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 39
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shown appreciable expansion under his effective administration and he has gained secure prestige as one of the representative men of affairs in the thriving little eity of IIuron, where he has been the incumbent of his present managerial position since 1907 and where he is known as an alert, progressive business man of mature judgment.
The Fries estate succeeded to the ownership of the lumber business long controlled by the Wickham Lumber Company, one of the oldest and best known concerns in this line of enterprise in Erie County, and the enterprise has been conducted under its present auspices since 1903. In addition to dealing in all kinds of lumber and building supplies, includ- ing brick, eement, plaster, etc., the controlling estate operates a well equipped planing mill, the plant being situated on the banks of and near the mouth of the Iluron River, so that the best of shipping facilities are controlled in connection with marine service on the Great Lakes.
Mr. Bailey was born in Norwalk Township, Huron County, Ohio, on the 11th of September, 1871, and he was there reared to adult age, in the meanwhile having availed himself fully of the advantages of the pub- lie schools, including the high school in the city of Norwalk. In his youth he there learned the trades of plumber and tinsmith, and finally he en- gaged in the plumbing and tinning business at Norwalk, as a member of the firm of Gfell & Bailey, his practical apprenticeship having been served in the establishment of the Butt & Peck Hardware Company. After an alliance that continued six years Mr. Bailey withdrew from the firm of Gfell & Bailey and since that time the enterprise has been con- tinued under the title of Gfell & Company. One year after retiring from the firm mentioned Mr. Bailey came to Huron, where he has since been actively associated with the supervision of the lumber business of the Valentine Fries estate, his present office being that of general manager.
Mr. Bailey is a scion of a sterling pioneer family of Ohio, within whose gracious borders his grandfather. Charles Bailey, was born and reared, the entire active life of the honored grandsire having been passed in Huron County, where he followed the vocation of painter and where he died when about seventy years of age. He was a republican in his proclivities and as a member of an Ohio regiment he served as a valiant soldier of the Union army during virtually the entire period of the Civil war. The maiden name of his wife was Curtis and she was like- wise about seventy years of age at the time of death, she having survived her honored husband by several years. Mrs. Bailey was born in one of the primitive log cabin homes of the pioneer era in the history of Huron County, where her parents settled in an early day, when that section was little more than a forest wilderness and when the Indians were still much in evidence. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bailey the following brief record is given: Nelson, father of the sub- jeet of this review, is the eldest; George still continues his residence in Erie County and is the father of six children; Susan became the wife of Jasper Curtis, who is survived by their two daughters, and after his death she became the wife of Charles Coleman, their residence being now at Miami, Florida, where Mr. Coleman is engaged in the propagating of grapefruit and other citrus fruits, no children having been born of this union ; Charles is a bachelor and his present place of abode is unknown to other members of the family.
Nelson Bailey was born in Norwalk Township, Huron County, March 1, 1848, and was there reared to manhood. He has followed vari- ious occupations and for more than half a century has maintained his home at Townsend Center, a village in his native county, both he and his wife being in excellent health and spirits and he having always been uncompromising in his allegiance to the republican party. Mrs. Bailey, whose maiden name was Sarah E. Emerson, has been a resident of Huron
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County from the time of her birth and celebrated her sixty-sixth birth- day anniversary in 1915. Of the children all are living except a daugh- ter who died in infancy, and all of the survivors are married and estab- lished in homes of their own, their names being entered in respective order of birth: Ira C., Susan E., John J., Reuben, Ora, Lottie, Anna, Frank, Phoebe and Harrison.
In the City of Norwalk was solemnized the marriage of Ira C. Bailey to Miss Sophia Reineek, who was born in Huron County on the 24th of September, 1868, and who received excellent educational advantages in her youth. She is a daughter of Ambrose and Rosina (Martin) Reineck, the former of whom was born in Ohio, of German parentage, and the lat- ter of whom was born in Germany, whence she came with her parents to America when she was twelve years of age, the family home having been established in Huron County, where her parents passed the residue of their lives, both having attained to the age of about three score years and ten. Mr. Reineck was a farmer by vocation, was a staunch demo- erat in his political proclivities, and both he and his wife were zealous communieants of the Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two fine sons. both of whom are honoring the name which they bear. AArthur William, who was born October 29, 1895, is taking up the trade formerly carried on by his father, the plumbing business. Milo Reuben, who was born September 22, 1898, is identified with the marine navigation serv- ice of the Great Lakes and in 1914 was employed as a sailor on the steamer Ishpeming. He has demonstrated rare ability for one of his years and is now a member of the crew of the steamer R. S. Warner (1915).
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey and their sons are communicants of the Catholic Church, retaining their membership in the parish of St. Peter's Church at Huron, and Mr. Bailey still retains in the City of Norwalk, Huron County, his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, in which last named organization he has held official positions.
SMITHI GORSUCH, M. D. For more than thirteen years Doctor Gor- such has given his service as a capable physician and surgeon to the community of Castalia. Recognized as the leading medical man of Margaretta Township, he belongs to a profession where the attainment of such reputation is in the highest degree ereditable, not only to his skill and technical ability but to his social and civie character as a man.
Few men have worked harder to raise themselves into professional ranks than Doetor Gorsuch. He was born in Delaware County, Ohio. Angust 28, 1869, a son of Samuel and Emeline ( Bateson) Gorsuch, both being natives of Delaware County, and the mother is still living. His father was an architect and builder in Delaware County. The Gorsuch family is of German extraction while the Batesons were Scotch.
Doctor Gorsneh grew up in Delaware County, and between his early education, which was completed at the Reynoldsburg High School, and his graduation from medical college there was a long period in which he supported himself and raised a fund for continued study by teaching and many other occupations which afforded the means to the end. At different times he attended for two years the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, when that school was under the management of the noted educators, the Holbrooks. For seven years he was a teacher in Delaware, Franklin and Licking counties. In 1896 he began the study of medieine with Dr. N. Gorsneh, who is still engaged in practice at Centre Village in Delaware County. He continued his readings under that preceptor for four years, and in 1902 was graduated M. D. from Vol. 11- 17
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the Ohio Medical University at Columbus. In the same year he located at Castalia and has been in active practice ever since.
On October 28, 1893, Doctor Gorsuch married Louie Rich of Delaware County. Their two children are Heber S. and Murray. Doctor Gorsuch is a member of the Board of Education of Margaretta Township and a member of the joint board of education of that township and Groton Township. Ile is a stockholder in the Castalia Banking Company. He is thus a man of no insignficant influence in his community. Ile stands high professionally, is a member of the Erie County and Ohio State Medical societies, and the American Medical Association. He is affiliated with Seience Lodge, F. & A. M., at Sandusky and with the Castalia Tent of the Knights of the Maccabees. He enjoys a large practice, is popular among his fellow townsmen, and publie spirit is one of his important characteristics.
ANDREW ENGLERT. In these modern times, when wealth accumulates rapidly, men who by years of arduous work in their respective callings have attained to success and ample fortune, often feel the need of relaxa- tion and seek some healthful and invigorating pastime with which to occupy their leisure moments. Among this class the devotees of the rod are both numerous and enthusiastic. Who has not told or loved to hear a good "fish story." Among the inhabitants of the thickly settled parts of the country, however, who enjoy the art of angling, there are comparatively few who can take the time necessary to seek their finny prey in its native haunts in distant wilds, by the side of primeval streams, even if they are willing to put up with the rough living when far from the comforts of civilization. But there are few things that wealth cannot accomplish, and among them is the power to bring within convenient distance the things one cannot go far to seek. Hence we find artificial streams, stocked with game fish, and with com- fortable club houses in the immediately vicinity, within easy distance of all our great eenters of population. The proper eare of such preserves is, of course, an important consideration, and is entrusted only to men of intelligence and responsible character. Such a responsible position has been held for the last thirty-five years by the subject of this memoir, Andrew Englert, who, sinee March 15, 1880, has been super- intendent of the Castalia Trout Club, whose extensive grounds, com- prising about 190 acres, are located near Castalia, Erie County, Ohio. Mr. Englert was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 10, 1851, a son of Martin and Annie (Geis) Englert, both parents being natives of that conntry. He was reared in his native land, where he acquired a good practical education, remaining there until he had attained his majority. On July 4, 1872, he landed as a German immigrant at Castle Garden, New York, and eame directly to Erie County, Ohio. Here he obtained agricultural employment and also attended school for awhile, soon gain- ing a good command of the English language. He continued at farm work until 1880, when, as above stated, he was appointed to his present position, which he has filled to the full satisfaction of his employers. The Castalia Trout Club is composed of Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Sandusky parties, who have here found and improved a beautiful spot for healthful sport and relaxation. A bed, 512 miles long, was exeavated and turned into an ideal stream for angling. There are two fish hatch- eries on the grounds, from which the stream is kept supplied, the eggs being purchased in Northern Maine. During the winter of 1914-15 some 600,000 tront were hatched-enough to furnish sport, one would think, for many a long summer day to all the members of the club. The grounds along the stream, and in some few other places, are thickly
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and tastefully planted with shrubbery, and an important adjunct is a handsome and commodious clubhouse, well provided with all necessary conveniences and comforts. All these things and many others are under Mr. Englert's superintending care and keep him busily employed most of the time. His long residence here has made him well known to the people of Castalia and of the township generally and it speaks well for his character and disposition that he is one of the most popular citizens hereabouts, enjoying the confidence and good will of the entire com- munity. Yet, with all his popularity he is neither self-centered nor unduly self-seeking, but takes a warm personal interest in the affairs of the town, being always ready to give his support to any movement designed for its moral or material advancement. In polities he is a republican, while fraternally he is a member of Spring Tent No. 8. K. O. T. M., of Castalia.
Mr. Englert married Miss Margaret Altvater, who was born in Castalia, Ohio, of which place her father, Peter Altvater, now deceased, was a well known and respected citizen. To him and his wife five children have been born, namely : George M., now residing in Toronto, Ontario; Ida M., the wife of James S. Van Norman, of Sandusky, Ohio; Charles, who resides at Frankfort, Indiana: Earl R., of Ironton, Ohio, and Carrie L., wife of E. M. Winters, of Castalia, Ohio. The phrase "a self-made man" is often used by biographers in describing one who has risen to a comfortable or enviable position in life by his own exer- tions and without extraneous advantages, and in the sense that "self- made" is often "best-made" it can be applied without reserve to Mr. Englert.
JEROME BIXBY. The ability to create success regardless of circum- stanees and difficulties has apparently been the chief factor in the eareer of Jerome Bixby, now president of the Castalia Banking Company. Mr. Bixby has lived in Castalia since 1875. For several years he sold general merchandise and operated a wagon for the country trade. In 1882 he established a general store at Castalia and kept this up for about ten years, during part of which time he was postmaster of the village. In 1894 he restricted his mercantile operations to hardware and farm implements, and almost continuously for the past twenty years has been identified with that business, being now senior member of the firm of Bixby & Meikle, who have the largest stock of general hardware and farm implements in Margaretta Township. On the reorganization of the Castalia Banking Company a few years ago Mr. Bixby was elected president, and has since had the exeentive management of that sub- stantial institution, and is also a member of its board of directors.
On July 15, 1840, Nathan and Mary ( Klock ) Bixby, whose home was in Savannah, Wayne County, New York, became the parents of a son whom they christened Jerome. These parents were both natives of New York State. The Bixby family is of English origin, while the Klocks belonged to the old Dutch stock of the Mohawk Valley. Grand- father Joseph Klock served in the Revolutionary war.
When he was about seventeen years of age JJerome Bixby, who had previously profited by attendance at the common schools, entered Red Creek Union Academy in Wayne County, remained a student there about four years, and later for a time was in the Michigan State Normal at Ypsilanti. He also taught school for a short while in Columbia, Michi gan. Ilis student days in Ypsilanti were interrupted when he enlisted in Company F of the First Regiment of Michigan Cavalry. With this noted regiment he joined the Army of the Potomae, and served sue cessively under such noted leaders as Buford, Hatch, Kilpatrick and
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Sheridan, and for the latter part of his service was in the famous Custer's Brigade. Ilis active participation in battle included Win- chester ; he was in Pope's army during its operations along the Rappa- hannock; was in the second battle of Bull Run, and a short time prior to the battle of Gettysburg was detailed for clerical work at the military headquarters at Washington. He was given his honorable discharge from the army August 20, 1864. Mr. Bixby gained an appointment as sutler and in that capacity accompanied the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, Army of Observation, to Texas and continued as sutler to that organi- zation until the fall of 1867. Ile then returned to Savannah, New York, lived there and at Saratoga Springs and at Lapeer, Michigan, until he came to Erie County, as above noted. Mr. Bixby owns two substantial farms in Margaretta Township, aggregating about 150 acres, devoted to general agriculture.
Mr. Bixby married Lydia L. Iligley, who was born in Townsend Township of Sandusky County, Ohio, a daughter of Orson Higley, who in his time was one of the most prominent citizens of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Bixby have one daughter, Pearl B., now the wife of Andrew J. Melike of Castalia. Mr. Bixby has been a republican since his days as a soldier of the Union, and is now and for several years has been commander of Post No. 423 of the Grand Army of the Repub- lie at Castalia. He is also affiliated with the Masonie Lodge at Lapeer, Michigan, and has long been active in the Congregational Church at Castalia, which he has served as trustee.
ELIJAH C. WITTER. Among the ordinary avocations of mankind there are few more responsible positions than that of mail carrier. Ile it is who often bears the news of life or death, joy or sorrow, whose coming is eagerly awaited in every home, and upon whose care and promptitude great issues often depend. In selecting men for this position the Government exercises the greatest care, choosing none but after a strict examination in which the applicant must show a high degree of intelligence, special knowledge of all things pertaining to his calling, which are more numerons than many people suppose, and furnish the strictest references as to his honesty and moral character. In choosing Elijah C. Witter, of Castalia, Uncle Sam made no mistake, as all the people residing on Rural Route No. 2, connected with the Castalia office, will gladly testify. Mr. Witter was born in Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio, January 17, 1867, and is, therefore, now but little past the prime of life. His parents were James B. and Arena (Campbell) Witter, the father a native of Canandaigua County, New York, the mother of Erie County, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Joshua Witter, who resided in Canandaigua, was of New England ante- eedents and was descended from early English ancestors. At the age of twenty-seven years James B. Witter, after residing up to that time in his native state, came to Erie County, Ohio, settling in Margaretta Township, where he engaged in agriculture. A republican in polities, he took an active part in local affairs and became a prominent and popu- lar eitizen, serving for a time as township trustee. His death, which took place in October, 1898, was mueh regretted.
Elijah C. Witter was reared to man's estate in Margaretta Township, this county, and was edneated in its public schools and in the high schools at Castalia and Milan. For a number of years he followed his father's voeation, having a good farm of 115 aeres, located mainly in Margaretta Township, which he tilled successfully. Appointed rural letter carrier in November, 1905, he assumed the duties of that office, which he has since performed in a highly satisfactory manner. An
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active citizen, interested in the affairs of the township, he numbers his friends by the score. In polities he is independent, while his fraternal affiliations are with Spring Tent No. 8, K. O. T. M., of Castalia, and Margaretta Grange No. 488.
On January 23, 1890, Mr. Witter was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Prentice, who was born in Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio, a daughter of N. E. Prentice, now of Payne, Ohio. Ile and his wife are the parents of four daughters, Mabel E., Nettie, Margaret and Sarah. Mr. Witter is a consistent member of the Congregational Church of Castalia.
JAMES HUNT. That farming can be condneted as a successful busi- ness in the same class as store or factory needs no other proof than a visit to the exeellent estate of James Hunt, in Berlin Township. He has a hundred acres of fine rolling farm land, and a group of well arranged, substantially built and well painted buildings which are the first point of attraction to the visitor, and on every other hand are evidences of good management and efficiency. Mr. Hunt has a repnta- tion in Berlin Township as a successful general farmer, stock raiser and fruit grower, and it has been a matter of pride for him to maintain the highest standards as an agriculturist.
His comfortable home contains ten rooms, and nearby is the bank barn on a foundation 32 by 66 feet, and a number of other cribs, sheds and outbuildings. The fields are well drained, and he raises all the staple crops, eorn, wheat and potatoes, and has exercised a great deal of care in keeping the better grades of live stock. About fourteen acres are devoted to fruit growing, and twelve acres in peaches and two aeres in apples and cherries. When Mr. Hunt bought this land from Randall Bailey in 1899 it was in considerable disesteem as a farm, and had been much neglected and was generally run down. Applying the vigor and common sense which he uses in all his undertakings, Mr. Hunt has in less than fifteen years developed the place to rank hardly second among any of the farms of Berlin Township. It is located on the Berlin Ileights and Norwalk Road, one mile from the former village.
From the time he arrived from his native country of England in 1882 until moving to Erie County, Mr. Hunt lived in Richland County, Ohio. For four years he lived on a place of 105 acres at Plymouth, for six years rented 160 aeres, for a similar period rented a farm of 400 acres, and then purchased property.
Mr. Hunt was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 8, 1845, a son of James and Mary ( Harrison) Hunt, both natives of Lincolnshire, where they passed all their lives and were fourscore when they died. Several generations of the Hunt family have lived in Lincolnshire, and in that locality the name was always associated with solid industry and worth. The father was for many years engaged in business as a con- tractor in the construction of ditches and canals, but the latter part of his life was spent on a small farm. He and his wife were active mem- bers of the Methodist Church. Of the children, John has never left England and is married and has a family. Richard is also living in England and has a family. The next in order of birth is James. Wil- liam lives in Lincolnshire and has several children. Fred died six months after his marriage, and a child was born to his widow. Charlotte died as the wife of William Hart, leaving several children.
For about twenty-seven years Mr. James Hunt lived in Lincolnshire, acquired his education there, and had a thorough training in English methods of agrienlture, and this experience served him well after he came to Ohio. He was married in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, to Mary
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Diekinson. She was born in Nottingham, England, where her parents spent all their lives, and a short time before her marriage she had re- moved to Leeds. Two of her brothers are living in the United States : Joseph, who is a farmer in Williams County, Ohio, and is married, and Thomas, who is a farmer near Montpelier, Ohio, and is the father of two sons.
In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Hunt and their son Arthur voyaged from Liverpool to Quebec, Canada, and thence came to Shelby, Ohio. Since then his movements and activities have been briefly traced. Mrs. Hunt, after nine years of illness and suffering from rheumatism, passed away October 9, 1910, when sixty-seven years of age. She was survived by three children. The son, Arthur, who was born in England thirty-seven years ago, is now a farmer on his father's estate and rents the land; he married Inez Shoup, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, of Ger- man parentage, and they have two children, Mary and Lucile, the former a student in the Berlin Heights Iligh School. Martha, who was born in Ohio thirty years ago, is the wife of Lloyd E. Andrews of Cleveland, and they have a son named James. Margaret, the youngest child, was born in Richland County, was well educated in that county and in Erie County, and is now living with her father, to whom she gives a full measure of her devotion and exerts herself in every way for his comfort. Mr. Hunt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife, and he and his son are republicans.
MICHAEL GORMAN. The Gorman family was established in Erie County just half a century ago. The people of Berlin Township still retain many affectionate memories of the late Michael Gorman, who spent more than forty years of useful and honorable activity in this county. His widow, Mrs. E. (. Gorman, is still living, and bears the weight of more than ninety years with a cheerfulness and vigor which make her an exceptional character. Mrs. Gorman has a wonderful memory for events that happened during her girlhood and younger years, and among a large circle of acquaintances she is affectionately known as "Mother Gorman." The old Gorman homestead on Rural Route No. 2 out of Berlin Heights is now under the active management of Albert Perry Gorman, youngest son of the late Michael.
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