USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 32
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In taking up the personal history of Nathan Lust we learn that his boy- hood days were spent under the refining influences of a good Christian home and there was received the foundation for his upright character and his useful career. His literary education was obtained in the common schools. On
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the 25th of September. 1884, he married Miss Catherine S. Klopfenstein, a daughter of Isaac Klopfenstein, a prominent merchant and stock man of Sulphur Springs. The young couple began their domestic life upon his fa- ther's farm, which Mr. Lust rented until 1889, when he removed to Sulphur Springs, and, in partnership with his father-in-law, purchased the flouring mill at that place, carrying on the enterprise for three years, after which they exchanged the mill for one hundred and sixty acres of land, known as the "Old Fry" farm, just north of the town. To this place Mr. Lust removed, naking it his home, and after the death of his father-in-law in 1898, he pur- chased it in partnership with the Keller brothers, cultivating the place for one year. On the expiration of that period he sold his interest in the farm and purchased his present home of forty-one acres in Liberty township. He also owns forty-eight acres in Sandusky township, which has been his property for the past ten years.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lust has been blessed with four children, of whom three are yet living, namely: Wilbert Lee, Frederick I. and Lloyd E. The daughter, Lulu L., who was the third in order of birth, is now de- ceased. Mr. Lust keeps well informed on the political issues of the day and votes with the Democracy, but he has never been a politician in the sense of an office-seeker, although he served for twelve years as school director. He be- longs to the German Reformed church, in which he has held the office of deacon and elder for several years, and for five years he served as superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. By all who know him he is highly esteemed as. one of the representative men of his community, honored for his sterling worth and respected for his social and friendly nature.
JOSEPH W. QUAINTANCE. 1
A highly esteemed farmer of Holmes township, Crawford county, is Jo- seph W. Quaintance, who was born in Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, on August 31, 1828. a son of Fisher and Sarah ( Irey ) Quaintance, and was a member of a family of ten children, viz: Ann, who, as the widow of Henry Peasely, recently died at Ada, Ohio: Eli P., who was a respected citizen and prosperous farmer of Holmes township, is also deceased; Susanna, who mar- ried John Talbott. is also dead : Hannah died in childhood; Ira died at New- ton, Iowa; Dawson is a resident of Putnam county. Ohio: Joseph W., our subject : Charles and George, twins, the latter being deceased and the former a resident of Bluffton. Allen county, Ohio; and the last of the children, Sarah
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Jane, is also deceased. Fisher Quaintance was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on October 12, 1793, a son of Joseph and Susanna Quaintance, of German ancestry, who removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, when their son Fisher was a young man. Here the latter married and six of his children were born. In 1829, with his family and his parents, he removed to Crawford county, Ohio, settling in Holmes township. The grandfather entered forty acres of land, the father one hundred and sixty acres, and his brothers Eli and Samuel each one hundred and sixty acres, and his brother William eighty acres, all of these tracts in mutual contiguity, forming a settlement of the name of Quaintance, and here all of the original members of that settlement lived and died on their farms. On each tract was erected the pioneer log cabin. in the forest, the father of our subject finishing his in one week, although he was obliged to work through rain and snow. The little settlement prospered, and from it came men and women who have been identified with much of the devel- opment and progress of this county.
Fisher Quaintance was a cooper by trade and pursued it in connection with his farming for some years in Crawford county. The mother was a most worthy helpmate in those pioneer days, and while all praise should be given those courageous men who faced hardship and toil for the sake of their de- scendants, how sympathetic should grow the heart over the pioneer mothers! It was not alone the industry of Fisher Quaintance which produced such ex- cellent results and furnished not only the necessities but also the comforts of life to a large family, for every hour was spent by the busy mother, if not in household tasks, in the spinning and weaving which provided the family clothing and the bedding needed through the long winters. Until his fifteenth year our subject never had any clothing that had not been made by her untiring hands. Fisher Quaintance died in 1866, having been a Whig in early days but later a Republican. His religious belief was that of the Quaker, and his honest, upright and peaceful life was a practical illustration of his religion. His testimony was against war, but he cheerfully contributed to provide sub- stitutes during the Rebellion for Holmes township. The mother, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, was born on January 25. 1792, a daughter of Philip and Hannah Irey, and on the maternal side was a second cousin to the famous John Brown.
Our subject grew to manhood in his home and obtained his education in the schools of his locality. After reaching his majority he began to engage in farming on the home place, on shares, but that year agricultural conditions were poor, resulting in bad crops. In 1852 Mr. Quaintance purchased two
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hundred sheep and put them on the farm. For the first shearing he received fifty cents a pound, and with this money he bought his present farm of one hundred and three acres, and since then has continually prospered.
Mr. Quaintance was married on March 17, 1853, to Lucina L. Gidley, a native of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, the daughter of Charles and Bathsheba ( O'Kelly ) Gidley, both of them natives of Massachusetts and prominent members of the sect of Quakers. The mother died in Massachu- setts, and then the father removed to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1850, married again, and fifteen years later removed to Henry county, Ohio, where he died.
The children born to Mr. Quaintance and wife were: Bathsheba G., who married John Eaton, of Kansas City, Missouri, once a prominent member of the Kansas legislature : Isadore B., the widow of William P. Brown, who re- sides with her parents; Edith M., who married and is now the widow of Dr. E. B. Simmons, of Los Angeles, California : Ira E., a prominent farmer of Dallas township, this county ; Lemert, a miller in Toledo, Ohio: Cora E., who is the wife of W. A. Sherer, of the Provident Loan Company, of Toledo; and Howard J., who also resides in Toledo.
Mr. Quaintance is one of the leading Republicans of this section of the county, and for several years has been a member of the election board. His religious belief is that taught him by his beloved mother. but he attends and assists in supporting the Lutheran church with his estimable wife.
HENRY ALTSTAETTER.
Henry Altstaetter, for years one of the most public-spirited citizens and prominent business men of Galion, died in 1900, mourned by a very large circle of friends. He was born in Germany, July 9. 1843, and was a son of Frederick and Susannah Altstaetter. His parents came to this country in 1851, and his father, who was a minister of the gospel, located with his family in Allen county, Ohio. He was not dependent upon his ministerial labors, however, for the support of his family of eleven children. as is shown by his purchase of a quarter section of school land near West Cairo. There the family resided for nearly a decade, when they removed to Delphos, Allen county, which was their home until the death of the fa- ther, which occurred in 1883, when he was eighty-one years of age. A few years later the mother died.
Henry Altstaetter received only such educational advantages as were
Henry Altstadtter
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afforded by the common schools near his home, and then was enabled to pursue his studies only through the winter season, for throughout the re- mainder of the year his services were needed in the cultivation and improve- ment of the farm. After the inauguration of the Civil war he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Company K, Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and with his regiment he participated in some of the most hotly- contested battles of that sanguinary conflict. During his three years' service Mr. Altstaetter never lost a day from sickness or wounds. He took part with his regiment in the siege of Corinth, the battles of Iuka and Chatta- ncoga, the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to the sea, and at Pulaski he veteranized, continuing with his command until the cessation of hostilities. He was one of the most popular "boys" of the regiment and was most loyal and true, being ever found at his post of duty, whether it was on the picket line or the firing line. The patriotic spirit and good fel- lowship which distinguished him in the great civil conflict seems to have fallen on the shoulders of his son Frederick, now a lieutenant with the regu- lar troops in the Philippines.
Mr. Altstaetter was married September 25, 1865, to Hedwig Jettinger, of Delphos, and to them were born the following children: Henrietta A .. now the wife of Frederick Berry ; Louisa F. ; Lina; Carolina M. : Emma C .; Frederick W. : Hedwig and Ida H. W.
Mr. Altstaetter conducted a brewery at Delphos until 1877. when he removed to Upper Sandusky. A few years later he assumed charge of the Galion brewery, which he successfully managed until his death. When he took control of the enterprise it was in the hands of an assignee and trustees. From the first his wise business judgment enabled him to put it on a firm basis, and in a brief period he had absolute control of the plant. He also became identified with many other business interests of Galion, including the Citizens' National Bank. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he was, nevertheless, a power in the business community, and no project of any im- portance to the city's prosperity was discussed without the counsel and ad- vice of Mr. Altstaetter, while no subscription paper was circulated, either to help a new enterprise or a deserved charity, that secured a larger con- tributor than he. Modest, quiet and retiring, he nevertheless exerted a strong influence for good along many lines, and he enjoyed the friendship and regard of young and old, rich and poor. His death, which occurred in 1900, came as a shock to the entire community, and his funeral was attended
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by a large concourse of people, many of whom came from Allen and Wyan- dot counties, where he had previously lived, to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had loved and honored.
JOHN MICHELFELDER.
There is no element which has entered into our composite national fabric that has been of more practical strength, value and utility than that furnished by the sturdy, persevering and honorable sons of Germany ; and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical and ever having a clear comprehension of the ethics of life, the German con- tingent has wielded a powerful influence, and this service cannot be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and true advance- ment.
The subject of this review comes from stanch German stock. He was born, however, in New Washington, September 6, 1847, and is a son of John and Frederica ( Utz) Michelfelder. His father was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, October 5, 1818, and there spent his youth, during which period he learned the trade of a shoemaker. In the spring of 1846 he came to the United States, landing in New York, whence he proceeded by boat to Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo and on to Sandusky by way of lake Erie. At the last named place he worked at his trade as a journeyman until the spring of 1847, when he came to New Washington, Crawford county, and soon after- ward opened a shop of his own. In 1863 he put in a general line of manu- factured shoes, and in 1870 admitted his son John to a partnership in the busi- ness. In 1873 the father withdrew, being succeeded by his son Jacob, and in 1881 the father retired altogether from active business life, enjoying a quiet rest up to the time of his death, which occurred September 14. 1891. He was a stanch Democrat, but never an office seeker. He held membership in the Lutheran church, and his upright Christian life commended him to the high regard of all with whom he was associated. His wife was also a native of Wurtemberg, born January 23, 1823. She came to America with the party of which her future husband was a member. After remaining in Sandusky for a time she came to New Washington, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Michelfelder. Her death occurred May 18, 1898. This worthy couple were the parents of five children, namely : John, of this review ; Fred- erica, wife of George Hildebrand, of New Washington; Jacob, who is with his
i
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brother in business; Catherine, of New Washington; and Frederick, also of New Washington.
John Michelfelder, whose name forms the caption of this review, has spent his entire life in the locality of his birth. His educational privileges were limited, for at the age of fourteen he was taken from school by his father and placed on the shoemaker's bench to assist in providing for the family. When he liad attained his majority his father paid him a salary and he re- mained as an employe in the shop and the store until 1870, when he purchased a half interest in the business. In 1873, however, he withdrew from the firm and established a store of his own. In 1880 his brother Jacob purchased the father's business and the two stores were then merged into one, and the store has since been conducted under the firm style of J. Michelfelder & Brother. They carry a large and well-selected stock of goods manufactured by reliable houses, and their trade is extensive and profitable. Their business methods commend them to the confidence and support of the public, for they are ener- getic, persevering and trustworthy.
On the Ist of December, 1873, Mr. Michelfelder was united in marriage to Miss Matilda C. High, a native of Cranberry township and a daughter of Michael High. Her paternal grandfather, Valentine A. High, was one of the first settlers of Cranberry township, coming to this county from Germany. Mr. Michelfelder exercises his right of franchise in support of the measures of Democracy, and in the 'Sos he was elected a member of the board of councilmen of New Washington, in which capacity he served for eight years. During the four succeeding years he was township trustee, and for ten years was a member of the school board, while for three years during that period he served as its chairman and for six years as its treasurer. He has also been justice of the peace for three years ; for four years was treasurer of Cranberry township, and for fourteen years was deputy county collector, collecting the taxes for Cran- berry township, and for two years served as a member of the Democratic cen- tral committee. Thus again and again called to public office, his long reten- tion in official service indicates his strict fidelity to duty and his unquestioned probity in public affairs. He is a zealous advocate and consistent member of the Lutheran church, and in that organization has been honored with various offices, having acted as deacon for ten years, as church treasurer for seventeen years and was chairman of the building committee at the time the present house of worship was erected. This is one of the finest church buildings in the country in a town of its size, the church and grounds costing twenty-two thousand dollars. Our subject is a representative citizen of New Washington.
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His is a well-rounded character, in which he has given due attention to physical, mental and moral development. He is justly regarded as one of the leading business men of the community, and as a financier his ability is widely recog- nized and his integrity is above question. Puble spirited and progressive, he withholds not his support from any movement calculated to prove of benefit to the community.
FREDERICK SCHIFER.
Although Frederick Schifer is one of the largest farmers and stock-raisers and substantial men in Crawford county, he began life as a poor boy, coming alone to the United States at the age of sixteen and climbing the ladder of success totally unaided.
Mr. Schifer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 7, 1857, a son of George and Barbara ( Heinle) Schifer, also natives of Germany, who lived and died in their native land. They had four children, of whom two are dead. and our subject is the only one who came to America. Mr. Schifer was reared in the town of Pfullingen and was given a good common-school education, later learning the butcher trade. At the age of sixteen he decided to emigrate to this country, several causes inducing him to leave his native land. Accord- ing to German law he would have been obliged to serve in the army for four years, and this was distasteful to him, as he felt he could better use his youth and strength in bettering his condition. At that time his country was involved in no war and he felt that his services were not really needed by it. Another reason that his decision was made at that time was that his maternal relatives were prospering in Crawford county, Ohio, and he knew he could reach them and he felt sure enough of his own ability and energy to enable him also to prosper in the new land.
With a few dollars, Mr. Schifer reached New York in the fall of 1873, and made his way to Bucyrus township, immediately securing employment as a butcher, continuing in that line for the following two years and then engaged as a farm hand. For five or six years he labored hard, and then married, im- mediately after forming a partnership with George Kramer in the butcher business, this connection lasting for eight years. Mr. Schifer displayed most excellent business judgment in the buying and shipping of cattle, handling a great amount of live stock, and operating at the same time one of the best meat markets the residents of Bucyrus ever had. Two or three years previous to his withdrawal from the butcher business he bought a farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, and to that he finally removed, adding later two
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tracts, one of twenty acres and another of eighty acres, and started into farmi- ing and stock-raising on an extensive scale. Mr. Schifer has almost all of this land under cultivation or prepared for it, having improved its drainage by tiling, and here he has made a number of most desirable improvements. A fine barn with stone foundation, and a commodious and comfortable residence have been erected, and also a power windmill, which is utilized not only for water but also for the grinding of feed. Mr. Schifer is modern and progres- sive and has all the comforts and conveniences which in these days make an ideal country home. He is engaged in buying, feeding and selling much stock, principally cattle, and is regarded as one of the best judges of the same in the township.
Mr. Schifer was married in 1881 to Miss Lizzie Leitzy, and the four chil- dren born to this union are : William, Emma, Elsie and George. He has been an ardent and influential Democrat, and for six years, from 1894 to 1900, he was township trustee, serving with great acceptability to the people of both parties. Both he and wife are members of the German Lutheran church, where they are highly esteemed for their many excellent traits of character. Mr. Schifer, by his honest and exemplary life, has become one of the most highly considered citizens of Bucyrus, and well represents the grand old coun- try of bis birth,
SAMUEL MYERS.
Samuel Myers is now living a retired life in Galion. The rest which should ever crown years of active connection with business has been vouch- safed to him, and with a handsome competence acquired by former toil he is now spending the evening of life in the enjoyment of a well-earned ease. For forty-five years he has been a resident of the city, and his career throughout that period has been as an open book, capable of bearing the closest scrutiny. A native of Switzerland, Mr. Myers was born in the land of the Alps, in the year 1837, his parents being Samuel and Mary ( Hildbold) Myers, who came from canton Aargan, Switzerland, to the United States in the year 1838. After landing on the American seaboard they proceeded across the country to Crawford county, Ohio, and took up their abode in Vernon township.
There upon a farm Samuel Myers spent the days of his boyhoed, for he was only but a year old at the time of the arrival of the family here. He worked in the fields in his youth, and in the schools of the neighborhood became familiar with the common branches of English learning. In Vernon he mas-
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tered the trade of wagon-making under the direction of his two brothers, Jacob and John Myers, who established and conducted business along that line in Vernon township. The first mentioned of these brothers is now deceased, but the latter is still living. Mr. Myers, of this review, with the exception of Adam Howard, Sr., was the first to engage in the manufacture of buggies and carriages in Galion. He took up his abode in the city in 1856 and opened his factory, which he conducted with signal success until 1882. As the years passed his patronage increased, his force of workmen was enlarged and the manufactured articles of his factory were sent widely over the country. In 1882, after twenty-six years' connection with the business, Mr. Myers retired, putting aside the more arduous duties and cares of an industrial life. In the meantime he had become prominent in public affairs, and was ever a citizen who gave his earnest support and co-operation to every measure and movement
calculated for the general good. In 1872 he was elected mayor of Galion and filled the office for two years. His service in the city council covers a period of eight years altogether, his last term being in 1893. He filled the office of justice of the peace for two years, occupying that position at the same time when acting as mayor. He has been city marshal, and was constable of Polk township for four years. Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong, for he gave earnest and careful consideration to the perform- ance of his duty and to the settlement of questions affecting the weal or woe of the people whom he represented. At the present writing, in the spring of 1901. he is again a candidate for the office of mayor.
Mr. Myers was united in marriage, on January 28, 1858, to Miss Cather- ine Hess, a daughter of Phillip and Philipina ( Lautenslager) Hess. residents of Jackson township, Richland county. They were natives, however, of Ger- many, coming from Hesse-Darmstadt to the new world. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Myers has been blessed with three children, Charles Franklin being the only one living, and is now a resident of San Francisco, California. Nettie, the eldest child, was born March 31, 1859, and died August 4, 1872; William, the youngest child, was born in December, 1863, and died November 25. 1864. Charles Franklin was born August 23. 1861, attended school in Galion, and in 1888 removed to the west. He married Miss Anna Archibald, of this city, and they have two children .- Archibald, who is now a student in a military school in San Francisco, and Marleteta.
For a quarter of a century Mr. Myers has been an exemplary representa- tive of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge in Galion. He closely follows the beneficent teachings of the society, has several times
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passed all of the chairs and is regarded as one of the most loyal exponents of the principles. His political support has ever been given to the Democracy and he does everything in his power to secure the success of the party at both the state and county elections. He belongs to the Reformed church and his life record is consistent with his profession. In an analyzation of his character and life work we note many of the characteristics which have marked the Swiss nation for many centuries, the perseverance, reliability, energy and unconquer- able determination to pursue a course which has been marked out. It is these sterling qualities which have gained Mr. Myers success in life and made hin one of the substantial and valued residents of Galion.
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