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 50
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 50
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 50
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 50
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
Mr. Miller owns more than one hundred acres of land in the corporation of Sherwood, and he is an active and interested participant in all local affairs. He was honored with the office of trustee of Delaware township, and his fellow townsmen in Sherwood evinced their appreciation of his worth by mak- ing him one of their first councilmen. Socially, he is a member of the Patri- otic Order Sons of America.
HENRY BRICKER.
In the success achieved and position attained in this prosperous and highly respected citizen of Hicksville, we see the fruits of a life of patient toil and faithful devotion to the interests of his environments, as also to his own highest good.
Mr. Bricker is of Swiss descent, but the family have long been identified with the life and growth of this country. His great-grandfather, a native of Switzerland, immigrated to America at an early day and settled in Maryland, where he engaged in farming. His son, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In early manhood he married a Miss Norman of that place, and this newly-mar- ried couple then left the home of their early days and settled on a tract of
583
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
land situated in Center township, near New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. This was about 1800, and they were among the earliest settlers of that wilder- ness section; but undismayed by the dreary outlook, youthful ambition and vigor persevered in establishing a home in that desolate place, where the nearest neighbor was six miles away. Thus cut off from the social converse and helpful intercourse of neighboring pioneers, the drudgery of daily toil in the rude home went on, relieved and cheered, however, by the affections and interests that centered in the family circle, which was increased by new faces, one by one, till it included six children-three boys and three girls- whose presence brought additional brightness to the humble home, and made the lonely forest ring with shouts of their happy voices. As time passed on the opening forest showed the fruits of assiduous toil, and still the work of clearing the tract progressed during the life of this busy man till the whole of it was accomplished. In connection with the farm work he dealt in horses, taking droves of them through the country to Baltimore; and he also fol- lowed teaming, driving a six-horse team to Baltimore and back, taking loads of the products of that county, and returning laden with merchandise. In politics Mr. Bricker was a Democrat. He and his wife were devout mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, and he received the marked confidence of his fellow members in being elected deacon, an office he held for many years. The death of this wife occurred about 1836, and she was buried in Salem township, that county, in the grounds adjoining St. Jacob's Church. The husband was afterward united in marriage with Mrs. Lethe Clapsaddle, to which marriage there were no children. Mr. Bricker died about 1850, and was buried beside his first wife.
John Bricker, one of the six children of that pioneer home in Colum- biana county, was the father of our subject. He was born in 1808, and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. When a young man he came into possession of the old homestead in Center township by purchase and otherwise, and remaining on the farm throughout the whole of his life made agriculture his sole business. His scholastic training was very lim- ited, but he was a man of superior natural ability, and not only thoroughly systematic in the conduct of his affairs, having a place for every tool and utensil used on the farm, where it could be found by any one in the darkest night, but was progressive as well; indeed, was what is known as a scientific farmer, and was continually experimenting in order to acquire improved meth- ods in raising farm crops.
Early in life he married Rebecca Burger, a native of Columbiana county, of German descent, and they had a family of eleven children, as follows : George, Jacob, Henry, Sophia, Nancy, David, Lydia Ann, Catharine, Lucinda,
584
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Daniel and Joseph. Sophia married William Grover, and died in Boone, Iowa. Nancy married Joseph Brinker, and resides in her native place. Lydia Ann married James Figley; Catharine married John Figley, and both are widows residing in their native place. Lucinda married David Shine, and died a year after marriage. The mother died in the spring of 1851, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Jacob's Church, Salem. Mr. Bricker mar- ried, for his second wife, Mrs. Lydia Ervin, née Sampsill, and she became the mother of four children, as follows: Jesse, Rebecca, Eli and Minty. Rebecca married E. Smith, who died, and after his decease she married Newton Long. They reside at Center. Minty married George Long, and resides at Center, also. As this record shows, John Bricker was the father of fifteen children. Two of his sons, Henry and David, served as soldiers in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Bricker was a lifelong Democrat. His religious belief was that of the German Reformed Church, of which he was a valued member. He held the office of deacon in that Church many years. The home place was greatly improved during his life by the modern residence he erected in place of the old pioneer dwelling, the home of his birth, and there in 1884 he passed from earth.
Henry Bricker was born January 12, 1837, in the log house that had been the birthplace of his father also, and he was trained to agricultural life on the home farm, remaining there until he was eighteen years of age, when his father, in accordance with his custom with all of his sons, gave him the opportunity of learning a trade with sufficient pecuniary aid furnished to enable him to do so. Accordingly the youth left the parental roof, and became an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade, at West Unity, Williams county, this State, January 1, 1854. After serving there two and one-half years he com- pleted his full term of apprenticeship at Haysville, Ashland county, when he came to Hicksville and remained a year, finding employment but not working at his trade. He hauled rails at fifty cents per day, also cut cordwood at twenty-five cents per cord.
On April 3, 1857. he was married to Miss Mary Ann Bear, a daughter of Martin and Susan (Gilbert) Bear, from the Allegheny section, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Bear was a farmer, son of Daniel Bear, a pioneer of Bazetta, Trumbull county, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Bricker carried on black- smithing in Swan township, Noble county, Indiana, taking up his trade there by his own unaided efforts; and by diligent application to business was successful in accumulating a sum sufficient to procure a little home, in which he was settled in 1861. when the country being plunged into the war of the Rebellion, with patriotic zeal he responded to the call for volunteers, enlisting
585
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
September 25, 1861, in the Fifth Indiana Battery of Artillery. Going out as sergeant he served as such for eighteen months, when he became chief artificer of the battery, in which capacity he served during the remainder of his military service. The first engagement of the battery was at Stone river, where the action began at daylight. A half hour later, while in charge of his gun in his duty as sergeant, a shell from the enemy exploded in the air just above him, and a fragment of this shell, striking him, threw him down. This frag- ment he still keeps as a relic. That engagement lasted from Wednesday morn- ing till Saturday evening, during which time his battery was compelled to fall back, and Mr. Bricker, while attempting to save his gun and attach it to the limber, barely escaped being either captured or killed. While earnestly engaged in his efforts to save the gun he was ordered by the captain to re- treat, and again the order was given, when, looking up, he saw the limber had been removed and the enemy was advancing, and then only a hundred yards or even less away. He obeyed the order with all possible haste, starting on a run, but was overburdened with a heavy overcoat, which finally so ex- hausted him he could hardly stand. Being a sergeant, it was his privilege to have a horse, but it had been left in the hands of a private and the private being wounded, the horse was loose. Just then, in his dilemma, he spied his horse standing close by, his head held down by the hitching strap, which was under his feet. The horse was one he had captured in Alabama, and was named "Jack." Calling him by name, which the horse appeared to know, Mr. Bricker went to him, and after several attempts, succeeded in mounting, the Rebels by that time being close in the rear and still advancing ; but the friendly animal starting off on a run, hastened the soldier's retreat, and without any guiding soon bore him safely to his battery. Mr. Bricker regards this circumstance as providential, as otherwise he would have been killed or wounded. This horse was wounded twice while in his service. The next engagement in which Mr. Bricker participated was Liberty Gap, Tennessee, which lasted one and one-half days, resulting in the loss of but one killed; then followed Tulla- homa, an engagement of three-quarters of a day; Chickamauga, two days, resulting in five killed; Chattanooga; Buzzard's Roost. a sharp contest of three hours' duration ; Whitesides, resulting in a loss of two killed; Resaca; and Kingston. Then, during the Atlanta campaign, there was continued fighting from the spring of 1864 until the 22nd of the following September. He received his discharge from the army November 29, 1864, his entire mili- tary service having covered a period of three years and two months.
On his return to the paths of peace he resumed work at his trade at Swan Creek, then in the spring of 1866 removed to Hicksville, where he established
586
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
himself in the same business and carried it on fifteen years, when he aban- doned it and for a while gave his undivided attention to farming, owning a farm of eighty acres in the corporation of Hicksville, which he still operates. He also owns one-third interest in a farm of fifty-five acres in the corporation, and for the past ten years has had one-third interest in the butchering business carried on by his sons.
Mr. and Mrs. Bricker have had seven children, of whom the following is a brief record : William Henry, born December 28, 1858, married Ellen Landis; John Martin, born December 4, 1861, married Frances La Croix; David Franklin, born February 2, 1867, married Luella Ethel Gaff ; Wallace Burton, born May 1, 1870, married Marguerite Steel; Nancy May, born Feb- ruary 14, 1876, died when three years of age; Joseph Alandis, born August 18, 1878, died when five weeks old; Amy Sophia, born December 5, 1885. The fine modern residence, No. 14 High street, which is the home of the family, was built by Mr. Bricker in 1873.
Our subject is a member of the Republican party, and holds an honorable place in the esteem of his fellow citizens, which, in recognition of his worth, have elevated him to positions of responsibility. He has been a trustee of the township for the past two years, in which capacity he is still serving; has been a member of the town council for five years; and trustee of the Forest Home Cemetery Association since its organization. He was one of the organizers of the association, and one to assist in laying out the lots of the cemetery. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of the United Brethren, in which they are active and zealous workers. Mr. Bricker was a liberal contributor toward the new church edifice, and, with his wonted activity in the advance of a good cause, was one of the agitators and insti- gators of the movements that resulted in the erection of this fine structure. He was largely instrumental in securing subscriptions, amounting to between seven thousand and eight thousand dollars, preliminary to the inception of the work in June, 1891. He was appointed general superintendent and man- ager of the erection of the church, and devoted the whole season to the duties thus intrusted to him, proving an efficient supervisor. The work was successfully completed at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars, and on the 3d of April, 1892, the edifice was dedicated. The main auditorium has a seat- ing capacity of about seven hundred. The contributions of Mr. Bricker and his sons toward the work amounted to about twelve hundred dollars, seven hundred and forty dollars of which was given by Mr. Bricker. He has been a member of the Church since 1866; Sunday-school superintendent at different times during the past twenty years, treasurer twenty years, and trustee
587
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
throughout the whole of his membership. Mrs. Bricker is president and treasurer of the Missionary Society of the Church, and a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
LOUIS O. SPRING.
Defiance boasts of the most efficient fire department of any city of its size in Ohio, this fact being largely due to the faithful chieftain, whose. com- manding personality, keen judgment, and unshaken confidence under trying emergencies have won the confidence of the community.
With commendable foresight, Mr. Spring, who has been at the head of the department since 1888, has left nothing undone which could prepare his corps of brave assistants for a struggle with the fire fiend, and the ringing of the alarm bells lacks much of the old terror and apprehension to the citizens. A fire department should be like a well-disciplined army in the presence of a possible enemy. Alert, thoroughly prepared, ready for duty at any mo- ment, even at the hazard of their lives, each man is a necessary unit in the ranks, but the practical efficiency of the entire force depends upon the gen- eral who directs it. If he be known as thoroughly qualified for his duties, all under his command, from the private in the ranks to the highest subor- dinate officer, will follow his directions with implicit confidence in his judg- ment. Should he call upon them to charge the enemy on "a forlorn hope," they will respond with that unanimity and enthusiasm which can work won- ders and wring victory against apparently overwhelming odds. In Mr. Spring the Defiance Fire Department has such a leader, and under his capa- ble direction the men are prompt to respond and do valiant service whenever life or property is endangered.
Mr. Spring's experience in fighting fire dates back to 1881, when he became a member of the Defiance department, and in the seven years that intervened before his promotion to his present post his ability and courage were fully tested. At present the force consists of seventy-five men, three of whom are regularly employed at full salaries. Seven are known as "minute men," receiving partial pay, and the others are volunteers. There are three commodious brick buildings in different wards occupied by hose companies, and one central brick building where is stationed a hose company, a hook and ladder outfit, three hand hose reels, and a large first-class steam fire engine, together with other apparatus belonging to a first-class equipment. In this building is the headquarters of the fire-alarm system, and three men are always on duty there. About thirty-five hundred feet of good hose is available for use
588
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
altogether, and the water supply is obtained both by direct pressure and from a standpipe system, the steam engine being used only in case of a general alarm. The buildings cost in the neighborhood of forty thousand dollars, ex- clusive of equipment.
The following brief history of the chief will be of interest: He was born February 7, 1860, at Marshall, Michigan, the son of August and Bertha Spring. Both parents were natives of Germany, but they came to the United States about forty years ago, and after residing for some time in Michigan located in 1870 in Defiance. They were devout members of the Lutheran Church, and were held in high esteem among their associates for their ex- cellent qualities of character. As our subject was but a boy at the time of the removal to Defiance the greater portion of his life has been spent there. His education was acquired in the common schools, and at an early age he was employed in the woolen mill. At sixteen he began to learn the machinist's trade with the Defiance Machine Co., with which he was connected for twenty-two years. In November, 1896, he began in business on his own ac- count, establishing a meat market at the southwest corner of Clinton and Fourth streets, and this, with his official duties, occupies his entire attention. Politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party. As a citizen he is highly respected, and his unfailing courtesy makes him popular everywhere. In August, 1893, he was married to Miss Josephine Gottwald, of Defiance, and they have one daughter, named Esther, and a son, Louis, Jr., born January 23, 1898. Mrs. Spring is a daughter of Christian and Christina Gottwald, both of whom are now deceased. They came from New York City to Defiance about 1875. Mrs. Spring was born in New York City, and came to Ohio when a child. Her education was obtained in the public schools of Defiance, where she has had her home nearly all her life.
JOHN A. BROWN.
The subject of this sketch is one of the progressive and successful farmers living in Center township, Williams county, as well as one of its representative citizens. Born there July 6, 1850, he is a son of Nicholas and Sarah ( Mc- Manus) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania, having located in Center town- ship, Williams county, Ohio, in 1847. The father died here in September, 1895, but the mother is still living at an advanced age. In their family were five children : William M .; James W., who died in infancy ; John A .; Mary J., who wedded Ellis Jordan, and died in Center township, in 1879; and Andrew T., a business man of Edgerton, Williams county.
589
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Amidst play and work John A. Brown spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm in Center county, acquiring his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He has always been a resident of that township, and has been prominently identified with its public affairs as a leading and influential citizen of the community. For four years after his marriage he continued in the employ of his father on the old homestead and then located upon his present farm, consisting of eighty acres of rich and fertile land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He has erected good and substantial buildings upon the place, and made many other valuable improvements, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.
In Center township, April 30, 1871, Mr. Brown married Miss Mary J. Stockman, who was born in that township, May 20, 1849, a daughter of Ephraim Stockman. They have two children: Clara E., now the wife of William Kreiger; and Andrew J., who married Grace Snyder. Since reaching man's estate Mr. Brown has been identified with the Democratic party, and since the spring of 1888 he has most creditably and efficiently served as jus- tice of the peace in his township. He has also filled the office of school di- rector for seven years, and has done much to advance the cause of education in his community. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, with which he has been connected for many years, and has led an upright, honorable life, a fact that has won for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
ALFRED GINTER.
This enterprising farmer residing in Section 13, Hicksville township, Defiance county, has throughout life been closely identified with the interests of this section of the State, as he was born in that township, August 3, 1846. His father, Casper Ginter, was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he married Rachel A. Lytle, and at an early day they became residents of Hicksville township, Defiance county, where she died in 1846. There the father also died upon his farm April 10, 1883. Seven children were born to them, as follows: John; Moore; Mary, wife of Samuel Hilbert ; Elizabeth, wife of John Watson; William ; Jacob; and Alfred.
Under the parental roof Alfred Ginter remained until sixteen years of age, assisting his father in the labors of the farm, and attending the public schools near his home. He then entered his country's service, enlisting February 6, 1863, in Company E, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and taking part in a number of engagements, including the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina.
590
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
After about nineteen months of faithful and arduous service, he was honorably discharged, as the war was over. Returning to his old home in Hicksville township, he there engaged in farming for a year and a half, and then went to Cedar county, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for three years, after which he returned to his native county.
On January 1, 1870, in Milford township, Defiance county, Mr. Ginter was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Balser, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, November 19, 1849, and is the eldest in a family of eleven children-four sons and seven daughters. Her parents, Conrad and Eliza (Good) Balser, are now residents of Mark township, Defiance county. Mr. and Mrs. Ginter have eight children living, namely: Charles W., Chalmer H., Ida J., Anna E., James B., William F., Cora R. and Nora E. They lost one daughter, who died at the age of two years.
For the first nine years after his marriage, Mr. Ginter lived in Mark township, and then removed to his present farm in Hicksville township, where he owns forty acres of highly improved land. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes a deep interest in its success.
JOHN F. DOWE.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Defiance county than John F. Dowe, of Brunersburg, who for two terms most acceptably served as treasurer of the county. He is public-spirited, and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community. He has been an important factor in political circles, and his popularity is well deserved.
One of Defiance county's native sons, Mr. Dowe was born in the village of Brunersburg, Noble township. February 21, 1851. His father, John Dowe, Sr., was born in Baden, Germany, and when a young man came to the New World. In Defiance county he married Miss Barbara Speaker, also a native of Germany, and during most of their married life they lived in Noble township, where both died, the father at the age of sixty-six years, the mother at the age of seventy-four. Our subject is third in the order of birth in their family of six children-three sons and three daughters.
John F. Dowe was reared in Brunersburg, receiving a good common- school education, which has well fitted him for the responsible duties of life. Farming has been his principal occupation, and he is now the owner of a well- improved and highly cultivated farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Noble township, which he successfully operates. He was married in Brunersburg to
591
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Miss Etta Hilton, a native of Noble township, who died in 1878, after a short married life of three years. In April, 1883, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Ella Koons, also a native of Defiance county, by whom he has six children, namely: Florence, Pearl, Carrie, Charlie, Beatrice and Vernie.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Dowe has taken an active and influential part in local politics; has filled the offices of clerk of Noble township and assessor for several terms; has been prominently identified with educational affairs, and for two terms he served as treasurer of Defiance county with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. His loyalty as a citizen, and his devotion to his county's interests, have been among his marked characteristics, and the community is fortunate that numbers him among its citizens.
LUDWIG KLEIN.
The industry, enterprise and thrift which characterize the German race are well illustrated in the career of this gentleman, who is a prominent resi- dent of Mark township, Defiance county. Coming to this country when a lad of eighteen, he has made his way to an enviable position in life, and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens is shown by the numerous positions of trust and responsibility that he has filled.
Mr. Klein was born October 21, 1851, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of Joseph and Mary (Desloch) Klein, both of whom were natives of the same province, passing their lives there, the father being engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Our subject, who was the tenth in a family of eleven children, was reared to farm work under his father's direction. At an early age his thoughts began to turn to America, and in June, 1869, he crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York City. He already had some knowledge of the blacksmith's trade, and coming to Ohio, he located at Bryan, where he quickly found employment. For about five years his time was mainly spent in that town, and during that period he met and married Miss Mary Huber, a native of Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, the ceremony being performed in Bryan on December 31, 1874. In February, 1876, he removed to Mark Center, Defiance county, where he followed his trade successfully for about seventeen years. In 1893 he settled upon a farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased some time before, and this he has improved as a homestead, building substantial and commodious buildings, and enlarging the farm from time to time until he now owns one hundred and sixty-seven acres.
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.