Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 101

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 101
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 101

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).

Arthur Nelson Dennis (brother of William Dennis) came to Sandusky coun- ty, Ohio, in 1845, in the earlier days fol- lowing farming; just before the outbreak of the Civil war, and also during the con- flict, he was in the livery business. For a short time, however, he gave this up, having enlisted, but he was discharged on account of disability after eight months' service, and returning to Clyde resumed the livery business, continuing to follow it for two years. Selling out, he subse- quently bought a hotel and livery barn in Green Spring, which he conducted for about fifteen years, or until his death, which occurred December 3, 1892. Mr. Dennis married Mary Jane Whiteman, who bore him seven children, viz .: Mar- cellus, a drayman of Green Spring, Ohio; Willie, who died when four years old; Net E. ; George, a conductor on the " Big Four " railroad; Bert, yard master in the Short Line, at Sandusky, Ohio; "Pet," who died at the age of nine years; and Mack Charlie.

NET E. DENNIS is one of the hustling young inen of Clyde, popular in both busi- ness and social circles. He is the owner of somne valuable property there, and he

also pays considerable attention to good horses. He married Alice Reed, of Green Spring, and two children-Lela and Jim- mie-have blessed their union.

M ICHAEL D. THIERWECH- TER (deceased) was born June 5, 1831, in Jackson township, Lebanon Co., Penn., a son of Samuel and Mary (Groh) Thierwechter. At about the age of twenty years he came to Shelby, Ohio, where he began an ap- prenticeship at the brick-making business -manufacturing by hand-at the same time learning the trade of blacksmith.

In 1854, he came to Sandusky county, Ohio, and after his marriage, which event will be more fully spoken of farther on, he settled on a 142-acre farm in Sandusky county, near the "Four-Mile House." The place at that time was a dense wild forest, but by hard labor and assiduous toil he succeeded in converting it into one of the fine farms of that county. In an early day he also followed the business of auctioneer, during the war acting in that capacity in the counties of Sandusky, Ot- tawa, Huron, Erie, Hancock and Wood. About the year 1867 he rented his farm and moved to Elmore, Ottawa county, where he embarked in a general mer- cantile business. Here he remained un- til April 6, 1877, when he removed to Oak Harbor, in which then rising little village he continued in the same line of business occupying a store rented of Judge Kraemer, his son Emery being associated with him. In 1882 the latter was taken into full partnership with his father, and during the same year they built the spa- cious structure, now owned and occupied by Emery Thierwechter & Co. (Emery and A. D. Thierwechter), and the amount of business done within the first twelve months in Oak Harbor amounted to be- tween $25, 000 and $30,000; but under the able management of both father and son the business grew so rapidly that by the

16 ). Thisreneshtan

Emery Thierweekly

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time of Mr. Michael D. Thierwechter's decease the business had reached the enor- mous figure of $225, 000 annually. From 1882 to 1890 the firm was known as M. D. Thierwechter & Son, but in the latter year the father divided his personal inter- est in the concern with his son A. D. Thier- wechter, the firm name then becoming M. D. Thierwechter & Sons, and since the death of the senior member the style of the firm has been Emery Thierwechter & Co.

On November 29, 1855, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Waggoner, who was born June 29, 1839, daughter of George and Margaret (Klinger) Waggoner, old pioneers of Sandusky coun- ty. To this union were born one daugh- ter and three sons, as follows: Alice (Mrs. H. L. Miller, of Tampa, Florida), born September 12, 1856; Abraham D. and Emery (sketches of whom follow), born September 19, 1858, and July 5, 1860, respectively; and George, born May 18, 1862. The father was called from earth April 27, 1891, and in his death the com- munity lost a valued and progressive citi- zen, his neighbors a faithful friend, his wife a devoted husband, and his family a loving, indulgent father. The widowed mother still makes her home in Oak Harbor.

Michael D. Thierwechter was an en- ergetic, hardworking man all his lifetime, by his straightforward business and social life winning the confidence of all who knew him. His political interests cen- tered in the Republican party, and he was once a candidate for the Legislature. In civic affairs, having been elected a mem- ber of the city council, he held that posi- tion several years with characteristic fidel- ity and loyalty. In religious faith he was a member of the Lutheran Church.

E MERY THIERWECHTER, pro- prietor of a large mercantile busi- ness, is a son of the late Michael D. Thierwechter and his wife Caroline (Waggoner) Thierwechter.

He was born July 5, 1860, on a farm near the "Four-Mile House " in Sandus- ky county, Ohio, and was some seven years old when his father moved with his family to Elmore, Ottawa county, as related in the sketch of Michael D. Thierwechter. Here Emery's education was received, and here was laid the foun- dation of his future business career. Dur- ing school vacations he worked in his father's store, and for a time was engaged in the retail grocery store of Louis Avers. In November, 1876, Mr. Thierwechter entered the business college of Spencer and Bigelow, at Cleveland, Ohio. where he received a thorough business training. In 1877 his father and he rented a room of Judge Kraemer, at Oak Harbor, and on April 7 they embarked in a general mer- cantile business. Since the death of the latter the style of the firm has been Emery Thierwechter & Co., Emery and A. D. Thierwechter being the sole repre- sentatives.

That Mr. Thierwechter is a man of consummate business ability is proven by the fact that he has made a most phe- nomenal success in his business, and has established for himself a highly enviable reputation for integrity and probity in all his dealings.

In September, 1880, Emery Thier- wechter was united in marriage with Miss Luella Bruner, a native of Fremont, and daughter of David and Sophia (Faust) Bruner, to which union have come three children: Caroline, born July 7, 1881, died September 24, 1889; Edgar Weed, born July 20, 1887; and Morton Emery, born February 13, 1889.

Mr. Thierwechter in his political pre- dilections is a pronounced Republican, and in the fall of 1895 he was nominated by acclamation, by the Republican Conven- tion of Ottawa county, for the State Leg- islature. Although the county is largely Democratic, he ran far ahead of his ticket, and was defeated by a very small major- ity. With all his business cares and re-

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sponsibilities he has not been unmindful of his duty to the town of his adoption. He was twice elected to the city council, and it was during his administration as councilor that the city was paved and other improvements were made. Being a friend to education and progress, he served on the school board, and was treasurer thereof three years. Socially he holds membership with the I. O. O. F., also the F. & A. M., Blue Lodge at Oak Harbor, and is a Knight Templar, Toledo Commandery No. 7. He is a stockholder in the Oak Harbor Oil Co., in the Oak Harbor Natural Gas Co., and in the Oak Harbor Basket Factory. In his many business responsibilities he has displayed marked ability, in that and in all other respects sustaining the high reputation the name has for so many years enjoyed.

A BRAHAM D. THIERWECHTER is a member of the firm of Emery Thierwechter & Co., prominent and progressive merchants and extensive grain and produce buyers and shippers, of Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, and was born in Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, September 19, 1858, being the eldest son of Michael and Car- oline (Waggoner) Thierwechter.

Our subject spent his boyhood days in Elmore, Ottawa Co., Ohio, receiving a good business education in the schools of that town. On leaving school he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Co., with which he continued some years. After severing his connection with that line he engaged in the baking business, and also in a livery until 1883, in which year he entered his father's store, being made a member of the firm in 1891. Mr. Thierwechter is a man of recognized abil- ity, an active, enterprising citizen, com- manding the respect of every one with whom he is brought in contact.

Mr. Thierwechter was married at Fre- mont, Ohio, in January, 1883, the lady

of his choice being Miss Caroline Vogel, whose parents, Christian and Salome Vogel, were both born in Gerinany, and crossed the ocean to this country at an early date, settling in Ottawa county. The mother passed from earth some years ago; the father still survives, and is now an honored resident of Oak Harbor. To Mr. and Mrs. Thierwechter have come four children to brighten their home, viz. : Mildred, Luella, Homer and Pauline, all of whom are yet living. In his political affiliations Mr. Thierwechter is an ardent supporter of the Republican party; Mrs. Thierwechter is a member of the Church of the Disciples.

S D. ALLEN, M. D., a popular citizen and a leading physician and surgeon of Oak Harbor, Ot- tawa county, was born in New Castle, Lawrence Co., Penn., March 26, 1852.

His parents, Zebina N. and Mary A. (Van Eman) Allen, were born in Beaver county, Penn., the father August 23, 1821, the mother April 20, 1828, and for many years have been honored and respected residents of Scott township, Lawrence Co., Penn. Mr. Allen is a cabinet-maker by trade, but for a number of years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in teaching school. He has also served two terms as auditor for his county. Their family consisted of seven children, three of whom are yet living: Our subject; John, residing in New Castle, Penn., and Amos, living at home.

Dr. S. D. Allen, the subject of this sketch, received his primary education in the public schools of his native State, and subsequently became a student in Western Reserve College, at that time located at Hudson, Ohio. On graduating from this institution he studied medicine with Dr. J. W. Smith, then police surgeon of Cleve- land, now a resident of Wellington, Ohio, taking a two-years' course under his tui-

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tion in Wooster University, Cleveland, and graduating from " the Cleveland Uni- versity of Medicine" in 1885. He then spent a year in Europe, making a special study of surgery, and upon his return to America, in 1886, commenced the prac- tice of his profession in Oak Harbor, where he has since resided. By a life of hard study and devotion to his profession Dr. Allen has been eminently successful as a practitioner, and has succeeded in win- ning the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he resides.

The Doctor was united in marriage at Oak Harbor, October 21, 1881, with Miss Augusta Franck, a daughter of 'Squire Ernst and Louise (Frank) Franck, and to this union came five children, viz .: Mary A., born September 10, 1882; Frederick S., born August 8, 1884; E. Arvilla, born May 18, 1886; Laura L., born August 18, 1888; and Clara E., born August 10, 1890. Dr. Allen is an honored member of the following societies: The North- western Homeopathic Medical Society; Oak Harbor Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M., Forest Chapter No. 64, R. A. M., and Forest Council. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. In his political views our subject is a Republican.

N ATHAN F. PIERSON. The early history of this section of the North- west can easily be read in the lives of the men of whom these bio- graphical sketches are written, and there is but little variety in the stories. The trials and privations of the pioneers in any new country are about the same; the wresting of fertile farms from the virgin soil. the clearing of vast forests, the bridging of streams, making of roads and building of log cabins are common expe- riences, and the success or failure in life due to the same causes, practically, as in the older and more civilized communi- ties; but we are glad to know just how

our early settlers fared, and how they reached their present enviable condition.

Nathan F. Pierson, one of the oldest pioneers and a prominent agriculturist of Clay township, Ottawa county, was born in Morris county, N. J., June 13, 1821. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Miller) Pierson, natives of Connecticut and New Jersey respectively, the former of whom was born February 22, 1777. Their marriage took place in New Jersey June 19, 1800, and to them were born ten children, as follows: Jacob, June 2, 1801; Lewis, in 1803; Stephen, in 1805; Frederick, in 1806; Sarah, in 1808; Moses, in 1811; Nathaniel, in 1813; Al- fred, in 1815; Catherine, in 1817; and Nathan F., in 1821. The father died July 14, 1825, and the mother died July 14, 1834.

Our subject received a limited educa- tion in the country schools of that day, and began active life on a farm, also working in a blacksmith shop, where he remained for three years. He also learned the trade of a wagon-maker, at which he continued for several years, and alter- nated this with work in a sawmill, farm- ing, carpentering and millwrighting for a period of seven years. He then spent eight years in one of the largest factories in Newark, N. J., bending rims, spokes, etc., after which he went to Michigan, where he spent three years working at his trade of a carpenter and joiner. Re- turning now to Ohio, he located in Harris township, Ottawa county, where he bought land, a part of which was under cultiva- tion. He worked this farm for two years, but, not liking the location, he sold out and came to Clay township in 1866, buy- ing a tract of eighty acres, a portion only of which was improved. It was in the midst of a forest, with few neighbors within a mile, the land swampy and the roads muddy. It was enough to appall the stoutest heart, but our subject was equal to the task, and with indomitable will and energy went to work, clearing

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the land, planting an orchard, building a dwelling house, barns and other outbuild- ings, and in the course of time bringing the land into a high state of cultivation and making of it a valuable property, on which he is spending his last days in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of his labors.

Mr. Pierson was married at Newark, N. J., September 20, 1847, to Sarah E. Brush, of New York State, and this happy union has been blessed with six children, namely: Henrietta, born Jan- uary 26, 1850, at Newark, N. J., died July 30, 1850; George W., born August 29, 1851, at Newark, was educated in the puplic schools of Ottawa county, this State, and worked at the cooper's trade for several years; he then went on the railroad as brakeman, and worked his way up to the position of conductor, dur- ing which time he met with several acci- dents, finally meeting his death in the company's yards at St. Louis, Mo., July 17, 1892, where a train of eighteen cars ran over his body, killing him instantly; his remains were brought back to his home in Clay township, and there buried; he was married and left one child, a daughter, Lillie, who is a school teacher at Port Clinton; Franklin, born June 5, 1853, died in infancy; Morris M., born September 20, 1855, also died in infancy ; Andrew, born November 15. 1859, died July 29, 1860; Francis Marion was born November 30, 1857, and was educated in the public schools of Ot- tawa county; he learned the trade of a barber and worked in Nebraska for sev- eral years, and also in Kansas, going from there to Colorado, where he now resides; he was married in 1882 to Miss Minnie Comstock, and they have one child.

Mr. Pierson held the office of school director for two terins in Clay township. Socially he belongs to Genoa Lodge No. 433, F. & A. M. He has been a Repub- lican ever since the formation of that party, having formerly been a Whig. He

and his wife are in good health, and en- joy the blessings of a well-spent life. Elisha Brush, the father of Mrs. N. F. Pierson, was born in June, 1796. He was in the general merchandise business at Nelson, N. Y., where he was married April 29, 1819, to Chloe Crisby, whose birth occurred July 11, 1796. They had five children: Mary, born May 9, 1820; Sarah, November 11, 1821; Maria, August 20, 1823; Caroline, July 11, 1825; and John, January 2, 1829, all of whom are living.

L EVI H. THRAVES, ex-county treasurer of Sandusky county, was born in Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, March 2,

1847, a son of William and Marilla (Graves) Thraves, whose sketch appears elsewhere.

Our subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. At the age of nine he came with his parents to Ballville township, Sandusky county, where he grew to manhood, finished his common-school education and attended the Fremont city schools. Being the youngest son, he remained with his par- ents, and carried on farming and stock raising for several years, afterward pur- chasing the family homestead. For ten years he taught school in the winter sea- sons, principally in Sandusky county. An ardent Democrat, he held the offices of township trustee and justice of the peace. In 1889 he was elected treasurer of San- dusky county, rented his farm and moved to Fremont.

In 1875 L. H. Thraves married Miss Loretta Sendelbauch, daughter of John and Frances Floretta (Baumgardner) Sendelbauch, natives of Germany, who had moved to Fremont, Ohio, in an early day. Mr. Sendelbanch was an undertaker and a teacher of music. He taught the first band of music in Fremont. His death occurred in 1873, and his widow lives on

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their old farm homestead, east of Fre- mont. They were members of the Roman Catholic Church.

The children of L. H. and Loretta Thraves are: John W., Francis F., and Mary H. Mr. Thraves is a member of Fremont Lodge, 202, Knights of Pythias, also of the Order of Elks, 169. Mrs. Thraves is a member of St. Ann's Church, Fremont.

P HILLIP R. SNIDER, a retired farmer, and one of the pioneer settlers and highly-esteemed citi- zens of Erie township, Ottawa county, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, March 5, 1821, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Redding) Snider. They were also natives of that State, the father coming of German, the mother of English, ancestry. In 1835 they mi- grated westward to Ottawa county, Ohio, when it was still in a wild state. They were honored residents of the commu- nity from that time until called to their final rest, the father dying in 1839, the mother in August, 1885. They were the parents of six children, only two of whom are now living: Henry, a resident of Lucas county, Ohio; and Phillip R.

The subject proper of this sketch, Phillip R. Snider, acquired his elemen- tary education in the district schools of his native State, and in the spring of 1835 came with his parents to Ottawa county, where for sixty years he has con- tinuously made his home. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and throughout his active business life has devoted his time and energies to agri- cultural pursuits. His industry, persever- ance and good management have brought to him a comfortable competence, and now in his declining years he is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He has been twice married; first time on November 7, 1844, in Erie town- ship, to Octalana Webster, by whom he

had nine children, a brief record of whom is as follows: (1) James H., born September 21, 1846, married June 24, 1866, Mary A. Minier, who was born September 11, 1850, youngest daughter of John Minier, Sr., a pioneer of Salem township, Ottawa county, and the chil- dren of this union were as follows: James W., born March 2, 1868, died January 13, 1894; Alverdia B., born November 29, 1870, married September 3, 1890, to W. V. Ruff (their children are Raymond R., born June 6, 1891, and Lina A., born August 19, 1894); Esther N., born April 15, 1871, married William Huber April 15, 1895; Adelia A., born July 12, 1873, married Edward Ream November 1, 1893; Cornelia B., born August 29, 1875; Philip Elsworth, born January 31, 1878; Josephine Mabel, born November 12, 1880, died December 25, 1885; and Hiram Hurd, born May 8, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Snider live in Toledo, Ohio.

(2) Margaret Ann, born May 8, 1849, became the wife of Benjamin Minier, and had children as follows: Octa L., born July 13, 1869, was married November 12, 1892, to George Stephens; Elva E., born January 17, 1870; Stella M., born March 23, 1873, was married October 12, 1893, to Edward Hendricks; Elmer B., born December 30, 1874; Christopher C., born May 19, 1879; and Clarence J., born March 29, 1881. The mother of these died November 2, 1882.

(3) Theodore L., born July 19, 1852, resides on the old homestead, and will presently be more fully spoken of. (4) Elva M., born March 19, 1854, died Oc- tober 2, 1894, married Joseph Yeisley, of Erie township, and had children as fol- lows: Edith Bell, born July 27. 1874; George Orvill, born July 10, 1878; Ivy May, born July 19, 1883, and Ralph R., born July 31, 1888. (5) William Henry, born March 16, 1856, wedded Mary Har- rison, and they have a family of four chil- dren-May, Ellwood, Vernon, and Stan-

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ley. (6) Clarissa Jane, born February 2, 1858, is the wife of Ralph Webster, of Defiance, Ohio, and has one child- Phillip H. (7) Abigail L., born January 3, 1860, is the wife of Albert Lewis, of Defiance, and they have a daughter- Nina. (8) Edmund K., born November 22, 1861, married Ozzie Pelton, and with their son, Munson, they now reside in Toledo, Ohio. (9) George Ellsworth, born February 26, 1864, died October 16, 1886.

Mrs. Snider, the mother of the above mentioned family, died May 18, 1869, and on November 12, 1870, Mr. Snider married Mrs. Mary Webster, widow of James H. Webster, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Ann (Ballard) Tucker. She was born in Pitcairn, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., September 11, 1824. By her first marriage she had ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Jason, born January 16, 1845; Herbert T., born October 14, 1847, now living in Oakland, Cal .; Henry Howard, born July 30, 1849, residing in Brooklyn, Ohio; Ella Ann, born February 18, 1853, now the wife of William Laidler, of Cleveland, Ohio; Ralph D., born March 9, 1855, residing in Defiance, Ohio; Israel J., born April 10, 1858, living in Paulding, Ohio; and Nelson R., born June 25, 1862, a resident of Riverside, California.

Mr. Snider has served as county com- missioner for six years; was a director of Ottawa County Infirmary six years; has served as justice of the peace twenty-nine years, and has honorably and acceptably filled all township offices. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, and he and his wife are worthy members of the United Brethren Church. His life has been well spent, and during his residence in Ottawa county he has won the respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

THEODORE L. SNIDER, second son of our subject, was born July 19, 1852, and since his infancy has been numbered among the residents of Erie township, Ottawa county. Its district schools af-

forded him his educational privileges, and from early life he has followed the voca- tion of farming. After arriving at years of maturity, he was married in Sandusky City, July 12, 1877, to Sarah Pickard, who was born in Carroll township, Ot- tawa county, August 12, 1850, daughter of George and Abi (Moore) Pickard. Six children have been born to this marriage: Grace, July 28, 1878; Clayton, October 9, 1879; Pearl, March 18, 1881; Zehnr, November 12, 1883; George D., Septem- ber 7, 1887; and Hazel Jeanette, Febru- ary 6, 1893. Mr. T. L. Snider is one of the young and progressive farmers of his section of Ottawa county, an enterprising and industrious citizen, popular and high- ly esteemed by all who know him.

S AGISHMAEL BARNES, an enter- prising, progressive citizen of Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, and pro- prietor of one of the best equipped and most extensive flour mills in the coun- ty, was born in Monroeville, Allen Co., Ind., July 20, 1850.

Henry and Mary (Curtis) Barnes, the parents of our subject, were both natives of the State of Vermont, and honored and respected citizens of Allen county, Ind., for over thirty-five years. Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom still survive, viz .: Sarah, widow of Henry Stevens, residing at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Ind .; Sagishmael; Garmiel, residing in Oak Harbor; Annie, wife of Charles Swede, residing in Paulding, Ohio; and William A. Mr. Barnes' death occurred in June, 1881, Mrs. Barnes dying in March of the same year.

Sagishmael Barnes, the subject proper of this sketch, received his education in the district schools of his native town, and early in life was trained to farm work. On attaining the age of seventeen years he began his career as a miller, working first as an apprentice, then as a journey- man, until 1873, when he entered into

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 101

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040