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 62
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MILTON J. SAYLER. Few of the farm homes of Florence Township show better results of cultivation and more of the real comforts of rural life than that of Milton J. Sayler. Mr. and Mrs. Sayler are young people and have been engaged in the responsibilities of the world only a few years, but already have a home and an established place in community affairs such as many men labor for many years before attaining.
The birth of Mr. Sayler occurred near Rye Beach in Huron Town- ship of Erie County, September 15, 1885. His parents were Philip and Louise (Kuhl) Sayler, the former born in one of the eastern states and the latter in Erie County. The grandfather, John Sayler, and the mater- nal grandfather, John Kuhl, were both born in Germany, came when young men to the United States and to Huron Township, and here spent the rest of their lives. All these grandparents are now buried in the Scott Cemetery. John Sayler died when past eighty, and his wife, whose
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maiden name was Mary Beatty, died when more than seventy. John Kuhl died at the age of eighty-seven, and his wife at fifty. All of this generation were active farmers and were members of the Evangelical Church. Philip Sayler and wife were married in Iluron Township, and are still living there. Ile was born December 19, 1852, and his wife on November 7, 1854. They attend regularly the Evangelieal Church, and he is a very strong republican in polities. Of their children Milton J. is the oldest; Norman is a farmer in Huron Township, and married Susan Knettle; and Laura is the wife of Clyde Porter, a farmer at Bliss- field, Michigan, and they have a son named C. Milton.
Milton J. Sayler grew up in Huron Township and seeured his edu- cation from the modern country and district schools of that neighbor- hood. In 1911, at the age of twenty-six, he moved into Florence Town- ship and bought 150 acres of excellent land south of the Village of Flor- ence. This he has greatly improved during the last four years. Among the features of his farm which eall for special mention are a substantial eight-room brick home, a large barn on a foundation 36x70 feet, and a sixty-ton silo. He grows all the general crops and considerable fruit, and one of his specialties as an agriculturist is the raising of sweet corn, which he finds a very profitable and revenue produeing department of his undertaking. The farm is thoroughly drained and well eared for and all but twenty aeres is under cultivation.
Mr. Sayler was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth Alheit, of Vermilion Township, where she was born January 28, 1893, and grew up and received her education there. Her parents, Sylvester and Catherine ((risel) Alheit, were born in Germany, but were married in Vermilion Township, where they were farmers. Her father died there in 1909 at the age of fifty-nine, while her mother is still living in the Village of Vermilion and is now sixty years of age. They were members of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. Alheit was a demoerat. Mrs. Alheit has two children, Elizabeth, the wife of M. J. Sayler, and Charles Alheit, who is now in the employ of the Erie Railroad and lives at Marion, Ohio, and married Winifred Rudolph. Mr. and Mrs. Sayler have one son, Melvin P., who was born August 17, 1914. The Sayler family are very active in the social life of that community and Mr. Sayler is a member of the Evangelical Church, while his wife is of the German Reformed denomination. In polities he is a republican.
JOHN R. Fox. Of the third generation of the Fox family in Erie County, John R. Fox represents a name that has been elosely identified with this county sinee pioneer times. The work by which he has eom- mended himself to the esteem of the community has been largely as a farmer. Mr. Fox owns a well improved place, a portion of which lies in Oxford Township and a part in Perkins Township, his home being in the latter. He is one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of his native county.
Born in Perkins Township, July 7, 1853, he is a son of Allen and Catherine E. (Bartlett) Fox. His father was also born in Erie County, while his mother was born in New York State, and when a child came with her parents to Ohio and to Erie County. Grandfather Rodger Fox came to Ohio from Conneetient, a state which furnished so much of the citizenship to Northern Ohio during the pioneer times. He was an early settler in what is now Perkins Township, reelaimed a farm from the wilderness, and lived a life which should deserve recognition and memory on the part of his descendants. With the exception of a brief period of residence in Hardin County, Allen Fox spent all his life in Erie County, and was one of the successful farmers of Perkins Town- ship. After a long and honorable career he passed away in November,
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1906, having survived his wife several years. He had been reared under the conditions and influenees of pioneer times, and did a worthy part in carrying forward the movement for development and progress in this section. Perkins Township had few better known and none more highly esteemed among its citizens. He was a stanch democrat, served two terms as township trustee, for a number of years held the office of director in his school district, and was an active member of Perkins Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Of the ten children born to Allen Fox and wife all are living exeept Ida M. and Lucy F. Polly C. is the wife of Thaddeus Mackin of Huron County; John R. is next in age; Joseph A. is a resident of Montague, Michigan; George B. is a prosperous farmer of Perkins Township; Emma I. is the wife of John A. Strong of Bloomingville, Erie County; Sylvester is a resident of Toledo; Mary L. is the wife of Frank Hess of Sandusky ; and Martha A. is the wife of Nathan Harris of Huron County.
John R. Fox grew to manhood on the old farm in Perkins Town- ship, learned lessons in practical industry at home, and also gained a fair knowledge of books and studies in the local schools. For many years his career has been steadily and industriously identified with farming and he has well earned a place for himself among the best exponents of that industry. He owns twenty-five acres in Oxford Township and 1134 aeres adjoining in Perkins Township. Mr. Fox is liberal and publie spirited, takes a lively interest in publie affairs and all the best interests of the community. Ile is a stalwart republican in politics, but the only office which he has consented to serve is that of constable of Perkins Township.
ELMER B. OTTO. The subject of this sketch, Elmer B. Otto, is a comparatively young man, born and reared in Erie County, and first saw the light of day on what is known as the old Captain Dennis Farm on the 19th day of May, 1885, being a second son of Herman W. Otto, the well known farmer who has lived on the above farm for more than thirty years.
The grandparents of Elmer B. Otto were Franz J. M. and Sophia P. Otto, who emigrated to this country in 1851, and for a time lived on Long Island in the State of New York. There were born to them six children, all of whom are now living, viz .: Frederiea, Jennie, Franz, Ilerman, Albert and Clara. In the year 1868 Franz J. M. Otto and family came to Sandusky, Ohio. Franz Otto and his wife were people of good education, he was a florist and landseape gardener and for many years conducted a nursery and greenhouse on the old Columbus Pike near the site of the old Toll Gate. Many are the trees in this county that stand as monuments to his memory, such as the ehns in front of the old Marshall home, the chestnut trees around the courthouse and many others that might be mentioned. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years and sleeps the sleep that knows no wakening in Oak- land Cemetery besides his wife. His wife died in 1885.
Herman W. Otto was a mere lad when his parents came to Sandusky, and after attending the Sandusky public schools devoted his attention to farming. At first he worked on the farm for Captain Dennis, then rented it and later purchased it, and for many years has enjoyed living there. Ile was married to Franees Oswald, who was born in Sandusky, and is a daughter of Andrew and Helen ( Frey) Oswald, both natives of Germany. Andrew Oswald was a eabinet maker and for many years applied himself at that trade, but eventually went into the dairy busi- ness. He was seventy-three years of age at the time of his death and his wife sixty-three. Their ten children were Margaret, deceased ; Aloy- sius, Frances, Mary, John, Pauline, George, Andrew, Fred and Julius.
Elme 3. Otto.
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Herman Otto and his wife Frances reared seven children, Walter, Elmer, Jennie, Edith, Elmora, Frederick and Alverna, all of whom are now living in the City of Sandusky or in the county.
The time is not far distant when the worker, he that labors for his fellowman, will be recognized as he deserves, and he that renders service, be it ever so humble, shall be regarded above one that labors only for dollars. Elmer B. Otto was reared on his father's farm and there acquired the fundamentals of his present success. His parents and grandparents were all earnest, hard working, industrial people, paid their debts and performed their obligations to society as all will bear witness who ever knew any of them. Elmer B. Otto was married to Ada Rittman in 1908. She was born and reared in Sandusky and is a daughter of Christopher and Louisa Rittman and a sister of Walter Rittman, who has just become known to fame not so much through his chemical discoveries as his enlightened spirit of laboring for the public good rather than for dollars or private monopoly. To Elmer B. Otto and wife Ada were born two bright sons, Walter and Howard Christian.
Elmer B. Otto began before he was of age to sell milk from his father's farm with one horse and wagon and selling direct from the can. His first venture was to buy a "new fangled" milk cooler in order to cool the milk as soon as drawn from the cows. Next he purchased his first separator for separating the cream from the milk. This was a small hand-power machine. Though that was a humble beginning, Elmer B. Otto has never lost hope, has met with difficulties and disappoint- ments, but he has made money and it is largely to his credit that San- dusky today enjoys the good quality of milk delivered in sealed bottles free from dirt or germs.
It has always been his ambition to have a good business and give as much or a little more for the money than his competitors. In 1907 he was able to purchase the splendid property known as the old "Pitt Cook" home at 915 Washington Street. This property has a frontage of 112 feet and twelve rods deep with an alley in the rear. The large three-story stone dwelling house faces Washington Street, where Mr. Otto lives and conducts his business enterprises. On the rear of the lot, seven days in the week, everyone is interested in seeing that the people of Sandusky get fresh milk for their coffee. Here all milk is tested by the "Babcock" method to find if the milk is up to the proper standard; here also is the engine and boiler room, the refrigerating machine, the steam separator, the monstrous ehurn, the bottle washing machines and bottle filling machinery. Mr. Otto, be it to his credit, has visited New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit, ('ineinnati, Columbus, and in fact all of the great cities fre- quently to get the latest and best ideas in the milk and cream industries of the world. Those who have visited the place of Mr. Otto, and also fortunate enough to have visited other like places, cannot but feel proud of the fact that Sandusky is up to date in the matter of her milk supply and delivery.
Eight wagons deliver milk to the customers all over the city: 2,000 pounds of butter is made here every week for the home trade, and buttermilk, skim-milk and cottage cheese, as well as cream for ice cream, are among the products of this plant. About a year and a half ago Mr. Otto purchased and operated a confectionery and ice cream store on Columbus Avenue, but the ever increasing duties to his continually enlarging business compelled him to sell out the store to his brother, Walter Otto.
All milk from this plant is pasteurized, bottled and placed in cold storage until delivered to the patron. Cleanliness and wholesomeness, together with prompt service, have been for Mr. Otto an ideal that he
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has lived up to constantly. Fraternally Mr. Otto is one of the promi- nent younger members of the Masonie order. His affiliations are with Perseverance Lodge No. 329, F. & A. M .; Sandusky City Chapter No. 72, R. A. M. ; Sandusky Council, R. & S. M .; Sandusky City Commandery No. 26, K. T .; and Zenobia Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to Lodge No. 285, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and to Lodge No. 444, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
JOHN P. MOWRY. The owner of one of the excellent farms found in the rich agricultural district of Oxford Township, John P. Mowry since early youth has been a productive worker, and has always busied himself with something useful either to himself or to others. In addi- tion to operating his farm he furnishes a valuable serviee to the com- munity by operating a threshing outfit during the season and also conduets a portable sawmill.
Ilis life began in Oscar Township, of Erie County, February 17, 1870, and he is a son of the late John and Louise (Leber) Mowry, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Nassau, Germany. John Mowry, who died November 9, 1907, was brought when nine years of age from his native land to America, his parents settling in Sencea County, Ohio, where John's father died. Ile grew up and received his education in that locality and subsequently removed to Erie County, eventually settling in Oscar Township, where for many years he was one of the active farmers. During the war between the states he enlisted and spent three years in the Union army and nine months of that time were passed enduring the hardships and privations of the notorious military prison at Andersonville, Georgia. He saw much active service and participated in several of the great battles of the war. His six children were: Charles, of Kimball, Ohio; John P. of Oxford Town- ship; Louise, wife of Henry L. Seheid of Oxford Township; Carrie, wife of Claude Livengood of Oxford Township; Adolph of Conneaut, Ohio; and Edward, now deceased. The late John Mowry was a demo- erat in politics and made himself useful wherever he was. He was a member of the Evangelical Association and carried his religion into his everyday life. His widow is still living, being now in her seventieth year, and enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well doing, surrounded by her family and a large circle of friends. She was reared in Germany and eame to America in her nineteenth year, and since that time has been continuously a resident of Erie County.
On the farm of his father John P. Mowry grew up in Oxford Township and was prepared for his career partly in the public schools and partly by the discipline of the farm and by the teachings and precepts of his parents who inculcated in their children habits of industry and strict honesty. Through his business activities carried on over a period of a number of years Mr. Mowry now owns 1061/2 acres of land, devoted to general farming.
On October 7, 1898, he married Miss Florence Miller, who was born in Groton Township, daughter of William Miller, for many years well known in that section of Erie County. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mowry, and the three now living are Earl C., Alberta and Vietta, while the two deceased were named Melvin and Florence.
For four years Mr. Mowry served as treasurer of Oxford Township and well justified the confidence of his fellow citizens to his administra- tion. lle is a democrat in politics and wherever known is held in high regard for his progressiveness and his thorough integrity.
LEWIS A. BEATTY. When a good man passes to the higher life he leaves a void in the community that is hard to fill. Though his place
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in the business world may be taken by a competent successor, old ties have been sundered and old associations broken, and memory-that precious tie that links us with the past-can alone revive his personality and place him in our midst again. Let us be thankful for it, for, if it sometimes strikes a note of sorrow, it also sounds the chords of joy, for what soul is there so dead to all the best feelings of humanity that would willingly forget the loved ones who have gone before? When, on June 3, 1911, Lewis A. Beatty passed from this earthly life, he left behind many precious memories in the hearts and minds of those who had known and loved him. A successful business man, the leading merchant in Castalia, honest in the strictest sense, a loving husband, kind father and good neighbor, his place is indeed hard to fill.
Mr. Beatty was a native of the Empire State, having been born in Otsego County. New York, December 7, 1844, a son of Alexander and Maria (Lewis) Beatty. The father was a native of Ireland who came to America with his parents when eleven years old, the family settling at New Berlin, Chenango County, New York, which county is adjacent to Otsego, to which section they afterwards moved. Mrs. Maria Beatty, whose family was of French extraction, was a good wife and mother, who ruled her household wisely and well, and to whom doubtless the subject of this memoir owed many of the qualities which had to do with his success in life.
Lewis A. Beatty was reared to manhood in his native county, in his youth attending the public schools. The knowledge thus acquired was supplemented in after life by reading and practical experience of men and things. He began industrial life at an early age and by dint of energy and perseverance, backed by intelligence, soon became self-sup- porting. December 23, 1869, in Otsego County, New York, he married Miss Fannie Adams, who was born in that county, December 5, 1847. She was a daughter of Thomas C. and Catherine (Edwards) Adams, both parents being natives of England, who came to America about 1838, settling first in Utica, New York. From that city they subsequently removed-after a few years-to Edmeston, Otsego County, where they resided until their death. In 1877 Mr. Beatty, with his wife and family, removed to Bloomingville, Erie County, Ohio, where for fifteen years he was manager of a general store for Thomas Adams, also serving as postmaster for a number of years. He then removed to Rocky Ridge, Ottawa County, Ohio, and was there engaged in mercantile business for himself for fifteen years, also serving eight years as postmaster. At the end of that period he came with his family to Castalia and entered into general mercantile business here, conducting it successfully from his advent in 1907 until his death in June, 1911, as above recorded. ITis strict integrity and upright character, united to a kind and genial disposition, won him friends from the start and he never lost their confidence. He easily gained a leading place among the merchants of the town and was universally recognized not only as a good business man, but as a useful and public-spirited citizen. A man of strong moral principle, he was an ardent supporter of the temperance eause and always followed the golden rule in his dealings with his fellow men. The business he so successfully built up is now carried on by his widow and other members of his family and still continues in a thriving and prosperous condition. Indeed, it may be said that Mr. Beatty owed much of his success to his wife, who, for over a quarter of a century, was his wise and faithful counsellor and assistant, an obligation he was always ready to acknowledge. They were the parents of five children, namely: Henry L., residing in Castalia, Ohio; Cora, who is now deceased : Mary A., who resides in Castalia; Clifton A., a resident of Grenada, Mississippi, and Carrie M., who is the postmistress of Castalia.
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Mrs. Beatty attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. She and her daughters occupy a tasteful and comfortable residence in Castalia.
CLAUDE B. DEWITT. One of the leading members of the Sandusky bar for the past fifteen years, Mr. DeWitt has many interests and activities outside of his profession which have made his name familiar and prove the value of his service and his high standing in the com- munity.
The De Witt farm, on which he was born in Perkins Township, April 20, 1878, is almost the only farm now in that township which has re- mained in the same family for three successive generations. It was settled by his grandparents, George W. and Elizabeth (Buek) De Witt, who were of Holland Dutch parentage and came to Ohio during the decade of the '30s. After they married they established their home on the farm a part of which is now included in the grounds of the Ohio Soldiers' Home. Their location there was in 1849, and it continued to be their place of residence the rest of their lives. Will C. De Witt, father of the Sandusky attorney, and the only son of George W. and Elizabeth De Witt, was born and spent his entire life on the same farm, and died there in 1913. This old homestead, interesting and valuable to the De Witt family, is now owned by Claude B. DeWitt, who was the only child of Will C. De Witt and wife. The mother was Anna Bennett, and she was also born in Erie County. Her parents were Robert and Ellen (Milner) Bennett, the former of Irish and the latter of English descent. Robert Bennett likewise spent all his years in Erie County.
After graduating from the Sandusky High School in 1895, Claude B. De Witt entered the Ohio State University, where he was given his degree LL. B. in 1900. Experience and hard work have brought him a large practice at Sandusky, where he enjoys an enviable position.
In 1902 Mr. De Witt was revision clerk of the General Assembly of Ohio, and was selected by Governor Nash as secretary of the eode commission to draft the municipal code for Ohio cities that was enacted in 1902. He was formerly a member of Company B, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio National Guard, and since 1910 has been in charge of the Boy Seout movement at Sandusky. He served as director of public safety at San- dusky during 1910-11, and since 1907 has been referee in bankruptey of the United States District Court. He was director of the Castalia Bank during 1912-1913. Mr. De Witt is secretary of The Great Lakes Waterways Conference, an organization made up of all of the Cham- bers of Commeree in the port cities of the Great Lakes.
In polities a republican, he served a number of years on eounty and city committees. Mr. DeWitt is affiliated with Masonry, including the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite and Erie Commandery of the Knights Templar, and also with the Benevolent and Proteetive Order or Elks. Ile is a member of the Sunyendeand Club and is chairman of the executive committee of the Men's Literary Club. His church is the Congregational.
On April 25, 1901, at Columbus, he married Tella M. Axline. Her father, Gen. Il. A. Axline, served as a private in the Civil war, during the Spanish American war was colonel commanding the Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for twelve years was adjutant general of Ohio, so that his name is one of the best known in the State. Mr. and Mrs. De Witt have one child, Axline C. De Witt, now twelve years of age.
THOMAS B. POTTER, prominent citizen, well-to-do farmer and a trus- tee of Groton Township, has lived in this locality since 1874. He came here from Wood County, and after his marriage, October 4, 1877, settled on his present farm and his life since then has been a busy and profitable one. Mr. Potter is a son of William B. and Clarissa (Shipman) Potter, and he was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on October 28, 1853.
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William B. Potter was a native of Nottinghamshire, England. His father, Thomas Potter, long established in England, and William accom- panied his parents to America when he was a lad of thirteen years. They located in Mercer County, Ohio, near Chickasaw, in the year 1832, and were among the early settlers in that region. There William B. Potter reached man's estate and settled on a farm of his own after his marriage to Clarissa Shipman, who was a native daughter of the State of Pennsylvania. They lived in Mercer County until 1864, when they moved into Wood County, settling in Weston Township, and they lived there to the end of their days. The father was almost eighty-four years of age when he passed on in 1903. They were people of exemplary character and habits, and their lives were valuable contributions to the communities wherein they lived.
Thomas B. Potter was eleven years old when his parents moved from Mercer to Wood County, Ohio, and he was reared to manhood on the farm home in the last named county. He had the privilege of attending the local schools, and sneh advantages as he had in that respect were supplemented by a good home training in the practical things of life. When he was twenty-one, young Potter left home, came to Erie County and settled on a Groton Township farm in the year 1847. On this place he still lives. His farm is a ninety-nine acre tract, and it is devoted to general farming. Mr. Potter is a practical and therefore a sueeessful farmer. He has been more or less interested in stock-raising, always an adjunct to general farming, and his farm is one of the well kept and thrifty looking places in the township that it is noted for its prosperity.
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