USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 32
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years ago. It was constructed east and west from the state road to the farm pike and as a public highway has proved of great value. In his political views Mr. Hill was a Re- publican, who served as supervisor and as school director for a number of years. He was a member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church and all of his family re- tained membership with that denomination. Domestic in his tastes and habits, he found his greatest happiness when with his wife and children at his own fireside and he con- sidered no personal sacrifice too great that would promote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his family. His loss was there- fore very greatly felt by them, and the en- tire community mourned one whom it had known only to respect and honor. He passed away .April 15. 1891, after a linger-
HENRY DRESBACH DRUM.
Henry Dresbach Drum, a farmer and Mr. McCrackens in the establishment of a dairyman, residing on section 17, Green- general mercantile store. After a number field township, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, of years, however, he sold his interest in that business, but conducted his cooper shop for some time thereafter. For many years he was a justice of the peace and was serv- ing as postmaster of Lancaster at the time of his death in March. 1835. He left a widow and seven children, two of whom are still living. the younger being Jacob, who resides at Fort Scott, Kansas. June 3. 1829. His father, Henry Drum. was a native of Virginia and married Ma- ria Hauchman, who was a native of Mary- land. They came to Lancaster in 1817 and the father established a cooper shop, in the conduct of which enterprise he met with gratifying success. With the money thus acquired he entered into partnership with a
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The elder. Henry Dresbach Drum, spent his early days upon a farm and faithfully engaged in the operation of a portable saw- mill. He offered his services to the govern- ment as a Union soklier at the time of the Civil war but was rejected on account of disability. Later, when the governor of Ohio called for volunteers to protect the state from the threatened invasion, he was among the first to respond to the call. The company elected Kit Ruffner as its captain and they were known as the Squirrel Hun- ters. Each man brought his rifle and am- munition and some provisions to the fields of encampment. Our subject still has his discharge papers in which he was called Dresbach Drum, as that was the name by which he went into the service in order to be distinguished from his father, whose first name was Henry, the same as his own. The discharge papers bear the names of Da- vid Tod, governor, P. P. Lane, colonel com- manding, and Major Malcolm McDowell. Mr. Drum also has another historical doc- umment, a transcript of the resolutions of thanks to the Squirrel Hunters, passed by the Ohio legislature March 4, 1863, signed by the governor.
On the 18th of September, 1865, Mr. Drum was united in marriage by the Rev.
Thomas Drake to Susan Fetters, a dangh- ter of Thomas Fetters, a farmer near Lan- caster, who was born on the old family homestead which his father had entered from the government many years before. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Drum have been born five children, but Sarah died in early wom- anhood. Those still living are: Mary J., Cora B. and Maude M., who are at home ; and Thomas H., who wedded Mary Gier- hardt and resides on one of the old home farms in a new house built for him just op- posite the parental home.
In early life Mr. Drium was a Jackson Democrat, giving his support to that party until the inauguration of the Civil war, since which time he has supported the Republi- can party. He and his family attend the Methodist church and as a citizen he is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community. Mr. Drum's time is largely occupied by his extensive business and is thereby winning creditable success. He has a large herd of Jersey cattle which he has bred up to a high standard. His farm is located along the Lancaster pike within a mile of Carroll and its high state of fertility can be judged from the fact that recently he sold twenty acres for one hundred dollars per acre.
AMBROSE LARGER.
Ambrose Larger is a prosperous and en- long been a factor in public life, serving as terprising business man whose well directed postmaster of Hamburg for many years, and is a most highly respected citizen. efforts indicate his capability, his keen dis- cernment and resolute firmness. He has
Mr. Larger was born in Alsace, France,
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now a province of Germany, on the 13th of April. 1850, and is a son of Francis Lar- ger, who served in the French army for fourteen years. By occupation he was sta- tionary engineer and he spent his life in his native country, dying in Alsace. where his wife also spent her entire life. In their fam- ily were five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom four are still living : Francis, who died in AAlsace when about sixty years of age; Aloysius, who was a member of the French army and is now em- ployed as an engineer in the watch factory in Columbus, Ohio: Josephine, the widow of Jacob Bobenrieth, by whom she had a son, Joseph, now residing with his mother in Felleringer. Alsace: Margaret, the wife of Joseph Sifferlen, who is employed as a car repairer in the railroad shops in Colum- bus, and by whom she has two children, Am- brose and Joseph : and Ambrose, who is the subject of this review and the youngest of the sons of the family.
Ambrose Larger spent the first seven- teen years of his life in the land of his nativity, during which time he attended the public schools. In the year 1867 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and landed at New York, but did not tarry long in the eastern metropolis, making his way to Lancaster, Ohio, where he had an uncle who was engaged in the tanning busi- ness. This was Joseph Wissang. and Mr. Larger remained with him, assisting him in the work of the tannery until the death of Mr. Wissang, which occurred in 1876. In that year Mr. Larger went to Cincinnati, where he completed the task of learning the .All of the children were born in Hocking
tanner's trade. For two years he remained in that city and then returned to Fairfield county, taking charge of the tannery at Hamburg, in Hocking township. This he conducted until about 1885. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Hamburg by Presi- dent Grant and served until the office was discontinued. Later, however, the office was re-established and he was reappointed by President Cleveland, serving during both administrations of that Democratic execu- tive, although he is a stanch Republican. He then resigned and went to Columbus, where he accepted a position as car inspec- tor, remaining in the capital city for four years. On the expiration of that period he- returned to Hamburg and was reappointed postmaster by President Mckinley in 1898, since which time he has continuously served. In connection with discharging the duties of this office he is also conducting a grocery store. the only one at Hamburg. It is well stocked with a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries and he is enjoying the liberal patronage which comes from many of the leading farmers through- out this portion of the country.
On the 14th of June. 1881, Mr. Larger was united in marriage in Lancaster to Miss Lavina Brown, who was born in Lan- caster and is a daughter of Francis Brown. a stonemason who followed his trade for many years in the county seat. Their wed- dling has been blessed with three children: Annie, who is now nineteen years of age: Frank, who is attending school; and Ed- ward, who is also pursuing his education.
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township. Mr. Larger and his family are vanced until he has acquired a handsome communicants of the Roman Catholic competence. He is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens as a man of upright deal- ing, and that he is a worthy public officer is strongly indicated by the fact that he has been so long continued in the. position of postmaster under several different adminis- trations. church. He is truly a self-made man, for he had no capital when, attracted by the op- portunities of the new world, he crossed the briny deep. He placed his dependence upon earnest effort, unremitting diligence and laudable ambition, and gradually he has ad-
GEORGE A. LUTZ.
Among the business men whose progres- sive and enterprising efforts contribute to the substantial upbuilding and commercial activity of Amanda is George A. Lutz, a member of the firm of Lutz Brothers, deal- ers in dry goods and groceries. Throughout his entire life he has resided in Ohio, and is a representative of one of its honored pio- neer families. His birth occurred in Salt Creek township, Pickaway county, on the 13th of July, 1858. His father, Levi Lutz, was born in the same township in 1830, but the grandfather, John Lutz, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania. His brother, Samuel, lived to the advanced age of one hundred and two years. It was Jolin Lutz who established the family in Ohio, emi- grating to Pickaway county, where he cast in his lot with the early settlers. Amid the wild scenes of frontier days Levi Lutz was reared and assisted in the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new farm. He married Hannah Mowery, who was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway
county, in 1832. Her father, Peter Mow- ery, was a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of an old Dutch family. He, too, was numbered among the early settlers of Pickaway county. In the year 1859 the father of our subject removed with his fam- ily to Fairfield county and settled on a farm one and a quarter miles south of Amanda. There' his wife died in the spring of 1870. She was the mother of seven children : Sarah E., who died in 1883: George A., the sub- ject of this review ; Laura A. ; Carrie J., who died in 1884; Emma M., the wife of Por- ter Conrad, a farmer who resides in Aman- da township; Edmund, a member of the firm of Lutz Brothers ; and Milton C.
In the usual manner of farm lads of the period George A. Lutz was reared. The sun shown down upon many a field which he plowed and planted, for he assisted in the farm work through the summer months and in the winter season attended the schools of Clear Creek township, remaining upon the home farm until twenty-five years
18
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of age. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kiefaber, of Clear Creek town- ship, a daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth (Brown) Kiefaber. The young couple be- gan their domestic life in Clear Creek town- ship, but in 1887 removed to Tennessee. spending four years upon a farm in Obion county. On the expiration of that period they took up their abode in Oakland, Fair- field county, Ohio, where Mr. Lutz engaged in merchandising for ten years. On the ex- piration of that period he came to Amanda township and soon afterward settled in the village of . Amanda, where he and his brother established their present store under the firm name of Lutz Brothers. Here they are carrying a large and well selected stock of general merchandise and receive a liberal patronage.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lutz has
been blessed with four children: Leslie K., Willie M., Fred A. and Estelle. The par- ents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, take a very active part in its work and contribute liberally to its support. Mr. Lutz is now serving as one of its trustees and for a number of years has been a teacher in the Sunday-school. He served as post- master in Clear Creek township, and has also been called upon to administer estates. Fraternally he is connected with Central Star Lodge. No. 489, K. P. His life record shows that the qualifications necessary for success are a high ambition and a resolute. honorable purpose to reach the standard that has been set up. From an early day he has been dependent upon his own resources and has won the proud AAmerican title of a self- made man. He enjoys the esteem and con- fidence of all who know him.
ALOYS FROMLET.
Aloys Fromlet, a son of Joseph and Barbara ( Frick ) Fromlet, was bom May 1, 1850, in Leichtenstein, a small province on the border of Switzerland. His parents and four children, of whom Aloys was the youngest. emigrated to this country in the spring of 1851 and landed at New Orleans during the cholera epidemic. The mother and one child succumbed to the dread dis- case before the family reached St. Louis and were buried near Cairo, Illinois. The
father and his three boys, Peter, Ferdinand and Aloys, located in Dayton, Ohio, where he enlisted in the Union army and served until the close of the Civil war, when he returned to Dayton, and resided there until the close of his life, in 1888. The family name was originally Fromelt.
Aloys learned the trade of a tinner in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1870 he located in Rantoul, Illinois, where he engaged in the tin and hardware business. On the 19th of
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December, 1872, lie was married to Miss Margaret Karr, of Champaign county, Illi- nois, who died March 17, 1879, leaving one child, Laura Maude, who still survives her father. In 1880 he removed to Chicago, where he remained several years, and then located in Anderson, Indiana, where he con- ducted a dry goods and millinery store un- til 1889, when he came to Lancaster, Ohio, and opened the store called the Lion store. Fromlet Brothers & Ward being partners, to which business Mr. Fromlet succeeded as sole owner in 1895.
On the ISth of June, 1896, Mr. Fromlet was united in marriage to Miss Julia E. Beck, the only surviving daughter of
the late George G. and Maria Louise Beck. On March 8, 1897, after a short ill- ness, he passed to the great beyond, when in his forty-seventh year. Wherever he had resided he had gained many warm friends, his affable and courteous manners and his upright way in conducting his business winning for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had any dealings. He was the first dry goods merchant in Lan- caster to introduce the cash system. After his death his daughter Maude purchased an interest in his business with J. O. James as partner. The following year, however, she sold out to Mr. James and went to London, England, where she has since resided.
HERBERT F. MECHLING.
Ilerbert F. Mechling, who is capably filling the office of city clerk of Lancaster, is an enterprising, progressive man, widely and favorably known in Fairfield county. He was born in Greensburg, Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of October, 1861, his parents being the Rev. George W. and Amanda (Trimble) Mech- ling. For thirty-seven years the father has been pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church in Lancaster, and has had the degree of D. D. conferred upon him. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, while his wife is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and on the moral development of the com-
munity they have exerted strong and bene- ficial influence.
Under the paternal roof. Herbert F. Mechling spent the days of his childhood and at the usual age entered the public schools of Lancaster. Subsequently he was a student in Eastman's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and was there graduated with the class of 1881. He en- tered upon his business career in the east, spending one year in the sugar refinery in New York city. Returning then to Lan- caster, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Fairfield County Bank and after re- maining for some time went to Columbus,
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Ohio, where for ten years he was employed as a bookkeeper and traveling salesman for Samuel Buthe & Company. His next home was in Hume, Illinois, where he embarked in the cattle business under the firm name of Woods & Mechling. Later, however, he disposed of his interests in the west and re- turned to Lancaster, where he became man- ager for F. C. Nelbe, proprietor of the Al- leghany quarries. Since September, 1895, however, he has been continuously in offi- cial service, having at that time been elected city clerk, in which capacity he has served continuously since. his present term expir- ing in the spring of 1903. at which time he will have been the incumbent of the office for eight years. He is very accurate, thor- ough and systematic in the discharge of his duties, and his record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. for it has brought him high encomiums and the un- qualified commendation of those who are familiar with the work of the office.
In November, 1891, Mr. Mechling was married to Miss Anna L. Getz, a daughter
of Henry and Christina ( Latter) Getz, her parents belonging to old families of Fair- field county, and Mrs. Mechling was born, reared and educated in the city of Lancas- ter. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, Ruth E. and George W. She holds membership in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church, one of the oldest religious organizations of Lancaster. Mr. Mechling belongs to the Bismark Club and since its organization, in 1897. has served as its secretary. His political sup- port is given the Democracy and he takes an active part in local. county and state poli- tics. He was for two years secretary of the department of state supervisors of Fairfield county and his labors in behalf of his party have been effective and far-reaching. Ilav- ing long resided in Lancaster, he has a wide acquaintance here and the friends of his boyhood have continued their high regard for him throughout the years of his man- hood, a fact which indicates his sterling worth and his fidelity to all qualities of an upright manhood ..
HENRY C. WILLIAMSON.
Henry C. Williamson is a retired farmer Williamson, was a native of Virginia, born in blue during the Civil war. He is now liv- ing in a pleasant home in Lancaster, enjoy- ing the fruit of former toil. He was born in Bloom township, this county, on the 13th of October, 1843. His father, George W.
in 1801. and the great-grandfather was George Williamson, Sr .. whose birth oc- curred in Scotland and who was one of the old school Presbyterians. The grandparents of our subject were Theodore and Rhoda
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( Prater) Williamson, who in 1808 removed with their family of ten children to Ohio, taking up their abode in Bloom township, Fairfield county, where the grandfather purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the green woods. The first house was a log cabin about sixteen by twenty feet. It contained one room, which served the pur- pose of kitchen, parlor and bedroom, Al- though the quarters were not very com- modious, hospitality reigned supreme and many a guest was received beneath their pio- neer roof. Indians were far more numerous than the white people and in motley garb stalked through the forest, which they claimed as their dominion until encroaching civilization caused them to seek homes fur- ther west. The Williamson family endured all the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of a new country. Game was plentiful and the greater part of the meat for the family table was secured through the use of the rifle in the forest. In the family were six sons, including George W. Will- iamson, and all aided in the arduous task of developing and improving the new farm.
After arriving at years of maturity George WV. Williamson was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Kemp, of Fairfield county, a daughter of Henry and Mary Kemp. They became the parents of ten children, nine of whom reached adult age: Theodore, born September 8, 1824, resides at Hilliard, Ohio; Sarah, born February 14. 1827, married Zephiniah Courtright ; Zeruah, born July 18, 1829, married William Coffman; Martha, born October 14, 1831, married Solomon Alspach, of Missouri;
Lorinda, born June 28, 1834, became the wife of John E. Courtright of Paulding, Ohio ; Evaline died in childhood ; Elizabeth, born January 28, 1839, married Israel Bolenbaugh and is now deceased ; Amanda, born August 10, 1841, married John Coff- man, and is also deceased; Henry C., is the next of the family; and William A., born March 7, 1846, still resides on the old home farm in Bloom township.
In taking up the personal history of Henry C. Williamson we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in Fairfield county, having spent his entire life within its borders. In the usual manner of farmer lads of the period he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, pursuing his education in the district schools in the winter months and working in fiekl and meadow in the summer. He was thuis en- gaged until 1862, when, at his country's call for troops, he enlisted as a member of the Union army, joining Company D, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, under command of Colonel Ross. He served for two years and four months and participated in many important engagements which lead to final victory, in- chiding those at Stone River, Franklin, Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Nashville, Tennessee. At the last named he sustained a severe wound, a shot piercing his right arm and shattering the bone so that the member had to be amputated close to the shoulder. He was taken to the hospital, where he remained six weeks, at the end of which time he started for home, taking pas- sage on a steamboat at Louisville, Kentucky, buit while en route was stricken with small-
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pox and transferred to the pest hospital at Covington, Kentucky. In September, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and re- turned to his home, having made a great sacrifice for his country, yet happy in the consciousness that he had done his full duty in preserving the Union and aiding in the abolishment of slavery.
For a short time after his return home Mr. Williamson continued his education in the home schools and then entered Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he pursued his studies for a year, and later he took a course in the commercial college at Zanesville, Ohio. He then returned to the old homestead in Bloom township, where he again engaged in general farming and stock raising and throughout the active years of his business career carried on agricultural pursuits.
In December, 1871, Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Tip- ton, of Fairfield county. She was born in Licking county, Ohio. November 27, 1844, and is the second daughter of John C. and Medina M. ( Wheeler ) Tipton. Her fa- ther was a native of Virginia, and when six- teen years of age came to Ohio with his parents, Joshua and Elizabeth Tipton, the family locating in Linnville, Licking county. When young he learned the brick mason's trade, which he followed during the greater part of his life. Ile married Medina M. Wheeler, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac and Mary Wheeler. This marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Mary E., who became the wife of Henry Snelling, of
Licking county, now proprietor of a hotel in Ashville, Pickaway county; Sarah A .. wife of our subject: Benjamin F., a resi- dent of Bloom township, Fairfield county; William J., a farmer of Franklin county ; Jolın C., a resident of Royalton ; and Jennie E., now Mrs. Henry Pontius, of Lancaster. Mrs. Tipton died on a farm in Bloom town- ship, March 13, 1890, and Mr. Tipton passed away at the home of our subject, October 15, 1900. Six children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely: Cora M. is now the wife of Frank Barr, of this coun- ty, and they have three children: Alvin Williamson, Eva Ruth and Floyd Ellsworth. Lillian E. died September 10. 1877. at the age of two years and seven months. Stella Annetta is at home. Ada F. is now teaclı- ing school. Achsa Futilla and Machsa Florilla, twins, were graduated from the Lancaster high school in June. 1902, and re- side at home.
After his marriage Mr. Williamson he- gan farming on his own account on a ninety- three-acre farm in Bloom township, which was deeded to him by his father. When his financial resources increased he added to his possessions by the purchase of an additional tract of one hundred and thirteen acres and thus was the owner of more than two hun- dred acres. The care and labor which he bestowed upon his fields brought to him ex- cellent harvests and through the sale of his products he acquired a good financial return for his labors. In 1895 he removed from the farm to Lancaster, where he has since resided. Hle has two and one-half acres of land here, upon which is a pleasant residence
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and good, substantial buildings. In his po- country as when he wore the blue uniform litical affiliations Mr. Williamson is a Re- publican when national issues are involved, but at local elections votes independently, re- garding only the capability and trustworthi- ness of the candidate. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion and the Encamp- ment, and as a citizen is as true to-day to his
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