USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 62
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at the age of eighty-four years. She was the daughter of Jacob King, who was one of the early settlers of Seneca county.
Franklin J. Fry, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the parental farmstead and was accorded excellent educational ad- vantages, having secured his preliminary discipline in the district schools, after which he continued his studies in turn at the high school in Republic, in Heidelberg College and in the Berea Business College. At the age of twenty-one years he began teaching during the winter terms, giving his attention to farming during the summer months, by assisting his father in the management of the homestead. In 1866 his marriage was solemnized and for the ensuing year he continued farm- ing on the parental homestead, while the following three years were devoted to the same line of industry on the farm owned by his father- in-law. In 1871 he purchased two hundred acres of his present farm estate, taking up his residence on the place at that time and ever since continuing to make this his home, having added fifty-six acres to its area and brought the place under the highest state of cultivation, while he has made permanent improvements of the best order. He also owns in this same township ( Pleasant) another farm, of two hundred and seventy-five acres, lying across the river from his home place, and this farm he rents, and he also owns a tract of two hundred and twenty acres, which was a portion of the homestead of his father-in-law.
Mr. Fry has ever maintained a lively interest in all that touches the advancement of the legitimate interests of the county and state, and in the fall of 1901 he was elected township trustee of Pleasant town- ship, of which office he is now incumbent, while he also served two years as township treasurer. His political affiliation is with the Demo- cratic party, and he has taken an active interest in public affairs of a local nature. He is a member of the Pleasant Township Farmers' So- cial, and he and his family are prominent in the social life of the com- munity, their friends being in number as their acquaintances, while their pleasant home is a center of refined hospitality.
In 1866 Mr. Fry was united in marriage to Miss Augusta T. Titus, who was born in Pleasant township, being the daughter of Rasselas R.
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Titus, one of the pioneer settlers in the county. Of this union two chil- dren were born,-R. T., who is deceased; and Delene, who is one of the popular young ladies of the county, her gracious and gentle personality and marked talents winning to her the friendship of all with whom she comes in contact. She is a graduate of the Ursuline College in Tiffin, and for one year was a student in the celebrated New England Con- servatory of Music, in Boston, while she is at the present time attending Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, preparatory to finishing her musical education in Boston. Her talent in connection with the "divine art" is unmistakable, and it is the wish of her parents to afford her the best possible advantages in the pursuing of her musical studies, to which she is strenuousiy devoting her attention.
JOHN ALBRIGHT.
John Albright is one of the extensive land-owners of Seneca county, and he has prospered in his undertakings through well directed efforts, capable business management and keen discernment in controlling his affairs. He to-day owns five hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land and in the home farm has a quarter section. His residence is one of the attractive farm dwellings of the county and everything about his place indicates the careful supervision of the owner.
Mr. Albright is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Lancaster county, October 20, 1835. He is the eldest of the four sons of Charles and Molly (Smith) Albright. It was in the spring of 1835 that his father came by team to Seneca county, locating in Scipio township, and here he began working at his trade of carpentering. Soon after he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Adams township. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place. It was a timber tract on which the trees stood in their primeval strength. A log cabin first sheltered the family, and in true pioneer style they lived while the father was clearing the land and improving the farm. In
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course of time he placed it under a high state of cultivation and was enabled to add all modern equipments and conveniences to his property. He owned three hundred and twenty acres of land, all in one body, and in connection with general farming carried on cabinetmaking and un- dertaking, manufacturing the coffins and superintending all of the fun- erals held in this section of the county. He was a member of the Dunkard, or German Baptist church, and died in April, 1886, at the age of seventy-six years, his birth having occurred in 1810, while his wife passed away on the 8th of January, 1887. Their sons were John; Jacob, now living in Adams township; David, who died in 1871; and Isaac, a resident of Bellevue, Ohio.
At the usual age John Albright entered the district school near his home and began mastering the branches of English learning which con- stitute the basis of all our knowledge. He afterward enjoyed the ad- vantages of a course in Republic Academy and when twenty-one years of age he left home and went to Dayton, where for two years he was employed at the carpenter's trade. When that period had elapsed he returned to Seneca county and resided at his present home in Adams township until his marriage, which occurred on the Ist of December, 1863, the lady of his choice being Mary Huddle, who was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin and Annie (Seitz) Huddle, the latter a daughter of Lewis Seitz. Of the children of our subject and his wife we record that Charles F. is a resident of Chicago Junction ; Athena died at the age of sixteen years ; Upton D., who follows farming in Scipio township, lives at the parental home; and Orin L., who was adjutant of Company E, Second Ohio In- fantry, during the Spanish-American war.
After his marriage Mr. Albright and his bride began their domestic life upon the farm which has since been his home. Here he owns one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, which annually returns to him good harvests, a reward for his enterprise and labor. In other farms he has rich lands, and altogether has a landed estate aggregating five hundred and twenty-five acres. Upon his place are found good grades of stock, the latest improved machinery, and all modern accessories for
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facilitating his work, and the prosperity which he is now enjoying is the reward of his earnest and persistent efforts. He has served as township trustee and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order. Although born in the Keystone state, he has spent almost his en- tire life in this county, and his many excellent traits of character com- mend him to the respect and confidence of all with whom he is asso- ciated.
JULIUS J. LONSWAY.
Mr. Lonsway is the owner of one of the finest farms of Seneca county and his residence is accounted one of the best in this section of the state. It is specially attractive in appearance and, moreover, is noted for its gracious hospitality, which makes it a favorite resort of the many friends of the family.
Julius J. Lonsway was born in Hopewell township, Seneca county, in 1847, a son of Peter and Amelia (Handle) Lonsway, natives, re- spectively, of Canada and Pennsylvania. It was in the year 1840 that Peter Lonsway emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, locating in Hope- well township, this county, where he passed the remainder of his life, reclaiming and improving his farm and .being known as one of the sterling pioneers of the county. He died on the old homestead, on the 17th of April, 1886, having attained the age of sixty-one years, and his widow survived until 1888, being sixty-five years of age at the time of her death. Of their ten children we incorporate the following brief record: Emanuel M. is a resident of Loudon township; Julius J. is the immediate subject of this sketch ; Alfretta E. is the wife of Henry Wag- ner, of Clinton township; John V. is identified with railroading and is a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Almond L. is deceased; Sarah E. is the wife of Charles Coon, of Loudon township; Austin J. is a resident of Nebraska; Jonas B. is a prominent attorney of Cincinnati; Charles P. is a ranchman of Nebraska; and Victor is deceased. The father of our subject, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, was also en- graged for a number of years in public contracting, and in this line he
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HOME OF J. J. LONSWAY.
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was successful, his operations in the two spheres of endeavor enabling him to provide most effectively for the maintenance of his family. As a contractor he aided in the construction of the Mad River Railroad, between Tiffin and Carey. Both he and his wife were devoted com- municants of the Catholic church, holding membership in St. Mary's church, in Tiffin.
Upon the old homestead farm, in Hopewell township, Julius J. Lonsway was reared, and through the winter months he secured his early educational discipline in the common schools of the neighborhood. When twenty-six years of age he inaugurated his independent business career by renting the old home farm, and he continued to reside in Hopewell township until 1882, when he removed to Scipio township, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, making his home on this farm until 1901. In that year he removed to his present home- stead farm, in Clinton township, and upon this place he has made the best of improvements and on every hand are to be seen the distinct evidences of thrift and prosperity. He has here a quarter section of land, known as the old Montgomery farm, and each year, as the result of his well directed efforts, he gathers excellent harvests and also re- ceives good financial returns from the sale of his live stock, devoting particular attention to the raising of a high grade of stock. He has recently erected a commodious residence of modern and attractive de- sign, and also a fine barn and other requisite outbuildings, and his farm now compares most favorably with the best to be found in this attractive section of the Buckeye state.
In politics Mr. Lonsway gives a stanch allegiance to the Demo- cratic party, but the honors and emoluments of public office have had no attractions for him, and he has preferred to devote his time and atten- tion to his business interests, through which he has attained a gratify- - ing and well merited success. Industry, energy and progressive spirit have ever been dominating characteristics in his makeup and through these forces he has attained a distinctive degree of prosperity and is numbered among the representative agriculturists of the county. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church and is a communicant of . St. Mary's church, in Tiffin, taking a deep interest in its work.
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On the 8th of October, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Lonsway to Miss Catherine McNama, who was born in this county, the daughter of Morris McNama. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsway became the parents of six children, of whom three are living,-Florence, John P. and Morris J. Mary is deceased and the other two children died in infancy. The devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 4th of February, 1895, having been a woman whose gracious and noble character won to her uniform esteem and the affection of a wide circle of friends.
REV. JOHN R. FORRER.
It gives us great pleasure to present to our readers a sketch of the life of one of whom the community may well be proud; one who has filled his daily life with that brotherly love and Christian charity which have proved a light guiding many to the better way. Widely known in church and social circles, his life is well worthy of emulation by the young men of his age who are desirous of leaving a name that will be loved and honored.
Father Forrer was born in Zuckenrist, canton of St. Gall, Switzer- land, on the 7th of February, 1868. After completing a college course in his native land he came to the United States, and for the following six years was a student in the St. Mary's Seminary, at Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic church on the 23d of December, 1893, and soon afterward was made assistant at St. Stephen's church, in Cleveland, where he continued until June, 1898. At that time he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's church, in Loudon township, and of St. Andrew's congregation, in Liberty township, Sen- eca county. Since taking up his present work Father Forrer has built up the schools in his parish in a wonderful degree and has installed new life into the church work. From his youth his has been a serious and deeply religious nature, and as he has grown older the meaning and responsibilities of life have worn a yet graver aspect for him. He is
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thoroughly earnest and sincere in all his thoughts, words and deeds, and his noble, manly life has proved an inspiration to many of his friends and associates. His success in his church work here has been almost phenomenal, and is due to his habits of application and to the perseverance which have characterized his entire life. His influence has ever been found on the side of progress, of liberty and of right, and the effect of his labors in this section have been far-reaching and beneficial.
DANIEL BOLLINGER.
Numbered among the younger business men of Seneca county is Daniel Bollinger, whose entire life has been passed in this county. He is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of Venice township. his skill and ability in his chosen calling being plainly manifest in the well tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of his place. His birth occurred in Venice township, Seneca county, May 4, 1863, and he is a son of Lewis and Margaret Bollinger, whose history will be found in the sketch of L. W. Bollinger in this volume.
Daniel Bollinger, of this review, remained in his parents' honie until 1886, during which time he attended the common schools of his neighborhood. In that year he obtained employment as a farm hand with George Heapler, with whom he remained for one year, and during the following year he remained with his parents. After his marriage he purchased forty acres of land in Venice township, and on this small farm he began to make for himself a home. In 1897, however, he sold that tract and purchased the farm which he now owns, consisting of ninety acres of rich and fertile land, and it originally formed a part of the old Bollinger homestead. His desire to make for himself a name and place among the substantial men of the Buckeye state has been ac- complished, and as the record of a young man his is one of which he may justly be proud, but the success he has achieved in life is the just reward of meritorious, honorable effort, which commands the respect and
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admiration of all. In matters of political importance he casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Democracy. He has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding. in him a warm friend, and at all times he is public-spirited and progressive.
On the 18th of March, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bollinger and Miss Louisa Deisler, a daughter of Charles Deisler. Six children have come to brighten and bless their home, namely: Orlena, Marie E., Rosetta, Clara E., George D. and Samuel E. Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger are members of the Reformed church.
JOSEPH BLUM.
From the study of the life history of Joseph Blum one may learn valuable lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. De- pending upon his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, Mr. Blum has risen to his present high position in the business circles of Seneca county.
Mr. Blum was born in Alsace, France, on the 24th of August, 1852, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Brumbach) Blum. The par- ents also were natives of that province, and there they spent their entire lives. In early life the father was appointed keeper of the forest, and he served in that important position throughout the remainder of his life. Of their six children five are still living, namely: Francis, George and Joseph ; Helen, the widow of John Miller and a resident of New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio; and Mary, the wife of Charles Gosser, of Alsace.
Joseph Blum spent the early years of his life in his parents' home,
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and the educational privileges which he was permitted to enjoy in his youth were those afforded by the common schools of his locality. In 1872, however, he left the home of his childhood for the United States, embarking from Liverpool, and after a stormy voyage of twenty-four days landed in the harbor of New York. He soon made his way to Sen- eca county, Ohio, walking from Tiffin to the home of his uncle, John, Blum, two and one-half miles east of Attica, where he was employed at farm labor by the month. In 1893 he rented a farm east of Attica, known as the Steigmeyer place, which continued to be his home for the following three years, and on the expiration of that period, in 1896, he purchased the Sam Rivert farm, his present home place, of one hun- dred and twenty acres. It will thus be seen that he is a type of the pro- gressive spirit of the age. His undaunted perseverance, indomitable en- terprise and resolute purpose have been the means of raising him from a position of comparative obscurity to one of prominence in the agri- cultural circles of Seneca county. He is now the owner of a valuable and attractive little farm, which he has placed under an excellent state of cultivation, and everything about the place indicates the supervision of a progressive owner. His political support is given to the Democracy.
The marriage of Mr. Blum was celebrated in 1891, when Miss Matilda Ansberger became his wife. She is a native daughter of Sen- eca county, and her father, Albert Ansberger, is one of the well known agriculturists of Venice township. This union has been blessed with one child, Josephine. The family are members of the Catholic church.
HENRY L. SMITH.
"We build the ladder by which we rise" is a truth which is certainly applicable in the case of Mr. Smith. He is a type of the progressive spirit of the age,-a spirit which has given America pre-eminence along its various business lines,-and the undaunted enterprise, indomitable perseverance and resolute purpose which have characterized his career
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have been the means of raising him from a position of comparative ob- scurity to one of eminence in the business world.
A native son of the Buckeye state, Henry L. Smith was born in Jackson township, Seneca county, on the 6th of December, 1862, a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Smith. The father was a native of Germany, and from his home across the sea he came to America in 1812, when a young man, locating in Jackson township, Seneca county, where he made his home for many years. He then took up his abode in Fostoria, where he spent his remaining days, his death having oc- curred in 1873, but he is still held in kindly remembrance by his friends and associates who still survive. Unto John and Elizabeth Smith were born nine children, and eight of the number are still living, namely : Adam, who makes his home in Elkhart, Indiana; Eva, the wife of John Smith, of Dakota ; Nicholas, a resident of Long Branch, New Jersey ; Henry, whose name introduces this review; Michael, a resident of Kenton, Ohio; Andrew, who makes his home in Toledo, this state; Rosa, the wife of Dennis Fullerton, of Fostoria; and Emma, the wife of William Wolf, also of that city.
Henry L. Smith, of this review, remained under the parental roof until his twelfth year, and at that early age he started out in life for himself, beginning the stern and unrelenting battle of life alone and unaided. From that time until his twenty-first year he worked at any occupation that would yield him an honest living, and he was then married and located on the Pennel farm, which is now owned by E. W. Pankhurst, where he remained as a renter for five years. On the expira- tion of that period he was able to purchase a tract of forty acres, on which he continued to reside for the following six years, when he sold that place and purchased his present home farm. His homestead con- sists of one hundred acres of land. on which are located ten valuable oil wells, and in addition to superintending the work connected therewith he also has charge of the sixteen wells located on Mr. Pankhurst's place. For a number of years past the work of his farm has been carried on by renters, as Mr. Smith's time is fully occupied with his other business interests. He is now classed among the enterprising and substantial
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business men of Seneca county, and possesses the energy, determination and sound common sense of his German ancestors.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Jennie Switzer, a native of Wood county, Ohio, and five children have brightened and blessed their home: Cleo, Claude, Hewey, Archie and Charles, all of whom are still under the parental roof. . Mr. Smith has given a lifelong support to the principles of the Republi- can party, and for six years he served as the efficient constable of Jack- son township. He is a man of strong mentality, keen discernment, great tact and resolute purpose, and is therefore well fitted for the position he now occupies. His business interests are capably managed and are bringing to him a handsome competence, and Ohio numbers him among her honored sons.
JOHN F. ROSENBERGER.
John F. Rosenberger, who resides in Liberty township, where he is successfully engaged in general farming, was born July 2, 1833, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Schall) Rosenberger. The father was a native of West Virginia and at an early period in the develop- men of this section of Ohio removed from his native state to Seneca county, making the journey across the country with teams. In many places the streams were unbridged and the roads lay through dense forests, showing that the work of civilization had scarcely been begun. He arrived at his destination in 1826 and settled upon a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Hopewell township, making his home there for two years. When that period had elapsed he came to Liberty town- ship and entered from the government two hundred and forty acres of wild land, on which he built a log cabin and also a sawmill, operated by water power. This was the first sawmill in Seneca county and con- tributed in large measure to the industrial activity of the community and was a great convenience to the early settlers who wished to secure lumber without going long distances from home. In connection with the operation of his sawmill he also conducted the work of the farm,
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reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization. When the trees were cut and the brush cleared away he planted his crops and in the course of time reaped good harvests. Upon the old homestead he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1860, at the age of seventy-three years. He took considerable interest in public affairs and was recognized as a man of prominence and influence in the community. He served as trustee, and his opinions did not a little in shaping the public policy. He held membership in the United Brethren church, to which his wife also belonged. She met her death by accident, being killed by a run- away horse only a week after her husband's demise. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, of whom six are yet living, namely: David, a resident of Bettsville, Ohio; Michael, who makes his home in Perrysburg; Rebecca, the wife of Samuel Mowrey, of Marion county, Ohio: John F., of this review; Horace, of Williams county, Ohio; and Margaret, a maiden lady residing in Fostoria. Those who have passed away are George, Nicholas, Rosanna and Sarah.
The subject of this review was born and reared in Liberty town- ship and pursued his education in the log school-house at Bettsville. He early became familiar with the work of the farm through practical experience, and on attaining his majority he took charge of the old homestead, upon which he lived until 1867, when he came to the farm upon which he now resides. Here he has successfully engaged in the cultivation of his fields and in the raising of stock. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and nearly all of the improvements thereon have been made by him.
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