USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 25
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ADAM G. LEDERER.
Various business interests have claimed the attention of Mr. Lederer, and enterprise and energy have secured his advancement along the path of pros- perity. He is now a well known auctioneer and is also proprietor of a livery barn at New Washington. He was born in Cranberry township, December 19. 1852, a son of Jacob and Magdalene (Donnenwirth) Lederer, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father born in Wurtemberg and the mother in Alsace, and came to America with their respective parents when about five years of age. The father of our subject was reared in Stark county, Ohio, and in his early manhood worked in a livery stable in Wooster, Ohio, for two or three years. He then came to Crawford county and entered from the government eighty acres of land a mile south and a mile west of New Washington. Not long afterward he was married, and upon the farm he made his home until his death. In subsequent years he added thirty-seven acres to his place, which then comprised one hundred and seventeen acres, and his labors and energy transformed it into a valuable and attractive farming property. As an auctioneer he won wide fame and cried all of the sales in this portion of the country in his day. He was a man of social nature, genial disposition and unflagging energy, and those qualities made him popular,
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gaining for him many friends. Of the Lutheran church he was a most ardent and influential member and was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the house of worship in New Washington. He voted with the Democracy. His death occurred August 19, 1857, when he was only thirty- nine years and eleven months old. His wife was born in 1822, and after the death of her husband she cared for her family, residing upon the old home- stead until the early 'Sos, when she removed to New Washington, where she has since made her home with her daughter. Although she is now in her eightieth year she retains possession of her faculties unimpaired and is a most highly esteemed old lady. Her father was George Donnenwirth, who belonged to one of the well known families of Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. Lederer became the parents of five children, of whom the following are living: John F., who makes his home in Dundee, Michigan; Jacob, who is living on the old homestead in Cranberry township; Adam G .; and Odella, wife of Andrew. Cronenberger, of New Washington.
Adam Lederer was reared on the home farm and his early education was acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in the Lexington Seminary and in the Fostoria high school. He met the expenses of his edu- cation by his own labor, and the resolute will which enabled him to secure this intellectual advancement indicated the elemental strength of his character, which has been developed as the years have passed, making him a self-reliant and energetic man. When eighteen years of age he began work as a farm land. and the money thus earned paid his tuition in the Lexington Seminary. When twenty years of age he began teaching, and after following that pro- fession for a year he continued his studies in the high school of Fostoria. For fifteen terms he followed the teacher's profession, and during twelve terms of the time was connected with the schools of New Washington. In the summer season he and his brother Jacob engaged in farming in partner- ship, and in 1878 they began breeding fine short-horn cattle, in which they gained a wide reputation by reason of their success and the splendid stock which they handled. In 1882 they established a livery business in New Washington, and with the exception of two periods of two and a half and three years Mr. Lederer, of this review, has since been connected with the enterprise. In 1895 he and his brother terminated their partnership. Three years previous our subject had purchased the grocery store of J. Bear and conducted the same for eighteen months. In connection with his livery busi- ness he is also well known as an auctioneer of Crawford county. He
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seems to have inherited his father's ability in this direction and has cried sales throughout this portion of the county.
On the 8th of February, 1877, Mr. Lederer married Miss Ella A. Hartupee, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas Logan and Phebe O. (Patterson) Hartupee, her father born in Richland county. They now have two children and have lost three. The living are: Ora D., who possesses much talent in both vocal and instrumental music; and Estella. Mr. Lederer is independent in politics, supporting the men and measures that he thinks are best adapted to secure good government. He served for four years on the school board, for two years in the city council and was the first man to carry a petition for the building of pikes. In this matter he incurred the ill will of many men opposed to the pike system, but to-day they are among his best friends, for time has demonstrated the great value of good roads. Socially he is connected with Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. P. His worth is widely acknowledged, and wherever he is known he has gained many warm friends, who esteem him for his trust- worthiness and social qualities.
FREDERICK WISMAN.
Among the prosperous farmers of Bucyrus township is Frederick Wis- man, who owns and operates a large, well cultivated and finely situated farm, consisting of one hundred and forty acres of fertile Crawford county land.
The birth of Mr. Wisman was in this same township. on November 2, 1833. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth ( Heinlen) Wisman, both natives of Wurtemberg. Germany, from which country they came when they were children. After their marriage in Pennsylvania, in 1828, they came and located in Crawford county, where the remainder of their lives were spent, the mother dying in 1843, the father surviving until 1867. By trade Mr. Wisman was a wagonmaker, but after locating in Ohio he pursued farm- ing. His life was an honest and industrious one, and both he and his wife lived and died enjoying the respect of all who knew them.
Frederick Wisman was one of nine children born to his parents, and he was reared on the farm, thus becoming well prepared for the active duties of an agriculturist. His education was in the schools of his neighborhood. In 1861 he married Malissa Aumiller, and then left the parental roof to set up his own home. For a time the young couple lived on a farm located just
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west of his birthplace, but later removed to Holmes township. In 1864 Mr. Wisman moved to the farm he now occupies, which consisted of eighty acres and belonged to his father. After the death of the latter Mr. Wis- man purchased this farm and has added to it until he now owns one hundred and forty acres, and in addition to this, he, in association with his son Charles E., owns a tract comprising ninety acres. In 1874 Mr. Wisman built his fine, brick residence and has made many improvements of a sub- stantial character which not only add to the attractive appearance of the place but materially to its value also. One feature of Mr. Wisman's business is the raising of great numbers of sheep.
The three children of Mr. Wisman are all comfortably settled in life, in Crawford county, Alfred E., being a successful farmer in Holmes town- ship; Emma Alice, the wife of Joseph Starner, lives in Todd township; and Charles E. is a farmer with his father. Mr. Wisman is identified with the Democratic party, and is generally regarded as one of the leading citizens of Bucyrus township.
JAMES O. HOLLAND.
Among the prominent agriculturists of Bucyrus township, James O. Holland takes a leading position, both as a successful farmer and as a veteran of the Civil war. His birth was in Mahoning county, Ohio, on December 20, 1841. His parents, Nehemiah and Lucinda ( Bentley) Holland, were married on August 13, 1836, and resided for several years in Mahoning county, later removing to Hancock county, Ohio, where the father died July 3, 1847, at the age of forty-eight years. The children born to him and wife were: William C., who resides in Marshall county, Indiana; John A., who resides in the same county; Chauncy F., who is deceased; James O., who is the subject of this biography ; Richard M., who has passed away ; and AAustin, who is a resident of Crawford county. The widow of Mr. Holland married, on December 31, 1849. James Reid, by whom she had three children: Nancy L .: Alfred C .; and Esther M., deceased. The mother outlived her second husband, surviving until 1892, when she passed away at the age of seventy- two years.
James O. Holland was between six and seven years of age when his father died, and remained with his mother only until he had reached his tenth year. Then he began the struggle of life for himself, beginning by working at odd jobs for those who would employ him, principally farmers of
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his neighborhood. His educational advantages were thus limited. At the age of sixteen, with commendable forethought, he decided to learn a trade, selecting that of carpenter, and remained employed at it for three years.
The Civil war, breaking out just at this time, found in Mr. Holland a patriotic young soldier. On August 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company B. Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in twenty-two battles and skirmishes, including Stone River, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, Atlanta, and those of Sherman's "march to the sea." Mr. Holland did not escape all the dangers of war, as at Nolansville, North Carolina, he was taken prisoner. but after fourteen days was paroled and sent back to the Union lines. After a faithful service he was mustered out at Columbus, June 20, 1865.
Mr. Holland married the year following his return from the army, the ceremony taking place on October 10, 1866, to Miss Ellen Starner, and he and wife removed to Nevada, Ohio, where he followed his trade for several years, but later engaged in farming in Bucyrus township. In 1882 he removed to his present fine farm, on section 22, in this township.
In politics Mr. Holland is a stanch Republican, and is a man interested deeply in the success of his country in all public affairs. George W. Holland, his only son, born October 4, 1870, assists in the conduct of the farm.
GEORGE W. STARNER.
The late George WV. Starner was a good citizen and a prosperous farmer of Crawford county, and was born November 12, 1812, and was a native of Monroe county, Pennsylvania. His lamented death occurred April 6, 1887. He was a son of George M. and Katie M. ( Van Vleet) Starner. His youth was spent upon the farm and received limited schooling, as the facilities were wanting in those early days. The school-house was a log structure and the instruction correspondingly crude.
On July 12, 1835, Mr. Starner was united in marriage to Susan Stiff, of Monroe county at that time, but her birth took place in Sussex county, New Jersey, July 20, 1810, she having removed to Monroe county when fourteen years of age. To this marriage these children were born: Elizabeth, who married Jacob Yeagley ; Ellen, who married James O. Holland; Harriet, who married John Dobbins ; and William.
Mr. Starner removed to Ohio in the month of September, 1832. coming in a two-horse wagon, making the trip in four weeks, and settling in Perry county. For six years the family resided there on a farm. In 1843 the
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family removed to Crawford county and located in Bucyrus township. Mr. Starner soon became well known through the township as a very reliable man and good citizen. He voted with the Republican party and passed away regretted by a large circle of friends. His widow died July 3. 1901, being almost ninety-one years of age. The last thirteen years of her life. were spent in the home of her daughter. Mrs. James O. Holland.
JOHN W. CUPP.
In the history of the men and forces that have contributed to the growth and success of the Republican party in Ohio reference must be made to Mr. Cupp, and the journal company of which he is secretary and general manager. The paper has ever been an advocate of Republican principles, its columns. championing the measures of the party setting forth strong arguments in favor of its planks and policy, and laboring for its progress and rejoicing in its victories. But not alone along this line has Mr. Cupp been connected with the public interest of Galion and Crawford county. At the present time he is postmaster of the city, having been appointed to the position by President Mckinley in 1898. In the office he has given entire satisfaction to its pa- trons, his administration of its affairs being business-like, prompt and reliable ..
A native of Sandusky county, Ohio, Mr. Cupp was born November 20, 1864, a son of Philip and Eliza Heter Cupp. His paternal grandfather came from Alsace-Lorraine, at that time a province of France but later of Ger- many. He landed at Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife, but in a short time. the young couple went into the then wilderness of Ohio. settling in what is now Thompson township, Seneca county. There they made a home and raised a large family, and there Philip Cupp, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared. In early manhood, shortly after marriage, he removed to Bellevue and from that time until his death. April 17, 1901, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, he was identified with the business interests of that town. He was married to Eliza Heter, daughter of John and Salome Freese Heter, and five children were born to them: Mrs. Addie Higbee, Emma, deceased. Charles V., John W. and Otis P.
Jolin Heter, the maternal grandfather of the subject of our sketch, was the fifth of this name of whom any record is had, the first coming from Bavaria, Germany, and landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1735. John, fifth. was born in Berks county, that state, in 1794, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. under Captain Warr Middlesworth and General Smythe,
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of Virginia, serving at Black Rock on the Niagara river. He came to Ohio in 1825, settling first in Wayne county, but two years later removing to Seneca county, where he acquired eighteen eighty-acre tracts of land, some of the original deeds signed by John Quincy Adams still being held in the family.
John Wesley Cupp acquired his education in the public schools at Belle- vue. Ohio, supplementing his knowledge gained there by the learning which he acquired in a newspaper office. He became connected with the "art preservative of arts" at the age of seventeen years and mastered the business in every department, working on the Bellevue News. After learning the trade in that office he became editor of the paper, which he conducted success- fully for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he engaged in the job printing business, but later returned to Bellevue and became a partner in the Gazette, being one of the owners of that journal until 1892, when he removed to Galion. Here he organized a stock company and purchased the Sun-Review of the assignee and changed it from a weekly to a semi-weekly journal in 1894. In 1896 his company also became the owner of the Leader. The Sun-Review Printing Company was organized, with Mr. Cupp as secretary and manager. The company does a general printing, publishing and binding business, and under the new control both papers have increased rapidly in circulation. The enterprise is a successful one, and the trade enjoyed in their line is large and profitable. The office is well equipped with the latest improved machinery, and the paper, while advocating the interests of the Republican party, is also devoted to the publication of local, general and miscellaneous news and treats in a fair and unprejudiced manner the questions of the day. It supports local enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit and stanchly upholds the banner of Republicanism.
Mr. Cupp has ever been an advocate of the grand old party, and his labors in its behalf have been effective and enduring. He has served on the county executive committee, being a member thereof from 1892 until 1898, when he resigned, having been appointed to the position of postmaster of Galion. This honor was conferred upon him by President Mckinley, and it is needless to say that the trusts reposed in him have never been betrayed ever in the slightest degree. He carefully looks after the business of the office, which is performed in a prompt manner, and its patrons have expressed the highest satisfaction with his administration.
May 25, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cupp and Miss Emma
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Wood, of Bellevue, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth McElhenny Wood, widow of Henry Wood. Her father was a stock-raiser and dealer, and served his country in the Union army, retiring at the end of the war with the rank of lieutenant. His father was Bourdette Wood, one of the largest land-own- ers in northern Ohio. The marriage of our subject and wife has been blessed with one son, Robert Otis, born July 25. 1895. Mr. Cupp is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, with the Masonic Order and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is charitable and tolerant, though positive in his convictions and aggressive in defending them, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
SAMUEL J. KIBLER.
Prominent among the business men of New Washington who for eight years has been closely identified with the history of the city as a representa- tive of one of its most important business interests is Samuel Jefferson Kibler, who is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degree of success. The safe, conservative policy which he inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of all, and he secured to the company a patronage which makes the volume of trade trans- acted over its counters of great importance and magnitude. The firm of Kibler Brothers has enjoyed a reputation for reliability that is known in all sections of the country in which their dealings are extended.
Samuel J. Kibler of this review was born in New Washington, on the 9th of March. 1851, and is a son of Matthias and Frederica (Pfahler) Kibler. As the name indicates, the family is of German origin. The father of our subject was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, June II. 1822, and was the youngest of the eight children born unto John and Maria Kibler. In 1829, when a child of only seven years, he came with his parents to the United States, locating in Trumbull county, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, working on the farm and on the canal. As he found opportunity he attended school, and being of a studious nature he acquired a good common-school education, so that at the age of seventyen he was qualified to teach in the neighboring schools. In 1841, in company with his brother, Christian Kibler, he came to Cranberry township, Crawford county, the brother purchasing a tannery on the farm now owned by Abraham McNutt and after some months spent in the employ of his brother, our subject pur- .
Matthias Kübler
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chased an interest in the business. In the winter of 1844-5, shortly after the death of Christian Kibler, the tannery was burned to the ground and in the spring of the latter year Matthias Kibler removed to New Washington, where he purchased of Robert Robinson a small tannery which had been established in 1834. This Mr. Kibler rebuilt, increasing its facilities and enlarging its capacity as the demand warranted. He also improved upon the quality of his goods until the output of his tannery was not only equal in kind to any other but often commanded the highest market price. Mr. Kibler was one of the leading and influential men in the upbuilding of the village of New Washington and in securing for the town a sober and intelli- gent class of citizens. His interest in educational affairs led him to take an active part in the work of improving the school facilities of the town and it was greatly due to his influence that the citizens were aroused from their lethargy in educational matters and erected commodious and com- fortable log schoolhouses in the town and in neighboring school districts. He served in many of the town offices and co-operated heartily in the movement to secure the division of the township into school districts-eight in number. He was largely instrumental in the work of inducing the citizens to furnish their children with ample school privileges and was a contributor of time, effort and money toward the promotion of any movement calculated to prove for the general good. At the time he located in New Washington he purchased a tract of land adjoining the town and in subse- quent years he laid out an addition to the original village, one of the principal streets of the city now bearing his name. He was justice of the peace for some twenty-five years, and was the first mayor of New Washington and was acting in that capacity at the time of his demise, Sept. 23. 1876. His political support was given the Democracy and in religious faith he was a Lutheran and did much for the progress of the church. His death proved a serious loss to the town, owing to his splendid business ability and his aggressive labors in behalf of every measure for the general welfare. His wife died September 28, 1900. They were the parents of eight children : Maria, deceased, Samuel J., Franklin P., deceased, James M., Lovina. John W., Caroline, deceased, and Louisa M.
The majority of men who accomplish most in life are self-made men,- the men who are taught the value of industry and perseverance in youth. and who exemplify those lessons in the work of life as the years progress. Mr. Kibler of this sketch pursued his education in the common schools of New Washington and in his boyhood days he worked in the tan yard with
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his father. In 1873 he purchased an interest in the business and soon after assumed the entire management of the enterprise, owing to his father's ill health. In 1876 his father died and Mr. Kibler continued to manage the business with his mother as a partner until some time in 1881, when she sold her interest to her son John Wesley, and the business has since been continued under the firm name of Kibler Brothers. Soon after his entrance into the firm our subject began dealing in hides on a small scale, but constantly his efforts in this line increased in magnitude and early in the 'gos the brothers gave up their tanning business in order to devote their entire time and attention to their rapidly growing trade as dealers in hides. About 1895 they purchased the C. C. Keech Company's hide business in Sandusky City. This was at one time one of the largest fur houses in the northwest, and they now conduct it as a branch house of their business in New Washington. Their trade has rapidly increased both in volume and importance until they are now among the largest dealers in raw hides and tallow in the entire country. They purchase almost all of the hides in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan and almost the entire amount sent to Cleveland. It requires splendid executive ability and skill as a manager to control such extensive interests, but the partners are well qualified and ably direct the important concern with which they are associated.
In April, 1875, Samuel J. Kibler was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Herr, a native of Crawford county and a daughter of George Herr, who for many years was a prominent farmer of Seneca county, but died in New Washington in January, 1892. having removed to the town in the previous December. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kibler have been born seven children, of whom six are now living: Alfred G., who married Miss Mildred Donnenwirth and is engaged in traveling for his father: Clara O., at home: Milton M., who is attending the Tri-State Business College, of Toledo: Aaron Sylvester, who is a graduate of the New Washington high school: Ida P., who is attending the high school; and Florence E., who is also a student.
In his political affiliations Mr. Kibler is a Democrat and, like his father, he is a firm believer in the cause of education, for which he has done active work while acting on the school board for fifteen consecutive years. For ten or more years he was president of the board and was untiring in his efforts to advance the best educational interests of the town. He was serving on the board at the time the present school building was erected, a structure that stands as a monument to the intelligence and enterprising
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efforts of the board and citizens. For three or four terms after his father's death Mr. Kibler served as township treasurer, becoming his father's succes- sor. He has also been a member of the town council. He belongs to the Lutheran church and was a member of the building committee that erected the present handsome church edifice, one of the finest in the country to be found in a village of this size. He has served for many years as trustee and deacon in the church and withholds his co-operation from no measure intended for the general good. Wherever he is found he is a social, affable, genial gentleman whose friends are legion and all honor and esteem him for his many virtues and genuine worth. His record is one of which he may justly be proud. Success is not measured by the heights which one may occupy, but by the distance between the starting point and the altitude he has reached ; therefore Mr. Kibler has gained a most brilliant success,-a just reward of meritorious, honorable effort, which commands the respect and admiration of all.
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