USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 58
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Evan Humphrey, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, in 1797, and grew to maturity in his native state, at which time he removed to Licking county, Ohio, where some of his brothers and sisters had located, and while in that county engaged in driving a stage for a period, later going to Huron county, where he married and took up his residence in the town of New Haven. There Mr. Humphrey opened up a butcher business. At the birth of her in- fant Mrs. Humphrey died, and later Mr. Humphrey married Sarah E. Hoyt, who had been born in the state of New York and came with her parents to Huron county.
In 1836 Evan Humphrey removed with his wife and two children to Craw- ford county, buying a farm of eighty acres of a Mr. Hagerman, this farm being now the property of Samuel Esterline, and here he spent the remainder of his life. This land, when he took possession of it, was all timber and swamp, and predictions were made that the family would starve upon it before it was ever brought to a producing state; but Mr. Humphrey was not easily dis- mayed and not only lived to see it all cleared, but also to have it regarded as one of the most desirable and valuable farms in the county. First he added twenty acres to the original purchase, and by ditching and tiling changed its conditions, and upon it reared a family that equaled in robustness the children of those who doubted his earlier judgment. In his earlier days he voted with the Democratic party, but later in life adopted the principles of the Republican party. For a time the township election booth was in his house. Mr. Humph- rey was an active member in the religious body known as the Church of God, for a number of years belonging to its official body. He lived to more than seventy-five years, and died one of the most highly esteemed men of his neigh- borhood.
Jolin W. Humphrey, of this biography,, attained his manhood in his home and was given superior educational advantages. After completing the common school course he was sent to the private seminary in De Kalb, which was con- ducted by a local educator of note, Professor Thompson, and at the age of
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twenty years he was deemed sufficiently educated to become a teacher himself. For six terms he taught in the district schools of his neighborhood, but his mar- riage closed this career, as then he began work as a farmer. For about five years Mr. Humphrey managed the home farm for his father and later fol- lowed the same vocation on other rented land, but in 1874 he purchased eighty- seven acres of his present home farm, and subsequently has added eleven acres, making his present holdings a fraction over ninety-eight acres. Here he has demonstrated his ability as a farmer and now owns a tract of land which com- pares, in cultivation and improvement, very favorably with any other in this township.
In 1858 Mr. Humphrey was married to Miss Rebecca Traub, who was a native of Galion, Ohio, and who was a daughter of Henry Traub, who came to Crawford county at an early day. To our subject and his wife have been born nine children, their names being as follows: William H., a resident of Auburn township; James B., of Stevensville, Montana; Emma, the wife of Arthur Knowles, of this township; Sadie, the wife of Charles Gribben, of Richland county; Ella, the wife of Thomas B. Branton, of Montana; Cath- erine, the wife of George Gutschall, the farmer on our subject's home farm; and Anna, Zoe and Ira, at home.
In politics Mr. Humphrey has always been in sympathy with the Demo- cratic party, and has most efficiently filled a number of local offices. For the past twenty years he has been a justice of the peace, and for three successive terms he has been elected township clerk, and for two years was one of the best and most satisfactory assessors the township ever had. Both Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey are consistent members of the Church of God, in which our subject has been an honored elder for more than fifteen years. He is a man of sterling character and is justly held in the highest esteem in his locality.
AARON NEFF.
Among the young men who are cultivating a portion of the soil of Craw- ford county with gratifying success should be mentioned Aaron Neff, who is a prominent agriculturist of Sandusky township. This is indeed a beautiful farming country, and the land which our subject now cultivates is some of the best in the locality.
A native son of the Buckeye state, Mr. Neff was born on the 21st of Feb- ruary, 1873, in Crawford county, a son of Joseph Neff, one of the most promi- nent and esteemed citizens of this county. Aaron was reared to manhoood under
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the paternal roof, acquiring his education in the common schools of his local- ity. At the age of twenty-two years, in company with his brother Emanuel, he came to Sandusky township, Crawford county, and began operating the two hundred and forty-four acres of land which belongs to his father, for which he pays cash rent. He is meeting with success in his venture as an agriculturist and he now occupies a front rank among the public-spirited and progressive young farmers of his locality. In his political views he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He is very popular and is held in high esteem by the people of his locality for his honorable character and energetic nature.
PETER ROSS.
One of the fine farms in Lykens township is owned by Peter Ross, who has a valuable tract of three hundred and nineteen acres, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with all modern accessories. He has resided there- on for many years and is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Craw- ford county.
Mr. Ross was born in Germany, November 19, 1836, a son of Peter and Margaret ( Simmermacher) Ross, whose family numbered six children, name- ly : Catherine, who married Chris Kibler, of Chatfield township; Peter, of this review ; George, who died in 1899; Philip, who was one of the first contractors on building in Bucyrus, and now makes his home in this city; Margaret, the wife of Charles Jacobs ; and William, who is connected with the planing mills in Crestline, Ohio.
During the first eighteen years of his life Peter Ross, of this review, re- mained in the fatherland, and during that period pursued his education in the public schools. It was in the year 1854 that he came to America as a passenger on a sailing vessel, which was twenty-eight days in reaching the harbor of New York. The following year his parents also came to the new world. Our sub- ject spent the first year after his arrival in working as a farm hand in Vernon township, and in 1855 he came to Lykens township, where his father purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he now resides. Only fifteen acres of the land had been cleared, and a log house was almost the only improvement on the place. Mr. Ross continued to engage in agricultural pursuits upon that farm until 1866, when he went to Jackson, where he was employed for a year. Later he rented land for a year and then returned to the old homestead, where he has since remained a resident. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious investments in property and is to-day the owner of three
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hundred and nineteen acres, constituting one of the attractive and desirable farms of the county. The fields are thoroughly tilled and usually yield excellent crops. In his farming operations Mr. Ross has ever been industrious and pro- gressive, and his place, in its neat and thrifty appearance, is proof to the passer- by of the careful supervision of the owner.
In 1867 Mr. Ross married Miss Elizabeth Schimp, and unto them have been born ten children: Emma, deceased; Philip; Jacob; Henry, deceased ; Charley, Adam, Tilley, Henry, Martha, who died on the 18th of October, 1901, and Christian. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Ross has served as trustee and as a township official. He con- tributes liberally to its support and is deeply interested in its welfare and growth. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Democracy. His life has been one of honorable activity, in which his enterprise and industry have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and work his way upward to success. It was a wise decision that brought him to America, for in this land he found the opportunities he sought and has gained a confortable competence.
EMANUEL NEFF.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men of Sandusky township is Emanuel Neff. who has attained a front rank in agri- cultural circles in his locality. He was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1870, a son of Joseph Neff, whose history will be found on another page of this volume. Our subject was reared to man- hood on his father's farm, his educational advantages being those afforded by the common schools of his neighborhood. On the 28th of March. 1895, he- was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Krauter, a native of Cranberry town- ship and the daughter of Jacob Krauter, who came to this locality with his parents when a child, the family locating in Liberty township. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Neff came to Sandusky township, locating on the farm where they still reside and which belongs to his father. The place consists of two hundred and forty-four acres of rich and fertile land, and there our subject and his brother Aaron are extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, their efforts in both branches of their business being attended with a high and gratifying success. They pay cash rent for the land.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Neff has been blessed with two children, -- Lester E. and Ralph. Mr. Neff exercises his right of franchise in support of 35
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the men and measures of the Republican party. He has made farming his life occupation, in which he has been very successful, and his record thus far in life has been such as to commend him to the respect and esteem of all with whom he has had business or social intercourse.
JOHN BENDER.
A resident of Crawford county, John Bender has for many years been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of his locality, and has contributed materially to the advancement and progress of the county through this channel. He is a well informed man, possessed of broad general inform- ation, and in his nature there is nothing narrow or contracted. All who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth, and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his life to our readers.
Born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 15th of December, 1852, he is a son of Jacob Bender, also a prominent agriculturist of Crawford county. Upon the homestead property our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and his labors in the fields were alternated by study in the district schools of the neighborhood. After reaching mature years he and his brother Philip began farming the old homestead as renters, which they continued until the brother removed to a place of his own, and our subject then continued operating the home farm alone for a time. After his father's death he pur- chased eighty acres of the place, the tract containing all of the farm buildings, and two years later, by his perseverance and constant toil, he was enabled to purchase an additional forty-five acres, and his landed possessions now aggre- gate one hundred and twenty-five acres, all being under a high state of culti- vation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the present day. He is practical and progressive in his meth- ods of farming, and in the management of his business affairs he displays a sound judgment that has brought to him a merited success.
In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bender and Miss Tracy Brady, a native of Henry county, Ohio, and a daughter of Cornelius and Anna ( Keys) Brady. The father was one of the earliest pioneers and most prom- inent farmers of Henry county, and he now makes his home with his son, Alphonses. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bender have been born ten children .- Edith. Ralph. Anna, Romain, Virl. Ollie, Moodie, Oliver, Otis and Lais, all still under the parental roof. In his political faith Mr. Bender is a stanch Democrat.
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The family enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of Crawford county, and their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with their circle of acquaintances.
JOHN H. MULFORD.
The subject of this sketch is of that stanch old New Jersey stock which has planted the seeds of progress and of prosperity in all parts of our land. He has been known as a merchant and farmer for many years and is one of the leading citizens of Texas township, Crawford county, Ohio. His father, John Mulford, a native of New Jersey and a tanner by trade, came to Ohio in 1832 and worked at his trade in Monroeville, Huron county, until he re- moved to Richland county, where he bought eighty acres of land. After farm- ing for a while, he became a general merchant at Ganges, Richland county, where he traded successfully two years. At the end of that time he removed his enterprise to Bellville, where he ran a store for one year. From 1851 to 1868 he followed mercantile business successfully at Benton, Crawford county. Then, disposing of his mercantile interests, he retired to his farm, where he died December 20, 1878, at the age of seventy years. At the time of his death he owned three hundred and sixty acres of land. Influential in local affairs, he served for many years as township trustee and treasurer. In poli- tics he was a Republican. He was for many years a consistent and helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His good wife survived him until June 2, 1892, when she died at the age of eighty-two years. Lodusky, wife of John Mulford, was the daughter of Silas Bevenstock, and came alone to Ohio about the year 1832, from Vermont. She taught school and was housekeeper for her brother, .A. B. Bevenstock, after the death of his first wife. She was married to John Mulford, in 1834, and they had three children- William, Allen and John II.
John H. Mulford was born near Bellville, Richland county, Ohio, Jan- uary 2, 1845, and was six years of age when his father removed to Benton, where he was reared to manhood. He gained a substantial education in the village school and had a valuable business experience as a clerk in his father's store. Later he turned his attention to farming and he was so employed until he married Julia Longwell, a daughter of Peter Longwell. February 29. 1868. For eight years after his marriage he lived in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio. From the spring of 1877 to 1896 he was the proprietor of a popular general store at Benton. Meantime, in 1885, he removed to his
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present farm in Texas township and from that time until 1896 he was both a farmer and a merchant. Since he disposed of his store he has given his entire attention to general farming and stock-raising. He owns one hundred and sixty acres in Texas township and one hundred and eighty acres in Lykens township, making an aggregate of three hundred and forty acres. He is a Republican in politics, and has been treasurer of his township for ten years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which for some time he has held the office of trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Mulford have six children, named Rolla, Mary, Jesse, Milo, Cora and Oland.
WILLIAM H. MILLER.
William Henry Miller is a passenger conductor on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad and makes his home in Bucyrus. He was born March II, 1858, in Tiffin, Ohio, and is a son of Louis Miller, whose birth occurred Feb- ruary 6, 1829, in Scheime, Alsace, which was a province of France prior to the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. and came to this country with his parents in 1835, locating at Massillon, Stark county. Ohio, where he acquired his edu- cation and learned the shoemaker's trade, and in 1852 removed to Tiffin, Sen- eca county, this state.
He married Eva Zircher, who was born December 16, 1833, in Alsace, France, and was brought to the United States in 1836, the family locat- ing on the boundary line between Seneca and Crawford counties. Her par- ents afterward removed to Tiffin, Ohio, about 1870. Mrs. Miller departed this life April 17, 1884, but the father of our subject is still living.
In the common schools of his native city William H. Miller, of this re- view, pursued his education, and on putting aside his text-books at the age of thirteen assisted his father in the conduct of a meat market. He was concerned with that business for about five years and then turned his attention to farming. For two years he engaged in operating a threshing machine and sawmill ma- chine, the former being the second one brought to Seneca county. On the 5th of January, 1882, he came to Crawford county and accepted a position as brake- man on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, making his first trip on the 9th of January of that year. After acting in that capacity for a year and four months he was promoted to the position of conductor, in May, 1883, and served on a through freight for three years, when he was made the first con- ductor on a working train on the road. He filled that position for about three months and was then transferred to a local freight train on the Corning di-
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vision, running between Corning and Columbus. After six months he was transferred to a local freight train on the Bucyrus division and was on that line for about ten months. Later he was made passenger conductor, in which ca- pacity he has served to the present time, covering a period of fourteen years.
On the 20th of April, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Margarite M. Link, a daughter of Adam and Mary Anna Link. Her father was a tailor by trade and was born in Baden, Germany, June 5, 1828. When a young man of twenty years he came to the United States and was here mar- ried to Miss Mary Anna Stundel, who was born March 19, 1828, in Bavaria, and came to the new world in 1847. landing at Baltimore. Mrs. Miller was born in Liverpool, Pennsylvania, July 27. 1858, and became a resident of Bu- cyrus in 1865. Unto our subject and wife have been born two children : Will- iam Edward, whose birth occurred November 28, 1882, and Annie Kathrine, born October 17. 1884. Mr. Miller and his family are all members of the Cath- olic church, and he is identified with various fraternal and civic societies, in- cluding the Order of Railway Conductors, the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His long service on the railroad indicates unmistakably his fidelity to duty and his ability in the discharge of the tasks which devolve upon him. He is most trust- worthy and painstaking and has won the friendship of many patrons of the 1 oad.
MICHAEL WINKELFOOS.
Michael Winkelfoos, who for many years has been connected with the railway service, resides in Bucyrus where he is a well known and highly es- teemed citizen. He was born in McKeesport, Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 23d of October. 1852, and is a son of August Winkelfoos, who was born at Michelstadt in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, which was also the birthplace of his wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Reh. Both came to America prior to their marriage. In 1852 the father went to San Fran- cisco, California, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1873, at the age of forty-six years. His widow, who was born in 1833. is still liv- ing and now makes her home in Mansfield, Ohio. In the family are two chil- dren who yet survive, namely : Michael, of this review and Mrs. C. Stephen, a widow, who is living in Crestline.
Mr. Michael Winkelfoos, whose name heads this record, pursued his edu- cation at Crestline, Crawford county and at Lima, attended the public schools
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and on putting aside his text-books he entered upon his business career in 1867, at the age of fifteen years, as an employe on the eastern division of the Pitts- burg, Fort Wayne & Chicago road. He at first ran between Crestline and Alliance. His duties were those of a fireman, but in 1872, at the age of nine- teen years, he was made an engineer. Very seldom is one so young appointed to such an important position. He continued with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago road until 1877. and for the past thirteen years he has been a passenger engineer on the Toledo & Ohio Central road. In 1880 he took up his abode in Columbus, whence he removed to Bucyrus, where he is now per- manently located. During his long railroad experience he has met with sey- eral accidents. In 1895 he was in a head-end collision, in which the fireman, Frank Doty, was killed, while Mr. Winkelfoos was badly injured. He has also been in two other wrecks, where the engine turned over, in which he has suffered some injuries, and on one occasion his engine became ditched in a tun- nel. He is, however, most careful in his work, reliable and trustworthy and has the entire confidence of the company.
In 1874 Mr. Winklefoos married Miss Caroline Ludwig, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth ( Mager) Ludwig. Her father went to Crestline in 1842 and has there made his home ever since. He was born at Nedemdow in Hesse-Darmstadt. and for fifty years was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, but for the past seventeen years he has lived retired, mak- ing his home in Crestline. His birth occurred January 9, 1825, and he is therefore now seventy-six years of age. His wife, who was also a native of Germany, was born August 19. 1828, and died January 28, 1900. Two of their daughters are yet living, namely: Mrs. Winkelfoos and Mrs. J. W. Smith, the latter a resident of Crestline. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with the following children: Fred, who is now em- ployed as fireman on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad; Gustave, who died at the age of six years : Bartholomew. who was killed on the Pennsylvania road, at the age of twelve years; Delbert, who is employed by the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad Company and makes his home with his parents; and Emma, who is now in school.
Mr. Winkelfoos is a prominent and exemplary Mason and holds member- ship in the blue lodge. chapter and council. Both he and his wife are also members of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Winkelfoos is now serving as warden. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Deutsche Gesellschaft. In politics he is independent, preferring to support the men whom he thinks best qualified for the office, regardless of party affilia-
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tions. Both he and his wife are active members of the German Lutheran church and are people held in highest esteem because of their many excellent qualities. They are earnest and efficient workers in church and lodge and wherever known have won the regard and friendship of many with whom they have been brought in contact.
CHARLES EDLER.
Crawford county, Ohio, has reason to congratulate itself upon having within its borders many leading citizens of German birth and extraction. Prominent among these is Charles Edler, of Jefferson township, who was born in Baden, Germany, June 24, 1830, a son of Martin and Margaret ( Shrick) Edler, of whose twelve children only three survive-the subject of this sketch, his brother George and sister Elizabeth, both of whom remain in the fatherland.
Charles Edler was brought up on his father's farm in Germany and came to America in 1852, landing in New York after a voyage which consumed twenty-seven days. He went to Ohio and making his headquarters at Galion worked out as a farm hand four years. In 1856 he married Margaret Beach, a native of Crawford county, Ohio, and about that time he bought a small piece of land in Whetstone township. Crawford county, on which he began farming on his own account. He remained there until 1862, when he bought eighty acres of land across the county line in Marion county, where he lived ten years, meanwhile adding forty acres to his original purchase. In 1872 he sold his farm in Marion county, and removed to his present farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio. He has adhered closely to general farming and stock-raising and has made a notable business success. He is a stanch Republican in politics, devoted to the traditions and principles of his party and has always been influential in pub- lic affairs, but though he has helped friends to important offices he has never sought any official position for himself, and as a farmer has been too busy to give much attention to practical politics. He is a broad-minded man of much general information who has read a good deal and has traveled extensively. In 1900 he visited three months in Germany, and the Paris Exposition, and in 1901 he and his wife attended the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo, New York.
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