USA > Ohio > Richland County > A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio > Part 20
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Silas Rummel, whose entire life has been spent in Ohio, was reared at his parental home and learned the trades of miller and millwright. He was married December 20, 1860, and in order to support his family followed both milling and farming. In 1864 he removed from Knox county to Madison township, Richland county, Ohio, where he purchased the old Campbell flour- ing-mill on the Rocky Ford. Five years later he sold that property and located at his present place, buying a farm of eighty acres near Lucas, the Oldfield property. He also became owner of a flouring-mill, which he con- ducted in connection with general farming. He is to-day the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land adjoining the village of Lucas and there successfully carries on general farming and stock-raising. In addition he owns an eighty-acre farm in Madison township, two tenement houses in Mansfield, one hundred and twenty acres of land in Polk county, Missouri, one hundred and sixty acres in Kansas and three hundred and eighty acres of timber land on the White River in Arkansas. As his financial resources have increased he has judiciously invested his capital in real estate, which is the safest of all investments. He is a man of keen dis- cernment and sound business judgment, qualities which have enabled him to place his money so that it has brought to him a good return.
On the 20th of December, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Lahmon, of Knox county, Ohio, and for forty years she has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. They became the parents of seven children : William A., deceased, who was a miller of Salem, Oregon ; Delnorta, the wife of O. E. Swigart ; Mary, the wife of Lewis Dickes, of Butler; George and Otis A., both at home; Edward G., a physician of But- ler ; and Mrs. Flora Baughman.
Mr. Rummel gives his political support to the Republican party, but the
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honors or emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he has preferred to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with creditable success. He started out in life empty handed, but has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming all difficulties by determined purpose, utilizing obstacles as stepping stones to something higher; and his good wife has helped him. His resolute will and indefatigable energy have been the salient features of his success.
BENJAMIN F. OBERLIN.
Among those who at the country's call went to the front and aided in the preservation of the Union was Benjamin F. Oberlin, now an enterprising and successful merchant of Butler. Throughout the years of an active business career he has ever been found faithful to duty, whether upon the field of battle or in the walks of private life, and he enjoys the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he has been associated.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Oberlin was born in Stark county. September 25. 1844. His grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and in that state John Oberlin, the father of our subject, was born. In early manhood, how- ever. he accompanied his parents to Stark county, Ohio, where he was reared and engaged in farming until about 1848. He then came to Richmond county, settling five miles south of Mansfield, where he purchased a tract of land, continuing its cultivation until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty-five years of age. In politics he was a Republican and religiously was connected with the Lutheran church. He married Elizabeth Kelker, a native of Stark county, Ohio, who died on the home farm in Richland county when about fifty-seven years of age. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran church.
Benjamin F. Oberlin was a lad of only four summers when he came to Richland county. He early became familiar with the labors of field and meadow and assisted in the work of the home farm until June, 1863, when, at the age of eighteen years, he responded to the country's call and joined the "boys in blue" of Company C, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, for six months' service. He went to the front as a private and remained at the scene of activity for about eight months, aiding in the capture of Hooker and doing garrison duty at Cumberland Gap. On the 24th of February, 1864. he re-enlisted in Company C, Sixty-fourth Ohio Infantry, for three years, as a private, but was mustered out as a corporal in Texas, on the 3d of December,
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1865. He participated in the Atlanta campaign until after the fall of the city and then went with his troops to Nashville and later to Texas. On his return home he engaged in farming for his father until 1869, when he was married and purchased a farm near Butler. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1877 when he sold his land and engaged in merchandising. He has since devoted his energies to the conduct of his store and is a wide-awake and progressive merchant. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods and receives from the public a liberal patronage.
On the 16th of November, 1869, Mr. Oberlin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Secrist, a native of Richland county, and a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Baker) Secrist. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and with his parents came to Ohio, the family locating in Wayne county when he was fifteen years of age. When a young man the family removed to Rich- land county, locating in Washington township, and later he took up his abode in Worthington township, where he remained until 1872. At that date he took up his abode in Butler and lived retired until called to his final rest, when about eighty-six years of age. His business affairs were attended with success, his industry and perseverance being the salient features in his pros- perity. He voted with the Republican party, but was not an active politician. Of the Evangelical association, however, he was a faithful member and earnest worker. His parents, Henry and Rachel (Crim) Secrist, were natives of Pennsylvania, but passed their last days in Washington township, Richland county, the former dying at the age of seventy-five and the latter at the age of forty-six. Mrs. Secrist, the mother of Mrs. Oberlin, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and came to Richiland county, Ohio, with her father, Christian Baker, and settled near Bellville, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In politics he was a Republican, and he lived to be about sixty- nine years of age. His father, Christian Baker, served in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Secrist, who was a faithful member of the Evangelical church, died at the age of fifty-seven years, leaving eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin had a daughter, Eva Elizabeth, who died November 7, 1899, at the age of twenty-seven years, seven months and ten days.
Mr. Oberlin exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is unswerving in his advocacy of its principles. He served for one term as the township assessor, for two terms as the treasurer and for several years was a member of the city council, and in each position he met the obligations resting upon him in a prompt and capable manner. Socially he is connected with Lucullus Lodge, No. 121, K. of P.,
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of which he is a charter member. He also belongs to Samuel Bell Post, G. A. R., and for four years has been its commander. He is also one of its charter members and has been earnest in his labors to promote the welfare of the organization. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in its work. During their long resi- dence in Butler they have become widely known and enjoy the warm friend- ship of all with whom they have been associated.
L. N. LOISELLE.
L. N. Loiselle is a Canadian by birth but a loyal American by adoption. He is now one of the most prominent, influential and successful citizens of Mansfield, Ohio, where he is carrying on a wholesale and retail bakery. He was born in Montreal, Canada, November 2, 1858, and is of French lineage. During his boyhood his parents, Edward and Rose Loiselle, left the English province and with their family came to the United States, locating at Keene, New Hampshire, in 1863, where the father and mother lived until a recent date, now living in Mansfield, Ohio.
Mr. Loiselle, of this review, accompanied his parents on their removal and was reared under the parental roof. He enjoyed such educational priv- ileges as the public schools afforded and was thus well fitted for a practical business career. In the year 1885 he became a resident of Mansfield. and for several years traveled on the road as a representative of John W. Wagner's wholesale hardware establishment and later Crawford & Taylor, proprietors of a wholesale bakery. The capital which he acquired through his own efforts at length enabled him to engage in the bakery business on his own account, and in the year 1893 he began operations in Mansfield as the pro- prietor of a wholesale and retail bakery. From the beginning his business has proved a successful venture, and his trade has steadily increased until it has now assumed extensive proportions. He well deserves a liberal patron- age, for he is systematic, methodical and enterprising, and at all times hon- orable.
The lady who is now Mrs. Loiselle was in her maidenhood Sarah E. Barton, a resident of Peru, LaSalle county, Illinois.
The Barton family to which she belongs is one of the most distinguished of the Keystone state. Mr. and Mrs. Loiselle enjoy the high regard of many friends in Mansfield and sustain pleasant relations in social circles. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His attention, how-
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ever, is chiefly given to his business, which, under his able management, has become one of the leading bakeries of the city. A laudable ambition has characterized his business career, and his advancement has been continuous, resulting from determined purpose to work his way steadily upward where a competence would supply him with comforts of life.
ELLZY A. ASHBAUGH.
Ellzy A. Ashbaugh, a prominent agriculturist living in the southeast corner of section 32, Sharon township, and whose postoffice is Cookton, was born in Richland county, Ohio, January 31, 1850. His father, Harvey Ash- baugh, was a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, born there in ISII, and came to Ohio in 1836, driving all the way with team and wagon and bring- ing with him his wife and one child. After reaching Ohio he lived one year in Mansfield, purchased one hundred acres of woodland in Springfield town- ship, and in 1850 purchased another farm, containing one hundred and fifty- two acres, upon which he lived until his death in 1876. In addition he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Crawford county prior to 1848, and upon which the city of Crestline now stands. The maiden name of his wife was Eliza C. Elliott, who also was of Adams county, Pennsylvania, born in 1812, and married to Mr. Ashbaugh August 6, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Ash- baugh were the parents of seven children, of whom they reared six, the sub- ject of this sketch and five daughters. These children were as follows : Vienna, now the widow of B. F. Lee, living in Genesee county, Michigan, and who has five sons and two daughters; Margaret, the wife of Orrin Hart, and living in Flushing, Michigan, having two sons; Jane, who became the wife of David E. Shepard, and died in Richland county, Ohio, at the age of thirty-seven, leaving three daughters; Ida M., the wife of Harrison Ralston, living in Springfield township and having two sons; Harriet, the widow of W. H. Shea, living in Springfield township, and having one son and one daughter; Ellzy A., the subject of this sketch; and Alice, the wife of W. J. Wilkinson, of Shelby, and having a family of four children. The father of these children died in 1876 and the mother in 1889, and they now rest in Oakland cemetery. They gave their children an excellent education, believing that the best legacy they could leave them, and were members of the Baptist church.
The subject of this sketch lived at home until after his father's death, and on February 27, 1877, was married to Miss Amanda M. Everts, who was
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born in Bellville in October, 1854, a daughter of Solomon C. and Lucy E. (Coile) Everts. Both of her parents are still living. Their family consisted of this one daughter and one son-J. M. Everts, of Nemaha county, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Ashbaugh have but one child, Emma A., the wife of William F. Morehead, Mr. and Mrs. Morehead being the parents of a fine boy, born to them March 3, 1899.
Mr. Ashbaugh settled on his present eighty-five-acre farm in 1887, inheriting it from his father, who purchased it in 1854. At his death he owned but one farm, having given his other two farms to his children.
Ellzy A. Ashbaugh is in politics a Republican, but has never held office. He has a most fertile farm and pleasant home. Upon his farm is an excel- lent orchard, and he carries on general farming, raising various crops and keeping a variety of stock. He is a thorough farmer, believing in the old maxim; that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. He and his wife are most excellent people and enjoy the confidence and respect of all their neighbors and friends.
HENRY BACKENSTO.
A fitting reward of a well spent life is retirement from labor,-a period in which one may enjoy the fruits of former toil, and rest from the active labors of years that have gone by. Such has been vouchsafed to Mr. Back- ensto, who for many years was identified with agricultural interests, but has now left the farm and is living in the village of Shiloh.
He was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, on the 3Ist of October, 1825, his parents being Jacob and Rebecca (Beasore) Backensto. In their family were ten children. The ancestry can be traced back to one of three brothers who emigrated from Germany to America some years prior to the Revolution. One of the brothers settled in the Empire state, another in Virginia, and the third in Pennsylvania, and it is from the last named that the branch of the family to which our subject belongs is descended. When the yoke of British oppression became intolerable, and the colonies resolved to renounce allegiance to the mother country, the three brothers all joined the colonial army and loyally aided in the struggle for independence. Jacob Backensto, the father of our subject, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsyl- vania, upon a farm. This was one of the historic places of the community, for it was the scene of an atrocious murder of nine persons, committed by the Indians prior to the Revolution. On the old homestead Mr. Backensto
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attained his manhood and soon afterward was united in marriage to Rebecca Beasore. In a short time afterward they removed to Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania, where five of their children were born. In 1831 the family came to Ohio, arriving in Franklin township, Richland county, on the 22d of April, after a journey of twenty-two days, made by wagon. They were accom- panied by Christ Urick and Benjamin Schiffler, with their respective families. On their arrival Mr. Backensto purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, making his home upon that place until a short time prior to his death. At the time of his second marriage, to Mrs. John Plank, then a widow, he removed to Planktown, Cass township, where he died about two or three years later. In connection with farming he engaged in teaming, a pursuit which he followed throughout much of his life. When a boy of only twelve years he made many trips to Balti- more and Philadelphia, with a four-horse team, and was thoroughly acquainted with the country at the time when railroads were unknown, and when the work of progress and civilization was scarcely begun beyond the Atlantic coast. Of the ten children of the family only four are now living, namely : Henry; Rebecca, the wife of O. J. Rotsel, of Bryan, Ohio: David H., of Weller township, Richland county; and Sarah, the wife of William H. Jack- son, a farmer of Williams county, Ohio.
Mr. Backensto of this review acquired a limited education in the old pio- neer log schoolhouse. On attaining his majority he made a trip through the east, covering a period of three months, and after his return home was married, on the 28th of October, 1847, Miss Sarah Clayburg becoming his wife. She is a native of Butler township, Richland county, a daughter of Abraham Clayburg, who was one of the first settlers on Whetstone creek, this county. Soon after his marriage Mr. Backensto erected a log cabin on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres owned by his father, which stood in the midst of beech woods in what was then Blooming Grove township, but is now Butler township. He took his young bride to this primitive home and at once began the clearing of his land and preparing it for the plow. At the time of his father's death he inherited eighty acres of the land, and purchased the other eighty-acre tract from his brother. As the years passed he added to his farm all the comforts of civilized life, replacing the pioneer home by a commodious frame residence, also erecting barns and other nec- essary outbuildings, and to-day he has one of the most desirable and attractive properties in this section of Richland county. He extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchases, so that his farm comprised two hundred
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acres of rich, arable land. In 1863, however, he removed to Shiloh, where he has since resided. After four years he sold his farm and since that time he has bought and sold various farm properties. At the present time he owns valuable land in Cass township, and from his real estate he derives a good income. About fifteen years ago he was the owner of a general mer- cantile store in Shiloh, with his son as a partner and the general manager. The latter now gives his attention to the direction of the business, while his father is living retired.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Backensto were born nine children, but five have passed away. Those still surviving are: John F., a resident of California ; Dorcas, the wife of Elmer Y. Rose, of Richland county; Clement L., who is engaged in business with his father; and Sadie, the wife of Frank Beaver, of Columbus, Ohio. On the 4th of July, 1890, the mother died, and on the 20th of May, 1891, Mr. Backensto again married, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine Crum.
Of the Democratic party Mr. Backensto is a supporter, and was a mem- ber of the first council of Shiloh. He has also served as a trustee of Cass and Butler townships, being called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. A long and active business career well entitles him to a rest. He is a man of sound judgment, possessing excellent business and executive ability, combined with resistless energy and resolute purpose.
REV. FRANCIS J. HOPP.
Father Francis Joseph Hopp, parish priest of Shelby Settlement Catholic church, was born at Akron, Ohio, February 23. 1874. His father, Jacob Hopp, a native of Austria, was born in 1830 and in 1856 crossed the Atlantic to the new world. In 1862 he married Catherine Cline, of Ohio, and in order to provide for the support of his family he followed the stone-mason's trade. At the time of the Civil war he offered his services to the government but was refused. He and his wife made their home in Akron and they became the parents of three sons and three daughters. The father died in 1889 and the mother, surviving him several years, passed away in 1894. Rev. Fran- cis J. Hopp, of this review, acquired his preliminary education in the parochial school of Akron and pursued a college course in Buffalo, New York, where he was graduated in 1891. His preparation for the priesthood was obtained in the Theological Seminary at Cleveland, and he was ordained in 1897. on the completion of a six-years course. His first parish work was in connection
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with St. Patrick's church, of Cleveland, as assistant to the Rev. James O'Leary. There he remained for seven months. Father Hopp was called to the pastorate of Shelby Settlement Catholic church on the IIth of Jan- uary, 1898. His parish was organized in 1833, and in 1836 the little log church was built. The brick church now used as a temporary school build- ing was erected between the years 1851 and 1853, and the present fine stone edifice was begun in 1891 and completed and dedicated in 1895, and is now practically free from debt. There are now two hundred and forty-five com- municants, or seventy families, in the church. Its beautiful house of worship is valued at forty thousand dollars. The present board of trustees are: Will- iam Weaver, Anthony Sutter, Henry Keller and Jacob Rondy. The church was erected under the pastorate of Father F. A. Schreiber, now the pastor of St. Peter's Catholic church, of Mansfield, and there is much credit due him, for few men have accomplished the noble work that he is doing. There are few, if any, churches in the rural districts that can compare with that of the Shelby Settlement. It is surrounded by large and beautiful grounds, shaded by trees, and affords ample space for holding summer picnics and Sabbath gatherings. Father Hopp has a promising future before him and is already accomplishing a splendid work in connection with the church of which he is the pastor.
JAMES F. RABOLD.
One of the prominent business men of Shelby, Richland county, Ohio, who is now the junior partner in the firm of D. Rabold & Son, is James F. Rabold, the subject of this sketch. He was born in this town, in 1856, a son of Daniel and Mary (Saltzgaber) Rabold, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and the latter in Shelby, Ohio, and is the daughter of Samuel and Jane (Van Horn) Saltzgaber, residents of Van Wert, Ohio.
The maternal grandfather of our subject has reached the unusual age of one hundred and one years, and his anniversary was fittingly celebrated Jan- uary 12, 1901, by not only his family and intimate friends but also by the whole population. For many years he was one of the accommodating and well known proprietors of a hotel in Shelby, and travelers of forty years ago hold him in special remembrance. Many evidences of good will were offered upon this happy occasion, the papers of the county commented upon it, and none enjoyed it more than did the vigorous centenarian himself.
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The father of our subject has conducted a merchant tailoring business in this place for nearly fifty years. When of suitable age he connected himself with his son, forming the present partnership and insuring the continuance of the old and honorable house. The parents of Mr. Rabold had five children : Our subject ; William. who resides in Washington, connected with the Wash- ington Post, of that city; Jane Elizabeth, Mary S. and Maude.
In 1889 our subject was married to Miss Edna Westfall, of Plymouth, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Emma (Clark) Westfall, one of the oldest families in the state. Mr. and Mrs. Rabold have three children : Nellie F., born in December, 1892; Daniel R., born in January, 1894; and Edna, born in February, 1900.
In politics Mr. Rabold is prominently identified with the Democratic party, and in 1889 he was elected the treasurer of Sharon township by one hundred and fourteen majority, the township usually going one hundred Republican. He has been called upon to serve in several public capacities in local affairs, and in 1892 was made a member of the election board. Socially he is popular, being a charter member of the K. of P., also a member of the uniform rank, and is a member of the K. O. T. M. and of the Colonial Club.
Mr. Rabold has passed his life in this neighborhood, and possesses the respect and confidence of all with whom he has social or business relations. The old house established by his father promises to be carried on with the same energy and honesty that have made it one of the honorable landmarks of the place.
HON. CURTIS E. McBRIDE.
Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more prominent actors in public affairs than any other class of American people. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and train- ing which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the strict path of his profession and which touch the general interests of society. The subject of this record is a man who has brought his keen discrimination and thorough wisdom to bear not alone in professional paths, but also for the benefit of his county and state.
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