford Co. and settled in Liberty Township. The father died in 1867. His wife survives him, and resides with a daughter in Indiana. They were hard-working people, and greatly respected by all who knew them. Peter Stockman was brought up on a farm. He received but a limited education, as his services were required at home in assisting to care for the large family. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Shroll in 1865. She was horn in Baden, Germany, June 8, 1834, and her maiden name was Bickle. Her first marriage was to Mr. Daniel Shroll, one of the early settlers of this county. From her marriage with Mr. Stockman there are six children. viz., George P., Mary A., John W., Margaret M., Aaron A. and Esther H. Mr. Stockman began life as a poor boy, and has, by economy and hard work, made for himself and family a comfortable home. He owns 138 acres of land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He is a man whom every one respects, and has unbounded confidence in. Politically, he is a Democrat.
J. W. STIGER, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus; a son of Ahraham and Rosenna (Klieman) Stiger, was born Feb. 22, 1839, in Lycoming Co., Penn. His parents came to Ohio when he was 5 years old (in 1844). and settled on a farm, where they remained about one year, when they moved into the town of Bucyrus. Here he (the subject) went to school until he was 16 years old, when he went West (in 1858). Spent one year near St. Louis shipping horses, one year in Illinois, and two years traveling through Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. buying furs and trading with the Indians, running many narrow risks of losing his own fur, otherwise his scalp. He was especially successful in the fur business, and did well for one so young. On the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted in
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Co. E. of the 34th O. V. I. (Col. Piatt's Zouaves), in July, 1861. He served principally in the Kanawha Valley and participated in the battles of Coal River and Fayetteville, and also in much skirmishing. He was discharged in the fall of 1863, on account of failing eyesight. He returned to Bucyrus and engaged in the harness and saddle business, which he followed for two years; he then went into the grocery business, and continued that for about one year. His next move was on to a farm in Scott Township, Marion Co., where he farmed for about six years, and in 1871 removed to his present place. On the pike about five miles south of Bucyrus, where he owns some 220 acres of very fine farming lands. He devotes considerable attention to raising and feeding stock, with good success. He was married, May 3, 1865. to Ellen M. Monnett, of Marion Co., by whom he has had six children - Charles W., Gertie M., Annie E., John R., Thomas A. and Cora B. Mr. Stiger is a member of the M. E. Church; also of Oliver Lodge. No. 444., A.. F. & A. M.. at Caledonia.
WILLIAM M. SCROGGS, deceased: is the son of John and Anna (Shawke) Scroggs, and was horn May 27, 1825, in Canton. He left school at 11years of age, and entered a tailor-shop to learn the trade: he worked in the town of Canton until about 14, when he came to Bucyrus with his father's family, in 1839. He here completed his trade with Peter Howenstein, and in a few years opened a shop of his own, and in 1851 added a stock of clothing, being one of the early merchant-tailors of Bucyrus. He retired from the business of tailoring about the year 1860. April 25, 1849, he was married to Miss Margaret A. Byron, of Bucyrus: she was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., and came to Bucyrus in 1835. About 1850, Mr. Scroggs was elected Mayor of Bucyrus, a position he held for several years. Being at the same time Justice of the Peace. On the completion of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, he was appointed conductor, and run the first regular passenger train over the new road. After running on the road for some time, he became General Ticket and Freight Agent of the road, having his office at Crestline. Subsequently he returned to Bucyrus and studied law, for which he had a profound admiration, and was admitted to the bar about 1864. In 1868, he was elected Auditor of Crawford Co., and re-elected in 1870 by a large popular majority; he proved a faithful and efficient officer. He died peacefully Nov. 6, 1874, in his 50th year. Of his family, there is but one daughter living-Frank M., a teacher in the Bucyrus schools; two sons and a daughter are dead, Mary A., Edmund K. and George B. Mr. Scroggs began life with few of this world's goods, and by a life of earnest labor, left his family in good circumstances. Deprived of the advantages of education in youth, he sought by personal endeavor to repair the loss. He studied that book of books, the Bible. until he was familiar with every portion of it. While following his vocation, a convenient volume was ever near him, until he became one of the best-read men of his day. He collected an extensive library, embracing the choicest treasures of history and literature, over which he pored with an ever-increasing delight. He was generous to a fault, and within the sacred domain of home, surrounded by his family, he deemed himself more favored than the monarch on his throne.
E. D. SUMMERS, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus; a son of Abraham and Susan (Wolford) Summers, was born Dec. 26, 1841, in Wooster, Ohio. He lived there until he was 9 years old, when the family removed to this county (in 1850), settling permanently in this township, on the place now occupied by Magee. He grew up within a quarter of a mile of where he now lives, attending during the time the district school. He began farming for himself at the age of 23 years. He was married, Oct.. 15, 1863, to Lettie M. Shroll, a daughter of William Shroll, of this township : the result of this union was five children, four of whom are living-Anna L., born .June 11, 1867; Charles A., Jan. 17, 1871; Lester A., Jan. 19, 1874;; Hattie F., Feb. 7, 1880 ; William F. died at the age of five months. Mrs. Summer's family (the Shrolls) settled in this township in 1826, and were among the pioneers of the county. They entered the land upon which Oakwood Cemetery is situated. The elder Shroll probably built the first sawmill in the township. About the year 1860, Mr. Summers bought a farm of 60 acres, which he sold in a short time and bought the old Shroll homestead of 89 acres, upon which he lived for about eighteen months. He lived a short time in Tuscarawas Co.; removing in July, 1867, to Delaware, Ohio, where he was employed in the gas-works until 1876. In No-
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vember of that year, he removed back to this township, where he bought 60 acres of land, upon which he now lives. It is fine farming land and is highly improved. He votes the Republican ticket. Mr. S. started on small capital, and has accumulated his property by his own labor and industry.
COL. JOHN W. SHAW, deceased, Bucyrus; a son of Samuel P. and Elizabeth (Lowstetter) Shaw, was born March 15, 1820, at Rising Sun, Ind. He was about two years old when the family moved to this State. His father was an itinerant minister of the M. E. Church, and moved from point to point in Ohio. Young Shaw received a good education, and. at 18, came to Abraham Monnett's and assisted him on his farm until he was 21 years old, when he began farming on 170 acres which he bought in Dallas Township. April 24, 1843, he married Miss Mary Monnett, a daughter of Jeremiah Monnett; she was born April 2, 1824, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. Three children were the fruit of this marriage, viz., Placidia, Autistia and Irene. They lived on this farm until 1860. He pursued the study of law with Judge Plants for one year, but, not finding it congenial to his taste, he gave it up. He was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser. In July. 1861, he raised a company which became Co. E. of the 34th O. V. I. of which he was made Captain Aug 15, 1861: Oct. 10, 1862, he was promoted to Major of the regiment. and to Lieutenant Colonel July 18, 1863. He was mortally wounded at the battle of Winchester by a musket ball July 24, 1864, and died eight hours afterward in the ambulance. He was a consistent member of the M. E. Church; was at Steward at one time and Class-leader, and Superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a Democrat in politics and held various township offices, in all of which he gave satisfaction. March 24, 1869, his widow married Rev. Benjamin F. Royce, of Seneca Co., Ohio, a minister of the M. E. Church. He was born at Essex, Vt., and came to Ohio in an early day, settling on wild land near Bloomville. He was first married in Vermont to Melinda Perry, by whom he had eight children, two only of whom are now living. He died Feb. 8, 1874, leaving her for the second time a widow. He lived at Bucyrus after his marriage to her. Where he was a local preacher. Mrs. Royce moved to Bucyrus with her first husband in 1860. and has lived here ever since, keeping her family together and educating them.
W. R. SHAW, Bucyrus. This gentleman was born April 20, 1823, in Essex Co., N.. J. he is one of a family of five children born to Lewis and Phoebe (Willis) Shaw, both natives of New Jersey. where they were raised and married. The father died when the subject of this sketch was a small child. The mother again married, and in 1834 the family moved to Richland Co., Ohio. After remaining in that county some five years, they went to Licking County, but only remained there a short time, In 1838, the family came to Crawford Co., which they ever afterward made their home. The parents kept a tavern for some years three miles from Bucyrus, on the Little Sandusky road. W. R. Shaw was raised upon a farm and received a common-school education. When about 16 years of age, he entered a shop and served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith's trade and, for two years after, worked at it. He then, for three years, worked on a farm. His step-father dying about this time Mr. Shah took charge of the hotel, which he successfully run for two years, when the family removed to Bucyrus, Where they remained some years, and then purchased a farm adjoining the town, upon which they resided a number of years. Mr. Shaw was married Dec 27, 1846, to Miss Sarah Bankert, Who was born: April 17, 1828, in Stark Co., Ohio. There were nine children in their family, eight of whom are yet living, viz., Emma J., Sarah F., Minnetta, Mary C., Lucy R., Georgiana C., Catharine and William H. The one deceased was Albert J. Soon after his marriage Mr. Shaw began teaming between Sandusky City and Bucyrus which he followed five years, and then, for some years was in the saloon and restaurant business in Bucyrus. Three years ago, he took charge of the American House, and has since remained in the hotel business. He has held a number of positions of honor and trust in the county and city governments, and is one of the most prominent and influential Democrats in Crawford Co.
G. W. STARNER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus son of George and Katie M. (Van Vleet) Starner was born in Monroe Co., Penn., Nov. 12, 1812. His youth was spent on a farm, at hard work with but little opportunity of going to school the little schooling he received was obtained ii
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a log schoolhouse, where he sat on slab seats made of logs split in two, and legs put in at each end: and the school was taught by subscription. He was married. June 12, 1835, to Susan Stiff; of Monroe Co., Penn., who was born in Sussex Co., N. J., and removed with her parents to Monroe Co. when about 14 years of age. He raised four children - Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Yeagley; Ellen, the wife of James O. Holland, of this township; Harriet, married John Dobbins, died at the age of 22, and lies buried in Henry Co., Mo.; William is a farmer in Henry Co., Mo. Mr. Starner moved to Ohio in September, 1832: came through in a two-horse wagon, making the trip in four weeks and landing in Perry Co., Ohio, where they lived six years on a farm, and. in the spring of 1843, removed to Crawford Co. and settled in the southern part of Bucyrus Township, where he lived for seventeen year. In April, 1861, he bought 72 3/4 acres of land. upon which he at present resides. All that he possesses he has made by his own efforts. He has been a Republican in politics, ever since the organization of that party.
A. SHUNK, SR.. Bucyrus, whose portrait appear, in this work, is the son of Simon and Susan (Harmon) Shank, and was born March 23, 1797, in Somerset Co., Penn. He was, raised on a farm, and was denied the advantages of schooling, living at home until he was 21. He then made himself tools and commenced working at the carpenters bench, and for twenty one years followed this occupation in his native State. He seemed especially gifted in this line, for, when only 8 years old, he made a miniature wagon, perfect in every particular. He never served an apprenticeship a fact which shows his natural skill in the direction of mechanics. In 1843, he bought a patent right for the manufacture of a bar-shear plow, in Greene Co., Ohio, and, in the following spring, commenced the manufacture of plows at Xenia, Ohio. He also kept a grocery and tannery for three years. He next worked at Canal Fulton, Stark Co., for about a year and a Half. In October, 1854, he came to Bucyrus and started a plow factory. He had about $1,000 capital and built a brick shop the second year of his residence, and then had a surplus of $500. He is now sole owner of the entire block, which has all been made fly leis own efforts. They turn out about 1,400 plows per year, of six different kinds, and which have quite an extended reputation. there being over 100 local agencies in four different States. Since he made his first plow, he has made all his own patterns, and has, during the last year, invented a pattern which excels them all. We doubt if there are many men, so advanced in years as Mr. Shank, who display so much business activity. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church, and has been since his 17th year. His fattier was in the war of the Revolution, serving under the great Washington. He was married, Feb. 1, 1816. to Miss Mary Banfort, of Somerset Co., Penn. There are twelve children living. Of this first marriage there are Delilah, wife of Mr. Stevenson, of Upper Sandusky ; Allen, machinist at Ft. Wayne; Lavinia, wife of Joseph Miller, of Springfield, Ohio ; Marian, wife of N. F. Albee, of Kent, Mich.; and Adam. His wife died Aug. 21, 1844. In 1845, he married Catherine Bauch, of Springfield, Ohio. Of this marriage, there are Francis, Nelson, Theodore, Isaac, Thomas W., John L. and Katie.
D. W. SWIGART, attorney at law, Bucyrus. This gentleman, one of the eminent practitioners of the Crawford Co. bar, is a son of George and Elizabeth (Small) Swigart, and was born Dec. 12, 1824, in Franklin Co., Penn. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1789, was a farmer, and removed to Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1844, where he died in 1856. His mother was born in 1796, and died in 1874. Their children numbered twelve, nine of whom are still living, George is a farmer in Knox Co., Ill.; John a merchant in Bloomville: William a farmer in Seneca Co.: Joseph R. is at Bowling Green, Ohio, practicing law. The daughters are all married and settled in Ohio. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on a farm, and attended Marshall College, Mercersburg, Penn. He taught in his native State for some time, and removed to Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1845, where he taught in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer. In 1846, he came to Crawford Co., where he taught school one term, and, in the spring, was made Deputy in the Clerk's office, holding this for one year, when he was appointed Clerk, and served until 1852. He attended the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in June 1852. and was soon after admitted to the bar. In 1861, he entered the service of the United States army as assistant Quartermaster, and. during the three years following, han-
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dled some six millions of dollars. He returned to Bucyrus, and continued the practice of his profession until 1869. In that year, he was elected President of the A. & L. E. R. R., serving four years, when he again resumed the law. He was married, Oct. 9, 1848. to Rebecca A. Sweney, a daughter of George Sweney; they have one child living, Rebecca S. Mr. Swigart was one of the prominent citizens of his city and county, and stands high in the estimation of all who know him. [Since the above was written; Mr. Swigart died suddenly, Nov. 25, 1880.]
JOSEPH STEWART. retired, Bucyrus, whose portrait, and that of his deceased wife, appear in this book, was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., where he lived until he was 21 years of age. He was brought up on a farm, and his facilities for receiving an education were limited. but, such as they were, he made the best possible use of them, and succeeded in obtaining sufficient "schooling" to enable him to get through the world. Mr. Stewart is one of the pioneers of Crawford Co., and has been an eyewitness to the grand stride of improvement and civilization made within the past sixty years. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1831; entered land in Columbus, but the family remained in Richland Co. during 1822, where they raised a crop of grain, and. in 1823, located in what is now Whetstone Township, in this county. This season all of their horses (four in number) died. and they were left in a rather bad condition. They then traded a copper still to Nathan Merriman, of Richland Co., for a yoke of oxen, with which a new start was made in farming and opening of their land. Mr. Stewart's recollection of pioneer days is very vivid, and, a matter of interest to the young financiers of the present day, we will let him tell us something of early money matters in his own words. He says: " My brother James and I started down to Carlisle, Penn.; I took with me $100 in paper money. When we were ready to return West, my $100 would not buy me a ticket to come home on. My brother James had as much money as I, but his was in gold. I had to borrow some money from my brother John to enable me to get a ticket to bring me home. If a man had $100 in those days, he did not know that it would be worth anything in a week." Mr. Stewart says rattlesnakes were plenty, and when they used to go out on the prairies to mow the grass for hay they were compelled to make grass ropes and wrap round their lags as a protection against these poisonous reptiles, and that they had killed as high as four in mowing "one round." Says Mr. Stewart : "The largest and fattest deer I ever killed was a fat buck, which, after I had skinned and taken out the entrails, was so heavy I could not hang up. I took fat enough off the entrails to make a kettle of soap. When we came here, there were to be seen the paths made by the buffaloes going to and from their watering places." The following incident is related by Mr. Stewart. in illustration of early life in the wilderness : "I was awakened one night by two men trying to get the door open. I called to them : they said they wanted to come in. One had a club in his hand, and sprang against the door. I went to the window, with my loaded gun in my hand, and leveled it at his breast. He then came in and wanted a drink of water, but I told him if his tongue was hanging out of his mouth. I would not give him a drop, and that if he did not leave at once. I would blow him through. They both left without further parley, and I saw them no more." In the fall of 1 824, Mr. Stewart was married to Jane Steen, of Whetstone Township. The result of this union was eleven children, three of whom are living. viz.: John, a farmer, living in Greene Co., Iowa: Charlotte, wife of Daniel I. Sheckler, of Bucyrus: Ruth. widow of the late Jonathan Songer, who was wounded in the battle of Saulsbury, N. C., from which he died March 4, 1872. The children who were dead were named Barbara, John, Elizabeth, Mary A., Jane, Matilda, Emily, Caroline and Joseph. Mr. Stewart has retired from active business, and is now a resident of Bucyrus, enjoying the fruits of a life of toil. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for nearly sixty years, and has voted with the Republican party since its organization.
WILSON STEWART, Bucyrus ; is the son of James and Sarah (McClintock) Stewart, and was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, April 12, 1815. He was the son of a miller, and entered his father's grist-mill as soon as he was capable of work. After the death of his father, which occurred when the subject of our sketch was but 15, he worked by the month, and supported his mother. At the age of 17, he commenced to learn the machinist's trade at Washington, Ohio. under Jacob Miller; and was there
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and thus employed for three years. Having attained to his majority, he established a gunsmith-shop near West Point, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and remained there until the spring of 1850, when he settled in Richville, this county, and established a shop and saw-mill, and met with good success. In November, 1859, he came to Bucyrus, and started a shop here on East Mansfield street; where he is now engaged in manufacturing all kinds of fire-arms, rifles, shot-guns, and doing a general repair business, as well as model making. Mr. Stewart's work has an enviable reputation, and many of his manufactures may be found in different States of the Union, he never having a gun returned to him. Throughout his life; he has been a prominent and highly esteemed citizen. For eighteen years, he was Justice of the Peace. He was Mayor of Bucyrus two years, in 1863-64. He was County Commissioner for six years, serving from 1852 to 1858, during the erection of the court house. Since his 19th year, he has been a member of the Seceder Church. In politics, he has always been a Democrat, and voted for Andrew Jackson. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is H. P. of Ivanhoe Chapter. He was married. Sept. 13, 1836, to Mary Woolan, of West Point, Ohio. Five children were the fruits of this union. one of whom, Rensetta, is deceased. Those living are Joseph, James, Sarah J. and Hibbitts.
JOHN SIMS, retired, Bucyrus; son of James and Martha (McConnell) Sims: was born May 18, 1817, in St. Clairsville, Ohio. He was raised on a farm, and went to school but little, walking over three miles, and receiving about two years' schooling altogether. He left home at the age of 17, and learned the harness and saddlers trade at St. Clairsville; he worked at his trade in Mt. Vernon for a time, and in the spring of 1845, came to Bucyrus, started a shop and worked about eight years, when his eyes failed, and he was compelled to quit the business. He engaged in a bookstore for about three years, and then sold out. He nest bought the American House, about 1855, and kept hotel for a short time. In 1863, he bought the Bowman House, now known as the Sims House, which he has owned ever since. He thoroughly repaired it and added the third story. He carried it on as a hotel for about seven years, and since then has rented it, except for two short periods. He met with a heavy loss, previous to 1860, by a security debt. For a number of years he has dealt largely in real estate; he has built over twenty houses in the town, and expended more than $100,000 ; having at one time owned all from the Sims House to Fisher's corner. He has been a member of the Town Council for four years. He was married, March 1, 1841, to Miss Catharine Mefford, of Mt. Vernon, by whom he has three children living-Hannah J., wife of George S. Harris, of Mansfield, Ohio ; Eugene H., of Bucyrus, and Sarah E., wife of James W. Spencer. of Iowa. His wife died in August, 1855, and he was married again, in May, 1857, to Miss Susan L. Smith, of Sandusky City. She was born Aug. 24, 1836. He was an Old Line Whig, and a Republican since the organization of that party. His father, James Sims, was born July 15, 1792, in Eastern Maryland, and was the son of James and Mary (Ewing) Sims. He came to St. Clairsville, Ohio, in 1810. He was married. Feb. 2, 1815, to Martha McConnell, of Belmont Co., Ohio, owning a large farm there, which he developed and improved. He served during the war of 1812. Five sons and three daughters were raised to manhood and womanhood: James is a merchant at St. Louis: John, our subject : William, died in Wheeling, W. Va. ; Robert, connected with railroad interests at Atlanta; Ophelia, the wife of Newton Mills, a farmer of Knox Co., Ohio; Ann, widow of the late Charles McWilliams of Napoleon, Ohio; Joseph, farmer in Iowa, and David. a merchant in Illinois. The elder Mr. Sims is still living at Martinsburg, Knox Co., Ohio. with his venerable wife. He is in his 89th year, and in the possession of all his faculties. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. John Ewing, who was born June 22, 1732, in England, and came to Philadelphia in 1759, upon a call from the First Presbyterian Church of that city. He filled the pulpit many years acceptably. In 1773, he went to England with Dr. Hugh Williamson of North Carolina, to solicit subscriptions for the church; returned in 1775. and preached to his old church until driven out by the British troops. After they evacuated Philadelphia, he returned to his labors again. The late Thomas Ewing was a full cousin to our subject's grandmother, and his grandfather, James Sims, came from Scotland in 1775, and fought in the Revolutionary war; he was also a Presbyterian. He came with
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Gov. St. Clair here, before Ohio was made a State, and they settled in St.Clairsville, then called Newellstown; the place then had a few cabins and a block-house: he died in St. Clairsville at the age of 99, and his wife at 92 years of age.
EUGENE H. SIMS. livery stable. Bucyrus was born Sept. 21, 1844, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio spent his youth in Bucyrus, and attended school until 15 years of age. He then assisted his father in the American Hotel for about one year. He then went into his father's harness-shop to learn the trade. and worked some two years at that business. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. E. 86th O. V. I.. serving four months, when he was discharged and returned home. He went into the harness-shop again for one year. His father bought the Sims House, and he took charge of the shop alone for a short time. He re-enlisted in the 136th O. N. G., and was engaged in pursuit of Gen. Mosby and guerrilla bands at Ft. Worth, afterward returning to Bucyrus, and becoming clerk for the Sims House for four years. In November. 1866, he bought a stock of horses and buggies, and engaged in the livery business until June 23, 1880, when his stable burned, and he sustained a partial loss of stock, but saved all the horses and buggies by September, 1880, another building, larger and more convenient, was erected on the old stand, on the southeast corner of public square, where he is a doing a successful business, in a livery, sale and feed stable.
FRANK J. SHECKLER. Bucyrus ;was born July 14, 1857, in Bucyrus, and went to school. graduating in the high school at the age of 20. He then entered the office of the Eagle Machine Works, where he served as clerk, book-keeper and financial manager. In the spring of 1879, he began buying and grazing stock, and doing a general shipping business. He still, however, gives his attention to the machine works. He was married, May 21, 1879, to Miss Jennie Bryant, of Wyandot Co. She is a daughter of the late Isaac Bryant, and was born Feb. 22, 1858. They have one daughter-an infant born July 6, 1880. Mr. Sheckler is a thriving, and energetic young business man, who is succeeding admirably, and is a valuable citizen of Bucyrus.
DANIEL J. SHECKLER. Eagle Machine Works, Bucyrus; was horn in April. 1824, in Bedford Co., Penn., and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Needler) Sheckler. His father died when he was 1. and hi, mother w when he was 5 years old. He lived with his aunt in Bedford until he was 8, When he, went to live with his, godfather, George Beegle, having been christened in the, old Lutheran Church. He worked with him on the farm until he was 14 years old. He then returned to the village of Bedford, and worked at tailoring for two years; then worked at cabinet-making, which proved more congenial to his tastes. He learned the trade with John Stall, working some seven years in Pennsylvania, and came to Bucyrus. Ohio in the fall of 1845, Began work first on a farm, and at whatever he could find to do having but 50 cents when he landed. He soon found employment in the shop of Mr. Howenstine, where he worked one year at $15 per month. And then formed a partnership with him, but had run but about six mouths. when all was swept away in a fire, having just laid in a stock of lumber which was also destroyed. They again started upon Mansfield Street, and continued about two years, when Mr. Sheckler retired and went to work in a machine-shop operated by James Kelley. He worked as a hand about eight years - his true employment. In about 1860, he and P. E. Frey bought the stock. Kelley & Widgeon having failed. They paid for the Stock the first year, and the assignee offered the property for sale about 1862, when they purchased it for $3,500, and continued the business about four years with good success, when, in August 1867, all was again destroyed by fire, leaving them with nothing but $4,000 insurance. With this they began building the following winter their present foundry, which is known as Eagle Machine Works. The partners were F. E. Frey, Mr. Sheckler (the subject) and George Quinby, each owning a third interest. They manufacture engines, horse-powers and saw-mills, brick machines, and do a general foundry business, and. of late years, make the Eagle Portable Engine. The firm changed in 1875, when Mr. Sheckler retired. selling his interest to Mr. Quinby, and, in the meantime, running the works for the firm. Mr. Quinby retired in 1877, and William Hoover purchased his interest. The firm now is Frey, Sheckler & Hoover. Mr. Sheckler having again taken all interest. The works at present employ eighteen hands, and have six buildings
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foundry, machine-shops, blacksmith-shop, engine house, coke and sand house, store and paint-shop, office and pattern-room. Mr. Sheckler has been married twice the first time, April 26, 1848, to Sarah Ann Albright, of this county, and, of this marriage, all are dead but one daughter - Mary. The wife died April 3, 1855, He was married a second time to Charlotte Stewart, daughter of Joseph Stewart, October 28, 1857. Eight children heave been born of this marriage - Franklin J., .Jackson, Vaneleer, Amelia, Edward, Stewart, Frederick, .Jesse. Mr. S. votes the Republican ticket and is a member of the M. E. Church. and one of its Trustees.
JOHN A. SCHABER. Sheriff. Bucyrus: is the son of J. George Schaber, and was born Nov. 2, . 1836, in Ell-hoffen. Wurtemberg, Germany. He attended school at Wiensbach from his 8th to his 14th year. He then entered the blacksmith-shop of his fattier, and remained until 1853, when they sailed from Antwerp on June 15, 1853. The voyage occupied a period of forty-nine days, and they arrived at New York Aug. 7. His journey was continued to Buffalo. where he engaged at his trade, at Black Rock, a suburb of that city. In .June. 1854, he and his father removed to Crawford County, and on July 4, of that year he commenced work, not knowing that it was a national Holiday. He was first employed by Phillip Osman 1 year more and he entered the plow factory, and later formed a partnership with .John Howalt, in the manufacture of buggies, this partnership was dissolved in six months and Mr. Schaber enlisted in the "Mechanical Fusileers," Sept. 12, 1861,. and in the following year the companies were disbanded by the Secretary of War. Mr. Schaber then engaged in the provision trade, in the old bank building, in company with Joseph Sandhammer, and continued one year. He then went into the dry goods business with Isaac Miller, and in a year, sold out this enterprise also. His next venture was at Sulphur Springs, where he opened a general store, with J. J. Fisher, some time after, Fisher sold his interest to J. N. Biddle. Schaber continuing with him in the business, but soon sold his interest to him and returned to Bucyrus, opening a store in partnership with Thomas Furman, which enterprise was carried on two years; after which, Mr. Schaber went into the dry goods and grocery business alone, until February 1877. In October of that year, he was elected Sheriff, and commenced the discharge of his duties Jan. 7, 1878. He served in an able manner, and, in 1879, was re-elected, being nominated by acclamation. At his first nomination there were ten opposing candidates, but he had a majority of 340 over one next highest. Mr. Shaber was married, Feb. 4, 1869, to Bertha W. Margraff, of Crawford County. They have three children-Geo. W., Sophia M., Charles T. Mr. Schaber is a member of the German Lutheran Church. and a gentleman who has held various offices of trust, he having been Councilman for eight years, Township Treasurer for four years. and was Treasurer of the Crawford County Loan, Saving and Building Association during its existence. As Sheriff he has proved himself worthy and efficient. In the early part of 1865, Liberty Township, of this county, raised a Volunteer fund of nearly $25,000, and tendered the responsible position of Treasurer to .John A. Schaber, not even requiring bonds of him while handling this large sum He was also first President of the Deutsche Gesellschaft, discharging all duties with that high sense of honor and integrity Which has ever distinguished him.
JACOB SCROGGS, attorney at law, Bueyrus. Among the names of prominent men in Bucyrus and Crawford Co., that of Hon. Jacob Scroggs, deserves especial mention. Jacob Scroggs, son of .John and Ann (Shawke) Scroggs, was born in Canton, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1827. His father was born in the city of Baltimore June 9, 1794, and was a hatter by trade, having served his apprenticeship seven years, in his native city. In 1819, he removed to Cumberland Co., Penn., where he lived one year, and then removing, to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he was married in 1821. Was engaged in business at New Lisbon for some time, and afterward at Canton. He removed from Stark Co. in 1839, coming to Crawford Co, by team, and settling on the site of his son's present residence. He died in 1861. Throughout his life he was a pure-minded, fervent Christian, a member of the M. E. Church. He participated in the war of 1812, being engaged in the bombardment of Fort McHenry and North Point. His wife's father, Jacob Shawke, was a soldier in the Revolution. His son Abel Shawke invented first steam fire-engine, which was tried in the winter of 1851-52, in Cincinnati. The subject
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of our sketch assisted his father in the hat trade until he attained his majority, acquiring a limited education. He also spent some time in the printing office of T. J. Orr, publisher of the Democrat-Republican, and, later, with J. B. Knapp, of the Bucyrus Forum, as a type-setter. After he was 21, he taught school five terms, and was also Deputy Sheriff. He was also employed in the Clerk's and Probate offices as copyist, in the meantime acquiring a knowledge of medicine. and was a clerk in Toledo in 1851 and 1852. He then represented Winthrop D. Smith, in introducing the Eclectic school books, traveling one season. He then entered the law office of D. W. Swigart, having been a student of Judge Hall. Next he attended the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in May, 1854, and was admitted to the bar in Hamilton Co. He continued with D. W. Swigart until February, 1855, when he opened an office here, beginning without capital, and has worked his way into affluence. He was Mayor of Bucyrus from 1855 to 1859. He is now serving his eighth year as member of the School Board, and fifth as President of that body. Was Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket, in 1864, for the Ninth District. He was married, in September 1859, to Julia A. Walwork, of Bucyrus, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one son, Charles J., a promising student at Ann Arbor, Mich.
C. H. SHONERT. County Treasurer, Bucyrus, This gentleman is a son of John H. and Frederika (John) Shonert, and was born in Saxony, April 13, 1832, where he went to school until he was 14 and afterward worked with his father at blacksmithing for two years. In March. 1848, he sailed from the port of Bremen, and after a voyage of six weeks, landed at New York on May 6. He removed to Crawford Co. with his father's family and settled in Lykens Township, where Mr. Shonert worked on the farm for one year. In April. 1849, he came to Bucyrus and learned tanning with Aaron Cary. For eighteen years he carried on business for himself, and now has a half interest in the business with Jacob Haller. He early developed a remarkable taste for music, and is one of, if not the finest musician in the city. He has held several city offices, and, in 1875, he was elected County Treasurer, and was re-elected in 1877. During his terms of office he has shown himself capable and energetic, and made himself deservedly popular. He was married, Oct. 30, 1856, to Maria W. Miller, of Bucyrus. Seven children are the fruit of this union-William, Emma M., Francis O., Edwin M., Anna Z.. Clam W., Thomas C. Mr. Shonert commenced life poor, with no capital but his own labor and energy, but he has succeeded admirably in making his fortune by his own efforts.
HENRY STUCKEY, machinist. Bucyrus ; was born May 25, 1833. in Canton, Ohio, and is the son of John and Mary (Shock) Stuckey; he was raised on a farm, and attended district school during winters till his 18th year; in 1852, he purchased a farm in Texas Township of 80 acres, and lived there until the fall of 1861; during this time, in connection with his framing, he also sold machinery, and did a lucrative business; in 1861, he came to Bucyrus, and bought an interest in the Bucyrus Machine Company, and was Superintendent during its existence: in 1868, the firm was changed to the Bucyrus Machine Works, and Mr. Stuckey was Superintendent until 1876, excepting some three years spent as general agent for McDonald & Co.: the Bucyrus Machine Company failed in 1876, and Mr. Stuckey and others bought out the entire stock and business in April 1877 ; he then became Superintendent for A. Monnett & Co. for two years, and. in April. 1879, he and A. W. Diller leased the shops. and are now doing a flourishing business. He was married. in April, 1854, to Miss Catharine Shock. of Seneca Co.; of this marriage, there were five children, all of whom are living - John, Louisa, Sarah, Annie E. and Henry; his wife died .July 10, 1875, and he was remarried. Nov. 18, 1876, to Mrs. Elizabeth Meyrs, widow of the late Jacob Meyrs: they have two children-Frederick and Charles. He was at one time Trustee of Texas Township, and has been a member of the council for twelve years. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and is a Trustee of the church organization. He is a member of Bucyrus Lodge No. 139. A., F. & A. M.; Ivanhoe Chapter. R. A. M.; and Mansfield Commandery, Knights Templar.
THEODORE F. SHOTWELL, attorney at law. Bucvrus. Theodore F . Shotwell was born at Walesville, Oneida Co., N. Y., on July 30, 1851. He traces his ancestry through seven generations back to the first settlement in New .Jersey: First-Abraham Shotwell, whose name
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appears upon the Elizabethtown, N. J., records, under date of Feb. 19, 1665, when sixty-five persons took the oath of allegiance to King Charles the II; his name stands fourth of the list. Second-John Shotwell, who married Elizabeth Burton in October, 1679, and died at Woodbridge in 1719. Third-John Shotwell, who married Mary Thorne and settled at Shotwell's Landing, now Rahway, N. J. Fourth-Samuel Shotwell, born Oct. 20,, 1723, and married at Mamaroneck, N. Y.. Fifth-Caleb Shotwell. Sixth-Joseph Shotwell, born Feb. 27, 1789: married Sarah, youngest daughter of Abel and Sarah Dean Randall, and was the father of eleven children. Seventh-John Maxwell Shotwell, born Feb. 22, 1821, at Clifton Park, N. Y., and married Salome L., daughter of Oliver and Phoebe Turpening Stone, Sept. 14, 1842. He is the father of three children; the oldest is Carlos B., who is engaged in bookkeeping in a commercial house in Detroit, Mich., and the youngest, William E., is a student in Genesee Valley Seminary, in New York. The early ancestors of Theodore F. were Quakers, and their names appear frequently on the old records of the yearly- meetings of that sect. His immediate ancestors were Baptists, his father for twenty-five years being a clergyman in that denomination, and now residing on a farm in Allegany Co., N. Y. In early life, the subject of this sketch manifested very studious habits, standing at the head of all his classes and devouring all kinds of literature that came into his hands. At the age of 12, he wrote an Indian story of nearly two hundred pages, which, it is needless to say, was never published. He manifested a special fondness for mathematics. His father had promised him a present of a silver watch if he would finish geometry before he was 15 years old. The morning of July 29 came, and the last two books had not been looked at. Only one day remained. He shut himself up in his room, and at night he could repeat every theorem, draw every- figure and demonstrate every proposition in Davies' Legendre. He obtained the watch, but in less than a mouth all knowledge of the last two books had vanished from his memory. He prepared himself for college in Genesee Valley Seminary, and, at the age of 18, he entered the Sophomore class of Oberlin College, from which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts on Aug. 7, 1872. In scholarship he ranked among the best of his class; held the position of "Class Poet," and represented the "Phi Kappa Pi " society at its anniversary. While in college, he supported himself by teaching winters and working during vacations. Upon leaving college, his health was so impaired he deemed it imprudent to engage in literary or sedentary employment; so he commenced selling Bibles, and he met with such extraordinary success that he followed the business for several years, selling thousands of copies in the counties of Northern Ohio, and selling in Crawford Co. alone over one thousand Bibles, aggregating in value over $10.000. In 1847, he commenced the study of theology in Oberlin, but, his ideas not harmonizing with the doctrines taught in the seminary. he left Oberlin, and, in December, 1875, commenced the study of law in the office of Wickham & Wildman, of Norwalk, Ohio. In the spring of 1876, he came to Bucyrus. Ohio and, forming the acquaintance of Anna McKinstry, daughter of James McKinstry, Esq., they were married on Nov. 3 of that year. He continued his law studies in the office of S. R. Harris, of Bucyrus, and, on March 28, 1878, he was admitted to the bar. He has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, his office being in Rowse Block, Bucyrus. In 1879, he ran on the Republican ticket for Prosecuting Attorney, and, in the spring of 1880, was nominated by the Citizens' Convention as candidate for Mayor, but declined the nomination. He is now Secretary of the County Republican Central Committee. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a teacher in the Sunday school. He has two children-Charles William, born May 22, 1878, and Becco, May 1, 1880.
WILLIAM STREMMEL, Bucyrus. This gentleman, who has figured extensively in public life. was born Dec. 2. 1846, in Baltimore, Md., and is the son of Lewis G. and Fredericke (Feiring) Stremmel; the first eight years of Mr. Stremmel's life were spent in the Monumental City, where he received the rudiments of his education; his father removed to Bucyrus in 1854, arriving about April 1 of that year, he completed his education in the public schools at 16 years of age, and then entered the law office of Judge A. Somers, where he remained as a student until he had attained the age of 18 years; he then took a course in the commercial school, under the instruction of
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Prof. Rosscutt, and graduated in the fall of 1867. In the following spring, he was elected City Clerk, which office he filled acceptably until 1869, and, in the election of that year. He was again placed in charge of that office, and was also Township Clerk until 1872; in June of this year, he was nominated for County Recorder, and in convention received over two-thirds of the whole vote cast, a fact which showed plainly Mr. Stremmel's popularity; he was elected, and assumed the duties of the office on Jan. 6, 1873: after serving with eminent satisfaction, and having gained a sure hold on the esteem of the people, he was renominated by acclamation, and was again elected, and discharged the duties of the office in a manner peculiarly satisfactory, until 1878, since that time. He has been Deputy Recorder under the present incumbent of the office, Mr. D. O. Castle; in the spring of 1880, he was elected City Clerk and also Clerk of Bucyrus Township, the duties of which offices he is at present discharging in that efficient manner which has characterized all his public services. Mr. Stremmel was married. March 11, 1875, to Catharine Derfler, of Holmes Township, who still lives to bless his pathway through life; three children are the blessings of this union, the eldest being Augusta M., born Nov. 3, 1876; Lydia A., Nov. 11, 1878. and Cora, May 10, 1880. Mr. Stremmel is a member of the German Reformed Church. having been confirmed at the age of 14, in this city, by Rev. Eli Keller. He has been identified with public life since the attainment of his majority and his services have been such as have brought him into high esteem among the citizens of both city and county.
HON. GEORGE SWENEY, deceased whose portrait appears in this work, was born Feb. 22, 1796, and died Oct. 10, 1877, in the 82d year of his age. The following notice is taken from an obituary published in the Bucyrus Journal: Mr. Sweney graduated at Dickinson College, in Pennsylvania. then a very prominent institution, and commenced the practice of law at Gettysburg, where he was a contemporary and competitor for forensic honors with Hon. Thaddeus Stevens and others. who were afterward elevated, like himself, to honor and distinction by admiring fellow-citizens. Oct. 9, 1821, he married Miss Rebecca Hetich, sister of the late Paul I. Hetich. of this place, but at that time of Franklin Co., Penn. This venerable lady survives her honored husband, in the 79th year (1877) of her age. The fruits of this union were a family of eight children, six of whom still survive-two sons and four daughters. In 1830, he removed to Bucyrus, where he has continued to reside, with the exception of four years (from 1853 to 1856) spent at Genesco, Ill. From 1838 to 1842, he represented this district in Congress. At that time this was, as now, the Fourteenth District, composed of the counties of Seneca, Crawford, Sandusky, Hancock, Wood and Ottawa. How satisfactorily he executed his trust may be deduced from the following resolution, passed at a county convention. July 7, 1840: - "Resolved. That the uniform and firm support given during the present session of Congress to Democratic principles and measures by our worthy fellow-citizen, Hon. George Sweeny, merits our decided approbation." When in Congress, he was contemporary with Martin Van Buren, Gen. Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun and Amos Kendall; also with Wilson Shannon, Ben Tappan and William Allen, of Ohio. But the honorable gentleman was a ripe scholar and a student and the turmoil of public life was distasteful to him. At the end, therefore of his second term, he declined to be a candidate for renomination, and was succeeded by Hon. Henry St. John, of Seneca Co. Since his withdrawal from Congress, he has lived a quiet and retired life, unostentatiously devoting himself to stud, scientific research and the education of his children. During the past five or six years of his life, as old age wore more and more deeply into his energies, he has seldom been so much on the streets, an occasional visit to the store being the extent of his outdoor walks, but, although not seriously ailing, he has remained quietly at home, living mostly with his books and in the past. In person he was tall, handsome and dignified; of courteous and pleasing address: he was an agreeable companion, overflowing with interesting conversation, which ever abounded with valuable information; and he will long be remembered by those who knew him as a highly cultivated gentleman of the old school. Mrs Rebecca H. (Hetich) Sweney, widow of Hon George Sweney, was born in Chambersburg, Penn., June 3, 1799, and is a daughter of George and Martha (Immel) Hetich. In 1812.
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she entered boarding-school at Baltimore, Md., and was present at the confirmation of Jerome Bonaparte, on Easter Monday, the son of the brother of the first Emperor Napoleon: at the same time, the bells tolled the alarm that English ships were in the bay, but they proved to be American ships. She graduated from the Hayward Seminar in 1817. After her marriage with Mr. Sweney, they lived for nine years in Gettysburg, Penn., where he practiced law successfully. In September. 1829, they started in a carriage, and carne through to Bucyrus, being twenty-two days on the road. Upon their arrival, they tried in vain, for a time, to rent a house, or even a room. At last they found a vacant cabin near where the Infirmary now stands, where they spent the winter. He bought 80 acres of land near town, upon which he fitted up a house. He had previouly entered 200 acres in Whetstone Township, but was persuaded to move into town. He built a brick house. probably the second in town. No chairs could he bought near by, and he ordered a lot from Frederiektown. Mrs. Sweney was the mother of eight children, five of whom, at the present writing. are living - Charles E., a merchant at Genesco, Ill: Rebecca A., wife of E. W. Swigrart, of Bucyrus: Carrie D., wife of Silas L. St. John, a cotton merchant at Pickens Ststion, Holmes Co., Miss.; Paul A., livery-man at Genesco, Ill.: Augusta M., wife of Joseph R. Swigart, of Bowling Green. Ohio : Lottie E. Hoffman, deceased (see sketch of .John Hoffman) : Martha C., deceased wife of E. R. Kearsley: one son, George A.. is dead.
FREDERICK M. SWINGLY: P. O. Bucyrus: is the second son of Dr. Frederick and Mary (Denman) Swingly, and was born in Bucyrus, March 27, 1846. He attended the Bucyrus Union Schools until 16 years of age, when he enlisted in the 86th O. V. I.. and served for three-months under Col. Barnabas Burn, when he enlisted in the 60th 0. V. I.. and served during the war. The 60th Ohio formed a part of the old Ninth Army Corps, and Mr. Swingly participated in all those decisive battles which gave that shattered legion a renown which is scarcely excelled in the annals of warfare. He enlisted as a private soldier, and by his gallant anal orderly conduct rose to the rank of Adjutant. In 1865, he returned to Bucyrus, and for some time was copyist in the Recorder's office, and subsequent to this became Deputy Auditor under Samuel Hoyt, for three years, and served in the same capacity under Auditor William M. Scroggs during his term. In 1873, he was elected to the office of Auditor of Crawford Co. by a large majority, and after serving two years, received a unanimous nomination, and was re-elected to the same office in 1875. Since 1877, he has been Clerk of the Committee on Public Expenditures and Library, in the National House of Representatives. Nov. 23, 1873, he was married at Tipton. Iowa, to Miss Lizzie Garberick. Three children have been born of this union, named as follows-- Guy D., Nellie G. and Mary
NATHANIEL STEEN, P. O. Bucyrus ; is a son of John anal Mary (Davis) Steen, who resided in Liberty Township, this county. at his birth, which occurred Oct. 7, 1834. He spent his youth on the farm, and, in the, meantime, receiving such an education as boys were able to acquire from the schools held in the old log schoolhouses of that time, his books being the speller and English Reader. He left his father's house at 19 years of age, and began working by the month and continued to do so until 24 years of age. His marriage occurred at that time, Sept. 22, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Peterman, of Liberty Township. This union not being blessed with issue, they have adopted a daughter - Ella Finnegan. Subsequent to his marriage, he labored by the day for about one year: then engaged in the butchering business with David Crum. In October. 1862, he went into the army, serving; ten months in Co. C. 49th O. V. I.. and was mustered out of service at Tullahoma, Tenn., in 1863, returning to Bucyrus and engaging again in the butchering business, which he followed, with other parties, until September, 1867, when he became proprietor of a meat market, continuing the business until July 1880, meeting with success, and accumulating some valuable property. He is a member of the Ivanhoe Chapter. R. A. M. of Bucyrus: also, of La Salle Lodge I. O. O. F. He is a member of the City Council. and in his political belief a Democrat. His father was a native of "auld Ireland," emigrating to this country when but 13 years of age, and afterward learning the carpenter's trade. Having attained his majority, he was married to Mary Davis, of Cumberland Co., Penn., and migrated to Crawford Co. in the year 1827, which was also about the time of the arrival of the Peter-
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man family. He raised a family of ten children, four of whom are living-John, a blacksmith, in Hancock Co., Ohio: Joseph, a farmer in Liberty Township, this county, James, an agriculturist in Hancock Co., also, Nathaniel the subject of this sketch, the youngest of the family now living. The father died in April, 1875, aged 95 years; the mother May 3, 1876. aged 86 years. When they landed in this county, their earthly possessions amounted to $100, which they invested in a piece of heavily wooded land, the improvement of which made their early settlement in this county a life of hardship and much suffering.
WILLIAM B. TOBIAS. retired farmer; P. O. Bucyrus: was born Oct. 1, 1815, near Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., and is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Clouse) Tobias. He lived on a farm until fifteen years old, receiving but three months' schooling, and that at a night school. He then went to Carlisle, where he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker to learn the trade, and served four and a half years with a man named George Spangler He worked about six months, after his time was up, as a journeyman, and went to Greencastle, Penn., about the year 1836, where he started a shop, working at his trade until about 1849. His health failed and he closed his shop and rented a farm in Franklin Co., Penn., where he farmed until 1861, and then came to this county locating in Liberty Township. Here he lived some four years, when he sold out and removed to Holmes Township. and farmed there until 1877, when he sold his farm there of 70 acres, and removed to Bucyrus, where he purchased a handsome property on Sandusky avenue. He married Feb. 11, 1841, Miss Catharine Mills, a native of Greencastle, Penn. He has six children living and two dead-William F., a farmer in Ashland Co.; Jane C., wife of John Richardson, of Holmes Township: Elizabeth; wife of A. J. Richards. of Bucyrus: John L., at home James C. (see sketch); and Daniel M., of Bucyrus. Mr. Tobias began the world without any superfluous wealth, his father dying whet he was 8 years old, leaving him to fight his battles as best he could. By energy and industry, he has accumulated a handsome property, When the late war broke out, he lived four miles from the Maryland line, and the army of Gen. Lee marched through his farm and destroyed much of his property. The State militia destroyed his stock without scruple, taking all but six horses. He is a member of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church, and is a Democrat in Politics.
JAMES C. TOBIAS, attorney at law, Bucyrus: is a son of William B. and Catharine (Mills) Tobias: born on the 11th of November, 1856, in Greencastle, Penn. When but 8 years old, his father moved to a farm near Sulphur Springs, this county. Here he lived and labored until 16, when he attended the Cold Run Academy one term, and, in the spring of 1872, entered Oberlin College, where he studied until the following September, when he entered the Mt. Union College, remaining there about three years. During this period, he taught school in winter. thereby paying his own way in college. In the winter of 1876-77, he began the study of law, entering the law office of Finley & Swigart in the following April. He was admitted to the bar at Delaware, Ohio. July 2, 1878. He has since practiced in the courts of this county, and is located at present in Malic's Block, where he is doings a large commercial and insurance business. Mr. Tobias is a Democrat, and did efficient service as Secretary of the Hancock and English Club of Bucyrus. On Sept. 24, 1879. he was married to Miss Amina J. Monnett, daughter of Abraham Monnett. He and his wife are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bucyrus.
CHARLES W. TIMANUS, deceased; was the second son of William and Harriet (Fisher) Timanus. His father was born in Baltimore, Md., and learned the trade of miller. He came to Mansfield. Ohio. in about 1829, where he lived until 1834, moving in that year to Mt. Gilead, and there resided for ten years, when he came to Bucyrus, probably in 1844. He resided in Bucyrus except five years spent in Missouri, until his death, in 1877. He had a family of eight, all deceased but two daughters -Mrs. Miller, of Mansfield and Mrs. Lowry, of West Virginia. The subject of this memoir was born Feb. 13, 1845, in Bucyrus, Ohio. He spent his early life in the village, going with the family to Missouri in 1856. They lived in Missouri until 1861, when the family removed to Baltimore, Md. but remained only a few months, when they returned to Bucyrus. During this period young Timanus received a good common-school education, and, when only 18 years old, enlisted in the army in Co. C. of the
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86th O. V. I. He served about three years; coming to Bucyrus at the close of the war, he accepted a clerkship in the store of George Myers, where he remained until about 1868. He then formed a partnership with Joseph Kimmel. They bought out Bowers & Kefer, grocers, and for two years did a prosperous business both in groceries and fruits, which they shipped South. In 1872, Mr. Timanus purchased the interest of Mr. Kimmel, and inaugurated the "cash system." being the first merchant of Bucyrus who adopted it. The measure proved a success, he built up a large trade in the grocery and dry goods business, continuing until 1874, when he sold out to J. J. Fisher & Bro. His next venture was buying and shipping hay, which was atterided with such inconveniences that he abandoned it. In about 1875, he bought a tract of timber land west of Bucyrus, and removed the timber, which his industry converted into lumber. In two winters he had the timber removed, and sold the land and Bought another larger tract, on the Nevada road, realizing a handsome profit from the timber. In February 1879. Mr. Timanus, in company with Elias Blair, of Bucyrus, purchased 835 acres of heavy timber land, near Inwood. Marshall Co., Ind. During the winter he took two large saw-mills there, and put the heavy machinery in order. He built boarding-houses for his men, and was almost ready for sawing. While drawing a large stump which obstructed one of the passageways, Mr. Timanus was aiding and directing his men, when the main bolt which fastened three large upright pieces together broke and these pieces fell. crushing Mr. Timanus to the earth, and when they were removed he was found to be paralyzed from the waist down. This sad event occurred March 24, 1879. He showed remarkable courage and fortitude during this trying ordeal, and while lying on his bed gave directions to his men at work. On the 28th of April, he was brought to Bucyrus, where he died May 8, 1879. He was a man of great activity and energy, and had a host of friends. In 1874, he purchased 27 acres of land in South Bucyrus, and after selling the residence now occupied by D. C. Cahill, laid out seventy-six town lots, which is known as Timanus' Addition to Bucyrus. By his own efforts in after life he acquired a good education, and although starting in life without capital, he was successful and aided in the support of his father's family for several years March 21, 1872, he united in marriage with Miss Lila Plants, daughter of the late Jeremiah Plants, of Bucyrus. One child was born of this marriage, named Claudie, who died in infancy. He was a member of the Knights of Honor.
WILLIAM VOLLRATH was born Aug. 2, 1842, in Stadtilm, Germany. and came to America in his 6th year. He attended school until he was 13, and assisted in the planing mill until he became partner, making a visit to his native land in 1866. He worked in the planing-mill until he purchased the interest of his father and became a partner. He was married Jan. 18, 1877, to Miss Louisa M. Hine, of Wooster, Ohio; they leave one child., Gertrude. He is a member of Bucyrus Lodge No. 139, F & & A. M. and of Ivanhoe Chapter No. 17, of Royal Arch Masons: he is also a member of La Salle Lodge No. 51, and of the Royal Arcanum Council No. 15. The father, Gottleib L Vollrath, whose sons are prominently mentioned in this work, was born in Stadtilm Sept. 29, 1804, and received a good education. He learned the trade of cabinet-making, and at the age of 23, married Frederike Meissner, of the same town; of this marriage there were twelve children, six of whom are living in Bu cyrus--Albert, Charles, Helma (wife of Christiai Renkert), Theresa Blicke (wife of Frank Blicke), Frederick A. and William. Mr. Vollrath was a very skillful workman and was active in business until 1875. The mother died Aug. 24, 1875. Mr. Vollrath huilt a house when he first came to this town, and has lived in it ever since. The family is one of intelligence an enterprise, and they are valuable citizens of whom Bucyrus should he proud.
CHARLES VOLLRATH, manufacturer. Bucyrus: was born May 16, 1835m in Saxony, Germany, and is the son of Gottleib and Fredericke (Meissner) Vollrath. He attended school seven years, and came to this country with his father's family. They came to Rochester, N. Y., where they lived one year, and, in May 1849, came to Bucyrus, and were at the time in moderate circumstances. Our subject began learning the carpenter's trade upon his arrival with his father and brother, and followed the business until 1855. He then received an interest in the planing mills which were established in that year
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The firm name was, at first. G., A. &. C. Vollrath, consisting of the father and two sons; but, in 1867, William Vollrath purchased the share of the father, and the firm is now Vollrath Bros., the brothers being Albert, Charles and William. In 1868, they erected the present brick building of three stories, and are doing an extensive business in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, flooring and siding; also dealing in lumber, shingles and laths. Their yards occupy over an acre of land, and they employ about twenty hands. March 23, 1858, Mr. Vollrath was married to Elizabeth Mocker, of Bucyrus. She is a native of Baden, and was born in June 1831. Five children of this marriage are living - Edward C., Lydia, Eva E., Marly M. and Elys C. Louis Otto and Alexander are deceased. The wife and family are members of the English Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of La Salle Lodge No.51, I. O. O. F. also a Knight of Honor, and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
ALBERT VOLLRATH. manufacturer. Bucyus ; was born Jan. 31, 1830, in Stadtilm, Germany, and attended school from his 6th to his 14th year. He was apprenticed to his father for three years, learning the trade of cabinetmaking, and was a journeyman three years longer, when he came to Bucyrus and worked for Stoll & Knecht fur one year, and then commenced building by contract until 1855, when he became a partner in the planing mill. He was married, May 27, 1856, to Miss Catharine Mader, of Bucyrus. She was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 17, 1835, and came with her parents to this country in 1852. They have four children living - Theresa, Louisa, Melinka and Caroline. William is deceased. Mr. Vollrath is a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Council in 1863. His family are all members of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the oldest members of La Sidle Lodge. No. 139, I. O. O. F., and of the Royal Arcanum.
WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS. retired. Bucyrus; a son of Mordecai and Sarah (Smart) Williams, was born February 26, 1802. in Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he was brought up on a farm until he was twelve years old, when his parents removed to Richland Co. Only three or four families then lived in Monroe Township; in the fall of 1814 there were but a few roads and trails through the county. There he grew to manhood, farming, clearing land and improving it. Went to school but little, as there were no schools for a number of years, but studied at home. He was married Sept. , 2, 1824, to Martha Cunningham, who was born at Beaver, Penn., Dec. 15, 1802: nine children were the result of this union, five of whom are living-Sarah died in infancy, Jane, now wife of Elbert Racy, of Henry Co.; Nancy died April 5, 1873, was the wife of Norman Tucker, a lawyer of Lima, Ohio: Margaret, wife of Josiah Galbraith of Henry Co.: .James, now of Bucyrus : Joseph, ; farmer of Putnam Co.: William N., fell at the battle of Gettysburg, and is buried at the National Cemetery there: Thomas J., farmer of this township: Isaac was wounded at Murfreesboro, and thrown into Libby Prison, and by an accident caused by the breaking of a bridge near there he was disabled and died at the National Home at Dayton, where he lies buried. His wife died March 12, 1868, and he married a second time, June 29, 1871 to Mrs. Mary J. Hight, of Bucyrus. Mr. Williams farmed in Richland Co.where he owned eighty acres acres of land, until 1854, handling timber ii the meantime extensively. In September of this year, he moved his family to this township, where he bought thirty-seven acres with a saw mill on it: he now owns sixty-eight acres: he ran the saw-mill twelve years, during which time he sawed large lots of lumber. He retired from active life in January, 1879, and came to Bucyrus: although nearly 79 years old, he is very active and industrious, has always been hard working man. At the age of 24 years, he united with the Presbyterian Church, of which he has ever since been a faithful member: has been an Elder of the church, and a member of the session, and has always taken an active interest in Sabbath schools. He was an Old Line Whig, and, after the organization of the Republican party, has acted with it.
CHRISTIAN WISMAN, Bucyrus: was born in Waynesboro, Franklin Co., Penn., Sept 15, 1827. He is the son of Fredrick and Elizabeth (Heinlen) Wisman, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, from which country they came when children. They were married in Pennsylvania, and resided there until their removed to Crawford Co., in 1828.. The father was a wagon-maker, but after he came to this county devoted his time to farming. He was an industrious man and much loved by his
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neighbors and acquaintances. His wife died some fifteen years after their coming! to the county, and he Feb. 18, 1867. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, Christian's youth and early manhood were passed in assisting his father upon the farm. His education was obtained in the log schoolhouses of that early day. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cockle Oct. 17, 1850. She was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1830. Three children have been born to them. viz.. Adam .J., living, and Elizabeth and Amanda, deceased. Mr. Wisman owns a well-improved farm of 171 acres nicely situated on the west bank of the Sandusky River. He started in life with nothing but a stout heart and willing hands, and by frugality and industry has placed himself in good circumstances. He is a Democrat and a gentleman, whose integrity has won for him the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and friends.
W. S. WELSH. proprietor of Western House. Bucyrus: a son of Mannington and Annie (Comstock) Welsh, was born June 15, 1851, in Wyandot Co., Ohio. He lived on a farm until 1870, receiving a common-school education. In the fall of that year ( in September), he entered the Freshman Class at Bethany College, where he remained two years, then returned to Wyandot County and engaged in mercantile pursuit; for three years, when he removed to Little Sandusky, and was employed there one and a half years. In 1873, he crossed the Alleghenies with stock, visiting Eastern cities. The latter part of 1873 and 1874 was spent in Indiana, handling, feeding and shipping stock. In May 1880, he leased the Western House,. at Bucyrus, which has been newly refitted and refurnished. It is two stories high, has thirty large and commodious rooms for guests: fine sample rooms on first floor; large, cheerful dining-room, and a table that is first-class in every respect. The famous sulphur pump is just in front of the house, the water of which is well known far and wide. Every attention is given to the care and comfort of guests. August 28, 1874, he was married to Miss Iola Barks, of Nevada. Ohio. by which union he has two children - Frankie and Tressie. He has always been a Democrat. His father was born in Virginia, in 1816, and his mother in New York State, and about the year 1817, they came to Wyandot County, being one of the very first white families who settled in that county, and were familiar with all the shades of Indian life. They settled on the banks of Sandusky Creek, at the point where Little Wyandot now stands, being the first white settlers in that vicinity. Our subject's father was a farmer and stock-raiser. He had a family of four sons and one daughter - William, a farmer of Wyandot Co.; W. S., our subject ; Charles, a farmer: Frederick and Alice.
CHRISOPHER WALTHER, contractor and builder. Bucyrus, oldest son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Doll) Walther, was born June 16, 1833, in Baden, county of Durlach, Germany where he went to school until 12 years old. when his parents came to the United States, landing at New York July 1, 1845. They came at once to Sandusky City, where an uncle of our subject lived, and here they remained until September, when they came to Crawford County, settling on the Broken Sword, in Liberty Township, where the father bought 50 acres of land and engaged in farming with good success. Until 18, young Christopher aided his father on the farm. when he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade with Michael Lutz. He worked over three years, only receiving $160. Dec. 4, 1859, he married Margaret Schuler, of Bueyrus, Ohio. Of their union five children are living - Annette C., Frank A., Frederick E:, Lena C. and Lizzie E. Two children died in infancy. Mrs. Walther is a daughter of Frederick and Eve (Stoll) Schuler. Her father was a native of Baden, Germany, who came to New York, 1832, where he married Miss Eve Stoll. August 1837. In September. 1838, he came to Bucyrus, where he, for many years followed the trade of shoemaker. Her parents are still living in Bucyrus, and are among the few who still live to recall the struggles of pioneer times. After completing his trade our subject went to Fayette Co., Iowa, in 1856, where he worked as journeyman and contractor until 1859, when he made a trip to Bucyrus, returning with his wife in the same year. They lived in Iowa until 1861, when he returned to Bucyrus and located permanently. In the same year, he began taking coutracts and has since employed from six to eight men. He has gained an enviable reputation as a first-class workman. having put up some of the largest public buildings and private residences in the city, among which may be mentioned the Union
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School building, which he erected in 1867-68. Mr. Walther began life without capital, and has by hard work and close attention to business, raised himself and family into comfortable circumstances. He and family are members of the German Lutheran Church, in which he has served as Trustee and other offices. He is a Democrat. His parents were both natives of Baden. where they were married, about 1830, and settled in Liberty Township of this county in 1845. They raised five children-whose names were Christopher, Magdalena, Philip J., Caroline and Henry. The father died Aug. 14, 1879, and the mother died Sept. 9, 1873.
LUDWIG WEBER. grocer and express agent, Bucyrus: is the son of Jonathan and Annie (Fritt) Weber, and was born Aug. 18, 1821, in Cumberland Co., Penn. He was raised on a farm until his 16th year, when he went to Lexington, Ohio, to learn tailoring, and was there four years. He next went to Ontario, Richland Co., and there lived until 1850, having worked at his trade until two years previous to this date, and also carried on the Ontario House. He went to California by the overland route, the trip occupying ninety-two days. He met with varying success, and returned in 1852. The following year, he removed his family to Crestline, and there he embarked in the grocery business, continuing for eight years with good success. He then removed to a farm near there, and, for eight years following he tilled the soil. In 1872, he sold his farm and came to Bucyrus, where he opened a grocery and became agent for the Adams Express Co. His business is flourishing, and he is one of the first grocers in the town in point of business. During Pierce's administration. Mr. Weber was Postmaster of Ontario. He was also for three terms Trustee of Jackson Township. He was married May 30, 1844, to Jerusha J. Martin, of Martin's Mills, Ohio ; of this union, eight children are living. two having died when young. Those living are Aveline A., wife of A. M. Pinney, of Chicago; Ellen V., wife of Engineer Fitzsimmons, of Allegheny, Penn.; Flora G., wife of C. D. Sheffler, conductor, Chicago; Cora, wife of F. D. Mann, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Pittsburgh; Harry L., County Surveyor; Madge B., Mettie and Jennie at home.
HARRY L. WEBER, County Surveyor. Bucyrus ; is the son of Ludwig and Jennie (Martin) Weber, and was born July 16, 1856, in Crestline, Ohio. Until his 8th year he lived on a farm. He attended school in Bucyrus in 1871; he came to Bucyrus and attended school here. After leaving school he went into the employ of Adams Express Co., as assistant agent. April 8, 1879 he was appointed Surveyor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Frank L. Plants. In October following he was elected to fill the office and ran ahead of his ticket handsomely. He entered upon the discharge of his duties Jan. 5, 1880, being but 23 years of age. On April 8, 1880, he was married to Flora Hoover, of Bucyrus. Mr. Weber is a young man of considerable talent, and is indeed, a rising young man, of whom much will yet he expected should life be spared him.
ANSON WICKHAM, attorney at law. Bucyrus : is the son of Williard and Phoebe (Pennington) Wickham and was born in Lykens Township, June 19, 1850. He spent the first 16 years of his existence on a farm and in attendance upon district school, when he entered the union schools of Bucyrus. He taught seven terms during the time he was receiving his education. He entered Otterbein University, at Westerville. in the spring of 1867, and graduated in May 1873. In August of that year he carne to Bucyrus and commenced tile study of law, with Scott & Harris. and was admitted to the bar Sept. 17, 1875. Since that time he has become noted as a rising young lawyer, being especially successful in criminal crises. He was appointed School Examiner in 1874, and held the office two years.
WILLIAM WISE, furniture dealer and undertaker, Bucyrus; is the son of George and Charlotte (Moore) Wise, and was born in Fairfield Co., Penn., Sept. 1, 1824. The first eighteen years of his life were spent on a farm, varied with a short season of schooling in the winters. His parents removed here when he was aged 10 years. When 18 years of age, he commenced to learn the cabinet-maker's trade with C. Howenstine, his apprenticeship lasting three years. He afterward spent one year working at his trade, in Valparaiso, Ind. Returning from thence he formed a partnership with Howenstine, which lasted some twelve years. At this time the subject of our sketch commenced in business for himself at his present place on Main street, and has been there since 1866. He has now a large stock of furniture, and
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makes a specialty of undertaking, in which department he has had twenty-five years, experience. He was married, July 4, 1850, to Eliza J. Deardorf, of Bucyrus. Of this marriage nine children are living - Mattie, wife of Rev. George Heindle, of Belleville. Ohio: Rebecca at home: Elisabeth, John Pressley, William R., Millie R., George L., Frederick A. and Joseph D. Mr. Wise was a Free-Soiler and is now a stanch Republican in politics. He is a member of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church, and for thirty years has led the choir of that Church, serving also as one of its Deacons. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a blacksmith by trade, but in later years followed farming. He came here in 1833, and for one year was a resident on Broken. Sword. He then removed south of town some three miles, and lived there till 1853, dying ten years later, his wife having died in 1858. They reared eight children to manhood and were conscientious Christians and members of the Lutheran Church.
R. K. WARNER,. farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus was horn April 8, 1825, in Lycoming Co., Penn., and is the son of Benjamin and Mary (Walton) Warner. He was about 2 years old when his parents removed to Whetstone Township, this county, being among the first settler: Here he was raised among the Wyandot Indians, and played with the "Johnny Cake" boys many a day, and learned their language. When he was 8 years old, his father removed to this township, and settled on the pike. It was in 1836 that the subject of our sketch attended his first school, taught in Dallas Township, by Miss Susan Bovee. He attended school until he was about 20 years of age, in a log schoolhouse near the residence of Thomas J. Monnett. In 1847, he rented a farm for two years, and afterward purchased 120 acre, where he now lives. He now owns 440 acres of fine farming land. He has dealt extensively in sheep, cattle and hogs, and has Been very successful. He was raised a Quaker, but is not a member of any church. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, and later, a Republican. He was married in December, 1846, to Miss Martha Monnett, daughter of Jeremiah Monnett, who was born in Pickaway Co. Jan. 22, 1827. He has raised four children - Ellen, born Aug. 30. 1849, now the wife of Thomas McKinstry. Mary, born Jan. 1, 1856, married Albert Yaker, and died in January, 1874: Harriet, born Dec. 27, 1861; Louisa, born June 25,. 1871. In 1875, Mr. Warner erected a fine frame dwelling of sixteen rooms, which is an evidence of his good taste, and an ornament to the vicinity. His father, Benjamin. was born in Lycoming Co., Penn.. about 1801, and was married in 1822, coming to Ohio in 1827, driving here in a four-horse wagon. Four miles froin Galion their wagon sunk in the mud, and they walked four miles to a relative, leaving the wagon behind. He lived in the county all the rest of his life, and died May 8, 1872. in Kankakee. Ill., where he had gone on a visit. His wife survived him until March 7, 1877, when she too, closed her earthly labors, and went to her rest. Harriet Welsh of Missouri, and Louisa Everett, of Bucyrus, are still living. Five died young.. He was a Quaker in belief, the family for several generations back holding to that faith.
GEORGE HENRY WRIGHT. farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Bucyrus; son of George and La Vendee (Woodard) Wright, was born Aug. 16, 1828, in Jackson, Washington Co., N. Y. and spent his boyhood on a farm. He attended common school, and at the age of 16 years entered Argyle Academy, under the instruction of his brother, Prof. D. W'. W right. He began teaching at the age of 20, and taught nine terms, six of which he taught while yet living in New York. In 1853, he came to this county teaching during the winter, and dealing in stock during the summer: finally abandoned teaching and devoted his time wholly to the stock business, packing beef with his brother, T. H. Wright, of Huron, Erie Co. In 1856, he bought 480 acres of land in Wood Co., Ohio, which he improved. Dec. 29, 1857, he was married to Miss Martha E. Monnett, a daughter of Abraham Monnett, and in March, 1858, he removed to his land in Wood Co. Nine children were born of this marriage. eight of whom are living-Earl P., Helen A., Gertrude M., Oda M.., Libbie B., Charles H.., Carrie and Clark W., Mattie died in infancy. His wife made a visit to her father in October, 1859, and, returning home, reached Findlay, when a snow two feet deep fell on October mud, which was then extraordinarily deep. She was twenty-two miles from her destination, and almost gave up going; after trying other means, she hired a horse and set out alone on horseback, determined to reach home, if possible. Shortly
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after starting, she overtook a man who exclaimed, "My God! lady, I shall expect to find your head sticking out of the mud." She reached home at 11 o'clock at night, crossing the "Black Swamp" (fourteen miles wide), in safety; there were very few people living on the route. Mr. Wright built substantial houses on his farm and improved it well, remaining on it until the spring of 1861, when he removed to his present farm of 225 acres, on the pike four miles south of Bucyrus, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising: he makes a specialty of sheep and cattle. He has erected large and handsome buildings, and has one of the most attractive places on the road. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He was formerly connected with the M. E. Church, and was superintendent of Sunday school at Monnett Chapel : he was raised in the Associate Presbyterian Church. His wife was born in Scott Township, Marion Co., Ohio. He is a Republican in politics, and has acted with that party since its organization, but was previously a Democrat. He held various offices in his native State: is of Scotch descent; his early ancestors lived in Connecticut. His father was born in Cambridge, N. Y., about the year 1790, and was a soldier of 1812, and served on Lake Champlain. He raised twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, named respectively - Daniel W., Franklin H., Earl P., Olive M.., Delana P., Mary Y., La Vendee, Sophronia J., George H., (subject), Elizabeth V., Sarah S., Edwin W.--all of whom are living at this date, except the oldest and the youngest. The oldest D. W., was Principal of Argyle Academy for many years, and died Oct. 29, 1847.
HON. CHAPMAN D. WARD. Justice of the Peace. Bueyrus. This representative of an old and honored family traces his ancestry through a genealogical account, published in 1851, by Andrew Henshaw Ward. The first representative in this country was William Ward, who settled in Sudbury, Mass., in 1639. His pro genitors were Normans, who came over to England with William the Conqueror in 1066, as one of his noble Captains was named Ward, and the name of William de la Ward, and appear in English history as a resident of Chester in 1175. William Ward, of Sudbury, Mass., was made a freeman in 1643, and the next year represented Sudbury in the General Court, and was for several years Chairman of the Selectmen. He, in common with many others, endured great hardships during the Indian hostilities, especially during King Philip's war, in 1675-76, when his buildings were fired, his cattle destroyed, and one of his sons slain by the enemy. Through several generations, the Wards continued to take an active part in governmental affairs, and we again take up the thread of family history. William of Sudbury, had fourteen children, of whom his son William was the seventh child. born Jan. 22, 1640. He married Hannah Eams, at Marlboro, in 1679. Their oldest son, William. Born March 27, 1680, was Colonel of the militia, and married probably Jane Cleveland, of Boston. Fourteen children were born to them, of whom Charles was the youngest son, born Oct. 27, 1722. He is the great-grandfather of our subject and married Abigail Pike. Aug. 25, 1742. He enlisted in the expedition against Cape Breton, and died at the siege of Louisburg, in 1745, leaving three children, of whom William, born Sept. 12, 1743, was the oldest. He married Lucy Church, Dec. 11, 1763, and removed to Poultney, Vt. In 1775, becoming one of the first settlers of the town, and was one of that sturdy band who bravely resisted Burgoyne's s army and participated in its capture. In the meantime, his wife with her helpless children. was exposed to the revages of the British soldiery and their savage allies, then within a few miles of her dwelling. She fled to Bennington, forty miles throw the wilderness, on foot, with her children, carrying the youngest in her arms, without a man to protect or guide her, finding her way by the blazed trees. They reached there in safety, and quickly the battle of Bennington; and the surrender of Burgoyne followed. The Hon. William Ward returned to Poultney, Vt., where he resided until his death., Aug. 3, 1819, in his 76th year. He was a member of the convention which framed the Constitution of the State, and was for six years one of the Judges of the County Court of Rutland, and Judge of the Probate for the District of Fairhaven twenty-two years. He was a Justice of the Peace forty years, and Representative in the Legislature eighteen years. He was a much esteemed citizen and a devoted Christian gentleman, having a family of twelve children. who all grew to manhood and womanhood except one. His fourth son, Elisha, born July 30, 1780, is the
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father of our subject. He married Miss Zelina Denslow, of Kent, Conn., Nov. 14, 1803. Ten children were the fruits of this happy union Lucy M., Eliza, Polly D., William C., Clark Kendrick., Zelima, Publius G., Rosetta, .John W., and Chapman Denslow. The latter whose name heads this sketch. was born June 22, 1823, in Reading., Steuben Co. N. Y. and, in 1835, cane to Huron Co. (now Erie Co.), where the family settled on the prairie. He remained there until 1847,. working on the farm until he was 21 years old. when he went to buy stock, and passed through this section in 1845. In the spring of 1847, he removed to the village of Bucyrus and began buying and selling stock, and. in 1850, in order to have better facilities, went on to a farm about two miles from town, where he remained five years. In 1848, he bought cattle, horses and sheep, and drove them through to Milwaukee, Wis., where he sold them to emigrants. He was married. Sept. 19, 1850, to Mary A. J. Harper, a daughter of John Harper. Two children were the fruits of this union - Harper J. and Blanche E. He carne back to Bucyrus in 1855, and. in 1857 , was appointed Postmaster by President Buchanan, which office he held until 1861, when he was elected Justice of the Peace - the first Democrat ever elected Justice of the Peace in Bucyrus - serving one year, when he resigned. He at once began to buying horses, and in the spring of 1863, in partnership with Rowse and Thomas. He with a number of hands, drove ninety-eight horses to California, the journey taking over 100 days. The venture was successful, and, returning the same year, he took a second lot in 1864, drove from Omaha, completing the journey in fifty-six days, and without losing. a single horse. He returned in the fall of 1864, and in the spring of 1865, he was elected Mayor of Bucyrus, serving some two years with satisfaction. In 1867, he began shipping horses to Lake City, Minn., which he kept up for two years. He also shipped stock to the East. In the fall of 1875, he was elected, Justice of the Peace, and Mayor in 1876, serving until 1880; was re-elected Justice of the Peace, in 1878, in which capacity he is still serving. He has served in Council for many years: has always been a Democrat, and first voted for Polk and Dallas.
HON. CLARK K. WARD, banker, Bucyrus: is the second son of Col. Elisha and Zelina (Denslow) Ward, and was born in Reading, Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 17, 1812 ; his boyhood and youth were spent on the farm of his father; at the age of 19, he began the struggle of life, with little capital except stout hands and good purposes; he at once found employment as teacher in the public schools for three winter terms; in 1833, he becaine clerk in a store in Yates Co., N. Y.; here he remained until 1841 in the meantime becoming proprietor; in April. 1844, he removed to Erie Co., Ohio, near Sandusky City, and, in June 1845, he united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Porter, of Erie Co.: one daughter, Sarah A., wife of George C. Gormly, is the only child of this marriage. On coming to Ohio, Mr. Ward began dealing in stock until 1847, in Erie Co., Ohio: in April of that year, he came to Bucyrus, where he became one of the leading stockdealers of this vicinity, being among the first to pay cash for corn. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Ward was elected to the Ohio Legislature from the counties of Richland and Crawford for one year: he was re-elected for two years in 1851. He continued in the stock trade until 1878, in the meantime dealing quite extensively in real estate. In 1866, he was as elected a Director in the First National Bank of Bucyrus and in January, 1799. its Vice President, a position he now holds.
MAJ. J. H. WILLISTON, editor of Forum, Bucyrus : was born in Fayetteville, N. C. June 15, 1833; his parents, William K. and Annis (Chapman) Williston. removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, when he was 1 year old, and located on a farm: he is of Scotch-English descent: the father was born in Connecticut and his mother in Massachusetts; his maternal ancestors came over in the Mayflower. In 1845 his father was elected Auditor of Geauga Co. and the family removed to Chardon, the county seat, where the subject remained until 1850, when. at the age of 17 years, he went to Cleveland and entered a job printing office as an apprentice: he served in this capacity for fort years, closing his apprenticeship in the office of the Leader; he worked in Cleveland as a journeyman and proprietor until March, 1861 when he purchased the Ottawa County Democrat, at Port Clinton, which he published for four months. During the summer of 1861, he raised a company of troops, which was assigned to the 41st O. V. I., and of which he
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was elected First Lieutenant: in about one month, he was promoted to Captain, and in the spring of 1863, was promoted to Major of the regiment; he was wounded in a skirmish before Atlanta, July 15, 1864, and from which cause he was mustered out of the service on the 31st of October. 18641. He at one returned to Cleveland, and engaged in the printing business until 1872: in 1873, he purchased an interest in the Marion Mirror, becoming the partner of James K. Newcomer, partnership which continued until August, 1876; on the 15th of April following, he came to Bucyrus and purchased the Crawford County Forum, which he has ever since managed with success: he in connection with his paper conducts a job office, and employs in it an efficient corps of workmen: his paper is the organ of the Democratic party of Crawford Co., and of which party he has always been at able supporter. He was married, Nov. 27, 1854, to Miss Helen M. Newcomb. of Cleveland: three children is the result of this union, Maj. Williston was Superintendent of Police in Cleveland in 1869.
MRS. JULIA A. WALTER, Bucyrus, The above-named lady is a daughter of Abram Hahn one of the pioneers of Crawford Co. He was born in Frederick Co., Md., in the year 1796 and moved to Ohio in 1822. He first settled in Stark Co., but. in 1828, removed to Bucyrus. He built the Sims House in 1829 and continue as its landlord until 1843, when he removed to Mt. Gilead. where he resided until his death, which occurred Jan. 21, 1867. In August 1838, while digging a mill-race near Bucyrus. he uncovered the bones of a mammoth, which were sold at Columbus, Ohio, and then passed into one of the Eastern museums. Mr. Hahn was a man of great energy, unwavering integrity and a devout and earliest Christian. In early manhood, he united in marriage with Julia Ernst, and the union resulted in ten children only four of whom are living, as follows : Dr Charles Hahn. Auditor of Marion Co., Ohio. Mrs. Walter (subject); Alexander, undertake at Mt. Gilled; and Mrs. Mary Cooper, of Mt Gilead, Ohio; six are dead-Maria, Melvina, William, Henry, James and Henrietta. Julia A. Walter was born in Bucyrus August 29, 1828. She spent her girlhood here until 15 when the family removed to Mt. Gilead, Ohio where the subject of these lines lived until Nov.11, 1847, which was the occasion of her marriage with George Walter, of Bucyrus. He was born in the town of Ophingen, Baden, April 3, 1824. When but 9 years old he left Germany with his widowed mother and came to Bucyrus. He was a good scholar and fine penman, and was made Deputy Clerk under Zalmon Rowse when but a mere boy, as he talked German fluently. This proved a necessity with the large German - speaking population of those early times. After serving one year as Deputy Clerk, he was employed as clerk by Potter& Quinby for five Years. He was next employed by Henry Converse to conduct a mercantile business for him at different times for about four years, which brings us to the time of his marriage. He continued in mercantile pursuits about seven years, and came to New Washington this county, in August 1854. The village was then in its infancy, and he opened a store and post office there, which he kept for three years. He came to Bucyrus in April. 1867, and opened a paint-shop and employed a number of hands. He was a successful and skillful painter, and, during the last years of his life. produced some fine specimens of oil paintings. He died Sept. 10,. 1861, leaving the following family: Scott is a member of the United States Signal Service: Clara and Lora at home; Lunette. wife of W. L. Penfield, Esq., lawyer at Auburn, Ind.: Edgar and Harry still reside at home. Under the trying circumstances of bereavement our subject has reared and educated her family by intelligent forethought and force of character.
DAVID B. WOODSIDE. carriage manufacturer Bucyrus. The subject of these lines was born in Chester Co., Penn.. Nov. 23, 1847, a son of William S. and Caroline (Crosby ) Woodside, who were residents of the village of Woodside's Corners, where young David lived until the late war ensued. Being a mere boy, he enlisted in 7th Penn. V. C., in February 1864, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain and all the engagements of the Kilpatrick raid. He was mustered out at Macon, Ga., Aug. 23, 1865, and returned home, where he attended school for some time; then went to Wilmington. Del., and there served an apprenticeship of three years at carriage-smithing. He worked at his trade at different points in Delaware and Pennsylvania until 1870. He then traveled through
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several of the Western States, tarrying at Lincoln, Ill., and Fond du Lac, Wis., becoming foreman of a carriage-shop at the latter place. In 1874, he returned to his native State, and worked at the city of Pittsburgh for about six months, when he came to Bellefontaine, Ohio, in the fall of 1874, and from there to Findlay, where he worked until 1875. He came to Bucyrus in April of that year, and worked for one year in the carriage manufactory of Philip Osman. In 1876, Mr. Woodside. in company with Lewis P. Osman purchased the carriage factory of Philip Osman, and conducted the business one year under the firm name of Osman S;. Woodside. June 25, 1877, the firm was enlarged by the accession of P. Osman, G. W. Teel and George Welsh, and the business was conducted one year under the firm name of Philip Osman and Co. In September 1878, Mr. Woodside purchased the entire establishment and has since carried on the business with good success. He employs about eight hands, and turns out from 75 to 100 carriages and buggies per year. His work comprises the most attractive and stylish patterns, and has gained an enviable reputation for durability and cheapness.
SAMUEL D. WELSH, painter. Bucyrus ; is the son of Benjamin S. and Rebecca A. (Drake) Welsh, the former a native of Jefferson Co., Va., from whence he moved to Ross Co., Ohio. in 1807. He lived there until 1823, and then moved to Wyandot Co. The mother is a native of Marion Co., Ohio, and the daughter of Judge William S. Drake, who was a Captain in the war of 1812, and the hero of the celebrated Drakes defeat. The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 4, 1830, near the Wyandot Reservation, in what is now Wyandot Co., Ohio. His youth, until 17, was spent on the farm, with only the advantages afforded by the common schools. He attended an academy then located at Wyandot one year, by hard study laying the foundation for future usefulness. In 1849, he went to Springfield, Ohio, where he learned the trade of painting, with a man named John Black, and at the expiration of his apprenticeship he became a journeyman painter in the true sense of the word. During this period, he visited several cities, and at each point sought the best instructions that could be obtained. He continued to work in this way until 1855. Oct. 4, 1855, he united his fortunes with Miss Mary White, of Dallas Township, of this county. Of this marriage there was one daughter, named Nellie, who died in infancy. After marriage, Mr. Welsh followed farming and house-painting in Dallas Township until the war broke out, when he enlisted, in September 1861, in the regimental band of the 15th O. V. I. as member of the first class. He was at the same time special field artist for Harper Brothers, of New York, and in that capacity furnished sketches of battle-scenes and Historical locations. He was taken sick in January 1862, and taken to the hospital at Louisville. Ky., and afterward came home. In 1863, he sold his farm and removed to Newark, Ohio, where he kept a music store one year. He then came to Bucyrus, in 1864, and resumed his trade, which he has since followed with good success. He has taken several large contracts, employing as high as twenty-six hands at one time. He is Superintendent of painting for the Ohio Central Coal Co., at Corning. Since 1869. Mr. Welsh has gained an enviable reputation as a decorative and fresco artist. His specimens of oil painting have for several years taken diplomas wherever exhibited, and have attracted considerable attention among lovers of art. The first wife of Mr. Welsh died March 3, 1869, and he was a second time married, Oct. 4, 1871, to Miss Minnie E. Brown, of Lykens Township. There is one child born of this union, Rebecca E. Mr. Welsh was for eighteen years a member of the Presbyterian Church, when he united with the Advent Christian Church. at Nevada, Ohio. In October, 1877, he was ordained an Elder in that body, and has for some years preached to his brethren. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the State Conference of the the Advent Church. He served eight years as Justice of the Peace, and filled acceptably other offices of trust.
GEORGE H. WELSH, farmer and stockraiser ; P. O. Bucyrus. Perhaps there is no family in :all Crawford Co. that has a more interesting history than that of the family of George Welsh. Zachariah Welsh was of English-German descent, and a native of the State of Maryland; he came to Fairfield Co., Ohio, from Virginia, at an early day, and shortly after the war of 1812 removed to Marion Co., Ohio, near the Wyandot Reservation. He and wife, Hannah (Steen) Welsh, remained here a number of years, and to them were born fourteen children. only the ten following being alive
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- Benjamin, Betsey, Madison, Lorena, Edmund, Jane A., Munnington, Mary A., George H. and Rebecca. On the breaking-out of the war of 1812. Mr. Welsh offered his services in his country's behalf. and was immediately commissioned Colonel. He served all through the war, participating in many a hard-fought battle. It was after the war that he moved to Marion Co. George Welsh was horn one mile south of Wyandot, then in Marion Co., April 11, 1826. His father being a poor man, and needing his services on the farm. deprived him of school advantages the boys of to-day have When 18 years of are his father died, and the burden of supporting the family fell upon him. May 29, 1855, he married Miss Margaret Agnew, of Lake Co., Ind., and by her had one son - Agnew, now a merchant in Ada, Ohio. Mrs. Welsh departed this life in April. 1856, being a wife only about one year. Mr. Welsh's second marriage took place Dec. 2, 1867, his wife being Miss Amelia Palmer of Nevada, Ohio. To this second marriage were born four children-Effie, Algee, Savenie and Ernest. Mr. Welsh owns 400 acres of valuable land, which is well improved. Besides farming Mr. Welsh deals quite extensively in the stock, some of them coming from the famous Bourbon County herds of Kentucky. Mr. Welsh's political record is without blemish. His first vote was cast for Gen. Taylor. He was identified with the Whig party until 1860, and on the breaking - out of the war Between the North and the South, threw his influence with the Republican party, with whom he leas ever since remained. The battle of Brandywine was fought on his grandfather's farm. and as such is a matter of local historical importance. Mr. Welsh is a member of the M. E. Church, and although a Republican in a strongly Democratic county, he has held various local political offices.
ABRAHAM YOST. retired. Bucyrus; is the son of John and Chloe (Freeland) Lost, and was born Jan. 2, 1816. in York Co., Penn. His father was a farmer and also a gunsmith, which trade he learned in Little York, Penn. He was married about 1808, and followed farming, also working somewhat at his trade. In the fall of 1828, he came to Bucyrus in a three-horse wagon, and was almost a month on the road. He bought a lot where Main street now crosses the railroad, and on this he erected a log cabin. Here they moved and Mr. Yost, Sr.. opened a gunsmith-shop, and did a thriving, business, a great portion of it with the Indians. He died in 1861, his wife having died the year previous, leaving four sons - John F., Abraham, Jeremiah and Jacob. When the subject of our sketch first came to, Bucyrus, he attended school in a small brick edifice, which stood where the Monnett House now stands. His first teacher here, however, was Mrs. Hobbs, who taught in her own house. In 1836, he left school and commenced learning to make spinning wheels, serving an apprenticeship of six years under James McCracken. He then followed the business four twenty years, adding to his trade that of chair-making. Since 1859, he lists followed turning for different factories of Bucyrus, until in 1879 he retired. Mr. Yost began without capital and is now the owner of 70 acres well-improved farming land and first-class city property on Sandusky avenue. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in politics, and was a Whig before the birth of the new party, having case his first vote for Gen. Harrison. He was at one time a member of the City Council,. and has always been a a prominent and influential citizen. He was married, Aug. 25, 1842, to Barbara Aurant, of Bucyrus. They have two children Laura, wife of James Kendall, of Bucyrus and Ophelia, wife of Frederick Shealy, of the same city.
JACOB YEAGLEY, farmer: P. O.Bucyrus: is the son of George and Elizabeth (Shram) Yeagley, and was born Oct. 29, 1827, in Lebanon Co., Penn.: until the age of 16, he was given the educational advantages afforded by a common school and divided his time between the school and his labors on the farm afterward. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his uncle, Adam Yeagley, serving two and one-half, years apprenticeship: in June 1847, he came to Crawford Co. on foot and by canal route, arriving here with but 30 cents: out of this, he had but a shilling left when he had paid for lodging and breakfast: he then hired out to a farmer, working for a monthly stipend of $11, and continued for two months, when he rented a farm on the shares for two years, after which he again hired for $15 a per month after the expiration of one year, he rented 160 acres at cash rent, paying John A. Gormley $100 per year, and continuing four years: during this time, he made a handsome sum by
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hard work and economy; he next bought and fed hogs for one season. but. by a reverse of fortune, he lost ; all his hard-earned property, and was involved to the extent of $1,100 besides ; he cleared himself of dept however, and commenced in the same line of business, and again lost, this time to the extent of $600; he then resumed farming, and rented for some ten Years; in 1864, he purchased his present farm of 160 acres of good farming land, and here he has since made his home: in 1872, he erected a fine frame residence of nine rooms, finished handsomely, Of late years, Mr. Yeagley has turned his attention to raising sheep and is also a noted corn-raiser, often cultivating 150 acres a year: his first crop of corn on 60 acres of his present farm realized for him the snug sum of $2,800, Mr. Yeagley is a member of the United Brethren Church of Bucyrus; he was formerly connected with the M. E. Church for eighteen years, during which time he was class-leader and Trustee: in politics. He has been a Republican since the formation of the party, and was previously; a Whig he was married, Nov. 2, 1854, to Catharine Miller, of Whetstone Township: there are two sons of this marriage-La Fayette, born April 7, 1856, and Alfred C., July 11, 1858. His wife died Feb. 23, 1859, and, March 22, 1860 he married Elizabeth Starner, of Dallas Township: there is one child of, this marriage - Edwin, born Dec. 2, 1861: Mrs. Yeagley was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1838 and came with her father's family to Bucyrus Township in 1843; here she grew to womanhood, receiving a common-school education: she united with the M. E. Church when 12, and has ever taken a great interest in Sunday - school work, having been for nine years a teacher in the Sunday school. Mr. Yeagley's father was born in Pennsylvania in 1801, and his mother in the same State in about 1804: they were married in 1822, and farmed during the summer following, weaving in the winter: besides Mr. Yeagley, there were six children in his fathers family - Rebecca, Henry, Catharine, Mary, John and Samuel; the mother died in 1871; and the father in 1873.
G. K. ZEIGLER, Main Street Mills, Bucyrus: son of Abraham and Rachel (Krouz) Zeigler, was born Dec. 4, 1834, in Montgomery Co., Penn., where he lived on a farm until he was 19 years of age, attending school less than one winter, all told. In his 10th year, he entered a mill on Perkioming, in Pennsylvania, as an apprentice, remaining one year, and became foreman: in two years he ground over 42,000 bushels of grain. He remained in this mill about two and a half years and in summer of 1855, he came to Ohio, and settled at Bloomville, where he worked for Simon Koller six month. He then returned to his native state and remained one year; was a partner in dry goods for about a year, with John Hunsicker, when he sold out and lost all he had invested. He removed to New Washington about 1858-59, and was engaged in a mill for some fifteen months, when he returned to Bucyrus and worked for McClain over two years, after which he took charge of Honey Creek Mills for two years more, when he returned to his former employers here, for about three years: he then, in partnership with Martin Koller, bought the Osceola Mills, which were successful: they owned them about five years, making repairs , and improvements; he and Koller next bought Honey Creek Mills and ran them for two years. From there he went to Napoleon, Ohio, and with Roller Brothers ran mills there for two years, and built an elevator, costing $10,000. In April 1876, he came to Bucyrus, where he became proprietor of the Main Street Mills, which he has since successfully operated. Mr. Zeigler has had about twenty-seven years' experience in milling and understands the business. His present mills are written up elsewhere in this work. He is and has always been a Democrat. Twenty-two years ago, he lost all and was left in debt: now, he is one of the solid men of the town, he was married. Oct. 24, 1857, to Miss Ann M. Koller, of Seneca Co., Ohio, and has two children living - Anna Mary and Josiah Martin: one daughter (Jennie) died in her 4th year.