USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 28
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About 1833 Jeremiah Williams, Jr., came to Adams township, hav- ing here purchased a quarter section of heavily timbered land, only four acres having been cleared, while a primitive log cabin had been erected. In this domicile he took up his abode, and here he inaugurated the work of reclaiming and otherwise improving the farm, which continued to be his home until his death, on the 16th of August, 1878, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife survived him only nine months, both hav- ing been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they were active workers, while to thein was given the unqualified esteem of the community where they passed so many years of their lives. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Eliza L. Kinzer, and she was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John and Susan Kinzer. She was reared from early childhood in Eden township, where she was married, her first union having been with John Jones, and after his death was solemnized her marriage to Jeremiah Williams. Of this second union six children were born, namely : Margaret O., a maiden lady, who died on the 15th of October, 1901, having remained at the old homestead; John, who died in infancy; Frances Amanda, who be-
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came the wife of Jacob Yotter, of Kosciusko county, Indiana, and who died in 1874; Cyrus, a resident of Kosciusko county, Indiana; Edmund B., a farmer of Adams township; and Rollin K., the immediate subject of this sketch and the owner of the old homestead.
Rollin K. Williams grew to maturity on the old homestead farm, early beginning to assist in its improvement and cultivation and secur- ing his preliminary educational training in the district schools, after which he continued his studies in the academy at Republic. With the exception of an interval of six years, when he worked at Mel- more, Eden township, he has consecutively maintained his home on the old farm where he was born. A portion of the original tract has been sold, but he still owns a fine farm of ninety acres, covering the home- stead, the same having the best of permanent improvements and being kept under a high state of cultivation, yielding bounteous harvests in return for the labors and care expended. In politics Mr. Williams is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party, and he has served for four- teen years as justice of the peace, in which capacity he has rendered effective and impartial work. Both he and his wife are zealous and in- fluential members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of circuit steward, trustee and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school.
On the 25th of November, 1869, Mr. Williams was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza J. Endslow, who was born September 24, 1848, in Crawford county, Ohio, the daughter of William and Eliza (Junk) Endslow, pioneers of Crawford county, where the father settled as early as 1825, having emigrated thither from Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he was born and reared. He died on the farm which he had thus entered and reclaimed, in Crawford county, in his seventy-third year .. His wife was born in Ireland, whence she was brought to Pennsylvania when eight years of age, having been reared in Juniata county, Pennsyl- vania, where her marriage was solemnized. She died in Crawford county, Ohio, when her daughter, Mrs. Williams, was but two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of four children, of whom we incorporate a brief record, as follows : Mary O. is the wife of Edward
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Norris, of Scipio township, and they have two children, Carl and Alice; Dwight O., who is a druggist in New London, Ohio, married Miss Cora Selmann, and they have one child, Helen; Cassius A. is in the employ of the Toledo & Ohio Central railroad, at Columbus; and Rollin K., Jr., remains at the parental home.
LEWIS J. CLOUSER.
The beautiful cemetery of Green Lawn, at Tiffin, Ohio, owes much of its attractiveness to the effective efforts of Mr. Clouser, who has had charge of the same for more than a decade and a half, having been chosen to the office of sexton in 1885: It is ever fitting that "God's acre" should be made as beautiful as possible, typifying the ideal life beyond and bespeaking the glories of immortality in so far as is possible ; and thus no community can claim to have done its duty if its cemeteries are neglected and unkempt. Tiffin has placed an able incumbent in the office of sexton of Green Lawn, where nature and art vie with each other in making attractive the city of the dead.
Mr. Clouser comes of stanch German lineage, though the name has long been identified with the annals of American history, and he is him- self a native of Seneca county, where he has passed his entire life, hav- ing been born on the homestead farm, in Clinton township, on the 28th of December, 1857. His father, Aaron Clouser, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to maturity and where was sol- emnized his marriage to Miss Anna Aker, a native of the same county. In 1848 they came to Ohio and located in Seneca county, the father purchasing a farm two miles northeast of Tiffin and devoting his atten- tion to general farming there until 1876, when, his children having married and established homes of their own, he came to Tiffin and was made sexton and so served till his death, which occurred on the 18th of September, 1900, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. He was a member of the English Lutheran church and in his earlier life had been a
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quite active worker in the cause of the Republican party. He was one of the California argonauts of 1849, where he was fairly successful in mining for gold, remaining there nearly three years. He was a son of Abraham and Catherine Clouser, natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been a tailor and weaver by trade and a representative of a German family which located in the Keystone state in an early day. Anna (Aker) Clouser, the mother of our subject, was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, and died in Seneca county, Ohio, at the age of fifty-six years, having been a devoted member of the Lutheran church. She was a daughter of Joseph D. and Catherine ( Mosier) Aker, natives of Penit- sylvania, where they passed their entire lives, the former being killed in a storm, at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife passing away at the age of sixty-four; both were devoted members of the Baptist church.
Of the children of Aaron and Anna (Aker) Clouser six grew to maturity, namely: Eliza, who is the wife of Abraham Fretz, a prom- inent farmer of Seneca county ; Anna M., who is the wife of John E. Huffman, likewise a farmer of this county; James, a railway conductor, residing in Westchester, Pennsylvania; Lewis J., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., who is the wife of Alva H. Speck, of Tiffin, where he operates a flour mill; and Rose Alice, who was a most devoted member of the Lutheran church, and who passed away in 1883, at the age of sixteen years.
Lewis J. Clouser passed his boyhood days on the old homestead farm, early beginning to lend his aid in connection with its work, and securing his educational discipline in the district schools and the public schools in Tiffin. When twenty-one years of age he found employment at Green Lawn cemetery, with his father, who was sexton, and there- after continued to be identified with its care-taking at intervals until 1885, when he was made sexton of the same, a position which he has since retained, taking deep interest in the beautifying of the cemetery and in keeping it in immaculate order at all times. His services have been duly appreciated, as is evident from his long retention in the posi- tion. In politics he has ever given a stalwart allegiance to the Re- publican party, and he served for several years as a member of the board
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of election judges. Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed the degrees of both lodge and encampment, and also with the Knights of Pythias, being a member of Pickwick Lodge, No. 175, at Tiffin. He is a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. On the 23d of February, 1886, Mr. Clouser was united in marriage to Miss Ida Speck, who was born in Clinton town- ship, this county, the daughter of Peter and Mary Speck, her father hav- ing been one of the pioneer farmers of this section of the state, and of this union two daughters have been born,-Martha Alice and Viola E., both of whom remain at the parental home.
JOSEPH F. HOOVER.
Back to stanch old German stock does Mr. Hoover trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked the true type of the German nation, is manifest when we come to consider the more salient points in his life history, which has been marked by consecutive industry and invincible spirit, eventuating most naturally in securing him a high position in the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He has passed his entire life in Seneca county, where his father was one of the early pioneer settlers, contributing to its devel- opment and prosperity, even as has his son in connection with the indus- trial activities which have conserved consecutive advancement.
Joseph F. Hoover was born on the pioneer farm in London town- ship, on the 17th of October, 1843. being the fifth in order of birth of the nine children of Benedict and Frances ( Miller) Hoover, and one of the four who are living at the present time, the others being Louisa, the wife of Simon Flaxenhar, of Liberty township: Andrew, of Hopewell town- ship: and Mary, the wife of Henry Miller, of Loudon township. The parents were both natives of Germany, where they were reared and edu- cated, coming to America while still young, their marriage having been
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solemnized soon after their arrival in New York city. Soon afterward they came to Seneca county, Ohio, settling in Loudon township, where the father entered a tract of forty acres of government land, upon which he built one of the primitive log houses common to the pioneers, and set himself valiantly to the task of clearing and improving his farm. Here he and his devoted wife passed the remainder of their lives, honored by all who knew them and known as people of sterling character. On the old homestead Joseph F. was reared to maturity, contributing his share to the work incidental to the same and securing a common-school educa- tion. He was married in 1865, and since that time, with the exception of an interval of about three years, has lived on the farm which he now owns, the same having originally been the property of his father-in- law, one of the early settlers in the county. Directly after the death of this sterling pioneer our subject purchased the home farm, of seventy acres, to which he has since added by the purchase of eighty acres in Liberty township and eighty-five acres in Loudon township, so that he now has a valuable and well improved landed estate of two hundred and thirty-five acres, in three farms, while he has so directed his efforts as to gain the maximum success in connection with his agriculturai opera- tions, being recognized as one of the progressive and representative men of this locality and commanding unqualified respect and esteem. His public-spirited attitude has gained him recognition in connection with the governmental affairs of the county, and he served two terms as trus- tee of Hopewell township, in which his home is located. His political proclivities are indicated in the unwavering allegiance which he has ever given to the Democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Cath- olic church, in which he was reared, and of which his wife also is a com- municant, being members of the congregation of St. Andrew's church.
On the 3d of May. 1865, Mr. Hoover was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Anderson, who was born on the farm where they now re- side, and here she has practically passed her entire life. Her father, John Anderson, was one of the early settlers of Seneca county, having come hither from Franklin county, Ohio, and originally entering claim to this seventy acres of government land. He later purchased an addi-
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tional one hundred and twenty acres, and here he passed the residue of his days, his death occurring at the age of seventy-five years. The maiden name of his wife was Candacy Chaney, and she entered into eternal rest at the age of sixty-five. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover became the parents of ten children, all of whom are living except Mary, who died in infancy. The others are: Dennis, who is engaged in farming in Hopewell township; Nettie, the wife of Henry Koerper, of Liberty town- ship; Jennie, the wife of Joseph Swartzmiller, of Loudon; Thomas, who resides in Tiffin; Anson, of Loudon; and Frank, Harry, Lloyd and Douglas, who remain at the parental home.
LEVI CORFMAN, M. D.
Among the more esteemed citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, is Dr. Levi Corfman, who for many years has been one of the representative practi- tioners of this city, and who still, at the advanced age of seventy-four. gives his professional services to those who feel the confidence in his skill which his successful career has inspired.
The birth of Dr. Corfman occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 18, 1827, and his early years were passed on a farm. His education in the elementary branches was acquired in the district schools of his locality; and he very distinctly recalls the old log structure which was his alma mater, with its puncheon floor and slab benches. The pic- turesque old school-house has long passed away before the march of progress, but the lessons learned within its walls prepared the ambitious youth to take up the study of medicine while still in early manhood. His first instructor in this science was Dr. Bennan, of Elmore, Ohio, with whom he continued for some years, improving his time so well that he was then considered capable of taking charge of a practice in Belle Vernon, Wyandot county, Ohio, where he remained for two years. The young physician then moved to Pleasantville, Fairfield county, Ohio, and remained there during four years, locating then in Berwick, Seneca
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county, where he remained for three months. The next four years were spent in Wyandot county, where he had made many friends during his. previous residence, going from his old location to Corey, in the same county, and remaining there for four years also, at the end of this period going to Findlay, where he immediately entered upon a successful profes- sional career which continued up to the time of his removal to Tiffin, in 1881. Since locating in this city Dr. Corfman has been a signally success- ful physician. Although he was educated in the old schools of medicine, long experience has made almost every human ill familiar to him, and his successful treatment and skill has proved that the foundations of med- ical science are the same, and also that schools and colleges do not make physicians. A real physician is born, as surely as is an artist. For a long time Dr. Corfman's services were given upon the call of necessity, no matter how inclement the weather or how pressing his own needs; but advancing years made it necessary to restrict his practice, and he has, for the past nine years, only given his attention to chronic cases, many of them being those given up by younger physicians. Dr. Corf- man is a man of wonderful vitality, bears his years well and is more active than many men of one-half his age. He is kept busily occupied with his office practice, and he will be sadly missed when he no longer consents to give the benefit of his long experience.
On October 12, 1851, Dr. Corfman was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Decker, of Fairfield county, Ohio, a most estimable lady, who still survives. The family of children born to Dr. and Mrs. Corfman were eight in number. two sons and one daughter still surviving, namely : Abraham, who is a successful physician at Toledo, Ohio; John, who is engaged in farming in Seneca county ; and Lillie V., who is a graduate of the high school and who resides at home. The other children were: Elizabeth, who died at the age of ten years; Susan V., who died at the age of twenty-one in Findlay: Etta, who died at the age of ten years ; Maggie M., who married J. D. Rolley and died at the age of twenty- eight, leaving one child, Lillie Inez, who died in childhood; and Sarah C., who died, unmarried, at the age of twenty-eight years.
In his political convictions Dr. Corfman is an adherent of the Dem-
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ocratic party, although he takes no active interest in politics, beyond voting. Both he and wife are connected with the Evangelical church, where they are both held in high esteem.
WILLIAM DUDROW.
One , and three-fourths miles to the southeast of the thriving little city of Green Spring is located the fine homestead farm of the subject of this review, who is one of the native sons of Seneca county, of which his father was a pioneer settler. Mr. Dudrow is prominently concerned in the raising of and dealing in high-grade live stock and his progressive methods and discriminating judgment have placed him among the suc- cessful farmers and business men of his native county, while he has so ordered his life as to gain and retain the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been thrown in contact. It is clearly incumbent that a sketch of his life be incorporated in a work having to do with the representative citizens of the county.
Mr. Dudrow was born on the pioneer homestead, in Adams town- ship, Seneca county, on the 22d of August, 1856, the son of David W. and Mary J. (Rule) Dudrow, the former of whom was born in Fred- erick county, Maryland, and the latter in Seneca county, Ohio. The father of our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, and as a young man emigrated thence to the sylvan wilds of Seneca county, Ohio, where he was employed for a time on a farm and then rented land. Finally he purchased a tract of sixty acres, near the present home of his son Frederick W., to which latter he eventually removed and here passed the residue of his life, having reclaimed his farm and placed the major portion of the same under effective cultivation. At the time of his death he was the owner of about three hundred acres of land, his demise occurring in May, 1888, at the age of sixty-three years, while his widow is still living on the old homestead, aged about sixty-eight years. In politics he was a Republican, and both he and his wife be-
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came devoted members of the United Brethren church, being honored as sterling pioneers of the county. They became the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living, namely: Byron, a prominent attorney of Fremont, Ohio; William, the subject of this review; Fred- erick W., a successful farmer and stock-grower of Adams township and associated with our subject in business; and Jennie, the wife of George Baker, of Adams township.
William Dudrow grew to maturity on the old homestead, early be- ginning to aid in its reclamation and cultivation and securing his pre- liminary educational training in the district schools, after which he continued his studies for a time in the academy at Republic, an institu- tion held in high regard in the early days and the precursor of the present normal school at that place. Mr. Dudrow remained at the parental home until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 19th of October, 1881, when Miss Adelle Crockett became his wife, she being the daugh- ter of Edward and Eliza (Brown) Crockett, pioneers of Adams town- ship, where Mrs. Dudrow was born and reared. Of this union two children have been born,-William and Mary, both of whom remain at the parental home. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Dudrow located on his present homestead, of which his father had still retained possession, and here he has since maintained his home, having developed the place to a state of high productiveness and made the best of improve- ments of a permanent nature, including a commodious and attractively located residence. Here he is the owner of a tract of one hundred and forty acres, while he is associated with his brother Frederick W. in the ownership of an additional one hundred and twenty acres,-a part of the old homestead. He devoted his attention to general farming until 1890, when he entered into partnership with his brother and instituted the buying and shipping of live stock upon a somewhat extensive scale, handling cattle, hogs and sheep and gradually expanding the scope of operations until the business is now one of marked importance. In addi- tion to thus handling stock he utilizes his farm to a great extent in the breeding and raising of high-grade cattle and swine, and the brothers have through their well directed enterprise attained a success of pro-
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nounced order, doing much to advance the stock interests of this section of the state, and being honored as capable, conscientious and energetic business men. In politics Mr. Dudrow supports the Republican party, and he served for six years as trustee of his township, ever showing his interest in all that touches the general welfare of the community.
THOMAS H. ARTES.
Residing in the midst of the oil regions of Ohio, Thomas H. Artes, of Fostoria, is well known as an operator and contractor, having for a number of years been extensively engaged in the development of oil wells in this portion of Ohio. He is numbered among the native sons of Penn- sylvania, his birth having occurred in Warren county, that state, in 1854. His father, William Artes, was a native of Tidioute, Warren county, and was a son of Thomas Artes, a lumberman who had extensive business interests in that portion of the state. He was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania,and as he passed through the years of manhood accumulated a handsome competence as the result of extensive and important business interests. His son, the father of our subject, was also connected with lumbering interests in Pennsylvania. He married Catherine Clark, also a native of the Keystone state. Seven children blessed this union, the subject of this sketch being the fourth son.
Throughout his entire life Thomas H. Artes has been interested in the development of the oil industry. He began this work in Pennsyl- vania, and in 1896 came to Fostoria, where he has ever since drilled and operated in oil wells in connection with others, and all his wells have been fair producers. He is an experienced judge of oil lands and can fairly estimate the probable flow and quality of oil, so that his invest- ments, being judiciously made, have resulted in bringing satisfactory financial returns.
In the state of his nativity Mr. Artes was united in marriage to Miss Letta L. Maultby, and unto them have been born four children, a daughter
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and three sons, namely: Anna, Harry, Wilbur and Ben. Both himself and wife are well known in Fostoria, where they have many warnì friends, ever showing a working interest in all that makes for the eleva- tion of thought and life in the community.
RAWSON CROCKER.
Rawson Crocker, of Fostoria, is a representative of an honored pioneer family of this portion of the state. He was born in this city in 1841 and is of Welsh extraction, his ancestry being traced back to Seth Crocker, who resided in Washington county, New York. He was the great-grandfather of our subject, whose grandfather was John Crocker. The latter married Lucy Bartlett and immigrated westward, taking up his abode in Seneca township, Seneca county, Ohio, in 1823, and there remaining about nine years, at the expiration of which, in 1832, he removed to Loudon township. This worthy couple became the par- ents of two children,-Roswell and Laura. The latter was married to the Hon. C. W. Foster, of Fostoria, and still resides in this city, at the age of ninety-six years. She is the mother of ex-Governor Charles Fos- 'ter, one of the distinguished citizens of Ohio, who served most capably as chief executive of the state. Roswell Crocker, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, New York, May 25, 1806. With his parents he came to Ohio, and through many years he was prominently identified with the substantial improvement and up- building of Seneca county. He entered from the government a tract of land, and upon a portion of the same the city of Fostoria now stands. He made the first plat of the town, which he called Rome. It was in 1832 when he took up his abode here and established a milling business. conducting a sawmill from that date until 1837. He then erected a grist- mill which he operated until 1846. Leaving the town he then removed to a farm ten miles south of Fostoria and built a flourmill and sawmill at Springville. At that point he carried on his milling operations until
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