USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vo. II > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
1
9
M. I
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02484 1584
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofsenecac02baug
815
VA
HISTORY
OF
SENECA
COUNTY,
OHIO
A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, Its People, and its Principal Interests.
BY
A. J. BAUGHMAN
ASSISTED BY A LOCAL CORPS OF ABLE CONTRIBUTORS
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II.
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO-NEW YORK
1911
1550959
DR. JAMES A. NORTON -Many men excel in achievement in some course but to few is it permitted to follow several lines of endeavor and stand well to the front of each. In the career of Dr. Norton is given a striking illustration of such exceptional accomplishment. As a physician he won pronounced prestige; in the profession of law he likewise gained recognition as an able and versatile advocate and counselor ; he served with distinction as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and in public office of high order he has made an enviable record. including that of his service as a member of congress ; as a business man he has produced results of the most positive character and the fiber of the man is indicated by the un- qualified confidence and esteem reposed in him by those with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life.
It is pleasing to record that Dr. James Albert Norton is a native son of Seneca county and a scion of one of its honored pioneer families. He was born in the village of Bettsville, this county. on the 11th of November, 1843. and is a son of Dr. Rufus and Clarissa (Waters) Norton. His father was born in Utica. New York, and was a son of Isaiah Norton, who was born in the northern part of England and who was a descendant of one of the staunch old families that still has prominent representatives in English municipal affairs .. The family is a branch of the Scottish MeNaughton clan which was prominent in Scottish history dur- ing the time of the "Dark Douglas." Mrs. Clarissa (Waters) Norton was of French and English descent and, as has been well stated. "she possessed the vivacity and determination characteristic of the union of the Anglo-Saxon and Latin races." Dr. Rufus Norton was one of the pioneer physicians of Seneca county, was a man of strong intellectual powers and was prominently identified with the development and upbuilding of this now favored section of the Buckeye state. Both he and his wife continued to reside in this county until their death. Concerning the career of Dr. James A. Norton the following epitome previously published in a history of Senera county is so well given as to make the same especially available for reproduction in the present volume.
"Born of such an ancestry and endowed by nature with more than a liberal share of intellectual power, personal attraction. magnetism. eloquence and courage. it is no wonder that James A. Norton should rise to the position and success he has achieved. The youngest of a family of five. four sons and one daughter. his boyhood days were passed in his native village, where he attended school. He accompanied his father in the long drives consequent upon a large medical practice, and he became deeply interested in the profession he afterward followed. His studies were continued
493
494
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
'later in the public schools at Tiffin, and were marked by the close application and thoroughness which he has shown in every under- taking engaged in since then.
"Bred and nurtured in the Democratic faith, inspired with an ardent love for his country. moved by patriotic impulses. voung Norton was an enthusiastic advocate for the maintenance of the Union, and found the restraint of school especially irksome when the Civil war came: and the news of battles fought, victories won or lost, made his heart beat with ambition and his pulse tingle with excitement until he could no longer endure inaction. so on the 16th of August. 1862. he bade adieu to home and friends. went to Monroeville and enlisted, when only eighteen years of age. in Company K. of the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, being mustered in as a sergeant. He soon had occasion to begin actual service. for in September he went with his regiment to Covington. Kentucky, to repel a threatened invasion of the rebels under General Kirby Smith, but was soon afterward ordered to Louisville, where the regiment became part of General Buell's army. On the 8th of October. he first faced the enemy in battle array and thrilled with .The stern joy which warriors feel in foemen worthy of their steel' when, at Perryville, a stubborn fight with the Confederates was had. This was quickly followed by a skirmish at Lancaster. and then. on December 30th. the year was closed by the memorable battle of Stone's River. The young soldier bore himself well in all these scenes of carnage and won the admira- tion of his comrades by his conduet. and often to this day he is greeted by survivors of that fight by their recalling incidents of Stone's River. In this battle the One Hundred and First Regi- ment took a most prominent part and suffered greater loss than any other regiment engaged in the fight. Nearly all its officers were killed, the gallant Colonel Leander Stem being among the number. The remnant of the regiment passed the winter in scout duty around Murfreesboro until it was ordered to take part in the Tullahoma campaign. and later to move against Chattanooga. It was in this latter campaign. at the battle of Chickamauga. Septem- ber 20th, during the second day's fight. while supporting the Hotchkiss battery, that Sergeant Norton was wounded, his ribs on the left side being broken and his left lung injured. from which he has never fully recovered. He was left lying on the field of battle until found in an unconscious condition by his brother. Cyrus G. Norton, who was also a member of his company. He was taken to Chattanooga and placed in the old dye house used as a hospital. from which place he was removed to Stevenson. Ala- bama, and then to Hospital No. 8. at Nashville. Tennessee. Here he was granted a furlough. and returned to his home on a visit. Rejoining his regiment at Nashville. he was ordered by the brigade commander to report before an examining board for promotion to the regular army, under general orders requiring the selection of the most capable men to officer new troops. After a severe examination he was passed and received his commission as lieu- tenant, signed by President Lincoln, and was assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-third United States (Colored) Infantry,
495
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
with orders to report to General John M. Palmer, who sent him to Louisville, Kentucky, to drill the colored troops. This detail was not regarded with favor by many of the officers, who declined such assignment, but Lieutenant Norton, believing it a soldier's duty to obey orders, hastened to his post and at once began to carry out his orders. After the dark-skinned soldiers had acquired con- siderable proficiency in military tactics and were under good dis- cipline he was made adjutant and detailed with a body of troops to go to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to locate and care for a quantity of ordnance, remaining at this place until October 16, 1865. when he was mustered out by an error. Orders had been sent to muster out the One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment, but in copying the order at division headquarters it was made to read 'One Hundred and Twenty-third,' and thus, inadvertently, his connec- tion with the army ceased.
"In the meantime Lieutenant Norton had married. While at home on his furlough, on the 19th of July. 1865, he went to Fostoria, the home of his bride, and there wedded Miss Adeline Hemming, then in her twentieth year of age, who accompanied him back to Louisville and remained with him until he was mastered out. Miss Hemming was the daughter of Thomas Hemming. who was one of the early settlers of the county, and who was the oldest educator, in point of service, in northwestern Ohio, having been engaged in teaching for over fifty years. He was also county surveyor for a number of years, and as such made the survey of Seneca county.
"Returning to civil life, Mr. Norton took up the study of medicine in his father's office and soon became a valued assistant. His close application was, however, too great a strain upon his health, and in 1869 he went to Hampton, Iowa. and entered upon a separate practice of his chosen profession. Deriving great benefit from the invigorating climate, his health became restored and he soon had a large practice, constantly increasing, until in 1871, his father being accidentally killed, he returned to his native village and for eight years was the leadling physician of that part of the country.
"Having inherited the creed of Democracy, observation and study but deepened and strengthened his convictions and belief in the truth and solidity of Democratic principles. In those stirring times of political action he could not refrain from taking more than a passing interest in the events of the day. and when he entered into the field of political conflict his keen sagacity, sound judgment and enthusiastic devotion to party principles soon placed him at the forefront as a leader. Recognizing his ability and fit- ness, his party in Seneca county in 1873 placed him in nomination as their representative to the general assembly of the state. to which office he was elected by a large majority. Here his qualifi- cations were quickly recognized and he became one of the leaders. and his fund of information, his readiness in debate, his fluency of speech and his eloquence gave him prominence. He was placed on important committees and was elected speaker pro tem. of the house. His course while in the legislature gave him high standing
496
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
in the councils of his party in the state, where he was recognized as one of its foremost advisers .. During his attendance at the general assembly he devoted his evenings and spare moments to the study of law, in the office of Hon. George L. Converse, at Columbus. and in 1879 was admitted to the bar. It was largely due to Dr. Norton's efforts that the law was passed requiring all publie officers to execute all pension papers free.
"At the close of the general assembly in 1879 Dr. Norton re- turned to Tiffin, which he made his headquarters while acting as general manager and solicitor for the Wiley Construction Com- pany of Massachusetts. During 1880 he purchased the paper known as the Herald, and edited it with such vigor that the first issue brought a five thousand dollar libel suit. which. however, was never prosecuted. The Herald was later sold to Dr. E. B. Hubbard, and subsequently it became the Tribune. Dr. Norton still kept an active interest in local politics, serving as president of the school board, president of the common council, and was a member of the Seneca County Agricultural Society. The only political defeat that Dr. Norton ever met was when he ran for councilman on the famous cow ordinance. Standing for rigid en- forcement of its provisions, he was defeated by the vote of a large number who wanted their cows to run at large. In 1884 he was a delegate to the national Democratic convention. In August. 1885, he was appointed auditor of Seneca county in place of F. E. Stoner, deceased, and in October of the same year was elected to the office, and again in 1887 was re-elected. He was appointed as United States inspector of customs at Panama, by President Cleve- land, but declined. He served as chairman of the Democratic State Central and Executive Committees and as chairman of the state convention. In 1890 he was appointed by Governor Camp- bell as state commissioner of railroads and telegraphs, serving the state with fidelity and 'success during the whole of Governor Campbell's administration. and for four months under Governor McKinley, when he resigned to accept a position in the law depart- ment of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1896 Dr. Norton was nominated by the Democracy of the Thirteenth district of Ohio for representative in congress, at a convention held at Marion. Ohio. In 1898 he was renominated, at Upper Sandusky; in 1900. at Bucyrus, he was again for the third time nominated; and in 1902. at Sandusky. by an overwhelming majority, he was again selected candidate for the fourth term in congress, and each time he was elected by an increasing majority.
"In congress he served on the invalid pensions and District of Columbia committees, and he gave time and attention to the duties of his office. His quick perception, his sound judgment. wise counsel and unfailing good nature gave him a firm hold upon the esteem, confidence and friendship of his fellow members. He is ever ready to champion the principles of his party, and is ever at the front, taking the advance step, and points out in speeches of combined logic, argument, sarcasm and eloquence the true posi- tion upon which Americans, as such, regardless of party can stand. "Dr. Norton, with his social nature of course could not but
497
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
have some affiliation with fraternal organizations, so we find that in the winter of 1864-65, at Louisville, Kentucky, he became a member of Compass Lodge, No. 222, Free and Accepted Masons ; and in 1882, a member of Tiffin Lodge, No. 80, Knights of Pythias. He was a charter member of Leander Stem Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and a regular attendant until at the death of General W. H. Gibson this post united with another post and took the name of W. H. Gibson Post; then Dr. Norton with a large number of others, withdrew, believing it was wrong to the memory of the heroes who died on the field of battle to drop their name for one who had no greater military claim and who had been honored in civil life. Dr. Norton is a member of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, and finds pleasure in the friendships and fraternal spirit found in that order."
Generous to a fault and social to a high degree, Dr. Norton wins friends easily, and he has the happy faculty of drawing them closer to him as the years pass by. Viewed in a personal light he is a strong man, of excellent judgment, fair in his views and highly honorable in his relations with his fellow men. His integ- rity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career and his example is well worthy of emulation.
Dr. Norton has two children. Commander A. L. Norton of the United States Navy and Miss Clara Adele Norton. Commander Norton has been in the United States Navy for twenty-six years and has always borne a first class reputation. Miss Clara Adele Norton still lives with her father and mother, and is classed as high in her attainments.
JOHN L. COLE-One of Republice's prominent men is John L. Cole, attorney, former postmaster of the town and very active politically, having been entrusted with nearly all of the township and village offices. Mr. Cole is typically American, both in ideals of good citizenship and in birth and antecedents, the Cole family having constituted good citizen stock in this country for more than two hundred years. The founder of the Cole family in the United States was John Cole, who with his wife, Mercy, located in Rehoboth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, the farm which they secured and being still in the hands of their descendants. These doughty pilgrims who came here about the year 1710. became the parents of nine children, as follows, and the two eldest were born May 2, 1723, and August 17. 1726, respectively ; Aaron was born March 5, 1728; Mercy, July 28, 1731; Patience, August 28, 1733; Nathan, March 13, 1735; Amos, May 7. 1737; Ruth, February 26. 1740; and Heziah, February 27, 1742.
Aaron Cole and his wife Susan became the parents of children as follows : Mary J., born January 21, 1752; Jonas. November 21, 1755; Aaron. January 8. 1758; Hulda, July 6, 1760; Molly, March 19, 1763; Noah. September 23, 1765; Sybil, July 18, 1767; Eliza- beth, December 2, 1769 ; and Otis, August 3, 1772.
The next in line were Aaron and his wife Alice, whose nine children were : Joseph, born September 22, 1783; William, Novem- ber 26, 1784; Nathan, October 15, 1786, he being the father of the
498
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
immediate subject of this review; Daniel, February 12, 1789; Nathaniel, September 29, 1791; Nancy, June 1, 1794; Simeon. January 29, 1796; Asahel. February 24, 1798 and Aaron, March 25, 1800.
Nathan Cole married Maria Walker, and they became the parents of a family which in size resembled those of the three or four preceding generations. Their ten children were: Fannie. Polly, Nathan, Hiram, Henry. Sally, Simeon, Abigail, John L. and Elsie. John L. Cole and Elsie, the youngest, who became the wife of Charles C. Fox of this township, are the only ones of the family remaining in the state of Ohio with the exception of their own children.
Mr. Cole was born February 4, 1840, and was educated in the public schools and in the Seneca County Academy at Republic. pursuing his studies under the able direction of Dr. Aaron Schuyler. After finishing in that institution at the age of seven- teen years he taught school for a number of years and won recogni- tion as one of the most conscientious and enlightened educators of the county. He was principal of the Republic high school for two years. At the age of twenty-five years he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar August 22, 1867, and ever since that date has engaged in the practice of his profession in this county. The Republican party look upon him as one of the lead- ing spirits and as previously mentioned he has held many public offices. He was appointed postmaster of the town during the McKinley adminstration and served in that capacity for six years. He is one of the prominent Masons of this part of the state and has held the secretary's chair in this august order, being also a member of the local chapter of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Cole resided with his parents until his thirty-sixth year. his marriage occurring on the 9th day of October, 1876, the lady to become his wife being Ann Marie Platte, also the scion of a fine. old American family.
Anne Marie Platte was born December 8, 1841. in Republic. and is the daughter of Joel and Rachel A. (Norton) Platte, natives of Long Island. New York. The first Platte to be recorded in American annals was Stephen, of New York, who married Kezia Weeks, a native of Long Island and a person of remarkable musical ability. Joel Platte. father of Mrs. Cole, who was a ship carpenter by trade, came to Ohio in 1834 and located in this township. The
previous year there had come to Seneca county Rachel A., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth J. (Hall) Norton and these two young people subsequently joined their hands and fortunes in marriage. Joel was born January 12, 1809, and his wife, February 9, 1816. and they were married June 1. 1834. Mrs. Cole's maternal grand- parents were E. J. and Jerissa ( Head) Hall, and Jerissa was the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Johnson) Norton. The above mentioned Johnson was an English student and upon one day visiting a gunboat in the harbor of Liverpool. he was impressed into service without his consent and was carried to America, but upon landing he deserted and joined the American ranks. the Revolutionary war being at that time in progress.
499
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
Mrs. Cole resided with her parents until her marriage, and like her husband was educated in the Republic Academy under Aaron Schuyler, now president of the Selina University of Kansas. She specialized in Latin, Greek and higher mathematics, and was graduated from the institution in the year 1862. Afterwards she taught under Professor Schuyler in the old academy for several years and had the distinction of being the only woman superin- tendent in the township. She likewise taught in Flat Rock and was principal of the high school of Republic, her whole career as an educator covering a period of twenty-seven years. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Cole was solemnized October 9. 1876, and was blessed by the birth of two children, a son and a daughter. The
elder, Elsie L., became the wife of J. R. Loudenstager of Bellevue, and their two children. Gretchen M., born October 4, 1902. and Doris H., born April 28. 1906. give the Coles the happy distinction of grandparents. Their son, Heath K., was born September 16. 1880. He was educated in the public schools of Republic, graduat- ing from its higher department at the age of fifteen years: matri- culating at Heidelberg University at Tiffin and graduated there in 1901; and finished a course in law at the Ohio State University, from which institution he was sent forth with his degree in 1903. He went to Topeka Kansas, where he remained for a short time and was there admitted to the bar in 1905. being now a resident of Tiffin, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession.
Mrs. Cole is a member of the old Baptist church of Republic and one of its most zealous workers. This church has had a varied history, having been the first store building erected in the town, the same being later used for a school building. The church association then purchased it and converted it into a church and here many services have been held. Mrs. Cole is a charter member and the second secretary of the Woman's Missionary Society. She was the first worthy matron of the Eastern Star and was grand representative of Florida at the session of the order held at Columbus. She is a woman of marked efficiency and served as deputy postmistress from 1900 to 1905, when her husband held the chief office.
Mrs. Cole's brothers. Edson and Joseph N. Platte, were in service during the progress of the Civil war. Edson died in the army, after having been taken prisoner three times. Joseph now resides in Sheridan, Wyoming. where he pursues the calling of an architect.
FREDERICK CHARLES GILCHER. M. D .- As a member of the medical profession Dr. Frederick Charles Gilcher has won distine- tion. and although but a few years have passed since he became one of its representatives, he enjoys an extensive and remunera- tive practice. In no profession is there more constant progress than in that of medicine and surgery and Dr. Gilcher is of that admirable type of physician who believes it no less than a crime not to keep in touch with the latest word in the science. He is a native son of the state. his birth having occurred April 11, 1874. at Sandusky, and his parents being Charles A. and Belle ( Degen-
500
HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY
feld) Gileher, also natives of the Buckeye state. Charles Gilcher is the son of Peter and Christine (Boos) Gilcher, whose birth occurred in Germany. Thus by descent Mr. Gilcher belongs to that fine nationality which America considers one of her worthiest sources of emigration. His grandparents soon after crossing the Atlantic located in Sandusky.
Dr. Gilcher's parents were married December 30, 1872, and after that event the father embarked in the lumber business in Sandusky. The maternal grandfather of the subject, whose name was Christopher Degenfeld, had a gallant Civil war record, having offered his services to the defense of the Union almost at the beginning of the great conflict between the states. He was made major of the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was forced to resign on account of illness. He subsequently recruited a company of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry and was made captain of the same. At the battle fought at Saltville. Virginia, he fell from wounds, was captured and sent to Libby prison, where he was incarcerated for a long period. He died from the effects of his
wounds in 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Francis
Lenhart, survived until 1892. The paternal grandfather was called to his eternal rest in 1877. and his wife two years later. Dr. Gilcher's father is a loyal Democrat and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
Dr. Gilcher received his preliminary education in the public schools and resided with his parents until 1896, in which year he came to Republie and took up the practice of medicine. When looking about him for a life work he had been inclined toward medicine and he received his training in the homoeopathic depart- ment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, be- ing graduated in 1896. During his last year in college he was interne in the hospital. He is of the school of homoeopathy. Aside from his professional work he has taken an active and able part in public affairs and at present holds the office of president of the board of education. He was mayor of Republic, serving from March, 1903, until January, 1906. He is a member of the
Republican Central Committee. HIe has always taken great interest in township and county politics and is well informed in the issues of the present day. The office of health officer of Republic was held by him from 1898 to 1903, and during the past ten years he has been the health officer of Scipio township. He may indeed be accounted one of the leading and progressive citizens of Seneca county and one whose career is not yet at its zenith.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.