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CLINTON TOWNSHIP AND TIFFIN CITY.
PERRY M. ADAMS, attorney at law, Tiffin, and prosecuting attorney for Seneca County, was born in Wood County, Ohio, December 2, 1850, and is the eldest son and second child (of a family of three sons and five daughters). of Harvey and Susannah A. (Phelps) Adams, and is of lineal descent on his father's side, from an old New England family. His great-great-grandfather, Alexander Adams, was of Revolutionary tines and a native of New Jersey. His great-grandfather, David Adams, settled in Beaver (now Lawrence) County, Penn., from Now Jersey, where his son David, father of Harvey, was raised and married Sarah McKibben, and subsequently, in 1835, moved to Wood County, Ohio, with his family, when Harvey . was twelve years of age, and raised a family of seven sons and seven daughters, who (with the exception of three members) reared large families in Wood County. Mrs. Susannah A. (Phelps) Adams, a native of Pennsylvania, was a daughter of Ralph D. Phelps, a farmer of Wood County, Ohio, and a native of Connecticut, and Nancy (Parson) Phelps, a native of Kentucky. The subject of our sketch received a good education in the public schools of his native county and engaged in teaching, in which profession he excelled. He, however, applied himself to further his literary accomplishments, and, being self-dependent, taught while he read law. He attended literary and scientific courses at Fostoria, Ohio, and afterward at Republic, same State. Feeling an "itching palm" for the knowledge
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of law, he eventually came to Tiffin, this county, and entered the office of the Hon. W. P. Noble (his present partner), March 18, 1874, and on April 13, 1876, was admitted to the bar of Ohio. He immediately accepted a partnership with his worthy preceptor, which has continued without interruption since. In April, 1879, he was chosen solicitor for the city, and re-elected in 1881, resigning, however, in March, 1882, to accept his present incumbency to which he had been elected the preceding October, and to which he was honorably reelected in October, 1884. Mr. Adams married, in Washington, D. C., April 26, 1881, Miss Annie E. Kiskadden. of that city, a lady of excellent literary and musical attainments, and a graduate of Mrs. Willard's College, Now York She is the only daughter of William and Mary E. (Campbell) Kiskadden, the former a native of Ohio, and prominent contractor, now of Denver, Col.; the latter a daughter of Alexander Campbell, a pioneer of Seneca County. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have two children: Eugenia K. and Harvey M. Mr. Adams has taken a prominent place in his profession here for so young a man, and bids fair to be heard from in the councils of the nation in the near future: He is of fine physique, of tall and commanding presence, and eminently fitted, as becomes his character, to dictate rather than accept. He is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity.
MART. L. ALBRECHT, dealer in groceries and provisions, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, August 2, 1850. His parents, Philip and Minnie (Kreeger) Albrecht, were natives of Baden, the former born in Eppingen, and the latter in Sultzfeldt; they were married here in 1849. Philip Albrecht came to this country in 1832, and learned the trade of mason and builder from his father, Andrew Albrecht, who had three sons and one daughter, all of whom reared families here. Philip Albrecht reared two sons and two daughters. Mart. L. Albrecht learned the trade of his father, and was actively connected with it here for several years. In 1879 he embarked in his present business and is one of the successful young men of the city. He is an active member of the Turner's Society, K. of P. and Bruderbund. He has given considerable attention to his musical training, and has been a member of Boos' Band and Orchestra since 1875. He is an excellent gentleman, of fine physique and noble bearing. He has lived in this city all his life, and his reputation is second to none.
LOUIS ANGENE, harness manufacturer and proprietor of livery stable, Tiffin, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1847. His parents, Adam and Barbara (Shearer) Angene, also natives of Bavaria, came to America in 1847 and settled in Crawford County, Ohio, where the former carried on farming (his original business was flour-milling), and where they reared four sons and seven daughters. The subject of our sketch carried on farming in Crawford County, and did considerable in the way of auctioneering. In 1875 he came to Tiffin, and has been an important factor in the development of many industrial enterprises; first in buggy and carriage trade; next in harness manufacturing, and, latterly, in the livery and feed business, all of which he still carries on. He has in the meantime also done an important part in crying sales in the county, and his ability in this direction has gained for him the sobriquet of "the affable auctioneer of Tiffin." Mr. Angene was married in Crawford County, Ohio, in 18 74, to Barbara E., daughter of John Feighner, Esq., a pioneer there from Pennsylvania, and by this union there is one daughter, Anna Laura. In November, 1877, Mrs. Angene passed away from this life in full communion with the First Presbyterian Church, and is laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Angene is an able business man and a worthy citizen, and, although holding aloof from public office, has served efficiently in his party (Democratic) as an active worker.
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WILLIAM S. BACON, proprietor of the Clifton Mills, Tiffin, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, December 1, 1829, and comes of a line of pioneer of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, antedating the "Revolution." His father, Ralph Bacon, a native of Massachusetts, and descended of pioneers in that State from the Isle of Man, settled in what is now known as Lake County, Ohio, about 1798, and married Polly Jordan, a native of Pennsylvania, whose grandfather settled in that State from Ireland. Ralph Bacon raised a family of five sons Ad eight daughters (all of whom except one daughter reared families). The subject of this sketch was reared in Crawford County (whither his parents had removed in 1820), and at fifteen, went west, returning at the age of nineteen to his native place, where he carried on carpentering (also in Wyandot County), for several years. He subsequently took up saw-milling, at which he was engaged till the breaking out of the war, when he retired from that business and carried on a tannery, which, in 1804. he abandoned, coming to this county and purchasing a half interest in the Bloomville Flouring Mills. This he subsequently sold out and returned to saw-milling and building in Crawford County, till 1868, when he, in partnership with Dr. I. B. Squier, bought the "Liberty Mills" (flouring-mills), in Crawford County, and carried on that industry there till 1875, when he returned to Bloomville and purchased his former property and operated the Bloomville Mills till 1879, when he purchased his present mills, which he has brought up to a leading prominence in the milling interests of this county. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen, and has contributed in no small degree to the development of the many excellent social and industrial institutions of Tiffin. He was married in Bucyrus, December 1. 1859, to Miss Savena Hawk, daughter of the late David Hawk, an early pioneer from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have three sons and two daughters, Frank (a practical miller associated with his father), Clara, Willis, Herbert and Helen. Mrs. Bacon, a lady of estimable attainments, is a member of the Lutheran Church.
SILAS W. BAKER, P. O. Tiffin, is one of the young and enterprising farmers of Clinton Township, where he was born February 2, 1856. His parents, Frederick A. and Ann C. Baker, natives of Maryland, were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and settled on the farm where our subject now resides, and where they have remained ever since. They are the parents of three children: Silas W., Jennie and Rosa. Silas W., our subject, was united in marriage, November 29, 1881, with Hattie Miller, born in Pleasant Township, this county, December 9, 1861, daughter of Andrew J. and Ann M. Miller, the former a native of New York State, and the latter of Seneca County, Ohio. Both are residing in Pleasant Township. To our subject and wife have been born two children: Maud, born February 23, 1883, and Ollie born July 18, 1884. Our subject manages his father's farm, consisting of 190 acres, all improved land. He is a member of the Grange.
CHARLES H. BALDWIN, secretary of the Tiffin Union Churn Company, of Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, May 23, 1845, and is a son of A. C. and Mary Jane Baldwin, of this city. The subject of our sketch completed a liberal literary education here, and, at fifteen, entered the office of the Seneca Advertiser, where he completed an apprenticeship at type-setting. The late civil war breaking out, he enlisted his services in Company H, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and continued in service till the dismemberment of the regiment: Upon leaving the army he "went West," where he was connected with freighting " over the plains " from St. Joe, Mo., to Denver, Col., for some time. Returning here he assumed his present position. He was married, in 1874, to Anna, daughter of Thomas W. and Sarah Jane Watson,
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of Pleasant Township, this county, and this union has been blessed with two sons and one daughter: Anna Watson, Thomas Chenoweth and Absalom Charles. He and his worthy wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been a Mason since he was twenty-four years of age and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar of De Molay Commandery No. 9; also Scottish Rite degrees of Masonry including 32°.
FRANCIS BALL, proprietor of restaurant and saloon, Tiffin, was born in Buehl, Canton of Seltz, Alsace, October 1, 1835, and came to this county in 1852, son of Joseph and Catharine (Schaub) Ball, who settled in Thompson Township, this county, about 1853. Francis Ball had preceded his parents to this country, and upon their arrival came with them here, where he farmed, and subsequently engaged in merchandising, in what is known as Frank's Corners (named after him), where he carried on an active business for over fifteen years, and was the first postmaster of that place, a useful public man and citizen. He afterward located at Tiffin, in his present business. He was married, in 1859, to Johanna, daughter of Paul Herman, Esq., of Thompson Township, this county, and by her has a family of seven sons and four daughters: Francis X. (a merchant), Mary Anna, Jacob J., John H. (a printer), Edward L., Cecilia J., Albert G., William A., Lucy M., Ida A. and Otto P. Mr. Ball and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph's congregation. He has been an active member of the Bruderbund, and is its present honored secretary. Mr. Ball has always been fully alive to the progressive spirit of the times, and has contributed liberally toward the support of all measures tending to the public good. He is an ardent Democrat, and a worthy member of the party in this county.
B. F. BAUM, agent of the Northwestern Ohio Railway Company, Tiffin, was born in York County, Penn., December 9, 1845, and is a son of Peter S. and Elizabeth (Stambaugh) Baum. The Baums were German pioneers in the, State, Peter Baum, grandfather of our subject, being a native of Germany, one who did recognized service in the Revolutionary war. The Stambaugh's bore a similar record, Jonathan Stambaugh, subject's maternal grandfather, having also served in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch began telegraphing in Parkton, Md., and held the office there for two years. He continued with the Northern Central Railway of Maryland for seven years, after which he engaged in commission warehousing in Glen Rock, York Co., Penn. In 1872 he came to Wooster, Ohio, and after a year's professional work with the Pennsylvania Company's lines he came to Tiffin, where he has been prominently identified with the Northwestern Ohio Railway since, his present incumbency having been received by him in 1881. Mr. Baum was married at Glen Rock, Penn., in 1868, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Emanuel Sheffer, and by this union there were two sons and three daughters: Arthur, Philip, Clara and Gracie living, Lottie (the eldest) is deceased. Mr. Baum has been a F. & A. M. since 1869; is also a member of the K. of H. and K. of P.
CHARLES F. BEARD, stock dealer, Tiffin, represents one of the important industries in this locality. He was born in Bristol County, Mass., October 25, 1829, and is descended of pioneer Scotch and English ancestry in the East. His parents, Matthew and Hanna (Lapham) Beard, settled in Scipio Township, this county, in 1833, and are there buried along with a son and daughter. The subject of our sketch has followed his father's business (farming and stock-raising) with excellent success. He was united in marriage, in 1853, with Mrs. Lucinda Tabor, daughter of Erastus Jones, of Scipio Township, this county, and by her he has two daughters: Ida, now the wife of J. Smith, of Scipio, and Janie, wife of Mr. Skransewfky, of Ohio. Mr. Beard
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has avoided publicity in political matters, acting upon the motto that "what is worth doing is worth doing well." He has accumulated a handsome competency from his business, and has lived to see his children well educated and taking upon themselves the importance in life this position requires.
LEWIS F. BENDER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born near Red River, Canada, June 9, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Rosanna Bender, natives of the old country, and who came to Canada where they were married and first settled about 1822; in the latter part of 1823, being routed by the Indians, they went down the Missouri River as far as St. Louis, and there Mrs. Bender departed this life. The rest of the family remained in St. Louis about four years, during which time Jacob Bender again married, this time to Rosanna Clink, a native of Wurtemberg. From St. Louis the family moved to Alton, Ill., and there remained some years, then moved to Cincinnati, where they staid a short time, and from there went to Richland County, Ohio, and, in 1833, came to this county, remaining until 1847, then moved to Williams County, where Jacob Bender died; his widow now resides in Missouri. Lewis F. Bender, our subject, was united in marriage in this county, September 15, 1850, with Massey Figgens, whose maiden name was Leonard, a daughter of Ezekiel and Anna (Leonard) Leonard, and who was born in Westchester County, Penn., July 21, 1819; her parents are both deceased. Our subject and wife are the parents of four children: Ada V., wife of Isaiah Staley; Rebecca E.; Charlie F.; and Mabel, all living. Mr. Bender is a tanner and currier by trade, but has been engaged in farming most of his life, and owns a fine farm where he and his family reside. Our subject, like his father, has been somewhat of a rover in his time. In 1861 he went prospecting in California and returned at close of same year. Mrs. Bender and her son, Charles, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bender was christened in the German Lutheran, when an infant, and also in the Catholic faith, at five years of age, it being the grandparents' wish on the mother's side, but being "universally" inclined he has joined no other church..
JOHN H. BENNEHOFF, county recorder, Tiffin, was born in Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. His parents, Solomon and Ann (Rader) Bennehoff, settled in that locality in 1840, coming from Lehigh County, Penn., the former descended from pioneer German ancestry of Pennsylvania, and the latter from English pioneers of same State. John H. Bennehoff is the seventh child and fifth son of a family of six sons and two daughters (two sons and a daughter now deceased). His early education was obtained in the schools of Scipio Township, this county, where he excelled as a student, insomuch that at the age of eighteen he received a certificate as teacher, in which profession he was well known here for twelve years; during this time he also attended school at Heidelberg College, and completed a commercial training at Bryant & Stratton's College at Cincinnati. He is what is generally known as a self made man, having to rely upon himself for an education and his advancement in social life. In 1881 he retired from teaching to fill his present incumbency (a position to which he was chosen out of a list of thirteen competitors), in which capacity he has been reputably connected ever since, receiving at his re-election a largely increased majority of the popular vote of the county. Mr. Bennehoff has served as secretary of the State Recorders' Association and is now vice-president of said association. He was married, November 9,1882, at Monroe, Mich., to Miss Ida A. Hensinger, a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of John and Catharine (Neikirk) Hensinger, of Adams Township, this county. They have two sons-Otto John and Orlando G. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the encampment. He is a stockholder of
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the Tiffin. Edison Electric Illuminating Company, and a cordial supporter of all measures tending to the development of the industrial life of this locality.
CAPT. RUSSEL HANBY BEVER, contractor and builder, Tiffin, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, April 19, 1837, son of the Rev. Joseph and Sarah (Trimble) Bever, the former of whom, a native of Virginia and of pioneer German ancestry of that State, was educated to the ministry of the United Brethren Church, and after doing considerable pioneer work in other parts of the State settled in Eden Township in the spring of 1823. Rev. Joseph Bever reared six sons, all of whom are active and useful citizens: Russel H.; A. M., a builder of Marion, Ohio; D. M., a builder; L. O., a farmer in Eden Township, this county; J. T., a builder of Fostoria, Ohio; J. M., a lawyer and present mayor of Fostoria. Capt. Bever learned the blacksmith's trade at Melmore and followed it there till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted, September 25, 1861, in Company H, Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and steadily advanced in promotion to the commission of second lieutenant, May 2, 1863. April 1, 1864, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and November 3, same year, to the captaincy of his company, which he honorably held till the end of the war. He was honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 21, 1865, as veteran of Company H, Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war he engaged in contracting and building in Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with that industry here since. Capt. Bever was married in Melmore, this county, in 1858, to A. E. Bretz, daughter of Jacob and Phila (Wolf) Bretz, pioneers of Eden Township. This union has been blessed with three sons and two daughters: Robert C., Viola B., Minnie J., Ralph V. and Earl J. Mrs. Bever and daughters are worthy members of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which the Captain is a liberal contributor. He is a member of Isaac P. Rule Post G. A. R.
DELANZA MONROE BEVER, contractor and builder, Tiffin, is the fourth son of the Rev. Joseph Bever, and was born in Eden Township, this county, March 7, 1844. He learned the carpentering trade in this county and embarked in the building business with which he has been prominently connected since. Mr. Bever was united in marriage, February 22, 1883, at Tiffin, with Jessie, daughter of Squire Gabriel J. and Regetta Keen, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bever's building interest here has been confined to private residences, among which maybe noticed those belonging to C. J. Yingling, Benjamin G. Atkins, and others.
CATHARINE BIEHLER, P. O. Tiffin, widow of Andrew Biehler, who died in 1876, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany). Landing in Maryland, she remained there four years, then moved to Pennsylvania, where she resided four years, and in 1854 came to this county. Her six children are all married: Catherine (Mrs. Schroth, mother of four children); Nicholas, married to Christena Willie; Henry, married to Sarah Breidinger (have two children); Louisa, married to J. Schroth (have one child); David, married to A. M. Hoke (have four children); Callie B., married to W. S. Wagner (have one child). Mrs. Biehler, who is a fine old French lady, resides on the old homestead.
REV. D. D. BIGGER, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of Tiffin, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., May 18, 1849, and descends from a people prominent in connection with Presbyterian church work in this country on both sides of his parentage. His father, the late Rev. Matthew Bigger, D. D., of Bushnell, Ill., was a son of David Bigger, of New Concord, Ohio, who was prominent there as a pioneer farmer, tanner, and an active United Presbyterian churchman, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and of direct lineal descent from
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the Biggars, of Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His family consisted of four sons and four daughters, of whom Matthew, the eldest, took prominence in connection with educational institutions, notably in West Virginia and in Illinois, and another son was the Hon. David Proudfit Bigger, M. D., of Missouri, and, more professionally, consulting surgeon of the Union Pacific Railway. The mother of our subject was Mary Jane Cunningham, daughter of John Cunningham a native of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish extraction, and who reared a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom are Thomas Mitchell Cunningham, D. D., prominently known in this country in connection with the Presbyterian Church, and James Cunningham, M. D., of Monmouth, Ill., a physician of repute, and an ardent churchman. It may be said in this connection that both the Bigger and Cunningham families' love for the faith was no less marked than their love of their early nationality, of which, in some of the earlier mention of these families' annals and reminiscences, their native heather, where they could worship openly, became talismanic. The subject of our sketch spent his early life in Monmouth (whither his father had removed in connection with the- Presbyterian Theological Seminary there) and was educated there and at Chicago. He completed his academical education at Monmouth and graduated in a collegiate course there in 1875. He then entered the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago in a theological course, and graduated from that institution, under the presidency of F. L. Patton, D. D., LL. D., in 1878. He had received a license to preach in the preceding year, and had during his stay in Chicago been very active in connection with mission work, with the Presbyterian Church there, so that upon graduating he felt better able to combat his work, and accepted his present call, in May, following his graduation, and circumstances have proved his better judgment (see church history). He married in La Porte, Ind., May 23, 1878, Miss Sarah Louisa Breese, daughter of John H. and Harriet (Bowers) Breese, natives, respectively, of New York and Vermont. They have two sons and one daughter: Paul Breese, Matthew Leon and Genevieve Marie. Mr. Bigger, while being an ardent minister, is an excellent citizen; of a suave and affable disposition, he gathers around him many friends not controlled by his ecclesiastical teachings, and in this connection may be probably. traced an important incentive to the marked growth of the Presbyterian Church here since his advent. In stature he is of medium height, of good physique, and, on the rostrum, he is a deep reasoner, a forcible debater and an eloquent speaker.
COL. JACOB BOWSER, retired farmer, P. O., Tiffin, is one of the pioneers of Seneca County, born in Washington County, Md., January 7, 1806, His parents, John and Magdalena Bowser, were natives of Maryland, where they married and remained until 1829, at which time they moved to Ohio and settled in Clinton Township, and there resided until their death. They were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are now living: our subject and Mrs. Allen. Col. Bowser came to this county in 1827, remaining only a few weeks, and then returned to Maryland. In 1829 he again visited Ohio and bought the farm where he now lives, and in 1830 he returned to Maryland for his wife. They were married March 25, and came direct to the farm he had purchased in Clinton Township. Mrs. Bowser's maiden name was Anna Startzman; she was born in Maryland in 1809, and was a daughter of David and Margaret Startzman, who remained in Maryland until .their deaths. Col. and Mrs. Bowser were the parents of nine children, five now living: Martin L., Thomas B., Ezra J., James M. and Isabella, wife of Frank Chase. The deceased are David H., Margaret, John H. and an infant. Col. Bowser, who has been engaged in farming nearly all his life, owns 320 acres of land where
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he resides. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, trustee and land appraiser. Many years ago he was captain (commissioned September 20, 1833) of a company of State militia; eight years afterward he was promoted to the rank of major, a position he declined, accepting the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Col. Bowser is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bowser departed this life in January, 1876, leaving her husband and children, besides a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.
NELSON LUTHER BREWER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born in Clear Spring, Washington Co., Md., September 17, 1832, the only son and youngest child of the family of five children of Emmanuel and Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer. His father was a son of Henry Brewer or Brua (as it was formerly spelled), who settled in Washington County about the time of the Revolution, and comes of German (Huguenot) ancestry, they having left their native country in consequence of the persecutions of that sect. Our subject's mother, Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer, was a daughter of George Zacharias, who settled in Washington County, Md., from Pennsylvania. Our subject at the age of twelve years went to Frederick City, Md., where he remained under the guardianship of his uncle, Rev. Daniel Zacharias, D. D., of the Reformed Church, a gentleman of prominence in his professional work in that State. There he gained a good literary training, and at nineteen years of age "went West" and taught school near Monroe City, Mich., for a ,year and a half. Nay 11, 1853, he came to Tiffin, this county, for the purpose of furthering his education and entered Heidelberg College, from which he graduated in 1855. Soon after he entered the office of the Hon. J. C. Lee, where he devoted himself to the study of law, and meantime taught in the college. In May, 1858, he was admitted to the practice and accepted a partnership with his honored preceptor, which continued till 1869. Meanwhile. the great civil war broke out, and Mr. Brewer pronounced himself in strong terms for the Union cause, and assisted with his means in defense of it, and in May, 1864, entered the field of service, where he remained till the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge with a commission as captain. Upon the dissolution of partnership, in 1849, Gen. Lee went to Toledo, and Mr. Brewer, continuing the practice here, has since transacted a very important part of the professional work in this locality. He has often been urgently solicited to become a candidate in the political field, but with the exception of serving honorably on the school board for many years, has declined any further official honors. He has been an ardent member of the Reformed Church many years, has served its Sabbath-school as superintendent for over twenty years, and has been elder in the church for several years. Mr. Brewer was married,in Tiffin, September 17, 1857. to Libbie, eldest daughter of Dr. Joseph and Juliette (Hedges) Mason, and who passed away her young life in 1860, followed by her only child, Lettie, five years later. In 1861 Mr. Brewer married Harriet M., daughter of Amaza and Julia Chidester, of Aurora, N. Y., and by this union has two sons and two daughters: Julia, Edward A., Wallace W. and Grace. Mr. Brower is a close student of human nature, a gentleman of broad and liberal principles, and, while in political minority, has done important service here in blending strong political factions in a common cause for the better furtherance of local interests.
ANDREW J. BRICKNER, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Stove Works. and distiller Tiffin, was born near Rodonfelss, Kingdom of Bavaria, January 12, 1829. His parents, Michael and Margaret (Raedelbach) Brickner, came to America with their family in 1840, and settled on land now known as Cromer's Station in Liberty Township, this county, where they reared four sons and five. daughters: Michael, the eldest son (died, leaving a family of four children in
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Delphos, Ohio); John, a resident of Washington Township, Van Wert Co., Ohio; George, a manufacturer of woolen goods at Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; Mary, wife of John Houk, of Tiffin; Margaret (single), who manages Andrew J.'s household affairs; Lizzie, wife of L. E. Sexstater, of Tiffin; Louisa, a Sister in the Ursuline Convent, and Lucinda, also a Sister in the Ursuline Convent; and A. J. The subject of our sketch learned merchant tailoring in Tiffin, and clerked for awhile in a dry goods store at Delphos. At twenty-two, he and his brother George went to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., and commenced a general store and milling business. In 1857 he retired from business there and went to Delphos, where he was connected with distilling for several year;, in partnership with Bernhard Esch of that place. Withdrawing from that, he came to Tiffin, and in 1867 bought an interest in the grocery and distillery, the firm being known as Wagner & Brickner; the distillery is still carried on by 11r. Brickner. In 1879 he became one of the original incorporators of the Ohio Stove Works, in Tiffin, with which he is still identified. He has been prominent before the people as an enterprising citizen and business man, and although adverse to holding office, has filled the alderman's chair for his ward for eight terms. Socially, he is a very pleasant and affable gentleman.
JACOB BRIDINGER, M. D., health officer of Tiffin. was born in Northampton County, Penn., March 25, 1843; son of Jacob and Saloma (Snyder) Bridinger. natives of that county, and of pioneer ancestry in the State. The subject of this sketch came to this county at the age of fifteen, completed a good education, and taught school for six years, principally in Crawford County, Ohio. He had meanwhile engaged in the study of medicine, but followed merchandising in Bucyrus, whence he removed after two years to Mount Blanchard, where he remained in that connection till 1874, when he returned to his medical studies and graduated in 1876, from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. After a short practice in Ashland, Ohio, he came to Tiffin, where he has since been professionally connected. Dr. Bridinger was married in Columbiana County, Ohio, to Lizzie Alberstadt, a native of that county, of pioneer Pennsylvanians. To this union have been born three sons, living: Frank L., Harry J. and Leon A. The Doctor and his wife are members of the English Lutheran Church. He is a F. & A. M., and has passed through the council. He is a member of the Ohio State and Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Associations. Since locating here the Doctor has been a very active worker in professional and public life, and has served the city as a member of the council for his (Fifth) Ward.
KORA FRANK BRIGGS, son of Knowlton H. and Mary A. (Steele) Briggs, was born in Huron County, Ohio, March 6, 1858; moved with his parents to Wyandot County, where he grow to manhood; attended school at Upper Sandusky, and taught his first term in the winter of 1878-79, and five subsequent terms; attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, several years, teaching during vacation to pay his expenses. First newspaper work, as a solicitor for the Tiffin News, in 1880, and afterward for the Upper Sandusky Republican. In August, 1883, he engaged to Dumm & Brunner to take charge of the local department of the Marion Democratic Mirror. Shortly thereafter Messrs. Dumm & Brunner sold their interest in the Mirror, and Mr. Briggs came to Tiffin with Mr. Brunner, and assumed a similar place on the Seneca Advertiser, in April, 1884, which he still holds. Our subject is married to Emma E., daughter of John Brobst, of Upper Sandusky, and has one child, a little girl.
C. D. BRISH, butcher, Tiffin, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1830, son of William and Delila (Snook) Brish, and nephew of Gen. H. C. Brish;
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both the brothers, William and Gen. H. C. Brish, served with credit. in government employ in early times; they were natives of Maryland, and of Scotch ancestry. Charles D. Brish was one of a family of four sons and five daughters. He married Catharine, daughter of Frederick Barres, Esq., of Tiffin, Ohio, who was of Pennsylvania pioneer stock, and by this union there is one son, Henry. Mrs. Brish is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Brish served for thirteen years as a member of the city constabulary of Tiffin, and was a member of the fire department. He belongs to the I. O. O. F.
HENRY BROHL, notary public, insurance business and steamship passenger agent, Tiffin, was born in Bonn, on the Rhine, kingdom of Prussia, November 10, 1831. His parents, Henry and Anna Maria (Froendgen) Brohl, natives of Bonn, reared a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom Henry came to this country. The subject of our sketch was reared to mercantile pursuits (his father's business), and was completing a thorough collegiate training in his native land, when, in consequence of the "revolution," and upon his entering his majority, he felt compelled to seek an asylum where he could better cultivate his political independence, and came to our shores, locating at Sandusky City, Ohio, where he clerked for a few years in the dry goods and grocery business. In 1855 he came to Tiffin, and clerked in a wholesale grocery till the following year, when he joined Robert Crum in the wholesale grocery and liquor trade, in which he continued till 1865, when he retired froth it, and has since been engaged in mercantile business. He married in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1856, Miss Katharine Kranz, a native of Wiesbaden, Grand Duchy of Nassau, Germany, and daughter of Balthasar and Elizabeth Kranz, who came to this country in 1848, and settled on a farm near Sandusky City. Mr. and Mrs. Brohl have four sons and three daughters: Harry, in the Tribune office here; Edward P. (plumber by trade), now a book-keeper in Sandusky City; Charles, a civil engineer at New Hanover, Ill.: Theodore, a clerk in the Tiffin postoffice; Jennie; Bertha; and Katie. In 1880 Mr. Brolil was appointed notary public, and soon after added an insurance and steamship agency to the business. He is a gentleman of fine learning ,and noble qualities, has been a useful citizen in public as well as social life, and. has served with credit on the school board of Tiffin for six years.
THOMAS GALEN BROSIUS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born December 30, 1850, in Wayne County, Ohio; son of Newton and Sarah (Dawson) Brosins, former of whom was born December 5, 1823, in Chester County, Penn.; a son of Benjamin and Phoebe (Booth) Brosius, .who settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1836, removing seven years later to Stark County, where they purchased land near Alt. Union; they reared a family of ten children, all of whom are yet living; their names are Charles, Barkley, Newton, Joseph, Henry, Benjamin, Septimns, Jacob, Abner and Thomas. Our subject was married, May 4, 1881, to Mary E. Zook, daughter of George W. Zook, who died in Henry County, Ohio, in the spring of 1865, formerly a resident of Bedford County, Penn., and one of the earliest pioneers of Clinton Township. (A part of his family still live in that section of the county.) This union has been blessed with two children--one deceased at age of ten months and Edward Galen. In 1876 Mr. Brosius visited Philadelphia, attending the exposition in that city. He has a fine. farm, well stocked, and is an enterprising farmer and stock raiser.
HON. LOUIS A. BRUNNER, of Tiffin, is of German ancestry, and was born in Frederick City, Frederick Co., Md. He fully availed himself of the advantages of an elementary and classical education, and, after a thorough course of theological study, was licensed to preach, in the summer of 1846, at
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Columbus, Ohio. Subsequently he entered upon the duties of the ministry, and served several Presbyterian congregations. In the spring of 1852 he was elected, by the Presbytery of Marion, Ohio, commissioner to the General Assembly, and attended the sittings of that body in Philadelphia. Penn., in May following. In 1860 his nervous centers gave way, prostrating him to such an extent as to force him to relinquish his chosen profession. However, having from a young boy dabbled in printer's ink, and being compelled to labor for a livelihood, he purchased a printing office and took charge of the editorial department, and while not engaged in his duties of the tripod, worked at the case, sticking type. He has performed editorial work on the Odd Fellow, published at Boonesboro, Washington Co., Md., the Pioneer and the Union, of Upper Sandusky, and the Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel, an interest in which he owned in 1868 and 1869. He has resided in Wyandot County since 1849, excepting four years passed in Maryland, from 1856 to 1861. He has served on the board of school examiners of Wyandot, as a member of the village council, and was elected a member of the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, occupying during the session of 1883-84 and 1885 the honored position of Speaker pro tem. In the Sixty-fourth General Assembly he served as clerk of the house and his large experience as a lawmaker and his peculiar fitness for clerical duties, the result of early training, made him one of the best clerks the assembly ever bad, and it was acknowledged by the members of both parties. Hence, as a mark of recognition, embodying the admiration of members, he was presented at the close of the session with a costly gold watch and chain, which he still carries with pardonable pride. Mr. Brunner's first year in the General Assembly was marked with ability and true statesmanship, and although it is seldom the lot of a new member to take prominence at the beginning, his experience was an exception, for, before the close of the session, he was the recognized leader of his side of the house, and this position he has ably and gracefully maintained during every term of his legislative career. His superior qualifications as a presiding officer attracted attention from all parts of the State, and in the Sixty-sixth Assembly he was the almost unanimous choice of his party for speaker; yet his usefulness upon the floor, and his own inclinations for activity amid conflict, induced him to decline the honor, and to accept at the demand of his party the position of speaker pro tem. He is perhaps the finest parliamentarian in the State, and we cannot better express this opinion than to give an extract from a letter written by a newspaper correspondent during the session of 1883-84. "The Wyandot Sachem, Brunner, as speaker pro tem., has demonstrated himself to be a superior presiding officer, fit to have held the gavel of the Long Parliament of Cromwell's days, and whose legislative career has given his solid little Gibraltar (Wyandot County) a cameo-like prominence in the State's councils." In 1879 Mr. Brunner, in connection with Robert D. Dumm, purchased the Wyandot Union of L. J. Stalter, and by their united efforts again made the old Union one of the best county newspapers in the State. It now enjoys a large circulation, and an enviable widespread reputation. As an editor Mr. Brunner has few superiors, He is logical, clear and very effective, and has gained many admirers for his humorous touches of local incidents; but his great force and efficiency is as a campaigner, filling his well rounded and emphatic periods in that direct and forcible manner, which leaves no room for effective reply. While a ready, spicy and able writer, he is equally as ready and effective as a speaker, which his prominence in the house on all important questions of State policy has fully made clear. His polish, as a gentleman, and his great tact in winning and retaining the admiration and
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esteem of his fellow citizens are due, to some extent, to his genial nature, thorough education and wide range of information, gained through the avenues of an extensive and careful study of books and men. In September, 1882, he, with b is old partner, Mr. Dumm, bought a half interest in the Mirror, at Marion, Ohio, and, although it proved to be a profitable investment and, in connection with the Democracy of Marion County, highly acceptable and pleasant, after eighteen months they sold their interest to their partner, Col. J. H. Vaughan. A part of this time Mr. Brunner was editor of the paper, and in the memorable campaign of 1883 gained a host of admirers for his efficient editorial work. Since the close of the legislative session of 1883-84 he has assumed a controlling interest and editorial charge of the Seneca Advertiser, one of the oldest. and best newspapers published in Ohio, and he has fully made up his mind to make Tiffin his future home. He still holds his connection with the Wyandot Union with Mr. Dumm, but undoubtedly in the near future will sever that relation, and give his whole attention to the Advertiser, which will advance under his influence and enterprise. and rapidly become the leading county paper of the State. Mr. Brunner was married, in 1850, to Miss Jane Sherman, of Delaware, Ohio, and who was a native of Watertown, N. Y. Their three children are Mary, now the wife of John W. Geiger, of Tiffin, Ohio; Addie, now Mrs. B. W. Holman, of Washington, D. C., and Grace.
PETER BUCHMAN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county in June, 1842. His parents, John and Magdalena Buchman, were natives of Switzerland, where they were married and remained till about 1840, at which time they came to America, settled in this county, and there remained until the death of the latter, which occurred October 4, 1868. Mr. Buchman now resides with his children. Our subject was united in marriage, April 10, 1867, with Catharine Senn, born in this county May 23, 1843, a daughter of John and Catharine Senn, the former of whom was born in Switzerland, the latter in Belgium; they were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and first settled in Seneca County, Ohio, and from there removed to Pulaski County, Ind., where they nowreside. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Mary E., Maggie C. and Rosa A. Mr. Buchman is one of the prosperous farmers of this county, and owns 163 acres of improved land. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
JACOB FREDERICK BUNN, attorney at law, Tiffin, and judge of the Probate Court of Seneca County, was born in Thompson Township this county, June 6, 1847., He comes of English ancestry on his father's side, and is of pioneer Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, John Bunn, was a native of Berks County, Penn., and thence removed to Perry County, in the same State (where Jacob Bunn, father of the Judge, was born), and from there to this county at an early period in its history, settling in Thompson Township. The Subject of this sketch, when a lad, attended the common schools of this county, and at nineteen entered Heidelberg College, taking a full classical course of study, graduating in 1870. He had in the meantime engaged in the study of law in the office of the Hon. George E. Seney, and upon completing his studies at Heidelberg entered the Cincinnati Law School, in affiliation with the University of Cincinnati, and the following year was admitted to the practice of that profession in the State. He formed a partnership with the late Hon. A. V. Bierce, of Akron, Ohio, where he continued in excellent professional work for two years, when he-retired from it there and came to Tiffin, this county, the associations surrounding his alma mater proving the magnet. Here he developed his abilities as a jurist, and, in 1878, received the nomination of his party and was elected to the incumbency which he now enjoys, and was re-elected to
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succeed himself in 1881. He married in Tiffin, in October, 1873, Miss Laura O., daughter of the late Hezekiah Groff, of Tiffin, a lady of estimable attainments, a graduate of Heidelberg, and who passed away her young life July 12, 1880, and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. Judge Bunn is a keen dissecter of facts, a deep reasoner, and, while busily engaged in adjudicating the more important portions of a case, does not let a single feature escape him, weighing well every issue. He is slow of conviction, but positive when convinced, characteristics which eminently fit him for more exalted spheres as a jurist in the time to come. Socially, he is an excellent citizen and an active supporter of measures tending to the city's development. He is vice-president of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company, was for several years president of the Board of Trade of Tiffin, member of the school board, and is a member of the Library Association.
HENRY A. BUSKIRK, coal merchant, Tiffin, was born in Penn Yan, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1824; son of Jacob Buskirk (originally Van Buskirk), of pioneer Holland people in that State, and Adeline Wilson, of English ancestry of pioneer Vermont people. In 1832 Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk settled in Melmore, this county, where they were connected with the hotel business till the death of the former in 1837. In 1839 Henry A. took charge of the hotel, and carried it on till 1845, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in merchandising, in wholesale grocery business as clerk, from which he retired in 1849, and in 1851 embarked in business in Tiffin, and carried on an extensive wholesale and retail grocery trade for over twenty-six years, retiring from it in 1877 and engaging in his present industry. He was married at Melmore, this county, in 1848, to Angeline Arnold, by whom he has two sons and two daughters: Clara (wife of T. H. Noonan, general freight agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; E. K., in the wholesale mercantile traveling trade; Harry W., in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight office here, and Jennie, wife of Dr. John Robb, of Baltimore, Md., surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1868 Mrs. Buskirk passed away from this life in full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried in Wood Lawn Cemetery here. In 1871 Mr. Buskirk married Fannie E. Grover, of Silver Creek, N. Y., and by this union has one son and two daughters: H. Grover, Eirene and Florence. Mr, and Mrs. Buskirk attend the Presbyterian Church service, of which church she is a member. Mr. Buskirk has been a very active, public spirited pioneer citizen of. Tiffin, and has contributed liberally toward the development of its many social and industrial interests.
ALBERT BUSKIRK, farmer, etc., Tiffin, a son of Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk, was born in Pittsburg, Penn., August 7, 1832, and was brought the same year to this county by his parents, who settled in Melmore, and there his father died in 1837; his mother died in Lima, Ohio, in 1880. (For the genealogy of the Van Buskirks and Wilsons, see H. A. Buskirk's sketch.) Albert Buskirk was reared to merchandising, and was well and favorably known to the trade here fox eighteen years, retiring from it about 1867 to give his attention to farming, and stock rearing and dealing; in 1876 he went West to engage in stock rearing and dealing, and in 1880 he took J. M. Naylor in as partner, and so continued until they sold in 1883. Mr. Buskirk has ever been enterprising and progressive, and has contributed in no small degree to the many important interests of Tiffin. He was one of the organizers of the National Exchange Bank of Tiffin (now the Tiffin National Bank), and is at present one of its board of directors. During the war he did service in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as quartermaster. He was married in Tiffin, in 1856, to Ann C., daughter of Benja-
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min and Theresa (Creeger) Pittinger, natives of Maryland, and this union has been blessed with two sons and two daughters: Ralph J., Kate, Don and Addie. Mr. Buskirk is liberal in religious and political matters, and contributes to all worthy enterprises. He has accumulated a goodly amount of property, the result of steady, persistent industry, and has reared and educated his family well. He is a worthy citizen, and a kind husband and father,
FRANKLIN CARPENTER, dry goods merchant, Tiffin, was born in Bennington, Vt., February 2, 1832, and comes of a line of merchants. His father, Richard Carpenter, merchant, of Bennington, was a grandson of Capt: Oliver Carpenter, a native of England, who was educated for a sea captaincy, and held a commission on the civil list of Great Britain in the merchant marine, finally settling in Providence, R. I., where his descendants eventually espoused the cause of Independence. His mother, Betsy (Austin) Carpenter, was a daughter of John Austin, of Vermont, and whose genealogy is connected with the early settlers in this county from the Netherlands. The subject of our sketch, at thirteen, went to Albany, N. Y., and subsequently to Bridgeport, Conn., spending six years of this time in mercantile pursuits. When twenty years old he accompanied his father to Oberlin, Ohio, where he afterward carried on merchandising for several years. In 1858 he came to Tiffin, this county, and after six years of successful merchandising here he went to New York, where he embarked in extensive importing and jobbing business. After several years of active business life he went to White Plains, N. Y., where he remained in business for nine years, retiring then to come here in 1832. Here he represents the firm of F. Carpenter & Co., dry goods, etc., etc., and does a leading business. He was married in his native place, in 1853, to Miss Helen M. Roberts, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of James Roberts, merchant of Windsor, Conn., and by this union has one son and ono daughter: Richard, now a merchant, and Louisa. Mr. Carpenter, a very able master of his business, is public spirited and progressive, and socially is a very pleasant gentleman. He and his wife attend the worship of the Episcopal faith. He is a F. & A. M. of many years standing.
SCUDDER CHAMBERLAIN, contractor and builder of wooden and brick structures, Tiffin, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., July 23, 1819 and comes of Irish and French-English pioneers in that State. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Johnson) Chamberlain, who settled in Melmore in 1836, where their family of five sons and .two daughters grew up: Ego Johnson died in San Francisco in 1879; James died in Green Spring; Scudder; George Washington, Jr., in Peru, Ind.; Rebecca (deceased wife of Dr. Henry Ladd; she died in Melmore); Jacob Gardner, in railway business at Stevens' Point, Wis.; Sarah (deceased); all had children but the last named. The subject of our sketch was reared to his present industry, with which he has been prominently identified in this locality since, having erected some of the finest buildings in Tiffin and surrounding cities, among which are the handsome residences of John M. Naylor, John D. Loomis, William Hunters, Benjamin Tombs, Fred Grummet, and many other residences, churches, etc., etc., and he is at present erecting the new Heidelberg College. Mr. Chamberlain married, in Melmore, this county, in 1844, Martha Ardelia, daughter of Samuel Wing, a descendant of English pioneers in Massachusetts. They have three sons: Samuel Oscar, a contractor and builder in Tifn; Henry Dow, in same business at San Mateo, Cal., and Duff Johnson, clerk in postoffice, Tiffin. Mr. Chamberlain has been a worthy Odd Fellow for thirty-six years, and is present Grand High Priest of the State Encampment; is a member of
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the R. A., and has been its representative to the Grand Council of Ohio for the last five years; is also a member of the L. of H. In public life he served with credit in many local offices.
F. P. COPPER, agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, Tiffin, was born in Chatham, Licking Co., Ohio, May 6, 1853; son of J. B. and Nancy (Albaugh) Copper, the former of pioneer Pennsylvania stock, and latter of same, but a native of Licking County, Ohio. The subject of our sketch completed a thorough education in telegraphy at Mount Vernon, Ohio, in connection with the present railroad, and has continued in creditable professional work with the corporation ever since. In September, 1884, he received hi present appointment. Our subject was united in marriage at Fostoria, Ohio, in 1879, with Italia Edwina Ferris, a lady of estimable attainments, and by her he has one son-Joseph Smith. Mrs. Copper is a daughter of the late Smith Ferris, Esq., of Marion, Ohio. She is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Copper is a liberal supporter.
DENNIS FREDERICK CRAMER, retired farmer, Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md., January 17, 1811; son of Frederick and Catharine (Barrick) Cramer, natives of Frederick Co., Md., where they were raised and resided until they came to Ohio in the fall of 1830. They settled in Clinton Township, this county (Section 16), where they raised a family of two sons and three daughters, all of whom reared families (except one son), in this locality. The original stock of the Cramer family resided in the State of New Jersey, and our subject's father's family, or rather his ancestors, immigrated to Maryland, presumably, in a very early day. The subject of our sketch is the third child and eldest son in the family, and was reared to farming, an occupation he carried on successfully for many years. He was married March 29, 1838, in Clinton Township, 'this county, to Mary E., daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Fiege) Holz, pioneers from Frederick County, Md., to Seneca County, Ohio. This union was blessed with five sons, who have taken creditable positions in their different pursuits; John William, the eldest, an attorney, is now farming in Wyandot County, Ohio; Judge Upton F. is an attorney of Tiffin; Lewis J. is principal of the schools of Columbus, Neb; Charles H. is an attorney of Sandusky City, Ohio, and Walter Scott, the youngest, is a member of the bar of Tiffin, and carries on an active insurance and real estate business. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer are worthy members of the First Reformed Church of Tiffin.
THOMAS H. CROMER, retired farmer, Tiffin, born in Frederick County, Md., November 13,1821, is son of John and Mary Ann Cromer, who came to Tiffin in the fall of 1826, the former of whom died in 1829; the latter subsequently married Jacob Wagner, and died in 1839. John Cromer left three sons and three daughters: Rebecca, Ezra, John, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Thomas H., the last named being the only survivor. The subject of our sketch was happily married to Louisa Smith, who blessed him with a family of three sons and three daughters. After a short illness her young life passed away; she was in full communion with the M. B. Church. Mr. Cromer's family consists of Susan, wife of George Seckman; John T., a farmer; William H., residing in Tiffin; Milda Jane, wife of Benjamin Weaver, who is in the railroad business; Charles Edward, a merchant; and Ella, wife of John W. Loose, a farmer in Adams Township, this county. Mr. Cromer has been a worthy citizen of Tiffin for many years, and has always been identified as a liberal contributor to the interests of the city. He has retired from the more active cares of life, and has the pleasure of seeing his children holding leading positions in their respective vocations. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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GEORGE W. CUNNINGHAM was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., June 25, 1823, son of Levi and Alice Cunningham. From 1839 to 1843, oar subject served an apprenticeship at milling, and then worked as journeyman for one year, at Martinsburg, Va. July 27, 1841, he came to this county, and followed his trade for two and a half years with the late Ezra Baker, and then for seven months was employed by Rummel & McBride in the old Rock Creek Mill. He then rented the Lugenbeel Mill from the late Judge Lugenbeel, October 19, 1847, and operated it till 1853. In 1850 he had purchased the lease of the Rock, Creek Mill and ran the two mills until 1854. From 1854 to 1855 he engaged in buying clover seed and pork. In July he leased the Shoemaker Mill and conducted it, in connection with the produce business and a feed store, for three years, and then rented the old Keller Mill, and operated that for about six months, when it burned down. March 6, 1860, Mr. Cunningham purchased the site of the Clifton Mill, and erected the building that now stands at the north end of the Washington Street bridge, and operated this mill till 1878, also conducting at the same time a railroad warehouse which he had purchased in 1806. In June, 1870, he bought the old Rock Creek Mill, and in 1872 also purchased the Carey Mill, at Carey, Wyandot County, Ohio, and in 1877 added the Reuben Keller Mill to his list, conducting his business successfully until 1878. During his business career, the amount of trade done was very large, and he probably purchased more produce than any single buyer has before or since. He also bought and sold considerable real estate. He served as a member of the city council for eight years, and as a member of the school board for five years, and in other offices of trust. Mr. Cunningham was married, in 1851, to Mary E., daughter of Rev. John Souder, and who died in July, 1853. Our subject was married o ii second occasion, April 10, 1856, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Levi Keller, arid to this union were born four children, all now living: Arthur A., Ella M., Frank and Courtney. Mr. Cunningham has been a liberal contributor to Tiffin's best enterprises.
ARTHUR ALLEN CUNNINGHAM, proprietor and operator of the Cun ningham Elevator, and dealer in grain and seeds, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, in 1857; his parents, George W. and Mary A. (Keller) Cunningham, having settled here in early times; the former a Virginian by birth. arid son of Levi Cunningham (a miller), of Martinsburg, Va., and a native of Scotland; the latter a daughter of Levi Keller, a native of Pennsylvania. Arthur A. (eldest son of a family of three sons and. one daughter), completed a good training in the schools of Tiffin, graduating from the high schools here at eighteen. He had meanwhile completed an apprenticeship at milling, and after graduating he embarked in the grain and seed trade, purchasing the elevator business some few years later (1878), and has taken a prominent position in the mercantile fraternity of this community as a successful and prosperous tradesman. He has always felt his importance as a citizen. and has contributed liberally to the support of many of Tiffin's social and industrial institutions. He is a F. & A. M. and a member of the Royal Arcainim. Mr. Cunningham was married at Tiffin, in 1881, to Miss Minnie 13. Holt, a lady of fine accomplishments, daughter of William Holt, Esq., grain dealer of Tiffin. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are supporters of the Methodist Episcopal faith.
SAMUEL H. DEWITT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lycoming Comity. Penn., April 8, 1822, son of Peter and Margaret DeWitt, who were married in Pennsylvania in 1811; the former was a native of New Jersey, and the latter was a native of Pennsylvania. They remained in latter State until 1829,
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when they came to Marion County, Ohio, and in 1831 moved to this county where they remained until their death. Peter DeWitt departed this life in 1853, and his widow in 1883. Our subject was married, March 20, 1856, to Catharine Miller, who was born in this county, April 17, 1839, daughter of Daniel and Anna Miller, who were married in the State of New York, and who moved to this county in 1837, here remaining until the death of Mrs. -Miller, which occurred March 24, 1849. Mr. Miller afterward married Sarah Raber, and they are now living in Clinton Township, this county. Our subject and wife are the parents of five children; of these four are living: Clarence D., Delia O., John J., and Allie M.; Seneca E. is' deceased. Mr. DeWitt is a blacksmith by trade, but has been engaged in farming and sheep raising. He owns 310 acres of fine land. In January, 1850, he went to California and engaged in mining until 1853, when he returned home. He and his parents, were among the first settlers of the county.
PETER DIEMER, meat business, Tiffin, was born in Alsace, Germany, February 8, 1832; a son of the late Gotfried Jacob and Maria (Schweir) Diemer, of Niedel Mogen, Alsace. In 1852 he came to this country and eventually settled in Massilon, Stark Co., Ohio, where he carried on meat marketing and butchering for many years. In 1868 he carne to Tiffin, engaging in business, and has taken an important part in the meat marketing, butchering and sausage-making trade since. He was married, in 1853, in Massilon, Ohio, to Magdalena Schweir, of same nativity, and by this union has six sons and two daughters: George Philip, in business at Kenton; Samuel, in the factory at Tiffin; Peter, in the market; Jacob G., who has the general management of the buying department; John E. and William A., young lads, but excellent workmen, in the factory; Sarah Maria, married to William Lick, also engaged in the factory (have a son, Charles), and Anna, unmarried. Mr. Diemer, with his sons and son-in-law, does an immense business in his line (upward of $30, 000 a year). His slaughter-house and sausage factory are well furnished and equipped, and he does not only an extensive retail trade here, but a very creditable wholesale trade in sausages, particularly through the county.
WILLIAM OSCAR DILDINE, coal merchant, Tiffin,was born in Republic, this county, in 1849; his father, William McEwen Dildine, was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and with his parents came to this county in 1823, settling upon the land now occupied as Green Lawn Cemetery, and was of English pioneer ancestry of Pennsylvania. His mother, Christina Ann (Berger) Dildine, was a native of Frederick County, Md., and came with her uncle, Levi Davis, to this county in about 1830, her parents John and Elenor (Davis) Berger, natives of Maryland, having died when she was but eight years old. William Oscar and Wallace Berger Dildine are the only living issue of their parents. The subject of this sketch, when but sixteen, entered the county clerk's office as deputy (his father's office then), and remained in creditable connection with it for seventeen years. Retiring from this incumbency he engaged in the coal business here. He married at Tiffin, in 1872, Anna M., daughter of John H. and Ellen (Stein) Glick, pioneers here from Lehigh County, Penn. By this happy union there are three sons and one daughter living: Minnie May, Charles Glick, William Oscar, Jr., and Phares W. Flora J., the eldest chill, is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Dildine is an active, enterprising and public spirited citizen, fully awake to the progressiveness of the times, and is a cordial supporter of all measures tending to the growth and development of the social and industrial interests of the county.
AUGUST DISTELHORST (see sketch of Philip Emich)
JOHN DORE, dealer in groceries etc., Tiffin, the worthy member of the council from the Second Ward, is a son of the Emerald Isle. He was born in
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the parish of Duagh, County Kerry, Ireland, June 22, 1828, and is third child and third son of the family of three sons and two daughters of James and Ellen (Conners) Dore, of Duagh. Young Dore at twenty-two, left the old home and came to America, and after making a short stay in Connecticut, came to Tiffin, Ohio, in 1851, where he has remained an enterprising and public spirited citizen since. His first undertaking was farming, but this he abandoned for railroading, which he subsequently retired from in 1878, for his present merchandising business. He was married, in 1859, to Catharine Bresnin, of Castle Island, County Kerry, Ireland, daughter of John and Ellen (King) Bresnin, worthy people of that place. Four sons and three daughters blessed this union: William H., now a rising attorney of Tiffin; Mary; Richard; Kate; Francis J.; Charles and Maggie. The family are all members of St. Mary's congregation, Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the Prudential Order of America.
DR. EDWIN W. DuBOIS (deceased) was born in Orange County, N. Y. in 1831. His parents, John E. and Orpha DuBois, were natives of New York State, where they were married, remaining there until the death of the mother; the father is now eighty-one years of age. Our subject came to Tiffin, Ohio, about 1860, and was married, June 12, 1862, to Miss Mary M. Ditto, born near Tiffin, Ohio, February 3, 1837, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Ditto, natives of Pennsylvania, and who immigrated to Ohio, and settled in this county in it very early day, remaining here until the death of Mr. Ditto, which occurred in 1853; his widow died August 9, 1885, aged ninety years, one month and twenty-seven days. Our subject and wife were the parents of two children, John E., born February 2, 1863, and George D., born July 28, 1871. Dr. DuBois, prior to his coming to Ohio, had been engaged in the practice of medicine in New York State, and after coining to Ohio, entered into the drug business; he owned nice property, including land, at the time of his death, which occurred July 2, 1873. Some years after the death of Dr. DuBois, his widow married James Patterson, and they reside near Tiffin.
DAVID A. AND WILLIAM M. DUTROW, of the firm of Dutrow Bros., livery, sale and feed stables, Tiffin, are among the enterprising business men of the place, sons of Philip and Elizabeth (Develbis) Dutrow. Philip Dutrow was born in Maryland, July 15, 1819, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Hines) Dutrow, of pioneer stock of Maryland. May 11, 7843, he (Philip) settled in Seneca Township, this county, where he carried on farming successfully for many years, retiring, in 1880, to .settle in Tiffin. He had married in 1841, and was the parent of thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Catharine, Mary, Lucretia, Robert, David A., William M., Ella, Solomon and Flora Lewis. The eldest son was in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantrv during the late civil war, and died in the service, in Cumberland hospital, Md. The family worship in Grace Reformed Church.
NORMAN D. EGBERT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, March 18, 1843, son of Jeremiah W. and Lucy A. Egbert. natives of Ohio, and who after marriage settled in Pleasant Township, this county, having remained in the county ever since. The subject of this, sketch was united in marriage, February 28, 1865, with Susan C. Holtz, born in Pleasant Township, this county, November 30, 1845, daughter of William and Catharine Holtz, the former of whom died January 21, 1862; the latter now resides in Pleasant Township. Our subject and wife are the parent, of' four children: William H., Knott C., Norman D. and Frances. Mr. Egbert is one of the successful farmers of this county, and owns 231 acres of splendid land. He served his country in the late war. He is it member of the I. O. O. F.
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ISAAC R. EGBERT, P. O. Tiffin, the subject of this sketch, an industrious young farmer, was born February 10, 1858, on the farm where he and his family now reside, in Clinton Township, this county. His parents, Jeremiah W. and Lucy A. Egbert, were born in Ohio and settled in this county, where they still reside. Our subject was united in marriage, April 15, 1880, with Emma Courtney, who was born near Green Spring, Ohio, December 2, 1861. Her parents, William and Margaret Courtney, natives of Ireland, were married in the State of New York, and settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Egbert have been born three children: Lulu M., Edith and Berton.
JOHN B. EHRENFRIED, general manager and secretary of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, Tiffin, was born in Bleifeld, kingdom of Bavaria, June 24, 1845. He is the only son and only surviving child of Zacharias and Ann Mary (Koeppel) Ehrenfried, natives of Bavaria, who came to America in 1847, locating in Thompson Township, this county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the former dying February 25, 1848, and the latter May 29, 1869; they are buried in the family cemetery in that township along with their daughter Barbara. (The other child of the family, Mary, who married Joseph Slanser, is buried ;n Kenton Cemetery, Hardin Co., Ohio.) The subject of our sketch, at eighteen, engaged in lumbering and milling at Havana, Ohio, with which he was actively connected for several years. He had in the meantime attended business college and completed a commercial course of study, graduating in 1870. Shortly after graduating be retired from business at Havana and located in a similar industry at Larne, Marion Co., Ohio, where he remained about three years when he sold out his interest there and came to Tiffin and took charge of his present business. He married, in Thompson Township, this county, October 4 1870, Miss Margaret Glassner, eldest daughter of John and Catharine (Gies) Glassner, of that township, and by her has three sons and two daughters living:. Otto Joseph, George Jacob, Charles William, Anne Matilda and Gertrude Clara, and one daughter, their eldest child, Mary Louisa (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Ehrenfried are regular communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. He is an active member of St. John's Benevolent Society; an energetic business man and a popular gentleman. Although averse to holding public office he has most creditably filled the chair of alderman of the Fourth Ward of Tiffin for two terms.
HENRY EINSEL, retired farmer, .P. O. , Tiffin, was born in York County, Penn., February 16, 1805, son of Henry and Barbara Einsel, who both departed this life near Lancaster, Ohio. Our subject came to this county in 1828, and was united in marriage February 26, 1885, with Sarah Keller, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 29, 1813. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Keller, natives of York County, Penn., moved to Ohio and were among the first settlers of Clinton Township, where they remained until their death. Our subject and wife are the parents of six children, of these four are living: Lewis, William, Sophia (wife of Harrison Detterman) and Shubert. The deceased are Mary and Margaret. Mr. Einsel, who has been one of the prosperous farmers of the county, now owns 296 acres of land, all improved. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
PHILIP EMICH. Among the many important pioneers of Tiffin and Seneca County stands Philip Emich (now deceased), who for many years figured as the tried friend and true of the early settlers, particularly so of the German population. He was born in Waldmohr, Rhenish Bavaria, July 19, 1822; son of Longs Emich, a hotel keepor, who died in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1878, and was the
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parent of the following children: Hannah (wife of John Doll, in Milwaukee, Wis.), Louis Philip, Caroline (wife of Jacob Leibrock of Tiffin), Elizabeth (wife of J. Karsehner, of Tiffin), Catherine (wife of Rev. B. Zumbe, of Youngstown, Ohio), Charlotte (deceased wife of William DeBusman, of Tiffin ), and Matilda (wife of Theodore Munz, of Toledo, Ohio). The subject of our sketch received a liberal education in his native land, and at the age of twenty-four came to America and located in Tiffin, Ohio. He was married to Elizabeth, (laughter of Francis Reif, a pioneer here, native of Neustadt, on the Hart, in Rhenish Bavaria, and to this union one son and five daughters were born: Mary (wife of F. Puehringer, of Cleveland, Ohio), Frank L., who carries on an extensive book and stationery business here (married in Tiffin, Mary, daughter of Blasius and Rosa Kuebler, now of Chicago, and by her he has a son, Albion), Matilda, (wife of Harry Weidling, a druggist of Tiffin), Anna (wife of Aug. Distelhorst, with F. L. Emich, bookseller and stationer), Flora and Lela are unmarried. (August Distelhorst was born in Karlsruhe, Baden, May 28, 1861, son of Frederick and Sophia (Deimling) Distelhorst, natives of that place; received a good literary education and subsequently came to America, spent some three years traveling through the west, and in 1883 came to Tiffin where he subseqently settled.) The subject of this sketch was reared to linen weaving in Germany, but on coming to this country turned his attention to merchandising, with which he was connected here for many years. He had been appointed notary public, and in this connection it may be said to his credit (so upright a business life he led here) that he continued till his demise the counsel and business man of his countrymen who settled in Tiffin and vicinity. Ho died in 1870, mourned by all who knew him, and was buried with the honors of the Druids, I. O. O. F. and K. of P. societies, of which he had been a worthy member. He was always energetic in business matters, public spirited, and an active citizen. Though deeply interested in political matters be, however, refused public office, although tendered nomination for many worthy positions.
CHARLES ERNST, superintendent and general manager of the Enterprise -Manufacturing Company, Tiffin, was born in Northampton County, Penn. , August 31, 1848, son of Samuel and Mary (Bridinger) Ernst, natives of that locality, and descendants of pioneer German families of the State. They reared a family of seven sons and two daughters, of whom Charles and John came West in 1871 and settled in Tiffin, this county. Charles Ernst learned the hardwood working art in his native county, and after coming here followed it as journeyman, doing also considerable .business in the way of contracting and building,till, upon the formation of the corporation controlling the present company, he joined his issues with it, and has remained as its above named official since. Mr. Ernst was united in marriage in Tiffin, in 1872, with Miss Mary 11I. Crist, daughter of Joseph and Mary Crist, natives of Ohio, and of German parentage. Our subject and wife have two sons: Franklin and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Ernst are members of the Reformed Church. He is an active member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F.
JOHN ERNST, secretary and treasurer of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, Tiffin, is a younger brother of Charles Ernst, superintendent and general manager for this company. He was born in July, 1850, in Northampton County, Penn., and educated to the hardwood working art. He joined his brother Charles 'in his ventures in the West, and was connected here as journeyman, and also as contractor and builder, joining the Enterprise Manufacturing Company as member, upon its organization, and which he has creditably served in his official capacity. Mr. Ernst was married in Tiffin, in 1878, to Miss Libbie M. Laux, a native of Germany, and by her he has a daughter and son: Mary
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Susan and William John. Mrs. John Ernst is a member of the Reformed Church. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. and encampment, and of the K. of P. He has always had an aversion to holding office, but has clone his share in that sphere here, and is at present member of the board of aldermen, of Tiffin, from the Third Ward. The brothers, Charles and John Ernst are united in their business as well as society interests, and stand prominent among the self-made men of industrial notoriety of Tiffin.
J. F. E. FANNING, M. D., Tiffin, president of the Medical Association of Seneca County, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, October 1, 1844, and comes of pioneer people of Seneca County. His father, Francis Fanning, was a native of Longford, Ireland, among whose people were many prominent "men of letters." His mother, Nancy Ann (Woods) Fanning, was a native of Tyrone, Ireland. They were married in New York City and settled here in 1831, where three sons and four daughters were born, of whom one son and two daughters survive: Ann, married to Michael J. Reinbolt, a farmer of Sandusky County, Ohio; Mary, married to A. H. Arnold, deputy sheriff of this county, and J. F. E. Our subject received a good common school training in Tiffin and engaged in literary studies in Cleveland. At twenty he began the study of medicine at Tiffin, in the late Dr. N. Y. Hovey's office, and attended lectures at Bellevue Hospital College, of New York City, completing his studies at the age of twenty-five, at Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1869. The Doctor came to Tiffin, engaged in the practice of his profession, and has been creditably connected with same since, He is a close student of his profession and bids fair to rank well in it, in the near future. He is an excellent citizen, and clever, and, although unpretentious, is looked upon with respect as a master mind in his vocation. He has served with credit in the councils of the city, and is at present one of the board of pension examiners at Tiffin.
HENRY FIEGE, of the firm Fiege Bros., furniture dealers, Tiffin, is the eldest living son of John and Louisa (Yon Blon) Fiege, Lutherans and worthy pioneers of Tiffin, who settled here in 1833-34, the former of whom a native of Oedelsheim, electorate of Hesse, born July 3, 1811, lost his life, March 31, 1869; by drowning in his millrace in Tiffin. Mrs. Fiege, born in Waldmohr, Bavarian Palatinate, December 8, 1813, died December 29, 1874. Of their ten children but three sons survive: Henry, John L. and George W.; the last named retired from the firm in 1879, and is married to Alice Stroliper, by whom he has one son-Charles. Henry Fiege was reared to his present industry in Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with it. He married, in 1861, Hannah M. Kaup, daughter of Benjamin Kaup, and niece of Solomon Kaup, and by her has one son and five daughters: Mary L., Carrie E., John B., Maud, Jennie and Cora. Mr. Fiege has always contributed liberally to the support of Tiffin's social and industrial interests, and has reared and educated his family well. He is a worthy F. & A. M., and is a member of Clinton Council No. 47, R. & S. M.; is also a member of the I. O. O. F. The family attend the services of the German Reformed Church. John L. Fiege, the junior member of the firm, is an excellent citizen and clever business man, and although of prepossessing appearance is still treading the rugged paths of single blessedness.
A. L. FLACK, manufacturer and merchant, Tiffin, was born at McCutchenville, Ohio, February 8, 1849. His parents, Josiah and Sylvia Ann (Dailey) Flack, belong to very early settlers in this county, the former a son of George Flack, who settled here from Frederick County, Md., and the latter a daughter of Samuel Dailey. The subject of our sketch is the eldest of a family of five
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sons: A. L.; W. R., a merchant salesman; E. G., a blacksmith; G. K., minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith in Iowa, and George L. A. L. Flack completed a good literary training in the public schools, and at eighteen taught school, in which profession he excelled both as a student and teacher. At twenty-nine he embarked in the insurance business, which he carried on with vigor and ability, rotiring in March, 1885. August 28, 1.884, he joined the Oval Wood Dish Company, of Delta, Ohio, whose principal factory is at Hancelona, Mich., who also recently established a factory in Canada, and has vigorously prosecuted that industry since, his retirement from the insurance business being in a measure due to the latter investment. He is an able salesman, an excellent judge of human nature and an energetic worker, and is characterizod in his different pursuits as a master mind. He is stockholder in the Tiffin Union Churn Company, and an active member; general manager of the Tiffin Stove Polish Company, and carries on an extensive business in jobbing in the wholesale cigar trade. Mr. Flack married, March 28, 1872, Amelia, daughter of Jeptha and Sarah (Holmes) Brown, early settlers of Wyandot County, Ohio, and of New York State ancestry. They have three sons living: Edgar, Ralph and Clifford, and buried their eldest-Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. Flack are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an active Odd Follow and member of the encampment, and a member of the K. of P., Tiffin Library Association and of Pickwick Division, U. R. K. of P., of Tiffin, and also member of the Travelers' Protection Association of the United States.
JACOB J. FLECK, druggist and manufacturer and proprietor of proprietary medicines, Tiffin, was born in Findlay, Ohio, May 6, 1853; son of Joseph and Barbara (Karst) Fleck, natives of Germany, and connected with grocery merchandising in Findlay. The subject of our sketch completed a good school training in his native town, and at seventeen entered the drug business there and studied pharmacy, attending lectures in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1873-74. In 1877 he embarked in the drug business, on his own account, at Findlay, and followed that industry there with success for several years, meanwhile buying other stores at Gilboa, Ohio (in 1880), and at Dunkirk and McComb, Ohio (in 1881). In 1883 he retired from his interests in these places, and in June of that year came to Tiffin and bought his present business, and soon afterward added the manufacture of several important medicines, among which may be mentioned "Fleck's Vegetable Liver and Blood Pills," "Fleck's Saponaceous Tooth Powder" and "Positive Corn Cure." Mr. Fleck is a member of the Ohio and American Pharmaceutical Associations, and, notwithstanding his active business interests, devotes a great deal of time to the study of his profession. He is a clever business man, a devoted student, and an amiable, public spirited citizen.
OLIVER PERRY FREES, photographic artist, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, February 4, 1852; son of Wesley Bowman and Catharine (Slosser) Frees, the former a son of Jacob Frees, who settled here in a very early period in the history of the county. Oliver P. Frees was one of two children; his sister married John M. Mvers, of this city. Our subject completed a good common schooling, and at nineteen began an apprenticeship at his present business, which he completed, and, on April 1, 1874, embarked in business in his present studio, where he has continued in creditable professional work since. He was married in Tiffin, December 22, 1875, to Mary Sevilla, daughter of Uriah Wilcox, and by her he has one son--Orva Melvin. Mr. Frees is a member of the K. of P., of the National Union Insurance Company, and of the American Photographers' Association. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which faith he was reared.
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JOSIAH B. FROST, merchant tailor, Tiffin, was born near Danville, Knox Co., Ohio, July 13, 1843. His parents, Enoch C. and Isabella (Hobbs) Frost, were both of pioneer English ancestry in this country, the former of whom. a native of Maryland, was prominently identified with contracting and building interests in that State; the latter was a native of Knox County, Ohio, daughter of James Hobbs, Esq. The subject of our sketch was reared to merchandising. In 1855 he came to Tiffin, this county, and in 1872 embarked in the merchant tailoring business, with which he has been successfully connected since. Mr. Frost was married here in 1868 to Isa B., daughter of Daniel and Laura (Perkins) Dildine, pioneers of this county, and by this union have been born three sons: Percy Beecher, Frank Lincoln and Evart C. Mr. and Mrs. Frost are esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which society she is a very active worker in connection with womens' mission work, etc. Mr. Frost is a member of the G. A. R., having done service in Company H, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from August 10, 1862, till the close of the war.
WILLIAM GALLUP, jeweler, Tiffin, was born in Norwalk, Ohio, February 22, 1820, and comes of pioneer English stock, who early came to our shores, and who in their turn were probably descended from the Kollops, of Lorraine, France, who followed the fortunes of William the Conqueror to England in 1066, and whose nomenclature, like many other French and Norman names, became differently spelled. In 1636, or earlier in the seventeenth century, John and William Gallup, brothers, settled in Boston, Mass., from England; the former of whom, after doing distinguished service in the earlier Indian warfare, died without issue in 1652; the latter repaired to New London, Conn., where he reared two sons, William and Hallet. Hallet figured prominently in King Philip's war, in which he lost his life; and William reared a large family, of whom a son, William, reared two sons and ten daughters, the sons also being named William and Hallet. This William Gallup in 1774 removed to Kingston, Penn., where in his family two sons, William and Hallet, were reared, and this William (the fifth in descent) married Freelove, daughter of Capt. Caleb Hathaway, of Philadelphia, by whom he had four sons: William, Hallet, James Divine and Caleb Hathaway. This William Gallup came to Norwalk, Ohio, in 1818, and in the following year married Sally Boalt, daughter of Capt. John Boalt, and to this union were born twelve children: William, Matilda, Mary (deceased), Francis, Ruth, Ann, George (deceased), Susan, Samuel C., James H., John and Rose. The eldest of this family (our subject), received a good literary training in Granville College (now Denison University), and learned the jeweler's trade. In 1841 he went to Covington, Ky., where he remained in professional work.till 1851, when he came to Tiffin, Ohio. He was married at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1815, to Cassandria, daughter of John and Sally Whaley, of Kenton County, Ky., by which union they have reared three sons and five daughters: Adeline, wife of W. C. Jones, a civil engineer of Jamestown, Dak. ; Sarah, wife of O. G. Meacham, banker of Carrington, Dak.; Mary; James William, a civil engineer in railway employ at Spanish Honduras; Julia, widow of the late Granville Jones (brother of W. C. Jones), a civil engineer with the Mexican National Company of Mexico, where he lost his life by assassination; Caroline; Francis, a ranchman of Garden City, Kas. ; John Caldwell, at home. Mr. Gallup has always given a cordial support to the development of the social and industrial life of his adopted city, and stands prominent with Tiffin's public spirited citizens. He has been an active member of the Baptist Church. He is a member of De Molay Commandery. F. & A. M. Although averse to holding public office,
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he has served with efficiency on the school board, and hold the postmastership of Tiffin from 1862 to 1866.
JOHN W. GEIGER, son of George and Margarett (Beerbower) Geiger, natives of Hancock, Washington Co., Md. (the former died March 17, 1844, the latter March 30, 1885, at Galion), was born January 23, 1842, at Marion, Ohio, to which place the parents moved about 1832, and there Mr. Geiger was educated, and resided until 1861, when he moved to Galion, Ohio, as bookkeeper for that division of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, then known as the "Bee Line." He was elected treasurer of Galion in 1872. In 1877 he was transferred to Indianapolis as bookkeeper of the division, and remained until January, 1879, when he entered the Belt Railroad Company's employ as book-keeper, and was in that service until March, 1880, when he moved to Upper Sandusky, and purchased a half interest in Thomas E. Beery's old established dry goods house. This partnership continued until March, 1882, when he purchased the entire interest, and conducted the store until the spring of 1884, when he sold the stock to Beery, Best & Brandt, and, with Hon. L. A. Brunner, purchased an interest in the Tiffin Advertiser a most valuable property, of which journal he is the business manager. Mr. Geiger was married September 26, 1872, to Miss Mary J. Brunner, daughter of L. A. Brunner, at Upper Sandusky. They are the parents of two children: Alice M., born September 14, 1873, and Benton R., born January 3, 1882. Mr. Geiger holds a deed made to his father, May 13, 1839, by old Eber Baker, of Marion.
CHARLES GEYER, SR., capitalist, Tiffin, was born near Leipsic, in the Kingdom of Saxony, October 13, 1827. His parents, Christian and Catharine Geyer, came to America, in 1839, and settled in Huron County, Ohio, whore they retired five sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and four daughters married and became heads of families. The subject of this sketch was brought up to the tanning business in his father's tannery, and, in 1859, located in Caroline, this county, where he carried on a tannery, and followed farming for several years, removing his tannery business here in 1871, and which he retired from, after several years, to continue the purchase and sale of hides and pelts. He has been an important factor in many of Tiffin's industries, and owns a very valuable amount of property in the city. He is one of the board of directors of the Commercial Bank of Tiffin. Mr. Geyer was married in Chicago, Ill., in 1854, to Ida Caessmann, of same nativity, and they have five sons and three daughters living: Louisa, wife of the Hon. J. L. Kaley, of Red Cloud, Neb.; Charles, Jr., a merchant; Samuel; Emma; Frank; William; Artie; and Ida; and have buried one son, Oscar. Mr. and Mrs. Geyer are members of the English Lutheran Church, of which the former has been a member for many years. Mr. Geyer has been an active, energetic, public spirited citizen, and has contributed in no small degree to the support of many of Tiffin's social and industrial interests.
HARMON B. GIBBON, M. D., Tiffin, was born, March 12, 1852, in Wayne County, Ohio, of which locality his parents, Tobias M. and Ursula (Newkirk) Gibbon, were early settlers, coming from Pennsylvania. The subject of this memoir is the third son and sixth child in a family of four sons and four daughters. Having received, in the common school of his native. place, go" preparatory instruction, he, at the age of fifteen, went to Shreve, Ohio, where, at a select school, he acquired a regular literary education, which he completed at an academy in Perrysville, Ohio. Mr. Gibbon afterward became principal of the high school at Perrysville, an incumbency he retired from in 1871, in order to attend to readings in medicine iii the office
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of Dr. W. S. Battles, of Shrove. In 1875 he attended a course of lectures at the College of Medicine and Surgery of St. Louis, and in 1876-77 the Erie Street Medical College of Cleveland, graduating in June, 1877, from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio. In August, 1877, Dr. Gibbon commenced the practice of his profession at Kansas, this county, continuing afterward in the same for a short time at Be ttsville, also this county, coining to Tiffin, October 10, 1880. The Doctor is an active member of the Seneca Medical Society, has served as its vice-president, is the secretary of the association at present, and is also a member of the North Central Ohio Medical Society, and of the Northwestern Society of Ohio. He was united in marriage at Wooster, Ohio, in 1878, with Emma M. Linn, a lady of estimable attainments, second daughter of William Linn, Esq., of that place, and to this union has been born one daughter-Eva M. Dr. and Mrs. :Gibbon are respected church people.
JAMES GOETSCHIUS, retired, P. O. Tiffin, is one of the old pioneers of Ohio, and was born on Alum Creek, near Columbus, September 24, 1807. His parents, Nicholas and Susan Goetschius, natives of Montgomery County, N. Y., first settled, after they were married, near Columbus, Ohio, and there remained until 1825, when they came to this county, and settled on the Greenfield road, five miles from Tiffin, and afterward moved to Tiffin, where Mrs. Goetschius died. Nicholas Goetschius departed this life near Green Spring, Ohio. Our subject was united in marriage, November 5, 1829, in Tiffin, with Parmelia Smith, who was born in Maryland, September 15, 1812, a daughter of Frederick Smith who died in Maryland. Mr. Goetschius is the father of eleven children: Elizabeth, Nicholas, Dudley, Evaline, John, George and Evan, now living; and Raymos, Hugh, James and Henry, deceased. Our subject is a retired farmer, owning sixty-nine and one quarter acres of good land.
REV. JEREMIAH H. GOOD, D. D., professor in theological seminary at Tiffin, has been a resident of Tiffin since the year 1850, and is widely known throughout the county and city. He was born in a little village that nestles under the shadows of the Blue Mountains in Pennsylvania, named Rehrersburg, Berks County, and comes of Palatinate German stock through both his parents. He is a son of Philip Augustus and Elizabeth (Hank) Good. His grandfather, John Adam Good, left the fatherland (now called Rhenish Bavaria) as a young man and settled in the province of William Penn, where he was subsequently united in marriage with Miss Adam. He was a pious, welleducated young man, and devoted himself to instructing church schools, and as the church master he usually read a sermon on Sabbaths, when the pastor could not come. His children were Jacob, Elizabeth, Abraham, Philip, Augustus, Christina, Joseph and Daniel. Their descendants still live for the most part in Berks County, Penn. Philip Augustus Good, father of Dr. Good, and of Prof. R. Good, of -Heidelberg College, was well educated, and filled many public positions, such as representative in the Legislature, justice of the peace, prothonotary of the county, etc. Dr. Good lived in Rehrersburg for about eight years, when the family removed to Reading, the county seat. Here, at the age of ten years, our subject lost his father, who was then prothonotary of the county, and became the adopted son of his uncle, Joseph Good, with whom he remained until the latter's death, receiving a good classical education at the Reading Academy and in private lessons from Mr. Middlemass, a somewhat celebrated local instructor from England. He was intended for the profession of the law, and when, at the age of fourteen, he resolved to obtain a complete college education, it was with the full intention of becoming an attorney. In September, 1836, he started for Marshall Col-
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lege, in Franklin County, Penn., then under the presidency of Dr. F. A. Rauch, a celebrated and brilliant scholar from Germany. He spent two years in the preparatory department and four years in the college, and graduated with the highest honor of the class (the valedictory) on the last Wednesday of September, 1842. The class numbered nine, of whom four have been professors in colleges and seminaries, and one a member of Congress. From 1842 to 1845 Dr. Good was sub-rector of the preparatory department, and at the same time a student. in the theological seminary under Dr. J. W. Nevin. In the autumn of 1845 he was licensed to preach by the Mercersburgh Classis, and soon thereafter followed a call to Lancaster, Ohio. Here he labored as pastor from October, 1845, until October, 1817, and also founded and conducted a select school. In the latter year he was elected by the Ohio Synod of the Reformed Church to found and edit a religious paper. In pursuance of this appointment he removed to Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1847, and started the Western Missionary, a semi-monthly (now known as the widely circulated Christian World, and published in Dayton, Ohio). At the reformed synod in Navarre, Ohio, in 1811), he was elected (in connection with his brother, Prof. Reuben Good) to start the projected college (now Heidelberg College at Tiffin), and in consequence of this call the two brothers removed to Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, in October, 1849. They soon opened the new college in the third story of " Commercial Row." (For the history of this enterprise, and the theological seminary in connection with it, see page 507, this volume.) For twenty years (November, 1819, to September, 1869,) our subject filled the professorship of mathematics in the college, at the same time continuing to edit the Western Missionary for a period of three years. Besides this he has been a supply to various churches in the city and county (Reformed Church in Tiffin, twenty years; St. Jacobs, in Adams Township, thirty-four years; Salem, in Seneca Township, seven years; Bascom, nine years, and others for shorter terms). In the, year 1869 he was elected by the synod at Shelby to the chair of dogmatic and practical theology in Heidelberg Theological Seminary (in connection with the college), which position he yet occupies. Dr. Good has participated in some public enterprises, such as the woolen- mills, the National Exchange Bank (being director for twenty years), etc. Dr. Good has published to number of works of a practical religious character: "The Reformed Church Hymnal," 1878; "The Heidelberg Catechism," newly arranged, 1879; " The Childrens' Catechism, "1881; "A Prayer Book," 1881 ; " The Church Member's Hand Book," 1882. Dr. Good was married, December 23, 1846, at Granville, Licking Co., Ohio, to Miss Susan Hubbard Root,witb whom he has lived in a happy union for thirty-nine years to the present date. She was the daughter of Noble and Harriot (Bushnell) Root, both of Granville, the father being .originally from Westfield, Mass., the mother from Norwich., Conn. Her mother was the daughter of Ebenezer and Susan (Hubbard) Bushnell, of Norwich, Conn. Her grandfather, Ebenezer Bushnell, was a graduate of Yale College, classmate of Noah Webster, assisting in the work of Webster's spelling book, a merchant, editor of the Weekly Register, of Norwich, a man of genius, who went to sea as purser in the sloop of war "Warren," in the French war, and died August 3, 1800, off Matanzas, of yellow fever. On the Bushnell side Mrs. Good traces her descent back to Richard Bushnell, of Saybrook, Conn., who was married, October 11, 1648, to Mary Manin, of London, England. Through her grandmother, Susan Hubbard, she stands connected with the widely-extended Hubbard connection. Dr. Good has but one child, a son, John Chrysostom Good, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, June 20, 1849; he was graduated in Heidelberg College, studied medicine and is now residing in Cleveland, Ohio, engaged
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in the drug business; in 1877 he was married, in Massillon, Ohio, to :Hiss Florence Parsons, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Parsons, formerly of Philadelphia, Penn.
JOHN M. GREINER, proprietor of restaurant, Tiffin, was born in Pittsburg, Penn., November 22, 1848; son of John David and Magdalena (Rall) Greiner, natives of Eichelbron and Dettingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, respectively, and who settled in Tiffin in 1852, rearing a family of four sons and three daughters. (Three sons and two daughters are now residents of Hancock County, Ohio, and one son and one daughter live here.) The subject of this sketch was reared in Tiffin, and December 31, 1869, embarked in his present business, in which he is well and favorably known. He was married, in 1870, to Mary Louisa, eldest daughter of Henry and Barbara (Schwarter) Heinz, the former native of Ludringen, Alsace, France (now Germany), and the latter of Walselda, W Wurtemberg, and who reared six daughters and two sons: Mary Louisa, Regina Magdalena, John Henry, William Hartman, Henrietta Lucinda, Anna Matilda, Cora Ida and Fedena Evalina. To Mr. and Mrs. Greiner were born two sons and two daughters: Cora Elenora, Albert B., Mary Magdalena and Louis H., the latter of whom died August 15,1885, aged one year, eight months and nineteen days. Mrs. Greiner is a member of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. Greiner of the German Lutheran denomination. He is a member of the K. of P., quartermaster of Division No. 17, of that society, and is a member of the Ancient Order of Druids. He has been a member of the Tiffin fire department for over twenty-two years, and is first assistant engineer of that organization. Mr. Greiner is a worthy citizen and an ardent partisan of the Democratic party.
JOHN A. HALL, United States guager, and store-keeper, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, February 12, 1841, son of Lather A. and Cynthia A. (Hedges) Hall, the former a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., and the latter a daughter of Josiah Hedges, Esq. They rearel four sons: Josiah, now in the South; James H., in Orange, Los Angeles Co., Cal.; John A., and Dr. Albon Eugene, in Visalia, Tulare Co., Cal. The subject of our sketch was reared in Tiffin, Ohio, and in January, 1803, he was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue for this district, which position he held till January 1, 1873. He married in Tiffin, Ohio, in June, 1867, Mary B., daughter of John A. and Sarah Baltzell Stoner, who were natives of Maryland. By this union there are two daughters, Grace and Mary Edith, and two sons, Lewis Baltzell and James Hedges. Mr. Hall and family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He. is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, and has passed all the chairs to the Chapter, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
GEORGE HEABLER, JR., of Heabler Bros., proprietors of Attica Mills and dealers in grain, flour, etc., at Attica and Tiffin, was born in Millville, Columbia Co., Penn., in 1828. His parents, George and Hannah (Klingeman) Heabler, were natives of that county and of pioneer German ancestry. George Heabler, Sr., a practical miller, located in Venice Township, this county, in 1835, and was prominently connected with milling in this locality for many years. Our subject was reared to the business in all its departments and in 1863 united with his brothers, John and Henry, in forming the present firm. He married in 1852, in Attica, Catharine, daughter of Peter and Anna Troxel, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Heabler died in 1871, leaving two sons and two daughters: William Oscar, a harness-maker; David Troxel, a miller; Maria; and Emma, now the wife of A. L. Stokes, a blacksmith of Mount Vernon. Ohio. Our subject was married on the second occasion to Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Mary Hassler, natives of Germany, and to this union were born two sons:
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Sherman and Sheridan. Mr. Heabler is an active business man and a public spirited citizen, and has been an efficient official in the school board and in the councils of the city and township. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He did honorable service during the late war of the Rebellion, serving as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio National Guards. He is a member of the I. O. 0. F.
REV. FATHER MICHAEL HEALY, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Tiffin, Ohio, was born in the parish of Kilmoyly. County Kerry, Ireland, September 26, 1823, son of Francis and Elizabeth (Brie) Healy. The Healys and the Brics were of the better class of yeomanry of that locality, and reckoned among their number many clever professional people-clergymen, attorneys, physicians, etc. Father Healy obtained all the benefits the schools of his native place afforded, and in 1841 he became a scholar at Tralee, in the classical school of John McCarty, and finished in the school of T. Horan, of Tralee. At the age of twenty-five years he went to All Hallows College, near Dublin, and in 1849 left college to come to America, where he completed his theological studies in St. Mary's Seminary, at Cleveland, Ohio. in which city he was ordained in 1851 by Bishop Rappe, and is now the oldest living priest ordained by that bishop. Father Healy's first services were at Wooster, Ohio, where he at first served as assistant priest; and latterly as pastor. He resigned this position to return to St. Mary's Seminary, where he passed another rear, and in the summer of 1853 he was sent to Elyria, Ldrain Co., Ohio, where he built St. Mary's Church the following summer; he also built St. Patrick's Church, at Wellington, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1857. In 1859 he came to Tiffin, where besides liquidating a debt of $6,000 on St. Mary's Church, he has aided materially in improving, furnishing and beautifying the present handsome St. Mary's Church edifice, schools, cemetery, etc. (see History of St. Mary's Church and congregation, page 495).
J. UHLRICK HECHERMAN, M. D., Tiffin, was born in Chambersburg, Penn., November 22, 1825. His father, Jacob Heckerman, was a pioneer of Prussian ancestry in this country, dating back to 1730. The mother. Catharine (Staple) Heckerman, was of pioneer Swiss ancestry in Pennsylvania. Dr. Heckerman was one of five children, all of whom, except himself, reared families in Pennsylvania. He was left an orphan in infancy and was reared by his guardian. Jacob Heck, a merchant of Chambersburg, where he studied and graduated from the then Columbian School of Medicine, of Washington, D.C., in March, 1846. He entered upon the practice of his profession in Caslitown, Penn., where he continued till in June, 1849, when he was persuaded to come to Tiffin, this county (through the influence of the late Rev. Hiram Shaull), and where he has since devoted himself closely to his professional work. his first recreation being in the centennial year, when he visited the East, and, secondly, in 1883 (after the loss of his esteemed son). He married, in Mercersburg, Penn., in August, 1846, Jane Anderson Dick, and this union was blessed with two sons and three daughters. Mrs. Heckerman departed this life in 1861 in full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery with -her two sons: Charles B., who followed her in 1862, and William H. in 1883, who, after receiving a careful literary and medical training in the schools of this country and Europe, passed away in his twenty-seventh year. The daughters are Mary E., wife of Dr. F. W. Swan; Anna Kate, wife of William S. Giesy, of Douglass, Kas., and Jane Anderson, at home. Dr. Heckerman was married, on second occasion, in 1870, to Amanda McBride, who died in 1879 without issue, and is also interred in Maple Grove Cemetery. The Doctor is a close student of his profession and a worthy citizen.
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JOSIAH HEDGES, founder of Tiffin, was a lineal descendant of Sir Charles Hedges, one of the Secretaries of State under Queen Anne, of England, and a member of the British Parliament. Joseph Hedges, who was a son of Charles Hedges, gentleman, and grandson of Sir Charles, came to America at an early day and settled in Prince George County, Md. He had nine children; two of whom-Charles and Joseph-moved to Frederick County. The former of these became the father of fourteen children, one of whom was named Charles; the latter had only one child, a daughter, Rebecca, intermarrying, left their Maryland home and settled in Virginia. They were the parents of eleven children, including the subject of this sketch, who was born in Brooke County, Va., April 9, 1778. Reared amid the incidents of a long war, inspired by contact with heroes of the Revolution, Josiah grew up a sturdy, resolute and selfreliant youth. At the age of eighteen he was engaged on his own account in shipping produce from Wheeling to New Orleans, the then seat of the French Government of Louisiana. About the same time he moved into the "Northwestern Territory." He was permanently located there in 1801, and when a year afterward Ohio was admitted as a State into the Union, the people of Belmont County conferred the honor of making him their first sheriff. Intelligent; energetic and upright, this executor of the law, young as he was, discharged the duties of the high trust with promptness and discretion, and secured the good will of his fellow citizens, for, upon the expiration of his term he was chosen clerk of the courts. He made a careful and efficient clerk and continued to hold that office until, turning his attention to mercantile pursuits, he devoted his time to the establishing of an extensive trade at St. Clairsville. There were no commercial agents on the road in those days, no facilities for exchange, and Philadelphia (300 miles away) was the nearest point at which to replenish a depleted stock. Thither on horseback, semiannually, the enterprising merchant journeyed, with large sums of money on his person, to make selections and pay for the goods he might purchase. By prudent investment and judicious management Mr. Hedges made the St. Clairsville venture a success, and, in 1819, he started a new store in Mansfield, Ohio, and associated with him as partners, his brothers, Elza Hedges, a man of mark in his day, and Gen. James Hedges, a distinguished soldier of the war of 1812, on Gen. Harrison's staff. The Hedges Brothers, of Mansfield, were 9 prosperous firm, and a strong bond of friendship existed between its members throughout their lives. In 1820 Josiah Hedges visited Fort Ball, bought a tract of land opposite it, on the Sandusky River, laid out a town. which in honor of his warm personal friend, the first governor of Ohio, he named Tiffin. In 1822 he had put up a saw-mill, built a mill for making flour, erected a public hall, provided rooms for offices and shops and then by disposing of building lots at moderate prices, and being lenient and magnanimous with purchasers the infant town of Tiffin grew apace. In 1824, upon the organization of Seneca County, Mr. Hedges aspired to make Tiffin the county seat. It was centrally located and had many natural advantages, and its founder proposed donating ample and suitable grounds for county buildings. Across the river, however, was a troublesome rival. At Fort Ball a town called Oakley had been started, equally well situated, and which its proprietor, Jesse Spencer, declared outranked Tiffin in seniority and in its reminiscences of history. While the respective friends of these two places were studying how best to get ahead, Mr. Hedges, with his usual quickness of decision and promptness of action, cut the gordian knot by buying out Spencer, and becoming the owner of both Oakley and Tiffin. The county seat secured, the town increased steadily, the land office was removed to it from Delaware, manufactories sprung
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up, commerce, flourished, and Mr. Hedges lived to see a wilderness transformed into a city of cheerful homes and busy industry. Enterprising and public spirited though he was, Mr. Hedges did not seek public position, but intelligence, integrity and sound judgment were qualities which his fellow citizens recognized in him, and of which they availed themselves, in 1825, by electing him to the Legislature. He represented in that body the counties of Sandusky, Crawford, Seneca and Marion, and discharged the duties of legislator with marked ability. In the good old days of Jackson and Clay, Mr. Hedges was an ardent Whig. He was frequently nominated by his party for political preferment. But the Democrats having the ascendancy, he held no political office until 1830, when he.was re-elected to the Legislature by the district composed of Seneca, Hancock, Sandusky and Wood. His legislative career was characterized by industry and by an unswerving devotion to the young counties of the Northwest. Mr. Hedges possessed the attributes of a good citizen and Christian gentleman. Though a man of great firmness and decision of character, he was benevolent and just, and was the last man in the works to drive another to the wall. He lent a helping hand to the honest poor, and was ready, at all times, to assist with his funds any good work needing aid. He gave building sites, and subscribed liberally to the churches. Itinerant ministers and visiting statesmen made his home a resort, for the -latch-string was always hanging out," and the cordial and generous hospitality was proverbial. In the domestic circle he was kind and indulgent, and was, as he deserved to be, the idol of the household. He was one of the original stockholders and directors of the. first railroad constructed in Ohio The Mad River & Lake Erie, now the Indiana, Bloomington & Western-- and it was through his instrumentality that the benefits of that road were secured to the people of Tiffin. In religious faith the ancestors of Mr. Hedges were Episcopalians. He was thrice wedded. His first wife, Rebecca Russell, was of Ohio parentage, and died at the early age of thirty, leaving six children three boys and three girls, Two of the boys, Thomas and Albert, died in early youth and Josiah at the age of thirty-six. Of the girls, Julia was married to Dr. Joseph Mason, and Rebecca to Joseph Walker, one of the earliest merchants of Tiffin. Clarinda, the only survivor, was the wife of the late William Hunter. Mr. Hedges' second marriage was with Eliza Hammerley, who came of a Virginia family; her father was Garrett Hammerley. Of the three sons and six daughters of this marriage, two of the sons died in infancy, the other, William C. Hedges, who died in 1876, was a graduate of the Harvard Law School and a ripe scholar. He projected the first public library in Tiffin, and inaugurated a taste for literary and scientific lectures among its people by laboring for and securing the most talented lecturers. Of the daughters, Eva died at the age of twenty-one; she was the wife of Dr. Henry Russell, of Columbus. The five remaining daughters are Sarah, wife of W. C. W. Armstrong, ex-Secretary of State and editor Plaindealer at Cleveland, where he resides; Mary Jane, wife of A. C. Baldwin, a prominent manufacturer of Tiffin; Minerva, wife of H. Noble, ex-mayor of Tiffin and present probate judge; Elizabeth, relict of J. G. Gross (deceased), a leading manufacturer of Tiffin, and Cynthia A., widow of Luther A. Hall, of the Tiffin bar. The mother of these children died in 1837. Seven years after Mr. Hedges married again; but without issue, Miss Harriet Snook; she died February, 1885. Mr. Hedges was a fine looking man, he was well built. erect, of robust physique and dignified mien. His forehead was high, eyes black, nose slightly of the Roman cast, and a mouth that indicated firmness and decision. At the age of eighty years he continued to give daily attention
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to his business interests, and up to the time of his last illness was in full possession of his mental powers. He died at Tiffin, July 15, 1858. When he departed there passed away a useful and honored life, a life full of activity consecrated by good deeds and enshrined in the affections of his children and friends.
JOHN HEILMAN, proprietor of the extensive Brick and Tile Manufacturing Works, Tiffin, was born in Bermersheim, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, September 11, 1821; son of Daniel (a farmer) and Barbara Heilman. In 1843 he came to America and located in Tiffin, Ohio, and in 1850 he established a manufactory for making brick, to which in 1863 he added tile making. The business proved successful, and is now one of the most important industries of Tiffin. After accumulating a handsome competency from it, Mr. Heilman has turned it over to the care of his sons, William and Otto, who do a large business. The subject of our sketch was married, in Tiffin, to Mary Schneckenberger, who died without issue. He was afterward married to Elizabeth Zeis, of Epingen, Baden, who bore him three sons and two daughters: Lizzie, wife of John La Bar, a hardware merchant; John G., a tinsmith, of Santa Anna. Cal.; Kate, wife of George Diemer, of Carey, Ohio; William, married to Elva M., daughter of James M. Bore (have two daughters, Bertha and Edith), and Otto. Mr. Heilman buried his second wife in Tiffin, and subsequently married Fredericka Wetzel, of Wurtemberg, Germany, and by her has a son and daughter: Albert and Anna. The family attend the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Heilman, a worthy citizen of Tiffin, has contributed in no small degree to the growth of its interests and industries. Though he has ever been averse to holding public office he has served with credit as member of the council.
JOHN D. HEILMAN, grocer and saloon keeper, Tiffin, born in Tiffin, Ohio, December 15, 1842, is a son of Jacob and Mary (Wick) Heilman, who came to this county from Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, in 1839, and whose children are Susan, John D., Philip, Jacob, Elizabeth, Mary, Christian and William. Our subject was reared to brick-making. September 12, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war; he was wounded in the left hand, and received an honorable discharge. Having contracted rheumatism he was compelled to give up brick-making, and then engaged in his present business. He married, in 1867, Margaret, daughter of Balthasar and Christina Rohe, of Landau, Rhine Bierne, Germany, and by her has two sons and two daughters:. Jacob N., Mary, Libbie and John A. The family belong to the German Lutheran Brethren Church. Mr. Heilman is a member of Leander Stem Post G. A. R., and has been a member of the fire department for fourteen years.
WILLIAM HEROLD, saloon keeper, Tiffin, was born in Naumburg, Saxony, December 23, 1823, son of Carl Tielo and Mina (Poose) Herold. In 1847 he came to America, and after following his trade, rope-making, in the East, principally in Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., he came to Tiffin, Ohio, and carried on the same industry for several years, retiring from it to enter his present business. He married in Tiffin, Elizabeth Mueller, of Harbisheim, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, who bore him two sons and two daughters: F. F. a harnessmaker, who married Laura C. Hubert, and has one daughter-Gertio May; Marietta, wife of Frederick Eckhard, a barber, in Tiffin; Otto, a barber, in Cleveland; and Ida. Mr. Herold's first wife dying, he married again. By his second wife he has no children. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and his wife of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Herold are prominent among the many worthy German families of this city, and are respected by all.
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HENRY KEGG HERSHISER, M. D., Tiffin, was born in Bedford County, Penn., July 7, 1831; son of Henry and Maria Barbara (Kegg) Hershiser, and grandson of Lewis and Polly (Smith) Hershiser Lewis Hershiser, a distiller by occupation, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. Maria B. (Kegg) Hershiser was a daughter of Peter and Eva (Harchelroad) Kegg, of Bedford County, Penn. The parents of our subject came to Tiffin in 183:3, and here reared four sons and two daughters: William A., engaged in the wholesale and retail lumber business at Columbus, Ohio (no children); Peter M., farming, in Huron County, Ohio (has one son); Ann Elizabeth, deceased wife of Edward Bradley, also deceased (left two sons); Henry K.; Mary E., wife of J. W. Bradley, a contractor and builder of Columbus (have a son and daughter); David F., a machinist at Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Hershiser read medicine under Dr. J. P. Kinnaman, and graduated from the Columbus Medical College at Columbus, Ohio. He spent considerable time in the late war, in a professional capacity, retiring at the close of the struggle as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war he was engaged in the drug business for nine years, retiring from it to take up the practice of medicine, in which he has attained considerable reputation. The Doctor married, in Tiffin,, Susan D. .Myers, of Clear Spring, Md., who has blessed him with one daughter: Jessie Day, a lady of estimable literary and musical abilities. Dr. Hershiser has been a member of the Masonic order for fourteen years, and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar in De Molay Commandery; has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years, and of the society of Chosen Friends; is also president of the Soldiers Decorating and Benevolent Society.
F. K. HEWITT, architect, Tiffin, was born in Owego, Tioga County, N. Y., December 28, 1839. H113 father, Horace Wheeler Hewitt (a millwright), comes of pioneer English stock in the State, cousin of the Hon. Abram S. Hewitt of New York; subject's mother, Huldah (Kingsbury) Hewitt, was of Similar lineage. The subject of our sketch was reared in New York City, where he completed his professional training. In March, 1862, he enlisted his services in Company C, Fifth New York Artillery, and remained in service about three years when he received an honorable discharge tit Harper's Ferry, February 13, 1865, as veteran, having re-enlisted. After the war he betook himself to professional work and traveled over the greater part of the Northern and Western States and California, locating in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1882. He was married at Elmira, N. Y., to Sarah F., daughter of Zone Carpenter, and this union was blessed with two sons and four daughters: John Dudley, Lulu, Daisy. Kate, Hattie and Fred. Mrs. Hewitt is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Hewitt is a F. & A. M., and a member of the A. O. U. W.
REV. H. H. W. HIBSHMAN, D. D., pastor of Grace Reformed Church, Tiflin, was born in Shaefferstown, Lebanon County, Penn., November 25, 1837, and is of Swiss lineage. His great-great-grandfather, Gerhard Hibshman, emigrated from Switzerland to America, in the year 1731 or 1732, and located about two miles north of Ephratah, Lancaster Co. Penn. His great-grandfather, Wendel Hibshman, was a major in the Revolutionary war, and a member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania for four years. His grandfather, John Hibshman, a man of intelligence, possessed a knowledge of both the German and the English languages, as also did his wife, who was of English descent.. John held office in the Reformed Church, of which he was a devoted member for many years, and was elder and treasurer of his congregation at the time of his death. He was of mild disposition, a lover of books, fond of music, and wrote on a leaf of a music book, the artistic work .of the
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pen of his mother: " God give him grace therein to look and to understand. that learning is better than money and land. December 12, 1798. " He was of temperate habits, and had a reputation for honesty, integrity of character, for generosity to the poor, and was esteemed by all who knew him. Our subject's father, Hon. A. P. Hibshman, was by profession a scrivener and surveyor, a lover of books and learning, and in early years taught the parochial school of the congregation of which he was a member. He spoke and wrote both in English and German. He was a man of strictly temperate habits, untiring diligence, energy and perseverance. In civil and political life he wielded great influence in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He left some fine drawings of the counties of Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, Chester and Berks, in Pennsylvania; also in manuscript form, written in easy style, " The History of the Hibshman family down to the year 1870." He was paralyzed at his desk in the first auditor's office, treasury department, Washington, D. C., after holding his position there for eighteen years, and died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, a most amiable woman, loved and esteemed by all who knew her, for her many excellencies, died at the age of seventy years.
H. H. W. Hibshman, the only surviving son and pastor of Grace Reformed Church, Tiffin, graduated with his younger brother. Henry (who was professor of Latin and Greek at Andulisa College, and died at the age of twenty years), in the class of 186t of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Penn. He studied theology at the theological seminary of the Reformed Church of the Synod of the United States, and was licensed and ordained to discharge the functions of the office of the ministry by the Synod of Ohio. He received the degree of master of arts from his alma -mater in course; and, at the age of forty-two, Ursinus College honored him with the-degree of Divinitatis Doctor. As a minister of his church, his record compares with many of his peers. He has been highly, successful in every field of labor to which he was called. He founded two congregations, built four houses of worship and two parsonages. He also wrote considerably for both secular and religious journals; has several lectures on the question of temperance in print, and many of his sermons have been given to the public in published form. Rev. H. H. W. Hibshman married Miss Alice J. Clark a graduate of the high schools of Lancaster City. Penn., and daughter of Edwin C. Clark, a man of great inventive genius. They have six sons and one daughter, all partaking of the energy and spirit of their parents. The work in which he is engaged in Tiffin, has progressed under his pastorate beyond the anticipations of the most sanguine members. He was forty-seven years old his last natal day (1884) and will remain permanently in Seneca County, Ohio, unless overruled by Providence. Of his children Edwin Clark has chosen medicine for his profession and is student in a classical, literary course of Ursinus College at Freeland, Penn.; Allen Porter is engaged in merchandising in Tiffin; Albert Helfenstine has chosen the profession of law, is student at Heidelberg College; Henry Eberly and Walter Strickland are students at the high school of Tiffin, and have chosen the ministry. Roy Super and Margaret Murray are too young to attend school. Rev. Hibshman has been a worthy Mason since 1894, and was knighted in Crusade Commandery, No. 11, Bloomsburg, Penn, in 1866, and is at present a worthy knight of De Molay Commandery, No. 9, of Tiffin. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi. The original of the Hibshman name was spelled Huebschman, and is so recorded by Gerhard Huebschman, one of the first settlers of the family in Pennsylvania.
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FREDERICK K. HOLDERMAN, dry goods merchant, Tiffin, was born near Fremont, Ohio, August 1, 1843. His parents, Michael and Mary (Smith) Holderman, natives of Freiburg, Duchy of Baden, came to this country on the same steamer, in 1832, and settled near Fremont, where they were married in the following year, the union being blessed with three sons and three daughters. of whom only the sons survive. Frederick K., the youngest son, completed a liberal common school training, and at fourteen entered the store of D. Betts & Co., of Fremont, in dry goods merchandising, where he remained ill creditable connection till the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in defense of the Union and was detailed to service in the Mississippi Squadron, under command of Com. Porter, where he remained in active duty during the term of his enlistment (one year). Upon receiving his discharge he returned to his home, and, after recuperating his health, went to Sandusky City in the fall of 1862, where he was connected with merchandising as clerk and, later, as principal; retiring in 1870, he came here and has been successfully identified with the dry goods industry of Tiffin since. He was married in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1866, to Miss Susan Kogg, daughter of the Rev. George Kogg, a pioneer minister of the Evangelical Church, by which happy anion he has two little daughters: Alice and Nina. Mr. Holderman is a clearheaded and far-sighted business man, and while endeavoring to arrange his very numerous classes of goods to the public taste, he in no small degree educates his customers to his own choice by a very ingenious introduction of his goods by advertisements, etc., etc. Socially he is an excellent gentleman and ;iii honored citizen. He is a Knight Templar and a member of De Molay Commandery No. 9. In politics he is a stanch Republican, voting last election for James G. Blaine. Mr. and Mrs. Holderman attend the Presbyterian Church service and are active supporters of that denomination.
FRANK H. HOLMES, of the firm of Holmes & Romig, manufacturers and dealers in boots and shoes, 80 Washington Street, Tiffin, was born in Huntington, Mass., January 7, 1856, son of Loren Smith and Letitia C. (Knox) Holmes. The former was a son of Joseph Holmes, Jr., whose father, Joseph Holmes, settled in that State (from northern England) at a very early period in its history. The latter, Letitia C. (Knox) Holmes, was a daughter of Alanson Knox, who descends from Scotch pioneers in Massachusetts. Frank H. was one of a family of three sons and a daughter-Eugene L., who died in Chester, Mass., in October, 1874; Joseph A., a resident of Defiance, Ohio, and Katie L., a resident of Deshler, Ohio, all of whom settled in Jackson Township, Wood Co., Ohio, with their parents, in 1866. The subject of our sketch, at seventeen, left the farm, and took a position as salesman in a general merchandise store at Deshler, Ohio, and in 1875, at the age of nineteen, a partnership was formed, consisting of his father, brother and self, for the purpose of conducting a general merchandise business under the firm name of L. S. Holmes & Sons. August 20, 1877, his father died, but the business continued until the spring of 1881. In 1882 he and his brother came to Tiffin, and bought out the present business, which was carried on under the name of Holmes Brothers for one year, Joseph A. then withdrawing and disposing of his interest to Jonas Romig. Mr. Holmes was married, in Deshler, Ohio, May 6, 1880, to Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, April 22, 1855. Mrs. Holmes is a lady of estimable attainments, and a highly respected member of society. Since coming here Mr. Holmes has taken an active part in the development of all enterprises tending to the social and industrial life of Tiffin. He is a member of the city council, an officer of Tiffin Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M., and member of the Royal Arcanum. He is also
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one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife, are regular attendants.
GEORGE HOLTZ, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md., February 20, 1819 son of Jacob and Susannah M. Holtz, natives of Maryland, and who came to Seneca County, Ohio, April 28, 1834, settling in Clinton Township, and there remaining until their death; Jacob Holtz died December 28, 1859 and his widow May 28, 1870. Our subject was united in marriage, October 9, 1870, with Phoebe Moore, whose maiden name was Wise. She was born in Washington County, Penn., January 25, 1841. Her parents. David and Charlotta Wise, now reside in Pleasant Township, this county. Mrs. Holtz is the mother of one son, John. W., by her first husband. Our subject has always boon engaged in farming, and now owns 134 acres of good land, where he and his family reside. He is a F. & A. M. and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Holtz is a member of the German Baptist Church.
DENNIS HOLTZ, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born March 21, 1827, in Frederick County, Md. His parents, Jacob and Susannah M. Holtz, natives of Maryland, where they were married, remained in Maryland, until April 28, 1834, and then moved to Seneca County, Ohio, where they remained until the death of the former, which occurred December 28, 1859, on the farm where our subject now resides. After the death of Jacob Holtz his widow resided with her son George until her death, which occurred May 28, 1870. Our subject was united in marriage, November 16, 1851, with Mary J. Schroyer, born in Frederick County, Md., November 8, 1827, a daughter of George and Meribah Schreyer (both deceased). To this union were born two children, Marcus and Meribah R. Mrs. Holtz departed this life September 16, 1870. She was a member of the First Reformed Church of Tiffin. After the death of his first wife Mr. Holtz was united in marriage, May 20, 1873, with Anna M. Good, who was born near Reading, Penn., September 19, 1829, daughter of Philip A. and Elizabeth Good; who remained in Pennsylvania until their death. Our subject has resided on his present farm since seven years of age. He owns 160 acres of land. He and his wife are members of Grace Reformed Church of Tiffin.
BENJAMIN H. HORNE, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born March 24, 1859, in Lehigh County, Penn., where his parents and their parents were also born, raised and educated. In 1869 Samuel Horne, father of our subject, together with his family, came to Ohio and settled at Fort Seneca, in Seneca County, where they still reside. Samuel Horne has a family of six children: Benjamin H:, Samuel, John, Aquilla, Elmira and Rosa. Our subject was engaged in farming with his father until 1882, when he took the large farm of Noble & Shawhan, near Tiffin, which he has well stocked. He is a stirring business man; has 327 acres of land, and is engaged in stock-raising in connection with his father.
PHIL. A. HOUCK, dealer in boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county; September 12, 1853. His parents, John and Ottilia (Fisher) Houck, natives of Baden, came to this country with their respective families, who settled in this county. .His mother died in December, 1858, his present mother being his step-mother. Phil. A. is a full brother of the Rev. G. F. Houck, secretary to Bishop Gilmoure, of Cleveland, Ohio. Our subject's paternal grandfather and father were shoe-makers and dealers in boots and shoes, and it well became him (Phil. A. ), when arriving at manhood, to follow their example. He embarked in the boot and shoe trade, and when twenty-eight years old look entire possession of the business of his father, which he ably represent;. Ho is the fifth child and fourth son of a family of nine sons and
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six daughters living (two sons are deceased). He married, in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1876, Louisa Buyer, and to this union were born two sons: William and Eugene. Mrs. Houck is the second daughter and fourth child in the family of four sons and five daughters of Nicholas and Barbara (Scheidel) Buyer, natives of Bavaria and Baden, respectively. Mr. Houck is an enterprising business man and citizen. Although averse to holding political office himself, he is, nevertheless, a pronounced partisan of the Democratic party, and has contributed in no small degree to its maintenance and support. He and his worthy wife are members of the R. C. Church and regular communicants of St. Joseph's congregation, of which church he is trustee. He is an active member of St. John's Benevolent Association, and has served as its financial secretary for eight years.
HENRY HUBACH, brewer, Tiffin, was born in Duer Kheim, province of Rheinpfalz, kingdom of Bavaria, January 27, 1843, and comes of a line of people prominently connected with the brewery business. His parents were Henry and Catharine (Engel) Hubach. The subject of this sketch came to this country in 1865, and worked at the brewing business in Philadelphia for a time, afterward spending some considerable time in the same occupation in the West and South, principally in Milwaukee, Wis., and Cincinnati, Ohio. He eventually embarked in the business at Fort Wayne, Ind., which he conducted there for four years. Coming here in 1877 he purchased the business of F. J. Wagner, and has brought it up to an excellent condition, doing the leading business in his line in this locality. He is thoroughly awake to the progressive interests of his trade, and is an excellent business man and citizen. He was married at Cincinnati, in 1871, to Miss Emma Refus, who was born in the Duchy of Baden, Germany, and by her he has two sons and four daughters Emma, Willie, Alma, Charlie, Selma and Alice. Mrs. Hubach is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Hubach is a member of the Bruderbund and Turnverein.
HON. ELISHA BLAIR HUBBARD, M. D., druggist, Tiffin, was born in Chester, Hampden Co., Mass., December 28, 1840, and comes of very worthy pioneer people of English ancestry in that. State. His father, Edmund Hubbard, formerly of Chester (now of Pittsfield) Mass., is a son of Edmund Hubbard, of Chester (whom he succeeded in the leather manufacturing business there), whose father was also named Edmund, and who in turn was a son of Daniel Hubbard, who located in Hadley, Mass., in 1700, being one of three brothers who came over from England to Massachusetts between 1665 and 1685, one brother returning to England, and the others settling in Connecticut. Dr. Hubbard's mother, Caroline (Blair) Hubbard, was the eldest daughter of Luther Blair, of Beckett, Mass., a prominent merchant of that place, and also widely known in Congregational Church work. The subject of this sketch completed a good academical training at Hinsdale, Mass., preparatory to entering Williams College, but, in consequence of the financial embarrassments of his father through heavy western land investments, he joined his brother, Dwight, in coming West, and located at Bellevue, Ohio, and for three years was favorably known in connection with the teaching profession in Huron and Erie Counties. In 1860 he returned to Massachusetts to accept the supervision of the State primary schools at Monson, where he remained about three years, meanwhile embracing the opportunities offered there in the hospital and dispensary of that institution for the study of medicine and pharmacy. Upon retiring from that incumbency he went to Springfield, Mass., where he remained in pharmaceutical study in the office of Dr. Hutchins for about a year, and soon after embarked in the drug business in Amherst,
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Mass. In 1871 he retired from business there and came West with the view of locating at Chicago, Ill., but invested in a drug business in Bellevue, Ohio, where he remained till 1.873, when he came to Tiffin, and in January, 1871, embarked in the drug business, and here has been well and favorable known, not only professionally but as a business man and a public spirited citizen. He is an active member of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association. He has been an efficient city official, serving upon the school board for several years and as president of that body for six years. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of Tiffin, and served as its secretary. He is manager of the National Hall (opera house) and owner and proprietor of the Daily Herald, and has been ever ready in his support of all measures tending to the development of the social and industrial interests of his adopted city and county. Hon. Dr. Hubbard has been prominently recognized as a master spirit in his party, who, foreseeing in his ability excellent substance for a worthy representation of their interests in the councils of the State or nation, have (1885) chosen him by a handsome majority as their representative in the State Legislature. He married, August 27, 1873, in Nashua, N. H., Helen M. Sawyer, a graduate of Clinton College. N. Y., and eldest. daughter of the Hon. George Yeaton Sawyer, attorney of Nashua, and judge of the supreme court of the State, and of worthy pioneer ancestry of that State. By this union were born two children, of whom the eldest, Clara Sawyer Hubbard, survives. Their son, Sheldon B., is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Dr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he has been a vestryman for several years. He has been a member of the Masonic order since attaining his majority, and is now a Knight Templar in Connecticut Valley Commandery, of Greenfield, Mass.
JOHN HUMMER, city marshal of Tiffin, was born in Dieferdinger, Luxemburg, Germany, February 27, 1840; son of Peter and Margaret (Kolb) Hummer (the former a native of Tyrol), who came to America in 1846 settling in Seneca Township, where they reared three sons and one daughter: John, Anthony, Margaret and John B. The subject of our sketch, the eldest, began life for himself, when but a boy, at saw-milling and lumber dealing, and worked at stave-making, etc., in this and surrounding counties for many years. November 1, 1877, he came to Tiffin and worked at stave-making and in the lumber business till 1883, when he was appointed to the city police, and April 6, 1885, was honorably elected to his present incumbency, which he ably fills. He had, while residing in Ansonia, Darke Co., Ohio, served as its marshal and commissioner of streets, so that we find the Marshal with a creditable professional record before him. He married, in New Riegel in 1864, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Wile. This union was blessed with nine children: Mary, John B., Katrina, Elizabeth, Margaret, Hattie, Clara, Annie and Willie. Mr. Hummer and his family are of the Roman Catholic faith, and members of St. Joseph's congregation. He is a worthy member of St. John's Benevolent Society, Catholic Knights of America, Catholic Benevolent Legion and the Bruderbund.
S. S. HUNTER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, December 20, 1832. His parents, William and Clorinda Hunter, natives of Virginia, were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and settled in Clinton Township, where they remained until the death of the former, which occurred December 23, 1868. His widow resides in Tiffin. Our subject was united in marriage, October 31, 1860, with Emma Tunison. She was born in Rahway, N. J., June 15, 1839. Her parents, David C. and Abigail Tunison, natives of New Jersey, where they were married, in September, 1838, moved
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to New York City in 1850; thence to Tiffin, Ohio, in 1854, where they have since resided. Our subject and wife have been blessed with three children: Harvey B., Alice M. and Willie D. Mr. Hunter is a F. &A. M. Mrs. Hunter has been a member of the Episcopal Church for nearly thirty years.
GEORGE ROBINSON HUSS, dealer in books and stationery, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, January 22, 1828, and comes of pioneer stock of Seneca County. His father, Jacob Huss, saddler and harness-maker, settled here from Maryland in 1824, and carried on the first industry in his line in Tiffin; he died in 1849. Sarah (Robinson) Huss, subject's mother, was a native of Berkeley County, Va., and was descended from prominent pioneer ancestry in that State. She passed away from this life in 1876, and is buried (beside her husband, one son and two daughters) in Maple Grove Cemetery (the family burial place); she left one son and two daughters: George R., Hannah R., wife of George Adams, and Sarah, wife of Judge S. T. Sutphen, of Defiance, Ohio. The subject of our sketch was reared to his father's business and conducted it for several years after latter's demise. He was subsequently prominently identified with the early banking interests of Tiffin, forming one of the firm of Tomb, Hess & Co., and was afterward a director of the First National Bank, in which he held important stock interests till its dissolution. In 1861 he embarked in his present business. He was married, in 1851, to Mary Ann Tomb, of Lycoming County, Penn., daughter of Benjamin Tomb, of Tiffin, and by her he has four sons and two daughters: Benjamin J., engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania; John R., physician at Peabody, Kas. ; Harry H. G., merchant in Kansas City; Frank C., in cattle business in Nebraska; Emma and Nellie. Mrs. Huss is a worthy member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Huss of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been an official for many years. He is a member of De Molay Commandery No. 9. Mr. Huss has contributed an important share toward the development, of the social and industrial life of his city, and has aided very materially in railway building and other important outside interests.
WILLIAM HYTER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Carroll County, Md., August 26, 1831, son of Jacob and Margaret Hyter, natives of Maryland, where they were married and remained until 1839, at which time they came to Ohio. remaining in this county until their death; he died in 1860, and his widow survived him but a few years. Our subject was united in marriage, February 18, 1855, with Margaret A. Gittinger, born in Frederick County, Md., August 23, 1834, daughter of Daniel and Jane E. Gittinger, natives of Maryland, and who remained in that State until 1845, when they moved to Ohio and settled in this county until their death. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, only two now living: Charles W. and Frank K. (twins), born January 7, 1866. The deceased are Alice, Emma B. and Will iam C. Mr. Hyter owns 181 acres of improved land, situate in Ohio and Indiana. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY JACOBS, proprietor of the "Jacobs Neck-yoke Manufactory." was born in Karlskrohna, Sweden, March 28, 1838, son of Hokenson and Mary Jacobson (the name "Jacobs" being the English abbreviation). In 185.1 the parents came to this country and located at Rock Island, Ill., where they were carried off by the cholera; they left three sons and two daughters: John, a mechanic, with the firm; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Mary, now Mrs. Nelson, of Waco, Tex.; Anna, wife of Owen Jones, of Marshall, Kas. ; anti Oliver, whose whereabouts is unknown. Henry Jacobs was reared in Knox County, Ill. Being dependent, he set about obtaining a good education, anti after a while taught school. He attended two years at Knox College in Gales
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burg, and afterward entered Union Park Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1868. He was then for five years actively identified with mission work in connection with the Congregational Church; meanwhile he had given considerable attention to mechanical work, and in 1871 he engaged in manufacturing near Elgin, Ill. In 1877 he moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and in 1883 came to Tiffin, Ohio, where he built his present factory. Mr. Jacobs married, in 1870, in Oneida, Knox County, Ill., Cordelia, daughter of Michael Metcalf, Esq., of English descent, who came from New York State to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have two sons and two daughters: Alva, Henry, Mary and Helen. There being no congregation of their faith in Tiffin, our subject and wife attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church.
PORTER HAMILTON JAYNE, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born near Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Penn., March 7, 1.853, and comes of pioneer ancestry of that State. His parents were William and Nancy (Sumner) Jayne. The father of all the Jaynes in this country was a Puritan preacher, who was buried on Long Island, and the inscription on his tombstone was as follows:
Here lies ye body
of
WILLIAM JAYNE,
Born in Bristol, England, Jan. ye 25, 1618. Deceased
Mar. ye 24, 1714. Aged 96 years.
The subject of our sketch was the seventh child and fifth son in a family of six sons and four daughters. He received a good schooling in his native place, and at nineteen years of age entered Wyoming Seminary and Commercial College at Kingston Penn., from which be graduated at twenty-three. He engaged in teaching at that institution, but soon came West and located in Tiffin, this county, in 1876, and here read law in the office of Noble & Lutes and was honorably admitted to the practice of that profession in 1878. He then entered practice, and in the following year was elected justice of the peace. He was married, in 1877, to Lefee Fouke, of Tiffin, a lady of estimable attainments, and by her he has one son and two daughters: Porter H., Jr., Mary L. and Helen. Mr. Jayne is a member of the P. O. of A. society and of the Chosen Friends. He has shown himself well fitted for his official incumbency, and has been honorably continued in it since his induction. He has applied himself to the practice of law, and, sitting as justice of the peace, having heard and decided over 1,000 cases since his election, Although not giving his whole time to his law practice, he has some bright talent employed in his office in the study of the profession.
ABRAHAM KAGA, born in Seneca County, in November, 1839, entered the Advertiser office at Tiffin, in 1856, to learn the printer's trade; became editor and publisher of the Shelby County Democrat, in 1860; enlisted in April, 1861, and was commissioned captain of Company F, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; transferred to Company E, Benton Cadets, and then to Company K, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as captain, in January, 1862. He was wounded at Raymond, Miss.; was discharged in January, 1864. He was chief clerk of the House of Representatives in 1864-65; edited and published the Tiffin Tribune from April, 1864, to June, 1865, and the same fall was local for the Daily Advertiser, of Kansas City. From February, 1866, to September, 1868, he held a position in the Treasury Department, at Washing
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ton, D. C.; was a storekeeper for the Northern Ohio District up to May, 1869, then engaged in cotton and broom-corn growing in Alabama, in 1870, moved to Missouri as a journalist, served as clerk in the Missouri Legislature in 1875, and has since been editorial writer and correspondent.
SOLOMON KAUP, manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, etc., Tiffin, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., in 181-3. His father, John Kaup, was a native of that county, descended of pioneers in that State from Amsterdam, Holland. His mother, Hannah (Bensinger) Kaup, was of German ancestry. John and Hannah Kaup reared a family of six sons and four daughters. The subject of our sketch in early life embarked in manufacturing, and was prominently identified in that connection in the East for many years, principally at Newark, N. J., where he engaged for a considerable time in lumber and afterward in flour-milling. Mr. Kaup married in Newark, N. J., in 1839, Hannah H. Osborn, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of Thomas H. Osborn, a boot and shoe merchant of that city, and by her had the following children: John T., mail agent of the Lake Shore Railway; A. I. (carpenter by trade), manufacturer; Mary Jane, wife of George W. Rug g, of Cleveland; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William B. Stanley, of Tiffin, and Benjamin S., a builder; their youngest daughter, Hanna H., is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery here. Our subject and his family came to Tiffin, this county, in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Kaup are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
LEWIS HAMILTON KEFAUVER, pastor of the First Reformed Church, Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md., January 25, 1827; son of John and Rebecca (Clum) Kefauver, natives of that county, and grandson of Nicholas Kefauver, of direct Alsatian pioneer stock in Maryland, and of presumptive Huguenot stock in Alsace. John and Rebecca Kefauver had a family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom live in Ohio: William, a builder in Dayton; Lewis H.; Anna, wife of William Zittle, a merchant of Springfield, Ohio; and Elizabeth. In early life the subject of this sketch learned cabinetmaking, but upon attaining to manhood he felt a closer tie to the church of his people and decided to work in its vineyard in the ministerial office. January 31, 1847, he made a public profession of faith in Middletown, Md., and completed a. preparatory training in the parochial school of the Reformed Church of that village. He afterward attended Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Penn., in a literary and theological course of study, taking his college degree in 1852, and he had in his senior year at college taken the first year's course of studies in the seminary, so that. in the year following his collegiate graduation he graduated from the seminary. He then took a charge of the Reformed Church, in Fairfield, -Penn., where he received his ordination and remained three years and a half. He next went to Greensburg, Penn., and spent nearly four years in church work there, which he still remembers with a professional fondness; the results were flattering, but his youthful ambition encouraged him to seek Western work, and accordingly February 3, 1861, he took charge of the Reformed Church at Dayton, Ohio, whence (after two and a half years of successful labor) he came to Tiffin, July 1, 1863, where he has remained since, and is the oldest resident minister of the city. Mr. Kefauver was united in marriage in Middletown, Md. in 1855, with Amanda E., youngest daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Floyd) Routzahn, natives of Maryland; the ancestry of her father is similar to that of our subject, and the ancestry of her mother is of English stock. This union has been blessed with three sons and one daughter: Charles Addison, a student of medicine in the medical department of the Western Reserve University, of Cleveland; Elmer Routzahn, with the American Express Company, at-Dunkirk, N. Y.; and William Franklin,
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at home, a student in Heidelberg College, and they have laid to her rest in Maple Grove Cemetery, their only daughter, Elizabeth R., a young lady of nineteen years, full of future promise.
LEWIS KELLER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 29, 1808, son of John and Elizabeth Keller, natives of York County, Penn., where they were married. From there they moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1805, where they remained until 1828, then moved to Clinton Township, this county, and here spent the remainder of their days, Mrs. Keller dying in 1857 and Mr. Keller in 1859. Our subject was -united in marriage March 25 1845, with Mary A. Shriven who was born in Adams County, Penn., March 14, 1814. Her parents were Frederick W. and Catharine Shriver, natives of Adams County, Penn., and who in 1824 moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, remaining until 1883, in which year they settled in this county, where they died, Mr. Shriver in 1840 and his widow in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Keller have been born seven children, three now living: Catharine E. (wife. of W. H. Baker), John W. and Sarah J. Our subject is a blacksmith, a trade he followed for years. He owns a nice farm where he and family reside. They are members of Grace Reformed Church.
JOEL KELLER (deceased) was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 28, 1821; son of John and Elizabeth Keller, natives of York County, Penn., and who moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1805, there remaining until 1828 when they came to Clinton Township, this county, where they remained until their death, Mrs. Keller dying in 1857 and Mr. Keller in 1859. Our subject was united in marriage January 1, 1860, with Mary A. Cupp, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 5, 1834, daughter of William and Catharine Cupp, natives of Virginia, who were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and in 1865 moved to Tiffin, this county, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Keller were the parents of two children: George W. and Carrie E. Mr. Keller was reared on a farm, and was engaged in farming and milling most of his life. At the time of his death he owned two mills and over 400 acres of fine land. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He departed this life September 15, 1881, leaving a widow and two children, besides a host of friends, to mourn his loss. Mrs. Mary A. C. Keller is a devoted adherent of the Methodist Protestant Church.
JOHN E. KING, contractor and builder in stone and brick, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, December 6, 1849. His parents, Lawrence and Bridget (Conners) King, were natives of County Kerry, Ireland, the former of the parish of Duagh. In 1841 Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence King came to this country with their infant son, Timothy, now in the express business at San Francisco, Cal., and settled here, where six sons and five daughters were born (two sons and two daughters of whom they have buried): Mary (wife of Lewis Stone, of Fostoria); William (died in hospital, Georgia, from Company C, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry); Jeremiah, in quarry business in Tiffin; Bridget, (wife of Henry C. Cook, of Omaha); John E.; Margaret (unmarried); Elizabeth, Philip and Ellen all died from diphtheria; and Lawrence and David, in general merchandise business in Republic, Mo. Our subject learned the trade of mason, and at the age of twenty-five embarked in contracting and building in that connection, with which he has been successfully identified since. He employs from thirty to sixty men and has already left records of his workmanship in many of the fine residences, manufactories, churches, business blocks, etc., etc., in Tiffin and surrounding cities. He has also done considerable bridge building in railway work, and in county buildings. He is at present on the contract for building the Heidelberg College here; he built the Obrien Manufactur-
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ing Company's Works, the Tiffin Nut, and Bolt Works, Grace Reformed Church, etc. Mr. King was married in Fremont, Ohio, in 1876, to Mary; daughter of Thomas and Mary (Cotler) Keefe, of Duagh, County Kerry, Ireland. This union was blessed with two sons and two daughters; William Cornelius, Lulu May, David Erwin and Enna M. Our subject and his family are regular communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of St. Patrick's T. A. Society, Catholic Knights of America and the Catholic Benevolent Legion. Mr. King is a clever and successful business man.
LEWIS KINTZ, retired farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Adams County, Perm., November 30, 1818, son of Joseph and Margaret Kintz, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. They moved to Stark County, Ohio, and from there to this county, and here died. Lewis Kintz, the subject of this memoir, was married in Pennsylvania June 22, 1840, to Elizabeth Kuhn, born in Pennsylvania in 1817, a daughter of George 'and Mary Kuhn, who remained in Pennsylvania until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Kintz came to Ohio in 1854, and have resided in this county ever since. They are the parents of ten children, eight now living: Sylvester J., Louisa M., wife of Simon Hains; Anna M., wife of Paul Gase; Henry; Agnes, wife of George Gase; Edward, George and Johanna. The deceased are Andrew and Lewis. Mr. Kintz owns fifty acres of fine land where he resides. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
M. L. KINTZ, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Adams County, Penn., in October, 1822, son of Joseph and Margaret Kintz, who were married in Pennsylvania and moved to Stark County, Ohio, where they remained for some years, then moved to this county where they remained until their death. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage October 111, 1818, with Margaret Harkins, born in New Jersey March 19, 1816, daughter of John and Bridget Harkins, natives of Ireland, who were married in Westmoreland County, Penn., thence moved to New Jersey, where they lived for a time, and then to Philadelphia, returning from there to Westmoreland County, where they resided until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Kintz carne to Stark County, Ohio, in 1846. and to this county in 1851. where they have resided ever since. They are the parents of five children: Mary A., John H., Charles E., William J. and Peter R. Mr. Kintz is a potter and miller by trade, but for the past eleven years has been engaged in farming. He owns thirty-six acres of land, where he and his family reside. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
THOMAS J. KINTZ (ex-county recorder of Seneca County) abstracts, Tiffin, was born in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, February 14, 1844. His parents, George and Lucinda (Conaghan) Kintz, were natives of Ohio. His mother dying when our subject was an infant, he was placed under the guardianship of her brother, Joseph Conaghan, of Seneca Township, this county, and there he grew to manhood. His early life was unpropitious, being an in valid, and at fifteen he had little or no education. He, however, had a determination to excel, and we find him at twenty-one enrolled upon the. list of teachers of Seneca County. April 17, 1867, he accepted a clerkship in the recorder's office, and he continued in this capacity for eight years, although it must be admitted for a fair portion of that time he was the de facto official. In 1874, he was appointed de facto recorder to succeed Mr. De Witt, and in the following convention received the nomination and was elected to fill the office for each consecutive term till 1882, at which time he had nearly completed a set of abstract books of the county, showing the title to every piece of land or town lot. Said books were his individual property, and thus opened
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his new work, which has already become the place to look at and examine titles. His accuracy and efficiency justly deserves the confidence of the whole people of Seneca County. Mr. Kintz was married in Tiffin, February 15, 1872, to Miss Addie V. Weller, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of the late Nelson Weller, formerly a prominent merchant and business roan of Prince Edward County, Ontario. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Kintz is an active business man and an enterprising citizen, and has a strong hold upon the good wishes of many of Seneca County's citizens. He is a member of the corporation of the Ohio Stove Works, of which he has held stock for several years. He has served his ward (Second) in the councils of the city.
MICHAEL KIRCHNER, merchant tailor, of Tiffin, was born in Oberbach, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Unter Franken, July 22, 1820; son of John and Mary (Achumm) Kirchner, who came to America in 1844, and settled in this county. (The father had engaged in farming and flour-milling in his native land.) Their two sons, Michael and John, had preceded the parents to this country (in 1840), and located at Pittsburgh, Penn., where John remained, Michael coming to Tiffin the same year, where, after working for a few years at his trade, he embarked on his own account in business, in which he has since continued in successful connection. Our subject married, February 21, 1843, Christina Sillman, a native of Baden, Germany, daughter of George Sillman, who settled in Venice Township, this county, about 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Kirchner have no children of their own, but have adopted a nephew, Michael Bauer Kirchner (son of Nicholas and Mary Kirchner Bauer), who married Elizabeth Delzeit, who, dying, left three daughters: Emma, Flora and Lydia, who are also the adopted children of their foster grandparents and bear the name. Mr. Kirchner is a regular communicant in St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church, and a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. He is an excellent gentleman, a public spirited citizen and has contributed liberally to the support of many of Tiffin's social and industrial interests.
MICHAEL JOSEPH KIRCHNER, dealer in groceries, Tiffin, was born in the village of Windshausen, near Neustadt an der Saal, in the kingdom of Bavaria, December 27, 1826. His parents were Kaspar and Margaret (Sturm) Kirchner, who came to this country in 1839, and settled in Cleveland the following year, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father, who was also born in Windshausen, where he lived till he came to America, died here in 1860, and the mother in 1854, leaving a family of four sons and one daughter: John, buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. along with his parents; Ferdinand, supposed to have perished. in the forest fires of Michigan; Kaspar, a baker, in Tiffin; Susanna, wife of Mr. Jacobs of Cleveland, and Michael Joseph. The subject of our sketch learned the trade of shoe-making when a youth, but was compelled to abandon it eventually in consequence of ill health. In 1855 he came to Tiffin, and in 1860 embarked in business for himself, then in 1863 located at his present stand where he has since been very successful. Mr. Kirchner married in Thompson Township, this county, in 1862, Magdalena Martin, daughter of John and Barbara (Hammerschmidt) Martin, natives of Germany, and by this union has had six sons and three daughters: Mary B., John Louis, Joseph Caspar, John Michael Joseph, Francis Dominick, Annie Kathrina, Otto Peter, Margerete Rosa Philomina, and Charles Aloisius. Mr. and Airs. Kirchner are regular communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he has served as an active official since coming here. He is a very worthy representative of the German people in Tiffin, and has by many noble characteristics en
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deared himself to his fellow citizens, among whom he has many close friends and no enemies. He is a worthy husband, and a kind father to his children, on whose education he has spared no pains.
FREDERICK DE LAUGHTER KISHLER, undertaker and cabinetmaker, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, February 10, 1831. His parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Miller) Kishler came here in 1828, from Perry County, Ohio (they were formerly of Chambersburg, Penn., and came of pioneer stock in that State). They reared four sons and three daughters, all of whom have families in the State. The subject of our sketch learned cabinet-making, in Tiffin, with John A. Myers, and has continued creditably connected with that industry, in connection with undertaking since. He was united in marriage, in 1854, with Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (De Laughter) Wilcox, who settled here in 1830, from Maryland. To this union have been born one son.and one daughter: Otto Jefferson, a traveling salesman for machinery, and Flora Kishler, portrait and landscape painter. 11r. and Mrs. Kishler are worthy members of the Methodist Protestant. Church. He is a member of the K. of P., and of the K. of L. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Kishler did honorable service in the National Guards from which he received an honorable discharge, He has been an active member of the Tiffin fire department thirty-one years, and served as its chief for six years. He is a member of the city council,with which he has been connected for four years.
PROF. JAMES WILSON KNOTT, superintendent of the city and high schools of Tiffin, was born in West Bedford, Ohio, August 14, ,1850: son of the late Rev. J. W. Knott, a pioneer minister of the Presbyterian Church in this State, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and whose father, Maj. Wilson Knott, figured conspicuously as an officer in the war of 1812. They (the Knotts) were of Scotch Presbyterian ancestry. Prof. Knott's mother was Julia Kerr, daughter of James and Mary (Jewel) Kerr, Pennsylvanians. The father of James Kerr settled in Pennsylvania from Ireland. On the Jewel side the genealogy runs a long way back, and connects with the branch of the Jewel family to which ex-Postmaster-General Jewel belongs. The issue of the marriage of Rev. J. W. and Julia (Kerr) Knott was two sons and two daughters. Of the former, Walter M. L. died in his youth; of the latter, Mary Jewel is the wife of Col. E. Finger, of Ashland, Ohio, and Wallie R. is the wife of Armer Gregg, of Savannah, Ohio. The subject of our sketch, the youngest son of the family, received a good common school training near Shelby, Ohio and took his preparatory course of study in the academy at Savannah, Ohio. He graduated in a full classical and scientific course at the University of W Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, in 1879. He had meanwhile taught school as a means of supporting himself in his studies, and upon graduating accepted his present incumbency, with which he has been reputably connected since. Since coming to Tiffin he has taken an important part in the development of the social and literary interests of the city; has served upon the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church and of the Library Association, and is a member of the Beta Theta Phi of his alma mater. September 3, 1861, his father passed away, ending his useful life as a minister of the Presbyterian Church and teacher in its institutions in the State, and is buried at Shelby, Ohio, the place of his marriage,. Mrs. Knott survives and resides with her son here, esteemed by all, a worthy woman and kind mother. Amore the many graduates under Prof. Knott's instruction may be mentioned son)(, who are (as young men) taking rapid strides forward in professional career:;: Frank Wenner, assistant principal of the high school at Bellaire, Ohio; Will-
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iam H. Dore, a worthy member of the Tiffin bar; Albert Norton, cadet in the naval school at Annapolis; Theodore Brohl, Elmer Hershberger. Fred L. Wenner, William Miller, Edward Boos, Dr. Willis White, and many others, who, while busy with the furtherance of their other studies, do not forget their old master. In personal appearance Prof. Knott is tall and commanding, of studious mien and pleasant, open countenance, bespeaking his Scotch-Irish lineage. Socially he is very clever, and although possessed of all the requisites in the make-up of a worthy husband and sire he is still treading the thorny paths of celibacy.
AARON KREADER, of the firm of Kreader & Zint, plumbers and gas fitters, Tiffin, was born in Northampton County, .Penn., May 16, 1837; son of Samuel and Magdalena (Bauder) Kreader, the former of Scotch ancestry in Pennsylvania. Mr. Kreader learned mechanics and worked as machinist in the woolen-mills in the East. April 1, 1858, he came to Tiffin, Ohio, and engaged in the woolen-mills here, as master mechanic, from 1861 till May, 1881, when, upon the dissolution of the firm, he left that business and engaged with Mr. Zint in his present business. Mr. Kreader was married, in Tiffin, to Elizabeth Schiffert, by whom he has two sons and two daughters: William Marcus, a mechanic; Lillie May, a lady of excellent literary attainments. a teacher in the city high schools; Jennie Burt and Charles Washington. The family worship in the Methodist Protestant Church, of which the mother and eldest daughter are worthy members. Mr. Kreader is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the encampment.
J. H. KUEBLER, wholesale and retail dealer in leather and finding, boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, May 24, 1852, son of Anthony and Frances (Schabacher) Kuebler, early settlers here. Anthony Kuebler, a native of the Duchy of Baden, came to this country, settling in Tiffin about 1835, and was prominently identified with the boot and shoo industry here for many years. The mother was a native of Rhine Pfaltz, Bierne (Bavaria), and came to this country when a-young girl with her people, who settled here. J. H. Kuebler was the third child and second son in a family of thirteen children. He received a good common school education and was apprenticed to his present business in his father's store. At the age of twenty-five he embarked in trade on his own account in Tiffin and has maintained a creditable prominence in connection with the leather industry here since. Ho was married, in Tiffin, in 1877, to Catharine Mueller, a lady of estimable attainments, eldest child of Christian and Margaret (Gross) Mueller, of Tiffin, and by this union there are three sons and one daughter: Frank, Albert, Carl and Corinne, of whom they have laid to rest in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, little Carl and Corinne. Mr. and Mrs. Kuebler are regular communicants of the Roman Catholic faith. He is an active member and official of the St. John's Benevolent Society. Mr. Kuebler has avoided the political field and has never ventured into caucus meetings, although a pronounced party man. Socially he is an excellent citizen and an affable and pleasant gentleman.
JOHN LAUER, grocery merchant, Tiffin, was born in Roschberg, Rhine Prussia, June 6, 1826, son of Francis and Lena (Schaadt) Lauer, the former a native of Roschberg, the latter of Oldenburg, They reared two sons and two daughters of whom the sons, only, came to this country. Wendel (brother of our sudject) died in Wilkesbarre, Penn., leaving a son and two daughters. John Lauer was reared to farming and served twenty-two months in the volunteer militia of his country. In December, 1847, he sailed for America and came to Buffalo, N. Y., and in the following year visited Tiffin. Being a young man be felt a desire to travel, and we subsequently find him in Califor-
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nia, where he spent six years in successful work. Returning East in 1856 he located at Tiffin, where he shortly after engaged in his present business, with which he has been creditably connected since. He was married, at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1858, to Barbara Demuth, a native of Urweiler, Prussia, by whom he has three sons and two daughters, and one step-daughter, by Mrs. Lauer's previous marriage; their names are as follows: Catharine Schlacter, now the wife of O. M. Loesser; Mary, Peter, Frank, Charles and Amelia. Of the sons, Peter and Charles are merchants and Frank is a carriage trimmer. The family are members of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Lauer is a genial gentleman and has won the respect of his fellow citizens by his upright character and broadness of principles. He is ever ready to support all measures that tend to the city's development, and contributes to all worthy enterprises.
THOMAS LEAHY, farmer and stock-raiser, of Eden Township, P. O. Tiffin, is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he was born in the parish of Abbeyfeale, son of John and Mary (Kane) Leahy, of that parish, descended from honorable ancestry, counting among them many of the better class of' yeomanry, as well as literary and professional people (lawyers, physicians, etc. ). Our subject was reared to farming. He was united in marriage with Ellen, daughter of Maurice Hartnett, of Abbeyfeale, Ireland, which family reckon among themselves very clever professional people in Counties Cork and Limerick, Ireland. Upon the encouragement of his father-in-law, Maurice Hartnett, Thomas Leahy concluded to come to America, and in the fall of 1863 arrived here. His finances were limited, but being of the "right stuff" for a successful farmer in Ohio, he set about and rented land, and finally bought property, eventually locating on his. present farm, one of the finest in the county, and has succeeded in accumulating a handsome competency. His business life is a worthy example of what can be accomplished by a man of strong resolution coupled with steady persistent industry. Besides his success as a farmer and stock-raiser he has reared and educated his family well, and has the satisfaction of seeing his children occupying prominent positions in the social and indus trial life of his adopted country. John W., his eldest, and James F., his third son, are honored members of the Tiffin bar; Dr. Maurice Leahy, the second son, is a prominent physician of Tiffin (he is the father of two boys by his marriage with Enna, daughter of the late Dr. John Alexander McFarland, of Tiffin; Mary A. and Maggie, the only daughters, are ladies of excellent literary and social attainments, and assist to cheer the fireside. Thomas J. is a farmer, Richard P. and Michael are students at, Heidelberg College and Jeremiah, the youngest son, a lad, is at home. The family are regular communicants of St. Mary's Church.
LLOYD NORRIS LEASE, ex-sheriff of Seneca County and proprietor of hotel and livery, Tiffin, was born in Eden Township, this county, April 2, 1838, and comes of worthy pioneer ancestry. His parents, Otho and Belinda (Street) Lease, were natives of Maryland; the former, a son of Harry Lease, descended from English pioneers in that State, and the latter from Scotch pio neers. In 1832 Mr. Lease's parents located in Eden Township, this county, where they remained till 1846, when they removed to Sandusky County, Ohio, and there reared a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom married and reared families. L. N. Lease, the fifth child and fourth son, upon arriving at manhood returned to this county, subsequently locating in Tiffin, where he has since remained, prominently identified with many business interests. He was married in Tiffin, in 1859, to Miss Maria L., daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Thompson) Kridler, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled here in
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1832. To this union was born one son, Eden L., a young man of bright intelligence, an academic student. Mr. Lease has always borne a leading part in local politics, and has been an almost time-honored delegate to the many conventions of his (the Democratic) party. In 1878 he accepted the nomination to the sheriffalty of Seneca County, and polled the then large majority vote of 1,275. Accepting a renomination at the end of his official incumbency he carried 1,385 majority, the largest known in the county. He is a very public spirited man and has always contributed liberally to the support of the many social and industrial interests of his locality. He is of fine physique (standing over six feet and weighing 225 pounds), genial nature, and is socially a very pleasant gentleman. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
LEWIS LEFFLER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, this county, July 14, 1847, son of Lewis H. and Sarah Leffler, natives of Wurtemberg, where they married and remained until 1846. at which time they immigrated to America and settled in Clinton Township, and there remained until their death; the former departed this life December 12, 1879, and the latter February 14, 1885. Our subject was united in marriage May, 24, 1871, with Barbara Breckel; she was born in Wurtemberg, April 18, 1846. Her parents were Gotleib and Anna Breckel, now residents of Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lofer have six children: Sarah A., Tillie, Thomas, Rosa, Robert and Clara. Our subject owns eighty-five acres of good land where he and his family reside. Mr. and Mrs. Leffler are members of the German Lutheran Church.
O. T. LOCKE, editor and proprietor of the Tribune, and postmaster of Tiffin, was born in Killawog, Cortland Co., N. Y., February 27, 1842, and is descended of a line of pioneer New Englanders, from England, his great. grandfather having served as a British officer in early colonial times. His father, Nathaniel R. Locke, a tanner and shoe-maker by occupation, a native of Vermont, served in the war of 1812 and afterward settled in Cortland County, N. Y. O. T. Locke after receiving a common school education in his native State, and when eighteen years old, "went West" and engaged as "typo" in the office of the Bucyrus Journal, at Bucyrus, Ohio (D. R. Locke, proprietor): here he completed his apprenticeship and, in 1863, with another brother, C. N. Locke (now deceased), bought the Findlay Jeffersonian, at Findlay, Ohio and conducted it till 1868, when they with Mr. W. G. Blymer (who had joined them at Findlay) bought out his present paper, the Tribune. Mr. Locke was married in Findlay, in 1866, to Miss Maria C. Porch, second daughter of Henry Porch, Esq., of Findlay, Ohio, and by her he has two daughters and one son: Carrie, Sallie and John. He is a member of the Masonic order.
JAMES W. LOVE, president of the city council of Tiffin, was born near Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, November 2, 1828. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Swayze) Love, the former of Lancaster, Penn., and the latter of Virginia, were married in Pennsylvania and located in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1812, and in about the year 1830, moved to Seneca County and settled in Tiffin. They reared a family of six children-two sons and four daughters-of whom one son, James W., and two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Reem, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Mrs. Abigail Rex, of Wells County, Ind., survive. The subject of our sketch learned the trades of spinning-wheel and cabinet furniture making in his father's shop, which was among the first established in Tiffin. Upon the death of his father, in 1841, he carried on his business for several years. He afterward was employed by Mr. John Fiege (subsequently Fiege Bros.) for twenty-four years in the manufacture of furniture. In 1881 he was one of the incorporators of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, in whose employ he is at present. Mr. Love married in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1853, Miss
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Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catherine (Hugg) Tripp, pioneers of Wyandot County, Ohio, but formerly of Philadelphia, Penn., and by this union has one son, Victor J., a journalist and "typo" connected with the Toledo Bee, of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Love is an ardent supporter of all measures tending to the development of his city, and has served with credit in its councils. and for the last four years has been its presiding officer. He is a time-honored Odd Fellow, a member of Seneca Lodge No. 35, also a member of Hobah Encampment No. 19, I. O. O. F.. and has served as its scribe for the last fifteen years; is also one of the charter members of the K. of P., Lodge No. 811. of Tiffin. In matters of religion, although not connected with any sects or creeds, our subject is a liberal supporter of the Reformed Church, of which Mrs. Love is an active member.
ROBERT LYSLE, notary public, general insurance and real estate business, Tiffin, was born in Chester County, Penn., March 26, 1833; son of Robert and Eliza A. (Walker) Lysle, both of Irish ancestry. The grandfather, Lieut. James Lysle, left his native country, Ireland, and arriving in America settled in Chester County, Penn. He was by occupation a teacher; served under Gen. Anthony Wayne during the Revolutionary war and was with him at the storming of Stonington; he died of quick consumption in 1806. Our subject's grandparents left Chester County, Penn., and moved to Sewickley, Penn., in 1801. Our subject's father was born in Chester County, Penn., and returning there bought the homestead in 1820. Our subject's mother comes of pioneer stock in Pennsylvania, among whom are many tanners and carriers on the maternal, and paper manufacturers on the paternal side. The subject of our sketch, one of a family of three sons and six daughters (all living in Philadelphia and vicinity, except himself and one sister, who died in (1846), was reared to paper-snaking (the business of his father) and in company with his brother, James W., carried on the "old mill." In 1860 he sold his interest in the business and came West, and in April, 1861, located with his family in Tiffin. He engaged in book-keeping for a time and subsequently became a knight of the road in commercial business, in which capacity he was favorably known for ten years, retiring in 187! to take up his present vocation. He received a commission as notary public from Gov. Hayes and has had it renewed under Govs. Foster and Hoadly. Mr. Lysle was married in Chester County, Penn., to Hannah Kimble Brown, daughter of Phineas and Louisa (Kimble) Brown, by whom he has three sons and three daughters: Florence Nay. wife of J. W. Andrews, of Toledo; Walter Barnes, stock dealer of Ida Grove, Iowa; Lillie Brown; Olive Louisa; Robert Walker, a young lad of excellent attainments; and George Kimble, born July 29, 1885. Mr. Lysle and family are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as member of the board of elders and president of the board of trustees. He is a F. & A. M. and has passed all the chairs to the commandery; is present Captain General in De Molay Commandery No. 9, K. T. He is president of the library association, and has altogether been foremost in the support of Tiffin's many literary and educational institutions. During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Lysle did honorable service, enlisting, June, 1862, in Company 1, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was commissioned first lieutenant August 11 of that year, and did active service till January 25, 1863, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. Regaining his health he set about organizing Company I, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which he took in the field as captain July 14, 1863, and was in active service again till February 10, 186. when the regiment was mustered out.
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EPHRAIM J. McCOLLUM, M. D., physician and surgeon, Tiffin, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in June, 1825. He is the third in the family of five children of John and Sarah (Barber) McCollum, and was born on his father's farm. When five years of age his father died, and he was taken by his grandfather McCollum, who was a farmer in Columbia County, Penn. There he attended school, and later worked on the farm during the summer months. In 1842 he taught school, which he continued to do for four year. Iii 1846 he began the study of medicine, with Dr. William Marr, of Washington, Penn. In 1847-48 he attended lectures at Jefferson College, Philadelphia. In 1849 he commenced the practice of his chosen profession in McCutchenville, Ohio, where he continued for three years. In 1852-53 he again attended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, and was graduated therefrom in March, 1853. The same month he was married to Margaret Marr, a sister of Dr. Mari-, with whom he had studied. He immediately located himself in Tiffin, Ohio, which has ever since been his residence. In 1854, during the cholera epidemic in Tiffin, the Doctor became a victim, but fortunately recovered. The time was a trying one, for in the little town of 3,000 population from ten to fifteen were dying every day. The Doctor is one of the oldest physicians in Tiffin. His practice has been large, successful, and remunerative. On the opening of the Chicago Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad he received the appointment as surgeon for that road, as well as of the Northwestern Ohio Railroad (now the Toledo Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad). These positions he has held for many years; has been health officer of Tiffin; president of the County Medical Society; and a member of the Northwestern Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since about twenty-five years of age. His son, Leon, born in 1856, studied with him, took two courses in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, where he graduated, and settled in the practice of medicine at Lodi, Seneca County. He is now in practice with his father at Tiffin. The Doctor, by both parents, is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Ephraim McCollum, who was born in the United States, was the son of a Scotchman. On his mother's side he can trace his ancestry in Scotland back to the time of Queen Elizabeth. These records, in possession of the Doctor, are of remarkable interest. His maternal grandmother was a Kennedy, one of the descendants of Roland de Garrick, who was himself a direct descendant of the old Scottish kings. The authentic record says: "In early part of fourteenth century the descendants of Roland de Garrick adopted the name of Kennedy as a surname." Scotch history is full of mention of members of this family. James Kennedy, archbishop of St. Andrews, was cousin to James II, of Scotland, and was one of the most powerful statesmen of Scotland, of his time. We find mention of high church dignitaries, great generals, and statesmen. One of the women of the family stands out conspicuous in history, from the fact that she was one of the two ladies in waiting who were allowed to attend the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots, at her execution. The Kennedys, though at first somewhat divided, early threw their influence in favor of the reformed religion. In 1538 Alexander Kennedy, a finely educated young gentleman, was burned at the stake, in Glasgow, for writing a poetical satire against the Franciscan friars. Branches of the Kennedy family migrated to Ireland, and from thence, at a later date, to America. In America, as in Scotland, they have become stanch Presbyterians in religious faith.
W. RUSH McFARLAND, proprietor of restaurant and saloon, Tiffin, only surviving son of the late Dr. John Alexander McFarland, was born in Tiffin, this
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comity, January 10, 1846, and after receiving a good education engaged in merchandising, with which he was connected for several years, establishing his present business in 1880. February 20, 18 76, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John B. and Margaret (Schaeffer) Gravoldinger, the former of Remich, Luxemburg, Germany, and the latter of Dudenbrun, Baden. To this union were born three sons: Alexander Rush, Henry Arthur (buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery here) and William Albert. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are member; of St. Mary's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the Bruderbund society, and has been a member of the fire department for eleven years.
AUSTIN McNEAL, merchant, Tiffin, was born at Fort Ball (now Tiffin), Ohio, June 11, 1830, son of Milton and Maria (Gregory) McNeal, the former of whom was born in Orange County, N. Y., and settled here in 1823; the latter, who came here the following year, was a daughter of Nehemiah and Patience (Brown) Gregory, who settled in Athens County, Ohio, in 1801, from New York State (they were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came of Presbyterian Church people, and of Revolutionary stock, the father of Patience Brown serving with marked distinction as a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war). Milton McNeal died in 1834, leaving a son and two daughters; of the latter, Amanda is the wife of James W. Bayard, of Athens County, Ohio, and Laura is the wife of Judge Truman H. Bagby, of Tiffin. Austin, the son, was reared to his father's business (merchandising), and hits been prominently identified with the industry here since. He was united, in marriage with Sarah Ann, daughter of Dr. Secretary Rawson, of Richfield, Ohio (now of Des Moines, Iowa), and brother of Abel Rawson, this union being blessed with a son and a daughter: Otis R. (whom they buried) and Lucy Maria, now the wife of Don R. Gibson, of Payne, Ohio, son of Dr. Robert McDonald Gibson, brother of Gen. W. H. Gibson, of Tiffin. Mrs. Maria McNeal after living a widow for years was happily married to Abel Rawson, with whom she remained a kind companion until his demise. She is still hale and vigorous, and retains in her memory many of the very interesting events of her early life. She is very kindly respected by all who know her as the warm friend of the distressed, the noble woman, kind mother and affectionate wife. While many of her age have passed the more active sphere of their lives, she still continues her domestic duties, milking her cows, making butter as of yore and attending t o her household duties. The wonder is how she has carried her years of care and labor.
JAMES V. MAGERS, clerk of the courts of Seneca County, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 17, 1842. His parents, Joseph E. Magers and Mary A. Sneeringer, settled in this county in 1852, coming from Stark County. The former was a native of Maryland, and of pioneer French descent, and the latter of German pioneer ancestry in Pennsylvania; of their family of eleven children they reared four sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch (their eldest child) enjoyed the benefits of the common schools, and finished his education at Heidelberg College. He engaged in teaching, with which profession he was prominently identified in this locality for many years. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat. October, 1881, he was elected to his present incumbency, and upon the expiration of his term of office was honorably re-elected. He married, January 7, 1868, at New Riegel, this county, Mary J., daughter of John Adelsperger and :Mary A. Albert, pioneer; of Loudon Township, the former of whom was a native of Maryland, and the. latter of Pennsylvania. Mr, and Mrs. Magers have two sons and two daughters living: Charles F., Olive I., Camilla E. and Victor L.; and have, buried
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two sons: Orville V. and Joseph J. Mr. Magers, while being a very reputable teacher, is an active and enterprising public man and citizen, and contributes in no small degree to the support of his party, as attested to by his popular ability as an official.
J. F. MARQUARDT, druggist, Tiffin, Ohio, born in Aldingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, November 22, 1839, son of the late Christian Marquardt, of that place. J. F. Marquardt came to America, at the age of fourteen years, through the influence of the late Dr. Jacob Frederick Jeack, under whose guardianship he remained in study. On the death of Dr. Jeack two years later he apprenticed himself to the drug business and after spending two years at this trade in Toledo returned to Tiffin in 1858, opened a drug store, and has been prominently identified with the drug business ever since. In 1862 he married, in Tiffin, Ardella E. Koller, fourth daughter of Jesse Koller, and by her he has one son: Jesse C., a young man of excellent attainments, a graduate of the Ohio State University, and at present in charge of his father's drug business at New Washington, Ohio. Mr. Marquardt has accumulated a handsome competence in his business, the result of steady, persistent industry. He has always been a liberal contributor to public measures tending to the growth and development of the social and industrial life of his adopted city. He is a worthy Mason, and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar in De Molay Commandery. He is also, a member of the K. of H., and of the Royal Arcanum. During the late civil war he pronounced himself in strong accord with the Union, and so extended his services. In 1874 he erected the handsome building in which he does business, and which bears his name. He is also interested in many other enterprises.
JACOB MARSHAL, retired farmer and one of the old pioneers of the county, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Biron, Germany, September 23, 1815, son of George and Elizabeth Marshal, who immigrated to America direct to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1834, and bore remained until their death. Our subject was married, August 28, 1836, to Sophia Bishop, born in Germany July 23, 1809, daughter of Nicholas and Eve Bishop, who died in Germany. To our subject and wife have been born eight children, five now living: George, Jacob, Mary (wife of Paul Miller), Susan (wife of Jonas Hoblits), Elizabeth (wife of Frederick Meyers). The deceased are David, Margaret and an infant. Our subject, who has been a farmer all his life, owns nearly 100 acres of land. He and his wife are faithful members of the Reformed Church.
CHARLES MARTIN, dealer in groceries, Tiffin, was born in Hondingen, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in 1837, and was apprenticed to the cabinetmaking trade there. In 1853 he came to America and located in the following year in Melmore, this county, where he was connected with merchandising till 1862, when he came to Tiffin and followed the same occupation till in 1864, when, upon the organization of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, he enlisted in Company A, and did duty during its term of service. In December of 1864 he formed a partnership in the grocery business with Mr. Nighswander, which continued until 1868, when Mr. Negele purchased an interest (Mr. Nighswander retiring), and the firm has since been favorably known as Martin & Negele. Besides a regular trade the firm have introduced an important feature in the enterprise of coffee roasting and grinding, as well as spice grinding, which has proved no small addition to their business. Mr. Martin was married at Melmore, in 1860, to Miss Sophia Pfau, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, daughter of Frederick Pfau, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. They have two sons and three daughters: James G. (in mercantile trade at Hayward, Wis.), Emma, Elsie, Flora and Silas.
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Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former has been an official for several years. He is a member of the different Masonic bodies in Tiffin, also K. of H., Royal Arcanum and A. L. of H. Mr. Martin has always felt averse to holding public office, but has served his ward (Fourth) in the councils of the city.
JAMES F. MARTIN, son of Nathan Martin, of Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth Devine, of York County, Canada, was born in Canada May 6, 1830, and came to Seneca County with his parents in 1839. He was educated in Bloom Township, and at the Seneca County Academy; worked on the homestead farm until August, 1850, when he was severely injured by a threshing machine; he then attended the Seneca County Academy, and in 1853 taught school in Bloom Township, which he followed until 1865, when he was elected county recorder. He was re-elected in 1868, and served until the close of 1871. In 1874 he was chosen assistant sergeant-at-arms, at Columbus, for the Legislature. Mr. Martin was married on Christmas day, 1.855, to Miss Julia Engle, of Thompson Township. This lady died March 20, 1874, leaving four children. Of these two daughters have died since that time.
DR. JOHN W. MARTIN, dentist, Tiffin, was born in Clinton Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, March 3, 1832. His parents, John and Barbara (Broadbeck) Martin, were early settlers in this county, having moved from Frederick County, Md., in 1826; the former was born in Frederick County, Md., and the latter near. York, Penn. The subject of our sketch wits reared on the farm and followed agricultural pursuits till he was twenty-six years of age, when he commenced the study of dentistry. After a short practice at Westerville, Ohio, he located in Tiffin, this county, in 1861, and has been favorably identified with professional work here since. He was united in marriage, in 1853, with Rachael A., daughter of John and Lydia (Reem) Berkey, of Liberty Township, this county; she passed away her young life, leaving one daughter, Rachael, now the wife of H. H. Neligh, a dentist. Dr. Martin was married on second occasion, in 1861, to Elizabeth A., daughter of Rev. John and Elizabeth (Walker) Sender; she also departed this life December 17, 1884, leaving, no issue. Dr. Martin is a worthy citizen, a clever dental surgeon and an enterprising public spirited business man. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN MERKELBACH, grocer, Tiffin, born in Granzhausen, in the dukedom of Nassau, April 5, 1826; is a son of Jacob William and Elizabeth (Remi) Merkelbach, who had four sons and four daughters, of whom one son and two daughters came to America: Catharine (wife of Jacob Caesar, of New York City, have four sons and four daughters); Wilhemina (wife of Frederick Herner, of Allentown, Penn., have three sons and two daughters), and John. The subject of this sketch learned painting in his native land, and upon coning to Tiffin, Ohio, in 1853, he carried on his trade and acquired a handsome competence. In 1876 he embarked in the grocery business, which he still carries on. February 4, 1855, he married Catharine, daughter of Andrew Albrecht, and by her has eleven children--two sons and nine daughters: Louisa, wife of James George, of Tiffin; Anna, wife of George Dutt, of Tiffin; Mina, who carries on the store; Emma, a lady of excellent attainments, a teacher in the schools of Tiffin; Eva; Mary; John Frederick, a painter; Lizzie; Ida; Charlie and Cora. The family attend the German Reformed Church. Mr. Merkelbach is a member of the Bruderbund society, of which he has served as its honored president.
PETER MILLER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Ontario County. N. Y., September 16, 1833, son of Daniel W. and Anna Miller, who were united in marriage in the State of New York, and who moved to Seneca County, Ohio,
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in 1837, where they remained until the death of the latter. Daniel W. Miller afterward married Sarah Raber, and they now reside in Clinton Township. Our subject was married March 2, 1854, to Levina Robenalt, born in this county September 12, 1832, daughter of Solomon and Catharine Robenalt, natives of Pennsylvania, and who were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, moving to Seneca County in 1829, and there remaining until their death; the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of seven children, of whom six are now living: Frank P., born October 1 1856; Orlando A., born March 12, 1858; Daniel W., born August 1, 1859; Alice V., born October 25, 1860; Burton R. and Anna M., born November 16, 1864. The deceased, Gideon A., was born January 4, 1855, and died April 22, 1862. Mr. Miller is a cooper, a trade he followed for several years, and then became engaged in farming. He owns 288 acres of land, nearly all improved. He is trustee of the township, a position he has filled for six years with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
P. L. MORCHER, proprietor of bakery, confectionery and dining hall, Tiffin, was born in Fort Seneca, Pleasant Township, this county, May 29, 1854. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Rehm) Morcher, former of whom came from Wurtemberg, Germany, when a lad of fourteen, and here learned shoemaking, which he carried on at Fort Seneca till his death, which occurred in January, 1870; the latter was a native of Bierne, Bavaria, daughter of Philip Lorenzo and Elizabeth (Mechsdesheimer) Rehm, who located at Fort Seneca, this county, in 1845. Jacob and Elizabeth (Rehm) Morcher had a family of six sons and one daughter: John William, of Tiffin; Philip Lorenzo; George Henry, a baker; Frank Albert, a farmer and lumber dealer; Charles Jacob, a baker; Frances Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles Purcel, in bakery and restaurant. business ,at Fostoria, and Jacob Udel, with Philip Lorenzo. The subject of our sketch learned shoe-making, which he followed till he was twenty-six years of age, when he engaged in his present business, which he has successfully carried on since. He was married, December 6, 1881, to Matilda, daughter of Charles and Catharine (Bechle) Wendler. He and his wife are worthy members of the First Reformed Church. Mr. Morcher is a member of the K. of P. and of P. O. of A.
BENJAMIN F. MYERS, Tiffin, is a descendant of the German pioneers of Ohio from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Conrad Myers, his grandfather, coming from Maryland, settled in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1796. His father, whose name was Conrad, was married to Miss Leah Rauch, of Pennsylvania. In 1845 they came to this county and made their home on a farm in Jackson Township, where a family of five sons and three daughters grew up around them. The subject of this sketch was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, May 2, 1833. His early education was acquired in the district schools in his neighborhood. He made such advancement that at the age of sixteen he taught his first term of school. Afterward he attended Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, where he prosecuted the studies of the scientific course. Leaving college he engaged in teaching, and has ever since been prominently connected with the educational interests of his county. After a successful experience of seventeen years in the district schools, he accepted a position in the public schools of the city of Tiffin, where he became principal of the Second Ward, and assistant superintendent. This position Mr. Myers has held since 1866. During the last nineteen years he has served as a member of the board of county school examiners for Seneca County. In 1856 Mr. Myers was married to Miss Leah A. Faulk, of Columbiana County, Ohio, and they have one son
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--Claude Eugene. The family all belong to the Reformed Church, in which for many years they have been consistent members and efficient workers. The genial, generous disposition of Mr. Myers has made him many friends. Personally he is of fine physique, tall and compactly built, and of commanding presence. After an active and successful service in his profession, he has the enviable reputation of being a man of honor and of the strictest integrity. He is still in the prime of life, and after being nominated by the Democratic party as their candidate for the office of treasurer 'of Seneca County, he was elected, in October, 1885, to that office by a large majority, even running over 300 votes ahead of his ticket.
B. FRANK MYERS, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware. Tiffin, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, March 20, 1848. His parents, John A. and Sarah (Blymer) Myers, natives of Franklin County, Penn., located in Mansfield in 1842, and thence came to Tiffin in 1848, where John A. Myers carried on hardware business, etc., till his death, which occurred in 1877. Since the death of his father, our subject, who was in a manner reared to it, has carried on the business with excellent success. He was married, in Tiffin, in 1873, to Alverda L., daughter of the late William Cromwell, Esq., a native of Frederick County, Md., and by this union there are one son and one daughter: Alfred R. and Aleeta. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P., and is president of the Tifn Building Association.
JOHN MYERS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, one of the old settlers of this county, was born in Germany, June 24, 1816, son of Blasius and Elizabeth Myers, natives of Germany, who immigrated, in 1834, to Huron County, Ohio, and remained there until their deaths. John Myers, the subject of this sketch, came to this county in 1844, and was united in marriage the same year with Catharine Ardner, who was born in Bavaria in 1821. Mr. and Mrs. Myers raised quite a large family. He is a carpenter by trade, but of late years has been engaged in farming, owning fifty-five acres of good land. He has filled several municipal offices with credit. Mrs. Myers departed this life in November, 1873, leaving a family to mourn her loss.
JOSEPH P. MYERS, contractor, builder and street commissioner of Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, August 16, 1845, the eldest son of John and Catharine (Ardner) Myers, and was reared to the building business with which he has remained prominently connected since (his father retiring from it to the farm in 1863, where he now lives): Many of the prominent buildings and shops have been constructed under his supervision. In the year 1884, while acting in the capacity of city civil engineer, which profession he adopted, by diligent study and hard work he made a complete system of maps of the city, which have been adopted by the city. On the breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Myers offered his services and was admitted into Company I, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he did active service for three years. July 4, 1864, he was shot through the left, lung at the battle of Pilot Knob, Marietta, Ga., and, after lying in the hospital for many months, regained his health and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga and in many others. Returning from the war he continued his professional work and in the following year (180<i) was united in marriage with Mahala Myers, who blessed him with five children: Jennie, Bruce, Frank, Rush and Harry. In 1875 Mrs. Myers passed away from this life and is laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. flyers was married on the second occasion, in 1883, to Belle Byrns, and by this union has two bright little boys: Clarence and Earl. Mr. Myers has al-
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ways taken an active part in public life, and is a stanch Democrat in politics. He has always given a cordial support to the social and industrial development of this city. He is director of the Tiffin Building Association; stockholder and active operator of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company; member of Leander Stem Post G. A. R., K. of P., P. O. of A. and Bruderbund societies, and served with credit as chief of the Tiffin Fire Department for several years. ,He belongs to many musical societies. His brothers as well as himself are all excellent musicians.
JOHN BLASIUS MYERS, dealer in groceries and provisions, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, August 7, 1849; son of John and Catharine (Ardner) Myers, the former a native of Neuberg, Baden, and the latter of Betzchbach, Bavaria; they were married in Tiffin in 1844, and reared four sons and four daughters: Joseph P.; Mary, wife of Martin Hufferd, a farmer in Mercer County, Ohio; Johanna, wife of Peter Weber, of Tiffin; John B.; Catharine, wife of Andrew Weigle, a mechanic of Tiffin; Christiana (deceased wife of Charles Sheter, and who left four children); William H. and Charles L. (latter deceased). The subject of our sketch learned his father's trade (carpentering and building), and was connected with it for several years, during which time he did some important contracting and building on public and private buildings and on public highways. January 1, 1875, he retired from that trade and embarked in grocery, provisions and queensware business. April 21, 1874, he married Theresa R. Myers, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Sinz) Steur, natives of Tyrol, the former of Herbranz and the latter of Kennelbach, and who settled here in early times; they were married in May, 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born three daughters and two sons: Paulina K., Alfred J., Oswald J., Victoria Annie and Bertha E. Mr. Myers is a regular communicant of St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic). He is an active member of the Bruderbund, and its honored treasurer; is also a member of the Turnverein, and has been an active member of the Fire Department of Tiffin, and was engineer of the steam fire engine from 1876 to 1880. In 1880 Mr. Myers purchased the property where he was born, which he now occupies, and on which he has a handsome residence, and when he retires from the cares of the day, he lays his head to rest but a short distance from where he was first pillowed. He is a worthy citizen, a kind husband and father, and a very sociable gentleman.
JOHN M. MYERS was born in Clearspring, Washington Co., Md., September 13, 1838, son. of Michael and Anna E. (Wagner) Myers, descendants of pioneer Germans, of Franklin County, Penn., who reared a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom removed to this county, in 1856, with their parents. John M. had served an apprenticeship in type-setting in his native county and had also been reared to the building business, by his father, and upon coming here he continued in that vocation until February 20, 1860, when he entered the office of the Seneca Advertiser, as a printer. In January, 1863, he became its editor and publisher, and in 1867 he purchased a half interest in the paper, associating with himself, as partner, his brother, E. Shelby Myers; the business was conducted successfully and satisfactorily till April, 1884, when E. Shelby, and E. Bruce (who had become a partner in 1878) sold their interests to L. A. Brunner and J. W. Geiger, who now carry it on. The firm of Myers Brothers, under which the paper was conducted for eighteen years, succeeded in building up a prosperous business, and enlarging the sphere and usefulness of the Advertiser, and at the time of the dissolution of the firm, it was considered one of the best establishments in Ohio. It would be proper to say here that in the many enterprises in which
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our subject has been associated, his brothers have always shared financially with him, and although known as the head of the business, in all matters their united counsels have always marked his line of conduct, and the actions of Mr. Myers have been better known as that. of the Myers Brothers, who have contributed their share in the development of the material industries of Tiffin. In the spring of 1870, J. M., in connection with four other gentlemen of Tiffin. purchased the Ohio Stove Works, which was conducted as a partnership until January, 1882, at which time the business was organized as a stock company, with John M. as its president, in which position he has continued until the present time. Our subject was married here in 18 71, to Miss Lurena A. Frees, a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of Wesley B. Frees, of Tiffin. Mr. Myers has always condemned the scramble for public office, and has never held an office nor asked for one. He has, however, been active in the furtherance of the principles of his party and has had the pleasure of seeing the majority gradually growing in his county, from twenty when he t took charge of the paper in 1863, to over 1, 200 when he retired from its control in 1881. Latterly he has become interested with his brothers in the cattle business in New Mexico, to which industry he is paying much attention. E. Shelby flyers was born in 1840, and married, in 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Haas, daughter of John R. Haas, one of the founders of the Tiffin Agricultural Works. E. Bruce Myers was born in Clearspring, Md., February 1, 1851, and married here in 1879, Miss Ella M. Cunningham, daughter of George W. Cunningham, a prominent miller and grain dealer. To this union has been born a daughter, Bessie. Leon B. Myers the youngest brother, was born in 1855, and married, in 1880, to Rebecca McDonald, daughter of Maj. McDonald, of Bucyrus, and has two daughters by the union.
JOHN M. NAYLOR. This well known citizen and business man of Tiffin, was born at Wooster, Ohio, December 9, 1822. His parents, James and Eleanor Dill (Musgrave) Naylor, were natives of Beaver and Dauphin Counties, Penn.. respectively. James Naylor was a carpenter and house builder, and carried on that business at booster, Wayne Co., Ohio, for many years. John )I. Navlor, during his earlier years, attended the public schools, where was laid the foundation for a practical English education. Before he was out of his "teens," however, he taught school for several terms, and thus acquired means to pay his way at Granville College, where he was a student for some time. Up to this date his aim had been to obtain a thorough education and to devote himself to the study and practice of law, but at the age of twenty years he was induced to accept a clerkship in the hardware store of Jacobs & Kouke, at Wooster, Ohio, and thus the channel of his life was diverted and directed into mercantile pursuits. He remained with the above named firm for four years, at the expiration of which time, in 1847, he formed a partnership with Harvey Howard and came to Tiffin, where they opened a hardware tore under the firm name of Howard & Naylor. Four years afterward Mr. Howard sold his interest, and Mr. Naylor assumed the sole proprietorship of the house, continuing the same up to the present time. Under his management the business has steadily prospered and grown, until now it is the most extensive establishment of its kind in Tiffin, and, indeed, is excelled by few, if any, in northern Ohio. Notwithstanding the assiduous attention Mr. Naylor has given to his business, he has always been a student of men and affairs and devoted much time to the study of standard works, thus acquiring a valuable fund of information that is generally only attained by a thorough collegiate course. He has now been prominently identified with the commercial, social and other interests of Tiffin for a period of thirty-eight years, during. which
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time he has been proved to be a man of excellent executive and financial abilities, with perceptive and reasoning faculties of no ordinary mold. His judgment and prompt decision in business affairs are seldom at fault. These qualities, together with great firmness and a conscientious desire to be just toward all men, are characteristics of the man. Though never a politician in the general acceptance of the term, he has always been a Republican, zealously interested in the welfare of that party, believing it to be the party of progress, as it was of the Union during the dark days of the civil war; in those days by means and influence Mr. Naylor was earnest in his aid and support of the Union cause. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for many years, and has been a liberal donator and one of its chief supports in Tiffin. When the new brick church was built he contributed largely toward its erection and completion, and in various ways the city of Tiffin has always found him to the front in support of any public enterprise calculated to benefit the whole people. He was one of the founders of the National Exchange, now the Tiffin National Bank, of which he has always been a director and large stockholder. Mr. Naylor commenced his business career with little or no means, and is a striking example of what may be accomplished in the space of a few years when energy is aided by well directed industry, accompanied by strict integrity. Mr. Naylor was married, December 11, 1849, to Cornelia T., daughter of Judge Benjamin Pittenger, and although two children were born to this union none now survive: Cora, born in 1851, died, after a short illness, in 1873, and Frank, born in 1854, died while on an excursion in Florida in 1883.
WILLIAM NEGELE, of the firm of Martin & Negele, grocers, etc., Tiffin, was born in Plochingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 6, 1835, son of William and Rosina (Handel) Negele, who came to America in 1853, locating at Tiffin the following year. The subject of our sketch learned his father's business (soap and candle-making) in his native land, but on coming here learned marble-cutting, which he followed till the breaking out of the late civil war. He enlisted at Tiffin September 22, 1861, in Company H, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run and received his discharge at Columbus, February 27, 1863. After the war Mr. Negele returned to Tiffin and engaged as clerk in the grocery business, and in 1868 embarked in business along with Mr. Martin, the firm being .favorably known to the people of this locality since. He married, in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1864, Christina, daughter of the late Christian Kreitzinger, of Sandusky, the union being blessed with one son and four daughters: Clara, Mattie, Minnie, Cora and Charles. Mr. Negele and family are members of the Evangelical Church, of the Sabbath-school of which be has been the superintendent for many years. He is a member of the R. A., K. of H., L. of H. and of Leander Stem Post, G. A. R. William Negele's only brother, Charles, is a minister in the Evangelical Association of Sandusky, Ohio. Of his sisters, Paulina is the deceased wife of Valentine Stetzer, of Toledo; Louisa is the wife of George Mautz, a farmer, of Zanesville, Ohio,, and Christiana is the wife of Louis Smith, a manufacturer, of Zanesville, Ohio.
HARRY L. NIGHSWANDER, agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph Company, Tiffin, is among the younger elements of Tiffin's successful citizens. His father, John H. Nighswander, was a native of Franklin County, Penn., born October 5, 1826, and comes of pioneer stock of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Upon attaining his majority the father of our subject engaged in merchandising and in 1848 came to Tiffin and embarked in business on his own account. Here he married, in 1852, Margaret C., daughter of Eli Umsted, of Clinton Township, this county, who bore him three sons and two daughters:
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Clara (wife of Jonas Romig), Charles Fremont (operator with the Western Union Telegraph Company, Toledo), Harry Lincoln (the subject of our sketch), Jeanie and John. John H. Nighswander was a member of the constabulary of the city and county for several years; was one of the first members of the fire department; is Past Grand of the I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member since 1855.
SAMUEL NIGHSWANDER, county surveyor and engineer of Seneca County, Ohio, P. 0. Fort Seneca, was born in Franklin County, Penn., May 6, 1834, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bare) Nighswander, who settled in this county April 2-1, 1847, and who had fifteen children, twelve of whom are yet living. The subject of this sketch was educated in this county, taught school for a while, and afterward studied surveying and civil engineering, with which he has been identified ever since. He has served in his present office for eight years. Mr. Nighswander married Margaret Beck, by whom he has one son and five daughters: Elizabeth (now Mrs. Charles Bastian), and Savilla (wife of Dallas Hade), all residing in Fort Seneca, Ohio; William; Avarintha; Catharine and Louisa. Mr. Nighswander is a member of the K. of H.
HON. WARREN P. NOBLE, a prominent lawyer of Tiffin, and a highly respected citizen of Seneca County, stands high in this locality as one of the early and most active business men, and as a promoter of many of its most important industries. He was born in Luzerne County, Penn., June 14, 1820. His father, William Noble, was a native of Connecticut, and comes of English ancestry, in that State; and his mother, Rebecca (Lytle) Noble, comes of Irish pioneer ancestry, of Pennsylvania. They settled in .Jackson Township, this county, in 1836, where they reared a large family. The subject of our sketch completed a good common school education, and taught school for several years in Fostoria and vicinity. The facilities for obtaining an education in this part of Ohio, at that time, were very few, and in order to obtain better opportunities, Mr. Noble was compelled to make the trip on foot, several times, to and from an academy in Medina County, then under control and management of John McGregger. He subsequently read law in the office of Rawson R; Pennington, of Tiffin, aid was admitted to the bar in 1814, since which time he has steadily advanced to and now occupies the front rank of the profession. He has a strong, vigorous constitution, and probably may be reckoned amongst the most indefatigable workers in his profession anywhere. In 1846 he was elected to the Legislature, and was honorably re-elected for a second term. Retiring from this, he was elected prosecuting attorney for Seneca County, to which last named office he was re-elected, but resigned before the expiration of the second term, to give his entire attention to his other large law practice. In 1860 he was elected to the Thirty-seventh National Congress, and afterward again to the Thirty-eighth, in both of which he served as representative of the war wing of the Democratic party, retiring on the 4th of March, 1865. Upon the dissolution of the First National Bank, of Tiffin, he was appointed its receiver, and creditably and promptly closed up and settled the business of that concern. Upon the organization of the Commercial Bank, in 1876, he was. elected its president, which. incumbency he still holds. He served without portfolio, for ten years, as member of the board of trustees of the Ohio State University, a part of the time as president of the board, and was among the first here to introduce and make permanent our railroad facilities. He married, in 1847, Mary E., eldest daughter of F. Singer. Mrs. Noble died March 9, 1853, leaving two daughters and one son: Belle, now Mrs. William L. Bates, of Dayton, Ohio; Mary Ellen, widow of the late Silas W. Groff, Esq., of Tiffin, and Warren F., a graduate of the Ohio State University, class of 1879, and
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now a worthy member of the bar of this State, at Tiffin. After years of celibacy, Mr: Noble married, for his second wife, September 27, 1870, Alice M., daughter of the late Alexander Campbell, of Tiffin, and this union has been blessed with two daughters: Hattie, born September 25, 1873, and Alice. born January 12, 1875. Mr. Noble has always given a cordial support to all measures to promote the growth and development of the social and industrial life of this locality. Non-sectarian in religious matters, he contributes freely to all church institutions of this place. He is a worthy Knight Templar and a member of De Molay Commandery of Tiffin.
HARRISON NOBLE, lawyer, Tiffin, and judge of the probate court of Seneca County, comes of pioneer Ohioans of Connecticut and Pennsylvania stock ---his father, William Noble, being of Connecticut, and his mother, Rebecca (Lytle) Noble, of Pennsylvania. They reared ten children. Harrison Noble was born in Salt Creek Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, and moved here, in 1838, with his people who settled in Jackson Township, where he obtained a good schooling for the times. He attended Oberlin College and afterward Seneca County Academy at Republic. He then taught school and attended law study in the office of his brother the Hon. W. P. Noble. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1849 and formed a partnership with his brother and preceptor. In 1874 he retired from this alliance and formed a partnership with N. B. Lutes, which he retired from in 1880, and subsequently formed one with James H. Latt, the present city solicitor, which firm Mr. Noble retired from to enter upon his present incumbency. He has served his city as solicitor two terms; member of the council twelve years; mayor of Tiffin two terms; director of the County infirmary six years; and has filled other important local official positions. During the late war of the Rebellion he worked actively in the interests of organization of the different regiments raised in the county and was commissioned colonel of the second regiment raised here. Mr. Noble was married at Tiffin, in 1858, to Minerva, sixth daughter of the late Josiah Hayes, and by this union has two sons: Harry H., now engaged in medical studies, and Birdie M., at home. Mr. Noble while attending a good professional practice has also been preceptor of some of our leading young attorneys. In the social and industrial life of Seneca County he has contributed in no small degree to the advancement of its growth and development.
T. H. NOONAN, division freight agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Tiffin, is a representative of one of the important commercial interests of this locality, and is a worthy example of a self-made man in his vocation. He was born in Lockport, N. Y., June 20, 1845; son of John T. and Mary (Armstrong) Noonan, natives of Ireland, the former a descendant of merchantmen of County Clare, and the latter of the Armstrongs, of Sligo, many of whom rank well in the literary professions; they married in Sligo and came to America, locating in this county a few years previous to the cholera epidemic, and here reared three sons and three daughters. The subject of our sketch became an apprenticed clerk at. twelve years of age, and upon completing his apprenticeship learned book-keeping and telegraphy, and became clerk and operator in the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad, now the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad. After a few years creditable connection with this corporation, he accepted a position on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at Vincennes. Ind., where he remained in charge of that office for about six years. He next spent two years as " mine host" of the Shawhan House, at Tiffin, and was also interested in the Hays House, of Fostoria, at the same time. Retiring from this business, he accepted a position with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as traveling freight agent in June, 1878, and in 1880 was appointed to his pres-
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ent incumbency, which he ably fills. Mr. Noonan was married in Tiffin, October, 1870, to Clara Arnold, eldest daughter of Henry A. Buskirk, and to this union were born two sons: Harry and Dorsey Ray. Mr. Noonan has always held aloof from strong political and religious connections, but has liberally contributed to all worthy enterprises.
LLOYD NORRIS, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county October 5, 1830, son of Nathaniel and Sarah Norris, natives of Maryland, where they were married and where they first settled; from there they came to this county, about 1828, and here remained until their death; Nathaniel Norris departed this life December 3, 1864, and his widow February 5, 1865. Our subject was united in marriage, March 30, 1854, with Barbara A. Miller, born in the State of New York, October 16, 1836, daughter of Daniel and Anna Miller, who were married in Now York State, and who moved to Ohio in 1837, settling in this county, where they remained until the death of Mrs. Miller, which occurred March 24, 1849. After the death of his first wife Mr. Miller married Sarah Raber, and they now reside in Clinton Township, this county. To our subject and wife have been born two children: Sidney C., born December 10, 1857, and Arthur L., born August 12, 1872. Mr. Norris owns 160 acres of fine land, with good buildings. Mrs. Norris is a member of the Lutheran Church.
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Leland, a graduate of the Tiffin High School and now an eight-years' cadet in the naval school at Annapolis, and Clara Adele. It may be truthfully said that Mr. Norton has but few equals as an extemporaneous speaker. He has served the city and county as an official and promoter of most of its important interests. He is an active member of the Seneca County Agricultural Society, has served as president of the school board of the city, president of the council, is now serving as county auditor of this county, and has been prominently before the people as congressman; he represented the Seventh Congressional District as delegate to the late much respected Democratic National Convention; was appointed, by Secretary of the Treasury Daniel Manning, as inspector of customs at the Isthmus of Panama, but declined the appointment because of business relations that forbade his acceptance.
WINDFIELD S. NOVINGER, carriage and wagon-maker, P. O. Tiffin, is a son of John and Susan (Killinger) Novinger, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1882 and settled in Clinton Township, where they are pleasantly located. They have had eight children: Windfield S., Jacob, Irvin, George W., Virgil, Kate and Thomas, now living; and Hiram, who died when four years old. Our subject was born September 1, 1863, in Dauphin County. Penn., and was educated in the common schools. He came to Ohio with his parents in 1882, and after remaining one year in Stark County, moved to this county. He was married, June 14, 1881, to Emma, daughter of Levi Snively, and by this union there are two children: Clidie and Edgar. Mr. Novinger has purchased a beautiful corner residence and shop, in which latter he is doing a fine business, having all the facilities necessary for repairing carriages and wagons neatly.
JAMES O' BRIEN, president of the O' Brien Bros. Manufacturing Company, of Tiffin, represents an important industry, as well as one of the most public spirited and enterprising corporations in Seneca County. He is a native of Ireland, born in Dublin July 25, 1826. His parents were' John and Eliza (O'Toole) O'Brien, the former a native of County Carlow, and the latter of Dublin, Ireland. John O'Brien was a plumber and gas, fitter by trade. In 1833 he came to this country and located in New Orleans, where he brought his family (consisting of his wife, two sons and a daughter) two years later, but soon afterward removed to Peoria County, Ill., where he carried. on farming until his death, which occurred in 1873, his widow following him some four years later. They reared a family of five sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to be active and useful citizens. The subject of this sketch learned carpentering at eighteen, and was prominently identified with the building interests in Illinois for several years. In 1855 he embarked in wagon and carriage-making at Galva, Ill. Retiring from that industry there in 1859, he located in Princeville, Peoria County, and in 1865 located at Kewanee, Ill., where he was well and favorably known in the business for many years. In 1882 he opened his business here, in which he was united by his two younger brothers: William Smith O'Brien, the present superintendent and treasurer, and Joseph Peter, secretary and foreman of the machinery department of the company. Mr., O' Brien married, in 1850, Margaret Francis Seery, daughter of Lawrence and Bridget (Norton) Seery, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. O'Brien was born. To this union were born three daughters: Mary Caroline, and two dead; and three sons, John Edward (head book-keeper for the firm), Henry Eugene (traveling salesman for the firm), and George Norton (bookkeeper and stenographer for the firm). Mr. O'Brien has always made his mark as an enterprising and public spirited citizen. He served Kewanee as its mayor, justice of the peace and councilman, and has been creditably identified
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in other official positions both there and elsewhere. He is a kind husband, a good father, and has educated his children well, his three sons all being graduates of Notre Dame University, Ind. Air. O'Brien is a worthy member of the Roman Catholic Church, and a regular communicant of St. Mary's congregation.
CHRISTOPHER C. PARK, hardware merchant and dealer in grain and seeds, Tiffin, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., October 4, 1829, and comes of a pioneer family of English ancestry of the State of Now Jersey. His father, John Park (formerly spelled Pearke) was a native of that State, and his mother, Elizabeth (Waggonor) Park, was a descendant of German pioneers of Pennsylvania. In 1830 John Park came to this county and located at Tiffin, but after engaging in merchandising for several years removed (in 1844) to what is now known as "Pleasant Hill" farm, Section 16, Clinton Township (C. C. Park's present property), where our subject grew to manhood. At the age of twenty he (Christopher C. Park) went to California and spent two years successfully in mining operations, returning at the end of that time to continue his farming operations in this county. In 1868 he took stock in the Tiffin Agricultural Works, and has continued in successful connection with it since. In that year (1868) he invested in stock in the Tiffin Woolen )fills, and continued a supporter of that institution till its dissolution, and ill 1874 he invested means in support of the Tiffin Shoo Factory, and was identified with it till it ceased corporate existence. In 1875 he joined the establishment of the "Grange store," and continued an active manager of its interests, latterly (1880) purchasing the entire business, which he now represents only in hardware and agricultural machinery. He is also a very ardent supporter and contributor. to many other public enterprises in Tiffin, and has done a leading share to support its industries. Mr. Park was married in Tiffin, November 8, 1855, to Malinda, eldest daughter of Ezra Derr, of Clinton Town ship, a native of Maryland. She died June 16, 1865, and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery with her two sons, Ezra Derr and Harry Rockey, leaving two sons and a daughter living: Hiram G., associated with his father; John C., with the United States Express Company here, and Anna, wife of Thomas E.. Crank, a druggist of Golden City, No. Mr. Park was married on the second occasion. September 10, 1868, to Elizabeth C. Smith, a native of Virginia, a lady of estimable attainments, and by this union has two daughters and two sons living: Alva Marius, Ida May, Lela Gertrude and Charles Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Park are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for over twenty years; is trustee at present, and has held official positions in it for many years. He has been a member of the Masonic order for over thirty years, and is Past Eminent Commander of Do Molay Encampment No. 9, K. T. He is also a member of the K. of H., and of the A. L. of H. During the late war of the Rebellion he served in Company D, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the existence of that regiment. He has served with credit on the School Board of Clinton Township, and in municipal offices in same township. Mr. Park has been well and favorably known here for over half a century and has by dint of persistent industry and honesty accumulated a handsome competence, and has reared his family well, among the older members of which are some of our leading citizens.
ROBERT G. PENNINGTON, a prominent lawyer of Tiffin, was born in Delaware County, Penn., December 11, 1816, and comes of Pennsylvania parentage of Quaker antecedents and of English descent. Isaac Pennington, to whom the ancestry is traced, was an Englishman of large influence and broad Christian charity. His daughter married William Penn, and, with. Penn,
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George Fox, Robert Barclay and Thomas Elwood, he founded the Society of Friends. The first American Pennington was Edward, the son of Isaac, and who emigrated from England with his brother-in-law, William Penn, in 1681. Edward married a daughter of Gov. Jennings, of New Jersey, and from that marriage the Penningtons of New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania claim their American origin. When the subject of this sketch had reached his eighth year, his parents, Joseph and Sarah Pennington, moved their family from Pennsylvania to New York, and in Cayuga County of that State the lad passed nine years of his early youth. His father, a well-to-do mechanic and farmer, desirous of procuring more acres for the increasing household, visited Ohio, and, purchasing land in Seneca County, settled here in 1834. Robert G. was then seventeen. He had been kept at school during boyhood and was reputed a fair scholar. On reaching Ohio, however, he commenced a course of studies in Huron Institute. He went through the curriculum of that popular school, and having completed the academic course turned his attention to the selecting of a profession. He chose the law. He read under the supervision of Abel Rawson, a distinguished jurist and scholar, and was admitted to the bar in 7842. The preceptor thinking well of the pupil took him into partnership. The firm of Rawson & Pennington continued for many years and until the senior member, in 1850, retired from practice. It was in the office of that firm that the Hon. W. P. Noble and Gen. W. H. Gibson took their early lessons in law and became prepared for the bar. Subsequently Mr. Pennington was associated as law partner with Gen. W. H. Gibson, and later with another of his law students, J. C. Lee, ex-lieutenant-governor of Ohio, and lastly with John McCauley, with whom he remained as partner to the time Mr. McCauley was elected judge of the common pleas court. In 1861, when the life of the nation was imperiled, Mr. Pennington rendered his country service by assisting to organize and prepare for the field the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and went with that regiment to the front as quartermaster, proving himself worthy of the position. In course of time he became adjutant on Gen. McLean's staff, but after two years of soldier life he quitted the army in consequence of impaired health, and returning to Tiffin applied himself to recovering the clients and practice which had strayed away during his absence. He was successful. Mr. Pennington has been devoted to his calling. He has made it the chief business of his life. Early in the practice he acquired the reputation of a painstaking, accurate, honest lawyer, which he still maintains. For over forty years he has been an active attorney, and has held out longer than any who was a member of the Tiffin bar at the time of his admission. Instinctively and religiously he has been a hater of slavery; was an original "Free Soiler" and conspicuous as a public speaker in the campaign of 1856, and the same year was a member of the electoral college and cast his vote for Fremont. He has upheld the faith and has at all times been in accord with the Republican party, but he has never held official position. His party, recognizing his capacity for public life, has frequently placed him in nomination, but being in the minority in the district it has failed to elect. In 1847 Mr. Pennington was one of the incorporators of the Seneca County Bank, a bank of issue and the first established in the county. He was a director of that institution and for a while its cashier. He was also a director and one of the largest stockholders of the late First National Bank of Tiffin. He was a projector of the Tiffin Gas Light Company, and for several years was its president. He has taken an active and efficient part in the railroad projects that have seemed likely to benefit his town, securing the rights of way for them, investing largely in their stock. and facilitating and making possible their construc-
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tion, and in this work he was for several years president of the Tiffin & Fort Wayne and the American & Central Railway Companies. Mr. Pennington has also encouraged and taken large pecuniary interests in manufacturing and other useful enterprises, that had for their object the present and prospective welfare of Tiffin, and though through the commercial disasters which have overtaken some of them he has suffered severely, yet he is in possession of an ample and handsome competence. He is a close observer and thinker; his reading on the natural sciences and kindred subjects have been extensive, and he talks clearly on their application to architecture and the common affairs of life. Availing itself of this the court of common pleas has just (in 1883) appointed him on the committee of which he is chairman to supervise the initiative acts and to look after the construction of the contemplated new court house of Seneca County. In 1842 Mr. Pennington was married to Caroline A. Kuhn, a native of the Island of Minorca (a province of Spain), and daughter of Joseph L. Kuhn, of the United States Navy, and granddaughter of Lewis Chadwick Hargrave, late British consul-general to the Spanish Balearic Islands. The late Dr. Henry Kuhn, an eminent physician of Tiffin, was her uncle. The Doctor was also the husband of Mr. Pennington's eldest sister. Of Mr. Pennington's three daughters Eugenia H. is the wife of Almon Hall of the Toledo bar (a lawyer of character and ability); Caroline C. is the wife of U. R. Steele (ex-member of the national Congress, and now a prominent attorney of large practice in the Territory of Dakota); Louisa A., the youngest daughter, resides in Tiffin and is the wife of Samuel Keech (who is engaged in mercantile pursuits). Mr. Pennington is above the medium height, carries himself erect, and his movements are easy and active. In address he is affable, frank and kindly. He is modest and unpretentious, and his general demeanor bears the impress of his Quaker lineage. He attends with his family the services of the Episcopal Church of which his wife is a communicant, and he contributes to its support. In 1881 he was appointed by Gov. Hoadly a member of the board of directors of the State Insane Asylum at Toledo, Ohio.
BARCLAY PENNINGTON, photographic artist, Tiffin, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Denison) Pennington and brother of R. G. Pennington, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., July 2, 1828. His parents removing to this county, in 1831, he was reared and educated in the high school, Tiffin City. He learned his profession at Tiffin, and subsequently bought out the interest in the business of his preceptor, a Mr. Hardsock, and has continued the business since. Ho was married here in 1861 to Josephine E. Creeger, the elder and only surviving sister of Mrs. Gen. W. H. Gibson. She was a native of Frederick City, Md. Our subject and wife have but one child, Stella Louisa, a young lady of excellent literary and artistic attainments. She and her mother are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Pennington has always been a liberal contributor. He has been a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. since his majority, and has been the permanent secretary of that order here for the past twenty-six years.
D. C. PITTENGER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Seneca County, Ohio. January 24, 1836; son of Benjamin and Theresa Pittenger, natives of Frederick County, Md., where they were married. They moved to this county and settled in Tiffin in 1824, and there remained until the death of Mrs. Pittenger, which occurred December 8, 1847. After her death, Benjamin Pittenger married Miss Mary A. Hunter, and in 1861 they moved to the farm where our subject now resides, and remained there until their death; Mrs. Pittenger died August 15, 1877, and Mr. Pittenger January 24, 1881. Benjamin Pittenger was the father of twelve children, five now living: Cornelia T. (wife of
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J. M. Naylor), Ann C. (wife of Albert Buskirk), DeWitt C.; Emma L. (wife of E. T. Naylor) and Millard F. D. C. Pittenger, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage, November 11, 1863, with Alma Fleet, born in Steuben County,. N. Y., October 37, 18$4, daughter of Abraham Fleet, a native of New York State, now residing in Jasper County, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Pittenger are the parents of three children: Cornelia T., Benjamin and Ethel. Mr. Pittenger is the owner of the fine farm where he and his family reside. He and his wife tire members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Tiffin.
JOHN O. PLANK, "mine host," of the "Shawhan House," Tiffin, represents the. leading hostelry of Tiffin, and stands prominent in hotel circles throughout not only Ohio, but the East, where he is the proprietor of the "Columbia Hall," at Lebanon Springs, N. Y., and the "Ocean House," at Point Pleasant, N. J. Mr. Plank is entirely self-made, being left dependent when a mere lad, and as a successful hotel man he is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was reared in Planktown, Ohio, and at twelve years of age engaged as night clerk in the "Coleman House," at Shelby (his native town), and from here went to Mansfield, Ohio, where he clerked in the Tremont, Sherman, Kennard and St. James hotels, in which latter he spent two years, during which time he also engaged as silent partner with W. W. Reed, in the "Central House," at Galion, Ohio. He afterward had the management of the "Rowley House," at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and in the same year leased the "Lake View House," at Chautauqua Lake, N. Y. After a very successful season with the latter house, he joined Mr. Reed in the "Haines House" at Muncie, Ind. Coming to Tiffin in 1878, he clerked in the "Shawhan House" a year, and then carried on the "Forest City House," at Forest, Ohio, and formed a joint stock company which built and opened the "Hotel Bryant," at Flint, Mich., the leading hostelry of that State. After this he returned to Tiffin and took charge of the "Shawhan House," which he still carries on. During this year he carried on the "Reesee House" at Kenton, Ohio, and became manager of the " Green Spring Water Cure," at Green Spring, this county. In 1880 he took charge of the "Tenekall House," at Demorest, N. J., which he operated for ono season successfully, and in the same year became the manager and proprietor of the "Columbia Hall," at Lebanon Springs. N. Y., which he has successfully carried on since; in 1884, at an immense expense, completely remodeling that grand hostelry. In 1883 he leased the "Ocean House," at Point Pleasant, N. J., which he has carried on till the present time, and in 1884 leased the "Russell House," at Defiance, Ohio, which he ably carries on; and this year, 1885, he has in addition to the hotels mentioned. the famous hotels in the Green Mountains; the "Mount Mansfield Hotel," Stowe, Vt., the largest and grandest hotel in the State, having accommodations for 500 guests; the "Summit House," on the top of Mansfield Mountain. over 5,000 feet altitude, a very noted place, and the highest mountain peak in the East; also, in connection, he personally has supervision of the "Half-Allay House" and "Moss Glen House" in the Green Mountains; making in all about twenty hotels he has been clerk, manager and proprietor of in the last seventeen years, since he was eleven years old. Mr. Plank's early training in hotel business was thorough, his first salary was but $6 a month, but by dint of persistent. industry and frugality he accumulated sufficient to start him in business, and this, coupled with his excellent managerial ability, has placed him in the front rank of hotel men of the country. He is but twenty-nine years of age, and the wonder is that he has accomplished so much in his business in so little time. He was happily married, at Tiffin, to Miss Cora Bell, daughter of Martin and Susan Zeller, of this city, the union being blessed with one son, John Oliver. Jr.
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JAMES H. PLATT, city solicitor of Tiffin, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 22, 1851, son of George and Eva M. (Faulk) Platt, the latter of whom was a daughter of Solomon and Marie (Ranch) Faulk, pioneers in Columbiana County, Ohio, coming from Pennsylvania. George Platt was a native of England, a millwright by profession, coming from Oldham, Lancashire, to this country, and after spending a useful life died in 1807 at Findlay, Ohio, leaving there a family of three sons and five daughters. The subject of our sketch was reared in Tiffin, where he completed a full classical course of study at Heidelberg College, graduating in 1875. He had taught, a term previous to his graduation, and after that continued teaching till 1879, when he commenced law study, and was admitted to practice in 1881. He then joined Judge Harrison Noble, which partnership continued until recently. In 1883 Mr. Platt was elected solicitor for the city, and was honorably re elected April 8, 1885. He was married in Tiffin, in 1883, to Rosa M. Warner, foster-daughter of Prof. B. F. Myers. This union was blessed with one daughter--Mary Aleta. Mr. and Mrs. Platt are worthy members of Grace Reformed Church. He is a member of Seneca County Bar Association, and of the P. O. of A.
JOSEPH L. RANKER, hardware merchant, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, October 17, 1848, son of Joseph and Barbara (Shabacher) Ranker, natives of Bavaria, the former a blacksmith by trade, who settled in Tiffin in the spring of 1832; the father died April 8, 18158, the mother May 6, 18 70. Four of their children survive: Frances A., wife of George Spayth, of McCutchenville; John Hury, a blacksmith, in Tiffin; Josephine and Joseph L. The subject or this sketch was reared in Tiffin to the hardware business, and has been favorably identified with that branch of trade in the place for some years. He married in Tiffin, in 1870, Rosa K., daughter of Caspar Kirchner (brother of M. J. Kirchner), and they have a family of four sons and two daughters: Louis, William, Emma Rosa, Albert Joseph, Flora Josephine, Herman Edward and Charles Jacob. The family are communicants of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church, which church Mr. Rankin has served as trust(,(,. He is a member of St. John's Benevolent Association, and is the honored president of the Catholic Knights of America in Tiffin; is also an honorable member of the Bruderbund. Mr. Ranker is a thorough and progressive business man and citizen, and has always contributed liberally to the support of the social and industrial interests of his native city. During the year 1884 he made a trip to Europe, and visited with pleasure and interest the homes of his ancestors.
ABEL RAWSON (deceased) was born at Warwick, Mass., May 11, 1798, and was the third son of Lemuel and Sarah (Bass) Rawson, who were married there September 8, 1791. He was of tile sixth generation in descent from Edward Rawson, who settled in that State from England in 1637, and served as secretary of the colony of :Massachusetts Bay from 1650 to 1685. Our subject when a child suffered from a disease which crippled his left leg for life, and, being dependent, he taught school, and educated himself in this way. His desire was to become a lawyer, and after completing a good literary education he studied law, and was admitted to practice in Massachusetts in 1823. In 1824 he left his practice in New Salem, Mass., and came to Ohio, where he taught school in Dover and later in Norwalk, where in 1825 he was admitted to the bar of Ohio. The same year he visited Tiffin, and February 15, 1826, located in Fort Ball with but little means and with a library containing the first volume of Swift's " Digest of Chitby's Pleadings." In May following he was appointed prosecuting attorney, which incumbency he held till 1833, as also
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other county offices and the postmastership of Fort Ball. In 1830 he was appointed register of the land office here, which position he retained six years, when he declined the office. In 1846 R. G. Pennington united with him in law practice, which had now become very extensive, the partnership lasting some twelve years. In 1844 our subject was delegate from the Ninth Congressional District to the Whig convention at Baltimore which nominated Clay and l: Frelinghuysen. September 28, 1828, Mr. Rawson was married to Sarah Ann Clark, a native of Hancock, Vt., and this union was blessed with two sons: Allen A. and Homer C. (graduates of Rush Medical College. Chicago, in 1855, and flow physicians of standing at Corning, Iowa); and a daughter-- .Aurina H.-who died in 1848, followed by her mother June 6, 1849. September 25, 1856. Mr. Rawson was united in marriage with Mrs. Maria McNeal, nee Gregory, widow of Milton McNeal, and daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Gregory, of Athens, Athens Co., Ohio, and with her he spent a happy domestic life till his death, which occurred August 24, 1871. Mr. Rawson was a man of sterling character and strict, unbending integrity, and, although during a busy life here in public matters he was often severely criticised, his position on all matters became always acceptable as the best, and he gathered around him in his declining years a gracious support from all who know him.
CHARLES REINBOLT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born October 17, 1843, in Clinton Township, this county, on the farm where he and his family now reside. His parents were Michael and Louisa Reinbolt, the former born in Alsace, France, and the. latter in Byron; they immigrated to America about 1829, settling in this county; weremarried in Pleasant Township, where they remained two years, then moved to Clinton Township to the farm which Michael Reinbolt bought from the government in 1834, and the one on which our subject now lives; the father of our subject remained in Seneca County until his death, which occurred May 1, 1880; his widow resides in Sandusky, Ohio. Our subject was united in marriage, February 22, 1870, with Curtilda Sargner, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, October 21, 1846. Her parents are Lewis and Regina Sargner, who reside in Tiffin, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Sargner were born nine children, seven now living-Sophia, Marcus, Catharine, Ann, Curtilda, Francis and Victoria. The deceased are Eve and Benedict. To Mr. and Mrs. Reinbolt have been born eight children: Michael, Joseph (deceased), George, Cathrien (deceased), Louisa, Charles, Daniel and Mary (latter deceased). Our subject owns 160 acres of land. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
ISAAC REVERT, marble manufacturer, Tiffin, was born in Osnaburg Township, Stark Co., Ohio, July 4, 1841. His parents, Daniel and Catharine (Funk) Revert. were pioneers of that place and descendants of pioneer Pennsylvania people, originally from Baden, Germany. In 1849, they moved to Venice Township. this county, where Isaac (their only child) was reared to farming, and bought and owns a nice farm adjoining the old homestead. In 1880 the subject of this sketch came to Tiffin and united with Mr. Zeller in the coal business, with whom he continued till the spring of 1885, when he sold his interest and united with Mr. Thom in marble manufacturing. Mr. Revert was married, in 1865, to Sarah A. Bever of Bloom Township, this county, daughter of George and Sabina (Bretz) Bever, who settled there from near Mar Martinsburg, 1V. Va. Mr. Revert is a public spirited and progressive citizen, fully awake to the times, and will. ere long, take no small share in the developments of many of Tiffin's interests. He and his estimable wife attend the services of the M. P. Church, of which the latter is a worthy member.
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LYSANDER REYNOLDS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in the State of New York, February 19, 1825, a son of Ibrahim and Harriet Reynolds, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Orange County, N. Y.; they were married in the State of New York where they remained until 1836, at which time they came to this county, afterward moving to Hancock County, and from there to Carey, Wyandot County, where they remained until their death. Our subject was united in marriage, September 1, 1853, with Elizabeth Huss, born in Frederick County, Md. December 20, 1823, daughter of David and Nancy Huss, the former a native of Franklin County, Penn., and the latter of Maryland, and who were married in Maryland, from whence they moved to Ohio in 1826, settling in this county, and here remained until their death. To our subject and wife have been born two children: Clara (wife of Emit Corthell), and Ida, (wife of William Corthee). Mr. Reynolds owns forty-four acres of improved land. He served his country in the late war, and is a member of the G. A. R.
JESSE RIFFLE, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Md., in 1816, son of Andrew and Magdalena Riffle, who were married in Adams County, Penn., where they remained until their death. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, in 1846, with Mary A. Dedrick, born in France in 1824, and a daughter of Anthony Dedrick, who died in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Riffle were born nine children: Cina J., Martin T., Mary A. (wife of Thomas Bowser), Theabolt T., Rosa C. (wife of Luther C. Harsha), Theadore N., William F. and Jesse, now living; and Edward, deceased. Mr. Riffle is a miller by trade, which he followed for four years, but has engaged in farming during his latter days. He owns 100 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Riffle departed this life December 27, 1880, leaving her family and many friends to mourn her loss.
LEROY W. RODGERS, contractor and builder, Tifn, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, September 25, 1844, son of William and Elizabeth (Walker) Rodgers, of that county, and grandson of John Rodgers, a native of Wales. The subject of this sketch, one of a family of five sons; learned his trade (carpentering) at Steubenville, Ohio. Upon the breaking out of the late civil war he joined interests with the Union cause, and August 13, 1862, enlisted in Company D, Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in service till the end of the war, when he was honorably. discharged. Returning to Steubenville he carried on professional work there for a while, and afterward spent three years at it in Canton, Ohio, coming to Tiffin, Ohio, July 4, 1874. His work may be seen in many handsome residences, buildings, etc., among which may be mentioned the residences of George D. Loomis, Mrs. Cromwell, Mr. Nyman, Albert Buskirk, etc., etc., as well as many stores, warehouses, etc. He was united in marriage in Brookville, Penn., June 17, 1875, with Mary, daughter of William and Fanny Erdice. Mrs. Rodgers is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Rodgers is a liberal contributor.
JONAS ROMIG, dealer in boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., November 1, 1844, son of Peter and Julia (Stephfen) Romig, natives of that county, the former of whom was a son of Peter Romig, Sr., who is of pioneer German people in the State, and the latter a daughter of Jonathan Stephfen, of similar ancestry to the Romigs. The subject of this sketch left his father's farm at nineteen and apprenticed himself to shoemaking at Emans (Lehigh County). In 1865 he came to Tiffin where he completed his trade, which he followed till 1873, when be embarked iğ business on his
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own account. Mr. Romig was married in 1874 to Clara A., daughter of John and Margaret C. (Umsted) Nighswander, by whom he has one son living. Russell; their first born they have buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Romig is a member of the English Lutheran and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
JACOB ROSENBERGER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born February 19, 1837, in Clinton Township, this county, son of Henry and Jane (Shaul) Rosenberger, natives of Virginia. Henry Rosenberger came to Ohio in 1832, settling in Clinton Township, this county, where he entered ninety acres of land (then all forest), and began toiling in the interests of his family, clearing the land and educating his children and making a perfect home for them; and here he lived and labored for fiftyone years. He was a valuable and honored citizen of his township. In 1876 he moved to Tiffin, Ohio, after selling his farm to Jacob (fifth son), and here our subject still resides. He was twice married, and by his first wife had eleven children, seven now living: James (married to Mary Romsburger), George (married twice; his present wife was Delila Baker), John (married to Ann Baker), Elizabeth (wife of George Kepple), Martha (wife of David Loose), Eliza (wife of J. B. Shaul) and Jacob. Our subject remained with his father on the farm till he was twenty years of age. he was married, June 5, 1859, to Sophia, daughter of John Loose, and by this union there were nine children, seven living: Frank (married to Ora Michaels), Cora (wife of Oliver Crum), William, Henry, Silas, Stullie and Early. The deceased are J. W. and Eli. Mr. Rosenberger has long been one of the substantial farmers of Clinton Township. He and his family are members of the M. P. Church.
JOHN CALVIN ROYER, mayor of Tiffin, and attorney at law, belongs to the "second generation " of Seneca County's eminent men and pioneers. He was born in Thompson Township May 6, 1856. His paternal grandfather, John Royer, who settled there in 1829, coming from Summit County, Ohio, was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and descended of pioneer German stock of that State. He had a family of six sons and six daughters. Samuel Royer, the father of Mayor Royer, was the second son of John Royer's family, and begat thirteen children, of whom four sons and four daughters are living, and five daughters are buried in the family cemetery near the old homestead in Thompson Township. The subject of our sketch completed a good training in the public schools of his native place, and at nineteen entered Heidelberg College in a classical and scientific course of study, from which he graduated in 1879. He then applied himself to the study of law in the office of N. L. Brewer, an eminent member of the profession, and in October, 1881, he was admitted to the bar of the State from the office of Judge J. F. Bunn, where he had officiated as deputy clerk of probate. He then formed a partnership with J. C. Rickenbaugh, a rising younger member of the profession and a gentleman " to the manor born " as well as his honor, and the firm has done an active business since. Mayor Royer married, April 11, 1883, Miss Clara Baltzell, seventh child and fifth daughter of Thomas Baltzell, a retired farmer of Tiffin. She is a lady of fine accomplishments and a fitting helpmeet for him. They have one little girl, Helen. Mayor Royer's close application to the development of all public enterprises and social institutions of Tiffin is a marked characteristic of his life, and he has (although a young man) been intrusted with important official positions in the weal of many of its interests. He has been a member of the board of school examiners for several years, and for the last three has been president of that body. In April, 1883, he was elected to the mayoralty, which incumbency he has honorably held since,
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entitling him to the respect of his people, and by his strict executive ability to the sobriquet of the "Iron Duke." He is president of the board of health and one of the active members of the board for the establishment of the Tiffin public library. He is a member of the K. of P.
HERMAN RUST, D. D., professor of church history and exegesis, Heidol berg Seminary, Tiffin, is a native of Bremen, Germany, where he received a good literary,training. In 1840 he came to America and completed his English and classical training in Marshall College, Mercersburg, Penn. In 1850 he entered the ministry of the Reformed Church and was ordained at Jonestown. near Lebanon, Penn., and then served the Millersville charge (near Lancaster, Penn.), for one year, being afterward sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, by the board of missions of his church, and there had charge of the First Reformed Church for twelve years. During his ministrations there he built the present handsome edifice of the First Reformed Church, was instrumental in establishing two others in Cincinnati and one at Covington, Ky., and helped educate nine young men for the ministry, and began other interests in clerical work. In 1862 he accepted the chair of German professorship in Heidelberg College and Seminary. and subsequently filled that chair in the seminary alone. After a few years the professorship merged into the present chair of church history and exegesis which he has since creditably held. He married, in Lancaster, Ohio, Elizabeth. daughter of John Ulrich and Mary (Hensel) Giesy, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter a descendant of pioneer Ohioans. Dr. and Mrs. Rust have been blessed with a family of three sons and one daughter: John Benjamin, a graduate of Heidelberg College, now in charge of the Reformed Church of Waynesburgh, Ohio; Herman Samuel Frederick, a farmer and stock-raiser of Harlan County, Neb. ; Eugene Calvin, a student at Heidelberg, College, and Mary Catharine, a young lady of estimable attainments. In connection with Dr. Rust's seminary duties he also preaches in the German congregation of the Reformed Church here. In industrial matters Dr. Rust is an active supporter of all measures tending to their advancement. He is president of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, and owns stock in other industries. He has served upon the board of education, and was president of that honored body for many years. Dr. Rust is of medium stature, of a strong constitution, and employs his time closely in doing good among his acquaintances, be they of his own time of life or young men just beginning for themselves. Though far advanced in years, he still feels young, and delights in his work.
MICHAEL SCANNELL, president and general manager of the Tiffin Water Works. Tiffin, Ohio, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, April 22, 1848. His parents, John and Kate (Fitz Maurice) Scannell, were natives of that county, where the former died in 1859; the latter died in Tiffin, February 17, 1878; their issue is three sons and one daughter, all living: Michael, Mary (wife of Thomas V. Kelley, a respected citizen of Mount Vernon, Ohio). Patrick J. (proprietor of book and stationery business, Tiffin) and Cornelius (superintendent of the Towanda Water Works, of Towanda, Penn.). The subject of this sketch, when a lad, conceived the idea of visiting this country. and in 1862 came over to New York City, where he was encouraged to think favorably of American citizenship. His mother preceded him to this country three years, and lived in New York until they moved to Tiffin and settled there the balance of the family following soon after. In the early part of the year following he enlisted in the Union Army, and was mustered into Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, May 11, 1864; he followed the fortunes of his regiment till its dissolution in August following,
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and was mustered out at Cleveland on the 27th of that month. He immediately re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and did active service till July, 1805, when he was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C. Returning to peaceful pursuits he engaged with the Woolen Manufacturing Company of Tiffin, with which industry he remained connected for several years; the last eleven years he was in charge of the finishing department. Retiring from this industry he applied himself more closely to study, and completed a commercial term at Commercial College. During this time he served the city (from the Second Ward) as member of the city council for one term. In August, 1879, he accepted the superintendency of the city water works, and in August 1883, was elected president and general manager. Upon the organization of the present Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company he took an active interest, and one year later was elected its president. Mr. Scannell is an enterprising business man and an affable, pleasant gentleman.
J. W. SCHAUFELBERGER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born near Fostoria, in Hancock County, Ohio, January 29, 1853. His father (Jacob), a native of Baden, came to America in 1831, at the age of twenty-two, and located at Freedom, Penn., where he married Margaret Fritcher, of same nativity. In 1852 he moved to Ohio and settled in Hancock County, near F Fostoria, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1881, when he retired to quiet life in Fostoria. The family consists of six sons and three daughters. Mrs. Jacob Schaufelberger died in 1878, and is buried in the Fostoria Cemetery. John William, the subject of this sketch, was the second son and fourth child. He received a liberal training in the public schools, and at seventeen entered Heidelberg College, from which he graduated, in the classical course, in 1875. In September, of that year, he entered the law office of Hon. George E. Seney, his present partner, and was admitted to the bar of the State of Ohio, in April, 1877. He remained in the office of his preceptor until February, 1878, when he located at Fostoria, where he carried on an active practice. In the fall of 1883 he returned to Tiffin and entered into his present partnership (Seney & Schaufelberger). In April, 1884, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, at Washington. Since his first admission he has devoted his entire time to the practice of his profession, and is now ranked as one of the leading members of the Seneca County bar. Mr. Schaufolborger is of good physique and pleasant appearance, studious in his character, a close reasoner and a devoted advocate of principles he considers .just. He is a member of all the bodies of the Masonic fraternity.
PHILIP SCHEIB, merchant tailor, Tiffin, was born in Odenheim, in the Rhine Province of the kingdom of Bavaria, November 20, 1829. His parents were Kasimer and Katharina (Krob) Scheib, the former a farmer and shoemaker. They reared four sons and two daughters: Peter, a shoe-maker, died in Rochester, N. Y., leaving children: Christian, same trade, unmarried when heard from at Houston, Tex., just before the war; Elizabeth, widow of Peter Durn, of Norwalk, Ohio; Philip and Kasimer (twins), Kasimer being a farmer in his native land, and Barbara, wife of Carl Krohn, also a resident of Bavaria. Our subject received a good education at home, and at fourteen began his present business as an apprentice, and after a few years went to Munich, where he remained working at his trade for three or four years, and then returned to his native city. He concluded to come to America, and in 1852 landed at Rochester, N. Y. and in 1855 came to Tiffin, this county. and here worked at his trade till 1862, when he embarked in business on his own account. He married in Rochester, N. Y., November 22, 1853, Margareta
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Emich, born in Siemen, in the Rhine province of Prussia. To this union wore horn four sons and one daughter: Elizabeth (deceased); Louis Philippe, a merchant tailor; Frederick William, M. D., a physician of standing, at. Bettsville, this county; Frank Kasimer and John Philip. Mr. Scheib is an excellent citizen and business man. He is a worthy member of the German Reformed Church. He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1856, and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar in Do Molay Commandery. He is also a member of the K. of H. (since its organization), L. of H., R. A., Druids and the I. O. O. F. February 19, 1885, Mr. Scheib sustained a loss in the death of his wife, who died in full communion with the German Reformed Church and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery.
JACOB SCHEIBER, of the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, Tiffin, was born in Schirrheim, Alsace, France, August 5, 1821, son of Jacob and Magdalena (Steinmetz) Scheiber. He came with his father to Baltimore, Md. January 11, 1832; and on the 15th of February following to Osnaburgh, Stark County, where his parents died and are buried. They there reared ten children, five now living: John, Joseph, Barbara, Mary and Jacob. Our subjject spent his early life in Canton, Ohio, where he learned wagon and plow making. In 1848 he came to Tiffin and opened a blacksmith, plow and wagon chop, which he carried on till 1856, when he established a machine shop, which merged into the "Tiffin Agricultural Works." He retired from this in 1874 and carried on coal business till 1875, in which year he organized the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, of which he owns the controlling stock. Mr. Scheiber was married in Canton, Ohio, October 10, 1848, to Mary Saumbarger. a native of Canton Aran, Switzerland, and to this union were born twelve children: Louis Peter, Mary Louise (deceased), Diary Elizabeth (deceased). John B., August, Louisa, Joseph, Rosa, Clara Matilda William, Annie and Caroline Magdalena. The family are members of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Scheibor has been a member of the council two terms, stroet commissioner throe terms, a member of the board of health one term, trustee of St. Joseph's Church two terms, and was one of the building committee upon the building of that edifice, and one of the director, and organizers of the Northwestern Ohio Railway, acting as president of the present company for the first six years of its organization.
JACOB SCHEIBLEY, proprietor of restaurant, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, November 12, 1847. His parents, Michael and Barlmra (Schneckenberger) Scheibley, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, settled in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1845 , where they reared one son and six daughters: Christina, wife of Fred Schauf, of Kansas; Margaret, wife of Mr. Swartzenberger of Clevoland; Mary, wife of Charles Andrews, of Tiffin; Kate, wife of Frederick Armbruster of Buffalo, N. Y. ; Jacob; Annie, widow of Charles Bow, of Tiffin ; Lena, wife of Edward Goddard, of Tiffin. In 1859 the father died and was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. The subject of our sketch was; reared his present business and has since been prominently connected with it here Mr. Scheibley was married in Tiffin, in 1872, to Caroline Keiffer, daughter of Daniel Keiffer, of Crawford County, Ohio, and to this union have been born one son and one daughter living, Ralph D. and Bertha May, and two sons deceased: Charles F. and Lloyd F. Mr. and Mrs. Scheibley are worthy mean hers of the German Lutheran Church. He is a worthy citizen; has been active member of the fire department of Tiffin for over eighteen years and has officiated as foreman of Wilson Hose Company for many years.
LOUIS C. A. SCHMIDT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Germany. April 29, 1816, a son of Charles and Louisa Schmidt, natives of Germany.
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where they were married and remained until their death. Our subject came to America in 1810, and after traveling over different parts of the United States for several years visiting Baltimore Washington, New York, Pittsburgh and Harper's Ferry, finally settled in Tiffin, Ohio, where he was united in marriage July 2, 1810, with Anna M. Rife, born in Germany December 11, 1820. To this union have been born seven children, of whom five are now living: Charlie; illary, wife of Jacob -Marquardt; Amelia, wife of George Leisher; Albert and Emma A. ; the deceased are Julia A. and Matilda. Mr. Schmidt is a gunsmith by trade, which he followed for many years, but of late years has ongage d in farming. He owns 120 acres of well-improved land, where he and his family reside. Mrs. Schmidt and family are members of the German Reformed Church.
JACOB SCHMUCKER, proprietor of the beer bottling works, Tiffin, Ohio born in Kirch Bierlingen Oberamt Ehingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, August 2, 1845, son of Anton Schmucker and Magdalena Seitz, came to America in 1866. He followed his trade (brewer) in Cincinnati, and afterward in Sandusky and in 1872 located in Tiffin, where he has accumulated a competence and does a thriving business. Mr. Schmucker married Sophia, daughter of Charles Fleischhauer and Caroline Keiffer, of Sandusky. She was born in Utweiler, Prussia. the, former home of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Schmucker have a family of two sons and three daughters: Caroline, Otto, Lena, Charles and Norma.
PHILIP SCHWEICKHARD, saloon keeper, Tiffin, born in Wingen, Alsace, France, July 7, 1838 is a son of Balthasar and Magdalena (Woerner) Schweickhard, who came to America in 1846, and settled in New York State, where they passed from this life, the former in 1881, and the latter February 20, 1883, leaving a large family. The subject of this sketch learned the cooper's trade in Now York State, and followed it through the West. April 6, 1865, he came to Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with the interests of the city since that date. He married, in Yates County, N. Y., Magdalena, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Harmon) Faulstich, of that State, natives of Alsace, France, and by her has had eight children: Charles Philip, Emma Elizabeth, Louisa Magdalena, George Benjamin (drowned at the age of six years), Catharine Caroline, Anna Christina, Samuel Frederick and Richard Allen. The family belong to the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Schweickhard is a member of the A. O. U. D., and has been the honored treasurer of the Alert Hose Company for nearly six years. He has been an active and enterprising citizen of Tiffin since coming here, and has accumulated a competence.
HEZEKIAH SEARLES, retired farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 4, 1810, son of John and Jane (Dunken) Searles, the former born in Maryland, and the latter in Pennsylvania; they were mar ried in Fairfield County, Ohio, and in 1820 came to this county, settling at Fort Ball, and living in one of the block-houses during the winter of 1820-21. They then moved to Eden Township, and there remained until the death of John Searles, which occurred May 14, 1841. His widow died in 1870. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living. Hezekiah Searles, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage, October 23, 1838, with Eliza A. Lambertson, born in Northampton County, Penn., June 12, 1817; daughter of Daniel and Susanna Lambertson, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married and remained until 1824, at which time they moved to Huron County, Ohio. and after a short time came to this county, where they remained until their death, Mrs. Lambertson dying December 14, 1844, and
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Mr. Lambertson December 5, 1852. They were the parents of four children, only one of whom survives. To our subject and wife have been born six children two now living: Irving W. and Charles F., the latter of whom married Allie B. Nyman, and they are the parents of four children. Our subject owns 157 acres of good land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
PETER SEEVER, lumber dealer, Tiffin, was born July 2l, 181 a. in Fairfield County, Ohio, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Kelley) Seever, the former born in Frederick County, Va., of French parentage, the latter a native of York County, Penn. They were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1810. Peter Seever, Sr., came to Ohio in 1804, and settled in Fairfield County, where he and his family lived for fifty years. The Kellers came to Ohio in 1808, and to Seneca County in 1835. Peter and Elizabeth (Kelley) Seever had a family of fourteen children, of whom seven survive. The subject of this sketch, unmarried, has been engaged in the lumber trade for years. He is a well-read man, delights in arguments, and has taken a prominent part in public debates. He has boarded at the "Myers House" for years.
REV. ISAAC SEITZ, minister of the Free Baptist Church, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Bloom Township, this county, August 2, 1828, son of John and Magdalena (Spitler) Seitz, the former a son of the Rev. Lewis Seitz, who settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1802, coming from Rockingham County, Va., his father having emigrated to this country from Bavaria: the Spitlers were of Swiss ancestry and pioneers in Virginia. Rev. Isaac Seitz was the youngest of a family of five sons and three daughters, of whom bill four sons survive: Abraham, residing in Sacramento, Cal. ; Lewis, a minister ill the Regular Baptist Church; Daniel, a farmer in Bloom Township, this county, and our subject, who obtained a good common school education in Bloom Township, this county, and attended two courses of lectures at the acid emy at Republic and two terms at Heidelberg. He read law under Judge Pillars, of Tiffin, and was admitted to the bar in 1854. In 1855 he married Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Fanny Abt Sheidley, of Pennsylvania, former of whom came from Gioppengen, Germany, when a. young man, crossing the ocean in company with John Jacob Astor, of New York. This union has been blessed with four sons: John De Alton, engaged in real estate business in Kansas City, Mo.; Benjamin A., doing business for the C. L. R. R. Company, Kansas City, Mo. Charles Sumner, a stock-raiser of Cowley County, Kas., and Earl William, a student in commercial school, at Oberlin, Ohio. Our subject had for years felt a complete conversion to the cause of Christ, and in l8 75 he entered the ministry and began work on a manuscript relative to his conversion, which after four years he completed. It is a handsome 400 page octavo, entitled "Christian Experience of Isaac Seitz, with his Views on the Ministry, Justification, Sanctification, Future Rewards and Punishments. Ingersol is wrong in saying that Infidels are the Intellectual Discoverers." It is a volume thrilling interest to Christian minds, and to guide in the service of the disciples , of the Christian religion.
GEORGE EBBERT SENEY, Tiffin, was born play 29, 18:32, at Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn. The late Joshua Seney, of Tiffin, father of our was born, retired and educated in New York City, where he graduated at Columbia College and the University Law School. He was a nephew of the distinguished statesman, Albert Gallatin, and was the private secretary of that gentleman when he was Secretary of the United States Treasury. Mr. Gallatin had a country seat at Uniontown, Penn., and it was there that Joshua Seney, met Ann Ebbert, who afterward became his wife. After his marriage Mr.
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Seney established himself at Uniontown as a lawyer and soon won distinction at the bar. While still a resident of that city he declined the appointment of United States Judge for the western district of Pennsylvania, which was tendered him by President Jackson. Removing to Ohio in 1832, he settled at Tiffin, and there lived until his death in 1854. Of his four daughters one died early; one, the wife of the late George W. Howell, of Columbus, Ohio, died in 1883 ; two, Mrs. Frances M. Crum and Mrs. Harvey Redick, reside in Toledo, Ohio. His three sons are George E., in Tiffin; Joshua R., in Toledo, and Henry W., in Kenton, Ohio. Joshua R. and Henry W. are lawyers. The, former has served with distinction upon the bench, and the latter is now one of three judges who compose the circuit court for the Third Judicial Circuit of Ohio. Upon his removal to Tiffin, Mr. Seney did not engage in the practice of law. Judge Lang, of Tiffin, who knew Mr. Seney intimately and well, thus speaks of him, in his history of Seneca County published in 1880: " If Mr. Seney's industry had been equal to his capacity he would have been very successful as a lawyer. He had a natural aversion to anything that looked like labor. He was all politician, however, and a more shrewd, more calculating and far-seeing politician than Mr. Seney Seneca County never had in any party. He was not selfish nor sought ofce for himself. When he liked a person that aspired to office, he would do all in his power to aid him. Raised in the lap of wealth and luxury, he knew nothing about labor, nor the value of money. He had very little taste for, or appreciation of, the practical part of life. His language was chaste and polished, and his manners peculiarly his own. He was perfectly at home in an office and discharged every trust with ability and fidelity. He was treasurer of Seneca County for two terms, and clerk of the supreme court for many years. He wrote a fine hand and his records were spotless. Mr. Seney had a large well developed head, an expressive countenance, a piercing black eye, a pleasant voice, and his hands were so small as to attract universal attention." To all of this may be added that Mr. Seney had a fine education and scholarly tastes. He knew well the theory of the law, but had no ambition to practice it. He was a great student and read everything that he could lay his hands on. Few men were better posted than he in history and general literature, and few understood as well as he whatever pertained to the affairs of church or State. He was not a good public speaker, but as a forcible writer and entertaining talker he excelled.
The grandfather of George Ebbert Seney was Joshua Seney, of Maryland. He was a distinguished citizen of that State, and took a prominent part in the public affairs of that colony during the Revolutionary struggle. He represented Maryland in the last session of the Continental Congress, and in the first Congross under the Constitution of the United States. He resigned his seat in Congress to accept a seat upon the judicial bench of Maryland. He was chosen one of the presidential electors for the State of Maryland and voted for George Washington when he was first elected president. No less distinguished were the other ancestors of George Ebbert Seney. His grandmother, upon his father's side, was a daughter of James Nicholson, a distinguished commodore in the United States Navy, in 1775. Com. Nicholson was in command of the United States Frigate "Trumbull," when she fought the British man-of-war " Wyatt." The engagement was one of the most desperate naval battles of the Revolutionary war. One of the daughters of Com.Nicholson married Albert Gallatin then Secretary of the Treasury, and afterward United States senator from Pennsylvania; another became the wife of Col. William Few, who was a member, from the State of Georgia, of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States, and afterward a senator in Congress from that State; the
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third married John Montgomery, of Maryland, then mayor of the city of Baltimore and afterward a member of Congress from that State: the fourth, Frances, married Joshua Seney. Upon the mother's side the grandparents of the subject of this sketch were George Ebbert and Sarah Wood, horn in Philadelphia, where they were married. Removing to Uniontown. Penn.. George Ebbert there established a mercantile business, which he conducted with marked success for forty years. The older people of that busy little city speak of him as a model man. He was, they say, "the soul of honor, a man of line business capacity and energetic and successful in whatever he undertook. Ho had a sound judgment and expressed his views in a few words, but with great clearness. He had a. kind heart and a generous hand. He was without malice and with him charity was a great virtue. He was a well informed man and reading was his favorite pastime." Sarah Ebbert is said to have been more than an ordinary woman; domestic in her tastes she lived a quiet life. She was a pious woman and took an active part in promoting the good of her church. The fathers of George Ebbert and Sarah Wood were merchants ii, Philadelphia.. In that city they accumulated wealth and Held high social 1 position ğ s, Their lives were full of good deeds and their memories are greatly revered by their descendants, and by the descendants of those who knew them a hundred years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. George Ebbert children were born, number unknown, five the writer of this sketch knew---three sons and two daughters; two of the sons, Henry and John H., were men of high character. both had ability, and their lives were conspicuously useful. One of the daughters, Elizabeth Dorsey, wife of the late Dr. Caleb Dorsey, of Virginia, was a lady well accomplished in mind. The other daughter, Ann, the mother of George Ebbert Seney, is said to have been a beautiful girl. She received a liberal education at Brownsville (Penn.) Female Seminary. She was a lady of great practical sense and had strong religious convictions. Before, her mar riage she was an active Christian worker in her native town. At Tiffin, when she lived twenty-two years a wife and twenty-six a widow, she was highly es teemed. In her the poor had a friend. She was a frequent and welcome visitor to the bedside of the sick and dying. A leading member in the Methodist Episcopal Church, she took an active part in promoting the interests of that denomination. One of the handsome memorial windows in the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Tiffin, was placed there by Judge Seney, in honor of the memory of his mother. Mrs. Ann Seney died May 5, 1879, aged seventy-five years.
George Ebbert Seney was brought to Tiffin (then a village of 400 inhabi tants) an infant in his mother's arms. Judge Seney (for by this name George E. is universally called) was educated at Norwalk (Ohio) Seminary. then under the charge of Dr. Edward Thomson, subsequently a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. After four years spent at that institution Judge Seney returned to Tiffin, and for a year or more was clerk in a dry goods store. In 1848, perhaps, and while a mere boy, he and his uncle, George Ebbert, opened a book store in Tiffin. The stock with which the firm of Ebbert & Seney coin menced business was purchased in New York City by the boy partner who went there for that purpose. Judge Seney remained in this store for less than a year. The business being small and unprofitable for two, Judge Seney retired and Mr. Ebbert remained. Upon leaving the book store, Judge Seney determined that St. Louis should be his future home, and through a family relative in the East had secured a position in a wholesale dry goods store in that city. This was opposed by his mother and opposed as well by his father, mho had his heart set upon making a lawyer out of his son. Judge Seney's ambition
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was to be it merchant. To being a lawyer he was stoutly opposed. Simply to please his father, and to show his filial respect to his wishes he entered the office of Luther A. Hall, Esq., in Tiffin, to read law, but with an understanding that, if at the end of three months he preferred the place open for him at St. Louis, neither father nor mother would further object. Years after, when .Judge Seney was strong in his profession, Mr. Hall said: "the first day George wits in my office he and the law fell in love, and they have been loving each other ever since." Neither he, his family, nor his friends have cause to regret that he became a lawyer instead of a merchant. Two years of close and attentive study of the law books prepared Judge Seney for admission to the bar. He was admitted in 1853, and immediately commenced practice in company with his preceptor, Mr. Hall. This partnership lasted about two years. The Judge, preferring to be alone, opened an office close by the one he now occupies, and alone, until his election to Congress, has he practiced his profession, except when on the bench and in the army. At the time Judge Seney left the office of Mr. Hall there were eighteen practicing layers in Seneca County, several of them being gentlemen of large experience and acknowledged ability. Judge Seney had clients and cases from the beginning; they grew in number, and whon at the end of four years he left the bar for the bench his business favorably compared with the best done by either of the older attorneys. The reputation Judge Seney acquired during these six years of practice was that of a studious, methodical and reliable lawyer, and an able, effective and eloquent jury advocate. After his election as judge, and before his term of office commenced, President Buchanan tendered him the appointment of the United States district attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, which he declined, preferring the place on the bench to which he had just been elected; Judge Seney was on the bench five years. He was elected when he was twenty-six years of age, and is perhaps the youngest man who ever held a common pleas court in Ohio. That he was not over anxious for the place is to be inferred from the fact that he. refused to take his party's nomination unless it was tendered unanimously. At a convention held at Carey, largely composed of lawyers from Seneca, Crawford, Wyandot, Hancock and Wood Counties, he was nominated by acclamation as the Democratic candidate for common pleas judge of the third subdivision of the Third Judicial District. The politics of the district at that time were doubtful; Judge Seney carried it by a majority of 1, 006 over his opponent, Gen. John C. Lee. The first court held by Judge Soney was at Perrysburg, in Wood County, and the first lawyer who addressed him in the argument of a case was Hon. M. R. Waite, then a practicing attorney at Toledo, and now the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. During his term of five years on the bench Judge Seney held three terms of court each year at Tiffin, Bucyrus, Upper Sandusky, Findlay and Perrysburg, and frequently a term, or a part of a term, in other counties in the first and second subdivisions of his district. In addition to this he and the judges of these two subdivisions, with one of the judges of the supreme court of the State, held a term of the district court, once a year, in each of the twenty counties comprising the judicial district. Upon the bench Judge Seney met the expectations of his friends. Youthful as he was, he presided with marked dignity, impartiality and courtesy, and by his decisions .added to his reputation as a sound lawyer, a dispassionate reasoner and an honest, discreet and just judge. It was while Judge Seney was on the bench that he published what is known to the profession as "Seney's Ohio Code," and this volume he republished in 1874. Among lawyers this work is highly valued, and is in constant. and extensive use in Ohio and several of the Western States. Judge
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Seney's term upon the bench closed during the second year of the war. Our subject was an ardent Democrat, a stanch friend of the Union and uncompromising in his opposition to secession. Upon the close of the last term of court he enlisted in the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he and three others being the first to enlist in that regiment. Judge Seney was commissioned a first lieutenant, and immediately he and his three fellow soldiers commenced recruiting for the regiment. In thirty-eight, days the regiment, over 1,000 strong, was upon the Covington (Kentucky) Hills, defending Cincinnati against attack from rebel forces, led by Gen. Kirby Smith. He was appointed quartermaster of the regiment, serving with it in the field for two years and a half under Buell, Rosecrans, Thomas and Sherman. He was with the regiment in its encounters at Perryville, at Lancaster and Nashville. He was present at the engagement at Knob Gap, and was within sound of the guns at Stone River. He saw service at Chickamauga and at Liberty Gap, and witnessed the heroic valor of the One Hundred and First in the battles of Chattanooga and Franklin. He was with the One Hundred and First in its five months' campaign of almost continuous marching and fighting, under Sherman, from Mission Ridge to Atlanta. Resigning his army commission he returned to Tiffin in December, 1864, reopened his law office, and in a short time was in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice. For the next eighteen years few lawyers labored harder in his profession than Judge Seney. Early and late, day after day, and night after night, he could be found at his office, or in court, or if elsewhere, always full of legal business. In 1879 a biographer speaks of Judge Seney in these words: "As a lawyer he is highly esteemed by his brethren of the profession. His papers are thoroughly prepared, the witnesses are sifted to the bottom, and the case is effectively presented to the court and jury. While he excels as an advocate, being a fine speaker, and possessing naturally oratorical gifts and graces, as an attorney and counsellor he is no less excellent, being well read upon points of law. From the fact that he is usually assigned the closing of a case, ono can judge of the esteem in which he is held by those who are with him in it. As a man he is genial, and possessed of the native delicacy and refinement of the educated gentleman."
With politics he had little to do, unless to attend a convention to help a friend make a few speeches during a campaign, and regularly, spring and fall, vote the Democratic ticket. When elected to Congress in 1882 he was fifty years of age and yet the only office he had held was that of judge, twentyone years before. He was a candidate for presidential elector on the Buchanan ticket in 1856. With these two exceptions his party had never been troubled with him in a convention or at an election, as a candidate for office. With the exception of ;judge and member of Congress he never held an office. ward, township, city, county, district or State; never was a candidate for one` before a convention or the people. In 1874 he was nominated to make the race for Congress against ex-Gov. Foster. There were other able Democrat:, who sought the place and in the convention were put in nomination. With out his knowledge his name was presented. Judge Seney declined to be a candidate, saying that he would not accept the nomination if it was made. In spite of this refusal he was nominated upon the first ballot, receiving nearly all the votes. He again arose to decline,-but the convention was unwilling to hear him, and in the noise and confusion that prevailed he was declared the nominee, and immediately the convention adjourned. It was thought that Judge Seney could carry the district against Foster, who had twice. before been elected, but Foster beat him by 139 votes. There is no remark respecting that
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election more common than that Judge Seney did not want the place and consequently made no effort to be elected. It is the opinion of those supposed to know that the Judge was pleased at his defeat. That he had no desire to be in Congress was satisfactorily demonstrated at Upper Sandusky four years later. The district had been changed, and was then Democratic by 5,000 majority. An election was certain, he was about to be nominated, and would have been had he not arisen and appealed to the delegates not to vote for him, stating that under no circumstances would he accept of the nomination. In 1876 he was made a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis, and assisted in nominating Samuel J. Tilden for President. He was an active member of that body, and, in the campaign which followed, he eloquently and ably advocated before the people the justness of his party's cause. In 1882 he was made the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Fifth District. Soon after his nomination he made a thorough canvass of the district, speaking at fifty or more places. He was elected by a majority of 5,613. In Seneca County he received many Republican votes. His majority in this county was 1,472; in Tiffin, 776, and in the First Ward of Tiffin, where he lived, 773. In 1883 his district was changed by taking off Putnam County with 1,417 Democratic majority and adding in Wood County with 496 Republican majority. This change reduced the Democratic majority in his district, on the vote of 1882, to 3, 644. Judge' Seney was nominated in the new district in 1884. This was a presidential year. He made a thorough canvass, addressing over seventy public meetings within his district. He was elected by 4,006 majority. The majority for Cleveland and Hendricks in the district was 3,216.
The reputation of Judge Seney as a lawyer followed him to Congress; he was appointed a member of the Judiciary Committee upon which were the ablest lawyers in the House. During the session he was always in his seat in the committee or in the House, giving faithful attention to every duty; modest and unassuming, he talked little, but listened much. His speeches in the Olio contested election case of Campbell vs. Morey, against the repeal of the tax on tobacco and spirits not used as a beverage, and against allowing National banks to increase their circulating notes, are exceedingly able efforts, and attracted, as they deserved, public attention. Judge Seney is known far And near as the friend of the soldiers. To their interest before Congress and in the departments he gives especial attention. All the letters he receives from soldiers about their pension claims, and they number thousands, he promptly answers, and as promptly attends to all their requests. In 1884 the Ohio Legislature was Democratic in both branches; Judge Seney was prominently named for United States senator to succeed Senator Pendleton. He refused to be a candidate, and wrote to those who were urging his candidacy that he would neither seek nor decline the place. He was known to be the first choice of a few members, and the second choice of several others. Several of his party Newspapers advocated his election, and not a few of the public men, in and out of the State, favored his election. It was thought that neither of the leading aspirants --Payne or Pendletonwould be chosen, and in that event, Judge Seney, better than any other Democrat, would be acceptable to the . two factions, Pendleton and anti-Pendleton, into which the Democratic members appeared to be divided. Mr. Payne, to the surprise of everybody, was chosen in the caucus upon the first ballot. Among those prominently named as the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, in 1885, is the distinguished congressman from the Tiffin district. He positively refused to be a candidate or allow his name to be used in connection with the gubernatorial office.
Years of industrious and energetic labor in his profession have not been
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without substantial rewards to Judge Seney in fortune, a5 he has been successful. By his own exertions he has accumulated property estimated to be worth $150,000 to $200,000. He is the owner of the Tiffin Gas Works, which thirty years ago he assisted in constructing, and was for the first three years of their existence the secretary of the company who built them. He is a progressive, liberal and enterprising man. In whatever is calculated to advance Tiffin and the good of her people, he takes an active and leading part. If money is wanted to help the poor, the sick, or the unfortunate, no one gives more cheerfully or liberally. If a church is to be built, a minister lacks support, the cause of education needs help, or any enterprise for the public good wants assistance, he is always ready and willing with his purse. He is a member of no church. yet the friend of religion and of all Christian effort. .Judge Seney has no children. His estimable wife, Anna (Walker) Seney, is a daughter of the late Joseph Walker, Esq., long a merchant of Tiffin, and a granddaughter of the late Josiah Hedges, Esq., who was the founder of Tiffin, and is remembered by older citizens as an active leader in public affairs forty years ago. There are those who believe that still higher honors are in store for Judge Seney. We write not of the future, but of the past and the present.
WILLIAM HALDERMAN SHAFFNER dealer in agricultural implements, Tiffn, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., September 5, 1824. His parents, Martin and Sarah (Flescher) Shaffner, were descended from pioneer stock of that State, former of whom carne to Crawford County in 1829, and to Bloom Township. Seneca County, in 1843. Martin Shaffner had twenty-one children by three marriages, William H. being the youngest of three sons and six daughters by the first marriage. Our subject took up farming, and has been very successfully identified with that industry, buying and selling consid erably. He has exchanged nine different farms, aggregating about $90,000 or $100,000. He married, in Scipio Township, this county, in 1846, Mary A. daughter of Joseph and Frances (Lanaga) Coffman, natives of Perry County, Penn., and to this union have been born four sons and five daughters: Joseph Wesley, residing in Wyandot County, Ohio; Sarah F., wife of Jacob Brim( . of Huron County, Ohio; Emma, wife of Leo Andrews, of Liberty Township, this county; Charles B., of Hughes County, Dak.; Martin F., of Loudon Township, this county; Alice, wife of Charles Cramer, of Loudon Township. this county; Clara (deceased); Elmer L. and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffner are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as trustoo, steward, class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He leas been a member of the Masonic order for several years, and has attained to the degree of K. T. of De Molay Commandery. He is also a member of Isaac Rule Post G. A. R., having seen service during the late war of the Rebellion as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Shaffner's present farm comprises 240 acres of valuable land in London Township, this county.
JOHN SHAULL, retired farmer, Tiffin, was born December 13, 1813, in Berkeley County, Va.; son of .Jacob and Susan (Pulse) Shaull, natives of Virginia. Jacob Shaull came to Ohio in 1833, and for a few months his family stopped in Marion until he could find a suitable location. He finally entered land in Williams County, where he and a portion of his family settled, and there he and his wife lived and died, the latter departing this life in 1882 aged ninety-two years. Jacob Shaull became one of the leading farmers of Williams County and was one of its respected pioneers. His family consisted of six sons and three daughters, of whom Milton, Samuel and John, only, survive. Our subject came with his father to Ohio, but did not remain with the
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family, coming direct to Seneca County to his grandfather, Michael Shaull, an old pioneer, and here began life, and by industrious habits and economy soon accumulated enough to make a start for himself. He was married, in 1837, to Miss Barbara Shodingham; subsequently purchased a piece of land of his fatherin-law and began life in earnest. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaull were born ten chil dren, nine of whom are now living: George J., Mary E. (Mrs. F. Fisher), Samuel R., David, Lydia (Mrs. R. Hill), Sarah (Mrs. Truman Zise), Conrad, Smiley and Joseph. The mother of these children dying, Mr. Shaull, October 18, 1868, was married to Mrs. Libby Staub, a widow, a daughter of Henry Stoner, an old settler of this county. John Shoull, who has been a successful farmer, still owns his farm in Hopewell Township, this county, but is living a retired life in Tiffin. He has been a leading pioneer; served in the offices of township trustee for several years and also as school director.
REZIN W. SHAWHAN stands prominent among Tiffin's people as a successful merchant and an active, public spirited citizen. His is an example of a well spent life, of careful, painstaking industry. His parents were Frederick and Eleanor (Wells) Shawhan, the latter a native of Virginia. His father was a native of Kent County, Md., but had settled in Virginia after the Revolutionary War, in which he was an active participant, having enlisted when but seventeen years of age. He served under Gens. W Wayne, Green, Lafayette and Washington. He was at the capture of Stony Point by Wayne, at the battle of Monmouth, at the; crossing of the Delaware, and at the subsequent capture of the Hessians at Trenton. In 1812 he moved to Ohio, and first located in Fairfield County, and afterward settled in Seneca County, and died hear Tiffin August 26, 1840, in the eightieth year of his age. The subject of this sketch was born October 19, 1811, in Berkeley County, Va., and worked on a farm until fifteen years of age. His chances for education were very limited, comprising only it common district school education of twenty-eight months. In 1827 he entered the store of William McComb, in Wooster, Ohio, as clerk, and when eighteen he was employed in the store of Zopher T. Moore, with whom he remained about three years. In 1833 he located in Tiffin, then a village of less than 500 inhabitants. In company with his brother, L. D. Shawhan, he opened a small store, but at the end of two years L. D., fearing his health was being injured, withdrew his entire interest, R. W., thereafter, driving the business alone. In April, 1839, Mr. Shawhan was married to Elvira Tuller, of Worthington, Ohio, who died May 20, 1880. June `39, 1881, he married Della Watson, of Toledo, Ohio, still living. Having engaged in many enterprises, many of which were unprofitable, still, by dint of perseverence and unyielding industry, he has accumulated a handsome fortune, and has assisted in the growth of many important industries, among which may ire mentioned the banking and building interests, the "Shawhan House" built in 1850), being the only one however bearing his name. His enterprise has not been confined to Tiffin only, but he has been connected with merchandising in other places, and has been interested in extensive land purchases in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas, all of which accrued to his profit. Mr. Shawhan is a man of exceptionally vigorous constitution, and gives personal attention to all of his affairs. He has always been a close student of business matters, and has given considerable attention to general reading, having acquired a fine library. The subject of our sketch is the only surviving child in his father's family, and he has an only daughter, Ella, a lady of excellent attainments.
HENRY SHEATS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 23, 1.822, son of Henry and Nancy Sheats, who were married in Pennsylvania, came to Seneca County, Ohio, in October, 1839, and remained
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in Clinton Township until the death of the former. After his death Mrs. Sheats went to Henry County, and there remained until her death. Our subject was united in marriage, January 16, 1862, with Anna Ditto, born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 27, 1832, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Ditto, the former born in 1785, in Northumberland County, Penn., and the latter born on the Atlantic Ocoan in 1795; died August 9, 1885. They wore married October 14, 1814, and settled in this county, where they remained until the death of Mr. Ditto, which occurred in 1853. Mr. Shoats is a carpenter and blacksmith by trade, but since his marriage has engaged in farming. He and his family reside on a farm of 214 acres, owned by the late Mrs. Ditto. Mr. and Mrs. Sheats are members of Grace Reformed Church.
ELDRIDGE SHERMAN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county February 1, 1844, son of Howland and Huldah Sherman, the former a native of Now York State, born June 3, 1814, and the latter a native of Connecticut. born March 3, 1823. They were married March 3, 1842, and settled in this county, where they remained until the death of Howland Sherman, which occurred June 13, 1865; his widow resides with our subject, the mother of five children: Eldridge, Frances, Phrona, Elnora and Lucinda. Our subject was united in marriage, April 23, 1867, with Catharine Earl, born in this county May 8, 1845, daughter of Matthew and Susanna Earl, the former deceased, the latter now living. To our subject and wife have been born four children, three now living: William T., Aura I. and Earl J.; one died in infancy. Mr. Sherman owns eighty-foux acres of good land. He served his country in the late war, and is a member of the G. A. R. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DANIEL SHUBERT, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., November 3, 1846; son of Lewis and Esther Shubert, natives of Pennsylvania, whore they were married and first settled, remaining there until 1817, at which time they moved to Tiffin, Ohio, where they afterward resided. Our subject was united in marriage, December 31, 1868, with Barbara Einsel, born in Clinton Township, this county, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Einsel. whose sketch appears elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Shubert have been born five children, four now living: Cyrus A., Sarah E., Oleva M. and Henry L. The deceased is an infant. Our subject is a carpenter and joiner by trade but has of late years been engaged in farming, owning 107 acres of fine land. He served his country in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1863. He was in several sharp engagements, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
H. E. SIMON, born in Boardman Township, Malioning Co., Ohio, July 17, 1847. In 1851 the family moved to Bloom Township, Wood County, arriving there September 1, and in the public schools of that township our subject was educated. He was deputy auditor of Mahoning County in 1865-66, and in 1870-71 he was deputy recorder of that county. In October, 1872, he came to Tiffin, Seneca County, where he was engaged with the Baltimore &, Ohio engineer corps until the line was located, upon which that railway was built in the spring of 1873. September 15, 1873, he entered the Tribune office (Locke & Bro., proprietors) to learn the printer's trade, and remained at the case for about eighteen months until March 7, 1875, when C. N. Locke, the junior editor died. At this time Mr. Simon entered the counting room of the Tribune office and took the position left vacant, and became associate editor with O. 'I'. Locke, a position which he has held over ton years. Mr. Simon was married.
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May 14, 1879, to Miss Mary L., daughter of Michael and Mary (Rinker) Wall, old settlers of Tiffin, then residing at Toledo, moving to Toledo in 1878, after about thirty years' residence at Tiffin.
JAMES V. SIX, dealer in groceries and provisions, Tiffin, is a native of Tiffin, this county. His father, William Alfred Six, was born in Frederick County, Md., of pioneer German ancestry in that State, and, at the age of twenty-one (1843), came to Tiffin and learned brick-making, eventually taking ;in important part in the building interests of the city for many years. He married. in his native State, Henrietta A. Filler (whom he buried here), and lite issue of this union was three sons and three daughters: James V., David H. (a mason and builder); Winfield Scott (deceased); Ida (deceased); Lizzie (deceased); and Emma. The subject of our sketch was reared to his father's business, which he followed, doing considerable building, many of the business blocks, factories and residences of Tiffin being monuments of his handiwork. Retiring from that industry he took up merchandising. Mr. Six married, in Tiflin, Ohio, Hattie Crawford, a lady of estimable attainments, a graduate of the academy at Republic, and this union was blessed with three children, of whom but one daughter, Mabel, survives. Our subject and wife are worthy members of the Evangelical Church. He is a member of the K. of P., and of the American National Union Insurance Company of Mansfield, Ohio.
SAMUEL BAUGHER SNEATH, banker and merchant, one of Tiffin's prominent commercial citizens, is a native and to the "manor born;" his parents, Richard and Catharine (Baugher) Sneath, settling here in 1827, and his birth occurring December 19 of the following year. His father was a native of Connecticut, and was a prominent pioneer and business man of Tiffin His mother was a native of Pennsylvania, descended from a pioneer family of that State. Three sons and one daughter of the family survive: William O. and Richard G., residents of San Francisco, Cal.; Catharine, wife of James T. Drake, of Missouri; and Samuel B. The subject of our sketch, in early life, engaged in manufacturing business, and was successfully identified with that industry here till 1853, when he turned his attention to merchandising, and embarked in business with Jesse Shriver, the firm of Shriver & Sneath continuing with good success for many years. In 1800 or 1801 Mr. Sneath retired from the firm, and established a produce and commission business, which he still carries on, and in 1802 he bought his former parttier (Shriver) out and continued in dry goods and merchant tailoring for a year or so, when he sold to P. Scheib, who still pursues the business. In 1805 he became an incorporator and stockholder of the National Exchange Bank, severing his connection with that institution recently. In 1876 he took an active part in the organization of the Commercial Bank, and has remained its cashier since. He is a very cordial supporter of measures tending to the city's growth and development, and has contributed in no small degree to its social and industrial institutions. Mr. Sneath married, in 1861, Mary L. Davis, a native of Tiffin, and daughter of Levi Davis, a native of Maryland, and pioneer farmer of this county. Mrs. Sneath passed away from this life in 1868, and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, leaving a daughter and son: Fannie, now the wife of C. F. M. Niles, an attorney at law and banker, a resident of Garden City, Kas., and Ralph D., associated in the bank. In November, 1870, Mr. Sneath married Laura A. Stephenson, of Findlay, Ohio, a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of William Stephenson, a prominent farmer near Findlay. To this union has been born one daughter, Marian Lee. Mrs. Sneath is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Sneath has always been a liberal contributor. In public life he has kept aloof from
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holding office, but has nevertheless considered the importance of the ballot, his motto being "What is worth doing is worth doing well." Mr. Sneath has applied his abilities to the furtherance of the commercial interests of this locality, in which he stands a prominent character.
CALVIN SNYDER, proprietor of saloon and restaurant, Tifn, was horn in Tiffin, Ohio, August 28, 1847, son of John W. and Barbara (Hammon) Snyder, natives of Baden, who settled in Tiffin in early times, and who reared a family of eleven children, of whom five sons and three daughters survive, Calvin Snyder was reared to the molder's trade, which he followed fur many years. He spent a number of years traveling through the Western and North western country, trading and trapping. In 1881 he returned hero mid embarked in his present business. In 1882 Mr. Snyder married Mrs. Emma (Rhu) Smith, who was born in New Riegel, this county, and by this union there is one daughter, Edith Smith. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Molder', Union and Veteran Firemen, and of Rescue Hose Company No. I.
WILLIAM A. SPONSLER, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Boardman, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1834, and comes of a line of pioneer Pennsylvania people of German ancestry. His parents were pioneers in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared in Cumberland County, Penn., and, at twenty-one, went to Burbank, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he eventually engaged in merchandising. In 1874 he removed thence to Tiffin, this county, where he has since carried on a prominent business in his present industry. He was united in marriage at Burbank, in 1857, with Miss Sarah Jane Bowman, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio.
C. D. SPRAGUE, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, Tiffin, was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 28, 1847. His parents, Seth and Cynthia (Bowen) Sprague, are of Scotch and English ancestry, respectively; the Spragues of pioneer Scotchmen in Connecticut and Rhode Island, who settled there in the seventeenth century, of the family lineage of Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island; the Bowens of early English settlers in New York State. The subject of our sketch was the youngest of a family of four sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters survive. His father carried on mercantile business in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. C. D. Sprague took up telegraphing at fifteen, at Gouverneur, that county; the year following he came to Elyria, Ohio, and clerked for awhile, completing his education in telegraphy. He was creditably identified with his profession in Ohio and Now York States, alternately, till 1872, when he came to Tiffin, and has been connected with his present occupation here since, meanwhile taking an active part in other important pursuits. Mr. Sprague was married in Morristown, Minn., to Jane, daughter of Joseph Hopkins, of St. Lawrence County, N. Y. She is a lady of estimable attainments, and was reared and educated with Mr. Sprague. This union has been blessed with four children: Mildred, Mamie, Charles B. and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are, worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is treasurer, superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and leader of the choir; she is treasurer of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Mr. Sprague has been a Mason, socially, since he was twenty-one years old, passing all the chairs of the chapter and council, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and served as private secretary to Gov. Foster during his canvass in 1877.
HON. DAVID J. STALTER, editor of the Tiffin News, was born in Eden Township, Seneca County, August 14, 1845. His parents, David and Nancy
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(Beery) Stalter, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, were old residents of Eden, and his father, one of the township's most enterprising farmers until 1863. Mr. Stalter attended the common schools of the district until 1859, when, owing to the death of his mother, he was compelled to work as a farm laborer. Early in 1865 he moved to Indiana, and during the summer of that year worked on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad as a section hand. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Michigan, and was there employed in brick-making, and subsequently in the lumber industry. During the latter part of the year 1867, he returned to Ohio; entered a select school at Adrian, in 1868; soon obtained a teacher's certificate; took charge of a school in Big Spring Township, and subsequently presided over the school at Melmore for eleven terms. During this period of school-teaching he saved sufficient money to meet the expenses of schooling at Heidelberg College several terms. In 1873 he accepted the position of traveling correspondent for a Toledo paper, and eventually became one of its stockholders. His natural tact and industry, aided by the experiences which this position offered, pointed out to him other fields of labor. Disposing of his interest in the Toledo newspaper, he purchased a half interest in the Ottawa County News, and became editor and manager of that journal. The columns of this newspaper he stamped with his individuality, and its business department with marked success until the spring of 1878, when he purchased the Wyandot Democratic Union, which journal he published at Upper Sandusky until November, 1879. Like the News of Ottawa County, he built up the interests of the Democratic Union until the journal became valuable property under his management. Early in 1880 he founded the Tiffin News, a new journal which has won for itself a large measure of support from the people of Seneca County since the day of its establishment. Mr. Stalter's marriage, with Miss Lucy M., daughter of Amos and Penelope (Thompson) Westover, natives of Ohio, was solemnized at Nevada, Wyandot Co., Ohio, July 2, 1874. Two children were born to them-David K. and Miss Tonie Bernice; the former died in 1883, and was interred in Green Lawn Cemetery beside his mother, who died in February, 1883. Mr. Stalter was nominated by the Democratic Convention of 1883 to represent his native county in the Legislature. The nomination was bitterly opposed by the machine section of his party; and, in a measure, this opposition was carried to the polls, but the votes thus lost were largely compensated for by the votes of Republicans, as he received 4,762, or 966 votes over his Republican opponent, 4,717 votes over his Greenback opponent (W. H. Patterson), and 4,655 votes over A. T. McDonald, the candidate of the Prohibitionists. In 1872 he was elected clerk of Eden Township, the only Democrat ever chosen for that position by the people of Eden. His nominations for the major and minor offices were only agreed to by him on representations made by the best men of the party, and on condition of retiring after one term of office. Whether in the newspaper office, Legislature or Masonic and Odd Fellows' circle, with which he is connected, industry and zeal mark his every action.
EDWARD W. STEPHENSON, jobbing and commission house in general merchandising, Tiffin, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1845, son of Charles H. and Emily (Bellchamber) Stephenson, natives of England, the former born in Yorkshire and the latter in London. The subject of our sketch served an apprenticeship at the tinning business, and at the age of twenty came to this country and after traveling through the States a few years located in Tiffin, this county, in February, 1870, and united with Mr. Ranaldo A. Gray in the establishment of the present enterprise, Mr. Gray retiring in 1878. The business at first was small, but by dint of steady and persistent industry, Mr.
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Stephenson has reared it to an annual accounting of over $20,000, and it no Ğemploys eighteen well equipped wagons on the road. Mr. Stephenson was married, in Tiffin in 1872, to Mary Cooper Gray, only surviving child of Ranaldo A. and Elizabeth (Jolly) Gray, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Zanesville, Ohio. They have an adopted child, Daisy May Stephenson. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an active member of the K. of P., is Grand Inner Guard of the Grand Lodge of the State and recorder of the Uniform Rank of that society. He is a member of the P. O. of A., and of the I. O. O. F.; is expresident of the National Union Insurance Company of Mansfield, Ohio. In industrial matters Mr. Stephenson has always contributed liberally, and was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the National Machinery Company of Tiffin. In public life he has done efficient service and has contributed in no small degree to the advancement of the Republican party.
JAMES STINCHCOMB, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born in .Bloom Township, this county, March 25, 1831. His grandfather, George Stinchcomb, emigrated from Scotland, with his family, to America, and died in Maryland. The father of our subject, John Stinchcomb, came from the neighborhood of Baltimore, Md., to this county, December 3, 1825, and settled in Bloom Township, where he purchased land and remained until 1851, when he removed to Clinton Township, and where he died, his widow, Barbara (Turnflinger) Stinchcomb, soon following him. They had ten children: Elizabeth A., George S., James, Mary J., Frances A., Daniel, Catharine (deceased), Amanda M., Henry and John. James Stinchcomb, the subject of this sketch, began t o receive his education at the age of twenty-one, in Heidelberg College. He gradually worked up in his classes, and after the first term taught school, mid continued teaching for twenty years. He is a quick observer, a lover of books. and a natural scholar. Mr. Stinchcomb was twice married; his first wife being Matilda, daughter of Ezra and Mary Baker. This wife dying February 15, 1871, our subject married, September 17, 1875, Annie S. Baker (a sister of his first wife), by whom he has one son--Robert Sherman.
FRANCIS EDWIN STONER, late auditor of Seneca County, was born in this county, April 15, 1842; son of Dennis Caspar and Charlotte (Smith) Stoner, who settled here from Frederick County, Md., in 1833. The Stoners were descended from German pioneers of Maryland, the name being originally "Sterner." The Smiths, originally from Holland, were also pioneers of Maryland. Of the family of nineteen children (born to the two families) nine nova survive-four sons and five daughters. Francis Edwin Stoner was reared upon the farm in Clinton Township, this county, and was educated in the schools of the county. In 1872 he embarked in the grocery business, which he retired from in 1881, upon accepting his late incumbency, which he creditably filled to the time of his death. He married, in April, 1872, Juliet, daughter of the late Hon. J. D. O'Connor, M. D., and to this union were born two sons: Clark and Francis Edwin, Jr. Mr. Stoner died, after a short illness, at Ridge Farm, near Paris, Ill., August J, 1885, and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Tiffin. He was an obedient, affectionate son, a devoted, loving husband, and a kind, indulgent father. Mr. Stoner was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. He was always a generous supporter of all public measures, and contributed liberally toward the development of the social and industrial interests of his city and county. He was a most sociable gentleman, drawing around him a very liberal support, from all parties, to his official position. His widow is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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CHARLES J. M. SULLIVAN, Tiffin, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 6, 1849. His father, the late William Sullivan of Tiffin, was a native of Cork, Ireland, and son of Michael Sullivan, who died there in 1852. William Sullivan was reared to mercantile pursuits in his native land, and came to America in 1846 eventually locating, in hardware merchandising, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he married Miss Hanora Leonard, a native of County Leitrim, Ireland, who bore him a family of nine children, of whom three sons survive: Charles J. M., Dr. Emmett W., of Cleveland, and Jerald E., business manager of the Iowa State Leader, at Des Moines, Iowa. In 1855 William Sullivan removed his family and business interests to Tiffin, this county, and was favorably known as an upright and successful business man, and an excellent citizen till his death, which occurred in April, 1873. The subject of this sketch received a good literary training in the college at Notre Dame, Ind., and in ii J June, 1867, graduated from that institution in a commercial course of study. Ho continued in the hardware business of his father, retiring from it in 1875. In 1883 he opened his present business, insurance agency, and has operated it Successfully since. He married here, in 1879, Miss Aldee M. Coonrod, a graduate of the Ursuline Academy, and daughter of the late Uriah P. Coonrod, of Hopewell Township, this county. They have two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. He and his wife are regular communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of St. Patrick's Total Abstinence Society and Catholic Knights of America. Is a liberal supporter of all measures tending to the development of the interests of his locality. He was clerk of Tiffin from 1879 to 1885.
IRA H. TOMPKINS, dealer in agricultural implements, Tiffin, was born in Thomson Township, this county, August 20; 1843, and comes of Welsh ancestry on his father's side. His father, Isaac, was a son of William, whose father, William Tompkins, Sr., settled in this country from Wales before the Revolution, and was a soldier in that war to its close. His mother, Christina (Scothorn) Tompkins, was a daughter of Samuel Scothorn, of pioneer Virginia stock, and settled in Reed Township, Seneca County, in 1823, from Fairfield County, Ohio. She and her one-year old sister, Ann, were the first white children in Reed Township. Ira H. is the fourth child and eldest son in their family of five sons and five daughters, and was reared to farming pursuits. At the age of twenty-three he embarked in the grocery business at West Lodi, this county, but after three years' successful work his store was destroyed by tire, and he subsequently engaged in dry goods and general merchandising there for about five years. In the meantime he dealt in agricultural implements, and upon retiring from his other interests there he came in 1875 to Tiffin, where he has since been identified with the implement business, meanwhile doing considerable in inventions in that industry. Mr. Tompkins was married in Adams Township, this county, May 8, 1870, to Louisa Jane, daughter of Henry and Catharine (Beard) Neikirk, of Adams Township. They have; one son and one daughter: Cosie Dale and Vance Vick. Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a worthy Mason, and has attained to the degree of K. T. of De Molay Commandery. Mr. Tompkins is a practical business man and an excellent citizen, and has contributed liberally toward the futherance of many social and industrial interests of Tiffin.
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profession and to the public. He was united in marriage with Abigail Fraser Dolbier, of New Jersey, of Scotch pioneer ancestry of that State. This union has been blessed with one son and three daughters: Emma, wife of Samuel S. Hunter, of Tiffin; Gusta, unmarried; Oscar Barnett, and Addie, wife of John De Witt, a manufacturer and machinist of Richmond, Ind. Mr. Tunison is a worthy member of the Odd Fellows' Society and of the National Photograph ers' Association.
OSCAR BARNETT TUNISON was born in New Jersey, November 11, 1842, but was reared and educated in Tiffin, where he learned the profession of his worthy sire, and joined him in the business. He was married, in Tiffin, to Mary E., daughter of John J. and Frances Hanna (Boyer) Steiner, worthy pioneers of Clinton Township, and this union was blessed with two bright sons: Hal and Berton. Mr. Tunison is a member of the National Photographers' Association. Mrs. Tunison is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DR. JOHN FRANKLIN WAGNER, dentist, Tiffin, was born in Liberty Township, this county, August 1, 1857. His father, Edmund Carpenter Wagner, was a native of Franklin County, Penn., and settled in Liberty Township in 1843. His mother, Catherine Berkey, was born in this county. They married April 18, 1850, and resided in Liberty Township, where they reared a family of eight sons and one daughter: Levi J., Byron A., Edmund Berkey (deceased), John F., George W., W. Scott, Rose B., William B. and Elmer E. all except John F. and W. Scott residing in Arkansas City, Kas. W. Scott resides in this county. The subject of our sketch completed a good common school education, and at twenty-one entered the Cincinnati Dental College, and after two years passed a very creditable examination before the Ohio State Board of Dentistry. He then located here, and has been very favorably connected with his professional work here since. He is a member of the K. of P., and P. O. of A. Societies.
AURELIUS C. WARNER, druggist, Tiffin, was born at Congress, Wayne Co., Ohio, February 28, 1860, and comes of honorable pioneer stock there. His father, Dr. C. J. Warner, stands among the most prominent men of the medical profession of that locality as well as of the State, being present member of the board of censors of the medical department of the University of Wooster, at Cleveland, Ohio; his mother was Mary Ellen (Pancoast) Warner, and both were of Pennsylvanian ancestry. Aurelius C. Warner, the eldest in a family of two sons, was reared to medical studies, and completed a regular pharmaceutical study at the College of Pharmacy in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1883 he came to Tiffin, and, in company with Mr. Winkler, purchased his present extensive drug business, which he has successfully conducted since. He is an active and progressive business man and citizen, a clever gentleman, and altogether eminently fitted to fill no small position in the growth of the lively, commercial interests of Tiffin. He is a member of the K. of P.
HENRY J. WELLER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born in Thompson Township, this county, January 21, 1856. His parents, John and Christina (Orner) Weller, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom settled here, in 1843, from Snyder County, Penn.; the latter is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Orner, pioneers in this county. The subject of our sketch (the eldest of a family of five sons and three daughters) obtained a good common school education in his native township, and developed such ability that at the age of fourteen he received a teacher's certificate. He, however, completed a normal education at Republic, this county, and at seventeen engaged in teaching, continuing in very reputable connection with the profession for five suc-
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cessive terms. In April, 1878, he commenced to read law in the office of Messrs. Noble & Adams, and June 2, 1880, was admitted to the bar of the State, at Columbus, being the first from the county to receive his license from the Supreme Court of Ohio under the new law. He continued in the office of his worthy preceptors, till in March of the following year, he opened an office for himself, and may be found in professional dignity over the Commercial Bank. Mr. Weller has always been an ardent aspirant for the highest honors in his different professions, and while attaining them in teaching he is (since leaving that profession) rapidly gaining the golden promises of his present calling. June 10, 1885, Mr. Weller associated himself with Hon. John McCauley, ex-judge of the Ohio Supreme Court, and now composes the law firm of McCauley & Weller, with office over Commercial Bank, Tiffin, Ohio. Our subject married, in Tiffin, December 30, 1884, Miss Julia M. Paynter, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of Martin S. and Sarah L. (Koller) Paynter, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Mr. Weller has taken an active part in the development of the social and industrial life of his native county. He has been a member of the Seneca County Agricultural Society for several years; has been its secretary for the past five years, and is its present treasurer; is now a member of the city council of Tiffin, having boon elected from the Fourth Ward of said city (a Republican ward) by the Democrats, by a majority of thirty-eight votes. He is a F. & A. M., and is Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. He speaks German fluently, and is a popular man with the German element in this county. A peculiar characteristic of Mr. Weller is that while busy in his different professional pursuits he has never missed an entry in his diary, which he has continued since his eighteenth year, and which contains not only the events of his locality but his personal monetary receipts and disbursements.
H. C. AND T. E. WELLS, physicians and surgeons of the New School of Medicine, Tiffin, come of pioneer Ohioans and are the only surviving sons of Job and Deborah (Butler) Wells, of English and Welsh descent, respectively. They reckon amongst their ancestry, on the father's side, some physicians of repute. Richard Wells, father of Job Wells, was of Quaker lineage from English stock in Virginia; he was a veterinary surgeon by profession, and came to Ohio from Virginia in early days and settled in Morrow County. His people were planters and owned slaves, and some of them figured in the Confederate service during the late civil war, a brother's son serving with prominence as surgeon in that army. The family of Richard, however, with the exception of Job, settled in the West, principally in Iowa and Missouri, and he returned from Iowa to be buried near the old home in Morrow County. Deborah (Butler) Wells, was a daughter of Barrick Butler, a native of Pennsylvania and of Welsh descent in that State. They were a literary people and developed some prominent teachers. The immediate family of Job and Deborah (Butler) Wells was three sons and throe daughters; of the latter two are married and have families in Morrow County. Richard, the third son, died at Tiffin October 10, 1882, a student at Heidelberg College. Henry Clay Wells, senior member of the firm of Wells Bros., at seventeen entered the Union Army August 8, 1862, as a member of Company C, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in field service till after the fall of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., when he received an injury to his back, was taken sick and sent to hospital at New Orleans, where, after recuperating, being unfit for field duty, he was appointed ward master in the United States Marine and later to St. Louis hospitals. Receiving an honorable discharge at the end of the war he returned home and completed a course of study at Cardington Academy,
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from which he and his brother graduated. He then taught school and studied medicine, graduating from the Homoeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland in 1872. He then located in Tiffin and has been very successful in his professional practice since. He married, in Bellevue, Ohio, Amanda J., eldest daughter of John and Angeline (Close) Hilbish, pioneers there from Pennsylvania. This union has boon blessed with one son and one daughter: John Hilbish and Mabel Grace. Thomas Elwood Wells (junior partner of the. firm of Wells Bros.) after graduating from Cardington, taught school and subsequently embarked in the drug business with Dr. L. L. Benson, an eclectic school physician, with whom he read medicine for nearly two year. He, however, became convinced of the greater advantages of the practice of the homoeopathic, and sold his interest in the drug business, and after a thorough course of study (of three years) graduated from Pulti College of Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati in January, 1877. He located in the practice at Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he remained until 1884, when he joined his brother at Tiffin, this county. Dr. T. E. Wells is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., a very genial gentleman and of prepossessing appearance.
BERNARD WELTER, cigar manufacturer, Tiffin, born in Echternach, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, March 10, 1828, is a son of Henry tend Elizabeth Schomer Welter. In 1851 he came to America and located where his brother Valentine had preceded him in 1849. Here he carried on the cigar manufacturing and tobacconist business. He married, in 1861, Agnes Riley, who bore him two daughters: Annie (deceased), and Elizabeth. Mrs. Welter died in September, 1864, and in 1868 Mr. Welter married Mary Kerch, daughter of Nicholas Kerch, a native of Greivelding, Luxemburg, and to this union were born nine children: Mary, Henry, Lucinda, Bernard, Florence, Blanche. Elsie and Pearl living; and Henry the eldest son (deceased). Mr. Welter and family are communicants of St. Joseph's congregation of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the Bruderbund.
FRED L, WENNER was born in Tiffin, Ohio, January 8, 1864, second son of Henry S. and Sarah A. Wenner, both of whom were natives of eastern Pennsylvania, and of German descent. At the age of seven he entered the public schools of the. city, and, with the excoption of three intervals, he remained iii them for twelve years, graduating from the high school on the 1 7th of June. 1883. Early in life he evinced an aptness for rapid composition, and during his first year in the High School he edited a small amateur paper called the High School Reporter, and the rest of the four years acted as correspondent for several papers. June 21, four days after graduating, he accepted a place as reporter on the Tiffin Daily Herald, and in the following October became local editor of the same. In November he resigned his position, owing to failing eyesight, and began teaching school in sub-district No. 1, Seneca Township, teaching a successful term of five months, and boarding at Eden Lease's. At the age of thirteen he had met with an accident, which destroyed the sight of his left eye, and caused him considerable trouble. He now entered the homeopathic hospital at Ann Arbor, Mich., where several operations were performed. which partially restored the sight and greatly relieved him. April 28, 1884, he again became local editor of the Daily Herald, and remained in that posi tion until October 25, of the same year, when he resigned to accept a similar one on the Tiffin Tribune, which he holds at the present time. He was united in marriage, January 18, 1885, with Ammy D. Myers, a teacher in the Bloomville public schools, and the eldest daughter of Rev. S. P. and Ursilla Myers. of that place, her father being a minister of the Reformed Church.
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THOMAS JEFFERSON WEST, M. D., Tiffin, comes of hardy pioneer descent in this county and State. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (Donnell) West (the former of English pioneer ancestry in New York State, and the latter of Scotch Irish ancestry, of Pennsylvania), were married here, and reared live sons and one daughter. Thomas West came to this county in 1820, and located land in Eden Township in 1822. The subject of our sketch received a liberal literary training in the Academy at Republic, and taught school. On the breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and did active and honorable service for over three years, and upon the expiration of term of service of his regiment, he was hon orably discharged. He was wounded in the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. After the war, Mr. West taught school and engaged in the study of medicine. In 1866-67 he attended Charity Hospital Medical College of Cleveland, from which he graduated. He located in the practice of his profession at Melmore, this county, where he remained in creditable professional work till the spring of 1884, when he came to Tiffin. The Doctor is a member of the State, Northwestern and County Medical Societies, and has contributed in no small degree to the advancement of his profession in this locality. He was married in 1871, to Mary Horner, a native of Darlington, England, who bore him two sons and one daughter: Nettie May, and Freddie and Eddie (twins). Mrs. West passed from life in 1881, in full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery. Our subject was married on second occasion to Mrs. E. Steele, daughter of R. C. Steele, of Eden Township, this county, and by her he has one son-Robert Karl. Mrs. West is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, to which the Doctor is a liberal contributor and respectful attendant of. He is a worthy member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the degree of K. T. in De Molay Commandery. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of Isaac Rule Post, G. A. R., and of the Pioneers' Society of Eden Township.
R. H. WHITLOCK (See Manufacturing Interests in History of Tiffin, page 530).
GEORGE W. WILLIARD, D. D., president of Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, was born in Burkettsville, Frederick Co., Md., June 10, 1818, and is the fourth son and fifth child in the family of five sons and two daughters of John and Mary (Shaffer) Williard, natives of Frederick County, Md. Elias Williard, father of John Williard and a native of Germany, reared a large family in Maryland. John Shaffer, father of the mother of our subject, also a native of Germany, reared his family in Maryland. The subject of our sketch received a good rudimentary education in the common schools, and at sixteen went to the high school at York, Penn., and after its removal to Morcersburg (where it was merged in Marshall College) he pursued and completed a thorough literary and classical training in that institution, graduating at the age of twentyone. He then pursued a theological course of study with his alma mater, and a fter about a year entered the ministry of the Reformed Church, and was ordained at Jefferson (in his native county) at twenty-two years of age. He continued in charge there for over four years, when he removed to Huntingdon, Penn., where he had charge of an academy in connection with his pastoral work. He afterward removed to Winchester, Va., and after laboring there three years he came to Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of 1850, where he carried on church work for about five years, during which time he took charge of the Western Missionary (1853), which paper he conducted for thirteen years thereafter. During his stay in Columbus, he translated from the original Latin and published the Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism
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(the confessional book of the Reformed Church) into the English language. In 1855 he removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he edited and published the Western Missionary, in connection with his pastoral work, till his call to the presidency of Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, in 1866. During the first four years of his residence in Dayton he had charge of the First Reformed Church there, and subsequently served congregations in the vicinity of Dayton. hr 1866 he accepted his present incumbency from the Board of Trustees of Heidelberg College, and has also performed ministerial work in a variety of forms. Dr. Williard married, in Mercersburg, Penn., in 1842, Louisa Catharine Little, fourth daughter in the family of two sons and five daughters of Dr. P. W. Little, a prominent physician of that place, a native of -Maryland and of German ancestry. To this union four sons and one daughter were born, of whom three sons survive: John Newton and Dr. George P., of Tiffin, and the Rev. h, R. Williard, of Germantown, Ohio. In September, 1868, Mrs. Williard departed this life, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, at Dayton, beside her son and daughter, Cephas L., who died at the age of twenty-six, and Mary Louisa, who died at the age of six months. In 1866 our subject was married again; on this occasion in Xenia, Ohio, to Emma Jano Hivling, a lady of estimable attainments, and a daughter of Col. John Hivling, banker, of Xenia, and a prominent pioneer of Greene County. Dr. Williard while busy with his professional work has always taken a prominent part in the various benevolent enterprises of the day, and has contributed liberally thereto. He is the author of several books and a regular contributor to the periodicals of the Reformed Church. He is apparently as active as ever in his professional work and bas the gratification of seeing many of his students occupying important position:; in the various professions of life.
GEORGE PARKER WILLIARD, M. D., was born in Huntington, Penn.. July 1, 1845, son of Rev. G. W. Williard, D.D. (president of Heidelberg College) and Louisa C. Williard, daughter of Dr. P. W. Little, of Mercersburg, Franklin Co., Penn. The subject of this sketch received a liberal literary training in the schools of Dayton, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen `-errs began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Davis, of Dayton. He attended his first and second collegiate courses, at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, and completed his professional studies at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Penn., graduating from this honored institution March 9, 1867. In the following June he came to Seneca County, Ohio. locating at Fort Seneca, and carried on an active practice till 1874, when he went to California and located at San Buena Ventura, Ventura County, entering into partnership with Dr. Cephas L. Bard, a prominent physician of that place. He returned to Tiffin, this county, in 1876, and soon afterward entered into partnership with the late Dr. A. B. Hovey, with whom be remained two year,. Retiring from that partnership, he established himself independently, and hay carried on an active practice ever since. He has been prominently nominated, and has served as examining surgeon for many life insurance corporations; is :[ member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and of the Seneca County Medical Society. He has always given a cordial support to all measures calculated to elevate the character and standing of his chosen profession, and is ever read.and willing to lend his assistance in matters pertaining to the social and industrial development of Tiffin. During the war, and upon the organization of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio National Guards, he enlisted as a private in Company A, of that regiment, and was shortly afterward promoted to the position of hospital steward. During its term of service, and while the regiment was stationed at Baltimore, Md., garrisoning Forts Marshall and Federal
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Hill, he was appointed post-steward of Fort Federal Hill Hospital. Although broken in health from close confinement at the hospital, and the arduous duties of his position, he remained in the service until the term of his enlistment had expired, and he was honorably discharged with his regiment. In February, 7 881, he was married to Miss Elects A. Stout, of Dayton, Ohio, a lady of estimable attainments, cultured and refined and of high Christian character. She is a daughter of Elias Stout, Esq., of Dayton, a merchant and native Ohioan.
FREDERICK WOLF, dealer in boots and shoes, Tiffin, was born in Eppingen, Baden, April 14, 1834, son of Ludwig and Catharine (Heiser) Wolf, the former of whom died in that country in 1845, and the latter in Tiffin, in October, 1856; the names of their children are as follows: Frederick; Elizabeth, widow of Christian Bloom, of Mexico; Christina, widow of Joseph Schoertschinger, and Jacob (deceased). The subject of our sketch learned shoemaking in his native city, and at nineteen came to this country, locating in Tiffin June 8, 1853, and in 1862 embarked in business with which he has been succcssfully connected since. He was married in Tiffin, in 1857, to Catharine Baker, born in Detwiler, Rhenish Bavaria, November 18, 1835, and who came to this country in 1853. To this union four sons and one daughter were born: Henry, a merchant; Frederick, a harness-maker; Caroline; Louis Ludwig, a grocer, and William Dietrich. Mr. Wolf is a member of the Sangerbund and Bruderbund societies. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Jacob Wolf learned his trade here and united with Frederick in business, continuing with him until his death, August 8, 1884; he left five children.
CHARLES J. YINGLING, merchant, Tiffin, was born in Baltimore, Md., October 26, 1847, and descends from a line of mercantile people on both sides of his parentage. He is the fifth child and second son of Joshua and Margaret (Shriver) Yingling. The former a prominent business man and banker of Westminster, Md., and son of the late Jacob Yingling, a tanner and merchant of Westminster; and the latter a daughter of Hon. Isaac Shriver, banker of Westminster and of pioneer family of the State. The subject of our sketch completed a liberal education in the high schools of Westminster, and at seventeen entered the First National Bank of that place -is teller, in which capacity he served with credit for about four years, when he was compelled by ill health to withdraw from the business and to travel through the West, principally in Iowa. Returning, he embarked in the dry goods merchandising with his father, January, 1869, firm being known as J. Yingling & Son. In September, 1872, he retired from that firm and came to Tiffin and engaged in manufacturing Indies' shoes, which he abandoned just two years later and then purchased his present extensive dry goods business. Mr. Yingling was married, in Taneytown, Md., in October, 1875, to Miss Vary E. Rudisel, only surviving child of the late Tobias Rudisel, merchant of that place. To our subject and wife have been born two sons: Tobias Rudisel and Charles Shriver. Mr. Yingling has, since locating here, established an excellent reputation as a business man and citizen. He has cordially supported all measures tending to the progressive development of this locality. He and his wife are estimable members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he has been for many years a member, and of which he has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and secretary of the board of stewards. He is a K. T. and a member of the R. A. and K. of P. societies. Mr. Yingling comes from a line of slaveholders, but upon the event of the late war, his people renounced their principles and remained steadfast with the Union tenets for which they had always maintained strong preference.
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JOHN FREDERICK ZELLER, coal merchant, Tiffin, was born at Canal Fulton, Stark Co., Ohio, May 4, 1842. His parents, John and Doretha (Jacobs) Zeller, were natives of Germany, the former born in Weiden, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, and the latter in Kaiser Lautern, in the kingdom of Bavaria. They came to America in 1834 and settled in Stark County where John Zeller carried on contracting and building for many years, rearing a family of one son (John Frederick) and two daughters. The subject of this sketch was reared to building with his father. November 12, 1861, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted his services in defense of the Union, in Company K, Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and veteranized in Jackson County, Ala., in 1864, serving in all three years and eight months, receiving an Honorable discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 2, 1865. He served in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Miss., Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Taylor's Ridge and Missionary Ridge, and was in the engagements at Lovejoy, Atlanta, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Pumpkin Vine Creek and Sugar Creek Crap; was with Sherman in his march to the sea. February 26, 1865, he was captured by Gen. Hampton's cavalry at Cheraw, S. C., and spent four days in Libby prison, after which he was, paroled. Our subject marched and traveled by rail and water over 11,000 miles and after his capture, as just related, he was marched over 500 miles barefooted and halt naked over rough and often frozen ground. After the war he spent several years in the drug business in his native place and in 1873 embarked in the coal business, in Norwalk, Ohio, which he retired from there, and opened up in Tiffin, in 1878. Mr. Zeller was married in Canal Fulton, Ohio, in 1867, to Margaret Jane Porter, a lady of estimable attainments, daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Stotler) Porter, the former a native of Beaver County, Penn., the latter of Wayne County, Ohio, and by this union there are three sons; living: Clarence Porter, William Newton and John Logan; two deceased, Carl Frederick and James Garfield, Mr. Zeller is an active member of the, F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., has served his ward in the city councils. Politically he is a stanch Republican and has been an active worker for his party.
L. W, ZIMMER, bookseller and stationer, Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, November 25, 1856; son of Jacob and Caroline (Von Blon) Zimmer the former a native of Windesheim, Prussia, and the latter of Waldmohr, in Rhenish Bavaria. They were married in Tiffin, and reared two sons and a daughter: L. W., Caroline Louisa and Jacob, latter a clerk with L. W. Mr. Zimmer was reared to bookbinding, and followed the drug business for a few years. In 1880 he joined Mr. Emich in the book and stationery business, from which he retired in 1883, and established his present business. He was united in marriage, in 1881, with Emma, daughter of John and Susan (Gross) Laux, natives of Bavaria. He and his wife are members of the Second Reformed Church. Mr. Zimmer is a member of the U. A. O. D. and Turnverein Societies.
JOHN BURGERT ZINT, of the firm of Zint & Kreader, plumbers and gas-fitters, Tiffin, was born in Paris, Stark Co., Ohio, July 31, 1842; son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Burgert) Zint, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvanian German ancestry. The subject of our sketch was reared in Adrian, Ohio, and in 1861 came to Tiffin and began the trade of harness-making. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and did honorable service fill the end of the war; was honorably discharged as drummer from the Eighth Veteran Reserve Corps, to which he had been transferred. Returning to Tiffin, Ohio, he engaged in the woolen-mills, where he spent fifteen years, the last; eight of which he was engineer. Upon the dissolution of that company, in 1881, he
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embarked in his present industry. Mr. Zint was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Ellen Lowe, by whom he has two daughters: Laura Bell and Myrtie May. He and his wife are members of the M. P. Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of Leander Stem Post No. 31., G. A. R.