USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 18
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
202
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
city clerk of Bucyrus and filled the position for six years, while for many years he was township clerk. He has also been deputy and county recorder and was deputy county auditor for nine years. He was a member of the Bucyrus city board of education for twelve years, ten years of which time he was clerk of the board. He has filled some of those positions contemporane- ously. Since 1897 he has been justice of the peace of Bucyrus township, and his decisions are strictly fair and impartial, for he displays neither fear nor favor in passing judgment upon the merits of a case, without regard to parties concerned.
In Indiana Mr. Didie was united in marriage to Miss Amanda F. Wise, a daughter of Jacob and Maria (Didie) Wise. Two sons have been born of this marriage: Edgar Allen, whose birth occurred in 1876 and who is now employed in a retail grocery house; and Dallas Dio. There are also two daughters: Laura Della and Dora Zelah.
Mr. Didie is connected with the Order of the Knights of the Maccabees and is a gentleman of social prominence and popularity. He has a very large acquaintance throughout Crawford county and enjoys the warm friendship of a large number of those with whom he has come in contact.
THOMAS C. WOODS.
Thomas C. Woods, one of the pioneer railroad men living in Crestline, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1833. The paternal grandfather, Henry Woods, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was of English descent. His father, David Woods, was also a native of the same locality and in his early manhood followed the Ohio river as a blacksmith and assistant engineer. He learned the blacksmith's trade in early life and was connected with that line of work in his native county, successfully carrying on the business on his own account until his death, which occurred in the fifty-ninth year of his age. In politics he was an old-line Whig and held a number of local offices in the county. He married Miss Margaret Evans, who was also born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Samuel Evans, whose birth occurred in Ireland, and who was thirty years of age when he came from that country to Pennsylvania. In early life he served as a pilot on a steamer on the Ohio river. His daughter, Mrs. Woods, died at the age of eighty-four years. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: Joseph, a manufacturer of wooden ware in Bedford, Pennsylvania; Thomas C., of
203
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
this review ; Mary Ann, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, who is the widow of Jolin Evans, a native of England : Alexander, who died when about ten years of age; Nancy Jane, wife of J. R. Parott, who has charge of the electric light plant at Bucyrus, Ohio; Carrie, who died in infancy ; David H., who is an engineer on the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroad and resides at Mat- toon, Illinois.
Thomas C. Woods, whose name introduces this record, remained in his native county of Pennsylvania until nineteen years of age. He made his home with his father and attended school. On leaving the parental roof he entered the railroad service, driving a horse and cart at the time the grade was being made. He was afterward with the Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad Company, in Pennsylvania, and later he obtained a position as a laborer on a work train used in hauling all kinds of materials necessary in the construction of the road. Mr. Woods served in that capacity until he was made fireman on a freight train, running from Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, to Alliance. Ohio. He acted as fireman for about four years, part of the time on a passenger train. During that period the new road had been completed to Crestline, Ohio, and Mr. Woods made some of the first trips to this city. After four years as fireman he was promoted to the position of engineer and ran on both divisions, from Allegheny to Alliance and from Alliance to Crestline. Since his marriage he has spent much time on a switch engine, through choice, as it allowed him to spend more time at home than if he was on the road. He has seen all of the shops erected and all of the improvements made here. He was a witness to the laying of the first railroad iron in the town and is the oldest man in the motive-power department west of Pittsburg in the employ of the company. He never was suspended from duty except once and that was for only six days, being occasioned by a very important acci- dent, backing into an engine. By consent of the railroad company, whom he has served so long and faithfully, he has been put on the retired list with a pension of forty dollars and thirty cents per month, and one thousand dollars payable to his beneficiaries at his death.
On the 29th of July, 1857, Mr. Woods was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Moore, who was born near Columbiana, Ohio, June 29, 1832, and is a daughter of John C. and Mary ( Deldaback) Moore, natives of New Jersey and of French and Holland descent. Since 1859 Mr. and Mrs. Woods have resided in Crestline. They became the parents of four children : Ella, who died at the age of nine years; Dora, who died at the age of six years ; Edward, who passed away at the age of four years ; and Della B., who became
204
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the wife of Charles E. Johnson and died October 5, 1897, leaving a son, Donald, who is now residing with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Woods. Our subject is a Republican in his political affiliations, having voted that ticket since the organization of the party, previous to which time he was a Whig. He has a wide acquaintance in this portion of Ohio and is particularly well known in railroad circles.
JAMES H. PERRINE.
Among the conductors in the railway service now living in Crestline is James H. Perrine, who is numbered among Ohio's native citizens, his birth having occurred in Wyandot county, on the IIth of July, 1844. His fa- ther. James Perrine, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he spent the period of his boyhood and youth. When a young man he took up his residence in Wyandot county, Ohio, where he followed farming and also bore his part in the work of development and progress, for he located there in pioneer days. He married Nancy Duddelson, a native of that county, where her parents had located when it was a frontier district, the Indians being far more numerous than the white settlers. Mr. Perrine lived to be about seventy-two years of age, and his wife died when seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of three children: William, who was a conductor and was killed in the yard of the Grand Rapids & Indianapolis Railroad in September, 1880; John was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war ; James H. completes the family. The eldest brother, William, was also numbered among the boys in blue, serv- ing with the one-hundred-day men in an Ohio regiment.
Taking up the personal history of James H. Perrine we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known and whose many excellent qualities are worthy of emulation. He was reared in his native county upon the old homestead and upheld the family record for loyalty and patriotism by joining the Union forces when only eighteen years of age, becoming a member of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He served until the close of the war, partici- pating in many important engagements, including the battles of Winchester, Piedmont, Snicker's Gap and was detailed to act as nurse in the hospital, taking care of the wounded at Winchester, Virginia. This was in 1864. He also participated in the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and in many other engagements of importance, and though always found at the post of
205
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
duty, even if it carried him into the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded. In the winter of 1865, when in front of Richmond, he was taken prisoner, be- ing captured on the first of April, but on the 4th of the same month he was paroled and sent to Columbus, where he remained until mustered out on the 14th of June, 1865.
Mr. Perrine then returned to his native county and in July of the same year entered the service of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad Company, now the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company. He was first engaged in hauling dirt and working on the grading of the road as a laborer. He afterward served on a construction train and then built fences for the company. Subsequently he was made brakeman in 1869, running between Crestline and Fort Wayne, Indiana, for eighteen months, after which he was promoted to conductor. In that capacity he ran between the two cities mentioned for about two and a half years, and was then transferred to the castera division between Crestline and AAlliance, where he served as brake- man for three and a half years. He was then again promoted to conductor, remaining upon that run for about eighteen years. On the 25th of April. 1898, he fell from the train, while it was in motion, and his injuries incapaci- tated him for further duty for four months. At the time of the accident he was running through Allegheny, on the 6th of August, 1889, and the engine went through his caboose. His own train was moving very slowly when it was run into by a train in the rear, which was going at a speed of twenty- five miles per hour. Mr. Perrine was the only one in the caboose at the time. The car was completely demolished, nothing being left but the trucks, while his collar bone was broken and he suffered other serious injuries. Since that time he has run on many trains, but it is the earnest desire of his family that he should give up railroad service. He is one of the most reliable and highly respected men in the employ of the company, having served them for over thirty years.
Mr. Perrine was married in Wyandot county, Ohio, in May. 1866, to Miss Ellen Dunlap, a native of that county, where she was reared and edu- cated. Her parents were Samuel and Jane ( Steele ) Dunlap. Her father was born in Scotland and died at the age of sixty-six years, and her mother passed away at the age of fifty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perrine have been born three children, a son and two daughters: William, who is now a brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad and resides in Crestline; Bertha, wife of William Bennett, who is living in Indianapolis and by whom she has three children,-Maude, Donna and Milfred; and Maudie, wife of Charles
11
206
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Rice, of Cleveland. Both she and her husband are operators for the Western Union Telegraph Company. The son married Sophia Denner and they have two children,-Ella and Mabel, and also lost one child at the age of four years.
Mir. Perrine is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and. as the result of his years of business activity he has become the possessor of a comfortable competence. He is now one of the stockholders of the First National Bank and holds government bonds. He also owns considerable valuable property, including a pleasant residence on Henry street. In politics he is a stanch and inflexible Republican, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. They are honored and respected in Crestline, where they have resided for so many years and the hospitality of the best homes is ex- tended to them.
REV. JOHN W. KUNTZ.
The stamp designating true nobility of character must ever find its in- effaceable tracery on the brow of one who sets himself apart from "the mad- ding crowd's ignoble strife" and dedicates his life to the uplifting of his fellow men. A more than superficial investigation is demanded when one essays to determine the mental struggle and the spirit of unselfish devotion that must animate the man who gives all that he has and all that he hopes to be to service in the great vineyard of life, seeking reward only in that realm "where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves do not break through and steal." Preparations for and labors in the priesthood are perforce exacting, demanding an ever ready sympathy, a broad intellectuality and an unswerv- ing fidelity. Scoffing, cynicism and careless irreverence would often be silenced if only the inner life of those who minister in holy places might be laid open for inspection. Honor is due and honor will be paid when once there comes a deeper understanding of the truth.
As the minister of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, known as the Goodhope Evangelical Lutheran church, John Waldo Kuntz is widely known. He began his pastoral work in Bucyrus on the 20th of May, 1897, and his labors have been attended with excellent results. He was born in Germany, in 1868, and with his parents came to America in 1880, the family locating in Londonville, Ohio. The father is now a contractor and builder of Hutchinson, Kansas.
The son began his education in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, and con-
207
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tinued his studies in Loudonville, Ohio. He afterward matriculated in the Capital University, at Columbus, and then entered the Lutheran Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was graduated in June, 1891. Being pre- pared for the work of the ministry, he began preaching the gospel in Balti- more, Maryland, as pastor of St. James church, where he remained until 1893, when, owing to ill health, he had to take a smaller charge, where the labors and responsibilities were not so great. He is a most zealous and inde- fatigable worker and carries on his labors oftentimes at the expense of his own strength and health. While in Baltimore he was instrumental in erect- ing a new church there. On leaving the south he accepted the pastorate of the German Lutheran church at Jelloway, Knox county, Ohio, where he re- mained for four years, and on the 20th of May, 1897, he came to Bucyrus as pastor of the Goodhope Evangelical Lutheran church of this city. During the four years in which he has remained at this place the church debt of over three thousand dollars has been paid out and the church is now in a very flourishing condition. It has a membership of over seven hundred, the num- ber having been largely increased during the ministrations of Rev. Kuntz.
In Jelloway, in 1895, Rev. Kuntz was united in marriage to Miss Ida C. Richert, who was born in that place and is a daughter of George J. Richert. Their marriage has been blessed with two children. Mrs. Kuntz is to her husband an able assistant in his Christian work. He is a man of broad sym- pathy, of marked personality and strong force of character, and his labors for the uplifting of his fellow men have been productive of great good.
It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the history of the church of which he has charge. The Goodhope Evangelical Lutheran church was established in 1829 by the Rev. J. D. Schule, who acted as pastor for a time and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Steanch, who came to the church in December, 1832. The Rev. F. J. Ruth, an English speaking minister, was also employed, and he and the Rev. Steanch alternated their labors in the pulpit, the latter speaking in the German tongue, the former in the English language. In 1836 a house of worship was erected for both the German and English speaking worshipers. It was the first church with a steeple in the city of Bucyrus. The Rev. J. O. Ergens preached to the German portion of the congregation, and under his eloquent discourse and earnest labor the membership of the church grew rapidly. He was succeeded in 1839 by J. Krons, who was a member of the Ohio synod, which still has control of the Goodhope church. In 1842 the German portion became a separate con- gregation and assumed its present name. On the 9th of December, 1843, they
208
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sold their share in the church to the English speaking people, and that division of the church has since been known as St. Paul's. The German congregation then occupied a hall until 1857, when the old church was erected. In 1855 the Rev. Michaelis became pastor, and during his ministrations a house of worship was erected, work being begun on the Ist of April, 1857, and the corner stone laid on the 12th of August of that year. The house was erected at a cost of five thousand dollars. In 1867 the Rev. Michaelis was called away, and in October of that year the Rev. J. F. Graessle became pastor, acting in that capacity until 1880, during which time the congregation grew rapidly and many improvements were made. A fine pipe organ was built in the church and a parsonage was erected. From 1881 until 1887 the Rev. J. C. Eirich attended to the spiritual needs of the congregation as pastor of Goodhope church, and at the latter date was succeeded by W. F. Deiss, who died while filling the pulpit, in 1889, and was laid to rest in the cemetery in Bu- cyrus. He was succeeded by C. F. Gebhardt, who came to the church in September, 1890. During his pastorate the present house of worship was erected, at a cost of twenty-seven thousand dollars, and the old church is now used as an armory. The present structure is commodious and modern in every respect. Rev. Gebhardt died in 1897, and was succeeded by the Rev. John Waldo Kuntz, who was the first pastor to introduce the English language into the services. On each alternate Sunday at the evening services he speaks English, and once a month delivers a lecture to young people in the English tongue. Like many of his predecessors, his labors are proving of great benefit and value to the community, and the influence of the church is widely felt.
MATHEW L. CARMEAN.
Mathew L. Carmean, a well-known citizen and extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Dallas township, was born on the 5th of March, 1846. in the township which is still his home, his parents being Mathew G. and Rachel (DeLong) Carmean. His father was a southern gentleman and came to Ohio with his parents, who were pioneer settlers of Pickaway county, where Mathew G. Carmean spent the greater part of his youth. The family name is of French origin and the first representative of the family in America crossed the Atlantic from France at an early day in the history of this coun- try. After arriving at years of maturity Mathew G. Carmean was united in marriage, in Pickaway county, to Miss Rachel DeLong, who was born in
209
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
New Jersey and was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. They soon afterward came to Crawford county, where they began life in limited financial circum- stances. The father entered from the government eighty acres of land in what was then Bucyrus township, but not long afterward exchanged that land for a tract on section II. Dallas township, whereon he took up his residence, making it his place of abode throughout his remaining days. He prospered in his undertakings and as his financial resources increased he made judicious investments in other property. until at the time of his demise his realty possessions aggregated twelve hundred acres.
Unto Mathew G. and Rachel Carmean were born seven children, namely : Mrs. Mary Ann Coulter, who is now a widow and resides in Toledo, Ohio : Martha E., deceased; Jonathan, a representative citizen of Crawford county ; Elizabeth, who died in childhood; Nelson, who died at the age of sixteen years ; and Mathew L., of this review.
The last named was reared upon a farm and pursued his education in a log school house. At the time of early spring planting he took his place in the fields and assisted in the cultivation of the crops until after the harvests were garnered in the late autumn. He has always resided in Crawford county and has always followed farming, remaining with his father until the latter's death. He now owns a valuable farm of three hundred acres. all of which is under a high state of cultivation and yields excellent harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Buildings and fences are kept in good repair and everything about the place is neat and thrifty, indicating the owner to be a man of progressive spirit, energy and perseverance.
In 1876, January 6, Mr. Carmean was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Drollsbaugh, who was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. Her mother died during her early girlhood and when she was sixteen years of age she came to Crawford county, where she had brothers and sisters living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carmean has been blessed with four living chil- dren : Maud G., Olivette, Ruth R. and Theodore M., all at home, and they lost one, Luther J., who died at the age of thirteen months. The wife and mother, a lady of sterling qualities, died in the fall of 1900, esteemed by all who knew her.
In his political views Mr. Carmean is a Republican, who earnestly ad- vocates the principles of the party and never seeks official reward for his fidelity. Socially he is a Master Mason, belonging to Oliver Lodge, No. 447, F. & A. M., and to the Order of the Eastern Star. He is likewise a member of Caledonia Lodge, No. 116. K. of P., and belongs to the Methodist Episco-
210
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
pal church. The fraternal spirit of the one and the Christian principles of the other have largely shaped his course in life and made him an honored and respected man.
HENRY A. RAUB.
Henry A. Raub was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, November 16, 1831, and is a son of Henry and Hannah (Aultman) Raub. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1801. Coming to this state he resided for some time in Columbiana county, but subsequently returned to Pennsyl- vania, where he remained for about five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Knox county, Ohio, where he remained for some time, owning and operating a farm there. At length he sold that property and purchased another farm in Marion county, but while preparing to remove to the new home he was taken ill and died in the year 1867. His widow, however, went to Marion county, where she spent her remaining days, passing away in 1871.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of the farm life of Henry A. Raub in his youth. He pursued his education in the schools of Knox county, Ohio, and in April, 1852, when twenty-one years of age, he came to Bucyrus. That summer he worked upon a farm and in the autumn entered school in this city, his leisure time outside of the school room being devoted to working for Andrew Failor, and during the succeeding year he was again employed as a farm hand and then once more came to Bucyrus, where he was employed in the store of Dr. Converse. Subsequently he se- cured a position in a sawmill in the fall of 1854 and served in that capacity for three years. He was employed as fireman in McLane's gristmill for one year and in a similar capacity in the hub and spoke factory owned by Jones & Company, in whose service he spent the year 1860. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the milling business on his own account, under the firm name of Bowers & Raub, and at the end of the year he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Nussbaum, but remained with the new firm in the position of fireman. Subsequently Mr. Bowers purchased his partner's interest and Mr. Raub continued as fireman until he rented the mill of Mr. Bowers and con- ducted it on his own account until Mr. Bowers sold the property to a stock company. Mr. Raub then again assumed the position of fireman for the stock company, and afterward the mill was leased by a Mr. Miller, who operated it for a time. Subsequently he leased the property and carried on
211
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the business for himself for about three years, when the mill was destroyed by fire. Not long afterward he opened a feed store in Bucyrus and has since carried on business along that line, enjoying a large and profitable trade.
In January, 1855, Mr. Raub was united in marriage to Miss Sarah D. Howenstein, who was a daughter of John Howenstein. She died in 1872. Their children were: Mary L., who was born in February, 1856, and died on her fifteenth birthday : Lillian, Jay, Harry and Charles.
Mr. Raub has led a busy, industrious and useful life and his fidelity to principle has ever been manifest in his honorable conduct, which has gained for him the confidence and good will of his fellow men. His first presi- dential vote was cast for Franklin Pierce, then he voted for John C. Fre- mont, then Abraham Lincoln, and has since voted the Prohibition ticket.
DANIEL KANZLEITER.
Daniel Kanzleiter is a well-known factor in the business circles of Bu- cyrus, where since 1885 he lias been an active representative of real-estate in- terests, handling farm lands in Crawford and adjoining counties, town prop- erty and southern lands. In the latter connection he is land agent for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company, with which corporation he has thus been connected since 1895. Success has attended his efforts, for among his dom- inant qualities are numbered keen discernment and sagacity, progressive methods and unfailing courtesy. He is thoroughly in touch with the modern business methods of the times, and his well directed efforts have gained for him a position among the prosperous residents of his native city.
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.