USA > Ohio > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 41
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Wooster; Frederick W., in Millersburgh. HTohnes County; Julius, a farmer in Hohes County, Ohio; Netlie M., wife of Prof. Collins, of Oxford, Ohio. where he is professor of mathematics and astron- omy, and Oscar Theodore, who died in infancy.
through his efforts the project was sub- mitted to the people and carried by a majority of 2,300. Mr. Gasche is self- made in the best signification of the word. He was enterprising, and started with a determination to succeed. Soon after coming to Wooster he was afflicted with rheumatism, and while yet com- pelled to go on crutches, often hobbled before daylight to his bench, working all day, with sometimes but a seanty dinner. But he struggled on, and, encouraged and aided by his devoted wife, he made a marked success, and stands to-day one of the best known and highly respected citi- zens of Wayne County, in whose advance- ment he has been a potent factor.
Our subject has always been interested in political affairs, but has in the exercise of his suffrage been guided by his judgment rather than by party dictation. He was always a friend of freedom, and aban- doned the idea of settling in Missouri because it was a slave State. For eight years he was a member of the town coun- cil of Wooster; for two years was town- ship trustee, and for eight years was a director of the infirmary. He is affili- ated with the Temple of Honor and of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are respected members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. When he first came to Wooster it was but a small place of about 1,000 inhabitants, and had but poor , school facilities, but Mr. Gasche identi- fied himself with those who favored better edneational advantages, and, although opposed by some, they succeeded in their object. When the Wooster University terest in it, contributing liberally toward its building, and has been a warm friend of the institution. He is really the father of the Children's Home, as it was mainly ' D. Robison, of Lyon County, Iowa, who I R. WACHTEL, son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Riddle) Wachtel, was born in Plain Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1834. Jacob Wachtel came from Virginia, located in Wayne County, Ohio, and was married in what is now Ashland County. He was a farmer, and located on what is known as the Ball farm. After making several purchases aud sales he project was started he took a warm in- ! finally settled near Mohicanville, where he died. Elizabeth, his widow, moved to lowa, where she died in 1866. They had two children: Elizabeth, the late Mrs. ...
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died in September, 1865, and the subject of this memoir. J. R., however, had two half brothers and one half sister: Jacob, deceased; Henry, in Mohicanville, en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, and Cather- ine, deceased.
J. R. Wachtel was reared in Ohio, and in 1852 went to California, arriving at his destination August 17, where he remained engaged in mining for a period of thir- teen years, returning August 17, 1865. In 1867 he married Laurenza, daughter of John and Sarah Finley, located at Mohicanville, and removed to Shreve Sep- tember 2, 1879, where he has since been
The early life of John K. MeBride was engaged in the dry goods trade. To ! passed upon the farm, and his education them one daughter was born, Clara, who | was obtained at the country schools. died when eleven years of age, and they have since adopted a child, Lula, now (1888) a girl of twelve years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wachtel are members of the Disciples Church. Politically he is an ar- dent Democrat.
M RS. M. J. McBRIDE, widow of John K. McBride, is a native of Wooster, born in the house where she now lives April 23, 1823. With the exception of eight years her en- tire life has been passed in Wooster, where she was educated in a select school taught by Mrs. MeKer. In ISII she was
united in marriage with Mr. John K. Me Bride, who was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1809. His parents, Alexander and Anna J. ( Kelly ) MeBride, were also natives of that State. When Mr. McBride was a small boy his parents decided to come to Ohio, and on arriving here settled on a farm three miles from Wooster. In 1863 the mother passed away, at the age of seventy-five, and in 1869 the father followed her to the grave, aged eighty-four years. He had farmed until too old for active labor, when he re- tired to Wooster.
When abont eighteen years old he began learning the trade of a chair-maker, but later entered mercantile life, continuing therein until 1863, in which year he was elected probate judge of Wayne County, which position he filled for two terms. This decided him to enter the profession of law, and the rest of his life was passed in its study and practice, and he was very successful and prosperous. He was elect- ed a member of the constitutional conven- tion of 1872, which drafted the present constitution of the Stade. November 6, 18:SE, Mr. McBride was called to his last rest, at the age of seventy-seven years. Hle had been twice married, and by his first marriage became father of two chil-
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dren, one of whom is yet living, Harry, a commission merchant in New York City. Of his marriage with the estimable lady whose name heads this sketch one son was born, Thomas A., who became a phy- sician, and practiced in New York, where he attained considerable eminence. He died in August, 1856, while returning from Europe on the steamer " AHler," and was buried at sea, having been for the benefit of his health to the Carlsbad Springs, Germany. This blow was a heavy one for the parents, and undoubt- edly hastened the death of the father. Dr. MeBride was a graduate of Kenyon College, Ohio, and had also graduated in medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.
John K. MeBride occupied a promi- nent position in the business and social circles of the county. He was a member of the Odd Fellows order, of the Knights of Pythias, and in his carlier life be- came a Freemason. He was truly a self- made man, who by his own energy and close application won the large measure of the success which he achieved. He was universally respected in the commu- uity, and had the entire confidence of every, one who knew him. He and his estima- ble wife were both active members of the Episcopal Church in Wooster. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. McBride has resided in her childhood's home in Woos-
ter with her widowed sister, Mrs. M. A. Shively, and is calmly awaiting the sum- mons which shall reunite her to him who has gone before. All of the family are well known in Wooster, where they are held in the highest regard.
MARTHA A. SHIVELY is the widow of A. R. Shively, one of Wooster's formerly well-known citizens. She was born in the house where she now lives, in Wooster, May 5, 1831. Her family history is more fully given under the name of her brother, Dr. James D. Robison, on another page. On May 15, 1856, she was united in marriage with A. R. Shively, a native of Pottsville, Penn., and later a resident of Reading, Penn. At the age of twenty- two he came to Wooster, and embarked in the foundry business, which he had learned in his native State, carrying it on in connection with an uncle. Here he lived the rest of his life, dying in Febru- ary, 1870, when but thirty-nine years of age. By this marriage Mrs. Shively be- came the mother of six children: Ellen D., wife of Rev. W. S. Cochran, of Caryopolis: John MeB .. a resident of Montana: Ann, Mrs. Hugh M. Annat, of Wooster; Ed- ward, living in Cleveland, Ohio: and George I. and Martha 1%, with their mother. Mr. Shively was one of Wooster's progressive business men, and his loss was folt in the community, where he was esteemed as an upright man and a good
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citizen. Since her husband's demise, formerly a resident of Somepat County, Mrs. Shively has continued to live in her Penn. They have no children living. old home. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wooster, and is much respected.
Mr. Schrock has been a minister of the gospel for twenty-five years in the Church of the " Brethren in Christ." In 1859 he purchased his present farm of eighty- four acres, formerly the Landis property.
R EV. ELIAS SCHROCK. Peter Schrock came to Wayne County in 1518, bought 120 acres of land in Greene Township, and there re- mained until he died. He was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1795. His father, Casper Schrock, was a native of Germany, and came to America at an ; early period, and settled in Pennsylvania. Nine children were born to this pioneer, of whom Peter was the youngest, and was reared in his uative county, and re- mained there until 1818. He married Sa- rah Miller, danghter of Yost Miller, of Holmes County, Ohio, formerly of Pen- sylvania. Three sons and five danghters
C Y APT. HORACE N. CLEMENS was born September 15, 1854. on a farm near the village of Etna, Liek- ing County, Ohio, and is the first boru and only son of David L. and Urania ( Knowles) Clemens. Until arriving at the age of twenty he worked with his father on the farm, attending the village school during the winter seasons, thus ac- 1 quiring a fair common-school education. During the school year of 1872-73 he attended the high school at Ashtabula, Ohio, taking a course in some of the higher branches of study. In the fall were born to Peter and his wife. He was | of 1571 he came to Wooster and outered a well-to-do farmer, having followed farm- ing throughout life, and was also a min- ister in the Amish Church. the senior class of the preparatory de- partment of the University of Wooster. Hle pursued his course of study in this in- stitution withont interruption, graduating being the third honor man in a class of thirty-one. During his college course he displayed marked talent as a writer
Elias Sebrock was the second son and fifth child of his parents, and was born in ' in June, 1879, with the degree of A. B., 1829. He was educated in the common schools, and has principally followed farming. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Stutzman, I and orator, being awarded the first
WAYNE COUNTY. 463
prize in the junior oratorical contest in June, 1878. In 1881 the University of Wooster conferred upon him the degree of A. M. After graduation he entered the law office of Downing & Yocum, in
% The Wooster Republican bears the distinguished honor of being the first newspaper ever published in Wayne County. In the carlier part of the year 1817 the late Judge Levi Cox established and be- gan the publication of a weekly paper, called the Ohio Spectator, in the village of Wooster. In a few months Judge Cox took into partnership with him Samuel Baldwin, and the publication of the paper continued under the proprietorship of Cox & Bald- win. At the end of the first year Judge Cox re- ' tired from the firm, Mr. Asa W. W. Hickox taking his place. Mr. Hickox, however, left at the end of a year's connection with the paper, and Mr. Bald- win continued its publication alone, but being bodily infirm, he soon fell a victim to that dread disease, consumption. Dr. Thomas Townsend, a relative of the deceased, assumed the control of the paper and closed out the remainder of Mr. Bald- win's year. At the end of the year the paper be- came defunet. Judge Cox having a lien upon the offiec resumed the possession of it, and soon there- after issued proposals for a renewal of the Specta- tor. He finally sold the fixtures, ete., of the office to Mr. Benjamin Bently, of Wooster, who took into partnership with him a Mr. Clingan. The new firm accordingly revived the defunet paper, and on the 13th of Jannary, 1820, began its issue under the name of the Wooster Spectator. This firm con- tinved the publication for two years, when Mr. Bently withdrew, selling his interest to Mr. (lin- gan, who conducted the paper himself for five years longer. In the spring of 1826 Col. John Barr, of Ilagerstown, Md., bought the office, and for about four years issued the paper under the title of the Ohio Oracle, devoted to the support of Gen. Jack- son for president. Col. Barr sold his office to David Sloane, of Wooster, who issued the paper under the name of the Wooster Journal and this. cratie Times, After issuing this paper for four years he transferred it to his brother-in-law, J. W. Schuckers, who published it forn like period. Mr. Schuckers disposed of the concern to Daniel Sprague, who took charge of it June 23. 1836, con- dheting it under the same caption, the Wooster Journal and Democratic Times, On September 16, 1810, he changed the title of the paper to the Wooster Democrat. After conducting the paper in a most snecessful manner for over sixteen years he disposed of it, his successors, H. C. Johnson and Enos Foreman, assuming control of it August 5, 1852. On May 12, 1853, its managers resolved to change the name of the paper, and thereafter it was published under its present title, the Wooster Repub. lican. On August 12, 1855, Mr. Johnson retired from the management of the office, Mr. Foreman beconiing both sole proprietor and editor. On July
Wooster, as a student of law, but in No- vember, 1879, he was called upon to temporarily take a position as local ed- itor of the Wooster Republican, * owing to the protracted illness of Mr. J. G.
25, 1861. Mr. Foreman issued a daily from the Republican office, which was continued without intermission until November 30. 1861. This was the first daily ever published in Wayne County, and was devoted almost exclusively to war news. Mr. Foreman sold the paper, August 4, 1870, to Capt. A. S. McClure, Joseph G. Sanborn and L. Jelf Sprengle, who at once assumed the proprietorship of the Republican, under the firm name of MeClure. Sanborn & Co .. Capt. MeClure taking charge as editor, and Mr. Sanborn as business man- ager, Mr. Sprengle simply holding his interest as a silent partner in the concern. In November, 1879, Mr. Sanborn was stricken down with a pro- tracted spell of fever, and Mr. H. N. Clemens was called in to temporarily take the business manage- ment and act as local editor. About the time Mr. Sanborn had recovered his health sufficiently to resume his work, Capt. Mcclure was nominated for Congress, being elected in the fall of 1850. In the meantime Mr. Clemens was retained in the em- ploy of the firm, being permanently employed us city editor of the paper upon Capt. MeClure's re- tirement to take his seat in Congress, Mr. Sanborn taking MeClure's place us editor. On August 1. 1882, Mr. Clemens purchased the one-third interest of L. JJeff Sprengle, and hecame an active partner in the concern. Mr. Sanborn condneted the paper as its editor until January 1, 1881, when Capt. McChire returned and resumed the editorial man- agement. On April 1, 1885, Mr. Sanborn sold his one-third interest in the paper to Peter C. Given, who did not actively become connected with the paper. At the same time the firm name was changed to MeClure & Clemens. Capt. MeChe retired from the editorial management of the paper, Mr. Clemens assuming both its editorial and busi- ness management, which position he still tills. On June 22. 1857, Mr. Clemens purchased Mr. Given's interest, thus becoming the two-thirds and controll ing owner of the Republican. On this date also the style of the firm was changed to HI. N. Clemens & Co., Capt. MeClure still retaining bis one-third in- terest in the concern. On October 20, 1887. Mr. Clemens began the publication of a five-column, four page daily, under the name of the l'oos- fer Morning Republican. On June 3, 1889, the daily was changed to a six column, four page after- noon paper, and has since been published under the name of the Wooster Daily Republican. Both the daily and weekly Republican are now in a flourish- ing condition, the daily being the only daily paper published in Wayne County. The Republican is the only Republican paper published in the county, and is the official organ of the party in Wayne County.
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Sanborn, one of the proprietors of that paper, and its local editor. Mr. Clemens continued to fill this position until April, 1881, when he was offered the position of book-keeper and local editor by the proprietors of the paper, which he accepted. In the summer of 1882 he purchased an interest in the Repub- lican, and in 1887 became the business manager and editor of that paper. As editor and manager of the Republican he has been very successful, and, though yet young in years, has already taken rank with the recognized leaders in the editorial profession in Ohio.
In 1881 Capt. Clemens eulisted as a private in the Wooster City Guard, Com- pany D, Eighth Regiment of Infantry, Ohio National Guard, and was soon pro- moted to the rank of fifth sergeant. From time to time he was promoted from one grade to another until he was made tlre first sergeant of the company May 30, 1883. At the expiration of his first term of service he re-enlisted, and June 30, 1886, was elected and commissioned second lieutenant of the company. A vacancy occurring in the captainey of the com- pany, he was elected captain by an almost unanimous vote of the company, and re- ceived his commission from Gov. Foraker November 23, 1886. Capt. Clemens has ably continued the work begun by his predecessors, and has the honor of com-
manding what is recognized as the crack company of the Ohio National Guard.
On August 5, 1885, Capt. Clemens was married to Miss Flora Elizabeth Kanke, the youngest daughter of Jolm H. Kauke, one of Wooster's oldest and wealthiest citizens.
W ILLIAM DEXTER TYLER, an esteemed young business man of Wooster, Ohio, was born in Her- kimer County, N. Y., in 1858, of Scotch- English extraction, his ancestors having come to America at an early date, the paternal grandfather having served in the Revolution. The grandparents all died in the East. William F. Tyler, the father of onr subject, married Miss Hannah Pratt, a native of Connecticut, who bore him four children, of whom William D. is the only son. In 1859 the parents came to Ohio, and have sinee made their home in Mansfield, the father having re- tired from business in 1877.
William D. Tyler, or " Dex. Tyler." as he is more commonly called, received a practical business education, and while yet but a boy began clerking. Some years later he became a traveling salesman, in which capacity he continued for several years. In 1881 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Melissa A., danghter of
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Jacob and Elizabeth Frick, of Wooster, and they have two children, Frick and Walter. In 1882 Mr. Tyler came from Cincinnati to Wooster, since which time he has been engaged in the grain busi- ness as a partner with his father-in-law. He later became, and still continues, a stockholder and director in the Wayhe County National Bank. Politically Mr. Tyler is a Republican, a most earnest worker in the cause, and liberal to every publie good. In acknowledgment of his interest and liberality the Wooster Hook and Ladder Company, one of the swiftest and most efficient in the State, now bears the name "The Dex. Tyler." Mr. Tyler is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Honor, and is a Knight Templar.
who was a Miss Mary Neff, afterward moved to Indiana, where she died. She bore her husband seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch and his brother David are the sole survivors.
John Eley, whose name heads this sketch, had the advantage of the old-time pay school, and when a boy began learn- ing of his father the trade of coopering, which he followed for forty years. In 1825 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Dice, a native of Franklin County, Penn., with whom he lived in happy wed- lock for nearly sixty years. She died in January, 1883, aged seventy-three years. Seven children were born of their union, as follows: Margaret, now Mrs. Enoch Smith, in East Union Township, this county ; John, in Toledo, Ohio; Stephen, living near Toledo; Sarah, wife of George Winters, of Toledo; Sammel, Elijah and an unnamed infant ( deceased ). Mr. Eley has been the architect of his own fortunes.
Ho started in life without a dollar, his only capital being the trade taught him by his father. A long life of industry and thrift brought its fitting recompense, how- ever, and to-day, in his old age, he is in possession of a hard-earned and well-de- served competence. He and his faithful wife reared their children to be good men and women, and before the mother's de- C OHN ELEY. This well-known res- ident of the city of Wooster comes of German ancestry, and was born in Franklin County, Penn., in July, 1503. His grandfather, Christian Eley, came from Germany, and settled in the county and State above named, where his son John, the father of our subject, was born. John Eley, Sr., was a Revolutionary sol- dier, was in Washington's army, and died in Franklin County in 1835. His widow, { parture the parents had the happiness of
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seeing their offspring all well settled in life, and occupying honorable positions in society.
In his political convictions Mr. Eley has always been a Democrat. but liberal in his ideas, and tolerant of the opinions of others. He and his beloved wife were for many years members of the Lutheran Church. He has spent many years in Wayne County, where his worth as a man and a citizen has always been recognized and appreciated, and where he has ever borne an honorable name and repute, and he has done his share to promote the prosperity of his adopted home. His children established in homes of their' . own, and his devoted wife gone to her re- ward, the venerable father and widower, now in his eighty-sixth year, is living alone, calmly awaiting the summons which shall reunite him to his long-loved compan- ion on the other shore.
S AMUEL WHITMORE was born in Franklin County, Penn., February 3, 1816, a son of Samuel Whitmore, who was native of Virginia, and married to Susan Over, of Lancaster County, Penn. Samuel, the subject of this memoir, came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1846, and hired
to work on the farm he now owns. His parents came in 1851, and located on an ad- joining farm, where the father died in 1867, and the mother in 1884. They were prom- inent members of the United Brethren Church. They reared eight children, all of whom are dead except Ephraim, in Con- gress Township. Wayne County; Hiram, in Westfield Township, Medina Co., Ohio; E. D .. in Wooster, Ohio; Rebecca, wife of George Ogler, of Wooster, and Samuel, the subject of this sketch, who is the eld- est living, and a farmer by occupation.
He married, in Franklin County, Penn., in 1845, Miss Catherine, daughter of Thomas MeCracken, and by this union there were five children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are Thomas, a farmer of Medina County, Ohio, married to Cal- ista Bessey, of Medina County, and has four children: Charles, Margaret, Mary and Russell; Samuel, a farmer of Medina County, married to Jeanette, daughter of John Kinney, of Creston, Wayne County, and has four children: Mand, Mary, Frank and Paul; Loretta Jane, wife of John Slutz, of Buena Vista County, Iowa. Mr. Whitmore lived in Medina County, Ohio, For thirteen years, and while there he served as school director of Westfield Township. Ile is a prominent and stanch supporter of the Republican party. He is a consistent member of the Burbank United Brethren Church.
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D C. KEAN. About the time of the Revolution there came from Ire- land to this country Neal and John Kean, brothers, who settled in or about Harrisburgh, Pen., John at one time: keeping store in Harrisburgh, and Neal residing on a farm in Mifflin County, Penn. There were born to him and his wife, whose maiden name was Patty Reiden, nine children: George, Charles, William, Joseph, Elizabeth, Catherine, Polly, Mar- garet and Rebecca. Of these, Joseph married Sophia White, and about 1800 moved west to the Ohio River, where a family of eight children were born to them, as follows: William, Elizabeth, Joseph, John, Ann, Catherine, Sophia and Kearns.
William Kean came in 1818 to Wayne County, Ohio, and settled with his father, Joseph Kean, on a farm in Plain Town- ship, where were born to him six children, viz .: Dewitt C., sketch of whom follows; Sophia, wife of E. G. Ebright, near Shreve, this county ;_ Anner, with her sister near Shreve; Augustus C., now on a farm in Clinton Township, this county; John, who died in the army during the Rebellion, and Tamar, wife of A. B. Old- roid, near Shreve.
D. C. KEAN, a prominent farmer of Plain Township, was born on the farm whereon he now resides, April 14, 1832, a son of William Kean, who came From
Pennsylvania about 1818, and settled in Plain Township. He was reared in his native township, and. being of a literary turn of mind, acquired a good education, then began teaching when a young man, a vocation he pursued until about five years since. He has also been success- fully engaged in farming, owns a beautiful home, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of the township. Mr. Kean was married in 1854 to Mary Elizabeth Brubaker, of Ashland County, Ohio, and they have seven children: William F., born Feb- ruary 9, 1855, an attorney, of Wooster; George E., born August 12, 1856, a farmer and school-teacher near Springville, Plain Township, having been educated at the University of Wooster; Olin L., M. D., born December 22, 1858, practicing his profession at Creston, this county (is sur- geon for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Rail- road, and is patentee of a local anesthetic for the painless extraction of teeth. ) ; Gertrude, born January 12, 1860, resid- ing at home; Orange J., born September 18, 1864, on the farm; Lura B., born March 5, 1866, at home, following the profession of teaching, being a graduate of the University of Wooster; and Estella, born June 8, 1874, at home. For eight- een years Mrs. Kean has been unable to. attend to the cares of her home, being disabled by rheumatism. Mr. and Mrs. Kean are members of the Methodist Epis-
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