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Seneca County, Ohio
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BIOGRAPHIES

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.

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

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Adams Twp -
JAMES PAINE (deceased) was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, June 2, 1818; son of John and Sarah (Lawrence) Paine.  He was reared on a farm, received a common school education and entered upon his course in life as a teacher in common schools.  In 1832 his parents moved to Seneca Co., Ohio, and located in Adams Twp., and here our subject turned his attention to farming and soon became one of the practical and successful farmers of the township.  He was active in public affairs, and took an interest in all efforts for the advancement and good of the community in which he lived.  He was especially interested in religious and educational affairs, was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and for many years served the people in various offices of the township.  Mr. Paine was first married, Jan. 25, 1842, to Maria Ann Kline¸ who died July 25, 1854.  She was the mother of six children: George, John, Sarah, Melvina, Samantha and William.  Mr. Paine’s second marriage was, Mar. 8, 1855, with Mrs. Flora (Ellis) Cramer, who was born in Vermont, Aug. 13, 1832.  She was the widow of James Cramer, who, in life, was a mechanic in Castalia, Ohio, where he was well and favorably known for many years.  By him she had one child, James, who died in infancy.  This second union was blessed with three children: Clementine, James and Florence.  Mr. Paine died May 4, 1876, and the following year his widow moved to Clyde, Ohio, where she remained about eighteen months, then came to Green Spring, this county, where, in 1883, she erected the fine residence in which she now lives.  She has with her a grandchild, May (daughter of James E. Paine, Jr.), whose mother is deceased.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 708

Clinton Twp. & Tiffin City -
CHRISTOPHER C. PARK,
hardware merchant and dealer in grain and seeds, Tiffin, was born in Northumberland County, Penn., Oct. 4, 1829, and comes of a pioneer family of English ancestry of the State of New Jersey.  His father, John Park (formerly spelled Pearke) was a native of that State, and his mother, Elizabeth (Waggoner) Park, was a descendant of German pioneers of Pennsylvania.  In 1830 John Park came to this county and located at Tiffin, but after engaging in merchandising for several years removed (in 1844) to what is now known as "Pleasant Hill" farm.  Section 16, Clinton Township (C. C. Park's present property), where our subject grew to manhood.  At the age of twenty he (Christopher C. Park) went to California and spent two yeas successfully in mining operations, returning at the end of that time to continue his farming operations in this county.  In 1868 he took stock in the Tiffin Agricultural Works, and has continued in successful connection with it since.  In that year (1868) he invested in stock in the Tiffin Woolen Mills, and continued a supporter of that institution till its dissolution, and in 1874 he invested means in support of the Tiffin Shoe Factory, and was identified with it till it ceased corporate existence.  In 1875 he joined the establishment of the "Grange store," and continued an active manager of its interests, latterly (1880) purchasing the entire business, which he now represents only in hardware and agricultural machinery.  He is also a very ardent supporter and contributor to many other public enterprises in Tiffin, and has done a leading share to support its industries.  Mr. Park was married in Tiffin, Nov. 8, 1855, to Malinda, eldest daughter of Ezra Derr, of Clinton Township, a native of Maryland.  She died June 16, 1865, and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery with her two sons, Ezra Derr and Harry Rockey, leaving two sons and a daughter living:  Hiram G., associated with his father; John C., with the United States Express Company here, and Anna, wife of Thomas E. Crank, a druggist of Golden City, Mo.  Mr. Park was married on the second occasion, Sept. 10, 1868, to Elizabeth C. Smith, a native of Virginia, a lady of estimable attainments, and by this union has two daughters and two sons living: Alva Marins, Ida May, Lela Gertrude and Charles HowardMr. and Mrs. Park are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for over twenty years; is trustee at present, and has held official positions in it for many years.  He has been a member of the Masonic order for over thirty years, and is Past Eminent Commander of DeMolay Encampment No. 9, K. Y.  He is also a member of the K. of H., and of the A. L. of H.  During the late war of the Rebellion he served in Company D, Eight-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the existence of that regiment.  He has served with credit on the School Board of Clinton Township, and in municipal officdes in same township.  Mr. Park has been well and favorably known here for over half a century and has by dint of persistent industry and honesty accumulated a handsome competence, and has reared his family well, among the older members of which are some of our leading citizens.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 813
Adams Twp -
WILLIAM J. PAYNE, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of  Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, born Feb. 8, 1843, son of John W. and Susan (Rule) Payne moved here from Pickaway County, Ohio, about 1832, and his grandfather Rule moved here from New York State about the same time or a little later.  The subject of this sketch was reared in Thompson Township, this county, born May 25, 1844, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Gambee, also of Reed Township, where they were early settlers, having come from New York State.  In 1875 Mr. Payne returned to Adams Township, where he purchased land on which he now resides and follows general agricultural pursuit;  He also operates a hay and straw press.  He served a few months in the late war; has filled several of the township offices.  He is the father of five children:  Lucy E., John W., Ai, Jesse O. and Bessie L.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 709
ABRAHAM PETER (deceased) was born in Bindersheim.  Palatinate Frankenthal, Kingdome of Bavaria, Germany, Feb. 5, 1821, son of Abraham and Barbara (Shobach) Peter, who came to America in 1840 and settled in Loudon Township, this county.  Our subject was reared adn educated in Germany and came with his parents to this country when nineteen years of age.  December 24, 1843, he married Mary A., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smilsmer) Vesper, who settled in Loudon Township in 1840, and by this union there were thirteen children, of whom nine survive:  Elizabeth (Mrs. John Romig), Margaret (Mrs. Henry Reis), Mary (Mrs. Andrew Herbert), Louisa (Mrs. Ephraim Stahl), Charlotte (Mrs. Abraham Fruth), John A., Jacob, Philip and Sarah.  After his marriage Mr. Peter engaged in agriculture on a rented farm for five years.  In 1848 he purchased a fine farm of 175 acres on Sections 16 and 21, on which he made many improvements, residing there most of the time until 1883, when he retired from farming and moved to Fostoria.  In 1852 he went to California and again in 1854, and while there engaged in stock buying and mining.  He made these trips there overland, returning by water.  He died in Fostoria May 7, 1883, at the age of sixty-two years.  Though he started in life a poor boy, by industry, frugality and economy he accumulated a fine property.  Mr. Peter was widely known in Fostoria and surrounding country as an upright, honest citizen.  He was a respected and worthy member of the Masonic fraternity.  In politics he was a Democrat.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 919
DAVID PETER, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Loudon Township, this county, March 27, 1842, son of John J. and Elizabeth (Hahn) Peter, natives of Rhinebiern, Germany, and who came to this county in 1833, settling in which they cleared and improved.  The father died in 1878, at the age of sixty-eight years.  The mother survives him at the age of seventy-six.  They had a family of nine children, of whom five survive; Henry, David, Elizabeth, Philebena (Mrs. Melcher Fruth) and Mary (Mrs. John Fruth).  Our subject was reared in Loudon Township, receiving a limited education in the common school.  May 25, 1863, he married Susannah, daughter of Jacob and Civilla (Schraden) Fruth, of Loudon Township, receiving a limited education in the common school.  May 25, 1863, he married Susannah, daughter of Jacob and Civilla (Schraden) Fruth, of Loudon Township, this county, by whom he has four children living:  John W., Luisa J., Margaret E. and David A.  In August 1866, Mr. Peter settled in Henry County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, lumbering and teaming up to the fall of 1872, when he returned to Loudon Township, purchasing the farm he now occupies, a part of which he has cleared and whereon he had made many improvements in buildings, etc.  He is one of the prominent farmers of Loudon Township; has held the office of Township trustee three terms.  In politics he is a Republican.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 920
JOHN PETER, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 13, 1830, son of Abraham and Barbara (Shobach) Peter, who came to America in 1840 and settled in Loudon Township, this county, on eighty acres of land now owned by E. Kinney, former of whom died in Big Spring Township in 1871, in his eighty-first year, latter in 1840, eleven weeks after her arrival in this country.  They had a family of nine children: Philip; Abraham, deceased; Catherine, Mrs. Nicholas Findel; Margaret, deceased; Maria, Mrs. Jacob Heiserman; Civilla, deceased; Barbara, Mrs. Abraham Rinehold; John; Charlotte, Mrs. Adam Helfrick.  Our subject was reared in Loudon Township this county, and lived at home with his father until he was twenty-three years old.  He then rented the old homestead for seven years; in 1860 he moved to Henry County, Ohio, where he remained four years; returned to Loudon Township in 1865 and purchased the old homestead, living here four years, and in 1869 purchased the farm of 150 acres he now occupies, fifty-five acres of which he has cleared himself, making all the improvements in buildings.  April 7, 1854, Mr. Peter married Margaret, daughter of Jacob Helfrick, of Loudon Township, and by this union has four children: John J., Mary I. (Mrs. Warren Seever), Emma C. (Mrs. Adam Weasner) and Philip W.  Mr. Peter and family are members of the Lutheran Church.  Politically he is a Democrat.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 919
JOHN A. PETER, clerk, Fostoria, was born in Loudon Township, this county, February 15, 1854, son of Abraham and Mary A. (Vesper) Peter.  His paternal grandfather, Abraham Peter, a native of Germany and a soldier under Napoleon I. came to America in 1840 and settled in Loudon Township, this county, where he resided until his death.  His maternal grandfather, John Vesper, also a native of Germany, was among the pioneers of Loudon Township.  Our subject was reared and educated in his native township.  In 1877 he located in Fostoria and engaged as clerk in the clothing store of John Wagner, with whom he remained three years.  In 1880 he entered the employ of Peter & Fruth in the same capacity, remaining with the firm and its successor, A. Fruth, to the present time.  He was married August 22, 1878, to Lucy, daughter of Nathan and Lavina (Carbaugh) Wade, of Loudon Township, and by her he has one child, Mary Luema.  The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Peter was Abner Wade, who settled in Loudon Township in 1832, and was one of the organizers of the township and one of its first officials.  Her maternal grandfather was Samuel Carbaugh, also a pioneer of Loudon Township.  Mr. Peter is a member of the German 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 920
JOHN J. PETER, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born in Loudon Township, this county, July 13, 1855, son of John and Margaret (Helfrick) Peter.  He was reared and educated in Loudon Township.  June 9, 1881, he was married to Ella R., daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Alsbaugh) Ruse, of Hopewell Township, this county, and by her he has two children: Otto M. and Charles A.  Since his marriage Mr. Peter has been engaged in agriculture on the farm he now occupies.  He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.  Mr. Peter, who is one of the prominent young farmers of the township, is now serving his second term as township assessor.  Politically he is a Democrat.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 919
PHILIP PETER, clerk, Fostoria, was born in Loudon Township, this county, April 16, 1863, son of Abraham and Mary A. (Vesper) Peter.  Our subject, who was reared and educated in his native township, located in Fostoria in 1879, and entered the employ of Foster, Snyder & Co., serving in the capacity of clerk for two years.  In 1881 he engaged with Weaver & Adams in the same capacity with A. Weaver, successor to Weaver & Adams, with whom he is at present.  Dec. 1, 1882, Mr. Peter was united in marriage with Anna, daughter of George and Ellen (O'Brien) Emerine, of Fostoria, this county, and to this union has been born one child, Lulu M.  Mr. Peter is one of the worthy and representative citizens of Fostoria.  Politically he is a Democrat.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 920
Big Spring Twp. -
JOSEPH D. PETERS, farmer, P. O. Alvada, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Sept. 16, 1823, a son of Ephraim and Anna (Thompson) Peters, natives of Virginia, where they were married and first settled; thence they moved to Virginia, where they were married and first settled; thence they moved to Belmont County, Ohio, about 1824, and from there to Jefferson County, and in 1834 moved to Hancock County, where Ephraim Peters died in 1844; his widow was subsequently married to John Mullen, a soldier in the late civil war, and who died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn.; she resides near the old home farm and was seventy-five years of age Aug. 7, 1884.  Our subject was married, Sept. 17, 1848, to Sarah Benham, born in Wyandot County, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1829, a daughter of William and Julia Benham (both deceased).  Mr. and Mrs. Peters were the parents of four children, two now living: Josephine, wife of Daniel Shentz, and Melvina J., wife of William Ferguson; the deceased are William and Sarah J.  Mrs. Peters departed this life Mar. 2, 1855, and Mr. Peters was married, on second occasion, Nov. 6, 1855, to Nancy Roller, born in Hancock County, Ohio, Apr. 4, 1837, daughter of Caleb (deceased) and Sarah Roller.  To this union have been born nine children, seven now living: Ida M., Charles J., Alma K., Harry O., Anna, Ada D. and Mertie E.  Emma and Rose are deceased.  Mr. Peters and his family settled in Big Spring Township in 1849.  He owns 250 acres improved land.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  During the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Peters enlisted, Mar. 6, 1865, in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at Camp Bradford, near Baltimore, Md., Aug. 8, 1865.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
726
Big Spring Twp. -
AUGUSTE PETHE, farmer, P O. Adrian, was born Dec. 28, 1836, in Belgium, where his parents, John B. and Barbara Pethe, were also born and where they married and died.  Our subject immigrated to America and settled in ig Spring Township, this county, in 1859.  Nov. 13, 1860, he married Apoline Guillaum of same nativity, born June 3, 1831, daughter of Frank and Theresa Guillaum, also natives of Belgium, where they were married; thence they came to America, and in 1853, located in Big Spring Township, this county, where they have since resided.  Our subject and wife have had a family of seven children, six now living: Mary wife of John Schira; Philomena, Victoria, Frank, Joseph and William; Leopold is deceased.  Mr. Pethe, who was reared on a farm, has followed agricultural pursuits all his life.  He owns fifty-eight and a half acres improved land where he resides.  He and his famly are 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
727
SAMUEL PONTIUS (deceased) was born Dec. 26, 1814, in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he was reared as a farmer, and remained until 1842 when he moved to this county, bringing with him his wife and two children.  He was married, Oct. 10, 1839, to Miss Lydia Shellhammer of Pickaway County, Ohio, a native of Lehigh County, Penn., born Mar. 31, 1817.  Her parents were Jonah and Sarah (Meekel) Shellhammer, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1823 and settled in Pickaway County, where they died; of their family of eleven children nine are still living.  Mr. Pontius was a prominent man in his neighborhood and highly respected by all who knew him; he was a member of the United Brethren Church; a farmer by occupation, he cleared and improved about 100 acres of land in Adams Township, this county.  He was the father of four children:  Benjamin, Sarah, Wilson, (deceased) and Rosa.  Mrs. Pontius, after her husband's death, purchased the children's' interest in the home farm, which now consists of nine acres of well-improved land, at present operated under her supervision by J. E. Paine.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 709
WILSON PONTIUS (deceased) was born in Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, Feb. 25, 1845, son of Samuel and Lydia (Shellhammer) Pontius, and brother of Benjamin, Sarah and Rosa Pontius.  His father died several years ago, and his mother still lives upon the homestead farm.  He was married, September 23, 1868, to Miss Nancy M. Paine, a native of Adams Township, this county, born Oct. 9, 1848, daughter of James and Maria Ann (Kline) Paine who were among the early settlers in this county, where they were highly respected by all who knew them.  Mrs. Paine was the mother of six children; her death occurred July 25, 1854.  Mr. Paine married again in March, 1855, this time to Mrs. Flora (Ellis) Cramer by whom he had three children; his death occurred May 4, 1876.  Wilson Pontius, the subject of this sketch, died Mar. 12, 1879, the father of four children, of whom only two principles and an energetic spirit, and ranked high among his fellow men; and although comparatively young in the affairs of his life, had several his township in several of its offices.  Mrs. Pontius still resides upon the farm, which she oversees.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 709
Eden Twp. -
DANIEL PRICE, farmer, P. O. Melmore, was born Mar. 24, 1835, in Eden Township this county; son of Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1823, and settled on Section 20, in Eden Township, where Jacob Price's father-in-law entered land the same year, and where he began as a pioneer, having to cut the bushes to enable him to turn his team.  Jacob Price's children were eleven in number, four living: Isaac, Daniel, Joseph and Esther wife of Abraham Saul, residing in Indiana; all educated in Eden Township, this county.  Our subject was married, in 1859 to Delila, daughter of Thornton Cross, and to this union was born one child, G. P. Price.  The mother of this child died Apr. 4, 1864, and Mr. Price then married, in 1867, Martha, daughter of Henry Berry, by which union there were four children: Pearl (deceased), Harvy, Robert M. and Dallas J. (latter deceased).  Daniel Price's parents are deceased, and he now occupies the old home farm comprising 160 acres.  Well-improved and water by streams.  Mr. Price's family are members of the United Brethren Church.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page
851
Liberty Twp. -
JOHN PUFFENBERGER, farmer and stock-breeder, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Frederic County, Va., May 27, 1823, son of George and Catherine (Null) Puffenberger, who were the first settlers in Liberty Township, this county, coming in 1825.  They entered land in Section 28, enduring the trials and hardships of pioneer life, and were always ready to render assistance to other new settlers.  George Puffenberger died in 1850, aged about sixty-three years; he was a son of  Christian Puffenberger, who was the servant to some of the nobility of Holland.  Mrs. Catharine Puffenberger, a daughter of Jacob and Lucy (Ohler) Null, natives of Virginia, died in 1877, aged eighty-three years; she was the mother of nine children: Joseph, in Liberty Township, this County; Adam, in Jackson Township, this county; Lucy, in Eaton County, Mich.; Henry, in Johnson County, Mo.; Catharine, wife of David Shaull, in Eaton County, Mich.; George and Jacob, in Eaton County, Mich.; Rosanna, wife of Jacob Shomaker, in Johnson County, Mo., and John.  Our subject, at the age of Thirteen, began teaming and was away from home most of his his time.  At the age of eighteen he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he assisted in boat building for a time.  He then went to Kentucky and Tennessee.  He worked at the carpenter trade in  nine different States, and for two years worked at bridge building on the Lake Shore Railroad.  He was married, Nov. 2, 1854, to Margaret J. Shaull, who was born in Virginia March 8, 1828, daughter of Bartholomew and Rebecca (Blue) Shaull, of Frederick County, Va., the latter born August 3, 1799, died in her sixty-sixth year; she was a daughter of John and Hannah (O'nan) Blue, who were among the early settlers of Pleasant Township, this county.  Bartholomew Shaull, born August 16,1 1797, died in his seventy-eighth year; was a son of John and Elizabeth (Benner) Shaull, who were among the earliest settlers of  Pleasant Township, this county.  The children of our subject were Henry B., Rebecca C. (wife of  Solomon Srodes, in Pleasant Township, this county), Alice (wife of John Anderson), H. V. J. and  S. A. D. (twins,,, H. V. J. died September 4, 1885, at the age of twenty-five eyars), J. S. and HJessie B.  Mr. Puffenberger is engaged in the general farming and stock-raising.  He is proprietor of the Percheron horse "Young Silver Mane."  The members of Mr. Puffenberger's family are well educated, and are rapidly rising to a degree of prominence as artists and inventors.  The family is highly esteemed by the community in which they live.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 883

 

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