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 4
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Mrand Mrs Fremon. Os Taylors
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the community. His death occurred October 26, 1852. Jesse Taylor married Julia House, a twin sister of Julius House, who was a prominent pioneer and whose name is mentioned in the above list of early settlers in Perkins Township. She died October 28, 1867, having reared three sons and two daughters: Ellery, Julius, Dennis, Maria and Eliza.
Dennis G. Taylor, who was in the third generation of the Taylor family in Erie County, was born in Perkins Township May 4, 1821. As a boy he attended one of the pioneer schools of the county, and early learned lessons of industry while helping subdue the wilderness and in cultivating the farm. Ile afterwards succeeded to the ownership of the old Jesse Taylor homestead, and was not only energetic and active but was possessed of unusual business ability. Besides farming, he dealt in farm implements and live stock and was a highly influential member of the community. He added to the improvements of the old home, and left it with a good set of frame buildings at the time of his death on November 3, 1896. Dennis Taylor was married in 1844 to Phebe Ann Wright, who was born in Galen Township, of Wayne County, New York, November 24, 1822. Her father, Benjamin Belden Wright, was born on a farm near Cold Springs, a few miles below Poughkeepsie on the Hudson River, and about 1820 removed to Wayne County, where he was an early settler, lived there until 1834, and then came to Ohio and settled in what is now Berlin Township of Erie County. There he improved a farm and lived until his death. He was a man of unusual education for his time, and among other influences by which he impressed his indi- viduality on the community was as local preacher in the Methodist Epis- eopal Church. Benjamin Wright married Nancy Baker. Mrs. Dennis Taylor was edueated in the Norwalk Seminary in Ohio. One of her in- struetors in that institution was Edward S. Thompson, who subsequently became a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and who officiated at the ceremony which united her in wedlock with Dennis Taylor. She died March 19, 1895.
Of these last named parents the only son and child was Truman Benjamin Taylor, who was born in Perkins Township February 10, 1846, and has for many years been prominent in Erie County as a farmer and stock man and also as a banker at Sandusky. As a boy he had the ad- vantages of a good home, with surroundings of culture and moral and uplifting influenees, and through his own career has lived up to the standards set him by his forebears. He attended the rural schools, and in 1865 was graduated from the Sandusky High School. He then took a course in the Eastman's Business College at Ponghikeepsie, New York, and on graduating from that institution returned home and took up the life of a farmer. He also sold farm implements and farm produee, and eventually succeeded to the ownership of the splendid old estate on which his grandfather had settled a century ago. That was his home, though in the meantime his interests had extended to the City of Sandusky, until 1909. Having built a beautiful residence on Wayne Street, he then removed to the city, and now enjoys the comforts and luxuries of a eity home.
Mr. Taylor was married December 5, 1872, to Mary Jane Eddy, who is likewise of the old pioneer stoek that settled Perkins Township 100 years ago. She was born in Perkins Township, October 11, 1849, a daughter of Joseph and Caroline ( Akins) Eddy, and is a granddaughter of Roswell and Hannah (Taylor) Eddy, her grandfather's name appear- ing in the list of pioneers above given. Mrs. Taylor died April 6, 1914. There were three children: Carrie Edith, born January 8, 1874, died January 13, 1876; Bert Eddy, and Nellie. Bert married Belle Vernon Jones, while Nellie is the wife of Cary W. Hord and has a son, Burton Taylor.
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Mr. T. B. Taylor was one of the organizers of the Citizens' Banking Company of Sandusky, and is one of the three charter members still living. He served as president of the institution twenty-two years, resigning on account of ill health, and now officiating as chairman of the board of directors. He was also one of the promoters aud was treasurer of the company that built the Sandusky Short Line Railroad, and was one of the builders of the Sandusky, Milan & Norwalk Electric Railroad, the first interurban electric line in Ohio. He was president of the com- pany until the property was consolidated with other electric lines in Northern Ohio. Mr. Taylor was one of the charter members of Perkins Grange, No. 637, Patrons of Husbandry, and was its first secretary. He has long been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was married and of which his wife was a devout and consistent member.
ROBERT A. KOEGLE. Prominent among the trustworthy and competent men who are so ably safeguarding the public interests of Sandusky is Robert A. Koegle, who is serving wisely and satisfactorily as city treasurer. A native-born citizen, his birth occurred, April 22, 1871, at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Koegle, on Water Street.
John G. Koegle, Sr., the paternal grandfather, was born, reared and married in Baden, Germany, where as a young man he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1845 he came with his family to America, the land of hope and promise, being several weeks crossing the broad Atlantic in a sailing vessel. From New York, where he disembarked, he eame across the country to Ohio, loeating in Sandusky, then a comparatively small place. For a number of years he was employed in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops, continuing his residence here until his death, in 1896. Ilis wife's maiden name was Gegas. She reared five children, as follows: Christina, who became the wife of Capt. Jacob Haas; Fred- erick ; John G., Jr .; and August.
Born in Baden, Germany, in 1839, John G. Koegle, Jr., was about six years old when he came with the family to Sandusky. In the public schools of his new home he acquired a practical education, and while yet a young man was for a while an engineer on a steamboat, after which he served as a member of the local fire department for a number of seasons. Now, a hale and hearty man of seventy-six years, he is in the employ of the Ilinde & Dauch Manufacturing Company. He married Margaret Kellar, who was born at Crestline, Crawford County, Ohio, of German ancestry. Her father, John Kellar, a native of Germany, immigrated to the United States in early manhood, locating in Crawford County, Ohio, in pioneer times. Purchasing land that was still in its primitive wild- ness, he hewed a farm from the forest, and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-three years. His wife preceded him to the better world, dying at the age of seventy-seven years. John and Margaret (Kellar) Koegle reared seven children, as follows: William F., Elizabeth S., Robert A., Joseph, Henry, Christina and John G., Jr.
IIaving laid a substantial foundation for his future education in the elementary schools, Robert A. Koegle was graduated from the Sandusky High School with the class of 1889. The ensuing three years he was employed as a elerk in the drug store of Arnold & Henkleman, after which he worked for Lewis A. Biehl for a period of seven years. In 1899 he became junior member of the firm of Close & Koegle, his partner being Frank Close, with whom he was associated until 1907. In 1908 Mr. Koegle embarked in the wholesale and retail drug trade as a member of the firm of Uthe & Ililtz Company. Subsequently disposing of his interests in that firm he elerked for W. A. Graham for a few months, resigning that position to aceept that of deputy county anditor, an office
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that he held from October, 1909, until the fall of 1913. Elected city treasurer at that time, Mr. Koegle has since filled the important and responsible position, rendering excellent and appreciated service to his fellow-townsmen, who have perfect faith and confidence in his financial ability.
Mr. Koegle married, December 22, 1904, Bertha S. Hahn, who was born at Milan, Ohio, a daughter of Henry and Bertha (Kromer) Hahn. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Koegle has been brightened by the birth of three children, namely : Wilbur H., Richard H. and Robert A., Jr. Mr. Koegle has served several years as a member of the Sandusky Board of Waterworks. Religiously he belongs to the Evangelical Church. Fra- ternally he is a member of Sandusky Aerie No. 444, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and of Sandusky Herd No. 471, Loyal Order of Moose.
HENRY J. SCHILLER. An active member of the legal fraternity of Erie County, Henry J. Schiller has been successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Sandusky for ten years, during which time he has won a fair share of patronage. He was born in 1873, on a farm in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio, a son of George Schiller.
His paternal grandfather, Frederick Sehiller, a German by birth and breeding, spent his entire life in Bavaria, being there engaged in mer- eantile pursuits. Two of his sons immigrated to this country, George, who became a resident of Ohio, and Frederick, who settled in Canada, on Pelee Island, which is located in Lake Erie, north of Sandusky.
Born August 29, 1830, in Bavaria, Germany, George Schiller attended sehool regularly until twelve years old, when he began an apprenticeship of five years at the trades of a baker and miller, his father paying the baker 50 cents a month the first two years, instead of the boy receiving any money for his work, although during that time he was allowed to attend school a part of each year. The baker, however, gave him $2 a month the last two years of his apprenticeship. In 1853, deeiding to try the hazard of new fortunes, he embarked on a sailing vessel for America, and after a tempestuous voyage of eighty-three days landed in New York. He followed his trade for a time in Brooklyn, and then went to Cinein- nati, where he secured work as a truck gardener with a Mr. Biegler. Coming to Erie County in 1863, he bought a tract of land on the Colum- bus Pike, in Perkins Township, and for a while earried on general farm- ing. Later he was engaged in the baking business at Sandusky for three years, but subsequently returned to Perkins Township, where he con- tinned his agricultural labors until his death, April 13, 1897.
The maiden name of the wife of George Schiller was Mary Biegler. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 29, 1838, and is now living, since the death of her husband making her home with her children. Her father was born and bred in Bavaria, and there married. Immigrating to the I'nited States in 1837, he established himself in Cincinnati as a building contractor, and met with success in his labors. He was energetic and enterprising, and used to burn all the lime and brick he required in the construction of buildings. He and his good wife reared five children, Katherine, Margaret, George, Mary and Kate. Of the union of George and Mary (Biegler ) Sehiller twelve children were born, namely : William, deeeased ; Ama; Gustav; Charles, deceased; Albert; Edwin ; Henry, deceased : Henry .I. and John H., twins: George; Alma, and William.
As a boy and youth . Henry J. Schiller attended the rural school of District No. 5, in Perkins Township, in the meantime helping his father on the home farm. At the age of sixteen years he began an apprentice- ship of three years in Frank's bakery, and subsequently. for two or three seasons, sailed the lakes during the summer and worked at his trade winters. Then, for a period of twelve years, Mr. Schiller was employed
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as a baker at the Soldiers' Home, and while thus engaged made diligent use of his leisure time by close and intelligent study completing the Sandusky High School course, and passing the examination at Columbus. He also pursued the study of law to some purpose, in 1906 being admitted to the bar. Since that time he has devoted his time and attention to the practice of his profession, and to the buying and selling of real estate, in both lines of business meeting with much suecess.
On September 15, 1897, Mr. Sehiller married Lillian Virginia Lowe, who was born in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Anna (Leigh) Lowe, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, and the latter of Bavaria, Germany. Her paternal great-grandfather served as a soldier in both the Revolutionary war and in the War of 1812. Her grandfather Lowe was captain of a Pennsylvania battalion during the Civil war and lost his life while in service. Five of his brothers-in-law fought in the Confederate army during that conflict. Her father, Jolin Lowe, enlisted in the Third West Virginia Cavalry during the Civil war, and under command of General Custer took part in various engagements, and still later served in the United States Regular Army.
On August 30, 1905, Mr. Schiller, in his efforts to rescue a youth from drowning in the Sandusky Bay, jumped from the dock, and after being twice pulled under the water safely landed the young man on dry ground. For this brave act the United States Congress awarded him a silver medal, and in addition he received a Carnegie medal and $1,500 in cash from the Carnegie Hero Fund.
Politically Mr. Schiller has always been actively identified with the republican party. He cast his first vote for William McKinley as governor of Ohio, and subsequently had the pleasure of twiee voting for the same candidate for president. In 1904 he was a candidate on the republican ticket for representative to the State Legislature. Fraternally he is a member of Science Lodge No. 50, Free and Accepted Masons.
WALTER DAVLIN. Now living retired in Sandusky, Walter Davlin, at the age of eighty-two, has a retrospect covering the most important epochs in Erie County's development. He lived as a boy in the wilder- ness here before railroads were thought of, and the strength and energy of his own body have helped clear away the virgin forests and wrest the land from the dominion of the wilderness. During the greater part of his active career he was a farmer and stock raiser, operating several of the fine farms in this county.
Walter Davlin was born in Courtright Township, Delaware County, New York, March 8, 1833. Hs father, Walter Davlin, was born in Lisnerdin, County Armagh, Ireland, March 17, 1797, and was the only member of his father's family to come to the new world. He grew up and married in his native county, and when he eame to this country in 1826 he brought his wife and three children. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel, at that time the only means of crossing the Atlantic, and the vessel was six weeks between ports. Purchasing land in Court- right Township the elder Davlin set up a dairy and sent his butter to New York City. His wife's sister's husband, Peter Smith, at that time had a sales stable in the city, and Walter Davlin was one of his horse buyers in the country. Peter Smith left the East and in 1834 beeame a pioneer of Ogle County, Illinois, securing some extensive tracts of land, including the present site of Rochelle, in which town he subsequently engaged in banking and acquired a fortune.
In 1837 Walter Davlin, Sr., also left New York State, selling his farm and bringing his family and some of his household goods to Ohio. The journey was made by canal to Buffalo and thence by lake steamer to Huron. He had already visited this section and selected a home in the
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interior of Huron County, where he settled with his family. His first place was about ten miles southwest of Milan, but he later bought land seven miles from that town, and finally removed to a tract of land in Huron Township of Erie County, which was his home until his death on September 8, 1877.
The elder Davlin married Jane Foster, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, May 15, 1802, and died in Erie County, August 25, 1884. She and her sister Sallie, wife of Peter Smith above mentioned, and their brother John and family were the only ones of her father's family to come to America. Jane Foster Davlin reared ten children, namely : Margaret, Sally, Joseph, Mary Jane, Samuel, Walter, Eliza, Matilda, Naney and Fanny.
A boy of four when the family came to Ohio, Walter Davlin has only faint memories of the incidents of the journey. At that time Erie was a part of Huron County, Sandusky was but a hamlet, and mneh of the surrounding country uncleared and sparsely settled with an abundance of wild game to satisfy every desire of the hunter and trapper. As a boy he attended one of the pioneer schools held in a log cabin, with the erudest of furniture and comforts and with the typical curriculum of that period. Habits of industry were fastened on him by discipline with the ax and plow beginning when he was still of tender years. It was all a splendid preparation for his own practical eareer. In 1863 he purchased land in Townsend Township, and started independently as a farmer and stock raiser. Ile had ambition, energy and judgment, and prospered year in and year out. The surplus was invested in more land until he and his wife owned, including her inheritance, upwards of 2,600 acres, situ- ated in both Sandusky and Erie counties.
Mr. Davlin was married May 10, 1863, to Ann J. Whitmore, who, by a former marriage, had two children, Carrie and John. She was born in Huron Township, Huron county. Her father, John Whitmore, was a native of Leicester, Livingston County, New York, born May 29, 1816. Ilis father, George Whitmore, supposedly was a native of New York State, but John Whitmore, of the preceding generation, was born in Holland, and coming to America in colonial times located on Long Island. The Whitmores subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, where, during an Indian uprising, five of the family were made prisoners, while the oldest son, Philip, was killed. In 1830 George Whitmore, accompanied by his wife Margaret and children, came to Ohio and located in that part of Huron County now Margaretta Township of Erie County. There were two sons, William and John, and five daughters, Rachel, Mary, Eleanor, Kate and Jeanette. In 1837 John Whitmore married Marcia (Swift) Chapman, of Erie County, and they settled in a new home in Townsend Township of Sandusky County. The country was still meagerly popu- lated and with little land cleared. John Whitmore soon opened a store of general merchandise and established a service which was of great value to his neighbors, who showed their appreciation by furnishing him a trade that grew in volume and made him very successful. IFis pros- perity also took the form of land, and at his death on January 1, 1881, he left 1,342 aeres, including several well improved farms. His wife was the daughter of Simeon Swift, and by her first husband, Jay Chapman, had three children : Jane, wife of Enoch Beebe : Jay, who married Mary A. Childs ; and Henry, who died in boyhood. Mrs. John Whitmore died January 17, 1864, and by her second marriage Mrs. Davlin was the only child. John Witmore, her father, was a man 'of courage and ability and stood among the first citizens of his generation. He combined his success with a liberality which caused him to extend a helping hand to all those in need. His wife was also an industrious and capable woman. and assisted him in the achievement of his success. John Whitmore was all
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his career a demoerat, and though voting and helping his party to success, he was too busy himself to accept publie honors.
Mr. and Mrs. Davlin have reared five children, named William, Marcia, Sallie, Margaret and Ann. William married Effie Skilliter, and their five children are Grace, Helen, Margaret, Walter and Ruth. The daugh- ter Marcia married Elmer Dills, and has two children, Edna and Walter. Sallie became the wife of Charles Neill, and her two sons are William Homer and Charles Justin. Margaret married Lewis Quinn and bas a daughter named Julia Ann. Ann, the youngest, is the wife of William Quinn, and their children are Lucile and Arthur Walter. Mrs. Davlin, the mother inherited the charitable traits of her father, and her goodness has extended beyond her own home to practical benevolence to many in need. She became a member of the Episcopal Church at Clyde in 1896. Mr. Davlin reached manhood about the time the great political issues were drawn for the struggle between the North and the South, and like thousands of northern young men was drawn into the ranks of the new republican party, and has voted with it sinee it nominated its first presi- dential candidate. He was at one time postmaster of the Village of Whitmore, where for several years he conducted a general merchandise store.
JOHN A. GIEDEMAN. A man of keen foresight, vigorous will, pos- sessing an undoubted capacity for business, John A. Giedeman is inti- mately associated with the banking interests of Sandusky as president of the American Banking and Trust Company, being at the head of one of the leading financial institutions of the city. A native of Germany, he was born at Kappel am Rhein, Baden, which was likewise the birth- place of his father, John Giedeman, and the village in which his paternal grandparents spent their entire lives.
Born in 1822 John Giedeman was left an orphan when quite young, but was fortunate enough to find a good home with relatives. Leaving school at the age of fourteen years, he served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, one of the most remunerative of all trades at that time, when all shoes were made by hand. He subsequently worked as a journeyman shoemaker in the fatherland until 1851, when, accompanied by his wife and only child, he came to America, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, for ninety-three days battling with wind and wave before touching the shores of New York. Coming from there to Ohio, he pro- ceeded first to Buffalo, where he secured passage on a schooner for Sandusky, his point of destination. Very soon after his arrival he opened a shop on East Jefferson Street, and was busily employed at his trade until 1862. Enlisting then in Company G, Sixth-fifth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, he went south and was in active service under Generals Buch. Sheridan, Rosecrans and Thomas. With his regiment he partiei- pated in many of the more important battles of the Civil war, including these at Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, and was with Sherman's command in the Atlanta campaign, taking part in all the engagements en route to Atlanta, and assisting in the siege and capture of that city. Subsequently, going with General Thomas's command in pursuit of Hood's army, he took part in the battles at Franklin and Nashville, and continued with his regiment until the close of the confliet, when he was honorably discharged from service.
Returning to Sandusky, John Giedeman entered the employ of Stoll & Koch, and served as foreman of their store on Columbus Avenue until the firm was dissolved by mutual consent. IIe then continued in the same position with Mr. Stoll, who became sole proprietor of the business, until another change was made in the personnel of the firm, Mr. Koch
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selling out to Mr. Stoll, his former partner, and John A. Giedeman, the subject of this sketch. With the new firm, Koch & Company, John Giedeman continued as foreman of the shop until his death, September 27, 1882.
John Giedeman married Theresa Faist, who was born in Baden, Germany, in the same loeality that the birth of her husband occurred, in 1822, and died in Sandusky, Ohio, March 17, 1908. Her parents were life-long residents of Baden, and in the Village of Kappel their nineteen children were born, sixteen daughters and three sons. Eight of the daughters came to America, and all married and reared families. Mr. and Mrs. John Giedeman reared but two children, namely: John A., the subject of this sketch, and Sophia, wife of Hon. Phillip Buerkle.
A child of fifteen months when brought by his parents to this country, John A. Giedeman was educated in the parochial and public schools of Sandusky. At the age of twelve years he began life as a wage-earner, becoming cash boy in the dry goods store of H. Converse & Son, who sold out a year later to George March & Brother. Continuing with the new firm six years, Mr. Giedeman was advanced during that time to the position of salesman, and when March Brothers sold out to E. H. and R. M. Wilcox he continued as salesman for them for a period of eight months.
Engaging then in business on his own account, Mr. Giedeman formed a partnership with William Koch, and as junior member of the firm of Koch & Company opened a boot and shoe store on the south side of Water Street, between Columbus Avenue and Jackson Street. Seven years later he purchased his partner's interest in the establishment, and for a time run the business alone. He then sold a half interest to Jolin Ilomegardner, and continued as head of the firm of Giedeman & Home- gardner until 1904, when he bought out his partner, and again became sole proprietor. In 1909 Mr. Giedeman admitted George H. Uberle and Frank Sheably into partnership and withdrew from the active manage- ment of affairs, although he still retains an interest in the business, which is being successfully earried on under the firm name of George HI. Uberle & Company. In the meantime he had become financially interested in the Commercial National Bank, and served as one of its directors until July, 1909, when he resigned to accept his present position as president of the American Banking and Trust Company, the affairs of which he is administering very successfully, and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He is likewise officially connected with various other corporations, being a director in both the Sandusky Telephone Company and the Danch Manufacturing Company and the president of the Saving, Building and Loan Company.
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