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SANDUSKY COUNTY, OHIO
History & Genealogy


Biographies

Source:
Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of
Sandusky & Ottawa, Ohio

J. B. Beers & Co. 1896
 

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Merlin Babcock

MERLIN BABCOCK, one of the substantial and popular farmers of York township, Sandusky  county, comes of pioneer stock.  He was born in Ontario county, New York, June 27, 1819, son of Elisha and Prudence (Hinkley) Babcock, both natives of Stevens township, Rensselaer Co., N. Y.
     ELISHA BABCOCK was born in 1783, of remote Holland ancestry, but he himself always used to insist that he was a Yankee.  He was a Whig in politics.  In 1823 he migrated by team with his family from New York to Green Creek township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he purchased government land, and was among the earliest settlers, the family living for a few weeks in an old sugar shanty while a cabin was being erected.  The parents went to their long rest many years later, after they had converted the wilderness into a fruitful farm.  To Elisha and Prudence Babcock were born five children, as follows:  Laura, who first married P. C. Chapel, and for her second husband wedded J. C. Coleman, a grocer of Fremont, where she died; Esther, who married George Waldorf, of Allegany county, N. Y., and died there; Clark, who married Ann Lee, and was a farmer of Porter county, Ind.; Hiram, who married Mary Ann Lay, and after her decease wedded Josephine Woodruff, and who died in Green Creek township, in 1886, leaving seven children; Merlin, the youngest child is the only survivor of the family.
     Merlin Babcock was bur four years of age when he migrated with his parents to Sandusky county.  He remained on the old homestead in Green Creek township until he has twenty-seven years old, in his youth attending school in winter about three months, and in summer two months.  For his first wife he married Almira Dirlam, a native of Massachusetts.  She died in 1846, leaving three children: Sarah, wife of John J. Craig, of Coffey county, Kans.; Callie B., who married G. M. Kinney, by whom she had one child, Merlin, and who now keeps house for her father; and Frank, a resident of Gibsonburg, who has five children – Burton, Edith, Amy, Chauncey and Jesse.  After the death of his first wife Mr. Babcock left his father’s homestead and moved to his present farm in York township.  Here he married Agnes E. Donaldson, by whom he had one child, John C., now resident of Nevada.  He engaged in general farming for a time, then removed to Wadsworth, Nevada, and there engaged in the hotel business.  After his wife died in the western home he returned to Sandusky county, and has since resided on his farm in York township.  In politics Mr. Babcock has been a Henry Clay Whig.  He cast his first vote for W. H. H. Harrison, and also voted for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, for President.  Mr. Babcock remembers hearing Gen. Harrison make a speech at Old Fort Meigs in 1840.  He remembers, too, with vividness, the remarkable change that has come upon the face of the country during the past fifty years, and among other things the three old mills on Coon creek, near Clyde, that ran several months each year, that stream then being filled from bank to bank, in striking contrast to the present attenuated flow of water.  He served York township for nineteen years as assessor, and has filled various other local offices.  Mr. Babcock is an upright citizen, and is without an enemy.  At his old home in York township he enjoys the serenity and comfort which should crown a life so well spent as his has been, and he commands the highest respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
 
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 142
 Portrait available

  JAMES BAKER, a prominent and successful agriculturist of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, was thee born Aug. 28, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cleveland) Baker, both of whom came to this county during childhood, and were married in Green Creek township.  The father, whose birth occurred in Seneca Flats, N. Y., in 1802, was a son of Samuel Baker, with whom eh came to this county, where they are numbered among the pioneer settlers.  The mother of our subject was born in Seneca Flats in 1803, and by her parents was brought to Sandusky, where she made her home until her death which occurred Mar. 13, 1889, when she was aged eighty-five years, four months and four days.  She was a member of the Mormon Church.  Mr. Baker departed this life Apr. 3, 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years, four months and twenty-two days.  In their family were eight children who grew to maturity - four sons and four daughters - namely: Samuel (deceased), who was a farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county; Clark C., who also died in that township; Keziah, who was the wife of William Hoel, and died in Green Creek township, (she had been twice married her second husband being Edwin Gittins); Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Solomon Knauss, who died in 1865 (she lives in Coldwater, Mich.); Napoleon, who passed away in Green Creek township (he was twice married, and left a widow and children); Abigail, who was the wife of Franklin Short, die din 1864, leaving one child; James is the next in order of birth; and Jemima, wife of Norman Ellsworth, of Clyde.  One child died in infancy.
     In Green Creek township, Sandusky county, James Baker passed the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and was able to attend the common schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired a good education.  On attaining man's estate he was united in marriage Aug. 17, 1868, with Miss Alice Hayes, who was born on Christmas Day, 1842, in Ballville township, Sandusky county, Ohio.  Unto this worthy couple have been born eight children, one of whom - Samuel - died in childhood; those living are Ella, born Jan. 27, 1871, became the wife of Elmer Hughes Apr. 11, 1889, and they have two children - Alice and Lloyd; Mr. Hughes was born in Green Creek township, Sept. 3, 1866, and in that township still resides; in politics he is a Republican.  Joseph, the next of the family, was born Feb. 17, 1873.  The others are: Elizabeth, born Mar. 27, 1875; Ellsworth, born Dec. 16, 1877; James, born Jan. 7, 1879; Anne, born Jan. 30, 1881; and Clarence, born Jan. 3, 1883.
     Mr. Baker is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres in Green Creek township, where he is engaged in general farming, raising all kinds of produce, including melons.  He has the place brought under an excellent state of cultivation, improved with all modern conveniences and accessories, and he is accounted one of the leading farmers of the community.  He has always taken a prominent part in educational matters, and has given his children good school privileges.  He is a worthy representative of one of the prominent families of the county, where he has many warm friends.  His political affiliations are with the Democratic party.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 767
  PETER BAKER.  The German Fatherland has furnished thousands of immigrants of America, whose habits of hard work, plain food or coarse clothing, and usually make an honest living, pay their debts if they make any, and lay up something for a rainy day.  As such an one we present the subject of this sketch.
     Peter Baker, farmer, Ballville township, was born in Germany, May 6, 1853, a son of Peter, Sr., and Christena (Mattie) Baker, whose children were: Christian, who married Minnie Brinkman, and had two children; Peter, our subject; and Christina, wife of Martin Gessner, a farmer of Riley township (they have two children).  The father of our subject was a soldier in Germany for seven years.  He emigrated to America, and settled in Seneca county, Ohio, where he bought forty acres of land, and lived there until his death.
     Our subject, having remained with his parents until his twenty-third year, and saved his earnings, married Miss Lucy Miller, of Riley township, and entered upon life on his own account.  Mrs. Miller was born Aug. 18, 1858.  The names and dates of birth of their children are Charles P., July 16, 1879; Clara E., May 31, 1881; George E., Mar. 26, 1884; Anna M., June 18, 1886; and William L., Sept. 12, 1891.  Our subject earned his money when a young man by working by the day.  After marriage he rented a farm for two years on shares.  In 1881 he bought forty acres of land for $4,000, and in 1893 built a new barn at a cost of $500.  He follows general farming, and raises some fine Jersey cattle.  He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church.  Mr. Baker takes an active interest in educational matters in his neighborhood.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 817
  NELSON T. BALDWIN, a popular pioneer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, and one who by his honest hard work in the past years won his way to the hearts of his countrymen, was born in Cortland county, N. Y., July 15, 1820, son of Ebenezer and Rachel (Chaffa) Baldwin, and the grandson of Ebenezer Baldwin, Sr.  The grandfather was born in Vermont Aug. 7, 1772, and there married Susannah Rollins, a native of the same State, who was born July 19, 1771.  In 1809 he migrated with his wife, daughter and two sons, to Cortland county, New York.
     One of these sons, Ebenezer Baldwin, Jr., was born in Vermont Apr. 13, 1792.  He was married in New York State, Apr. 12, 1811, to Rachel Chaffa, who was also a native of Vermont.  In 1822 Ebenezer Baldwin came with his family to Ohio.  For three years he lived in Salem, Columbiana county, then in 1825 he moved to Geauga county. Here the wife of Ebenezer Baldwin, Sr., died July 5, 1825.  Six years later, in October, 1831, the Baldwin and Chaffa families came together to Sandusky county, and settled in the "Black Swamp," as it was then known, in Woodville township.  There were then only five families in the township.  Here Ebenezer died of cholera in 1834, aged forty-three years; here too his father died, in December, 1839, aged sixty-seven years.  To Ebenezer and Rachel Baldwin were born ten children - seven sons and three daughters; one daughter still lives in Woodville township.
     Nelson T. Baldwin in his infancy seemed to have only a small chance for life and success, for at the age of five weeks he weighed only five pounds, two ounces, but in time he developed brawn and strength, and now tips the scales at 238 pounds.  His youth was spent in the pioneer home of Woodville, and at the age of nineteen, Dec. 25, 1839, he married Catherine E. Boose.  She was born in Ohio, June 27, 1821, and moved with her parents to the "Black Swamp" in 1830.  Her mother died Aug. 25, 1846, and her father Feb. 14, 1847.  At the age of twenty Mr. Baldwin learned the carpenter and blacksmith trades, and he put up the first frame shop in Woodville township.  For about eight years he followed his trade, then bought land, and with his own hands cleared sixty acres.  His property now consists of 130 acres of valuable land, situated in the heart of oil fields of Ohio. 
     To the marriage of Nelson T. and Catherine E. Baldwin six children have come, as follows: 
(1) Lemuel, born Nov. 9, 1840, died July 30, 1841. 
(2) Philinda, born May 14, 1842, married Oscar Billings, of Ottawa county, and has nine children. 
(3) Warren, of Ashland, Saunders Co., Neb., born Mar. 6, 1844, married Matilda Widner, and has one child, Seymore B.
(4) Sarah, born June 1, 1846, married Fred Voekle, of Ottawa county, and has one child
(5) William B., a farmer of Woodville township, born July 1, 1852, married Etta Feddersen, who was born May 16, 1852, and eight children have blessed their union, their names and dates of birth being as follows:  Henry, Sept. 13, 1877; Bertha, Mar. 26, 1882; Ferdinand, Nov. 20, 1883; William, Sept. 30, 1885; Orville, Jan. 8, 1888; Grover, June 6, 1890; Philinda, Dec. 25, 18_, died Jan. 19, 1892; Leo, Apr. 1, 1894.
(6) Cecil, born July 26, 1855, died Sept. 5, 1866. 
After the death of his wife Nelson T. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Christina Schnakenberg, who is one of five children, and whose brothers and sisters are as follows:  Alice, who died in 1888, wife of William York, and mother of one child; Maggie, wife of George Meyers, of Ottawa county, and mother of one child; Tillie, born Dec. 13, 1874, and John, born Oct. 23, 1878.  In 1891 Mr. Baldwin retired from active life.  He leased some of his land in 1892 for oil privileges, and several wells have been put down, most of them proving valuable producers.  His son, William B., now operates the farm.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 436
  LYSANDER CURTIS BALL.  The subject of this sketch was born in Rockingham county, Vt., Mar. 26, 1795.  His father, Eusebius Ball a native of Massachusetts, served in the war of 1812, and died in the State of New York at about the age of sixty years.  When eighteen years old, Lysander C. Ball went to Trenton Falls, N. Y., where he learned the trade of blacksmithing.  At twenty-three, he moved to Boston, Mass., and soon after started westward for Detroit, on foot, arriving at Lower Sandusky, Ohio, in April, 1818.  He saw but one house on the present site of Cleveland when he came through there, and on reaching the Sandusky river there was no way of crossing it but in little Indian bark canoes.  At Fremont there were but three or four log cabins, and very little enterprise, yet he found employment with Thomas L. Hawkins, who owned a good pair of oxen, and Mr. Ball, being very skillful in the management of them, helped to build the first dam across the Sandusky river, his compensation for one month's labor being a pair of shoes.
     The roads westward through the old "Black Swamp," as it was then called, being perfectly impassable at the time, Mr. Ball was persuaded to establish himself in business at Fremont, and like many others with small means took "Hobson's choice."  He placed his little blacksmith shop on ground now occupied by State street, between the Croghan House Block and Buckland's corner.
    
Mr. Ball was married, Feb. 23, 1823, to Miss Eveline Patterson, daughter of Reuben and Eunice (Danforth) Patterson, and took up his residence in a log cabin adjoining the back part of what is now “Croghan House" lot.  In this cabin two children were born to them, the first dying in infancy.  He afterward built and for many years occupied a residence and shop on Front street, north of the Wheeling depot, which property was in later years purchased by the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Company.  In 1853 he moved thence to a farm north of the city, but adjoining the corporation, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Mar. 21, 1877, when he was at the age of eighty-two years.  His residence was on high ground overlooking a bend in the river from which the scenery is delightful.  Being a lover of the beauties of natural scenery, he employed his sound, well-balanced mind and his industrious hands in working a magical change in his home surroundings.
    
In the life and character of Mr. Ball, the virtues of industry, temperance, frugality, truth and integrity, order and peace, were conspicuously displayed.  A model husband and father, a good and generous neighbor. carried away by no excitement, misled by no shams or false appearances, loving his home and family so that except on duty he was seldom away from it, he led that peaceful and complete life which entitles him to a lasting and honored remembrance.
    
Mrs. Eveline Ball was born Feb. 15, 1800, in Onondaga county, N. Y. At the age of sixteen she came with her parents, in large moving wagons, to Ohio, and in 1818 they located at Lower Sandusky, and spent the first winter in one of the block houses of Fort Stephenson.  Mrs. Ball (then Eveline Patterson) taught a small school in one of the block houses, and one of her best and most capable pupils was an Indian boy.  Mrs. Ball was a most excellent and highly-respected lady, who, with her husband, embarked in married life and bravely met their many trials with womanly fortitude, until separated by death.  She passed away Dec. 25, 1883. Their children were—(1) Eveline and (2) Alvira, the eldest of the family, both unmarried, who reside on a part of the old homestead, where they wish to remain during their natural life.  (3) Thaddeus Ball, born Nov. 9, 1830, who was reared and educated in the best schools and society the country afforded in pioneer days. In 1860 he married Sarah E. Kelley, formerly of Fostoria.  His occupation was farming and fruit growing, in which he took much pleasure, until he became broken down in health.  He died Nov. 2, 1886.  Their children were—Katie E. Ball, Thomas L., Frank I., Emma A., and Hattie, all of whom now reside in Oregon.  (4) Oscar Ball, born Apr. 4, 1833, rose from the humble occupations of honor and trust in his community.  In 1862 he became auditor of Sandusky county, and held the office until the fall of 1865, when he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as treasurer.  He is now postmaster in McMurray, State of Washington.  On Oct. 11, 1858, he married Miss Ella Amsden, of Fremont, and their children are - Edward A., Jennie E., Sarah D., and John R., all living at home. (5) Sarah Danforth Ball, born June 23, 1836,was for a number of years a teacher in the country and in the city schools.  She married, Oct. 26, 1859, Stephen M. Emerson, attorney at law, Ballville township, who died in Kansas, Aug. 12, 1863.  Mrs. Emerson passed away in Fremont, Apr. 7, 1886.  They had a son who died in infancy, and a daughter, Jessie Eunice Emerson, whose home is at Green Spring Sanitarium, Ohio.  (6) Lysander Curtis Ball, Jr., was born in Lower Sandusky, Dec. 3, 1839.  He lived on the farm with his father and family until the fall of 1862, when he spent some time in Kentucky, having, in company with many other citizens of Fremont, responded to the call for troops to defend his native State from invasion.  On Oct. 20, 1863, he enlisted in the navy of the United States, as master's mate, to perform duty in the Mississippi squadron.  He was in several engagements along the Mississippi river and on the Yazoo, and in the one which occurred Apr. 22, 1864, our vessel, the “ Petrel," was captured and destroyed by the Confederates.  Mr. Ball was then ordered to the ram “Vindicator" for duty, where he served until Mar. 16, 1865, when he was promoted to acting ensign, and sent to the U. S. steamer “Juliet" for duty, where he remained until the close of hostilities.  He reached home July 12, 1865, and was honorably discharged Nov. 1, 1865.  In the same year he married Miss Hannah Morrison, and is now living on a farm in North Dakota.  Their children were Eva, Charles, Alma and Ball.  In 1893, the eldest, a most lovable daughter, was taken from them by death.  A son and a daughter are now clerking in a dry-goods store in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Source:  Commemorative Biographical Records of the Counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio: Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 640
SHARON WICK's: Lysander Curtis Ball is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Sandusky Co., OH - See his data at www.findagrave.com Memorial # 85038024
  JOHN BARTSON, farmer, Ballville township, Sandusky county, a native of Luxemburg, Germany, was born Jan. 1, 1834, a son of John Bartson, Sr., who was born Jan. 1, 1834, a son of John Bartson, Sr., who was born in 1779 at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, served as a soldier under the First Napoleon in the twenty-five years' war, and came to America in 1842.  After landing in New York he proceeded to Stark county, Ohio, where he remained a year; then, with a yoke of cattle, a horse and a cow, and a large covered wagon, he moved through the forests to Ballville township, Sandusky county, where he settled upon forty acres of partly-improved land, for which he paid $180.  He built a log cabin, and cleared up land for farming purposes; but after four years of hard work he succumbed to a severe attack of bilious fever, the early scourge of the Black Swamp, died in 1847 at the age of sixty-eight, and was buried at Tiffin, Ohio.  The children of John Bartson, Sr., were: John, Catharine, George, Mary, and four that died in childhood.  After the death of John Bartson, Sr., his widow married John May, a farmer of Ballville township.
     Our subject, John Bartson, remained at home two years with his widowed mother, and after her marriage to Mr. May he lived with them three yeas, and then went to work on the U. S. mail steamer "Lady Pike," plying between Louisville and Cincinnati; he stayed there one season, came home, and the following season worked on the "War Eagle" up and down the Mississippi.  Returning, he chopped in the woods during the winter, the next summer was on a farm in Illinois, and the following winter assisted in chopping and logging at Chippewa Falls, Wis.  He made several trips on rafts down the Mississippi to New Orleans, and was on the steamer "City Belle" one season; later, he returned to Wisconsin, where, at Chippewa Falls, he was sick with bilious fever six months.  After his recovery he returned to Ohio, married, rented eighty acres of land of Thomas Easterwood for two years, then bought eighty acres of timber land in Ballville township for $800, gave forty acres of it to his father-in-law, built a cabin, and sold the balance at an advance.  He then bought forty acres in Sandusky township for $1,400, and lived there until 1864, when he was drafted into the army.  He served in Company A, Sixty-fourth Regiment, O. V. I., Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, and endured all the trials and privations incident to his regiment in active service.  He started at Johnson's Island, Ohio, was re-examined at Columbus, and mustered in with about 4,000 others, taken successively to Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Alpine, Pulaski, Columbus and Spring Hill.  At the last place he stood on picket all night during a battle, being in the rear guard while forces went to Franklin.  When they marched in front of Franklin he was in the skirmish line in front of Hood's army, where, after holding the Rebels at bay for a time, he retreated behind the second line of works; held that place till 12 o'clock at night, and then went along to Nashville and helped fortify the town.  Many other instances of doing duty in times of danger might be mentioned.  Our subject fought under Gen. Thomas, at Nashville, for forty-eight hours, when the regiment had about 400 men, and Company A only 25 men left out of 100 which were fit for duty.  They marched back to Franklin, Spring Hill, Cumberland.  Pulaski, Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Silver Creek, fixed up a block-house, and fought Forrest's and Rowdey's cavalry for three weeks, until they were relieved by a Wisconsin regiment.  They returned to Huntsville, and by train to Chattanooga, Selma, Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, Blue Spring, and Bull's Gap, when they heard that Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered.  Then marched back to Knoxville, thence to Nashville, where, in Camp Harker, they were mustered out.  Mr. Bartson was wounded at Nashville, and otherwise disabled.  He returned to Fremont, Ohio, and resumed farming.
     On Apr. 13, 1857, John Bartson was married to Miss Mary Romer, born Apr. 12, 1839, a daughter of Ignatius and Eleanora (Kries) Romer, natives of Baden, Germany, who came to America in 1854, and settled in Ballville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio.  The mother died in 1870, the father in 1877, both at an advanced age.  Their children were: Mary, wife of our subject; Olive, wife of John Ginder; Agnes, deceased in childhood; Johanna, wife of Mr. Baumgardner proprietor of a hotel in Fulton county, a Democrat, whose children are, Eddie and Nora; Paul, who died in childhood; Agnes, wife of James Hoyes, of Seneca county, Ohio, whose children are, Nora, Matthew, Kate, Maggie, Emma, Agnes, Anna, Irving, Joseph, Nellie and Bernard; Anna, wife of Fred Steiber, a moulder by trade, whose first child was George.  The children of John and Mary Bartson are:  
(1) Ignatius, born Mar. 10, 1858, who married Catharine Hughes, whose children are, Mary and Johanna;
(2) Mary O., born Dec. 8, 1860, wife of Charles Fish, of Chicago, Ill.; (she died in Michigan);
(3) Bernard, a farmer and contractor, born Feb. 19, 1862, and now lives in Ballville township;
(4) Julia M., born Jan. 31, 1864, wife of Sidney Champion, a painter, of Toledo, whose children are, Estelle, George Hermon and Mary;
(5) Elizabeth, born June 9, 1866, wife of Hermon Hesshel, whose child, Lizzie, died Sept. 19, 1888;
(6) Johana, born Sept. 1, 1868, wife of George Heffner, street-car conductor, Chicago, Ill., whose children are, Thomas, Alonzo and Louis;
(7) Nora, born May 5, 1870, wife of James Castello, a merchant of Chicago;
(8) John C., born Mar. 17, 1872, contractor, Ballville township, who married M. House;
(9) Ida, born Apr. 8, 1874, wife of Louis Mierkie, a barber, of Fremont, Ohio;
(10) Clara H., born Mar. 18, 1876, unmarried;
(11) Rosa, born Sept. 10, 1878;
(12) Mary F., born Mar. 10, 1880; and
(13) Joseph born May 11, 1882.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 283
  FREDERICK G. BASKEY, a prosperous farmer of Green Creek Township, Sandusky county, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 30, 1833, a son of Charles Baskey, by his first wife, whose children were:  John Charles, Jr., and August, all three dying in Germany; Frederick G. our subject; Augustina; and Minnie.  For his second wife Charles Baskey married Miss Louisa Linstead, and their children were:  Amelia, Caroline, Emma, and Robert.  The paternal grandfather of our subject was a blacksmith by trade.
     Our subject worked at blacksmithing in Germany nine years, and at the age of twenty-four came to America, landing at New York City, whence he came to Sandusky City, Ohio, near which palce he found work on a farm, and there remained three yeas.  He married Miss Henrietta Marzke who was born Mar. 17, 1836, daughter of Charles and Christena (Mugahn) Marzke, farmers, the former of whom died in Germany at the age of sixty-four, the latter passing away in Sandusky, Ohio, at the same age.  They had six children:  Charles: Henry who died; Hannah; Henrientta, Mrs. Baskey; Christena, who lives in Sandusky township; and Theodore, in Riley township.  Our subject's wife was nineteen years of age when she came to America.  Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Baskey have had children, as follows:  William H., born Feb. 14, 1863, married to Emma Louesa Zeigler, and is a farmer in Green Creek township; Albert F. born Apr. 17, 1865, now at home, operating a threshing machine; Rosa, born Sep. 30, 1868, died Apr. 8, 1878; Bertha E., born Sept. 15, 1870, died Aug. 25, 1887; Charles F., born Jan. 7, 1873, now at home, working on the farm; and Theresa M., born Oct. 1, 1875, living at home.
     Our subject and his wife first settled in Erie County, near Castralia, where they farmed one year, then came to Sandusky county, and here rented a farm four years.  They then bought twenty acres of land, and lived on the same three years, when they sold it, and bought forty acres where they now reside, to which more was added, making 130 acres.  They carry on mixed farming, and they have made valuable improvements on their property, having built a substantial brick house and a good-sized barn.  They have given land to their sons. Mr. Baskey is a Democrat in politics, and in religious connection he attends the Lutheran Church at Fremont.  He came to this county with nothing in the way of earthly possessions, but has secured a fair competence, by hard work and close economy.  His wife formerly worked in families, doing housework, at $1 per week, in Sandusky City, and he worked on farms at the rate of $10 per month.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 287
  JOHN BATZOLE, one of the pioneers of Sandusky county, Maryland, Feb. 28, 1801.  His father's name was John, that of his mother being Christina.  His early life was spent on a farm where he acquired habits of industry and economy, and learned the rudiments of a common-school education.  On Sept. 25, 1824, he married Miss Sarah Ernsperger, and moved soon after to Wayne county, Ohio.  They located twelve miles west of Wooster, where he spent eight years in hard work clearing up a farm.
     Here were born to them: John Jacob, Feb. 8, 1826; Lucretia Catharine, Mar. 18, 1828; Mary Jane, Apr. 8, 1830; Maria, Feb. 9, 1832; and here Mr. Batzole and his wife became members of the Reformed Church.  In the spring of 1834 the family removed to Ballville township, Sandusky county, Ohio, upon a farm of eighty acres of land which Mr. Barzole had previously bought, to which forty acres more were added later.  This was their family home for about fifty years.  Their children born here were:  Christopher, Sept. 27, 1834; Sarah Ann, Feb. 22, 1838; Susan  Martha, Oct. 26, 1840; William Henry, May 23, 1843; and two others that died in infancy.  John Jacob died Feb. 25, 1829; Mary Jane, Mar. 1, 1831; Lucretia C. wife of Samuel Strohl, Sept. 8, 1861; and Maria, wife of John Strohl, May 19, 1864.  Mrs. John Batzole died at her home Mar. 2, 1878, at the age of seventy-four.  John BAtzole died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martha Michaels,Dec. 24, 1887, aged nearly eight-seven years.
     Mr. Batzole was a friend of education and furnished land, labor and material for the erection of the first log cabin schoolhouse in his neighborhood, which was also used as a place of religious worship for many years, chiefly by the pioneer ministers of the United Brethren Church.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 717
 

JOHN F. BAUMAN, retired farmer, with residence in Fremont, Sandusky county, was born Mar. 23, 1827, in Wayne Co., Ohio, a son of John W. and Mary (Fry) Bauman, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1794, where his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bauman, lived and died.
     John W. Bauman afterward removed to York county, Penn., thence to Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained about ten yeas, and in 1844 moved to Jackson township, Sandusky county, and there remained a year, after which he located permanently in Loudon township, Seneca county.  After the death of his wife he broke up housekeeping and lived with his children, his death occurring at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Tucker, in Bellevue, Ohio, and his interment taking place in Bellevue Cemetery.
     The children of John W. and Mary Bauman were:  Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Sloan, a farmer of near Warsaw, Ind. (she died Aug. 2, 1895, leaving a family of eleven children); John F. Bauman, our subject; Anna, wife of Joseph Arnold, a farmer of Barry county, Mich.; Mary, wife of George Stebbins, a blacksmith, of Peru, Huron county, Ohio (she died in 1883); Sarah, wife of John Tucker, a blacksmith, formerly of Bellevue, Ohio (they now reside at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.); Jacob Bauman, unmarried, was a soldier in the regular army before the Civil war, and served, later, as a volunteer in the regular army before the Civil war, and served, later, as a volunteer in the Third Ohio Cavalry, until his death, which occurred in Georgia; Susan, wife of Solomon Good, a farmer of Coldwater, Mich.  (she died leaving two children); Solomon Bauman, unmarried, a farmer and ex-soldier, who died in Greene county, Ind.; Lucinda, wife of John Turner, a blacksmith, of Barry county, Mich., where they both died; David, who died in childhood; twins that died in infancy; Delilah, wife of William Durn, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; and twins that died in infancy, Feb. 18, 1847, the mother dying at the same time.
     John F. Bauman grew to manhood in Wayne county, Ohio, where he worked as a farm laborer, and attended common schools in the winter seasons.  In his youth he learned the business of gelder, which he has followed about fifty years with good success both professionally and financially.  His father followed the same occupation forty years, and his grand-father forty-five years.  Our subject came to Jackson township at the age of twenty-one years.  On May 30, 1850, he married Miss Harriet E. Winters, daughter of Jacob Winters, of Jackson township.  In 1852 he went to California with a Bettsville company of fifteen men, the party taking the overland route, with oxen, mules, horses and prairie-schooner wagons.  They started from Independence, Mo., May 2, 1852, arriving in Portland, Oregon, Aug. 14, of the same year, and soon after entered the gold mines.
     Mr. Bauman's first mining claim was at Long Gulch, on a mountain side, and his next was in a valley.  He had good success as a miner, and remained at the business two years, then returning to Sandusky county and following farming.  He next bought a farm of 160 acres in Seneca county, north of Fostoria, and lived there two years; then sold it and bought several tracts in Washington township, Sandusky county, amounting in all to 340 acres, most of which he has sold to his children, reserving one hundred acres for himself in Section thirty-five, as a residence.  He is extensively and favorably known, and has held the office of justice of the peace.  The children of John F. and Harriet E. Bauman were: Alice, wife of Charles Burgett, liveryman (they have one son - Clarence); Emma, wife of A. J. Doll, son of Samuel Doll, a farmer (they have two sons - John and A. J.); Sarah, wife of Calvin Biddle, superintendent of the S. Doll & Co.  Gas Company, Fremont, Ohio (they have one daughter - Hattie); Jerome J., a liveryman, whose place of business is opposite "Ball House," Fremont (he married Florence Lease, and they have one daughter, Lulu).
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 431

  J. BAUMANN & SON.  Among the enterprising business men of Fremont, perhaps no firm is more widely and favorably known throughout Sandusky county than the firm of J. Baumann & Son, proprietors of the "Central Meat Market," corner of Croghan and Arch streets, opposite the City Hall.
     JACOB BAUMANN, SR., the senior proprietor, was born in Villigen, Switzerland, Dec. 6, 1827, a son of Henry and Verena (Hartman) Baumann, who lived on a farm near the borders of Baden.  He attended school in his native place until fifteen years of age, when he learned the trade of butcher.  On May 10, 1850, he married Miss Elizabeth Vogt, daughter of John Vogt, a farmer, who afterward emigrated to America and settled in Sandusky county, Ohio.  In the fall of the year 1854 Mr. Baumann came to America with his family, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the sailing vessel "Canvas Back" from Havre to New York City in forty-three days.  Coming thence to Fremont, Ohio, he located on the east side of the Sandusky river, and worked at his trade as a butcher.  The following year he kept a meat market at Clyde, Ohio.  Returning to Fremont in 1856, he opened a grocery store and meat market on State street, in the Third ward, on the corner now occupied by Kline's block.  In 1857 he sold out this business and removed to the West side, where he established an exclusively meat market.  His "Central Market" was established by him in 1875.  In the year 1877 his son, Jacob Baumann, Jr., became an equal partner with him, and they have continued together until the present time.  Their patronage is such that for a number of years it has required the annual purchase of more than ten thousand dollars' worth of live stock, chiefly from the farmers of the surrounding country.  They are quiet and unassuming in their manners, but possessed of a genial, friendly nature, and an obliging disposition.  They are masters of their business, and their reputation for sound judgment and strict integrity is such that among farmers and city patrons their word is as good as their bond.  In the year 1882 J. Baumann, Sr., built a fine brick mansion on Croghan street, opposite the Court House yard which has since that time been occupied as a family residence, and is an ornament to the city.  The children of Jacob Baumnan, Sr., and his wife Elizabeth, née Vogt, were: Jacob Baumann, Jr.; Anna Baumann, who died at the age of forty-two years; Eliza Baumann, at home; Albert V., whose sketch appears elsewhere; and Hattie, at home. 
     JACOB BAUMANN, JR., junior member of the firm of J. Baumann & Son, was born in Switzerland July 23, 1850, and came with his parents to Fremont, where he received a limited school education, and learned to follow the occupation of his father.  He married Nov. 1, 1877, Miss Minna Richards, daughter of Prof. Frederick Richards.  She died July 15, 1892, the mother of children as follows: Gertrude Leone, born Aug. 9, 1879; Albert Otto, born Oct. 24, 1880; Frederick Jacob, who died in infancy; and Frieda, born July 30, 1886.  On Oct. 30, 1894, Mr. Baumann married Miss Ida Stapf, who was born Mar. 30, 1861, daughter of William Stapf, of Newport, Ky.  Their residence is on Garrison street, Fremont, Ohio.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 257-258
  ALBERT VOGT BAUMANN is a native "Buckeye," having been born in Fremont, in 1859, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Vogt) Baumann, natives of Switzerland, who came from their native country to Fremont in 1854.
     JACOB BAUMANN, his father, has been identified with the business interests of Fremont since 1856, and by his perseverance and strict attention to business has acquired a competency which places him in the front rank as one of the solid, substantial business men of Fremont.  He is and always has been an active Democrat in politics, but never seeking office.  His wife died Jan. 7, 1892, aged fifty-six years.  Their children were: Jacob Baumann, Jr., of Fremont; Emma Baumann, who died recently; Elizabeth Baumann, at home; and Albert Vogt, our subject; they also had an adopted daughter, named Hattie.
     Our subject grew to manhood in Fremont, attended the city schools, and then took a thorough business course at Eastman College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.  He has been identified with the progress and development of his native city since his boyhood days, and has taken an active interest in everything designed for the good of the county.  He has recently become prominent among the oil and gas men of Sandusky and adjoining counties.  In 1884 and 1885 he was principal owner and manager of the Democratic Messenger, the organ of the Sandusky County Democracy at Fremont.  He was elected city clerk in 1882, and served in that capacity for six years, having been twice unanimously re-elected.  In 1884 he received the nomination of the Democratic party for auditor of Sandusky county, and was defeated by William L. Baker.  In 1887 he was again nominated by the Democratic party for county auditor, and was elected over Mr. Baker, who defeated him three years previous.  In 1891 he was re-nominated and re-elected county auditor, receiving the largest majority of any on the county ticket.  His whole time and attention is now devoted to his business interests, which have become extensive, mainly through his persevering nature and untiring efforts.  He is largely interested in The Fremont Gas Company and The Fremont Electric Light Company, being a director in each and secretary and treasurer of both companies.  In January, 1889, Mr. Baumann was married at Fremont to Miss Anna Rose Greene, daughter of Judge John L. Greene, of Fremont.  To their union were born two children: Albert Vogt, Jr., and Elsie Elizabeth.  To his wife and children he is devotedly attached.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 144
  PETER BEAUGRAND, M. D., of Fremont, Sandusky county, one of the oldest living practitioners in the State of Ohio, was born at Detroit, Mich., Aug. 26, 1814.
     The Beaugrand family is of French origin, the grandfather of Dr. Geaugrand, John Baptiste Beaugrand, having emigrated from Bordeaux, France, to Canada about the year 1760.  But little of his life's history has been preserved; but it is believed that he was a merchant, and spent his life in barter with the Indians.  Dr. P. Beaugrand is a son of John B. and Margaret (Chabert) Beaugrand, the father born in Three Rivers, Canada, in 1768.  He grew to manhood there, and at the age of twenty-one migrated to Detroit, Mich., where he engaged in business as an Indian trader with good success until during the war of 1812, when he was burned out by the Indians.  He removed with his family to Fremont (then Lower Sandusky), Ohio, settling here during the first week of January, 1823; he had spent the previous year here as a trader.  The mother of our subject was born in Detroit, Mich., Feb. 26, 1781, and died May 12, 1859, at Fremont, Ohio.
     The family consisted of ten children:  (1) Margaret, who married Rodolphus Dickinson, a brilliant young lawyer, who came to Lower Sandusky from the East shortly after the Beaugraud family took up their residence there; afterward was member of Congress, and died during his second term in Congress, in 1849.  (2) Julia, who married B. F. Fletcher, who died in 1849, just after his election for the second term to the office of county recorder.  (3) Sophia, who married La Quinio Rawson, a physician who became very eminent in his profession, and died in 1888.  (4) Isidore D., at one time sheriff of Sandusky county.  (5) John B., who was a sailor and a captain on the lakes; he was strong and athletic, and of a venturesome spirit; in 1846 he was presented by the mayor of Cleveland with a stand of colors for safely bringing into that port, during a severe storm, his boat, having on board a large number of passengers.  (6) Peter, the subject of our sketch.  (7) James, born in Detroit, died at Fremont at the age of three years.  (8) Richard, who was also a sailor on the lakes, enlisted, and died during the Civil war.  (9) Helen M., who married M. S. Castle, an attorney at law, of Cleveland, Ohio, where she resided until her death in 1890.  (10) James A., who has always been engaged in clerical work, is now living in Racine, Wis. , and is deputy clerk of courts at that place; he and the Doctor are the only survivors of the family.  Dr. P. Beaugrand is a man much respected in Fremont and vicinity, both as a skillful physician, and a gentleman of culture.  He has been a student of the most ardent type during a long and busy life, and is remarkable for his intellectual  talents and his genial, kindly disposition.  His profession has been to him as his bride, for he has led none other to the altar.  Quick in perception, broad and charitable in his sympathies, with a memory that has never failed, and an integrity that has never wavered.  Dr. Beaugrand possesses the essential qualities of a successful physician; and if implicit faith in a man by a whole community is of any solace to him, as he descends the western slope of life, the Doctor should be one of the most contented of mortals.  He has also been a favorite in literary circles, there being few important facts of history or science with which he is not familiar.
     In 1823, Dr. Beaugrand came with his parents to Fremont.  He recollects distinctly the trip from Detroit to Lower Sandusky on the ice on Lake Erie, and the incidents that occurred on the way, one of which was the breaking of the ice, by which the parties in the sleigh all got wet, and how they all made for the shore, and built a huge fire by which to dry themselves.  He is still able to point out the very spot at which they came ashore to make the remainder of the trip overland.  Dr. Beaugrand attended the common schools here, and at the age of eighteen was a student one term at Wells' Academy, Mich.  In March, 1833, he commenced the study of medicine at Findlay, Ohio, with B. and L. Q. Rawson, and when the latter returned to Fremont he came with him.  During the winter of 1834-35, he attended medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y.  During the scholastic year of 1844-45 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio.  He began the practice of medicine at Lower Sandusky in 1834, continuing thus up to 1845 before betook the degree of M. D., and he now has a retrospect of more than sixty years of professional life, at the beginning of which our country was in its infancy.  He recalls with accuracy the great questions which agitated the public mind during the days of Clay, Webster, and their illustrious compeers.
     In the spring of 1864 Dr. Beaugrand was appointed surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment, O. V. I., at Cleveland, Ohio, and served one hundred days at Fort Ethan Allen, Va.  On his return home he resumed the practice of his profession, which he still pursues, not from personal necessity but to accommodate old patients.  He has accumulated a handsome competence which enables him to complete the rest of life's journey at his ease.  The Doctor was a Democrat before the war, and during that struggle voted for Republican candidates; but his views at present are Democratic.  He has always had a high regard for his mother, who was a remarkable woman, very active in visiting the sick and poor among the early pioneers, and who was very charitable. An oil painting of her now adorns the public library at Fremont.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 42
  AARON BECKER, was born in Germany, June 5, 1834, son of CHRISTOPHER and Maria (Bushman) Becker, who were also natives of Germany, and came to America in 1841, settling in Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio.  Here the father rented a farm of forty acres, on which he lived for one year, then removing to Madison township, same county, where he purchased eighty-six acres of rough timber land.  He at once began clearing up the place, and acre by acre it was put under the plow until the once wild land was transformed into rich and fertile fields.  Good buildings were erected, and the home of Christopher Becker became one of the finest farms of the neighborhood.  His life was sell spent, and his death, which occurred in 1886, was mourned by many friends.  His wife passed away in 1884, and they were laid to rest in the cemetery in Madison township.  In their family were seven children, as follows:  Florence, Mary, Casper, Aaron, Fred, Martin and Henry.  While in his native land Mr. Becker had served for three years in the German army.
     Aaron Becker was only seven years of age when he came with his parents to the United States.  As soon as old enough he began to earn his living by work as a farm hand, but continued to make his home with his parents until his twenty-fourth birthday, when he was united in marriage with Jane Heisen, the wedding being celebrated June 5, 1858.  He then removed with his bride to Washington township, where he purchased thirty acres of land, the greater part of which was covered with timber.  He worked early and late in order to clear this for cultivation, and when he had greatly improved it sold at a good profit.  Then investing his money in 120 acres, for which he paid $40 per acre, he began the cultivation of the farm which has since been his home.  The place has doubled in value, owing to the care and labor he has bestowed upon it.  He has erected new barns, made other excellent improvements, and now has a model nineteenth-century farm, an ideal country home, the neat and thrifty appearance of which indicates his care and supervision.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Becker have been born children as follows:  Mary, wife of William Myerhooltz, a farmer residing in Woodville township, Sandusky county (they have seven children); Jacob, an agriculturist residing in Washington township, Sandusky county; Lizzie, wife of William Amsted, a farmer residing in Michigan, by whom she has two children; John; Sophia, wife of Neal Wilson, a resident farmer of Michigan, by whom she has one child; Phoebe, wife of Frank Schock, a farmer of Washington township, who has one child; William, at home; George; Christina, wife of John Yeasting, of Woodville, and the mother of one child; Emma and Lewis, at home; and Ellen who died in 1882.
     Mr. Becker votes with the Democrats, and for two years has served as road supervisor, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests.  He holds membership with the Lutheran Church.  A man of good business ability, of sound judgment, enterprising and progressive, he has through his own efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence, and may truly be called a self-made man.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 774
  PETER J. BEIER, one of the worthy citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to Ohio, was born in Laembach, Kurferstanthum Hessan, Germany, a son of Joseph and Catherine (Geable) Beier, natives of the same country.  They had a family of eight children as follows:  (1) Fronie, the eldest, was born in Germany, in 1831, and, is the wife of Michael Siferd, a farmer now living in Minnesota, by whom she has ten children.  (2) Agnes is the wife of Miran Hoffman, and they have five children—Joseph, Annie, Frank, Clara, and Willie.  (3) Maggie, born in 1833, died and was buried in Germany in 1871.  (4) John Joseph married Catherine Kirchgar, and they have eight children.  (5) Annie is the wife of Conrad Busolt, a resident of Fremont, Ohio, and their family numbers eight children.  (6) Peter J. is the next younger.  (7) Budenz married Nicholas Goodbellat, and resides in Germany; they have three children.  (8) Westena is the wife of Albert Konney, and they have one child, Nellie, born in 1883.
     In the land of his birth our subject was reared to manhood, and the days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed.  He came to the United States and to Sandusky county, Ohio, in 1866, has been a resident of Rice township since 1874, when he purchased forty acres of land, which was still in its primitive condition, being covered with a thick growth of trees.  He cleared all this himself, plowed and planted it, and in course of time the once wild tract was transformed into rich and fertile fields.  As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises eighty acres. In 1890 he built a house at a cost of $1, 550, and, in 1892, a barn at a cost of $1,000, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising.  He has a well-improved place, and is meeting with good success in his undertakings.  His possessions have been acquired entirely through his own efforts, and he may well be termed a self-made man, for he started out in life for himself empty-handed, and his success is the reward of labor and perseverance.
     On June 14, 1870, Mr. Beier was united in marriage with Catherine Beansack, a native of Fremont, Ohio, and twelve children were born to them, their names and dates of birth being as follows:  Clara, May 28, 1871; Mary L., May 9, 1873; Lewis H., June 1, 1875; Frank J., March 12, 1877; Matilda C., February 26, 1879; Charles M., December 21, 1881; William A., February 15, i8S3; Leo J., March 13, 1885; Rudolph C., July 25, 1887; Rosa K., September 19, 1890; John A., June 8, 1892; Roman P., May 16, 1895.  Of these, Clara became the wife of George Widman, and they have one son, Joseph, who was born in Sandusky township; Roman P. died May 21, 1895, and the rest are still under the parental roof.  In his political views Mr Beier is a Democrat; in religious belief he is a Catholic.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 201
  DANIEL BEMIS, widely known as a liberal and well-to-do farmer of York township, Sandusky county, was born in Ontario county, N. Y., July 3, 1825, son of James and Anna (Morely) Bemis, both natives of Connecticut.
     James Bemis, when a young man, emigrated from his native State to New York, and about 1832 came to Ohio. He located in Groton township, Erie county, erected a shop on his farm, and for many years engaged jointly in clearing and tilling the soil, and in following his trade of blacksmithing. He was an Old-line Whig, and died before the war. Both he and his wife were buried at Bellevue. Their family of nine children were as follows: James, who died in Clyde, aged seventy-two years; Harriet Nichols, who died at her home in Clyde Oct. 1, 1894; Chauncey, of Strawberry Point, Iowa; Shepherd, of Bowling Green; Daniel, subject of this sketch; Harvey, who died at his home in Illinois, in September, 1895; Sally Ann, wife of James Tuck, of Lansing, Mich.; Emeline, wife of John Gardner, of York township; and Leonard, who died at the age of fourteen years.
     Daniel Bemis grew to manhood on his father's farm in Erie county, and received his education in the district schools. He was married, Mar. 2, 1854, to Cordelia Laughlin, who was born July 8, 1835, m Erie county, daughter of John and Harriet (Call) Laughlin. John Laughlin was born in Beaver county, Penn., Mar. 3, 1796. His father was a native of Ireland. John Laughlin was a soldier in the war of 1812, and when a young man he came to Berlin township, Erie county, where he married Harriet Call. She was born in New York State, Nov. 26, 1807, daughter of Rev. Call, who was a Baptist missionary among the Indians. He had married a Miss Cross, and settled in Berlin township, Erie county. After marriage John and Harriet Laughlin lived in Berlin township until 1842, and then moved to Beaver county, Penn. Nine years later they returned to Erie county, where the father died soon after, on Sept. 3, 1851; the mother survived until Nov. 19, 1857. The children of John and Harriet Laughlin were as follows: Melissa, born Apr. 7, 1833, married Reuben Metcalf, and lives in Muscatine county, Iowa; Cordelia, wife of Mr. Bemis; Levi, born Sept. 17, 1837, lives in Wood county, Ohio; Cyrus, born Dec. 24, 1839, enlisted in the autumn of 1861 in Company F, Forty-ninth O. V. I., and died at Louisville, Ky., in August, 1864, from a wound received in service; Hudson, born May 9, 1842, died July 11, 1857; Clara, born Aug. 1, 1846, married Zeno Bush, and died Aug. 23, 1875; Dana Franklin, born Sept. 23, 1850, died Mar. 12, 1852.
     After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bemis began housekeeping on a farm in Erie county, and remained there until 1856, when they removed to Sandusky county, where they have since resided. To them have been born children, as follows: Emeline, born Apr. 11, 1855, died June 19, 1856; Daniel H., born July 11, 1858, died Apr. 18, 1865; George Laughlin, born May 12, 1861, married and has one child—Edna—born Mar. 12, 1888 (they live in Sandusky county); Erne, born July 25, 1863, died Apr. 5, 1864; Fred H., born Feb. 16, 1865, married Nellie Pickering, and they are the parents of three children—Elsie, Zeno and Herbert; Zeno, born June 14, 1870, resident of Iowa; Clara B., born Mar. 1, 1875, at home; and Burton W., born July 1, 1877, at home. Mr. Bemis takes an active interest in politics, and is a stanch member of the Republican party.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 177
  DR. J. D. BEMIS


Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 85

  JOHN BENDER, who owns and operates a fine farm in Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born in Rice township, that county, Mar. 29, 1846, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Druckmiller) Bender.
     Daniel Bender
came from Perry county, Ohio, and settled in Rice township, Sandusky county, in 1844, where our subject was born, and when the latter was one year old the mother died.  Daniel Bender for his second wife married Miss Caroline Honeywell.  The family afterward removed to Branch county, Mich., settling near Coldwater, where the father died at the age of fifty-seven.  On account of the early death of his mother, John Bender, being then an infant of one year, was placed, for rearing, in the hands of Peter Albert and wife, who were cousins of his father.  Here he received loving care and grew up to manhood, attending the district schools at intervals, and he remained with his foster parents until eighteen years of age, when he went to work on a farm by the month.  He saved his money, and a few years later married Miss Caroline Kiser (a sister of Christian Kiser), a native of Germany, born June 6, 1848.  They settled on land Mr. Bender now owns, commencing in a small way; but success smiled upon their efforts and they were soon able to purchase more land.  Mr. Bender is now recognized as one of the leading, successful agriculturists of the township, owning 279 acres of land as good as any other in the State.  In December, 1804, he sank an oil well on his farm, and the company to which he belongs have put down three wells, all of which are producing and promise to be fairly successful ventures.  He and his wife have nine children: Christian, who married Rebecca Engler; Saloma E., wife of Frank Stine (they have one child); Charles; Ella, now Mrs. John Mairer; Lavina, who was married July 3, 1894, to Frank Fetterman; Emma; Frank, and Wesley.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 806
  EMCH BENEDICT, now retired, Woodville, Sandusky county, was born in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, June 8, 1829.   It is probable that the Emch family had lived there for ages—this much, at least, is known, that his grandfather lived and died in the house in which Mr. Benedict Emch was born.
     Our subject is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kuntz) Emch, the former of whom was also born in Switzerland, came to America in 1834, and settled in Wood county, Ohio, when that region was a pioneer wilderness.  He died on June 1, 1859; Elizabeth Kuntz, his wife, was born in 1797, and died in 1862, both being faithful members of the German Reformed
Church.  They were the parents of four children: Jacob, who died in Berne, Switzerland, at the age of sixty-seven years; Benedict, subject proper of this sketch; John, who joined the Union army in Wood county, Ohio, and died in a hospital during the Civil war; Mary, who came to America and lived here about nine years, married one Benedict Emch, who by the way was not related to her family; he died, and she returned to Switzerland, where she now resides.  By his second marriage, Jacob Emch had the following children: Stephen, Samuel, Elizabeth, Ann, Margaret, Rosa, Susan, Sophia, besides two that died in infancy.
     Benedict Emch came to America in 1845. He remained in Wood county a year with his father, and then went to Perrysburg, Ohio, to learn the trade of harness-maker. This completed, he was prepared to face the world and battle for himself. He worked at his trade until 1852, when the great excitement in California attracted his attention, and he determined to cast his fate among those hardy adventurers who pushed their way across the great American desert, in caravans, in search of the yellow metal of the Pacific Slope. It took him and his party six months, lacking five days, to make their overland trip from Maumee City, Ohio, to Hankstown (now Placerville), the county seat of El Dorado county, Cal.  Mr. Emch proceeded at once to prospecting, and a short time after his arrival found him located on a claim, and digging for gold in El Dorado county.  For the first year or so he made something over a living, but made quite a success of gold digging afterward. He remained in the gold fields until 1856, when he returned home by the Nicaragua route.  In Ohio he remained for a few months to visit, and, in July of 1856, returned to his native Switzerland.  He made the voyage on a sailing vessel, and after landing, traveled through England, studying its interesting features, the great cities of Liverpool and London, thence by way of Rotterdam, Holland, up the River Rhine to Manheim, and to his home in Switzerland.  In May, 1857, he returned to America, bringing with him his mother and about twenty other friends.  On his return to Woodville he engaged in business, keeping a grocery store until the spring of 1859, and then, during the Pike's Peak gold excitement, started for that land of promise across the Plains again, and remained there during the summer, digging for gold with good success. Having considerable gold on hand in the fall, he purchased a team and accoutrements, and started back for the States. When he reached the vicinity of St. Joseph City, Mo., he left his team for keeping, with a farmer, and found more convenient transportation to Ohio.  He soon afterward proceeded on his way to New Orleans, that city having the most convenient United States mint, and there he had the gold dust coined.  Returning from New Orleans about the commencement of the year, he remained in Ohio, with his mother, until spring.  In the spring of 1860 he induced some friends to join him, and they went to St. Joseph, Mo., and rigged out his team, left there the fall before, and again put forth across the western sands to rob the rocks of the valuables hidden in their dusky caverns.  They prospected in mining that summer in the vicinity of Denver City.  The following fall Mr. Emch again returned to St. Joseph, Mo., and on his trip across the Plains he met the famous "Pony Express," that made the fastest time ever made over the Plains by a team.  They were carrying to the Territories the news of President Lincoln's election.  Mr. Emch proceeded from St. Joseph, Mo., to New Orleans again, to get more gold coined.  The impending war was at this time growing to a fever heat.  He had difficulty in getting a place to deposit his gold in New Orleans, but finally succeeded.  From there he went to Galveston, Texas, with the intention of spending the winter, but the Civil war was about to break forth, and the excitement was too intense to be pleasant.  He immediately took his departure for New Orleans, drew his coined gold from the place of deposit, and started for Ohio. Remaining there until spring, and the war having broken out, he went to Pennsylvania to inspect the oil fields, soon returning to Ohio, however, and immediately left for the West, locating in the mountains around Denver City.  The following spring he sold his claim there, and started for Oregon, locating on Powder river, where he built a cabin and stayed until December.  It was at this period that gold was discovered in Idaho, and he and his companions started for Idaho City with a team of oxen.  There was from three to four feet of snow on the ground when they reached that place.  The first thing they did was to butcher the ox-team in order to secure meat enough to live on during the winter.  Mr. Emch states that the oxen were not over fat, but that their team, being old, was not the worst beef people had to eat there.  A crowd of their companions butchered their ox-team and borrowed Mr. Emch's frying kettle to render the tallow. They placed the ingredients in the kettle, mixed with water, and, after having fried and cooked it and permitted it to cool, there was not a sign of tallow on the surface of the water.  Mr. Emch says there was just enough on his own to grease one pair of boots.  Besides the beef, Mr. Emch and his companions had with them a keg of molasses and a small amount of Hour.  They remained in camp during winter, doing but little prospecting, and when the pack trains came in the spring, Mr. Emch paid $80 for l00 pounds of flour.  During the following summer they all made some money, and remained until the fail of 1868.  Mr. Emch paid $100 in gold for a stage ticket to Sacramento City, going thence to San Francisco, where he took a series of baths for rheumatism, which he had contracted in the mines.  He remained about four weeks in the city of the Golden Gate, when he bid a final adieu to the West, and returned to Ohio by the Panama route.  He had been here, however, only about two months, when his roving spirit again got the better of him, and he determined to see more of his Fatherland than he had ever seen before.  He started for Europe, going from New York City to Hamburg, and traveled all through northern Germany, studying its features and the habits of the people.  On the trip he visited relatives of many of his old friends at Woodville, and was thoroughly gratified with the general information that he thus acquired.  It was a pleasant recompense for the dreadful sea voyage, during which they had been almost wrecked, and which consumed twenty-eight days.  On his return trip he remained in Switzerland from July until the following December, and then came back to his home in America.  Before going to Europe he had purchased the farm he now lives on in Woodville township; but farming was not to his taste, so on his return he located in Woodville, buying out Charles Powers' general store, which he conducted until 1874, and then sold out.  He had also carried on an ashery for some time; but having accumulated wealth he did not enter heavily into business; he attributes his success in life greatly to the promptness with which he has always met his obligations.  With the aid of his industrious wife he has cleared up the land that he purchased, and their excellent brick mansion, erected a few years since, is one of the finest in Sandusky county.  At the present time, Mr. Emch is living retired, surrounded by an intelligent family, with all the conveniences of life at hand, and ample means to sustain him.  After the varied career of his early days, he is a well contented man.
     In 1870 Mr. Emch married Miss Louisa Sandwisch, who was born in Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, March 17, 1844, and five children have blessed their union: Edward, born December 11, 1873, who is now working on his father's farm; William, born May 29, 1875, now a student at Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio, studying for the ministry of the Lutheran Church; Carrie, born December 2, 1876, at home with her parents, and George and Gusta (twins), born December 25, 1879, now attending school at Woodville.  Mrs. Emch is the daughter of Harmon and Catherine (Mergal) Sandwisch, both of whom were born in Hanover, Germany, the father in 1811, the mother in 1809.  Harmon Sandwisch died in Woodville township August 6, 1854, of cholera; he was a blacksmith by trade.  Mrs. Sandwisch is still living, in Toledo.  Their family consists of five children: Mary, widow of Jacob Bischoff, of Toledo, who has five children; Louisa, Mrs. Emch; William R. , living in Fremont, who married Clorinda Swartzman, and has three children; John, of Wood county, Ohio, who married Almira Gallop, and has four children living, and Emma, Mrs. Charles Bradt, of Atlanta, Ga. , who has one child.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page
 

RICHARD E. BETTS, a substantial farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, is more than a tiller of the soil or the owner of a productive and finely located farm; he is a student of the world's history, and by means of the leading newspapers from various cities he is thoroughly informed upon the varying phases of current national affairs. He is distinctively a man of ideas. He wants first the facts of history. His clear and well-trained intellect can then make proper deduction from these facts, and the opinions thus formed are modern, considerably in advance of those held by the average citizen. His deep convic­tions are inherited, and have received an additional impetus from associations. His ancestors, of Quaker faith, came from England in Cromwell's time. His father-in-law, "Uncle" George Donaldson, was one of the most noted Abolitionists in northwestern Ohio, at a time when Abolition sentiment was a reproach and stigma, often a menace to personal safety. Mr. Betts was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1829, son of Zachariah and Mariah (Mitchell) Betts. Zachariah Betts was born in Bucks county, Penn., Dec. 24, 1793. In Cromwell's time three brothers named Betts came to America, settling near Philadelphia. The eldest, who had an entailed inheritance in England, at one time placed in jeopardy, returned to that country when political turmoil subsided. The younger two remained in America and founded a numerous family of their name, Zachariah being one of the descendants. His wife, Mariah Mitchell, was born Mar. 4, 1798. After marriage Zachariah Betts moved to Aurora, Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he farmed for many years, and in 1834 he moved to Honey Creek, Seneca Co., Ohio, where he purchased a large farm. Many years later he removed to La Grange county, Ind., where he died Feb. 3, 1868, his wife surviving until July 23, 1874. In politics he was a Whig. In early life he held allegiance to the Quaker faith, but later became a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. In physique he was a man of powerful frame. The nine children of Zachariah and Mariah Betts were as follows: Edward L., born Dec. 18, 1821, served in an Indiana regiment in the army of the Potomac during the Civil war, and died in La Grange county, Ind., Mar. 2, 1894; Howard M., born Aug. 25, 1823, for thirty years a druggist at La Grange, Ind.; Louis C, born Oct. 1, 1825, moved to Iowa in 1856, and died at Mt. Pleasant, that State, Nov. 19, 1867; Albert F., born Aug. 27, 1827, a tanner and currier at Republic; Richard E., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth A., wife of Van Norris Taylor, of Wolcottville, Ind.; Thomas C, born Aug. 20, 1833, an ex-soldier of the Civil war, ex-sheriff of La Grange county, Ind., now living at La Grange; Martha M., born Apr. 30, 1836, lives, unmarried, at La Grange, Ind.; Emiline, born Jan. 14, 1838, wife of Nelson Selby, of La Grange, Indiana.
     Richard E. Betts was five years old when he migrated with his parents from New York to Seneca county, Ohio. He was reared on his father's farm, and Oct. 28, 1852, he married Miss LAVINIA Donaldson, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1825, daughter of "Uncle" George and Ann (Patterson) Donaldson, the former of whom was born in Center county, Penn., July 7, 1793, the latter on Jan. 15, 1796. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and lived for a time in Lycoming county, Penn.; then migrated with his family in a one-horse wagon to Pickaway county, Ohio, arriving with a capital of five dollars. Seven years later he moved to Tiffin, and in 1833 to Green Creek township, Sandusky county, where he followed his trade and farmed. Himself and wife were Methodists, and in political convictions he was a radical Abolitionist. He was connected with the "underground railroad," and once sent his team with five runaway negroes, concealed beneath straw and carpets, to Sandusky City, whence they escaped to Canada. "Uncle" George Donaldson was the most noted character of his time in this part of the country. On account of his Abolitionism an attempt was made to expel him from the M. E. Church. He gave James G. Birney, Abolition candidate for President in 1840, the only vote cast for him in Green Creek township, and for its numerical insignificance the judges, who were in sentiment strong anti-Abolitionists, refused to count it. Mr. Donaldson died Sept. 14, 1873, his wife Nov. 30, 1863. Their nine children were as follows: James, born Feb. 13, 1820, died Nov. 15, 1843; William, born Feb. 25, 1821, died Apr. 21, 1846; Robert, born Nov. 21, 1822, died Dec. 30, 1846; Lavinia, wife of Mr. Betts; Susannah, born Aug. 11, 1827, wife of W. Dixon, of Rome City, Ind.; Saul, born Dec. 20, 1829, residing in La Grange county, Ind.; David, born Apr. 10, 1831, died Dec. 13, 1881; Elizabeth, born Aug. 14, 1834, died Oct. 11, 1858; Nancy Ann, born June 29, 1839, died Jan. 7, 1850.
     After his marriage Mr. Betts lived for several years in Seneca county. He then came to Sandusky county, bought a farm, and for two years lived with his father-in-law. In 1856 he purchased his present farm, and has occupied it ever since. He owns 114 well-cultivated acres, and en­gages in general farming. Mr. Betts cast his first Presidential vote for J. P. Hale, anti-slavery candidate for 1852, and in 1876 voted for Peter Cooper on the Greenback ticket. He has been a prominent member of Monticello Lodge No. 244, F. & A. M., for many years. He is a firm believer in Spiritualism, as was also his wife, who passed from earth in Feb., 1895. She was a lady of high mental and moral attainments. In political affairs Mr. Betts thinks the election of millionaires to Congress and the various State Legislatures is highly detrimental to the best interests of the people.
     Mr. Betts has a number of relatives on his mother's side residing near Rochester, N. Y., among them an aunt, Sarah Cox (sister to his mother), who is now at the advanced age of ninety years, with her faculties unimpaired. Mr. Betts' weight at the present time is 260 pounds.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 198

  GEORGE BICKFORD, the owner of a fine vineyard on Put in Bay Island, is a native son of Ohio, born in Sandusky City, Erie county, August 24, 1834.  He is one of the eighteen children of Hezekiah and Mary Charlotte (Gibaut) Bickford, the former born in Maine, May 2, 1808, the latter on the Isle of Guernsey, in the English Channel, September 13, 1815.  The
paternal grandfather settled in Erie county, Ohio, at a very early day in the history of that locality, and there he and his
wife spent the remainder of their lives.  The father of our subject removed to Canada about 1S40, and continued his residence in that country until called to the home beyond, April 6, 1879; his wife also died in Canada.  Of their large family of children ten grew to mature years, and nine are now living, as follows: Charles, who resides in Essex county, Canada; Sarah, wife of William McLean, of the same place; George, subject of this sketch ; Clarissa Ann, wife of Jacob Tufflemyer, of Essex; Hezekiah, also of Essex; John, who is living in Fort Wayne, Ind.  William, Mary Jane (wife of Maxim Reyno), and Robert, all three living in Essex county, Canada.
     We now take up the personal history of George Bickford, and feel assured that it will prove of interest to many of our readers, for he is both widely and favorably known in the locality where he resides.  When about six years of age he removed with his parents to Canada, and was reared to manhood in Essex county, in the Province of Ontario, where he acquired his education in the public schools.  He also learned the trade of blacksmithing there, and in 1856 he left his home in that locality to return to his native city, where for one season he engaged in fishing.  In the spring of 1857 he located in Put in Bay Island, where for thirty-eight years he has made his home, and the length of his residence is equaled by the high regard in which he is held.  During the greater part of the time he has followed blacksmithing and fishing, but during the past ten years has exclusively engaged in the cultivation of grapes.  He is an energetic, industrious and enterprising man, and his earnest and well-directed labors have brought to him success.
     Mr. Bickford has been twice married.  On July 14, 1 86 1, he wedded Mathilda Poskile, who died August 30, 1865, leaving two children—Hezekiah, born September 30, 1862; and Jennie, who was born February 11, 1864, and died March 30, 1867.  For his second wife, Mr. Bickford chose Elizabeth, daughter of James and Hannah (Leard) Edwards, and born in Gosfield, Canada, February 13, 1843.  They were married in Kingsville, Canada, February 14, 1867, and have had six children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Ezra, January 14, 1868; Edith, June 12, 1869; Bertha, December 27, 1870, died December 26, 1886; Hannah, July 4, 1874, died December 21, 1886; Mina, October 3, 1878; and Ada May, August 7, 1882.
     Mr. Bickford has served as township trustee, has been trustee of the public lawn of Put in Bay, and has held other minor positions, faithfully discharging his duties, and proving true to the trust reposed in him.  His political support is given to the Republican party, and he attends the Reformed Episcopal Church.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 595
  MRS. DIANA E. BINKLEY - See JAMES WASHINGTON LONG

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 735

  JOHN BINKLEY, farmer; Jackson township, Sandusky County, was born Dec. 23, 1835, a son of John Binkley, Sen., a farmer from Pennsylvania, who moved in pioneer days to Perry county, Ohio, bought 160 acres of land and lived there until his death from apoplexy, in 1878.  Our subject's mother was Mary (Fisher) Binkley, born Oct. 15, 1800, and her children were: (1) Michael, born in April, 1819, who married Anna Albert, and had four children. (2) Melanction T., who married George Bixler, and had one child that died in childhood.  (3) Charles, who married Annie Pressler, and whose children were Nettie, Clarence, Mary, Jennie, Annie, Irving, Carl, and an infant.  Charles Binkley was a soldier in the Civil war in Company K, One Hundredth Regiment, O. V. I., serviced three years, was in the battles of Limestone Station, Atlanta, etc., was wounded in the right leg and laid up for six months, unfit for duty, was in Libby prison a short time, and after his release returned to Fremont.  He is a farmer, a Republican and a member of the U. B. Church.  (4) Tena, married George Bixler (a soldier of the Civil war, a Republican and a member of the Reformed Church), by whom she had five children; she died in 1889.  (5) Mary Ann married John Surbate (a merchant of Clyde, Ohio, a Republican and a member of the Reformed Children), by whom she had three children; she died in 1884.  (6) Samuel, born Oct. 18, 1821, who married Tena Albert, whose children are - Ramanas, Amos, Mary and Tena.  (7) Lydia, wife of Daniel Albert, born July 8, 1824, who had twelve children - George (who married Sarah Coe), Stella, Jefferson, Lillie, James, Claydie, Jennie and five that are dead.  (8) Link, who married Hannah Reed, and whose children were -Ida, Tillie, Susie, Alice, Isadore, Emma, Francis, and four that are dead.  (9) Peter, who married Jane Rider, and had a family of twelve children.  (10) Mary, who married J. Grut, and had nine children.  (11) Annie, wife of Peter Binkley, who had eight children, two of whom are dead.  (12) Charles, who married Kate Macklin, and was blessed with five children.  (13) Ellen, who married Michael Binkley, and had eight children. Margarete, who married L. Carr, and whose first two children - Commodore and Amoretta - were twins, and the others being Mary, William, John, Caroline, Adelina, and Elmer, who was killed in a railroad accident in 1876.  Matilda married Solomon Bauman, whose children are - John, Katie, Betsey, and Lydia; Mrs. Bauman died in 1869, and Mr. Bauman in 1871.  Christian married Lavina Kessler, lives near Holt, Mich., and has six children.  Aaron married Mary Hensel, who died leaving five children, after which he married Alice Potter, by whom he had six children, living in Ottawa county, Ohio.  Hannah married Martin Stainer, and their children are - Edward, John, Levi, Cora and Ellen; he died in the army, of fever, and was buried near Washington, D. C.  Sarah, who married John Downie, a soldier of the Civil war, who died at Washington, D. C.; they had five children; she died in 1865.  Holly, who married Lewis Hawk, a soldier of the Civil war, who died in Washington, D. C., in 1865, leaving three children - Charlie, Sherman and Fred; Mrs. Hawk is a member of the Reformed Church, and lives near Fremont, Ohio.
     Our subject, John Binkley, was married at Fremont, Dec. 23, 1887, to Miss Christena Hensel, the Rev. Heller performing the marriage service.  She was born Sept. 17, 1841, and died Aug. 20, 18__, leaving eight children, viz.: (1) Jane S., born Mar. 14, 1859, and died at the age of three years. (2) May A., born Feb. 25, 1862, wife of John Barnes, railroad agent (they have one child, Lulu).  (3) James A., born Apr. 20, 1854, who married Sarah Carter, whose children were - Grace, that died and Fred, who is clerk in a store at Worstville, Paulding county.  (4) Effie I., born June 28, 1867, wife of William Carter, married June 6, 1888.  (5) Ella A., born July 25, 1869, wife of John Warren, married in the spring of 1894.  (6) Clara A., born Nov. 8, 1872, wife of J. Hardin, married in 1892.  (7) Venia M., born Nov. 15, 1878, who attended school in Cleveland (Ohio) and Peoria (Ill.).  (8) John S., born May 19, 1881.  On June 6, 1886, John Binkley married his second wife Mrs. Barbara Dost; she had two children - Willie, born Apr. 8, 1878, died Apr. 2, 1888; and Maud, born May 19, 1880.
     Our subject has an honorable war record.  At the out break of the Civil war, in 1861, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundredth Regiment O. V. I., and went with his command from Toledo to Cincinnati, crossed the Ohio river, met the enemy, routed them, marched to Cumberland Gap, drove them to Knoxville and took possession of the town.  After they besieged the place the enemy made an attack on one of their best forts.  After the battle the enemy lay dead and wounded three deep.  They retreated toward Virginia, and the same night snow fell to the depth of three inches, and their men being barefooted were obliged to remain in camp, and there were about 1,500 captured.  After lying in camp until Apr. 1, 1863, they started for the Georgia campaign.  After Atlanta was taken Gen. Sherman divided his troops, a part going on to the sea and the rest remaining to protect his rear.  The enemy finding they could do nothing with Serman's main army, attacked the forces in the rear.  After long and hard fighting with doubtful results, the Union forces received reinforcements from Gen. Thomas at Nashville, and the tide of victory turned on the side of the Union.  After peace was declared our subject returned to his wife and children in Sandusky county, and resumed farming.  Himself and family are members of the U. B. Church.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 816
  SARDIS BIRCHARD, merchant, banker and philanthropist, Fremont, Sandusky county, was born at Wilmington, Windham Co., Vt., January 15, 1801.  Both of his parents died when he was yet a child, the father, Roger Birchard, in 1805, the mother, Drusilla (Austin) Birchard, in 1813.  Both of his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers.  His grandfather, Elias Birchard, died of disease contracted in the service toward the close of the war.  His grandfather, Capt. Daniel Austin, served as an officer under Washington throughout the war, and survived many years.  The Birchards were among the first settlers of Norwich, Connecticut.
     When the mother of our subject died, five children survived her, Sardis being the youngest.  He was placed in charge of his sister, Sophia, wife of Rutherford Hayes (father of Gen. R. B. Hayes), became one of their family, and lived with them at Dummerston, Vt., until 1817, when he accompanied them in their emigration to Ohio.  In Vermont young Birchard had acquired the rudiments of an English education, by an irregular attendance at such schools as were in existence at that day in the country towns of that State.  He had also become an expert hunter and horseman, for a boy of his age, and gained some knowledge of business in the store of his brother-in-law, Mr. Hayes.  In Ohio he worked with the latter in building, farming, driving and taking care of stock, and employing all his spare time in hunting.  He was able with his rifle to supply his own and other families with turkeys and venison.  In 1822 his brother-in-law, Mr. Hayes, died, leaving a widow and three young children and a large unsettled business.  Of these children of his sister, the eldest, Lorenzo, was drowned at the age of ten years; Fanny became the wife of William A. Piatt, of Columbus, Ohio; and the youngest, Rutherford Birchard Hayes, born the year of his father's death, 1822, became the nineteenth President of the United States.  Mr. Birchard, who was barely twenty-one years of age, at once assumed the duties of the head of the family, and applied himself diligently to the management of the unsettled affairs of the estate, and the care of the household.  Inheriting from his father what was considered a handsome start for a young man, possessing a genial and friendly disposition and being fond of wild sports and wild company, with no one to look up to as entitled to control or advise him, his future might well have been regarded with apprehension.  He was then a slender, delicate, handsome youth, with engaging and popular manners, and was a favorite among the young people in the new country.  Warmly attached to his sister and her children, he devoted himself to their interests and was the mainstay of the family.
     While yet a boy he was hired to help drive some hogs to Fort Ball (now Tiffin), Ohio, to feed the first settlers, in 1817.  This was his first visit to the Sandusky region.  His first visit to Lower Sandusky was made in 1824, in company with Benjamin Powers, a merchant of Delaware, Ohio. They stopped at Leason's tavern, a log house on the east side of Front street, where Shomo's Block now stands.  The pickets were still standing around Fort Stephenson, and the ditch was quite perfect.  The village then contained about two hundred inhabitants.  After a trip to Portland (now Sandusky City), they returned home, and the same fall Mr. Birchard, with Stephen R. Bennett as partner, bought and drove to Baltimore, in the first cold weather of the winter, a drove of fat hogs.  Mr. Birchard has narrated two incidents of the trip:  The young men had to swim their hogs across the Ohio river at Wheeling, and came near losing all of them by the swift current of the river.  By great exertion, and at considerable risk to themselves, they got all but four or five across.  In the meantime they were overtaken on the road by a tall fine looking gentleman on horseback, who had also a carriage drawn by four horses, and two saddle horses with attendants.  The gentleman helped Mr. Birchard get the hogs out of the way, chatted with him about the state of the markets, and the prospects of the weather, and advised him as to the best way to dispose of his hogs at Baltimore.  This gentleman turned out to be Gen. Jackson, on his way to Washington after the Presidential election of 1824, in which he received the highest vote, but was not finally the successful candidate.
     In the summer of 1825, while mowing in the hay field, Mr. Birchard was seriously injured in health by over-exertion, his ambition not allowing him to fall behind the stronger men.  From the effects of this he never fully recovered.  In the winter of 1825-26 he was confined to his bed by an attack called "consumption," and it was supposed that he would not live until spring; but his cheerful disposition and the elasticity of his constitution carried him through.  In the month of May he set out on horseback eastward, making short daily journeys as his strength would permit, and in due time reached Vermont, where he remained until the approach of winter, when he traveled south to Georgia and remained until the spring of 1827.  This year he made his first purchase of goods as a retail dry-goods merchant.  He went to New York without money and without acquaintances, but soon found a friend in William P. Dixon, who sold him a stock of goods in his line, and recommended him to others.  His stock of goods was made up and shipped to Cleveland, himself accompanying it, intending to sell to laborers on the Ohio canal, which was then being built from Cleveland southward.  On passing down into the Tuscarawas valley he becamed dissatisfied with that trade, sold part of his goods to another trader, and took the rest to Fort Ball (now Tiffin), on the west side of the Sandusky river.  Here he remained, trading successfully with the new settlers, until December, 1827, when he removed to Lower Sandusky, having decided to go with Dr. L. Q. Rawson, who preceded him a few days.  He at first went into business alone in a store, on the corner of Front and Croghan streets, where the Dryfoos clothing house now stands, which was erected and owned by Richard Sears, who had made a fortune, trading with the Indians, and had left for Buffalo, N. Y. in the spring of 1827.
     Though there were three other stores in the place and two distilleries, Mr. Birchard received the Indian trade to a large extent by refusing to sell them liquor.  He was in trade three or four years, and, having accumulated about ten thousand dollars, considered himself rich enough to retire.  About the year 1831, however, he formed a partnership with Rodolphus Dickinson and Esben Husted, himself furnishing the capital.  The firm name was R. Dickinson & Co., and they soon had in operation one of the largest retail stores north of Columbus and west of Cleveland, their yearly sales amounting to fifty thousand dollars, the sales being largely on credit.  Mr. Birchard, with Richard Sears, bought the first sailing vessel (each owning an equal interest), a schooner named "John Richards," worth then four thousand dollars, and of about one hundred tons burden.  The first shipment of wheat out of Lower Sandusky was made on this schooner, and it was probably the first one sent eastward from any port west of Cleveland.
     The Indians with whom Mr. Birchard chiefly traded were the Senecas.  They drew an annuity from the State of New York, payable at Albany, amounting to $1,700, and among Mr. Birchard's customers, whom he trusted during the year, were Tall Chief, Hard Hickory, Seneca John, Curley Eye, Good Hunter and others.  Before the annuity was paid he would get authority to draw money, signed by the chiefs, and go to Albany to collect it.  This he did three times, with some risk but without loss.  Besides the Seneca tribe he also traded with the Wyandots, Ottawas, and a few Delawares.  The Senecas owned a reservation of forty thousand acres east of the Sandusky river, on the line of Sandusky and Seneca counties.  Their principal settlement was north of Green Spring, where they had a mill near the site of where Stoner's mill stood later.  Their Council House was not far from the mill, northwestward.
Mr. Birchard attended some of the Indian dances, both in the daytime and at night, and was present at the religious ceremony of burning the white dogs.  The Indians danced in the Council House, in the center of which was a fire over which was boiling a pot of corn and meat.  Their musicians had in their hands some bundles of deer hoofs, which they rattled and pounded on a skin stretched over a hoop.  Among the white men who joined in the Indian dance, were Mr. Birchard, Rodolphus Dickinson, Judge Justice, and Mr. FifieldMr. Birchard was the guest at night of Hard Hickory, and he was called by the Indians "Ausequago," or the man who owns the most land. Seneca John was in the habit of trading with Mr. Birchard, and called at the store to see the amount of indebtedness the evening before he was killed by Coonstick and Steele for witchcraft.  His friend. Tall Chief, settled the account for him later, as he believed that no Indian can enter the happy hunting grounds of the Spirit Land until his debts are paid.  This chief was a man of great dignity of manner and character.  In their business transactions these Indians were generally very honest.  They would not steal as much as the same number of whites with the same opportunities.  Mr. Birchard sometimes had his store room full of Indians, sleeping all night on the floor, with no watch or guard, and he himself sleeping on a cot near them.  The Indians paid for goods mostly in deer skins, finely dressed, and in coon, muskrat, and sometimes in mink, otter and bear skins.  The Indians dressed these skins much better than white men could.
     In 1835 Mr. Husted died, and his place in Mr. Birchard's firm was taken by George Grant, who had been a clerk in the establishment since its formation.  He was a man of great business capacity and energy, of prepossessing appearance, tall, slender, of fine address and full of life and ambition.  He died in 1841, at the age of thirty-two, after which the firm was dissolved, and the business settled by Mr. Birchard.
     On the first day of January, 1851, Mr. Birchard, in partnership with Lucius B. Otis, established the first banking house in Lower Sandusky, under the name of Birchard & Otis. On the removal of Judge Otis to Chicago, in 1856, Mr. Birchard formed a partnership with Anson H. Miller, and a year later with Dr. James W. Wilson, under the name of Birchard, Miller & Company.  In 1863 the First National Bank of Fremont was organized, and the banking house of Birchard, Miller & Co., was merged into it.  This was the second National Bank organized in Ohio, and the fifth in the United States.  Mr. Birchard was elected president of the bank at its organization, and he held that position by re-election until his death.
     When Mr. Birchard came to reside in Lower Sandusky there were only two lawyers in the place:  Harvey J. Harmon, was cultivating the island in the river, and Rodolphus Dickinson, a graduate of Williams College, Mass., who had a good knowledge of the law, having studied under Judge Gustavus Swan, in Columbus, Ohio.  The latter was active in the politics of his time, was thrice elected a member of the Board of Public Works, and twice elected to Congress, and died while a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, in 1849.  For his private virtues and his public services he is still held in grateful remembrance by the people not only of Sandusky county but throughout northwestern Ohio.
     There were no church buildings in Lower Sandusky in 1827.  Religious meetings were held in a log school house that stood nearly where the high school building is on Croghan street.  Court was held in the same building, until the frame court house was finished, in which Rev. H. Lang afterward lived. The preachers were Rev. Mr. Harrington, a Presbyterian, and Rev. Mr. Montgomery, a Methodist missionary, who lived with the Seneca Indians, near Fort Seneca.
     During the years that intervened between his arriving at manhood and his death, Mr. Birchard was ever conspicuous in, and the ardent promoter of, every good work designed to advance the welfare of the town of his residence.  As has been stated, he was connected with the first enterprise that opened river and lake commerce between Fremont and Buffalo.  Appropriations by the State, for the construction of the Western Reserve and Maumee road, had in him an early, untiring, and efficient advocate; and through his efforts in circulating petitions through the State to influence public opinion, and thus secure favorable legislation, that work was doubtless completed many years earlier than it otherwise would have been.
     He next became enlisted in the enterprise of constructing the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland railroad.  The chances then were that the northern and rival route, now known as the Northern Division, would be constructed first, and a long struggle ensued between the supporters of each route.  In connection
with C. L. Boalt, of Norwalk, Mr. Birchard was so effective in advancing the success of the southern route, by the pledge of every dollar of their private fortunes, and thus raising the funds to prosecute the work, that the issue turned in their favor, and the work went on to completion that, but for their extraordinary efforts, would probably not have been finished for many years afterward.  Mr. Boalt was made the first president of the road, upon the organization of the company, and heartily co-operating with him, Mr. Birchard, through his influence with leading capitalists of New York, was successful in obtaining the necessary means to push forward the work.
     Mr. Birchard was a Whig while that party existed, and subsequently an earnest supporter of the Republican party, the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and the prosecution of the war for the Union. Hospitable, warm-hearted and friendly, in addition to his contributions to religious and benevolent objects, he cheerfully aided all really charitable objects.  He had a deep sympathy for the poor, and could not bear to know suffering without offering relief.  During the last years of his life, when poor health required confinement at home, he left with Mr. Miller, cashier of the bank, standing instructions to contribute liberally to worthy charities.  His tenderness and solicitude for the unfortunate is illustrated by a letter which Mr. Miller still preserves. It was written on a cold, stormy day in early winter, and reads as follows: "Mr. Miller: What a storm!  I fear many poor people are suffering.  If you hear of any such, give liberally for me.  S. Birchard."
     In 1871, Mr. Birchard presented to the city of Fremont the large park between Birchard avenue and Croghan street, and the small triangular park at the junction of Birchard and Buckland avenues.  In 1873 he set apart property amounting to fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing a free public library in Fremont, appointed trustees to take charge of the fund, and provided for their perpetuity.  The first collection of books was placed in Birchard Hall, on the corner of Front and State streets.  In order to obtain a location suitable for putting up a library building, the trustees united with the city council to purchase the Fort Stephenson property at a total cost of $18,000, the trustees paying $6,000, and thus was secured the famous historic locality to the people of Fremont forever.  From the address of Rev. Dr. Bushnell, delivered at the laying of the corner-stone of the Birchard Library Building, July 18, 1878, we take the following:  " It was not in his thought, at first, that this bequest of his should be coupled with the commemoration of the defense of Fort Stephenson, but the proposal to join with the city council in this movement received his hearty consent.  And thus the building itself with its uses, and the site on which it stands, combine, like strands of gold, to form a cord of hallowed recollections ever attaching our thoughts alike to the deed of heroic defense, and to the bequest of kindly esteem.  For, I wish personally to take this occasion to say that the bequest for this library was born in Mr. Birchard's heart, of the most kindly consideration for the people of Fremont and of Sandusky county.  I know whereof I speak, for this is not a mere inference.  He first determined to devote a liberal sum of money to some public benefit which all might have opportunity to enjoy; as to the especial form of it he took council, and what he said to others I do not particularly know, but he repeatedly expressed to me in this connection, his kindly feeling toward all in the community."
     Mr. Birchard's gifts to the city are estimated at $70,000, or about one-fifth of his estate.  In addition to these gifts made during his lifetime he made in his will bequests to Oberlin College, to Home Missions, to the Fremont Ladies' Relief Society, and to the Conger Fund, a fund designed for the relief of superannuated preachers.
     Mr. Birchard was benevolent to a degree and in a manner known only to his most intimate friends.  Aid in necessity was extended to many when none knew it except the recipients, and perhaps a friend whom he consulted.  Mr. Birchard was especially devoted to the fine arts, and during his eventful life made a fine collection of oil paintings, which will eventually form one of the chief attractions of Birchard Library.  Among them is an oil painting of his favorite horse, "Ned."
     In Ma\', 1857, Mr. Birchard became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Fremont, and he remained in its communion the remainder of his life.  He contributed constantly to its incidental and benevolent funds.  He also contributed $7,000 to the erection of the new edifice now occupied by the congregations.  In this he took especial satisfaction.  He also aided other congregations without distinction of denomination.  He gave most satisfactory evidence of sincerity in his religious experience, and died in perfect composure of mind.  He had talked much with his friends concerning death, and seemed to be altogether ready.  He was one of the marked characters in the earl}' history of the country, and his life was fortunately spared to a ripe old age.  Of him it may well be said, as the faithful steward he received the gifts of fortune and gave, in his turn, freely as he had received.  He died January 1, 1874, aged seventy-three years.  His funeral was attended by the largest concourse of citizens ever assembled on such an occasion in this vicinity.  As a testimony of respect to the deceased all the stores and shops of the city were closed from one o'clock until four, in the afternoon, when he was laid to rest in Oak Wood Cemetery.

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 55

  D. H. BITTINGER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 454

  ABRAHAM BLANK, one of the most popular and highly-esteemed citizens of Sandusky county, carries on agricultural pursuits in Woodville township, and is also engaged in speculating in oil. Although an Eastern man by birth, he possesses the typical Western spirit of progress and enterprise.  A native of Columbia county, Penn, ;he was born September 9, 1827, son of William Blank, and a brother of Amos Blank, the latter a well-known resident of Sandusky county.
     In 1836, when a child of nine summers, our subject accompanied his parents and the other members of the family to Ohio, locating in Madison township, Sandusky county, where he worked on his father's farm. They were the earliest settlers of that portion of the county, and went through all the experiences and hardships of pioneer life.  Abraham received but limited educational privileges, for schools were few and far between, and the advantages afforded therein were not always of a superior quality.  In the practical school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons, and through reading, experience and observation has become a well-informed man.  He continued working on the farm of his father from early boyhood until 1873, when he started out in life for himself, purchasing 120 acres of land, all of which was covered with timber.  With characteristic energy he began to clear the place; the trees fell one by one before his sturdy strokes, and acre after acre was placed under the plow and made to yield a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation he bestowed upon it.  He erected a dwelling house; also built barns and outbuildings, put up fences which divided the place into fields of convenient size, planted an orchard and made other general improvements which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place.  He also engaged in the oil business, and in two years made in speculation upward of $31,000.
     Mr. Blank has traveled extensively through both the Southern and Western States, going on business trips to Kentucky, Indiana, Chicago, Michigan and Wisconsin, where he owns large tracts of land.  He is a man of broad and liberal views, and is well liked and very popular with all classes of people, being highly respected throughout the county in which he makes his home, where his acquaintance is a wide one.  For several years he has held the office of trustee of Woodville township, and during his administration a number of roads and bridges were constructed, as well as ditches and other improvements.  He is a stanch Democrat, warmly advocating the principles of the party.  An entertaining conversationalist, he can relate many interesting instances of pioneer life in this locality.  He is still engaged in the oil business in connection with his nephew, and has practically retired from farming, having acquired a handsome competence which supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 155
  AMOS BLANK, a prosperous and representative farmer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born April 20, 1841, and is a son of WILLIAM and Anna (Hess) BlankWilliam Blank was born in north Cumberland county, Penn., in 1790, came west and settled near Rollersville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1836.  He married Anna Hess, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely:  George, David, Abraham, Peter, Amos, Mary, Elizabeth, Matilda, Melinda, William and Emeline, all now living but three.  When Mr. Blank came to Ohio he rented a piece of land of J. M. King for two years, then moved to Madison township, Sandusky county, where he bought eighty acres of timber land, commenced clearing, and put up a cabin with a stone chimney.  The country was very wild, and bears and wolves were plentiful and troublesome.  The nearest mill was at Fremont, and it took several days to make the trip.  Mr. Blank helped lay out and make most of the roads in the vicinity, and cleared up over 100 acres of land.  He held several township offices, and always voted the Democratic ticket.  At the time of his death he left 440 acres of valuable land.  He died June 8, 1871, at the age of eighty-one years, five months and thirteen days; his wife died in 1844, and was laid to rest in Sugar Creek cemetery.
     On August 30, 1868, Amos Blank was united in marriage with Emma J. Clifford, who was born at Wellington, Lorain Co., Ohio, August 20, 1848, and they have had eight children, namely: Florence A., born Jan. 15, 1870, died July 11, 1871; Amos B., born October 24, 1871, unmarried and living at home, and has been in the oil business since 1889, having several hundred acres of oil land leased, also owner of 960 acres of land in Henry county, Ohio; Myrtie M., born May 17, 1873, married S. F. Osborne, a telegraph operator, July 1, 1893; John P., born Jan. 12, 1875; Iva B., born April 28, 1877, married Charles F. Haggerty, and they have one child—Charles Amos, born September 4, 1894; Willie H., born December 5, 1880; Bertha L., born March 15, 1882, and Effie J., born March 12, 1886.
     After his marriage Amos Blank operated a sawmill in Woodville township from 1866 to 1872, then sold out to Tille Brothers, and bought 120 acres of partly cleared land.  Recently he purchased a farm of 180 acres near Napoleon, Henry Co., Ohio, and removed on said farm, but still owns the 120-acre farm in Sandusky county.  He raises bees very extensively, also cattle and horses, and carries on general farming.  Mr. Blank donates liberally to the cause of religion and prohibition of the liquor traffic.  In politics he was always a Democrat until 1886, when he joined the Prohibitionists, and has since worked hard for that party.  Socially he is a Mason, is very popular, and much esteemed for his many good qualities.  His grandparents were Hollanders, and his grandfather served in the war of 1812.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 202
  WILLIAM BLANK - See AMOS BLANK above here.

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 202

 

GEORGE J. BLOOM. Among the thousands of emigrants, of various nationalities, who, during the last half of the nineteenth century, have come to our shores from the overcrowded hives of population in the Old World, none have contributed more to our national prosperity and the stability of our American institutions, than those who came from the German Fatherland. Wherever they have settled, whether in the busy marts of our rapidly growing cities, the stirring lumber and mining regions of the mountains, or the broad fertile prairies of the West, they have, as a class, established an enviable reputation for industry, frugality and thrift, and are today among our most trustworthy and law-abiding citizens. As a gentleman possessing these characteristics, in a modest way, we present the subject of this sketch.
     George J. Bloom, retired farmer, Fremont, Ohio, was born in Baden, Germany, Nov. 25, 1836. His parents were Jacob Bloom and Barbara (Florien), the former of whom was also born in Baden, where he followed the trade of shoemaker, and after his marriage in the year 1854, emigrated with his family to America. They took passage in a sailing vessel, encountered severe storms and adverse winds, and were fifty-four days on the ocean.  Proceeding westward, they came to Sandusky county, Ohio, and settled on a forty-acre farm in Ballville township, on which they made their home. After a useful and exemplary life, and living to see his children in good circumstances, Jacob Bloom died, July 2, 1883. His wife, Barbara, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), and passed away at the age of forty-five, after faithfully performing her duties as a helpmeet to her husband and mother to her children. Her father, Joseph Florien, a pioneer of Sandusky county, died here at the advanced age of one hundred and nine years. His children were: Joseph, Barbara, Magdalene, Catharine, George and Julia. The children of Jacob and Barbara Bloom were: Jacob, a physician, who lived in Indiana and died in Ballville township, Sandusky county (he was unmarried); William, who is engaged in the manufacture of potash, at Fostoria, Ohio; George J., our subject; Barbara, who married Lewis Mutchler, and lives on a farm near Green Spring; and Mary, wife of George Bloom, a laborer, at Fremont, Ohio.
     Our subject went to school in his native city of Baden about eight years, also attending the services of the Lutheran Church, and learned the trade of barber. At the age of eighteen years he came with his father's family to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he assisted his parents in the purchase and clearing up of a farm, besides working several years as a farm hand among the neighbors, learning the methods of well-to-do farmers. On Feb. 18, 1863, he married Miss Annie Coleman, who was born Feb. 2, 1841, in Hanover, Germany, of which place her parents, Frederick and Marie (Stratman) Coleman, were also natives; they emigrated to America in 1845, and settled near Woodville, Ohio, where the father died in 1887, aged eighty-one years, and the mother at the age of thirty years. Their children were: Annie, wife of our subject; William, a farmer, living in Ot­tawa county, Ohio; Henry, a farmer of Sandusky county; John, a soldier of the Civil war, now an employe of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, living at Fremont, Ohio, and Frederick, living at Woodville, Ohio.
     After his marriage Mr. Bloom settled on a farm near Green Spring, Ohio, where he lived about nine years. He then sold his farm and bought another near Genoa, in Ottawa county, on which he remained four and a half years, when he again sold, next buying a farm of eighty-five acres in Ballville township, about three miles southeast of Fremont, which he greatly improved and made his home thereon for seventeen years. He was quite successful in the raising of grain and the rearing of live stock. In the year 1892 he bought property in and removed to Fremont, to give his children the advantages of the city schools. This property he traded, a year later, for a farm of seventy-three acres (formerly the Thraves' homestead), adjoining his other farm in Ballville township.
     Mr. Bloom has been a Democrat in politics, but is not a partisan. He and his wife were reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, but during the last twenty years have been worthy members of the Evangelical Association. Their children were: Caroline, wife of Charles Martin, a farmer, who has four children-— Ralph, Blanche, Vinnie and Mabel; Amelia, who married Oscar Lemon, and has two children—George Edward and Hazel; and Mary, Barbara, Anna, George, Ida and Charles, all of whom are unmarried and living with their parents.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 192

  JOSEPH E. BOOP

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 443

  SAMUEL BOOR

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 212

  MICHAEL BORDNER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 210

  HENRY BORDT.  Among the younger members of the sturdy farming population of Riley township, Sandusky county, is Henry Bordt, who was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1873, and is the son of August and Mina Bordt.
     August Bordt was born in Germany, Feb. 18, 1843.  In 1866 he was united in marriage, in the Fatherland, with Mina Mikewilt, who was born Mar. 3, 1841, in Germany.  In 1872 they came to America, locating in Townsend township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where they lived some seven years.  They have had two children, namely:  Carrie, who was born Oct. 25, 1869, married Christian Olmes, and has had three children - Alma, Otta, and Laura (they live in Riley township); and Henry, the subject of this sketch.  From Townsend township August Bordt moved to Riley township, where he bought forty acres of land, and in 1885 he built a new house and barn.
     Henry Bordt was reared in Townsend township, always lived at home and received a common-school education.  He was early inducted into the pleasant paths of industry, frugality and virtue, and in 1890 he bought forty acres of land adjoining his father's farm.  He attends the Lutheran Church, and is a Democrat in politics.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 804
  FREDERICK BORK

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 318

  DAVID W. BOWE.  About a half century ago, when Scott township, Sandusky county, was an almost unbroken wilderness, before roads were made or oil wells dreamed of, there settled on the now Greensburg pike, about two miles from the present village of Bradner, a gentleman by the name of George Bowe, and his wife, Catherine (Wegstein).  Since that time the tract of land which he secured has been known as the "Bowe homestead."  These honored pioneer people reared a family of six sons, five of whom are living, and are numbered among the most prominent citizens of the township, worthy representatives of the name.  They are possessors of fine homes and extensive business interests, and are highly esteemed by all. 
     The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the five sons.  Like his brothers, he was born on the farm which he now owns, the date of his birth being Nov. 10, 1847.  There is a marked contrast between the farm as it appears today and that of half a century ago.  The giant trees have fallen, and in their place, towering skyward, are the oil derricks.  The old log house, in which the sons of our subject, as well as himself, were born, still stands and is well preserved.  In front of this, however, is a modern residence, large and commodious, supplied with many comforts and conveniences.  Mr. Bowe was educated in the district schools, and then took a trip through Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, returning after nearly a year.  He next entered the Fremont High School, and on the completion of a two-years' course of study taught one term in a district school.  In his mercantile career he began as a clerk in a jewelry store in Fremont, but on account of poor health he was obliged to abandon his labors in that direction, and employed himself in teaching for several terms.
     On Nov. 28, 1872. Mr. Bowe, married Martha P. Lansdale of Scott township, Sandusky county, who was born Apr. 13, 1851, and is the only child of Rezin Addison and Martha (Moore) Lansdale.  Her father was born Apr. 7, 1827, her mother Dec. 19, 1833, and their marriage was celebrated June 27, 1850.  Mrs. Bowe's maternal grandfather, Elisha Moore,  was born Dec. 27, 1809 and died in September, 1892.  He married Phoebe Smith, who was born May 8, 1807, and is still living.  Her father, Randall Smith, was born in 1779, and served in the war of 1812.  He wedded Martha Crow,  who was born about 1780, and was one of seventeen children.  By her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children, three of whom are now living.  Randall Smith was noted as a humorist.  On one occasion he was present at a gathering, and remarked that he had a white Crow.  This seemed such an improbability that his friends were rather inclined to question his statement, where on he remarked:  "If you will accompany me home I will prove to you I am a truthful man."  This his friends concluded to do, and on reaching home he presented his wife, whose maiden name was Crow.  They at once saw the joke, and joined with Mr. Smith in his hearty laugh at their expense.  Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the parents of six children:  Daniel W., born Sept. 18, 1830; Charity Ann, born Jan. 15, 1832, became Mrs. Braden, and died Mar. 26, 1878; Mrs. Martha Lansdale, who died Apr. 27, 1851; Mrs. Rachel Jane Edwards, born Nov. 4, 1836; Mrs. Alvina Shively; and Mrs. Minerva Angus.
     Mrs. Bowe
was educated in the high school of Fremont, and at Milan, Ohio, and became a teacher of recognized ability in Sandusky county.  She is a lady of culture and refinement, and has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet.  They began their domestic life on the farm which is still their home, and to them have come three children:  Agnes Estella, born Jan. 8, 1876, died Aug. 25, 1877; Hugh H., born Jan. 19, 1880, now assisting his father in the oil business; and Warren W., born May 31, 1881.
     After his marriage, Mr. Bowe engaged in farming and the dairy business, meeting with excellent success in his undertaking.  About 1890 a new industry was established in this section of the country.  Oil was found, and a few wells were producing quite fair returns.  Our subject had many chances to lease his land to oil companies, but always declined.  In March, 1895, he decided to find out if there was oil upon his farm, and accordingly sunk a well near the center of his land.  It proved very profitable , and there has since been a steady yield.  He now has sunk the sixth well, and from the oil business he is deriving a good income, and will continue to sink wells as long as practicable.  In addition to his other interests, he has for some years been the owner of a fine apiary, keeping some fifty-five colonies of bees.
     In politics, Mr. Bowe is a Democrat, and has served as trustee of Scott township for two years, as just ice of the peace for six years, and was president of the board of education for several years.  He is devoted to the best interests of the community, and no one is more deserving of the high regard in which he is universally held than David Bowe, a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 484
  GEORGE BOWE

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 210

  GEORGE BOWE, SR.

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 238

  HENRY BOWE

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 642

  JACOB BOWE

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 238

  MICHAEL BOWE is one of the enterprising and thorough business men of Scott township, Sandusky county, and he is a brother of Jacob, Henry, David and George Bowe.
     Mr. Bowe was born Jan. 28, 1845, in Scott township, Sandusky county, on his father's old farm on the "pike."  On Jan. 6, 1866, he was married at Freemont, to Miss Rachel Bordner, daughter of Michael and Leah (Buchtel) Bordner, and the young couple resided on the old home farm for one year, after which they lived two years in Wood county, and then, until 1876, made their home on Section 16, Scott township.  In 1876 they moved to Section 30, there purchasing 160 acres of land which they have cleared and put under the finest cultivation; they also have erected fine buildings, and their residence would be an ornament to any city in the county.  It is of modern architecture, with slate roof and finishings to correspond.  A few years afterward Mr. Bowe added to this purchase another forty acres in Section 29, which he was also cleared and put in fine condition.  Later he added another eighty acres, making an excellent farm of 280 acres.  Mr. Bowe deals in all kind of stock, as a rule fattening and selling about 150 sheep and eighty hogs yearly, besides buying and shipping stock in large quantities.
     On Jan. 28, 1891, Mr. Bowe launched his financial boat into the oil sea of Scott township, Sandusky county.  At first he struck a "sand bar," or, as the oilers call it, a "dry hole."  Not discouraged, however, he continued his work and went into Wood county, Ohio, where he leased forty acres of land, and finished his first well Feb. 29, 1892.  Formerly he had a partner, but he bought his interest, and now owns and operates the field himself.  Mr. Bowe has, at this writing, eight wells in operation, which at first produced 100 barrels each per day, and now produce eight barrels each daily, or sixty-four barrels in all, worth eighty cents per barrel - making an income of over $50 per day.  The expense of operating is small, there being only one man in charge of all the wells.  He also has a lease in Sandusky county of thirty-five acres, on which two wells have been made and two more are to be drilled.  Mr. Bowe is a thorough business man, and like all his brothers is a highly esteemed citizen.  Politically he is a Democrat.
     George Bowe, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in 1802 in France, and came to America in 1832, settling in New York State, near Buffalo, where he remained three years; thence he came to Ohio, where, in Scott township, Sandusky county, he entered 210 acres of land, one-half for his sister and the balance for himself.  In the winter of 1834-35 he married Catherine Wegstein, who was born a Baden, Germany, daughter of Michael Wegstein.  To them were born ten children, three of whom died in infancy, and the others are George, Jacob, Frederick, Henry, Michael J., David and Mary C.  Fred and Mary died some time ago; the others are yet living.  Mr. Bowe was an old pioneer of Scott township.  He at one time owned over 600 acres of land, which he divided among his children, thus giving each a start in life, from which they have steadily advanced, and become well-to-do men, highly respected by all who know them.  He died June 3, 1872, and his wife, the mother of our subject, died July 9, 1891, and was buried in Bradner cemetery.
     The maternal grandfather, Michael Wegstein, was born about 1779, in Braden, German, where he was married.  In 1832 he started for America, and during the voyage his wife died and was buried in mid-ocean.  In his family were six children, of whom only two are living, George and Mrs. Jacob Faler, of Fremont.  One son, Capt. Michael Wegstein, of Company H, Seventy-second O. V. I., was killed in the battle of Shiloh.  Sarah, Mrs. Dipman, died in Fremont about 1860.  Mary A. Grund, of Fremont, did Oct. 3, 1892.
     Mrs. Rachel Bowe, wife of Michael Bowe, is a sister of Mrs. George Bowe.  She was born Aug. 9, 1846, in Montgomery township, Wood county, remaining with her parents until her marriage, which has been blessed with eight children:  Frank E., born Mar. 10, 1867, who now resides in California; Alfred G., born Jan. 9, 1869, who died Apr. 23, 1880; Michael B., born June 14, 1871; Henry J., born Dec. 16, 1873; Lewis D., born May 5, 1875; Lillie, born Apr. 28, 1877; Jessie, born Mar. 12, 1879, and Harry, born July 19, 1886.
     As already stated, Mrs. Bowe is a daughter of Michael and Leah (Buchtel) Bordner, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 28, 1812, the latter born about 1815.  They were married Dec. 11, 1834.  To their marriage came eight children: Henry, born Sept. 9, 1836; Mary, born Oct. 11, 1838; Lucy, born Jan. 25, 1841, died Sept. 24, 1894; Calvin, born Apr.30, 1843, died July 28, 1862; Rachel A., born Aug. 9, 1846; Ellen, born, Sept. 14, 1848; Alfred, born Jan. 28, 1851; Sarah, born Nov. 24, 1855, five of whom are now living.  Henry and Calvin died in the army during the Civil war.  The mother of these died in 1859 and was buried in Bradner cemetery.  In 1862 Mr. Bordner married for his second wife Polly Yohe, of Indiana, who died in 1881.  The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bowe was Peter Bordner, who was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1776; his wife, Catherine Cotherman, was born in 1770.  They had nine children, Michael Bordner being the only one now living.  His father died in 1816 and his mother in 1866.  Mrs. Bowe's maternal grandfather, Henry Buchtel, was born in 1790 and died in 1875; his wife, Elizabeth Ayers, was a year younger than her husband, and died in 1850.  They had fifteen children, two sons and thirteen daughters.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 812
  CLARENCE L. BOWLUS.  The use of steam and electricity as motive powers for the conveyance of passengers in masses, and the use of bicycles for individual transit, have made vast inroads upon the domain of liverymen, yet the busy public can not yet afford to do wholly without the services of the noble horse in connection with an easy carriage, especially on country roads, and those who cater to the public in this line of business deserve their share of liberal patronage and recognition.  As a rising young man of enterprise and push, prepared with latest livery outfits to acommodate the traveling public, in Fremont and vicinity, we present the subject of this sketch.
     Clarence L. Bowlus, liveryman, whose place of business is opposite the "Ball House," Fremont, was born in Sandusky township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, Jan. 13, 1875, a son of Warren A. and Caroline R. (Engelman) Bowlus.  Warren A. Bowlus was born in the same locality, Aug. 25, 1850, a son of Henry Bowlus, who was born Sept. 27, 1810, and in 1828 came with his father, Henry Bowlus, Sen., from Middletown Valley, Frederick Co., Md., to Sandusky county, Ohio, where the latter entered 320 acres on the borders of Muskallonge creek, in Sandusky township, which he made his permanent residence.  The father of Henry Bowlus, Sen., and the great ancestor of the many Bowlus families in Sandusky county, was Nicholas Bowlus, who, in 1735, at the age of five years, came to America, and lived and died in Frederick County, Md., where many of his descendants still reside.
     Our subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools and in the Fremont High School.  He brings to his chosen vocation the freshness and vigor of early manhood, which betoken a successful business career.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 441
  HENRY BOWLUS.  The great ancestor from whom are descended the Bowlus families of Sandusky county, Ohio, was a native of Germany, who came to America in the Colonial period, about 1735, and settled in the Middletown valley, Frederick county, Md.  He had four sons - Jacob, George, Valentine and Nicholas - the youngest being then but five years of age.
     Nicholas Bowlus was reared on a farm in Frederick county, Md., where he became the head of a family of eight children - Jacob, John, Henry, Nicholas, Jr., Mrs. Beckabach, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Haller and Mrs. Christ.  Of these, Jacob, a distinguished pioneer minister of the United Brethren Church, and Henry, a farmer, came to Ohio.  The children of Rev. Jacob Bowlus were: Jacob, David, Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret and Susannah, all of whom became heads of families in Sandusky county.  Henry Bowlus located on a farm of 320 acres, which was then an unbroken forest, and helped clear up the far-famed "Black Swamp."  He had a family of six children, namely: (1) Magdalene, wife of Daniel Young, who lived and died in Maryland.  (2) Adam, who married Elizabeth Krohn, and remained in Maryland.  (3) Sophia, wife of Jacob Thomas; she died in 1895, at the age of eighty-eight years.  They had nine children - John H., Richard, Joseph, Lizzie, Maggie, Amanda, Charles, Alice, Anna; of these, the eldest, John H. Thomas, a millionaire, was the competitor of Calvin S. Brice, for U. S. Senator, in 1893.  (4) Henry Bolus, our subject, comes next.  (5) Nicholas, who married Margaret Donnell, and lived in Madison township, where he died in 1893.  (6) Mahala, wife of Jesse Dorcas, living at Lisbon, Iowa.
     Henry Bowlus, our subject, one of the early pioneers of Sandusky county, was born in Maryland, Sept. 27, 1810.  On Nov. 20, 1833, he married Miss Catharine Keller, of Lancaster, Ohio, who was born Feb. 14, 1811, and died Oct. 20, 1848; their children were - Hanson R., Mahala, Martha, Catharine, Elizabeth, and Caroline.  These all became heads of families in Sandusky county.  On Sept. 27, 1849, our subject married Mrs. Rebecca C. Bowlus (née Williamson), of Maryland, born July 4, 1824, and died Jan. 28, 1891; their children were - Warren, Anna, Henry F., and Robert, all of whom became heads of families and live in their native county.
     Henry Bowlus, our subject, has lived to see a mighty change in the valley of the Sandusky.  When he first came here there were more Indians than white people.  The Wyandots and Tawas lived here, and used to assemble in great numbers every year when they went to Malden to draw their annuity from the United States government.  Their was no end of squirrels and other wild game.  Mr. Bowlus followed farming and stock raising.  He still owns 160 acres of land on Muskallonge creek, two and a half miles west of Fremont.  About the year 1868, in company with his son, Hanson R., he operated a sawmill, furniture shop and planing-mill, about sixteen years at Fremont.  In politics he was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist, and later a Republican.  Before the Civil war he kept a station of the "Under-ground railroad," and assisted runaway slaves from the Southern States to escape to Canada.  He has for many years been a member of the M. P. Church, at Fremont.  Though now (1896) past eighty-five years of age, he enjoys life among his children and grandchildren, with a mind still active and a memory undimmed.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 767
  WARREN A. BOWLUS

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 314

  GEORGE F. BOWSER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 526

  WARREN J. BRADFORD

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 304

 

PHILIP BRADY, who is numbered among the leading and influential farmers of Clyde, Green Creek township, Sandusky county, is a native of County Wexford, Ireland, born in 1824.  His parents, Terrance and Mary (Clear) Brady, were both born in County Wexford and were of old Celtic stock.  The father died on the Emerald Isle, after which the mother came to America, where her death occurred at the age of seventy years.  They were farming people of Ireland, where the grandfather, Patrick Brady, also carried on agricultural pursuits, and for generations the family occupied the same homestead.
     Our subject is one of a family of eight children, comprising six sons and two daughters, and the eldest sister still occupies the ancestral home.  In order of birth they are as follows:  Ellen, still a resident of Ireland; Thomas, who died in Clyde, Ohio; Patrick, who makes his home in Wisconsin; Mary¸ who was the wife of Matthew Nolan, and died in this country; Michael, a resident of Clyde; and Martin Philip and James.  Philip, the subject of this memoir, grew to manhood in his native land, with such meager school and other advantages as were available to him.  Like so many of his countrymen who love the greatness of American liberty, he resolved to cast his fortunes under the flag of the young republic, and make it his adopted land.  Accordingly at the age of sixteen he embarked for the Western World.  He took passage on board a ship leaving Ross, Ireland, and in due time reached Quebec, Canada.  He found his first employment in the New World with farmers in Lower Canada, but subsequently came to the United States, where he worked on the railroads, or at any employment which he could find.
     Desiring to become a permanent resident, Mr. Brady purchased five acres of land near Clyde, Ohio, and by frugality and thrift soon became the owner of a good home.   This he subsequently sold, and then bought a tract of uncleared and unimproved land north of Clyde.  Here he found in the densely wooded land ample field to exert all his energy and industry; but stubborn nature yielded, and Mr. Brady is now the proud proprietor of an excellent and well-tilled farm.  It has now all been cleared, and there is no better land to be found anywhere in the county.  His old log house, which he erected many years ago, is still standing as a relic of the times that were, and a memento of the hardships of pioneer life.  At Elyria, he wedded Miss Mary Keating, a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and to them have been born eight children, as follows:  Mary  is the wife of John Furlow, of Buckley, Wash., and they have two children – John and Eustatia; Ella is the next in the family; Joseph  is a resident of Buckley, Wash.; Maggie is the wife of Grant Andrews, a merchant of Millersville, Sandusky county, and they have two children. – Mabel and May; John, Philip Jr., Kittie
and Martin complete the family.
     On his arrival in the New World, Mr. Brady had only a few shillings left; but by enterprise, industry and economy he is now one of the well-to-do citizens of Sandusky county.  He is a man whose honesty and integrity are above question; is of a happy, genial disposition, and thoroughly enjoys a good joke.  In his political views he strongly adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and he and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. 
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 152

  HENRY BRINKMAN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 250

  JOHN BRINKMAN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 251

  DR. FRANKLIN BROWN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 273

  LE ROY NICHOLS BROWN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 273

  THEODORE BROWN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 186

  HOMER BRUBAKER, a successful farmer and a prominent and popular citizen of Madison township, Sandusky county, was born Feb. 9, 1838, and is a son of John and Esther Brubaker.
John Brubaker was born in Bedford county, Penn., in the year 1801, and married Esther Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. Her father's name was John Miller. Mr. Brubaker came to Ohio in 1830, and located on an eighty-acre tract of timber land, where he afterward lived. He died there in 1848, and his wife, surviving him, died in 1889. They had ten children, namely: Jacob, married Susan Mills, a farmer in Indiana, and they have had nine children; Elida died at the age of twenty-one; Elizabeth married John Kelly, a farmer in Illinois; Susan married William Scott, they had nine children, and both parents are now dead; Mary was twice married, first time to Lee Mills, and they had four children; after the death of Mr. Mills she married Daniel Smith, and they live in Waterloo, Ind.; Michael married Susan Miller, and they had six children; he died in 1864. Henry was twice married; first time to Elizabeth Kline, by whom he had two children, both of whom died young; his second wife was Mary Sturtevant, and they had three children, one of whom died young; Henry died in 1870, and the widow and her two children went west, where she married again. Mahelia died young. John, now a farmer, married Delia Garn; they have had seven children, and they now live in Jackson township, Sandusky county; and Homer is the subject of this sketch.
     During his earlier years Homer Brubaker lived at home, and worked out at times until he married. On Oct. 23, 1858, he was united in marriage with Margaret Ickes, who was born Feb. 9, 1840, and they have had the following named children: Alfred, now an oil speculator and farmer, born Mar. 1, 1862; Ida, born Feb. 22, 1864, married Albert Klotz, and they have had two children, and live in Washington township, Sandusky county; Cary, born Mar. 11, 1869, died Dec. 25, 1879; Laura, born July 20, 1875, married John Allison, of Oil City, Penn.; Stella was born Sept. 24, 1877; Lester and Lesta (twins) were born Jan. 4, 1881, and Lesta died Feb. 16, 1881.
     Mrs. Brubaker's father, George Ickes, was born Aug. 7, 1800, and died in 1890. Her mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Croyle, was born Feb. 20, 1803, and died Apr. 18, 1867. They had thirteen children, two of whom died young. The others are: Henry married Susan Stainer, and they had eight children. Adam married Mary Campbell, and they live in Indiana. Catherine married Ed Burkett, of Washington township, and they have had twelve children. Thomas married Margaret Long, and they have had four children; they live in Scott township, Sandusky county. Barbara married John Valentine, and they have had two children; they live in Madison township. Susan died young. Sarah married David Miller, a farmer in Washington township, and they have had six children. Michael married Ellen Russell, and they have had two children; they live in Nebraska. Margaret is Mrs. Homer Brubaker. Sophia married John Rosenburg, who died, and she afterward married Jacob Clapper, and they have had four children; they live in Madison township. George married Mary Garn, and they have had one child; they live in Grand Rapids, Mich. George Ickes (Sr.) came to Ohio in the fall of 1832 and en­tered eighty acres of land in Madison township, on which he built a log cabin, wherein he lived. He was one of fifteen who attended the first election in Madison township, which was held in an old blacksmith shop owned by Jacob Garn. He did a great deal in making roads and settling up Madison township, and was well known far and near. At that time the nearest gristmill was at Fremont, Sandusky county, and it took them several days to make the trip.
     About the time of his marriage Homer Brubaker rented 120 acres of land, on which he lived one year, then bought thirty-seven acres where Gibsonburg now stands, which cost him six hundred dollars. He lived on this land seven years, then sold it and bought ninety-five acres, and later twenty-five, after which he moved upon this property and has lived here ever since. He also has 120 acres in Madison township, Sandusky county, known as the George Ickes property. He deals in horses and cattle. His land is situated in the oil belt, and has been leased to the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Brubaker, as is also his wife, is a member of the Evangelical Church at Gibsonburg. He is a Democrat, has several times held different offices such as those of school director and supervisor, and is well liked in the community.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 183
  JOHN G. BRUGGER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 315

  ADAM BRUNTHAVER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 420

  ORRIN JAMES BRUNTHAVER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 422

  PETER BRUNTHAVER

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 421

  G. F. BUCHMAN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 317

  JOSEPH M. BUCHMAN

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 360

  GEORGE BUCKLAND

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 11

  JUDGE HORACE S. BUCKLAND

Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 30


R. P. Buckland
GENERAL RALPH P. BUCKLAND Leaders of men in all ages have not only possessed rare natural and acquired abilities, but in almost every instance they have been launched into the stream of life under circumstances peculiarly favorable for their development, and have had to pass through severe trials and discipline preparatory to their life work, aptly illustrating that "There's a divinity that shapes our ends," or "There is a God in history."
     As a highly worthy example of American leaders who have left their indelible impress upon the pages of United States history we present the subject of this sketch.  His ancestry, his natural endowments, his education, his environment and achievements, both in civil and military life, resembling in some respects those of his illustrious contemporaries, Lincoln and Grant, furnish valuable object lessons to young Americans, and are eminently worthy of a place in the local biographical record of the people of a historic locality.
     The ancestor from whom are descended the Buckland families in Sandusky county, Ohio, was a citizen of Hartford, Conn., in Colonial times, and was of English descent.  His son, Stephen Buckland, of East Hartford, grandfather of our subject, was a captain-lieutenant in Bigelow's Artillery Company, raised in Connecticut during the Revolutionary war.  This was an independent company, recruited early in 1776, and was attached to the Northern Department, where it appears to have been accepted as a Continental company.  It was stationed during the summer and fall at Ticonderoga and vicinity.  Stephen Buckland was commissioned captain-lieutenant of this company Jan. 23, 1776, and was promoted Nov. 9 to Maj. Steven's Continental Artillery.  He was afterward a captain in Col. John Crane's Third Regiment of Continental Artillery, commissioned Jan. 1, 1777, and was detached with his company to serve with Gates against Burgoyne.  He was subsequently stationed at various points, and was at Farmington in the winter of 1777-78.  He was furloughed by Gen. Washington for five weeks, from Oct. 30, 1778, and was on command at Fort Arnold, West Point, in 1779.  He afterward became captain of a privateer which was captured on the second day of Apr., 1782, by the British brig "Perseverance," Ross, commander, and was with his officers confined in the "Old Jersey" prison ship, where he died on the 7th of May, of the same year.  His remains are probably now, with other martyrs of the prison ships, buried in Fort Green, Brooklyn, N. Y., near Washington Place, in that city.  He had married a Miss Mary Olmsted, who was born Sept. 27, 1774, and their children were Mary; Hannah; Stephen, who died in infancy; another child, also called Stephen, who also died in infancy; another child, also called Stephen; who also died in infancy; Betsey, and Ralph.
     Ralph Buckland, born July 28, 1781, son of Stephen, came in the year 1811 to Portage county, Ohio, where he served in the capacity of land agent and surveyor.  In 1812 he removed his family in a one-horse sleigh from their home in Massachusetts to Ravenna, Ohio.  His wife's maiden name was Ann Kent.  Some few years after his death Mrs. Buckland married Dr. Luther Hanchett, who then had four children by a former marriage; six more children were born to them.  Ralph Buckland served as a volunteer in Hull's army during the war of 1812.  He was second sergeant in Capt. John Campbell's company, which began its Mar. on the 4th of July, 1812, to join the regiment commanded by Col. Lewis Cass at Detroit.  After great suffering and hardship, because of the character of the country traversed, they finally reached the river Raisin, and were surrendered by Gen. Hull on the 16th day of August, as prisoners of war.  Mr. Buckland returned to his home in Ravenna, "prisoner on parole," and died May 23, 1813.  His children were:  An infant daughter who died on the way west, and was buried at Albany, N. Y.; Ralph Pomeroy, our subject; and Stephen, who for nearly forty years was a leading druggist at Fremont, Ohio.
     Ralph Pomeroy Buckland was born at Leyden, Mass., Jan. 20, 1812.  During his early life he lived with his step-father and family on a farm, but the greater part of the time previous to the age of eighteen he lived with and labored for a farmer uncle in Mantua, excepting two years when he worked in a woolen factory at Kendall, Ohio, and one year which he spent as clerk in a store.  In the winter he attended the country schools, and in the summer of 1830 attended an academy at Tallmadge, Ohio, where he commenced the study of Latin.  In the fall of 1831 he embarked, at Akron, Ohio, on board a flat-boat loaded with a cargo of cheese, to be transported through the Ohio canal, down the Muskingum, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Natchez, Miss.  At Louisville he secured a deck passage on the "Daniel Boone," and worked his way by carrying wood on board.  At Nachez he found employment, and secured the confidence of his employers so far that at the end of a few months they put him in charge of two flatboats lashed together and loaded with 1200 barrels of flour for the New Orleans market.  On this trip he served his turn with the rest of the crew as company cook.  The voyage was successfully completed, and at the solicitation of his employers he remained in New Orleans, in charge of their commission house.  Here, for a time, he was under the influence of  companions who indulged in drinking, gambling and other vices, and was confirmed in his resolution to avoid the evils by the sudden death of a fellow clerk, a victim of dissipation.  He saved his money, and spent his time in the study of the Latin and French languages, and in reviewing common-school branches.
     In June, 1834, Mr. Buckland started for Ohio, on a visit to his mother, leaving New Orleans with the fixed idea of returning and making that city his future home.  He had been offered several first-rate situations, but on arriving home his mother induced him to remain in the North.  After spending one year at Kenyon College, he began the study of law in the office of Gregory Powers, at Middlebury, now a part of Akron, Ohio, and completed it with Whitlessy & Newton, at Canfield, being admitted to practice in the spring of 1837.  During the winter of the previous year he had spent several months pursuing his studies in the office of George B. Way, who was then editor of the Toledo Blade, and in whose temporary absence he acted for a few weeks as editor pro tem.  Immediately after Mr. Buckland's admission to the bar, with only about fifty dollars in his pocket, loaned him by his uncle, Alson Kent, he started in quest of a favorable location for an attorney.  The failure of the wild-cat banks was what settled him in Lower Sandusky, for on arriving here he had not good money enough to pay a week's board, and was obliged to stop.  He was kindly trusted by Thomas L. Hawkins for a sign, opened a law office and soon secured enough business to pay for his expenses, which were kept down to the lowest possible point.  At this date he was not only without means, but still owed three hundred dollars for his expenses incurred while a student, and for a few necessary law books; but he was confident of ultimate success, for eight months after opening up his law office in Lower Sandusky he went to Canfield, Ohio, and married Charlotte Boughton, returning with her the following spring.  Being strictly economical, their expenses during their first year of married life did not exceed $300.  His credit was good and his business steadily increased, so that at the end of three or four years he had all he could attend to.  He was at that time slender in build and troubled with dyspepsia, but out-door exercise, gained in traveling on horseback to the courts of adjoining counties, during term time, cured him and gradually increased his weight and physical strength.  In 1846 Rutherford B. Hayes became a partner with Mr. Buckland in the practice of law, and the partnership continued until Mr. Hayes removed to Cincinnati, three years later.  He afterward had associated with him Hon. Homer Everett, under the firm name of Buckland & Everett, and still later James H. Fowler, the firm name becoming Buckland, b, succeeded by R. P. & H. S. Buckland, R. P. & H. S. Buckland & Zeigler, and Buckland & Buckland.
     From his youth R. P. Buckland took an active interest in politics, and was a strong partisan, outspoken in his views.  He was mayor of the village of Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), in 1843-45, and held other positions of public trust.  He was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention in 1843 which nominated Gen. Zachary Taylor for the Presidency.  Upon the organization of the party he became a Republican, and never wavers from his principles.  In 1855 he was elected to the Ohio Senate as a Republican, and was re-elected in 1857, serving four years.  He was the author of the law for the adoption of children, which was passed during his service in the Senate.
     Mr. Buckland's nature was intensely patriotic under the molding influences of his father and grandfather, who had been soldiers of the American Republic.  Hence, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, in 1861, he threw his whole soul into the struggle.  His military record is a matter of history.  Gen. Hayes said of him: "He was the best soldier of his age in the volunteer service."  In Oct., 1861, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel by Gov. William Dennison, of Ohio, and given authority to raise a regiment for the three-years' service.  In three short months the glorious Seventy-second Regiment, which he organized, was ready for the field.  On Jan. 10, 1862, he was mustered into the United States service as colonel of the Seventy-second Regiment, O. V. I., and two weeks later left with his regiment for Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.  In Feb. he was ordered to report with his command to Gen. W. T. Sherman, at Paducah, Ky., and here the regiment was assigned to the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Army of the Tennessee, and Col. Buckland placed in command of the brigade.  At the battle of Shiloh, the first week in Apr., 1862, the Colonel won enduring fame as an heroic soldier and commander, and his brigade covered itself with glory.  Buckland was not surprised at Shiloh, but was expecting an attack.  His brigade and the Seventy-second Regiment were at the key point of the fight, on the extreme right of the attack, and withstood the fierce onset of the enemy on the morning of the 6th.  When the brigade did fall back, it was done in perfect order, contesting every foot of the ground.  On the 7th Buckland's brigade participated in the advance that swept the enemy from the field, and at night they rested in advance of the position they occupied on the 6th.  Gen. Sherman always accorded to Gen. Buckland the highest praise for his bravery and coolness at Shiloh, and the splendid services rendered by his brigade.  Had some other man been where Buckland was, the final outcome of the battle might have been far different.
     That Gen. Grant appreciated and recognized the military skill of Gen. R. P. Buckland is shown by his letter to Gen. Sherman, on Nov. 10, 1862, in relation to operations in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi.  He writes: "I will not be able to send you any general officers, unless possibly one to take command of the forces that will be left at Memphis.  Stuart and Buckland will both command brigades or even divisions as well as if they held the commissions which they should and I hope will hold."*  In battle Gen. Buckland was cool and fearless, but not reckless.  He looked well to the comfort and health of his men on all occasions, and this made him loved and respected by the soldiers.  On Nov. 29, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, for his bravery at Shiloh, and on Jan. 26, 1864, Gen. Sherman placed Gen. Buckland in command of the District of Memphis, where his administrative abilities were exemplified and his integrity o_ character clearly manifested.  Here he promptly repelled an attack of Gen. Forrest, and put him to flight.  While serving in the army, in the fall of 1864, Gen. Buckland and elected to Congress.  He remained in command in the District of Memphis for the balance of the year, on Jan. 6, 1865, tendered his resignation at Washington to the Secretary of War, and was duly mustered out of the service.  On Aug. 3, 1866, he was commissioned brevet-major-general, U. S. V., to rank from May 13, 1865, for meritorious service in the army.
     After an honorable career in Congress during the reconstruction of the Southern States, Mr. Buckland returned to Fremont, Ohio, where he resumed his law practice.  During recent years his sons, Horace S. and George, were associated with him in the law firm of Buckland & Buckland, and relieved their father of the arduous work of the profession.  Gen. Buckland's legal career was marked by the same thorough integrity, ability and success that characterized him in his entire walk through life.  To his example and influence the city of Fremont is indebted for much of its material prosperity in the matter of public improvements.  He erected the first substantial three story brick building in that city, now known as Masonic Block.  In 1853 he built the residence he ever after occupied, and it was at that time the finest dwelling in northern Ohio.  Subsequently he built the three story block at the corner of Front and State streets.  He took an active part in securing railroads and manufactories for the city, and always stood in front rank of citizens who worked for the upbuilding of Fremont.
     Gen. Buckland was a charter member of Eugene Rawson Post No. 32, G. A. R., Fremont, Ohio, and was its first commander.  He was a companion of the Loyal Legion, and a member of the S. A. J. Snyder Command, Union Veteran's Union; also belonging to the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and to other army societies.  He was the life president of the Society of the Seventy-second Regiment O. V. I., and was for a time president of the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Society.  He was for forty-five years a member of Croghan Lodge, I. O. O. F., and for many years had been junior warden in and an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fremont.  Thus for more than half a century he had been a conspicuous figure in Fremont and northern Ohio.  He was a pioneer settler, a distinguished lawyer, a gallant soldier, an eminent member of the Ohio State and the National Legislatures, and an enterprising and public-spirited citizen.  He was an educated and courteous Christian gentleman, and his name and his accomplishments are indelibly stamped on the history of the city of Fremont and of the Nation.  He will never be forgotten.  His death occurred on Friday, May 27, 1892, when he was at the venerable age of more than eighty years.  From the announcement of his death until after his funeral many flags floated at half-mast all over the city, and nearly all the business houses were closed.  At his funeral the spacious residence, the grounds and the adjoining streets were thronged with people anxious to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed.  The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. S. C. Aves, pastor of the Episcopal Church, Norwalk, Ohio, and was touchingly eloquent and sympathetic.  At the close ex-President Hayes paid a fitting tribute to his life-long friend in a brief, concise and masterly manner.  At the tomb, in Oak Wood Cemetery, the Grand Army of the Republic conducted its impressive burial service.  Closely following this event many worthy tributes of respect were paid by the various societies of the city, among which were the Fremont Bar Association, the Union Veteran's Union, the Sons of Veterans, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the city council of Fremont, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
     The children of Gen. R. P. and Charlotte Buckland were:  Ralph Boughton Buckland, who died at Fremont, Ohio, in 1880: Ann Kent Buckland, wife of Charles M. Dillon; Alson Kent Buckland and Thomas Stilwell Buckland, both of whom died in infancy; Caroline Nichols Buckland, who died at Memphis, Tenn., at the age of sixteen; Mary Buckland, who died at the age of six; Horace Stephen Buckland, attorney at law, just elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the second sub-division for the Fourth Judicial District of Ohio (he married Miss Elizabeth Catherine Bauman, of Fremont) [a more extended account of Judge H. S. Buckland is found elsewhere in this volume]; and George Buckland, an attorney at law, of Cincinnati, Ohio who married Grace Huntington, daughter of J. C. Huntington, of Cincinnati.  The General's grandchildren are the children of his daughter, Mrs. C. M. Dillon, viz.:  George Buckland Dillon, who died in infancy; Mary Buckland Dillon; Ralph Putnam Dillon, a graduate of the Case School, Cleveland, Ohio; Kent Howard Dillon, a student of the same school; Charlotte Elizabeth Dillon, a student at the Lake Erie Seminary, Painesville, Ohio; Edward Boughton and Edwin Dillon (twins), who died in infancy, and Charles Buckland Dillon.
     Gen. Buckland's son, Ralph Boughton Buckland, was a man of more than usual force of character.  At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Capt. Tillotson's Company of the Eighth O. V. I., ninety-day men, and went with that company to Cincinnati.  Upon his return his father would not permit him to re-enlist, but required him to remain at home to look after the family and his varied interests there, which Ralph did nobly until the close of the war, when he went South to look after plantations which his father had purchased.  The venture not proving profitable, the plantations were sold and he returned to the homestead in the North, where he died in 1880.  He never married.
     Caroline Nichols Buckland died of congestive fever, at Memphis, Tenn., May 21, 1864.  She had gone down to Memphis in company with her mother and little brother George, to visit her father, who was then in command of the District of Memphis.  A few days before the time for their return North, Carrie was taken suddenly ill with the dread disease, and died after an illness of only three days.  On Sunday evening, after services at the house, Carrie began her last journey, surrounded by the Seventy-second Regiment O. V. I., which by its own request acted as escort.  She was only fifteen years and eight months old, and was probably the only young girl who had a military funeral during the war of the Rebellion.  She was brought home, and now lies buried in Oak Wood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio.  The following lines were published in the Memphis Bulletin at the time of her death:

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MISS CARRIE BUCKLAND
How still she lies amid the flowers,
And night itself seems dead;
The city sleeps; no sound we hear
Save the lone sentry's tread.

The slender fingers slightly clasp
Pale flowers, sweet and white;
All pure and lovely as you moon
Of cold and silver light.

The soft, luxuriant, pale brown hair
Waves in the evening wind;
Yet in that marble, changeless face
No wave of life we find.

The fair face looks like peaceful sleep,
The lips full as in life;
Yet the red blood has ceased to flow
Ceased has life's busy strife.

A broken lily-bud; no eye
Of earth may ever see
How gloriously it blooms above,
Flower of Eternity.

Were death but an unchanging sleep,
How sad would be this night;
But there's a land beyond the grave -
A home of living light.
Memphis, June 18, 1864.

     The Memphis Bulletin said of her:  "Three weeks ago she arrived with her mother from Ohio.  With all the attractions of her sixteen summers about her, an amiability that won every heart, a fascination of manner whose gentle influence, wherever she appeared, awakened interest and admiration, and a kind and genial sympathy that captured affection, she was everywhere a favorite, and her company was sought and valued wherever she became known.
     "Fresh as the spring whose charms at the moment deck every hill and meadow, she enjoyed her advent to new scenes, welcomed with youthful zest the appreciative regard of the new circle amid which she was introduced, and rejoiced once more to join her honored and happy sire, himself proud of the sweet blossom Providence had vouchsafed as the treasure of his life - when death plucked the flower in the very youth of its loveliness, and stamped the fleeting charm with the impress of immortality."

------
*War of the Rebellion, Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume XVII, Part II, page 336.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 7

 

SAMUEL BURKETT is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the Buckeye State.  He was born in Sandusky county, on his father’s farm in Washington township, Jan. 11, 1860, and is a son of Edward and Catherine (Ockes) Burkett, the former a native of Perry county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania.  Grandfather Burkett was one of the first settlers of Perry county, and secured a tract of government land, upon which he carried on farming.  Upon his death, his widow and her son, Edward, then a child of ten years, came to Sandusky county, locating near Hessville.  Subsequently he removed to Madison township, where he purchased forty-nine acres of timber land, the greater part of which he succeeded in placing under cultivation before his death.  He was familiar with all the experiences and hardships of pioneer life, and always bore his part in the upbuilding and development of the locality with which his lot was cast.  His death occurred Apr. 21, 1884, and his wife, who survived him several years, passed away July 7, 1891, and was laid to rest in Washington township.
     Samuel Burkett was one of a family of twelve children, and was born and reared on the farm which is still his home.  He received a good common-school education, and early became familiar with the duties of farm life, giving his father the benefit of his services until after he had attained his majority.  When quite young he was obliged to shoulder an axe and help to clear away the timber and prepare the fields for cultivation.
     On Dec. 25, 1888, Mr. Burkett was united in marriage with Miss Edith Kuntz, a daughter of David and Eva (Clapper) Kuntz, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and had a family of twelve children, namely: Charles, Henry, Frank, Edith, Emma, Jacob, Evangeline, David, Daniel, Cleveland, Winfield, and one who died in infancy.  Mr. and Mrs. Burkett have but one child – William, who was born Dec. 1, 1889, in Madison township, Sandusky county.  They are well-known people of the community, and have the warm regard of many friends.  Mr. Burkett is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of road supervisor.  His land is now leased to the Ohio Oil Company, and on it are three good wells, which net him a monthly income of $35.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 765

  GEORGE A. BURMAN, of Woodville, Sandusky county, was born Jan. 17, 1844, son of Ernest H. and Elizabeth (Maenert) Burman, the former of whom was born Dec. 4, 1811, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany.
     Ernest H. Burman was married in his native country, came to America in 1843, settling in Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he bought eighty acres of land on which he made improvements. He died Sept. 9, 1891, a member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject's mother was born in 1815, and died in 1875. Their children were Carrie, who died in Germany; Carrie, who married G. Otten; George A.; Henry, who died when seven years old; Louis, a blacksmith, now living in Toledo; Harman, who works in the car shops at Toledo; Fred, who died in infancy; and Elizabeth, who married K. Kuhlman, of Ottawa county, Ohio.
     Mrs. George A. Burman is a daughter of H. H. and Clara (Fochthous) Kuhlman, the former of whom was born in Hanover, in 1812, and died Sept. 4, 1887; the mother was born in 1817, and is still living. They had six children: Henry Kuhlman, living at Woodville; Carrie, who married  Fred Taulker; Eliza, who died when three years old; one that died in infancy; William, who is living on the old homestead; and the wife of our subject. George A. Burman and his wife were both born in the same house in Woodville township, she on July 21, 18 51. Her parents came to America the year before his, and when his parents came they moved into the same house, and our subject was born while they were living there. They were both reared in Woodville township, and attended the primitive district schools. They were married Nov. 16, 1871, and the children born to them were Carrie, born Mar. 10, 1873, who died when one year old; George, born May 27, 1875, who is now a grocer of Tiffin, Ohio; Henry, born Sept. 4, 1878, now studying for the ministry of the Lutheran Church, in Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio; Clara, born July 1, 1880, died Aug. 19, 1882; and August, born Oct. 18, 1883.
     Our subject as he grew to manhood found himself possessed of strong mechanical powers and of natural skill as a workman, and so without serving an apprenticeship he became a good carpenter and an all around wood workman; he also became an engineer, and ran a stationary engine in the mills at Woodville for seventeen years, and he has worked in the Lake Shore yard in Toledo. He has never devoted his time to farming, but some years since purchased the old homestead in Woodville township, which he now owns, and which contains eight good oil wells at present. Mr. Burman was one of the first men in this section to invest in the developing oil business here, and as the result of his investment he recently sold out his interest in his lease wells for $15,000. As a result of his ample means from this source he is now in good financial circumstances, but he still does some work himself to pass the time away. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 200
NOTES:

Note 1 Zachariah Betts lived in Seneca Co., Ohio as follows:
1860 Census Venice Twp., Seneca Co., Ohio - Series M653 Roll 1035 Part 1 Page 239B
Dwelling 203 Family 188
Zachariah Betts      66 M Farmer $6000 $681  b, Pa.
Maria "                   62 F   b. Pa.
Elizabeth "              27 F Domestic  b. N. Y.
Martha "                 23 F Teacher in School   b. O.
Emeline "                21 F Teacher in School   b. O.
Dwelling 204 Family 189
Clarkson Betts        26 M Laborer  $ --  $526  b. N.Y.
Sarah "                    27 F   b. N. Y.
Frances J. "               4 F   b. O
Fremont "                  3 M b. O

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