USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 54
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Mr. and Mrs. Scheerer are members of the German Reformed church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has never had occasion to regret his
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determination to make America his home, for in this land, where ambition and energy are not hampered by caste or class, he has worked his way stead- ily upward and has not only gained prosperity, but has also made many warm friends.
WILLIAM H. MILLER.
William H. Miller is now living a retired life in Bucyrus, after long connection with stock dealing interests, whereby he won a handsome com- petence that now enables him to put aside the more arduous duties of busi- ness. He was born September 4. 1844. in Winchester, Ohio, and is a son of John Miller, who died during the early boyhood of our subject. The fa- ther was a native of Germany and emigrated to this country about 1830, settling at Winchester. Crawford county, about 1837. The mother, Mrs. Catherine Miller, is still living.
William Henry Miller acquired his education in the common schools of his native county and subsequently resided with his brother-in-law, Jacob Yeaagly, whom he assisted in farm work, receiving as compensation for his services his board and clothing. He was thus employed until about seven- teen or eighteen years of age, after which he worked for Ephraim Monnett and G. H. Wright. Ile afterward entered the service of William Kinear, with whom he remained until February, 1864, when he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company E. Thirty-fourth Ohio Mounted Infantry. He was then only nineteen years of age. His command was known as Captain Shaw's Company, and after the promotion of Captain Shaw, Captain Helwig was in charge. Mr. Miller participated in the battle of Lynchburg and of Staunton and in the movement in western Virginia. He was wounded on the 24th of July, at the battle of Winchester, being shot through the hips. He was then taken from the field by two com- rades, being supported by placing his arms around their necks, and in this way he was dragged along until late in the evening, when he was placed on a horse and rode until about ten or eleven o'clock at night. He was then put in an ambulance, in which he remained until the next afternoon, when he was transferred to a freight car with many other wounded comrades and thus taken to Sandy Hook, Maryland, where his wounds were dressed in the field hospital. He there remained for several days, and he and his com- rades were again placed in box cars and sent to Baltimore. While in the hospital in that city gangrene set in and he also suffered from fever. Many
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of his comrades died of flesh wounds, from the effects of gangrene and blood poisoning, but the best possible care and'attention was given the wounded soldiers. From Baltimore Mr. Miller was afterward transferred to Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, where he remained until the surrender of General Lee, when he received an honorable discharge and returned to Bucyrus.
Flere Mr. Miller worked at various employments for a time, after which he returned to the service of Mr. Monnett. After a time he was married and began farming upon rented land in Marion county, Ohio, which he op- erated on the shares, continuing to make that place his home for five years. He then rented a farm in Crawford county, of Robert Kerr, giving part cash for the use of the land, and paying the remainder of the rental in farm prod- ucts. In a few years he was able to rent the entire farm of six hundred and forty acres, for which he gave fifteen hundred dollars a year. He then began dealing in stock-buying, feeding and selling cattle, and for about thirteen years he remained upon the Kerr farm. He then purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres south of Bucyrus, for which he paid nine thou- sand dollars. After a year or two there passed he engaged in buying and shipping stock, in partnership with Samuel Shriber. After leaving the farm he continued in that business for three years. He rented the place and took up his abode in Bucyrus, however, continuing the stock business until the spring of 1900, when he retired to private life. In 1887 he purchased of Charles Raymer a farm of eighty acres, for the sum of three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars, and in 1896 he purchased another tract of eighty acres on the east, known as the Morris farm, for which he gave thirty-four hundred dollars. His business affairs as a stock dealer were prosecuted so diligently and managed with such keen discrimination that he was annually enabled to add to his income and is now the possessor of a handsome com- petence.
In August, 1866, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Weirick, a daughter of Aaron and Margaret Weirick. Her father was born in Weiricktown, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1814, and about 1834 emigrated to Crawford county, Ohio, where he purchased and operated a farm. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret A. Clark, and was a daughter of Archi- bald and Ann Clark. Her birth occurred April 5. 1819. The mother of Mrs. Weirick's paternal grandmother lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born four daughters and a son, namely: Josephine, born April 29, 1867, Ellamina, born March 6, 1869; Margaret, born February 6, 1871, and died on the
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same day; Florence, born February 11, 1872; and Sanford Aaron, who was born April 22, 1874, and died August 9, 1882. Mr. Miller is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Bucyrus, contributes liberally to its support and is deeply interested in all that pertains to its upbuilding and advancement.
GEORGE WECHTER.
George Wechter was born in Monroe county, New York, October 1, 1829. and is to-day one of the wide-awake and progressive farmers of Cran- berry township. Crawford county. He is the eldest child of George and Frances ( Hertrich) Wechter, and the family is of French lineage. His fa- ther was born in France, in 1806, and learned the blacksmith's trade, after which he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making the voyage in 1828. He was accompanied by his wife and one child. Locating in Rochester, New- York, he there followed various occupations until he had acquired a few hundred dollars, when he purchased a small place of seven acres near the city, residing thereon until 1853, when he came to Ohio. Here he purchased eighty acres of land in Chatfield township, Crawford county, and success- fully carried on agricultural pursuits for some time, when he sold that prop- erty and bought a quarter section of land in Cranberry township, upoon which his son Frank now resides. Throughout his remaining days he carried on farming, his life's labors being ended in death in 1884. His study of Ameri- can politics led to his support of Democratic principles. In religious faith he was a Catholic, and in the community where he took up his abode he was well known and highly respected for his possession of many sterling char- acteristics. His children were George : Mary A., the wife of Peter Miller, of Grand Rapids, Michigan : Jacob, of Allen county, Indiana : Joseph, a florist of Rochester, New York; and Franklin, who is living in Cranberry township.
George Wechter had the usual experiences of farmer boys in youth, en- joying the pleasures of the play-ground, attending to the duties of the school- room and assisting in the work of the home farm. In 1850 he was united in wedlock to Miss Mary AA. Brinderman, of Rochester, New York, but a native of Prussia, having come to the United States with her parents when a young lady of eighteen years. Mr. Wechter and his bride began their domestic life in the suburbs of Rochester and during the four succeeding years he was employed in a nursery or along other lines of labor that would yield him an honest living. Thinking to better his financial condition further
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west, he came to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1854, and was employed as a farm hand in Cranberry township until 1860, when, with the capital he had acquired through his industry and economy, he purchased his present home place, comprising twenty-six and three-fourths acres. It has been his residence for forty-one years, and his labors have been given to its cultivation and im- provement.
On the Ist of October, 1862, Mr. Wechter was drafted into the service of his country, and leaving his wife to care for the family of five children in their forest home, he shouldered his musket and started with his comrades for the front. He was mustered in as a member of Company F. Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under General Rosecrans, and was stationed for some time at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The troops were also ordered to Chattanooga, but the order was countermanded. They reached Stone River three days after the battle at that point, and after doing guard duty at the places mentioned Mr. Wechter was mustered out of the service at Hillsboro, Tennessee, on the ist of August, 1863. He then re- turned to his family and resumed the responsibilities and burden of their sup- port, having since devoted his attention assiduously to farm work.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wechter have been born five children : George and David, who are residents of Cranberry township; Jacob, who operates the home place : Agnes, the wife of Peter Maas, a resident farmer of Cranberry township; and Mary, deceased. The family hold membership in the Cath- olic church, and in his political views Mr. Wechter is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired the emoluments of public office, his time being fully occupied by his business duties.
BERNARD YOUNG.
Bernard Young owns and operates one hundred acres of land in Cran- berry township and the well developed farm gives every evidence of the careful supervision of an owner at once practical and progressive. He was born on the Ist of January, 1855, in Crawford county, his parents being Peter and Mary ( Stein) Young. The father was a native of Alsace, France, now a part of Germany. His birth occurred in 1815 and when he was eighteen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world with his parents. His father was Louis Young, who came to this country in 1833 and on his ar- rival here took up his abode in Crawford county and entered land in both
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Auburn and Cranberry townships, the former then a part of Richland county. Subsequently he became an extensive land owner, his poossessions aggregat- ing several hundred acres. After the death of his wife he returned to the fatherland on a visit and while there was taken ill and died.
Peter Young, the father of our subject, lived with his parents until his marriage, which occurred in 1839, Miss Mary Stein becoming his wife. He then located on a tract of land in Auburn township, belonging to his father, and then cultivated the same on the shares for a number of years. Later he acquired a farm of his own, where his son Bernard now resides. It then comprised two hundred acres, and upon the place he remained until called to the home beyond. In 1865 he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty- two acres on the corporation line of New Washington, now owned by Thomas Nedolus. In his political views he was a stanch Democrat. For some years he served as trustee of Cranberry township, called to that office by the vote of his neighbors, who recognized his worth and ability. Of the Catholic church he is an ardent and zealous member and through a long period served as church trustee and in other ecclesiastical offices. His wife was born in Lutering, Alsace, about 1819, and made the journey across the At- lantic about the time of the emigration of the Young family, taking up their abode in that portion of Crawford county which was then included in Rich- land county. Her death occurred in the year 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of ten children, but only four are now living, namely: Cath- erine, wife of Bernard Alt, of Auburn township; Margaret, who is engaged in teaching school in Buffalo, New York; Barbara, who resides in Putnam county, Ohio; and Bernard, of this review.
At the usual age our subject entered the school-room and therein mas- tered the principles of English learning. He was married June 24, 1884, to Miss Catherine Kastner, a native of Crawford county and a daughter of Andrew and Cecelia ( Horning) Kastner, both natives of Baden, Germany. In early manhood the father came to the United States and the mother was brought to America by her parents when a little maiden of only three years. Both became residents of Crawford county. Unto our subject and his wife were born four children: Charles, Frank, Cecelia and Joseph.
Mr. and Mrs. Young began their domestic life on the farm where they yet reside, our subject there owning one hundred acres of land, which had been given him by his father. The place is divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences. The cereals best adapted to the climate are raised. the buildings are kept in good repair and the farm in all its appointments is
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modern and well improved. Mr. Young votes with the Democracy and in religious belief is a Catholic. He now serves as one of the trustees of the church and contributes in large measure to the promotion of the cause. His. entire life has been passed in Crawford county and the fact that many of his best friends are numbered among those who have known him from boy- hood, is an indication of an honorable career.
J. P. SHEEHAND.
J. P. Sheehand, who is one of the early settlers of Crawford county and for many years was a well-known railroad engineer, was born on a canal boat near Cincinnati. November 20, 1834, his parents being William and Mary ( Patten) Sheehand. His father was a native of Ireland and on coming to this country became a canal boat captain on the Dayton & Pickaway canal. His wife was born in Kentucky and is now living, at the age of seventy- eight years, in Londonville, Ashland county, Ohio. This worthy couple be- came the parents of nine children, but only three are now living, namely : William P., who is a passenger conductor on the St. Louis & Alton Railroad; Margaret, the wife of John Davis, of Londonville, Ohio; and J. P., of this review.
Our subject is the eldest of the surviving children. His parents re- moved to Ashland county, locating on a farm, where he was reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. In his youth he attended the district schools of the neighborhood and afterward began working on the railroad, driving a cart at the time of the building of the Pennsylvania road through Ashland county. He was afterward employed on a construction train, carrying water and oiling cars. His next service was in the capacity of brakeman. He worked in that way on the first local freight train on the Pennsylvania road, running between Crestline and Alliance, Ohio, and for three years he acted in that capacity, after which he was employed as fireman for two years and eight months on the same line. He was next promoted to the position of engineer and for thirty-eight years he acted in that capacity on the Pennsylvania Railroad, running most of the time between Crestline and Alliance. For eighteen years he was passenger engineer on one of the fast trains. He is the oldest em- ploye of the Pennsylvania Railroad at this place, being continuously in their service since 1853, during which time he was never suspended from duty. He has, however, suffered from injuries from railroad wrecks, having at one
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time been incapacitated for work for three months. The company, however, recognize him as a most careful, expert and reliable engineer, and no higher testimonial of faithful service can be given than the statement of the fact of his long continuance with one occupation.
In the year 1856, Mr. Sheehand was united in marriage to Miss Sidna Van Gill, and unto them have been born four children who are yet living, namely: Frank, who is a passenger engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad; William L., a master mechanic at Massillon, Ohio; Clyde, who is engaged in the telephone business in Crestline; and Laura, the wife of W. K. Scott, of Galion. Mr. Sheehand belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Crestline, and is one of the pioneers of the place, having long been identified with its interests, and his co-operation is heartily given to every movement and measure for the general good. He has a very wide acquaintance here, the circle constantly increasing with the passing years and the number of his friends is almost co-extensive with the number of his acquaintances.
JACOB J. PFLEIDERER.
Prominently identified with the farming and stock interests of Craw- ford county is Jacob J. Pfleiderer, a resident of Liberty township. The birth of Mr. Pfleiderer was in this township, on August 4, 1860, and he was the son of David and Mary ( Heckenlively ) Pfleiderer.
In 1831 the grandparents of Jacob J. Pfleiderer, who were Christian and Barbara (Auberly) Pfleiderer, emigrated from their native country, Ger- many, to America, and stopped for a few months in Columbiana county, Ohio, en route to Crawford county, arriving in the latter in the spring of 1831. Christian Pfleiderer located on a tract of eighty acres of land in Liberty township, which at that time was still virgin forest. After entering this tract of land from the government, Christian here built a pioneer cabin of logs, a part of which still stands. Those were busy days, but gradually the land was cleared and from time to time other tracts were added to it, until finally it became one of the largest, as well as the best, farms in Crawford county.
David Pfleiderer, the son of Christian and Barbara Pfleiderer, came to this country and to this county with his parents when they emigrated from Germany. He grew to manhood here and on November 13, 1842, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Heckenlively, of Chatfield township. She was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on September 15, 1826, and was a daugh-
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ter of John and Margaret (Lefler) Heckenlively, both of whom were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States in the same vessel, and were married in Baltimore three weeks after landing, and went thien to Columbiana county, Ohio. In 1832, with friends, they went to Phillips- burg, Ohio, where they remained some eighteen months, and in 1833 they emigrated to Crawford county, where the grandfather entered eighty acres of land in Chatfield township, a mile west of the town of Chatfield, built a log cabin in the big woods, and began the clearing of the land. Here he lived until about 1843. His first wife died in 1839, and in 1843 he married a second time and removed to Liberty township. After coming to Crawford county he began his gospel ministry, in the English Lutheran church, and for several years traveled in Iowa as one of its efficient missionaries. To the marriage of David and Mary Pfleiderer fourteen children were born, and eleven of these still survive, viz. : Magdalena, the wife of Christian Harmon, of Warsaw, Indiana ; Mary A., the wife of Gottleib Lindharth, of Liberty township: Ab- raham, of Kosciusko county, Indiana : Margaret, at home; Barbara, the wife of Reuben Crall, of Liberty township : Lydia, the wife of Samuel Ulmer, who conducts a sawmill at Sulphur Springs ; Isaac. of Liberty township; Jacob, of this sketch, a twin brother of Isaac ; Leonora, the wife of Jacob Ulmer, of Liberty township; Caroline, the wife of S. Light, of Liberty township; and Clara. the wife of Henry Sheiber, of Liberty township.
After marriage Mr. Pfleiderer located on a farm of eighty acres ad- joining the home place and still later, when given the opportunity, pur- chased the home farm from the other heirs, and thus became one of the large landholders of the county. He took an intelligent interest in public affairs and was particularly prominent in the Evangelical church, where for twenty-five years he did all he could to advance the cause of religion. He was very liberal and assisted in the building of two churches and was a man who pos- sessed the confidence and esteem of every member of the community. In Sep- tember, 1898, he was stricken with paralysis of the left side, this affliction causing him to grow very nervous, and the end came on January 17, 1901, at the age of seventy-eight years, one month and fifteen days. His widow survives and resides on the old homestead.
Jacob J. Pfleiderer grew to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty years he began the business of buying and selling stock and was very successful in this line. On December 11, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Cham- bers, who was a native of this township, having been born on the farm which
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adjoins her home. Her parents were William and Elizabeth ( Heller) Cham- bers, the former of whom was a native of Crawford county. His father, Elias Chambers, was one of the early pioneers of Crawford county, while his mother, Elizabeth Heller, was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and had been brought to Crawford county when but seven years of age, by her parents, Jacob and Catherine ( Hay) Heller. To our subject and wife six children have been born: V. Blanche, Elgar J., Florence E., Mary Elizabeth, Ernest Merl and Lois M. The three eldest of these children have displayed unusual intelligence and have passed the Boxwell examination, and all are being thoroughly educated and give every promise of becoming an honor to their estimable parents, as well as useful citizens of Crawford county.
The first year following our subject's marriage he spent in farming on the home farm and then rented a farm belonging to his wife's grandfather, which was located across the road from his present farm, and in 1890 he purchased it, the tract containing one hundred and fifteen acres. Here the family resided until 1895, when Mr. Pfleiderer bought forty acres of the farm he now occupies and removed to it, across the road, and rented his large farm to a tenant. In 1899 he purchased an additional ten acres, which was adjoining land, and now this home place consists of fifty acres and is one of the most attractive places in the vicinity. In 1900 he rebuilt the family residence, introducing all modern improvements, and he now possesses an ideal country home. Since 1893 he has done little farming, having then sold his agricultural implements, and now devotes his time to the buying and shipping of stock, and is known as one of the most successful dealers through the state.
Mr. Pfleiderer has been a life-long Democrat and has been very active in party affairs. From 1893 to 1899 he served most efficiently in the office of township trustee and has exerted considerable influence in this section. Both he and wife are leading members of the Evangelical church.
HENRY N. OBERLANDER.
The gentleman whose name is mentioned above and who is a well-known farmer of Lykens township. Crawford county, Ohio, is descended from old and honorable trans-Atlantic stock, which was transplanted to one of our eastern colonies, whence his father, Emanuel Oberlander, emigrated to Ohio at a period early enough to be counted among the pioneers of this great state.
71. dr. Oberlander.
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All those qualities of mind and heart, all those characteristics which make for personal success and good citizenship, have been conspicuous in nearly every generation of his family.
Henry N. Oberlander is a native of Lykens township, Crawford county, and was born on the 14th day of March, 1863. He received his early edu- cation in such crude public schools near his home as were in vogue at that time and was early initiated into the mysteries of practical farming. Accord- ing to his father what was his father's due, he remained with him, assisting him in every way possible, until he was twenty-one years old, then with willing hands and active brain and a clean record he took up the battle of life on his own account. He began his independent business career by renting the farm which he now owns, which became his by purchase in 1895. The farm con- sists of one hundred and twenty acres of well improved and very productive. land, in connection with which for the past ten years he has cultivated the Shalter farm. He has made many improvements on his place and gives his at- tention to general farming, in which he has been satisfactorily successful. Mr. Oberlander also owns and operates the grain elevator at Lykens, and in partnership with G. B. Quaintance owns and operates a grain elevator at Ridgeton, Ohio.
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