USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 19
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Mr. Kanzleiter was born in Bucyrus, June 21, 1843, his parents being John and Ursula Catherine ( Koberlin) Kanzleiter. The father was a native of Switzerland and the mother was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Leaving the land of the Alps Mr. Kanzleiter crossed the broad Atlantic in September, 1837, and took up his abode in Bucyrus, where he resided for many years. Thus our subject became a native of this city and was here reared, pursuing his education in the public schools. In 1861 he entered the Journal printing office, where he was employed until May, 1864, when, at the age of twenty- one years, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company E. One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry. After the war he returned to the printing business, which he followed until the fall of 1868, when, on account of poor health, he was forced to abandon that line of business. He then conducted a depot and circulating library, containing
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two thousand volumes. Subsequently he was employed in the Forum office until March, 1885, when he embarked in the real-estate business, which he has since conducted with marked success. As a representative of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company he does a land business throughout Ohio. He has in charge much valuable real estate and has conducted many important real- estate transactions. His knowledge of land values is comprehensive and exact. and he is thus enabled to aid his clients in making judicious investments.
In 1876 Mr. Kanzleiter was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Mohler, a daughter of A. B. Mohler, of Dayton, Ohio, who was a wealthy dealer in broom corn and was known as a king on account of his extensive operations in that product. He employed several hundred workmen and carried on a business of mammoth proportions. His death occurred in 1883. His wife bore the maiden name of Isabella Young and was a resident of Cincinnati. In her girlhood Mrs. Kanzleiter was her father's able assistant in business, and in 1884 she began business as a representative of life, fire and accident insur- ance companies and as a loan agent. She has since conducted operations along those lines and is recognized as a lady of superior executive force, sound business judgment and marked enterprise. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kanz- leiter hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he has been identified for forty years, while her membership relations with the church dates from 1876. In his political views Mr. Kanzleiter is a Republican, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred to devote his energies to his business affairs, in which he is now meeting with creditable success.
ARISTA O. LUCAS, M. D.
In taking up the history of the prominent men of Crawford county we note that Dr. Lucas occupies a leading position in their ranks. He is one of the most skillful, able and successful medical practitioners in this portion of the state, and his comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine, combined with his accuracy in applying his knowledge to the needs of suf- fering humanity, has gained for him a very liberal and constantly increas- ing patronage. His time is fully occupied with his professional duties, and his brethren of the fraternity as well as the public acknowledge his emi- nence and express admiration for his worth.
Dr. Lucas was born in Johnsville, Morrow county, Ohio, April 5, 1865,
A.D. Lucas,
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and is a son of Adam and Susan ( McGill) Lucas. The father was born in Perry township, Morrow county, Ohio, February 22, 1838. The family is of German lineage and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Germany, but came to this country at an early day. Adam Lucas, the grandfather of the Doctor, was a native of Pennsylvania and was reared in the Keystone state. His father was one of the well known distillers of Lancaster county, and there the grand- father learned the business, which he followed for some years. After the inauguration of the war of 1812 he was drafted for service, but as he was then in charge of his father's business the later hired a substitute and Adam Lucas was therefore exempt from duty. In an early day in the development of Ohio he took up his abode in Morrow county, entering three hundred acres of land, whereon he built a log cabin. The following spring his wife and eldest child died, and he then returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained for about a year. On the expiration of that period he was again married, and once more took up his abode in his Ohio home, where he resided until seventy-five years of age. He then retired from active busi- ness life and removed to the town of Johnsville, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. His wife, the grandmother of the Doctor, bore the maiden nome of Magdalene Emig, and was also a native of Pennsylvania.
Adam Lucas, the Doctor's father, was reared on the old home farm and in the common schools acquired his education. He married Miss Susan McGill and then located in Johnsville, where for six or eight years he was employed as a teamster. Later he removed to Woodbury, where he engaged in the grocery business, conducting the enterprise for ten years or more, and during the greater part of the time he was also postmaster of the town. Disposing of his store, he was then employed for a number of years in a general mercantile establishment, and in 1876 he removed to Johnsville. Soon afterward he became a "knight of the grip," going upon the road as a traveling salesman for a Mansfield ( Ohio) boot and shoe house, with which he was associated for two years. He then established a retail boot and shoe store of his own in Johnsville and carried on business along that line until 1895, when he sold his store and removed to New Washington. since which time he has represented the Rochester Horticulturist and Florist firm. He is an energetic and wide-awake business man, reliable and trust- worthy. In his political views he is a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Baptist, but as there was no church of that denomination in New
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Washington he has united with the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was born in Licking county, Ohio, near Newark, in 1841, and died June 6. 1865. About three years afterward he married Miss Molly Pittman, and unto them were born two children, both of whom are now deceased, the children and the mother dying within a few weeks of typhoid fever. About 1875 Mr. Lucas was married for the third time, Miss Charlotte Edwards becoming his wife. They had four children, of whom two survive,-Mamie, who is at home, and Wilbur, who is attending lectures in the Starling Medi- cal College, at Columbus, having previously read medicine under the direc- tion of the subject of this review.
Dr. Lucas is the only child of his father's first marriage. He acquired his early education in the graded school of Johnsville, and at the age of nineteen he began teaching. He would follow that profession for one term and then attend school for a term, being a student in the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He taught altogether eight terms and thus made pos- sible his own education. In March, 1888, he began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. Eli Stofer. of Bellville, Ohio, and in September of the same year he entered the Western Reserve Medical College, of Cleveland, where, on the 4th of March, 1891, he was graduated, having completed the regular prescribed course. On the 28th of the same month he located at West Point, Morrow county, and began practice, continuing at that place until the 13th of July, 1892. when he came to New Washington, and to-day he is recognized as one of the leading physicians of Crawford county. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Society, and through his connection with these organizations and through reading and study he has kept in close touch with the progress that is being made along professional lines. His career has been remarkably successful, and as he is yet a young man further advancement undoubtedly awaits him.
While residing at West Point Dr. Lucas was united in marriage, on the 10th of June, 1891. to Miss Verdie Hosler, a native of Johnsville, and a daughter of George R. Hosler, now deceased, but at that time one of the prominent merchants of West Point. The marriage of the Doctor and his wife has been blessed with two children: George A., born March 28, 1892: and Charles H., born May 26, 1899. Socially the Doctor is connected with Hyperion Lodge, No. 561. K. of P., and with Rex Lodge, No. 229, Knights of the Maccabees. In his political views he is a Democrat, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to devote his attention to his professional duties. Nature seems to have
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fitted him for this calling, and with strong mentality, keen discernment and close application he has won a position in the ranks of the medical fra- ternity which many an older practitioner might well envy.
ALLEN G. SPRANKLE.
Allen G. Sprankle, editor and proprietor of the Crestline Advocate, was born in Shanesville, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1848, and received a liberal education in the common schools of that day.
He is a son of Jacob F. and Harriet ( Caskey) Sprankle. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Frederick and Elizabeth (Long) Sprankle, natives of Germany, and emigrated to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century, locating at York, Pennsylvania, where they became valued residents throughout the remainder of their lives. Nine children were born to their union, viz. : Michael, Daniel, Jacob, Ludwig, George, Sarah, Polly, Lydia and Susan. It was in August, 1802, that their third son, Jacob, the father of our subject, was born. He spent his youth in York, and here also received his brief education. Early in life he learned the shoemaker's. trade and in 1825 emigrated west, locating at Canal Dover, where he resided for one year, and in 1826 he removed to Shanesville, where he followed his trade until 1832, when he opened a hotel, which he successfully conducted until 1867. At this date hie discontinued his hotel and opened a grocery store, which he operated until within a few years of his death.
In 1834 he married Miss Harriet Caskey, a daughter of Sheriff Caskey, an early sheriff of Stark county, Ohio, and their union was blessed with six children, viz. : Isabelle, deceased; Mary, wife of W. E. Layton, residing in Shanesville: John, deceased; Ada : Allen G. and Theresa. The three sisters. reside at the old homestead at Shanesville. The deaths of this aged couple occurred on the 15th day of December, 1898, and was of marked singularity and an unusual coincidence, being only twelve hours apart, the father dying at 5 o'clock A. M. and the mother at 5 o'clock P. M! Death was only a matter of change in the form of the relation of the married life of this couple. Their spirits departed for the better world at about the same hour and their lifeless forms were laid to rest in the same grave.
Allen G. Sprankle at an early age was apprenticed to learn the "art pre- servative" at Philadelphia, the county seat of his native county, and when he mastered his trade he secured a position in Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for a short time. In 1867 he went to Millersburg, this state, where
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he resided until 1895. In the meantime he had abandoned his chosen occu- pation, for in 1872 he entered the mercantile business, successfully conduct- ing a store for about twelve years. During that period he received the appoint- ment of postmaster at Millersburg. under President Cleveland, and was then serving his first term. Mr. Sprankle occupied the position for four years and his administration was prompt and reliable, giving satisfaction to all con- cerned. Before entering the mercantile business he was employed by a his- torical publishing company as one of three editors and for about eighteen months aided in writing the history of Venango county, Pennsylvania, also the Pan Handle of West Virginia, and Belmont and Jefferson counties, Ohio. After his retirement from the position of postmaster he sold his store in Millersburg, and was offered the position of associate editor of the Newark Daily Advocate, which he accepted. While acting in this capacity his family still continued to reside in Millersburg and in 1895 he purchased the Crestline Advocate and has since been its editor and proprietor. His experience in the journalistic field well qualifies him for the successful conduct of the paper of which he is now at the head, and he has made it one of the leading journals in this section of the state. It is devoted to a consideration of local and gen- eral domestic and foreign news and he treats in a fair and impartial manner the questions of public interest, at the same time giving editorial support to the principles of Democracy.
While residing in Millersburg Mr. Sprankle was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Newton, the third daughter of G. F. Newton, who was a prom- inent resident of that place, having a state reputation as a horticulturist and pomologist. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sprankle have been born two daughters : Virginia, wife of S. B. Klippelt, living in Birmingham, Alabama; and Har- riet, who is assistant editor of the Advocate. The family is one of promi- nence in the community, enjoying the warm regard of many friends.
ANDREW J. HAZLETT.
In the field of political life and professional activity Andrew Jackson Hazlett has won distinction and to-day is numbered among the leading, in- fluential and honored residents of Bucyrus. A young man, he possesses the enterprising spirit of the west and has been a dominant factor in producing the wonderful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward until he has left the ranks of the many to stand among the suc-
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cessful few. He is widely known as a leading journalist in this portion of Ohio and has also won public honors and recognition in the legislative halls of the state.
Mr. Hazlett was born in Texas township, Crawford county, November 8. 1865, and is a son of Robert Chamberlain and Elizabeth ( Walter) Hazlett, and is descended from Revolutionary ancestry. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Nancy ( Ury) Hazlett, who in 1829 came to Crawford county and purchased a farm in Texas township from a Mr. Roberts. He purchased and operated the first sawmill in that township and in connection with Mr. Bender he laid out the town of Benton, in Crawford county. He owned several hundred acres of land and was a very prominent and influential citizen, doing much to promote the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state. In 1848 he erected in Benton a hotel, which was the first building in the town, and was actively concerned in the im- provement of the place, which had a good growth in the early days. He also built the first brick residence in that section of the county.
The maternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Susanna ( Baum) Walter, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, locating in what was then Sycamore township, Crawford county, but is now in Wyandot county, on the present site of the village of Sycamore. The grandfather was a Dunkard preacher. Unto John and Nancy ( Ury) Hazlett were born the following named: Ann, deceased wife of John Taylor, of Lafayette, Indi- ana: Robert, the father of our subject; Elizabeth, deceased wife of E. P. Kellog, of Todd township, Crawford county; John, who served as a justice of the peace in early days and was a prominent citizen ; Mary Jane, the wife of B. F. Jaqueth, of Todd township ; and William.
Robert Chamberlain Hazlett, the father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and was twenty years of age when he accompanied his parents to Crawford county. Here he became fa- miliar with all the experiences and trials which fall to the lot of the frontier settlers. He married Miss Elizabeth Walter. She and her twin sister were the first white children born in Sycamore township, and through this mar- riage two of the prominent pioneer families were united. Their children are: Mrs. Susan E. Wilcox, widow of P. P. Wilcox: Mason W., who is liv- ing near Bucyrus, Ohio; W. H. and J. S., who are residents of Poplar ; and Andrew J.
Andrew Jackson Hazlett, whose name forms the caption of this review, pursued his preliminary education in the public schools, and at the age of
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seventeen he became a student in Fostoria Academy, where he pursued his studies for two years. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching to some extent, a profession which he followed through twelve terms. Desiring, however, to gain more advanced knowledge he matriculated in Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, Ohio, and was graduated with the class of 1888. He was afterward superintendent of schools at Sulphur Springs, Crawford coun- ty, for two years, and during that period graded the schools and largely pro- moted the educational interests of the town.
Mr. Hazlett began his newspaper career on the Daily Advertiser, at Tiffin, Ohio, and for a time was also engaged in newspaper work in Helena, Montana. Returning to his native county in 1891, he then purchased an interest in the Crawford County News, in connection with his brother, J. S. Hazlett. The paper was founded on the 14th of November, 1880, by Thomas P. Hopley, as a Prohibition organ, and when it passed into the possession of the Hazlett brothers, in October, 1891, it was changed to an independent paper. J. S. Hazlett disposed of his interest in the journal in 1892, to M. A. Charlton, and the new firm of Hazlett & Charlton equipped the plant with a large Cottrell press and gas engine, put in new body type and a good job plant. The paper was also changed from an independent to a Democratic journal and was issued semi-weekly. In 1895 Mr. Charlton disposed of his interest to H. B. Sears, who in turn sold it to L. M. Smith, the present business manager, in September, 1898.
During all the changes the present editor, A. J. Hazlett, remained with the paper and saw it grow from a six-column folio weekly to a six-column quarto and semi-weekly. A curious fact connected with the changes in the ownership is that each of Mr. Hazlett's partners, upon leaving, disposed of his interest for double the amount he invested in the plant. During the past eight years the paper has constantly grown in circulation, patronage and in- fluence until it has outstripped all of its competitors and is now the official organ of the county, having practically all of the county patronage at full legal rates. During this time it has also added several thousand dollars' worth of material, has been compelled to move into larger quarters twice on account of increasing business, is out of debt and able to discount all of its bills.
On the 10th of June, 1890, Mr. Hazlett was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Carpenter Baker, a college classmate, having been graduated in Heidel- berg College in 1888. She is a daughter of Edward and Nancy ( Carpenter) Baker, and her ancestors came from Massachusetts. Her father was a sea
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captain, but at present is engaged in mercantile business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hazlett has been born a daughter, Edwina, whose birth occurred March II, 1899. He is well known in fraternal organizations, belonging to Trinity Lodge, No. 556, F. & A. M., to the Tribe of Ben Hur, and to the Phi Kappa Psi, a college fraternity. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served on its board.
In politics he is an ardent advocate of the Democracy and through the columns of his paper earnestly labors to promote the interests of his party. That he is a recognized leader in its ranks is indicated by the honors that have been conferred upon him. In 1896 he was nominated on that ticket for representative in the general assembly and served for two years, retiring from the office on the Ist of January, 1900. He had considerable influence in fram- ing the legislation of the state during that period and gave to each question that came up for settlement his careful consideration, thus manifesting his patriotic devotion to the welfare of those whom he represents. He is also state fish and game commissioner, having been appointed to the office by Governor Bushnell and afterward by Governor Nash. He is also city school examiner and is found as a champion of every measure calculated to benefit the community.
Since the foregoing sketch of Mr. Hazlett was written there was or- ganized in October, 1901, a stock company, known as the Bucyrus Publish- ing Company, which company purchased and combined in one newspaper the Bucyrus News and Forum, and thereby Mr. Hazlett became discon- nected with the News, and at the present writing is in editorial charge of the Findlay Courier.
G. WASHINGTON WILLIAMS.
Among the residents of Crestline who are identified with the railroad service is Mr. Williams, who is an engineer on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. Numbered among Ohio's native sons, his life record began in Richland county on the 4th of August, 1843. His father, Joseph Williams, was also a native of Ohio and became one of the honored pioneers of Richland county, where his last days were spent. He married Rebecca Chew, who was born in Richland county, and there her demise also occurred. They were the parents of six children, but only three are now living.
G. W. Williams pursued his education in his native county, attending the district school near his home, and after he had become old enough to
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handle the plow he assisted in the work of the fields, becoming familiar with every department of farm labor. His time was thus occupied until he at- tained the age of eighteen years, when, the country having become involved in Civil war. he donned the blue as a defender of the Union, enlisting on the 10th of October, 1861, as a member of Company E, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteers. The regiment was assigned to Sherman's brigade, and he served for three years, two months and nineteen days, during which time he participated in many hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Shiloh or Pitts- burg Landing. Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. His division, under command of General Thomas Wood, was the first to land on the top of the ridge. AAfter the engagement at that place Mr. Williams was with the pioneer corps until mustered out of the service in 1864. On many a field of battle he had displayed marked bravery and loyalty, and with a most creditable military record he returned to his home in Lucas, Richland county, Ohio.
Not long afterward he assumed the position of brakeman on the Penn- sylvania Railroad, and was thus employed for three years, after which he worked for a short time in the machine shops in Crestline. He next became fireman on the same road, devoting his energies to that task for thirteen months, when he became hostler in the roundhouse. After fifteen months he was promoted to the position of engineer, on the 23d of March, 1883, and since that date has been a regular engineer on the road. His service in the employ of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad has continued through thirty-five years, during which time he has met with but one accident, and that of a very unimportant character .. Fidelity to duty, promptness and close application are qualities which are absolutely demanded by railroad cor- porations on the part of their employes, and that Mr. Williams is lacking in none of these particulars is plainly indicated by the fact that through more than a third of a century he has been retained in the service of one company. On the 4th of June, 1866, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss S. E. Travis, who was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Her father was a native of this country, but her mother was born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have become the parents of three children, of whom two are living,- Charles A. and Mrs. E. Moores. In his political affiliations Mr. Williams is a stanch Republican, giving an inflexible support to the principles of the party. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic. In an analyzation of his character it is not difficult to determine that fidelity is one of his salient
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characteristics. It was manifest upon the field of battle, and has been con- tinuously shown forth in his business career. Although he has lived a quiet and uneventful life, his history is one which has ever commanded respect and confidence, and as one of the reliable and representative citizens of Crawford county he well deserves mention in this volume.
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