Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 106

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 106
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 106

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).

A NDREW SNIDER. This pio- neer farmer, and veteran of the Civil war of 1861-65, was born in the Empire State, September 16, 1830, and is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Londestine) Snider, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. While a mere boy, Andrew was put to work making spools for his father and mother, who were weavers by trade and operated three looms. The little lad was kept almost constantly busy, and conse- quently his opportunities for gaining an education were very limited. When he was still quite young his parents removed to Ohio and settled in Medina county, where his father farmed and also followed his trade of a weaver, at which our sub- ject assisted until he was twenty-one years old.

On attaining his majority our subject left home and obtained work in the hoop yards, in said county, remaining in that occupation for three years. He then re- turned home and removed with his fa- ther's family to Clay township, Ottawa county, where his father, in 1857, bought eighty acres of land. This was in the midst of the woods, with no improve- ments, and no road or schoolhouse within a mile of the place. Here the young man worked, in company with his brother, without pay or profit to himself until the land was cleared, and a log cabin and other necessary structures built. He then returned to Medina coun- ty and learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, afterward coming back to Clay township, where he found plenty of employment in this line. Many of the houses he then built are still standing. Mr. Snyder continued working at his trade until the breaking out of the Civil war, in 1861, when he went to Elmore and enlisted in Company I, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers, in which regiment he served for over three years, under the I command of Gen. James Nichols. He took part in the battle of Stone River,

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after which he was put, with others of his company, to building bridges. While at this work he was so unfortunate as to severely injure his leg, and the surgeon ordered his discharge at Nashville, Tenn., much to the sorrow of our subject, as he felt that his country still needed his serv- ices. After his discharge Mr. Snider re- turned home and resumed his work as a carpenter for two years, at the end of which time he was obliged to discontinue it, on account of his injured limb. He was married at Genoa, and removed to Michigan, locating at Palmer, where he did farm work for seven years, and after- ward was similiarly employed at Hast- ings, that State, for two years. At this time he returned to Palmer, at the request of his former employer, with whom he worked for another three years, when he came back to Ohio, and settled down on the old homestead, where he has remained ever since, with the exception of five months spent in the Soldiers' Home, at Dayton.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married February 1, 1865, was, in her maidenhood, Elizabeth Bufenton, and was born in Elmore, this State, May 16, 1846. Her father, George Bufenton, mar- ried Mary Rose, and they were the par- ents of ten children. The father died in 1885, the mother in May, 1895. Eliza- beth was married in 1860, at Woodville, Sandusky county, to Samuel Kemp, and to them one child was born, March 30, 1861, who died in January, 1892, leaving a family of three children. Mr. Kemp died from disease contracted in camp in 1861, and in 1862 Mrs. Kemp married Elisha Harrington, of Michigan, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. One child was born to this marriage, Rosie, wife of Martin Croley, of Toledo. In 1865, the widow became the wife of Mr. Snider, as has been stated. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed with four children, as follows: Manda E., born March 20, 1866, in Michi-

gan, is the wife of Eli Edenburger, a a farmer of Wood county (they have four children); Martha, born February 13, 1868, married Ernest Stoyker, of Genoa, and has four children; Andrew B., a farmer, born March 12, 1870, married Minnie, daughter of Walter Downing, a farmer of Clay township; Abigail, born May 2, 1872, is the wife of Augustus Farr, an engineer at Coleman, Michigan.

Mr. Snider is a good Republican and a member of Gen. Elliott Wyman Post, G. A. R. He and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, while not possessed of a great amount of this world's goods, are contented and happy in the consciousness of well-spent lives, and looking forward to a brighter hereafter.

J AMES TITUS, one of the earliest settlers of Kelley's Island, Ohio, was born in New York State, April 15, 1832, and is a son of John and Mehitabel (Chapple) Titus, who were of English and Scotch ancestry, respect- ively.

John Titus was born in New York State, November 12, 1782, son of Silas and Sarah (Runnells) Titus. . In May, 1810, he was united in marriage with Mehitabel Chapple, who was born in New York State, and they had a family of nine children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Zipporah, wife of Joseph Lin- coln, residing on Kelley's Island; Justice, residing on Kelley's Island; Nancy C., widow of Edmund Ward, of Kelley's Island; Lydia, widow of Sylvester S. Dewelle, residing on Kelley's Island; Sabria, widow of James Hamilton, of Kelley's Island; Jared, residing on Kelley's Island; and James. John Titus removed, in 1835, to Ottawa county, Ohio, and in 1836 to Kelley's Island, where he was en- gaged in grape growing. He died June 23, 1858, his wife, Mehitabel, surviving him until August 19, 1880.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

When a mere child James Titus came to Ohio with his parents, who located in Ottawa county, and after residing there about a year removed to Kelley's Island, where he has since always lived. He re- ceived a limited education here, has been engaged in fishing and farming, and for five years has been night watchman for the Kelley's Island Line Transportation Company. On June 22, 1852, he was united in marriage with Angeline Pickard, a sister of the late George Pickard, of Ottawa county, and they had three chil- dren, one of whom still survives, Evaline, Mrs. Till, now residing in Cleveland. Mrs. Titus passed away March 7, 1855, and on April 12, 1862, at Port Clinton, Ottawa county, James Titus was again married, this time to Julia Condon, and they have had one child, Louis C., who was born July 22, 1863, and resides on Kelley's Island. Mrs. Titus is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Condon, of Ot- tawa, Ottawa county. In his political views Mr. Titus is a Republican; he is not connected with any church, though his parents were Baptists. He has earned success by his enterprise and well-estab- lished reputation for integrity, enjoys a very wide acquaintance throughout the county, and has hosts of friends.

Edmund Ward, who married Nancy C. Titus, daughter of John Titus, was born in Essex county, N. Y., June 16, 1812, son of Reuben and Mary D. (La- vine Ward. who were from Vermont and Canada, respectively. He was reared to manhood and educated in New York State, and in 1844 came to Kelley's Island, Erie Co., Ohio, where he was a constant resident for the remainder of his life, engaging in farming and grape growing. On September 10, 1835, in Rose Valley, Wayne Co., N. Y., Edmund Ward was united in marriage with Nancy C. Titus, who was born November 20, 1817, and they had eight children, name- ly: Melissa, born June 6, 1838, wife of Frederick P. Waite, residing at Highland

Lake, Weld Co., Colo .; John, born July 21, 1840, who died in April, 1863, from the effects of illness contracted in the army while serving in the defense of his coun- try; Emily, born September 9, 1842, who is the widow of Rev. Martin K. Hol- brook, residing in Berlin, Germany; Uriah, born February 27, 1845, formerly State Senator; Hettie E., born February 27, 1847; Mary L., born January 19, 1849, wife of Henry I. Worden, residing in Pittsburg, Van Buren Co., Iowa; and Edward, born January 8, 1853, and Adel- bert A., born March 13, 1855, both re- siding on Kelley's Island. Edmund Ward died in March, 1892.

H ON. AUGUSTUS F. FRESE. This gentleman, who for eight- een years has been the popular postmaster at Graytown, Benton township, is a citizen whose public spirit and influence are felt and appreciated throughout Ottawa county, where he has spent the greater part of his active life.

He is of German descent, his parents, Henry and Louisa (Heilbran) Frese, hav- ing been born in Germany in 1813 and 1815 respectively. They came to Ameri- ca about 1838, settling in Woodville town- ship, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where Mr. Frese died in 1853. After remaining a widow for six years Mrs. Frese married Mr. R. Berleman, by whom she had one son. Six years after their marriage they removed to Toledo, where Mrs. (Frese) Berleman died April 6, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frese were born seven children: Two in Germany-Henry and Louis; five in America-Charlotte, Mary, Augustus F., Charles F. and Louisa, all of whom are still living, and all residents of Ohio except Henry, who lives in Min- nesota.

Augustus F. Frese was born Decem- ber 24, 1846, in Sandusky county, Ohio, living there until 1859, in which year he moved with his parents to Toledo, where

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he lived until 1866. At the age of nine- teen Mr. Frese began life for himself; that he has made a success may be judged from the fact that he is now one of the leading business men of Ottawa county. In 1866 he entered the store of C. H. Damschroder & Co., of Elmore, Ohio, as clerk, continuing with them three years, when he returned to Toledo, and for two years had charge of the boot and shoe store of Eversman & Co. From To- ledo Mr. Frese went to High Forest, Minn., where he spent one year in out- of-door work, mainly for the benefit of his health, which had been somewhat im- paired by long continued confinement in- doors. At the close of his year of outing he returned to Ohio, and again began clerking for C. H. Damschroder & Co., of Elmore, remaining in this position un- til 1876, when he came to Graytown and settled in business for himself in partner- ship with Mr. Ames, under the firm name of Ames & Frese. In 1881 Mr. Frese purchased his partner's interest and be- came sole owner of the business, continu- ing as such for one year, when, in 1882, he was elected to the Legislature of Ohio from Ottawa county, being the first Re- publican representative from that county. At thistime his brother, Charles F. became a partner in the business, and the firm has since been known as C. F. Frese & Co.

In 1882, while in the Legislature, Mr. Frese drafted a bill providing for the con- struction of free trunpikes in Ottawa county. The bill met with some opposi- tion in the House, but Mr. Frese vigor- ously defended his ideas, and had the sat- isfaction of seeing his bill become a law in 1883. The bill provides as follows: " In case any township in Ottawa county desires to turnpike a certain road, the tax- payers in said township shall make such request known by petition. A five-mill tax shall then be levied for the construction of such road." The very excellent roads on the eastern and western ends of Ot- tawa county are a result of the applica-

tion of the Frese bill. In addition to Mr. Frese's labors as a State officer he has for many years been clerk of Benton town- ship, and for eighteen years has held the position of postmaster in Graytown, dis- charging all the duties connected with his various incumbencies in a manner which speaks highly for his ability and trust- worthiness. Politically he is a Repub- lican, and an earnest worker for the suc- cess of his party.

In 1885 Mr. Frese was married to Miss Lena Beck, who was born September 24, 1856, in Port Clinton, in the public schools of which place she received a liberal education, and also made a spe- cialty of music, under the private instruc- tion of Prof. Bonn, of Sandusky, Ohio. For two years she was bookkeeper for the Singer Sewing Machine Co., one year in Detroit and one in Toledo, and since her marriage to Mr. Frese she has ren- dered him great assistance in his exten- sive business affairs. To their union have been born four children, two of whom are now living: Florence H., born August 24, 1888, and James B., born October 22, 1890, at Graytown, Benton township, Ottawa Co., Ohio.

Mrs. Frese is the only child of Sam- uel and Catherine (Kunzman) Beck, the former of whom was born April 5, 1832, in Baden, Germany. At the age of eight- een he came to America, settling at Port Clinton, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in business until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, in which he served for three years, and he is now at the Soldiers' Home in Sandusky, Ohio. His father, Heinrich Beck, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1805, and his mother was born in Germany in 1804; their oc- cupation was hotel-keeping and wine- making. Mrs. Frese's ancestry on the maternal side is as follows: Her mother, Catherine (Kunzman) Beck, was born in Germany April 28, 1834, and came to America when about eighteen years of

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age. The voyage consumed thirty-two days, during which time the boat took fire and all came nearly being lost, some even jumping overboard lest they should be burned to death; Miss Kunzman, how- ever, remained on board, and finally land- ed safely in America. She settled in San- dusky, Erie Co., Ohio, and after remaining there nearly three years with her brother went to Port Clinton, where, in 1854, she was married to Mr. Beck. A woman of remarkable industry and enterprise, she supported herself during her husband's absence in the army by taking boarders, and about six years ago she furnished, opened and for sometime was proprietor of the "Lake House," at Port Clinton. She is still living and is in good health. Her parents, Christopher and Barbara (Ahrheit) Kunzman, were born in Ger- many in 1806 and 1808 respectively. Her grandfather, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Frese, Christian Kunzman, was born in Germany in 1772; his wife, Doratha (Jordon) Kunzman, the great-grandmoth- er of Mrs. Frese, was born in Germany in 1768. Christian Kunzman was supply agent for the cavalry in the army of King William I, for some forty-two years, and on his death the King sent the royal hearse, drawn by six white horses, and accompanied by the German Military band, to his funeral, which was the grand- est ever given a private German citizen. Mrs. Frese's great-grandfather, Zacharia Ahrheit, was born in Germany in 1762; he served under Napoleon the Great in the Russian war, in which he received a severe wound on the skull, in consequence of which a portion of the skull was re- moved and a silver piece inserted instead.

Mr. and Mrs. Frese have a pleasant home in Graytown, noted for its hospital- ity, and they are appreciated and highly esteemed by all who know them for their business, social and intellectual worth. Mr. Frese is largely interested in farms and fruit growing, especially plums, hav- ing altogether 2,000 trees set out.

E ZRA HALL, of the firm of Ezra Hall & Son, proprietors of a whole- sale and retail green-house, at Clyde, Sandusky county, was born September 23, 1829, in Vermont, on the New York State line, and is a son of Dan- iel and Clarissa (Loose) Hall. The fa- ther was born in New York State, of an old Massachusetts family, and came west in the winter of 1854-55, locating in Montcalm county, Mich., near Greenville, where his death occurred when he was aged eighty years. He was of Scotch- Irish ancestry, and an old Jacksonian Democrat. His wife, who was also born in New York State, died in Michigan, at the age of seventy-five years. Two sis- ters of our subject are yet living-Mahit- able, wife of R. Caldwell, of Warren county, N. Y .; and Harriet, wife of David Brice, living in Clinton, Michigan.

The childhood of Ezra Hall was passed in the various localities in which his par- ents resided, and at the age of twenty years he began railroading, first being em- ployed as a common workman on a road ten miles from Saratoga Springs, N. Y., after which he was engaged at Rutland, Vt. From there he went to Boston, Mass., and later to New York City, where he worked on the Eagle Bridge across the Hudson river, assisting in laying the track. He applied himself diligently to his labors, and won the confidence of his employers, so that he was at that time given charge of a gang of men. He received a pro- position to go to the Isthmus of Darien as overseer on railroad construction, which he accepted, and with fourteen men pro- ceeded to that place, but at the end of three weeks only seven were alive, some having been killed by the natives, while others died of fever. The chances of life being so small, Mr. Hall resolved to re- turn home, though in doing so he would have to give up a large salary, and his companions who were still alive followed his example.

On returning to Rutland, Vt., our sub-

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ject remained there until 1852, when he came west, being employed by the C. C., C. & I. Railroad Company to take charge of laying the track, and on September 6, 1852, he put in the first switch ever laid in Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio. During the war he entered the employment of the United States Government, laying track in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ten- nessee, Indian Territory and Texas, after which he was similarly employed at Car- son, Kans., where he also ran a train. Few men still living are so familiar with the privations, incidents, and history of pioneer railroad life in various parts of the United States, or have had as broad an ex- perience as Mr. Hall. The last railroad work on which he was engaged was the Lake Erie & Western road from Lima to St. Mary's, Ohio.

Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Nancy McMillen, a native of Zanes- ville, Ohio, born May 14, 1833. She was a faithful wife, and her death, which occurred April 14, 1882, was severely felt by our subject. Two children came to bless their union, the eldest of whom, William E., born May 18, 1857, is now in partnership with his father in the green- house business; he married Miss Eva Stark, and to them have been born four children-Ezra Eugene, John B., Emil M. and Lloyd Taylor.

The firm of Ezra Hall & Son were the pioneers in the small fruit business in that portion of Sandusky county. They first began to grow and ship to the city mar- kets strawberries, raspberries, together with other small fruits, and winter let- tuce. About thirteen years ago they started their first green-house, and to-day are the only wholesale flower dealers be- tween Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio. They have telephone connections with all local towns and business points, and ship flowers as far as Chicago. They make a specialty of a species of pink, and do a considera- ble business in funeral decorations. They have a large and constantly increasing munity.

patronage, and have been very successful in this undertaking. As business men, the firm ranks high and receive the respect and confidence of all with whom they come in contact.

AMS BROTHERS. This popular firm, proprietors of the Metropolitan liv- ery stables, at Gibsonburg, Sandusky county, consists of Russell, Frank and Jesse Iams. It is always pleasant to record the history of a family in which a number of brothers, having passed their boyhood happily together, arrive at man- hood with the same fraternal feelings and unite together in business pursuits, and side by side fight the battle of life. Their histories up to date are very simi- lar. They are all natives of Sandusky county, born in Washington township.

Frank Iams was born March 17, 1855. His marriage to Miss Emma Saam took place in 1879, and they have one child, Alice. Russell Iams was born February 18, 1859, and was married February 5, 1880, to Miss Ellen Lowe; they have one child, Myrtie. Jesse Iams, born January 15, 1861, married Sevilla Ernst, and they have one child, J. Franklin. As has been said, the earlier careers of these thrifty and " hustling " brothers run in similar channels. All three grew up on the home farm, and each received his education in the common schools, but being endowed with the sterling qualities of integrity and perseverance, supple- mented with habits of industry from boy- hood, they have had the good fortune to see every enterprise in which they have been engaged crowned with success. On leaving the farm Messrs. Iams engaged in the livery business under the firm name of Iams Brothers, and are recognized as leaders in the business circles of Gibson- burg. They are stanch Republicans, and are ever ready to assist in anything which has for its object the welfare of the com-

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The parents of the Iams Brothers, Jasper and Mary Ann (Mooney) Iams, were both born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when quite young. They grew up and were married in Washington township, Sandusky county, where the father carried on farming, and died there when about seventy-one years old. He was a Republican, and served as a one- hundred-days man during the Civil war. The mother, now seventy-two years old resides in Gibsonburg. Besides the three sons mentioned their family comprised the following children: Harriet, who mar- ried William Fought, and lives in Gibson- burg; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Fought, residing in Fremont; John, a farmer in Madison township; Mary, deceased wife of John Barman; Minerva, who married Amos Harley; Sarah, who married George Naas; Marcella. who married George Williamson, and Eltie, who married John Valance.

F RED MICHAEL (deceased) was a wagonmaker by trade, and fol- lowed the occupation of farming in Madison township, Sandusky county. He was born in Hanover, Ger- many, in 1817, and was one of the early settlers of Madison township.

At the age of twenty-two Mr. Michael started out alone for America. Coming to Ohio, he located in Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, Sandusky county, where he went to work at his trade of wagon maker in partnership with Ambrose Ochs. After being thus engaged for some time he sold out his interest and moved to Hessville, Washington township, Sandusky county, where he remained about two years, going from there to Madison township, same county, where he followed his trade five years, and then located on a tract of land near Gibsonburg, in Madison township, where he had his home the remainder of his days.

In 1845 Fred Michael was united in

marriage with Sophia Hass, and they had five children, as follows: Mary died in 1869. John married Mary Driftmyer, by whom he has had two children; he is a farmer in Michigan. Levina died young. Fred, who is unmarried, works in the oil fields near Gibsonburg. Joseph was born May 6, 1856, on the old homestead in Madison township. When Mr. Michael moved into the township there were very few families here. At the time of his death he had 120 acres of valuable land. He passed away in February, 1890, at the age of seventy-three years and some months.

Joseph Michael, son of Fred and Sophia (Hass) Michael, attended school where the city of Gibsonburg now stands, at a time when there were only three or four buildings there. When a child he had a paralytic stroke, since which time he has had only partial use of his right side. He has always had to work hard, and since his father's death has had charge of the farm. In 1889 the farm was leased to a Mr. Gilbert, and eight oil wells were put down, all of which have a fairly good flow. Mr. Michael is well liked, and popular in the community, and has de- clined to accept several offices which have been offered to him. Politically, he is a Democrat.

H ON. JACOB DECKER (deceased) was born January 15, 1809, in Union county, Penn. His par- ents, John and Julia Ann (Royer) Decker, moved to Wayne county, Ohio, in the spring of 1816, remaining there fourteen years, and finally, in 1830, settled in Thompson township, Seneca county. John Decker, who was a farmer and blacksmith, died January 3, 1854, and his widow June 27, 1875, in the eighty-sev- enth year of her age. They were mem- bers of the German M. E. Church. Their children were Jacob, John, Samuel, Adam,

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David, Mrs. Elizabeth Heater, Mrs. Sarah Burgner and Mrs. Catharine Harpster.

Jacob Decker's boyhood was spent amid the scenes of early pioneer life in Wayne and Seneca counties, and, while his school days were limited to three months, his active, energetic and perse- vering nature enabled him by home study to lay the foundation of a practical edu- cation which stood him well in hand in after years. Amid his rude environments his observation was quickened, his reason trained, his judgment developed, and a habit of self-mastery attained which made him the man he became in later years. In 1828 Mr. Decker began to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he worked about three years. He then located in Section 21, Thompson township, Seneca county, where he purchased eighty acres of heavily-timbered government land at $1.25 per acre, on which he erected a hewed-log house. Returning to Wayne county, he married Miss Susan Billman, with whom he returned to his new home in the wilderness. Their union was blessed with six children: Barbara (Mrs. Joseph Sherck), of Bellevue; John, living in Arkansas; David, of Atchison, Kans .; Amos and Milton, of Thompson town- ship; and Jefferson, who died in infancy. Amos Decker represented Seneca county in the Ohio Legislature two terms, during the sessions of 1880-81-82-83.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 106

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