USA > Ohio > Williams County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 12
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 12
USA > Ohio > Henry County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 12
USA > Ohio > Defiance County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Upon his father's farm William H. McCauley spent his boyhood and youth, and acquired his early education in the common schools of the neigh-
William Dx. Fr M Cauley
135
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
borhood, later attending the Normal School at Bryan, Ohio, for one year. He continued to live with his parents until his marriage, and for thirteen winters successfully engaged in teaching. On December 25, 1878, in Tiffin township, he married Miss Ida Spangler, who was born in that township December 10, 1855, a daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Davis) Spangler, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Defiance county. The mother died in Defiance in 1865, leaving three children : Ida, Laura B. and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley began their domestic life upon their present farm of eighty acres, and since abandoning the teacher's profession he has devoted his energies wholly to agricultural pursuits. Two children have come to bless their home, namely : John H. and Mabel R.
Since attaining his majority, Mr. McCauley has been unswerving in his support of the men and measures of the Democracy. He has often been called upon to serve in local official positions, being clerk of Tiffin township for six consecutive terms, trustee for six years, and a member of the board of educa- tion in that township. On the Democratic ticket, in the fall of 1895, he was elected to the Seventy-second General Assembly, and in that body served on several important committees, including those on Temperance, Public Ways, and Soldiers and Sailors Orphans' Home. In the fall of 1897 he was re- elected to the Legislature as a member of the Seventy-third General Assembly, and served on the County Officers, Common Schools and Temperance Com- mittees. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare of his township and county, and withholds his support from no enterprise cal- culated to prove of public benefit. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley both hold member- ship with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active and prominent part in all church work. They enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of the county, and wherever known are held in high regard.
GEORGE K. OTIS.
This descendant of a family prominently connected with the early his- tory of Wayne county, Ohio, is a native of the same, born in Sugar Creek township, March 11, 1844. Jesse Otis, the founder of the family in that county, was born in the Green Mountain State, of New England ancestry of the Hon. James Otis stock.
Jesse Otis made his new home in Sugar Creek township, near Dalton. He there purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and in con- nection with the pursuit of his trade as a blacksmith engaged in farming, and, besides, gave attention to the public interests of the township, becom-
136
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing a prominent citizen and serving as justice of the peace and in other official positions. He married Charlotte Davy, of Frederick, Maryland, April 17, 1817, and that place became their home till death called them from earthly scenes. The former died May 1, 1856, suddenly while return- ing in his buggy from the city. They were members of the Baptist Church.
Merrill Otis, a son of Jesse and Charlotte (Davy) Otis, was born in Wayne county, and was there married to Margaret Saltzman. They spent the first six years of their married life there, and then, with the three child- ren that had come to their home, moved to Milford, Defiance county, and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres purchased by Mr. Otis. He afterward added eighty acres to the original purchase, and for a long period conducted the farm, making that place the permanent home of the family. Six children were added to the household during the residence there.
Well-known in his day, Merrill Otis commanded the high regard of the community, and for its good he was actively interested. He was elected county commissioner two terms, and served as trustee of the town- ship, member of the school board, and in other township offices. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and received the marked confidence of his fellow members in the Presbyterian Church of Lost Creek by being chosen a trustee, a position he held for many years. He departed this life in 1890 at the age of seventy years, and was buried in Hicksville ceme- tery by the side of his wife, who died in 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years.
George K. Otis, the second of the nine children of Merrill and Mar- garet Otis, was born in Sugar Creek township, but spent most of his child- hood days in the new home at Milford, where in study and farm life the years passed until he reached the age of eighteen. Eager then to join in the defense of the Union against the Confederate foe, he enlisted in Com- pany F, One Hundred Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve during the war, his brother, Doctor William Otis, enlisting at the same time. Af- ter two weeks of camp life at Toledo, the company on August 13, 1862. was ordered to Cincinnati and thence to Covington, Kentucky. The regi- ment formed a part of the division under General Rosecrans, and partici- pated in the campaign conducted by him against General Bragg. After the engagement at Franklin, Kentucky, in which the young soldier took part, his health failed, and he was appointed postmaster at Park Barracks. Louisville, by General Gilmore, and served as such from the 5th of De- cember to the Ist of April. He then rejoined his company at Frank-
137
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
fort, but soon afterward was prostrated by typhoid pneumonia, and receiv- ing an honorable discharge from the army, was mustered out June II, 1863. His father removed him on a cot to his home, in Milford, and af- ter the youth's recovery he resumed study, becoming a student at the aca- demy at Newville, Indiana, where he remained eighteen months. He then took a course of study at the Commercial College, Cleveland, graduating in 1865, and after his graduation he taught school one term in Adams township, Defiance county. A year at home followed, during which he purchased an interest in a store at Bryan.
In 1864 the State of Ohio was organized into military companies. In Milford township, Defiance county, one entire company was raised, and the officers were elected by a special election called by the Governor of the State. Three officers-captain, first lieutenant and second lieutenant- were elected in Milford township, the election resulting in a spirited con- test between Democrats and Republicans. The result of the election was the Republicans electing the captain and second lieutenant by majorities of thirty-five and fifty-one respectively, and the Democrats electing George K. Otis for first lieutenant by a majority of three. In those days the Re- publicans had a large majority in the township.
On March 19, 1867, Mr. Otis was married to Miss Sarah Hilbert, a daughter of Peter Hilbert, a farmer and lumber dealer of Hicksville. After marriage, he rented his father's farm and began housekeeping there; but at the end of two years he bought a farm of eighty acres in Hicksville town- ship, on which he located. After operating it one year he sold it and turned his face westward, going first to Montana, Kansas, where he engaged in the livery business for a while, and later became a hardware dealer in La- bette City, Kansas, remaining there a year and a half, when he removed to Howard county, in the eastern part of the State, and purchased a tract of land containing eight hundred acres. This he conducted as a stock farm, meeting with success; but the climate not agreeing with him, he, in 1873, returned to Ohio, and in the fall of that year embarked in mercan- tile pursuits, also dealing in stock and general produce. He carried on an extensive and lucrative business in these industries for three years and nine months, when he went to Hicksville and spent a year in the drug trade, after which he became an agent for the sale of farming implements, an occupation he followed successfully until 1885. He then entered upon general merchandising, engaging in speculation also, and through his loans (to friends) met with losses to the amount of forty thousand dollars. For a number of years since that time he has been in the real-estate field, and
138
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in connection with his dealings therein is serving as postmaster in Hicks- ville, having received the appointment by President Cleveland, in 1894. His is a firm advocate of Democratic principles, giving of his means and using his influence in support of the same. In Milford he served as jus- tice of the peace three years, and, in Hicksville, the office of township treas- urer has been conferred upon him two terms. In September, 1898, he was honored by Governor Bushnell with an appointment as the Fifth Dis- trict member of the Ohio Centennial Commission for 1903. The term to be served will be of four years' duration, and the compensation of each of the commissioners will be about one thousand five hundred dollars per year and expenses. That he will faithfully perform the duties involved therein, none who know his straightforward and business-like methods can doubt. He will be an honor to the State and to his own home, and will be a val- uable member of the Centennial commission.
On March 19, 1867, Mr. Otis was married to Sarah Hilbert, who died in 1883, leaving two children, Mary Della and Judson D. On April 2, 1885, Mr. Otis formed a second matrimonial alliance, making Miss Minnie M. Cowhick his bride, and the children of this marriage are Vera and Lloyd. The family attend the services of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Otis is a substantial member. He has been the superintendent of the Sun- day-school for six years, and as trustee and elder of the church has rend- ered faithful service for many years. As a citizen he is kind-hearted, gen- erous and public-spirited, and he holds an enviable place in the estimation of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity; of Hicksville Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and of the G. A. R. The home of the family, on the corner of Main street and Dixon avenue, is one of the finest residences in Hicksville.
ROBERT FILLMORE KERR.
For nearly forty years the name of Kerr has been most closely and prominently associated with the growth and development of Defiance county. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the conspicuous characters of Hicksville, where his life thus far, with little exception, has been passed, and where he has risen to prominence in busi- ness and social circles.
Joseph Kerr, his grandfather, a native of Dungannon, County Tyrone. Ireland, was of stanch Presbyterian stock, and when a young man (in the year 1812) emigrated with a brother. Robert, to the United States. Joseph
139
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Kerr was a weaver by trade and located at Honeybrook, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married in that vicinity to Elizabeth Lemon, also of pure Irish stock, and had a family of ten children. The parents died at Honeybrook, Joseph Kerr at the age of ninety-six years and his wife at ninety years.
Among their children was a son, Joseph Kerr (2), the father of our subject, who was born September 10, 1820, at Honeybrook, Pennsylvania. When a youth he learned the tailor's trade, and in 1842 migrated west, set- tling at Middletown, Holmes county, Ohio, where he conducted a tailoring business. He was married there October 9, 1845, to Miss Jane Dowell, who was born September 18, 1827, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Harold) Dowell. Her parents were married near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and were respectively of Welsh and German extraction. Jacob Dowell was a Methodist minister, and after settling in the woods, in a log cabin, at Mid- dletown, Holmes county, in 1820, he served more or less as a local preacher. He was a farmer at that place, and also a Thompsonian physician, and was a man of much strength of character. His death occurred at the homestead there in 1839, aged sixty-three years. His widow died there October 18, 1881, aged eighty-six years six months and eighteen days.
Joseph and Jane (Dowell) Kerr removed from Middletown, Holmes county, in 1857, to Hicksville, Defiance county, where he purchased a part interest in a sawmill, the first winter also doing some tailoring, which was the last work at his trade, however, as he subsequently gave his whole attention to farming, milling, and other interests. To his sawmill he soon afterward added a gristmill, which was operated until 1862, when he sold out this property and purchased a gristmill at Lagrange, Indiana, conduct- ing it some years, when it was destroyed by fire. He figures extensively in the business affairs of Hicksville, and is closely identified with its progress. He was an original stockholder in establishing the electric light plant there. and was also a charter stockholder in, and assisted in establishing, the Mer- chants and Farmers Bank in 1884, which was merged into, and is now, the First National Bank of Hicksville, holding the office of director or vice-president of the bank since 1884. He is the largest owner in the Eureka Milling Company, and owns one-half of the elevator adjoining. Very soon after going to live at Hicksville he purchased land, has nearly ever since been identified with the farming interests of Defiance county, and is now the owner of about five hundred acres near the village.
When a young man Mr. Kerr united with the Methodist Church; his life has always been a temperate one, and he has always been prominent by
140
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
means and influence in advocating temperance principles. In politics he was first a Whig, and later became a Republican, though never a politician in an active sense. He has served the corporation as a member of its school board, and as one of the village council for two terms. In all the different walks of life Mr. Kerr has earned a reputation for honesty and honorable citizenship, second to none, and in his declining years enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire community, where he has been a resident for forty years. Five children were born to Mr. Kerr and his wife, namely: (1) Joseph D., born August 2, 1846; (2) Thomas William, born November 22, 1847, was twice married, first time to Martha Shipley, by whom he had one child-Reed Kerr. For his second wife he wedded Emma. Hilbern, December 3, 1890, and they have one son-Jo. Thomas William now resides at Carmi,'Illinois, and is engaged in the lumber business; (3) Robert Fillmore, born February 19, 1851; (4) Alice May, born November 5, 1853, married E. W. Crook; (5) Laura E., born November 6, 1856, died June 29, 1864. The parents of this family reside in Hicksville. Mrs. Jane (Dowell) Kerr united with the Methodist Church when thirteen years of age, retain- ing her membership to the present time.
Robert Fillmore Kerr, the subject proper of this sketch, is the senior partner of the most important manufacturing industry in his home-village. The nucleus from which the present extensive manufacturing and milling interests of the Kerr Brothers at Hicksville sprang was formed in 1874 by Joseph D., Thomas W., and Robert Fillmore Kerr, where they began the manufacture of handles. In addition to their own labor they then employed only one man, but under careful and skillful management the business stead- ily and gradually increased, until it now consists of three distinct plants- one for the manufacture of agricultural implement handles, broom handles, bicycle rims, pike and tent poles, cant-hook handles, and many other spe- cialties, occupying two large buildings and five warehouses, the work of which gives employment to from thirty-five to fifty men. Another plant is styled the "Buckeye Furniture Company," which occupies two large build- ings in which are employed from twenty-five to thirty-five men. While the third plant consists of a planing and saw mill, which gives employment to twenty men. The firm has undergone several changes in ownership since its establishment, but for the past ten years or more Robert Fillmore Kerr and his brother-in-law, E. W. Crook, have been the sole owners, though it still retains the firm name of "Kerr Brothers," under whom the business has assumed its present large proportions, and is now the pride of the vil- lage and surrounding country, and the support of many families.
141
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The senior partner, Robert Fillmore Kerr, was born at Middletown, Holmes county, February 19, 1851, and was six years of age when brought by his parents to Hicksville; here he passed his young days in attending the village schools and in assisting on his father's farm adjoining the cor- poration. He inherited the studious traits of the German strain in his blood, and employed much of his time in study even when going to and from work, studying over problems and orally repeating texts. with the sole object of disciplining his mind. By close application and individual effort out of school, he acquired a valuable part of his education and became one of the best read and posted men on current topics in this section of the country. Later, in the way of mental drill and of acquiring additional knowledge, he taught school near Hicksville for three winters. He also fur- ther prepared himself for usefulness in the world by becoming a member of a religious society, uniting with the Methodist Church when about six- teen years of age. Thus thoroughly equipped morally and mentally, young Kerr was prepared, when only twenty-five years of age, with his brothers to establish and direct what developed into a vast business in after years, and of which the senior member of the firm has been the controlling and directing spirit for many years. Although occupied continually with the many affairs of his large business, Mr. Kerr has found time to give atten- tion to the interests of his Church, and during his thirty years' membership he has served nearly all of that period, either as trustee or class leader, and for the past fifteen years he has been the popular superintendent of its Sunday school. In politics he was a Republican until the organization of the Prohibition party, is now an uncompromising temperance advo- cate and has been identified with every movement for the suppression of the liquor traffic, devoting time, labor and money to that end. On Decem- ber 1, 1881, he was married to Amanda J. Otis, who died April 21, 1885. without issue, and on January 4, 1894, he was married to Elizabeth J. Banks. By this union there are two children: Robert Wendell, born De- cember 15, 1894, and Madonna Elizabeth, born July 31. 1896.
In 1879-80 Mr. Kerr lived in Chicago, where he established an agency for the handling of the products of the firm's factory; with this exception he has for a period of forty years been a constant resident of Hicksville. The firm, in addition to the other large interests, owns three brick business blocks in the city and other property. Their great success may be attrib- uted to good business judgment, industry, integrity, and energy, a happy combination possessed by the firm.
142
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
JOHN P. EISER.
The present sheriff of Defiance county, John P. Eiser, is an able and faithful official, and his fearless discharge of his difficult and sometimes dangerous duties has won for him the esteem of the better element of the community, while his name has become a veritable "terror to evil doers." A long service as constable, deputy sheriff, and deputy United States marshal prepared him for his work, and it is seldom that a man is found so thoroughly equipped for the office.
Mr. Eiser was born October 1, 1859, in the city of Defiance, the son of Doctor Andrew Eiser, and his wife, Mary Eiser. Both parents were natives of Monheim, Germany, and they remained in the Fatherland for some years after their marriage. In 1840 they came to America with their family, which then consisted of three children, and located first at Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1843, removing to Defiance, where the father died in 1858. He had studied for the medical profession in Germany, and on coming to this country engaged in practice with marked success. His wife survives him, and for some time resided with our subject in Defiance, but in June, 1896, she went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to visit a daughter, and was stricken with paralysis from which she has not recovered. The family has always been identified with the Catholic Church, and both parents being devout members they reared their children carefully in the same faith. The three children born in Ger- many were Elizabeth, Andrew, and Emma, and the four born in Defiance were Sarah, Josephine, George Washington, and John P. (our subject).
John P. Eiser was educated in Defiance, attending the Union Schools, also the parochial schools of the German Catholic Church, and at an early age he began to learn the tinner's trade, which he followed for seven or eight years. In 1884 he was elected to the office of constable, in which he served so faith- fully and efficiently that he was retained in the position for thirteen years, resigning it only to take the oath of office as sheriff. During that period he served four years as deputy sheriff, being appointed in 1888, and four years as United States marshal under B. F. Wade, of Toledo, the appointment being made in 1890. His services in both positions were creditable to himself and satisfactory to his superior officers and the people at large, his prompt ful- fillment of all official duties bringing him prominently and favorably before the public. His courage and determination were often put to severe tests, his duties being performed at times at the risk of his life when a desperate criminal was to be found and arrested. Altogether he has apprehended more
Cis er
145
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
than one hundred and fifty offenders who were convicted and sent to the penitentiary. Naturally he became familiar with the legal practice connected with the offices mentioned, and this is now of great advantage to him, all the details as to papers and forms of procedure being decided upon without fear of error.
In 1896, when he was nominated by the Democratic party to his present office, he was elected by a majority of nine hundred and thirty-seven, although his opponent was a most popular man, and had been elected two years previous by a handsome vote. Mr. Tuttle is the only Republican ever elected to the office of sheriff in Defiance county. Notwithstanding the pressure of his official duties, he has served for some years as a member of the fire department of Defiance. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he is prominent socially as a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the German Aid Society. He earned his first money as a bill poster, and now owns all the bill boards in Defiance.
On October 2, 1886, Sheriff Eiser was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Partee, daughter of John and Nancy (Justice) Partee, the former of whom was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died in Camp Dennison in 1861, from a wound received in battle. His widow still resides in Evans- port, Defiance county, the birthplace of our subject's wife. To Sheriff and Mrs. Eiser have been born three children : Mabel, Bernadine, and John, Jr.
HON. WILLIAM GEYSER.
In our cosmopolitan population we have no more valuable citizens than those who owe their origin to the Fatherland. The steady, industrious habits of the Germans, combined with their strict sense of duty and honor, tend to make them useful citizens, loyal and patriotic to their new country. wherein they earn their daily bread. Such a one is the Hon. William Geyser, who was born October 3, 1841, in Wittenberg, Germany, a son of Jacob Geyser, who died in his native land.
Our subject was educated in the common schools of that country until at the age of eleven he accompanied his widowed mother to America. They came to Lucas county, Ohio, and there two years later his mother died. Left an orphan at the age of thirteen, young William found himself thus early compelled to face the responsibilities of existence. He found work on a farm, later clearing land and leveling a forest for himself.
Hardly had the echo of the guns of Fort Sumter died away, when, in response to the startled country's call for aid, William Geyser left his plow
8
146
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In Janu- ary, 1863, he veteranized, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war in September, 1865. He served as a private during the entire war, and participated in all of the skirmishes and battles, including that of Wild Cat Mountain, in which his company took part. They were with Sherman in the march through Georgia, and were on picket duty when General Thomas' aid-de-camp was killed at Peach Orchard. When peace had been declared Mr. Geyser went quietly home and assumed his agricul- tural duties, in connection with a sawmill, until 1870, when he came to Swanton, and for a year and a half clerked in a store. He then went to Delta, Ohio, but after a year spent there returned to Swanton and engaged in the grocery and general merchandise business, which he yet conducts. His strict attention to business and his courteous treatment to customers have brought their own reward in a constantly increasing trade, and he now occupies two rooms, the first of which he built in 1872; six years later he was compelled to add the other, so extensive had his trade become.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.