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 104
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From 1904 to 1907 Mr. King was connected with the United States Reclamation Service, and for the years 1908 to 1911 he held the respon- sibilities of city engineer for Sandusky. In 1914 he was elected county surveyor and is now in his first term of office. He has brought to his present duties not only thorough technical equipment but varied and extensive experience.
Mr. King is affiliated with the Masonic Order in the various branches, including the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, also a member of the Sandusky Golf Club, the Sandusky Motor Boat Association, and is well known socially in the city. He is a republican in politics. On October 1. 1910, he married Miss Edith L. Davis of Sandusky.
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W. P. BITTNER. Though only thirty-five years of age, W. P. Bittner has reached an enviable position in Sandusky mercantile affairs, where he is secretary-treasurer of the Dilgart & Bittner Company, a concern which carries one of the finest stocks of furniture, carpets and stoves in Erie County. The establishment is a familiar one in the business district of Sandusky, being located at 530-532 Market Street.
Mr. Bittner is an example of the newspaper man who gradnated in business affairs. He was born in Erie County, November 30, 1880, a son of C. C. and Selina ( Knowlton) Bittner. His parents were also natives of Erie County. and the respective families have long been identified with this part of the country. The older of two children. W. P. Bittner as a boy attended the public schools at Sandusky. and had the privilege of a liberal education, being a graduate with the class of 1902 from the Ohio State University. Following that he took up the newspaper business, and was with the Journal and other local papers in Sandusky until 1905. In that year he became associated with W. H. Dilgart in the furniture business, and formed the partnership known as Dilgart & Bittner, which in 1909 was incorporated as the Dilgart & Bittner Company. Mr. Bittner became the secretary-treasurer, and his own hard work and ability have been important factors in making this concern well known to the trade.
Mr. Bittner is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and in politics is independent. On June 28, 1904, at Columbus, he married Miss Eliza- beth Sanford. Their three children are named Helen. Sanford and Jane Bittner.
A. W. LINK. Among the men whose activities have been responsible for the position of prestige Sandusky holds as a manufacturing and industrial center of Northern Ohio, A. W. Link is entitled to more than passing mention. His career was started when he was still a lad. and with only ordinary advantages he has worked his own way to prominence and independent financial circumstances. He was born in the city in which he now lives, September 22, 1863, and is a son of Erhart Link. who was an early settler of Erie County and for sixty years resided here, being engaged principally in the cooperage business. He died in 1906, having reared a family of ten children.
A. W. Link received only a common school education and was but twelve years of age when he began to contribute to the support of the family through his earnings as a laborer. Ile subsequently served an apprenticeship to the moulder's trade in a foundry at Sandusky, and after he had mastered his trade and had some experience therein ho went to Cleveland, Ohio, remained there eight years and then went to Buffalo, New York, and became foreman of the Lake Erie Engineering Works. One year later he went to Erie, Pennsylvania, where for ten years he was superintendent of the Erie Foundry, and in September. 1904, returned to his native place and organized and established the Bay View Foundry Company, of which he has since been president and general manager. This institution turns ont a high grade of grey iron castings and in addition operates a first class pattern establishment. Mr. Link was also one of the organizers of the Vim Motor Company, of which he is still a stockholder, and for six years was the president of this Sandusky concern. In each of his several undertakings he has shown his capacity for executive labors and the enterprises with which he has been connected have always borne a high reputation in business circles. Mr. Link's fraternal affiliations ineInde membership in the Masons, in which he has attained to the council degree, in the Knights of Pythias and in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Hle belongs also to the Com-
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mercial Travelers Association of the State of Ohio. He is a member and director and for six years has held the clerkship of the Baptist Church, and belongs also to the Baraca class.
On April 31, 1890, Mr. Link was married to Miss Elizabeth Schaub, the daughter of Jacob S. Schaub, who was an early settler of Erie County, and to this union there have been born five children: Wilma K., Oliver P., Viola E., Irene L. and Ethel M.
JAMES FLYNN, SR. One of the oldest business men in Sandusky is James Flynn, Sr. In the course of the past forty or fifty years his name has been closely associated with many of the leading enterprises in that city. He compiled the first complete set of abstract records covering Erie County, and for many years has been at the head of the Erie County Investment Company. The people have always had absolute confidence in James Flynn, and he has more than justified it. His entire career is a lesson in self-reliance, industry and integrity.
Born July 4, 1849, in Buffalo, New York, he is a son of John and Mary (Purcell ) Flynn. His father, a native of Ireland, came to America with his family in 1846, and spent the first three years in the City of Buffalo. After living in other places he came to Sandusky in 1850. Hle was a millwright, carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that orcu- pation industriously to provide for his growing family until his death in 1869. He was one of the early carpenters and builders in Erie County, and among other examples of his work there might be mentioned the old West Hotel. In his time he was regarded as one of the best mechanics the county had, and he constructed a number of buildings in the City of Sandusky, a few of which are still standing in mute testimony to his skill. IIe was the father of a family of five children, three of whom are still living.
James Flynn, Sr., as a boy had none of the advantages which are conferred by wealth, and it was not his privilege even to secure a fair education. He never went to school after reaching the age of twelve, but sailed until thirty years of age. He laborionsly learned to read and write, and by constant practice, by observation, and by experience has always been regarded as a well informed business man. It is action rather than knowledge that counts, and above all Mr. Flynn has been a man of action. His first regular work was done in a wheel shop in Sandusky, and his wages were eighteen cents a day. Later he became a sailor, and during 1864-65 was employed on Johnson's Island while that island was used by the Federal Government and cooked for a gang of 110 men.
In this and other ways he showed his ability, and when thirty years of age he was elected recorder of Erie County. He served six years, and kept the office in a routine of efficiency that completely justified the confidence of the people who elected him. Mr. Flynn has always been a stanch democrat.
After retiring from the recorder's office he compiled a complete set of abstracts for Erie County, and then organized the Erie Abstract & Investment Company. He vigorously continued that business under that title until 1904. when he organized and incorporated the Erie County Investment Company, of which he has since been president and treasurer. His son, James Flym, Jr., is secretary.
This is only one of the various enterprises in Sandusky with which he has been identified. He was president of the American Banking & Trust Company for eight years and is now a director. The Erie County Investment Company conducts a large business not only in abstracts but in bonds and in fire insurance. He was one of the organizers and
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promoters of the Cleveland and Sandusky Brewery and organized and promoted the Dayton Brewery Company, and has employed the energy and a part of the capital to various other undertakings.
Mr. Flynn is affiliated with Perseverance Lodge No. 329, F. & A. MI., at Sandusky, with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Pro- teetive Order of Elks. On May 1, 1886, he married, in Erie County, Miss Margaret Moos. Of their three children two are now living: James F., Jr., who is now prosecuting attorney for Erie County ; and Lucile, nineteen years of age, at home.
FERDINAND J. BING. One of the most popular of the county officials of Erie County is Ferdinand J. Bing, clerk of the Common Pleas Court. Having been born and reared in Erie County, he has been known by local eitizens all his life, and everything he has done has reflected eredit upon his energy, efficiency and honesty.
He was born April 15, 1882, a son of William and Barbara (Keenie ) Bing. His father was also born in Sandusky, and the maternal line came originally from Baden, Germany. William Bing was for many years an active figure in local business circles, first as a carriage manu- facturer and later as an ice dealer. Ile died March 8, 1911.
Ferdinand J. Bing was fourth in a family of seven children, and grew up at Sandusky, attended the grammar schools, followed by a course in the Sandusky Business College, and began his actual business praetiee in association with his father. Ile continued with his father in the ice business until 1908, at which time his father retired, and then, with his brother, the enterprise was continued under the name Bing Lake Ice Company. In 1913 that business was sold and about a year later, in 1914, Mr. Bing was elected to his present office as clerk of the Common Pleas Court of Erie County.
Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Sandusky Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, is a member of the Sandusky Ad Club, and in politics is a loyal republican, and has considerable influence in party affairs. On August 30, 1906, in Butler County, Ohio, Mr. Bing married Miss Amelia Wittman. They are the parents of two children: Ferdinand W., born August 14, 1907, and now in school; and Virginia B., born January 15, 1912.
CHESTER C. HAND. It is as a veteran in railroading eireles that Chester C. Hand is best known in Sandusky. Mr. Hand has for several years been superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Docks at San- dusky, and it goes without question among those who know him best that his work has been performed with an efficiency that has meant the highest degree of service and has kept him year after year in this im- portant responsibility.
A native son of Erie County, Chester C. Hand was born August 19, 1860, a son of lleman and Esther (Clary) Hand. His father, a native of New York State, came west some time during the decade of the '40s and located in Erie County, where, after a short time spent in farming. he took up the life of a sailor on the Great Lakes. For a number of years he was captain on a sailing vessel, and spent forty years in the lake marine.
Chester C. Hand, who was the youngest in the family, was educated in the public schools of Sandusky and completed a course in the Sandusky Business College. His first work was done as a printer, and for fourteen years he gained a more than passing acquaintance with the publishing business and most of those engaged in the newspaper profession at
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Sandusky. During this fourteen years he was foreman with the San- dusky Register. He left that to take up railroad work with the Columbus & Sandusky Short Line Railroad. He served in the engineering depart- ment as superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Docks, and later as station agent and yard master, but in 1905 was restored to his former position as superintendent of the docks and now for ten years has steadily looked after the management of these large and valuable properties at Sandusky.
In religion Mr. Hand is a Catholic, is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and in polities is a republican. He was married, in Erie County, to Miss Hannah O'Neal, a daughter of Dennis O'Neal. They are the parents of two children: Esther N. and Donald N.
EDWARD LEA MARSII. A member of a pioneer family of Erie County and one given to valuable and practical accomplishment, Edward Lea Marsh is by inheritance and training well equipped for the responsible position he holds in the business world of Northern Ohio. He belongs to the new and progressive class of business men, a departure from the accepted type of former years, having a degree of adaptability and public spirit seldom associated with his prototype of several decades ago. Ile relieves the arid and somewhat unchangeable routine of his labor with participation in politics, public life and society, in all of which he wields a sane and progressive influence.
Mr. Marsh was born at Sandusky, November 23, 1879, and is a son of E. H. Marsh, one of the early pioneers of Erie County, where he still resides. Edward L. Marsh received his early education in the public schools of Sandusky, following which he was sent to Saint Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, for his preparatory work, and subsequently to Yale University, where he was duly graduated. He began his career as a clerk in the establishment of Marsh & Company, Sandusky, of which his father was the head, serving three years in that capacity and then, June 1. 1907. being elected secretary and treasurer of the Bay View Foundry Company, offices which he still retains. He is likewise president of the Lea Realty Company, secretary and treasurer of the Marsh- Brightman Nut Company, and a director in the Citizens Banking Com- pany, the Davis Boat Works Company and the Easiest Way Manufactur- ing Company. Mr. Marsh was formerly a director in the Lincoln Stove Company, and an organizer of the Gypsum Canning Company, of Gyp- sum, Ohio. He is also a member of the Cleveland Engineering Society, a member of the Berzelius Trust Association of Yale University, trustee of the Sandusky Federated Commercial Club and chairman of the indus- trial department, and vice president and director of the Sandusky Industrial Development Co.
At present Mr. Marsh is serving as a member of the Sandusky Board of Health. and as a member of that body is assisting other forceful and publie-spirited citizens to maintain the health and sanitation of the municipality and its people. 1Ie was one of the charter commissioners who drafted the municipal charter of the ('ity of Sandusky, and in every movement of any importance has given freely and generously of his services and abilities. For a number of years a stalwart republican, when the split came in 1912 he transferred his allegiance to Colonel Roosevelt and the new progressive party and in that year was a candi- date for the office of elector on the so-called Moose ticket. For some years he has been a member of the Commercial Travelers' Association of the State of Ohio. ITis religious faith is that of the Episcopal Church, and at the present time is a member of the vestry of Grace Church, where he has been junior warder for three years and formerly vestryman Vol. 11-44
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for ten years and director of the choir for three years. He has done much for charity and is now treasurer of the board of managers of the Good Samaritan Hospital. The children have always had a loyal and inter- ested friend in Mr. Marsh, who is now treasurer of Sandusky Troop of the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Marsh was married October 15, 1902, to Miss Elizabeth D. G. Moss, who was born at Sandusky and was educated in the public schools of this city and at Miss Capen's School at Northampton, Massachusetts. Mrs. Marsh is one of the leaders in social and charitable circles of San- dusky, and is now acting vice president of the advisory board of the Good Samaritan Hospital. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Marsh: Elizabeth Griswold, Edward Lea. Jr .. and Caroline Lane.
EDWARD M. VIETMEIER. When he came to Sandusky, in 1905, Edward M. Vietmeier brought with him a wealth of experience, sound and thorough training, and a knowledge of the lumber business exeelled by few men known to the trade in Ohio. IIe had held positions of import- anee with concerns of consequence, was abont ready to enter business on his own account and was fully equipped in every way to successfully condnet an enterprise, and accordingly was hailed as a valuable addition to commercial circles. The years that have passed since his arrival have seen his development into one of the foremost men in his line in the city. and at present he is proprietor of the Sandusky Sash. Door and Lumber Company, a concern of considerable importanee and magnitude.
Mr. Vietmeier was born December 8, 1861, at Newark, Lieking County, Ohio, and is a son of Ilenry J. and Martha ( Rieger ) Viet- meier. llis father, a native of Germany, came as a young man to America, landing at New Orleans, from whence he made his way to Cineinnati, and thenee to Newark, Ohio. He passed the remaining years of his life there, and followed the trade of tailor, being a man of considerable ability, industry and thrift, as well as a citizen who had the respect and esteem of the people of his community. While he did not amass a fortune, he won a satisfying competence, reared his family in comfortable circumstances and gave his children good educational advantages.
The eighth in order of birth of his parents' fourteen children. Edward M. Vietmeier was educated in the parochial and high schools of Newark, where he was reared. Later he took a business course at the Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at the age of twenty years began his business career there and engaged in the insur- ance business. One year in this line convinced Mr. Vietmeier that it was neither a congenial nor a profitable field of endeavor for him, and he accordingly transferred his attention to the lumber and sawmill business at Brookville, Pennsylvania. From Brookville he went to Tar- rentum, Pennsylvania, as manager of a retail coneern. He subsequently entered the wholesale business at Pittsburgh, being vice president of the J. M. Hastings Lumber Company, wholesale lumber dealers of Pitts- burgh. In the interests of this firm Mr. Vietmeier eame to Sandusky in 1905 as general manager of the business they had purchased from the J. S. Bennett Lumber Co. In this capacity he remained until 1913. when, ready to enter business on his own account, and the oppor- tunity presenting itself, he engaged in the trade by buying out the Hastings interests. Since that time he has operated under the style of Sandusky Sash, Door and Lumber Company. In addition to sash, doors and interior finish he handles lumber, lath and shingles, and has a steady and persistent call for his entire output at Sandusky and in the surrounding towns and villages. He has a modern planing mill and
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warehouse and well appointed offices on Water Street, west of the Big Four Depot. where he has every facility for turning out a high grade of work. Few men in the lumber trade have more friends or are better known than Mr. Vietmeier, whose reputation as a business man of the strictest integrity is firmly established. Aside from his own particular enterprise he is interested elsewhere, being president and director of the J. J. Snider Lumber Company, of Columbus, Ohio, to the affairs of which he devotes one day each week; a director in the New Steelton Lumber Company, of that city, and a director of the Sun Lumber Company at Mount Vernon, Ohio. Mr. Vietmeier is a great lover of the horse and has been the owner of several animals, among them a number of racers in which Mr. Vietmeier has taken a quiet delight. One of his best known horses is "Precious Creseens," with a trotting record of 2:1514. As a citizen Mr. Vietmeier has always been foremost in supporting good and publie-spirited movements in which the eivic welfare is at stake.
On June 11, 1889, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr. Vietmeier was mited in marriage with Miss Mary A. McCann, and they have become the parents of four children, of whom three are living at this time: Mary F., who is now the wife of Dr. L. F. Meyers, a practicing dentist of Sandusky, Ohio; Edward Hastings, who is a student at the Ohio State University ; and Martha M., who is attending the Sandusky High School. Mr. Vietmeier is a member of Sandusky Lodge, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; of the Sandusky Order of Fraternal Order of Eagles: the Knights of Columbus; the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association.
EDWARD L. COEN. A prominent figure in Ohio banking affairs, and one specially influential in the furtheranee of financial and other busi- ness activities in Erie County is Edward L. Coen, who has been the chief executive of The Erie County Banking Company of Vermilion during the entire period of its existence. He was formerly cashier of this solid and well ordered banking institution, and is now its first vice president. The greater part of his time and attention is still given to the direction of this bank, one of the best in Erie County.
Born in Fountain County, Indiana, January 24, 1864, Edward L. Coen is a son of William S. and Caroline ( Hosler) Coen, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. His mother died in 1886. His father, now in venerable years, lives at Rensselaer, the county seat of Jasper County, Indiana, and celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday in 1915. His active years were given to agriculture and stock growing and he has long been a well known and honored citizen of Jasper County. The grandfather, John Coen, was an early settler in the State of Ohio.
Edward L. Coen was abont three years old when his parents removed from Fountain County to Jasper County, Indiana, the new family home being a farm in Marion Township near Rensselaer. Thus he had the fine and wholesome discipline of the country during his boyhood and youth. His early edneational advantages were those of the public schools of his home township and the high school at Rensselaer. He was a good student, made the most of his opportunities, and on reaching high school he did some very promising work for four years as a teacher in the country schools of his home county.
Soon after he reached his majority he went to Southwestern Kansas, and for nearly four years was engaged in the real estate and farm loan business. Ile was also one of the progressive citizens who founded the Town of Bucklin. Ford County, Kansas, during the late '80s. After leaving Kansas Mr. Coen spent a year in the general offices of the
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Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad in Chicago, and in April, 1891, came to Erie County, Ohio.
Ilere he effected the organization of The Erie County Bank of Vermilion. The following year this institution was incorporated as a state bank and the present title of The Erie County Banking Company was adopted. From that time to the present the practical management of the bank has devolved upon Mr. Coen, who is in many ways an exemplary banker and an expert financier. When the bank was organ- ized he became cashier, a position he held until 1911. Since 1909 he has been first vice president, and has given the bank the benefit of his broad experience even after resigning his post as cashier.
Mr. Coen is also a recognized leader in Ohio banking eireles. From 1907 to 1910 he served as secretary-treasurer of Group No. 6, and from 1910 to 1913 as chairman of' Group No. 6 in the Ohio Bankers' Asso- ciation. During his term as group chairman he was also a member of the council of administration and served as its chairman during 1913. He served as vice president of the Ohio Bankers' Association in 1914 and was honored as president of the association for the year 1915.
Ile was also the primary force in effecting the organization and incorporation of the Vermilion Telephone Company, of which he has been president and director since its organization. He is also a director and treasurer of the Gallia Telephone Company at Gallipolis in Gallia County.
Broad minded, liberal and public spirited, as a citizen Mr. Coen has always been found ready to give his co-operation and support to measures and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of his home city and connty. He has served fifteen years as a member of the Vermilion Board of Education, of which board he has been president for several years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he and his wife are varit members of the Congregational Church in their home city. For fully twenty years he has served as a member of its board of trustees and has been chairman of the board a greater portion of the time. His course has been in all respects guided and governed by the highest principles of integrity, and this fact, combined with his unfailing courtesy and consideration, has gained him the high regard of his home community and of all with whom he has otherwise come in contact in a business or social way.
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