USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 29
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about 1852, when he sold out and returned to Fostoria, building here another flouring mill, which he conducted until 1865. In that year he retired from business, having in the meantime accumulated a comfort- able competence, which enabled him to rest from his former labors. In the early days when business development was yet in its infancy, his enterprise proved of vast benefit to his fellow citizens and at the same time brought to him creditable success. He lived to be more than ninety- three years of age and passed away December 30, 1899, respected and honored by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Cooper, was a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, her parents being William and Anna (Giles) Cooper. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crocker were born two sons, but the brother of our subject, Allen Crocker, died in 1865, at the age of twenty-six years.
Rawson Crocker has spent the greater part of his life in Fostoria and after attending the public schools here he continued his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. He is also a graduate of Eastman's Business College, of Poughkeepsie, New York, and when mental training had prepared him for the practical duties of life he became a factor in business circles in his native town, where he has since remained. He was only sixteen years of age when, in 1857, he began to clerk for the old firm of Foster, Olmsted & Company, be- coming a partner of that concern in 1867, and remaining for a period of six years. Since 1875 he has engaged in the grocery business and in real estate dealing. From 1878 to 1894 he was also engaged in the insurance business, and at the present time he is a stockholder in the Seneca County Bank. His attention is largely given to the superin- tending of his investments and his property interests. His business: career has ever been marked by diligence and enterprise and as the years have passed he has accumulated a handsome competence.
In 1867 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Crocker and Miss Lucy E. Caples, a daughter of Philip D. and Sarah (Brown) Caples. Her mother was a daughter of Major Case Brown, whose family came from Canada to Ohio. The Caples were early settlers here, taking up their abode in Seneca county in 1832. Philip D. Caples, the father
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of Mrs. Crocker, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, March 5, 1816, and was a son of Robert F. and Charlotte F. Caples, natives of Mary- land and Pennsylvania, respectively. About 1819 they came to Ohio, settling in Wayne county, and in 1832 they took up their abode in Jackson township, Seneca county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Crocker has been blessed with four children: John R., of this city; Charles P., who is connected with the Seneca County Bank, of Fos- toria; Ross E., who is with the Crouse-Tremaine Carbon Company : and Fred,-all the children being residents of Fostoria. Mr. Crocker exercises his right of franchise in support of Republican principles, and for one term served as a member of the city council. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order. Viewed in a personal light he is a strong man,-strong in his honor and his good name. His business interests have claimed much of his attention, yet he has ever found time to faithfully discharge the duties of citizenship and promote public progress through active co-operation in all measures for the general good.
HOWARD S. FREE.
A prominent farmer of Reed township, Seneca county, Ohio, Mı. Free is the representative of one of the county's earliest pioneer families. He was born on the farm where he now resides, on the 21st of July. 1860, a son of John and Eliza (Wolf) Free. The father traced his na- tivity to the Old Dominion, his birth having there occurred about 1820, a son of George and Elizabeth (Ellenberger) Free. When a child he accompanied his parents on their removal to Seneca county, Ohio, the family being among the earliest settlers of Bloom township, where the father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, now known as the old Goose Pond farm. There the son John was reared to years of maturity, and in his youth the Indian children, who were then numerous in this portion of the state, were his playmates. Prior to his marriage he re-
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moved to Scipio township, there purchasing the farm now owned by James Knapp, on which he located after his marriage, and in addition to the conduct of this place he also farmed the old Free homestead which he later acquired. After his father's death, however, he sold his posses- sions there and came to Reed township, where land could be purchased at a more reasonable figure, and here he became extensively engaged in the raising of sheep, owning from five to six hundred head. In this enter- prise his efforts were rewarded with a high degree of success and he be- came a very wealthy man. His landed possessions were also very exten- sive, consisting of five hundred acres in the home farm, one hundred and sixty in Scipio township and one hundred acres in Huron county. His life's labors were ended in death on the 4th of April, 1874, and from his honorable career many lessons may be gleaned,-lessons of independence and self-reliance, of regard for the rights and feelings of others, of cour- age in the time of reverses and affliction. He was a Democrat in his political views, and at various times served his township as its trustee, but he never desired the honors or emoluments of public office. For many years he was a worthy member of the United Brethren church, in which he held various official positions, and was ever a faithful worker in the cause of his Master.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Free chose Miss Elizabeth Wolf, who was born about 1823, a daughter of Samuel Wolf and Susanna Bretz. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Free five are now living, namely : Martha J., the wife of B. F. Moore, of Cherryvale, Kansas; Euphrasia, the wife of Levi Keller, of Reed township, Seneca county ; Octavia, the wife of J. H. Cook, the history of whom follows this sketch; Howard S., the subject of this review ; and Oresta E., the wife of W. R. Bathrick, of Norwalk, Ohio.
Howard S. Free, of this review, was but fourteen years of age when his father died, and for the following five years he made his home with his brother-in-law, Levi Keller, who resided on the old homestead farm. On the expiration of that period our subject, then in his nineteenth year. took charge of the home place, renting the same, which consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, from his mother. The place was divided after
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his father's death, our subject receiving as his share of the estate one hundred and five acres, situated just across the road from the old home, but this he subsequently sold and purchased the old Free homestead, for which he received a quit-claim deed, and here he has ever since made his home. In the business world he ranks with the ablest, and his efforts along the line of his chosen occupation have been attended with a well merited degree of success.
The year 1884 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Free and Miss Cora Neikirk, a native of Reed township and a daughter of Daniel and Sarah J. (Milton) Neikirk, residents of Venice township, Seneca county. They have become the parents of three children,-Amy I., Iva M. and John O. Mr. Free gives his political support to the Republican party, and on its ticket he has been a candidate for the positions of trustee, treasurer and justice of the peace, but at each election was defeated by a small majority as the township is strongly Democratic. He is one of the leading mem- bers of the United Brethren church, in which he has filled the offices of steward and trustee and has also served as superintendent of the Sunday- school.
JOHN HENRY COOK.
J. H. Cook, one of the prominent and successful agriculturists of Seneca county, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 2, 1851, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Determan) Cook. The name was formerly spelled Koch, but the present generation have adopted the English orthography of Cook. Our subject was reared to years of maturity in his parents' home, and in the common schools of the locality he enjoyed his early educational advantages, which, however, were extremely limited, he never having attended school after his sixteenth year. At the age of twenty- one years he began the active battle of life on his own account by working in the woods at stave-making. Immediately after his marriage he pur- chased one hundred and fifty-one acres of land, his present home place, and from that time until the present he has met with a well merited degree
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of success. As the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts he has been enabled to add to his possessions, first purchasing one hundred acres of land five miles west of the home farm, which is in his wife's name, and in 1899 he bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, making in all four hundred and eleven acres of excellent farming land. In addition to this he also owns a forty-acre tract in Nebraska. By persistent energy and considerable foresight he has been enabled to succeed in his farming operations, and he now has one of the best improved and most fertile properties in this section of the county.
The marriage of Mr. Cook was celebrated on the Ioth of February, 1876, when Miss Octavia Free became his wife. She is a native of Scipio township, Seneca county, and a daughter of John Free, now deceased. Unto this union have been born four children, -- A. Ray, Ariey F., Lynn E. and Almetta B., all at home. Mr. Cook exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for about six terms he has served his township efficiently as its trustee, while for the past six years he has filled the office of justice of the peace, his term of office expiring in 1902. Mrs. Cook is a member of the United Brethren church. The family is one of prominence in this locality, and all who know them entertain for them highest respect.
DR. JOHN W. MARTIN.
Among the representative citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, is Dr. John W. Martin, who for many years was a leading dental practitioner in this city. a man who stood at the head of his profession in this vicinity.
The birth of Dr. Martin was on March 3, 1832, on his father's farm in Clinton township, Seneca county, Ohio, and he was a son of John and Barbara (Broadbrick) Martin. His father, John Martin, was born in Maryland, his parents both being natives of Frederick county, in that state, and he was reared there to manhood and was married there. His trade was that of millwright, and this he followed in Frederick county
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until 1826, when he was attracted to the rich lands then being opened up for settlement in Seneca county, Ohio. He entered land located three miles north of the present city of Tiffin, although at that time the settle- ment consisted of but a few houses. Here Mr. Martin built his log cabin, the typical home of the pioneer, began the clearing of his land and also worked at his trade, along the river, as opportunity offered. Later he gave up this branch of activity and turned his whole attention to farming, clearing and improving more land, and at the time of his death was a man of substance and had spent his seventy-one years as became an honest and upright man.
In his political beliefs, Mr. Martin was a Whig, although he was not an active partisan. During his early and middle life he was a working member of the Reformed church and was a trustee in the first church of that denomination in Tiffin. Later he became connected with the United Brethren denomination, but no matter what difference existed in the doctrine, he did his full duty as he saw it, and was a man whose memory is honored. He served in the war of 1812, being at Baltimore when the British general Ross was killed. He began life dependent upon his own resources and left an estate consisting of eighty acres of excellent, well- improved land.
The mother of Dr. Martin was a native of Pennsylvania and was a woman of many Christian virtues, a devoted mother and a consistent member of the United Brethren church. Her death took place at the age of eighty-one years, and both she and husband were buried in Fairmount cemetery, in this city. The family consisted of six children, but all of these have passed away with the exception of the subject of this sketch. David G., the eldest son, became a carpenter, and while still in early man- hood located in Dayton, Ohio, where he died at the age of eighty-four ; Margaret married Daniel Shaw and she died at the age of forty-five; Mary died at the age of sixteen ; Sophia married Lucas Flack and lived to the age of sixty-eight ; and Elizabeth died when a maiden of sixteen.
The boyhood days of John W. Martin, who was the youngest of his parents' children, were spent on the farm, and his early education was acquired in the district schools. Later he enjoyed a term of nine months'
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instruction at Otterbein University, at Westerville, returning then to his father's farm, which he continued to operate until his twenty-fifth year. At this time, having lost his wife, he became sufficiently interested in the subject of dentistry to take up its study, for this purpose entering the office of Dr. Franklin, of Tiffin, a well known dentist of that time. Dr. Martin first located, for practice in this profession, in Westerville, in which pleas- ant town he remained for two years, coming to Tiffin in 1861, where he soon built up a lucrative practice, which continued to increase until his re- tirement from activity, in 1892. During all these years he has grown with the advances made in his chosen profession, and few practitioners in this locality more thoroughly enjoyed the confidence of the public.
The marriage of Dr. Martin was on March 24, 1853, to Miss Rachel A. Berkey, of Liberty township, Seneca county, who was a daughter of John and Lydia (Ream) Berkey, farming people of this county. She died in 1855, having been a consistent member of the United Brethren church. She left one daughter, Rachel S., who married H. H. Neligh and now resides with her father. She has two children: Ralph A., aged twenty, and Clara Martin Neligh, aged seventeen. The second marriage of Dr. Martin was to Elizabeth A. Souder, of this township, who was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Souder, who came to this county, pio- neers, in 1825, buying land located one and one-half miles north of Tiffin. The father of Mrs. Martin was a farmer and a local preacher in the Methodist church. Mrs. Martin died in 1884, her life having been one of good deeds.
In his political attachment Dr. Martin has been a life-long Repub- lican, and has been an active member of his party and influential in its councils. For a period lasting since his twentieth year, he has been a member of the Methodist church, and is a trustee in the same. Since retiring from the practice of the profession, which he adorned for so many years, Dr. Martin has enjoyed a quiet life, having ample means. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres of excellent land, and in addition to this owns some half dozen residences in this city, while his own home on North Washington street is one of the most desirable in this locality. Dr. Martin is well known and is universally
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respected. His prominence in his profession, his devotion to his party and his leadership in his church, have marked him as one of the repre- sentative citizens of Tiffin.
HENRY W. CREEGER.
It is eminently fitting that in this work be entered a memoir of the honored subject of this review, who was one of the influential citizens of Seneca county, where he practically passed his entire life, lending his aid in reclaiming this section of the state from the sylvan wilds, enduring the vicissitudes and disadvantages of the pioneer epoch and ever order- ing his life according to the highest principles of honor and integrity, thus gaining and retaining the confidence and good will of his fellow men. He was a man of indomitable perseverance, distinct individuality and most kindly nature, and now that he has passed forward to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," he leaves the legacy of an unblemished life and one that was prolific in usefulness and worthy example.
Mr. Creeger was of German lineage, though the family has been identified with the annals of American history for several generations. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the Ist of April, 1823; one of the ten children of Henry and Catherine (McDonald) Creeger. Of the children only two survive,-Margaret, the widow of Adam Mil- ler, of Hopewell township; and Mary, the widow of Jeremiah Matthews, of Niles, Michigan. The father, Henry W. Creeger, was born on a farm in Frederick county, Maryland, and he was reared and educated in his native state, where he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1825, when he emigrated to Seneca county, Ohio, being accompanied by his wife and children. When he arrived in this section of Ohio he found the locality almost an unbroken wilderness. Indians still being common, while bears, deer and other beasts of the forest were to be encountered on every side. He entered claim to a quarter section of government
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land, in Hopewell township, and the same is now the beautiful farm homestead of Mrs. Creeger, the widow of our subject. He built a log cabin in the forest and in this primitive domicile the family installed their "household gods," thus dedicating the little dwelling with the sacred name of home. In noting the well tilled fields, the attractive residence and other improvements which mark this fine homestead to- day, it is difficult to realize that only a few years ago was to be found only this little cabin, snugly ensconced amid the giant trees of the forest primeval. What the labor involved, what the deprivations en- dured, what the courage and fortitude brought to bear and what the mutual aid and solicitude accorded, it remains for the pages of history to reverently record. The work of reclaiming the farm proceeded and here the father of our subject continued to live and labor until death set its seal upon his mortal lips, his demise occurring when he had attained the venerable age of eighty-one years and had begun to reap the fruits of his ceaseless toil and endeavor. His devoted wife preceded him into eternal rest, having passed away at the age of sixty-one. Later on he found a second companion and worthy helpmeet, being united in mar- riage to Mrs. Catherine (Wertz) Brendle, the widow of Jacob Brendle. No children were born of this union, and Mrs. Creeger, a devoted Christian woman of noble character, passed to her reward at the age of seventy-one years. She was born in Germany, where she was reared and educated and where her marriage to Jacob Brendle occurred. There his death occurred and later his widow came with her five children to America, in 1854, becoming a resident of Seneca county, where her marriage to Mr. Creeger was solemnized. The five children of the first marriage were as follows: Jacob Brendle, a farmer of Hopewell town- ship: George, a resident of Tiffin, this county; Barbara, the lately de- ceased widow of Michael Walters, of Hopewell township: Margaret, the wife of Jacob Fleckner, of Loudon township; and Christena, who is the widow of the subject of this memoir and who was but an infant at the time of her father's death. By the two marriages noted the singu- lar condition came about that she was the daughter-in-law of her own mother.
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Henry W. Creeger was a child of two years when his parents came to Seneca county, so that practically his entire life was here passed. He grew to maturity on the old pioneer farm in the forest and early began to assist in the work of reclaiming the land and placing it under culti- vation. It is a matter of record that he aided in clearing the road from the homestead to Tiffin, this thoroughfare being literally hewed out through the forest. The schools of the place and period were neces- sarily primitive in character, but he took advantage of such opportunities as were afforded, and thus gained the foundation for that broad in- · formation and mature wisdom which came to him through the practical duties and associations of later years. As a young man he assumed marital responsibilities, taking unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Ruth A. Culverson, who was born in this county, where her parents were likewise early settlers. Of the four children resulting from this union three yet survive, namely : Osra John, of Tiffin; Chippewa L., of Cass county, Missouri; and Melissa A., the wife of Sylvester Wagner, of Tiffin. After his marriage Mr. Creeger remained on the old home- stead for a time and then removed to a tract of eighty acres which he had purchased, in the same township, the same adjoining his father's farm and being now a portion of the Adam Miller property. He remained on this place until about 1858, when, his father having died in the mean- while, he purchased the old homestead and there continued to reside until his death on the 17th of April, 1896. His life was in every way exem- plary and his loss was deeply felt in the community, while to those of his immediate family his memory will ever abide as a benediction and a guide. In politics he was a Republican, and his religious faith was that of the Church of God, of which he was a zealous member. He left a valuable estate, and upon the home farm he operated a stone quarry for some years after his return to the same, this industry proving profitable. The attractive and commodious residence which his widow now occu- pies, and which is hallowed by the memories and associations of the past, was erected by him in 1876.
On the 15th of January. 1864, was solemnized Mr. Creeger's second marriage. He then wedded Miss Christina Brendle, who was born in
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Germany, and concerning whose parentage and early life due mention has already been made. She survives her husband and still resides in the old home, cherished by her children and by the wide circle of friends gained during her long residence in the county. She is a type of that noble womanhood which has played so prominent a part in the history of the development and progress of this section, and here she has main- tained her home since her childhood days. Of her ten children four are deceased, namely : Jesse Lawrence, who died at the age of two years ; Minnie Viola, who died at the age of ten; Henry Oliver, who passed away at the age of fourteen ; and Bertha, who became the wife of George Shaull and died at the age of twenty-one years. Of the surviving chil- dren we enter the following brief record: Elnora J. is the wife of William Conrad, of Eden township; James W. has charge of eighty acres of the old homestead; Mary Catherine is the wife of John King, of this township; Charles R. operates the remaining eighty acres of the home farm; Ida E. is the wife of Oliver King; and Burdette is still with his mother.
OWEN HAINES.
One of the well known and representative farmers of Seneca county, Ohio, is Owen Haines, who is a man of means, prominence and influence in Seneca township.
The birth of Owen Haines was in Carroll county, Maryland, Sep- tember 15, 1830, and he was a son of Job and Ann (Sweitzer ) Haines, to whom were born nine children. The names of the latter were: Uriah, deceased; Josiah, of Adrian, Ohio; Eleanor. deceased; Jonathan, of Carey, Ohio; Owen, of this biography ; Levi, of Carey ; Ann, deceased ; Lydia, the wife of William Myers, of Tiffin ; and Mary Jane, the wife of J. J. Yent, of Adrian.
Job Haines left his home in Carroll county, Maryland, in 1840, and came to Seneca county. Ohio, making the long journey by teams, bring- ing along as many of the old home belongings as was possible. The
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farm which he selected was then owned by David Elder and consisted of two tracts, of eighty and one hundred and sixty acres, in Seneca town- ship, the improvements being a log cabin of two rooms, surrounded by twenty acres of cleared land. For this farm Mr. Haines paid the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. Here his life ended within five years, his death being probably hastened by hard work on his farm. He was but forty-five years of age at the time, and our subject was but fifteen. The latter was spared his mother until 1856, when she, too, passed away.
Owen Haines of this sketch was ten years old when his parents located in this township and county. At the age of eighteen he went to Tiffin and there entered upon an apprenticeship to the mason's trade, at which he worked for three years. The excitement over the discovery of gold in California had reached this town and many men both young and old left everything to try their fortunes in the mines. Among those who left Tiffin on March 22, 1852, bound for California, was Mr. Haines. He joined a party of ninety-six and reached California on August 27, 1852, after traveling five months. As this party started out over a known trail and was well equipped, each man having either a horse or a mule, they reached their destination without serious mishap. From Kansas City, which then consisted of one log cabin, they took ox teams and some four hundred milch cows. This overland trip was made by way of Salt Lake City, but the return one was made by water, in 1855, after three years of satisfactory success.
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