USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
body he is chairman of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church at Amsden and takes a consistent concern in the promotion of religious, educational and other interests for the general good.
THOMAS BLAIR.
Thomas Blair, who is engaged in general farming in Seneca town- ship, is numbered among Ohio's native sons, for his birth occurred near New Lancaster on the Ist of January, 1816. More than eighty-five years have passed since that time and great changes have occurred in the Buckeye state. It has long since ceased to be a "western" state, for progress and civilization have moved far beyond the Mississippi. Its wild lands have been reclaimed and transformed into fertile farms, towns and villages have sprung up and some of the most extensive business in- terests of the country have been established within its borders. Mr. Blair has taken a deep interest and just pride in what has been accomplished here, and at all times in a quiet but loyal way he has supported the meas- ures and movements which he believed to be for the general good.
His parents, John and Rachel ( Wilson) Blair, were honored pioneer settlers of Ohio and in 1824 they came with their family to Seneca county, taking up their abode in Seneca township, living upon the Indian reserve for a few years. Mr. Blair afterward entered eighty acres of land from the government and erected a hewed-log house. His land was covered with heavy timber and it required persistent and hard work to clear it and make it ready for the plow. As the years passed, however, great changes occurred in the appearance of the farm, which became a very attractive tract of land. The father of our subject made his home thereon until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years of age, while his wife had reached the age of seventy years, she dying but five days after him. They were the parents of seven children: Will- iam, who died at sixty-five; Rachel, who married John Swaney and died at seventy-five; Thomas, the subject of this review ; James, a resident of
444
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Iowa; and John, who resides in Wood county; Alexander died a young man; and Andrew died at about sixty.
In taking up the personal history of Thomas Blair we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Sen- eca county, his residence here covering more than three-fourths of a cen- tury. He was a little lad of only eight years when he arrived in Seneca township and for a few years thereafter his playmates were the children of the Mohawk Indian tribe. He became thoroughly familiar with the Mohawk tongue and greatly enjoyed the sports of his Indian friends. He never had any trouble with them and expresses strongly the opinion that there is more honor among the red race than is often found among the white men. All the experiences and trials of pioneer life were familiar to him, as well as pleasures of a character that are unknown at the pres- ent day. When nineteen years of age he entered upon an independent business career, hiring out to clear land, and from that time forward he has depended entirely upon his own resources for all that he has enjoyed in the way of material comforts.
Mr. Blair was first married in 1840, the lady of his choice being Mary Sailor, by whom he had five children : John W., who lives in Mon- tana; Thomas J., a resident of Gratiot county, Michigan; Rhoda, the widow of Benjamin Clay, of Adrian, Ohio; Jeremiah, who also resides in Montana : and Samuel, who died at thirty-two. After the death of his first wife Mr. Blair was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Spitler, by whom he also had five children, as follows : Joseph, who makes his home in Montana ; Mary, the wife of Joseph M. Conoway, of Virginia; Grace, who married John Fruth; Frank, at home; and Amanda, who married Albert Fruth.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Blair had but one horse and his financial resources were very limited. He erected a log cabin on the farm where he now resides, the primitive home containing but one room. Long since, however, it has been replaced by a commodious modern resi- dence, and good barns and outbuildings have been added and all de- sirable improvements made. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cleared and improved, making the place a rich and arable
445
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tract, the fields yielding to him a golden tribute in reward for his labor. For many years he has served as school director and has ever taken a deep and attaching interest in all that pertains to intellectual development. As one of the honored pioneers of the county, he justly deserves representa- tion in this volume. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and few men now living in Seneca county are better informed concerning its history when Ohio was a frontier state than is Thomas Blair, whose reminiscences of the early days are most interesting.
ALFRED L. SHAFER.
The agricultural interests of Seneca county have no better repre- sentatives than its native-born citizens, many of whom are classed among its most practical, enterprising and successful farmers. One of the num- ber is Mr. Shafer, who is one of the prominent citizens of Pleasant town- ship. Dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood, he has so applied his energies and ability as to attain a success worthy the name, while his high standing in the community indicates the objective appreci- ation of his sterling character.
Mr. Shafer was born in Clinton township, this county, on the 30th of November, 1841, being the son of Joseph and Susan (Cain) Shafer, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized. They became the parents of four children, namely: Mary J., the wife of Ransom Meredith, of Marshall county, Indiana; Eliza, the widow of W. P. Daywald, of Clinton township; Alfred L., the sub- ject of this review ; and John A., who died in Indiana, at the age of fifty- seven years. The parents of our subject came to Seneca county in 1837, locating on a farm in Clinton township, where the father reclaimed a tract of wild land and where he made his home until his death, in 1849, at the age of forty-seven years, his wife passing away in 1881, at the age of seventy years.
446
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Alfred L. Shafer was reared in his native county and when but ten years of age he assumed the practical responsibilities of life, working by the day or month for his board and clothing, and being in the employ of others until 1861. He secured his early educational discipline in the pub- lic schools, and through his own efforts accumulated sufficient funds to enable him to continue his studies for a time in Heidelberg College, at Tiffin. That he duly profited by the opportunities afforded him is evident from the fact that he began teaching school when seventeen years of age, and he continued his pedagogic work in Seneca county for twenty years during the winter months, while during the summers he devoted his attention to farm work. In 1861 he rented a farm and continued agri- cultural operations under these conditions until 1868, when he located on his present farm, which he likewise rented, the same being then the prop- erty of his father-in-law. In 1872 he purchased the farm, which com- prises one hundred and forty acres, and here he has made the best of im- provements and placed the land under a high state of cultivation, his success being due to his energy, discrimination and progressive methods.
Mr. Shafer has ever maintained a lively interest in public affairs of a local nature and has been influential in his township. He is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and for nearly thirty years served as justice of the peace, while he was a trustee of Pleasant township for several years. He is a man of forceful individ- uality and marked intellectuality, and to him has been given the most unequivocal confidence and esteem of the people of the community. He is one of the prominent and enthusiastic members of Union Grange, No. 1078, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is the master at the time of this writing, and his religious faith is that of the Reformed church, being a member at Glade Union, in which he has been an elder for many years.
On the IIth of April, 1865, Mr. Shafer was united in marriage to Miss Rachel McMeen, who was born in this county, being the daughter of William S. and Sophia (Stewart) McMeen, a pioneer farmer of this section of the state. Our subject and his estimable wife have four chil- dren, namely : Alice L., the wife of Frank J. Stinchcomb, superintendent of schools at Payne, Ohio; Nora, who remains at home, a popular and
447
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
successful teacher, having attended the Ada and Fostoria Normals and Heidelberg College; Nellie, the wife of Forrest Niswender, at Swander, Ohio; and Glenn, who is a student in Heidelberg College.
William S. McMeen was born in Scotland; married in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Sophia Stewart, a native of Ireland. They located on the present homestead of Mr. Shafer in 1835, then in the woods, and here Mrs. Shafer was born on the 7th of April, 1839. The father died at seventy-seven, the mother in her ninety-seventh year, having been born in 1799. Of their eleven children six reached maturity, and Mrs. Shafer is the only survivor. Two brothers, Robert and John, were killed in the war, Robert in the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wounded at Murfreesboro and dying from the effects. John was in the cavalry and was killed in action. Two died in California,-William and James,-who went there during the gold excitement. The only sis- ter, Sophia, married Emmet F. Drake and died at the age of thirty-five years. The parents were among the original members of the Presby- terian church in Tiffin.
JAMES STINCHCOMB.
Among the early settlers and representative farmers of Seneca county is James Stinchcomb, a veteran of the great civil war, who was born in Bloom township, this county, March 25, 1832, a son of John and Barbara (Turflinger) Stinchcomb. The father was a native of the state of Maryland, born in 1799, and when a child he was brought by his parents to Ohio, locating near Salem, in Fairfield county, where the son grew to years of maturity and was married. In 1827 he took up his resi- dence in Seneca county, but two years previous to that time he had vis- ited this section and had here entered eighty acres of land in Bloom township, on which he made his home until 1851. In that year he dis- posed of his possessions there and came to Clinton township, purchasing the one hundred and sixty acres of land which is now owned by Charles Bender, and there his remaining days were passed, he having passed away
448
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in death in 1854. His political support was given to the Whig party, and religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By his marriage to Barbara Turflinger he became the father of ten chil- dren, four of whom are now living: Elizabeth A .; James; Henry, of Odessa, Michigan; and John W., of Canton, Ohio.
James Stinchicomb of this review has spent his entire life in the county of his nativity, and to its public-school system he is indebted for his early educational privileges. Later he became a student in Heidel- berg College, and at the age of twenty years he became a member of the teachers' profession, continuing as an instructor for twenty-two terms during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he was engaged at carpentering and farming. After his marriage he located on the farm belonging to his father-in-law, but still continued the teacher's profession until the property passed into the possession of his wife, when he gave up that occupation, and since that time has devoted his entire time and at- tention to his agricultural interests, his farm being three miles north of Tiffin and containing one hundred and forty-seven acres. Through the careful direction of his business interests and by indefatigable industry he has acquired a handsome property and at the same time has so con- formed to the ethics of business life that he has the unqualified confidence of all with whom he has had business transactions. During the civil war he entered the Union army on the 2d of May, 1864, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for four months was on detailed duty at Washington. Previous to this time he had served as a member of Company F, Home Guards, and while a member of that body was called to Johnson's Island at the time of the Vallandigham alarm.
In 1870 Mr. Stinchcomb was united in marriage to Miss Matilda E. Baker, who was born in the house in which our subject now resides. In February, 1871, this loving and devoted wife was called to the home beyond, and afterward Mr. Stinchcomb was married to her sister, Miss Anna S. Baker, and they have one son, Robert S. Mrs. Stinchcomb died August 2, 1890. The Prohibition party receives Mr. Stinchcomb's sup- port and co-operation. He is well known for his uprightness and relia-
449
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
bility in the practical affairs of life, and he is one of the highly respected members of the community.
No man has taken keener or more decided interest in educational ad- vancement than Mr. Stinchcomb. When in the profession he took a hand in securing better wages for teachers, enabling them to prepare better for that noblest of professions. He helped to organize the teachers of the county into a union, and a decided stand was taken that resulted in much better compensation to teachers, and, in consequence, much better schools throughout the county. He has pronounced views on the live questions of the day and is fearless and vigorous in his expression, touching the abuses incident to present systems of government and struggles for civ- ilization.
JACOB STAIB.
Among the native sons of Seneca county who still maintain their residence within her borders is Jacob Staib, who resides in Seneca town- ship, owning a valuable tract of land which each year returns to him a comfortable income. He was born in this township August 18, 1849, and is a son of Jacob Staib, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. When the father had reached man's estate he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life and wooed and won Miss Sarah Haug, also a na- tive of the same kingdom. They became the parents of six children : Caroline, residing on the home farm; Jacob, our subject ; Nellie, the wife of Valentine Hoffman ; Catherine, who married Carl Wittig and resides at Deep Water, Missouri ; Elizabeth, also residing on the home farm ; and Magdalena, who died in childhood. The father was a landscape gardener in Germany, continuing that pursuit until 1833, when, at eighteen years of age, he resolved to test the truth of the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities furnished by America in business circles. Accordingly he engaged passage on a sailing-vessel .- for it was prior to the era of steamboat navigation,-and after forty-two days spent on the briny deep, landed in New York. He made his way to Seneca
450
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
county, Ohio, taking up his abode upon the farm which three years later was purchased by his parents, Jacob and Catherine ( Kloepfer) Staib. The government still owned the greater part of the land and he entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built a log cabin with but one room. In that he kept bachelor's hall for two years, and in 1846 he was married, his wife coming with him from Germany, where he visited after being twelve years in America. For almost twenty years he continued residing upon his first farm, but in 1855 removed to the farm upon which his remaining days were passed and on which his death occurred September 20, 1901, when he had reached the age of eighty- six years, seven months and seven days. His was a busy, useful life, in consistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a Democrat, always endorsing the principles of that party but never seeking office. His wife died in 1883. His father died at eighty-seven, while his mother survived to the age of ninety-seven years.
Jacob Staib, Jr., was a little lad of only six years when his parents removed to the farm upon which he is now living. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges, and as he was the only son he always remained at home in order to assist his father in the cultivation of the land. After he had attained to man's estate he took charge of the farm, erecting a second brick house. The farm now contains ninety-seven acres, upon which he resides, with twenty acres of the old home- stead which his father secured in its wild state more than two-thirds of a century ago.
On the 23d of October, 1879, Mr. Staib was united in marriage to Miss Alice Arbogast, who died May 16, 1885, and unto them were born four children. These are Nettie I., Lorenzo M., Victor J. and Alverda J. They hold membership in the Evangelical Association and are earnest Christian people whose well-spent lives commend them to the esteem of their fellow men. Mr. Staib exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party and has been honored with some local offices, serving as school director for many years, while for three years he was a township trustee, just now being re-elected.
.
451
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
No word of blame could ever be attached to him in relation to the dis- charge of his official duties, for he was ever prompt, reliable and capable. His work in private life is equally well known and in his history there are many lessons well worthy of emulation.
SAMUEL EAKIN.
Throughout life this gentleman has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Seneca county, Ohio, and is to-day one of the leading farmers of Seneca township. He is one of the county's native sons and a representative of one of her honored old families, whose identi- fication with her history dates from an early period in the development of the county.
Mr. Eakin was born on the farm where he now resides, and is a son of James Eakin, a native of Washington county, Virginia. His paternal grandfather, James Eakin, aided the colonies in their struggle for inde- pendence, serving for six years in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution. At an early day the father of our subject went to Illi- nois, making the entire journey on horseback, then returned to Virginia, but soon after located in Delaware county, Ohio, whence he came to Sen- · eca county in 1822. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of gov- ernment land in Seneca township, and in the midst of the wilderness opened up the farm on which our subject now lives. His land, being the choicest of this region, was covered with a heavy growth of timber, prin- cipally poplars and walnuts, and the forests had to be cleared away be- fore the land could be cultivated. Mr. Eakin's first home in this county was a rude cabin of one room, built of round logs and furnished in the most primitive style. With the early development and progress of this section of the state he was prominently identified, and on the roll of Sen- eca county's honored pioneers his name should be among the foremost. At one time he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land in Wyandot county, at an Indian land sale. In early manhood he was united in mar-
452
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
riage with Miss Susan Anderson, and to them were born fourteen chil- dren, of whom eleven grew to manhood or womanhood, and nine are still living. The father died on his farm in Seneca county in 1879, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife passed away in 1886. They were people of prominence in the community where they had so long made their home, and were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them.
Samuel Eakin was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, aiding in the arduous task of improving a new farm, and pur- suing his literary studies in a log school-house. He obtained a good common-school education, which has well fitted him for the practical duties of life. With the exception of six years he has spent his entire life on the farm where he was born, and is now the owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres of the old homestead bordering the Sandusky river. He carries on farming and stock-raising successfully, and in all his under- takings has displayed marked ability as a business man. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democracy, but has never sought office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. He is widely and favorably known and is recognized as one of repre- sentative men of his community.
REV. AARON YAMBERT.
Among the old and honored residents of Seneca county, Ohio, who will long be recalled with feelings of true respect and affection, was one who for a period of twenty-seven consecutive years followed the example of his holy Master, "going about doing good." This was Rev. Aaron Yambert, who passed out of life on July 4, 1888.
The birth of Rev. Mr. Yambert was February 14, 1809, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and he was a son of John H. and Sybilla (Glick} Yambert. In 1831 he accompanied his parents when they removed to Seneca county, Ohio. At the age of eighteen he learned the carpenter's
453
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
trade and at this age also became converted to the truths of religion. He lived a life of morality and exerted a good influence on his fellow workmen during his young manhood, but he did not begin his ministerial labors until 1832. He was ordained in the Evangelical church and started out to his first pastorate in Pickaway county, Ohio. This was but the entrance into a ministerial life which continued with his years. He be- came a vigorous preacher, thoroughly persuaded to the truths he taught, and he easily led others, and on all occasions, without fear or favor, was ready to uphold his belief.
In 1845 he settled with his family on what is known as the old Yambert homestead, where he became the owner of one hundred and. sixty-two acres. As his family increased he felt it his duty to provide for their welfare, and this farm was carried on with care and made pro- ductive and valuable.
The marriage of Mr. Yambert was on February 10, 1839, to Miss. Sarah Huffer, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 28, 1813. She was a most estimable woman, a devoted wife and ten- der mother, and for fifty-four years was a worthy example of Christian goodness. She died on February 27, 1887, at the age of seventy-three · years. Mr. and Mrs. Yambert had a family of thirteen children, namely : Caroline, who married George Rosier, of Seneca township; Mary, who married Chauncy Boucher, of Williams county, Ohio; Lovina, who mar- ried Joseph Conklin, of Seneca township: Joshua J., who lives in Wood- ford county, Illinois : Aaron H., who lives at Rising Sun, Ohio: Sarah C., who is the widow of George Ingman, of Mexico, Ohio; Susanna, who married J. W. Boucher, of Williams county, Ohio; Sybilla, who resides on the old homestead; and Julia, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Ellenberger. Four children died in infancy.
Mr. Yambert, when he first started out in his ministerial work, made his visits from one part of the country to the other on horseback, and many were the stories he could relate of the lonely districts into which he brought spiritual comfort. This great state, which now teems with every industry and overflows with population, was at the time of the beginning of his work sparsely settled in many localities, Seneca county
454
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
being still traversed by old Indian trails. He was one of the pioneer preachers and was well fitted by nature for his work. Although he en- joyed the fruitful rewards of agricultural industry, he turned his back on the comforts of home and braved storm and flood, in many instances, to comfort the dying or to help the living.
Mr. Yambert was sadly missed when advancing years kept him more closely at home. He was known as the friend of the poor, and probably the most characteristic qualities belonging to him were useful- ness and industry. He was devoted to his work and was permitted to see many fruits of his faithful service. The old home, consisting of resi- dence and sixty-two acres of valuable land, is owned by his daughter, Miss Sybilla Yambert.
CHRISTIAN TROTT.
Christian Trott is well known as an enterprising and progressive citizen of Seneca township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits. his well-directed efforts bringing to him gratifying success in his under- takings. Switzerland has sent her proportion of citizens to the new world and they have become valued' residents of the communities in which their lots have been cast. They have ever been a valiant people, strong of purpose, fearless in defense of what they believe to be right, industrious, persevering and reliable, and the characteristics of his race are found in Christian Trott.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.