USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 46
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HARVEY CLOSE.
Harvey Close, of Texas township, Crawford county, Ohio, is a son of Nelson and Elizabeth ( Bender) Close, and was born at the old home of the family in Texas township, March 31, 1858. Nelson Close, who was a promi- nent citizen of Texas township, was born in the Empire state in 1818, and died at his Ohio home April 25, 1874. By his wife, Elizabeth Bender, who is still living. he had children as follows: Mary, who married Michael Davis and lives in Nebraska : George, who owns a part of his father's old homestead ; Han- nah, who is dead : Ella, who lives in Texas township ; Harvey, who is the imme- diate subject of this sketch : Adelbert, who is dead ; and Alta, who married Rob- ert Torbet and lives in Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. Close was a member of the Lutheran church, in which his widow is also a communicant. The latter taught a subscription school in a log building at Benton in her young woman- hood.
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The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools near his home and for a time was a student at the Normal School at Fostoria, Seneca county, Ohio, and finished his studies at Ada, Hardin county, this state. He began active life as a school-teacher at the age of eighteen years, and from that time on for twelve years he taught school every winter, giving his attention to farming during the spring, summer and fall months. Since 1888 he has de- voted himself exclusively te farming. He is the owner of ninety acres of fer- tile land, which he has improved and placed under cultivation and which he has furnished with a good house, large barns and graneries and all essential out- houses. He gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising and makes a specialty of strawberries, to which he devotes about three acres of land and of which he sold four hundred and seventy-five bushels in 1901.
MIr. Close was married March 21, 1883, to Miss Lizzie Fleming, and they have two children : Iva, aged seventeen ; and Charles, aged eleven years. Mr. Close is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he fills the office of steward. In politics he is a Democrat, and he exerts a recognized influence upon local affairs. He circulated the petition for the postoffice of the village of Plankton and conferred upon the locality the name by which it has become known. He was first elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1880, and by repeated re-election he has served in that office since except during four years. In 1890 he was elected to the office of land appraiser. The public schools of the township have always been very close to his heart. and he has, by suggestion and otherwise, been instrumental in broadening their scope and in increasing their efficiency. His long experience in the school-room gave him a practical and technical knowledge necessary to such service, and he has been an adviser both to teachers and directors, whose opinion has been often sought and has always been held valuable.
WILLIAM C. SEELE.
Among the progressive, energetic and successful young farmer-citizens of Holmes township, Crawford county, is William C. Seele, who has been promi- nently identified with the public affairs of the county for some years. The birth of Mr Seele occurred August 6, 1863, on the farm which he now occupies. His parents were Emil and Catherine ( Spade ) Seele, the former of whom was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on March 31, 1823. He came to America with his parents in 1840. They located in Lykens township and remained there all their lives. Emil Seele learned the trade of shoemaker and followed it for some
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years, in connection with his farming operations. After several years of resi- dence in this county, he purchased our subject's present farm, then consisting of sixty-three and one-fourth acres, and there he lived until within a short time of his death, when he went to reside with his son Albert. Emil Seele was well known through Crawford county, and held the offices of constable and super- visor. In politics he was a Democrat. Eight children were born to him and wife, and all of these survive, viz .: Melinda, the wife of Charles Gersten- berger, of Chatfield township; Edward, of this township: Matilda, the wife of Abraham Ditty, of this township; Dellmor, of Broken Sword; Albert, of Bu- cyrus township: Celesta, the wife of Daniel Smith, of Bucyrus; William C .; and Charles Wesly, of Cleveland, Ohio.
William C. Steele grew up and attended the common schools in his district, supplementing his primary education by attendance upon the sessions of both the Normal College at Ada, and at New Washington, in 1882, beginning his successful career as a teacher. For twelve terms he efficiently taught in the pub- lic schools through Lykens and Holmes townships, becoming well and favora- bly known through the county thus early in life. In 1893 he was united in mar- ri age of Miss Metta Margraff, who was a native of Lykens township and was the daughter of Charles and Leah ( Miller ) Margraff. Mr. Margraff was a German and came with his family to Ohio from Pennsylvania.
While still a teacher, our subject occupied his summers in Cleveland, Ohio, working in the ice business, and thus earned enough to enable him to purchase a farm from his father in the year prior to his marriage, and he located upon it at that time. Although he is interested in agricultural matters, he has taken a very active part in public affairs. For two years he was township clerk on the Democratic ticket, and was re-elected for a second term, de- declining then to serve longer. His next position of trust was that of township treasurer, and as such he is now serving his second term. During the administra- tion of President Cleveland he was appointed postmaster of Broken Sword, and served faithfully for two years. Although something of a politician and a man of influence, he has never sought the offices he has so honorably held, they having been secured for him by his friends. He is.one of the progressive men who are invaluable in a community, has been a member of the school board and is a friend of all educational advancement in the county. Fraternally he is connected with the Court Broken Sword. No. 859. Independent Order of Foresters, of which he has been recording secretary for the past two years ; also is a member of Broken Sword Tent, No. 123, Knights of the Maccabees, and is keeper of the records and finances; and is a member of Broken Sword.
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Grange. No. 1487, P. of H., in which he has been secretary, then overseer and at present is the master of the lodge. His ability is recognized in this com. munity and he is justly regarded as one of the representative men of Crawford county.
JACOB RANCK.
Crawford county, Ohio, has many citizens of Pennsylvanian descent who as farmers and in business life have ably demonstrated the potency of the Penn- sylvania Dutch blood in the work of enlightenment and progress. Prominent among such citizens is Jaceb Ranck, who was born in Texas township, in 1843, and is at this time a prosperous citizen there.
Jacob Ranck is a son of David Ranck, a native of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, who settled in Wyandot county, Ohio, in 1829, whence he removed in 1836 to Texas township, Crawford county, on government land upon which he had filed a claim two years previously. The tract consisted of one hundred and ninety-four acres and was heavily timbered. He erected a log cabin, contain- ing one room, into which he moved his family, then began in earnest the work of clearing and improving his land. He died there in 1865, at the age of sixty- three years. He married Frances Betzer, and they had three sons and eight daughters, and ten of their eleven children are now living.
All three of their sons fought for the flag of their country in the Civil war. Jacob and Lewis C. in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from August 19, 1862, until the close of the war, and Ephraim in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, in the one hundred days' service. Jacob and Lewis saw their first experience of battle at Winchester, June 15th. 1863. where they were made prisoners of war and taken to Libby prison. After two days' confinement they were transferred to the Belle Isle prison. Nineteen days later Jacob Ranck was paroled and went to Annapolis, Maryland, whence after a short time he went home on parole. Eventually he rejoined his regiment at Martinsburg, West Virginia. The regiment did guard duty for several months. Its next fighting was at Newmarket, and after that engagement it retreated to Cedar Creek. where General David Hunter was put in command, and on the 26th of May they again advanced through Newmarket and on to Piedmont, June 5, where they again had a severe engagement with the enemy, under command of General W. E. Jones. June 6 they took possession of Staunton without further opposi- tion; and after destroying thousands of dollars' worth of Confederate govern-
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ment property, they again advanced to Lexington, where they defeated Mc- Causland, and after destroying considerable Confederate property and Gover- nor Letcher's residence, they again moved on to Lynchburg, where they again met the enemy, under Early, June 18. Finding the enemy too strong. they be- gan their retreat during the night of June 18. by the way of Salem through Buford's Gap, and on to Gauley Bridge, arriving at Parkersburg, July 5, and at Martinsburg July 10, having marched eight hundred miles from the 2d day of May, 1864, till the roth day of July, following. During July, 1864, it had a num- ber of engagements at Snicker's Gay, July 17, at Kernstown, July 23, and at Winchester, July 24. September 2d the regiment fought at Berryville; at Ope- quan under General Sheridan, September 19; at the battle of Fisher's Hill, Sep- tember 22: and at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, all in 1864. It was then transferred to the Army of the James, under the command of General Grant, and was for some time stationed at Camp Holley, at Deep Bottom. After that. under the command of General Ord it assisted in the capture of Petersburg and Richmond. After the fall of Richmond, with the Fifty-fourth Pennsyl- vania, it was detailed to burn the bridge across the river over which it was be- lieved Lee intended to escape. The movement was not successful, and Mr. Ranck was made a prisoner of war April 6, and was so held with Lee's com- mand at the time of Lee's surrender. His faithful service was recognized by promotion to the office of corporal. He received only one wound during the entire term of his service, and that was a slight one, occasioned by the concus- sion of a spent ball.
At the end of his memorable experience as a soldier, Mr. Ranck returned to Texas township, Crawford county, Ohio, and soon afterward went to W'y- andot county, Ohio, where for five years he farmed on rented land. At the ex- piration of that time he bought eighty acres there, on which he lived two years. He then bought one hundred and thirty-six acres of land in Antrim township, Wyandot county, where he followed agriculture until 1885, when he moved to his present farm in Texas township. He owns seventy-eight acres of well im- proved land and gives his attention to general farming.
He affiliates with the Republican party and has held the office of town- ship clerk in Texas township for one year, and while a resident of Wyandot county he filled the office of assessor of Antrim township for four years.
He was married February 27. 1868, to Miss Caroline Gottier, and they have three children,-Jesse G., a farmer in Texas township; Ida B., who was married to Melville C. Hudle; and Clara L., who is the wife of Howard J. Miller.
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Mr. and Mrs. Ranck are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, careful in their adherence to all its requirements, and are liberal sup- porters of its various interests ; and Mr. Ranck is a man of decided public spirit who aids to the extent of his ability any movement which in his good judgment promises to benefit any considerable number of his fellow citizens. He is a quiet and tinostentations man, who speaks little of his own good deeds, but who is known as a good neighbor of most generous sympathies, who has more than once proven himself a friend in the hour of need. Mrs. Ranck is a wo- man of many virtues, who is known as a model wife and mother and who has been a most worthy helpmeet to her husband and a power for good among those with whom she has associated.
FRANK McVAY VIRTUE, M. D.
No history of Crawford county would be complete without the mention, in connection with professional interests, of Dr. F. M. Virtue, who has gained a very creditable standing as a representative of the medical fraternity. He engages in practice in Sulphur Springs and the surrounding country, and his marked ability and the confidence reposed in his skill are indicated by the liberal and constantly increasing patronage which is accorded him.
The Doctor was born in Morrow county, Ohio, September 5, 1863, and comes from sturdy Irish ancestry. His paternal great-grandfather, Robert Virtue, was a weaver by trade, learning that pursuit on the Emerald Isle, where his birth occurred. On coming to America he located near Wheeling, Virginia, where he took up his abode upon a farm and remained there for several years. He then removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he spent his last days. His son, Robert Virtue, Jr., the grandfather, was also born in Ireland, and was a little lad when with his parents he came to the new world. He was largely reared in Guernsey county, Ohio, and after his mar- riage he removed to Morrow county, where he carried on agricultural pur- suits until his life's labors were ended in death. His son, Samnel Virtne, the Doctor's father, was reared on the old homestead in Morrow county, but was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 3, 1841. The work of the farm be- came familiar to him in his youth, and the occupation to which he was reared he followed for a period of several years. After he had arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Jane McVay, who was born in Morrow county, in 1844, and was of Scotch descent, her grandparents on both sides of the family having come to the new world from Scotland. After his marriage Samuel
Mirtur M.l.
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Virtue purchased a farm near Chesterville. Particularly successful in cur- ing diseases of horses, his neighbors frequently seeking his services in that regard, he determined to buy a library and inform himself thoroughly con- cerning veterinary surgery and enter that profession, which he practiced for many years, while still on the farm. His business, however, became so ex- tensive that he removed to Iberia, where he practiced liis profession for ten years and then went to Mt. Gilead, where he has engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery during the past twelve years, and for four years his son, Charles E., has been in partnership with him. Samuel and Jane Virtue became the parents of four children, namely: Frank M .; Charles E., a vet- erinary surgeon of Mt. Gilead ; Delphus B., a medical practitioner of Iberia ; and Maggie, the wife of David Douglas, of Iberia.
Dr. Virtue, whose name introduces this record, spent the first thirteen years of his life at home on a farm and then began earning his own living as a farm hand, working for six consecutive summers on three adjoining farms. In the winter he attended school, and at the age of eighteen, having acquired a broad general knowledge, he began teaching. Desiring to still further perfect his education, he afterward entered the Ohio Central College. at Iberia. He followed teaching through four school years, and in the spring of 1883 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. C. Bennett, of Iberia. In the fall of 1884 he entered the Western Reserve University, of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated on the 9th of March, 1887. On the 18th of April, following, he located in Sulphur Springs, in the office va- cated by Dr. M. M. Carrothers, and in the fourteen years which have come and gone he has built up a remunerative and greatly increasing practice. His time is occupied by his professional duties almost day and night, showing the wide-felt confidence which the public has in his ability.
On the 20th of October, 1887, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Lue Hall, a native of Iberia, Morrow county, and a daughter of Isaac and Eliza Hall. Five children have been born of this union, all sons, namely : Vance McVay, Cecil R., Ivan V., Samuel F. and Robert M1.
The Doctor is unfaltering in his support of Republican principles and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. For the past nine years he has been a member of the school board, and has also been treasurer of his district. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, true in his allegiance to its best interests. He and his wife are members of the Hope Reformed church, with which they united in 1888, and for four years he held the office of elder. He likewise belongs to Liberty
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Lodge, No. 845, Knights of Honor, in which he is past dictator, and is also a member of Sulphur Springs Tent. No 298, K O. T. M. Of both societies he is examining physician. He belongs to the Northwestern Ohio Medical Society, and through his connection therewith, as well as by constant reading and study, he keeps himself in touch with the progress that is constantly being made in the medical fraternity.
LYSANDER M. WALLER.
Lysander Milton Waller was a man of prominence and influence. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, July 20, 1827, and died at his farm residence in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1892. He was a leading factor in agricultural circles in the county for many years, and was respected and honored by a wide circle of acquaintances.
His father, Milton Waller, was a native of Washington county, New York, and a cooper by trade. His mother's maiden name was Polly Coon. These parents had six children, as follows: Lysander Milton, our subject ; Helen, deceased; Stephen, farmer of Lykens township; Comfort B., of Bowl- ing Green, Ohio; Sarah A., deceased ; and Sophia, wife of Cornelius Swalley, of Lykens township. In 1833 the father came by team to Ohio and for fifteen months resided in Seneca county, but in the year of his arrival in the state he entered eighty acres of land, constituting a part of the farm which was the home of our subject and took up his abode thereon in 1834. Of round logs he built a little cabin of one room in the midst of the heavy timber, and there began the difficult task of clearing the fields and preparing them for the plow. He continued farming throughout his active business career and died on the old family homestead in Lykens township, in February, 1880, when seventy- three years of age. He served as clerk and trustee of his township and was an active factor in public affairs, leaving the impress on his individuality for good upon the substantial development of the state. He aided in laying out roads, building schools and materially assisted in the work of progress and improve- ment. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife was called to her final rest in 1872.
Mr. Waller, of this review, was a lad of six years of age when brought by his parents to the home farm in Crawford county. He aided his father in clearing the land and cultivating the fields, and throughout life followed the occupation to which he had been rearcd. He was an energetic and enterprising farmer and good crops rewarded his industry.
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As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Waller chose, in 1848, Miss Arletta Cory, who died in 1851, leaving a daughter named Ar- della, now the wife of Frank La Rue, of Lykens township. In 1859 Mr. Waller again married, Miss Anna Jane Yingling, a daughter of Jonas and Mary (Thomas) Yingling, becoming his wife. She was born in Chatfield township, Crawford county, Ohio, and her father was a native of Pennsylvania, of Ger- man descent, while the mother was a native of Wales. Her parents were mar- ried in Pennsylvania and became early settlers of Chatfield township. Unto the second marriage of our subject one child was born- a daughter, Amy Sophia, who died in infancy. Mr. Waller was a Democrat in politics, served as county commissioner two terms, and also as township clerk. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a most excellent citizen, an en- terprising and successful farmer, a true friend, a faithful husband and kind father.
AUGUST MARQUART.
August Marquart, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cranberry township, was born on the 31st of July, 1856, on the farm in this township, which is now occupied by his father, Michael Mar- quart, one of the honored pioneer settlers and representative men of the com- munity. The days of his childhood and youth were passed in a manner similar to that in which most farmer boys spend their time. He attended the public schools, worked in the fields and at the age of nineteen entered upon an inde- pendent business career, renting and cultivating the Kline farm of one hundred and fourteen acres.
On the 23d of September, 1880. August Marquart led to the marriage altar Miss Mary J. Tilton, a native of Cranberry township and a daughter of Arthur Tilton and thus he secured for the journey of life a faithful companion and helpmeet. Her father was one of the early settlers of Crawford county, Ohio, having come to this state from Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred. After his marriage Mr. Marquart engaged in farming upon the old home- stead for two years and then assumed the management of the farm upon which he now resides, a tract of eighty acres. In addition to this he and his brother Jefferson two years later began cultivating the home farm on the shares. Subsequently they dissolved partnership and Mr. Marquart, of this review, engaged in the further development of his eighty-acre farm and also carried on the greater portion of the home farm. About 1888, however, he abandoned
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his work upon the home place and rented the Kappus farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, continuing on that place for two years. During the succeeding two years he cultivated his eighty-acre place and also rented some fields of the home farm. In early life, beginning in his nineteenth year, he operated a threshing machine, continuing that business for three years. In 1892 he in- vested his earnings in forty acres of the old William Anderson farm and three years later he purchased another forty-acre tract of the same farm. In 1900 he bought eighty acres adjoining so that he now has a quarter section of land. His place is a desirable one, for the soil is rich and alluvial and yields good crops in return for his labor. Upon the place is seen substantial buildings and the latest improved machinery and all modern accessories and the owner is regarded as one of the enterprising agriculturists of his community.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Marquart has been blessed with seven children: Ida. now the wife of Perry Musselman, of Cranberry township; Minnie, Elmer, Ora, Emma, Arthur and Lillie, all at home. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and for six years Mr. Marquart has served as one of its trustees. In politics he is not bound by party ties. He believes, however, in clean politics and supports the men whom he thinks will most honorably and ably discharge the duties of office. He is one of the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Crawford county, is a public- spirited man who supports all church and charitable work and co-operates in every movement for the general good.
WILLIAM S. NICHOLLS.
In the parish of St. Teath, County of Cornwall, England, William S. Nicholls was born, on the 25th day of December, 1855. His parents were Will- iam and Hannah ( Lobb) Nicholls. His mother and also an infant brother ( John Francis ) died when William S. was eighteen months old, and thus very early in life he was deprived of the tender care and nurture of a mother. When six years of age he went to live with his maternal grandparents, Francis and Mary Lobb, and with them made his home until he was twelve years of age ; then ( 1867) his father removed to Plymouth, Devonshire, taking his son with him. Here our subject completed a common school education in the public schools of the city. In 1871 he was bound as an apprentice to the woolen drapery or clothing business, for a term of three years. This contract was af- terward cancelled, for a consideration, in lieu of removal. In April, 1873, Mr. Nicholls, then seventeen years of age. left Plymouth and his native land in com-
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