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 112
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Samuel Truscott, Jr., was seven years of age at the time of his father's death and soon afterward accompanied his widowed mother on her removal to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was reared and educated and where he continued to reside until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years, his birth having occurred in the year 1823. He long held prece- dence as one of the most prominent and influential contractors and builders in Ohio's beautiful metropolis and was concerned with the erection of many of its finest publie and private buildings prior to the Civil war. He was recognized as the leading contractor and builder of Cleveland and was an honored and influential eitizen whose life was ordered upon the highest plane of integrity and usefulness. He was
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the discoverer of the process of manufacturing ready-mixed paints for architectural and similar purposes and was the first to make practical application of the same, his effective enterprise in this line of manu- facturing enabling him to become one of the substantial capitalists of Cleveland. In that city was solemnized his marriage to Miss Eliza Waite, who was born and reared in Cuyahoga County, the year of her nativity having been the same as that of her husband, 1823, and her age at the time of death having been seventy-two years. Iler father, Philander Waite, was born near the mouth of the celebrated Hoosac Tunnel, in Massachusetts, and after his marriage he came with his wife from the old Bay State to Ohio and became one of the pioneer settlers of Cuyahoga County, where he reclaimed and improved a valuable farm and where he and his wife died when well advanced in years.
William H. Truscott, to whom this review is dedicated, was reared to adult age in the City of Cleveland and was afforded the advantages of its publie schools. As a young man he there became associated with his father in the manufacturing of mixed paints, and for several years after the death of his father he individually continued the business, under the former firm name of S. Truscott & Son. The enterprise finally expanded to such proportions as to place too heavy a burden of responsi- bility upon him, and he thereupon sold his interest in the business and became a commercial representative for another important concern engaged in the same line of enterprise. For many years he continued his efficient services in this capacity, and his travels in the connection took him into every state in the Union.
In 1905 Mr. Truscott retired from active association with hnsiness affairs and removed with his wife to the latter's old home, at Birming- ham, Erie County. Mrs. Truscott, whose maiden name was Helen Starr, was born in the ancestral homestead in which she now resides, and during the course of somewhat more than fifty years she has never abated her interest in the old home and in Erie County and its people. for this homestead and this section of the state are endeared to her through many gracious memories and associations. She is a woman of distinctive culture and is a recognized leader in connection with repre- sentative social activities in her native county. Her father, the late Iliram P. Starr, was born, more than ninety-five years ago, on the old farmstead on a part of which the Village of Birmingham is situated, and the place of his nativity was the pioneer dwelling erected by his father, Perez Iliram Starr, who was born in New London, Connecticut. about the year 1790, and a number of whose aneestors and other kinsmen were patriot soldiers of the Continental line in the War of the Revolu- tion, the Starr family having been established in America for fully four- teen generations.
Perez Hiram Starr came from Connecticut to Cuyahoga County. Ohio, in 1808, and was a contemporary of Moses Cleveland, the honored pioneer in whose honor the City of Cleveland was named. Mr. Starr thus became one of the early settlers of the historie old Connecticut Western Reserve in Ohio and he established his home in the wilds near the present City of Cleveland, near the celebrated old Moravian colony and in a section where the Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers. On the banks of Tinker's Creek he built and placed in operation the first grist mill in Eastern Ohio, the timber for its erection having been taken from the heavily wooded traet of land which he had obtained in that part of Cuyahoga County. The old-time buhr-stones for the mill were transported with ox teams and wagons from New Lon- don, Connectient, and it may readily be understood that a number of weeks were required to make the long overland journey, much of which was through the wilderness. Ilis was the first grist mill erected within
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the limits of the Western Reserve, and one of the stones installed in the same is now preserved, with proper inscription, in the Public Square of the City of Cleveland, constituting an historic relie of much interest and value.
In 1813 Perez Hiram Starr came to the site of the present Village of Birmingham, Erie County, prior to the famous victory won by Com- modore Perry in the naval battle on Lake Erie, in the War of 1812, and he was one of the very first settlers in this section of the county, his primitive loghouse having been the first dwelling erected in what is now Florence Township. On the Vermilion River he erected the first grist mill in Erie County, and this ancient mill was within the present limits of the Village of Birmingham. At Elyria Mr. Starr erected the first mill within the present limits of Lorain County, and he built also the first mill at Ashland, the present judicial center of the county of the same name. As a practical and skilled millwright he supervised the building and operation of all these mills, and he was known and honored as one of the leading men of this part of the state. His father died as a result of injuries received while serving as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in recognition of this service, as well as of losses he had sus- tained in connection with the devastation wrought by Benedict Arnold in New London, Connecticut, there was awarded to the father a grant of land in Ohio, the portion which came into the possession of the son, Perez Iliram, being along the west side of Vermilion River, in what is now Florenee Township, Erie County. Mr. Starr was one of the most prolific contributors to the initial development and upbuilding of this section of the county and in his old homestead at Birmingham he con- tinued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1856, his wife. Nancy, surviving him by several years and likewise having attained to venerable age.
Hiram P. Starr, father of Mrs. Truscott, was reared to maturity in Erie County, under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days, and the self-application and broad practical experience of later years eminently supplemented the somewhat meager educational advantages which he received in his youth, by reason of the definite exigencies of time and place. Tle retained 170 acres of the old homestead place of his father and for many years he was a successful commercial traveler. a vocation through the medium of which he profited largely and gained high reputation. In the fine old home that had long been his place of abode he passed to the life eternal in May, 1895. He was a man of strong mentality and steadfast integrity, was influential in public affairs in his community, and in the critical period prior to the Civil war both he and his father acted as "conductors" on the historie "underground railway" through the medium of which many poor slaves were aided in gaining their freedom. ITis political support was given to the repub- liean party from the time of its organization until his death.
At Norwalk, Huron County, was solemnized the marriage of Iliram P. Starr to Miss Ann J. Page, who was born and reared in that county and who died in 1865, in the old home at Birmingham, to which she eame as a young bride. She was a representative of an old and promi- nent New York family, a comprehensive and interesting genealogical his- tory of which has been compiled and published. Of the two children Mrs. Truscott is the younger, and the elder is Perez H., who resides in the City of Toledo, his one child, Ray, having died at the age of eighteen years.
Mrs. Truscott is well known throughout the county in which she was born and in which she is a popular representative of one of the most. honored of pioneer families. She is affiliated with the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is prominent in the social
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life of the community, the while she is the gracious chatelaine of the beautiful old homestead that has ever been known for its generous hospi- tality and distinctive refinement. Mr. and Mrs. Truseott have but one child, and his character and achievement have brought honor to him and great pride to his devoted parents. This son, Starr Truscott, was grad- nated in the University of Michigan, in 1909, as a naval architeet, and within a short period after his graduation he entered the employ of the Newport News Shipbuilding Company, at Newport News, Virginia. Later he was associated in turn with shipbuilding companies in the cities of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Cleveland, Ohio, and in June, 1913, he was sent to the Isthmus of Panama to superintend the construction of a great caisson in front of the locks of the wonderful canal being there constructed by the United States Government. He successfully completed the work thus assigned to him, and thereafter he designed and planned the 400-pontoon bridge that was constructed across the canal under his direction, this being the only bridge thus constructed. Later he was appointed engineer of docks and wharves for the Canal Zone, a position of which he has since continued the able and valued incumbent. He is a young man of great mathematical, mechanical and scientific ability and is affiliated with many important professional and scientifie organizations, including the National Geo- graphical Society, the American Society of Naval Architects, and the National Society of Marine Engineers.
Mr. and Mrs. Truscott have in their home many valued and interest- ing heirlooms, including an ancient elock and many pieces of furniture that are more than 100 years old. The family history of each of them is of special historie interest, and it has been a pleasure to compile even the brief narration possible to present in a publication of the circum- scribed province of the one here presented.
AUGUST FETTEL. For more than thirty years one of the leading con- tractors in the City of Sandusky has been August Fettel. Ile is a man who thoroughly understands his business. He was a practical carpenter before he took up contracting. Many large contracts have been entrusted to him, and in their performance he has acqured a reputation for reli- ability and thoroughness and this reputation is as valuable to him as the capital invested in his plant and equipment.
Ile was born June 15, 1856, in Sandusky, a son of Martin and Catherine (Baner) Fettel. His father, a native of Germany, came to America in 1849, locating in Sandusky, where he followed his trade as blacksmith. Hle came to this country with one brother. Martin Fettel died in 1875. Of his eight children five are still living.
The second in order of birth, August Fettel had only the advantages of a limited education. At the age of fourteen he began learning the trade of a carpenter. For nine years he worked in that vocation for one employer, Adam Feick. Then in 1882 he engaged in business for him- self as a contractor and builder, and has since constructed some of the best public, business and private edifices in Sandusky and vicinity. Ile built the Cedar Point Pavilion, the Colonial Hotel at Put-in-Bay, and many ornate and conspicuous residences and public buildings.
Mr. Fettel is one of the splendid citizens of Sandusky, active socially and in business circles, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the National Union. is a republican, and served four years as a member of the city council. He was president and treasurer of the old Turner Society when it was in existence.
On November 29, 1877, in Erie County, Mr. Fettel married Miss Augusta Rupprecht. The seven children born to them with dates of
Ang & Fittel
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birth are: William J., June 30, 1878; Oscar R., July 15, 1880; Bertha A., August 31, 1882; Caroline M., January 5, 1885; Hedwick, December 11, 1892; Alma, January 8, 1894; and Laura C., July 26, 1898.
WILLIAM F. BURGER. For a number of years Mr. Burger has taken an active part in business and civic affairs of that section of Erie County known as Kelley's Island. Ile is a native son of that district, and now has one of the largest stores on the island and is the leading undertaker and embalmer.
His birth occurred September 11, 1864, not long after his parents, John and Christina (Dosterheft) Burger, had established their home on Kelley's Island. Ilis father was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1859, locating first at Blackswan, Ohio, where he was employed as a general laborer. In 1862 he moved to Kelley's Island and became identified with one of the chief industries of the locality, grape culture. He devoted the rest of his life to that business and died in 1877. He was the father of a family of four children, of whom three survive.
The oldest, William F. Burger, received his early education in the public schools of Kelley's Island and also attended Cleveland College three years. He laid the foundation of his business career as a clerk for Mr. Elfers, in whose employ he remained fifteen years, and not only proved himself worthy of confidence and trust but gradually acquired a working capital of his own. Later he spent a short time in Cleve- land, and then returned to Kelley's Island, where he engaged in busi- ness for himself as a general merchant. Since then he has added a department as an embalmer and undertaker, and has all the equipment and individual skill required to furnish a first-class service.
Mr. Burger is affiliated with the Masonie lodge and with the Knights of the Maccabees. Ile has been a member of the Board of Education of Kelley's Island for ten years, was clerk of the village four years, and is now a member of the Committee of Overseers of the Kelley's Island Cemetery, the overseers being appointed by the city council. On June 19, 1895, Mr. Burger married Miss Christina Ernst. Her father was Conrad Ernst of Cleveland. They have one son, William F., Jr., born January 19, 1904.
ALVIN SHOOP. To see how a progressive fruit grower gets the best results from his land and trees it is only necessary to visit the home- stead of Alvin Shoop in Vermilion Township, on Rural Ronte No. 2 out of Huron postoffice. Ile carried on fruit farming in the same thorough and systematie manner that a merchant would run a successful store, or a factory owner would operate his machines and his labor.
The name Shoop is one of long standing and honorable associations in Erie County. Alvin Shoop was born on the Dutch Settlement Road in Vermilion Township, April 29, 1858. He grew up and has always lived in this township with the exception of five years spent in Hancock County, Ohio, where he was a general farmer. His home has been at Joppa Corners since 1900, when he bought the Daniel Minkler farm, comprising twenty acres of highly improved land. On this Mr. Shoop conducts a 2-aere vineyard, the average yield of which each year is five tons of grapes, noted for quality, and particularly the high per- centage of sugar. He is also an extensive grower of small fruits, and now has an orehard of 700 bearing peach trees and ninety-nine apple trees not yet come into fruitage. He has neglected nothing to make his land productive to the highest degree. Among other things he has tile drained seven acres of his land, having laid about 10,000 tiles. His large barn covers a foundation 24x48 feet, and he has an excellent
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residence of six rooms and basement, set in the midst of a beautiful lawn.
Mr. Shoop is the eldest of the three children of the late George Shoop and wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Driver. George Shoop was born and reared in Vermilion Township, followed farming there, and died when only twenty-two years of age. His wife, Sarah Driver Shoop, was born in the State of Delaware, but came to Ohio when a young girl, and is now living with her son, Sherman Shoop, in Ver- milion Township. She is now nearly eighty-four years of age.
Mr. Alvin Shoop was married at Joppa Corners to Miss Ellie Lee. She was born in the same township and has spent her life within a brief radius from her birthplace. Iler parents are Thomas and Olive (Mink- ler) Lee, the former a native of Maryland and the latter born and reared on the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Shoop. Mr. and Mrs. Lee after their marriage were prosperous farmers of Erie County until they retired, and they now live at Berlin Heights, being past seventy years of age. Mr. Lee is a republican in politics.
There are four children in the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Shoop. Elmer, who is a farmer and fruit grower at Ogontz, married Lottie Hill, and they are the parents of two sons and three daughters. Hattie is the wife of Michael Quinlan, formerly of Cleveland but now living at Elyria, Ohio. Lawson was reared and educated in the Joppa neigh- borhood, attended the district schools there, and the older children also received their education from the same schools. He is now living at home. The youngest child is Lucile, aged sixteen, and she recently completed the public school course. Mr. and Mrs. Shoop attend church at Joppa, and in politics he is a democrat.
JOHN H. MCALEER. The field in which Mr. MeAleer has gained sub- stantial position in business affairs is that of contracting for plastering and stucco work. That has been his business for thirty-five years at Sandusky, and he has made a success that is by no means local. He has taken contracts and successfully performed them all over Erie County and other sections of Northern Ohio. He is one of Sandusky's solid and upright business men.
He was born in Erie County, February 6, 1853, a son of Patrick and Mary E. (Brennan) MeAleer. His father, a native of Ireland. eame to America in 1844 and located in Sandusky when that city was little more than a village. He too was a plasterer and worked at his trade all his life until his death in 1901.
John II. McAleer, who is the second in a family of three children, received his early education in the parochial schools of St. Paul and St. Peter's Church at Sandusky, and at the age of seventeen gained his first practical experience in the world as a sailor on the Great Lakes. For two years he was identified with several lake boats, and then returned home and began working for his father in the plastering trade. In 1874 he entered the employ of E. D. Lindsey, a plasterer contractor, and while thus employed he assisted in plastering the Erie County courthouse. Under the employment of Mr. Lindsey he was sent to Mansfield, Ohio, and continued in his service until the fall of 1879. Coming back to Sandusky, in 1880. Mr. MeAleer engaged in business for himself as a contraetor in plastering and stueco work. That has been his line for thirty-five years, and to it he has given all his energy and capability, and his work has stood the test of time and service.
Mr. MeAleer resides in a very attractive home on Central Avenue. HIe is a member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and has been a liberal contributor not only
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to his own church but to all worthy enterprises and philanthropies in the city and county. He has served as a member of the board of publie service in Sandusky, for five years was a member of the Sandusky Park Board, and has taken an active part in the democratic party.
On June 4, 1883, in Erie County, he married Miss Jennie Moody, a daughter of Charles and Martha Moody, of Vermilion, Ohio. Mrs. MeAleer died January 28, 1915, leaving no children. But they raised a child from the age of about five years, Chester Wood, who adopted the name of MeAleer on his own account. He makes his home with Mr. McAleer.
CHARLES F. MISCHLER. Of the industries which have contributed to the importance and prestige of the City of Sandusky, one which has a leading place is that connected with its fisheries. In fact, this city is one of the chief fresh water fish markets of the world, and it is not surprising therefore to find among its leading men those who have entered into this line of endeavor. Among these men is found Charles F. Mischler, who has been engaged as a fish dealer for many years and who is now at the head of an important enterprise that has been built up under his personal supervision.
Mr. Mischler was born July 15, 1870, at Ripley, Brown County. Ohio, and is a son of Angust and Isabella (Sterner) Mischler. His father, a native of Germany, was still a youth when he emigrated to the United States, coming with a brother. Wendell W., with whom he sub- sequently embarked in the brewing business at Ripley. With native thrift and industry he was able to build up an enterprise that was a factor of importance in the business life of Ripley during its day, and with which Mr. Mischler continued to be connected until his death in 1882. Ile was a good and substantial citizen, reared a family of five children in comfortable circumstances and gave them good educational advantages, and won the respect and esteem of his fellowmen by a life of integrity and honorable dealing.
Charles F. Mischler was the second of his parents' children and received an ordinary education in the public schools of Ripley. He was only ten years of age when he began to display his enterprise and ambi- tion, securing employment in a sawmill at Ripley, and subsequently worked in a minor capacity in a foundry at that place for 216 years. When he was fifteen years old he went to Cincinnati, where he obtained a position in the well known wholesale grocery honse of G. H. Much- kenk & Son, but finally turned his attention to the fish business, becoming associated with Capt. Stephen Rice as a wholesaler and retailer, with a store on Sixth Street. Sandusky. Mr. Mischler continued to be so connected until the year 1898, when the business was sold and the partnership dissolved, he then accepting an offer from A. Booth & Company, the well known fish house. This concern, of which Mr. Mischler was purchasing agent, failed in 1908. but in the following year was reorganized as the Booth Fisheries Company, with headquarters at Chicago, and Mr. Mischler continued as purchasing agent for Lake Erie. In this position he was remarkably successful, but was always desirous of re-entering business as the proprietor of a business of his own. He resigned his position and embarked in an enterprise under the name of C. F. Mischler, an enterprise which has grown to large proportions under his careful and energetic management. He is connected with various other enterprises of a business character and is president of the Lake Erie Drv Dock Company.
Mr. Mischler has always taken a keen interest in anything affecting the welfare of the city of his adoption and has been a leader in civic affairs. For several years a member of the city council of Sandusky.
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he was acting in the capacity of president of that body at the time the present city charter was adopted. In 1913 he was made the republican randidate for the office of mayor of Sandusky, but after one of the closest political fights in the history of the city met with defeat by the narrow margin of six votes. Mr. Mischler is an active and working member of the Federated Commercial Club and of the United Commercial Travelers, and fraternally holds membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles and has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry.
MAJ. CLINTON B. WILCOX. For more than half a century the name Wilcox has had a significance and distinction in Sandusky's business affairs. Clinton B. Wilcox is president of one of the large mercantile houses in the upbuilding of which his father and also his uncle before him were prominent factors ; and furthermore, has for many years been identified with the gas and electric industries and with many local affairs, both business, social and political.
Born at Sandusky April II, 1866, Clinton B. Wilcox is a son of Edward Harmon and Sophia ( Sprague) Wilcox. His father, who was also born in Ohio and died in 1886, spent most of his life in mercantile affairs in Sandusky. On coming to that city in 1847 he found employ- ment as clerk in the firm of L. S. & S. E. Hubbard. His fidelity and industry brought him a position as partner in the firm, which was first known as Hubbard & Wilcox and later as Marsh & Wilcox. Edward H. Wilcox and his brother subsequently engaged in business under the firm name of E. H. & R. M. Wilcox. On the death of Edward H. Wilcox in 1886 his son C. B. Wilcox entered the firm, which then took the title of R. M. & C. B. Wilcox. At the death of R. M. Wilcox his son, M. S. Wilcox, took his place. In 1902 the company was incorporated as the R. M. & C. B. Wilcox Company, and its present officials are: Maj. C. B. Wilcox, president : W. F. Koegle, viee president ; and Merritt S. Wilcox. secretary and treasurer.
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