USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 33
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On the 16th of February, 1881, Dr. Williard was united in mar- riage to Miss Electa Stout, of Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of Elias Stout and the granddaughter of David Stout, who was one of the pioneers of Dayton, where he located when it was a mere village. Mrs. Williard was reared and educated in Dayton and is a woman of gracious pres- ence and innate refinement, being prominent in the social life of Tiffin. She has made her home celebrated for its pleasing hospitality and good cheer. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church, in whose work she takes a deep interest.
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GEORGE W. HERR.
The name of Herr is one known throughout Seneca county, for here our subject has passed his entire life and here his parents resided for many decades. He was born on the farm on which he still resides, on the 12th of February, 1865, a son of George and Elizabeth ( Shoeffer ) Herr. The father was born in Prussia, Germany, April 10, 1822, and in the place of his nativity he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1848 he crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States, and after his arrival in this country he made his way to the Buckeye state, spending a short time in Chillicothe, and from there removed to Galion. At the latter place he was married, and there worked at his trade for about four years, on the expiration of which period, in 1852, he came to Sen- eca county, purchasing eighty acres of land where our subject now re- sides. Later he added to his original purchase an adjoining eighty acres, making his landed possessions to consist of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1891, however, he laid aside the active cares of a busi- ness life and removed to New Washington, where his death occurred about six weeks later. He gave his political support to the Democracy, but was never a seeker after the 'honors of public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests. He was a worthy member of the Lutheran church, and was highly esteemed for his many noble characteristics. His widow is still living, being now in her ser- enty-third year, and is a resident of New Washington. Of their eight children four now survive, namely : Elizabeth, the wife of S. J. Kibler, of New Washington, Ohio; Susan, who makes her home with her mother; George W., of this review; and Louise, the wife of Frank Schoff, of Venice township.
George W. Herr is indebted to the public-school system of Seneca county for his elementary education, and later he became a student in the New Washington high school. At the age of nineteen years he ac- cepted a clerkship in the employ of Jesse Marquardt, a New Washing- ton druggist, with whom he remained for about eighteen months, when he returned home and assumed the management of the old home farm.
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Soon after his marriage his parents left the old homestead and removed to New Washington, and since that time our subject has had entire con- trol of the place. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and his is one of the valuable and model homesteads of the township. He is progressive in his methods, is ever ready to adopt new and mod- ern improvements and is recognized as one of the representative agri- culturists of the community.
December 9, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Herr and Miss Ida Buchman. She is a native of Bloom township, Seneca county, and a daughter of P. A. and Rose Ann ( Brillhardt) Buchman, he a general merchant of Carrothers. This union has been brightened and blessed by the presence of two children,-Marie E. and Marion M. Mr. Herr gives his political support to the Democracy, and for three years he served as a director of the schools. The family are members of the Lutheran church, in which he has held the office of deacon.
CHARLES OLMSTED.
Charles Olmsted for many years has been an active factor in the financial circles of Fostoria through connection with both public and private interests. At the present time he is serving as city treasurer and his record in this direction is remarkable, for he has been the incumbent since 1870. No higher testimonial could be given of his efficiency and trustworthiness than the proof of their faith in him which his fellow townsmen give at each election. His name is synonymous with in- tegrity in every community where he is known, and over the record of his public career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His residence in Fostoria covers a period of almost half a century, and while he has prospered in his business undertakings the community has also been greatly benefited by his efforts in its behalf.
Mr. Olmsted is a native of Sandusky county, Ohio, his birth hav- ing occurred in 1830. He is descended from good old Revolutionary
CHARLES OLMSTED.
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stock, his great-grandfather having served his country in the war for independence. The family was founded in New England at a very early epoch in our colonial history. Judge Jesse S. Olmsted, the father of our subject, was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and for a time resided in Albany, New York, whence he emigrated westward, taking up his abode in Lower Sandusky, among the pioneer settlers of that portion of the state. He became quite prominent in public affairs in that portion of the state, and was honored with several public offices. He was associate county judge of Sandusky county, was also county treasurer and a member of the school board. One of the early merchants of Upper Sandusky, he carried on business there for many years and was an active factor in commercial circles. He married Azuba Ferguson, whose parents removed from New York to Ohio, becoming early set- tlers of Sandusky county.
In the place of his nativity Charles Olmstead, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools he ob- tained his education, but from early manhood he has been a resident of Fostoria. Removing to this place in 1856, he established a dry-goods store and also carried on general business interests, dealing especially in grain. He was a member of the firm of Foster, Olmsted & Company, the senior partner afterward becoming the governor of Ohio. The dry-goods business was sold out in 1876, but the firm continued in the grain trade under the same firm name until 1890. Since that time Mr. Olmsted has given his entire attention to the banking business and to the management of the city's finances. In 1891 he established the Mechanics' Savings Bank Company, became its president and continued its conduct until 1899, when he sold to the Mechanics' Banking Com- pany, of which he is one of the directors. He is a man of keen dis- cernment in business, his judgment being rarely, if ever, at fault, and his efforts have been an element in producing business stability and progress in the city in which he has so long made his home.
In Fostoria, in 1860, Mr. Olmsted was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Skinner, a daughter of the Hon. Morris P. Skinner, one of the early settlers of this place. Her father owned and operated a
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farm and was prominent in public affairs. He was honored with elec- tion to the office of representative in the state legislature, was also county commissioner and was well known in public life, leaving the impress of his individuality upon public thought and feeling. Unto our subject and his wife were born two children: Jesse S., of this city; and Mary A., the deceased wife of Frank Carroll, of Columbus.
Every interest calculated to benefit the community-to promote its welfare along lines of material, social, political, intellectual and moral advancement-receives the endorsement and co-operation of Mr. Olm- sted, and therefore he is accounted one of the most valued citizens of Fostoria. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has at- tained the Knights Templar degree, and the basic principles of the order find exemplification in his helpful relations with his fellow men. For six years he served as a member of the school board, and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend,-one who believes in keeping a high standard of intellectual improvement. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party. He was first elected to the office of city treasurer in 1870 and at each election since that time has received not only the united support of his party but also the ballots of many members of the Democracy. No trust reposed in him has been betrayed in the slightest degree, and he has made for himself an unassailable reputation in public office. His manner is genial and cordial and the qualities of an upright manhood have won for Mr. Olmsted a position of distinction in Seneca county.
JUDGE JOHN KAULL ROHN.
One of the most talented and distinguished lawyers and jurists connected with the bench and bar of the Seneca circuit was Judge John K. Rohn, who, in a profession where advancement must depend upon individual merit and ability, gained a most prominent position. The profession of the law, when clothed with its true dignity, purity and
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strength must rank first among the callings of men, for law rules the universe. The work of the legal proession is to formulate, to har- monize, to regulate, to adjust, to administer those rules and principles that underlie and permeate all government and society and control the varied relations of men. As thus viewed there attaches to the legal pro- fession a nobleness that cannot but be reflected in the life of the true lawyer, who, rising to the responsibilities of the profession, and honest in the pursuit of his purpose, embraces the richness of learning, the firmness of integrity and the purity of morals, together with the graces and modesty and the general amenities of life. Of such a type Judge Rohn was a representative and his career was one which reflected credit upon the bar of his district.
It was on the 5th of April, 1859, that the Judge was born at the family home, two and a half miles east of Tiffin, on the North Green- field road, on the farm now owned by Rev. Dr. Rust. His parents were Asia and Eliza (Kaull) Rohn. The father was born in Catasauqua, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1814, and was the young- est in the family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, born unto Daniel and Catherine (Helman) Rohn, the former of French lineage and the latter of German extraction. The mother of the Judge was born in Trexlertown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1817, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Swartz) Kaull, and her father was the eldest in the family of six children born to John and Maria (Steininger) Kaull. Her mother was a daughter of Samuel and Mollie (Gregory) Swartz, the former of German and the latter of English birth.
Asia and Eliza (Kaull) Rohn, the parents of the Judge, were reared and married in the Keystone state and in the spring of 1849 started for Ohio, arriving in Seneca county three weeks later, making the entire journey by wagon. They settled on a farm two and a half miles directly east of the court-house on the North Greenfield road, and there resided for twenty-six years. In 1875. however, the father sold the old farm and purchased the home place which is still owned by the mother, near the Green Lawn cemetery.
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Early in life Judge Rohn became imbued with a strong desire to acquire a more advanced education than the public schools afforded and bent every energy to its accomplishment. His own labor made possible his collegiate course in Heidelberg College, which he entered in the fall of 1875. He pursued the scientific course and was graduated on the 19th of June, 1879. During the succeeding winter he engaged in teach- ing school in the Stickney district about two and a half miles east of Republic. He desired, however, to make the practice of law his life work, and, with a broad general knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning, he be- gan reading law in the office of the firm of Noble & Adams, attorneys of Tiffin, and was regularly admitted as an attorney and counselor at law by the supreme court of Ohio, October 2, 1882. In the spring of 1883 he established an office in Tiffin and soon he manifested ability that showed him capable of handling most important and involved liti- gated interests. Gradually he rose to prominence. In the preparation of cases he was most thorough and exhaustive; he seemed almost in- tuitively to grasp the strong points of law and fact, while in his briefs and arguments the authorities were cited so extensively and the facts and reasoning thereon presented so cogently and unanswerably that he left no doubt as to the correctness of his views and conclusions. His devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial and all who entrusted their interests to him had in him implicit confidence. He made a specialty of corporation law and was particularly strong in that branch of jurisprudence. His practice was very satisfactory and he had the gratification of receiving from the highest courts of Ohio decisions favorable to his clients. In 1896 Judge Seney resigned from the bench of the circuit court and Governor Bushnell appointed Judge Rohn to fill the vacancy. He took his place upon the bench and served with marked ability, his decisions displaying marked judicial soundness, thorough knowledge of the law and ready adaptability of its principles to the points in litigation, together with marked impartiality and freedom from judicial bias. Owing to the heavy Democratic majority of the county he was not chosen at the next election and resumed the private practice
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of law, having a distinctively representative clientage. He was thus engaged until stricken with the illness which terminated his life on the 15th of June, 1901.
In connection with his profession Judge Rohn was connected with one of the most important industries of this part of the state, being a heavy stockholder in the National Machinery Company, of Tiffin. He was one of its incorporators, its secretary and a member of its board of managers. It was capitalized for three hundred thousand dollars and has paid from sixteen to eighteen per cent. annual dividends. The plant has been recently enlarged and the success of the enterprise was attributable in large measure to the wise counsel and efforts of Judge Rohn. His wife is now a member of its board of directors. He was also attorney for the Tiffin Commercial Bank and of the Pennsylvania and Lake Erie Railroad Companies, and also represented other corpora- tions as their legal adviser.
June 16, 1886, the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Schliff, of Springfield, Illinois, and unto them were born two daugh- ters,-Helen Elizabeth and Margaret Louise. He found his greatest happiness in his home and he considered no personal sacrifice too great that would enhance the happiness or promote the welfare of his wife and children. Two months before his death he was informed by the physi- cians of the serious nature of his illness and at once began making preparations for his family, daily instructing his wife concerning his business affairs that she might know how to superintend her property interests. His keenest anxiety was that his wife and daughters should be well provided for, and Mrs. Rohn has displayed excellent business and executive ability in controlling her affairs. When the end came the funeral services were held by the Rev. J. P. Stratton and the in- terment made at Green Lawn.
To his family Judge Rohn left the priceless heritage of an unsullied reputation. He was a gentleman of innate culture and refinement, a lover of art and of the beautiful. He followed the injunction of Shakes- peare, "Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice." He was ever affable, courteous and kindly, and was entirely free from ostentation or
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display. He looked fully ten years younger than he was, for the years had fallen lightly upon him. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, he commanded uniform regard, and from his friends he won love and esteem.
CONRAD H. ZUTAVERN. A
There is no nation that has contributed to the complex makeup of our American social fabric an element of more sterling worth and of greater value in supporting and fostering our national institutions than has Ger- many. From this source our republic has had much to gain and nothing to lose. Germany has given us men of sturdy integrity, indomitable per- severance, higher intelligence and much business sagacity,-the result being the incorporation of a strong and strength-giving fiber ramifying through warp and woof. A man who may well look with pride upon his German-American origin is the subject of this review, who is a repre- sentative of one of the pioneer families of Seneca county, where he has passed his entire life, and where he is personally recognized as a repre- sentative citizen, having attained a high degree of success through his operations in connection with the great basic art and science of agri- culture.
Mr. Zutavern was born on the old homestead farm, in Bloom town- ship, this county, the date of his nativity having been April 2, 1848. He is one of the eleven children born to Jacob H. and Margaret (Geiger ) Zutavern, and of the number six are living at the present time, namely : Christina, the wife of Jacob Horn, of Michigan; Lucinda, the wife of Conrad Lebold, of Venice township; Conrad H., the subject of this sketch; Caroline, the wife of Benjamin Shelhorn, also of Michigan; Amelia, the wife of Leonard Smeltz, of Kansas, Seneca county; and Paul, a resident of Bloom township. Jacob H. Zutavern was born in Baden, Germany, whence he, as a lad of eight years, accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the family settling in Tuscarawas
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county, Ohio, where he was reared to maturity and where his marriage was solemnized. A year after this important event in his life he came with his wife to Seneca county, where he took up a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in Bloom township, the tract being heavily timbered. Here he erected the approved form of log cabin common to the pioneer epoch, and then gave his virile strength and energy to the work of reclaiming the land for cultivation. His industrious-efforts were prolific in ultimate success, and he eventually purchased forty acres of adjoining land and also became the owner of the farm of one hundred and four acres where his son, our subject, now lives, and also accumulated six hundred acres in Michigan. From these statements it may be gleaned 'that his success was pronounced and that he was an influential citizen, while his integrity of character and his kindly nature gained him a warm place in the confidence and esteem of those with whom he came in con- tact in the various relations of life. He lived to attain the age of sixty- eight years, his demise occurring in the year 1873. He identified himself with the Republican party at the time of its organization and ever after- ward continued a stanch advocate of its principles. He was a member of the Reformed church, as was also his wife, who survived him by about eight years. He became one of the wealthiest men of Bloom township and his influence was ever given in support of all worthy enterprises and projects for the general good, so that he stood as a model citizen and as one who had made a large contribution to the development and progress of this section of the state.
Conrad H. Zutavern, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead and is indebted to the public schools of the locality for the early educational advantages which were his. In Williams county, Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1871, when twenty-three years of age, Mr. Zutavern was united in marriage to Miss Maria Smeltz, who was born in Venice township, Seneca county, where her father, Jacob Smeltz, was a pioneer settler, his later years being passed in Williams county. After his marriage our subject settled on his present farm, which he purchased of his father at that time. He has erected substantial buildings on the place, effected other improvements of the best order and
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has made it one of the best farms in this section. At the time of this writing ( May, 1902.) he is erecting an attractive residence in the town of Attica and it is his intention to retire from the more active duties of the farm and to make his home in that village. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has had no predilection for public office. He and his wife are prominent members of the English Reformed church at Car- rothers, in which he is an elder. They have no children. Mr. Zutavern has the highest standing in the community and is one of the honored and influential citizens of his native county.
GEORGE DEISLER.
The German fatherland has contributed a most valuable element to the complex social fabric of the American republic, which has gained much through this source, the element being one which has ever con- served the march of progress and stood for sterling manhood and woman- hood. The honored subject of this sketch, who is one of the successful farmers of Seneca county, is a native of Germany, but has practically passed his entire life in America and is to be mentioned as a scion of one of the highly respected pioneer families of Seneca county. Mr. Deisler was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 5th of February, 1825, being the son of Conrad and Anna C. (Brundt) Deisler, of whose seven children only two survive,-George, of this sketch; and Conrad, who owns the old homestead and who is likewise a successful farmer of Venice township. The parents cmigrated from the fatherland to the United States in the year 1833, and after residing for a brief interval in Wooster, Ohio, came that same year to Seneca county, where the father purchased sixty-six acres of land, upon a portion of which the present village of Carrothers is located. Here he continued to devote his attention to farming for many years,-until the spring of 1872, when he and his wife took up their home with their daughter, Mrs. Flechner, in Crawford county, where they passed the residue of their lives, each attaining the venerable age of
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eighty-two years. The father of our subject was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities and was a zealous member of the German Re- formed church, in which he held various official positions.
George Deisler was reared to maturity on the homestead farm, early' beginning to aid in the work of reclamation and cultivation and having limited educational advantages as were implied in an irregular attendance in the primitive schools of the locality and period. Upon attaining his legal majority he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of carpenter, and after thus serving for a term of three years, secured thirteen dollars per month the last year ; he thereafter devoted his attention to the work of his trade for a further interval of above eight years, making nearly all the coffins used for the neighborhood. In 1854 he was married, and soon afterward he settled on the old homestead, to whose cultivation he devoted himself until the spring of 1858, when he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of his present farm, in Venice township. to which he then removed. He has made the best of improvements on the place, to whose area he has added by the purchase of an adjoining tract of thirty and one- half acres, so that the fine farm now comprises one hundred and forty- five and one-half acres. The place is under a high state of cultivation and gives evidence of the careful management and progressive methods which have been brought to bear, the owner having ever commanded unquali- fied confidence and esteem in the community where he has lived from youth to advanced age, ever giving his aid and influence in support of all worthy enterprises and measures for the general good and standing as one of the world's noble army of workers. In politics Mr. Deisler has ever been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and his devotion to duties of citizenship in the exercise of the right of franchise has been singularly marked, as is evident when we revert to the fact that in all the long years which have passed since he attained his legal majority he has on only two occasions failed to deposit his vote in support of the men or measures approved by his judgment. He has, however, never sought political office for himself. He is a devoted member of the Reformed church at Carrothers, in which for many years he served faithfully and efficiently in official position.
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