OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS - Seneca Co., Ohio

Source:
History of Seneca County, Ohio
containing a History of the County, It's Townships, Towns,
Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.;
Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men;
Biographies; History of the Northwest Territory;
History of Ohio; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.
- Illustrated -
Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co.
1886.

	Clinton Twp. - WILLIAM S. BACON, proprietor of the Clifton Mills, Tiffin, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, December 1, 1829, and comes of a line of pioneers of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, antedating the "Revolution." His father, Ralph Bacon, a native of Massachusetts, and descended of pioneers in that State from the Isle of Man, settled in what is now known as Lake County, Ohio, about 1798, and married Polly Jordan, a native of Pennsylvania, whose grandfather settled in that State from Ireland. Ralph Bacon raised a family of live sons and eight daughters (all of whom except one daughter reared families). The subject of this sketch was reared in Crawford County (whither his parents had removed in 1820), and, at fifteen, went West, returning at the age of nineteen to his native place, where he carried on carpentering (also in Wyandot County), for several years. He subsequently took up saw-milling, at 'which he was engaged till the breaking out of the war. when he retired from that business and carried on a tannery, which, in 1864. he abandoned, coming to this county and purchasing a half interest in the Bloomville Flouring Mills. This he subsequently sold out and returned to saw-milling and building in Crawford County, till 1868. when he, in partnership with Dr. I. B. Squier, bought the ''Liberty Mills '' (flouring-mills), in Crawford County, and carried on that industry there till 1875, when he returned to Bloomville and purchased his former property and operated the Bloomville Mills till 1879, when he purchased his present mills, which he has brought up to a leading prominence in the milling interests of this county. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen, and has contributed in no small degree to the development of the many excellent social and industrial institutions of Tiffin. He was married in Bucyrus, December 1, 1859, to Miss Savena Hawk, daughter of the late David Hawk, an early pioneer from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have three sons and two daughters, Frank (a practical miller associated with his father), Clara, Willis, Herbert and Helen. Mrs. Bacon, a lady of estimable attainments, is a member of the Lutheran Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 754
	Hopewell Twp. - THOMAS BALTZELL, farmer, Tiffin, was born July 22, 1815, in Frederick County, Md., son of Charles and Elizabeth (Creidler) Baltzell, natives of Maryland and of German descent. Charles Baltzell died in Maryland, and in 1837 his widow came to Ohio, bringing her only son. Thomas, with her; she died in 1857. Thomas Baltzell was a successful farmer, but in 1881 he retired from his farm, moved to Tiffin and bought a house on Clay Street, where he now resides. He was married, in June, 1844, to Caroline Souders, the fifth born in the family of six children of David Sauders natives of Frederick County, Md. To Mr. and Mrs. Baltzell, were born ten children: Charles D. married to Mallie Butler; Henry C. married to Kate Pennington (have four children: Carrie, Henry, Willie T., and Bessie); Nettie; John T.; Flora C., Clara B., married to J. C. Royer (have one child), Helen); Ida B., and Jesse M. One son enlisted in the late war of the Rebellion when but twenty years of age and served until the close of that struggle. They are all members of the Presbyterian Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 854
	Big Spring Twp. - NICHOLAS BAKEIS, farmer, P. O. Adrian, was born in Big Spring Township, this county, son of Joseph (a farmer) and Jane (Jenning) Bakeis, natives of Belgium, former born Mar. 7, 1820, latter born May 25, 1825; they were married Feb. 25, 1845, and were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are now living: Joseph, John, Nicholas, Frank, Andrew and Lewis. Joseph Bakeis, the father of this family, died June 5, 1885, aged sixty-five years, two months and twenty-nine days. Our subject, along with his brothers, is managing the homestead farm, comprising 152 acres of good land, where the family has resided nearly forty-three years. They are all members of the Catholic Church at St. Nicholas. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page
	Eden Twp - BAKER FAMILY. Among the well known pioneer families of Seneca Co., and of Eden Twp., was the Baker family of four brothers: Franklin, Thomas, John and Richard, and four sisters: Mary Baker, Sophia Stearns, Lucretia Arnold, and Ann Knapp. They were the children of Judge Samuel Baker¸ a native of Branford, Conn., and a descendant in the fourth generation of Thomas Baker, who settled at Milford, Conn., in 1639, whence in 1650 he removed to East Hampton, L. I., which town he represented in the Colonial Assemblies of New York and Connecticut. During the invasion of New York by Burgoyne.. Samuel Baker, then a boy of thirteen, was captured by Indians, taken to Burgoyne’s camp and sold to a British officer. He was released by the surrender of Burgoyne’s army, and afterward enlisted in Col. Marinus Willett’s regiment and served until the close of the war. He was one of the first settlers in Steuben Co.; was for many years first judge, and one of the most prominent citizens of that county. Franklin and Thomas Baker came to Eden Township in 1822. Franklin entered the farm known as the Umsted farm on the Kilbourne road, where he resided until his death in 1831. Thomas entered the farm adjoining, and there lived until his death in 1863. Samuel Baker, and Mrs. C. Y. Brundage, of Eden Twp., and Mrs. Albert Ewer of Tiffin are children of Thomas Baker. His widow, Sarah B. Baker came to Seneca Co. with her father, Col. Boyd, in 1821, and since 1863 has resided in Tiffin. John Baker came soon after his brothers and settled upon the farm on Rock Creek upon which he died in 1876. Mary Baker, with her husband, Joseph Baker, settled in Scipio Twp. In 1822, Mr. and Mrs. Stearns settled on Rock Creek in 1828. Ten years afterward Mr. Stearns died, and his widow married the late William Fleet, and soon afterward died. John B. and George W. Stearns, two of the largest farmers of Scipio Twp., are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Stearns. Mrs. Knapp and Mrs. Arnold removed to Garden Grove, Iowa, where they now live. Richard Baker, the youngest of the four brothers, came to Seneca Co… in 1835, and purchasing several small farms made the fine farm of 400 acres upon which he resided until 1871, and which is now owned by his son, Grattan H. Baker. In 1836 he was married to Fanny Wheeler, daughter of Grattan H. Wheeler, who was a member of Congress, and for many years a State Senator from Steuben Co., N. Y., and grand-daughter of Captain Silas Wheeler, who, in April, 1775, enlisted in Capt. Thayer’s company of Rhode Island Volunteers; was at Bunker Hill; with Arnold in his terrible march through the forests of Main and Canada, to attack Quebec; was captured in the unsuccessful attack on Quebec, in which Montgomery was killed and Arnold wounded, and kept a prisoner and in irons until August, 1776, when he was exchanged. He again entered the army; was again captured and taken to Ireland, whence he escaped to France through the aid of Henry Grattan¸ the Irish orator and patriot, after whom he named his only son. In 1871 Richard Baker removed to the farm adjoining Melmore, on which he now resides, with his wife, whom he brought to what was then little more than a wilderness almost fifty years ago. Time and fortune have dealt kindly with them both. With six sons and twenty grandchildren, into their family, death was never come. Notwithstanding the weight of seventy-seven years, Mr. Baker is still erect, vigorous, strong, self-reliant, but kind and tender-hearted. For years his class in the Methodist Sunday-school (of which church he and his wife have been members for more than forty years) has been the infant class into which no child was too small to enter, and from which no child was ever willing to go. Of the six sons of Richard and Fanny Baker, Silas is a farmer in Dickinson Co., Kas.; Frank, a lawyer in Chicago; Job, a farmer in Wyandot Co.; Grattan H., a farmer, and the owner of the old homestead; Ralph, a farmer at Garden Grove, Iowa, and Richard W., still at home. Richard Baker brought to his farm, in 1837, thirty pure Spanish merino sheep, the first brought into Seneca Co., and probably the first in northern Ohio, and has been one of the most successful wood growers, as well as one of the best grain farmers in the county. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 846
	Clinton Twp. - SILAS W. BAKER, P. O. Tiffin, is one of the young and enterprising farmers of Clinton Township, where he was born February 2, 1856. His parents, Frederick A. and Ann C. Baker, natives of Maryland, were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and settled on the farm where our subject now resides, and where they have remained ever since. They are the parents of three children: Silas W., Jennie and Rosa. Silas W., our subject, was united in marriage, November 29, 1881, with Hattie Miller, born in Pleasant Township, this county, December 9, 1861, daughter of Andrew J. and Ann M. Miller, the former a native of New York State, and the latter of Seneca County, Ohio. Both are residing in Pleasant Township. To our subject and wife have been born two children: Maud, born February 23, 1883, and Ollie, born July 18, 1884. Our subject manages his father's farm, consisting of 190 acres, all improved land. He is a member of the Grange. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 754
	Clinton Twp. - CHARLES H. BALDWIN, secretary of the Tiffin Union Churn Company, of Tiffin, was born in Tiffin, this county, May 23, 1845, and is a son of A. C. and Mary Jane Baldwin, of this city. The subject of our sketch completed a liberal literary education here, and, at fifteen, entered the office of the Seneca Advertiser, where he completed at apprenticeship at type-setting. The late civil war breaking out, he enlisted his services in Company H, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and continued in service till the dismemberment of the regiment. Upon leaving the army he "went West," where he was connected with freighting "over the plains" from St. Joe, Mo., to Denver, Col., for some time. Returning here he assumed his present position. He was married, in 1874, to Anna, daughter of Thomas W. and Sarah Jane Watson, of Pleasant Township, this county, and this union has been blessed with two sons and one daughter: Anna Watson, Thomas Cbenoweth and Absalom Charles. He and his worthy wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been a Mason since he was twenty-four years of age and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar of De Molay Commandery No. 9; also Scottish Rite degrees of Masonry including 32°. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 754
	Bloom Twp. - ISAAC S. BALDWIN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born Dec. 10, 1838, in Republic, this county. His parents, Nathan and Matilda Baldwin, natives of Cayuga, N. Y., settled in this county in 1835, and after living three years on their farm in Scipio Township moved to Republic, where Nathan Baldwin carried on a wagon shop until his death, Sept. 3, 1849. Mrs. Baldwin kept her family together until they grew to manhood and womanhood; their names are George H., now a resident of Ionia County, Mich.; Isaac S.; Rush P., who served three years during the late Rebellion as a member of the Twenty-fifty Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and Mrs. Addie S. Chittenden, a resident of Republic, this county. Our subject was married, Feb. 7, 1861, to Miss Ellen Krilley, who bore him the following children: Eliza, William and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin moved to Ionia County, Mich., and there developed a farm. Mrs. Baldwin subsequently returned to Republic for medical treatment, and there died July 2, 1872. Our subject then also returned to this county, and here married, Mar. 5, 1873, Mrs. Emily J. Brown, of Bloom Township, the widow of William Brown (by whom she had one daughter, Wilhelmina), and who was born in Bloom Township Feb. 9, 1838, daughter of Butler and Mary (Boyd) Munsell. To this union were born Nettie and Nellie (twin). Freddie and Jesse. Mr. Baldwin has a farm comprising eighty acres of well-improved land, which he has cleared up and developed within the lat ten years. He is a supporter of the Democratic party; has served his township as assessor three terms and is a citizen highly respected by all. Mrs. Baldwin is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 732
	Clinton Twp. - FRANCIS BALL, proprietor of restaurant and saloon, Tiffin, was born in Bühl, Canton of Seltz, Alsace, October 1, 1835, and came to this county in 1852, son of Joseph and Catharine (Schaub) Ball, who settled in Thompson Township, this county, about 1853. Francis Ball had preceded his parents to this country, and upon their arrival came with them here, where he farmed, and subsequently engaged in merchandising, in what is known as Frank' s Corners (named after him), where he carried on an active business for over fifteen years, and was the first postmaster of that place, a useful public man and citizen. He afterward located at Tiffin, in his present business. He was married, in 1859, to Johanna, daughter of Paul Herman, Esq., of Thompson Township, this county, and by her has a family of seven sons and four daughters: Francis X. (a merchant), Mary Anna, Jacob J.. John H. (a printer). Edward L., Cecilia J., Albert G.. William A., Lucy M., Ida A. and Otto P. Mr. Ball and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. St. Joseph's congregation. He has been an active member of the Bruderbund, and is its present honored secretary. Mr. Ball has always been fully alive to the progressive spiritof the times, and has contributed liberally toward the support of all measures tending to the public good. He is an ardent Democrat, and a worthy member of the party in this county. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 755
	Eden Twp. - JOHN W. BARRICK, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born Jan., 1817, in Frederick Co., Md., son of George Barrick died in Maryland, and in 1846 his widow came to Ohio and settled in Eden Twp., this county, where she died in 1858. Their children were six in number: William, Catharine (Mrs. Dean), Margaret (deceased), John W., Mary C. (widow of Mr. Shriner) and Albert. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1839, with Catharine S. Devilbiss, by whom he has seven children: George W., married to Elizabeth Ogden; Simon F., married the first time to Martha Burnside (by whom he had one child, Howard; and the second time to Ella Kemp, by whom he has one daughter, Bertha); Margaret, wife of A. Cox; Virginia R.; Alice A.; Mary C.; and Walter, married to Sarah Kemp. Mrs. Barrick died in 1881. Our subject, in 1846, moved on the farm where he has since lived, and which was partly improved. He has been very successful; has served as assessor, assistant assessor, and as school director. He is a member of the Reformed Church of Tiffin. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 847
	Adams Twp. - ROBERT M. BARTLETT, lumber dealer, P. O. Green Spring. The paternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were Samuel and Elizabeth (Kating) Bartlett, natives of Maine, who came to Ohio during the war of 1812, and in 1826 settled in this county, where they died. Their son, Oliver L. Bartlett (the father of Robert M.) was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1819, and was married, in Seneca County, in 1844. to Hannah E. Warner, who was born in 1826, in Berkley County, Va. (Her parents were natives of Virginia, where her father died, his widow and family coming to Seneca County, Ohio, about 1833, and here Mrs. Warner died at the age of seventy-eight years.) Oliver L. Bartlett began farm life in this county, where he improved many acres of land. In 1844 he removed to Sandusky County, Ohio. There he continued farming, reading law in leasure hours, and in a few years he commenced the practice of law in his neighborhood. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and in 1862 he moved to Green Spring, Ohio, where he opened a law office. He acquired a large practice in the courts of Lucas, Sandusky and Seneca Counties, and continued in the practice of law until his death, which occurred in 1882. His son, Robert M. Bartlett, subject of this sketch, was born October 9, 1847, in Sandusky County, Ohio. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years. In 1882 he entered into partnership with C. R. Smith, and purchased the sash, door and blind factory in Green Spring, Ohio, which he still continues to operate in connection with a large lumber yard, etc. He was married, August 27, 1875, to Miss Mary Franks, a native of this county, and this union has been blessed with three children: Harry, Bert and Fred. Mr. Bartlett has three sisters and two brothers. He is a man of business ability, and active in public improvements and enterprises; was mayor for one term. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
	Clinton Twp. - B. F. BAUM, agent of the Northwestern Ohio Railway Company, Tiffin, was born in York County, Penn., Dec. 9, 1845, and is a son of Peter S. and Elizabeth (Stambaugh) Baum. The Baums were German pioneers in the State, Peter Baum, grandfather of our subject, being a native of Germany, one who died recognized service in the Revolutionary war. The Stambaugh's bore a similar record, Jonathan Stambaugh, subject's maternal grandfather, having also served in the Revolutionary War. The subject of this sketch began telegraphing in Parkton, Md., and held the office there for two years. He continued with the Northern Central Railway of Maryland for seven years, after which he engaged in commission warehousing in Glen Rock, York Co., Penn. In 1872 he came to Wooster, Ohio, and after a year's professional work in the Pennsylvania Company's lines he came to Tiffin, where he has been prominently identified with the Northwestern Ohio Railway since, his present incumbency having been received by him in 1881. Mr. Baum was married at Glen Rock, Penn., in 1868, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Emanuel Sheffer, and by this union there were two sons and three daughters: Arthur, Philip, Clara and Gracie living. Lottie (the eldest) is deceased. Mr. Baum has been a F. & A. M. since 1869; is also a member of the K. of H. and K. of P. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 755
	Clinton Twp. - CHARLES F. BEARD, stock dealer, Tiffin, represents one of the important industries in this locality. He was born in Bristol County, Mass., October 25, 1829, and is descended of pioneer Scotch and English ancestry in the East. His parents, Matthew and Hanna (Lapham) Beard, settled in Scipio Township, this county, in 1833, and are there buried along with a son and daughter. The subject of our sketch has followed his father's business (farming and stock-raising) with excellent success. He was united in marriage, in 1853, with Mrs. Lucinda Tabor, daughter of Erastus Jones, of Scipio Township, this county, and by her he has two daughters: Ida, now the wife of J. Smith, of Scipio, and Janie, wife of Mr. Skransewfky, of Ohio. Mr. Beard has avoided publicity in political matters, acting upon the motto that "what is worth doing is worth doing well." He has accumulated a handsome competency from his business, and has lived to see his children well educated and taking upon themselves the importance in life this position requires. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 755
	Adams Twp. - SIMON P. BEMISDERFER, merchant, Berwick was born in Franklin County, Penn., June 12, 1841. His parents, John and Christian Bemisderfer, were natives of Franklin County, Penn., where they were married and remained until 1876, at which item they came to Wyandot County, Ohio, and in 1882 moved to Kansas, where they reside at present. Our subject was married, Mar. 7, 1867, to Emma L. Zigler, born in Wyandot County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1847, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Zigler, natives of Adams County, Penn., and who in a very early day came to Wyandot County, Ohio, where they still reside. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bemisderfer has been blessed with seven children: Annie M., John J., Estella C., Loring L., Bertha E., Harvey O., and Lula M. Our subject who is a miller by trade, came to Ohio in 1862, and on Aug. 12, same year, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participated in several battles, and was mustered out of service June 12, 1865. After returning home he served as clerk in a store at McCutchenville, Ohio, for a short time; then engaged at farming until 1880, when he sold his farm and moved to Berwick, where he has since engaged in mercantile business. July 1, 1881, he was commissioned postmaster, which office he still holds. Mr. Bemisderfer has met with a fair degree of success in all his business enterprises. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 988
	Adams Twp. - E. D. BEMENDERFER, senior member of the firm of Bemenderfer & Co., manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, manufactory located on High and West Man Streets, Attica, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 18, 1842, son of Samuel and Christine (Funk) Bemenderfer, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and of German descent. The father of our subject who settled in Venice Township, this county, in 1842, and who was a successful farmer, died in 1884; of his eight children, seven are now living, all residents of Seneca County except Jacob, who is now in New Mexico. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, and after receiving a common school education attended the academy at Republic, and in early life taught school. In 1866 he embarked in the manufacture of handles and rakes, which in 1874 was merged into his present business. The building is two stories high, nearly seventy feet square, and the firm employ fifteen men, and manufacture about 1,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Bemenderfer was married, in 1867, to Mary Jane, daughter of John Koller, and of German descent, by whom he has two children: Esther and Harry. Mrs. Bemenderfer is a ember of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bemenderfer is a Prohibitionist in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is now in the town council. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 1016
	Adams Twp. - W. K. BEMENDERFER, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born on the farm where he now resides, in Venice Township, this county, Apr. 2, 1851; son of Samuel Bemenderfer, who served in most of the township offices, moved to Attica in 1872, and for ten years previous to his death led a retired life; his widow now resides in Attica, Ohio. Our subject, the seventh in a family of eight children, was educated in the district schools of his native county and has followed farming all his life. He is now owner of eighty acres of well-improved land. He was united in marriage, in 1873, with Susan, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Murray) Hoke, former of whom, of German descent was a miller, farmer, and an early settler of Venice Township, this county. To our subject and wife ahs been born one child, Effie May. Mr. Bemenderfer has acted as school director of Venice Township. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 1017
	Clinton Twp. - LEWIS F. BENDER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born near Red River, Canada, June 9, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Rosanna Bender, natives of the old country, and who came to Canada where they were married and first settled about 1822; in the latter part of 1823, being routed by the Indians, they went down the Missouri River as far as St. Louis, and there Mrs. Bender departed this life. The rest of the family remained in St. Louis about four years, during which time Jacob Bender again married, this time to Rosanna Clink, a native of Wurtemberg. From St. Louis the family moved to Alton, Ill., and there remained some years, then moved to Cincinnati, where they staid a short time, and from there went to Richland County, Ohio, and, in 1833, came to this county, remaining until 1847, then moved to Williams County, where Jacob Bender died; his widow now resides in Missouri. Lewis F. Bender, our subject, was united in marriage in this county, September 15, 1850, with Massey Figgens, whose maiden name was Leonard, a daughter of Ezekiel and Anna (Leonard) Leonard, and who was born in Westchester County, Penn., July 21, 1819; her parents are both deceased. Our subject and wife are the parents of four children: Ada V., wife of Isaiah Staley; Rebecca E.; Charlie F.; and Mabel, all living. Mr. Bender is a tanner and currier by trade, but has been engaged in farming most of his life, and owns a tine farm where he and his family reside. Our subject, like his father, has been somewhat of a rover in his time. In 1861 he went prospecting in California and returned at close of same year. Mrs. Bender and her son, Charles, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bender was christened in the German Lutheran, when an infant, and also in the Catholic faith, at five years of age, it being the grandparents' wish on the mother's side, but being "universally" inclined he has joined no other church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 756
	Clinton Twp. - JOHN H. BENNEHOFF, county recorder, Tiffin, was born in Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. His parents, Solomon and Ann (Rader) Bennehoff, settled in that locality in 1840, coming from Lehigh County, Penn., the former descended from pioneer German ancestry of Pennsylvania, and the latter from English pioneers of same State. John H. Bennehoff is the seventh child and fifth son of a family of six sons and two daughters (two sons and a daughter now deceased). His early education was obtained in the schools of Scipio Township, this county, where he excelled as a student, insomuch that at the age of eighteen he received a certificate as teacher, in which profession he was well known here for twelve years; during this time he also attended school at Heidelberg College, and completed a commercial training at Bryant & Stratton's College at Cincinnati. He is what is generally known as a self made man, having to rely upon himself for an education and his advancement in social life. In 1881 he retired from teaching to fill his present incumbency (a position to which he was chosen out of a list of thirteen competitors), in which capacity he has been reputably connected ever since, receiving at his re-election a largely increased majority of the popular vote of the county. Mr. Bennehoff has served as secretary of the State Recorders' Association and is now vice-president of said association. He was married, November 9, 1882, at Monroe, Mich., to Miss Ida A. Hensinger, a lady of excellent attainments, daughter of John and Catharine (Neikirk) Hensinger, of Adams Township, this county. They have two sons—Otto John and Orlando G. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the encampment. He is a stockholder of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company, and a cordial supporter of all measures tending to the development of the industrial life of this locality. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 756
	Thompson Twp. - WILLIAM F. BENNEHOFF, farmer, P. O. Bellevue, Huron County, was born August 20, 1842, in Lehigh County, Penn. His father, Solomon Bennehoff, a native of Lehigh County, Penn., married Ana Rader, and they came to Adams Township this county, in 1843, where Mrs. Bennehoff died in 1855. In 1858 Solomon Bennehoff located in Scipio Township, this county, where he remained until his death, which occurred June 17, 1884, in his seventy-eighth year. The subject of this sketch, the third in a family of eight children, received his education in the schools of the home district. December 25, 1871, he married Miss Barbara Ellen Royer, a native of Thompson Township, this county, and a daughter of Samuel Royer. Mr. and Mrs. Bennehoff have resided in Thompson Township ever since their marriage. Their children are Calvin Arthur, who died at three years of age; Anna M.; Jennie T. and Jessie Irena. Mr. Bennehoff held the position of clerk of Thompson Township from 1875 to 1880, discharging his duties faithfully, and to the satisfaction of the people. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 1003
	Liberty Twp. - AMANDUS BETTS, railroad contractor, P. O. Bettsville, was born July 9, 1843, son of Daniel Betts. He received such an education as could be secured in the common schools, and August 22, 1862, enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Eastern army and discharging his duties faithfully until June 19, 1865, when he was discharged with the rank of sergeant. Feb. 13, 1870, he was married to Mrs. Phoebe (Rosenberger( Halter, who was born in Liberty Township, this county, Jan. 15, 1844, daughter of Nicholas Rosenberger. By her first husband, Mrs. Betts has one son - Milo - now residing at Liberty Township, this county; by her second marriage she has one daughter - Lottie born July 14, 1871. Mr. Betts for several years was engaged in farming, and dealt largely in grain. He is the owner of one of the most beautiful farms and picnic grounds in Branch County, Mich. In 1876 he commenced contracting with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for supplying all kinds of lumber and ties, since when he has done a very large business; has also large contracts with the Lake Shore, O. C. and Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroads. Mr. Betts is a member of the K. of H. and of the chapter, a member of the G. A. R. and the I. O. O. F., of Bettsville; also a member of the K. of P., Lodge No. 147, and the F. & A. M., Lodge No. 336, at Fremont, Ohio. He is prominent in lodge matters, having filled the highest positions in the subordinate lodges, and been representative to the Grand Lodge. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
	Liberty Twp. - MICHAEL BETTS, farmer, P. O. Bettsville, was born in Center County, Penn., Jan. 3, 1809; son of John and Barbara (Boyer) Betts, who moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1821, and to Liberty Township, this county, in 1832, locating on Section 3, where the father of our subject caused to be laid out the twenty-one original lots of Bettsville in 1838. John Betts was the father of six children: John (deceased), Michael, Mary (Mrs. Daniel Martin), Sarah (deceased wife of Abraham Borough), Daniel, in Bettsville, Ohio, and David, in Fremont, Ohio. Michael Betts was married, April 20, 1850, to Catharine Bish, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 13, 1821, and is the daughter of Henry and Mary (Zirkel) Bish, natives of Virginia, but early and prominent settles in Fairfield County, Ohio. To our subject and wife have been born five children: Irena D., Henry A., Isaiah F., Salome E. (deceased) and Mary C. Mr. Betts followed the mill-wright trade for about thirty years in various States. He was active in township affairs, and took a leading interest in securing the Pennsylvania Railroad through Bettsville, and in the various enterprises for the good of the people he has always been among the foremost. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
	Clinton Twp. - DELANZA MONROE BEVER, contractor and builder, Tiffin, is the fourth son of the Rev. Joseph Bever, and was born in Eden Township, this county, March 7, 1844. He learned the carpentering trade in this county and embarked in the building business, with which he has been prominently connected since. Mr. Bever was united in marriage, February 22, 1883, at Tiffin, with Jessie, daughter of Squire Gabriel J. and Regetta Keen, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bever's building interest here has been confined to private residences, among which may be noticed those belonging to C. J. Yingling, Benjamin G. Atkins, and others. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 757
	Clinton Twp. - CAPT. RUSSEL HANBY BEVER, contractor and builder, Tiffin, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, April 19, 1837, son of the Rev. Joseph and Sarah (Trimble) Bever the former of whom, a native of Virginia and of pioneer German ancestry of that State, was educated to the ministry of the United Brethren Church, and after doing considerable pioneer work in other parts of the State settled in Eden Township in the spring of 1823. Rev. Joseph Bever reared six sons, all of whom are active and useful citizens: Russel H.; A. M., a builder of Marion, Ohio; D. M., a builder; L. O., a farmer in Eden Township, this county; J. T., a builder of Fostoria, Ohio; J. M., a lawyer and present mayor of Fostoria. Capt. Bever learned the blacksmith's trade at Melmore and followed it there till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he enlisted, September 25, 1861, in Company H, Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and steadily advanced in promotion to the commission of second lieutenant. May 2, 1863. April 1, 1864, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and November 3, same year, to the captaincy of his company, which he honorably held till the end of the war. He was honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 21, 1865, as veteran of Company H. Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war he engaged in contracting and building in Tiffin, and has been prominently identified with that industry here since. Capt. Bever was married in Melmore, this county, in 1858, to A. E. Bretz, daughter of Jacob and Phila (Wolf) Bretz, pioneers of Eden Township. This union has been blessed with three sons and two daughters: Robert C., Viola B., Minnie J., Ralph V. and Earl J.; Mrs. Bever and daughters are worthy members of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which the Captain is a liberal contributor. He is a member of Isaac P. Rule Post G. A. R. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 757
	Clinton Twp. - CATHARINE BIEHLER, P. O. Tiffin, widow of Andrew Biehler, who died in 1876, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany). Landing in Maryland, she remained there four years, then moved to Pennsylvania, where she resided four years, and in 1854 came to this county. Her six children are all married: Catharine (Mrs. Schroth, mother of four children); Nicholas, married to Christena Willie; Henry, married to Sarah Breidinger (have two children); Louisa, married to J. Schroth (have one child); David, married to A. M. Hoke (have four children); Callie B., married to W. S. Wagner (have one child). Mrs. Biehler, who is a fine old French lady, resides on the old homestead. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 757
	Clinton Twp. - REV. D. D. BIGGER, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of Tiffin, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., May 18, 1849, and descends from a people prominent in connection with Presbyterian church work in this country on both sides of his parentage. His father, the late Rev. Matthew Bigger, D.D., of Bushnell, Ill., was a son of David Bigger, of New Concord, Ohio, who was prominent there as a pioneer farmer, tanner, and an active United Presbyterian churchman, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and of direct lineal descent from the Biggars, of Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His family consisted of four sons and four daughters, of whom Matthew, the eldest, took prominence in connection with educational institutions, notably in West Virginia and in Illinois, and another son was the Hon. David Proudfit Bigger, M. D., of Missouri, and, more professionally, consulting surgeon of the Union Pacific Railway. The mother of our subject was Mary Jane Cunningham, daughter of John Cunningham, a native of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish extraction, and who reared a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom are Thomas Mitchell Cunningham, D. D., prominently known in this country in connection with the Presbyterian Church, and James Cunningham, M. D., of Monmouth, Ill., a physician of repute, and an ardent churchman. It may be said in this connection that both the Bigger and Cunningham families' love for the faith was no less marked than their love of their early nationality, of which, in some of the earlier mention of these families' annals and reminiscences, their native heather, where they could worship openly, became talismanic. The subject of our sketch spent his early life in Monmouth (whither his father had removed in connection with the Presbyterian Theological Seminary there) and was educated there and at Chicago. He completed his academical education at Monmouth, and graduated in a collegiate course there in 1875. He then entered the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago in a theological coarse, and graduated from that institution, under the presidency of F. L. Patton, D. D., LL.D., in 1878. He had received a license to preach in the preceding year, and had during his stay in Chicago he^n very active in connection with mission work, with the Presbyterian Church there, so that upon graduating he felt better able to combat his work, and accepted his present call, in May, following his graduation, and circumstances have proved his better judgment (see church history). He married in La Porte, Ind., May 23, 1878, Miss Sarah Louisa Breese, daughter of John H. and Harriet (Bowers) Breese, natives, respectively, of New York and Vermont. They have two sons and one daughter: Paul Breese, Matthew Leon and Genevieve Marie. Mr. Bigger, while being an ardent minister, is an excellent citizen; of a suave and affable disposition, he gathers around him many friends not controlled by his ecclesiastical teachings, and in this connection may be probably traced an important incentive to the marked growth of the Presbyterian Church here since his advent. In stature he is of medium height, of good physique, and, on the rostrum, he is a deep reasoner, a forcible debater and an eloquent speaker. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 757
	LEWIS C. BIRK, proprietor of harness shop and livery stable, Bloomville, was born June 19, 1854, in Bucyrus, Ohio, where his parents, john G. and Hannah Birk, still reside. At fourteen years of age our subject began learning the trade of saddler and harness maker. He married, June 19, 1876, Miss Carrie Kirgis, who was born on the farm in Lykens Township, Crawford Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Birk located in Bloomville, this county, in May, 1878, and he at once established a shop where he manufactures a general line of harness, saddles, etc., and keeps a full stock of whips, brushes, robes, blankets and horse furnishing goods. This is the only place of the kind in Bloomville, and one of the best and most complete shops in Seneca County. In March, 1884, Mr. Birk the best and most complete shops in Seneca County. In March, 1884, Mr. Birk established a livery stable in Bloomville, building a new barn and furnishing it with throughout, and, as he believes in the old adage that "what is worth doing at all is worth doing well," has made it one of the bets liveries in the county. Mr. Birk is a member of the K. of P. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 732
	JACOB BLACK, farmer, P. O. Adrian, was born in Clinton Township, this county, May 3, 1828; son of Jacob and Sarah Black, natives of Maryland, who were married and first settled in the East, thence in 1827 moving to Tiffin, this county, and from there to Wyandot County, Ohio, where Mrs. Black departed this life in 1863; Mr. Black lived among his children until his death which occurred in 1877. Our subject was united in marriage, Nov. 11, 1852, with Elizabeth Miley, born in this county, Mar. 8, 1838, daughter of John and Magdalena Miley, native of Virginia, who settled in Seneca County, Ohio, about 1828, and here remained until their death. Mr. Miley dying in 1874 and his wife in 1856. Our subject and wife are the parents of four children, of whom two are now living: John H., born Sept. 1, 1853, and Albert F., born Sept. 28, 1862; the deceased are Emma A., wife of Frank Johnson, and an infant. Mr. Black owns 173 acres ell-improved land. Mrs. Black is a faithful and consistent member of the United Brethren Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 716
	Loudon Twp. - AUGUST E. BLESSING, dealer in furniture, Fostoria, was born in the province of Wurtemberg, Germany, Aug. 17, 1854; son of Michael and Margaret (Frosch) Blessing. He was educated in his native land, and at age of fourteen, immigrated to America, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship of three years at cabinet-making, finishing in the establishment of Hardt & Malone. In 1873 he went to Medina, Ohio, where he worked at his trade up to 1880, when he located in Fostoria in the furniture business, and has occupied his present elegant quarters, in the "Foster Block," since March, 1883. He occupied two floors and basement, which are filled with the largest stock and latest designs in furniture to be found in the city. Mr. Blessing married, Oct. 8, 1879, Sarah C., daughter of James H. and Jane (Hervey) Green, of Medina, Ohio, and by her he has one child, Jennie M. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of P., and R. A. Mr. Blessing is one of the live enterprising young business men of the city. Politically he is a Republican. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 890
	Bloom Twp. - EDWARD P. BLISS, merchant, Bloomville, was born in Ledyard, Cayuga Co., N. Y., July 1, 1833. His father, Parley Bliss, was drowned in Cayuga Lake, June 29, 1834; his widowed mother, Mrs. Polly Bliss, came to Scipio Township, this county, in 1835. Her our subject grew to maturity, receiving his education in the school of the home district. At eighteen years of age he began life for himself as clerk in a dry goods store, an occupation he followed until he embarked in business on his own account in 1857. He carried on a store in Republic, Ohio, until 1859, when he located in Bloomville, and established a store, well known to all of the older inhabitants, in the old Hunsicker Block. In 1863 he purchased the hotel building opposite, in which he carried on the store in connection with the hotel for about ten years. In 1873, in partnership with John T. Reid, he built the Commercial Block in Bloomville. This block was the beginning of the improvements of the town, and in still one of the best business buildings in the place. Mr. Bliss at once located in the store which he still occupies in this block, and has here the oldest dry goods establishment as well as the oldest business house, carried on continuously by the same proprietor in Bloomville. He has a full line of dray goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, notions, etc., and has built up an extensive trade, which he continues to hold above all competitors. Nov. 16, 1854, Mr. Bliss was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Krilley, who died Sept. 12, 1873, leaving four children: Melvin O., Malcolm E., Willie H. and Ginnella. Mr. Bliss married, on second occasion, Dec. 2, 1874, Miss Nancy E. Turner, who died Apr. 1, 1875. He afterward married, June 7, 1877. Miss Eliza A. Andrews, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bliss is a lifelong Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 732
	Adams Twp. - ENOCH BOLIN, farmer, P. O. Clyde, Sandusky County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 2, 1826, and is a son of George and Mary (Pearce) Bolin, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively, and who were married in Columbiana County, Ohio, moving to Wayne County, and from there to this county in 1832; they died in Thompson Township, this county, at the ages of ninety and eighty-seven years respectively. George Bolin was drafted in 1812, and served six months in the war of that time. Of their family of ten children, seven are now living. Enoch Bolin purchased his land in Adams Township this county, in 1853, and has resided upon it ever since. He was married, Sept. 14, 1851, to Miss Polly Kestler of Adams Township, this county, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Kestler, who settled in this county about 1833; they had eleven children, of whom only two survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Bolin has been born one daughter, Amanda J., now the wife of Jacob Wagner who resides upon and operates the farm owned by Mr. Bolin. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have one daughter named Della Rebecca. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
	Thompson Twp. - JOHN BOLIN, farmer, P. O. West Lodi, was born August 5, 1838, in Thompson Township, this county; a son of George and Mary Bolin. He now owns the old family homestead, where he was born and brought up. He married Miss Mary Snavely, November 30, 1865, and they have two daughters, Emma Jane and Elmira and one son - Enoch. Mrs. Bolin is a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Bolin is a life-long Democrat, and a leading and highly respected citizen of Thompson Township. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 1003
	Hopewell Twp. - JACOB A. BONER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born May 2, 1809, in Frederick County, Md. He has no remembrance of his father, who died when our subject was very young. His mother subsequently married John Julian. Our subject came to Ohio in 1826 and located near Tiffin, where his step father bought forty acres of land and spent the remainder of his life. The Indians, who were then quite numerous, would often visit the family in those early days. To Mr. and Mrs. Julian were born seven children: Samuel, Margaret, John, Sarah A., William, Joseph and Victoria. All of this family are now deceased but Victoria and John. The subject of this sketch were married, in September, 1831, to Elizabeth, daughter of George Slosser, one of the pioneers. In 1844 Mr. Boner and wife came into the woods of Hopewell Township, settling where they now live, and when there was but one log schoolhouse in the township. They have six children living: Agnes, wife of Joseph Staub; William, married to Rachael Cook; Ann, wife of Mathias Ulman; Joseph, married to Mary Kuhn; Catherine A.; Jacob A.; all residing in this township but Ann, who lives in Indiana. Mr. Boner has been an eye witness to the growth and improvement of Seneca County. He was justice of the peace for three years in Hopewell Township, and has been a leading farmer. His wife, who is now seventy-seven years old and who has been married fifty-four years, is a lively old lady, with a retentive memory, and remarkably quick in her actions cnsidering her age. The family, one of the oldest in the county, are members of the Catholic Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 854
	Pleasant Twp. - ALFRED S. BONNELL, farmer, P. O. Watson, a son of William and Anna M. )Bayter) Bonnell, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, Jan. 13, 1847. He was reared a farmer, an occupation he still follows. He was united in marriage, May 6, 1869, with Miss Emma Norris, of Scipio Township, this county, where she was born Dec. 11, 1852, daughter of Lott and Lurana (Todd) Norris, who, in a very early day, emigrated from Maryland to this county, where they reared a large family, of whom Mrs. Bonnell is the yountest. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell were born four children: Estella E. (deceased), Nellie M., Charles A. and Bertha . (latter deceased). Mrs. Bonnell is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Bonnell is a stanch Republican in politics. His parents, natives of Lycoming County and Philadelphia, Penn., respectively, were married in Lycoming County, Penn., thence came to Ohio and settled in Pleasant Township, this county, in May, 1838, and here reared their family of eight children: Catherine A., John G., Mary E., Jacob T., Margaret J., Richard W., James P. and Alfred S., all living but Mary E. and Richard W. The father died Apr. 15, 1885, the mother still resides on the homestead farm with her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret J. and Daniel Collow, who were married Dec. 27, 1863, and are the parents of two daughters: Maggie E. and Minnie A. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page 936
	Pleasant Twp. - JOHN G. BONNELL, farmer, P. O. Watson, is a native of Lycoming County, Penn., born Apr. 10, 1834, son of William and Anna M. (Bayter) Bonnell, with whom he came to this county in 1838. He was married in March, 1857, to Miss Catharine E. Gittinger, a resident of Adams Township, this county, born in Frederick County, Md., daughter of Daniel and Jane (Dudrow) Gittinger who came from Maryland to the State of Ohio in an early day and settled in this county. Both are now deceased. To our subject and wife were born four children: Anna A., Margaret J., George R. and Frederick (latter deceased). Mr. Bonnell followed the carpenter's trade for several years, but since 1859 has been engaged in general agriculture. He purchased and improved 116 acres of good land in Pleasant Township, on which he now resides. For about three years during the late war of the Rebellion he was a member of Company I, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He has served his township in office of trustee for two years. In politics he is a stanch Republican. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page 935
	Pleasant Twp. - JAMES P. BONNELL, farmer, P. O. Watson, a son of William and Anna M. (Buyter) Bonnell, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, Nov. 19, 1844. He was reared on the farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married, Nov. 26, 1868, to Elnora Egbert, a resident of Pleasant Township, born in Adams Township, Aug. 30, 1846, a daughter of John D. and Ary A. (Griffin) Egbert, early settlers of this county, and who still reside in Pleasant Township. To our subject and wife have been born five children: William E., Arnetta M., John A., James G. and Richard L., all living but James G. all living but James G. In 1882 Mr. Bonnell purchased land in Pleasant Township, this county, on which he now resides. He served during the late war of the Rebellion as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, putting in full term of services with the regiment. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page 935
	GEORGE R. BOSWORTH, retired farmer, P. O. Green Spring, one of the early and highly respected pioneer citizens of Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, was born in Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt., Apr. 4, 1800, son of Nathaniel and Mary (Ranney) Bosworth the former born in Rhode Island Apr. 12, 1753, the latter in Connecticut, June 24, 1757; they married in Chatham, Conn., and there remained until after the Revolutionary war. Nathaniel Bosworth enlisted in the first regiment that was organized under Gen. George Bosworth enlisted in the first regiment that was organized under Gen. George Washington, serving his country eight years, and was in the last regiment when it was disbanded; four years of his time he served as commissary for Washington's family. He was captured by the British three times, and the last time was placed on board a British prison ship; he and four others deserted from the ship, and, venturing to swim across the North River, three of the party reached the shore, but the other two were less fortunate and sank beneath the waters. After the war Mr. N. Bosworth returned to his wife and children at Chatham, and remained there some years; thence he moved to Lebanon, N. H., where he and his family resided nine years, then moved to Chelsea, Vt., and in 1806 to Berlin, Vt., where the parents spent their remaining days; the mother died Aug. 11, 1841, and the father, Mar. 11, 1844; they were the parents of eleven children, only two of whom survive: Florella Richardson (aged ninety-five years) and George R. The subject of this sketch, in 1824, went from Berlin to Albany, Vt., where he was united in marriage, Nov. 5, 1827, with Lucy Delano, born May 25, 1803, in New Hampshire, daughter of Moses and Lydia (Baker) Delano, both deceased. To our subject and wife were born seven children: Lillis and William Franklin, living, and Solon, Sidney, Orpha, Mary and Frederick, deceased. Aug. 9, 1834, Mr. Bosworth and family came to Adams Township, this county, and settled on the farm where he now resides. Mrs. Bosworth departed this life Aug. 5, 1849, and Mr. Bosworth was afterward united in marriage Jan. 10, 1850 with Adaline Franklin, born Apr. 20, 1810, in Herkimer County, N. Y., daughter of Daniel and Ruth (Rounds) Franklin, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth have acted the part of parents toward Emma Childs, taking her when eight years of age, and rearing her to womanhood. Mr. Bosworth is a carpenter by trade, but has been engaged most of his life in farming. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 700
	Liberty Twp. - JACOB O. BOWLUS, merchant and postmaster, Kansas, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, Dec. 22, 1837, son of David and Nancy (Holloway) Bowlus, natives of Frederick County, Md., who settled near Fremont, Ohio, in 1822, where they died at an advanced age. They were the parents of six children: Rohanna (wife of Daniel Shook, residing near Fremont, Ohio); Margaret (deceased wife of Greenbury Burdette; she left a family near Fort Clinton, Ohio, Rebecca (deceased), H. A. (a merchant in Melrose, Ohio), Louisa (wife of James Hiett, a merchant in Fremont, Ohio), and Jacob O. Our subject was engaged in farming until 1865, when he embarked in merchandising in Kansas, Ohio, where he has since remained. For a time he was in partnership with his brother, but has been sole proprietor of the large and commodious store now occupied by him since 1879. Mr. Bowlus was married, in 1861, to Miss Sarah E. Deemer. No children have been born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Bowlus have an adopted daughter - Mamie E. Mr. Bolus is a member of the encampment, Kansas Lodge I. O. O. F., also of the K. of P. of Kansas, No. 183. He was appointed postmaster of Kansas, Ohio, in 1872. He is a man of prominence, and is held in the highest esteem by the people of the community in which he lives. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 879
	Clinton Twp. - COL. JACOB BOWSER, retired farmer, P. O., Tiffin, is one of the pioneers of Seneca County, born in Washington County, Md., January 7, 1806. His parents, John and Magdalena Bowser, were natives of Maryland, where they married and remained until 1829, at which time they moved to Ohio and settled in Clinton Township, and there resided until their death. They were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are now living: our subject and Mrs. Allen. Col. Bowser came to this county in 1827, remaining only a few weeks, and then returned to Maryland. In 1829 he again visited Ohio and bought the farm where he now lives, and in 1830 he returned to Maryland for his wife. They were married March 25, and came direct to the farm he had purchased in Clinton Township. Mrs. Bowser' s maiden name was Anna Startzman; she was born in Maryland in 1809, and was a daughter of David and Margaret Startzman, who remained in Maryland until their deaths. Col. and Mrs. Bowser were the parents of nine children, five now living: Martin L., Thomas B., Ezra J., James M. and Isabella, wife of Frank Chase. The deceased are David H., Margaret, John H. and an infant. Col. Bowser, who has been engaged in farming nearly all his life, owns 320 acres of land where he resides. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, trustee and land appraiser. Many years ago he was captain (commissioned September 20, 1883) of a company of State militia; eight years afterward he was promoted to the rank of major, a position he declined, accepting the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Col. Bowser is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bowser departed this life in January, 1876, leaving her husband and children, besides a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 758
	Jackson Twp. - DAVID BOYD, farmer, P. O. Longley, Wood County, born in Pennsylvania Feb. 22, 1822, is a son of Hugh and Margaret (Rogers) Boyd, of German descent, and who settled in this county in 1844. Our subject married, in 1844, Rosanna Weiser, which union has been blessed with two children: Jacob H. C. and Hugh W. A., both farmers. David Boy was a pioneer black smith, and has worked at that trade for over fifty years. He has been successful in life, owning at one time 360 acres of land in Jackson Township, this county. This land he ahs divided among his children. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page 869
	Jackson Twp. - HUGH W. A. BOYD, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, born Feb. 27, 1845, in Jackson Township, this county, is a son of David Boyd, a pioneer blacksmith of Jackson Township. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Jackson Township, was reared on a farm, and has been engaged in agriculture all his life. He married, in 1869, Margaret Longley, a daughter of John Longley. and to this union were born Cora A., Ella R., Kittie M., Anna M. and Perry O. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. He has held the office of school director, and for fifteen years has held continuously one of the following offices: trustee, township clerk, assessor and justice of the peace. He enlisted in 1868 in Company C, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served six months, then re-enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (100 days men), then re-enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war; he was a non-commissioned officer. Mr. Boyd is a member of the G. A. R. As a farmer he has been successful, and is the owner of a good farm on which he has a fine residence. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 - Page 869
	Bloom Twp. - JAMES BOYD (deceased) was born Jan. 31, 1805, in Centre County, Penn,. His father, Thomas Boyd, moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1813, and thence to Bloom Township, this county, in Apr. 1822, where he cleared up a farm and resided until his death in 1847. James Boyd married Miss Eliza Steele, who died leaving two daughters: Elizabeth, wife of George Saumaker, of Watson Station, Ohio, and Mrs. Emily Everett, who died in San Francisco, Cal., in Nov., 1871. Our subject married, on second occasion, Miss Mercy Smith, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., reared at Hadley, Mass., and came to Scipio Twp., this county, with her widowed mother and brothers about 1835. To this union were born three children: James T., Ethan C. and Ellen E. To this union were born three children: James T., Ethan C. and Ellen E. Mr. Boyd died July 14, 1865. Mr. Boyd ended a useful life, Nov. 11, 1871, at his homestead on Honey Creek, this county. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 733
	Bloom Twp. - JAMES H. BOYD, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born July 24, 1842, in Bloom Township, this county. After attending the schools of the district he completed his education under Prof. Aaron Schuyler at Republic. While at that school he enlisted, Sept. 25, 1861, in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and took part in many of the historical engagements of Virginia and the southeast. He received a severe wound in the right shoulder at the battle of Resaca, Ga.; re-enlisted with his regiment and served until the close of the war, being discharged, July 20, 1865. He bore the distinguished part in the service and rose to the rank of captain of his company. Returning home after the struggle he adopted agricultural pursuits. He was married, Oct. 10, 1867, to Miss Virginia E. DeWitt, eldest, daughter of the well known pioneer, William DeWitt, of Bloomville, Ohio. They have since resided on their pleasant farm of 175 acres. Their children are Smith DeWitt, Mary Alice, James Everett, and Carrie Eoline. Mr. Boyd is a Republican in politics. He has served his township as assessor and assistant United States marshal, and took the census in 170 in Bloom, Venice and Reed Townships, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Presbyterian Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 733
	Big Spring Twp. - PETER BRAYTON, farmer, P. O. Carey, Wyandot County, one of the first settlers in Big Spring Township, this county, was born in Crawford (now Wyandot) County, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1825, son of Elijah and Anna (Holebrook) Brayton, natives of Vermont where they were married and lived for a few years thereafter; thence they moved to Fremont, Ohio, in 1814, and from there to Huron County, Ohio, about 1816, and later to Wyandot County where they remained until about 1831, when they came to Big Spring Township, this county, settling on what is known as the Indian Reserve, and here they resided until death, Elijah Brayton dying in 1868, his wife in 1851. Our subject has been twice married, the first time Jan. 1, 1845, to Mary Ogg, born in Wyandot County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1826, daughter of Kinsey and Eliza Ogg, natives of Ohio (both now deceased), and to this union were born six children, five now living: Josephine, wife of John Foulk; Jesse; Emily J., wife of Joseph Crislip; Lafayette; Tefronia, wife of Maj. B. Bright; Newton is deceased. Jesse has been twice married, first time to Sarah Boucher, by whom he had one son and one daughter, and second time to Lilla Montgomery, who was born him one son and one daughter. Mrs. Brayton died Aug. 1, 1871, deeply mourned by her husband, family and a host of friends; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mar. 19, 1872, Mr. Brayton was again married, this time to Hannah Little, born in Hancock County, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1838, daughter of Solomon and Rachel Little, former of whom, a native of Virginia, died in July, 1864, latter, born in Harrison County, Ohio, is still living. One child, now deceased, was the issue of our subject's last marriage. Mr. Brayton owns 640 acres of good land. He was a member of the Ohio National Guards during the late civil war, enlisting June 29, 1862, in Company C, Forty-ninth Regiment; was detailed for guard duty at Johnson's Island, and received an honorable discharge, Aug. 12, 1862, and returned home. He subsequently provided two substitutes at a cost of $350. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Brayton is a stanch Republican. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 716
	Clinton Twp. - NELSON LUTHER BREWER, attorney at law, Tiffin, was born in Clear Spring, Washington Co., Md., September 17, 1832. the only son and youngest child of the family of five children of Emmanuel and Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer. His father was a son of Henry Brewer or Brua (as it was formerly spelled), who settled in Washington County about the time of the Revolution, and comes of German (Huguenot) ancestry, they having left their native country in consequence of the persecutions of that sect. Our subject's mother, Catharine (Zacharias) Brewer, was a daughter of George Zacharias, who settled in Washington County, Md., from Pennsylvania. Our subject at the age of twelve years went to Frederick City. Md., where he remained under the guardianship of his uncle, Rev. Daniel Zacharias, D. D., of the Reformed Church, a gentleman of prominence in his professional work in that State. There he gained a good literary training, and at nineteen years of age "went West" and taught school near Monroe City, Mich., for a year and a half. May 11, 1853, he came to Tiffin, this county, for the purpose of furthering his education and entered Heidelberg College, from which he graduated in 1855. Soon after he entered the office of the Hon. J. C. Lee, where he devoted himself to the study of law, and meantime taught in the college. In May, 1858, he was admitted to the practice and accepted a partnership with his honored preceptor, which continued till 1869. Meanwhile the great civil war broke out, and Mr. Brewer pronounced himself in strong terms for the Union cause, and assisted with his means in defense of it, and in May, 1804, entered the field of service, where he remained till the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge with a commission as captain. Upon the dissolution of partnership, in 1869. Gen. Lee went to Toledo, and Mr. Brewer, continuing the practice here, has since transacted a very important part of the professional work in this locality. He has often been urgently solicited to become a candidate in the political field, but with the exception of serving honorably on the school board for many years, has declined any further official honors. He has been an ardent member of the Reformed Church many years, has served its Sabbath-school as superintendent for over twenty years, and has been elder in the church for several years. Mr. Brewer was married, in Tiffin, September 17, 1857, to Libbie, eldest daughter of Dr. Joseph and Juliette (Hedges) Mason, and who passed away her young life in 1860, followed by her only child, Lettie, five years later. In 1861 Mr. Brewer married Harriet M., daughter of Amaza and Julia Chidester, of Aurora, N. Y., and by this union has two sons and two daughters: Julia. Edward A., Wallace W. and Grace. Mr. Brewer is a close student of human nature, a gentleman of broad and liberal principles, and, while in political minority, has done important service here in blending strong political factions in a common cause for the better furtherance of local interests. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 759
	Clinton Twp. - ANDREW J. BRICKNER, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Stove Works, and distiller. Tiffin, was born near Rodenfelss, Kingdom of Bavaria, January 12, 1829. His parents, Michael and Margaret (Raedelbach) Brickner, came to America with their family in 1840, and settled on land now known as Cromer's Station in Liberty Township, this county, where they reared four sons and five daughters: Michael, the eldest son (died, leaving a family of four children in Delphos. Ohio); John, a resident of Washington Township, Van Wert Co., Ohio; George, a manufacturer of woolen goods at Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; Mary, wife of John Houk, of Tiffin; Margaret (single), who manages Andrew J. s household affairs: Lizzie, wife of L. E. Sexstater, of Tiffin; Louisa, a Sister in the Ursuline Convent, and Lucinda, also a Sister in the Ursuline Convent; and A. J. The subject of our sketch learned merchant tailoring in Tiffin, and clerked for awhile in a dry goods store at Delphos. At twenty-two, he and his brother George went to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., and commenced a general store and milling business. In 1857 he retired from business there and went to Delphos, where he was connected with distilling for several years, in partnership with Bernhard Esch of that place. Withdrawing from that, he came to Tiffin, and in 1867 bought an interest in the grocery and distillery, the firm being known as Wagner & Brickner ; the distillery is still carried on by Mr. Brickner. In 1879 he became one of the original incorporators of the Ohio Stove Works, in Tiffin, with which he is still identified. He has been prominent before the people as an enterprising citizen and business man, and although adverse to holding office, has filled the alderman' s chair for his ward for eight terms. Socially, he is a very pleasant and affable gentleman. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 759
	Clinton Twp. - JACOB BRIDINGER, M. D., health officer of Tiffin, was born in Northampton County, Penn., March 25, 1843; son of Jacob and Saloma (Snyder) Bridinger, natives of that county, and of pioneer ancestry in the State. The subject of this sketch came to this county at the age of fifteen, completed a good education, and taught school for six years, principally in Crawford County, Ohio. He had meanwhile engaged in the study of medicine, but followed merchandising in Bucyrus, whence he removed after two years to Mount Blanchard, where he remained in that connection till 1874, when he returned to his medical studies and graduated in 1876, from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. After a short practice in Ashland, Ohio, he came to Tiffin, where he has since been professionally connected. Dr. Bridinger was married in Columbiana County, Ohio, to Lizzie Alberstadt, a native of that county, of pioneer Pennsylvanians. To this union have been born three sons, living: Frank L., Harry J. and Leon A. The Doctor and his wife are members of the English Lutheran Church. He is a F. & A. M., and has passed through the council. He is a member of the Ohio State and Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Associations. Since locating here the Doctor has been a very active worker in professional and public life, and has served the city as a member of the council for his (Fifth) Ward. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 760
	Clinton Twp. - KORA FRANK BRIGGS, son of Knowlton H. and Mary A. (Steele) Briggs, was born in Huron County, Ohio, March 6, 1858; moved with his parents to Wyandot County, where he grew to manhood; attended school at Upper Sandusky, and taught his first term in the winter of 1878-79. and five subsequent terms; attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, several years, teaching during vacation to pay his expenses. First newspaper work, as a solicitor for the Tiffin News, in 1880, and afterward for the Upper Sandusky Republican. In August, 1883, he engaged to Dumm & Brunner to take charge of the local department of the Marion Democratic Mirror. Shortly thereafter Messrs. Dumm & Brunner sold their interest in the Mirror, and Mr. Briggs came to Tiffin with Mr. Brunner, and assumed a similar place on the Seneca Advertiser, in April, 1884, which he still holds. Our subject is married to Emma E., daughter of John Brobst, of Upper Sandusky, and has one child, a little girl. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 760
	Bloom Twp. - CONRAD BRINER, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born Nov. 8, 1830, in Baden, Germany. His parents, John and Sophia Briner, came to America and settled in Bloom Township, this county, May 1, 1852. Here they purchased a home where they resided until their death. John Briner died, Aug. 28, 1878; his widow, Dec. 18, 1881, each aged eighty-two years. Their eight children were Mrs. Catherine Sitsler, residing in Germany; Susan (deceased); Jacob, residing in Logan County, Ohio; Conrad, Henry and Elizabeth, living in Bloom Twp.; John, residing in Pittsburgh, Penn., and Adam, a resident of Hardin County, Ohio. Our subject received an excellent education in his native language in Baden, and coming to America with his parents he has resided here ever since. He was married, Nov. 15, 1857, to Miss Anna Hunsicker, born in 1824, daughter of Michael and Hannah Hunsicker. Her parents moved from Montgomery County, Penn., to Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1837, and thence to Bloom Twp., this county, in 1842, and subsequently to Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Briner's children, Ida, (Mrs. Reif), Marsin, Adam, Adam, Jacob, William, Josephine and Frank are intelligent and industrious, occupying high positions in society. Mr. Briner is a member of the Reformed Church; Mrs. Briner, of the Mennonite society. They have been very successful through life; starting with but small means, they have accumulated a comfortable competency, and own a fine farm of 280 acres. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 733
	Eden Twp. - JAMES H. BRINKERHOFF, farmer, P. O. Melmore, was born Mar. 17, 1819, in Gettysburg, Adams Co., Penn.; son of Hezekiah and Jane (Kerr) Brinkerhoff, natives of Pennsylvania. Hezekiah Brinkerhoff came to Ohio in 1834,,, and settled in Seneca Twp., this county, where he purchased land, made a home for his family, and there remained until his death in 1847. Of his ten children six are now living: Alexander W., Sarah J., Margaret M., John N., George F. and James H. Our subject who received his education in his native State, taught school after coming to Ohio. He was reared on a farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits as an occupation. Mr. Brinkerhoff was twice married; first, in 1843, to Esther McGeehan, who bore him one child: Robert A., married to Flora Stewart (have two children). Our subject was married on second, Oct. 23, 1852, to Sarah A. Marquis, and to this union were born two children: Nelson M., married to Mary F. Burns, and Elizabeth, wife of G. A> Bassett. Mr. Brinkerhoff is one of Eden Township’s thorough-going farmers and good business men. Politically, he is a Republican. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 847
	Clinton Twp. - C. D. BRISH, butcher. Tiffin, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1839, son of William and Delila (Snook) Brish, and nephew of Gen. H. C. Brish; both the brothers. William and Gen. H. C. Brish, served with credit in government employ in early times; they were natives of Maryland, and of Scotch ancestry. Charles D. Brish was one of a family of four sons and five daughters. He married Catharine, daughter of Frederick Barres, Esq., of Tiffin, Ohio, who was of Pennsylvania pioneer stock, and by this union there is one son, Henry. Mrs. Brish is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Brish served for thirteen years as a member of the city constabulary of Tiffin, and was a member of the tire department. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 760
	Hopewell Twp. - JOHN BRITT, retired farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born June 24, 1811, in County Longford, Ireland, son of Patrick and Alice (McCoric) Britt, who with their six children came to America in 1830, and settled in Pennsylvania, where they remained twenty years. The names of the children are John, Mary J., Annie (deceased), Timothy, William (deceased), Catharine (deceased). Our subject was married, in Huntingdon County, Penn., to Miss Mary Nolen, by whom he had the following children: Frank P. (he was a soldier in the late war of the Rebellion, a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining until the war closed), Ann (Mrs. Leonard Beacox), Elizabeth, Alice, John, Ella (Mrs. F. Flack), Clara, Esther A. (deceased wife of S. W. Rohrer) and Maggie. In 1848 the subject of our sketch came to Ohio and settled in Hopewell Township, this county, where he lived and reared his family, and became a very successful farmer. He removed to Tiffin in 1883, but still retains his farm. He lost his wife by death May 19, 1884. Mr. Britt was elected justice of the peace of Hopewell Township, but resigned in favor of U. P. Coonrod. He filled the office of treasurer of the school funds and volunteer funds, of Hopewell Township, for eight years; was director of the infirmary six years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 855
Henry Brohl	Clinton Twp. - HENRY BROHL, notary public, insurance business and steamship passenger agent, Tiffin, was born in Bonn, on the Rhine, kingdom of Prussia, November 10, 1831. His parents, Henry and Anna Maria (Froendgen) Brohl, natives of Bonn, reared a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom Henry came to this country. The subject of our sketch was reared to mercantile pursuits (his father's business), and was completing a thorough collegiate training in his native land, when, in consequence of the "revolution." and upon his entering his majority, he felt compelled to seek an asylum where he could better cultivate his political independence, and came to our shores, locating at Sandusky City, Ohio, where he clerked for a few years in the dry goods and grocery business. In 1855 he came to Tiffin, and clerked in a wholesale grocery till the following year, when he joined Robert Crum in the wholesale grocery and liquor trade, in which he continued till 1865, when he retired from it, and has since been engaged in mercantile business. He married in Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1856, Miss Katharine Kranz, a native of Wiesbaden, Grand Duchy of Nassau, Germany, and daughter of Balthasar and Elizabeth Kranz, who came to this country in 1848. and settled on a farm near Sandusky City. Mr. and Mrs. Brohl have four sons and three daughters: Harry, in the Tribune office here; Edward P. (plumber by trade), now a book-keeper in Sandusky City; Charles, a civil engineer at New Hanover, Ill.; Theodore, a clerk in the Tiffin postoffice; Jennie; Bertha; and Katie. In 1880 Mr. Brohl was appointed notary public, and soon after added an insurance and steamship agency to the business. He is a gentleman of fine learning and noble qualities, has been a useful citizen in public as well as social life, and has served with credit on the school board of Tiffin for six years. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 761
	Big Spring Twp. - S. P. BROSEMER, farmer, P. O. New Riegel, was born in Big Spring Township, this county, Oct. 28, 1846, son of Landelin and Elizabeth Brosemer, natives of Baden, where they were married; they immigrated to America about 1832, and here settled on the farm where our subject now resides in Big Spring Township; thence they moved to New Riegel and there remained until Mrs. Brosemer's death, May 4, 1881, caused by a team of horses running away. Landelin Brosemer was born Sept. 8, 1803, died July 25, 1885. Our subject was united in marriage, Apr. 9, 1869, with Mary Thiel, born in Seneca County, Ohio, in December, 1851, daughter of Matthias (deceased) and Anna Thiel, and by this union have been born ten children, nine now living: Matthias, Stephen, Charles, Henry, Joseph, Leo, Anna, Otto and Louie A.; Andrew is deceased. Our subject owns eighty acres of good land. HE and his family are members of the Catholic Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 716
	Clinton Twp. - THOMAS GALEN BROSIUS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born December 30, 1850, in Wayne County, Ohio; son of Newton and Sarah (Dawson) Brosius, former of whom was born December 5, 1823, in Chester County, Penn.; a son of Benjamin and Phoebe (Booth) Brosius, who settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1836, removing seven years later to Stark County, where they purchased land near Mt. Union; they reared a family of ten children, all of whom are yet living; their names are Charles, Barkley, Newton, Joseph, Henry, Benjamin, Septimus, Jacob, Abner and Thomas. Our subject was married, May 4, 1881, to Mary E. Zook, daughter of George W. Zook, who died in Henry County, Ohio, in the spring of 1865, formerly a resident of Bedford County, Penn., and one of the earliest pioneers of Clinton Township. (A part of his family still live in that section of the county. ) This union has been blessed with two children—one deceased at age of ten months and Edward Galen. In 1876 Mr. Brosius visited Philadelphia, attending the exposition in that city. He has a fine farm, well stocked, and is an enterprising farmer and stock raiser. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 761
	Loudon Twp. ALEXANDER BROWN SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 790
	Adams Twp. - DR. J. L. BROWN, Green Spring, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., and is a son of Charles and Anna (Phelps) Brown, of New England birth and descendants of Plymouth colonists. His grandfather, Gen. John Brown, was a distinguished soldier of the Revolutionary war; his father served in the war of 1812, and the Doctor himself was in the late war of the Rebellion. His father and mother went to New York with their parents when but children, and were there reared and married. In 1832 they removed thence to Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Both are now deceased. Dr. Brown is the youngest of a family of six children. The father being a teacher by profession, each of his children, under his instruction, received their first educational training. The Doctor attended school at the Jefferson Academy until he was eleven years old, then continued his studies at Austinburg Institute, in Ashtabula Co., working for his board with the family of a dairyman, where, night and morning, he milked seven cows and drove them to pasture a distance of two and one-half miles, studying at nights by the light of a bark fire. At the age of twelve, at the request of his mother, he was taken into the family of Rev. Mr. Austin, a Presbyterian minister, there to be educated for the ministry of that denomination, and he remained about one year. At the age of thirteen he entered a drug store for a term of five years. When fifteen years old he taught his first term, thus aiding himself in furthering the great object of his life, the practice of medicine. At the age of eighteen he attended his first course of medical lectures. At twenty the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Mary McIntyre, and soon after marriage he came to Fort Seneca, Seneca Co., Ohio, and there began the practice of medicine, with a fortune of $1.70 as the sum of his worldly possessions. He continued practice in Fort Seneca for eight years, and in the fall of 1859 removed to Green Spring. The following winter he graduated from the Cleveland Medical College, and pursued his profession until the winter of 1862-63, when he enlisted as a volunteer surgeon in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry stationed at Winchester, Va., where he continued until June 17, 1863, when he was taken prisoner at the battle of Winchester, Gen. Milroy being in command. The Doctor was then sent to Richmond with other prisoners, and confined in the historical prison “Castle Thunder,” under grave charges preferred by the rebels. These charges not being sustained, after nineteen days of dungeon life, he was removed to Libby prison and put on equal footing with other prisoners of war. Here he was kept seven months and twenty-two days. At the expiration of this time he was exchanged, and returned to his regiment in Virginia, where he was appointed post surgeon, having to report monthly to Washington the sanitary condition of all hospitals from Martinsburg, Va., to Harper’s Ferry. This arduous duty Dr. Brown performed until the troops were all returned from these points to Richmond and vicinity. He then returned to his home and family at Green Spring, and soon after recommenced his profession. Previous to the war he was pronounced antrslavery man. With his father and his brother, the late Hon. O. P. Brown, he made addresses throughout a large portion of this State, urging the people to vote and work for the freedom of the slave. As a “boy orator” the Doctor gained a wide reputation, nor did his work consist in talk alone, for while the celebrated “underground railroad” was in operation he assisted many a poor negro to gain his liberty. The Doctor is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 700
	Loudon Twp. - WILLIAM BROWN SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 791
	Clinton Twp. - HON. LOUIS A. BRUNNER, of Tiffin, is of German ancestry, and was born in Frederick City, Frederick Co., Md. He fully availed himself of the advantages of an elementary and classical education, and, after a thorough course of theological study, was licensed to preach, in the summer of 1846, at Columbus, Ohio. Subsequently he entered upon the duties of the ministry, and served several Presbyterian congregations. In the spring of 1852 he was elected, by the Presbytery of Marion, Ohio, commissioner to the General Assembly, and attended the sittings of that body in Philadelphia, Penn., in May following. In 1860 his nervous centers gave way, prostrating him to such an extent as to force him to relinquish his chosen profession. However, having from a young boy dabbled in printer' s ink, and being compelled to labor for a livelihood, he purchased a printing office and took charge of the editorial department, and while not engaged in his duties of the tripod, worked at the case, sticking type. He has performed editorial work on the Odd Fellow, published at Boonesboro, Washington Co., Md., the Pioneer and the Union, of Upper Sandusky, and the Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel, an interest in which he owned in 1868 and 1869. He has resided in Wyandot County since 1849, excepting four years passed in Maryland, from 1856 to 1861. He has served on the board of school examiners of Wyandot, as a member of the village council, and was elected a member of the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, Sixty-fifth and Sixty- sixth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, occupying during the session of 1883-84 and 1885 the honored position of Speaker pro tem. In the Sixty-fourth General Assembly he served as clerk of the house, and his large experience as a lawmaker and his peculiar fitness for clerical duties, the result of early training, made him one of the best clerks the assembly ever had, and it was acknowledged by the members of both parties. Hence, as a mark of recognition, embodying the admiration of members, he was presented at the close of the session with a costly gold watch and chain, which he still carries with pardonable pride. Mr. Brunner's first year in the General Assembly was marked with ability and true statesmanship, and although it is seldom the lot of a new member to take prominence at the beginning, his experience was an exception, for, before the close of the session, he was the recognized leader of his side of the house, and this position he has ably and gracefully maintained during every term of his legislative career. His superior qualifications as a presiding officer attraced attention from all parts of the State, and in the Sixty-sixth Assembly he was the almost unanimous choice of his party for speaker; yet his usefulness upon the floor, and his own inclinations for activity amid conflict, induced him to decline the honor, and to accept at the demands of his party the position of speaker pro tem. He is perhaps the finest parliamentarian in the State, and we cannot better express this opinion than to give an extract from a letter written by a newspaper correspondent during the session of 1883-84. "The Wyandot Sachem, Brunner, as speaker pro tem., has demonstrated himself to be a superior presiding officer, fit to have held the gavel of the Long Parliament of Cromwell' s days, and whose legislative career has given his solid little Gibraltar (Wyandot County) a cameo-like prominence in the State's councils." In 1879 Mr. Brunner, in connection with Robert D. Dumm, purchased the Wyandot Union of L. J. Stalter, and by their united efforts again made the old Union one of the best county newspapers in the State. It now enjoys a large circulation, and an enviable widespread reputation. As an editor Mr. Brunner has few superiors, He is logical, clear and very effective, and has gained many admirers for his humorous touches of local incidents; but his great force and efficiency is as a campaigner, filling his well rounded and emphatic periods in that direct and forcible manner, which leaves no room for effective reply. While a ready, spicy and able writer, he is equally as ready and effective as a speaker, which his prominence in the house on all important questions of State policy has fully made clear. His polish, as a gentleman, and his great tact in winning and retaining the admiration and esteem of his fellow citizens are due, to some extent, to his genial nature, thorough education and wide range of information, gained through the avenues of an extensive and careful study of books and men. In September, 1882, he, with his old partner, Mr. Dumm. bought a half interest in the Mirror, at Marion, Ohio, and, although it proved to be a profitable investment and, in connection with the Democracy of Marion County, highly acceptable and pleasant, after eighteen months they sold their interest to their partner, Col. J. H. Vaughan. A part of this time Mr. Brunner was editor of the paper, and in the memorable campaign of 1888 gained a host of admirers for his efficient editorial work. Since the close of the legislative session of 1883-84 he has assumed a controlling interest and editorial charge of the Seneca Advertiser, one of the oldest and best newspapers published in Ohio, and he has fully made up his mind to make Tiffin his future home. He still holds his connection with the Wyandot Union with Mr. Dumm. but undoubtedly in the near future will sever that relation, and give his whole attention to the Advertiser, which will advance under his influence and enterprise, and rapidly become the leading county paper of the State. Mr. Brunner was married, in 1850, to Miss Jane Sherman, of Delaware, Ohio, and who was a native of Watertown, N. Y. Their three children are Mary, now the wife of John W. Geiger, of Tiffin, Ohio: Addie. now Mrs. B. W. Holman, of Washington. D. C, and Grace. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
	Clinton Twp. - PETER BUCHMAN. farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born in this county in June, 1842. His parents. John and Magdalena Buchman, were natives of Switzerland, where they were married and remained till about 1840, at which time they came to America, settled in this county, and there remained until the death of the latter, which occurred October 4, 1868. Mr. Buchman now resides with his children. Our subject was united in marriage, April 10, 1867, with Catharine Senn, born in this county May 23, 1843, a daughter of John and Catharine Senn, the former of whom was born in Switzerland, the latter in Belgium; they were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and first settled in Seneca County, Ohio, and from there removed to Pulaski County, Ind., where they now reside. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Mary E., Maggie C. and Rosa A. Mr. Buchman is one of the prosperous farmers of this county, and owns 163 acres of improved land. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 763
	Clinton Twp. & Tiffin City - JACOB FREDERICK BUNN, attorney at law, Tiffin, and judge of the Probate Court of Seneca County, was born in Thompson Township, this county, June 6, 1847. He comes of English ancestry on his father's side, and is of pioneer Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, John Bunn, was a native of Berks County, Penn., and thence removed to Perry County, in the same State (where Jacob Bunn, father of the Jude, was born), and from there to this county at an early period in its history, settling in Thompson Township. The subject of this sketch, when a lad, attended the common schools of this county, and at nineteen entered Heidelberg College, taking a full classical course of study, graduating in 1870. He had in the meantime engaged in the study of law in the office of the Hon. George E. Seney, and upon completing his studies at Heidelberg entered the Cincinnati Law School, in affiliation with the University of Cincinnati, and the following year as admitted to the practice of that profession in the State. He formed a partnership with the late Hon. A. V. Bierce, of Akron, Ohio, where he continued in excellent professional work for two years, when he retired from it there and came to Tiffin, this county, the associations surrounding his alma mater proving the magnet. Here he developed his abilities as a jurist, and, in 1878, received the nomination of his party and was elected to the incumbency which he now enjoys, and was re-elected to succeed himself in 1881. He married in Tiffin, in October, 1873, Miss Laura O., daughter of the late Hezekiah Groff, of Tiffin, a lady of estimable attainments, a graduate of Heidelberg, adn who passed away her young life July 12, 1880, and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. Judge Bunn is a keen dissecter of the facts, a deep reasoner, and, while busily engaged in adjudicating the more important portions of a case, does not let a single feature escape him, weighing well every issue. He is slow of conviction, but positive when convinced, characteristics which eminently fit him for more exalted spheres as a jurist in the time to come. Socially, he is an excellent citizen and an active supporter of measures tending to the city's development. He is vice-president of the Tiffin Edison Electric Illuminating Company, was for several years president of the Board of Trade of Tiffin, member of the school board, and is a member of the Library Association. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 763
	Clinton Twp. - ALBERT BUSKIRK, farmer, etc., Tiffin, a son of Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk, was born in Pittsburg. Penn., August 7, 1832. and was brought the same year to this county by his parents, who settled in Melmore, and there his father died in 1837; his mother died in Lima, Ohio, in 1880. (For the genealogy of the Van Buskirks and Wilsons, see H. A. Buskirk' s sketch. Albert Buskirk was reared to merchandising, and was well and favorably known to the trade here for eighteen years, retiring from it about 1867 to give his attention to farming, and stock rearing and dealing; in 1876 he went West to engage in stock rearing and dealing, and in 1880 he took J. M. Naylor in as partner, and so continued until they sold in 1883. Mr. Buskirk has ever been enterprising and progressive, and has contributed in no small degree to the many important interests of Tiffin. He was one of the organizers of the National Exchange Bank of Tiffin (now the Tiffin National Bank), and is at present one of its board of directors. During the war he did service in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as quartermaster. He was married in Tiffin, in 1856, to Ann C., daughter of Benjamin and Theresa (Creeger) Pittinger. natives of Maryland, and this union has been blessed with two sons and two daughters: Ralph J., Kate, Don and Addie. Mr. Buskirk is liberal in religious and political matters, and contributes to all worthy enterprises. He has accumulated a goodly amount of property, the result of steady, persistent industry, and has reared and educated his family well. He is a worthy citizen, and a kind husband and father. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 764
	Clinton Twp. - HENRY A. BUSKIRK, coal merchant, Tiffin, was born in Penn Yan, Yates Co;. N. Y.. in 1824; son of Jacob Buskirk (originally Van Buskirk), of pioneer Holland people in that State, and Adeline Wilson, of English ancestry of pioneer Vermont people. In 1832 Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk settled in Melmore, this county, where they were connected with the hotel business till the death of the former in 1837. In 1839 Henry A. took charge of the hotel, and carried it on till 1845, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in merchandising, in wholesale grocery business as clerk, from which he retired in 1849, and in 1851 embarked in business in Tiffin, and carried on an extensive wholesale and retail grocery trade for over twenty-six years, retiring from it in 1877 and engaging in his present industry. He was married at Melmore, this county, in 1848, to Angeline Arnold, by whom he has two sons and two daughters: Clara (wife of T. H. Noonan, general freight agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; E. K., in the wholesale mercantile traveling trade; Harry W., in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad freight office here, and Jennie, wife of Dr. John Robb, of Baltimore, Md., surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1868 Mrs. Buskirk passed away from this life in full communion with the Presbyterian Church, and is buried in Wood Lawn Cemetery here. In 1871 Mr. Buskirk married Fannie E. Grover, of Silver Creek, N. Y., and by this union has one son and two daughters: H. Grover, Eirene and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Buskirk attend the Presbyterian Church service, of which church she is a member. Mr. Buskirk has been a very active, public spirited pioneer citizen of Tiffin, and has contributed liberally toward the development of its many social and industrial interests. SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 764

CLICK HERE to Return to SENECA COUNTY, OHIO	CLICK HERE to Return to OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH is My MISSION GENEALOGY EXPRESS This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express ©2008 Submitters retain all copyrights