USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 36
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Norman Egbert, of Clinton township; Rosa, who died in infancy; and Scott, who is a resident of Tiffin. The father of our subject passed away in 1862, and his widow survived him by many years, her death occurring on the 16th of November, 1895, at the venerable age of sev- enty-one years.
Clay Holtz grew to maturity on the old homestead farm, receiv- ing his early educational training in the public schools and.continuing to assist in carrying on the work of the home place until he was prompted to take up the sterner duty devolving upon him as a loyal son of the republic, when the integrity of the Union was menaced by armed re- bellion. On the 9th of October, 1861, when nineteen years of age, he- enlisted as a private in Company H, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, for a term of three years. He proceeded to the front with his regiment and was thereafter a participant in many of the most notable engagements of the great civil conflict, among the number being the following: Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, after which last the regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and was thereafter in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Burnt Hickory, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta. At Franklin, West Virginia, on the 22d of May, 1862, Mr. Holtz was taken prisoner, being in the field hospital, but was immediately paroled and returned to his home and here attended school until his exchange, in January, 1863, and he rejoined his regiment in the early part of the following month, at Burke's Station, Virginia, arriving in time to take part in the battle of Chancellorsville. He thereafter continued to serve constantly in the ranks until the close of his term of enlistment, when; he received his honorable discharge, and he forthwith returned to his native county and here assisted his mother in the operation of the old homestead until 1869, when he located on his present farm, which was; a part of the estate. To this he has added from time to time until he now has a fine farmstead of three hundred and forty acres, in one body, while he has made the best of improvements upon the same, having a commodious and substantial residence, good barns and other requisite
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buildings for the accommodation of stock, products and implements, and he has thoroughly developed his broad acres and brought the farm into a high state of cultivation. He raises diversified crops and also gives attention to the raising of a high grade of live stock. Mr. Holtz is essentially public-spirited in his attitude, and his influence has ever been cast in support of all enterprises for the general good, his political allegiance being accorded to the Republican party, of whose cause he has been a zealous supporter, though never seeking the honors or emolu- ·ments of public office. Fraternally he perpetuates his interest in and friendship with his old comrades in arms by retaining membership in the Potter Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Green Spring, while in the same place he is identified with the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On the 28th of February, 1868, Mr. Holtz was united in marriage to Miss Andorah Closson Egbert, who was born in Clinton township, this county, the daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy Ann (Rule) Egbert, her name having been conferred at the request of a Mr. Closson, an old friend of the family, who wished to thus perpetuate the name of his deceased fiancee. Of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Holtz we offer the following brief record: Harry, who assists in the management of the homestead farm; Alice, who is the wife of John Stackhouse, who is located in Cleveland, being in government employ ; William, who served in the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American war, having been for nine months an orderly sergeant on the staff of General Bates, and he is now attending a dental college in the city of Cincinnati; Kathryn, who attended Baldwin University, is now one of the successful and popular teachers in the schools of this county ; Susan, who was graduated in the Green Spring Academy and later attended the Lebanon Normal School, began teaching at the age of fifteen years and continued her pedagogic work for a period of three years, at the expiration of which she was married to a schoolmate, Charles Bridwell, and they now reside in Solitude, Kentucky; Charlotte, who is the wife of Eugene Crabill, a farmer near Tiffin, Ohio; Lucy, who was educated in the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso, was a success-
HOME OF CLAY HOLTZ.
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ful teacher and is now the wife of Elmer Rosenburger, of Melmore, this county ; and Zula Juanita (pronounced Wau-ne-ta) is attending the township graded schools.
JACOB BRENDLE.
No better illustration of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical German-American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this well known farmer of Hopewell township. Coming to this country in early life, he has made his way to success through wisely directed efforts, and he can now look back with satisfaction upon past struggles.
Mr. Brendle was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 14th of June, 1839, a son of Jacob and Catherine ( Wertz) Brendle. These par- ents had five children, namely: Jacob, the subject of this review ; George, a resident of Tiffin, Ohio; Christina, the widow of Henry W. Creeger and a resident of Hopewell township; Barbara, the lately de- ceased widow of Michael Walters; and Margaret, the wife of Jacob Fleckner, who makes his home in Loudon township, Seneca county. The father of these children died in Germany, in 1852, and two years later the mother, with her five children, came to America, locating in Bas- com, Seneca county, where she resided up to the time of her marriage to Henry Creeger, the father of Henry W. Creeger. She was called to her final rest on the 16th of March, 1884.
Jacob Brendle, of this review, was but fifteen years of age when he came with his mother to Seneca county, Ohio. His education was re- ceived principally in the schools of his native land, for after coming to this locality he was permitted to attend school during only two months of each winter for two years. During his first summer here he found employment on the farm, while for the following two years he worked in a sawmill, later spending six months in a potash factory in Carey, Ohio. After his mother's second marriage he worked on his stepfather's farm for eleven years, and after the latter's death he rented the prop-
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erty for one year. In 1869, in company with his brother George, he purchased his present farm, then consisting of one hundred and forty acres, and this relationship was continued until 1884, when the property was divided, the brother securing as his share the town property, while our subject became the owner of the farm. As the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts he has added to the original purchase until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of as fine land as can be found in Seneca county. He is one of the progressive and skilled agriculturists of the locality, and his un- daunted enterprise and resolute purpose have been the means of raising. him from a position of comparative obscurity to one of affluence in the business world.
In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brendle and Miss Anna Baughman, a native daughter of this locality, where her father, Casper Baughman, located in an early day. Six children have blessed this union, namely: William and Jacob, who are attending school; Emma and Ella, at home ; and two deceased, Charles and Catherine.
In political matters Mr. Brendle votes with the Democracy, but he is liberal in his views and his support is withheld from no movenient or measure which in his best judgment is intended for the public good. He is a worthy member of the German Reformed church, in which he has. long served as an elder and for a number of years he has also held the position of deacon therein. No one in the community enjoys a better reputation for integrity of word and deed, and when a man stands high in the estimation of the people who have known him during nearly his. entire lifetime no greater testimonial of his worth can be given.
FRANK J. FREDERICK.
Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own. way from humble and lowly beginnings to places of leadership, and of this class Frank J. Frederick is a prominent representative. A native son.
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of the Buckeye state, his birth here occurred in Tiffin, on the 21st of Oc- tober, 1864. His parents, John and Rosella ( Kuepper) Frederick, were born in Luxemburg, Germany, and in 1849 they came with their parents to the United States. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Margaret Frederick, and the former was a stone-mason by trade. They took up their abode in Tiffin. The maternal grandfather was stricken with cholera during the voyage, and for a time was quar- antined on Bedloe's Island, where he soon afterward died. His wife brought her family to Seneca county, locating on a farm near New Riegel. John Frederick, the father of our subject, learned the carpenter's trade, and since his marriage, which occurred in 1863, he has continued to work at his trade in Tiffin. He gives his political support to the Democracy, and the family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. Of the twelve children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Frederick only three now survive: Frank J., of this review; Charles, a resident of Tiffin; and Mary, at home.
Frank J. Frederick grew to years of maturity under the parental roof, and the common schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educa- tional privileges. At the age of fourteen years he began work in the agricultural works in Tiffin, where he was employed as a machinist for the following four years, while for a similar period he worked as a mill- wright. He was next employed as a pattern-maker in the Tiffin National Machine Company's works in Tiffin, resigning his position therein after a four years' service to work at the carpenter's trade. He had never before worked at the trade, but he hired as an experienced workman. However, he was a close observer, and in the course of three years was recognized as one of the most expert workmen in the city of Tiffin. After four years he engaged in contracting and building, and during the succeeding five years he erected many houses in Tiffin, many of which were built for parties who paid for them on the installment plan. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Frederick purchased a residence property in that city, for which he paid one hundred dollars down and assumed an indebtedness of nine hundred dollars, but in three years' time, by careful and judicious management and indefatigable industry, he was
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enabled to pay the entire amount. He also purchased a lot and erected another residence, for which he was obliged to go in debt to the amount of about seventeen hundred dollars, but eighteen months later he sold that property and in 1893 bought another residence, for which he again assumed an indebtedness for seventeen hundred dollars. About six months afterward he purchased a half interest in a sawmill at St. Stephen's, but after continuing therein for six years he sold his interest to his partner, Peter Foos. In 1898 he purchased his present general store and residence property at St. Stephen's, and in the mercantile line he is meeting with a high and well-merited degree of success.
In 1890 Mr. Frederick was united in marriage to Miss Carrie, Foos, a sister of Peter Foos, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Five children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely : Clarence W., Bertha R., Irvin A., Hilda L. (who died in infancy) and Leland B.
Mr. Frederick is identified with the Democratic party, but he is liberal in his views and supports the men whom he regards as best qualified to fill positions of trust. The family are members of St. Ste- phen's Catholic church.
JULIUS UNSER.
One of the practical, progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Seneca county is Julius Unser, who owns a beautiful and highly culti- vated farm in Hopewell township. He was born in this locality on the 17th of December, 1863. a son of Joseph and Johanna (O'Brien) Unser. The father was a native of Germany, but on the 14th of March, 1825, when he was a babe, the family left their little German home across the sea and came to America, locating in Loudon township, Seneca county, where they were among the early pioneers. The grandfather was a stone- mason by trade, and in addition to following that vocation he also farmed an eighty-acre tract of land which he had entered from the government. On this place the son Joseph grew to years of maturity, and after his
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father's death he assumed the entire responsibility of the place, thus con- tinuing until 1876, when he removed to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he had purchased the year previously. There he continued to make his home until 1892, when he took up his residence in Tiffin, and there his death occurred on the 17th of March, 1893. He became very successful in his farming operations, and in 1885 he was enabled to purchase an additional one hundred and twenty acres, where his son Daniel now resides. His widow also owns eighty acres adjoining the home place. Mr. Unser gave his political support to the Democracy and religiously was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. Unto thi's worthy couple were born seven children, three of whom still survive, namely: Julius, the subject of this review ; Daniel, a prominent farmer of Hopewell township; and Mary, the wife of John Smith, also of this township. One named Cecelia, died at eleven years of age, and a second was given the same name, and died at the age of twenty-seven years, on March 17, 1898, while still an inmate of her parental home. Loretta died in childhood, and Catherine married Andrew Shingler and died when twenty-seven years of age.
Julius Unser assisted his father in the work of the home place until 1889, when he assumed its entire responsibilities, and from that time until the present he has had entire charge of this valuable tract. Since attain- ing to mature years his business ability has been constantly manifested, showing unlimited possibilities, and as the result of undaunted enterprise, perseverance and resolute purpose he has risen to a commanding position in the business circles of Seneca county. He gives his political support to the Democracy, and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his county, state or nation he takes an active interest.
Mr. Unser was first married in 1890, when Miss Matilda Phillips became his wife. She was a native of Seneca county and a daughter of John Phillips, a prominent farmer of St. Stephen's, this county. One child, Idella, came to bless and brighten their home. In 1895 the de- voted wife and mother passed to her final rest, and two years later Mr. Unser wedded Miss Catherine Kauffman, also a native of Seneca county, and they have one child, Richard. The family are members of St. Mary's
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Catholic church, and are held in the highest regard by their innumerable friends. The Unser place is one of the attractive farms of the county, the house being one of the large two-story brick structures for which this section is noted.
DANIEL L. CRUM.
One of the progressive, practical and enterprising farmers of Seneca county is Daniel L. Crum, who resides in Hopewell township, where he owns and cultivates a rich tract of land. He is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Dauphin county, on the 18th of August, 1844, and his parents being Frederick and Susanna S. ( Reeme) Crum. Upon the home farm he was reared and in the common schools he obtained bis education. His early work in the fields well fitted him for carrying on farming on his own account when he entered upon an independent busi- career.
In February, 1867, Mr. Crum was married to Miss Anna C. Kepple, a daughter of George Kepple, who was one of the pioneers of Seneca county and is now deceased. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm of one hundred and thirty-four and a half acres in Clin- ton township, three miles north of Tiffin, which his father had purchased the year previous. There our subject engaged in the tilling of the soil for four years and then removed to the farm upon which he is now living, although his residence here has not been continuous since that time. This farm was also owned by his father, and Mr. Crum of this review leased it for seven years, at the end of which time he had accumulated capital sufficient to purchase it and since then he has been its owner. In. 1889 his father persuaded him to rent his farm and removed to Clinton town- ship in order to look after the farm owned by Mr. Crum, Sr., and through the succeeding eight years our subject rented and operated his father's place, returning to his own farm on the expiration of that period. Here he owns ninety-two and a half acres, and in addition his wife owns seventy acres one mile north of the home farm, all of which Mr. Crum
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cultivates and annually he garners rich harvests as a reward of his labor.
The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are yet living: Viola L., the wife of Colonel Cleggitt, of Pleasant township, Seneca county ; Naomi G., at home; Alice McCleta, the wife of A. L .Lightner, of Tiffin; Ella E., who is with her 'parents ; Edward D., an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; Arlington L. and Irvin R. who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Crum and his family are well known in the community and their home is a very hospitable one. He has never been an aspirant for political office, 'but has firm faith in the Republican party and its principles and always supports it with his ballot. He is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the county and is an esteemed citizen, worthy of high regard.
WILLIAM H. KING.
The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest, and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monument, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relent- less hand of time. Those who have fought and suffered for the country in which their lot is cast are especially deserving of an honored place in its annals, and their posterity will turn with just pride to these records of the founders and preservers of a prosperous, united nation.
Born in Sandusky county, Ohio, October 31, 1837, Mr. King is a son of Samuel R. and Mary (Stewart) King. The father, who was a native of Maryland, and married there, located in Wyandot county, Ohio, and began farm life there on rented land. After remaining in that lo- cality for a time he removed to Sandusky county, where he purchased a farm, but in 1850 he disposed of that property and came to Seneca county, taking up his abode in Hopewell township, and there he spent the re- mainder of his life, passing away about 1858. In early life he gave his political support to the Whig party, but after the Republican party was
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formed he joined its ranks and was ever afterward a stanch supporter of its principles. Of the six children born unto Samuel R. and Mary (Stewart) King only three are now living: Davenport S., a prominent farmer of Hopewell township; Henrietta, the widow of Henry S. Ruse and a resident of Lorain, Ohio; and William H., the subject of this re- view. Savilla Jane married George Mundwiler and died about one year later ; Martha married George Ruse and died about the same length of time thereafter ; and Daniel R., the youngest of the family, was a teacher for eight years in Seneca county, and was later in the hardware trade at Sycamore, Ohio, where he died at about twenty-eight years of age.
William H. remained under the parental roof until his sixteenth year, during which time he pursued his education in the village schools near his home. At that early age he began life on his own account as a farmer boy, working out for others by day and month, thus continuing until the inauguration of the civil war, when, in 1864, he loyally offered his services to the Union cause, entering Company I, One Hundred and Six- ty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three months at Arlington Heights, Virginia. After his return home Mr. King again took up the quiet duties of the farm, pursuing agriculture for two years on land belonging to his mother-in-law, and on the expiration of that period, in 1867, he became the owner of his present home farm of seventy acres, where he has ever since continued to make his home. He had an indebtedness of over two thousand dollars, which was cleared off at the same time he was making improvements, having a comfortable house and convenient barn. He has laid several hundred rods of drainage tile, and the fields are now in a first-class productive condition. He is an enterprising and prosperous farmer, and his efforts in the line of his chosen calling have brought to him a high and well merited degree of success.
In the year 1859 Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Ruse, who was born in Hopewell township, a daughter of Solomon Ruse, one of the early pioneers of this locality. Three children were born of this union: Ida, the wife of William F. Martin, of Hopewell town- ship; Silas and John H., both of Hopewell township. This loving
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wife and mother has been called to the home beyond, and for his second wife the father chose Miss Madora Freeze, a daughter of Barney Freeze, who was also among the very early settlers of Seneca county. This mar- riage has been blessed with eight children, namely: James, at home; Lillian, the wife of Charles Creeger, of Hopewell township; Susan, the wife of Ross Creeger, also of this township; and Russell, Lulu, Ray, Harrison and Carl, at home. Mr. King's political support is given to the Prohibition party. He is a member of Hopewell Bethel Church of God, and its interests have been greatly promoted through his zealous and earnest work. His many admirable qualities of heart and mind have gained for him a large circle of friends, and he is widely and favorably known in Seneca county.
SAMUEL WANNAMAKER.
The name of Wannamaker has been an honored and respected one in Seneca county, Ohio, since 1849, when the present family of the name was established here by Isaac Wannamaker, who was the father of Sam- uel Wannamaker, a highly respected citizen of Seneca county.
Samuel Wannamaker, who is the subject of this sketch, was born December 16, 1836, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and he was a son of Isaac and Catherine (Billig) Wannamaker, both of whom were natives of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Isaac Wannamaker and family moved to the former county in 1834, and there followed a farming life until 1849; then he removed to Seneca county and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Seneca township. He acquired more land, became pros- perous and prominent in his locality and at the time of his decease owned an aggregate of two hundred and eighty-seven acres. Mr. Wannamaker was one of the leading members of the Lutheran church, where now his widow, who lives with Samuel, is one of the "mothers in Israel," having reached her ninetieth year, the record of her life being one of kind, good deeds.
Isaac Wannamaker and wife were the parents of eleven children, the
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survivors of the family being as follows: Caroline, Samuel, Joel and Sylvester, all of Seneca township. The names of those who have passed away were Edwin, Daniel, Elias, Henry, Jacob, Mary A. and Isaac.
Samuel Wannamaker was thirteen years of age when the family came to Seneca county, a happy, healthy schoolboy, useful on the farm even at that early age, the "chores" being usually apportioned to him. After locating here he re-entered school and acquired a good common- school education, which has been supplemented in later years with reading and association with public men and office through the county. He con- tinued to make his home with his parents until he was thirty-five years of age, for fifteen years following the threshing business. His tastes and talents, however, were not all in the direction of an agricultural life, and Mr. Wannamaker entered a carpenter shop in order to thoroughly learn this trade, becoming in the course of time a most skillful workman. Although the demands of his business take him away from home quite frequently, he has always made Seneca township his place of residence, and there enjoys the respect, esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.
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