USA > Ohio > Erie County > A standard history of Erie County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, civic, and social development. A chronicle of the people, with family lineage and memoirs > Part 102
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Mrs. Leadrach before her marriage was Emma Bauman. She was born in Ohio, daughter of Christian and Magdalena (Wuetrich) Bau- man. Both parents are now deceased. Of their marriage five children were born, as follows: Pauline M., Milton A., Roland, Pearl, and Earl, the last named being now deceased. In polities Mr. Leadrach is a. demo- erat and is affiliated with Ely Lodge A. F. & A. M. at Vermilion, and with the Modern Woodmen of America at the same place.
Attention should also be dirceted to his enterprise as a farmer. He owns a fine place of 100 acres in Brownhelm Township of Lorain County, and his own home in Vermilion Township is surrounded by twenty-five acres of rich land, and beautifully improved as a country estate. Ifis Brownhelm Township farm is known as the Longview Stock Farm, and for a number of years it has been headquarters for registered Ilolstein cattle. Mr. Leadrach has probably done more than any other individual in this section of Northern Ohio for introducing this splendid dairy stock and for raising the general grades of dairy cattle through the influence of his farm.
GEORGE A. MICHEL. For practically forty years there has been more than ordinary signifieanee attaching to the name Michel in manufacturing circles in Erie County. It is with the eooperage business that the various members of the family have been especially identified, and one of the largest enterprises in the business distriet of Sandusky is one that bears the Michel name and has a plant covering an entire eity block, devoted to the manufacturing of practically every type and class of cooperage goods, but particularly watertight containers adapted to many varied purposes.
The president and active executive head of this large industry is now George A. Michel, a son of the founder. He was born November 22, 1881, in Erie County, a son of the late August and Margaret (Conners) Michel, both of whom were born in the State of Ohio. August Miehel came to Erie County in 1876, and after some employment as a journeyman cooper engaged in business for himself in 1880. A year later he became associated with his brother Robert under the name Michel Bros., and together they brought the industry to one of extensive proportions. In 1902 some consolidation of cooperage interests was effected, and the Michel Cooperage Company was incorporated in that year. August Michel. who became president and manager of the company, died March 8. 1906, while his brother Robert passed away JJuly 23, 1906. The late August Michel held a place of high esteem in Sandusky. not only in business but in social and civic circles. He was a thoroughly suecessful business man, had founded one of the first cooperage enterprises in Erie County, and could always be looked to for a manifestation of that public spirit which is one of the best assets of a growing and progressive city. Of his eight children six are still living, with the son George A. as the oldest.
After the death of his father, George A. Michel succeeded as presi- dent and general manager of the Michel Cooperage Company. As already noted the plant of this company covers an entire city block in Sandusky, is equipped with all modern cooperage machinery, and furnishes work and wages to a hundred employes. The output is standard in quality and of a constantly growing volume, the demand
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being practically always equal to the output. The company sends out each year many thousands of casks, tanks and practically every wooden container bound with hoops. They furnish breweries and wineries with everything needed in those industries, and they also manufacture an extensive line of barrels for packing houses and for the containing of oils and varnish. George A. Michel is one of the four brothers all of whom are identified with the business, and each one in charge of some important department.
George A. Michel was educated in the parochial schools and in the Sandusky Business College, and has now been active in the affairs of the company nearly fifteen years. He has many of the characteristics of his late father, is energetic, public spirited, and usually a leader in anything he undertakes. He is a member of the Federated Commercial Club of Sandusky, is affiliated with the Elks Order, the Sunyendeand Club, and is an honorary member of Company B of the Ohio National Guard at Sandusky, and also belongs to the Sandusky Ad Club. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Miehel married Miss Cora Koehler, and they have one child, Elsie E. Michel,
WILLIAM HENRY DILGART. Everyone in Sandusky, and every person in the surrounding district whose trade relations bring him to that eity, is familiar with the large furniture house of Dilgart & Bittner. This is a business which Sandusky people regard with special pride, and for many years its development and prosperity have reflected upon the thorough commercial enterprise and character of William H. Dilgart, senior proprietor.
Mr. Dilgart is a native of Ohio, born April 2, 1875, in Lucas County, a son of E. W. and Sophia (Brindley ) Dilgart. His parents are likewise natives of Ohio, and in their family of seven children William Henry was the oldest.
Sinee his education in the publie schools at Swanton, Ohio, and at the Davis Business College, Toledo, Mr. Dilgart has been concentrating all his time and energies upon a business eareer. He started as a book- keeper in a dry goods store in Swanton, and spent three years there, an experience which gave him an unusual grasp of many of the fundamental details in merchandising. He then entered the furniture house of Hood Bros., at Toledo, was their bookkeeper for two years, and the firm then on March 16, 1901, sent him to Sandusky, where he managed the IIood Bros. interests in the furniture trade for one year. He was making rapid progress, showed great ability in carrying on the business entrusted to him by others, and in the meantime had established credit and standing so that at the end of one year he was able to buy out the eoneern and continued it under his individual management for one year. In 1903 he organized the firm of William H. Dilgart & Company, which continued under that title a year and a half. On March 4, 1905, the firm of Dilgart & Bittner was organized, and this in turn was succeeded in 1907 by the incorporation of Dilgart & Bittner Company.
Fraternally Mr. Dilgart is affiliated with the Perseverance Lodge No. 329. F. & A. M .: Sandusky Chapter No. 72, R. A. M. : Sandusky Council No. 39. R. & S. M .; Sandusky Commandery No. 23, K. T .: the Scottish Rite Consistory of thirty-second degree ; and the Zenobia Temple of the Mystie Shrine at Toledo. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. and is vice president of the Sandusky Ad Cluh.
Mr. Dilgart is an active member of the Congregational Church and has served as deacon for the past three years. Besides his main interests as a senior member of the firm of Dilgart & Bittner, he is vice president of the Talbott Chemical Company of Sandusky.
Vol. II-43
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On September 11, 1898, in Swanton, Ohio, he married Miss Margaret Humphreys. They are the parents of one daughter, Jeanette Isabel, born April 7, 1909.
JAMES T. BEGG. As superintendent of Sandusky schools Mr. Begg has performed a service which creates his administration a new epoch in the schools under his supervision. He is an exponent of progressive and practical ideals in the educational field, and having been a teacher all his active life he has always been a student. and by his experience has worked out plans and methods which he has applied in making the schools under his supervision vital institutions to the welfare of the coming generation.
Ile was born February 16, 1877, in Allen County, Ohio, a son of John and Mary ( Kalb) Begg. His father was born in Ohio but his paternal ancestors came from Scotland, and grandfather John Begg first located at Columbus and afterwards went to Allen County, where he continued as a farmer until his death. The parents of James T. Begg had six children, James being the second in order of birth.
Ile aequired his early education in the district schools of Allen County. Completing his education in the Lutheran College, at Lima. Ohio, and Wooster University. He taught three years in the country schools of Allen County, was principal one year and five years as super- intendent of the Columbus Grove High School, was superintendent of the Ironton, Ohio, public schools three years, and then came to Sandusky as superintendent of the city schools on December 1, 1913.
Mr. Begg is affiliated with the Masonie Order, being a Knight Templar, also with the Knights of Pythias, with the Sandusky Teachers Association, the Northwest Ohio Teachers Association, the Northeastern Ohio Teachers Association, the Ohio State Educational Association and the National Educational Association.
On August 26, 1903, in Allen County Mr. Begg married Miss Grace Mohler, daughter of T. H. Mohler, of Bluffton, Ohio. Their two children are Eleanor, born June 19, 1904: James, born December 17, 1909.
EDWARD (. WASEM. That enterprise and good management are well rewarded in the country life of Erie County needs no better illustration than the career of Edward C. Wasem, whose fine homestead is located in Vermilion Township. So far as financial capital was concerned Mr. Wasem began life practically at the bottom of the ladder. Hle had something better than capital, namely, energy, ambition, and a will to make something of himself in the world. He has made out of his farm- ing enterprise a business that would compare favorably with many of the mercantile or industrial concerns in this part of Ohio. He is a general farmer, fruit grower, dairyman, stoek raiser, enjoys the eom- forts of a modern country residenee, has modern barns, and all the equipment which goes with up to date farm management.
A native of Ohio, Edward C. Wasem was born at Ragersville in Tuscarawas County, May 28, 1868, a son of Engelhart and Catherine (Espensheid ) Wasem. His father was born in Ohio of German parent- age. His grandfather, Henry Wasem, and his wife were both natives of Germany, but were married in Ohio, and spent most of their lives in Ragersville, where they were early settlers. They developed some of the early farming land in that section of Tusearawas County. Grand- father Henry Wasem died when about eighty years of age. Ile was an active member of the Lutheran Church. His first wife died in middle life, and he also survived his second marriage. In politics he was a democrat and a man who took a commendable interest in local affairs. There were children by both his marriages.
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Elizabete E. Wasen
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 1147
Engelhart Wasem was born at Ragersville, Ohio, sixty-eight years ago, and is still living there. For the past ten years he has been re- tired, but is still a hale and hearty man and if necessity required could perform a good day's work. His wife died March II, 1912, at the age of sixty-two. They had been members of the Reformed Church and in polities he is a democrat. Of their seven sons and four daughters, the oldest is Edward C. and the others are named Elmer, Minnie, Simon, William, Herbert, Cora, Nettie, Robert, Walter and Bessie. All are now married except Herbert.
Edward C. Wasem grew up on a farm in his native loeality in Tus- carawas County. While living at home he learned many lessons that have been valuable to him in his later eareer. He was taught to be honest, to work to the extent of his energies, and to bring the best that he had in him to every undertaking. He also attended the local schools, and the education which he gained there has been supplemented by practical experience in after life. When he was twenty-one he eame to Erie County. Here he has had his home for nearly thirty years. With very little to start, he made the best use of that little, and now stands among the most prosperous citizens of Vermilion Township. In 1901 he bought his present farm of sixty-seven acres near the Village of Axtell. This land is well improved, has a large barn 30 by 70 feet, and other farm buildings, and his home is a seven-room residence. The Wasem farm has a reputation in that neighborhood for producing erops when many less favored plaees failed. He grows all the staple crops and two conspicuous features about his place give evidence of his modern enterprise. These are silos, one with fifty tons and the other ninety tons capacity. Mr. Wasem grows and feeds a large number of live stock, and has beeame known to a large number of people as a dealer. buying and selling hogs and cattle. He operates a first class dairy of ten eows, keeps a high grade of work horses and he uses a high power automobile for business or pleasure praetieally every day of the year. Very naturally a man who has been so successful in his own affairs should have the confidence of his fellow citizens and would be a proper choice for almost any position in the local government. To please his friends Mr. Wasem consented to become a candidate for township trustee.
In Coshoeton County, Ohio, Mr. Wasem married Miss Elizabeth Hothem. She was born in that county August 18, 1872, and grew up and received her education there. Her parents were John and Elizabeth ( Baab) Hothem, the former a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. and the latter a native of Ohio. John Hothem came to the United States with his parents when nine years old and settled in Ohio. He made a gallant record in the Civil war as a soldier in the Seventy-second Ohio Infantry. His service for his adopted country is a fact which his descendants will always cherish. Mr. and Mrs. Hothem were mar- ried in Coshocton County, Ohio, and by their united efforts and ener- gies they aequired and developed a splendid farm, situated partly in Coshoeton and partly in Tuscarawas County. John Hothem is now retired from active responsibilities, and at the age of seventy-five is able to enjoy a well earned leisure and to look back with satisfaction upon his past. His wife died in 1904, when fifty-five years of age. The Hothems were upright and loyal church people and in politics he is a republican.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wasem have been horn three chil- dren: Irvin E., born July 18, 1899, is now attending the high school at Birmingham: Raymond R., horn October 22, 1903, is in the sixth grade of the publie sehools; and Lloyd W., born January 1. 1905, and
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also in school. Mr. and Mrs. Wasem are members of the Reformed Church at Vermilion.
Roy E. OFFENHAUER. No position in Erie County means more to the future welfare of the community than that of superintendent of schools. The incumbent of this position is Roy E. Offenhaner, a capable educator of many years experience, a university trained man, and one of high ideals in regard to educational work in general.
A native of Ohio, Roy E. Offenhauer was born August 10, 1881, in Mercer County, a son of Julius and Elizabeth ( Yaney ) Offenhaner. Ilis father, who was born in Germany, came to America alone in 1868, and located in Franklin County, Ohio, and later in Mercer County, where he spent his life as a farmer. Ilis death occurred in 1888, at the age of sixty.
Mr. Offenhaner's mother, although of German extraction, was born and reared in Mereer County, Ohio. Her death occurred in 1889, aged forty-three years. The family were members of the German Baptist Church.
In a family of seven children, all of whom are still living, Roy E. was the fourth in age. Ile acquired his early education in the publie schools of Mercer County, and in 1903 graduated from the Normal School at. Marion, Indiana. He is also a graduate of Otterbein University, with the class of 1905. and subsequently took special courses in education at Miami, Harvard and Columbia universities.
llis first work as a teacher was done in the district schools of his native County of Mercer. He subsequently became superintendent of Menden Village and the Union Township schools, Mercer County. Later he was principal of the high school at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and from 1909 to 1914 was identified with Sandusky as principal of the high school. It was his record in this work that made him so well qualified in the eyes of those entrusted with the management of the schools for his present position to which he was chosen in 1914 as superintendent of the Erie County school system. He is giving the county an excellent administration, and much good has already resulted from his leadership and guidance.
Mr. Offenhaner is affiliated with Perseverance Lodge No. 329, F. & A. M., at Sandusky. He is active in the various educational bodies including the Ohio State Educational Association and the National Educational Association, and in polities is independent. On August 4, 1907. he married Miss Ella May Smith. Their two children are Helen Geraldine, born July 20. 1911 ; and Wayne Berry, born January 21, 1914. Mr. Offenhaner and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN J. MARQUART. There is probably no better known business man in Sandusky than John J. Marquart, who for fully thirty years has been a factor in the business distriet and in all his associations and relations has come to be known as a man of strietest honor and integrity. While he spent much of his boyhood at Sandusky, Mr. Marquart laid the founda- tion of his business experience in varied employment in the City of Chicago, and from there returned to Sandusky to make it his permanent home.
He was born August 9, 1854, in the City of Brooklyn, New York, a son of lohn and Elizabeth ( Lauter) Marquart. There were two sons in the family, but he is the only one who survived his father. The parents were both natives of Germany, and John Marquart came alone to America, and worked as a laborer in Brooklyn, New York, until 1860, in which year he brought his family to Sandusky. He is recalled by many
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of the older settlers as a grocery merchant, and he conducted a store in the city until 1884.
John J. Marquart attended the publie schools, but in 1870, at the age of sixteen left home and went to the then vigorous young City of Chicago to earn his living and if possible make his fortune. ITis first employment there was as clerk in the firm of Field, Leiter & Company, the original title of what has been developed as the world's greatest dry goods house of Marshall Field & Company. He was in their employ at the time of the Chicago fire in October, 1871. He next spent three years with the Simp- son, Norwell & Company, and then was employed in the abstracting of county records which had been destroyed by the fire. Later he occupied several other positions with mercantile houses, and remained in that city until 1884, when he returned to Sandusky on account of his father's rapidly failing health to take charge of his business. For one year he managed the grocery store, then sold out, and went with the firm of Ruff, Son & Kugler, carpets and furniture. That house suffered a disastrous loss by fire in January, 1890. In February, 1890, Mr. John J. Kugler, of the firm of Ruff, Son & Kugler, and Mr. John J. Marquart. succeeded to the business and continued until February, 1895, when Mr. Kugler retired.
In July, 1900, Mr. Marquart disposed of the furniture department, and has since continued as one of Sandusky's leading undertakers. He is also identified with other business affairs both in Sandusky and else- where.
He has long been identified with Masonry, has taken all the important degrees, including the thirty-seeond of Scottish Rite, and is past eminent commander of Erie Commandery of Knights Templar and a member of the Al Koran Temple of the Mystie Shrine at ('leveland. He is also affili- ated with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Marquart gave some good public serviee while a member of the board of education of Sandusky during 1898-99. He is a member of the Sandusky Ad Club and the Sunyendeand Club.
JUDGE ROY H. WILLIAMS. Now judge of the Court of Connon Pleas. Judge Williams is not only a thorough lawyer, a very capable and competent judge, but is undoubtedly one of the most popular citizens of Erie County. In everything he has done he has increased his hold on the confidence of the people, and his record on the beneh has been sneh as to cause many of his friends to predict still greater honors in public life.
A member of one of the oldest and most substantial families of the county, he was born at Milan, September 1. 1874, a son of Charles Ronald and Helen Hortense ( Hughes) Williams. The Williams family was founded by William Williams, who in 1629 loeated at Salem, Massachn- setts. His son was Abraham Williams, who became one of the proprietors at Watertown, Massachusetts. Judge Williams' great-grandfather was Larkin Williams, who was born October 8, 1765, was married to Miss Lydia Messinger, and in October, 1817. came with his family to Avon, Lorain County, Ohio. This was the year which brought the very first pioneers and permanent settlers to that section of Lorain County. Lar- kin Williams had no little distinction in Lorain County, and served as the first township elerk of Avon. He died June 13, 1840. Henry Williams, one of his sons, and a great-unele of Judge Williams, beeame superintendent of the Western Reserve Normal School at Milan. Judge Williams' paternal grandfather was David Williams, who lived at Ober- lin for many years and died there December 5, 1860. Judge Williams' father. Charles R. Williams, also served as superintendent of the Normal
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School at Milan. and died there September 8, 1879. He was a well known educator. His wife, who is a member of the well known Inghes family, is still living and resides in Erie County.
As a boy Judge Williams attended the Milan High School and also the old Normal Institute in that town, and then entered Oberlin College, where he continued his studies until the sophomore year and followed this with work both literary and law in the University of Michigan. He graduated from that institution with the degree LL. B. in 1897. Since then he has been in active practice as a member of the bar or in official work at Sandusky.
In January, 1901, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Erie County and held that office six years. On retiring from office he was for about a year with the firm of Williams & Ramsey, and later a member of the firm of King, Williams & Ramsey. In the fall of 1908 he became asso- ciated with Mr. Steinemann under the firm name of Williams & Steine- mann. lle was called from private practice to his present office as judge of the Common Pleas Conrt.
Fraternally he is affiliated with Perseverance Lodge. F. & A. M .. at Sandusky, and Sandusky Lodge, No. 128, Knights of Pythias. On December 7. 1898, Judge Williams married Miss Verna Lockwood of Milan, a daughter of Ralph M. Lockwood and a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Northern Ohio.
LORENZO S. CHAPIN. In the death of Lorenzo S. Chapin at his home in Berlin Township, September 1, 1894, Erie County lost one of its splendid citizens, one who had lived and been identified with this section of Northern Ohio nearly all his life. The Chapins were a very early family of settlers in Erie County, and there are many distinctions associated with the name.
Brought to Erie County when an infant, Lorenzo S. Chapin was born at the home of his parents in Glens Falls, New York. in 1836. le was in the sixth generation from Deaeon Samuel Chapin, who was one of the founders of Springfield, Massachusetts, and was identified with that community as early as 1836. The subsequent generations were prominent in New England affairs, and the older stock was Puritans. The parents of the late Mr. Chapin were Leonard B. and Mary 1. (Skinner) Chapin. His father was born in Leyden, Massachusetts, April 1. 1795, while the mother was born in Glens Falls. New York. where they were married. After their four children were born they came during the decade of the '30s to Ohio, making the journey by canal boat via Erie Canal and lake boat to Huron, and thence to North Monroeville in Erie County. Leonard B. Chapin subsequently became interested in map making, and perfected and published a pioneer map of the State of Indiana, which he sold at considerable profit. Subse- quently he bought a farm in Berlin Township, and there spent the rest of his days. Leonard B. Chapin was a man of very brilliant character and attainments, and was a master of many arts and professions. llis death occurred when he was seventy years of age. Some of the older settlers still remember him. He was regarded as one of nature's real noblemen, and every quality and attribute of his mind and heart com- manded esteem and respeet. Ile was a gentleman of the old school. and though spending many years in a new country where fashions were redneed to the utmost simplicity, he was a eonspienons figure about the streets because of the eut and style of his clothes. Even to the last he wore the stock collar and silk hat which were characteristic of the dress men wore early in the century, and he was very neat and particular about his dress. His wife survived him some years, and died in Berlin
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