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JACOB F. SCHAFER.
Not many of the older citizens of Chatfield township, Crawford
county, Ohio, were born at their present places of residences.
Jacob Schafer has this distinction. He is a son of
Jacob Schafer, Sr., and was born Feb. 21, 1852, in his
father's house on the farm on which he now lives.
Jacob E. Schafer, Sr., the son of Adam
Schafer, was born in Hoheined, Germany, and was brought to
America by his father. The elder Schafer settled in
Bloom township Seneca county, Ohio, and from there removed to
Chatfield township, Crawford county, with his son, Jacob
Schafer, the father of the subject of this sketch.
About the time of their arrival they bought about forty acres of
wild land, and later they bought forty acres more, on which
stands the residence of the subject of this sketch.
Adam Schafer died on this property, at the age of
seventy-nine years. His wife was Catharine Fox,
also a native of Germany.
Jacob F. Schafer, who is the immediate subject
of this sketch, was the tenth in order of birth of a family of
eleven children. Mary, the eldest, became the wife
of Gottlieb Knecht. Valentine lives in Chatfield
township, Crawford county, Ohio. Lucy married
Philip Schemp and lives in Seneca county. Catharine
is the wife of Peter Regula, of Carothers, this state.
Gertrand married Emanuel Lutz. Caroline
is the wife of Peter Riddle. Adam lives at
Chatfield, Crawford county, Ohio. Lizzie married
William Seafort, of Cranberry township. Sophia
died in infancy. At one time the father of these children
owned three hundred and forty-six acres of land. At his
death, which occurred Dec. 23, 1898, he owned one hundred and
ninety-nine acres. He was a man of influence in his
township and a member of the Lutheran church.
The subject of this sketch was reared to the life of a
farmer boy of all work, and received as good an education as the
common schools afforded. He was married, in 1885, to
Miss Caroline Lanehart, and they have seven children, named
as follows: Erna, Albert, William, Loretta, Clara,
Marie (who died Oct. 27, 1898) and Delverta.
Mr. Schafer owns seventy-nine acres of land in
his home farm and another farm of forty acres, and is a
successful general farmer. He and all the members of his
family are identified with the Lutheran church.
Politically he is a Democrat, and while he is influential in
public affairs he has never been a seeker of public office.
His public sprit has impelled him to ally himself with
many movements which he has believed promised to improve the
condition of his fellow citizens.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 427 |
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DAVID A. SCOTT Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 661 |
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Bucyrus Twp. -
JOSIAH SCOTT, son of Alexander Scott
and Rachel McDowell, was born near Cannonsburg, Washington
Co., Penn., Dec. 1, 1803. While yet a youth he entered
Jefferson College - walking from home every day and back - and
graduated in 1823. After this he spent nearly six years in
teaching - two years in Newtown, Berks Co., Penn., two years
near Richmond, Va., and two years as tutor in his Alma Mater.
While engaged in teaching, he studied law privately , borrowing
books for that purpose. He commenced the practice of law
in Bucyrus in the spring of 1829. Some ten years after
this he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, and, in 1844, was
the elector for his district on the Henry Clay ticket for
President. In 1850 he removed to Hamilton, Ohio, and in
1856 was elected to the Supreme Bench of the State, and twice
afterward re-elected, positively declining a re-nomination.
IN 1868, he returned to reside in Bucyrus, and, in 1876, Gov.
Hayes appointed him as the head of the Supreme Judicial
Commission, on which he served for the three full years of his
appointment. He died June 15, 1879, about three months
after his term of service had expired. Mr. Scott
never sought any official position to which he was chosen or
appointed. The office sought the man, and not the man the
office. Although a man of great and varied talent, he was
constitutionally modest and diffident. He was a man of
extensive learning - a fine scholar in all the branches of an
academic course. He excelled both as a linguist and
mathematician. He could translate the Greek and Latin
author is with great ease and accuracy. He learned to read
the Hebrew Bible without a lexicon, grammar or instructor.
He was a complete master of mathematics, and it is said never
failed to solve any problem given him that was solvable.
He was the author of the rules for the formation of "perfect
magic squares." As a lawyer he was logical, eloquent,
brilliant, humorous, pathetic or sarcastic, as the circumstances
dictated. As a Judge, he was learned, profound, concise,
and thoroughly conscientious. As a Christian he was
humble, devout, thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, and a
fine theologian. He was a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian
Church for nearly forty years. He had an unusually large
head and brain, and without effort could concentrate his mind
upon all questions he was called upon to consider. His
moral character was above reproach."His life
was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this was a man."
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 808 |
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JOSIAH SCOTT -
Perhaps the most distinguished lawyer and jurist of Crawford
county was Josiah Scott, of whom the following eulogy was
delivered in 1886 before the Ohio State Bar Association, by the
Hon. Stephen R. Harris, of Bucyrus:
"Josiah Scott was born on the 1st day of
December, 1803, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on his
father's farm, three miles from Cannonsburg, the seat of
Jefferson College, where he was educated under Dr. Matthew
Brown, and received his religious impressions under the
celebrated Mr. McMillen. He lived at home, walked
daily to and from the college, and graduated in the year 1823,
with the highest honors of a class of thirty-two young men, many
of whom afterwards rose to distinction, mostly in the church and
as college presidents, among whom may be mentioned the names of
David H. Riddle, LL. D., president of Washington and
Jefferson College, and David L. Carroll, D. D., president
of Hampden Sidney College, Virginia.
"After his graduation he was thrown entirely on his own
resources and set out at once to enter courageously upon the
life work before him. He first went to eastern
Pennsylvania and for a period of two years taught in a classical
academy at Newton, Bucks county, and in his time prepared
several students for the freshman class at college, some of whom
graduated at his own alma mater and came to preferment in after
life. He went south and taught a classical school for two
years in Richmond, Virginia, employing his leisure time in the
study of law. He then returned to the home of his youth
and was soon after chosen by the authorities as a tutor in
Jefferson, where four years before he had taken his degree with
distinguished honor. He taught in this institution for one
year, during which he employed his leisure intervals in pursuing
his legal studies. At the end of that time he decided to
visit Ohio, with a view of selecting a location for the practice
of law. He traveled west on horseback, as was the custom
of the day, and arrived at Mansfield in the spring of 1829,
where he visited Hon. Thomas W. Bartley, who had been his
pupil at college and afterward became his associate on the
bench. He was admitted to the bar and permanently located
himself at Bucyrus, the county seat of Crawford County, Ohio, in
the month of June, 1829, when that village was but a hamlet in
the wilderness, and nearly half of the county was, and for some
fifteen years afterward remained an Indian reservation, occupied
by the Wyandots.
"His abilities were very soon appreciated and he
rapidly rose in his profession, so that he was regarded as a
lawyer of great influence with court and jury, both in Bucyrus
and in the surrounding counties, where he had a growing
practice. In 1840 he was elected as a representative to
the general assembly for the counties of Crawford, Marion and
Delaware. In 1855 he removed to Hamilton, Butler county,
and continued the practice of his profession with great
distinction and success, in competition with such lawyers as
John Woods, Lewis D. Campbell, Thomas Milliken and
William Bebb. In October, 1857, he was elected judge
of the supreme court of Ohio, for the term commencing on the 9th
day of February, 1857. Shortly after his election he was
appointed by the governor, Chase, to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Judge Ranney, and held under
the appointment until the 9th day of February, the commencement
of the regular term. He was twice re-elected and continued
on the bench until the 9th day of February, 1872, having
declined to be a candidate for another term.
"Some years before he left the bench he returned again
to Bucyrus, and at the expiration of his term he resumed
practice and continued until January, 1876, when he was
appointed by Governor Hayes a member of the supreme court
commission. On the expiration of the commission, in
February, 1879, he again resumed the practice of his profession,
but was soon stricken with a malignant disease, which terminated
his life on the 15th day of June, 1879, in the seventy-sixth
year of his age, but still in his intellectual prime.
"Such, gentlemen of the Ohio State Bar Association, is
a brief sketch of the eventful life of one of the most gifted
men who ever adorned our profession. It is with a willing
heart and grateful mind that I embrace the present opportunity
to commemorate his virtues, only regretting my inability to set
forth in a deserving manner the tribute which I shall endeavor
to bring to his memory.
"Over thirty-seven years ago I came to Bucyrus a
stranger, and commenced the practice of my chosen profession.
I was young and diffident, and the first member of the bar to
give me a friendly greeting and extend the hand of encouragement
was the Hon. Josiah Scott. After a few months'
acquaintance and professional intercourse he invited me into his
office as a partner. We continued our partnership until he
removed to Hamilton. After he returned from Hamilton to
reside in Bucyrus, while still on the bench, he made my office
his headquarters, and at the expiration of his term we resumed
our partnership, after an interval of over twenty years.
We continued together until his death, and by the terms of his
last will and testament he made me one of his executors.
Do I need, therefore, to apologize for my veneration of the man,
and when I say I will revere his memory as a friend and
benefactor until the last pulsation of my heart?
"In the professional and judicial career of Judge
Scott he did not neglect the pursuits of learning, but
habitually indulged in mathematics, the reading of English
classical authors and the study of Latin and Greek literature.
Of the ancient classics, Horace and Demosthenes
were his favorite authors. He would turn at random to any
portion of Horace and Virgil and translate them fluently
into elegant English. Sometimes in his arguments at the
bar, in the midst of a flight of eloquence, he would quote and
adapt passages from Pollock's Course of Time or Milton's
Paradise Lost with such ease and grace, and so appropriate to
his theme as to make his hearers lose sight of the quotation.
"He was always diffident and retiring until called out
by some genial friends or professional associates, in whose
company he might be cast. On such occasions he was always
found to possess conversational powers of a high order,
enlivening his conversation by a warm glow of delicate humor and
brightening it often by lively flashes of wit. His
knowledge and skill in mathematics were astonishing. No
mathematical problem capable of solution baffled him. It
may be safely asserted that he was absolute master of algebra
and geometry. He would solve difficult algebraic problems
mentally in an incredibly short space of time, announcing his
methods as he progressed. By way of light reading he would
peruse by the hour that wonderful production, Euler's
Elements of Algebra, with as much delight as if it were a
romance, instead of a work so deep that few but professional
mathematicians could comprehend it.
"Whilst he was a profound scholar and linguist, yet his
greatest triumphs were at the bar. He had leading practice
in all the counties in his part of the state, and rarely was an
important jury case tried but he conducted one side of it.
It was there he displayed his great power as a nisiprius lawyer.
His skill was displayed in the cross examination of witnesses.
He seldom rebuked or intimidated a witness so as to excite his
stubbornness or aggravate his hostility, but rather led him
along first in the line of undisputed facts in a pleasant manner
until he would get the truth out of him, when it was
unintentional on the part of the witness, who had gone on the
stand with the full determination to perjure himself in behalf
of the opposite party. On such occasions a grim shade of
disappointment might be observed to steal over the countenances
of the opposing counsel. In his arguments he was
ordinarily mild, eloquent and persuasive before a jury, but when
occasion required he would pour out a torrent of invective that
was overwhelming, like that of Curran's celebrated
denunciation of Flood in the Irish parliament. In his
argument to the court, Judge Scott was logical and
convincing. He belonged to that older class of lawyers who
began the practice when books were few, but read, studied and
thoroughly mastered all the elementary principles of the law.
I have seen him in combats with other lawyers of the same class,
a race that nearly all disappeared, such as Judge Stewart,
Bartley, Kirkwood, Brinkerhoff and Cooper K. Watson,
and deep were the impressions they made on my mind in the outset
of my practice. What models for the emulation of the young
practitioner! In their legal conflicts it was a battle of
giants. What ponderous arguments, mostly on principles
rather than an array of authorities, with Judge Bowen on
the bench to appreciate them, without requiring the production
of books! Such thrusts and such parries! Such
logical reasoning, so pregnant with legal principles that they
would seem unanswerable, and then see an antagonist meet and
combat them like Hercules with his club! I sometimes pause
and ask, Will ever cases be tried like those again?
"Whilst on the bench, Judge Scott's position was
characterized by the highest degree of learning and accuracy.
His published judicial opinions are found in the Ohio State
Reports, from volume V to volume XXI inclusive, and the first
series of volumes containing the decisions of the commission,
and they take rank with the best ever announced from the bench.
In preparing a brief, when a lawyer finds a decision of Judge
Scott on the subject, it always affords pleasure and relief.
His analysis is so complete and his reasoning so conclusive and
easily understood that one almost wonders why the question
should ever have been involved in doubt. It is also a
notable feature of the Ohio State Reports that there are few, if
any, dissenting opinions in cases where the decisions were
announced by Judge Scott. He left his
impression upon the jurisprudence of Ohio as distinctly as
any other figure in the history of our courts, and his opinions
are not only sound, but instructive.
"He was an earnest believer and professor of the truths
of the Christian religion, whose holy precepts he practiced in
the whole course of his life. It may safely be asserted
that he never in his life, in his business, in his profession,
in court or elsewhere, did or conceived a dishonorable act, and
his life teaches us that without professional uprightness and
integrity there can be no enduring success. Judge Scott
always regarded is as a duty, not only to his client and
himself, but a higher and more important one to his country,
which bestows on a lawyer important privileges and requires of
him important services, to discourage groundless and unlawful
litigation, and to present his client's case truthfully and
fairly. Sad, indeed, would be the thought, when such a man
is gone from earth, were all his learning and wisdom gone, too.
But all of such men cannot die. While his body
slumbers in the earth his words of wisdom and his example of
purity will shed their lustre as a beacon to guide those who
succeed him."
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 18 |
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CHARLES JACOB SCROGGS
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 266 |
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JACOB SCROGGS
(Portrait found with his son, Charles Jacob Scrogg's biography) |
Bucyrus Twp. -
JACOB SCROGGS, attorney at law, Bucyrus.
Among the names of prominent men in Bucyrus and Crawford Co.,
that of Hon. Jacob Scroggs, deserves especial mention.
Jacob Scroggs, son of John and Ann (Shawke) Scroggs,
was born in Canton, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1827. His father was
born in the city of Baltimore June 9, 1794, and was a hatter by
trade, having served his apprenticeship seven years, in his
native city. In 1819, he removed to Cumberland Co., Penn,
where he lived one year, and then removing to Columbiana Co.,
Ohio, where he was married in 1821. Was engaged in
business at Canton. He removed from Stark Co. in 1839,
coming to Crawford Co. by team and settling on the site of his
son's present residence. He died in 1861. Throughout
his life he was a pure-minded, fervent Christian, a member of
the M. E. Church. He participated in the war of 1812,
being engaged in the bombardment of Fort McHenry and North
Point. His wife's father, Jacob Shawke, was a
soldier in the Revolution. His son Abel Shawke
invented first steam fire-engine, which was tried in the winter
of 1851-52, in Cincinnati. the subject of our sketch
assisted his father in the hat trade until he attained his
majority, acquiring a limited education. He also spent
some time in the printing office of T. J. Orr, publisher
of the Democrat-Republican, and, later, with J. R.
Knapp, of the Bucyrus Forum, as a type-settler.
After he was 21, he taught school five terms, and was also
Deputy Sheriff. He was also employed in the Clerk's and
Probate offices as copyist, in the meantime acquiring a
knowledge of medicine, and was a clerk in Toledo in 1851 and
1852. He then represented Winthrop D. Smith, in
introducing the Eclectic school books, traveling one season. He
then entered the law office of D. W. Swigart, having been
a student of Judge Hall. Next, he attended the
Cincinnati Law School, graduating in May, 1854, and was admitted
to the bar in Hamilton Co. He continued with D. W.
Swigart until February, 1855, when he opened an office here,
beginning without capital, and has worked his way into
affluence. He was Mayor of Bucyrus from 1855 to 1859.
He is now serving his way into affluence. He was Mayor of
Bucyrus from 1855 to 1859. He is now serving his eighth
year as member of the School Board, and fifth as President of
that body. Was Presidential Elector on the Republican
ticket, in 1864, for the Ninth District. He was married,
in September, 1859, to Julia A. Walwork of Bucyrus, a
native of Pennsylvania. They have one son, Charles J.,
a promising student at Ann Arbor, Mich.
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 817 |
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Bucyrus Twp. -
WILLIAM M. SCROGGS, deceased; is the son
of John and Anna (Shawke) Scroggs, and was born May 27,
1825, in Canton. He left school at 11 years of age, and
entered a tailorship to learn the trade; he worked in the town
of Canton until about 14, when he came to Bucyrus with his
father's family, in 1839. He here completed his trade with
Peter Howenstein, and in a few years opened a shop of his
own, and in 1851 added a stock of clothing, being one of the
early merchant-tailors of Bucyrus. He retired from the
business of tailoring about the year 1860. Apr. 25, 1849,
he was married to Miss Margaret A. Byron, of Bucyrus; she
was born in Huntington Co., Penn. and came to Bucyrus in 1835.
About 1850, Mr. Scroggs was elected Mayor of Bucyrus, a
position he held for several years, being at the same time
Justice of the Peace. On the completion of the Ohio &
Indiana Railroad, he was appointed conductor, and run the first
regular passenger train over the new road, having his office at
Crestline. Subsequently he returned to Bucyrus and studied
law, for which he had a profound admiration, and was admitted to
the bar about 1864. In 1868, he was elected Auditor of
Crawford Co., and re-elected in 1870 by a large popular
majority; he proved a faithful and efficient officers. He
died peacefully Nov. 6, 1874, in his 50th year. Of his
family, there is but one daughter living - Frank M., a
teacher in the Bucyrus schools; two sons and a daughter are dead
- Mary A., Edmund K. and George B. Mr.
Scroggs began life with few of this world's goods, and by a
life of earnest labor, left his family in good circumstances..
Deprived of the advantages of education in youth, he sought by
personal endeavor to repair the loss. He studied that book
of books, the Bible, until he was familiar with every portion of
it. While following his vocation, a convenient volume was
ever near him, until he became one of the best-read men of his
day. He collected an extensive library, embracing the
choicest treasures of history and literature, over which he
pored with an ever-increasing delight. He was generous to
a fault, and within the sacred domain of home, surrounded by his
family, he deemed himself more favored than the monarch on his
throne.
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 811 |
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SOLOMON SEERY has
resided upon the farm in Lykens township which is now his home
for more than two-thirds of a century, taking up his abode there
when a boy of ten years. He was born in Ross county, Ohio,
September 22, 1823, a son of Solomon Seery, one of
the honored pioneers of Crawford county, who aided in its
substantial development in early days. In the fall of 1833 the
father brought his family to Crawford county, where our subject
has since made his home. He began his education in a log
school-house, seated with slab benches and supplied with other
primitive furniture, and the methods of instruction were almost
equally crude. Although a youth of only ten summers when he came
to this county, he aided his father in the work of clearing the
fields for cultivation and assisted in the plowing, planting and
harvesting.
In 1855 occurred the marriage of Solomon
Seery and Miss Elizabeth Park,
and unto them have been born three children, namely:
Independence, a hoop manufacturer of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin;
John W., a resident farmer of Lykens township; and
Russell O. The wife and mother died April 20, 1890, at
the age of fifty-four years, respected by all who knew her, so
"that her loss was deeply mourned by her many friends, as well
as her immediate family.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Seery has
carried on general farming, .and to-day he owns three hundred
and twenty-five acres of rich land, all in Lykens township. The
well tilled fields yield to him golden harvest and everything
about the place is kept in good condition. In the early days he
was celebrated as a coon hunter. For a half century he has been
a member of the United Brethren church and throughout the
greater part of the time has served as trustee, while for a
long- period he was class leader and superintendent of the
Sunday school. His first presidential vote was cast for Henry
Clay, the Whig candidate, and at the present time he is a
Prohibitionist. He gives his support to all movements calculated
to promulgate temperance, morality and intellectuality and has
aided in many interests for the general good. His life has ever
been honorable and upright and all who know him esteem him for
his .genuine worth.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 809 |
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Lykens Twp. -
JACOB SEERY, farmer; P. O. Poplar; was
born in Ross Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1825, and is a son of
Solomon Seery, Sr., one of the pioneers of this township.
He passed his youth and early manhood in assisting his father
and elder brothers to clear the old homestead. Not until
25 years old did he commence doing for himself. On Jan.
22, 1852, he was united in the bonds of wedlock to Miss
Lavinia A. Coon, who was born Dec. 18, 1833, in the Dominion
of Canada, and is a daughter of Elisha and Olivia (Boyce)
Coon. In October, 1840, they moved to Ohio, and
settled in Crawford Co. After his marriage, Mr. Seery
located on the farm on which he now lives, the improvements
consisting of a small cabin and stable. It was partly
cleared, and by industry and careful management he has brought
it to a high degree of cultivation, and possesses one of the
most valuable farms of the township. His marriage has
proved a happy and prosperous one, and has been blessed with
four children, Alvaro, De Forest B., Lorenzo M. D., and Reno
Roscoe. The eldest died when 12 years old.
Mr. Seery served in Company C, 136th O. N. G., during the
late rebellion, being located at Fort Worth. He has served
as Trustee, has been a Republican since the organization of the
party, and was a Whig in early life.
 Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1040 |
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Lykens Twp. -
PETER SEERY, farmer; P. O. Poplar; is one
of the substantial and well-known citizens of this township, and
is prominently identified with her growing interests. He
was born Oct. 5, 1818, in Ross Co., Ohio, and is a son of
Solomon Seery, Sr., whose sketch is given elsewhere.
He has always been a farmer, and July 13, 1845, was married to
Margaret A., daughter of William and Rhoda Pennington.
She was born Oct. 13, 1818, in Virginia, and came here about the
year 1826. After marriage, Mr. Seery settled on the
farm on which he now lives, the improvements consisting at that
time of a cabin and a few acres cleared. By years of
patient and steady labor, he has created a productive farm, and
many years ago their primitive house was replaced by one more
commodious and elegant. His wife departed this life Nov.
3, 1873. She had borne five children, Mary F., who
died in infancy; William H., Willard W., Rhoda M. and
Phoebe J. The sons are married. Both he and his
wife united with the United Brethren Church before their
marriage, and have devoted their lives to Christianity. He
was identified with the Whig party in early life, and cast his
first vote for Gen. Harrison. He is at present a
Republican.
Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1041 |
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Lykens Twp. -
SOLOMON SEERY, farmer; P. O. Poplar; was
born Sept. 22, 1823, in Ross Co., Ohio. Solomon Seery,
Sr. his father, was born in Washington Co., Penn. and when
10 years old accompanied his mother to Ross Co.
Educational advantages were meager at best, but he, being the
only child, was compelled to forego these, and labor for the
support of his mother, and is said to have learned to read after
his marriage. His mother was afterward united to Jacob
Foy, and came to this county. He was married in Ross
Co., to Magdalena Van Gundy, who had come there from
Pennsylvania when yet young. He developed a farm there,
and in the fall of 1832, with his two eldest sons, came here,
and commenced clearing, having entered three 80-acre lots.
He returned to his family, and the following spring came here,
erected a cabin, planted a small crop of corn, and then leaving
his eldest son and daughter to keep house, himself and second
son went back, and, after harvesting, started for the place with
the family, and arrived here Sept. 1, 1833. He afterward
entered three 80-acre lots, making 480 acres of Government land
taken by this one man, which he and his sons developed as fast
as possible. He died July 2, 1860, and his companion on
July 24, 1873. The subject of this sketch has always been
a tiller of the soil, and his early life was spent in developing
forest land. On Sept. 4, 1856, he united his fortunes with
those of Elizabeth Park. She was born Nov. 9, 1832,
in Hampshire Co., Va., and is a daughter of Amos and Sarah
(Baker) Park. Her father moved from there to Licking
Co. Ohio, in 18326, and, two years later, came to this county,
where he lived until 1873, and has since been located in
Williams Co., Ohio. His wife died in 1871. Since
marriage, Mr. Seery has lived on the farm where he now
resides, and where he has erected convenient and elegant
buildings. His marriage has been blest with three children
- Independence, John W., and Russell O. Both
he and his amiable companion have devoted many years to
Christianity, and are consistent members of the United Brethren
Church. He is identified with the Republican party, and
advocates temperance.
Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1041 |
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HIRAM
SHALTER. The name of Shalter has
been well known in Crawford county, Ohio, since John
Shalter settled there in 1832, taking up one hundred
and sixty acres of government land in Lykens township.
Hiram Shalter, John Shalter's
eldest son, is a prominent farmer in Texas township, and was
born on his father's homestead in Lykens township, Mar. 23,
1834.
John Shalter,
of whom a brief biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this
work, married Elizabeth Albaugh, of Jefferson
county, Ohio, who bore him thirteen children. The first
born of these, Hiram, was reared on his
father's farm, in the work of which he assisted his father until
he was twenty-four years of age. He then removed to Huron
county, Ohio, where he bought eighty acres of wood land and
lived a year and a half. Disposing of his interests there
he moved to Texas township, Crawford county, where he bought of
his father-in-law his present home farm, of which he has cleared
thirty acres, which he devotes to general farming and
stock-raising. He now owns altogether one hundred and
sixty acres of land.
When he was
twenty-four years old Mr. Shalter married
Miss Mary Clark, who has borne him five
children. Their son Robert is dead.
Their son Frank lives at Sycamore, Ohio.
Their daughter Laura is the wife of
Charles Oder. Their son George
is dead, as is also their daughter Minnie.
In politics Mr. Shalter is a stanch Republican,
but he has never sought nor consented to hold office. He
and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist church.
He is a man of much public spirit who takes a deep interest in
the cause of education and has done whatever he has been able to
do to improve the common schools of his neighborhood. In
his youth he enjoyed a few educational advantages, and he is
largely self-educated. The first school of which he has
any recollection was taught at Bulgo, as the original settlement
of Lykens was called, in a little log building with no floor,
all the appointments of which were of the crudest description,
and on account of sickness only one day of schooling was
available to him that summer. He next attended school in
another log school house which was not much of an improvement on
the one just referred to, and the information imparted in which
was scant and somewhat vague in character. The following
items concerning his brothers and sisters will be found
interesting. His sister Della was
formerly a successful teacher. For several years she and
her sisters Nancy and Lizzie
have owned millinery stores at Bloomville and at other points
in Ohio. His brothers Levi and
David and his sisters Mary A., Catherine, Emma
and Susanna are dead. His sister
Saloma married Daniel Savage.
His brother John lives in Putnam county, Ohio,
his brother Abraham in Seneca county, and
D. Savage lives at Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 699 |
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Bucyrus Twp. -
DANIEL J. SHECKLER, Eagle Machine Works,
Bucyrus; was born in April, 1824, in Bedford Co., Penn., and is
a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Needler) Sheckler.
His father died when he was 1, and his mother when he was 5
years old. He lived with his aunt in Bedford until he was
8, when he went to live with his godfather, George Beegle,
having been christened in the old Lutheran Church. He
worked with him on the farm until he was 14 years old. He
then returned to the village of Bedford, and worked at tailoring
for two years; then worked at cabinet-making, which proved more
congenial to his tastes. He learned the trade with
John Stall, working some seven years in Pennsylvania, and
came to Bucyrus, Ohio, in the fall of 1845. Began work
first on a farm, and at whatever he cold find to do, having but
50 cents when he landed. He soon found employment in the
shop of C. Howenstine, where he worked one year at $15
per month, and then formed a partnership with him, but had run
but about six months, when all was swept away by fire, having
just laid in a stock of lumber, which was also destroyed.
They again started upon Mansfield street, and continued about
two years, when Mr. Shecker retired, and went to work in
a machine-shop operated by James Kelley. He worked
as a hand about eight years - his true employment. In
about 860, he and F. E. Frey bought the stock, Kelley
& Widgeon having failed. They paid for the stock the
first year, and the assignee offered the property for sale about
1862, when they purchased it for $3,500, and continued the
business about four years with good success, when, in August,
1867, all was again destroyed by fire, leaving them with nothing
but $4,000 insurance. With this they began building the
following winter their present foundry, which is known as Eagle
Machine Works. The partners were F. E. Frey, Mr.
Sheckler (the subject) and George Quinby, each owning
a third interest. They manufacture engines, horse-powers
and saw-mills, brick machines, and do a general foundry
business, and, of late years, make the Eagle Portable Engine.
The firm changed in 1875, when Mr. Sheckler retired,
selling his interest to Mr. Quinby, and, in the meantime,
running the works for the firm. Mr. Quinby retired
in 1877, and William Hoover purchased his interest.
The firm now is Frey, Sheckler & Hoover, Mr. Sheckler
having again taken an interest. The works at present
employ eighteen hands, and have six buildings - foundry,
machine-shops, blacksmith-shops, engine house, coke and sand
house, store and paint-shop, office and pattern-room.
Mr. Sheckler has been married twice - the first time, April
26, 1848, to Sarah Ann Albright, of this county, and, of
this marriage, all are dead but one daughter - Mary.
The wife died Apr. 3, 1855. He was married a second time
to Charlotte Stewart, daughter of Joseph Stewart,
Oct. 28, 1857. Eight children have been born of this
marriage - Franklin J., Jackson, Vaneleer, Amelia, Edward,
Stewart, Frederick, Jesse. Mr. S. votes the Republican
ticket, and is a member of the M. E. Church, and one of its
Trustees.
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 816 |
|
|
Bucyrus Twp. -
FRANK J. SHECKLER, Bucyrus; was born July
14, 1857, in Bucyrus, and went to school, graduating in the high
school at the age of 20. He then entered the office of the
Eagle Machine Works, where he served as clerk, book-keeper and
financial manager. In the spring of 1879, he began buying
and grazing stock, and doing a general shipping business.
He still, however, gives his attention to the machine works.
He was married, May 21, 1879, to Miss Jennie Bryant, of
Wyandot Co. She is a daughter of the late Isaac Bryant,
and was born Feb. 22, 1858. They have one daughter - an
infant - born July 6, 1880. Mr. Sheckler is a
thriving and energetic young business man, who is succeeding
admirably, and is a valuable citizen of Bucyrus.
Source 2: History of Crawford County,
Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1881 - Page 816 |
|
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Auburn Twp. -
JOHN P. SHECKLER, farmer and stock-dealer;
P. O. Plymouth; was born in Auburn Township, Mar. 3, 1829.
He is a son of John and Rachel (Pettit) Sheckler.
The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of
Virginia. They were married in Richland Co., Ohio, in
1820, and were the parents of eight children - Elizabeth,
Catharine, David, Thomas, John P., Christina, James and
George. David is dead. Thomas and
George are in Indiana, Christina is in Richland Co.,
and the balance are in Auburn Township, Crawford Co., Ohio.
Mr. Sheckler died in 1860, and Mrs. Sheckler in
1835. They came to Auburn Township in 1821, and were of
that class of pioneers that dangers and hardships did not daunt.
Mr. Shecker was said to have been one of the best
and most respected men that are identified with Auburn
Township's early history. His son John was
reared on the farm. He received a good common school
education, and was married in 1862 to Lenora Ashley,
a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Ashley, and by her has
the following family: Rachel E., born Mar. 9, 1863,
and died Sept. 10, 1864; Mary, born Aug. 15, 1864, and
E. Blanche, born Jan. 1, 1867. Mr. Sheckler is
a prominent Republican and farmer in Auburn Township. He
owns 112 acres of excellent farming land, and is highly
respected by his friends and neighbors.
Source: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1881 - Page 875 |
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JACOB SHEETZ Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 73 |
|
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JOHN H. SHEETZ.
Rising above the head of the masses are many men of sterling
worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have
conquered fortune and by their own unaided efforts have risen
from the ranks of the commonplace to positions of eminence in
the business world, and at the same time have commanded the
trust and respect of those with whom they have been in any way
thrown in contact. Among the earnest men whose depth of
character and strict adherence to principle excite the
admiration of his contemporaries Mr. Sheetz is prominent.
He is now recognized as one of the leading merchants of his
portion of Crawford county and is not only in control of one of
the extensive commercial enterprises of New Washington but is
also successfully engaged in the banking business, and is
regarded as one of the best financiers in this part of the
state.
Mr. Sheetz was born in the city which is still
his home, his natal day being Aug. 29, 1852. His parents
were John A. and Margaret (Donnenwirth) Sheetz. He
remained with his parents during the period of his boyhood and
youth and acquired his preliminary education in the New
Washington district schools, supplementing his early study by a
course in Oberlin College and in Mount Union College.
During the last two years of his school life he spent the summer
months on his father's farm. Agricultural pursuits were
congenial to him and he rather desired to carry on farming, but
in 1872, at the earnest solicitation of his father, he became a
clerk in the latter's store and served in that capacity until
1874, when he purchased his father's interest in the business
and became a partner of his brother Jacob.
This connection has since been maintained. Our subject
soon manifested superior ability in the line of commerce and as
a merchant took front rank among the leading representatives of
trade interests in his native town. The store which the
brothers own is large and well stocked and they enjoy a very
liberal patronage. In 1876 the banking firm of the John
A. Sheetz Company was organized and our subject became
cashier and financial manager. The success of the
institution is largely due to his efforts, which have resulted
in making this one of the leading financial concerns in this
portion of the county.
On the 2d of October, 1889, occurred the marriage of
Mr. Sheets and Miss Theresa W. Michaelis, a native of
Bucyrus and a daughter of the Rev. August Michaelis, a
minister of the Lutheran church. Her father was born in
Prussia and came to America about 1840, when a young man.
Until our subject and his wife have been born two sons, -
John A. and Walter F. Mr. Sheetz votes with the
Democracy and is a recognized leader in its ranks. He has
served for six or seven years as a member of the school board
and for six and eight years has been treasurer of the board.
His religious belief connects him with the Lutheran church, and
for three years he was a member of the church council, while for
a similar period he served as deacon and was secretary of the
building committee when the present substantial and commodious
house of worship was erected. Mr. Sheetz is a man
of distinctive ability, and his character is one which is above
a shadow of reproach. He has been faithful in the offices
to which he has been called, loyal to the duties of public and
private life and is widely known and respected by all who have
been at all familiar with his honorable and useful career.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 265 |
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GEORGE
SHROLL. The time has one by when the life of a
farmer was one of toil with discouraging and depressing
surroundings. At present no class of citizens are so
independent or so comfortably fixed as are the farmers of a
county like that of Crawford, Ohio. Among the
well-improved and productive farms and commodious and attractive
residences is that owned by George Sholl, farmer
and stock-raiser, in Bucyrus township. His birth was in
this county, Oct. 18, 1855, and his parents were Levi and
Barbara (Wisman) Shroll, both of German descent.
Levi Shroll was born in Pennsylvania and came to
Crawford county with his parents, and later married Barbara
Wisman, whose family has notice in another part of this
volume. Five children were born of this union two of whom
died in childhood, and one, Sarah, died at the age of
twenty-one. Maria is the wife of Frederick Trisk,
of Todd township, our subject being the only other survivor.
The mother died when George was but an infant of one and
one-half years. After marriage the father had settled on
our subject's present farm, and here he died in 1876, having
been a successful farmer and respected citizen.
Reared on the far and educated in the public schools,
George Shroll grew to self-respecting manhood, and by the
time he was prepared to set up a household of his own he most
thoroughly understood the science of farming from practical
experience. In 1881 he married Leatie Conkle, the
only daughter of Nicholas and Susan Conkle, a pioneer and
one of the most successful farmers of this county, who was born
in Bucyrus township. In 1879 he moved to Sedalia,
Missouri, and died Jan. 11, 1885. The mother and five
brothers of Mrs. Shroll: Clarence C., Jesse E. and
Raymond.
The land owned by Mr. Shroll
shows its fine cultivation on every side, and his flocks cover
many fields, as he is largely interested in the raising of
sheep. The stranger is immediately impressed with the air
of neatness and thrift which pervades the surroundings of Mr.
Shroll, his buildings being modern in style and finish the
models of their kind. For many years he has been a leading
member and willing supporter of the United Brethren church and
is deservedly popular among his acquaintances, and through the
township is known as honest, upright and industrious.
 Source:
A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 546 |
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Lykens Twp. -
MICHAEL SHUPP, retired farmer; P. O.
Broken Sword; the eldest of a family of nine children; was born
in Dauphin Co., Penn., July 24, 1809. His father, whose
name was also Michael Shupp, was a native of that county,
and was there married to Rebecca Wise. Being a
farmer by occupation, he concluded to emigrate to the West,
where land was plenty and also cheap, and, the 28th day of May,
1828, he landed at Bucyrus, Ohio, with is family. He
immediately entered 80 acres of land in Lykens Township, which
he carefully developed, and then sold, and bought a
quarter-section of new land. He again entered the struggle
with the elements of Nature, but had the satisfaction of
possessing a larger farm when once he had it cleared. He
died in 1836, and his wife in 1843. The subject of this
sketch commenced doing for himself when 22 yeas old, and,
working out one year, received the sum of $100 for his services,
with which he entered 80 acres of land. After improving it
he sold, and bought the quarter-section where he now lives.
This he has also cleared and rendered valuable by a lifetime of
industry and careful attention to the minute details connected
with the duties of a successful farmer. He was married,
Mar. 4, 1834, to Susannah, daughter of John Adam and
Anna Maria (Wirt) Miller. She was born June 19, 1817,
in Union Co., Penn., and came to this county in 1830. She
died Dec. 19, 1877, having born fourteen children, twelve of
whom are living - Isaac, Amanda, Mary Ann, Lavina, Noah,
Caroline, Lucinda, Benjamin, Henry, Susannah, Catharine and
Julia. All are married except the youngest three.
Mr. Shupp is a member of the church known as the
Evangelical Association, in which his son Noah is a
minister. His wife also was a member of the same church.
Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1043 |
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SAMUEL SHUPP.
Among the highly esteemed citizens of Crawford county who have
been particularly well known for many years, is George Shupp,
a successful agriculturist, a worthy member of a leading
religious denomination and an intelligent and progressive
citizen. Mr. Shupp was born in Dauphin county,
Pennsylvania, Aug. 2, 1828, a son of John and Maria (Yaeger)
Shupp, and was one in a family of twelve children, all of
whom have passed to the other shore except Samuel and his
sister Mary, the widow of Daniel Fralick, of
Lamert, Ohio.
John Shupp was born in Dauphin county,
Pennsylvania, while his great-grandfather was born on the sea
during the passage of his parents from Germany to America.
The father of our subject grew to manhood in the Keystone state
and followed the trade of shoemaking. In the fall of 1830,
with his wife and a son-in-law, he started from the Pennsylvania
home in a one-horse wagon, and finally reached Crawford county,
Ohio. They were looking for a suitable location, and
before returning Mr. Shupp purchased eighty acres of the
farm upon which our subject now resides. He then went back
to perfect arrangements for the removal of the family in the
following spring. As soon as traveling could be undertaken
with safety and comfort, Mr. Shupp, with his wife and
children, save the oldest son, who came about one year later,
started for Crawford county. They were accompanied by one
son-in-law and his two children. They had two wagons, one
being a prairie schooner, hauled by a four-horse team.
Many of the older members of the family made almost all of the
long journey on foot, and finally arrived at the little cabin
erected by the former settlers. This was found too small
to hold the whole family, but with great cheerfulness beds were
made in the corn crib, and when the cabin was full the overflow
found peaceful rest after the hard labor of the day within the
improvised house. So many hands soon made light the work
of erecting a new house of hewn logs, and before long they were
all very comfortable. Soon the father entered for his
children three farms, of eighty acres each, in Lykens township,
and two others, of eighty acres each, in Holmes township, and
also entered one eighty acre tract for a nephew, who shortly
followed them to Crawford county. This nephew gave a year
of work to Mr. Shupp in pay for the land. Mr.
Shupp also purchased twenty-five acres adjoining his land,
in this township, and an additional thirty-two acres in Lykens
township. His death came in 1863, when he had reached his
eighty-first year. During all his life he had actively
supported the democratic party. For many years he was an
earnest worker in the German Reformed church, while his wife was
just as devoted to the Lutheran faith. Services in all
religious denominations were held in those days in the school
houses and both parents attended together. The mother
survived her husband three or four years, living to be
seventy-eight.
Our subject was reared at home, but had few educational
advantages on account of the unsettled state of the locality.
This lack has long since been remedied. In 1849 he married
Miss Mary Young, but a year later the young wife died,
and soon after her infant child also passed away. After
his marriage Mr. Shupp settled on a portion of his
father's property, which he farmed on shares until he was bereft
of his wife and child, when he returned home and soon after
began making preparations for a western trip. However, his
parents dissuaded him from carrying out this plan, as they were
advanced in years, and to gratify them eh settled down at home
again and took up his old occupations. Later he married
Miss Rosanna Schaal, a native of Germany, and then purchased
the home farm and had his beloved parents take up their
residence with him, giving them filial care and loving attention
until their death.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shupp were:
John L., of Sandusky, Ohio; Mary A., the wife of
Rev. Isaiah Laipply, an Evangelical minister in Nebraska;
Simon F., of Marion, Ohio; Sarah J., the widow of
Elias Candel, of Lykens township; Rebecca, the
wife of C. P. Deervester, of Broken Sword, this county;
and Emma E., the wife of Samuel Cover. Mrs.
Shupp died in February, 1863, and on Mar. 31, 1864, Mr.
Shupp was married to Miss Elizabeth Gerhart, a native
of Lykens township, the daughter of Martin and Eve E.
(Lehman) Gerhart, both natives of Germany. They came
to Crawford county early in the '30s. Three children were
born to this last marriage: Edwin, of Holmes Township;
Rolandus, a farmer on his father's land in Holmes township;
and Bessie B., at home.
Mr. Shupp retains only one hundred acres of
land, although he has owned much more. His political
belief is in the principles of the Republican party, although
prior to the Civil war he was a Democrat. For more than
forty years he has been an active and prominent member of the
Evangelical church and has faithfully served it as trustee,
class-leader, local preacher and in the minor offices,
contributing generously to all of its charitable and benevolent
enterprises.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford
County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 540 |
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JOHN E. SIEFERT Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 502 |
|
|
MICHAEL SIEFERT Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 71 |
|
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BENJAMIN F. SIMMONS Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 680 |
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BENJAMIN A. SINN.
The agricultural interests of Crawford county, Ohio, are in the
hands of experienced and capable men, whose fertile fields and
attractive surroundings testify to their efficiency in their
chosen line of effort.
Among the thriving agriculturists of Bucyrus township
is the leading citizen, Benjamin A. Sinn, whose birth
took place in a log cabin, on the farm now owned by Jonathan
Carmean, in this township, on September 23, 1832. His
parents were George and Sarah (Hawk) Sinn, who reared a
family of ten children. George Sinn was a native
of Pennsylvania and came with his wife to Crawford county, Ohio,
in 1826, where they were among the pioneers-He successfully
operated a grist and sawmill in this county, and about 1856
purchased a farm on section 4 in Bucyrus township, upon which he
lived for 'many years. His death occurred in 1870, his wife
surviving- for six years. Mr. Sinn was a man of character
and prominence, well and favorably known throughout the county,
and thrice acceptably filled the position of county auditor, in
addition holding other offices of honor and trust. Benjamin
Sinn, of this biography, was reared on the farm, but the
major portion of his time was employed in the mill, where he
became thoroughly instructed as a miller, both in grinding and
sawing. In 1857 he decided to see something of the country,
starting westward, and after a period spent in Iowa reached
Denver, Colorado. At that time the present flourishing and
beautiful city was but a collection of log cabins,, and mining
was the principal industry, the greater part of the population
having been attracted thither for that purpose. Mr.
Sinn also became interested in mining, but after a year of
trial, with but indifferent success, he turned his face
homeward, passing through the state of Missouri.
Upon reaching Ohio Mr. Sinn took charge
of a gristmill at Sycamore,. Ohio, where he remained for one
year, and then went into the operation of a. sawmill at
Glenville, where he continued for eight years, passing the
succeeding five years upon a farm. The following ten years were
spent by Mr. Sinn in the successful operation of a
sawmill in Fulton county, Ohio. It was not until 1882 that he
decided to settle down to an agricultural life on his present.
farm, which he purchased from his father, but since that time he
has shown such marked ability in his chosen line that his
success as a farmer and also as a stock-raiser is well known
through the locality. Mr. Sinn still continues-to
look after his stock and farming interests, but not so actively
as formerly.. A lifelong Democrat, he has taken a deep interest
in township affairs, and was an efficient trustee of the same in
1867-8. He enjoys the esteem and respect of the community and is
considered one of the representative men of Bucyrus-township.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 826 |
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ALEXANDER SMITH.
Many years have passed since Alexander Smith
came to Crawford county to cast in his lot with its pioneers.
People of the present day can scarcely realize the struggles and
dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and
self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization,
the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. To the pioneer
of the early days, far removed from the privileges and
conveniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was a
stern and hard one, and of these men and women must have
possessed indomitable energies and sterling worth of character,
as well as marked physical courage, when they thus voluntarily
selected such a life and successfully fought its battles under
such circumstances as prevailed in this then new and undeveloped
country.
Mr. Smith was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, on the 2d of June, 1821, a son of Joseph S.
and Jane (Hogan) Smith. The father was also born in
Washington county of the Keystone state, his birth occurring in
1797. He was a son of Alexander and Jane (Snodgrass) Smith,
both natives of the Emerald Isle. After coming to the United
States the grandfather became a well-known and prominent farmer
of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining
days. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and was a man highly
respected and esteemed for his many estimable traits of
character. His son, Joseph S., was reared and educated in
the county of his nativity, and was early inured to the work of
field and meadow. After his marriage he located on a portion of
his father's farm, where he remained until 1825, and in the fall
of that year he came with his wife and two children by wagon to
Crawford county, Ohio. During a portion of the journey it was
necessary for him to go ahead and clear a road ere the wagon
could proceed, and on his arrival here he located on the farm on
which he still resides, he having entered the land from the
government in 1821 while on a prospecting tour through Ohio. The
place consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, and was then
covered with a dense growth of native timber, and while he
erected a cabin the family were obliged to live in the wagon.
Mr. Smith cleared and improved this place, and in
later years erected a more modern and commodious hewed-log
house, in which he spent his remaining days, passing away in
1843, in early life. He was an active church worker and a member
of the Presbyterian denomination, and he aided materially in the
erection of the first Presbyterian church in Crawford county.
Our subject, who was then a lad of thirteen years, drove an
ox-team in hauling the timber used in its construction. In his
political affiliations Mr. Smith was a Democrat.
He was also active in military affairs, and for a number of
years served as captain of a company. The mother of our subject,
who was born in Maryland, in 1797, was a daughter of William
Hogan, who removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania,
from Maryland, his native state, and was of Irish extraction.
Mrs. Smith survived her husband about ten years,
dying in 1855, and was accidentally killed by being thrown from
a buggy. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom
still survive,—Alexander, the subject of this review;
William W., a resident, of Woodson county, Kansas; and
Tabitha J., the widow of James Majors.
Alexander Smith, whose name introduces
this review, was reared to the quiet pursuits of the farm and
received his educational advantages in the old pioneer log
school house, with its puncheon floor, slab benches and greased
paper windows. In 1843, after his marriage, he erected a log
cabin on a portion of his father's farm, which he operated on
the shares, thus continuing for about five years. In the
meantime, however, the farm had been divided, and on the
expiration of the five years our subject purchased the interests
of the other heirs and thus became the possessor of the entire
homestead. In 1857 he erected his present substantial frame
residence, and his farm, which consists of one hundred and
fifty-two acres, is one of the valuable places of Crawford
county. For the past twenty years, however, he has lived
retired, in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest, the result of
unfaltering energy, wise judgment and business ability. The
management of the farm is now left to his sons. In the days of
the horse-power thresher Mr. Smith also devoted a
part of his time to threshing, but his principal occupation has
been farming and in that vocation his efforts were attended with
a high and well-merited degree of success.
The year. 1843 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Smith
and Miss Nancy J. Dix, a native of Columbiana county,
Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph Dix. This union was
blessed with seven children, four of whom still survive, namely:
Joseph M., a resident of Crawford county; Porter W.,
of Oklahoma; Alexander, .who operates the home farm; and
Martha J., the wife of Oliver McKeehen,
also of Sandusky township, Crawford county. The wife and mother
passed away in death on the 14th of August, 1887, at the age of
sixty-five years. For the past fifty-seven years Mr.
Smith has been an active and zealous member of the
Presbyterian church, and during all of that time has served as
an elder therein, much of the time also acting as a trustee. In
political matters he is a stanch supporter of the Democracy. He
has been the choice of his party for a number of local offices,
having served for two terms as town-' ship trustee, two terms as
clerk of his township, two terms as township assessor, and for
more than twenty years has held the office of township
treasurer. In all of these positions he discharged his duties
with the utmost fidelity and honesty, and in all relations of
life he has ever been true to principle and the right.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 802 |
|
|
Lykens Twp. -
CORNELIUS SMITH, carpenter, Broken Sword;
is the eldest child born to Frederick and Lucy Ann (Shupp)
Smith, and was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1847.
He received a good common-school education, much of it being
secured by his own exertions when not at school, through his
habits of study at odd hours. When 18 years old he
commenced teaching, and followed it for several years with fair
success, but relinquished it for the carpenter's trade, which is
his present business, and his efforts have been crowned with
like results. He was married Apr. 3, 1870, Mary
Catharine Ludy become his wife. She was born in this
county Mr. 17, 1850, and is a daughter of Michael and
Catharine (Leimenstoll) Ludy, who came to this country from
the Old World. They have two children Joseph Clarence
and Cora Ellen. Both he and wife are consistent
members of the German, Reformed Church. He has a pleasant
property situated at Wingert's Corners, and is one of the
cultured citizens of the place. He is a Democrat.
Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1043 |
|
J. I. SMITH |
JEFFERSON I. SMITH
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 328 |
|
L. M. SMITH |
L. M. SMITH
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 388 |
|
|
Lykens Twp. -
LOUIS F. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Lykens; was
born in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1836, and is a son of
Frederick Smith, one of the most prominent farmers of the
county. Louis was reared to agricultural pursuits,
but, possessing good business qualifications, he has made
himself useful in other ways, while conducting his farm.
He was married Sept. 5, 1859, to Christean Wilhelm.
She was born in Stuttgart, Germany, Dec. 6, 1840, and came to
this country when six years old. Their union has proved a
happy and prosperous one, and has been blessed with eight
children, five of whom are living - Sophia, Adolphus, Clara,
Loretta and John H. Mr. Smith owns a pleasant
farm, which is the result of well-directed labor and care.
He is a man of recognized ability, being at the present time
Master of Subordinate Grange, No. 245, and has important
relations with the county and State Grange. He is
prominently identified with the Crawford Co. Agricultural
Society, and manifests a degree of interest in its success.
Both he and his companion are members of the Pyethist Church.
He has always been a Democrat.
Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1044 |
|
|
Lykens Twp. -
LUCY ANN SMITH, farmer; P. O. Broken
Sword; is a daughter of Michael Shupp, one of the first
settlers of Crawford Co., and was born here June 3, 1830.
Her parents dying when she was yet in her childhood, she lived
with her brother Michael until her marriage, Dec. 20,
1847, to Frederick Smith. He was born and reared in
Saxony, Germany, and, when grown to maturity, emigrated to
America. He came direct to Columbus, Ohio, and, being a
stone-mason by trade, immediately went to work and soon
established his reputation as a first-class workman. He
secured contracts for bridges on the National pi8ke then being
constructed, and in a few years had saved several hundred
dollars, with which he bought a quarter-section of Government
land in Lykens Township, Crawford Co. He moved on this in
1840, developing, and bringing it to a high degree of culture.
His first marriage was to Christiana Lipman, a native of
Saxony, Germany. She died in 1846, leaving four children,
Louis F., John F., Adolphus G. and Clara. By his
second union, eleven children were born, ten of whom are living
Cornelius, Matilda, Catharine, Frederick, Henry, Lucy Ann,
Jefferson, Emma J., Melancthon and Serepta. Mr.
Smith departed this life Dec. 3, 1877, and the farm has
since been conducted by his wife. He was an influential
and prominent citizen, and well known throughout the county.
In November, 1862, he was elected Justice of the Peace, an
office which he held till his death. He was Township Clerk
for many years, and School Director most of the time since
living in the county. He was connected with the Grange,
and was Master at the time of his death. He was also a
member of the county and State Granges. He was a member of
the Evangelical Association, but had been a Lutheran in early
life. He was a Democrat.
Source
2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: Baskin
& Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1881 -
Page 1042 |
|
|
SAMUEL SNYDER Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 552 |
|
|
WILLIAM SNYDER Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 381 |
|
|
GEORGE A. SPAHR Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902 - Page 149 |
|
|
SAMUEL SPONSELLER
is one of the influential and esteemed citizens of Crawford
county, where he owns and operates a well cultivated and
productive farm of one hundred and ninety six acres of land, in
Liberty township. His birth was on the farm where he now
resides, on Dec. 31, 1836, a son of Michael and Susanna
(Mentzer) Sponseller, and is one of a family of eleven
children born to his parents, ten of whom grew to maturity and
five of whom still survive, viz: Susanna, the widow
of Martin Brown, resides near Dixon, Indiana; Emanuel
is a farmer of Hancock county, Ohio; Henry is a farmer of
Kosciusko county, Indiana; Reuben is a farmer of Defiance
county, Ohio; and Samuel, of this sketch.
The father, Michael Sponseller, came to
Crawford county from Columbiana county about 1831, having been
married there, and eight of the children were born there.
Upon his arrival in this county he purchased eighty acres of
land, where our subject resides. This was owned by his
brother-in-law, John Mentzer. Then he entered the
eighty acres adjoining this on the west, and soon after
purchased another eighty acres on the south, making his farm one
of two hundred and forty acres. In 1858 he built a
commodious farm residence and the year following he erected a
substantial and sightly barn, making his property one of the
best improved in this locality. The mother died in 1858
and the father contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Maria
Hatton, who survived him some seven years. The father
died in 1874, having been one of the thoroughly respected
citizens of the township. In his early days he was a
Democrat, but cast his first Republican vote for Abraham
Lincoln, and ever after voted and worked for that party.
Our subject, Samuel Sponseller, grew up and
spent his boyhood on the old farm, gaining his education in the
schools of the locality, with one summer at the Haysville
Academy, and at the age of twenty-two took charge and managed
the home farm for his father. In 1860, on the 18th of
April, he was united in marriage with one of the fair daughters
of this county, Miss Sarah A. Kling, a native of
Cranberry township, the daughter of Moses Kling, who for
fifteen years was a well known justice of the peace in his
township. After his marriage our subject remained on the
home place and continued to manage it successfully, but about
1870 he bought forty acres of the home farm, which he cultivated
until his father's death, when he purchased the old place of one
hundred and twenty acres, from the other heirs, the father
having previously disposed of eighty acres to his son Emanuel,
and still alter our subject bought of his brother eighteen and
one-half acres, and also seventeen and one-half of the Daniel
Chambers farm, making his acreage one hundred and ninety-six
acres, which is desirably located in section 20.
Mr. Sponseller has displayed great energy,
judgment and industry in the acquisition of so large a farm, but
he thoroughly understands the management and care of it and
enjoys the ownership of not only one of the most productive but
also one of the most attractive farms of the county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sponseller have been born three
children, two of whom, Sylvanus E. and James, are
deceased, the survivor being William H., a farmer of
Bucyrus township. Although not a member, Mr. Sponseller
is a liberal supporter of the German Baptist church, of which
his estimable wife is a consistent member and he is an attendant
no the services. A life-long Republican, he has taken an
active interest in the success of his party and its men an
plans, believing the principles advocated by it to be the best
for the country at large. Several years he served as a
member of the school board and is regarded as one of the safe
and reliable advisers in educational matters. The esteem
in which he is held in general, and he may be justly regarded as
a representative man of Crawford county.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 121 |
|
|
Liberty Twp. -
SAMUEL SPONSELLER, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus;
was born Dec. 31, 1836, on the place which he now owns.
He is the youngest of a family of eleven children. His
father, Michael, and mother, Susana (Mentzer)
Sponseller, came from Columbiana to Crawford Co. with seven
of their children in 1832. They settled on the northeast
quarter of Sec. 20, in this township, and his first purchase was
80 acres, for which he paid $400 to his brother-in-law, Jacob
Mollenkopf. He (Mollenkopf) had been here as
early as 1828, and made some improvements, but moved west of
Bucyrus when Mr. Sponseller bought him out, where he died
many years ago. Mr. Sponseller was possessed of
considerable money when they came here and soon purchased 80
acres more besides entering other 80 acres. One relic of
the pioneer improvement still remains on the place in the shape
of an old log barn, which was built in 1838. When it was
up to the square, the famous wind-storm, so destructive in this
section, swept over, carrying the tops of a large hickory and
two large oak trees into one of the bays, filling it completely,
which was a terrible job to get cleared out, considering the
height of the walls and the weight of the pieces carried in by
the wind, and while chopping and clearing it out, he sustained a
serious injury on his foot. In 1858, he replaced the old
residence with a good substantial frame dwelling, now occupied
by Samuel. They had eleven children - Elizabeth,
who married George Emery, and died, leaving three
children; John, who died in Van Wert Co.; Susan,
now the widow of Martin Brown, late of Indiana; Julia,
wife of Eli Bressler; George, now in Van
Wert Co.; Fred, in this county; Emanuel, in
Hancock Co.; Henry, now in Kosciusko Co., Ind.; Reuben,
in Defiance Co. and Samuel (he was a twin, but the other
died in infancy.) After many years of anxious care and
toil, with a varied experience of pioneer life, Mrs.
Sponseller closed her worldly cares in death, in 1858.
Mr. Sponseller married a second wife, the widow of one
Mr. Hatten, whom he followed across the river in 1874.
Samuel Sponseller, our subject, married Sarah A.
Kling, daughter of Moses Kling, Apr. 18, 1861.
She was born Oct. 1, 1840. For twelve years after they
were married, they rented land in this neighborhood, although in
nine years from the time they were married, he purchased 40
acres, and afterward bought 15 acres more. He subsequently
purchased the old homestead of 120 acres, after his father's
death. He has held the office of School director for
several years, which office he now holds. They have three
children - Sylvanus E., James Q. and William H.
During the early settlement of this neighborhood, the locality
known as the Wolf Swamp, was infested with wildcats of a very
large size, which caused them much annoyance by carrying off
lambs, and Mr. Sponseller's place adjoining was subjected
to their ravages frequently.
Source 2: History of Crawford County, Ohio, Publ.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1881 - Page 942 |
|
|
MATHIAS M. SPRINGER is an honored veteran of the Civil war who
has made a great sacrifice for his country. He stands
today among those to whom the nation owes a debt of gratitude
which can never be repaid. His loyalty and valor was
displayed on many southern battlefields and throughout his
entire life he has been a supporter of every interest which he
believed would prove of general good to his county, state and
nation. No history of Crawford county would be complete
without the record of his life, which we, therefore, gladly
present to our readers, according to him the honor which is his
just due.
Mr. Springer was born in Weller township,
Richland county, on the 15th of January, 1837, and is a son of
George W. and Elizabeth (Mahon) Springer. The family
is of Swedish origin and was founded in America by four
brothers, Michael, Peter, William and Daniel, who
crossed the Atlantic from Sweden in an early day and settled in
New Jersey. The first named was the great-grandfather of
our subject, and from New Jersey he removed to Pennsylvania.
His son, Matthias Springer, the grandfather of our
subject, was born, according to tradition, in the red stone
country of New Jersey, May 15, 1758, and died in June, 1822.
He was a personal acquaintance of George Washington, but
it is not known with certainty whether or not he served in the
Revolutionary war. George W. Springer, the father
of our subject, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, Oct.
22, 1811, and in his parents' home spent the days of his
childhood and youth. He acquired a good common-school
education, and soon after attaining his majority emigrated to
Ohio locating in Weller township, Richland county, becoming one
of its pioneer settlers. The Indians were very numerous in
that portion of the state but were always friendly. In
Pennsylvania Mr. Springer had learned the trade of a
tanner and shoemaker, and after coming to Ohio he purchased a
tan-yard, which he conducted for a number of years. He
devoted some time to farming soon after his arrival in the
Buckeye state, but rheumatism forced him to abandon this and he
then actively engaged in the tanning business, which he followed
the greater part of his active life. About a year after
taking up his abode in Richland county, he was married on the
19th of September, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Mahon, who was
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1814, and was a
daughter of James and Millie (Hitchcock) Mahon, both of
whom were of Irish extraction. They emigrated to Richland
county in 1818, settling in Weller township, where their
remaining days were spent in 1818, settling in Weller township,
where their remaining days were spent in the midst of pioneer
scenes, the red men being almost their only neighbors. At
the time of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Springer his
wife received as her patrimony forty acres of forest land, which
the father of our subject cleared and improved. Later, he
purchased an adjoining tract of forty acres and the development
of this largely devolved upon his sons, owning to the father's
ill health. After selling his Richland county farm,
George W. Springer removed to Crawford county on the 1st of
April, 1865, and purchased one hundred and sixty-acres of land
in Cranberry township, one mile southeast of New Washington, and
here he and his wife resided up to the time of her death.
He passed away on the 22d of November, 1889, and she was called
to her final rest on the 5th of May, 1888. They were
life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal church, earnest and
consistent Christian people, who reared their children in that
faith and taught them habits of industry and integrity, thus
well fitting them for the duties and obligations of life.
They had ten children, seven of whom are yet living, namely:
Matthias M.; Elizabeth, the wife of John Tooker,
of Michigan; Amelia, Athaliah and George W.,
triplets, the first named the wife of a Mr. Hilton, of
Tiffin, Ohio, the second of the widow of Henry Bender, of
Marion, Ohio, while George resides with his brother
Matthias; Nancy M., who married William Corrathers,
of Ohio City, Ohio; and Mary M., the wife of Sheridan
Spencer, of Seneca county, Ohio.
Matthias M. Springer began his mastery of the
branches of English learning in the common schools near his home
and during the period of his childhood and youth remained with
his parents, assisting in the farm work as he grew old and
strong enough to manage the plow and the other agricultural
implements. On attaining his majority he started out to
fight the battle of life, and whatever success he has achieved
since that time is due entirely to his own efforts. For
two years he was employed in a stone quarry, and as opportunity
offered he secured work as a journeyman at the brick and stone
mason's trade, his time being thus passed for a year. On
the expiration of that period he began doing contract work in
putting up post and rail fences and executing various jobs in
carpentering, in which he was very successful, receiving good
salaries. On the 11th of August, 1861, however, he
sacrificed all business opportunities in order to aid his
country in her struggle to preserve the Union intact.
He joined Company M, of the Second Ohio Cavalry, and after
recruiting for five months at Cleveland the regiment was sent to
Camp Dennison and soon afterward to Fort Leavenworth.
After a short stay at that place the troops were sent to Kansas
City, and in that vicinity had a sharp skirmish with
Quantrell, the guerrilla chief. Next the regiment was
sent to Fort Scott, but Mr. Springer remained behind as
an inmate of the general hospital with a severe case of inflamed
eyes, caused by vaccination, which had been administered while
he was at Camp Dennison. It was slow to take, however, and
on encountering the severe winters of the western country he
contracted a cold which inflamed his eyes. Through a scare
at Fort Scott on the expected advance of the Confederate troops,
he was taken to that place with others ere he had fully
recovered, being at the time under the medical supervision of
the regimental surgeon. While at that place the regiment
of twelve companies, finding it impossible to recruit, formed
into a battalion of eight companies and Mr. Springer was
transferred to Company G. The troops then returned to
headquarters at Fort Scott for some time, and in the interval
went on an Indian expedition to Fort Gibbs and Fort Smith for
two months, during which time there occurred to two-days' fight
at Cain Hill. Mr. Springer was also one of a
company of one hundred and fifty men chosen as a detachment to
go on an expedition to Humboldt to suppress the Indian
insurrections at that place. There they met in council
with seventeen different tribes of Indians and matters were
peaceably settled.
In December, 1862, as the regiment were almost entirely
dismounted, it was called back to Camp Chase to recruit and
there was remounted. In the following spring it was
transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and going to
Somerset, Kentucky, were encamped at that place for several
weeks, during which time the Union men had several skirmishes
with the troops of General Pegrim. After some weeks
passed at Danville and at Camp Nelson, they moved to Lexington,
but there remained only a brief period, after which they spent a
few weeks at Stanford and thence took up the line of march into
eastern Tennessee, where they were constantly on the move,
either advancing, driving the enemy before them, or retreating
for some weeks up to the siege of Knoxville, in which Mr.
Springer took part. Following this he went with his
regiment to Strawberry Plains, where they went into winter
quarters, and during the winter season the engineer corps
repaired the bridge at that place. On the 1st of January,
1864, while at Strawberry Plains, Mr. Springer enlisted
as a veteran and shortly afterward began the journey home,
arriving at Camp Chase, where the regiment was again mustered
into the service and then granted a thirty-day furlough.
On the expiration of his leave of absence he rejoined his
regiment at Cleveland and was transferred with Burnside
to the Ninth Corps of the Army of the Potomac. After
rendezvousing for two weeks at Annapolis, they took part in the
battle of the Wilderness, and subsequently the Second Ohio
Cavalry was transferred to Sheridan's Cavalry Corps and took
part in Wilson's second raid, in which they tore up
seventy-two miles of the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railroad.
This movement was followed by a mine explosion at Petersburg.
Soon afterward Mr. Springer was sent to the hospital at
City Point, trouble with his eyes incapacitating him for
service. The same afternoon the regiment received orders
to move to Washington city, and he was placed on a boat and sent
through with his command. Immediately on his arrival he
was committed to Camp Stoneman hospital, and after two days was
sent to the Emory general hospital, at Washington, D. C., where
he remained for over eleven months. After about six months
there passed he was appointed general superintendent of the
cooking department, and by the war department was made a member
of the Veteran Reserve Corps so that he might be retained in
this position. After the hospital was broken up he
rejoined his regiment at Camp Cadwalader, in Philadelphia, and
was made superintendent of the cooking department there, acting
in that capacity until Sept. 18, 1865, when he was honorably
discharged from the service.
At the close of four long years spent at the front
Mr. Springer gladly returned to his home and on the 1st of
March, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Ferena Easly,
a native of Cranberry township, and a daughter of Jacob Easly.
Her father was a native of Switzerland and originally spelled
the name Iseli. In 1834 he came to America,
accompanied by his second wife, mother of Mrs. Springer,
who bore the maiden name of Barbara Strauchen. They
were also accompanied by his five children, born of his first
marriage.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Springer has been
blessed with fourteen children, of whom twelve are yet living,
namely: George W., who follows carpentering in Cleveland;
Elizabeth, the wife of W. H. Smith, of Fostoria,
Ohio; Samuel M., a painter and plasterer in Cranberry
township; Charles A., a carpenter in Cleveland, Ohio;
Anna A., wife of A. S. Nye, of Cranberry township;
Lela F., wife of Joseph Wolfert, of Cleveland;
Arthur J., and Elmira M., at home; Walter R.,
who follows carpentering in Cleveland; Martha I., Lucy V.
and Effie L., all of whom are still with their parents.
After his marriage Mr. Springer took up his
abode in a log cabin, about one and a half miles west of the
present home, where he resided for eighteen months, during which
period he followed any respectable employment that he could
secure. He then went to Ottawa county, Ohio, where he
purchased eighty acres of timber land and erected a log house
and a log barn, making his home upon that place for six years.
Again he had trouble with his eyes, which prevented him from
working, and in consequence he sold him farm and returned to
Crawford county. Here he purchased the south half of the
old homestead and lived there for six years. In 1881,
however, he sold that property and purchased his present home
farm of eighty acres, upon which he has resided through two
decades. About 1880 his eyesight began failing so that at
times of a period of several weeks he would be totally blind,
and soon after his removal to his present home he lost the
entire use of his eyes. It was certainly a great sacrifice
he made to his country, for it was during his service as a
defender of the union that the trouble was incurred which
ultimately resulted in blindness.
In his political views Mr. Springer is a stanch
Republican and for some years after his return from the war he
served as supervisor and as school director, but his blindness
compelled him to give up active participation in such work.
He and his wife were consistent and prominent members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and the family is one of prominence
in the community. Mr. Springer is one of the most
highly esteemed citizens of this part of the state.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 451 |
|
|
GEORGE W.
STARNER. The late George W. Starner
was a good citizen and a prosperous farmer of Crawford
county, and was born November 12, 1812, and was a native of
Monroe county, Pennsylvania. His lamented death occurred
Apr. 6, 1887. He was a son of George M. and Katie
M. (Van Vleet) Starner. His youth was spent upon
the farm and received limited schooling, as the facilities were
wanting in those early days. The school-house was a log
structure and the instruction correspondingly crude.
On July 12, 1835, Mr. Starner was united in
marriage to Susan Stiff, of Monroe county at
that time, but her birth took place in Sussex county, New
Jersey, July 20, 1810, she having removed to Monroe county when
fourteen years of age. To this marriage these children
were born: Elizabeth, who married Jacob
Yeagley; Ellen, who married James O. Holland;
Harriet, who married John Dobbins; and
William.
Mr. Starner removed to Ohio in the month of September,
1832, coming in a two horse wagon, making the trip in four
weeks, and settling in Perry county. For six years the
family resided there on a farm. In 1843 the family removed
to Crawford county and located in Bucyrus township.
Mr. Starner soon became well known through the
township as a very reliable man and good citizen. He voted
with the Republican party and passed away regretted by a large
circle of friends. His widow died July 3, 1901, being
almost ninety-one years of age. The last thirteen years of
her life were spent in the home of her daughter, Mrs.
James O. Holland.
Source: A Centennial
Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 -
Page 281 |
|
|
BENJAMIN
STEVENS. The Stevens family has been one of
the most prominent in the development of Crawford county, Ohio,
and no member of it stood higher in the esteem of the community
in which his useful life was passed than did Benjamin Stevens,
whose death occurred on December 4, 1893.
Benjamin Stevens was born in Columbiana County,
Ohio, on April 4, 1820, and he was a son of Amos and Hannah
(Cummings) Stevens, of whom a more extended mention is made
in the sketch of Jacob Stevens, which may be found in
another part of this volume. Mr. Stevens, of this
sketch, was fourteen years of age when his parents came to
Crawford county, and here he grew to manhood and took advantage
of every educational opportunity. Through life he was a
reflective reader and gained thus much knowledge, while his
association in later years with men of affairs widened his stock
of information, rendering his education both practical and
useful. During years of invalidism his books were
companions.
He assumed control of the home farm when he was about
twenty-five years old, his parents making their home with him,
and he looked after their comfort as long as they survived.
In 1850 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A. S. Barker,
who was a native of Geauga county, Ohio, and a daughter of
Asa and Roby (Adams) Barker, both of whom were natives of
Connecticut, where they grew to maturity and were married, and
five of their six children were born in that state prior to the
birth of the late Mrs. Stevens. The Barker
family came to Geauga county, Ohio, but later removed into
Richland county, where they resided for a number of years,
finally removing to Illinois to which state two sons had
preceded them. They continued to reside there until their
lives ended, and the only member of the family still surviving
is Sidney Barker, of Illinois.
Following his marriage the late Mr. Stevens
farmed on the home place and took a prominent position in
the county for the succeeding fifteen years. His father
had passed away in 1852 and the old home place reverted to him,
consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of land, with
buildings and so forth. Here Mr. Stevens remained
until April 4, 1865, when he celebrated his birthday by removing
to the farm he last occupied consisting of one hundred and
twenty acres, he having sold the former one. This place
possessed many attractions for our subject, as he had helped to
clear the land and assisted in the building of the first cabin
on it. The land had been entered by a Mr. Wells and
was intended for his daughter at that time. This was the
comfortable and attractive home in which the remainder of the
life of Mr. Stevens was spent. His attention was
given to this property and it is one of the best improved and
most desirable estates in Crawford county.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens,
one of whom died in infancy, the other being Minelva G.,
who resides on the farm, a worthy representative of one of the
most esteemed citizens of the community. The mother of
Miss Stevens died in 1854 and some years later the father
married Miss Ann McCracken, who was a native of Bucyrus,
where she resided until her eighth year, at which time her
parents removed to a farm that was located one mile east of
Bucyrus, where her parents resided during the rest of their
lives. Mrs. Stevens survived her husband for six
years, dying on Sept. 24, 1899.
In politics Mr. Stevens was an ardent
Republican, but his tastes never caused him to desire office,
although he always performed his duty as a citizen,.
Neither was he formally connected with any church organization,
having early taken the Golden Rule as his guide through life and
conscientiously following its leadings. Although leading a
quiet life and rarely assuming a conspicuous position even in
county affairs, he was always to be found when charitable and
benevolent objects were to be furthered or action taken in
educational or moral movements. The sterling qualities
which made him a man above his fellows have in great degree been
displayed in the character of his only surviving child, and she
is both highly esteemed and much respected through Sandusky
township.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 710 |
|
|
JACOB H. STEVENS.
A deep interest in the pioneer days through which many of the
older residents of our enlightened country have passed, with
honor to themselves and benefit to the younger generation, is
but a natural feeling; and those who still remain to show the
honest, sturdy and manly stock of which pioneers were made,
receive but their just tribute of gratitude. Among the old
settlers of Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, no one is
more highly esteemed than Jacob H. Stevens, who is the
subject of this biography.
Jacob H. Stevens was born in Columbiana county,
Ohio, on Oct. 31, 1817, and he was a son of Amos and Hannah
(Cunning Stevens, who reared a family of eleven children, five
daughters and six sons, but of those only two survive, these
being Jacob H., of this sketch, and his brother Amos,
of Arkansas.
Amos H. Stevens, was born near Allicott's
Mills, Maryland, on Oct. 16, 1778, and he was a son of
Augustus and Sophia (Young) Stevens, these parents being of
English and Welsh extraction. Later Grandfather
Augustus Stevens moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and there made his home on a farm, but finally came to
Columbiana county, Ohio, and spent is last days with his son
Amos. Amos Stevens was given a good school
opportunities as were then possible, but books were scarce and
even the rich could secure for their children what we would now
regard as only the outlines of an education. Some brothers
of the father of our subject resided in Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, and it is probable that Amos Stevens also
resided there a time, but after his marriage he and his young
wife came to Geauga county, Ohio, prior to 1802, when it was
admitted as a state. At that time the country was a vast
wilderness, with no highways and no means of communication with
civilization except by long and toilsome journeys through the
forest, and with the wild beasts of the woods still in their
accustomed haunts and the equally savage Indian a frequent
visitor. Within three miles of another intrepid pioneer,
Amos Stevens erected his log cabin and became a resident
of the "Buckeye state," although at that time the name had not
yet been bestowed upon it.
The causes which induced Mr. Stevens to leave
this section are not known to the family, but he later removed
to Columbiana count and there entered a one-quarter section of
land, and again built a pioneer cabin of logs, and once more
began the clearing and then cultivating a farm. Here he
soon made many improvements, erected a more modern residence,
added sixty more acres of land and made this a pleasant home,
where the family lived until 1834, when he sold this property
and came to Crawford county. Here Mr. Stevens
located in Cranberry township, where he purchased two hundred
and forty acres of land from Isaac Mathews, this property
having been entered some ten years previously. But a small
tract of this land had been cleared and upon it stood a small
log cabin, which served trough one winter as a shelter to the
family of Mr. Stevens, in the following spring a more
commodious one being erected. Here Amos Stevens
lived and labored and here he died. In his later years he
accumulated much more property buying and entering different
tracts, until he owned at one time fully six hundred acres of
Ohio soil. Physically he was a typical pioneer, strong,
energetic and courageous, a man who dared every danger and
feared no hardship. In his religious life he was a strict
Methodist and was, in fact, a local preacher of that faith,
going many miles to perform the sacred duties of that calling.
In his political belief he was a Whig and from principle became
a great abolitionist.
The mother of our subject was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1784, and she was a daughter of
Robert and Nancy (Young) Cunning, the former of whom was
born in Ireland. The latter was a native of England, and
the maiden name of her mother was the same as that of G. M.
Stevens, also born in England, but of no kindred.
G. F. Cunning came to America prior to or about the time of
the Revolutionary war, and was a member of the patriot army.
Mrs. Stevens lived until in her ninety-second year, dying
on June 8, 1876.
Jacob H. Stevens, who is the subject of this
sketch, remained at home until his twenty-sixth year, attending
school in his early youth in the old school house, in the
clearing, where he well recalls the puncheon floor, the slab
benches and the greased paper for windows. He was the
strongest of his father's sons, and probably was the most
willing, and he assumed much of the most laborious part of the
clearing and cultivation; as must be remembered, this was done
with no machinery and very little apparatus. About his
twenty-sixth year he and his father came to an agreement as to
his future. Three of his brothers and several of his
sisters had been given assistance by the father, when they left
home, and our subject felt that some like provision should be
made for a faithful a son as he had been. The father
intended, doubtless to be just, but he imposed hard conditions.
A tract of heavily timbered forest land, covered with
underbrush, one hundred and fifty acres of the home farm, should
be his for the sum of eight hundred dollars, which was to be
paid to his father, in installments. He had no money to
start a career in any other place, and he accepted his father's
proposition and began with energy to clear his land.
In 1849 our subject was married to Miss Sarah J.
Wallace, was a native of Pennsylvania and was the
daughter of Jefferson Wallace, who came to Richland
county, Ohio, at an early day, later removing to Cranberry
township, in Crawford county. Ten children were born to
our subject and wife, the five survivors being among the best
and most reliable citizens of this county, and they are as
follows: Amos W., of Auburn township; "Almira,
the wife of Frank Albright, of Whetstone township;
Sherman H., of Cranberry township; Julia M., the wife
of Freeman Brown, of Shelby, Ohio; and Nora, the
wife of Willis A. Brown, of Tiro, Ohio.
After subject had succeeded in paying for his farm and
in placing it in a prosperous condition, he began the purchase
of other land, the first tract being one of eighty acres
adjoining his own land, the first tract being one of eighty
acres adjoining his own land, which belonged to his brother.
Late in the '50s he bought one hundred and twenty acres in
Sandusky township, another of one hundred and twenty acres in
Liberty township, and his last purchase being in 1882, when he became the owner of one hundred and forty-seven acres in
Auburn township. This land Mr. Stevens acquired for
his children, and after he had become satisfied that he could do
well for all of them he bought a small tract of sixty-four
acres, a part of which is within the corporate limits of Tiro,
and removed to it. There he and his most estimable wife
resided until her death, on Dec. 26, 1893, when he deeded this
land to his daughter, Mrs. Brown, and went to live with
her.
In his political life Mr. Stevens has been a
Republican for many years, although his strong temperance
principles induced him to vote with the Prohibition party for a
time. He is distinguished as being the oldest living
resident of Auburn township. His years have reached
eighty-four, but his mind is clear and his memory of past events
is vivid. Many of his years have been spent in the most
laborious toil, but he has always possessed both energy and
ambition, and stands to-day as a worthy representative of the
perseverance, courage and zeal, which has made the extraordinary
progress possible, which has given Crawford county its
prominence in this state, which latter has become known as the
"New Mother of Presidents," well deserving the title.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 504 |
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SHERMAN H. STEVENS,
who is one of the substantial, reliable and highly esteemed
citizens of Cranberry township, Crawford county, Ohio, was born
in the house which he now occupies, on May 24, 1858. He is
a worthy son of one of the well known and respected pioneers of
this county, Jacob H. Stevens, who has the distinction of
being the oldest living resident of Auburn township. The
mother of the subject of this sketch was formerly Miss Sarah
J. Wallace, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was a
daughter of Jefferson Wallace, who located in Richland
county at an early day, later removing to Cranberry township, in
Crawford county.
Until his twenty-first year Sherman H. Stevens
remained at home, assisting on the farm and acquiring an
education in the common schools. AT that period he took
charge of the home farm, consisting of two hundred and thirty
acres, and worked on the share plan, remaining thus engaged for
two years, and then went to Sandusky township and took charge of
what was known as the Kuntz farm, which had passed into
the possession of the father of our subject. One year was
spent by Mr. Stevens on this farm, as a bachelor, but on
April 27, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara R.
Siefert, and he was thus provided with a most admirable
companion, an estimable lady and an excellent housekeeper,
trained in all domestic ways. She was a native of this
county, and she was a daughter of Jacob Siefert (a sketch
of the Siefert family can be found in the biography of
John E. Siefert, who is a brother to Mrs. Stevens).
Upon this farm our subject and wife resided until the fall
of 1894. During the ensuing years our subject was
extensively engaged in the manufacture and shipping of maple
syrup, his trade extending to all parts of the United States,
his shipments aggregating thousands of gallons of this delicacy.
His opinion was that he could realize more financial returns
from two months' work in the sugar camp in the spring than from
an entire summer's work in general farming.
In the fall of 1894 Mr. Stevens removed to the
home farm and in the following winter he acquired the homestead,
with one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he yet owns.
HE also efficiently manages his father's farm of eighty acres.
Although he has the management of a large extent of land., he
has practically given up active work on the farm and has his
farm under rental at present, his time and attention being
required to enable him to look after his large interests in the
buying and selling of stock. Mr. Stevens owns a
large herd of valuable cattle, known as Aberdeen, and is the
only citizen of the county, with one exception, who owns any of
these high-priced animals.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens,
the survivor being Freeman W. S., who was born on June
12, 1892, a bright, intelligent lad, who bears promise of
worthily upholding a name which his father was grandfather have
made respected through Crawford county. Politically Mr.
Stevens is a stanch Republican and takes an active interest
in public affairs and is fraternally connected with Hyperion
Lodge, No. 651, K. of P., of New Washington, and was a charter
member of this lodge. The social and business standing of
Mr. Stevens is very high in this locality and his name is
a leading one among the representative men.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County,
Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 496 |
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