USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 20
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JACOB SHERER.
Jacob Sherer, one of the leading and successful farmers of Crawford county, is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in. Whetstone township, Crawford county, on the 18th of January, 1835. He is a son of Jacob and Christine (Gross) Sherer. The father was born in Wur- temberg, Germany, in 1792, and in 1805 came with his parents to America, locating in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where Jacob Sherer grew to years of maturity and engaged in farming. In early life he also engaged in the manufacture of looms for weaving, and in later years worked at that occu- pation in connection with his agricultural pursuits. In 1833 he emigrated to Ohio, and after spending one winter in Richland county he came to Crawford county, locating on the farm now owned by a Mr. Kurtz in Whetstone town- ship. A few years later his parents joined him in this state and he pur- chased the farm adjoining the one on which our subject now resides on the north, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the advanced age of eighty-five years. At the time of his death he owned five hundred and twenty-eight acres of land, and was accounted one of the prosperous and representative citizens of the county. He made thirteen trips by wagon to. Pennsylvania, having assisted many families to remove to this state.
Mr. Sherer was united in marriage with Christine Gross, also a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born on the 5th of January, 1797. She came to. America in 1804, and her death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. They became the parents of three children, two of whom still survive, and the sister of our subject, Catherine, is now the wife of Jacob Hurr, of Bucyrus, Ohio. Although not a member of any religious organization, Mr. Sherer was an active worker in the Pietist church, contributing liberally of his time and means to its support. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and both he and his estimable wife were numbered among the worthy and honored citizens of their adopted county.
Jacob Sherer, whose name introduces this review, enjoyed only the educational advantages afforded by the pioneer schools of his locality, but as
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the years have passed he has greatly augmented his knowledge by observation, reading and by practical experience. At the early age of twelve years he earned his first money working for a cattle buyer, and by saving his earnings he was soon enabled to purchase a calf, and later on, a colt. He was mar- ried at the age of twenty-five years, after which he located in a log cabin on his father's farm and was engaged with the latter in agricultural pursuits un- til 1870, when he and his brother Samuel took charge of the homestead farm. Some time later the father divided the land, giving each of the two sons a third interest and retaining the remainder for himself. Mr. Sherer is now the owner of two hundred and seventy-eight acres of the finest land to be found in Crawford county, and there he is engaged in general farming, his efforts be- ing attended with a high and well merited degree of success.
As a companion on the journey of life our subject chose Miss Mary Hurr. a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. She came to Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated. She was a daughter of George Hurr. Unto this union were born five children, all of whom still survive, namely : Eman- uel D., a resident of Bucyrus township, Crawford county ; Sarah E., the wife of John Heverly, of Iowa; Emma C. and John W., at home; and Laura A., the wife of Isaac Kurtz, of Whetstone township. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond in 1875, and three years later Mr. Sherer was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Beal, a native of Crawford county, and the daughter of Jonathan Beal. Two children have graced this union,- Bertha E. and Ruth MI., both at home. Mr. Sherer exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and he served one term as trustee of his township. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held a number of prominent offices, and both are active workers in the cause of Christianity. The family is one of prominence in their community, and they enjoy the high regard and esteem of many friends and acquaintances.
EMANUEL D. SHERER.
Emanuel D. Sherer, son of Jacob Sherer, was born in Whetstone town- ship February 12, 1861, and was reared on the farm and given a common- school education. Until he was prepared to establish a home of his own he remained under the parental roof, but on June 2, 1885. he was married to
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Esther Stump, the estimable daughter of Isaac Stump, of Whetstone town- ship. To this union two daughters have been born,-Mattie and Elsie.
Mr. Sherer is an enterprising and prospering farmer and stock-raiser of Bucyrus township, where he owns and operates a fine farm of eighty-five acres in section 24. Mr. Sherer has made many valuable improvements on this place, erecting a most comfortable frame dwelling and commodious barns, and so manages his interests that he is regarded by the community as one of its most desirable and efficient citizens.
F. M. FOSTER.
F. M. Foster, a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, residing in Crestline, was born in Boone county, Kentucky, on the 2d of July, 1841. His father, James A. Foster, was a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and was there reared until sixteen years of age. The paternal grandfather of our subject was seven times married and the grandmother of our subject was hiis fourth wife. There were three children by this marriage, a daughter and two sons, one of whom was J. A. Foster. At the age of sixteen he left home and went to Kentucky, where for a time he followed any employment that he could get, which would yield him an honorable living. With two of his half- brothers he went to Springfield, Illinois, in an early day, but afterward re- turned to Kentucky. He married in Boone county, that state, and then took up his abode there, making it his place of residence until about 1851, when he removed to Grant county, where he was engaged in farming. Earlier in life, however, he had been connected with steamboating as a mate on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, running between Cincinnati, St. Louis, New Orleans and other cities. After devoting some time to farming in Grant county Mr. Foster went to Tipton county, Indiana, where he again carried on farming until his removal to Edgar county, Illinois, where he spent two years. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of Coles county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and later he resided for some time in Montgomery county, Illinois. His wife bore the maiden name of Prudence Knight, and was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. She was of Scotch-Irish and German lineage, while her husband was of Irish and Scotch descent. Her father entered the army as a soldier in the Mexican war and was killed in the service, leaving to his widow a large family. Mrs. Knight was in her maidenhood a Miss Walker and belonged to the same
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family with James G. Blaine, now deceased. She was a woman of much more than ordinary intelligence and displayed ability in rearing her family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Foster have been born five sons, of whom F. M. is the eldest, the others being: Robert K., a resident of California; George, who is supposed to be in Texas; William, now in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; and Charles, who died in Grant county, Kentucky, when twenty-one months old, The father of this family passed away in East St. Louis, in 1869.
Mr. Foster, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the pa- rental roof and when twenty years of age started out in life on his own ac- count. He had previously devoted his time and attention to assisting his father and in the acquirement of his education in the common schools, but a year prior to the time when he attained his majority he began railroading, on what was then the Indianapolis & St. Louis road, building bridges and culverts along the line. His next railroad service was in the employ of the Illinois Central, as brakeman on a passenger, the train running from Centralia to Cairo, Illinois, and subsequently he became a brakeman on the Ohio & Mississippi road, running on a freight train. He was with that company for about four years and during the latter part of the time acted as conductor. After severing his connection with the road he traveled over the country to a considerable extent, hoping to benefit his health, which had become impaired. He found in travel and rest the help he needed and after a time went to Scott county, lowa, where he spent about four years, engaged in farming. In 1872 he came to Crestline and entered the service of the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad as brakeman, serving in that capacity until the HIth of October, 1873, when he was promoted to conductor. He has been constantly in that service through the past twenty-eight years, running most of the time on a freight train running between Crestline, Alliance and Allegheny. He is very reliable and painstaking, is courteous and obliging in manner and has won the warm regard of many of the patrons of the road.
On the 20th of June, 1872, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Wertz, a native of Ohio, born in Holmes county, and a daughter of George and Amanda ( Myers) Wertz. She was reared and educated in the place of her nativity, and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, yet living. Ira J., who is engaged in the undertaking business in Crestline .. Two sons have passed away, Benjamin having died at the age of seven months, while the eldest son, Charles H., died in his twenty-sixth year. He married Josephine Dunlap, of Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and they had one son, Marion H., who is living with his mother in Pennsylvania.
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Charles F. was a telegraph operator and at the time of his death was acting as manager of the office at Conway, Pennsylvania. At the time of his de- mise the following memorial was prepared by the Masonic lodge, of which he was a member :
"IN MEMORIAM.
"Death, the impartial messenger of the Grand Master, has again en- tered our ranks. The name of another loved brother has been added to the long roll of our fraternal dead that have their final record in the reports of our committees 'In Memoriam.'
"Brother Charles H. Foster, of Arcana Lodge, No. 272, of Ohio, Free and Accepted Masons, died at Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 5. 1899. A. L. 5899, at 6:00 P. M., in the twenty-sixth year of his age. Brother Charles H. Foster was born in Crestline, Crawford county, Ohio, Au- gust 23. 1873, his father being Brother Frank Foster, of Arcana Lodge, No. 272, Free and Accepted Masons. He was made a Mason in Arcana Lodge, No. 272, Free and Accepted Masons, August 12, 1897.
"He was united marriage March 9, 1898, in Crestline, Ohio, to Miss Josephine Dunlap, of Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Nearly the whole of his life he lived in our midst, with some of our young brothers as a schoolmate, in his youth and young manhood living in friendly intercourse with both old and young, and respected by all, for those native endowments that make a good citizen and brother. As a husband he was kind and af- fectionate, as only she can know and tell, into whose home entered so early in life, the dark-winged angel of death, and carried away the loved half of life, and left sorrow and almost despair in both heart and home.
"As a grandson he also exemplifies his character as a son, by his love and considerate kindness for his aged grandmother, Mrs. Prudence Foster, by having his marriage solemnized at the home of his parents, that she might be the honored one among all the guests; but for this love and considerate kindness, her infirmities of age would have prevented her attendance at the ceremony and would have compelled her as though neglected to live alone by recollection in and with the past, for she had long passed the Psalmist's allotted time of three score years and ten, and for years she had not been able to participate in the affairs of the active present. But recalled from the memories of the past to be the honored guest at the most important event in her grandson's life, was evidence to her aged heart that she had not been for- gotten, and that she was not an unwelcome guest, that here was a grandson young and strong who would if necessary care for her.
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"Filial devotion like that manifested by our young brother that brings throbs of joy and confidence to the aged heart, bears the impress of a nobility of soul that God alone can bestow and that no outward adornment can typify, and is expressive of a feeling fine as pure gold and for his parents is the highest tribute to his worth as a son as well as a grandson.
"As a brother he was devoted to the interests of Masonry: few of his brothers were more faithful in the discharge of their Masonic duties ; worthily have warm tears bedewed his grave; worthily did out brother Masons of Rochester Lodge, No. 229, of Pennsylvania, drop into his grave in our stead the sprig of acacia, that Masonic emblem of sympathy, undying affection and immortality, and with the hope that we, and they, may meet our brother, Charles H. Foster, in the grander halls than those of earth.
"Bowing with reverence to the mandate of the Grand Master of the uni- verse, that God whom all Masons must acknowledge, it is appropriate, it is a duty here to place our testimonial to the worth of our brother, Charles H. Foster, in life and to his memory in death upon the pages of our enduring record :
"Therefore be it resolved that in the death of Brother Charles H. Foster, of Arcana Lodge, No. 272, of Ohio Free and Accepted Masons, the parents, our brother Frank Foster and his wife, have lost a devoted son; the wife a kind and affectionate husband, Arcana Lodge, No. 272, Free and Accepted Masons, a just and upright brother.
"Resolved, That these resolutions in memoriam of Brother Charles H. Foster be made a part of the record of this meeting.
"Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions under seal of the lodge be presented to Brother Frank Foster and to Mrs. Josephine Foster.
"Resolved, That Arcana Lodge, No. 272, of Free and Accepted Masons, tender to Rochester Lodge, No. 229, of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Masons, our Masonic thanks for their attention to Brother Charles H. Foster in his illness, and for the faithful discharge of the burial rites of the Masonic order at his grave.
"Resolved, That we extend to his fellow operators the thanks of Arcana Lodge, No. 272, Free and Accepted Masons, for their kind words and floral testimonial to the memory of our deceased Brother, Charles H. Foster.
"W. STAHLE, "THOMAS H. B. CLUTTER,
"CHARLES REDEKER, "Committee in Memoriam."
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For sixteen years Mr. Foster has been identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the blue lodge and chapter in the branches at Crestline. For about twenty years he has been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and in politics he is a Republican in the ques- tions of state and national importance. but at local elections, where no national issue is before the people and the question is merely to select the most capable man to perform the business of the office, he votes independently. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, taking a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. For thirty years he was connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the record is certainly a creditable one, indicating his prompt fidelity to duty.
GARRETT SHARROCK.
Garrett Sharrock, a farmer of Bucyrus township, is a well-known citizen of Crawford county and is the eldest son of Joseph Sharrock, one of the pioneers of this county, of whom mention is made in the personal sketch of Charles A. Sharrock, elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Sharrock was born in Morrow county, Ohio. September 17. 1845. and was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of the county. His choice of a life pursuit resulted in his becoming a farmer and he has always remained on the old homestead in Bucyrus township. This is a very valuable tract of land, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, and is crossed by the Sandusky river. Just south of his residence is a piece of bottom land, along the bank of the river, comprising several acres, which Mr. Sharrock arranges to overflow with a dam, rendering it an artificial lake in the spring, and here wild ducks and geese gather and the sport of duck and geese shooting is brought almost to his door. This is very agreeable, as it is an amusement of which Mr. Sharrock is very fond, being a good wing shot. Mr. Sharrock is also very fond of other sports, particularly fox-hunting, and owns several valuable dogs for that purpose. His farm is a most hos- pitable place to visit during the season, and as Mr. Sharrock is genial and entertaining, his home is often filled with guests.
Two years subsequent to his mother's death Mr. Sharrock married. and after that time his father made his home with him as long as he survived. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Sharrock was Miss Ida May Gahagan, a daugh- ter of John and Catherine ( Fagan) Gahagan, pioneer settlers in Todd town- ship, but Mrs. Sharrock was born in Benton, Ohio. One son has been born
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to our subject and wife, Leroy G., a popular young man, who is still at home with his parents.
Although he has never sought any public office Mr. Sharrock has taken a deep interest in political matters, is an uncompromising Democrat and has considerable party influence in his neighborhood.
FRANKLIN ADAMS.
Since the year 1837 Franklin Adams has practiced law in Crawford county, and throughout this long period of time he has maintained a fore- most position in the legal fraternity, not alone on account of his ability as manifest before court or jury, but also on account of an irreproachable life and marked fidelity to duty.
Mr. Adams was born at Alsted, New Hampshire, on the 16th of Novem- ber, 1813. His parents were John and Susanna ( Morse) Adams. His paternal grandfather. Nathan Adams, was a native of Massachusetts, and a colonial soldier in the American Revolution. In the annals of our country no name has figured more conspicuously and honorably than that of Adams, and our subject belongs to the distinguished family that has furnished two presidents of the United States, while the eloquence of a representative of the name inspired the Declaration of Independence. Maternally our sub- ject is descended from another prominent Bay state family, that of Morse. His parents were born in Massachusetts: they lived in New Hampshire; in 1820 removed to New York, thence to Michigan in 1836, and in the last named state both died. They had two sons and four daughters, and of the children our subject was the youngest but one. After attending the common schools in early boyhood he entered an academy at Middleburg, Wyoming county, New York, and later continued his academic course in Henrietta. Monroe county, New York.
In the year 1834, being then twenty-one years of age, he made his way westward, believing that better opportunities were afforded young men in this new but rapidly developing portion of the country. Going to Ashland, Ohio, he made his home there for eighteen months. During that time he took up the study of law, under the direction of Silas Robbins, and later, going to Mansfield, Ohio, continued the study of law under James Purdy, of that city. At the July term of the supreme court of Ohio, held in Bucyrus in 1836. Mr. Adams was admitted to the bar and also licensed to practice by the district court of the United States, held in Columbus in 1839. At Mans-
Franklin adams
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field Mr. Adams began the practice of law in association with Mr. Purdy, his preceptor, but on the 7th of August, 1837, he came to Bucyrus, and has since remained here, enjoying throughout the intervening years a large clientage. From 1838 to 1845 he held the office of prosecuting attorney. This is the only office ever held by him. He has never sought political preferment. To the practice of the law his undivided time and attention has been given. In politics he has ever been a stanch Democrat.
As a lawyer, his has been a general practice, covering the usual variety of litigated interests that make up the docket of nisi-prius courts in a country town. To chancery he has given special attention, especially to the admin- istration of estates. He accomplished much toward settlement of cases out- side of the courtroom. He has always advised compromises rather than settlement of difficulties in the courts. In early days it was not unusual for disputants to bring before him their respective grievances for arbitration, and thus he became in the best sense counsel for both parties, and in fact took the part of both counsel and judge. An amiable disposition, unques- tioned integrity, unfailing tact, insight into human nature and regard for equity as well as law enabled him to solve hundreds of difficulties and restore the relations of friendship and confidence between men who had become antagonistical over some point and were inclined to ruinous litigation. Always a student, always thorough, and ever exact, Mr. Adams has long held the reputation of being a learned and able lawyer, accurate and exact in his pleadings, alert in trial, logical and convincing in argument.
He began his professional career a poor young man, and besides gain- ing for himself an enviable reputation in the profession he has amassed a desirable competency.
Many years ago he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as a charter member of La Salle Lodge, of Bucyrus.
JAMES M. GUNDER.
In the death of James Madison Gunder, which occurred on the 17th of March, 1901, Crawford county lost one of its valued citizens-one who made the world better for his having lived. Although his life was quietly passed, he day by day faithfully performed the duties that came to him and in his consideration for others added much to the happiness of existence. Espe- cially was he tender and thoughtful of his family and to them his memory re- mains as a blessed benediction.
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Mr. Gunder was born in Marion county, Ohio, December 18, 1841, a son of Abraham and Magdalene ( Young) Gunder. They were Pennsylvania Dutch people and removed from the Keystone state to Ohio, locating first in Marion county, whence they afterward went to Wyandot county. The father was a shoemaker by trade, but in this state devoted his energies to farming, and it was upon the homestead farm that James M. Gunder was reared. He was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, and as the parents were in rather limited financial circumstances the children were early obliged to aid in their own support. He attended the country schools to a limited extent and in later years he read extensively. The knowledge thus gained. added to wide business experience, made him a well informed man, his naturally strong mentality enabling him to acquire a broad fund of in- formation. He was, too, a man of liberal ideas, who carefully considered every subject which came up for thought or settlement and his opinions were, therefore, never formed along narrow lines.
At the age of fifteen he left his father's home although he aided in the support of the family until he had attained his majority and even after that made frequent remittances to his parents. He first worked as a farm hand and later began farming and stock-raising on his own account. He first operated on the shares, and prospered until he was able to buy eighty acres on section 21, Dallas township. There he settled soon after his marriage, and as he prospered in his undertakings he purchased additional tracts of land, the first being an adjoining forty acres. About 1889 he bought the forty acres upon which the family residence now stands and to which he then removed, making it his home until he was called to his final rest. Thus at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which, with the exception of about five or six acres, he placed under a high state of cultivation. The farm was well improved with good buildings and modern accessories and always indicated the careful super- vision of Mr. Gunder, who was neat and thrifty in his farm work and kept everything upon the place in excellent condition. He raised stock, including horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, and also bought and sold stock to a considerable extent. He was a typical farmer, energetic, progressive and capable, and although his health was somewhat impaired for several years prior to his death, he made his farm one of the most attractive and desirable in his part of the county.
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