USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 6
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"The receipt of the manual of the public schools of Crestline, Ohio, at this office led us to look up the Ohio boy who could plan so rich, though so logical, a course of study. Here, it seemed to us, was planned work of a really practical nature, and yet in harmony with the best thought of the 'new education.' Investigation showed that the theory was fully wrought out in the schoolroom, and that under his direction an able corps of teachers are securing results superior to those in many much larger places. The high school courses are unique and most admirable. We have never seen the work of a high school better arranged. It is simple, yet rich and complete.
"Our long experience in teaching and superintending enables us to judge these matters, and we unhesitatingly pronounce Professor Bliss one of the most level-headed and progressive of such superintendents."
In the year 1895 Professor Bliss was called to the superintendency of the public schools of Bucyrus and has since remained in charge, his services giv- ing excellent satisfaction. It is well known to all what great progress has been made in the methods of education and that the attendance of the schools has greatly increased. There are three school buildings in the city, with twenty-eight teachers, and in 1900 the membership was twelve hundred and seventy-two pupils, which has increased to more than thirteen hundred in the present year, 1901. During the incumbency of Professor Bliss the increase in attendance at the high school has been more than one hundred per cent. and the institution is of such a high character that its graduates are prepared
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to enter college without further mental training. There are now one hundred and fifty students in the high school department. The number of courses of study have been increased and improved and an elective system has been added, which has proved very profitable and popular, enabling the scholars to pursue such courses of study as they believe will be of most benefit to them in later years. The influence of his work cannot be estimated, but will prove of lasting benefit to all who have come under his instruction. He is continually seeking to promote advancement, and labors with and for his teachers that the results attained may be of the highest practical benefit. In many instances he has made individual study of his pupils, realizing that their needs are as varied as are their characters. Professor Bliss is the possessor of the highest grade state teacher's certificate, and his fame as an instructor is not limited by the confines of Crawford county, for he is known throughout the state in educational circles as one whose ability is of superior order. He is a graduate of the Ohio State Teachers' Reading Circle, of the Chautauqua literary and scientific course, and has taken the Prang course in form study and drawing.
In 1886 Professor Bliss was united in marriage to Miss Ella May Fuhr- man, of Bucyrus, a daughter of Thomas and Adeline ( Kirby ) Fuhrman and the foster daughter of George Donnenwirth, the president of the Bucyrus City Bank. Their marriage has been blessed with two children,-Marion George and Mary Mahala. Mrs. Bliss is a lady of superior culture and refinement, and intellectual activity make her a leader in society in Bucyrus, She, too, pursued the Chautauqua course. The Professor holds member- ship in the Congregational church and his wife in the Presbyterian church, and socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
GEORGE W. MILLER.
As a representative of an honored pioneer family, of the educational interests of Crawford county and now of the insurance business, George W. Miller is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the state. He has attained to an enviable position in the business world entirely through his own unaided efforts. Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances. The successful men of the day are they who have planned their own advancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could have been attained only through
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their personal efforts. It has been along such lines that George W. Miller has won and maintained a creditable position in business circles in his native county, where he is now occupying the position of secretary of the Crawford County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company and of the Crawford County Agricultural Society.
He was born in Todd township in 1859, a son of John D. and Mary (Kahl) Miller. The father came to Ohio with his parents in 1837 and located in Richland county. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1813. and his parents. George M. and Cartherine ( Rex) Miller, were also natives of the Keystone state. Having arived at years of maturity, in 1840 John D. Miller married Miss Mary Deal, and their union was blessed with five children, three of whom are yet living: Nathaniel M., living in California : Annias D., a resident of Wyandot county, Ohio; and William A., of Seneca county, this state. Andrew J. died in 1901, in California ; and a daughter died in childhood. Annias D. and William A. served through the Civil war as defenders of the Union. The mother of these children died in 1852, and in 1855 Mr. Miller wedded Mrs. Mary Barga, a widow who had two children, Albert and Lovina. She was the daughter of Henry and Susan (Rank) Kahl, who emigrated to Richland county, Ohio, from Pennsylvania, at an early date. The subject of this review is the only child born unto this marriage. His father came to Crawford county in 1852 and located on a farm just north of Oceola, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days, the later dying in 1890, at the age of sixty-six years, and the father in 1896, at the age of eighty-three. Both were consistent Christian people, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them.
The childhood days of George W. Miller were spent on the old homestead which he now owns. His education was mostly acquired in the common schools, supplemented by a course in the Northwestern Normal, of Fostoria, Ohio. Having qualified himself for teaching he became a follower of that profession and for a number of years performed the duties of an instructor in the schoolroom through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he engaged in farming. Having the ability to impart readily and with accuracy to others the knowledge he had gained, and being also an excellent disciplinarian, he proved a competent educator. giving excellent satisfaction. During the last three years of his school work he was employed as principal of the Oceola schools. He did much to advance the efficiency of the schools and his labor was attended with gratifying results. He is now president of the county board of school examiners and of the Ohio Teachers' Reading
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Circle of the county, thus keeping in close touch with the educational interests of this part of the state.
In 1880 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Dell A. Sigler, the youngest daughter of George E. and Harriett (Horrick) Sigler, of Todd township. Her parents were among the pioneers of Crawford county, hav- ing come here in the early 'Jos. They were the parents of four children : Mary L., Elliot W., Rosamond E. and Dell A. Mrs. Sigler, who was the daughter of John and Mary (Grimes) Horrick, died in 1898, but Mr. Sigler is still living on a farm in Todd township. He is a son of Jacob and Rachel (Hines) Sigler and is a native of Pennsylvania, while his wife was born in Ashland county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been born but one child, Minta M., who is in the senior year in the high school of Bucyrus. In that city her parents have a pleasant home, justly celebrated for its warm- hearted hospitality.
In 1898 Mr. Miller was elected secretary of the Crawford County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, which was organized in 1877 and now is the strongest farmers' mutual in the state. In 1899 he was elected sec- retary of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, and since his election the society has introduced the educational feature in their fair and it has proven one of the best attractions. A new hall has been constructed espe- cially for this feature, which is filled each year with the best work from the schools of the county. Mr. Miller also served for fourteen years as treasurer and clerk of Todd township. In his political views, like his father, he is a stalwart Democrat, and takes an active interest in the work of the party, doing all he can for its substantial advancement and success. He is a man of strong purpose, of sterling worth and of unquestioned integrity and fidelity to duty, and enjoys the high regard of the people among whom his entire life has been passed.
COLONEL EDWARD VOLLRATH.
Prominent among the lawyers of Crawford county, and well known in public affairs is Colonel Edward Vollrath, of Bucyrus, in which city his birth occurred forty-three years ago. His parents, Charles and Elizabeth Vollrath, were natives of Germany. He attended the Bucyrus public schools, graduat- ing at the high school in 1878. After attending Wittenberg College, Spring- field, Ohio, he entered Princeton University, at which latter institution he graduated in 1883. In youth he worked at the carpenter's bench, but predilec-
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tion led him to the study of law. In 1885 he was admitted to practice as an attorney at law by the supreme court of Ohio, and has since practiced with success as a member of the Crawford county bar.
In 1884 Colonel Vollrath entered the Ohio National Guard as a private. He rose to the rank of major, in which capacity he volunteered with his regiment-the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-in the Spanish-American war, and participated with Shafter's corps in the siege of Santiago, Cuba, He was mustered out of the United States service as major of volunteers, and was chosen colonel of his regiment-the Eighth Ohio-upon its reorgan- ization into the Ohio National Guard. Colonel Vollrath has a large and lucrative practice, and is also largely interested in manufacturing and real estate.
In 1888 he married Miss Millie C. Wise, and his home is celebrated for its generous hospitality. Fraternally Colonel Vollrath is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a member of the St. Paul's English Lutheran church at Bucyrus ; has been a deacon in the church for more than fifteen years, and for several years he has superintended the Sunday-school.
Unassuming and genial in manner, and always fair and just in all deal- ings, Colonel Vollrath is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, and enjoys the confidence of a wide circle of friends.
ALBERT F. MESSNER, M. D.
Dr. Albert Frederick Messner is one of the younger representatives of the medical fraternity in Bucyrus, but his years seem no bar to his success, as his ability is such as to win for him a constantly growing practice. He is numbered among the native sons of the city, his birth having occurred here on the 3d of May, 1865. His father, Frederick Messner, was born at Schulerhoff, Germany, and after crossing the briny deep to the new world he took up his abode in Bucyrus. He married Fredrika Nachtrieb, who was born in Bretzenacker, in the province of Weiblinger, Germany, and after coming to the new world took up her abode in Columbus, Ohio.
The Doctor, at the usual age, entered the public schools and after putting aside his text-books he worked at the carpenter's trade for three years, but desiring to enter professional life he took up the study of medicine, reading under the direction of Dr. Jerome Bland, with whom he continued until nine- teen years of age. He then studied in the Starling Medical College of Colum- bus. Ohio, where he remained for two terms, after which he became a student
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in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1890, at the age of twenty-four years. The same year he opened an office and began practice in Bucyrus, where he remained until 1896, when, wishing to still further perfect himself in his chosen work, he crossed the Atlantic to Berlin, Germany, and pursued a post-graduate course as a student in the Frederick Wilhelm University, known as the Imperial University. In the latter part of 1897 he returned to his native land, resuming practice in Bucyrus.
On the 16th of April, 1896, Dr. Messner was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Jordan, a daughter of Daniel and Mary A. Jordan. Their pleasant hime in Bucyrus is noted for its hospitality, which is freely extended to their large circle of friends. The Doctor has attained a remarkable degree of success in his professional career, and is accorded a prominent position in the ranks of the medical fraternity by his brethren of the profession and by the public as well.
JOSEPH NEFF.
An esteemed citizen and substantial farmer of Holmes township, who has been identified with much of the development of this section of Crawford county, is Joseph Neff, who was born in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1829, a son of Michael Neff. (The family history may be found in the sketch of David Neff, in another part of this volume. )
The early life of Joseph Neff was similar to that of other healthy and happy boys, some schooling but much more farm work occupying his time. Until he was twenty-eight years old he remained at home, managing the farm for his mother. In the spring of 1857 our subject, with his mother, brother Jonathan, and three sisters, came to Crawford county, Ohio, and spent his first summer with his uncle, John Wagner. In the fall Joseph Neff and his brother Jonathan, bought two hundred acres of his present home farm, and here the brothers carried on extensive operations for a number of years together, their mother residing with them. During this partnership they in- creased the acreage to three hundred and seventeen, and when Jonathan Neff decided to retire from active labor Joseph purchased his interest. In later years he has added to it and now owns in Holmes, Liberty and Sandusky townships some nine hundred and ten acres of the finest farming land in Crawford county.
Mr. Neff was married February 9, 1869, to Sophia D. Yeiter, and to
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this union were born nine children, eight of whom still survive: Emanuel, who married Sarah Krauter ; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Durr; Aaron and Amos C., twins ; J. Jacob, who married Ella Schieber ; Mary, the wife of Abra- ham Schieber; Matilda, deceased; Emma, at home; and Joseph. All of the children are at home or located on farms in the county. Mr. Neff is sur- rounded by his descendants and has great cause to feel pardonable pride in them. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Neff, one of the most generous of men, donated the ground and was a member of the building committee for the Methodist church building, which was erected on his farm near his residence. For a number of years he has been a trustee and his advice and business management of its affairs are invaluable. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has taken an active part in educational matters and has been a wise and judicial member of the school board. Mr. Neff is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Crawford county.
Mrs. Neff was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, Ohio, April 5, 1840. Her parents were Jacob and Elizabeth ( Aupperly) Yeiter, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and were married there and came to this country in 1832, and settled in Liberty township, where they lived and died, the father dying in 1878 and the mother in 1885. They had nine children, of whom four are deceased. The names are John, deceased; Jacob; Mary, deceased; David; Catherine; Christina, deceased; Frederick ; Sophia; Eman- uel, deceased.
JACOB BABST.
In studying the lives and characters of prominent men we are naturally led to inquire into the secret of their success and the motives that prompted their action. Success is oftener a matter of experience and sound judgment and thorough preparation for a life work than it is of genius, however bright. When we trace the career of those whom the world acknowledges as success- ful and of those who stand highest in public esteem, we find that in almost every case they are those who have risen gradually by their own efforts, their diligence and perseverance. These qualities are undoubtedly possessed in a large measure by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and added to these is a devotion to principle that may well be termed the keynote of his character. It is this which commands the confidence and respect so
Jacot Hahaha
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universally given him, and it is this which has secured him prominence in the professional and industrial circles of Crestline.
Mr. Babst was born in Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio, February II, 1846, and is the third child of Daniel and Margaret (Yost) Babst, whose life history may be found elsewhere in this volume. When seven years of age he was brought by his parents to Crestline, where he pursued his edu- cation in the public schools. In early life he learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for about eight years, when, in 1868, he opened a stove and tin store, which he successfully conducted until 1871, when his father erected the building and opened his present bank, at which time he disposed of his store and joined his father in the bank, acting as bookkeeper for one year. May 10, 1872, he went to Berea, Ohio, where he opened the first bank in that village, the firm being known as Clark, Babst & Company. By an agreement entered into with his father prior to his going to Berea, he returned to Crestline the following May, and became cashier of his father's bank. assuming entire management, and these relations continued until the retirement of his father in 1878. It was at this time that Dan Babst, Jr., became identified with the bank, a co-partnership being formed between the brothers, the active management, however, remaining in Jacob's hands, as heretofore. This partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in May, 1887. when Jacob became sole owner of the institution, continually occupying the same room and same position for almost one-third of a century. His good judgment. keen discrimination and scrupulous honesty have caused this insti- tution to be regarded as one of the most reliable financial concerns in the county. His close application to business duties and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens have been the potent elements which have marked to a great degree the increasing patronage of his bank. These strong char- acteristies are noted not only by his daily acquaintances but also by his fellow bankers, he having served three years on the Ohio Bankers' Association executive board, and was selected by this association, being one of five in the state, to represent them at the World's Congress of Bankers at Chicago during the World's Fair, and again in 1898 he represented this same body at the American Bankers' Association at Denver.
At the present time he is the president of the Burch Plow Works, which employs about forty men. He organized the Schill Brothers' Furnace & Range Company, of which he was one of its stockholders and directors.
In him Crestline has always found a warm friend. No movement which embodied the development and upbuilding of this city ever failed to get his
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hearty endorsement and active support. Indeed, he has been looked upon as their leader, being selected as chairman of committees on public improve- ments. He may well be termed the "father of pike roads" in this township. The first articles in the city papers agitating the "piking" of the roads emanated from his pen, the initial meetings being held in his banking house. It was through his efforts that the first "pike" road was built in this town- ship, and to-day it is noted for its splendid roads, being one of the foremost townships in the county. One of the most important considerations of a city is its sanitary condition. It is this feaure which attracts the attention of the promoter and the home-seeker, and it is this which assures health to its inhabitants, and to this end Mr. Babst has toiled most untiringly : nor did he cease his untiring labors until he succeeded in securing a sewerage system which is the beginning of a movement that must prove of great benefit to the community. While Crestline cannot boast of an oil well to-day, yet it was the pioneer town in the late oil development in Ohio, and in this Mr. Babst was the prime mover, being personally interested in five wells.
He stands very prominent in the Knights of Pythias fraternity, hav- ing frequently represented this order in the grand lodge. He is known all over the state as the "Pythian," for his activeness in behalf of the order. He belongs to the Masons, having been a member for thirty-two years, and also holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
Like his father, his support is ever given to the Republican party, and while he has always refused political honors yet he has taken an active interest in all local affairs, and is always ready to uphold the principles of the "Grand Old Party," and has often been a delegate to the state convention of his party.
In 1869 Mr. Babst was united in marriage to Miss Mathilde Stoll, a daughter of George F. and Caroline Stoll, of Bucyrus, who were pioneer set- tlers of this county. To a man's social standing and to his success or failure in business life may be attributed to a degree the co-operation he receives from the personage he selects for his life companion. As a factor in the progressive and successful business life of our subject can be added the influ- ence of his domestic life which is portrayed in the character of his wife. Before marriage Mrs. Babst was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Crawford county and has a broad, progressive and comprehensive mind. Their beautiful home, which is so noted for the hospitality they have exhibited there, has been made brighter by the presence of three children: Earl D., who is now a prominent attorney at Detroit, Michigan; Jessie, the wife of. H. H. Cockley, the secretary of the Shelby Steel Tube Company, of Cleveland,
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Ohio; and Bertha S., who is with her parents. Their home is always found open for the warm reception of their many friends, and the family enjoys a leading place in social circles and gatherings in the county. The churches and charitable organizations of Crestline all profit by Mr. Babst's generous nature, and the poor and needy always find in him a warm friend. Thus we see portrayed the life of an active and progressive self-made man, -- the life of an honest, kind-hearted and charitable man who for a third of a century has participated in the business life of Crestline, and during this entire time he has so conducted himself and the affairs entrusted to him as to gain the respect and esteem of the entire county, and no word of censure has ever been uttered against him.
LEWIS H. BATTEFELD.
In the affairs of state, as taken aside from the extraordinary conditions of warfare, there are demanded men whose mental ken is as wide and whose generalship is as effective as those who insure successful maneuvering of armed forces by the skilled commanders on the field of battle. The nation's welfare and prosperity may be said to hinge as heavily upon individual dis- crimination and executive ability in the one case as the other. It requires master minds to marshal and organize the forces for political purposes and produce the best results by concerted effort. One of the leaders in Demo- cratic ranks in Crawford county is Lewis H. Battefeld, who has labored untiringly and effectively to promote the welfare and progress of his party and to secure a successful termination to its campaigns. He has filled many positions of public trust and is now serving for the second term as county commissioner.
Mr. Battefeld resides in Bucyrus and is numbered among Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in the capital city in 1842, his parents being Lewis and Christina (Biber) Battefeld, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. The father was a Hessian and the mother was born in Wurtemberg. She was a little maiden of nine summers when, in 1832, she was brought to Crawford county, Ohio, by her parents, Conrad and Christina (Utz) Biber, both of whom spent their remaining days in this county. Having located here in pioneer times, the grandfather of our subject entered land from the government in Cranberry township, and there developed and improved a farm.
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