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| JOHN W. SHAW.
In the history of Republic John W. Shaw well deserves honorable
mention, for with its business affairs he is closely connected and is
numbered among its leading and and progressive citizens. He
was born in Cayuga county, New York, May 18, 1844, and is a son of
John Shaw, who was a native of Westmoreland, England. The
father there learned the tailor's trade, and at the early age of fifteen
came to America, to remain until called to his final home. He
began work in New York and there met and married Miss Maria Lane,
who was a representative of the Monmouth county, New Jersey,
Revolutionary stock. The family resided upon a farm, on which
John W. Shaw spent the greater part of his youth. In the
common schools he acquired his earlier education, and when but a lad of
fourteen began working as a farm hand, being thus engaged until July,
1862, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eleventh New York
Regiment, which was assigned to the Second Army Corps, under General
Hancock, and Sept. 15, 1862, was first engaged at Harper's
Ferry, where, with eleven thousand other troops, it was captured by
Stonewall Jackson. Young Shaw, however, was paroled
soon afterward and sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago. In three months
all were exchanged and the regiment was returned to Washington,
participating in the defense of the capital until the spring of 1863.
Soon after the battle of Chancellorsville it was assigned to General
Meade's army and advanced with him into Pennsylvania, taking a
conspicuous part is the greatest battle of the war, Gettysburg.
During Pickett's famous charge, on the 3d of July, Mr. Shaw
was wounded by a minie ball, which shattered the bone of the right leg
just below the knee. He was sent to the hospital at Fort Schuyler,
where, on account of the serious condition of his injuries, he remained
more than a year, rejoining his regiment in front of Petersburg, and
remaining with the army until the close of the war, and after
participating in the grand review he received an honorable discharge, on
the 16th of June, 1865. He wound continued a source of annoyance,
finally reducing his nerves to a serious condition. His general
health was so shattered, with no likelihood of perfect health ever being
otherwise regained, that, in 1873, he yielded to the advice of friends
and surgeons and permitted an amputation above the knee; and while never
since perfectly robust, he has enjoyed comparative immunity from
continued distress. In the fall of 1865, Mr. Shaw came to Republic and clerked in the store of H. G. Ogden, with whom he remained three years. He then established a dry-goods and general mercantile store, which he conducted from 1870 until 1883. He met with deserved success in his venture, for his honorable methods, earnest desire to please and his reasonable prices secured a liberal patronage. Since retiring from mercantile life he has devoted his attention almost wholly to the oversight of his farm property, the outdoor life in connection tending to enhance his comfort and pleasure. On the 5th day of July, 1882, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Celia I. Williams, a daughter of John D. Williams, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio. His father, Lieutenant Reuben Williams, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, lived for some years in Fairfield county, Ohio, and about 1824 came to Seneca county. Here in Clinton township, he entered land and developed from the wilderness the farm upon which Mrs. Callie C. Shaw now resides, just outside the city limits of Tiffin. He was commissioned justice of the peace in 1826 by Governor Morrow, being the first to fill that office in Clinton township. He had rendered to his county loyal military service in the war of 1812, in which he held the rank of first lieutenant, serving under command of General Crogan, and was present when Crogan received the surrender of the British at Fort Steven. He was then engaged in farming, but at a later date sold his farm and removed to Warsaw, Indiana, where, in connection with his son, General Reuben Williams, he edited the Northern Indiana Journal, making his home, however, upon a farm. He there spent his remaining days, being a prominent and influential citizen of Indiana, as well as of Ohio. John D. Williams was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizlabeth (Flaugher) Stoner. She was the daughter of Jacob Flaugher, who came from Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, about 1830, and, being a man of considerable wealth, purchased from Josiah Hedges an extensive tract of land in Tiffin, the same extending on either side of Sandusky street. He erected the large brick house still to be seen at the corner of Sandusky and Miami streets, and here, after a residence of fifty-seven years, he died at an advanced age. He was a blacksmith by trade, and did an extensive business in that line and in the carriage making business, which he established in connection. He platted the section of the city and erected several of the fine residences which have drawn uniform admiration to that part of the town. He gave each child, of which Elizabeth was the eldest, a competence, and in his day was one of the most public-spirited citizens of Tiffin. Mr. Williams was a farmer and operated a sawmill on Rock Creek until 1869, when he, too, removed to Warsaw, Indiana, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1880, when he had attained the age of sixty-eight years. He died at Tiffin, where he was visiting, and, in accordance with his own request, was buried in Rock Creek cemetery, to lie among so many of his old friends. He was a man among men and one whose fearless, stainless life ever sounded the notes for a better citizenship and more exalted personal living. His widow survived until Nov. 25, 1898, dying in Tiffin, at the age of seventy-four. Hers was a singularly ennobling Christian life, her strength of mind emphasizing a naturally delicate and refined nature. His country proved his loyalty, for at the time of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and First Ohio Regiment, with which he served for thirteen months, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. Mrs. Shaw comes from patriotic stock, as her great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, being laid to rest in the cemetery at Sugar Creek; her grandfather served faithfully in the war of 1812; and her father in the Civil war. She yields honors to none in loyalty and patriotism and ever inculates in her children due love and reverence for home and country. She was graduated in the Tiffin schools and was herself a teacher there for eight years. The home of our subject and wife has been blessed with four children: Eleanor Palmer, who was born July 12, 1885, is a member of the senior class of the high school (1902); John W., was born Sept. 30, 1888; Lane Williams was born Jan. 25, 1894; and Florence Cronise Shaw, the eldest of the children, died on the 11th of September, 1900, at the age of seventeen years. When Florence died every person, young or old, in Republic felt the loss as a personal affliction, for his amiability and many excellencies of mind and character had endeared her to all. Foremost in her school work and mature beyond her years, she gave promise that led her friends to await womanhood's years with earnest anticipation.
"There is no death; what seems so is transition. In his political affiliations Mr. Shaw
has always been a Republican, and he is a stanch advocate of the
principles of the party, believing that the best interests of the nation
will be conserved through that channel. In 1875-6 he served as
mayor of Republic, proving a most capable official and giving a
practical and progressive administration. In the same decade he
was candidate for county recorder, but, as Seneca county has a strong
Democratic majority, he was defeated. For three years he also
served as justice of the peace. In political thought and action he
has always been independent, carrying out his honest views without fear
or favor. In business he has achieved success through honorable
effort, untiring industry and capable management, and in private life he
has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of
character, deference for the opinion of others, kindliness and
geniality. In the home Mr. and Mrs. Shaw practice a
generous and kindly hospitality, finding greatest pleasure in
intercourse with congenial friends. Leading quiet lives, their
greatest interest is centered in the future of their own family, but
they ever maintain a lively interest in all that pertains to the
advancement of the community, morally, intellectually and socially, and
try to exemplify through their own lives the religious faith they
profess, following carefully the precepts of the golden rule. |
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| LORENZO SHERMAN.
This venerable pioneer and representative agriculturist of Seneca county
has lived on the farm which is now his home for more than half a
century, while he has been a resident of the county from his infancy,
thus having witnessed and taken an active part in the development of
this section of the state from a sylvan wild to its present condition as
an opulent agricultural and industrial community, with admirably
improved farms and thriving cities and villages. From the rude
forest lodge of the early days, the primitive schools and the meagre
advantages of the pioneer epoch, he has seen the varied transitions and
in the evening of his life is enabled to enjoy the fruits of his long
years of earnest toil and endeavor. He early began to contribute
to the work of clearing the land from its heavy forest, later assisted
in the establishing of better schools and better public improvements,
while his life course has ever been so directed as to retain to him the
unqualified approval and esteem of the community in which he has passed
practically his entire life. As a sterling representative of one
of the pioneer families of this section of the Buckeye state, it is
imperative that a due tribute be incorporated in this publication. Lorenzo Sherman is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Oswego county, New York, on the 27th of April, 1823, the son of Japhet and Hannah (Holmes) Sherman, the former of whom was born in the state of Rhode Island, in the first year of the nineteenth century. They became the parents of six children, namely: Lorenzo, the subject of this sketch; Elkanah, who was in the one hundred days’ service during the war of the Rebellion, and who is now deceased: Hiram, a resident of Kansas; Caroline, deceased; Warren, a resident of Oregon: and Franklin, who is deceased, having also been a Union soldier in the Civil war. Our subject was but two years of age when his parents removed from New York state to Ohio, in 1825, settling on a tract of land in Eden township, the father having here purchased eighty acres, all of which was still covered with the primeval forest, the place being now owned by J. R. Holmes. Here he erected a primitive log cabin of one room, utilizing the legs in their original shape, as there was not sufficient time or the needed assistance for the hewing of the timber. This rude domicile was equipped with a slab roof and such other meager fittings as were available, and yet the toil, deprivation and isolation were borne with stanch fortitude and the humble home was worthy the name. On this farm the father of our subject passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring when he was forty-three years of age. His widow lived to attain remarkable longevity, passing away at the age of one hundred years and eleven months. Our subject grew up on the pioneer farm, and while still a youth attained a local reputation as an ox-driver and logger, having contributed in the work of clearing out roads and making other necessary improvements in the locality. He remained on the old homestead until the time of his marriage, having attended the primitive subscription schools as opportunity afforded, the same being held in log houses, with puncheon floors, slab seats and wide fireplace, familiar in the early days, and yet in “scholastic institutions” of this type many of the eminent men of the nation have received their early discipline. In the year 1847 Mr. Sherman purchased a tract of sixty acres of wild timbered land in Eden township, paying ten and one half dollars per acre for the same; and this he cleared and improved and it is interesting to note that it is still his homestead, though he has added to the area of the same by the purchasing of one hundred acres, thus having two fine farms, both being under a high state of cultivation and devoted to diversified agriculture. His long years of earnest effort have not been denied the reward due and he has long been known as one of the substantial farmers of the township, while he has retained the confidence and good will of the people of the community, being kindly and charitable in nature and ever regarding the wishes and rights of others, as is evidenced in the fact that he has never been a party to a lawsuit during his entire life. His political support is given to the Republican party. On the 7th of May, 1846, Mr. Sherman was united in marriage to Miss Leah Staffer, and their two living children are Hiram J. and Mary E. Hiram J. Sherman operates one of the farms. He married Miss Frances Jane Culver and they have two children,—Myron A. and L. Katie. Mary E. Sherman began to teach at the age of seventeen years, and taught in the schools of Seneca and Wyandot counties for twenty terms. Both she and her brother were educated in Heidelberg University. Two children are deceased,—one in infancy, and William H., who died of typhoid fever at the age of thirty years. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 248 |
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| CHARLES F.
SMITH. Another of the enterprising and
successful farmers and stockgrowers of Seneca county is Mr. Smith
and to him also is given the distinction of being a native of the county
and a member of one of its honored pioneer families, so that there is
manifest consistency in here entering a review of his career. Mr. Smith was born in Liberty township, on the 7th of September, 1859, the son of Henry Smith, who' was born in Germany, whence he accompanied' his parents on their emigration to America, being five years of age at the time. They came to Ohio and settled in Seneca county, about the year 1821, and here Henry Smith was reared to maturity. He married Miss Barbara Fry, and they became the parents of eight sons and five daughters, of whom eight are living at the present time. When our subject was five years of age his father removed to Clinton township, where he made his home until 1870, when he located on the farm, in Pleasant township, where Charles F. now lives. Here he continued in agricultural pursuits until his retirement from active life, when he established his home in the city of Tiffin, where he died Sept. 14, 1889, at the age of sixty-three years. His widow now resides with her son Daniel, near Bascom. Charles F. Smith was reared on the home farm and his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the public schools. After his marriage, in 1885, he took charge of the homestead farm, and he now owns the place, having made the best of improvements, including an attractive and modern brick residence, while the area of his farm which is bordered by the Sandusky river, is one hundred and twenty-eight acres, the place being devoted to diversified farming and the raising of high-grade live stock. In his- political allegiance Mr. Smith is identified, as was his father, with the Democratic party, and he has at all times been deeply interested in public affairs of a local nature, doing all in his power to forward the educational and other normal interests of his community. He has served as director and supervisor of his school district, but has never sought any distinctively political office. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church in which he was reared, and he is a communicant of St. Mary’s church, at Tiffin. On the 24th of November, 1885, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Anne B. Lutz, who is a native of Defiance county and a representative of one of its pioneer families, being the daughter of the late Michael Lutz. Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of four children, all of whom remain beneath the parental roof, namely: Eugene, Estella, Ralph, and Cecelia. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 85 |
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| GEORGE E. SMITH.
Among the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, is
George E. Smith, who has resided in this city since 1894, and is now
filling the responsible position of private secretary to Congressman
James A. Norton, a position for which the practical knowledge, the
college education and the versatile gifts he possesses, particularly fit
him. The native state of Mr. Smith was Michigan, where he was born on Sept. 6, 1854, in Kalamazoo county. His parents were Rev. M. I. and Mary (Edwards) Smith, the former of whom was born in Connecticut but reared in Auburn, New York, where he remained until his marriage, going then to Michigan, where he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for a period of twenty-five years. During the civil war he entered the Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served as chaplain of that regiment. He was a man of parts and learning, always ready to promote by tongue and pen the cause of education, and his sixty years of life showed fruits of piety and usefulness. He was a nephew of Lieutenant Governor Ingersoll, of Connecticut. The mother of our subject, Mary (Edwards) Smith, was born, reared and educated near Syracuse, New York, and survived her husband for some years, dying Jan. 2, 1901, at the age of seventy-eight years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church, a devoted wife and a tender mother. She had seven children, our subject being the fourth in the order of birth. George E. Smith passed his early life with his parents and in his youthful days attended the schools in the locality in which his father was stationed as a clergyman of the Methodist church. Later he pursued a higher education in the colleges both at Albion and at Lansing, Michigan, preparing then to take up the study of law. His reading was with the well known Judge Buck, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and in 1875, Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar. For about ten years he practiced law in that city, but an accident which happened to him, in 1884, bringing on peritonitis, made it necessary for him to lay aside business care for several years. A sojourn in Florida enabled him to regain a measure of health, but when he returned to active life he decided to entirely change his business, and accepted the management, in 1886, of a large factory, in Sandusky, Ohio. In 1889. when Mr. Norton was appointed commissioner of railways and telegraphs, by Governor Campbell, he made Mr. Smith his chief clerk, and in this office he served for several years, finally resigning during the administration of Governor McKinley. Mr. Smith then became the traveling representative of the Safety Lighting & Heating Company, through western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, making contracts with the railroads in the interests of this company, which is a New York corporation. In 1894 Mr. Smith came to Tiffin and became associated with the Tiffin Bent Wood & Lumber Company, continuing with that concern until he accepted his present congenial position with Hon. James Norton. As secretary to this statesman he is brought into touch with public affairs and he is known as a very judicious, diplomatic and most efficient official. Mr. Smith has been actively identified with the Democratic party ever since his youthful days, and has been prominent in all local conventions, including those of city, county and state, ever since he has been a resident of Ohio. His ability as a worker is highly rated. He has shown his interest in educational matters by giving his time as a member of the board of education. Fraternally he is connected with Tiffin Lodge, No. 77, F. & A. M. Mr. Smith was married, in 1880, to Miss Susan Booth, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Reared in the Methodist church, under the loving care of worthy Methodist parents, Mr. Smith early imbibed the principles of that religious body, and they have ever been an influence in his life. He has served the church in many capacities, has been a delegate many times and represented his church in the annual conferences of that denomination. His literary work has excited considerable favorable comment. In 1893 he published a book of poems which ranks high in literary merit, and is now engaged on a historical work, intended to cover a recent epoch in the nation’s history. He has a ready pen, but much of his work in the newspapers, although of great value, is not traced directly to him. Socially Mr. Smith is a favorite, his pleasing manner, quick intelligence and courteous demeanor making him many friends. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 473 |
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| HENRY L. SMITH.
“We build the ladder by which we rise" is a truth which is certainly
applicable in the case of Mr. Smith. He is a type of
the progressive spirit of the age,—a spirit which has given America
pre-eminence along its various business lines,—and the undaunted
enterprise, indomitable perseverance and resolute purpose which have
characterized his career have been the means of raising him from a
position of comparative obscurity to one of eminence in the business
world. A native son of the Buckeye state, Henry L. Smith was born in Jackson township, Seneca county, on the 6th of December, 1862, a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Smith. The father was a native of Germany, and from his home across the sea he came to America in 1812, when a young man, locating in Jackson township, Seneca county, where he made his home for many years. He then took up his abode in Fostoria, where he spent his remaining days, his death having occurred in 1873, but he is still held in kindly remembrance by his friends and associates who still survive. Unto John and Elizabeth Smith were born nine children, and eight of the number are still living, namely: Adam, who makes his home in Elkhart, Indiana; Eva, the wife of John Smith, of Dakota; Nicholas, a resident of Long Branch, New Jersey; Henry, whose name introduces this review; Michael, a resident of Kenton, Ohio; Andrew, who makes his home in Toledo, this state; Rosa, the wife of Dennis Fullerton, of Fostoria; and Emma, the wife of William Wolf, also of that city. Henry L. Smith, of this review, remained under the parental roof until his twelfth year, and at that early age he started out in life for himself, beginning the stern and unrelenting battle of life alone and unaided. From that time until his twenty-first year he worked at any occupation that would yield him an honest living, and he was then married and located on the Pennel farm, which is1 now owned by E. W. Pankhurst, where he remained as a renter for five years. On the expiration of that period he was able to purchase a tract of forty acres, on which he continued to reside for the following six years, when he sold that place and purchased his present home farm. His homestead consists of one hundred acres of land, on which are located ten valuable oil wells, and in addition to superintending the work connected therewith he also has charge of the sixteen wells located on Mr. Pankhurst’s place. For a number of years past the work of his farm has been carried on by renters, as Mr. Smith’s time is fully occupied with his other business interests. He is now classed among the enterprising and substantial business men of Seneca county, and possesses the energy, determination and sound common sense of his German ancestors. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Jennie Switzer, a native of Wood county, Ohio, and five children have brightened and blessed their home: Cleo, Claude, Hewey, Archie and Charles, all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. Smith has given a lifelong support to the principles of the Republican party, and for six years he served as the efficient constable of Jackson township. He is a man of strong mentality, keen discernment, great tact and resolute purpose, and is therefore well fitted for the position he now occupies. His business interests are capably managed and are bringing to him a handsome competence, and Ohio numbers him among her honored sons. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 717 |
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| JOHN H. SMITH.
It cannot be other than pleasing to< note, in the various personal
sketches appearing in this work, that there remain identified with the
agricultural industry in Seneca county many worthy and prominent
citizens whose entire lives have been passed here and many of whom were
born here in the early pioneer epoch, thus being witnesses of the
transition stages which have brought this section of the state from its
condition as a primeval forest to that as a, populous and opulent
division of one of the greatest commonwealths in the Union. In the
subject of this review we have one of these honored representatives of a
pioneer family and one who is known as a substantial and influential
farmer of Hopewell township. Mr. Smith was born in Pleasant township, on the 15th of February, 1852, being the son of Henry and Barbara (Fry) Smith. Henry Smith was born in Germany, whence he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, in 1831. His father brought the family to Seneca county and took up a tract of government land in Pleasant township, where he reclaimed a good farm from the forest wilds and there passed the residue of his life, as did also' his wife. On this old homestead—the one on which the subject of this sketch was born — Henry Smith was reared to maturity, attending the primitive school of the time and place as opportunity afforded, the advantages in this line being rather meager, as a matter of course. In 1851 he purchased a quarter section of wooded land, upon which he erected' a house of hewed logs, utilizing heavy beech timbers, which were properly squared and made ready for use in the erection of this house: of three rooms and attic,—a domicile somewhat more pretentious than the average in the locality at that time. He improved his farm as rapidly as possible and there remained until 1864, when he disposed of the place and purchased a quarter section in Clinton township where he likewise improved a good farm, remaining there until 1868, when he located in the vicinity of Tiffin. Later on he traded his property there for three hundred acres in Pleasant township, where he made his home for eighteen years. He then retired from active pursuits, taking up his residence in Tiffin, where his death occurred three years later. His widow is still living, making her home in Loudon township. The success which attended his efforts may be estimated when it is learned that he left an estate whose value was approximately sixty thousand dollars. He was a man of strong mentality and absolute integrity of purpose, and was one of the influential citizens of the county, where he was held in the highest esteem. His wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Fry, was born in Germany, and has now attained the venerable age of seventy-two years, making her home with her youngest son, Daniel. They became the parents of eight sons and five daughters, and of this number eight are living at the present time. John H. Smith, the immediate subject of this review, remained at the parental home until he had attained years of maturity, assisting in the farm work and attending the common schools as opportunity presented. He initiated his independent career about the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1875, tenting land of his father about three years and then removing to Tiffin, where he remained about two years devoting his attention to teaming and also to farming. He thereafter continued his agricultural pursuits on his farm of one hundred acres, in Bloom township, for a period of eleven years, at the expiration of which he traded the place for his present attractive and well improved farm, in Hopewell township, the same comprising one hundred and sixty-eight acres, of which all but eighteen acres is cleared and under a fine state of cultivation. In addition to diversified farming Mr. Smith also gives his attention to the raising of high-grade live stock, and his good judgment and discrimination have made both branches of his farm industry duly profitable. He takes a proper interest in local affairs of a public nature, and exercises his franchise in support of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, while in religion he is a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic church, in Tiffin, having been reared in this faith. On the 26th of November, 1875, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Unser, who was born in Loudon township, the daughter of Joseph and Johannah Unser, and of this union four children have been born, of whom two are living namely: Harry, who is engaged in farming in Seneca township; and Clara, who remains at the parental home. The other two' children died in infancy. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 74 |
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| SAMUEL B. SMITH.
As one of the native sons of Seneca county and as an able young
representative of the medical profession in this section of the state,
we are pleased to incorporate a review of the life of Dr. Smith,
who is a member of one of the county's pioneer families and is held in
the highest esteem as a man and a physician, being now established in
the practice of his profession in the attractive little city of
Bloomville. Dr. Smith was born on the parental homestead, in Venice township, this county, on the 29th of August, 1871, being the son of Samuel and Margaret (Miller) Smith, who became the parents of eight children, of whom seven survive, namely: Sarah, the wife of E. S. McKibben, of Humboldt, Tennessee; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob P. Myers, of Attica, this county; Samuel B., the subject of this sketch; Joseph, who: is a resident of Attica; Margaret B., the wife of Harry Leppard, of Bucyrus, Ohio; and Anna and William, who remain with their mother, on the old homestead farm. The father of the Doctor was born in Londonderry, Ireland, whence he came with his uncle, Samuel Smith, to America when a lad of five years. His uncle first located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they remained seven years, at the expiration of which they came to Seneca county, Ohio, and located on a farm of eighty-six acres, two and one-half miles south of the village of Attica. Later the uncle purchased forty acres adjoining his farm, thus making its total area one hundred and twenty-six acres, and there the father of our subject was reared, assisting in the work of the farm and securing such educational advantages as were afforded in the district schools. After his marriage he continued on the homestead, which came into his possession upon the death of his uncle. There he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred on the nth of March, 1895, at which time he had attained the age of fifty-three years. He was a man of the highest integrity, was successful in his farming operation and was one of the influential citizens of the community. Though he accorded a stanch support to the Democratic party, he never sought the honors or emoluments of public office, but such was his interest in educational affairs that he consented to accept the position of school director, in which he rendered effective service for a number of years. He was a member of the Reformed church, as is also his widow, who was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Joseph Miller, a pioneer of Seneca county. Samuel B. Smith passed his boyhood days on the old homestead and his early educational training was received in the public schools, being supplemented by courses of study in the Northwestern Ohio1 Normal School, at Ada, and the academy in Fostoria. When twenty-one years of age the Doctor placed himself on the list of pedagogues and was for four years engaged in teaching in the district schools of' his native county, proving popular and successful in this profession. In 1896 he was matriculated in the medical department of the Ohio State University, at Columbus, where he was graduated on the 24th of April, 1900, having devoted his vacations to study and practical work in the office of Dr. C. A. Force, one of the leading physicians of Attica. Soon after his graduation the Doctor opened an office in Bucyrus, where he was engaged in the work of his profession until April, 1901, when he located in Bloomville, where he has already attained prestige in his profession and is rapidly building up a representative practice, his unmistakable ability and his genial personality insuring a cumulative success and precedence. In political matters the Doctor pins his faith to the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and his religious views are indicated by his membership in the Reformed church, of which his wife likewise is a zealous adherent. Fraternally he is identified with the time-honored order of Freemasonry, being a member of Bloomville Lodge. On the 23d of July, 1896, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Buchman, who was born in Crawford county, the daughter of Jacob Buchman, now a prominent citizen of Carrothers, Seneca county. The Doctor and Mrs. Smith take an active part in the social affairs of the community and their home is a center of refined hospitality. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 132 |
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| WILLIAM J. SMITH.
William J. Smith, one of the best-known citizens of Seneca
county, is a representative of good old Irish stock. His father,
John M. Smith, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, Aug. 10, 1826,
but in 1837, when a lad of eleven years, he accompanied his parents,
James A. and Elizabeth A. Smith, on their removal to America, the
family locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the son, John M.,
grew to mature years and learned the wagon-maker's trade. In 1847,
he made the journey to Seneca county, Ohio, where he decided to locate,
and, sending east for his parents, they purchased the old John
Smeltz farm east of Caroline. In 1849, however, John
M. Smith left his Ohio home for the gold fields of California,
making the journey by way of Cape Horn, and after his arrival in the
Golden, state engaged in mining and farming, in which he met with a
reasonable degree of success. In 1853 he returned to his home in
Seneca county, purchasing the James McKittrick farm, where
he spent the remaining years of his life, having been called to his
final rest on the 17th of April, 1898, his death resulting from the kick
of a horse, living but two hours after the accident. From 1867
until 1880 he was a member of the Presbyterian church in Caroline, but
in the latter year he united with the Reformed church, of which he
remained a consistent member until his life's labors were ended in
death. His political support was given the Democracy, and for one
or more terms he was the efficient justice of the peace of his township.
As a companion on the journey of life Mr. Smith chose Miss
Mathilda Smith, and they became the parents of ten children, nine of
whom still survive: James A., of Baldwin, Indiana; William J.,
of this review; Mary A., the wife of George Avlea, also of
Indiana; Nancy J., the wife of James Clemens, of
Carrothers, Ohio; Daniel H., a prominent farmer of Venice
township: Samuel A., who also makes his home in this
township, as does his brother, Thomas J.; Miatilda A., the
wife of Charles Armitage, of Reed township; and James H.,
of Venice township. William J. Smith, of this review, is a native son of Venice township, Seneca county, his birth having here occurred on the 15th of September, 1857, and to its public-school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he received in his youth. At the age of twenty-one years he began operating a threshing machine, later purchasing a new steam thresher, and for sixteen years he followed that occupation. In 1892 he became the owner of his present home farm, consisting of eigthy acres of rich and productive land, and soon after its purchase he abandoned his threshing operations in order to give his entire time and attention to the cultivation of his land. He is recognized as a man of executive ability and enterprise and is numbered among the leading citizens of the community. He is liberal in his political views, but his preference is for the Democracy, and in his social relations he is a member of Attica Lodge, No. 367, F. & A. M. Dec. 18, 1884, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Theodosia Sovereign, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Rufus and Nancy (Rodgers) Sovereign, natives respectively of Canada and Kentucky. Five children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, but the first born died in infancy, and the third in order of birth, Rufus, also died in childhood. The three surviving are Edith, John and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Reformed church. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 386 |
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| EPHRAIM STAHL.
It is pleasing to note the large number of native sons of Seneca county
who are identified with its industrial activities and who command
unqualified confidence and esteem in the communities where they have
passed their entire lives. Of this number is Mr. Stahl, who
is one of the successful men of the county where he was for many years a
representative farmer, having now retired from active business and
maintaining his home in the city of Fostoria. Mr. Stahl was born on the old homestead farm in Jackson township, on the 29th of July, 1848, being the son of Henry Stahl who was born in Perry county, this state, on the 2d of January, 1821, his father having been one of the pioneers of Ohio. When he was seventeen years of age he accompanied his widowed mother on her removal to Jackson township, Seneca county, and they settled on the farm where our subject was born, having purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, and there he made his home until 1851, when he located on the Sandusky road, erecting a brick house, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 3, 1902. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Rineboldt, departed this life only a short time before, on Mar. 6, 1902. She was born in Perry county, Ohio. They became the parents of six children, namely: Rebecca, who became the wife of John Feasel, is deceased; Lucinda is the wife of Jacob Ecker, of Jackson township; Lydia is the wife of Gottlieb Mertz, of Hancock county; Ephraim is the immediate subject of this sketch; Esther is the widow of Jacob Hiserman, of Jackson township; and Levi, who died in infancy. Henry Stahl was a man of fine mentality, having secured his education principally through personal application outside of the school-room, and as a youth he was a successful teacher in the primitive log school-houses of this county, teaching the first school in Jackson township, and following this profession for several years during the winter months. In politics he always gave a stanch support to the Democratic party, and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, in which he was a zealous and active worker. For many years he held the office of justice of the peace, and he also served as trustee of this township. Prior to dividing his estate among his children he was the owner of about eight hundred acres of land, being one of the prosperous and influential men of the county. Ephraim Stahl, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead farm and received his educational discipline in the pubic schools of the place and period. At the age of twenty-one years he was married, and he thereafter continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits, on the old homestead, until 1896, when he took up0 his residence in Fostoria, where he has an attractive home in a desirable section of the city. He still retains possession of his farming property, having a valuable and finely improved estate of three hundred and sixty acres. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. On the 10th of June, 1869, Mr. Stahl was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Peters, who was born in Loudon township, Seneca county, Ohio, the daughter of Abraham Peters, one of the pioneers of Seneca county, Ohio, the daughter of Abraham Peters, one of the pioneers of Seneca county. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl had three children, namely: John F. and William E., who are successful farmers of Jackson township; and Henry who died in infancy. Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio - Publ. by Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 693 |
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