A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio, Part 17

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826


USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 17


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WILLIAM HECKERT.


This name will need no introduction in circles acquainted with the inven- tions in machinery of the higher class or the present history of applied mechan- ics in its various departments. In certain lines of inventive skill Mr. Heckert is better known than any man in the country, and it is difficult to say which is the more wonderful, the ingenuity or the multiplicity of his achievements in mechanical science. The list is so long and the devices so numerous that it is impossible in this space to find room even for a bare catalogue, but a few gen- eral remarks may give some conception of Mr. Heckert's contributions to the intellectual progress of this phenomenal age. He has designed and built over one thousand different machines, all of which have gone into use in the fac-


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tories of this country and many of which have made large fortunes for their purchasers. A very large and significant portion of his business has been that of correcting the imperfections of other men's inventions. Hundreds of these which had failed of their puropse, being brought to Mr. Heckert, were re- designed by him and made operative. This process, like making a new coat out of an old one, is regarded by experts as more difficult than building a inachine from the beginning, the serious bar consisting in the limitations and restraints imposed by the imperfections and the retention of old parts for the sake of economy. Perhaps his greatest single achievement was the invention of what was known in the scientific world as the hot rolled seamless tube, which is regarded as an epoch-making discovery in the steel industry. During his career at Providence it was Mr. Heckert's business to bid upon and take contracts to design and build new and untried machines to perform a given work impossible before of accomplishment and at a fixed price and at a time limit. His success in this line at the time gave him the reputation of being the greatest mechanical genius in all New England. Circumstances and his versatile talent led him from one accomplishment to another, up to the perfection of machinery that promises to revolutionize the steel industry of the world. His mechanical and scientific research and attainments have been more extensive than it is possible to describe in this biography, but it is safe to predict that in the history of great accomplishments he will take his place among the greatest.


William Heckert was born at Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and at the age of five years his parents removed to a farm in Butler county, where he grew up and received his education in the common schools. When twenty years old he went to Pittsburg, where he learned wood carving and stair building, seven or eight years being spent in that city and at Sharon, Penn- sylvania. After that time he lived four years at Newcastle, in the same state, where he was engaged in the manufacture of printing presses. But his estab- lishment having been destroyed by fire in February, 1872, he sought a location at Providence, Rhode Island, where he spent the five subsequent years. In that city his special genius first commenced to show itself decidedly, as there he originated the first automatic presses for color printing and also those for printing tickets. He organized the Monitor Press and Machine Company and carried on the business of manufacturing and selling the Monitor presses, as also the designing and building of special machinery of all kinds for nine years. He made and sold fifteen hundred of the Monitor presses, meantime designing and building over a thousand different machines for as many differ- ent purposes, from watchmaking to locomotive building, from delicate geo-


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metrical lathes for engraving bank notes to the ponderous machinery for driv- ing cable railways. In 1878 Mr. Heckert's factory was absorbed by the Na- tional Bank Note Company, of New York, and soon afterward this company was consolidated with the American National Bank Note Company and the Continental Bank Note Company. Mr. Heckert was made general superin- tendent of the mechanical department and held that highly responsible posi- tion for three years, after which time he went into the manufacture of special machinery at Yonkers, New York. He continued in this line several years and then merged his business with the Korting Gas Engine Manufacturing Com- pany, of Germany, with headquarters in New York City. Mr. Heckert, being made general superintendent of the business, first improved the Korting en- gine and soon afterward designed a gas engine of his own on a greatly im- proved plan, which he sold to the Korting Company, and this they have since been building in place of their own.


In 1889 Mr. Heckert came to Findlay, Ohio, and for three years had charge as superintendent of the Kellogg Seamless Tube Company, which busi- ness he completely reorganized and placed on a firm basis. When this re- modeled plant started up it turned out, without hitch or bolt, the hot rolled seamless tube for the first time in the history of the world.


In 1892 he retired from the Kellog Company, since which time he has been connected with various enterprises, and at present is engaged with Judge Henry W. Seney, of Toledo, Ohio, in the introduction of their " Tri- motor," which scientific and engineering experts admit to be the most meri- torious invention and discovery of modern times. The utilization of fuel from which the world derives nearly all its artificial light and power, has been so imperfect that nine-tenths of its heat energy has been wasted, or 90 cents out of every dollar paid for fuel, light and power has been thrown away. This condition has been reversed by Mr. Heckert's scientific work, and nine-tenths of the heat energy of fuel can now be utilized. The self-firing "Trimotor" now being introduced, using crude oil as fuel, furnishes steam heat, hot and cold water wherever wanted, with gas as fuel for cook stoves and electric light for domestic and all other purposes. The "Trimotor" is adapted to all motive power purposes, dispensing with firemen, smoke stacks and the smoke nuisance, giving three times as much power from a given quantity of fuel, as the best steam or gas engines now give, thus making the most valuable scien- tific advance of modern times.


On the 25th of December, 1869, Mr. Heckert was united in marriage to Laura, daughter of Lester M. Williams, of Sharon, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Heckert claims descent from Roger Williams, the famous religious reformer


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at the period of the first Puritans in New England. Mr. Heckert is not con- nected with any religious denomination and has but little time to spare from his busy life for anything but his special pursuits. He served, however, for one term in the Findlay city council, being elected to that position by the Re- publican party, to which he has always given his political allegiance. Two of his father's older brothers served in the war of 1812 in the United States army, while their parents resided where Germantown, Pennsylvania, is now located.


RUFUS E. TAYLOR.


This gentleman, at present with the Sucker Rod Company at Findlay, has had an interesting career in oil, and can relate some graphic experiences of the ups and owns of that hazardous but fascinating business. One year getting a salary of $150 a month, the next glad to work for $20; now on the high tide of success with money in the bank, and a fortune in sight, and later completely out of both friends and work, and in that rueful condition which speculators denominate as "busted." Such are a few of the contrasts which Mr. Taylor experienced and can describe graphically as well as amusingly, but in the end fickle fortune smiled upon him, crowned his labors with success and enabled him to extract from the slippery subterranean fluid the means of competence and comfort.


Rufus E. Taylor was born on a farm in Geauga county, Ohio, June 6, 1859, and remained at home until thirteen years old, after which he got only two months' schooling. At the tender age mentioned the boy went alone to Petrolia, Pennsylvania, to clerk in a grocery store owned by his brother, E. C. Taylor. He remained there, however, but a short time, then returned to Ohio, and worked on a farm in Lake county for seven months, after which, with the restlessness of youth, he again went back to Petrolia. This time he engaged in the oil business and when only fifteen years old was getting $80 per month, which was increased in the following year to $150 per month. The wheel of fortune, however, took a turn before his departure front Petrolia, which occurred in 1877, when he was in that impecunious condition described by the initiated as "broke." The next move took him over to Connecticut and in this "land of steady habits" he was glad to get a job at $20 a month, for which he worked about one year and again turned his face westward. Going back to his home county in Ohio, he was married there in 1880 to Ella L., daughter of William L. Leland, after which event he remained quietly at home for a year and a half. Six months were then spent in the employment


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of a firm engaged in the oil business in Allegany county, New York, when again we find Mr. Taylor in Geauga county running a threshing machine. This occupation lasted during one fall and winter and in 1886 Mr. Taylor came to Findlay with scarcely a dollar in his pocket. Nothing daunted, how- ever, he formed a partnership with H. A. Watts and E. C. Taylor for the drilling of oil wells by contract and this venture proved another favorable turn in his fortunes. He operated with his partners until August, 1897, when he disposed of his interests and found himself in possession of a handsome profit. Feeling entitled to a rest, Mr. Taylor put in a year or so in travel, being absent from Findlay until the spring of 1898, and two years later he purchased a half interest in the Findlay Sucker Rod Company, which he dis- posed of in March, 1902. Mr. Taylor's political affiliations are with the Re- publican party, and he served one year on the city board of improvements of Findlay. His fraternal connections are with Masonry, in which he has reached the thirty-second degree, the Elks, Knights of Pythias and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.


FRANK VAN SANT.


Frank Van Sant, one of the most progressive and successful agricul- turists of Jackson township, shows in his methods of farm management deep scientific knowledge, combined with sound practical judgment, and the re- sults show that high class farming as an occupation can be made profitable as well as pleasant.


Mr. Van Sant was born in Liberty township, this county, January I, 1854, his parents being William and Harriet (Mains) Van Sant. The father was born in Maryland, January16, 1812, of Holland ancestry, the name being originally spelled Van Zant, but was changed by him during boyhood upon entering school. During his youth he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed in the south for some years. Making considerable money, he lived rather extravagantly, paying eighteen dollars per yard for the cloth in his wedding suit ; one hundred and fifty dollars for a watch; fifty dollars for a chain and five dollars for a key. He was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 28, 1847, to Miss Harriet E. Mains, the ceremony being performed by Rev. John Stone. She was born July 7, 1824, a daughter of Jacob and Harriet Mains, who were of German descent. A few years after his mar- riage Mr. Van Sant removed to Hancock county, but after spending a short time here returned to Fairfield county. About 1850 or 1851 he again canie to Hancock county and settled on a farm in Liberty township, five miles


MRS. FRANK VAN SANT.


FRANK VAN SANT.


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northwest of Findlay, where he resided for four or five years. He made money in land trading, owning at different times several farms in this coun- ty, his name appearing on more records in the county seat than that of any other man up to the time he left the county, about 1884. He finally secured the farm on which his son Frank now lives, the latter being at that time eighteen years of age. From this farm the father removed to Findlay in the fall of 1876, and subsequently went to Georgia, where he made his home for about sixteen years, living retired at Dalton and at Tunnel Hill. For a year and a half prior to his death he resided with his son Frank at the pres- ent home of the latter, and there passed away on the 7th of July, 1900. His wife had died at their home in Dalton, Georgia, from cancer, August 16, 1887, at the age of sixty-three years, one month and nine days. During her residence in the south she returned to Ohio two or three times, her last visit being only a few weeks before her death. Her remains were interred in the Maple Grove cemetery. For thirty-three years she was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was beloved by all who knew her.


The subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children, the others being as follows: Homer H., an engineer living in Muncie, Indiana; Solon B., a farmer of Hancock county, who died Feb- ruary 22, 1900; Orril A., who died at the age of two years; Albert R., a farmer of Jackson township, this county; Clayton, a farmer of Deshler, Ohio; Sarah J., the wife of U. S. Fetters, of Jackson township; Viola, wife of William Oman, a retired citizen of Findlay; Alice, wife of A. C. Shank, of Deshler ; and Elizabeth, who was murdered while standing in her own doorway, December 21, 1897, at the age of thirty-two years, three months and ten days. She was a most estimable lady, who was devoted to her parents and remained with them until her death.


During his minority Frank Van Sant gave his father the benefit of his labors. He accompanied the family on their removal to his present farm and when his father decided to locate in town he took charge of the place and has since engaged in its operation, his youngest brother remaining with him one winter.


On the 11th of March, 1877, Mr. Van Sant was united in marriage to Miss Phebe A. Van Horn, a daughter of George W. and Nancy (Morehart) Van Horn, The father was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and is now living with Mrs. Van Sant at the age of seventy-five years. He is the eldest of five brothers living in this county, the others being Moore, of Amanda township; Robert, of Jackson township; and Charles E.


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and John, both of Amanda township. George W. Van Horn was educated in the schools of Hancock county and taught for several years in early life at fifty cents per day. His brother Moore was also a teacher and his daughter. Mrs. Van Sant, followed the same occupation in Jackson and Amanda town- ships prior to her marriage. She was educated in the Mount Blanchard and Findlay high schools. Her father became one of the successful farmers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Van Sant have two daughters: Cora, who com- pleted her education in the Mt. Blanchard high school and taught for two years, is now the wife of John N. Edie, who operates one of our subject's farms, and they have one child, Arthur. Jessie, the younger daughter, is at home with her parents and is still in school.


For a few years after his marriage Mr. Van Sant rented his father's farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, and then bought one hun- dred and sixty acres and later the remainder of the tract. Since then he has purchased fifteen acres more a mile distant. His wife being one of two daughters, received one-half of her father's estate, and buying her sister's interest, became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, comprising the Van Horn homestead. To this has been added an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that she and her husband now lack only five acres of five hundred acres. Upon the home place has been erected good and substantial buildings, including a modern residence, and there are also two other houses upon the land, which is rented. Mr. Van Zandt has also laid considerable tiling, so that his land is now in first class condition. being rich and productive, yield- ing a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. In connection with general farming he carries on stock raising, making a spe- cialty of sheep, of which he keeps from three to five hundred head upon his place. These are of a high grade and he realizes a good income both from the wool and mutton. Mr. Van Sant's residence, one of the best in the town- ship, was built in 1897, at a cost of about four thousand dollars. On the home farm there are eight producing gas wells.


Originally Mr. Van Sant was a Democrat in politics, but his views on the tariff question were more in accordance with the principles of the Re- publican party, and he is now a stanch supporter of the latter. He is gen- erally a delegate to the county conventions of his party and was at one time a candidate for county commissioner. For four years he acceptably served as township treasurer and he has always been found true and faithful to any trust reposed in him, whether public or private. Both he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Houck- town, and during his entire membership with that congregaion he has served


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as trustee and steward. The family are faithful attendants at both church and Sunday-school. Fraternally Mr. Van Zandt is a member of the Masonic lodge at Findlay and the Odd Fellows lodge at Mount Blanchard. He commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or social life, and is held in the highest regard by all who know him.


HEZEKIAH CORWIN.


Hezekiah Corwin, who now lives retired from active business, in his pleasant home at Findlay, was born on a farm in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1836, and is a son of Peter Corwin, who was born in 1810, in Pennsylvania, but who died on his farm in Hancock county, Ohio, in 1860. He was a son of Morris Corwin, who also died in the same county, in 1852, when about sev- enty years of age. The two surviving children of Peter Corwin are our sub- ject and his sister Harriet, who is the wife of John Phifer, of Hancock county, Ohio.


Hezekiah Corwin was but an infant when his parents moved from the farm in Wayne county to the the village of Perrysburg, and a few years later to Jeromeville, now in Ashland county, Ohio. In 1849 the family removed to Findlay, where our subject acquired the most of his education, as he lived on a farm just outside the corporation limits. After attaining his majority, Mr. Corwin learned the brick mason's trade and followed the same for some years. When the Civil war broke out, it found him ready and willing to do his duty, and in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, in which he served for twenty months, receiving then an hon- orable discharge on account of disability, being at that time a corporal with every indication of promotion. During a great part of the time he was detailed as wagon driver.


Upon leaving the army, Mr. Corwin returned to Findlay, but the busi- tess depression of that time made it difficult to obtain work and finally he returned to his trade and followed it for three years. He then engaged in farming and also in teaming for several years, and then opened a livery stable at Bluffton, Ohio. Nine months later he decided to remove his busi- ness to Findlay, where he successfully conducted a stable until about 1887, when a favorable opportunity was offered for disposing of his interests and Mr. Corwin sold to advantage. In 1889 he again embarked in the business and carried it on for three years, since then living retired.


In 1869 Mr. Corwin was married to Miss Sarah Spangler, in Findlay,


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and one daughter, Nellie, was born to this marriage. In politics our subject is identified with the Republican party. The family is well known, as Peter Corwin was a very successful teacher for many years.


ABSALOM P. BYAL.


This gentleman, now a retired business man of Findlay, is one of those interesting characters who act as connecting links between the pioneer past and the progressive present. He has been a resident of Hancock county since 1833, a period of nearly seventy years, and during that time has witnessed practically the whole development of both county and city. His career covers a period of momentous events in the history of state and nation, in- cluding three of the national wars, and that marvelous settlement and organi- zation of the great chain of states which stretch from the Mississippi to the distant shores of the Pacific. Nor was Mr. Byal by any means an idle spec- tator of this vast national panorama of moving pictures. He did his full share in helping along the industrial growth of this section, and, as will be seen later, figured conspicuously both in the public and private business affairs of his county. The name of Byal is of French origin, and the founder of the family in this country emigrated from France with an English wife and settled in Maryland about the middle of the eighteenth century. This emi- grant left one son, named Peter, who served in the Revolutionary war, and an- other named William Byal, who was born near Baltimore, Maryland, in 1765, and came to Stark county, Ohio, in March, 1810. He engaged in farming there, and so continued until September, 1833, when he removed to Hancock county, resumed his old occupation of tilling the soil and was thus employed until death terminated his labors in 1840. He was married twice, his second wife being Catherine Shilling, who died April 14, 1865, leaving five children, four of whom are living.


Absalom P. Byal, eldest of the children last mentioned, was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 19, 1821, and was consequently twelve years old when brought by his parents to Hancock county. He grew up on the farm in Find- lay township and made his first independent business venture in his eighteenth year, by purchasing and driving a team, which occupation was later varied by farming, trading and other pursuits. It was his custom in those youthful days to eke out his income by teaching during the winters and shipping a little grain in season. So things went along until 1842, when he secured ap- pointment as deputy sheriff of Hancock county, and was employed in that ca- pacity during the following two years. In 1846 he was elected sheriff for a


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term of two years, but after serving half that time resigned to accept appoint- ment as clerk of the court, in which office he served for six and one-half years. He then began farming a tract of land which he had purchased in Findlay township and on which he lived during the next six years. In 1861 he re- moved to Findlay, lived there until 1867, and then moved to another farm within the corporation limits, which became his permanent residence.


Mr. Byal is a member of the Democratic party, and in the past has been prominent as one of its leaders. In 1883 he was elected to represent Han- cock county in the legislature, and made so satisfactory a record that he was rewarded by re-election in 1885. Still higher honor was conferred upon him when, in 1873, he was chosen as the representative of his party and county in the constitutional convention of that year. In addition to this he was at one time elected justice of the peace, but resigned from that office before his term had expired. Mr. Byal is a communicant of the Presbyterian church and long conspicuous in Masonry, being the oldest member of that order in Hancock county, who was created a Mason here.


In September, 1845, Mr. Byal was married, at Findlay, to Sarah A., daughter of A. Youngkin, and by this union there were five children, of whom four grew to maturity : Clara E., wife of P. W. Ball, of Springfield, Ohio; Sarah C., wife of Dr. Cass R. Carlin, deceased; William A., of Findlay ; and Ida H., wife of J. J. Bradner, of Marion, Indiana. The mother died in May, 1865, and Mr. Byal contracted his second matrimonial alliance with Sally Mavety, to whom he was married at Findlay, in October, 1867. Of the two children resulting from this union, Nellie was drowned at the age of three years, and George F. makes his home with his father. Mrs. Byal died Febru- ary 16, 1897.


GOTLOB D. FISHER.


John Fisher was a man of consideration in his native land of Germany and occupied a position of prominence in the business affairs of his com- munity. Like all other Germans he was compelled to serve his time in the army, but as it was an era of peace, nothing notable occurred during his mili- tary career. After this enforced service he returned to his home, where he prospered and held the office of constable, which is a much higher and more responsible position than the one of similar designation in this country. In early manhood he married and with his wife Frederika, carried out a long cherished design by emigrating to the United States in 1857. Making his way to Hancock county, Ohio, he tarried for a while in Washington township




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