USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 24
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HARRY E. BRADNER.
Harry E. Bradner, who is president of the Fostoria Heat & Light Company, represents one of the pioneer families of the state, but farther back into the history of this country can his ancestry be traced. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Bradner, was a native of Scotland and emi- grating to America founded the family in the new world. He was a min- ister of the Presbyterian church and was living in New York city when William Bradner, the grandfather of our subject, was born. William Bradner married Laura Everingham, and after residing at Niagara Falls, New York, for some years, he came with his family to Ohio, set- tling in Perry township, Wood county, and engaging in merchandising in Mill Grove. It was his son, John A. Bradner, who became the father of our subject. Prominently connected with railroad building in this state, he was for many years one of the most distinguished citizens of Fostoria. He married Miss Catherine Phillips and unto them were born eight children, of whom Harry E. is the seventh in order of birth.
Mr. Bradner of this review pursued his early education in the public schools of Fostoria, completed the high school course, and then, with a broad general education to serve as the foundation upon which to
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rear the superstructure of professional learning, he took up the study of law, in the office and under the direction of Charles A. Strauch, of Fos- toria. He did not practice, however, but, becoming interested in the City Heat & Light Company, he was made its secretary and treasurer, and in January, 1902, was elected its president.
On the 3d of April, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brad- ner and Miss Edith Butterfield, a daughter of Isaac and Antonia (Gris- wold) Butterfield, the latter being a daughter of Samuel Griswold, who was the first white child born in Columbus, Ohio. He became weil known in connection with journalistic interests in Ohio, published a paper at Tiffin, later one at Marion, and at the time of his death was the editor and proprietor of the Fairfield County Gazette, at Lancaster, Ohio. His son Samuel, an uncle of Mrs. Bradner, was one of the editors of the Omaha Bee. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bradner has been born one child, William Robert. The parents are well known in Fostoria, where they have a large circle of acquaintances, and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes. Mr. Bradner is accounted one of the most progressive and energetic business men of the locality and his reliability and personal worth make him a popular and valued citizen.
OWEN T. BROWN.
Few residents of Fostoria have been more actively connected with its upbuilding and progress than Owen T. Brown, the president of the Mechanics' Banking Company, and no history of the county would be' complete without a suitable record of his life.
He was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, one the 27th of March, 1835, a son of Edward and Margaret (Williams) Brown, who on emi- grating to America in 1844 settled in Newark township, Licking county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining years, the father passing away in 1861, at the age of sixty-eight, while his widow survived him until 1870, dying at the age of sixty-five. Owen T. was but a little lad of
O.J. OB oun Cesy Hostoria Ohio
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seven years when with his parents he crossed the Atlantic. He was reared in Licking county and attended the schools of Newark, and when he had put aside his text books he became connected with the grain trade there. In 1875 he removed to Fostoria, but still engaged in buy- ing and selling grain in Newark, as a member of the firm of Brown Brothers. On arriving in this city he became a partner in the firm of Foster, Olmsted & Company, which connection was maintained until 1890, when he went to Europe. At that time a reorganization brought into existence the firm of Brown & Bannister, the business continuing until 1896, Mr. Brown becoming the sole owner of the business. In July, 1899, he became the president of the Mechanics' Banking Com- pany upon the reorganization of the old Mechanics' Savings Bank Com- pany. Under his direction the new institution has had a remarkable growth. The conservative business policy which he inaugurated has brought commensurate success, the patronage increasing until it has assumed large proportions.
Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Jones, who was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, March 27, 1835. Twice have they revisited their native land and in 1901 they traveled all over the European continent, visiting the principal points of modern as well as historic interest. Four children were born to them, but Edward, their first, died at the age of six. Wilbur Charles, Anna M. and Mamie E. are the younger members of the family.
Mr. Brown has been active and influential in promoting public progress and the upbuilding of Fostoria. He is a progressive, enter- prising citizen, deeply interested in every movement calculated to advance the general good. For three terms he served as a member of the city council, and was the president of the board at the time the city water- works were established and when all the contracts for city paving were given. The council asked him to resign his position as one of its mem- bers in order to make him president of the water-works commission and allowed him to name the other two committeemen. The building of the water-works plant, involving the expenditure of two hundred thousand dollars, was completed in a thoroughly satisfactory and business-like
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manner. The same gratifying conditions existed concerning the city paving.
He has ever been a Republican, strong and earnest in support of the party, his efforts in its behalf being accorded of value in party lines. For thirty years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, being connected with the blue lodge and chapter. Long a consistent and faithful member of the Presbyterian church, for twenty-six years he has served as one of its trustees. He is a conservative business man of recognized ability and sterling integrity, acknowledged as a power in commercial, political, fraternal and church circles. He has not been so abnormally developed along any line as to make him a genius, but he belongs to that class of representative Americans who give due attention to those varied lines of thought and action which most affect the general good. Among his warmest friends are those who have known him through many years,-a fact which indicates that his career has ever been honorable, and upon the pages of Seneca county's history appears the name of no man who is more worthy of public regard than Owen T. Brown.
EDWARD E. HEATH.
Edward E. Heath, who is connected with the development of the oil industry at Rollersville and makes his home in Republic, was born in Tompkins county, New York, February 12, 1843. His father, James Heath, removed with his family to Harford, New York, in 1849, and in the public schools of that place Edward E. acquired his literary edu- cation. At the age of seventeen years, however, he started out upon his business career, working at the tinner's trade in Homer, New York, where he served an apprenticeship to that pursuit. He was thus engaged until the 21st of August, 1862, when he placed his name upon the roll of volunteer soldiers to aid in the suppression of the rebellion in the south. On the 19th of September he was mustered in the United States service, becoming a member of Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-
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seventh New York Infantry, at Hamilton. He joined the army for three years, and with his regiment proceeded to the front. The first engagement of importance in which he participated was at Chancellors- ville, and there he was wounded by a minie ball, which passed clear through the left thigh and lodged against the bone in the right leg. He was then in the field hospital for three days, after which he was sent to a hospital in Washington, where he remained for seventeen days, dur- ing which time the ball was extracted. He was then sent to David's Island, where he remained until the Ist of September, at which time he was transferred to Fort Schuyler. Later he was at Bedloe's Island and at Alexandria, Virginia, when he was put on detached service, being thus engaged until his discharge, at the close of his term of three years. He was mustered out on the 14th of July, 1865, as first sergeant, having been promoted to the rank of corporal before leaving New York. On account of his wounds he was at one time granted a furlough of one month. He did his duty faithfully and well and was always found with his command until his injuries necessitated his remaining in the hospital.
After the close of his military service Mr. Heath took up his abode in Homer, New York, where he followed his trade for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Tioga county, New York. At Candor, that county, he was engaged in the hardware business until 1874, when he came to Republic, Ohio, on a visit, hoping that his wife's health might be improved. She was so much benefited by the change that he decided to remain here and soon afterward began buying and selling walnut timber. Later he engaged in the tinware and hardware business in Republic and is now connected with the oil industry, owning six oil wells at Rollersville, Ohio, the enterprise being successful.
On the Ist of December, 1869, Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Shaw. She was born in Scipio township, Seneca county, a daughter of Joseph Shaw, whose history appears elsewhere in this work. In his political views Mr. Heath is a Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He holds membership in Captain Horace Robinson Post, G. A. R., of Republic, of which he was formerly commander, and his wife belongs to the Women's Relief Corps, of which
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she is treasurer. He is a past noble grand of Republic Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., and his wife is a past noble grand of the Daughters of Rebekah. She has been quite prominent in the work of this organization and was a delegate to the state meeting of the order, representing the twenty- first district. In public affairs Mr. Heath has taken a deep, active and helpful interest. He was a member of the town council and served on the fire and water committee. He does everything in his power to pro- mote the welfare and progress of his community, and for twenty years he has been correspondent of the Tiffin Tribune. In his business inter- ests he has met with creditable success, owing to his enterprise and keen discernment in financial matters.
THOMAS C. KNIGHT.
This venerable pioneer of Seneca county is a native son of the Buckeye state and a representative of one of the families who came to this commonwealth in an early epoch, dignifying the same by their services and worthy lives, even as he has done during the more than four score years which have elapsed since he was here ushered into the world. Honored by all, there is no citizen of the county more worthy of consideration in this compilation, and we find satisfaction in noting here the more salient features in his career. Mr. Knight, after years of active and earnest endeavor, is now living retired in the attractive little city of Tiffin, honored as one of the patriarchs of this locality.
Mr. Knight comes of stanch English lineage in the agnatic line and is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, having been born on the old homestead farm on the 28th of February, 1821, the son of John and Mary (Glaze) Knight, who became the parents of seven children, of whom only two survive,-Elizabeth, the wife of Barney Brinker, and the owner of the old homestead, where she still lives; and Thomas C., the venerable subject of this review. John Knight was born in the city of London, England, and when he was a lad of nine years
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his parents came to the United States, locating on a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, four miles distant from Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, where John Henry Knight, the grandfather of our sub- ject, passed the remainder of his life, as did also his wife. He cleared and improved his farm, which ultimately became the property of his son and namesake, who finally sold the place and purchased a tract of wild land in Sandusky county, to which he removed when our subject was but three years of age. Some years later he returned to Pickaway .county and there purchased another farm, which continued to be his home for the residue of his life, the old homestead being now owned by his daughter, as has been noted. He died in 1834, at the age of fifty-two years, having been a man of ability and utmost probity. In politics he gave his support to the Democratic party, ever manifesting a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of the community. His wife was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, her parents being of Prussian lineage, while the family was established on American soil in the colonial epoch, as is evident from the fact that one of her uncles in the paternal line served with distinction in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution. He was captured by the British and was held in duress until he nearly died of starvation, but finally succeeded in making his escape and rejoining the colonial forces. George Knight, an uncle of our subject, also rendered effective service in the second conflict with Great Britain, having served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of Mr. Knight lived to attain the exceptionally ven- erable age of ninety-seven years, her death occurring in Pickaway county.
Thomas C. Knight remained with his parents, assisting in the work of the farm and receiving his early educational discipline in the some- what primitive schools maintained in Ohio in the pioneer days. He was but thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and he there- after continued to assist his mother on the home place until his mar- riage, in 1848, when he came to Seneca county and located on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Hopewell township, reclaiming the place and placing it under a high state of cultivation, while, as the years passed and prosperity attended his efforts, he made excellent improve-
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ments of a permanent nature, the place now being equipped with sub- stantial buildings and all other requisite accessories and facilities. This fine farm property is still owned by Mr. Knight, and there he continued to reside until 1885, when he sought surcease from the active labors of a busy and useful career and removed to the city of Tiffin, where he has a pleasant home, in which he is passing the sunset years of his life in peace and happiness. In politics Mr. Knight has maintained an inde- pendent attitude and has invariably refused to accept official preferment, though he has ever been ready to lend his aid and influence in support of all legitimate objects for the public good.
On the 9th of February, 1848, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Knight to Miss Mary Powell, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, the daughter of Philip Powell, a prominent and influential pioneer farmer of Fairfield county, and this union was blessed with nine chil- dren, of whom seven are living at the present time, namely: William, a successful wholesale business man of the city of Cleveland; Marion, who is a grain merchant of Tiffin; Amos, a prominent and successful physician of Attica, Ohio; John; Laura, the wife of William Reid, of Pickaway county ; Thomas E., who has a farm adjoining the old home- stead; and Sherman, who is identified with the glass-manufacturing industry at Dunkirk, Indiana. Mrs. Knight died in July, 1891, aged sixty-seven years, and her demise was a source of bereavement to a large circle of friends outside the sacred family precincts.
WILLIAM H. ANWAY.
William H. Anway represents one of the honored pioneer families of Seneca county, and his birth occurred on the old family homestead, in Scipis township, June 22, 1835. There he was reared, and in the com- mon schools he acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in the Republic Academy. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until his marriage, which important event in his life occurred on
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the 3d of September, 1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Lucinda Tremaine, who was born in Fulton county, Ohio, a daughter of Warren and Nancy ( White) Tremaine, who came to Seneca county about 1828, establishing their home in Scipio township. Her father purchased eighty acres of land, upon a part of which the town of Republic now stands. About 1835 he removed to Fulton county, Ohio, and there entered land from the government. He became one of the prominent and influential pioneer settlers there and took an active part in promoting public progress. He aided in organizing the township in which he lived and was its first justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1841 and his wife passed away in January, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. He left to the care of his widow two daughters, Mrs. Anway and Clotilda. The latter became the wife of A. H. Smith, and died at Delta, Ohio, in February, 1902. Their mother then conducted the farm of three hundred and twenty acres for eight years after her husband's death. On the expira- tion of that period she married Elijah Smith, the father of A. H. Smith. She survived her second husband and died at the home of Mrs. Anway at the venerable age of eighty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Anway began their domestic life upon a farm which continued to be their place of abode until 1872, in which year they came to Republic. After two years, however, Mr. Anway resumed farming upon the old homestead, but when two more years had passed he sold that property and again came to Republic, where he continued until 1880. In that year he began farming upon a tract of land near the town, and there continued agricultural pursuits until 1901, when he retired from active business life and one more took up his abode in Republic. He is still the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, and of this eighty acres were entered from the government by his paternal grandfather, William Anway, and has since been owned by some representative of the name of Anway. Industry has characterized his business career and his sound judgment and careful management have been the means of bringing to him creditable and desirable success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Anway was blessed with four children, but Emma, the oldest, died in 1872 at the age of fourteen years; Kate
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became the wife of A. I. Stickney, station agent at Republic, and died in 1884: William W. is a farmer of Scipio township; and Laura is the wife of C. E. Karshner, of Barberton, Ohio. In his political views Mr. Anway is a Republican, and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. He has served as a member of the town council of Republic and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his community. For more than a quarter of a century he has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Republic and is most true and loyal to the teachings of this fraternity, which is based upon brotherly kindness and helpfulness. Throughout his entire life Mr. Anway has resided in Seneca county, and through sixty-seven years has witnessed its growth, development and progress, taking just pride in what has here been accomplished and bearing his part in the work of public improvement. The qualities of upright manhood have won for him high regard, and his worth is widely recognized.
JOSIAH KISTLER.
As a native son of Seneca county and a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families in this section of the Buckeye state, Mr. Kistler is eminently entitled to representation in a compilation which has to do with those who have been the founders and builders of this common- wealth, while such is his personal honor and integrity of character and such his standing as one of the successful and progressive farmers of the county that this consideration is all the more compatible.
Mr. Kistler was born in Adams township, Seneca county, on the 13th of April, 1838, being the son of Joseph Kistler, who was born in Pennsylvania, of sturdy German ancestry. Joseph Kistler was born in the year 1815, and in his youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Seneca county, Ohio, where he grew to maturity on the pioneer farm, which was reclaimed from the sylvan wilds of this section
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of the state. Here his marriage occurred and here he reared his chil- dren. Josiah was reared on the old homestead, early beginning to lend his aid in the work of improving and cultivating the same and securing such educational advantages as were afforded in the common schools of the place and period. After attaining his legal majority he continued to work for his father, receiving one hundred dollars per year and the privileges of the family home. He was thus engaged until the year suc- ceeding his marriage, which was solemnized when he was twenty-four years of age.
Mr. Kistler was united in marriage to Miss Susan Bookholdt, who was born in Seneca county, and to them eight children were born, of whom four are living, namely: Joseph, a successful farmer of Adams township; Sarah, the wife of William Burger, of Clinton township; Herbert, who is engaged in farming in Adams township; and Webster, who remains at the parental home, assisting his father in his farming operations. He married Miss Lizzie Eberhardt, and they have one child, Leroy.
The year subsequent to his marriage Mr. Kistler leased a farm in his native township, giving his attention to its cultivation for a period of five years, after which he purchased sixty acres of land in Adams township, disposing of this property a year later and returning to the parental homestead, where he successfully engaged in farming for ten years. He then purchased eighty-five acres of land in Adams township and there made his home for seven years, at the expiration of which time he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This place he has improved in the most effective way, making it one of the most desirable farm properties in the county, and here he has given his attention to diversified farming and to the raising of high- grade live stock, success having attended his efforts in all departments of his enterprise. He has never failed to avail himself of new methods which commended themselves to his judgment, and has been wide-awake and progressive, avoiding the ruts along which so many agriculturists continue to travel, thereby handicapping their success. In his political allegiance Mr. Kistler has given his unqualified support to the Demo-
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cratic party, taking an active interest in its cause and in those affairs which have to do with the general prosperity of his home community. He has served as road supervisor for the long period of eighteen years, making a most capable official, and was a director of the school board of his district for twelve years. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, of which he has been a deacon for the past six years. His wife, whose death occurred April 4. 1901, had been a devoted mem- ber of St. Joseph's Reformed church. A man of highest integrity and of unvarying courtesy and kindliness, he is honored by all who know him and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his native township.
ANDREW EMERINE.
In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competence and solid career on the part of the average business man fighting the every-day battle of life, there is but little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter ; but for a mind fully awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man who, without other means than a clear mind, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers fortune and gains not only the temporal rewards of his toil, but also that which is greater and higher, the respect and confidence of those with whom his years of active life have placed him in contact. America is distinctively a cosmopolitan nation ; she has drawn from the four quarters of the world and rapidly assim- ilated the heterogeneous elements. To no country, however, does she owe more than to Germany, from whose provinces have come men of sturdy integrity, determined purpose and marked intellectual vigor,-men who have proved both builder and conservators. The German-American is in the average case imbued most thoroughly with the spirit of our national institutions, and brings to bear his strength of manhood in per- petuating and advancing the higher interests of the republic.
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