USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 47
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pany with friends with whom he had lived for six years, embarking from Liv- erpool in the "S. S. Batavia," Cunard Line, for New York, in which city he landed on May 12th. Thence he proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, the place of destination, arriving there May 15th.
Soon after landing in the land of his adoption Mr. Nicholls engaged as a salesman in the clothing and merchant tailoring business of Henry Beckman, of Cleveland, and was thus employed for several years, subsequently accepting a position with E. R. Hull & Company, clothiers and furnishers, of Cleveland.
In 1888 he removed from that city to Bucyrus, accepting a position as store keeper and shipping clerk for the Steam Shovel & Dredge Company at the latter city. With this concern he remained until it removed from Bucyrus to South Milwaukee, in 1893. In 1894 Mr. Nicholls accepted a position with The Hopley Printing Company, taking charge of the circulation of the Bucyrus Evening Telegraph, a position which he has since held.
Soon after his arrival in this country Mr. Nicholls united, in 1874, with the Congregational church of Cleveland, and soon after coming to Bucyrus united by letter with the First Presbyterian church. He has long been an active worker for the church, and is now the official superintendent of the Sunday- school of his church.
He was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Aumiller, September 30, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls have a bright and entertaining little daughter, Nellie Mabel, now six years of age. Mrs. Nicholls is a daughter of Daniel and Saralı (Boyer) Aumiller, and was born and reared in Crawford county. She, too, is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and is reckoned among the active and leading church workers. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls enjoy most pleas- ont social relations, and their home is well known because of its generous hos- pitality. Her father was a worthy and well known pioneer of the county, and resided within its borders for over fifty-four years. He was a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, born October 16, 1809, and when nineteen years of age, in 1828, came by way of wagon with an elder brother and the brother's fam- ily to Crawford county. His brother settled on a farm one mile northwest of Bucyrus, and they cut through the dense forest a road to the farm, this road being the first one in that direction from Bucyrus. In 1836 Daniel Aumiller married Sarah Boyer, and immediately afterward entered from the general government a tract of land lying about two miles west of Bucyrus. On the land he built a rude log house in the woods, haunted by the wild beasts and the scarcely less wild Indians. On this farm Mr. Aumiller continued to reside the rest of his days ; and farming was his life pursuit. He and his wife, in an early
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day, were members of the Evangelical church, which was weak numerically and died not flourish. He was noted for his strict integrity and probity of character. His death occurred February 8, 1882. His good wife survived him many years, dying February 26, 1898, in Bucyrus, to which city she removed about six years prior to her death. She, too, was a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, born February 18. 1817, and was a daughter of John and Bar- bara Boyer. She came to Crawford county in 1828 with her mother and step- father, and ever afterward made her home in the county, and so was a resident of the county for a period of seventy years. She bore her husband eleven chil- dren, four sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to years of maturity, four now being deceased. The father was of French Huguenot descent. while the mother was of German lineage. The farm on which they settled, as stated, had already been entered by Mr. Aumiller from the government, and it has never passed out of the hands of the family, now being owned by Mrs. Nicholls and a sister. For many years Mrs. Miller was a consistent Christian, a member of the Lutheran church. She possessed many sterling qualities of heart and mind and was universally beloved.
MADISON PRICE.
Madison Price, a pioneer conductor of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chi- cago Railroad residing at Crestline, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 21, 1845. His father, Wiliam Price, was also a native of that county, born in 1817, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1849, accompanied by four of his brothers, he joined the California Argonauts, who, in search of the gold fields, traveled across the plains to the Pacific coast. In 1852 he returned eastward and died the same year in Holmes county, Ohio. His wife was Catherine De Belle Woods, the widow of Hugh Woods. She was born in Virginia, in 1820, and at an early age was brought by her parents to Ohio. Her death occurred at Shreve, Holmes county, this state, in January, 1901. This worthy couple were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, namely : Winifred, Louisa, Madison, Joseph D. and Adelia. all natives of Holmes county.
The subject of this review was the eldest son and third child. He was born in a log cabin and pursued his education in a log schoolhouse. At the age of twelve years he went to Wayne county to live with his uncle, the Rev. Hugh Price, a minister of the Disciple church, who resided upon a farm. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in response to the country's call for aid,
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becoming a member of the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained for six monuths and was then honorably discharged. In 1863, however, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Sixty- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment participated in the capture of Morgan and aided in the taking of Cumberland Gap. For about six months Mr. Price was with the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio and then returned to his uncle's farm in Wayne county, this state. The following year he ac- cepted a position as brakeman on the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- road, was thus employed for about a year, after which he again took up his abode upon the farm and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits for four years, but in 1869 he again entered the railroad service as a brakeman on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad. serving in that capacity until 1873, when he was promoted to conductor. His service with the road covers many years and indicates his close application and his faithfulness to his work. He is a very reliable railroad employe, enjoying the unqualified confidence and respect of his superiors and the warm regard of many of the patrons of the road.
In 1868 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sigourney Mower, who was born near Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, November 9. 1848. Her father, John Mower, was born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but in his young manhood removed to Richland county, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching aud farming Later he was a justice of the peace. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, though one of his grand- fathers, the Rev. Abram Crider, was one of the founders of the United Breth- ren church. He married Elizabeth Hartupee, who also was born in Pennsyl- vania, of parents of French Huguenot descent. One of her ancestors was an officer of the Revolution, and many of the family served in that war. Both of Mrs. Price's parents died when she was a child and she was reared and edu- cated by her grandparents. After attaining womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to Madison Price, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. T. K. Dissette. Three children graced their marriage: a daughter, who died in infancy ; William Mower Price, born in Galion, Ohio, June 19, 1871 ; and Frank Carl Price, born in Crestline, Ohio, August 6, 1873. Both are grad- uates of the Crestline high school. The former is an engineer on the Penn- sylvania Railroad, and the latter is a machinist in the employ of the Big Four Railroad Company.
Mr. Price is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, with which he has been connected for about seventeen years. In his political faith he has
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been a Republican since casting his first presidential vote for General Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Price belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Crestline, Ohio, where they reside in their own pleasant home.
JOSEPH E. HALL.
Joseph Edward Hall is numbered among the native sons of the Buckeye state now actively connected with the business interests of Bucyrus and thus contributing to its welfare and growth while promoting his individual pros- perity. He was born in Ganges, Richland county, Ohio, and is a son of T. C. and Julia Hall. His father was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 13, 1822, near New Garden, and in 1838 removed to Stark county, where he en- gaged in business as a dealer in harness and saddlery. He was there mar- ried and subsequently removed by wagon to Ganges, Richland county, where he was engaged in the dry-goods business in connection with Horace Lybarger, the partnership being maintained until about 1852, when Mr. Hall disposed of his interest and removed to Crestline, where he took a contract for grading on the line of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad in connection with a Mr. Conover. This road is now known as the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railway. On the completion of the contract Mr. Hall erected the first brick house in Crestline, now known as the Olive house, and into that he moved, keeping boarders there for some time. He was also proprietor of a dry-goods store and was prom- inent in public affairs, serving as postmaster and also filling the positions of township trustee and road supervisor. Soon afterward he became the pro- prietor of the Crestline House, which was the main hotel of the place. Later he sold that property but continued the dry-goods business for two or three years, when he came to Bucyrus and in connection with C. L. and A. D. Juil- liards he purchased the dry-goods business of Rupp, Fisher & Hall. The new firm was organized under the name of Hall & Juilliards, and this continued for some time. They built the west end of what is now known as the Quimby block, into which they removed their stock of goods. At a later date C. L. Juilliards sold his interest in the business to T. C. Hall and A. D. Juil- liards. and the new firm carried on business for several years, when Mr. Juilliards sold out and P. Lewis and J. J. Fisher became partners of Mr. Hall, under the firm style of Lewis, Fisher & Hall. Mr. Hall did not give much of his attention to merchandising, his time being devoted to farming, but ultimately he returned to Bucyrus and took charge of a mercantile enterprise under the firm name of T. C. Hall & Sons. He remained in the dry-goods
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business until 1874, when he engaged in contract work to construct the At- lantic & Lake Erie Railroad, which is now known as the Toledo & Ohio Cen- tral Road. The contracting firm was composed of B. B. McDonald, T. C. Hall, Horace Rouse, W. C. Lemert and J. G. Frayer. In his later years Mr. Hall retired from active business, merely supervising his farming interests while living in Bucyrus.
Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Julia Juilliard, who was born near the city of Montpelier, France, May 24. 1822, and came with her parents to this country when about fourteen years of age, the family locating in Stark county, Ohio, upon a farm where the daughter remained until she gave her hand in marriage to T. C. Hall. For many years they traveled life's journey together but were separated by the death of her husband on the 6th of March, 1896. He had contributed in large measure to the improvement, upbuilding and advancemnt of Ohio, leaving the impress of his forceful individuality upon many lines of progress.
Joseph Edward Hall, whose name begins this review, acquired his early education in the schools of Bucyrus and afterward entered his father's store as a clerk, being employed in that capacity for six years, when he removed to Wyandot county, locating upon a farm. There he resided for three years, after which he took up his abode on the old Reed farm, near Bucyrus, where he remained until his removal to the city three years later. Again he entered the store, then conducted under the firm name of Louis Fisher & Hall, continuing with the firm for three or four years, when a change was made in the owner- · ship, the new firm being Hall & Juilliard. After two years another change oc- curred, our subject becoming a partner in the enterprise under the firm name of T. C. Hall & Sons. He acted as buyer for the house and carried on the business under that style for three years, when Mr Hall sold out to Fisher Brothers and began the business of railroad contracting. His first contract was on the construction of the Atlantic & Erie Railroad, now the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, and for three years he devoted his energies to that work.
On once more returning to Bucyrus, Mr. Hall again entered the mer- cantile field, purchasing the dry-goods business of William Rouse & Son, which he conducted under his own name and under his personal supervision for two and a half years, when he disposed of the store to J. M. Black & Com- pany. He next accepted a position at Moxahala, Ohio, as manager of a com- pany store and after acting in that capacity for two years he purchased the store, which he conducted for some time and then sold to the Moxahala Iron Company. He then took a contract for the construction of a part of the exten-
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sion of the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad Company, known as the Bucking- ham branch, and later returned to Bucyrus, where, in company with his broth- ers. L. C. and J. S. Hall, he purchased the dry-goods and grocery business of C. G. Malic, conducting the same for seven or eight years, when Mr. Hall, of this review, became the sole proprietor by purchasing his brothers' interests. He was then alone for three years, on the expiration of which period official duties claimed his attention, for he was specially appointed postmaster August 8, 1898, by President McKinley and was regularly reappointed on the 24th of January, 1899, for a term of four years, so that he is the present incumbent.
Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Emma Caldwell, a daughter of Will- iam and Lizzie Caldwell. She was born near Bucyrus, acquired her educa- tion in the common schools of Crawford county, and on the 15th of De- cember. 1870, became the wife of Joseph E. Hall. They now have one (laughter, Nellie, who was born January 19, 1872, and has completed the educational course in the schools of this city. and is now the wife of W. A. Blicke, of Bucyrus. Mr. Hall holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has a wide acquaintance in this portion of Ohio, where his worth and ability are widely recognized, winning him the warm regard of his friends.
HENRY BERG.
Henry Berg is the superintendent of the Leesville Stone Company of Lees- ville Crossroads, and was born in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, January 26, 1856. His father, Valentine Berg, was a native of Germany and, believing that he might improve his financial condition in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America when a young man, taking up his abode in Mansfield, where he died when his son Henry was but six years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Heis and she, too, was born in the fatherland, coming to the United States when a maiden of six summers. She died when her son Henry was but three years old. He was the second child and eldest son born to his parents, and after his mother's death he was reared by his maternal grandfather, Henry Heis, who was one of the early settlers of Leesville. Henry Berg went to his home in 1862 and there he remained for about four years, af- ter which he lived with his uncle for about three years. He attended school at intervals until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered upon an ap- prenticeship to the shoemaker's trade under the direction of Hon. D. O. Cas- tle, now representative from the thirteenth district in congress. Mr. Berg
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served for three years and one month as an apprentice to the firm of Castle & Beach, and as a journeyman continued in their employ for two more years. He was afterward employed as a salesman in the store of Castle & Heckert, at Leesville, after which he began business on his own account. About a year later he entered into partnership with D. O. Castle, which connection was maintained for about one year, when Mr. Castle was elected county recorder. He then worked in the recorder's office for fourteen months, after which he returned to Leesville and purchased the old Castle shop and homestead and again engaged in the shce business, which he continued until the LIth of June, 1883. On that day he accepted the position of bookkeeper with the Leesville Stone Company. Recently he was appointed superintendent of the same, which position he has held since.
In 1878 Mr. Berg was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Christian and Magdalena Huhn, early settlers of Crawford county, Ohio. Her father served in the army in America from 1861 to 1865. Mrs. Berg is the sec- ond of a family of three daughters and was reared and educated in Leesville. Both our subject and his wife hold membership in the English Lutheran church, and in politics he is a stalwart Democrat, being recognized as one of the leaders of his party. He has served as township clerk for five years, has been treasurer for ten years and is now the incumbent of that office. For about eight years he has been a member of the school board, and in all these positions has shown that the trust reposed in him is fully merited. Whatever success he has achieved in life is due to his own efforts, resulting from his economy, industry and integrity. His career forcibly illustrates what may be accomplished by determination and energy in a land where all avenues are open and excellence is rewarded.
FRANKLIN P. DICK.
Among the best-known citizens of Crawford county, a leader in Demo- cratic political circles and prominent in township affairs, is the substantial farmer and stock-raiser, Franklin P. Dick, whose fine farm is located in Dallas township.
The birth of Mr. Dick occurred in Cass township. Richland county, Ohio, on November 18, 1855, and he is a son of Jacob and Ann ( Bushey ) Dick, coming of old Dutch ancestry. Jacob Dick was born in Wayne county, Ohio, a son of George Dick, who settled in Richland county in 1832 and lived and died there. The father of our subject became a successful farmer, but died at
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the age of forty years in Hancock county, his wife having died previously, in 1862. in Richland county, when only twenty-four years old. The six children left by these parents are all living, namely : Franklin ; Mary Adam, of Shelby, Ohio: Minnie De Witt, of Auburn township, this county ; Olive ; Jennie Kime, of Blooming Grove township, Richland county; and Maggie Hassenger, of Auburn township, this county.
From the age of fourteen years Mr. Dick has shaped his own career. He became motherless at the age of seven, and as his father kept the home intact by a second marriage, he remained until the death of this parent also, and then started out, his capital being his country-school education and his experi- ence of farm life. For thirteen years he found employment and a home with his uncle, Levi Dick, in Richland county. At the age of twenty-seven he mar- ried Miss Lovena Noecker, a native of Richland county, and a daughter of Benjamin and Lavina ( Vanhorn) Noecker, early settlers of that county.
After his marriage Mr. Dick settled on a farm near that upon which he now lives, in Dallas township, and for ten years he rented land. At the end of this period he had so prospered that he was prepared to purchase the one- hundred-acre farm he now occupies, and immediately set about its improve- ment. Mr. Dick is a progressive and enterprising farmer, and all of these improvements are in the best of style. He rebuilt his barn with an L-shaped basement, ninety by forty-two and thirty-two feet. Mr. Dick has made a success of general farming and usually feeds a large number of hogs.
The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dick are Jesse J., Sarah May, Francis Alwilda and Ruth Columbia. Both he and wife are consistent mem- bers of the United Brethren church and are well and favorably known for their many kind and neighborly actions. As one of the leading Democrats in the county Mr. Dick has been identified with many party affairs, and for six years served as township trustee, being elected to the office again in 1901. As an energetic, liberal and enterprising citizen he is highly esteemed, and is a truly representative resident of Dallas township.
JACOB H. SCHAEFFER.
A splendid commentary on the desirability of residence in Crawford county is the fact that so many of its native sons have continued their residence from birth to the present time within its borders, becoming prominent as rep- resentatives of its business interests and carrying forward the work of improve- ment and advancement along many lines of progress. Such a one is Jacob H.
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Schaeffer, who was born in Chatfield township, February 1, 1843, his parents being George and Anna (Capst) Schaeffer, both natives of Neabronn, Uhr- wirller, Alsace, France, the former born December 15, 1815, and the latter Oc- tober 12, 1809. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Catherine (Zeider) Schaeffer. The grandfather was a tailor by trade, follow- ing that pursuit throughout the greater part of his business career. The ma- · ternal grandparents were John and Margaret ( Liever) Capst, who emigrated to America at an early day, settling in Cranberry township, Crawford county.
George Schaeffer learned the tailor's trade with his father, but the work was distasteful to him and he never followed it as a vocation. Having heard excellent reports of the opportunities America afforded to her citizens, he de- termined to seek a home in the land of promise, and when eighteen years of age sailed for the new world. Upon landing in New York he at once resumed his journey, crossing the country, and on reaching Ohio took up his abode in Stark county, where he remained for two years, working by the day and month. He had saved about fifty dollars, when, in 1835, he came to Crawford county and located forty acres of land in Chatfield township, which he had entered from the government the year previous while making a prospecting trip through this portion of the state. The land was covered with dense timber, but with characteristic energy he began to clear the place, and after cutting down some trees he erected a log cabin, in which he and his worthy wife began life in true pioneer style. They had to endure the hardships and difficulties which usually fall to the lot of frontier settlers. Their home, however, was for many years the best in the neighborhood. During the first year Mr. Schaeffer cleared and sowed three acres with wheat. The wolves and other wild beasts were very numerous in the neighborhood and were frequently in close proximity to the cabin. Money was an almost unknown medium of exchange in this part of the country, for the farmers received goods instead of coin for their products. Their wants, however, were few, and when money became an absolute necessity Mr. Schaeffer would go many miles to obtain work on the canal or on other public works, and thus receive the money with which to purchase furniture or other equipments for the house. They lived frugally, but though their meais were of simple fare they were heartily relished, for labor gave a good appetite to those early settlers. The table was a rude one of his own construction and the chairs were merely slab stools. But this pioneer family was happy and murmured not over the hardships of their lot, hoping that in course of time they would be able to have better advantages and enjoy more of the comforts of life. This hope was at length realized, and Mr. Schaeffer became one of
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the well-to-do farmers of Chatfield township, where he continued the operation of his eighty acres of land, making his home thereon until 1893, when he took up his abode with his son Jacob, there spending the last few years of his life. He also owned the farm of seventy acres upon which our subject now resides. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church from his fifteenth year, and his integrity, fidelity and uprightness won him the confidence and good will of many warm friends. He died July 27, 1895, and his wife passed away March 21, 1877. They were the parents of seven children, and all are yet liv- ing, namely : George, a resident of Perry county, Michigan; John A., who is living in Huntington county, Indiana; Elizabeth, the wife of Adam Donnen- wirth. of Cranberry township: Jacob H., of this review; Adam B., who is living on the old homestead in Chatfield township; Catherine A., wife of John C. Conklin, of Plymouth, Ohio; and Anna, wife of Henry Reichart, of New Washington.
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