USA > Ohio > Lorain County > A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative of the. > Part 25
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His birth occurred on the old homestead farm in Liverpool Township, Medina County, Ohio, July 8, 1836. His parents, Henry C. and Margaret (Berdz) Haserodt, were both born in Prussia, the former in 1799 and the latter in 1807. They were long lived people, and were splendid home makers in the New World. In 1834, after their marriage, they came to the United States and soon afterwards settled in the Western Reserve of Ohio. Their location was a farm in Medina County and during their many years residence there they gained success and independence. The last years of their worthy lives were spent in Elyria, where Henry C. Haserodt died in 1887 at the age of eighty-eight, and his wife in 1891, also past fourscore. Both were devout members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The common schools such as were found in the middle pioneer epoch in this part of the Union supplied John F. Haserodt with the rudiments of his education. At the age of seventeen he came to the City of Cleve- land and served a thorough apprenticeship at the trade of harness- making. In a few years he was known for his skillful workmanship in this craft, and in 1857 moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and followed a trade there until 1861. His sympathies being with the Union he then returned to the North at the outbreak of the war and resumed his resi- dence in the City of Cleveland. There he became foreman in a large harnessmaking establishment, and continued that relation until 1867. Returning to the old home farm in Medina County, he was identified with its work and management until 1880, in which year he gave up agriculture for his old business as a harness maker. This time his loca- tion was in Elyria and his shop soon gained a reputation for its superior product of light harness. In this line and in general harnessmaking he had a large and profitable trade not only in Lorain but in adjoining counties and actively prosecuted the business until 1904. He then sold his establishment and lived retired until his death.
His interest was always keen in movements for the upbuilding and advancement of his home city. At one time he was quite prominent in local affairs, serving three full terms in the city council as representative Tel. 1-11
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from the Fourth Ward, and made himself valuable to the city while in that office. He was a stanch republican, and both he and his wife active members of Grace Evangelical Church in which he was an elder.
In 1861 Mr. Haserodt was married in Cleveland to Miss Johanna M. Meyer. She was born in Germany, and is now living at Elyria at the age of seventy-one. The marriage ties which united herself and husband were unbroken for almost half a century. The honest work of their own lives is continued and amplified through their large family of children. George F., the oldest, is a salesman in the Heldmyer Hardware Company of Elyria; Rev. Henry H. is a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Sacramento, California; Lillie C. is a professional nurse and lives with her mother in Elyria; Edmund B., now a resident of Cleve- land, is serving as county clerk of Cuyahoga County; William L. is a mail carrier living at Lakewood; Otto E. was a prominent and widely known member of the family in Elyria, where he died October 2, 1912, and separate mention of him is found on other pages; Oscar P., also mentioned elsewhere, is president and treasurer of the Haserodt Brothers Company, jewelers and opticians, at Elyria; Paul M. is connected with The Widlar Company of Cleveland; Violet L. is now the wife of Wilbur Smith of Lima, Ohio; Emanuel is now with the Enamel Pipe Works of Elyria; Elmer, who pursued his studies in the Concordia Theological Seminary at St. Louis, is now pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago. -
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OTTO E. HASERODT. Lorain County never had a more popular citizen whose public services and private character commended themselves more highly to the esteem of a host of friends and more deserving of memory than the late Otto E. Haserodt, who for many years capably filled the post of county auditor and died while still in office October 9, 1912.
At the time of his death he was not yet forty years of age, yet in the sum of human service and accomplishment he lived intensively, and cultivated with extraordinary energy the abundant opportunities that were presented to him. He was born at Liverpool in Medina County, Ohio, December 24, 1873. His grandparents were Henry C. and Mar- garet (Berdz) Haserodt, who were born in Prussia, the former in 1799 and the latter in 1807. They came to the United States in 1834, locating on a farm in Medina County, and after acquiring a fair share of the world's goods they spent their last years in Elyria, where Henry C. Haserodt died in 1887 and his wife in 1891. The late Otto E. Haserodt was a son of John F. and Johanna M. (Meyer) Haserodt. His mother is still living in Elyria while his father, who died there April 26, 1910, is individually mentioned on other pages of this publication.
Otto E. Haserodt when seven years of age came with his parents to Elyria, and attended the public schools of that city up to the age of fourteen. At that early date he became identified with self-supporting activities and laid the foundation of a business career by work as clerk in a grocery store and in other capacities. At the age of twenty-two he became bookkeeper for the Elyria Lumber Company. In September, 1898, he was made deputy auditor of Lorain County, and in October, 1905, the county commissioners appointed him county auditor to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry J. Barrows, who died before taking up his duties as auditor after election to that office. In 1906 Mr. Haserodt was elected without opposition as county auditor, and in 1908 was again chosen, and in that election received the largest vote given to any candidate in Lorain County, either on the county or state ticket. After that, so capably did he continue to administer his duty and make the most of the functions of the office, that his incumbency was a matter of his own choice, practically without opposition so far
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as local politics was concerned. It has been frequently remarked since his death that the affairs of the county auditor's office were never in better hands than while administered by Mr. Haserodt.
It is important to make some record of his career both as an official and as a private citizen. As a man he was loved by all, and there were many expressions of this sincere esteem when he was compelled to give up his life in the midst of a useful career. He was implicitly trusted by the people, who felt honored in having him in one of the most important offices in the county. Thus proof of his efficiency as an official is found in the fact that he retained that office for eight con- secutive years, and administered its affairs with a degree of intelligence and ability that brought him into prominence not only in his home locality but throughout the state. While county auditor he was called upon to pass upon many important questions. He was absolutely familiar with all legal questions that came to his attention. He was assiduous in placing upon the tax duplicates at their true value both corporations and individuals who endeavored to hide their assets. In the Nichols case alone he compelled the heirs to pay into the county treasury nearly $100,000 that would not otherwise have been collected. The efficiency of his office was also highly complimented after examination by the state bureau of accounting. He was a man who had a methodical mind, was a master of detail, and kept every account with a scrupulous nicety that was only a reflection of the workings of his individual mind. Mr. Haserodt had first entered the auditor's office as a clerk under the city administration of George H. Lewis, and in that capacity proved a degree of trustworthiness which made his appointment at the death of Auditor-elect H. J. Barrows both logical and wise. For three successive terms he was regularly elected and practically died at his post.
The late Mr. Haserodt was a republican in politics, belonged to the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, was a stockholder and directer in the Lorain County Banking Company and had various business interests. He never affiliated with secret societies, but was an active member of the Grace Evangelical Church. On October 8, 1901, Mr. Haserodt married Miss Anna G. Baldinger. Her father was John Baldinger, a former resident of Massillon, Stark County. Mr. Haserodt is survived by his widow and two daughters, Catherine and Virginia.
OSCAR PAUL HASERODT. Among the children of the late John F. Haserodt, whose career has been sketched on other pages of this Lorain County History, Oscar Paul has distinguished himself as one of the leading business builders at Elyria, and is now sole proprietor of the largest jewelry establishment in that city, operating not only a general jewelry store but also a plant and business as manufacturing opticians. Mr. Haserodt served as president of The Haserodt Brothers Company from its incorporation in 1911 until he recently acquired the entire stock of the business. This is a business that is readily recognized as a land- mark in the Elyria shopping district, having been established as early as 1859.
Born in the home of his parents at Liverpool, Medina County, Ohio, February 15, 1876, Oscar Paul Haserodt came to Elyria with his father and mother when about four years of age, and in 1890 graduated from the German Lutheran School. His energetic disposition found employ- ment first as delivery boy for the dry goods firm of Biggs, Bowen & Company, the predecessors of the present house of D. Lewis & Company, and after six months with that concern his next position really pointed out his permanent destiny as a business man. He secured work with E. H. Fisher, the jeweler who had established many years before a con- cern which is now The Haserodt Brothers Company, otherwise known as
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"The Quality Store," and it is conducted now at the same site where Mr. Fisher had his little shop more than half a century ago. Under Mr. Fisher the boy quickly learned the jeweler's trade, and remained with that old time jeweler for about eight years. He worked at the bench in repairing watches, did engraving, and specialized particularly in the optical branch of the business. Thus in time he acquired a thorough knowledge of all branches of the business, and for three years fitted glasses before passing the regular examination as an optician in 1897, after the death of Mr. E. H. Fisher. He attended the Spencer Optical Institute in New York City, and after receiving his diploma as a graduate continued working in the institute for a short time. He returned to Elyria and assumed the chief responsibilities of the business for Mrs. Fisher for about three years, endeavoring to give special attention to the optical department, though he also worked as an engraver and waited on the trade. Subsequently Mrs. Fisher married Mr. E. E. Critz, and Mr. Haserodt went on working for them for eight years, and then went into partnership with Mr. Critz. This partnership relation was formed in 1907, and the store which had long been known simply as Fisher's jewelry store then went under a new title as The Critz-Haserodt Company. Four years later Mr. Critz retired, and the Haserodt Brothers Company was then organized and incorporated, with Oscar P. Haserodt as president and Emanuel H. Haserodt, his brother, as secretary. In March, 1915, his brother gave up his relations with the business, leaving Oscar as sole proprietor.
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As already stated, this is the largest jewelry store at Elyria. It carries a splendid stock of jewelry, and is particularly headquarters for optical goods. Besides the supplies usually found in a first class optical store, Mr. Haserodt has introduced all the apparatus and the equip- ment necessary for manufacturing, and grinds all the lenses for his trade. Since its organization in 1909 Mr. Haserodt has also had a business interest in the Strong, Kennard & Nutt Company, wholesale opticians in the Schofield Building at Cleveland. This company has enjoyed much prosperity and has a large trade among optical dealers throughout Northern Ohio.
Mr. Haserodt is a member of the National Retail Jewelers Associa- tion, the National Optical Association, is a republican in politics, a mem- ber of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and worships in the English Lutheran Church at Elyria.
On October 1, 1901, at Rochester, New York, he married Miss Julia Bell, who was born at Webster, a suburb of Rochester, New York, but was educated in the Elyria public schools. She came to Elyria when a small girl and was adopted into the family of the late John Hert. Mr. and Mrs. Haserodt have two children: Edward John and Josephine Estelle, both born in Elyria. Mr. Haserodt is essentially a business man, though thoroughly public spirited in his citizenship, and such time as he is able to take from business affairs he devotes to such wholesome recreation as automobiling, fishing and other outdoor sports.
ARTHUR PIERRE LAGRON. Of the professional men of Lorain County who have turned their attention to other pursuits, with benefit to them- selves and to the advancement of the community welfare, one of the best known is Arthur Pierre Lagron, of Lorain. His early training was along the line of civil engineering, a vocation in which he spent many profitable years and in which he gained a substantial reputation, but in recent years he has devoted his abilities to business affairs, and at the present time is president of the Lagron Coal and Supply Company, one of the leading industries of the city.
Mr. Lagron was born at Rhineland, Montgomery County, Eastern
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Missouri, February 11, 1871, and is a son of Arthur and Mary (Breton) Lagron. Arthur Lagron, the father of Arthur P. Lagron, is a son of Pierre Lagron, who was a native of France and came to America at an early date. He descended from the family of that name who settled in Missouri on the original Louisiana Purchase. Arthur Lagron came to the United States from France about the close of the Civil war and settled in Montgomery County at Rhineland, Missouri. He had fol- lowed civil engineering in his native land and was a captain of a civil engineering corps in France, having graduated from a French polytechnic institute. He remained in Missouri until about 1896, when he located in Peoria, Illinois, where he has since remained. He followed railroad construction work for many years. To him and his wife were born seven children as follows: Margaret, who married a Mr. Bussman and resides on the old homestead in Missouri; Naomi, single; Gustavus A., of Elyria, Ohio; Gabrielle, in Missouri, single; Bertha, who died single; Edward, who lives at Peoria, Illinois; and Arthur P., of this review.
The early education of Arthur Pierre Lagron was secured in the public schools, following which he became a student of civil engineering, and at the age of twenty years entered upon the practice of his chosen calling. Coming to Lorain County in 1892 he secured employment with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and subsequently was with the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. When he left the latter company he engaged in private practice and built up a substantial business, becoming known as one of the skilled and reliable civil engineers of this part of Ohio and engaging in much important work. For a time he acted in the capacity of city engineer of Lorain, but resigned from that position. Mr. Lagron gave up his practice in 1905, when he founded the Lagron Coal and Supply Company, Incorporated, to the development of which he has since devoted his activities. From a modest beginning it has grown to large proportions and is now accounted one of the firmly established commercial adjuncts of Lorain. Mr. Lagron is a member of the Masons and the Knights of Pythias and is popular in fraternal circles. He is a public-spirited and stirring citizen and gives his support to all movements which make for civic betterment and advancement.
In February, 1899, Mr. Lagron was married to Miss Josephine Amelia Billings, of Elyria, Ohio, daughter of Henry M. Billings, a merchant of that city. They have one daughter, Mary Margaret.
CLAUDE B. BIVIN. The City of Elyria-"The 100% City"-can boast of no more enthusiastic and helpful promoter and supporter of its varied industries and interests than Claude B. Bivin, secretary of the Elyria Park Amusement Company. Now in a substantial position among the business men of his adopted community, Mr. Bivin's career is typical of those of many of Ohio's foremost citizens. He entered upon life's struggles without advantages, worked his own way and learned as he worked, pushed himself forward by sheer energy and indomitable grit, and all the time kept his eyes upon a higher goal. Still a young man, his accomplishments have been many and his life story is an interesting and instructive one.
Mr. Bivin was born on a farm in Owen County, Indiana, near the Village of Spencer, September 18, 1877, and is a son of William B. and Verlinda (Dickerson) Bivin, natives of Kentucky, the former born in Bourbon County and the latter in Clark County. They were married at Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky, and after their mar- riage left the old home in the Blue Grass State and migrated to Owen County, Indiana, where William B. Bivin, who had been born on a farm and had been a farmer all his life, purchased a tract of 196 acres,
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near Spencer. On this he continued operations until 1883, although the farm was not sold until 1907. The parents are now living at Lexing- ton, Kentucky, where William B. Bivin is engaged in the express busi- ness, owning his own equipment. There were six sons and two daughters in the family, three of the children being deceased: Thomas Owen, named after Owen County, Indiana, now a resident of Lexington, Ken- tucky; Frank W., also of Lexington; Hattie, who is the wife of J. S. Daugherty of that city; Claude B .; James T., who died in 1903, aged twenty-eight years, at Lexington; Walker, who died in infancy; Lullie, who is now Mrs. Moses Baker, of Oakley, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio; and John, who died in infancy. All were born in Owen County, Indiana, except the last-named, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, and Claude B. and Mrs. Baker are the only residents of Ohio.
The education of Claude B. Bivin came from the public schools of Kentucky, and when he was still a small lad he displayed his industry and ambition by carrying newspapers on the streets of Lexington, being engaged as a newsboy for some fourteen years. He then entered a livery business as clerk, remaining two years, and for a year followed the vocation of drayman, but was not satisfied with the outlook and devoted himself to learning the trade of telephone lineman. In that capacity he removed to Toledo, Ohio, and after a short time went to Maumee, where he was put in charge of work of this nature and retained that position nine months. Thus he also received his introduction to the City of Lorain, where for three years he continued work as a lineman and for seven months worked in the shipyards engaged in wiring boats for electric lights, etc. In 1905 he embarked in the grocery business at Lorain, at the corner of First and Reed streets, but after one year and ten months sold out to become a traveling salesman for the A. R. Champney Company, of Elyria, wholesale liquor dealers, continuing on the road for that concern for six years.
In November, 1910, Mr. Bivin was elected sheriff of Lorain County, taking office January 2, 1911, and his term was so satisfactory to the people that in 1913 he was re-elected, by the largest majority of any official in the county. He has always taken a keen interest in democratic politics, and is accounted a leader of his party in Lorain County. On Saint Patrick's Day, 1914, Mr. Bivin bought out the business of the Walk Over Shoe Company, at No. 138 Cheapside, from Fred C. Wolf. This business he purchased merely as a speculation, and while he still owns it has no active participation in its management, as he prefers employment which keeps him out of doors. However, he has placed it under the capable management of Mr. M. B. Faulhaber, an old-time citizen and shoe merchant of Elyria, under whose supervision the busi- ness is proving an excellent investment.
On July 1, 1914, Mr. Bivin founded the Elyria Park Amusement Company, an enterprise located on the Elyria Fair Grounds, of which he has since been secretary, and at the present time is acting manager. Here are conducted various kinds of amusements during the summer months, including automobile races, carnivals and picnic parties, and first-class entertainments of all kinds are offered the public. The grounds are finely situated, everything is conducted in an orderly and strictly respectable manner, and Mr. Bivin is meeting with the splendid success which he deserves. He is also interested as a stock holder and director in the Elyria Cedar Post and Lumber Company. He is a work- ing member of the Chamber of Commerce, and in local parlance is a live wire. a hustler and a good mixer with his fellow men. Fraternally he is widely and popularly known, being a member of the Knights of Pythias; King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, Mar- shall Chapter No. 57, Royal Arch Masons and Elyria Council No. 86,
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THOMAS B. ALLISON AND FAMILY
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Royal and Select Masters; Elyria Lodge No. 465, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Elyria Lodge No. 431, Fraternal Order of Eagles; and Elyria Lodge No. 778, Loyal Order of Moose.
Mr. Bivin was married December 1, 1902, to Miss Edna M. Hinish, of Maumee, Ohio, who was born, reared and educated there, a daughter of Thomas and Ella M. (Reed) Hinish. Her father, who died in 1900, was a well known citizen of Maumee and for more than twenty-five years proprietor of the Maumee Paper Mills, and her mother still resides at that place. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bivin: Thomas Hinish, born at Lorain, Ohio, April 9, 1905, and now attending the graded schools; and Harry Jerome, born at the county jail at Elyria, while his father was serving as sheriff, October 12, 1912, who is con- sidered by his parents "An 100% Boy."
THOMAS B. ALLISON. By hard and successful work as a farmer, by good citizenship, by an influence steadily directed toward the better- ment of his own family and the community in which he lives, Thomas B. Allison has played a worthy part in Lorain County, where he has con- ducted a large farm for many years.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Ashland County, November 5, 1864, a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Provines) Allison. The Allisons were among the early settlers of Ashland County. Alexander Allison was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1806 and died in 1889. He went to Ashland County when young, and was twice married, Thomas B. Allison being the child of his second wife. There were twelve chil- dren altogether, six by each marriage. Besides Thomas B. there are two daughters living, one by the first and one by the second union; Rachel, who lives at West Salem, Ohio, is by the first union, and Anna, who lives with her brother Thomas, is by the second union.
Alexander Allison was a man of more than ordinary influence and prominence. He was active in the Presbyterian Church, and held some office in that denomination for many years. Politically he was a repub- lican, and filled various township offices. A man of good education and of the strictest integrity, he was frequently honored with trusts, par- ticularly in administering estates. In Ashland County he had cleared up a large tract of land, and made a success of farming.
Thomas B. Allison spent his boyhood days in Ashland County, at- tending the public schools there, and he also had other courses in higher schools at Cleveland. His first regular vocation was school teaching, and from that he went to a farm. His father was incapacitated for regular work at the age of fifty-four, and it was Thomas who took charge of affairs and kept the estate together in his declining years. Later he bought the old homestead, buying the interests of the other heirs, and managed it for several years. He then took a business course and spent nine months in Toledo as a bookkeeper and six months at Akron. On first coming to Lorain County Mr. Allison was on the road for two years selling goods, and then was in the office of the railway at Wellington for some months.
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