Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 104

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 104
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 104

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).

attending school, and Charles will gradu- ate in '96, Rosa in '97.

In politics, Mr. Nissen is a good Demo- crat, and is active in work for his party. In religious faith, he is a Lutheran, a member of that Church, and takes an in- terest in whatever tends to upbuild the community in which he lives. He is the leading boot and shoe dealer in Port Clinton, and is highly respected for his integrity and excellent business qualifica- tions.

T HEODORE S. PORTER, a thorough and skillful farmer and fruit grower of Catawba Island township, Ottawa county, is a na- tive of Connecticut, born in Bethel De- cember 4, 1860. His parents, Charles J. and Hannah A. (Wilkes) Porter, were likewise born in Connecticut, and still make their home in that State, being residents of Bethel, where the father holds the position of postmaster. In the family were six children, of whom Lewis died when about nineteen years of age; those living are Frederick N., Frank W., Theodore S., George A. and. John L., all, with the exception of our subject, residing in Connecticut.

As a farmer boy, Theodore S. Porter was reared to manhood, receiving a fair education in the public schools of his na- tive town, and when he had arrived at the age of twenty-two he left home, going to Dakota, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for about four years. In 1886 he returned to Bethel, Conn., and there learned the trade of a hat finisher, which occupation he followed until 1890. In that year he became a resident of Cataw- ba Island township, Ottawa county, where he is now engaged in fruit growing. On December 23, 1890, on Catawba Is- land, he was married to Miss Sarah Por- ter, a daughter of Wheeler and Flora H. (Bearss) Porter, and one child has come to bless their union-Charles Wheeler,

707

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

born November 3, 1893. Wheeler Por- ter was the second white man to settle on Catawba Island, at that time (1833) called Huron township, afterward Van- Rensselaer township. He resided in three townships and three counties, and yet never moved off the farm where Mr. Por- ter now resides.

Mr. Porter is a thorough Republican in his political views. Though a com- paratively recent arrival in Ottawa coun- ty, he has made many friends by his straightforward and upright life, and is considered a valuable acquisition to the population. He is industrious and perse- vering, and at no distant day will rank among the most successful fruit growers of the Island. He has under construction a handsome dwelling, in which we hope that he and his most estimable wife may be long spared to pass their declining years.

H ENRY LAUDY. In this region of Ohio, so largely devoted to the growth of fine fruits, lived the gentleman whose name introduces this notice, and who was one of the most prominent and progressive agriculturists of the community. A native of the Pro- vince of Hanover, Germany, he was born about the year 1827, and in the land of his birth he passed the days of his boyhood and youth, no event of special importance occurring during that period. At the age of eighteen he bade adieu to the Fatherland, and crossing the Atlantic was for a num- ber of years engaged in the grocery busi- ness in New York City. On leaving there he came to Ohio, and took up his resi- cence on Catawba Island, where he spent his remaining days.

Mr. Laudy was married in New York, to Miss Elizabeth Libben, also a native of Hanover, and to their union were born six children (five of whom are still living): Henry, born in New York, July 14, 1856; Annie, born in New York, June 14, 1858,

now the widow of Jacob Pulschen, and a resident of Port Clinton, Ohio; John, born January 24, 1862; George, born June 20, 1863, and died January 25, 1893; Eliza- beth, born October 8, 1867, now the wife of Haskel Spies, of Catawba Island; and Amanda, born November 6, 1869. The mother of this family passed away June 24, 1892, having survived her husband several years. Henry Laudy died Febru- ary 28, 1885. He was a man of no small prominence in the community; served as township trustee and in other local offices, and by his ballot supported the men and measures of the Democratic party.

HENRY LAUDY, JR., who now carries on the farm, was only two years old when his parents made a trip to Europe for his health, there remaining for six months. He after- ward returned to New York, and a year later the family came to Catawba Island, where he has since been engaged in fruit growing. He was married in Erie town- ship, Ottawa county, June 26, 1888, to Miss Anna C. Ineichen, who was born in that township, September 29, 1864, and is a daughter of Alois and Mary (Beck) Ineichen, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, and came to America at an early day, locating in Erie township, where the father's death occurred, Octo- ber 19, 1874; the mother died at Port Clinton, September 17, 1894. Two chil- dren grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Laudy: Leo H., born February 5, 1892; and Florence M., born December 29, 1894.

Mr. Laudy has served as town treas- urer for about five years, and proved him- self a competent and faithful officer. Socially, he is connected with Port Clinton Lodge, No. 627, I. O. O. F., and with Orchard Lodge, No. 60, Knights of the Maccabees. In his political views he is a Democrat, in religious belief a Lutheran, but his wife is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Laudy is a gentle- man of unassuming manner, devoting his whole time and attention to the cultiva-

708

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion of his fine orchards, which are among the best and most productive in the town- ship. All his surroundings bespeak thrift and enterprise, and he holds a reputation second to none in the community in which he resides.

H ENRY AND JOHN AHRENS are two of the most prominent farm- ers and fruit growers of Danbury township, Ottawa county, the for- mer of whom was born September 22, 1860, on the old homestead farm upon which he still resides. He is a son of Carsten and Elizabeth (Fauble) Ahrens, both natives of Germany, was reared to manhood upon the farm, and received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. From early boyhood he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and of late years has devoted a great deal of his time and attention to fruit growing, owning and operating one of the largest and most extensive fruit orchards in the township. Socially he is a member of Peninsular Lodge, No. 607, Knights of Pythias, and, politically, is a stalwart Republican.

Carsten Ahrens, the father, was born in the Province of Hanover, June 5, 1805, and was a son of Adolph and Katherina Ahrens, also natives of the same province. Until the age of sixteen years he remained in his native land, it being about 1821 when he left home, going to England, where he worked in a sugar refinery some seven years. In 1828 we find him a resident of New York, where he engaged in the grocery business. Five years later he came to Danbury township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where he purchased the land on which he afterward resided, and then

returned to New York. Several years later he removed to his farm, but after a resi- dence of a few years rented his land to his brother and again went to New York, re- raining their until about 1838, when he returned to Danbury township, and from

that date until the time of his death there made his home. He departed this life May 2, 1883.

The mother of our subject was born in the Province of Hesse, Germany, April 14, 1830, and was a daughter of Wilhelm and Katrina Fauble, both of whose births occurred in the Fatherland. She came to America in 1850, and for about a year made her home in Cleveland, Ohio. On December 6, 1851, at Sandusky City, Erie Co., Ohio, she was united in mar- riage with Carsten Ahrens, and became the mother of six children, as follows: Katherine, born February II, 1853, who became the wife of Daniel Finken, and died October 5, 1884; Adolph, born Jan- uary 23, 1855, died December 17, 1874; Elizabeth, born October 21, 1858, who became the wife of William Hess, of Dan- bury township, and died suddenly April 13, 1895, at the residence of our subject, leaving a husband and four children to mourn the loss of a faithful wife and lov- ing mother; Henry is the next in order of birth; Anna was born in February, 1862; and John, born April 25, 1864, also re- siding on the old homestead.

The farm is now under the personal supervision of our subjects, and the neat and imposing appearance of the surround- ings are ample proof of their ability as thorough, practical farmers and fruit grow- ers. They take a lively interest in the progress and development of the county, giving their encouragement and more sub- stantial support to those enterprises which are calculated to upbuild the community. The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN HET- RICK, one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Benton township, Ottawa county, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Siegenthaler) Het- rick, and was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, in 1855.

709

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Daniel Hetrick was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1832, and came to Sandusky county in an early day, where he has since lived. About 1852 he was united in marriage with Mary Siegenthaler, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1837, B. F. Hetrick being next to the eldest in their family. Daniel Hetrick's father and mother were born respectively in 1810 (in Pennsylvania) and in 1814. The father of Mrs. Daniel Hetrick, William Siegenthaler, was born in 1815, her mother in 1812. Benjamin F. Hetrick received a good education in the district schools of his native county, attending until eighteen years of age. When twenty years old he struck out in life for himself, working four years at the carpenter's trade. At the age of twenty- four he was united in marriage with Miss Maria E. Reed, of Sandusky Co., Ohio, and they had four children, namely: Arthur M., born May 23, 1878; Bert H., January 21, 1881; Lillie M., October 26, 1883; and Alda L., Jannary 21, 1887; they are all living at home, receiving the advantages of a good education and the encouragement of a father who knows well the value of thorough training.

After his marriage Mr. Hetrick rented his farm, which he worked four years, then purchased eighty acres in Section 14, Benton township, which was all tim- bered, and, like many another man in Benton township, he set to work to clear the land and make for himself a home. In this he has had marked success, the timber is removed and stumps are all out, and fences are in fine condition; there are comfortable buildings, a good orchard, and the farm is well under cultivation and provided with the necessary teams and tools for thorough work. Besides the ordinary farm routine, Mr. Hetrick han- dles all kinds of stock, and is to some extent engaged in bee-culture. When a resident of Sandusky county he was con- stable for three years, and he has also held the office of postmaster at Limestone, Ben-

ton township, for the six years from 1888 to 1894. Mrs. Hetrick died March 11, 1889, after a protracted illness of six years. She was born in 1863, was edu- ucated in the district schools of Sandusky county, and was well fitted to train her children to become noble men and women. She was a faithful wife and a loving mother. Her father, John Reed, was born in 1837, in Sandusky county, Ohio, where he resided all his life; he died in 1895, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, Mrs. Hetrick's mother, was born in Pennsylvania about 1841. John Reed's father and mother were born in Pennsyl- vania about 1810 and 1814, respectively. Mrs. Hetrick's grandfather on her mother's side was born in 1817, and her grandmother, on the same side, in 1814.

Benjamin F. Hetrick again married on July 16, 1891, taking for his second wife Miss Mary Markley, who was born in Benton township, Ottawa Co., in 1867, and is the daughter of Jacob Markley, one of the oldest settlers of Benton town- ship. Mrs Hetrick has given some at- tention to both vocal and instrumental music, and has been a teacher of instru- mental music. Mr. and Mrs. Hetrlck are pleasantly situated on their fine farm in Benton township, Ottawa county, and are giving their children excellent advantages.

OHN MINIER, a prominent farmer and one of the enterprising residents of Erie township, Ottawa county, was born in Salem township, same county, April 23, 1843, son of John and Esther (Whestone) Minier, who were born in New Jersey and Pennsylvania respect- ively, and were very early settlers of Salem township, where they resided up to the time of their death.

John Minier, Sr., died July 4, 1882, and his wife, Esther, January 11, 1892. They had eleven children, all of whom grew to maturity, seven now living, viz .:

710

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hiram, residing at Sheldon, Ill .; Eliza- beth, widow of Job Kelley, residing at Sheldon, Ill .; Darius, residing in Iowa; John, the subject of these lines; Benja- min, residing in Erie township; Samuel, living in Salem township; and Mary, wife of Harvey Snyder, in Paulding, Paulding Co., Ohio.

The subject proper of this sketch was reared to manhood in Salem township, receiving a very limited education in the schools located there, and his life from early boyhood has been devoted to agri- culture, with the exception of the nine months he served in the army. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth O. V. I., and nine months later was dis- charged on account of disability, return- ing to Salem township. On July 1, 1864, John Minier was united in marriage with Adeline Cairl, who was born in Ballville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, May 16, 1846, and they have had six children, as follows: Josephine, born June 28, 1865, was married to James McCullough May II, 1882, and is now residing in Toledo, Ohio; Matilda, born March 7, 1867, now the wife of Horace Conkey, and residing in Carroll township, Ottawa county; Rodolphus B., born February 15, 1870, was married to Mary Winters March 4, 1893, and is now residing in Erie town- ship; Samuel W., born January 15, 1872, is living at home; Angie, born October 2, 1874, wife of Louis Ohm, and residing in Carroll township; and Dora, born May 22, 1878, married July 2, 1895, and is now the wife of Harmon Goodknick. The parents of Mrs. Minier, Daniel and Mary (White) Cairl, were from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. They removed from Sandusky county to Erie township about 1858, and Mr. Cairl engaged in agricultural pursuits there un- til his death, which occurred in Erie township, December 18, 1872. Mrs. Cairl died in September, 1873.

In 1872 John Minier removed from Salem township to Erie township, where

he has resided ever since. He has served as trustee of the township one term, and also as supervisor. In his political views he is liberal, and he is a member of the G. A. R. The family attend the Method- ist Church.

D E WILTON WOOD, son of Amos E. and Parintha (Case) Wood, was born in Woodville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, December 28, 1842. His paternal grandparents were Ephraim and Hannah Wood, the latter of whom was born September 25, 1780, and died in Woodville, Ohio, October 6, 1854. They were the parents of the following children: Parthena, who was born in Ellisburg, N. Y., January 17, 1809, and died in 1890. ; Amos E .; Valdi, who married Harriet Cameron; Mrs. Amelia Hubbard; and Syl- via, who died in infancy.

Our subject remained in the place of his nativaty until eighteen years of age, obtaining his education in the public schools of Woodville, and at Berea Col- lege. In 1861 he responded to President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers by enlisting in Company I, Twenty-first O. V. I., April 26, 1861, and on his re-enlist- ment he joined Company L, Third O. V. C., with which he remained three years. He was offered a major's commission in the One Hundredth Ohio Regiment, but de- clined and entered the service as a private. A year and a half later, however, he was made sergeant and held that rank until the close of the war, but he cared not for promotion, being content to defend the Union in the ranks. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Stone River, Atlanta and Chattanooga, and was on the march to the sea; was never wounded by ball or sabre, but on one occasion, while hotly pursued by Rebels, his horse, going at full speed, passed under a tree against which he struck, and was torn from liis saddle. The animal soon stopped, how- ever, and Mr. Wood remounted and made

711

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his escape, but has never recovered from the injury he then received. He rendered efficient service to the Union until June 26, 1865, when he was mustered out.

Mr. Wood then located in Elmore, and on September 26, 1865, wedded Miss Mary Luckey. of that place, daughter of Augustus W. Luckey. Mrs. Wood's great-great-grandfather, Hugh Luckey, came in 1735 from Londonderry, Ireland, to Chester county, Penn. His son, Rev. George Luckey, was born in 1755, gradua- ted from Princeton College in 1772, and in 1785 settled at Black Horse, Md., where he preached for nearly forty years. He was pastor of Bethel Church, which he built up, and in which he was buried, having continued in his ministerial duties almost until his death, which occurred in 1823. Among his children was John L. Luckey, born near Black Horse, Md., in 1790, and who, in 1815, wedded Anna Wolfly, who was born about the same year. They came to Ohio, and settled in Elmore. In the family were six chil- dren: Augustus W., George W., Robert, John, Catherine and Rebecca. Of these, Augustus W. was born March 6, 1817, in Gallipolis, Ohio, and in 1823 came with his parents to Elmore, Ottawa county. He became popular and well-known, and prospered well, at the time of his decease being an extensive landowner and well- to-do farmer, and a director of the First National Bank of Fremont. On March 20, 1881, while in the Disciple Church at Elmore, he was called from earth, his death being caused by apoplexy. The funeral was held from his late residence, and was attended by the largest multitude of people ever gathered in Elmore on a similar occasion. Ex-President Hayes, who was one of Mr. Luckey's intimate friends, was one of the pall-bearers. Augustus W. Luckey married Desire M. Hall, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, March 23, 1818, and died August 4, 1854, leaving three children: Capt. J. B. Luckey, who served three years in 45

the Third O. V. C., married Retta Borden in 1871, and has one child-Mae, born in 1873; Mrs. Wood and Frank A. Her father, Joseph Hall, was born in Ken- tucky September 2, 1784, and died June 1, 1859. In 1807 he married Leatha Ferguson, who was born in Butler coun- ty, Ohio, March 4, 1785, and died June 4, 1838. She too had six children: James, Samuel, George W., Mary, Nancy A., and Desire M.

In this connection it will not be inap- propriate to make further mention of Mr. Wood's father, who was born January 2, 1810, and became a prominent farmer and stock raiser. He served as a mem- ber of the Ohio Legislature two terms, as a member of the House of Representa- tives and of the Senate. He was also twice elected to Congress, and was serv- ing his second term at the time of his death, November 19, 1850. The chil- dren of Amos E. Wood and his wife are as follows: Amelia, born August 2, 1836, Victoria, born July 10, 1838; Amos, born October 5, 1839, who died June 16, 1863; Augusta, born April 28, 1841, who died December 5, 1842; De Wilton, born December 28, 1842; Cornelia, born March 20, 1844, who died March 3, 1849; and Eugene, born August 2, 1847, who died in infancy.

Upon his marriage our subject located on a farm near Elmore, which he culti- vated some four years, when he accepted a position as clerk in the store of Shaen- feld & Borden, of Elmore, spending one year at that place. He next removed to Fostoria, Ohio, where he engaged in the crockery business for seven years. Dur- ing that time he served for two years as justice of the peace, resigning his position on his removal to Elmore. Here he pur- chased the fine home and farm which is still his place of residence, and since his return he has here served as justice of the peace for several years, and for four years was postmaster of Elmore. On April 1, 1894, he embarked in the livery business

712

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in connection with his only son, James L .. and they now have a good patronage. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have three children: Emma Marian, born November 9, 1868; James L., born August 11, 1871; and Florence A., born December 24, 1882. The son acquired his early education in Elmore, spent two terms in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and for six months attended Hiram College. Af- ter that time he spent four months with a railroad surveying corps in Virginia and North Carolina, and also passed one win- ter in Florida. He was deputy postmas- ter under his father for four years under President Harrison's administration.

Mrs. Wood was born in Elmore Feb- ruary 10, 1847, here spent her early girl- hood days and completed her education by two years' attendance at Oberlin Col- lege. Her elder daughter, Emma, was born on the same farm where her own birth occurred, attended the same public school, and then spent two terms in the college at Ada, Ohio; she also entered Oberlin College, but ill health prevented her from completing the course. She has given special attention to the study of music and painting. The younger daugh- ter is now attending school in Elmore. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intel- ligence are received as the passports into good society. They have a wide ac- quaintance, and their friends are many.

J UNE FAMILY. The ancestors from whom are descended the June fami- lies in the United States were two brothers by the name of Junett, Huguenot Frenchmen, one of whom set- tled on the Hudson and the other on the Connecticut river. The June families re- -iding in Sandusky county, Ohio, are descended from the one who settled on the Hudson, Zebbard June by name, and who, becoming disgusted with the religion

of France, dropped the last two letters of his name, leaving it June. His home was at Peekskill, N. Y. He served in the Revolutionary war under Gen. La Fay- ette, and on account of disabilities in- curred in the service was granted pecu- niary aid from the U. S. Government. His occupation was that of a farmer in Orange county, N. Y. He had a family of five children: Charity, Stephen, Peter, Cociah and David. Of these-

Charity June married Adam Sales, and lived in Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in which county he died. They had five sons and one daughter. After Mr. Sales' death Mrs. Sales moved to Unadilla, Mich., where she passed away. Their eldest son, Benjamin, died at the same place, leaving one daughter.

Stephen June married a Miss Pew, of New York City, by whom he had one son, James Madison June. Stephen June was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane by a bullet which struck him at one side of the nose and passed out at the back of his neck, on account of which he was con- sidered mortally wounded. He was being carried off the field by an Indian to be burned on a pile of dead bodies, when his struggles to free himself excited the sym- pathies of a British officer, James Jim- merson, who shot the Indian, and released Mr. June, but was himself arrested for firing his gun during a truce, when both armies were caring for their dead and wounded by torch light. Mr. June re- covered from his wound, and lived seven- teen years after the battle, but never met or knew his benefactor. The Indian who was shot was of the tribe of Captain Brant, after whom the then village of Brantford, Canada, was named. The British officer afterward received a pen- sion from the British Government, and was sent to take a position as commis- sary, at Fort Malden, Canada. It was while he was at this place that Mr. David June, of Fremont, Ohio, met him, and

713

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

first learned that he was the man who shot the Indian. A warm friendship at once sprang up between them, which con- tinued until the death of the officer, in 1 874.

Peter June, born in 1796, for a num- ber of years followed the sea, and later served as a pilot in New York harbor. He was a cavalryman under Gen. Brown in the war of 1812, during which he was wounded by a saber cut at the hands of a member of the Forty-second Regiment, Scotch Highlanders, who were all slaught- ered the same day. Peter June was mar- ried, at Caldwell's Landing, on the Hud- son river, to a lady who was born in 1 800, and they lived for a time at New York City. Being a sea-faring man he was ab- sent from his family much of his time, and his wife having prevailed upon him to abandon the sea, he decided to try the western lakes. Moving westward, they lived for several years near Cayuga Lake, N. Y., in 1833 removing to Buffalo, where he shipped as mate on the schooner " Amaranth," and came with his family, on the first day of June, to Sandusky City (then called Portland), Ohio. Here the family lived for upward of seventeen years. Mr. June sailed on the lakes until the death of his wife, in 1835, after which he confined himself to ship-rigging in the vicinity of his home. In 1840 he again married. He died in 1851, at the age of fifty-six. His remains and those of his first wife have been removed to Oakwood cemetery, Fremont, Ohio. The children of Peter June by his first marriage were: Daniel L., born in 1818; Martha, born in 1820; George, born December 26, 1822; David, born May II, 1824, sketch of whom follows; two who died in childhood; Sales A., born August 2, 1828; and Mar- ietta, born in January, 1830. The sons at different times all became residents of Fremont, Ohio.

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.

Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 104

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