BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Richland Co., Ohio -
from 1808 to 1908
Vol. I & II
by A. J. Baughman -
Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co.
1908
MICHAEL ACKERMAN.
In the history of Mansfield wherein mention is made of those who
have been active in promoting its progress along the various
lines that have contributed to its material, intellectual,
political, social and moral advancement, it is imperative that
more than passing notice be given to Michael Ackerman,
who figured many years here as a business man and continued a
resident of the city until his death, which occurred in 1904.
He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, July 9, 1826, and while
yet a young man learned the miller’s trade with his father in
Germany. On the second day of the Christmas festivities of
1848, he married Miss Margaret Reinfus, with whom he
sailed for America in 1849, landing at Castle Garden, New York,
on the 18th of October of that year.
Mr. Ackerman did not tarry in
the east, however, but with his young wife came at once to
Mansfield where they continued to reside until they were called
to the home beyond. Here he began business as a laborer
and for several months had charge of a large stable of horses.
In the spring of 1850 he took charge of the Wilder House Stables
and two years later he began driving on an omnibus line.
When he had spent two years in that way he bought a dray and did
teaming for three years and later lie entered the employ of
Spice & Son, wholesale and retail grocers, with whom
he continued until they sold out to Tracy & Avery.
He continued with the latter firm for four years and then again
engaged in the business of draying on his own account,
continuing that work until 1864, when he secured a position in
J. B. Netscher’s wholesale liquor house where he was
employed for four years. He resigned his position there to
go into business in partnership with Adam Matthes in the
conduct of a restaurant in the basement of the Weldon Block,
at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets. There they
continued for four years. Mr. Ackerman then bought
out his partner and continued in business alone at that place
until 1879, when he purchased the Gaudert building on
North Main street.
In the following year he moved to this place and
continued business there until he retired on the 1st of
December, 1888. He had lived a very busy and active life
throughout the period following his arrival in America, and
during the year 1889 he returned to the fatherland for the first
time since he left it in early manhood. In this connection
he was accompanied by his wife and youngest daughter and he
greatly enjoyed his visit to his old home, where he renewed
acquaintances and friendships of his boyhood and early manhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman were the parents of twelve
children, four of whom are now deceased, while those who still
survive are: Peter, John, Mrs. Kate
Wappner, Phillip, Mrs. Anna Senns,
Frederick, Charles L., and Mrs. Maine
Springer. The last named was the daughter who
accompanied her father on his return to his native country.
On the 14th of September, 1892, she became the wife of John
Springer and unto them have been born three children:
William Ackerman, who is a student in the Mansfield
high school; Ann E., and John.
After visiting for four months in the fatherland,
Michael Ackerman returned to this country well
content to spend his remaining days here. He had become
closely attached to the land of his adoption and felt that he
had enjoyed better business opportunities in the new world than
could have come to him in his native country. He was a
past noble grand of the Richland Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F.,
with which he held membership for thirty-seven years. He
was also a member of Madison Lodge, No. 26, K. P., for
thirty-two years and at all times he was loyal to the teachings
of these organizations.
His political support was given to the democracy, but
he never sought nor held office, preferring to concentrate his
energies upon other Interests. He was one of the founders
of St. Paul’s Lutheran church and continued his membership there
until his death. His wife died June 3, 1898, and thus
passed away two of the oldest representatives of the
German-American citizenship of Mansfield. Mr.
Ackerman won his success through his unfaltering industry,
strong purpose and laudable ambition and as the years passed he
gained the good will and respect of his fellowmen by reason of
the many admirable traits of character which he displayed.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 671 |
CHARLES H. ARTER, who is successfully engaged
in farming and stock-raising on sections 12 and 13, Sandusky
township, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, March 29, 18653,
his parents being George and Sarah Arter, who are
mentioned on another page of this volume. Our subject
acquired a common-school education and remained under the
parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then
purchased a farm in Richland county and now owns two hundred and
sixty acres of rich and productive land on sections 12 and 13,
Sandusky township, where he carries on his general farming and
stock-raising interests in such a capable manner that a
gratifying annual income is assured him. He is energetic,
enterprising and progressive and is numbered among the
substantial and public-spirited citizens of the community.
Mr. Arter has been married twice. He was
first wedded in 1891, to Miss Mollie Parke, whose birth
occurred at Ada, Ohio, and by whom he had two children,
Ruth and Charles Parke, who are at home. Losing
his first wife in 1895, Mr. Arter was subsequently again
married, his second union being with Miss Nora Shambaugh,
who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, and whose parents still
reside in that county. She is one of a family of five
children, the record of whom is as follows: Lurenza D.,
of Mansfield; J. E., deceased; Ida, who is the
wife of A. B. Reinhart, and makes her home in Morrow
county, Ohio; Mrs. Arter; and Guy G., of
Johnsville, Ohio. Unto Charles H. and Nora (Shambaugh)
Arter have been born four children, namely:
Clarence A.; Mary Jane; John H., who passed away; and
Mildred S.
In his political views Mr. Arter is a stanch
republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Knights
of Pythias lodge at Crestline. His wife is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, the teachings of which she
exemplifies in her daily life. They are well known and
highly esteemed throughout the community and the circle of their
friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their
acquaintances.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 864 |
GEORGE
ARTER. The name of Arter is an old and
prominent one in Richland county, members of the family having
resided here since 1816, therefore the gentleman whose name
introduces this sketch needs no introduction to our readers.
Mr. Arter was born in Crawford county, Ohio, Dec. 24,
1850. The first of the family to come to Richland county
was the paternal great-grandfather, who entered twelve hundred
acres of land from the government, in Sandusky and Springfield
townships. He built a log cabin on the place, which
continued to be his home throughout a long period. He
passed away in Shelby, this state.
The father of our subject, who also bore the name of
George Arter, was born Dec. 20, 1822, in Richland county,
and became a wealthy landowner, following the occupation of
farming throughout his entire life. He was married in
Richland county to Miss Sarah J. Walters, likewise a
native of Richland county, born June 7, 1825. He was
prominent in the ranks of the republican party and took an
active part in public affairs. His death occurred June 21,
1896, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years, while
his wife survived him for a few years, passing away Mar. 17,
1905, when in her seventy-fifty year. Unto this worthy
couple were born eight children, as follows: Rebecca,
the wife of Daniel Beam, a resident of Richland county;
Delia, the wife of W. P. Smith, of Galion, this
state; Charles H., also of Richland county; and Flora
B., the wife of William Frank, of Galion, Ohio.
George Arter was reared to the occupation of
farming and was educated in the common schools. He
remained on the home farm until he had attained the age of
twenty-seven years, when he began life on his own account by
operating the home place. He has worked earnestly and
persistently during the years and ninety-two acres, situated on
sections 12 and 13, Sandusky township, stands as evidence of the
excellent success which has attained his efforts. He has
improved his place with good buildings, occupying a good country
residence, and he also has substantial outbuildings for the
shelter of grain and stock. He raises the cereals best
adapted to soil and climate and each year harvests good crops.
It was on the 21st of February, 1884, that Mr. Arter
was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Harris, who was
born in Chicago, Illinois, Sept. 7, 1854, a daughter of
Joseph and Susanna (Wilson) Harris, who were natives of
England and emigrated to the new world in 1839, in which year
they located in Chicago, where the father was engaged in
contracting and building. Their family numbered seven
children. Both the parents are now deceased. The
home of Mr. and Mrs. Arter has been blessed with two sons
and two daughters, namely: Sadie, who was born Aug.
23, 1885, and is at home; Alice, who was born in January,
1889, and was graduated from the Crestline high school and is
still under the parental roof; George H., who was born
June 28, 1890, and is now a student in the Crestline high
school; and Lester, who was born Mar. 29, 1898, and is
also at home.
Mr. Arter gives his support to the men and
measures of the republican party and aside from serving as
school director he has filled no public office, preferring to
give his undivided time and attention to his private business
interests, in which he is meeting with success. He and his
family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Having spent his entire life in Richland county, he has a wide
acquaintance and is also familiar with the progress which has
here been made in agricultural circles in the last half century.
He is known for his honesty, integrity and straightforward
methods, being never known to take advantage of another in any
trade transaction.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 964 |
Z. TAYLOR AU. For twenty-seven years Z. Taylor Au has resided upon
the farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Madison
township which is now his home. He was born in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1848, his parents being Jacob
and Margaret Ann (Hoch) Au, who were also natives of the
Keystone state. His father came to this county in 1840,
walking the entire distance from Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, to Richland county, Ohio. After remaining
here for only a year he returned to Pennsylvania, where he
continued until 1855, when they again came to Richland county,
here purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mifflin
township, which he at once began to cultivate and improve,
transforming it into productive fields. He lived a life of
activity and energy and although he was in straightened
financial circumstances in early life, as the years passed he
became the possessor of a handsome competence. He was
married in 1847 and until him and his wife were born nine
children: A. Taylor, whose name introduces this
record; Malissa J., deceased; Mary A., the wife of
Washington McBride, of Richland county; Henry G.,
who has also departed this life; Marenda Z. and
Willard S., also deceased; Manetta C., the wife of
William Case, of Richland county; Ulysses G., who has
also passed away; and Jacob S., also of Richland county.
The father died November 26, 1899, while the mother passed away
Feb. 4, 1884.
Z. Taylor Au was reared in the usual manner of
farm lads, acquiring his education through the medium of the
public schools, while under his father's direction he became
familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and
cultivating the crops. He worked for his father until
twenty-two years of age, after which he rented a farm in
Washington township for eight years and successfully cultivated
it during that period. Afterward, on account of illness,
he lived retired for three years and then resuming active
agricultural pursuits, in 1882 he purchased the farm of one
hundred and twenty-five acres on section 24, Madison township,
on which he is still living. He has brought this under a
high state of cultivation and added to it many modern equipments
and accessories, making it one of the excellent farm properties
of the locality.
Mr. Au was married first to Miss Eva Logan,
a native of Maryland. For his second wife he chose Miss
Ellen Fleck, who was born in Richland county and died in
1890. His present wife bore the maiden name of Anna
Cunning and is a native of Ashland county, Ohio.
Mr. Au belongs to the Grange and his political allegiance to
the republican party.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg. 1130 |
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