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Welcome to
CRAWFORD COUNTY,  OHIO
History & Genealogy

Source:
A Centennial
Biographical History
of
Crawford County, Ohio

- ILLUSTRATED -
"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations."
- MACAULAY
Publ. Chicago:
The Lewis Publishing Company
1902

  E. M. NEFF.  When determined purpose and unflagging perseverance are lacking effort is rendered futile and resolution unavailing.  Well-formulated plans and a close adherence thereto, these are the necessary concomitants of success, and as exemplified in the career of Mr. Neff have brought to him a richly merited degree of prosperity.  He is now in control of once of the leading dry goods stores of Crestline, his native city, and occupies an enviable position in commercial circles.
     Mr. Neff was born Nov. 10, 1863.  His father, John Neff, was a native of Germany, and after arriving at years of maturity was there married.  He afterward crossed the Atlantic to "the land of the free," and located in Galion, Ohio, where he followed his chosen occupation of carpentering, being employed in the railroad shops.  Some time in the '60s he removed to Crestline and became proprietor of a hotel, which he conducted up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was about fifty-nine years of age.  He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, lived in harmony with his Christian belief, and his fair name in business was never tarnished by unscrupulous dealings.  By his first marriage he had three children.  When their mother had passed away he was again married, in this country, to Mrs. Catherine (Burkhardt) Henge, a widow.  She, too, is a native of the fatherland, and is still living.  She first married Anthony Henge, and by that union had one son.  The parents of our had five sons and one daughter of the second marriage, of whom three are still living.
     E. M. Neff, their youngest child, was reared in Crestline and acquired his education in the schools of the town, but at the age of fifteen years he started out in life on his own account, securing a clerkship in the employ of the firm of McKean & Thoman, with whom he remained for twelve years, mastering the business in principle and detail and giving the fullest satisfaction to employers and patrons, as shown by his long continuation with the house.  For about five years of the time he was chief clerk.  In 1891 he embarked in business on his own account, opening a small "Rackett" store with a very limited stock.  From that humble beginning, however, has grown his present excellent establishment with its large stock and modern appointments.  In 1896 he erected a two-story brick building on Setzer street, and now has one of the largest dry goods establishments in the town.  He enjoys a large and constantly increasing patronage and has a very enviable reputation for straightforward dealing.  In addition to his store he has other business interests, being a stockholder in the Schill Brothers Manufacturing Company and in the First National Bank.
     In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Neff and Miss Emma Lampert, a native of Crestline and a daughter of William and Jemima Lampert.  Their marriage has been blessed with eight children:  Stella J., Arthur J., Theador M., Norma E., Millita, Edward G., Catherine and Marthia.  The parents hold membership in the German Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Neff has held several offices, including that of treasurer for six years and trustee for two years.  He has taken a very active part in this work and is a generous contributor to all measures calculated to prove of general good along liens of reform and progress.  In politics he is a Democrat, and, as every true American should do, feels an interest in the success of the principles in which he believes, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with very creditable prosperity.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 622
  CHARLES NESS.  For twenty-seven years Charles Ness has been in the service of the Big Four Railroad Company, which he is now serving as engineer. He was born in 1834, and when only about a year old was brought to Crawford county by his parents, who located on a farm one mile west of Galion. The grandfather, Michael Ness, Sr., lived and died in York county, Pennsylvania, as did his wife. Their son, Michael Ness, Jr., was born and reared in York county, whence he came to Crawford county. He was a contractor and builder, and followed that occupation in Galion from 1835 until his death, which occurred December 19, 1900, when he had attained the ripe old age of seventy-six years. He erected most of the early business blocks, churches and factories of the city, together with many of the residences. He was an architect as well as contractor, and engaged in teaching drafting.  In public affairs he took a deep and earnest interest, and was one of the charter members of the Lutheran church, contributing liberally to its support and doing all in his power to advance its work and upbuilding. He married Sarah Ruhl, a daughter of Michael Ruhl, whose father laid out the town of Galion, where Michael Ruhl was a pioneer merchant. Mrs. Ness is still living, at the advanced age of seventy-four years. In their family were the following children: Charles, whose name introduces this review; John, a teacher in the schools of Gallon; Michael, who is also living in the same city; William, a farmer of Leesville, who also has charge of a quarry; Mrs. Ellen Overley, of Galion; Ida, wife of James Overley, a farmer and stock-raiser of Todd township, Monroe county, Ohio; Emma, wife of William Gorley, of Galion; Mrs. Margaret Flick, deceased; and one who died in infancy.
     On the family homestead farm Charles Ness was reared, and during his active business career he has been identified with the railroad service. In 1874 he entered the employ of the Big Four Railroad Company, with which he has been identified for twenty-seven years. Promoted to the position of engineer, he has since acted in that capacity and is one of the most reliable representatives of the road, being ever watchful in discharging the responsible duties which devolve upon him. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and has also had membership relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Mr. Ness was united in marriage to: Miss Catherine Casey, a daughter of Nelson Casey, of Polk township, Crawford county, and they now have one daughter, Myrtle E., who is a graduate of the high school and is now a student in the university at Delaware, Ohio, where she is pursuing a special course in vocal and instrumental music. The family enjoy the warm regard of many friends and occupy a leading position in social circles.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 863
  SAMUEL NORTON, the first settler of Bucyrus township, was born within one mile of Congress Spring, near Saratoga, New York, Mar. 3, 1870.  His father was of Scotch descent, and many years previous to the birth of Samuel had emigrated from Scotland and settled in Connecticut.  Samuel Norton was married, Jan. 1, 1804, to Miss Mary Bucklin, who was born in Coventry, Kentucky county, Rhode Island, Oct. 31, 1785.  The Bucklins were of English descent, and Mary Bucklin's parents removed from Rhode Island to Little Falls, New York, when she was about six years of age and some twelve years afterwards to what is now Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where she was married to Samuel Norton.  The young couple settled near Elk Hill, then in Luzerne but now in Susquehanna county.  The district is situated in the mountain regions of that state; the land is poor, and even at that time the country was very wild.  It is said that at one time, while Norton was still a resident of Elk Hill, he shot a panther which measured eleven feet and three inches in length!  These wild beasts have never been seen in Crawford county since it was first settled by white men; and, although the first settlers of Bucyrus township emigrated to a newer country, they did not, in some respects, find a wilder one.
     Norton was dissatisfied with this wild, rocky Pennsylvania land, and after residing there with his wife for fifteen years, determined to seek a more pleasing to country.  He caught the western fever and decided that his destination should be the land obtained by the "New Purchase." His wife was opposed to this movement of the Norton family and refused to go unless her brother Albijence Bucklin  would go along. Norton finally succeeded in inducing Bucklin to accompany him with his family, by promising him fifty acres of land.  Norton had previous visited the new country, selected a quarter section on the present site of Bucyrus, and had returned to his native state for his family.  Very late in the spring of 1819 the pioneers left their home in Pennsylvania, and after journeying about six hundred miles in a big "schooner" wagon, reached the quarter section of land which Norton had selected, in October, 1819.  The party consisted of the following eighteen persons: Samuel Norton and his wife, Mary Norton; their three daughters, Louisa, Catherine and Elizabeth (the late Mrs. A. M. Jones); their three sons, - Rensellear, Warren and Waldo Norton; Albijence Bucklin and his wife; their six children, Esther, Cynthia, Austris, Elizabeth, Almeda and Pitt; also, Polly, an adopted daughter of the Bucklins, and Seth Holmes.
    
After reaching their destination the two families lived for three days in an Indian wigwam, which stood near the present site of the court house, and during this brief period the three men constructed a more durable residence.  This first rude home was built of small round logs and erected upon the bluff of the Sandusky river.  The two families moved into this log cabin, and shortly afterward another was built for the Bucklin family.  When these early settlers constructed their first cabin the nearest white neighbors were eight miles off, on the banks of the Olentangy, and that settlement consisted of only a few squatters, who were generally as nomadic in habit as they were transient in location.  The Norton family occupied their first log cabin home during one winter and until July, 1820.  In this cabin was born, on the 11th of February, 1820, Sophronia Norton, who was the first white child born on the site of the present city of Bucyrus, and probably was the first born in the present limits of Crawford county,  Samuel Norton operated a tannery on a small scale for several years, farmed and in 1835 built and opened a hotel.  HE was an old school Baptist and a man of many sterling qualities.  He died April 18, 1856, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.  His wife, Mary Norton, lived three years after her husband's death, and finally passed away, April 29, 1859.  Other children born unto them, not already mentioned, were Harris P., Charles, Jefferson and William B.  Being the first settler adn original proprietor of the land on which Bucyrus was laid out, Samuel Norton  was justly entitled to the name of the "Father of Bucyrus."
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 13
  WILLIAM SHERMAN NYE, one of the leading business men and agriculturists of Crawford county, is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Cranberry township, Crawford county, on the 9th of September, 1865. He is a son of Jonathan and Lovina (Immel) Nye. The father was born in Medina county, Ohio, on the 2d of March, 1823, his parents being Jonathan and Sabrina (Briggs) Nye. Jonathan Nye, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, in 1770, and the father, also named Jonathan, was a well known resident of Massachusetts. The latter was a son of Jonathan Nye, who was engaged in whale fishing, following that dangerous occupation for many years.
     Jonathan Nye, the grandfather of our subject, was reared to manhood in his parents' home, receiving his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. After his marriage he engaged in farming pursuits on his own account, and a few years afterward he removed to the state of New York, where his wife died. He afterward married again, his second union being with Sabrina Briggs, the grandmother of our subject. By his first marriage he had seven children, all of whom are now deceased. Soon after his second marriage he came to Ohio, locating in Medina county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of forest land, on which he erected a log cabin. As the years passed he cleared his land, there remaining until 1825, when he sold that property and came to Crawford county, here entering one hundred and sixty acres of forest land near what is now North Robinson. He cleared eighty acres of his land, giving the remaining eighty acres to two of his sons, and there he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1849. In 1853 ms widow was also called to the home beyond, and at her death the farm passed. into possession of Jonathan and Lorenzo Nye.  In 1857 the brothers sold the place and came to Cranberry township, the former purchasing the farm which he yet owns, consisting of eighty acres, while Lorenzo became the owner of ninety-five acres just across the road from his brother. Lorenzo Nye was married, and his brother Jonathan boarded with him until his marriage, on the 21st of April, 1861, to Miss Lovina Immel, who was a native of Cranberry township, her birth having occurred on the farm adjoining that which belongs to her husband, and was a daughter of Philip Immel, one of the early pioneers of this township. He emigrated from Pennsylvania, his native state, his parents having been of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. After his marriage Philip Immel emigrated with his bride to the Buckeye state, making the journey by wagons, and after his arrival in Crawford county he entered eighty acres of land in Cranberry township, the deed being signed by Andrew Jackson. He erected a log cabin, and blankets were hung up for doors and to keep out the wolves. As time passed he cleared his farm and placed his fields under a fine state of cultivation, and there he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1885.
     After his marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Nye began life in an old log cabin on his father's farm, and through this rude structure the wind whistled and the rain and snow were blown through the crevices, it being almost impossible in severe weather to keep from freezing to death. For five years they remained in that primitive dwelling, and in 1866 they erected their pleasant and commodious dwelling, where they are now enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Six children blessed their union, three of whom still survive, namely: William Sherman, whose name introduces this review;. Albert Sheridan, an agriculturist of Cranberry township; and Eli Liberty, who is still at home. The father of these children is a Republican in his political views, and during the Civil war was a stanch abolitionist. Although not a.. member of any religious denomination his views are in harmony with the Methodist doctrine, and he has always given liberally of his time and means to its support. His life has been crowned with success, and he now enjoys the. respect and esteem of all with whom he has become acquainted.
     William Sherman Nye, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the common schools of his locality, and the G. W. Michael Business College, of Delaware, where he prepared himself for the teacher s profession. After receiving his certificate he had two different schools tendered him, but that occupation did not prove congenial to his tastes, and he accordingly abandoned all thought of becoming a teacher. At the early age of fourteen years. he began working on the farm, and from that time on the major portion of its work fell upon his young shoulders. When eighteen years of age he received. his share of the crops, and for five years following his marriage he remained. on the home farm, after which, in the spring of 1897, he purchased and removed to the place which he now occupies, consisting of eighty acres. He has placed his fields under a high state of cultivation, which annually yield to him golden returns, and he now ranks high among the influential and prominent agriculturists and swine-breeders of Crawford county.
     On the 29th of November, 1891, Mr. Nye was united in marriage with. Miss Zella M. Springer, a native of Cranberry township, and a daughter of S. S. Springer, now deceased. Two children have graced this marriage, Bertha L. and Willis L. In political matters Mr. Nye affiliates with the Republican party, but the honors or emoluments of office have never had an attraction. for him, although he is a public-spirited and loyal citizen. He is well and. favorably known in the community in which he resides and numbers its best. residents among his warmest and most confidential friends.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 841

 

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