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 103
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S.S. Chapin.
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Township in old age. She was a member of the Congregational Church, while he was of the Universalist faith and a republican in polities. It is noteworthy that former President Taft was also related to some of the original branches of the Chapin family in America. Of the four chil- dren of Leonard B. Chapin and wife the oldest was Leonidas; the second was Statira, who died in young womanhood : the next was Capt. Leonard B., who died a few years ago in this county ; and the youngest was Lorenzo S. All the sons married and all had descendants.
As a young man Lorenzo S. Chapin was given the best advantages at home and in school. Ile attended the Huron Institute, Oberlin Col- lege, and was also a student at Norwalk. His early ambition took the direction of the law, and he graduated from the Law School of ('inein- nati, Ohio, was admitted to the bar and for several years had an estab- lished practice in Mattoon, Illinois. On account of ill health he returned to his home county, and spent his last years on a farm in Berlin Town- ship, where he had a stately old home, with a large brick house sur- rounded by expansive lawn, shaded by many beautiful maple trees. When in his prime Mr. Chapin exhibited many of the brilliant qualities of his father, but with failing health his mind was impaired, and for about a year he was confined in the State Hospital, though he died at his home. In politics he was a democrat.
At Troy, Ohio, Mr. Chapin married Naney S. Knight. She was born there in 1836. Mrs. Chapin, who for a number of years has lived at Milan, and is now approaching the venerable age of eighty years, has exemplified some of the finest qualities of womanhood. She was well educated while growing up and attended the Barney Female Seminary of Dayton, Ohio. Throughout her life she has been a reader and student. Her parents were William C. and Matilda (Frizell) Knight, the former a native of Lebanon, Ohio, and the latter of Kentneky. Her parents were married in Maysville, Kentucky, at the home of Miss Frizell and at once returned to his farm in Miami County, Ohio, near Troy. Mr. Knight gained mueh success as a farmer and took a prominent part in local politics. Before the war he was a strong whig and was elected county commissioner, an office which he filled for many years, and subse- quently was elected county treasurer of Miami County and filled that office four years. He died at the age of sixty-three. Ilis widow sur- vived him about seventeen years and passed away in 1879. They were consistent members of the Baptist Church. Of the twelve children in the Knight family nearly all of them grew to maturity and married, but Mrs. Chapin and her brother, Henry W. Knight, of Chicago, are the only ones now left.
Mrs. Chapin became the mother of four children. Her son Ralph is still unmarried and lives at home. Harriet is a devoted companion to her widowed mother. William C. was graduated from the Oberlin Business College and had started a most promising career when his life was ent short by death when within three days of his thirty-sixth birthday.
The other son is Dr. Harry L. Chapin, who graduated in medicine at Cleveland. but has subsequently become best known as a student and writer. He is the author of "The History of the Bible," which has received many favorable comments from critics, and has had a wide eirculation : and also a story entitled "The Adoption," well known to readers of fiction. Doctor Chapin was born November 13, 1872. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1907, he married, in Cleveland, Mrs. Anna M. (Crone) Fries, the widow of the late Valentine Fries. Her father was Frank ('rone, for many years a merehant in Massillon, Ohio. Anna Fries Chapin has an extraordinary amount of executive ability.
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and without help from any source she carried on and settled up the estate of her husband, and has since increased it rather than diminished it.
The late Valentine Fries was for many years a prominent shipbuilder at Cleveland, and as a capitalist was always identified with the Fries landing on the Huron River near Milan. He was in many ways a remarkable man. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France. of Huguenot parentage, and emigrated to this country when but a child. He became a drug clerk at first and finally became sole owner of a grocery store in Milan. Ile saved a few thousand dollars and started to build ships on the Huron River at Fries Landing, which still bears his name. It was in this enterprise that he attained his wealth. At one time he owned thirty-six vessels on the Great Lakes. He was a man of extraordinary business eapacity and also a man of veracity and integrity.
Mrs. Nancy Chapin and her daughter are identified with social affairs at Milan and are active in the Presbyterian Church and its varions charities.
F. W. COEN. This is a name which has special significance in electric railway circles in Ohio. Mr. Coen, nearly a quarter of a century ago, when electric transportation was in its infancy, became identified in a minor capacity with one of the early lines in Northern Ohio at Sandusky. and from one grade of responsibility to another was advanced until he is now vice president and general manager of the Lake Shore Electric Railway Company. Mr. Coen is also well known in general business and social circles of Sandusky, and he has a brother who is a well known business man in the city.
Ile was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1872, and received his early education in the public schools of that Indiana town. He came from Indiana to Northern Ohio, and in 1893, at the age of twenty. entered the electrie railway service as an office assistant and bookkeeper in the terminal office at Sandusky. Two years were spent in that early experi- ence. In 1895 he became assistant secretary of The Lorain & Cleveland Railway, and held that position six years. He was also. secretary of The Toledo and The Sandusky, Fremont & Southern Railway, and The Fremont & Norwalk Railroad. In 1901 Mr. Coen became secretary of the consolidated lines of The Lake Shore Electrie Railway Company. In 1905 he was made seeretary and treasurer, in 1907 treasurer and general manager, and since 1908 he has carried the heavy responsibilities of viee president and general manager. He is an expert in electric railway operation and serviee.
Mr. Coen also holds the position of vice president and general man- ager of The Sandusky, Fremont & Southern Railway Company and The Lorain Street Railroad Company of Lorain, Ohio. Ile is now vice president of The People's Light & Power Company, director of The Fostoria & Fremont Railway and in The Electric Depot Company of Cleveland. While Mr. Coen has for many years been closely identified with Sandusky affairs his home is now in Cleveland.
EDWARD KERBER. One of the most prominent business men in San- (Insky is Edward Kerber, whose interests are now concentrated chiefly in the Kerber Ice Company, of which he is proprietor. Mr. Kerber is a clear headed business man and has won his success through his own efforts. In spite of the many calls made upon his time in business matters he is deeply concerned for the public welfare and gives much of his attention to matters of public interest.
Born November 24, 1860, in Erie County, Edward Kerber is a son of Vincent and Constantina (Eckert) Kerber. His father. who was
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born in Baden, Germany, came to America in 1849, locating in Sandusky, where he was soon engaged in his regular trade as stone mason, and subsequently developed a large business as a building contractor. That was the work by which he was best known for eighteen years. Ile finally retired from active business and passed away in 1898. In his time he was one of the leading building contractors of Sandusky. From 1876 to 1890 he was associated with his sons in the ice business under the firm name of Kerber & Sons, and was also in the flour and feed business up to 1884. Ilis children were four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. exeept one daughter.
Edward Kerber, who was the second in age, grew up in Sandusky and gained his edneation from the public schools. When quite young he entered the firm of Kerber & Son, who for a number of years sold and disposed of the entire prodnet of four mills to the retail flour and feed trade. Edward was associated with his father in this line until 1898, in which year the Kerber Lake Ice Company was organized. Since then, for a period of nearly thirty years, he has steadily given his atten- tion to the ice industry, and has been one of the chief factors in this important business along the southern shore of Lake Erie. In 1907 the Kerber Lake Ice Company was sold to the Inter-State Ice Company. Mr. Kerber has since eondneted a plant independently, known as the Kerber Ice Company, being its sole owner.
From 1901 to 1903 Mr. Kerber was a member of the city council of Sandusky. Politically he is an independent republican and is a man whose judgment and counsel are much esteemed and appreciated, not only by business men, but by eitizens in general.
On March 23, 1884, he was married, in Erie County, to Miss Laura Fisher, a danghter of Gustave Fisher. To their marriage were born four children: Elsie, born in November, 1885; Frank Robert, born July 3, 1887; Roy E., born in April, 1894; and Carl E., born in March, 1896. The only danghter, Elsie. married William H. Byron, and lives in California. Frank Robert has his home in Detroit, Michigan. Roy E. is president of the Shamrock Baseball Club and superintendent of the City Ice Delivery Company of Sandusky. Carl E. is attending the high school.
ARTHUR L. PIETSCHMAN. One of the younger business men of San- dusky, already seenrely established in a growing coneern, and a man of publie spirit in everything he undertakes, is Arthur L. Pietschman, vice president and manager of the Goosman Transfer Company.
A native son of Erie County, he was born December 2, 1880. Ilis father was a native of Germany, immigrated to America some time during the decade of the '50s, and has spent most of his active life in and around Sandusky. From 1876 to 1909 he was best known in the city's marts of trade as a flour and feed merchant, but is now practically retired from active affairs. He is considered one of the pioneers in business circles in Erie County. One feature of his record which will always be regarded with pride by his descendants was the 416 years he spent in the Civil war as a Union soldier. At the termination of his first term of enlistment he veteranized and remained in the struggle for the Union from the beginning to the end. In politics he is a stanch republican.
Arthur L. Pietselman was reared and educated in Sandusky, attended the local schools. and gained his training in business under the direction of his father. Ile remained with his father until he was twenty-two, and then took np the livery business in Sandusky. He conducted that for ten years and in 1912 broadened the scope of his operations when
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he berame identified with the Goosman Transfer Company as its vice president and manager. This is one of the largest concerns of its kind in Erie County, and has ample facilities for storage, transfer and a taxicab service.
Mr. Pietschman is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and in poli- ties is a republican. On September 18 1905, he married Miss Vernia Riekers. They have no children.
EBENEZER ANDREWS. It is as one of the most prominent among the carly members of the bar in the Western Reserve that Ebenezer Andrews should be remembered. For many years Mr. Andrews lived at . Milan, where his descendants are still found, but the scope of his business and professional affairs was by no means limited to one community. Ile was entrusted with the handling of many large interests, and spent a number of years in the City of Chicago, where he died, and where he left a large estate to his children.
He was a representative of the best of New England stoek and environment. Born at Greensfarms, Connecticut, April 30. 1795, a son of John and Lydia Andrews. he was in the sixth generation from the immigrant ancestor.
The progenitor of the family in America was Francis Andrews, who was born in England and lived at Hartford, Connecticut, as early as 1639. He removed in 1648 to Fairfield. Bankside, and died at Fairfield in 1662-63. Following Francis came John Andrews I. who was baptized September 27, 1646. at Hartford, and died in 1683 at Fairfield. leaving two children: John, born October 24. 1679, and Sarah, born January 12, 1681. John Andrews II was born at Fairfield at the date already stated and died November 4. 1728. IIe was buried at Greensfarms, Connecticut. He served as ensign of militia, was one of the "seven pillars" who founded the church in Greensfarms in 1715. and for many years was clerk of the parish. John Andrews III was born August 6, 1707. was baptized at Fairfield, June 27, 1708, and died March 28, 1771, being buried at Greensfarms. Ile was married October 28, 1730, to Sarah Couch, daughter of Thomas Couch. He was chosen deacon of Greensfarms Church in 1760. John Andrews IV was born March 17. 1734. and died November 19. 1777. 1Ie married Temperance Cable.
The fifth successive John in as many generations and the father of Ebenezer Andrews, was born July 20. 1759. He was just a youth when the war for independence began, but volunteered in Capt. Eliphalet Thorpe's Company in Colonel Waterbury's Regiment and was in the New York campaign of 1776. In 1778 he served in the artillery under Lient. John Odell. In 1779 he was in the team service conveying guns for the army, and also fought at Fairfield and Greensfarms. In 1780 he enlisted in Captain Stanton's Company, Elijah Sheldon's Regiment of Light Dragoons. and served till the close of the war. He lived many years afterward and died May 20, 1825. On October 9, 1783. he married Lydia Gorham, who died September 7. 1851. She was born November 14. 1762.
The late Ebenezer Andrews in his own eareer bore himself worthily as a Revolutionary son. He was fitted for college at Fairfield Academy. Connectient, and graduated at Yale in 1817. After teaching for a time at Lonisville, Kentucky, he studied law at Litchfield. Connecticut. and on April 30, 1823, was admitted to the Connectiont bar. In July. 1824, he was admitted to the bar of Ohio, lived for some time at Elyria but finally settled at Milan in Erie County, where he spent many years in successful legal practice. In 1852 he was elected probate judge in Erie County. His business interests soon became extensive and absorbed
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much of the time which otherwise would have been devoted to purely legal matters. In 1855 he engaged in the banking and shipping busi- ness on the lakes. Prior to that he had an interest in the steamboats George Washington and Sheldon Thompson, which were among the first to be propelled by steam on the waters of the Great Lakes. Ile also had the ageney from the Connecticut owners of fire lands, of large tracts of lands in Huron and Erie counties, partienlarly in Florence and Wake- man townships. In 1861 Mr. Andrews moved with his family to Chicago. and there added to his banking and shipping business that of real estate. His death occurred in Chicago, April 28, 1864, but he was buried at his birthplace, Greensfarms, Connecticut.
The late Mr. Andrews is described as an able, quiet, self-contained and upright Christian man, a republican in politics and not at a loss to define his position when asked. He was a positive man, ready always to give a well matured reason for his convictions on any subject, fond of reading and well informed on all general subjects; and who showed to the last the refining and broadening effects of a university education. and who was therefore charitable in his intellectual and moral judgment of others. He possessed the well mannered and dignified bearing of the old-school gentleman.
In August, 1825, soon after his admission to the Ohio bar, Ebenezer Andrews married Miss Rachel Hyde. She was of a family of no little distinction in New England history. She was born June 13, 1802, and her father. Joseph Hyde, lived at Greensfarms, also the old home of the Andrews. Joseph Hyde drove a team with supplies for the army at White Plains, and in 1777 was under the command of Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman at the burning of Danbury, at the battle of Ridgefield, and was wounded at Compo Hill April 28th. Rachel Hyde was also a grand- daughter of Ebenezer Jesup of Westport, Connecticut. Ebenezer Jesup graduated from Yale with the class of 1760, was born at Greensfarms. Connecticut, in 1739, served as a surgeon in the Continental army, of the Colony of Connecticut in the campaign of 1764, and afterwards was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. In 1777 he was ensign in C'aptain Nash's Company of Connectient, on duty at Peekskill. During Tryon's invasion his house and entire property were burned. Ilis devoted patriotism subjected him continually to presecution from Tories. Living directly on the shore of Long Island Sound, he was much exposed to the raids of the British troops and sympathizers. The official. records and colonial history of Connecticut make various references to his name and service. At Peekskill, in October, 1777, he was in Captain Nash's Company, Whitney's Regiment, Fourth Connecticut Militia, Jonathan Dimon, lieutenant colonel, commanding. Ebenezer Jesup died in 1812. lle was married in 1764 to Eleanor Andrews of Fairfield, Connecticut. After the Revolution Doctor Jesup represented the Government in negotiating one of the important Indian treaties at Detroit, Michigan.
Rachel Hyde was educated at Fairfield Academy, Connecticut, eame to Ohio soon after her marriage, and the greater part of her wedded life was spent at Milan. She survived her husband a number of years and died at Milan, August 13, 1881. She was a woman of great energy and resolution. well fitted to move in the society of cultured people, or, if need be, to meet the hardships of pioneer life.
Ebenezer and Rachel Andrews left two sons and two daughters. These children were generously endowed in many ways, and had the unusual distinction of having three Revolutionary soldiers among their near ancestry. The oldest, Rachel Augusta, born at Milan, Ohio, July 9, 1834, became the wife of Dr. Benjamin Andrews and died at Brooklyn, New York, June 10, 1899. Joseph Hyde, the older son, was born at
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Milan, November 18. 1835, graduated at Yale University in 1859 and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1861, was admitted to the bar of Cincinnati and at Chicago in the following year, and became prominent in commercial activities in the latter city, where he died December 11. 1906. Ebenezer Andrews, Jr., was born July 21, 1837. prepared for Yale at Philips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, graduated from Yale University in 1861, studied law at New Haven, lived in Chicago for a number of years, but died at Milan, November 18, 1896.
The only living child of Ebenezer Andrews is Miss Eleanor Andrews, who was born at Milan, was graduated at Maplewood Institute in Pitts- field, Massachusetts, in 1859, lived in Chicago for a number of years. but her principal home and the center of her many associations is at Milan in Erie County. She is one of the prominent members of the Sandusky Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A woman of culture and refinement, she has exereised her strong intelligence in the handling of many affairs outside the usual scope of woman's effort, and has shown both executive and financial ability in looking after her father's large estate.
JOHN F. ROSINO is one of the men who began life at the bottom and by industry and economy worked up to a place of influence and com- mereial standing in the community. Ile went through a long appren- tieeship as a clerk in a mercantile establishment at Sandusky, but for a number of years has been proprietor of a boot and shoe establishment of his own. Hle has kept his stock with a reputation for excellence of goods and he has a high class patronage which has continued dealing in this store year after year. His own career has done mmuch to inerease the business facilities of Sandusky and he is one of its most popular citizens.
Born in Erie County, January 1, 1861, he is a son of Frank and Anna B. (Renner) Rosino. ITis father was born in Germany and came to Ameriea in 1850, locating in Erie County, where he was employed in a local spoke factory until 1875, when he entered the flour and feed business, and his name was chiefly identified with that enterprise until his death, which oceurred December 23, 1905.
In a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, John F. Rosino was the oldest. Ile grew up in Erie County, gained an education in the common and grammar schools at Sandusky, and quite early in his career accepted a clerkship in a local dry goods store. At first his com- pensation was fixed at $75 a year. Hle proved himself faithful and competent. ITis wages were advanced and the responsibilities placed upon him were inereased. He gained experience, and gradually acquired credit and capital. In 1892 he left the employ of others to set up in business for himself. Since then, for a period of more than twenty years. Mr. Rosino has conducted one of the best boot and shoe stores in Sandusky. His place of business is at 155 Columbus Avenne.
JJe takes much part in social and civic matters. lle is affiliated with the Masonie Lodge. Chapter and Knight Templar Commandery. with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with the Knights of the Maccabees, is a member of the Sandusky Business Men's Asso- viation, the Sandusky Ad Club and was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is independent.
On September 15, 1885, in Huron County, he married Miss Clara J. Fritz of Clarksfield, Ohio. They are the parents of two children: Gilbert G., born September 25, 1887. and Edward J., born July 25, 1892.
THOMAS S. AMATO. The passenger agent and cashier at Sandusky for the Lake Shore Electric Railway Company, Thomas S. Amato has
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highly commended himself to the business and civic community of which he has been a part for the past five or six years. He is energetic and faithful in business, publie spirited in relation to the welfare of his home locality, and a man thoroughly entitled to respect.
He was about twelve years of age when brought to America by his parents in 1892. Mr. Amato was born on the Island of Sicily, Italy, Angust 29, 1880. His father, on coming to America, located at Norwalk in Huron County, Ohio. Thomas S. was the fifth in a family of six children. His education, begun in the old country, was continued in the public schools of America, but at the age of eighteen he left school and started out to win his own fortune.
At that time he came to Sandusky and his first work was done as collector for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. After a year he was made a clerk in the Moss National Bank, and continued until the affairs of that institution were liquidated. Going to Elyria, he became general manager of a confectionery manufacturing company, and was in business in that city until 1910. He then took a new line of work as conductor on the interurban electric line, the Lake Shore Railway Company, and after a year was appointed passenger agent and cashier for that company, a responsible post which he still fills.
On August 24, 1901, in Erie County, Mr. Amato married Carlotta Sartor. They are the parents of three children: Thelma, Dorothy and Ruth. Mr. Amato, among other things, is interested in military affairs. He enlisted as a private in Company B of the Sixth Ohio Infantry in 1901, was made a sergeant in 1902, and in 1914 was elected captain of Company B, and is now first in command of that well known local military organization. He is also a member of the Sandusky Ad Club, of which he is chairman of the membership committee, and he has recently organized an Italian association for the enlightenment of his fellow countrymen and to afford the Italian newcomers better and broader views of American citizenship. Mr. Amato is also a member of the Sandusky Federated Commercial Club.
CLIFFORD M. KING. The particular service for which Clifford M. King is now identified with Erie County is as county surveyor. He is a very capable yonng civil engineer, a university man by training, and for more than ten years has followed his profession both at Sandusky and elsewhere.
A native of Erie County, he was born December 17, 1879, a son of E. B. and Emma King. Ilis father was a native of Medina County. Ohio, and Clifford was the younger of two children.
As a boy he was reared in Sandusky and attended its public schools, besides Oberlin Academy. Ile entered the Western Reserve University at Cleveland and graduated after taking a four years' course, and also graduated from Cornell University with the class of 1904.
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