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BIOGRAPHIES
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Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and
Hardin Counties, Ohio
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent
and Representative Citizens of the Counties
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents
of the United States
Published: Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co.
1895
Jacob Kanzig
Residence & Stock Farm |
JACOB KANZIG.
Within the past half-century large numbers have emigrated to
this country from Europe, seeking in our own land the prosperity
for which they had vainly striven in the Old World. Those
who have brought with them qualities of energy, determination,
perseverance and honesty have never had occasion to regret their
change of residence, for they have found here both home and
friends. Among this class we mention Jacob
Kanzig, well known in Hardin County as the owner of a good
farm on section 33, Goshen Township. His estate includes
one hundred and sixty acres, a portion of which is devoted to
the raising of cereals, while the remainder is utilized as
pasture-land for his stock. He has made a specialty of the
latter branch of agriculture, and has upon his place a large
number of Shropshire sheep, Shorthorn cattle and Poland-Chitia
hogs, upon which he has taken many premiums at fairs.
The canton of Berne, Switzerland, his birthplace, and
Apr. 18, 1829, his natal day, the subject of this sketch is the
eldest of the five children of Jacob and Barbara (Solbarger)
Kanzig. He is the only survivor of the family, except
Andrew, a carpenter at Lima, Ohio. His father,
whose trade was also that of a carpenter, brought his family to
America in 1852, and with them settled in Licking County, Ohio.
His death occurred at the age of seventy-three years. For
twelve years he was almost totally blind. His wife passed
away when fifty-nine, and their bodies lie side by side in a
cemetery in Wyandot County.
The youthful years of our subject were passed beneath
the parental roof in Switzerland, and, developing
traits of self-reliance, at an early age he learned the trades
of carpenter and cooper, and also became interested in the dairy
business. While still a single man he came to America, and
July 28, 1851, landed in New York, the voyage across on the
French ship “St. John” having consumed six wreeks. After
his arrival in this country he came to Ohio and secured work in
a foundry at New Philadelphia, but soon afterward went to
Columbus and commenced to work at the trade of a carpenter.
In February, 1855, Mr. Kanzig came to
Hardin County and settled in Jackson Township, where for eight
years he leased land and followed the occupations of farmer and
carpenter. Removing to Wyandot County in 1863, he
cultivated a rented farm there, but in 1865 returned to Hardin
County and leased farming land in Goshen Township, continuing in
that way for eleven years. Meantime he saved his earnings,
being economical as well as industrious, and finally accumulated
a sufficient amount to enable him to purchase a place of his
own. He has since continued to reside on his present farm,
on which, in 1876, he built a small but comfortable and
conveniently arranged residence. In 1883 he built his
large, handsome brick residence, in which he now resides.
The marriage of Mr. Kanzig, Aug. 12,
1852, united him with Miss Elizabeth Banker. Of
their children we note the following: Elizabeth is the
wife of Samuel Kumley, a merchant of Pfeiffer,
Hardin County; Rosie married Fred Furrer, a farmer
of this county; Sarah, Mrs. Fred Sherman,
lives upon a farm in Goshen Township; Emaline is the wife
of Fred Sagacer, of Kenton; Rachael married
Jacob Feaster, a farmer of this county;
Caroline, Mrs. Samuel Raber,
resides on a farm here; Louisa is married to Henry
Siler, an agriculturist of this county; J. Andrew
died at eleven years of age; Gusta is the wife of
Conrad Bopp, who owns a farm in this county; Maggie
is the wife of Henry Magley; and Jacob W. and
Josephine are with their parents.
In political views Mr. Kanzig is a
Democrat, but is not a Free Trader. He is. not narrow in
his opinions, conceding to others the freedom of thought and
action. he demands for himself. For fifteen years he has
been connected with the Agricultural Board, and is now its
oldest surviving member. He is a member of the German
Reformed Church, and takes an interest in the work of that
denomination. Besides general farm work, he has, as before
stated, been an extensive breeder of fine stock, and in that
department of agriculture is recognized as an authority.
His original home was some years ago replaced by a substantial
and commodious residence, in which he and his family are
surrounded by all the comforts of life, and to which they give a
most hospitable welcome to their large circle of friends.
The other farm buildings are also substantial in construction
and arranged in such a manner as to facilitate the work.
All in all, the estate is one of the most finely improved in
this county, and is a credit to the enterprising owner.
†Source: Portrait &
Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 -
Page 408 |
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GEORGE W.
KEEL, was formerly engaged in general farming and
stock-raising on his fine homestead, situated on section 15,
Cessna Township, Hardin County. He was a self-made man,
and rose to an honored place in the business and social world
entirely by his own sterling qualities of character. When
his career was cut short by death, he had attained the ripe old
age of eighty years, and many are the friends hereabouts who
cherish his memory. His demise occurred Mar. 26, 1891, and
he was buried in Fairview Cemetery.
A son of Peter and Anna Keel, our subject was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 1, 1811, and spent his boyhood
quietly on a farm, receiving a district-school education.
His home was for a district-school education. His home was
for a time in Lancaster County, Pa., whence he moved to
Cumberland County, in the same state. In his youth he
learned the miller's trade, but never followed it to any extent.
The first money earned by Mr. Keel was the
result of a few weeks' work for a farmer, and he continued to be
thus employed until 1856, when he made a trip to this
neighborhood. He invested his earnings in two hundred
acres of land, situated on sections 13 and 15, this township.
The next year he removed his family here, and this has since
been their home. With the exception of thirty-eight acres
which had been cleared, and a log cabin, there were no
improvements on the farm, which was a tract of heavy timber.
The greater portion of the land was cleared by Mr.
Keel himself, and many other changes for the better were
inaugurated by him.
In Cumberland County, Pa., the marriage of Mr. Keel
and Susannah Kyler was celebrated Mar. 3, 1836. She
was born in Franklin County, Pa., Oct. 31, 1816, and became the
mother of twelve children. Those who have been called to
the better land are: Thomas, William H., Susan M., John
C. and June D. Those living are: Louisa,
Laura J., Mary E., Susan M., Barbara M., Hugh and Himes.
Mr. Keel had only common-school advantages, but
made the best of his meager opportunities, and through reading
and contact with the world became a well-informed man on
practical questions. His political allegiance was given to
the Republican party. For years he was a valued worker in
the Methodist Church, to which he belonged. His character
was above reproach, and to his children he left the priceless
heritage of an untarnished name.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 -
Page 360 |
William A. Kelly |
WILLIAM A. KELLY Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of
Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 295 |
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HENRY C. KOHLER.
Hardin County is the home of many gentlemen of fine natural
abilities, thorough education and business energy, who in
various fields of industry are acquiring an enviable reputation
and gaining well deserved success. Among this number we
present the name and life sketch of Henry C. Kohler, one
of the most influential business men of Kenton. Of the
success he has achieved he has no reason to complain, and he
merits especial regard, inasmuch as his present standing is due
to his unaided exertions, and represents the results of his own
unremitting efforts.
Mr. Kohler is the descendant in the third
generation of a German emigrant who settled in this country in
the early part of the eighteenth century, and was prominently
identified with the early history of Pennsylvania, being
especially influential in the Lutheran Church. The father
of our subject was Henry, a son of Jacob Kohler, a
prominent farmer of Pennsylvania. The former was born in
York County, that state, and there engaged in agricultural
pursuits until his death, in 1854. His wife was Mary,
daughter of Henry Cramer, a Revolutionary soldier and a
member of the Lutheran Church, also one of the original members
of the Bible Society in America. Mrs. Mary Kohler
died in Pennsylvania in 1878.
The parental family consisted of four sons and three
daughters. Rev. Jesse Kohler, D. D.; who resides in
Hanover, Pa., is a member of teh Board of Missions of the
Lutheran Church; William was a theological student and a
young man of great promise, but was accidentally drowned during
his college course; Eli is a farmer in York County, Pa.;
Rebecca, Kate and Ellen married farmers of the
Keystone State. Henry C. was born in York County,
Pa., Oct. 26, 1841, and spent his boyhood days on the home farm,
receiving an ordinary common-school education. In 1860 he
came to Ohio and made his home with an uncle on a farm in Seneca
County.
Early in 1862 Mr. Kohler enlisted in Company H,
One Hundred and First Ohio Infantry, and served until the close
of the war. Among the engagements in which he participated
were those of Perryville, Knob Gap and Stone River. In the
last-named battle he received a wound in the right hip that took
him out of active service for four or five months. After
rejoining his regiment, he took part in the battle of
Chickamauga, and the following winter was with his regiment at
Bridgeport and Chattanooga guarding the rear of the army.
Later he participated in the Atlanta campaign.
Returning to Ohio at the close of the Rebellion, Mr.
Kohler worked on a farm for a short time, after which he
took a course in a business college at Baltimore. In the
spring of 1866 he became clerk in a store at Tiffin, in the fall
secured a position in a wholesale dry-goods store in Cleveland,
and from 1867 to 1872 was employed by a Cleveland and
Philadelphia house. He then came to Kenton and bought the
store of Letson & Runkle, a small establishment,
from which he has built up his present large concern. His
first year's sales amounted to $14,000, but they have increased
until they now reach more than $75,000. Recently he moved
into his present elegant and specious quarters, where he employs
a full corps of accommodating clerks and transacts a large
business. His success is due largely to his genial manner
and strict attention to the details of the business, to the
management of which he gives the closest scrutiny.
There is scarcely an important interest or
enterprise in the city with which Mr. Kohler is not
identified. He is a member of the Board of Directors of
the Electric Light and Gas Company, and is connected with other
local concerns. In 1871 he married Miss Mary
daughter of H. G. Harris, and sister of George Harris
of Kenton. In religious belief our subject is actively
identified with the Presbyterian Church; socially he is
connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics
is a stanch Republican.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Records
of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 195 |
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