USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 23
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Mr. Babst has been twice married. In 1872 he wedded Miss Alice E. Martin, and to them were born two children : Lora M. and Carl M. Mrs. Babst died in 1878 and in 1882 he married Miss Luella Carlisle. By this marriage there were two children-Clara Eleanor and Guy Mannering. The daughters are now students in college; Carl is an attorney; and Guy is at home-a pupil in the schools of Crestline.
ALBERT SHEIBLEY.
Albert Sheibley is practically living retired in New Washington, but for many years was one of the most progressive, enterprising and prosperous representatives of the agricultural interests of Crawford county, and his life illustrates most forcibly the advantages which America offers to her citizens and which have proved a strong inducement to native citizens of foreign lands in bringing them to the shores of the new world. Mr. Sheibley is one of the residents of Crawford county that Germany has furnished to Ohio. He was born in Bremgarten, Baden, on the 6th of April, 1837, and is a son of John B. and Mary Magdalena (Link) Sheibley. The father was called by his friends John the Baptist. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, but only two of the number are yet living, the sister of our subject being Teresa, widow of Peter Fox, of Milan, Erie county, Ohio. The father was born in Baden, Germany, in January, 1800, and was an only child. He was reared in the place of his nativity, learning the tailor's trade, and was there married. He also resided in Baden until 1845, devoting his attention to tailor- ing and farming. He belonged to the middle class of people, not being rated as wealthy, yet being in comfortable circumstances. On the 6th of March, 1845, he sailed for America with his family, embarking at Havre de Grace on a former war vessel, the St. Nicholas. They reached New York City after thirty-six days and the vessel was there condemned, so that they made the
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journey on her last trip. On reaching the eastern metropolis the Sheibley family proceeded by canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Huron and from that point to Milan by way of the canal, and from Milan they continued the trip by wagon to Galion, where the father located his family. He then began the search for a suitable home farm, and after three months purchased a tract of land of forty acres in Vernon township, in that portion which was a part of Richland county, but is now in Crawford county. To the new home he re- moved his family. the farm having been improved with a hewed-log house and a round-log cabin. There was also a good orchard and ten acres of land had been cleared. There Mr. Sheibley remained for more than seven years, and during that period completed the task of clearing the land and placing it under cultivation. He was the first man to introduce artificial drainage, cut- ting a ditch through his own land and through that of a neighbor in order to get an outlet for his ditch. After a number of years spent upon his first farm, he sold the property and removed to the southeast corner of Cran- berry township, where he purchased an eighty-acre farm, and there he con- tinued the work of ditching and improving his land until 1860, when he sold out and bought an eighty-acre tract that is now owned by our subject and is situated three-fourths of a mile east of the corporation limits of New Washington. It remained his place of abode until the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1885. He was a man of remarkable energy and did much toward developing and upbuilding the section of the county in which he lived. A year after reaching Galion he took out naturaliza- tion papers and was ever a loyal and faithful citizen of his adopted land. His political support was given the Democracy, and in religious belief he was a German Catholic. His wife was born in 1802 and died May 15, 1888. She, too, was a devoted member of the Catholic church. Her father, Philo Link, was a burgomaster or mayor of Bremgarten, Ger- many, for sixty consecutive years, a fact which indicates his popularity and prominence. During that period he was also proprietor of the Gasthaus zur Stube, a hotel which had been built by his father. Mr. Link was one of the wealthiest men and most influential citizens of the town. In his family were two sons, Moritz and Erhardt, who were with Napoleon in the Prussian war.
Albert Sheibley, whose name forms the caption of this review, spent his boyhood days in his parents' home and acquired a common-school education in an old pioneer log school house, being instructed in both German and English. His father was for many years crippled with rheumatism and thus the burden of the farm work devolved upon our subject, and as soon as he was old
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enough to drive the oxen became the practical farmer upon the place. His life has been one of marked industry and honest toil, and throughout the years his labors, honorably conducted, have brought to him creditable success.
On the 29th of September, 1862, Mr. Sheibley was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Karl, a native of Bohemia and a daughter of Christopher and Anna (Mottlin) Karl, who emigrated to America in 1853, locating in Crawford county, where they resided until death. After the marriage of our subject he took up his abode in Shelby, Ohio, and was employed by the An- derson Slaughtering Company, having previously learned the butcher's trade from William Weaver, a neighbor. After five months spent in Shelby Mr. Sheibley returned to his home and purchased the old homestead farm, his. parents residing with him until they were called to their final rest. The mar- riage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with eleven children, of whom nine are yet living, namely: Mathias is now serving as township trustee and is operating the home farm. Albert F., of Ottawa, Ohio, is a graduate of the New Washington high school and was supervisor of the institution for the insane in Toledo, Ohio. He had previously taught school, and for seven terms was a successful teacher. He was also graduated at the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, and took a post-graduate course in Berlin, Germany. He is now successfully practicing in Ottawa and has a large patronage. Mary A. is the widow of Joseph Miller and is conducting a dressmaking and millinery establishment in New Washington. Rosa is the wife of Peter Heydinger, a farmer of Cranberry township. Catherine is the wife of Frank Goodman, a brick mason and contractor of Akron, Ohio. Fannie is the wife of M. E. Lauerman, a merchant of Hammond, Indiana. John B. is at home. Margaret is the wife of Joe Miller, of Van Wert county, Ohio. Jacob, who resides in Delphos, Ohio, is now a traveling salesman for the McCormick Machine Company. The children have all been provided with excellent educational privileges and are a credit to their honored parents.
Mr. Sheibley, of this review, is a stanch Democrat in his political affil- iations and for forty years has served almost continuously in township or county offices. For a number of years he was supervisor in his district, and during that period did much toward ditching and improving the roads. He afterward served for three terms as township trustee and refused to con- tinue longer in that office. After an interval of two years, however, he was again elected and remained in the position for three or four years longer, although he was decidedly opposed to holding the office. Fidelity to duty and the capable manner in which he guarded the interests of his constituents
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made him a very desirable official and his fellow townsmen again and again elected him to office. In 1883 he was elected county infirmary director and served in that capacity for six years. In 1891 he was appointed superintendent of the infirmary and then resigned the office of justice of the peace, to which he had been elected in the meantime, in order to accept the new position, which he held for eight years and nine months. He then resigned and removed to New Washington, where he is now enjoy- ing the fruits of his many years of labor. About a year ago he purchased a forty-acre farm near the town. This is one of the best improved properties in the county, being supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences, and to its supervision Mr. Sheibley devotes his attention. He has however, in former years acquired a handsome competence sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He is a charter member of the Maccabees Lodge, of Bucyrus, but is not now in active connection with the organization. He is one of the best known men of the county, a substantial and prosperous citizen, whose public and private life are alike above reproach.
D. D. McCALLUM, M. D.
The medical profession in Crestline is well represented by Dr. McCallum, who has advanced steadily to a position of prominence as the result of his thorough understanding of medical principles and the ability with which he applies his professional knowledge to the needs of suffering humanity. He. was born in York county, Ontario, Canada, on the 24th of August, 1868. and is a son of John McCallum, a native of Scotland. The father was a carriage-maker by trade, learning the business in the land of his birth. When a young man he went to Canada, where he was engaged in the manufacture of carriages through a long period. For some years prior to his death. how- ever, he lived retired, enjoying a comfortable competence, which had re- warded his earnest and well directed efforts. He married Miss Mary Capner. who was also born in Scotland. His death occurred when he was seventy- five years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, while with one exception all are yet living.
The Doctor, the seventh child and second son of the family, pursued his preliminary education in the schools of his native town and later enjoyed educational advantages afforded by Seaforth College. in Huron county. On-
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tario. Subsequently he matriculated in the University of Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated in 1896, on the completion of a course in medicine. He practiced for one year in that place and then came to Crestline, where he established his home in 1897. Here he has since prosecuted his profession with excellent success, his broad reading and investigation keeping him in touch with the most advanced thought and improved methods in the line of his chosen calling, and from the faithful performance of each day's duties he finds inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society.
In July, 1896, Dr. McCallum was united in marriage to Miss Carry Coats, a native of Clinton, Ontario county, Canada, and a daughter of William and Sarah Coats, the former a native of Scotland. The Doctor and his wife now have two interesting children,-Lillian and Jessie. Their pleasant home is a favorite resort with many friends, and they also enjoy the hospitality ex- tended to them by the best families of Crestline.
DAVID E. HOSLER.
While success cannot be achieved without unflagging industry, the futility of effort is often noticeable in the business world and results from the fact that it is not combined with sound business judgment. Many a man who gives his entire life to toil, earnest and unremitting, never acquires a com- petence, but when his labor is well directed, prosperity always follows. Mr. Hosler is one whose work has been supplemented by careful management and to-day he is among those who have triumphed over adverse conditions and won success. As a manufacturer of lumber he is now actively connected with the industrial interests of Crawford county.
A native son of Richland county, Ohio, he was born August 1, 1862. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Lydia A. ( Hoffman ) Hosler, were both na- tives of Pennsylvania, and came to Morrow county, Ohio, among the early set- tlers. Subsequently they removed to Noble county, Indiana, where their re- maining days were passed. The grandfather followed the occupation of farm- ing as a life pursuit. Levi H. Hosler, the father of our subject, was born in Morrow county, Ohio. April 2, 1845, and there spent his youth, learning the trade of a wagonmaker. He married Miss Abigail Bacheldor, who was born in the same county August 26, 1847, and was a daughter of New England parents, who came from Maine to the Buckeye state at an early period in its development. Soon after his marriage Levi II. Hosler removed to Richland
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county and opened a shop in the village of Shancks. Three years later he went to Noble county, Indiana, and engaged in farming in Jefferson township for four years, after which he took up his abode in Green township, where he made his home for fourteen years. On the expiration of that period he went to Cass county, where he operated a sawmill for three years, when he removed his mill to Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana. After two years, however, he disposed of that property and went to Alberton, Williams county, Ohio, where he established a mill, conducting the same for eleven years, and in May, 1900, he disposed of that enterprise by sale and went to Hicksville, Ohio, where he is now successfully engaged in the manufacture of lumber. In his political opinions and connections he is a stanch Democrat and while in Williams county he held the position of township treasurer for a period of seven years, proving a careful guardian of the public exchecquer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Levi H. Hosler were born four children, of whom three are living, namely : David E., William E., a lumber merchant of Homer, Michi- gan, and George L., who is engaged in business with his eldest brother.
Surrounded by the refining influences of a good home, Mr. Hosler passed the period of youth and in the common schools acquired the education which fitted him for the transaction of business in later years. He was not yet twenty-one years of age, when, on the IIth of January, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence N. Applegate, of Noble county, Indiana, a native of Ohio and a daughter of James M. Applegate, one of the pioneer farmers of Noble county, now deceased. Her mother was Sophia (Gray) Applegate. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in that county and for three years Mr. Hosler cultivated rented land, after which he removed to Albion, where he pursued a course of study in a business college. There he remained for three years and his next place of abode was in Alberton, Ohio, where he was employed as bookkeeper and secretary by his father. After acting in those capacities for eight years he acquired an interest in the business, but after two years the sawmill and lumber yard were completely destroyed by fire and Mr. Hosler, of this review, thus had swept away in a few hours the ac- cumulations of years of persistent and earnest toil. In May, 1899. he came to New Washington, where he began life anew, with a bank account of only twenty-five dollars. With characteristic energy, however, he took up the struggle whereby he is retrieving his lost possessions. He began buying logs on a small scale and had these sawed into lumber in the mill of Herman & Mahon, carrying on business in that way until the following December, when he had accumulated enough to purchase his present mill. Becoming owner
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of the property which he now controls, he has since forged ahead, and to-day he is one of the leading business men of the town, furnishing employment to. some twenty-six workmen at the present writing, while his force usually ranges from ten to thirty. He cuts export stuff, largely for a firm in Indiana, and is one of the leading lumber manufacturers of his district. His business has reached a large volume and the magnitude of his undertakings results in bringing to him a handsome financial return.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hosler has been blessed with five chil- dren : Harvey E., Rosa M., Sylvia N., Lela A. and James H., all yet with their parents.
In his social relations Mr. Hosler is connected with Superior Lodge, No. 179, F. & A. M., of West Unity, Ohio; Alberton Lodge, No. 655, K. of P., and has twice been a delegate to the grand lodge. His political support is given the men and measures of the Democracy. Splendid business and executive force make him one of the leading representatives of the industrial interests in the county, and his reliable methods have gained for him the con- fidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
ALBERT H. SCHWEMLEY.
Albert H. Schwemley was born in New Washington, Ohio, November 9. 1862, being one of the eight children whose parents were John G. and Mathilda ( Hesse) Schwemley. The father was a native of Germany, born in 1830, his parents being George and Catherine (Gugle) Schwemley. The grandfather of our subject was born in Germany, about 1805, and came to America in 1833. locating in Chatfield township, Crawford county, where he entered eighty acres of wild land. With characteristic energy he began clear- ing the tract, being thus employed through the winter season, while in the summer months he worked on the canal, in order to secure the money neces- sary to the support of his family. He built a log cabin and for a number of years resided upon his first claim, but he eventually sold that property and purchased eighty acres adjoining, upon which he made his home until 1870. In that year he became a resident of the home of his son. John, an uncle of our subject. He had lived with our subject's father for a short time, until after his wife's death. His own demise occurred in 1872. In his political faith he was a Democrat and in his religious belief was a Lutheran.
John G. Schwemley, the father of him whose name introduces this record, was only two years of age when his parents came to the new world and in
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Chatfield township, Crawford county, was he reared, learning the carpenter's trade in his youth. He married Miss Mathilda Hesse and located in New Washington, where he followed his chosen vocation until 1864. when he purchased a farm of sixty acres in Chatfield township, devoting his energies to its improvement and cultivation up to the time of the death of his wife in 1870. He then sold out and went to Columbus, where he studied for the Lutheran ministry. Three years later he accepted a call to preach the gospel in the church of this denomination, in Hopewell, Mercer county, Ohio, and while living there he was again married, his second union being with Miss Caroline Houk, of Delaware, this state. They became the parents of four children, of whom three are living: Clara, the wife of George Metzger, of Columbus ; Rufus, who lives in the same city ; and Laura, who lives with her mother, also of Columbus.
After three years passed in Hopewell John G. Schwemley removed to Homerville, Medina county, Ohio, and in February, 1879, went to Kansas, settling near Spearville, in Ford county, upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was engaged in preaching in that locality for about two years, after which he did missionary work, while his sons cultivated the farm. His missionary work was a labor of love, for he received no remuneration for his church work and missionary services. In November, 1891, he returned to Ohio, locating in Grove City, where he followed gardening and canvassing. In April, 1898, he became a resident of Columbus, but was not long per- mitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred on the 25th of May following. He voted with the Democracy, but had no desire for office, pre- ferring to devote his energies to his business affairs and to the gospel work. He possessed superior ability as a vocalist and for a number of years engaged in leading the singing in his district and also taught vocal music. The mother of our subject was born in New Washington, Ohio, about 1836, and her father was one of the pioneer merchants of the city. While on a trip to Buffalo to buy goods the boat on which he had embarked was destroyed by fire and he was drowned. Mrs. Schwemley departed this life in 1870, and our subject is the only survivor of her eight children. The others of the family were: William, who died in August, 1870, at the age of thirteen years ; Jacob F., who was a ranchman at Del Norte, Colorado, and died in 1892 at the age of thirty- two years : Mary L., who resided with her grandparents at New Washington and died December 26, 1887, at the age of twenty-one years : Robert A., who was a miner and died at Lake City, Colorado, in February, 1897. at the age of
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twenty-nine ; Franklin and Margaret, who died in early life; and an infant who died unnamed.
Mr. Schwemley, whose name forms the caption of this review, was only eight years of age at the time of his mother's death, after which he made his home with his uncle, Jacob Sheetz, during the greater part of the time until 1879, when he went to Kansas with his father. In December, 1881, he re- turned to New Washington. Previous to this time his educational privileges had been those afforded by the common schools, but on again coming to Ohio he entered the New Washington high school and was a member of its first graduating class in June, 1883. at which time he had the honor of delivering the salutatory address. On putting aside his text-books he entered upon his business career as an employe in the store of J. Sheetz & Brother, and con- tinued to serve as salesman until 1894, with the exception of a period of one year, from February. 1888, until February, 1889, when he was in the employ of L. C. Hall & Company, dry goods merchants of Bucyrus. In January, 1894, he secured a position in the store of J. M. Guiss, a hardware merchant of New Washington, with whom he remained until March 10, 1898, when he engaged in the dry goods, notions and grocery business for himself. Since that time he has secured a liberal and constantly growing patronage and is now accounted one of the enterprising, wide-awake and progressive merchants of his native city.
On the 30th of December. 1891, Mr. Schwemley was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda R. Biber, a native of Cranberry township, Crawford county, and a daughter of Jacob and Christina ( Utz) Biber, both of whom were natives of Germany. Her father came to the United States with his parents during his childhood, the family settling in Cranberry township at a very early period of its development. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schwemley was blessed with four children: Louisa M., who was born November 25, 1892; Paul H .. born August 31, 1894; Mary C., born February 10, 1897 ; and George W., born May 10, 1900.
Mr. Schwemley is recognized as one of the active workers in the Demo- cratic ranks and for the past three years has been a member of the school board, while for several terms he has held the office of corporation treasurer. His name is on the membership roll of the Lutheran church and in its work he is actively and deeply interested. For several years he has served as a teacher in the Sunday-school and did all in his power to promote Christian education among the children of the community. He and his family occupy a comfortable residence at the northwest corner of Scharf and Rossman streets
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and the household is celebrated for its gracious hospitality. Mr. Schwemley is now accounted one of the substantial business men of his native place and is a highly esteemed resident. His close application in business, unfaltering purpose and sound judgment have enabled him to progress steadily on the path to prosperity.
JOHN H. SHEETZ.
Rising above the head of the masses are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to positions of eminence in the business world, and at the same time have com- manded the trust and respect of those with whom they have been in any way thrown in contact. Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries Mr. Sheetz is prominent. He is now recognized as one of the leading merchants of his portion of Crawford county and is not only in control of one of the extensive commercial enterprises of New Washington but is also successfully engaged in the banking business, and is regarded as one of the best financiers in this part of the state.
Mr. Sheetz was born in the city which is still his home, his natal day being August 29, 1852. His parents were John A. and Margaret ( Donnenwirth) Sheetz. He remained with his parents during the period of his boyhood and youth and acquired his preliminary education in the New Washington dis- trict schools, supplementing his early study by a course in Oberlin College and in Mount Union College. During the last two years of his school life he spent the summer months on his father's farm. Agricultural pursuits were. congenial to him and he rather desired to carry on farming, but in 1872. at the earnest solicitation of his father, he became a clerk in the latter's store and served in that capacity until 1874, when he purchased his father's interest in the business and became a partner of his brother Jacob. This connection has since been maintained. Our subject soon manifested superior ability in the line of commerce and as a merchant took front rank among the leading rep- resentatives of trade interests in his native town. The store which the brothers own is large and well stocked and they enjoy a very liberal patron- age. In 1876 the banking firm of the John A. Sheetz Company was organized and our subject became cashier and financial manager. The success of the
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