Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 105

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 105
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 105

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).

Cociah June, another member of the family of Zebbard June, married and had a family.

David June, youngest son of Zebbard June, after whom David June, of Fremont, Ohio, was named, was a soldier in the war of 1812, having entered the service at the age of fifteen, at the request of his father, and serving as dispatch boy. He grew to manhood in the vicinity of Peeks- kill, N. Y., and married Miss Miami Har- rington, at Ithaca, New York.

D AVID JUNE, machinist and en- gine builder, of Fremont, Ohio, was born May 11, 1824, at Ithaca, N. Y., son of Peter June, who was a sailor and ship-rigger.

In 1833 our subject came with his father's family to Portland, now Sandus- ky, Ohio, where he attended school a short time, at intervals when he could be spared from work. He remained with his father until about fourteen years of age, when he entered a machine shop to learn the machinist trade. In the fall of 1838 he was cabin boy on the old steamer "Jack Downing," on the Sandusky river, which was his first experience at sailing. In 1839 he was cabin boy on the steamer "St. Clair" until she was laid up by the Combination Line, after which he went on the steamer . Sandusky." In 1840 he assisted his father (who was a contractor on the Sandusky & Mansfield railroad) by driving a team at plow and scraper, in the construction of the road-bed from Sandusky to Monroeville. In the winter of 1840-41, at Sandusky, he attended for a short time a school taught by Mr. Hickox, an Episcopal clergyman. In

May, 1841, he began a seven-years' ap- prenticeship to learn the trade of me- chanical engineering with a firm in San- dusky, and during this time he also worked for a while with his brother-in- law, Charles Waterous, on the old Ohio railroad, which was to pass through San- dusky county. This firm was doing the general repairs through the counties of Erie and Sandusky. Mr. June's work

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was to look after pile-drivers and saw- mills. A dissolution of partnership of the firm to which he had been bound released him from his apprenticeship, and in April, 1842, he went to Cleveland and found employment in the Cuyahoga Iron Works. Here he remained about ten years, during that time filling the position of engineer on steamers of the Buffalo and Chicago Line during the summer seasons, and working in the shops during the winter seasons. During a part of 1843 he was second engineer on the steamer "St. Clair" and the rest of the year on the "Commerce." In the win- ter and spring of 1844 he assisted in building the engine of the steamer " Em- pire," and in August sailed on that steamer as second engineer, remaining on that vessel until June, 1847, when he went on the "Boston." In the summer of 1847 he took charge of the steamer " Detroit," until she was sent to Chicago. In the following winter he put up the en- gine of the "Monticello," at Fairport, Ohio. In the spring of 1848 he put in an engine for the "Ohio," and fixed engines for the " Republic" in the fall. He was on the "Republic" until July, 1849, when he was employed to fit out the steamer "Globe," at Cleveland, by the American and Liverpool Insurance Com- pany, who were under contract to furnish the railroad iron from England for the C. C. & C. railroad, by January 1, 1850. Their vessels from Liverpool could not pass up the Welland canal, and the iron was un- loaded on the banks. Mr. June was em- ployed to deliver the iron for the company at Cleveland, and it took him from July un- til December 22 to do it. He then returned to the Cuyahoga shops to work for the Lake Superior Line of steamers, in which employ he remained for a period of about eight years. This line extended from Cleveland to Sault Ste. Marie. In 1851 they built the steamer " Northerner," into which Mr. June put an engine and ma- chinery; this was the first steamboat

built for the Lake Superior trade. In 1853 they built the steamer ". North Star," which cost $128,000. Having by indus- try and economy laid by some money, Mr. June in 1853 came to Fremont to start in business. He and a Mr. Curtis first bought out the plow shop of F. I. Norton, and began to fix it up for the building and repair of engines. Six months later Mr. Curtis sold out to Dan- iel L. June, and the June brothers contin- ued together under the firm name of June & June until 1856, when Lyman Gilpin bought out D. L. June. D. June and L. Gilpin remained together as partners un- til November, 1859, at which time D. June became sole proprietor. He again took Mr. Curtis into partnership, but seven years later that gentleman re- tired, and three years after that a part- nership was formed, consisting of David June, Robert Brayton, and O. S. French, under the firm name of D. June & Co.

The completion of the Toledo, Nor- walk & Cleveland railroad in 1853 en- abled Mr. June to bring engines from Cleveland for repair, and return them for the Lake Superior Company cheaper than the work could be done at Cleveland, and he held their trade. His shops also re- ceived many orders for work from the surrounding country. In the winter of 1855 he rebuilt the "Manhattan," whose engines were brought here by rail, and in the winter of 1857 he rebuilt the "North Star" at Fremont. During these years Mr. June was away occasionally on Lake Superior to overhaul steamers and make repairs. In 1858, at the urgent solicita- tion of the Lake Superior Transportation Company, he left his business at Fre- mont, Ohio, in care of a partner lately taken in, and went to Cleveland to take charge of all the company's boats and keep them in running order. He re- mained there until 1860, when he returned to Fremont, bought out his partner, and assumed entire control of the business. He had quit the lakes in 1858, and now

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remained in Fremont permanently, in 1861 commencing the erection of new works, which were completed in 1877. After several changes of partners he asso- ciated himself with Robert Brayton, an old and skillful machinist with whom he had worked in Cleveland, and who re- mained nine years and did much to make their ventures successful. Many valuable improvements in the building of engines were made by this enterprising firm. They were the inventors of a self-acting spark arrester in 1875, which has come into general use. The engines built by the firm have a high reputation, and are being shipped all over the country. The firm also has two branch concerns, one at Waco, Texas, which does a business of about $150,000 a year, and one at Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa, which does an annual business of about $25,000. They had another at Austin, Texas, which they recently sold to A. R. Gossard. These concerns are all connected with and stocked by the shops at Fremont, Ohio, in which a business of about $200,000 a year is done. In 1869 Mr. June took O. S. French as a partner, and the firm name became D. June & Co., by which it has been known ever since. In 1886 this firm divided up a one-third interest with S. A. June & Son, Martin Holder- man and A. M. June. In 1890 S. A. June and Peter June, his son, surrendered their stock to D. June & Co., since which time the firm has consisted of D. June, O. S. French, M. Holderman and A. M. June.

On November 28, 1844, David June married, at Painesville, Ohio, Miss Caro- line A. Owen, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Rantsford) Owen, born in Ontario county, N. Y., in February, 1823. They had two children: Clarissa A., who died in childhood; and Carrie M., born June 12, 1857, who was married September 10, 1884, at Fremont, Ohio, to Martin Holderman, who is now a partner in the firm of D. June & Co., and its worthy

secretary. Mr. Holderman was born in Baden, Germany, August 10, 1852, a son of Frederick and Barbara (Adler) Holder- man, who came to America in 1856. Frederick Holderman was a baker by trade, and had preceded his family to this country two years, coming in 1854. He died at Fremont, Ohio, in 1860, and his wife in 1865. Three of their sons, Will- iam, George and Frederick, Jr., were veteran soldiers of the Civil war, 1861 to 1865. The children of Frederick Holder- man, Sr., born in Germany, were: Fred- erick, Jr., born in 1840; George, born February 22, 1842; William, born Febru- ary 22, 1844; Amelia, who died in child- hood; and Martin, born August 10, 1852. The children of Martin and Carrie Holder- man are: June Frederick, born December 5, 1885; and Clara Marie, born Decem- ber 12, 1886.

J OSEPH H. HAINES, an honored veteran of the Civil war, now an es- teemed citizen of Elmore, Ottawa county, was born in Trenton, N. J., December 17, 1844, and is a son of Willis Parker and Susan (Brooks) Haines. The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1809, and, during the greater part of his life, sailed the ocean. He died August 16, 1853. His wife, who was born in the same State in 1814, died July 11, 1895; to them were born seven children, all yet living-Edward, Martha, Samuel, Joseph H., Lurania, and Sarah and Mary P. (twins).

When our subject was only two years of age his parents migrated to Huron county, Ohio, and afterward to Ottawa county, where he attended the district schools. His father died when he was nine years of age, leaving seven children to be cared for by the mother, who, by her diligence and earnest effort reared her family to become honorable men and women and useful members of society. | Joseph H. began earning his living when

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only ten years of age, and also gave a part of his wages to his mother to assist her in caring for the younger children.

Mr. Haines was employed as a farm hand until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when, on the 4th of August, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company L, Third Ohio Cavalry. His first battle was at Shiloh, and for two days he participated in that hotly-contested struggle. He was afterward in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Stone River and others. He was twice taken prisoner, but made his escape on the field of battle before being removed to Southern prisons. For more than four years he faithfully fol- lowed the old flag, and valiantly aided in the defense of the Union, making an hon- orable war record of which he may well be proud. When the South had laid down its arms, and peace was once more restored, he was discharged August 17, 1865, and returned home. The following year he started westward and spent six years on the plains of Colorado, Texas, Utah and other western States and Ter- ritories, engaged in driving cattle. The company with which he was associated was many times attacked by Indians, and some of the number were killed. On one occasion Mr. Haines was struck by an arrow, but after a time recovered from the wound. The life was often one of excitement, danger and hardship. After six years had passed he returned to El- inore, and has since lived in that locality.

On March 10, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Jennie Chapman, of Elmore. She was born October 16, 1853, in Pickaway county, Ohio, where she remained until nine years of age, when her family removed to Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, coming a year later to Elmore, where she has since lived. Her father, James R. Chapman, was born in New York, in 1817, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Hardin, was born in 1829. They had ten

children: William, Alanzo, Ira, Lizzie, Jennie, Sarah, Ella, Fannie, Ann and Nancy; those still living are William, Liz- zie, Jennie, Sarah, Ella and Fannie. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Haines went to sea when her father was only six months old, and was never heard from again. His wife was born about 1793. The maternal grandfather, Will- iam Hardin, and his wife were both born in 1799, and both died in 1885.

Mr. and Mrs. Haines have seven chil- dren: Nellie, born December 23, 1872, died September 11, 1873; EDWARD P., born June 3, 1875, completed the course of study in Elmore High School in 1892, and, when thirteen years of age, began the study of pharmacy with Mr. Penfield, a druggist of Elmore, by whom he is em- ployed most of the time, proving a very efficient clerk; Clarence B., born August 15 1877, died August 10, 1878; George A., born January 23, 1879, is attending the high school of Elmore; Maud, born March 30, 1882, and Alice, born April 1, 1884, are still in school, and are also studying instrumental music; and Glena L., born June 19, 1893, died April 11, 1895. Mr. Haines is now engaged in the painting business in Elmore, enjoying a good trade, and has the confidence and support of many patrons, and all with whom he has come in contact.

SAAC F. STROHL, farmer, of Ball- ville township, Sandusky county, was born June 27, 1848, near his present place of residence, about three miles southeast of Fremont. He spent his child- hood and youth on the farm of his ma- ternal grandfather, John Batzole, and at- tended the district school at the corner of said farm, chiefly in the winter seasons, when work was not too pressing.

At the age of eighteen years he entered upon life for himself, but retained his resi- dence at the old homestead. During the seasons of grain threshing, which formerly

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lasted much longer than at present, he , horse-power mowing machine, and he operated an old-fashioned horse-power 1 relieved the tired arms and lame backs of many a hardy pioneer who mowed with a scythe. The merry rattle of his " Buck- eye Mower " astonished the meadow larks, and cheered the whole community as its . echoes resounded from the neighboring forests. threshing machine for about fourteen years, to the satisfaction of his neigh- bors. He was the first man in his vicinity to buy and use a steam engine for the threshing of grain, and he made $1,200 in ninety days with his first engine. In the year 1877 he bought the homestead where he now resides, to which he has made additions. He is progressive and enterprising, and keeps abreast of the times in the use of improved farm imple- ments. He is a member of the United Brethren Church; a Democrat in politics, and has held the office ot township trustee several terms, and been an active member of the board of education.

Isaac F. Strohl was married, Septem- ber 14, 1875, to Miss Hannah M. Worst, who was born in Sandusky county, August 10, 1852, and they had children as fol- lows: Cletus P., Myrle D., Edna L., Bessie and Vinnie.

A NSON ELDRIDGE, a prominent farmer of Ballville township, San- dusky county, was one of those marked characters in the early history of this country to which the trite appellation, "diamonds in the rough, " might be aptly applied. He was a short, thick-set, stoutly built man, of Irish de- scent. He was of a sanguine, nervous tem- perament, having blue eyes, sandy hair and a florid complexion; he possessed a large fund of ready wit and genuine good humor, and his face was usually radiant with hope and good cheer. Under his rough exterior lurked not only an iron will and nerves of steel, but a kind and sympathetic disposition which led him often to sacrifice his own interests for those of his friends. He often acted the part of a Good Samaritan among his neighbors in cases of sickness, or of mis- haps to their live stock. He was the first man in his neighborhood to use a

Mr. Eldridge came from the vicinity of Massillon, Stark Co., Ohio, about the year 1835, and settled in Riley township. Sandusky county. Here he married a Miss Fronizer, by whom he had one son, who died at the age of sixteen years. Mrs. Eldridge died in 1840, and about the year 1842 Mr. Eldridge married Mrs. Nancy Beaghler (nce Bolin), relict of Henry Beaghler, one of the earliest pio- neers of Ballville township, who lived near an old Indian trail leading from the Indian village north of Green Spring to Lower Sandusky. Mrs. Eldridge died August 1, 1869. A few years later Mr. Eldridge married a Mrs. Brookhart, relict of a minister of the United Brethren Church, with whom he lived several years in Mercer county, Ohio, and then quietly passed away from the scenes of earth. His memory is kindly cherished by his many former friends and their children in Ballville township. He had for many years been a member of the United Breth- ren Church.

OHN BATZOLE, one of the pioneers of Sandusky county, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, Feb- ruary 28, 1801. His father's name was John, that of his mother being Christina. His early life was spent on a farm where he acquired habits of in- dustry and economy, and learned the rud- iments of a common-school education. On September 25, 1824, he married Miss Sarah Ernsperger, and moved soon after to Wayne county, Ohio. They lo- cated twelve miles west of Wooster, where

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he spent eight years in hard work clear- ing up a farm.

Here were born to them: John Jacob, February 8, 1826; Lucretia Catharine, March 18, 1828; Mary Jane, April 8, 1830; Maria, February 9, 1832; and here Mr. Batzole and his wife became mem- bers of the Refornied Church. In the spring of 1834 the family removed to Ballville township, Sandusky county, Ohio, upon a farm of eighty acres of land which Mr. Batzole had previously bought, to which forty acres more were added later. This was their family home for about fifty years. Their children born here were: Christopher, September 27, 1834; Sarah Ann, February 22, 1838; Susan Martha, October 26, 1840; Will- iam Henry, May 23, 1843; and two others that died in infancy. John Jacob died February 25, 1829; Mary Jane, March 1, 1831; Lucretia C., wife of Sam- uel Strohl, September 8, 1861; and Maria, wife of John Strohl, May 19, 1864. Mrs. John Batzole died at her home March 2, 1878, at the age of seventy-four. John Batzole died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martha Michaels, December 24, 1887, aged nearly eighty-seven years.

Mr. Batzole was a friend of education and furnished land, labor and material for the erection of the first log cabin school- house in his neighborhood, which was also used as a place of religious worship for many years, chiefly by the pioneer ministers of the United Brethren Church.

J OSEPH RUH, a prominent and high- ly-respected resident of Put in Bay Island, Ottawa county, who, for the past thirty-six years, has been exten- sively engaged in the culture of the grape vine, is well and favorably known through- out Ottawa and adjoining counties. He was born in Baden, Germany, January 27, 1830, and is a son of John and Mary (Ackerly, Ruh.

Joseph Ruh was reared to manhood

and educated in the Fatherland, where in early life he worked at agricultural pur- suits, and afterward engaged in the butch- ering business. In 1852 he embarked for America, crossed the Atlantic, and came to Ohio, settling first in Sandusky, Erie county. About a year later he removed to Plaster Bed, Ottawa county, in 1854 went to Gallipolis, Gallia Co., Ohio, where he resided about a year, in 1855 removing to Kelley's Island, and in 1856 to Put in Bay Island. In 1857 he went to Isle St. George (North Bass), returned the same year to Put in Bay Island, and has been a continuous resident there ever since, closely identified with the growing inter- ests of the Island.

At Port Clinton, Ottawa county, on January 7, 1859, Joseph Ruh was united in marriage with Catherine Sullivan, daughter of Michael and Nancy (Becker) Sullivan, and five children have been born to them, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Rosella, February 2, 1862; Nancy, August 18, 1864; Mary, July IS, 1866; Elizabeth, June 1, 1868; and Charles E., January 13, 1870. The mother passed away February 11, 1891. In politics Mr. Ruh is a stanch Republi- can, and in religious affiliation his family are identified with St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

H C. MYLANDER, the popular hardware merchant of Oak Har- bor, Salem township, Ottawa connty, and a prominent and pro- gressive citizen, was born in Oak Harbor, May 22, 1860, the oldest son of H. H. Mylander, also a resident of that enter- prising town.

Our subject received his preliminary education in the public schools of his na- tive place, and was employed in his father's store up to 1879, in which year he engaged in the mercantile business at Rocky Ridge, Ottawa Co., Ohio. In 18So he disposed of this business, and re-

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turned to the place of his nativity, of which he has since been a constant resi- dent. Mr. Mylander was united in mar- riage, at Oak Harbor, June 1; 1880, with Miss Marion A. Young, who was born March 17, 1861, daughter of George and Emma J. Young, of Carroll township, Ottawa county, and to this union came six children, as follows: Pearl, Georgia, Francis, Marguerite, Robert, who died February 17, 1892, and Howard.

Politically, Mr. Mylander is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and for two years he very acceptably filled the position of corporation treasurer. Socially he is a member of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M., Fremont Chapter No. 64, R. A. M., and Fremont Council. But few men have taken more interest in the welfare of the county, and none com- mand more completely the respect and confidence of the community at large than does Mr. Mylander. The family are members of the M. E. Church.

C GERNHARD, the courteous and genial landlord of the well-known popular ". Island House," Port Clinton, Ottawa county, is a na- tive of Germany, born November 16, 1851, in Hessen-Cassel.

Matthias Gernhard, his father, was born, in 1810, in the same Duchy, and learned the trade of carpenter. He served in the German army, not only the full time but also extra time, in order to become fully qualified to receive a cap- taincy; but on account of his name being entered " Liphart," on the roll, by mis- take, he lost his promotion, and in conse- quence at once left the army. He after- ward followed his trade in Germany till 1856, in which year, as will presently be related, he emigrated to America. He was twice married, each time in the "Fatherland," on first occasion to Miss Ifland, by whom he had three daughters: Catherine Elizabeth, Martha and Cath-

erine; for his second wife he wedded Miss Anna Catherine Brentzell (who was born in 1826), by whom he had three sons: our subject, George, and one that died in infancy. In 1856, Mr. Gernhard, ac- companied by all his family except the two eldest daughters(who came to America later, one before the Civil war and the other after that event), emigrated to the United States, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel, which, becoming infected with yellow fever, was quarantined at Staten Island, New York harbor. Here Mrs. Gernhard, her infant son (born on the ocean) and Catherine (the youngest of Mr. Gernhard's three daughters) died. The two sons, our subject and George where placed in a New York hospital, where George died of neglect. In New Jer- sey Mr. Gernhard, the father, secured em- ployment, and there remained about a year with his now only son, our subject, when they came to Ohio, making their home at Brownhelm, Vermillion and Birming- ham respectively, sojourning about twelve months in each place. While living in Birmingham, in 1859, our subject, then a boy of eight summers, was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blanke, who after- ward, fall of 1860, in company with Matthias Gernhard, moved to near Ellis- ton, Ottawa county, settling on a farm in Benton township. After the death of Mr. Blanke, which occurred not long afterward, his widow received her dower, and went to live with friends in Elyria, where she died a few years later.

Matthias Gernhard followed agricul- tural pursuits in Benton township until 1862, in which year he enlisted in Com- pany E, Seventy-second Regiment. O. V. I., Col. R. P. Buckland, and served in the army fourteen months when he was dis- charged on account of disabilities con- tracted while in the service. Returning to Benton township he resumed work on the farm, where he passed the rest of his days, dying June 27, 1890.

C. Gernhard, the subject proper of

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this sketch, grew to manhood on his foster-father's farm, where he worked hard in the lumber woods chopping cordwood, splitting rails, making railroad ties and saw-logs, and clearing up the farm, attend- ing country school only a few weeks during the winter season. At the age of eight- een he was given his freedom by his foster-parents. and, in 1869, commencing on his own account, he opened out a saloon business at Elliston, Ottawa county, which he continued until 1882, when he was elected sheriff of Ottawa county, which office he held four years. During the last six months of his term he built the " Island House," at a cost of $16,000, and after his term expired opened up the hotel of which he has been proprietor since . 1887. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. O. T. M., and is com- mander of the Sons of Veterans at Port Clinton.

On November 16, 1871, Mr. Gernhard married Miss Augusta Wilke, who was born June 17, 1854, in Prussia, daugh- ter of Gottlieb and Hannah Louisa (Arndt ) Wilke; she came to America about the year 1862. Six children were born to this union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara, August 17, 1872; Elizabeth, December 8, 1873; Catherine, February 15, 1876; William, May 1, 1879; Frank, May 9, 1881; Edward, November 19, 1884, all born in Ottawa county, Ohio. Of these, Clara was married De- cember 20, 1892, to William Sowders, member of a mercantile firm in Louisville, Ky. they have one child, Harold, born October 2, 1893); Elizabeth was married September 12, 1893, to William Gordon, attorney at law, Oak Harbor, Ohio, a son of Washington Gordon, ex-county treas- urer of Ottawa county; Catherine died in childhood; William, Frank and Edward are living at the " Island House " with their parents, and attend the public schools. The entire family are identified with the German Reformed Church, and are held in the highest respect in the community.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 105

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