USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 57
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As a companion on the journey of life Mr. Dunn chose Miss Mary L. Oster, their wedding having been celebrated in 1873. The lady is a daughter of Jacob W. and Catherine (Sewald) Oster, the former a na- tive of Nassau and the latter of Bavaria, Germany. They came to the United States in 1843, and from Philadelphia they made their way on foot to this state. Four children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely: Cora, the wife of J. R. Ricketts, of Loudon town- ship; Clara M., a student in the class of 1903 of the State Normal School at Angola, Indiana ;; William, manager of a branch office of the Postal Telegraph Company at Chicago, Illinois ; and Carl Otto, at home. The Republican party receives Mr. Dunn's hearty support and co-opera- tion, and for three terms he has served his township with efficiency as its clerk, although the locality is strongly Democratic. He has, how- ever, refused his name to be used as a candidate for other public offices, preferring to give his time and attention to his business duties. Since
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February, 1902, he has held an active connection with the City National Bank and is now serving his fifth year as secretary of the Farmers' Mu- tual Relief Association, and is a member of General William H. Gibson Post, No. 31, G. A. R. Mrs. Dunn has been a member of the Second Reformed church since her eighteenth year, and is one of its active workers. Our subject is one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of his community, and it is safe to say that no man in Seneca county has a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than Arlington Dunn.
EPHRAIM J. MCCOLLUM, M. D.
Not only in Tiffin but in the surrounding country Dr. McCollum is known as a successful and skilled physician and surgeon, one who has given years of thought and painstaking preparation to his profession and who is thoroughly qualified for its practice. Nature endowed him with the qualities necessary for success as a practitioner, for he is sym- pathetic, patient and thoughtful, and in the hour of extremity is cool and courageous. Though his practice has always engrossed much of his attention, he has always found time to keep posted upon the practical details in the improvements of the science and avails himself of every development in remedial agencies. For a half century he has ministered to the sick and suffering here and has always maintained an irreproach- able character, worthy of respect and emulation.
The Doctor was born in Richland county, Ohio, four miles south of Mansfield, in June, 1825. His father, John McCollum, was a native of Pennsylvania, and about the time of his marriage, in 1815. he entered land in Richland county, upon which he engaged in farming for about ten years, when death ended his labors. He was a son of Ephraim and Catherine McCollum, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives as farming people, living to an ad- vanced age. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Barber and she likewise was a native of the Keystone state. She sur-
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vived her husband some time and passed away at the advanced age of eighty years. Her religious faith was indicated by her membership in the Presbyterian church. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, of whom the Doctor was the third in order of birth.
Dr. McCollum was about five years old when his father died, and he and his sister then went to live with their paternal grandfather in Pennsylvania. Upon his farm our subject was reared, and after acquir- ing his elementary education in the public schools he entered the Lewis- burg Academy, when about sixteen years of age. He attended through the summer and engaged in teaching in the winter months in order to earn the money necessary for the prosecution of his own studies. At length determining to engage in the practice of medicine, he read for two years, and spent the year 1849 as a student in the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, after which he located in Mccutchenville, Sen- eca county, Ohio, practicing there until 1853, when he returned to the Jefferson Medical College and was graduated. In the spring of 1853 he made a permanent location in Tiffin, and now for almost half a century has been an active member of the medical fraternity in this city. He en- gaged in general practice through a long period and is now doing quite a large office practice, as his patrons of former days do not like to dis- pense with his services, having found that he is learned, skillful and reliable in the performance of the important duties which devolve upon the physician and surgeon.
Dr. McCollum was united in marriage in 1853 to Miss Margaret Marr, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, who was a schoolmate of the wife of General "Stonewall" Jackson. Mrs. McCollum died in Tiffin, at the age of seventy-six years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which an uncle and two of her brothers became ministers, while another brother was a physician. Unto the Doctor and his wife were born two children: Gaylord, who died at the age of five years, and Leon, who was formerly engaged in the practice of medicine, being a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, but, not finding this congenial, is now engaged in the lumber business
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in Johnson City, Tennessee. For his second wife Dr. McCollum chose Miss Mary E. Collins, of Tiffin.
In his political views Dr. McCollum is a Democrat. He has been pension examiner and railway surgeon for many years, occupying the latter position since the railroad was built through Tiffin. Socially ne is connected with Tiffin Lodge, No. 77, F. & A. M., and he belongs to the Presbyterian church. In the line of his profession he is connected with the Seneca County Medical Society, of which he was one of the founders, and was at one time its president ; the Ohio State Medical So- ciety; the International Association of Railway Surgeons; and the American Medical Association. Thus, through connection with other members of the profession, through the discussion of means and meth- ods of promoting their work and its effectiveness, as well as through in- dividual study, reading and investigation, Dr. McCollum has kept stead- ily in touch with the progress which has made great changes in medical practice since he first located in Tiffin, thus rendering his efforts much more effective in producing the desired result of lessening pain and re- storing health. His efforts, however, have not been so closely confined to his profession that it has excluded all connection with other business relations, for he was one of the organizers of the Tiffin Savings Bank, of which he is now vice-president. He has lost considerable money by going security, but altogetlier his career has been a successful one, and respect and honor have been accorded him, together with a comfortable competence. Although he is now seventy-six years of age he yet prac- tices, his nature being one to which idleness is utterly foreign. His worth is such that to know Dr. McCollum is to esteem and honor him.
SYLVESTER CUNNINGHAM.
Sylvester Cunningham was one of the honored and respected resi- dents of Seneca county, and when called to his final rest the community mourned the loss of a valued citizen,-one who was esteemed by all with
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whom he had come in contact. He was born in Homer, New York, January 10, 1815, and upon his father's farm was reared, early becom- ing familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. The common schools offered him his educational privileges and he afterward learned the stone-mason's trade. Removing from Homer to Aurora, New York, he followed that trade and also engaged in farming there until 1856, when he determined to establish his home in the Buckeye state, whither he came and took up his residence in Scipio township, Seneca county. He purchased a farm of sixty acres, where Lemuel Stewart now resides, and for a few years resided thereon, after which he purchased another tract of land, of eighty acres, and upon the second farm he spent his remaining days. He was closly associated with agricultural pursuits in this part of the county and contributed in no small measure to the improvement and development of the locality. His farm work was conducted along progressive lines and he made for his family a very comfortable home. In his religious views he was a Methodist, belonging to the church of that denomination in Republic. He also held membership relations with the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained to the degree of a Knight Templar. He passed away May 30, 1883, at the age of sixty-eight years. His life was a busy, useful and upright one, characterized by energy, by straightforward dealing in busi- ness, loyalty in citizenship and honor in social relations. Thus his ex- ample is in many respects well worthy of emulation and his memory is enshrined by all who knew him.
In early manhood Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Wilkerson, and they became the parents of three children. The eldest is Charles M., who is now living in Osborn, Kansas, and is a re- tired farmer and ranchman. When the country was engaged in civil war he offered his services to the government, in 1861, and became a member of Company B, Seventh Ohio Infantry. With his command he participated in the battles of Bull Run, Winchester and Gettysburg. He was in the army commanded by Sherman, and during the latter part of his service he was a member of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, under Kilpat- rick, and at the front he remained until the close of hostilities, when he
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was honorably discharged with the rank of captain of Company I, Ninth Ohio Cavalry, being promoted from first lieutenant. His valor and meritorious conduct had won him promotion and he made for himself a most creditable military record. Elizabeth, the second child of the family, became the wife of Sydney J. Anway and died in 1893. Helen J., the youngest child, is the widow of Eli F. Beard, to whom she was married October 27, 1873. Her husband was born in Reed township, September 6, 1842, and was reared upon a farm, where he remained until a short time prior to the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, when he began working at the carriage-maker's trade. However, he watched with interest the progress of events in the south and determined that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. Accordingly on the 18th of June, 1861, he enlisted at Camp Chase, as a member of Company G, Twenty-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service. Proceeding to the front, he participated in both battles of Bull Run, and on the 8th of June, 1862, was wounded in the left knee at the battle of Cross Keys. Not long after this he was granted a furlough and returned to his home. On the ex- piration of his leave of absence, however, he rejoined his regiment, and at Chancellorsville, on the 3d of May, 1863, was again wounded, this time in the right shoulder. On the 21st of December of the same year Mr. Beard re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and in the engagement at Deveaux Neck he was very seriously wounded in the lower jaw, on account of which injury he was sent to the hospital, and there, by reason of his disability, he was discharged, on the 18th of May, 1865, with the rank of corporal.
On being mustered out of service Mr. Beard came to Republic, Sen- eca county, his parents having removed to that place during his absence. In 1874 he patented and became the manufacturer of the Buckeye churn, establishing a factory in Republic. There he carried on the business until 1888, when, on account of failing health, he placed his plant in charge of parties from Sidney, Ohio, who were to manufacture the churns, giv- ing Mr. Beard a royalty upon the same. The value of his invention has been widely acknowledged and the churn is now in general use through-
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out a large portion of this part of the country. Of Robinson Post, G. A. R., of Republic, Mr. Beard became a charter member, and he was one of its honored and valued representatives. In the Masonic fraternity he belonged to both the blue lodge and chapter, and in his life he ex. emplified the beneficent principles of the craft. Of the Methodist Epis- copal church he was a consistent and faithful member, and his life was ever in harmony with its teachings. He passed away October 3, 1893, leaving to his widow not only a comfortable competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Mrs. Beard is well known in Seneca county, where she has many warm friends. She belongs to Cornelia Chapter, No. 93, Order of the Eastern Star, and is the present worthy matron of that body. She has also served as president of Rob- inson Relief Corps, No. 106.
DANIEL LOOSE.
Daniel Loose, a well-known citizen of Clinton township, Seneca county, Ohio, owns and operates a valuable farm whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision. Substantial improve- ments are surrounded by well-tilled fields, and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found.
Mr. Loose is a native of this state, his birth having occurred near Baltimore, Fairfield county, December 25, 1829. He is one of a family of seven children born to Rev. John and Sarah (Measey) Loose, the others being Israel, a resident of Tiffin, Ohio; Sarah A., deceased; John H., who makes his home in Clinton township; Sophia, the wife of Jacob Rosenberger, of the same township; Eli, a minister of the United Brethren church, now ministering to a church in Morrow county, Ohio; and William, deceased. The parents of our subject were born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, where they were married, and from there they removed to Fairfield county, Ohio. In 1837 they came to Seneca county and settled in Clinton township, where the father erected a saw-
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mill and engaged in its operation, in connection with his farming. He later purchased two hundred acres of the land in Hopewell township and there gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he followed throughout the remainder of his life. For many years he served as a local minister of the Evangelical church, and was an earnest, consistent Christian gentleman, honored and respected by all who knew him. He died at the age of sixty-eight years.
The subject of this sketch was a child of eight years when he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Seneca county, and here he was reared upon a farm, being given the usual advantages of a common- school education. During his minority he gave his father the benefit of his labors upon the home farm, and at the age of twenty-one rented the place, carrying it on quite successfully for three years. He also was associated with his brother in the sawmill business for two years. At the end of that time Mr. Loose purchased a tract of eighty acres, on which he made his home for three years. At the end of that time he bought the Bretz farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, in Eden town- ship, and lived there until taking up his residence upon his present farm. lying a short distance south of the city limits of Tiffin. Industrious, progressive and energetic, he has met with excellent success in his farm- ing operations and is to-day the owner of three places, aggregating three hundred and twenty-one acres, all under cultivation and well improved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with general farm- ing he follows stock-raising, and has found that branch of his business quite profitable.
On November 20, 1864, Mr. Loose was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Bretz, daughter of Philip and Mary Bretz. They are among the esteemed citizens of their community and are active members of the Eden Evangelical church, in which Mr. Loose has served as trustee and steward for many years. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and takes a commendable interest in public affairs.
Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Loose we enter the following brief record : Orrin Edward is a bookkeeper in Kansas City, Missouri: Wi-
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burt Reverdy resides in Tiffin; Carrie Marie is the wife of Dr. Jesse B. Gilbert, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Otto Bretz was killed at Katchubig, Samar, Philippine Islands, on the 18th of April, 1899, as will be noted later; Harvey G. is identified with the operation of the farm; and Elmer DeWitt is a student in Heidelberg University, in Tiffin. Of the untimely death of Otto Bretz Loose we may speak farther. Thirty soldiers of the Forty-third Regiment were on guard at the place men- tioned and were attacked by six hundred of the insurgents and all but ten of their number were killed. They had taken refuge in a convent and for four days from Easter Sunday were continuously engaged in endeavoring to repel the attack of the rebellious enemy, and on Wed- nesday the convent was set afire and the unprotected and valiant soldiers were mercilessly shot down. Otto had left his home about six months previously and the news of his death came as a shock to the community in which he had been reared and brought deep sorrow to the family and a large circle of warm friends. He was a bright young man of twenty- five years and thus sacrificed his life in his country's cause, far from home and native land.
WILLIAM B. ROLLINS.
William B. Roilins is now living retired in Fostoria, enjoying a well-earned rest. His birth occurred in 1842, in Montgomery township, Wood county, Ohio, not far from this city, his parents being Almon and Mary (Sherwood) Rollins. His paternal grandfather was William Rol- lins. The father of our subject became one of the early settlers of Wood county, where in pioneer times he served as justice of the peace and where he died during the boyhood days of his son William, passing away in 1847, at the age of fifty-two years, his birth having occurred in 1795 in Connecticut. The family was founded in New England at a very early date, his ancestors establishing a home in New Hampshire. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sherwood, a daughter of William Sherwood. Her mother belonged to the same family of which Ethan
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Allen was a descendant. William Sherwood served as grand master of the Masonic Lodge of New Jersey. Later he emigrated westward and took up his abode in Honey Creek, near Fort Seneca, Seneca county, there spending his remaining days.
Under the paternal roof William B. Rollins spent the days of his childhood, and when about nineteen years of age he offered his services to the government. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south and resolved that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. Hardly had the smoke of Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when, in April, 1861, he became a member of Company H, Twenty-first Ohio Infantry, for three months. The command saw service in West Virginia. It was soon proven, how- ever, that the war was not to be a mere holiday affair and troops were enlisted for three years. On the 5th of August, 1861, Mr. Rollins joined Company H, of the Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry, with which he remained until 1865, when, the war having ended, he returned to his home. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Lawrenceburg, Kenesaw Mountain and Chickamauga, and in the last named was wounded and taken prisoner on the second day of the battle, September 20, 1863. He was held as a prisoner of war for seventeen months and ten days, being incarcerated on Belle Island and in the small-pox hospital of Richmond, in Libby Prison, in Macon, Georgia, and was the first prisoner put in Andersonville Prison, being one of the first men to enter that notorious place. He was afterward transferred to Milan Prison, later to Florence, South Carolina, and then sent to Savannah, Georgia, where he was paroled in 1865.
Immediately after the war Mr. Rollins came to Fostoria and for twenty-one years was engaged in the produce business, during which time he enjoyed a liberal patronage and acquired a handsome compe- tence which enabled him to retire to private life in 1886. He was the junior member of the firm of Morgan & Company, whose operations were extensive and whose business reputation was unassailable.
In this city Mr. Rollins was joined in wedlock to Miss Louise E. Lewis, a daughter of James and Phoebe (Gregg) Lewis, of Fostoria.
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Her father was born in Albion, New York, and his ancestors were among those who valiantly aided in winning independence for the na- tion in the Revolutionary war. He is now deceased but his widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Rollins. Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias and with the Masonic order, exemplifying in his life the beneficent and helpful spirit of these fraternities. If one examines into his life record to find the secret of his success it will be seen that his prosperity has resulted from close application, unfaltering diligence and keen discrimination. His history contains no exciting chapters, but in it are many examples well worthy of emulation. He has not only won success but also that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.
LOUIS PHILLIPS.
One of the prominent old pioneer families of Seneca county is that of Phillips. They have ever borne their part in the upbuilding and de- velopment of this region and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects. Mr. Phillips, of this review, was born in Norwich township, Huron county, Ohio, December 27, 1853, and is a son of John and Catherine (Groves) Phillips. Of the parents' ten children eight are now living, namely: John, a resident of Tiffin; Louis, of this review; Joseph, a prominent farmer of Venice township, Seneca county ; Martin, of Bellevue, Ohio; Jacob, also of Venice town- ship; Mary, the widow of Frank A. Falter and a resident of St. Stephen, Seneca county; Fannie, the wife of Philip Stemmetz, of Toledo; Anna, the wife of Daniel Unser, of Hopewell township, Seneca county. Helen and Matilda are deceased.
Louis Phillips was reared to years of maturity in his native county, but on account of impaired hearing his educational privileges were naturally very limited. After his marriage he located on the farm where
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he still resides, then the property of his father, but later he became the owner of seventy-seven acres, and in addition thereto he also farms sev- enty-seven acres belonging to his father. In business circles he sustains a most enviable reputation. His energetic nature, strong determination, sagacity and capable management have brought to him a handsome competence, and he is now numbered among the influential and repre- sentative agriculturists of Bloom township.
The marriage of Mr. Phillips was celebrated in 1877, when Miss Christena Falter became his wife. She is a daughter of Philip Falter, whose history will be found in the sketch of Henry G. Falter in this volume. Ten children have been born unto this union, nine of whom still survive: Edward, Mary, Rosa, Loretta, George, Helen, Clara, Fred- erick and Clarence. The children are all at home with the exception of the eldest, who is a farmer in Indiana. Mr. Phillips exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, but he has never been an aspirant for the emoluments of public office, pre- ferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. The family are members of the Catholic church, and they are respected and highly esteemed throughout the county.
HENRY BALBIAN.
The city of Tiffin, Ohio, is the home of some of the most flourish- ing industries of Seneca county, and the place of residence of those whose energy and ability control these enterprises. One of the leading business citizens of Tiffin is Henry Baibian, whose connection with the Tiffin Woolen Mills has existed since 1899, and he is a worthy repre- sentative of that class of large-brained, progressive and public-spirited men without whose business acumen and advanced ideas many lines of trade would become entirely inactive.
By birth Mr. Balbian is a German, his residence in the United States dating from the day of the assassination of President Garfield, in
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1881. He was born in Rhein-Pfalz, Bavaria, Germany, March 13, 1860, and was given good educational opportunities, studying for a time in an academy in Heidelberg. His father, Gustave Balbian, is a native of the . same place, and still resides there, at the age of eighty years, venerable and respected. For a long priod he was a prominent and prosperous woolen manufacturer, and it was in his father's mills that our subject acquired his thorough knowledge of the manufacture of woolens.
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