USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 55
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July 10, 1884, Mr. Oberlander married Lily M. Dillinger, a daughter of David Dillinger, deceased, and they have two children, named Wynona and Chalmers, who are now gaining an education. The daughter is especially promising, having obtained a teacher's license at the age of fifteen.
Politically Mr. Oberlander affiliates with the Democratic party and he exerts a not uncertain influence on local affairs. While he has never been an office seeker, a considerable number of responsible offices have sought him and in the interests of good government he has accepted them. He has twice filled the office of assessor in his township, and for five years has been a member of the board of education. During this time he has done everything in his power to improve the efficiency of the schools, and in the fall of 1900 was elected to the office of county commissioner, which he is filling with great ability and credit. It may be said of him that he is a man of pronounced public spirit, and his admiring fellow citizens bear testimony to the fact that he may safely be depended upon to advance to the extent of his ability any movement, which in his good judgment promises to benefit the people of his township or county. He is a member of Lykens Lodge, No. 530, Knights of Pythias.
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JOHN PFLEIDERER.
Prominent among the public-spirited, progressive and successful farmers of Liberty township, Crawford county, Ohio, is John Pfleiderer, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of this locality. He is a product of this town- ship, born here on November 14, 1833, a son of Christian and Barbara Pfleiderer, who were natives of Germany and became early settlers in this part of the state. Seven children were born to these worthy pioneer parents, the three survivors being Christian, of this township; John, of this biography, and Daniel, also of this township.
John Pfleiderer grew up in his father's house, a sturdy, healthy lad, noted for his strength and manliness, and at the age of twelve years was able to take his place with the grown laborers in the harvest field. He has seen the wonderful changes which have taken place in Liberty township, as his services were required to assist in the clearing of the fertile fields he now owns of the virgin forest growth. Well he remembers the hardships of those early days and recalls many interesting events of men and localities of which the world never tires of hearing, because of the prominence the Buck- eye state has so long held in public regard.
After the marriage of his brother David, young John went to make his home with him, as he was his guardian, and worked for him until his mar- riage, on June 16, 1859. to Miss Mary A. Kafer, a native of Liberty town- ship, and a daughter of Frederick Kafer, a native of Germany, who was an early settler of the county. Previous to his marriage he had made prepara- tions for it by purchasing sixty acres of land, which is included in his present farm. In later years, as prosperity smiled upon him, on acount of his per- severing efforts, he gradually added until he now owns one hundred and sixty-one and one-half acres in the home place, and also owns a most de- sirable tract of eighty acres, located one and one-half miles south of Sulphur Springs, and also a section of land in Texas, which promises to be very valuable.
The eight surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Pfleiderer are: Franklin, Samuel, and Emanuel, of this township; Joseph, the farmer on the home place ; Lizzie, the wife of George Abendroth, of this township; Amanda, the wife of Lonis Witter, of Bucyrus ; and Emma and Ida, at home.
Mr. Pfleiderer is one of the most progressive farmers of this locality. His investments are undertaken with good judgment and are universally re- munerative, while aside from his personal matters he is interested in any-
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thing which promises to be of benefit to the locality. In politics he has al- ways been a Democrat. For the past fourteen years he has faithfully served in the offices of the Lutheran church and contributes to it largely, ever being ready to promote its charitable and benevolent enterprises.
JOHN GORDON.
The farming interests of Bucyrus township are in the hands of capable agriculturists, and one of these, who has shown a thorough understanding of the principles of modern farming, is John Gordon, a native of South Wales, born there, in county of Glamorgan, on March 3, 1849, being the only repre- sentative of his family in America. The parents of Mr. Gordon were Thomas and Catherine ( Morris) Gordon, and they reared a family of seven children : Mary, Thomas, Eliza, John, Ann. Richard and George, Ann and Richard hay- ing passed away. Both parents have also passed out of life, while the others of the family still reside in the old home in South Wales.
John Gordon was reared on his father's farm and received a common- school education, remaining at home until he attained his majority, although he had long cherished a desire to see the country across the Atlantic. On the 20th day of May. 1870, he set sail for America, landing at Quebec, Can- ada, from which point he took a train to Toronto, a schoolmate living in that city. Later he made his way to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he secured lucrative employment on a dairy farm, and remained there for three years, in the employ of Noble Thompson. During the year 1874 he worked in the Pennsylvania oil regions, and then another year for Mr. Thompson, leaving him when Mr. Thompson sold his farm, but later again returned to this kind employer when he resided in Painesville.
It was during his association with Mr. Thompson that he had the good fortune of meeting the lady who later became his wife. She was the amiable daughter of Henry Flock, a prominent farmer of Bucyrus township, a vis- itor in the home of Mr. Thompson. The marriage of Mr. Gordon to Miss Callie F. Flock took place February 24. 1875, following which was their re- moval to Crewford county, where the home has ever since remained. For two years Mr. Gordon remained with his father-in-law and then bought land in Todd township, where he owns one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land. In 1888 Mr. Gordon returned to the farm of his father-in-law, where he now re- sides, the former, who lives retired, enjoying the care of his children and grand- children . The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon were: Florence. Luella,
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Henry. Elva, Alice and Letty, of whom Luella, Henry, and Alice survive. Mr. Gordon enjoys the respect and esteem of the neighborhood in the highest de- gree, and is known as one of the most intelligent and progressive farmers of the township.
Henry Flock, the father of Mrs. Gordon, is the eldest son of Stephen and Catherine Flock, and was born in the Rhine province of Bavaria, Germany, December 14, 1815, and there was thoroughly educated. While still a youth he went to work in order to contribute to the support of the family, but then wages were very low and many days he worked for twenty cents a day. In the locality of his home wood was scarce and it was necessary for him to haul fuel, or fagots, a distance of almost ten miles, on a wheelbarrow ; con- sequently the stoves were seldom very hot. The law did not permit the peas- ants to cut green timber, and their way of obtaining fuel was to break off the dead limbs, it frequently being necessary for them to climb the trees in order to secure these branches. Upon one occasion young Henry became so be- numbed with the cold, while in a tree, that he almost fell to the ground, and this, with other severe trials, led him to a determination to try his fortune in America.
When he became of military age he was too short to enter the service, and the officials put him back one year, expecting him to grow, but he failed to do so, and thus was rejected altogether. Although his inclinations were toward matrimony, circumstances were not promising, in Bavaria, and in 1839 he put into practice his resolve to leave the fatherland. Settling in Bucyrus, Ohio, he worked in a hotel for Abraham Hahn, remaining with him three years, receiving for his services seven dollars and fifty cents per month, and during this period, although sick for six months, he managed to save one hundred and fifty-eight dollars. Of this amount he sent forty-five dollars to Germany to pay the passage of Miss Catherine Slicker to America. Some two years later she reached the United States, and upon her arrival in Bucyrus she and Mr. Flock were married.
After severing his business connection with Mr. Hahn, Mr. Flock worked for three years for other parties, keeping continually busy, finally entering the employ of Dr. Willis Merriman, where he remained as a faithful clerk for seven years. In March, 1853, he removed to Wyandot and formed a part- nership with James H. Reinicker in the mercantile business, and later Mr. Flock bought his partner's interest and continued the business until 1870. when he transferred it to his son. While residing in Wyandot, Mr. Flock served the village as postmaster for seven years, and while a clerk for Dr.
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Merriman he was made treasurer of Bucyrus corporation, possessing the es- teem and confidence of his fellow citizens. In 1870 he located on his present farm.
The first marriage of Mr. Flock was on September 22, 1842, to Cath- erine Slicker, born January 20, 1820, in Bavaria, who emigrated to America with the family of Peter Geiger. These children were born of this marriage : Mary, who married William Welsh; Daniel; Kate, who married Peter Bair; Louisa, who married John B. Welsh; Caroline, who married John Gordon. The mother died October 11, 1862, and the second marriage of Mr. Flock was on November 6, 1864, to Mary Jane Clark, who was a teacher in the schools of Bucyrus for several years. Her death occurred January 25, 1875. On October II, 1877, occurred his marriage to Lena Hooker, who also passed away, his last wife having been Mary Stoll, who died in 1901.
When but thirteen years of age, Mr. Flock united with the Evangelical church, in Germany. When he settled in Bucyrus, he joined the German Lutheran church, and later in life the English Lutheran church.
ELI MILLER.
A thoroughly representative citizen and successful farmer of Holmes township, Crawford county, is Eli Miller, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, on March 13. 1850, a son of Joseph and Louisa ( Hacker) Miller, and belonged to a family of ten children, nine of whom are living, viz .: Eli, of this biography ; John S., residing on a part of the home farm ; Ceno P., resid- ing with his mother on the home place: Alva M., of Putnam county : Josiah, of Putnam county; Joseph F., of Wyandot county; Barbara, the wife of George Grau, of Whitley county. Indiana; Dora, the wife of Frank Much- ling, of Putnam county ; and Ellen, the wife of Joseph Nickler, of Liberty township. The parents of Mr. Miller were married in 1848, and they then located in Crawford county, purchasing the eighty acres of land which now is included in the Miller home, and as prosperity came the father purchased much more land, eighty acres lying to the north of his farm, eighty on the south and fifty a short distance east, making a large estate of two hundred and ninety acres in all. The father died January 28, 1897, and there passed away one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Holmes township.
Eli Miller, a worthy descendant of most excellent parents, was carefully reared by them through childhood, and attended the common schools. He was taught to be industrious and honest and those lessons have never been
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forgotten. On February 20, 1873, he was married to Miss Julia A. Spahr, a native of this township, a daughter of George A. Spahr ( a sketch of whom ap- pears in another part of this volume), one of the prominent farmers of this county. Following his marriage, Mr. Miller purchased fifty acres of land in the vicinity of the home farm, but finding the payments too heavy for a beginner he sold the property to his father and rented land until the spring of 1888, when he removed to his present home farm, which he had acquired in the fall of 1883. Here Mr. Miller has given his attention most successfully to general farming and stock-raising, becoming, as the years have passed, one of the reliable and substantial farmers of Holmes township.
Five children came to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, the survivors being: Elmer M., Dennis E., Harvey L., and Alfred E., Clarence J. being the name of the little son that passed early out of life. With the exception of Dennis, who is engaged in teaming in Bucyrus, these manly, intelligent sons still remain under the parental roof. In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat, and has taken a great interest in public affairs. For the past seven years he has been a trustee in the United Brethren church, of which he has long been a worthy member and to which his contributions are most substantial. Holmes township is for- tunate in having among its citizens such honest, energetic and progressive men as Eli Miller.
ORWIN B. MONNETT.
Agriculture forms the basis of all commercial and industrial prosperity. It is the corner stone of the business structure and has led to the upbuilding of many nations. The rich and fertile lands of Ohio have become the place of residence for a prosperous and contented people who have established a com- monwealth of which they have every reason to be proud. Among the success- ful agriculturists and stock-raisers now identified with the interests of Crawford county is the gentleman whose name introduces this review and who was born on one of the old and valuable farms of this portion of the state-the Monnett homestead, in Bucyrus township. The date of his birth was September 29, 1850. His father, the Rev. T. J. Monnett, was a Methodist minister, and, in accordance with the laws of that denomination, he was removed from one pastorate to another, so that our subject spent his youth in various places, in- cluding Fostoria, Kenton and Upper Sandusky. When he was ten years of age his father retired from the ministry and the family took up their abode on the old homestead in Bucyrus township where his birth had occurred and
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where he remained until nineteen years of age. In the fall of 1869 he was sent to the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, there to supplement his preliminary scholastic training with more advanced education. After a year, however, his health failed him and he had to abandon the course. He next. took a course in J. W. Sharp's Commercial School, at Delaware, and was grad- uated with the highest honors of his class. He then became bookkeeper for the Bucyrus Woolen Mill Company, and after a year spent in that position he became a partner in a grocery store, the connection being maintained for a little more than two years.
Mr. Monnett then returned to the farm, but in a short time became an employe of the American Express Company and assistant ticket agent for the Big Four Railroad Company at Galion, which service continued for about seven months. In 1876 he returned to the farm and was engaged in its cultivation until 1882, when he removed to Bucyrus, where he filled the position of super- intendent for the Bucyrus Gas Light & Fuel Company for four and a half years. His father was interested in the company, and when he sold out Mr. Monnett, of this review, again resumed farming on the old home place. where he has since remained, being ranked among the leading farmers and stock- raisers of the county. He has been especially interested in sheep-growing for a number of years, and keeps on hand several hundred head of sheep. He has four hundred acres of rich land, divided into highly cultivated fields and rich meadows, and the work carried on within the boundaries of his farm brings a good financial return.
In 1877 Mr. Monnett was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hoffman, a daughter of Charles F. Hoffman, who many years ago was a well-known business man of Bucyrus, and is now living a retired life in Houston, Texas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Monnett have been born two children, Ethel and Bessie. both of whom are at home. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Monnett are members. He has taken quite an active interest in politics as an advocate of the Republican party, and was its candidate for county treasurer in 1899. He made a good race, running ahead of the state ticket, but as his party is in the minority in the county he was de- feated. He was the candidate for county sheriff in 1901. He is a member of the Republican executive committee of Crawford county, and belongs to the Farmers' Institute. For a number of years he has been a correspondent for the home papers and for the Ohio State Journal, also the Pittsburg National Stockman and Farmers' Journal. Under the nom de plume of Tim Friny he has written much of a humorous character for the Forum. His articles are
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entertaining, fluently written and many of them are of great value, especially those pertaining to agricultural and stock-raising subjects, for his wide experi- ence in these departments of labor and his excellent success have made his .opinions worthy of adoption. Well known in his native county as a citizen of worth, as a reliable business man, as a trustworthy friend and as a considerate husband and father, these qualities have gained him admiration and esteem.
JOHN HOFFMANN.
Nature has certainly intended that the last years of man shall be spent in retirement. He loses the vigor and strength of former years, and the fitting crown of an active career is rest from labor. This has been vouchsafed to Mr. Hoffmann as the reward of a busy and useful life. He was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, September 13, 1842. His father, Andrew Hoffmann, was a native of the same locality, and the grandfather was born, lived and died in that portion of Germany. Andrew Hoffmann was born in 1817, and in 1854 came to America, bringing with him his family. He had married Mar- garet Schaeffer, also a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, born in the year 1822. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom six are yet living : Adam, who married Lovina Coyer and is now deceased; George, who is mar- ried and resides in California; John, of this review : Andrew, who married Carry Kauaram : Margaret, now the widow of David Blum; Catherine, wife of John Mathias; Elizabeth, the widow of John Esinger; and six who died in infancy. The mother of this family passed away in 1893. John Hoffmann pursued his education in the schools of Germany for five years and then ac- companied his parents on their emigration to America when a lad of eleven summers. His father died the second day after they arrived in Ohio. The family made their way direct to Crestline and John continued his education in the schools of this city for a short time, but soon began to earn his own livelihood, working at any employment which would yield to him an honest living. Later, however, he began learning the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for two years, and subsequently learned the baker's trade. He was then engaged in the baking and grocery business in Crestline for thirty-three years, one of the oldest merchants in years of continuous connection with com- mercial circles in the city. He had a well-conducted establishment, supplied with everything in his line, and his trade was a large and profitable one. Thus year by year he increased his income, for his moderate prices, honorable deal-
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ing and earnest desire to please his patrons enabled him to have a liberal pat- ronage.
Mr. Hoffmann was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Frank, who was born in Germany, May 24, 1844, and in early life came to the United States with her parents, first locating in Erie, Pennsylvania. Her father, George Frank, was born in Germany, in 1804, and in 1845 bade adieu to the father- land, crossing the briny deep to the new world. He afterward became a farmer in Morrow county, Ohio, where he died about 1875. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Heigle, and she, too, was born in Germany. After the death of her husband she came to Crawford county, where her re- maining days were passed. Mrs. Hoffmann accompanied her parents from Pennsylvania to Morrow county, Ohio, and thence came to Crawford county. The marriage of our subject and his wife was celebrated in Morrow county and has been blessed with six children, but the first two, Matilda and Emma, are now deceased, and Charles, the fourth member of the family, has also passed away. The others are: Elizabeth: Anna, the wife of A. Fabor ; and Frances. Mr. Hoffmann gives his political support to the Democracy, and is a member of the German Reformed church. Entering upon his business career at a very early age, with no friends or influence to aid him, he has advanced steadily through the strength of his own merit and as the result of close appli- cation and untiring industry. Such a career should serve as a source of in- spiration to others to whom fate seems unkind. Success can always be gained by determined purpose and honorable dealing when guided by sound judg- ment, and it is such qualities that won for Mr. Hoffmann his place among the representative men and leading merchants of Crestline. Although he is not yet sixty years of age, he has a competence sufficient to enable him to live with- out further labor and to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.
FRANK P. WARNER.
One of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Crawford county, Ohio, who is prominent in his locality both in political and religious circles, is Frank Warner, who was born on the farm where he now resides, on October 8. 1852, and was a son of John and Rebecca J. ( French) Warner, who had six children, four of whom survive, these being as follows: William, a resi- dent of Hicksville, Defiance county; Julia, the widow of J. H. Fry, of Sul- phur Springs, this state; Frank, the subject of this sketch; and Thomas J., a resident of this township.
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John Warner, the father of our subject and one of the most highly es- teemed citizens of Liberty township, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on June 9, 1817, and was a son of Charles and Catherine ( Boblets) Warner, who, with their family, removed from their native state and settled in Harrison county, Ohio, where they remained nine years, removing at the end of that time to Vernon township, Crawford county, where John has since resided. John Warner assisted his father in clearing up his land and learned the car- penter trade. Soon after beginning business for himself his shop was burned and he lost all of his tools, but he soon earned more, and in the course of time accumulated a considerable fortune, owning two farms, comprising in the aggregate two hundred and forty acres of land. In politics he was a Democrat and for some sixteen or eighteen years held the office of justice of the peace and also served his township in other positions. For many years he was a leading member of the Lutheran church, and for a long period was an official member. His death occurred on September 17, 1896, when he had reached his eightieth year, passing away with the respect of his fellow citizens and lamented by a large circle of friends.
The mother of our subject was born in Cumberland, Maryland, a daugh- ter of Judge French, who was one of the first settlers of the county. Mrs. Warner died in 1892, one of the most esteemed residents of Vernon township, where she was beloved for her many acts of neighborly kindness.
Frank P. Warner, who is the subject of this biography, was reared at his- paternal home and acquired his education in the common schools, where he was an apt and ambitious student. By his marriage, on December 24, 1874, to Miss Isabelle Maxwell, he became connected with one of the prominent families of Defiance county, Ohio. Mrs. Warner was a daughter of William R. Maxwell, who occupied a number of important positions in his county, where for twenty-four years he was a justice of the peace, during which time he performed eighty-four marriage ceremonies. For eight years Mr. Max- well was county, commissioner, and regret was expressed very universally throughout Defiance county on the occasion of his death, in 1899, at the age of seventy-seven years.
After marriage our subject and his estimable wife established their home on the farm, where Mr. Warner engaged in farming on shares for a time. At the death of his father a portion of the estate came into his possession, by will, and later he purchased the interests of the other heirs, and is now the owner of the whole one hundred and fifty-three acres, this land having been earned by his father by work at his trade of carpenter during his earlier years. It is
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