USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 6
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the former having served in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Regiment, and now residing in DeKalb county, Indiana, while the latter was a member of the One Hundred and Eightieth Regiment and re- sides at Ballville, Sandusky county, Ohio; Philip, a resident of Clinton township, Seneca county; and Mary, the wife of Secrist Knepper, of Bascom.
Thomas G. Shuman, of this review, was early inured to the work of the farm in all its departments, and his early education was received in the common schools of his native locality. On the 13th of August, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for two years and ten months he served in the Army of the Cumberland. During his military career he took part in many of the important bat- tles of the war, including those of Perryville, on the 8th of October, 1862, Murfreesboro, on the 31st of December, 1862, and the Ist, 2d and 3d of January, 1863; Chickamauga, September 19. 20. 1863: Franklin, November 30, 1864; and Nashville, Decem- ber 15 and 16, 1864. He was honorably discharged on the 12th of June, 1865, at Dayton, after which he returned to his home, and from that time until his marriage he was employed at farm labor. After that important event he spent five years on the farm belonging to his wife's mother, and in 1875 purchased forty acres of his present home- stead, to which he added an additional forty acres in 1883, thus mak- ing him the possessor of eighty acres of rich and productive land, six miles north of Tiffin. For the past ten years, however, he has rented his farm, and to-day, after a useful and beneficent career, he is quietly living at his pleasant home, surrounded by the comforts that earnest labor has brought to him.
On the 9th of September, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Shu- man and Miss Mary J. Zeis. Her father, Godfrey Zeis, was born in Germany. but when he was a boy he was brought by his parents to Maryland, and came to Ohio as a young man. Here he married Mar- garet Sager, a native of Maryland. One child has brightened and blessed the home of our subject and wife, Albert C., a minister of the German
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Reformed church, and a graduate of Heidelberg College and Theological Seminary, is now located at Sycamore, Ohio. He married Minta Miller, and they have three children,-Aleta, Herbert and Anna Marie. In political matters Mr. Shuman casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Republican party. He was a member of the school board for ten years, the cause of education ever finding in him a firm friend. For six years he was a trustee of the township. He has long been a member of the German Reformed church, and for a number of years he has served as treasurer and deacon therein, his wife likewise being active in all church work, her interest in and cfforts for Sunday-school being specially valuable to the youth of the community. Throughout his entire life Mr. Shuman has been strictly temperate and has kept the highest ideals ever before him, striving to become what he surely is to-day, a noble, well developed Christian character.
JACOB B. ZUTAVERN.
Among the prominent citizens of Bloom township, Seneca county, Ohio, where for many years he was one of its most respected men, was Jacob B. Zutavern, whose useful life closed on May 8, 1900, on his farm in this township.
Jacob B. Zutavern was born in Bloom township August 15, 1855, being a son of Henry Jacob and Margaret Zutavern. He was reared on the home farm and was an industrious and energetic youth. He took a lively interest in agricultural pursuits and this he never lost during life. He was able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the public schools of his district, and he grew to manhood as a well informed, intelligent, industrious young farmer.
In 1879 occurred the marriage of Jacob B. Zutavern to Miss Effie Keller, who was born in Bloom township, a daughter of Peter and Susan (Buchman) Keller, who were natives of Germany, where their marriage was solemnized. They emigrated thence to the United States
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and settled on a tract of leased land, in the woods of Bloom township, Seneca county, Ohio, where Mr. Keller improved a farm. Later he removed to Crawford county, where he improved another farm and where he died when his daughter Effie ( Mirs. Zutavern) was but seven years of age. After the marriage of Mrs. Zutavern her mother returned to Seneca county, passing the remainder of her life in Eden township, where she died at the age of seventy-four years. Of her nine children six are living at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Zutavern became the parents of three children, namely: Jessie R., who died at the age of eight years; Earl R., aged fourteen years; and Vesta Ellen, aged five years.
After his marriage our subject and wife settled down on the home farm, which he successfully managed until he came to his own estate, in 1883. Mr. Zutavern was extensively engaged in farming and stock- raising and owned a large tract of land, having three hundred and twenty acres divided into two farms. Here he made many improvements of a substantial and permanent nature, the present brick residence being built in 1885, and he was very justly considered one of the leading farmers of this section. Every part of his large farm was brought up to its highest producing point, as Mr. Zutavern thoroughly understood the science as well as the practical part of his business. As one of the largest and most successful raisers of fine grade stock, he was known all over this locality, and the products and stock of his farm found ready sale whenever marketed.
Although Mr. Zutavern passed out of life in the midst of a useful career, he is not forgotten, having left a distinct impress on his com- munity. As a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, he was somewhat of a leader in its ranks. He thoroughly believed in its policy and was an ardent supporter of its methods and candidates.
Mr. Zutavern was also a leading member of the Reformed church in Bloomville, was active in religious work and was a liberal and gener- ous supporter of this organization. His estimable widow continues his work in this church, she being also one of its consistent members.
The death of a man like Jacob B. Zutavern is a distinct loss to any
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community, and his memory should be cherished in enduring form. As long as industry and honesty are considered cardinal virtues, and as long as an upright and exemplary life is held as worthy of emulation, so long will abide the memory of such men as our subject. He was a man of pleasant and genial disposition, well equipped mentally, and had a wide circle of attached friends. He was charitable to those less for- tunate than himself and was known as an exceptionally kind neighbor. Mrs. Zutavern still resides on the valuable farm left her by her husband, and is a lady who is most highly esteemed in this locality.
EUGENE W. ALLEN.
The pioneers of a country, the founders of a business, the originators of any undertaking that will promote the material welfare or advance the educational, social and moral influence of a community, deserve the gratitude of humanity. It has been said that the man who each week pays over his counters a large force of workmen does more for his country than he who leads an armed host forth to battle. The destruc- tive element connected with the latter is replaced in the former instance by one of upbuilding-by the promotion of commercial activity and con- sequent prosperity. Closely associated with the manufacturing and finan- cial interests of Fostoria, Eugene Allen belongs to that class of repre- sentative Americans who while advancing individual success also pro- mote the progress and prosperity of the community with which they are connected. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; and his close application and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his.
Mr. Allen is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred at Wolf Lake, in 1864, and his parents being Felton and Susan (Childs) Allen. He comes of an old Pennsylvania family whose representatives resided in the eastern and southern part of the Keystone state. The grandfather
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removed from Pennsylvania to Indiana, becoming one of the honored pioneer settlers of Noble county, where he spent his remaining days, de- voting his energies to agricultural pursuits. Religiously he was con- nected with the Society of Friends. His son, Felton Allen, was born in that county and for many years successfully conducted a stock farm, being one of the leading stock dealers of that part of the country. His wife was a native of Virginia and during her childhood was brought to Indiana by her parents, who settled on a large tract of land near Wolf Lake.
In the place of his nativity Mr. Allen, of this review, was reared and educated. He has been a resident of Fostoria since 1893, and has been closely associated with its business interests. There is no American town- or city that does not offer good business advantages to the man who can recognize and improve opportunities, who is energetic, determined and resolute, and Mr. Allen found that the field of labor was not exhausted here. In 1893 he was instrumental in organizing the Peabody Buggy Company, of which Mr. Peabody became president, but in 1895 the Allen Brothers, Eugene and W. O., purchased his interest in the business, and E. W. Allen became president and treasurer of the company, while W. O. Allen assumed the duties of vice-president and secretary. The business was then a small one, but it has since grown to mammoth pro- portions and the sales amount to two hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars yearly. Employment is furnished to one hundred skilled work- men and their products are sent throughout the United States, the east- ern trade being very extensive. They manufacture light, stylish driving rigs of every description, and the excellent workmanship, durability and attractiveness of design and finish insure to the company a very large and constantly increasing patronage.
Mr. Allen, however, has not confined his attention and efforts alone to one line. The old Mechanics' Savings Banking Company he trans- formed into the Mechanics' Banking Company. in July. 1899, and be- came its cashier, with O. T. Brown as its president. At that time the institution was not in a very flourishing condition, but under the wise
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direction and conservative policy of Mr. Allen it has become one of the leading banks in this portion of the state, its deposits having increased from one hundred thousand to more than five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Allen also established a branch at Bradner, in the center of the oil region, and this has been attended by a high degree of success. The Allen brothers have valuable interests in the oil districts and they have also taken great pride in the old homestead in Noble county, Indiana. The Allen stock farm of two hundred and forty acres is situated in the town of Wolf Lake. On this they raise high-bred horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, and their sales of stock annually increase their income to a considerable extent. Mr. Allen, of this review, is widely recognized as a man of excellent business and executive ability and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by determined and honorable effort.
On the 16th of February, 1898, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Mary Leonard, of Fostoria, a daughter of Clark Leonard, of this city, a well-known oil producer of Ohio, having extensive interests in the oil regions. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Allen has been born a daughter, Clara Louise, who is the life and light of the household. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allen hold membership in the First Presbyterian church of Fostoria, and take a very active and helpful part in its work and upbuilding. The lady is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and Elocution, in Boston, and does everything in her power to promote the intellectual and moral development of the community, while her home, celebrated for its gracious hospitality, has become the center of a cultured society circle. Mr. Allen is one of the trustees of the church and a very active worker in the Sunday-school and Society of Christian Endeavor, hold- ing office in both. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views he is a Republican. A generous contributor to all movements for the social, intellectual, material and moral benefit to the people, Fostoria numbers him among her valued citizens. He has made good use of his opportunities and has prospered from year to year, has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management. He has not per-
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mitted the accumulation of wealth to affect in any way his actions toward those less successful than he, and has always a cheerful word and pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact.
ABRAM RIFE.
A successful farmer and stock-raiser of Seneca county, Ohio, is Abram Rife, who owns a large and well improved farm in Bloom town- ship, and is one of the substantial men of the county.
Abram Rife was born on August 15, 1835, in Richland county, Ohio, and he is thus a Buckeye by birth, rearing and residence. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth Rife, and they had a family of eight children. In 1844 they moved from Richland county into Wyandot county, and for a time engaged in farming there, but later, 1852, a home was made in Seneca township, Seneca county, and there the parents died, aged seventy-seven and sixty-five, respectively.
The early life of Abram Rife, the subject of this biography, was spent on the farm in Seneca township, and there he attended school and assisted his father in his management of the farm. He remained on the home farm until he had reached his twenty-second year, and then gave his services to other farmers in the locality. After working for a time as a farm hand on neighboring estates, he decided to put some of his knowledge and experience to personal use, and rented some land, suc- ceeding in his agricultural experiments so well that he continued to thus carry on farming for some eight years. By a prudent husbanding of his means Mr. Rife had managed to acquire sufficient money to enable him to invest in land, and he went to Wood county, where he bought forty acres of land and there carried on a general line of farming for three years. Then he disposed of that property and returned to Seneca town- ship, where he again invested in land, buying a farm which he conducted successfully for the eight succeeding years. It was not until 1881, how- ever, that Mr. Rife settled down permanently, selecting then his present
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most desirable farm, located in Bloom township, where he owns one hun- dred and twenty acres of fine farming land, which he has transformed into one of the most valuable agricultural properties of this section of the township. It has been truly said that country life possesses every ele- ment to make the material side of life one of enjoyment, and in noting the comfort and attractiveness of Mr. Rife's estate this assertion is only emphasized. He has been a very successful stock-raiser as well as farmer, his interests having been centered here ever since his location. With the aid of modern machinery, the use of proper fertilizers and the adoption of thorough methods, he has developed a fine business.
Mr. Rife was married to Miss Ida Briner, and three sons have been born to this union, namely: Nevin; Bertie; and Clyde. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rife are valued members of the Evangelical church, to which the former contributes liberally, while in politics he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In this locality Mr. Rife is con- sidered one of the solid, responsible men of the community, and his assertions are listened to with respect, carrying with them, as they do, sentiments of good citizenship, temperance and morality. He is a man. of force of character, upright and honorable, a good neighbor, a helpful friend, and a father and husband who is respected and beloved in his home.
ISAAC NEWTON HOSSLER.
The agricultural development of Seneca county, Ohio, which is of a character to reflect credit upon the state, may be easily comprehended by an acquaintance with the leading farmers of this section. They be- long to a class of men who have raised the cultivation of the soil into a science, devoting to this work time, industry and means.
Among the prominent and successful farmers of Bloom township, Seneca county, Isaac Newton Hossler, of this biography, takes a leading position, both as an agriculturist and as a worthy and valued citizen. Mr. Hossler was born on December 12, 1852, in this same township,
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where his parents were farmers of substance and respectability. They were Jacob and Anna ( Funk) Hossler.
Mr. Hossler was reared on the home farm and attended the com- mon schools, obtaining there an elementary education, which was sup- plemented by later instruction in the academy at Republic, where he pursued higher branches. He did not take up farming as a serious occu- pation before he was twenty-two years of age, but since that time has devoted his attention closely to it and by his intelligent methods and progressive ideas has made it a successful vocation. He first took charge of his father-in-law's land, and for a period of eight years operated that to the satisfaction of all concerned. He then went back to the old home farm, taking charge of the same, and there he continued for the succeed- ing eight years. Mr. Hossler learned much concerning farming and stock-raising in these sixteen years of constant activity. This knowledge he applied in the management of his own farm where he located about this time and where he has resided ever since. The well cultivated fields and commodious accommodations provided for the yields of meadows and harvests of grain, his sleek cattle and healthy stock, his comfortable and attractive residence surrounded by fruitful orchards, all testify to his precedence as a farmer, and also to the prosperity which has followed his efforts. The home farm, where he has long made his residence, consists of seventy-nine acres, and he also owns another adjoining farm of equal extent. This land is of considerable value, and could be dis- posed of at a high figure.
The marriage of Mr. Hossler took place on March 18, 1875, when Miss Susan Revert became his wife. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Michael and Magdalena Revert. A family of eight children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hossler, seven of these still surviving, as follows : Alphonso, Gertrude, Jesse, Jay, Arthur, Robert and Ray. Death removed Myrtle, at the age of eighteen months. The death of Mrs. Hossler occurred on March 24, 1894. The second mar- riage of Mr. Hossler occurred on April 22, 1900, when he wedded Mrs. Amanda Davis, who was the widow of J. C. Davis, and a daughter of Benjamin Zeigler.
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In his political views Mr. Hossler has always been a Republican, and he has efficiently served in several of the local offices, belonging to the school board and serving as trustee of Bloom township, while in 1900 he was census enumerator. He is a man who possesses the con- fidence of his fellow citizens to such a degree that many official positions might be his if he cared to accept them. Quiet and unassuming in his demeanor, he has made many friends in this township, and all are united in their high regard for one who has lived an honest, industrious and upright life in their midst for so many years. A good citizen, a careful farmer, a faithful township official and a man devoted to his friends and family, Mr. Hossler occupies an enviable place in public regard.
WILLIAM R. TITTLE.
Seneca county has been the home of Mr. Tittle from the time of his boyhood, and as more than half a century has elapsed since his parents located in the county it may be seen that he is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this favored section of the old Buckeye state. He has wrought out his own success through the persistent application of his energies and abilities in connection with the great basic art of agriculture, is known as a representative farmer of Eden township, and to him is the distinction of being an honored veteran of the war of the Rebellion, in which he served with the fidelity and patriotic ardor of a true son of the republic, taking part in many of the most hotly contested battles of the long and sanguinary struggle which determined the integ- rity of the nation.
Mr. Tittle is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the son of Jonathan and Susan (Beatty) Tittle, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. They be- came the parents of seven sons and three daughters, of whom only four are living at the present time, namely : Martha, the widow of William Ferguson, of Eden township; Sarah W., a resident of the village of
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Melmore, this county ; William, the subject of this sketch ; and Samuel, a resident of Tiffin. Those who are deceased are John, Ralph, Ben- jamin, Allen, Ann and Susanna. The parents came to Ohio in 1846 and located on a farm in Eden township, Seneca county, where the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he later added a contiguous tract of sixty acres, here developing a good farm within the next decade, which represented the remainder of his span of life, since he was summoned into eternal rest on the 16th of October, 1856, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a man of utmost probity and honor, and to him was given an unreserved esteem in the community. His devoted wife survived him by more than a score of years, passing away in 1877, at the age of seventy-six years.
William Tittle came to Eden township with his parents, and here he was reared to maturity, assisting in the work of the homestead farmi and receiving his early educational discipline in the public schools of the locality and period. Upon attaining his legal majority he gave in- ception to his independent career by working at the carpenter trade, to which he was devoting his attention at the time when the thundering of rebel guns against the ramparts of old Fort Sumter precipitated the greatest civil war in the annals of history. His intrinsic loyalty led him to respond to the first call for troops to assist in the suppression of the rebellion, and in December, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany H, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three years. He proceeded to the front with his command, and the first engagement in which he participated was that at Moorefield, Virginia (now West Virginia), and thereafter he was to be found in the fighting line in each of the following notable battles : Second Bull Run, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg and Missionary Ridge, in which last he was in the di- vision commanded by "Fighting Joe" Hooker. Thereafter Mr. Tittle took part in the engagements at Resaca, Buzzards' Roost and Peach Tree creek, after which he was with Sherman in the ever memorable march to the sea, taking part in the siege of Atlanta. During his entire term of service he was never disqualified for active duty, having never been in the hospital and having received no wounds. At Chattanooga
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the colonel of his regiment tendered to Mr. Tittle the position of color bearer, but he declined the honor. He received his honorable discharge on the last day of the year 1864, and then returned to Eden township, and resumed work at his trade, continuing in this line for a period of five years. He then located on his present finely improved and highly productive farm, which comprises eighty acres, and here he has been successful in his farming enterprise and is known and honored as one of the county's sterling and public-spirited citizens. His political ad- herency is with the Republican party, of whose principles and policies he is a stanch supporter, and his fraternal interest in his old comrades who followed the stars and stripes on many a weary march and in many a bloody contest on the southern battlefields, is vitalized through his in- timate association with the Grand Army of the Republic, his member- bership being in General W. H. Gibson Post, No. 31, at Tiffin. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife also is a devoted member.
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