USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 21
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
Mr. Gunder was twice married. He first wedded Miss Emma Harris, who lived for about six years after their marriage and died, leaving two
235.
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
children : Cyntha Luemma, who died of consumption when twenty-one years of age; and Blanche, who became the wife of Herbert Shafer, of Wyandot county, Ohio. In 1873 Mr. Gunder married Dora Kyle, whose birth oc- curred in Mahoning county, Ohio, but who was reared mostly in Crawford county. Unto the second marriage four children were born: Sadie, the wife of Martin McBeth, of Wyandot county; James G., Pluma and Lela, at home, the son having the management of the farm.
Mr. Gunder took quite an active interest in public affairs and in politics was a stanch Republican, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. For eighteen years, although not for a con- secutive period, he served as township trustee, rendering most acceptable service. In other ways he capably served the public, being ever ready to aid in the adoption of all measures or assisting in the promotion of all movements calculated to prove of general good. For many years he was a member of the United Brethren church and was an active and consistent Christian. He held office in the church until within a few years of his death, when he resigned on account of his failing strength. He was a kind-hearted man and his domestic tastes led him to find his greatest happiness at his own fireside in the midst of his family, to whom he left the rich heritage of an un- tarnished name.
LORENZ SCHICK.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Crestline than Lorenz Schick. He has been an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the welfare, moral, intellectual and material, of Crestline.
Mr. Schick was born in Baden, Germany, December 29, 1833, and there remained until nineteen years of age. He learned the trade of nail-making, entering upon an apprenticeship when a youth of sixteen years, and he has worked in the vineyards and nurseries of his native land. Believing, however, that he might better his financial condition in the new world where opportuni- ties were greater. he bade adieu to the fatherland, and in 1854 he sailed for America, landing in New York on the 15th of August of that year. He was a passenger on the French vessel Admiral, which lost two hundred and twenty- six of its passengers within ten days, the cholera breaking out among them.
236
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
After forty-two days spent upon the broad AAtlantic, the harbor of New York was reached and for two weeks they were in quarantine.
Mr. Shick was the only one of the family who came to the United States, but was accompanied by four other young men, one of whom died in Phila- delphia. Another of the party, Mr. Amelschek, resides in Defiance county, Ohio, and with the exception of our subject is the only survivor of the five. Mr. Schick made his way from New York city to Philadelphia and then to Wilmington, Delaware. In the vicinity of that city he worked as a farm hand and also engaged in buying and selling cattle. In 1856 he came to Ohio, first visiting Crawford county, after which he spent four months as a farm hand in Huron county. On the 20th of December, 1858, he started for California by way of the water route, going by way of Aspinwall and Panama to San Francisco, where he arrived February 2, 1859. For five months he was engaged in coasting along the coast shore of California and South America on two vessels, the Ocean Queen and Don Pedro, both being regular steamers in the coasting service. He did this for the benefit of his health, worked on the decks in order to pay his board and received no other compen- sation for his services. He remained for six years on the Pacific coast as a miner and in 1864 he went north as far as Vancouver land, on a coasting vessel. He also sailed through the gulf of Mexico and was in the gulf stream. Although his voyages were accomplished in all kinds of weather he can claim the novel experience of never having been seasick, although he was in many hard storms and gales. He was shipwrecked at Vancouver Island and the vessel on which he sailed was lost, but all on board were saved. He was also on the Golden Age when she broke her shaft in the Pacific ocean. They were then two and a half days from San Francisco, but it took seven days to return to the harbor. They went back with only one wheel and thus their progress was greatly retarded. He made the trip back from Aspinwall to New York city on the steamer Ocean Queen in six and a half days, the quickest trip ever made by the vessel. He then, in June, 1865, embarked for Germany to visit his old home, friends and relatives.
In 1866 Mr. Schick again came to the United States and in the autumn of that year located in Richland county, Ohio, where he gave his attention to farming. In 1872 he came to Crestline and established a provision store, which he has since conducted, being very successful in that work. He carries a large and well selected stock of groceries and provisions and enjoys a large and constantly growing trade, which brings to him an excellent income, but his labors have by no means been confined to one line. He is a man of
237
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
resourceful business ability, is enterprising and energetic, and has been con- nected with various industries and business concerns that have proven of value to the community as well as a benefit to the stockholders. He is one of the directors of the Schill Furnace & Range Company, and is a stockholder in the Burch Plow Works.
In Richland county, Ohio, in 1866 Mr. Schick was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Horning, a native of Germany, who was brought to this country when three years of age. They are now the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters : Emily, Ellis, Joseph, Charles and Minnie, all of whom are residents of Crestline. In his political affiliations Mr. Schick is a Democrat, having always supported the party since becoming an Amer- ican citizen. He takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the wel- fare of the county and has served as a member of the city council for one term. He withholds his support from no measure or movement which he believes will promote the general good, and he is a prominent member of the Catholic church. Ile is a man of broad capacity as his varied and extensive business interests indicate. He is at all times approachable and patiently listens to whatever others have to say, is courteous and at all times is true to the best interests of his friends. He cares not for notoriety nor is there about him the least shadow of mock modesty. His life has been a varied, interesting and eventful one. Starting out for himself at an early age without capital he has to-day gained a place among the affluent citizens of his adopted country, and moreover he enjoys the thorough respect, confidence and highest esteem of his business associates.
SMITH C. CALDWELL.
Throughout his entire life Smith C. Caldwell has resided in Crawford county and has always followed farming. His birth occurred in Bucyrus town- ship, March 17, 1856, his parents being Alexander J. and Harriet ( Chambers) Caldwell. The Caldwell family is well known in this county and its representa- tives through many years have been prominent in connection with its agri- cultural interests and in promoting its progress and welfare along many lines. His grandparents, Samuel S. and Margaret E. (Mickle) Caldwell, emigrated to Ohio in 1835, taking up their abode in this locality. The former was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in May, 1804, and in the fall of 1835 he came with his family to Crawford county, settling on the plains south of Bucyrus. There he purchased two hundred acres of land and carried on agri-
.
238
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
cultural pursuits until 1856, when he removed to Bucyrus. For many years he served as justice of the peace and notary public and in the former office he discharged his duties with marked impartiality, his dicisions being noted for their extreme fairness. In 1844 he was elected to the legislature and faith- fully served his constituency in the forty-third general assembly, during which time he used his influence to have the county seat retained at Bucyrus. His wife survived him for many years and reached a very advanced age.
Their son, Alexander J. Caldwell, the father of our subject, is one of the oldest and most favorably known citizens in Crawford county. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1828, and remained in his parents' home until twenty-three years of age. His education was acquired in a log schoolhouse such as was common at that day and he experienced the usual hardships and trials of pioneer life. He was married May 25, 1853, to Miss Harriet Chambers, a daughter of Andrew and Isabella ( Marshall) Chambers. She was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 14, 1830, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children : Thomas J., a farmer of Bucyrus town- ship, who married Mary Wentz, a daughter of John Wentz; Smith C., of this review ; Edward C., a farmer of Whetstone township; Mina B., who died in 1897, at the age of thirty-four years; Hattie; Mary; and Francis Marion, a farmer of Bucyrus township.
The duties and labors of the home farm early became familiar to Smith C. Caldwell, who worked in the fields and meadows as occasion required, while in the winter months he attended the public schools of the neighborhood. He has always followed farming and when he began work on his own account he was well qualified for his duties by previous practical experience. He con- tinued his work in connection with his father until twenty-nine years of age, and for two years after his marriage he rented land, which he operated until 1888, when he removed to his present farm of one hundred and ninety acres, on section 35, Bucyrus township. His fields are highly cultivated and yield a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. In fact he has a model farm, complete in all particulars. He raises considerable stock, especially sheep and hogs, and also buys and sells large numbers of these animals each year. As he is an excellent judge of stock he is thus en- abled to make judicious investments from which he realizes a handsome profit. In 1895 he erected a neat frame residence and the following year a good barn. Fences, buildings, fields and stock all indicate his careful supervision and indicate him to be a progressive, enterprising agriculturist.
In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Caldwell and Miss Harriet J.
239
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Warner, a daughter of Robert K. Warner, and in the community they have many friends. In politics MIr. Caldwell is a Republican, and in religious be- lief he and his wife are Presbyterians, holding membership in the church of that denomination in Bucyrus. His business .principles are commendable, his fidelity to duty unquestioned, and thereby he is accounted one of the repre- sentative and valued citizens of his native county.
E. P. DAVIS.
E. P. Davis is an important factor in the business circles of Crestline, being actively identified with the commercial interests of the city as a member of the firm of E. P. & L. R. Davis, dealers in dry goods. He is one of the native sons of the city, his birth having occurred here on the 22d of January, 1856. His father, James P. Davis, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1824, and came to Crawford county about 1830 with his parents. The grand- father, John Davis, settled on a farm near Dekalb and there resided until his death. Upon the old homestead there James P. Davis was reared between the ages of six and nineteen years. At the latter date he left home, and not desiring to make farming his life work he went to Shelby, Ohio, where he secured a clerkship in a store. Later he came to Crestline and entered the employ of the Big Four Railroad Company, being the first agent of that road in this place. He held the position for four years, covering the period of the Civil war. He was also employed by the state to manage affairs connected with the trans- portation of soldiers through Ohio. In 1863 he engaged in the dry goods business, which he continued until his death, in August, 1894. Throughout that long period he was actively associated with the mercantile interests of Crestline and won a high measure of success, his trade continually increas- ing as the people recognized his honorable business methods. In his politi- cal views he was a Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party. In early manhood he married Catherine Mickey, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and came to Richland county, Ohio, in her girlhood with her parents, the family locating upon a farm near Spring Mills, where Mrs. Davis was reared and educated. She survived her husband about one year, passing away in 1895. They became the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living, as follows: W. E., who is train master of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, located at Fort Wayne, Indiana : E. P., of this review ; George P., who is a yard con- ductor in the employ of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago road ; Lillie M.,
240
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wife of J. P. Vining, of Seabreeze, Florida, where he is engaged in the hotel business ; L. R., who is traveling salesman for a wholesale house and is also a partner in the dry goods business in Crestline; and G. A., who is acting as a traveling salesman for a Cleveland house.
E. P. Davis, the second son of this family, was reared in Crestline until nineteen years of age and during that period acquired a good English edu- cation. He then went to Columbus, and was in the employ of the Big Four Railroad Company from 1876 until 1882, acting as clerk for four years, while for two years he was chief clerk in the general freight office. On the expira- tion of this period he removed to Chicago as an employe of the Trunk Line Association, occupying a clerical position, but later that association was merged into the Central Traffic Association, of which Mr. Davis became chief clerk in the statistical department when the new company was organ- ized. Subsequently he was transferred to the joint-rate inspection bureau and was traveling inspector for two years, from 1889 until 1891, traveling from the Missouri river to the Atlantic seaboard. He next entered the em- ploy of the Inter-state Commerce Commision as special agent, his duties being to look after the maintenance of railway rates; at this time he was elected in the United States attorney's office in Chicago, acting in that capacity for about a year.
After long years of connection with the railway service, in which he won promotion from time to time with increasing salary as well as increasing duties and responsibilities, he at length determined to abandon that depart- ment of business activity and embark in merchandising on his own account. Accordingly he came to Crestline and entered into partnership with his brother. L. R. Davis, and opened a large and well appointed dry goods store. They carry a large and well selected stock of goods and their honorable busi- ness methods and courteous treatment of their patrons have secured to them a liberal and well merited patronage. In his political views Mr. Davis is a Republican. His advancement in business life has resulted entirely from merit and individual worth and as the result of his well directed efforts. He now has a handsome competence.
ALBERT HAWORTH.
The life of him whose name initiates this review represents a career which is interesting and instructive. Integrity, activity and energy have been the dominant elements, while superadded to these have been manifest
241
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
those sterling attributes of character, integrity, fidelity, honor and kindliness which gain to a man the confidence and good will of his fellowmen. The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the wel- fare of the community, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of his- tory, but the names of those men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those qualities which contribute to the success of private life are most worthy of being held in high estimation. Mr. Haworth is a business man of the distinctive type-alert, broadminded and duly aggressive-is one who has a capacity for affairs of great breadth, a discriminating financier and a promoter of public good through the avenues of legitimate enterprises. His prominence in political circles and his position as one of the honored repre- sentative citizens of Crawford county render most consonant this review of his life.
A native of the world's metropolis-London, England-Albert Haworth was born March 22, 1848, and with his parents came to America when a small boy, the family locating in Providence, Rhode Island. At the time of the Civil war Benjamin Haworth, the father, enlisted in the Sixth Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry and remained at the front until after the stars and stripes were planted in the southern confederacy. His regiment was the one that was mobbed in Baltimore while en route to Washington, a fact that aroused the country as nothing else had done and fired the loyalty of the north so that hundreds and thousands responded quickly to the presi- dent's call for aid.
At the age of twelve years Albert Haworth became a resident of Cleve- land, Ohio, where he entered the service of L. G. Russell in the Depot Hotel as office boy, and there he remained until 1865, when he came with Mr. Russell to Crestline, where Mr. Russell opened the Continental Hotel. For many years Mr. Haworth was in the employ of Mr. Russell and rose steadily step by step through various positions until he became manager not only of the entire business interests of Mr. Russell but of the firm of which the latter was a member. In this connection Mr. Haworth had the control of the large business of the Continental and Gibson hotels of Crestline. At one time the firm owned the largest hotel interests in Ohio, Mr. Haworth acting as mana- ger of the business. He was also superintendent of the dining cars of the- Big Four Railroad Company, owned by L. G. Russell & Company. He also became owner of the Central Hotel of Crestline which he conducted until 1897, when he retired and enjoyed one year's rest from the arduous duties of business life. A local publication said: "By reason of adverse circum-
13
242
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
stances, Mr. Haworth had little opportunity to attend school, but by dint of hard work over 'midnight off' and private instructions, he has attained a thorough knowledge of the practical part of an education. Mr. Haworth has borne a leading part in social, business and political events of Crestline. If there is one thing more conspicuous than another in his make up, it is that of tireless energy, and an unrest until the task given him is completed. This element of his nature has made him indispensable to his employers, and brought him a reputation for capacity and willingness that placed him in the fore- front of affairs."
In the year 1871 Mr. Haworth was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena McCuthin, and they now have one son and one daughter. The former, William J., is a graduate of Kenyon College, and is now a draftsman residing in Cleveland, Ohio. The daughter, Effie A., is at home with her parents. Mr. Haworth is one of the most prominent representatives of the Knights of Pythias fraternity of Crestline, and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Ohio Brigade, serving on the staff of General Thomas W. Minshull. In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican, un- swerving in his allegiance to the party and its principles. He has labored un- selfishly for the good of the republic without hope or desire of official re- ward, but in 1898 there came to him in recognition of his ability and labor the appointment to the office of postmaster of Crestline, the appointment being made by President Mckinley on the 22d of March, 1898, coming to Mr. Haworth on his fiftieth birthday. While conducting the hotel business he had many times performed some service in the line of his chosen vocation for the president. The Crestline postoffice has the cleanest record of any in the state since Mr. Haworth took charge, there having never been an error made by the head of the office or by one of its clerks. They dispense over one hundred and thirty thousand dollars in wages to railway and postal clerks and to others in the various departments of the business, and since our sub- ject assumed the duties of the office no mistake has ever been registered against him. He will undoubtedly be commended for the position during President McKinley's second term as he has the confidence and highest regard of the business men and general public. He is a very popular man owing to his un- failing courtesy, genial disposition and kindly temperament, combined with unquestioned honesty and fairness in all business transactions. He cer- tainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in life, which illus- trates the possibilities that lie before young men in the land of the free.
243
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
CHARLES A. SHARROCK.
At the time when the colonists were engaged in a struggle for inde- pendence with the mother country, the Sharrock family was founded in America by the great-grandfather of him whose name introduces this re- view. He was a native of England and came to America as a British soldier, but becoming convinced of the justice of the cause of the colonists he deserted the English army and joined the American troops, whom he assisted until war was ended and the republic was established. He afterward took up his abode in New York, where he spent his remaining days. His son, Benjamin Shar- rock, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the Empire state and fought for the American cause in the second war with England. He had become one of the pioneer settlers of Guernsey county, Ohio, and from there entered the service for the war of 1812. After the cessation of hostilities he made the third settlement in Morrow county, Ohio, and there he operated a water-power gristmill for a number of years. He continued a resident of that county until called to his final rest. He met death in a tragic way. Robbers ef- fected an entrance into his house and not only took from him six thousand dol- lars, but also broke his back and he died soon afterward in great agony, when one hundred and four years of age.
Joseph Woodward Sharrock, the father of our subject, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1814, when his father was engaged in the military services of his country in the second war with England. Amid the wild frontier scenes and environments the son was reared and after acquiring a good English education he devoted his attention to farming, which he made his life work. In 1851 he came to Bucyrus township. Crawford county, where he made his home for more than forty years, his death here occurring on the 26th of October, 1893, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years. He was a successful farmer and business man, ever worthy of trust and confidence. In his habits he was very temperate and though he was not a church member, his life was in conformity to the basic principles of Chris- tianity, for he lived an honorable, upright life, never used profanity and was kind, considerate and just. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Wood- side. She passed away eleven years prior to the death of her husband, being called to the home beyond at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of six sons, but had no daughters. Of the family Gardner was accidentally shot when twenty-nine years of age, while the others, Garrett. Charles A., Os- car K., Benjamin F. and James J., are still living.
244
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
On the home farm Charles A. Sharrock was reared, and no event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age and then established a home of his own. He wedded Mary A. Stineman in 1870, a daughter of William and Susan Stineman, of Crawford county, and their union has been blessed with two children : Alvertis D., who married Emma Mullenkopf ; and Minnie A., the wife of Tira E. Ditty. Both the son and son-in-law are farin- ers of Bucyrus township.
After his marriage Mr. Sharrock began farming on the old Stineman homestead, where he remained until 1882, when he came to his present farm. Here he owns two hundred and forty acres of land and altogether he has about four hundred acres in Bucyrus township. Upon his place he has a fine barn, one hundred by forty feet, with thirty-foot posts and a basement. This was built in 1892 and in 1897 he built another good barn. In 1900 he erected his present palatial residence, which is built of brick, contains twelve rooms and is supplied with all modern conveniences and is very tastefully furnished. It is one of the most imposing country homes in the county and stands as a monument to the enterprise and industry of the owner. In politics Mr. Sharrock is a Democrat and in 1900 he served as land appraiser. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Honor. In 1876 he visited the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and in 1893 the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and at other times he has traveled quite extensively over the country, gaining that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. He is a citizen of worth, highly esteemed by all who know him, and in this volume he well deserves representation.
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.