USA > Ohio > Seneca County > A centennial biographical history of Seneca County, Ohio > Part 65
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
On the Ist of September, 1853, Mr. Scheerer was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah C. Hunsicker, who was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Michael and Hannah ( Clements )
744
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Hunsicker, who came thence with their family to Seneca county in 1843, locating in Bloom township, where Mr. Hunsicker purchased a farm and where he continued to reside until after the war, his latter years being passed at Berlin, Canada, where both he and his wife died. He was a weaver by trade and followed that vocation for several years. His son John, who died December 22, 1901, was one of the first dry-goods merchants in Bloomville. The eldest daughter, Anna, who married Conrad Briner, died April 6, 1902, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Scheerer still resides in the beautiful home so hallowed by the associa- tions and memories of the past. She proved a devoted companion and helpmeet to her husband, aiding him in the attaining of a position of in- dependence and a success worthy the name. They had no children, but they made a home for one little girl, Emma Charity McGaha, who entered their home as a child of two years, and remained until she at- tained womanhood. She is now the wife of B. Newcomb, of Toledo.
Mr. Scheerer was ever most liberal in his donations to the support of the church, one provision of his will being an endowment, the inter- est being used for perpetual support of the minister of the Reformed church in Bloomville. He had also made two quite important donations to Heidelberg College, one of which was for a scholarship which ren- dered substantial benefit toward the education of several students. Mrs. Scheerer continues this active interest in all such benevolences, thus carrying out not only her husband's desires but also following the bent of her own inclinations. A handsome family vault and monument of Vermont granite have been erected in Mount Pisgah cemetery.
JACOB M. SCHATZEL.
Jacob M. Schatzel has for eighteen years been the city clerk of Fostoria. Further comment concerning his ability and faithful dis- charge of duty is hardly necessary. He enjoys to an unusual degree the respect and confidence of his fellow men, and his connection with the public interests of Fostoria has been of the greatest benefit to the city
745
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in promoting its advancement along lines of substantial and desirable progress.
Mr. Schatzel is a native of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, and a son of John and Margaret (Ripple) Schatzel, both of whom were natives of Geunthersblum, Germany. His father came to America when twen- ty-four years of age, making his home in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania. When the mother crossed the Atlantic to the new world she became a resident of Pittsburg. During the boyhood of Jacob the family re- moved to Texas, in 1856, but two years later returned to Pennsylvania, but subsequently again made the journey to Texas. In 1860 they came to Sandusky, Ohio. At the age of sixteen years Jacob entered his country's service. Four times before he had enlisted, but each time he was rejected on account of his youth. In 1865, however, he was ac- cepted and served for seven months as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his services be- ing in the Shenandoah valley.
After the war Mr. Schatzel returned to Upper Sandusky, where he learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for six years. Subse- quently he conducted a tin and hardware store in Whitehouse, Ohio, for six years, and was not only a leading merchant but an enterpris- ing citizen, and for a time was also a member of the city council. He came to Fostoria in 1876 and established a hardware store and tinshop, which he conducted for five years, being for two years in partnership with Mr. Faulhaber.
In Lucas county, Ohio, Mr. Schatzel was, united in marriage to Miss Mary K. Fiscus, of Whitehouse, a daughter of Peter and Bar- bara (Myers) Fiscus, who were natives of Alsace, France. After com- ing to America they located in Cleveland and later moved to White- house. Mr. and Mrs. Schatzel have five children: Juliet L. is a grad- uate of the high school and is now a successful teacher in the public schools; George P., also a graduate of the high school, read law in the office of J. V. Jones and C. A. Strauch, was admitted to the bar in 1898 and is now practicing in Fostoria: Albert F. is a graduate of the dental department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and is practicing his profession in Fostoria; Leo J., who completed the 47
746
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
high-school course, is now a student in chemistry at Ann Arbor. Don H., the youngest, is a student in the home schools.
For twenty years Mr. Schatzel has served as notary public, and for five years he was secretary of the gas board. For seventeen years he has held the position of clerk of Loudon township and for eighteen years he has been city clerk of Fostoria, having first been chosen to the office in 1884, when Fostoria was but a village, and after its incor- poration, in February, 1889, he was continued in the position in which he is now serving with marked credit to himself and the city. He was president of the Fostoria Library Association, to which he was elected upon its organization in 1901, and is the present secretary. In the Ma- sonic fraternity he is regarded as a worthy and exemplary member, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter of Fostoria and to the com- mandery at Tiffin. He is also connected with the Grand Army post and for five years was its quartermaster. The family attend the Pres- byterian church, taking an active part in its work, and every movement that tends to promote public progress and improvement receives the en- dorsement and co-operation of Mr. Schatzel. In whatever relation of life we find him-in the government service, in political circles, in busi- ness or in social circles-he is always the same honorable and respected gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard which is uniformly given him.
>
LEE NIGHSWANDER.
A gentleman of ability, determination, enterprise and laudable am- bition, Lee Nighswander has for some years been identified with edu- cational interests in Ohio as a capable instructor, and at the present time he is loyally serving Seneca county as its auditor, making his home in Tiffin. He was born in Fort Seneca, on the 13th of March, 1854, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bare) Nighswander. He is of Swiss descent, his paternal grandparents, Christopher Nighswander and wife, being natives of Switzerland, the beautiful land of the Alps. Emigrat-
747
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ing to America, they were residents of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, at the time of the birth of their son Joseph Nighswander, who became the father of our subject. He was reared in his native city, learned the blacksmith trade and ere leaving the Keystone state was married to Elizabeth Bare, who also was born in Pennsylvania. About 1852 they came to Ohio, settling in Seneca county, the father purchasing a farmi at Fort Seneca, in Pleasant township. To the further development and improvement of his eighty acres he gave his attention until seventy- two years of age, when his life's labors were ended in death. He was truly a self-made man, owing his success entirely to his own efforts, and by perseverance and diligence winning a comfortable competence. In early days he gave his political support to the Republican party, but in his later life voted with the Democracy. By reading and observation he became a well informed man, and his upright life was in harmony with his profession as a member of the Dunkard church. His wife passed away when sixty-eight years of age. She was reared in Har- risburg, Pennsylvania, and like her husband was a member of the Dunk- ard church. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, all of whom reached maturity, our subject being the tenth in order of birth.
Upon the home farm Lee Nighswander spent the days of his boy- hood and youth and, after acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools, at the age of seventeen he entered the normal school at Republic, Ohio. Subsequently he spent several years in Heidelberg University, in Tiffin, and then began teaching, being engaged in the district and village schools and also in conducting a summer normal school in connection with Heidelberg College, for two years. He devoted about fourteen years to the profession and then a ted a position in the United States railway-mail service, running between Sandusky and Lima, Ohio, on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, for eight months. He then resumed teaching and was numbered among the capable edu- cators of this part of the state until he accepted his present office, on the 18th of October, 1898, having been elected to the position in 189 ;. He was very efficient in the work of the school-room, giving excellent satisfaction. He was able to maintain an orderly school and not only
748
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
had he the power of discipline, but also the ability to impart clearly and. concisely to others the knowledge he had acquired.
Mr. Nighswander was united in marriage to Miss Addie Barto, who was born in Watson, this county, a daughter of Elias and Mary (Gamble) Barto. Her father is now' living a retired life in Watson. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nighswander has been blessed with one daughter, Maude, who assists her father in the office. Mr. Nighswander is a stanch Democrat in politics, has given active aid in advancing the work of the party and rejoiced in its success, but he has al- ways refused to accept office until he became a candidate for county auditor, in which office he is fully justifying the confidence of his friends in his capability and his trustworthiness. He has a very wide acquaintance in Seneca county, and his social, genial nature and upright manhood render him very popular.
1
ALBERT J. HENZY.
Albert John Henzy is an active factor in commercial circles in Tiffin, where for many years he has successfully conducted a furniture store. He is also well known in connection with public affairs and at the present time is serving as sheriff of Seneca county. His business career has been characterized by enterprise integrity and diligence ; his official service by faithfulness and capability, while his good intent is manifest in the prompt and fearless discharge of his duties.
Mr. Henzy is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in San- dusky, Erie county, on the 4th of October, 1864. His father, Joseph Henzy, was a native of Switzerland and there spent his youth, early learning the stone-cutter's trade and later engaging in contracting. When twenty-two years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, and taking up his abode in Sandusky he there engaged in con- tracting along the line of his chosen vocation until about five years prior to his death, which occurred in 1890, when he was sixty-four years of age. He became a leading contractor, doing an extensive and important
749
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
business, and as the years passed a handsome competence rewarded his labors. He was associated with Clemmens Brothers, who had the contract for the building of the first lock in the Sault Ste. Marie canal. His thorough understanding of mechanical principles, his practical work- manship and his enterprise made his services in great demand, and he executed some very important contracts in Ohio and other states. He was entirely a self-made man, for he started in life empty-handed, and when he came to America his only foundation for success was his knowl- edge of his trade, but his enterprise and diligence soon won recogni- tion and for many years a most liberal patronage was accorded him. He held membership in the Catholic church and was a Democrat in his political faith, but never sought or desired office. He married Teressa Ebendinger, a native of Baden, Germany, who came to Amer- ica in her early womanhood and is still living, at the age of seventy-five years, being well preserved and active for one of her years. She too is a member of the Catholic church. In the family were four children : Katherine, who married Thomas Ward; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-two; Albert J., of this review; and Charles, who is a sales- man in a furniture store in Toledo, Ohio.
When Albert J. Henzy was six years of age his parents removed with their family to Marblehead, Ohio, but after four years returned to Sandusky. He attended the district schools in the former place, and St. Mary's parochial school and the high school in Sandusky, Ohio. When about fifteen years of age he began clerking in a furniture and undertaking establishment in Sandusky, where he remained for four years, after which he was employed in a retail shoe store for two years. On the expiration of that period he accompanied his mother on a voyage to Europe, visiting many points of interest in that country, and upon his return to his native land he accepted a position as salesman in a furniture store in Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained about six months.
In 1884 Mr. Henzy came to Tiffin and has since been identified with the business interests of this city. He was employed as a clerk in a shoe store until 1887, when in partnership with Otto Wagner, he purchased the furniture and undertaking business of Philip Rummel & Son. After a year Mr. Wagner sold out to J. W. Huffman and four
750
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
years later Mr. Henzy purchased Mr. Huffman's interest and was alone in business until 1889, when he admitted two of his employes to a part- nership in the store, which has since been conducted under the firm name of A. J. Henzy & Company. For twelve years he continued at his first location and then removed to Washington street and purchased the store of Feigie Brothers. He has been very successful since he embarked in merchandising on his own account and his patronage has increased, for he conducts a thoroughly modern store, carrying a large. line of goods of all grades, for which he asks reasonable prices. His business methods will bear the closest investigation and his careful attention to the wants of his patrons, together with his honesty and diligence, have brought to him gratifying business.
On the 25th of May, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Henzy and Miss Rosa M. Kibbler, a daughter of Anthony Kibbler. She was born and reared in Tiffin, and by her marriage she became the mother of five children, of whom one died at the age of two years. The others are Irvin L., Herman, Helen and Louisa. In his political views Mr. Henzy is an earnest Democrat and has always taken a deep interest in the growth and success of his party. In 1900 he was elected sheriff, entering upon the duties of the position in January, 1901. He is a capable and trustworthy officer and deserves commendation for his fidelity in the public service. He and his wife are communicants of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and in the community they have gained many friends, while the hospitality of many of the best homes of Tiffin is freely extended them.
JOSEPH HARTER.
Among the prominent citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, is Joseph Harter, who has been identified with the growth and development of this city for a very long period, during which time he has not only assisted in the various enterprises which have built up Tiffin, but has also established a business of large proportions for himself, and has gained the esteem of his fellow citizens.
751
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Harter is of German birth and parentage and worthily repre- sents the land and people of his nativity. He was born on March 24, 1837, near the river Rhine, in Baden, Germany, being a son of Nepem- puck Harter, who was a tailor. The family consisted of himself, two older brothers and two sisters, the brothers coming to America prior to 1854. In that year our subject accompanied his mother and sisters to the United States, and joined the older brothers, Frederick and Ben- edict, who were engaged in business in Tiffin, the latter being a tailor. The mother died of cholera within that same summer. Frederick Harter was then carrying on a stone-cutting business here, and Joseph entered his yards and remained working for his brother for two years, becom- ing a reliable and skilled stone-cutter.
Mr. Harter then went to Cincinnati, where he found work at his trade in one of the numerous yards in that city, and finally, with a de- sire to see more of the country and its possibilities, he went as far west as Chicago, spending one summer there at work, but finally decided that Tiffin offered as many advantages for business as any place he had seen.
It was in a very modest way that Mr. Harter, in 1859, opened up a shop and yard in this city, depending upon his excellent work to bring him patronage. He had made some headway when the business convulsion caused by the outbreak of the Civil war paralyzed many lines of trade. Being a musician of no mean ability, Mr. Harter decided to enter the army in that capacity, and enlisted, on October 8, 1861, in the Fifty-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During the various movements of this regiment he was a valued musician, his playing of the E flat cornet more than once inspiring hope and energy in the despondent and homesick soldier lads who were then but new to the stern game of war. Mr. Harter participated in the engagements which took place through Virginia, was at Danville, Cross Keys and Cedar Moun- tain, and was honorably discharged at the close of one year and returned to Tiffin.
Upon his return Mr. Harter resumed his stone and marble business, applying himself closely, looking after every detail personally, and suc- ceeding as a result of this energy and industry. He has now one of the largest marble and granite yards in this city and enjoys the patronage
752
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of not only Seneca but adjoining counties, traveling through them himself and still personally looking after the details. This he is sure is one reason of his success, that he has never delegated the business to others, but by this close and steady application has never lost sight of the demands of his trade and the best possible way of meeting it. His is one of the oldest business houses in Tiffin, and the success which he has attained is wholly due to individual effort.
Mr. Harter was married August 28, 1862, to Miss Lena Wehrle, who was born in Seneca county, a daughter of Xavier Wehrle, who was a farmer and later a business man of Tiffin, dying of cholera in 1854. They have had six children, three of the children dying in in- fancy. The three daughters at home are Elizabeth, Emma and Tillie, the last named a teacher in the Tiffin public schools.
While devoting close attention to his personal affairs, Mr. Harter has been public-spirited and has contributed in every way in his power to the upbuilding of the city. He has given his interest, time and means to many noble enterprises. In political life Mr. Harter assumes an in- dependent attitude in local affairs, but in national matters he votes with the Democratic party. He is a valued member of William H. Gibson Post, No. 31, G. A. R., of Tiffin, and takes an active interest in it. He is a man who for business integrity as well as personal attributes, is held in the highest csteem in Tiffin. Although Mr. Harter insists that he is sixty-five years old, his friends find it difficult to believe that he has reached the half-century mark, his youthful energy still directing all his movements. Few men of Tiffin can claim a larger circle of personal friends.
FREDERICK MANECKE.
For a third of a century Frederick Manecke has been a representa- tive of Fostoria and has been closely and prominently associated with the development of the oil industry in this portion of the state. He is a man of sound business judgment and of keen discrimination, and the prosperity which he has achieved is the direct outcome of his own
-
753
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
labors. He is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Washington township, Hancock county, two miles from Fostoria, April 9, 1848. His father, Henry Manecke, was one of the pioneer settlers of that township, having located there in 1838. He was born in Germany in 1801 and when a young man of about twenty years determined to seek his fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he removed to Stark county, Ohio, and in the year mentioned came to Hancock county. He took up his abode upon a farm composed entirely of wild land, only two acres having been cleared. He owned at first but a quarter section, but as the years passed he added to his property until his landed posses- sions aggregated one thousand acres. This place is highly improved with fine buildings and all modern equipments and accessories which go to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. The property is now owned by William and Peter Manecke, brothers of our subject, the former being also the vice-president of the Mechanics' Savings Bank of Fostoria.
The father died in 1860, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife, to whom he was married in Philadelphia, bore the maiden name of Christina Markley, and was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. With her parents she came to the new world, the family settling in Hardin county, Ohio, near Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Manecke became the parents of the following children: William, who is vice-president of the Me- chanics' Savings Bank of Fostoria, as already stated; Peter, who is liv- ing on the old homestead; Emily, the wife of Andrew Bowman, of De- catur, Illinois; Jefferson, who is extensively engaged in farming near Decatur; Frederick, of this review; Harmon, who is also an extensive farmer living near Decatur and for one term represented his district in the state senate of Illinois; and Albert, who is agent for a machinery business at Decatur, Illinois.
Under the parental roof Frederick Manecke spent his boyhood and youth and early became familiar with all the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the public schools, and he assisted in the improvement of the home farm until 1869, when he came to Fostoria, which has since been his place
754
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of abode. Throughout the intervening years he has been an active factor in business circles. He was first employed in a planing-mill as a joiner and afterward became superintendent of a foundry and ma- chine shop, but since 1889 has been connected with the gas and oil producing business, becoming a contractor and superintendent of the city gas plant. He is now interested in forty producing wells, having sunk nearly eight hundred wells under contract. He is also a stockholder in the Eureka Planing Mill & Lumber Company. His efforts in these directions have been attended with a high degree of success and to-day he is the possessor of a handsome competence acquired entirely through his own efforts.
Mr. Manecke was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Hosler, the only daughter of Peter and Susan Hosler, pioneer settlers of Fos- toria. Removing from this city to Washington township, Hancock county, he was interested there in farming until his life's labors were ended in death in 1898 when he was seventy-four years of age, though for twenty years he lived in Findlay. He served as county treasurer for two terms in Hancock county and was prominent in its public affairs. In addition to his agricultural interests he established the Farmers' Bank of Findlay, of which he was the president until he sold his interest, and then aided in the establishment of the City Bank of Findlay, of which he was the president until his death. For many years earlier in life he was engaged as a building contractor in Fostoria and thus his business interests were extensive and of an important character, bringing to him well merited prosperity. He married Miss Susan Sheman of Stark county, Ohio, whose people were from the vicinity of Hagerstown, Maryland. Mr. Hosler's people also were from the same locality and both families became pioneer settlers of Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Manecke has been blessed with one son, William, who is en- gaged in business with his father.
Mr. Manecke belongs to the little group of distinctively representa- tive business men who have been the pioneers in inaugurating and build- ing up the chief industries of this section of the country. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing country, and, acting in ac-
755
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
cordance with the dictates of his faith and judgment, he has garnered, in the fullness of time, the generous harvest which is the just recom- pense of indomitable industry, spot integrity and marvelous enter- prise. He is now connected with many extensive and important busi- ness interests.
WINFIELD S. WAGNER.
Upon a few principles of natural justice is erected the whole super- structure of civil laws tending to meet the desires and relieve the wants of all alike. It has been said that "the business of the lawyer is not to make the laws but to apply them to the daily affairs of men." But the interests of men are of so diverse a nature, and so intermingled and complex, that the problem presented to both lawyer and judge often seems to demand the wisdom of an oracle. The relations of life are con- stantly changing; the exigencies of the law are those of to-day, and a lawyer is essentially a man of the present and must meet the issues of the hour. His work is such as to bring him into contact with every relation of life; and, thus the worthy devotee of the legal profession must needs be a man of natural ability and broad mental grasp, in addi- tion to being thoroughly read in the science of jurisprudence. Among the representative members of the bar in Seneca county is Judge Win- field Scott Wagner, who now presides on the probate bench of the county, and who figures as one of the county's native sons, who has here attained distinction. We shall here note the more salient points in his genealogical and individual history.
Winfield S. Wagner was born on the homestead farm in Pleasant township, Seneca county, on the 27th of June, 1862, being the son of Edmund Carpenter Wagner, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, where he was reared under the invigorating discipline of the farm. As a young man he emigrated thence to Ohio, in 1843; and, after passing about a year in Tiffin, located on a farm near Fort Sen- eca. He soon afterward purchased, in that locality, a tract of wild land, which he reclaimed, there continuing his residence until 1862, when he purchased a farm in Liberty township, where he made his home
756
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
until 1884. He later resided a few months in the city of Tiffin and then removed to Cowley county, Kansas, where he bought a tract of land, though thereafter he resided in Winfield, until his death, in 1889, at the age of sixty-nine years. He espoused the cause of the Repub- lican party at its organization, but in 1874 transferred his allegiance to the Democratic party, with which he was identified until his demise. He was a self-made man, having depended upon his own exertions from early youth, and he so ordered his life as to merit and retain the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He was a son of George and Josephine (Carpenter) Wagner, the former of whom was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and the latter at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Maryland. George Wagner was engaged in farming and stock-grow- ing in Lancaster county, Pennsylvaia, until about 1854, when he came with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, buying land in Pleasant town- ship, where he remained until his death, at the age of eighty-one years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-six, having been a de- voted member of the Reformed church. Two of her brothers were active participants in the war of 1812-13.
The maiden name of Judge Wagner's mother was Catherine Berkey, and she was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1830, being the daughter of John and Lydia (Reeme) Berkey, who were born and reared in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized. They were numbered among the early pioneers of Ohio, having settled in Perry county as early as 1818, and there residing until 1829, when they came to Seneca county, and were among the first settlers in Liberty township, where Mr. Berkey took up a tract of government land in the virgin forest. He improved a farm and there died, at the age of fifty- nine years, his wife surviving him until 1867, when she passed away at the age of sixty-nine years. The mother of our subject was born on the old homestead and recalls that during her childhood the Indians were still numerous throughout this section, where the white settlers were rapidly encroaching on their original domain. She is still living, making her home in Topeka, Kansas, having attained the venerable age of seventy-two years. Of her eight children Judge Wagner was the sixth in order of birth and is one of the five yet living.
757
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Winfield S. Wagner grew up on the homestead farm, attending the public schools until 1879, when he was matriculated in the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, where he completed a two-years course. Thereafter he put his scholastic acquirements to practical use by engag- ing in pedagogic work, being one of the successful teachers in the public schools of his native county for a period of six years. He then began the reading of law in the office of George E. Schroth, a promi- nent member of the bar of the county, residing in Tiffin, and in 1889 he was duly admitted to the bar of the state. He then engaged in the practice of his profession in Tiffin, gaining prestige as an able and dis- criminating lawyer and securing a representative clientage. He was. in control of a growing and lucrative practice of general character until 1896, when he was elected to the office of judge of the probate court of the county, of which he has since continued in tenure, by successive re- elections, his able and signally discriminating administraton having gained to him the most unequivocal endorsement on the part of his pro- fessional confreres and the general public. Judge Wagner has ever given a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, of whose principles and policies he has been an effective advocate, having rendered material assistance in forwarding the party's cause in the local field. Prior to his election to the probate bench he had served for two years as chair- man of the Democratic central committee of Seneca county, and he was again chosen to this office in the spring of 1901. The Judge is a man of gracious personality and has the power of winning and main- taining strong friendships. His popularity is thus assured, and yet no one shows greater tenacity of purpose or is firmer in the courage and de- fence of his convictions.
On the 16th of April, 1884, Judge Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Bealer, who like himself is a native of Seneca county. She is the daughter of Andrew and Catherine Bealer, two of the sterling pioneers of the county. Judge and Mrs. Wagner have one daughter, Gertrude, who was born on the Ioth of November, 1885. The pleasant home of the family is a center of gracious hospitality and our subject and his wife are prominent in the social life of the community.
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
+000
FEB 95 Bound - To - Picas® N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA ACOSO
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.