OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy Express
 

Welcome to
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
History & Genealogy

BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
  History of Stark County:
 with an outline sketch of Ohio

Chicago: Baskin & Battey,
1881
 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

< CLICK HERE to RETURN to 1881 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE to RETURN to LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >

City of Alliance -
SAMUEL KATZENSTEIN
, Alliance; is one of the leading merchants of Alliance.  He came from Europe to the United States when quite young.  Having been engaged in the dry goods trade from early boyhood, he continued in that business in this country, and has now established one of the best dry goods houses in Alliance.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 733
Bethlehem Twp. -
MRS. ANNA M. KEEHN, Navarre.  Among the old and respected pioneer women of Stark County, none are more worthy of special mention than the subject of this brief sketch.  She was born in Canton Township, this county, Oct. 11, 1807; her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Kaufman) Reed, were natives of the Keystone State, where they were raised married, and resided until 1806, when they came to this county and located in Canton Township, where they remained some years, and then came to Bethlehem Township, which they ever afterward made their home.  At the day when these sturdy people settled here, the country was a dense wilderness, inhabited by Indians and all manner of wild beasts; the log cabin, chinked with mud, with its puncheon floor, greased-paper windows and mudstick chimney, afforded the best habitation for these brave adventurers; their furniture was of the rudest kind, and their clothing was of the coarsest material - of home-spun flax and wool, warm and durable, and at that time fashionable.  In Mr. and Mrs. Reed's family were twelve children, eight of whom are yet living, and who are respected members of the communities in which they live.  Mrs. Anna M. Keehn lived at home until her marriage with Mr. Jonathan Keehn, which event took place in 1830.  Mr. Keehn was a native of Berks Co., Penn., where he was born in 1805; in 1810, his father, George Keehn, came to this county with his family, and located in Bethlehem Township, on the farm which Mrs. Keehn now owns and resides upon; it was upon this farm that Jonathan passed his youth and early manhood, assisting his father; after his marriage, he took charge of the farm caring for his parents during their old age, and until their respective deaths; he was a well-educated man for that day, and one of more than ordinary intelligence; he favored and liberally contributed to all enterprises that had a tendency to build up the community in which he lived or benefit his family or fellow-man; he held a number of positions of honor and trust, and was highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors; he was the father of the following family of children: Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah, George, Mary, Melinda and Caroline, living: Catharine, Magdalena and David, deceased.  Mr. Keehn departed this life July 4, 1868; his widow survives him, at the advanced age of 74 years; she has always been a true wife, loving mother, and useful member of society, ever sharing, with patience and fortitude, all Mr. Keehn's adversities, and rejoicing with him in his prosperity, to which she, by her kind co-operation and interest to the fullest extent contributed.  She, with four of her daughters, resides upon the old homestead, surrounded with the comforts of a well-earned competency.  The daughters, like their parents before them, are useful members of society, having the respect of all who know them.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 986
Bethlehem Twp. -
JOHN KEEHN, V. S.; Navarre.  This gentleman was born Dec. 6, 1822, in Bethlehem Township, this county; he is the son of John and Elizabeth (Traul) Keehn, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State.  George Keehn, grandfather of our subject, was born at Reading, Penn., May 7, 1766; his wife, Susan Shalter, was also born at Reading, Aug. 15, 1767; they came with their family to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1815, landing in Bethlehem Township on the 20th of September, and settled on Sec. 9 in that township, where they passed the remainder of their days.  John Keehn, Sr., was born near Reading, Penn., Mar. 2,1789; his wife, Elizabeth Traul, was also a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born Feb. 17, 1790; they also came to this county in 1815, and settled on Sec. 9 in Bethlehem Township; they were hard-working, intelligent people, and raised a family of five sons and three daughters.  Mrs. Keehn died May 8, 1848, and her husband Sept. 2, 1853.  Our subject was raised upon a farm, receiving but a very limited education, for, from a small boy, he was put to hard work, and his chances for obtaining an education were few.  He was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Gerber Aug. 6, 1848; this lady was born in Canton Township, this county, Oct. 1, 1827; their union has been blessed with the following family of children, viz.: Aaron, Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Christina, Levi and Catharine.  Mr. Keehn now owns the old home farm of 190 acres, which he has nicely improved, and which, for most part, he has obtained by his own exertions.  When quite a small boy he began treating horses and cattle for different diseases; he was so uniformly successful that he soon had a good practice; he purchased books, and, by hard study and close observation, he has become one of the most successful veterinary surgeons in the county; his practice extends over this, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties, and his services are so frequently sought that he finds it difficult to attend all cases where his services are required; he is a close student of pathology, and uses only new and rational remedies, discarding all the old fogy notions common to the practice.  He is a Democrat, and a useful and honored citizen.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 987
MOSES KEIM, P. O. Louisville; was born in Somerset Co., Penn., in 1810.  He is a son of Nicholas and Fanny (Hostetter) Keim, his mother being the second wife of his father.  The Keim, his mother being the second wife of his father.  The Keims are of German descent, and Moses was reared in the Omish faith.  His early life was passed at home until he arrived at 16 years of age, when he went to Maryland to live with his uncle.  In 1833 he came to Holmes Co., Ohio, where he lived a number of years.  Mar. 13, 1834, his marriage with Lydia Domer was solemnized.  To this union were born six children - Josiah, present minister of a German Baptist Church near Louisville; George, who was killed by a fall when 7 years old; Catharine, now the wife of Jacob Lutz; Jonas, Jacob and John.  Josiah married Sarah Hill; Jonas married Mary Keim; Jacob married Jane Campbell; he is a professor in the Ashland College, at Ashland, Ohio; John married Sophia Klingaman, and is a resident of Louisville.  In 1845 Mr. Keim moved to near Bolivar, Ohio, and after a residence there of five years, moved to Osnaburg Twp., Stark Co., Ohio, and there remained seventeen years.  During the spring of 1869 he came to Louisville, where his son John had previously engaged in the hardware trade.  In 1875 Mr. Keim and his two sons, Jonas and John, formed a partnership and erected the present Keim Block, in which they have one of the largest and most complete stock of general hardware of any house in Louisville.  In the spring of 1881, this firm opened the Louisville Deposit Bank, mention of which is made elsewhere in this work.  Since their arrival in Louisville, the Keims have taken an active leading part in building up the town, and they are considered among the most substantial men of the place.
Source:  History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 908
City of Alliance -
PETER D. KEPLINGER, boarding house keeper; Alliance; was born in Paris Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Aug. 6, 1824.  His father, Samuel Keplinger was a tobacconist, and a native of Adams Co., Penn.  He married Miss Sarah Slagle, a native of the same county.  Her father was financially well-to-do, and at an early date in the settlement of Stark Co., he came here and entered a large tract of land in what is now Paris Tp.  In 1823 his son-in-law, Mr. Samuel Keplinger, removed with his young wife to the tract of land already referred to, with a view of occupy in and improving that portion which his wife would eventually inherit.  When they came here they were young, and knew little of the hardships which they would have to encounter in the almost unbroken forest; their means were limited and only the things actually necessary were procured.  They erected in the woods a log cabin 10x12 feet, and lived in it without either floor, except the one formed by nature, or furniture; and the few rude things made of riven boards, forming bed steads by driving posts in the ground.  Such were the luxuries of pioneer life!  But in a year or so they were able to erect a more comfortable dwelling.  When they once got a patch of ground cleared, everything grew luxuriantly, but it was almost impossible to raise even a small sum of money.  When they had been living in their new home over two years, the entire sum of cash raised in that time by Mr. Keplinger was $1.50.  There was no market or demand for anything produced in the country, consequently no circulation of money.  The fond memory of other days and circumstances, with the pleasant associations of her girlhood, frequently caused the silent tears to trickle down the young wife's cheek.  But these times they outlived, the settlements increased, the country opened up to the outer world by the construction of the canal, circumstances and society changed, and their days of privation gave place to seasons of plenty.  Mrs. Keplinger passed away in 1847, he in 1849.  Peter D. was the oldest of their six children, and his early life was spent on the farm.  He married Carolina Miller, but she died, leaving two children - Elmira and Samuel L.  He then married Rachel Scheatzley.  She was born in Germany, and came to Stark Co., with her parents in 1831, being at that time 8 years old.  By this union three children were born, viz. - Mary L., Lyman D., and Frank E.  In 1850, Mr. Keplinger engaged in the mercantile business in  New Franklin, for about four years, thence went to North Georgetown, where he remained about six years in business.  In 1860 he came to alliance and has engaged in almost every kind of industry in the place.  He is interested in the manufacture of light steel; also in the wagon and carriage hub factory, which burned down, causing him considerable loss; and, unfortunately he was the loser of $5,000 by the failure of the Fisher, Shalters & Co's.  agricultural works.  Nevertheless, he has accumulated a good property, owning one of the best business rooms on Main Street, occupied by Mr. Katzenstein, in the dry goods trade, besides other valuable property.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 731
JACOB KETTERING, deceased; son of Adam and Barbara (Agely) Kettering, was born in Blair Co., Pa., June 9, 1810.  He was the oldest of five children, whose names respectively are: - Jacob, Catharine, Adam, John and Conrad.  The parents of these moved from Blair to Bedford Co., when Jacob was but a boy, and lived there the balance of their lives.  They were very poor people, the father being a farmer and blacksmith, and the mother a weaver.  When Jacob was 21, the family made a sale of all their possessions, the receipts of that sale amounting to only $72.  After their parents' death, the children married and separated.  Catharine is the wife of Elijah Binkley, and lives in Missouri.  Adam married Susan Teeter, and lives in Bedford Co., Penn.  John married Martha Harris, is a widower, and lives in Indiana.  Conrad married Catharine Hoover, and is a resident of Black Hawk Co., Iowa.  Jacob Kettering and Nancy Ann Barnet  were united in marriage in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 22, 1836, by Henry Fluck, Esq.  This lady was a daughter of James and Mary (Finley) Barnet who were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., and she was born in Bedford Co., Jan. 27, 1814.  Mr. and Mrs. Barnet were parents of a family of twelve - Eliza, deceased; William, deceased; Nancy Ann, Jacob, Mary, Rebecca, deceased; Elizabeth, Sarah, Hetty, deceased; James, George, deceased; and Ephraim, deceased.  James and Ephraim were soldiers in the late war.  The latter was taken prisoner, conveyed to Andersonville, and there starved to death - a victim of the traitorous leaders of the War of the Rebellion.  George was killed in battle with the Indians in Nebraska.  Jacob married Hannah Myers, and lives in Canton Twp.  Mary  is the wife of Jonathan Fockler, and lives in Stark Co.  Elizabeth  is the wife of Benjamin Ober, and lives in Indiana.  Sarah is the wife of James Hinton and lives in Plain Twp.; and James  is married and lives in Iowa.  The father of these was a tailor by trade, and the Barnets are of Irish ancestry, while the Ketterings are of German descent.  To the union of Jacob Kettering and Nancy Ann Barnet there was born a family of six children: Maria born Dec. 21, 1838; Elizabeth, born Feb. 9, 1841, died Feb. 16, 1841; Caroline, born Feb. 8, 1842; Sarah Ann, born May 24, 1845, died Dec. 31, 1850; William, born Mar. 22, 1848; and Henry, born Apr. 13, 1850.  Maria is the widow of Abram Hoover, who died from disease contracted in the army.  She has two adopted children - Emma Davis and Eddie Smith; Caroline the wife of David S. Smith, and has by him six children - Jacob, Jane, Herbert, Ella, one that died in infancy, and William H., deceased.  They lived in Nimishillen Twp.  William married Susan Landis and by her had three children - Minnie, Milton and Anna.  Henry is single, and is in the employ of C. Aultman & Co., of Canton.  In addition to the above, the Kettring family have reared and adopted one daughter of childhood - Emma Davis.  After his marriage with Miss Barnet, Mr. Kettring resided in Pennsylvania until he came to Ohio.  The start they had to begin married life with was $300 in money and a bed and bedstead, one cow, a bureau, and willing hands.  Mr. Kettring was a rough carpenter and blacksmith.  While there he framed twenty-seven barns, and when they came to Ohio in 1851, they had $3,700.  They came to Stark Co., located in lot 7, where they purchased a farm for $3,000.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Kettring were hard-working, saving and industrious people.  In a financial way they were very successful with the start they had to begin with.  From poverty they rose by degrees to a position of wealth and affluence.  Mr. Kettring died Feb. 24, 1880, leaving his heirs property to the amount of $46,000.  His two sons, William and Henry, have recently purchased one of the finest farms in Stark Co., in Jackson Twp., for which they paid $30,800.  They also own the old home-farm of 161 acres in Nimishillen Twp.  Mr. Kettring left a good home for his widow, and $10,000, with which to live in ease and comfort the balance of her days.  Mr. and Mrs. Kettring were members of the United Brethren in Christ Church; and Mr. Kettring a Republican in politics, as are also his sons.  The Kettrings are among the leading citizens of Stark Co., where they are well known and universally respected.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 909
City of Alliance -
MARION M. KING, Attorney at Law; Alliance; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, May 31, 1852.  He is the eldest of the family of four children of Levi and Mary (Lower) King, who were likewise natives of the same county.  His education was that afforded by the common schools and Georgetown Academy, which institution has been abandoned.  When about 17 years of age he began to teach school in the winter months, and attended Mt. Union College during the spring and summer.  He began the study of law with A. L. Jones, of Alliance, in 1872, and was admitted to the bar in the District Court of Stark Co., Sept. 17, 1874.  He opened a law office in Alliance where he practiced until November, 1880, when his preceptor, under the firm name of Jones & King.  Mar. 6, 1877, he married Dora, daughter of Mr. A. L. Jones.  They had one child - Roxy Verne.  Nov. 27, 1826; he is the second in descent from Samuel Jones, native of New Jersey, who emigrated to Virginia, and whose son, of same name (Samuel), emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Columbiana Co., near New Lisbon, at a very early day.  A. L. was the eighth of ten children, when about 15 years of age he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade, but abandoned that to secure a more liberal education, and attended an academy at Washingtonville and Marlborough.  When about 26 years of age, he began to read law with W. D. Ewing, of New Lisbon, and in May, 1854 he was admitted to the bar, and in the fall of the same year was admitted to practice in the Federal Courts.  Oct. 2, 1849, he married Ruth A. Coffee, daughter of Joseph Coffee, at Columbiana Co.  They had four children - Joseph C., Samuel A., Dora, now Mrs. King, and Ruth A.  Mrs. Jones passed from this life Oct. 27, 1878.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 732
Sugar Creek Twp. -
MICHAEL KING, farmer; P. O. Justus; was born in Somerset Co., Pa., Sept. 27, 1805, as was also his father, David, in 1781.  His paternal grandfather, Michael was a native of York Co., Pa., and by his marriage with Susan Passmore, had ten children, Enos, John, George, William, Philip, David, Polly, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Phoebe.  David King married Sophia, daughter of Casper Ginder, a native of Germany.  Of the children of this union there grew up John, George, Jacob, Catharine, Barbara, Elizabeth, Sophia, and Peggy.  John was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.  In the spring of 1822 a two-horse wagon brought West by King family consisting of the father, mother and seven children - George, Michael, Elias, Jacob, Enos, Elizabeth and Aaron.  They located in Sugar Creek Tp., near Wilmot, on leased land, and there the father, an old-time Whig, died in 1862, the mother having passed away fourteen years before.  Both were members of the Disciples' Church.  Michael assisted his father on the farm till, at the age of 21 years, he struck out for himself.  He worked one year at tanning, then again at farming.  Jan. 38, 1838, he married Susanna Deardorff, born in Tuscarawas Co., in 1807.  Her parents were Isaac and Eva E. (Zeigler) Deardorff, natives of York Co., Pa., and early settlers in Tuscarawas.  After marriage, Mr. King remained six years in Sugar Creek Tp., then sold out and moved to Tuscarawas Co., where he lived forty-eight years.  His wife died July 13, 1880, the mother of fifteen children, of whom twelve grew up,—of these Hiram was drowned while serving in the 19th O. V. I.; Irenćous died of wounds received before Richmond when a member of the 126th O. V. I.; Eva is wife of Isaac Masters, Ashland Co., Ohio; Sophia, of Wm. Penix, Tuscarawas Co.;  Helen, of Morris Shisler, insurance agent, Tuscarawas Co.; Leah, of Wm. Kaldenbauch, Franklin Tp., Tuscarawas Co.; Rebecca is Mrs. Jesse Ward, of Clinton Co. Mo.; David is proprietor of the Iron Valley Hotel, at Canal Dover; Sarah lives at the same place; and of three remaining boys - Wilson, Edward and Alfred, the latter is on the old homestead, 257 acres, in Franklin Tp., Tuscarawas Co.  In May, 1881, Mr. King took as his second wife, Mary, widow of John W. Elliott, who died without issue.  She was born Sept. 29, 1818, in Kent Co., England; her parents Matthew and Esther (Fleet), Judd, coming to America in 1830, and locating in Sugar Creek Tp.  Since his marriage to Mrs. Elliott, Mr. King has moved to her farm, 84 acres. Mr. King has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-six years, and his present wife has a standing of thirty-six years in the same body.  He has been trustee, steward, class-leader, and superintendent of the Sunday School.  He is a Republican.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 960
City of Alliance -
JASON KIRK, the second son, was born Oct. 7, 1840, and worked on his father's farm until Aug. 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. E, 149, P. V. I., one of the famous "Bucktail" Regiments of the Army of the Potomac, he was in the Seven-days' Fight, the Battle of the Wilderness, in the hottest contested points of the Battle of Gettysburg, and many others, and served until the close of the war, without receiving even a scratch.  On returning from the army he learned, and afterward engaged in the photographic art until 1869, when he came to Alliance to assist his brother in running the mill, remaining until July, until July, 1873, when he repaired to the oil-reigons of Pennsylvania, and engaged in drilling oil-wells until August, 1878, when he returned to Alliance, and resumed business as practical miller and business manager.  He was married Sept. 9, 1875, to Anna E. Edwards, of Homeworth, Columbiana Co., Ohio.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 733
City of Alliance -
LEWIS KIRK
, miller and general manager of the Alliance City Flouring Mill; Alliance; was born at Grampian Hills, Clearfield Co., Pa., Dec. 19, 1844.  His father, Asaph Kirk, was born Feb. 10, 1814, and reared to agricultural prusuits in Clearfield  Co., Pa.  He married Eliza Wall, in 1835, she was born in York Co., Sept. 9, 1815, and when a little girl moved to Clearfield Co., with her parents.  After their marriage they settled on a farm near the Grampian Hills P. O., where they reside to this day, and where their family were all brought up to farm life, with very limited school facilities.  They have five children - Mary, Jonathan, Jason, Lewis and Jane, all married.  Lewis was the third son, and when about 21 years old he learned the art of photography, and followed it until August, 1868, when he started to Ohio in a one-horse wagon to seek a new field of labor; toward the close of the first day's travel, he stopped at a small two and while loitering around saw two bars of heavy iron nailed to the ground, and extended as far as he could see; upon enquiry, as to their use he was told that it was a railroad, "What? a railroad within one day's drive of Skunk-hollow."  He then concluded to send his horse and wagon home and try the thing.  He had heard of railroads somewhere, but knew nothing of academies and colleges, and was lost in amazement at the extent of the country when he got to riding in a big box with windows in it.  He arrived in Ohio several days ahead of time, but he traveled over the State considerable, and finally selected Alliance as the most desirable spot to convert a Keystone boy into a buckeye.  His father and two uncles, Isaac and David Kirk, purchased the Alliance City Flouring Mills, and he took charge Jan. 15, 1869, as principal business manager, and apprentice to the milling trade.  At Cleveland, Jan. 7, 1869, he married Hannah Margaret Spencer; they have three children - Cora V., Elsie F., Raphael S.  Mrs. Kirk was born in Clearfield Co., Pa., Apr. 23, 1850, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stugart) Spence, who were married there in 1840, and in 1868, moved to Benton, Holmes Co., Ohio, with two sons, Jesse and Isaac, they are engaged in the milling business; their eldest son John was killed May 6, 1864, in the battle of the Wilderness, and Elsie the youngest is with her parents.  In 1873, on the death of his uncles; our subject's father purchased their joint half interest in the mill, and the management remains unchanged.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 732
Bethlehem Twp. -
WILLIAM C. KLINE, Navarre; was born in York Co., Penn., Sep. 15, 1829; he is a son of John and Matilda (Haines) Kline, the former being of German and the latter of English descent; the father was a blacksmith by trade, but kept a hotel for some years, in Little York, Penn.; he is yet living, his occupation being farming.  William H. Kline, our subject is one in a family of eleven children; having but a few advantages in youth, he received but a common-school education.  When 21 years of age, he began coopering, and for twelve years followed that business in his native State.  In 1864, he came to Marietta, Ohio, and began prospecting for oil; after following this for some time, Mr. Kline failed, losing his all in the enterprise.  In 1866, he came to Strasburg, Tuscarawas Co., where he purchased a farm and settled down; after a time he was induced to take charge of a brewery in Parkersburg, W. Va.; after a few months, he disposed of his property and then returned to his farm at Strasburg, where he remained farming until 1868, and, in connection with farming, carried on a hotel and sawmill afterward at Dearduff Mills, in Tuscarawas County.  In 1873 he came to Navarre and took charge of the Navarre House, and, after three and a half years, sold out and engaged in coopering, at which he has extensively engaged ever since; he now has a force of about fifteen men employed in his factory, and they make from 1,000 to 1,200 barrels per week; the past season, he made over forty thousand barrels.  He married Rachel L. Leaming, Feb. 19, 1845, and she was born in Wakefield, Md., Aug. 2, 1834; they have had born to them six children, five of whom are now living, viz.: Sarah, Marian, William, Charles and George.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 988
Osnaburg Twp. -
JACOB KLOTZ, dairyman; P. O. Canton.  Jacob Klotz was born in Neiderbrund, Alsace, France, Jan. 5, 1831.  IN 1836, Mr. Klotz, in company with his parents, Jacob and Christiana (Gutebube) Klotz, emigrated for America, and located at Magnolia, Carroll Co.  He apprenticed himself to the trade of shoemaking, but not enjoying the business, he began on the farm, which agreeable occupation he pursued for sixteen years.  In 1871, he purchased 100 acres in southern Nimishillen, which he sold at a neat profit; in 1873, he purchased his present dairy farm, in Section 6, N. W. quarter of Osnaburg Twp., in all a finely watered tract of 197 acres.  In 1876, Mr. Klotz, began the dairy business that he has so successfully continued up to the present time.  His market is the city of Canton, which demands seventeen to twenty cows; in connection with his milk trade, he cultivates garden vegetables for the spring and summer markets.  In connection with his many farm improvements, Mr. Klotz, has manifested his enterprise by erecting a capacious cider-press, which, last season alone, expressed 1,650 barrels of cider.  In 1867, Feb. 19, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Mutchler, of Jackson Twp.  In politics he casts his lot with the Democracy; in religion Mr. and Mrs. Klotz, are members of the Lutheran Church, Canton, Ohio.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 843
Washington Twp. -
JACOB B. KNOLL
, farmer; P. O. Homeworth, Columbiana Co.; a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., born Mar. 12, 1814, and, when 1 year of age, his parents, John and Catharine (Brill) Knoll, removed with their family to Dauphin County, where the subject of this sketch was raised and educated, residing there until his removed to Stark County.  Jacob, during the early years of his life, remained with his father, then learned the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed during the summer time for some fifteen years in Dauphin County.  He was married, Dec. 28, 1837, to Miss Louisa Aldinger, daughter of Christian Aldinger; she was born in Germany, and came to this country with her parents when about 5 years of age; this couple have lived happily together for over forty years, but they did not commence their married life with the many comforts they enjoy in their later years; during the first year after marriage, they resided in an old double log cabin, one-half of which was occupied by another family, paying $12 a year for their rude home; in the fall of 1838, he bought an old log house, with 3 acres of ground, for $300, and had one third of this sum raised by the next April, this amount being obtained by hard labor during the winter, chopping cordwood in the forest at 25 cents per cord, and boarded himself; although it was extremely cold at times, he never started a fire in the woods, but worked many a time when it was so cold that he could not cut the bread prepared for his dinner with a knife, but was compelled to slice it off with the ax; during some six winters, he cut about one thousand cords.  About the time he was married, the crops had been devoured by grasshoppers, and for the first three bushels of wheat he purchased he was compelled to pay $3 a bushel, and $1 a bushel for corn; in after hears, he bought a little stony farm of 60 acres in Dauphin County, which he occupied until he moved to Stark County in 1853, when he purchased about 111 acres of Jacob Kurtz; a few years since, he transferred all but 40 acres of this farm to his son.  Mr. Knoll has at the present time a competency, but this he obtained by hard labor receiving only $700 from his father's estate.  He is the father of six children; five reached maturity, viz., Catharine, now Mrs. David Powell, of Marshall Co., Ind.; Henry died in 1879, aged 37; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Lemuel Keys, of Alliance; Jacob, of Washington Township; Sarah, now Mrs. Stephen Shell, of Columbiana County.  Mr. Knoll has served as Trustee of Washington Township two terms.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 1004
Perry Twp. -
DAVID KOONTZ, farmer, Massillon; was born June 13, 1813, in Huntingdon Co., Penn., the fourth of a family of thirteen children.  His parents were Jacob and Mary (Obenhour) Koontz.  He was a native of Virginia, son of Peter Koontz, whose birthplace was England, and had two children Jacob and Polly.  Mary was a daughter of Harmon Obeuhour, a native of Germany.  Jacob Koontz, the father of David, emigrated to Ohio by wagon, in the year 1815, and settled in Nimishillen Township, where he rented land for several years, remaining here until after the death of his wife, then moved to Plain Township, where he lived two years, then came to Perry; this continued to be his residence until his death, which occurred while on a visit to Indiana, during war times.  The children born him were John, Susie, Jacob, Daniel, William, Lydia, Mary, Betsy, Barbara, Frederick, Christina, Sallie and Harrison, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood, except Harrison.  Of the number now living, are John, in Canton Township; William, in Schuyler Co., Ill.; Frederick, in Minnesota; Sallie, who married Peter Nunnemaker; Christina, the wife of B. Smith, now of Michigan, and David.  David was raised to agricultural pursuits and remained with his father until 23 years of age, after which time ho engaged in different occupations for several years. February, 1939, married Annie Essig, born in Stark County, 1819, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Weaver) Essig.  Afterward lived seven year's in Pike Township, then resided seven years in Bethlehem, when he disposed of his land and located in this township, near Richville, where he lived until 1872, then located on 50 acres near the city limits, where he has settled for life.  Wife died in 1874; she bore him six children—Alpheus, Newton, Louisa, Jacob, Franklin and Calvin Alpheus and Calvin reside in Albia, Monroe Co., Iowa.  Newton and Jacob, in Norton Tp., Medina Co. Louisa, married Mr. Hoberstock.  He has been a member of the Disciples' Church about forty years.  In former years he was Democratic, Init since Buchanan's time has been in the Republican ranks.
Source:
History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 708
Sandy Twp. -
JEREMIAH KOONTZ, farmer; P. O. Magnolia; is a son of John and Rebecca Koontz, who were married in Pennsylvania, in 1816, and soon after emigrated to Ohio.  They located in Sandy Tp. about 1818, upon a farm in the northern portion of the township, and about 1835, removed to Rose Tp., Carroll Co., where the father took up 160 acres of land, and remained a resident until his death in 1848; his mother survived until 1862, when she died at the home of her son David, in Hardin Co., O.  They had eleven children, only three of whom are now living - Jeremiah, Mary, wife of John Housman, of Hardin Co., O., and Lydia, wife of Adam Housman, of Tuscarawas Co., O.  William Koontz, a son, deceased, was in the late service, and died while in service at Nashville, Tenn.  Jeremiah was born in Columbiana Co., O., Sept. 16, 1817, and saw considerable of the hardships and trials of the pioneer days.  He has been engaged in farming all his life, and has made it successful in a pecuniary way.  His present location is one of the finest in the township; his land is fertile and well improved, and he has erected upon it as fine buildings as can be desired.  His residence and barn are especially noticeable, and are commandingly situated.  Mr. Koontz enlisted in Co. K, 51st O. V. I., in 1861, and was in the service over three years, participating in all the battles and engagements of his regiment.  He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth F. Beatty, daughter of Wybrents and Mary (Filson) Beatty, early settlers of Rose Tp., Carroll Co.  She was born in 1820; they have five children now living, two deceased - John and Rebecca Fishley, both deceased; Robert, Jeremiah, Jr., George, Wm. Stanley and Ellen (now Mrs. Fish-ley,) now living in Michigan.  Jane Fishley a grand-daughter, makes her home with them also.  Mr. and Mrs. Koontz are both members of the United Brethren Church.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 827
Nimishillen Twp. -
HENRY KRALL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Middle Branch; was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., Feb. 22, 1827.  He is a son of Tobias and Catharine (Werner) Krall, who were parents of Catharine, Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jacob, Henry, Mary Ann and Christiann (twins), and Fanny.  These are the grandchildren of Leonard Krall, and his gentleman's parents were natives of Germany.  Being poor people Tobias Krall and family came to Plain Twp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1829, that he might obtain more land, and cheaper, so as to give his children proper advantages when they were ready to start in life.  He was one of the early pioneers of Plain Twp., and of him it is said he was a sober, hardworking and industrious man.  He died Aug. 31, 1848, a member of the United Brethren Church.  Mrs. Krall died in the fall of 1875.  Henry Krall passed his youth and early manhood on the farm, during which time he received an ordinary education.  He was married Oct. 15, 1849, to Miss Catharine Ringer, and to this union were born ten children - Carlesta, Mary M. (deceased), Ephraim, John H., Sarah C., Jennie, Emma J., Ada L., Lydia and Hattie M.  Mrs. Krall was born in Nimishillen Twp., Sept. 13, 1830.  After his father's death, Mr. Krall took charge of the home far, living there twenty-one years.  He then sold it, and in 1870 purchased the farm he now owns, which consists of 165 acres of fine farming and grazing land.  In politics Mr. Krall was a Democrat.  He and family are well known and highly esteemed citizens of Plain and Nimishillen Twps.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 908
Jackson Twp. -
JOHN J. KRICHBAUM.  This gentleman was born in the township in which he now resides July 14, 1830; he is the grandson of John Krichbaum, who came from Pennsylvania with his wife and six sons and two daughters, and located on Sec. 13, in this township, in 1813.  The maternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Traul, who came to this county from Pennsylvania in 1814, and purchased a piece of land adjoining Mr. Krichbaum's; in his family were three sons and four daughters.  Of the fifteen children in the paternal and maternal grandparents' famil8ies, but three are now living.  The Krichbaums and Trauls underwent all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and it is to such people as these that the people of to-day enjoy the blessings that surround they; their descendants to-day are among the most useful and honored citizens of the county, fully attesting to the morality and wisdom of the original stock.  Our subject's parents, John and Hannah (Traul) Krichbaum, were raised amid the wild surroundings of their wilderness homes; they were married in Stark County, and to them were born a family of six sons and one daughter, five of whom are now living.  The father died  June 28, 1872, and the mother Apr. 30, 1874; it can truly be said of them that they were among the most intelligent and progressive people of their day, and that the country would be much better of had it contained more such people.  John J. Krichbaum received a common-school education, and remained at home assisting his father until he was of age; he then learned the carpenter's trade, which, for most part, he has since followed; he has built, during his life, over sixty bank barns, besides numerous dwelling houses and other buildings; he is a complete master of his trade, and his services are eagerly sought; perhaps there is not a man in the county who has built as many barns as Mr. Krichbaum.  He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Buchtel Sept. 21, 1854; this lady was born in Bethlehem Township, this county, in 1832; fro this union there is one child, viz., Joseph F.  Mr. Krichbaum is a Democrat in politics, though liberal in his veiws.  He is an honored member of society, and a useful citizen.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 989
Washington Twp. -
JACOB KREIBUELL, farmer; P. O. Maximo; was born July 6, 1834, in the Department Doubs, of France; his father, Dhristian Kreibuell, was a farmer in that country, renting some 160 acres of land, for which he paid an annual rental of 4,000 francs - nearly $800; he was married to Miss Catharine Miler, and, in the spring of 1839, with the view of bettering their condition, they emigrated with their family from France to America, settling in Nimishillen Township on 160 acres of land, now owned by Christ Miller, residing there until he died, Sept. 25, 1875, at the age of 78; his wife is still living; they were both members of the Omish or Mennonite Church; were the parents of eight children, viz., Barbara, now the widow of Peter Klopfenstein, late of Fulton Co., Ohio; Peter, of Champaign County; Catharine, now Mrs. Daniel Conrad, of Nimishillen Township; Fannie married Christ Miller, now of Washington; Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Slounegger, of Washington; Christina, of Nimishillen; Michael, of Perry; and Jacob, subject of this sketch, the youngest child, who was raised in Nimishillen Township, receiving a common-school education.  He was married, June 3, 1857, to Miss Anna Kreibuell, daughter of Jacob Kreibuell, of Washington Township; for some four years they remained on Christian's farm in Nimishillen Township, then removed to Washington Township, having purchased 78 acres of land; Mr. Kreibuell has since then made additional purchases of real estate, and now owns 223 acres in Washington Township and some 138 acres in Tennessee; is engaged in farming, but for some years has run a cheese factory on his land; by his fine business management, he enjoys a competency, being one of the wealthiest farmers of the township.  In 1871, he took a trip to Europe, which tour extended through France, England, Germany and Switzerland.  Mr. and Mrs. Kreibuell are members of the Omish or Mennonite Church; they are the parents of seven children, viz., Jacob, Mary (died age 5), Catharine, Peter, Samuel, Levi, Henry.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 1003
Plain Twp. -
DAVID KUTZNER, farmer; P. O. Cairo; is the eldest in a family of six children, born to Isaac and Mary Kutzner, who were natives of Franklin Co., Pa., where Isaac was engaged in the distilling business.  In 1823 he came to Stark Co., settling on a farm in Plain Twp., where he lived until 1852, when he removed to DeKalb Co., Ind., where he and his wife both live.  David, our subject, was born in Franklin Co., Pa., June, 1821, and in 1823 came to Plain Twp. with his parents, with whom he lived until he was 24 years of age.  He then purchased a farm of 160 acres, where he lived 19 years, and in 1868 he purchased the farm he now lives on.  Mr. Kutzner has been a hard-working man, and by his industry and economical habits has secured considerable property.  In 1845 he was married to Annie, daughter of Henry Hoover, of Plain Twp., and from that marriage there have been four children, three of whom are living, viz.:  Mary widow of J. J. Smith; Calvin, and Ida, wife of Edward Wise; Calvin, the only son, remains on the farm with his parents.  Mr. and Mrs. K. are members of the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 886

NOTES:


 



 

CLICK HERE to RETURN to
STARK COUNTY, OHIO

CLICK HERE to RETURN to
OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH is My MISSION
GENEALOGY EXPRESS
This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express  ©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights