Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 109

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 109
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 109

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F RANCIS RUTER, one of the old- est pioneers, and also one of the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Allen township, Ottawa county, was born at Rorden, Ger- many, June 28, 1828, and was a son of William C. Ruter, a native of the same city.

Our subject was educated in the excel - lent public schools of his birthplace, and learned the trade of a miller with his fa- ther, who at that time owned and operated several mills in Rorden. Here he lived until eighteen years of age, when he start- ed out for himself, going to Bremen, where he found employment at his trade, and there remained for ten years. In Ger- many, he was married in June, 1855, to Mary E., daughter of Frederick and Mar- cie (Bunte) Sheperman, of Hanover, Ger- many, and a few months afterward Mr. and Mrs. Ruter came to the United States, locating in Woodville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where for several years he operated a gristmill for Mr. John Elican. By the expiration of this time he had saved enough

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money to purchase a tract of woodland in Clay (now Allen) township. Here he began life in earnest. Clearing a little spot in the wilderness, he built a log cabin, to which he brought his family, and with the help of his brave wife toiled day and night for years to bring the land under cultivation, and make it what it now is. one of the best and most highly improv- ed farms in the township. In the mean- time Mr. Ruter had quite an unfortunate experience; about nine months after he had settled in his cabin home, which was during the Civil war, he was drafted into the army and assigned to the Thirty-sec- ond Ohio Infantry, in which he served nine months. When peace was declared he returned home quite ill, suffering from an old trouble contracted in Germany, only to find his wife and children had left the cabin and gone to the home of his wife's father in Ottawa county, as they were unable to endure the loneliness of the iso- lated life in the woods. Here, under the loving care of his wife, Mr. Ruter recover- ed his health, and then returning to his farm again took up the daily toil by which alone the tiller of the soil can accomplish the end desired. As his means increased he put necessary improvements on the place, building a comfortable dwelling, barns, etc., and making a comfortable and pleasant home, in which he is passing his later years in the consciousness of a life well-spent.

To our subject and his good wife nine children were born, five of whom are now living, and a brief record of them is as follows: Livesia was born June 22, 1858, at Woodville, Sandusky county, and be- came the wife of John Labue, a tinner, in Toledo; she has three children-Cora, born in 1882; Jessie, born in 1886; and Walter. Mary, born December 25, 1861, in Woodville, Sandusky county, was mar- ried in 1881 to John Klett, a farmer of Allen township, Ottawa county; her chil- dren were born as follows: William, No- vember 19, 1882; Frances, October 16,

1884; Clara, November 7, 1887; Bertia, March 8, 1889; and Frederick, November 24, 1893. - John was born June 22, 1863, in Allen township, and was married April 20, 1889, to Calamina Martin; they have three children-Annie, born April 25, 1890; Cora, born May 27, 1892; and Otto, born November 11, 1894. John Ruter lives on the homestead with his parents. Sophia Ruter was born in Allen township June 4. 1867, and married Gus- tav Shoschin, a farmer of that township; they have four children-William, Eddie, Otto and Frances. William Ruter was born May 6, 1872, and was educated in the district schools of Allen township; he is unmarried and resides with his parents. Of the children who are deceased Lydia, born in July, 1856, was married to Spen- cer Stewart, of Toledo, and became the mother of four children; she died in 1888 in Toledo. Mena, born June 5. 1865, died in 1872. Frederick, born in May, 1869, died in 1873. Henry died in in- fancy. Frederick Sheperman, the father of Mrs. Francis Ruter, was born in Han- over, Germany, where he was educated and married. In 1856 he emigrated with his family to this country, and settled in Ottawa county, where he farmed for a number of years. His family consisted of the following named children: Mary, the wife of our subject; Gerald, who died May 29, 1892; Lucia, widow of Christopher Molkinburg, of Sandusky county; Ange- lina, wife of William Schlaren, of Toledo; and Henry, who is married and resides in Toledo. Peter Martin, the father of Mrs. John Ruter, was born in Denmark, where he was married to Calamina Peter- son. In 1888 he came with his family to this country, settling in Ottawa county, this State, where he still resides and car- ries on farming. The names of his chil- dren are Christopher (married), Cala- mina (wife of John Ruter), Morris, Peter, Nora, Annie, Selina, Ida and Annie.

Mr. Ruter is a man of energy, and still actively interested in all projects for the

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welfare and improvement of the commun- ity of which he has so long been an hon- ored member. He is a stanch Democrat and every ready to work for the good of his party. He and his family are faithful attendants of the Lutheran Church at Genoa, Clay township.

I RA STERNS, business manager at Williston, Ottawa county, for the Dewey Stave Manufacturing Com- pany, of Toledo, was born in Carle- ton county, near the city of Ottawa, the capital of the Dominion of Canada. His parents were Ira and Mary (Brown) Sterns, the former of whom was born at the same place as his son, of Scotch de- scent, while the mother was a native of Scotland.

To this worthy couple nine children were born, of whom seven are now liv- ing, as follows: William, a farmer, who is married and lives on the old home- stead; Margaret, widow of William Cold- rey, living in Canada; Laura, wife of Samuel Nickelson, a blacksmith, in Ot- tawa, Canada; Ellen, wife of Alexander Kane, a farmer; Ira, our subject; Jennie, wife of Thomas Anderson, a carriage builder, at Ottawa, Canada; and David C., a farmer, living in North Dakota.

The subject of this sketch was born January 11, 1850, and attended the schools of his native place, obtaining a good education. He left school when sixteen years of age and spent three years in the employ of his brother-in-law, Samuel Nickelson, learning the black- smith trade. At the expiration of this time, in 1869, he came to Ohio, and en- tered the employ of John Welles, manu- facturer, at Martin, Clay township, Ottawa county. After spending several years there he worked for C. H. Sawyer, lime manufacturer at Clay Center, for some years. Subsequently he was en- gaged by the company for whom he is now manager at Williston as a mechani-

cal engineer, having charge of the ma- chinery and engines of the factory for fifteen years. His long and faithful serv- ices were rewarded when, in 1891, he was promoted to the responsible position of business manager, the duties of which he has filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to his employers, and he has also succeeded in gaining the good will and esteem of those under him.

Mr. Sterns was married in Toledo, October 24, 1871, to Miss Maria Peart, of Stark county, this State, and six children have blessed their union, viz. : Frederick, born October 5, 1872, was educated in the schools of Williston and is an engineer, operating the engines and machinery in the factory of which his father is the manager; Annie, born March 18, 1874, was married to Jacob Hartman, a carpenter and joiner, who is at present employed in the factory; Nellie, born August 18, 1877, is at home; Laura, born June 2, 1885, is attending school in Will- iston; Harley, born November 5, 1880, died March 17, 1881; and Ray, born November 6, 1890, died June 2, 1891.

Mrs. Maria (Peart) Sterns, the wife of our subject, was born October 25, 1849, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Streets) Peart. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man came to Stark county, Ohio, where he was married. He was a contractor and builder, and was for a time located at Martin, Ottawa county, where he built a number of houses, removing thence to Clay Center, where he died June 6, 1886. His wife is still living, and makes her home with her son at Clay Center. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peart, in Stark county, as follows: Man- ford, who is married and lives in Toledo; Sylvester, who is the manager of Mr. Pearce's lime factory at Clay Center; Jones, who is married and is employed in Bailey's mill, Williston; Charles Jerome, who is married and works in Dewey's mill, Williston; Annie, Mrs. Edwin Watson,

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who died in February, 1875, leaving two children; Clark, who is married and works in the lime kilns; Leroy, who is married and works in the mills at Williston; and Mary, wife of our subject. Mr. Ira Sterns has held the office of constable for the township of Allen for the past five years, and was recently re-elected for an- other term. Socially, he is a member of Genoa Lodge, No. 584, I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a Republican. The family attend the services of the Meth- odist Church. They are held in high esteem in the community.

J OHN LUTZ (deceased) was one of the pioneer settlers of Middle Bass Island, Ottawa county, and a prom- inent and progressive citizen, taking an active part in such matters as would promote the advancement of the interests of his community. He was a son of Christopher and Margaret (Snyder) Lutz, and was born August 15, 1827, near Can- ton, Ohio, where he was educated and reared to manhood.

In 1851, when it was still in its wild and uncultivated state, John Lutz settled on Middle Bass Island, where for a num- ber of years he followed fishing and farm- ing for a livelihood, and in later years de- voted his attention more particularly to the culture of grapes, his extensive vine- yards bespeaking good judgment and in- dustry on his part. On July 3, 1860, John Lutz was united in marriage, at Sandusky, Erie county, with Victoria Delauria, daughter of Charles and Flor- ence (Lisperans) Delauria, and seven children have graced this union, viz .: Albert, born February 24, 1862, Julia A., born November 7, 1863; Charles B., born May 18, 1866; Miles B., born Feb- ruary 27, 1870; Arthur J., born August 15, 1873; Sarah M., born November 12, 1877; and Frank F., born December 14, 1879.

hood, possessing unusual physical powers and endurance, and being endowed with mental vigor no less remarkable. Often he went beyond the requirements of the Golden Rule, and throughout his well- spent life was constantly doing for others more than he would have asked others to do for him under similar circumstances. In those early pioneer days, when the struggle for existence was so hard and the opportunities for lending a helping hand were so numerous, he often taxed his physical powers to their utmost in as- sisting his neighbors and friends, and would not hesitate to give his last dollar in cases of urgent need. He was active and indefatigable in every good work, and contributed his full share toward laying broad and deep the foundations of moral- ity and good society that have given Mid- dle Bass its honorable history. He passed away, honored by all who knew him, and to his life work and to the example of pioneers such as John Lutz Middle Bass Island owes a lasting debt of gratitude.

ALBERT LUTZ, eldest son of John Lutz, resides on Middle Bass Island, close to the homestead farm where he was born and reared to manhood. He is one of the young, progressive men of the Island, and is extensively engaged in grape growing. On December 9, 1894, he was united in marriage with Miss Etta Pelton, who was born in Syracuse, N. Y., daughter of David and Ann Pel- ton. In politics Albert Lutz is a Re- publican. He is a man of broad views, keen, quick perceptions, sterling integrity and a spotless reputation, qualities that have gained for him the confidence and respect of all who know him.

P HINLEY L. CUNNINGHAM, M. D., of Graytown, Benton township. Ottawa county, a son of Andrew and Jane (Brewer) Cunningham, was born in Fulton county, Ohio, May

Mr. Lutz was a perfect type of man- | 24, 1865. 47

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Andrew Cunningham was born Sep- tember 10, 1821, in Pennsylvania, and in 1840, at Oxford, Butler Co., Ohio, was united in marriage with Jane Brewer, who was born in Pennsylvania, May 23, 1824. They had ten children, eight of whom are now living, Dr. P. L. Cunning- ham being the youngest in the family. Three of the sons are physicians, one an attorney at law, one a locomotive en- gineer on the Ann Arbor road, one a con- ductor on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern road, one a teacher of twenty years standing, and one daughter has been a teacher of music for twenty years. The father and mother now living in their home in Fulton county, Ohio, have great reason to be proud of the attainments of their children, who are all self-educated, their parents having been unable to as- sist them in their efforts for success.

Dr. P. L. Cunningham spent his boy- hood days at Wauseon, Fulton Co., Ohio, and there attended the public schools, from which he graduated in the scientific course in 1882. After graduat- ing he went at once to Cleveland to ac- cept a clerkship in the firm of Broker & Co., and filled the position for six months, engaging for the remainder of the year in the store of McLyman & Co., and for three months was connected with the brass works of Lorain county, Ohio. He then went to Knox county, began reading medicine with Dr. Robert Putman, and remained with him for four years. Mean- while, in 1885, he began a course of medical lectures in the Western Reserve University, where he attended two years, and then spent one year in the University of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of M. D.

Immediately after graduating Dr. Cunningham located as a physician in Fulton county, Ohio, where he took the general practice of his brother until 1892. During all this time he fully realized that the road to success lay along the line of

specialism. Thus far he had been a self- made man, and had put himself through his medical course. Now, determining to push his studies further, and in special lines, he made all necessary arrange- ments, and in the fall of 1892 left for Edinburgh, Scotland, to pursue special work. He entered the old University of Edinburgh, and remained there about nine months, taking a post-graduate course, after which he went to London, England, and entered St. Thomas Hos- pital, where he remained six months, do- ing medical and surgical work. He then returned to Ohio, and settling in Graytown continued for a time in general practice here as a physician and surgeon, and then took up his specialties of the eye and ear, in which he is now engaged. Dr. Cun- ningham spends about one-half of his time in his private office at Graytown, where he is busy continuously, and the remainder on the road. He is a personal friend of and in many ways a co-worker with Dr. Joseph Schneider, the great oc- ulist and aurist of Milwaukee, Wis. Dr. Cunningham visits all the leading cities in Wisconsin and Iowa, where he has a very extensive clientele. His surgical work on the eye in Ohio is mainly performed in Cleveland, where access may be had to first-class hospitals; he has performed many difficult operations, and success has attended his efforts in his chosen profes- sion. He is also a contributor to different medical journals, among which are the In- ternational Medical Journal, the New York Journal, Cincinnati Clinic, Journal of Surgery, Medical World, Medical Bul- letin and Physicians' Report.

On January 1, 1893, Dr. Phinley L. Cunningham was united in marriage with Miss May Stepp, of Seward, Fulton Co., Ohio. They have no children, and are living in a pleasant home in Graytown. Mrs. Cunningham received her education in the public schools of her native town. Her parents, Frederick and Martha Anna E. (Ottgen) Stepp, came to this country

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from Germany, her mother in 1855, and her father in 1865, were married Decem- ber 1, 1866, and had three children, one son and two daughters. Mrs. Cunning- ham's sister is with her at Graytown, and her brother is clerking in Toledo. Her grand-parents were born in Germany in 1795, and died in 1852 and 1854 respect- ively.

C P. ENGEL, who is a retired grape grower, and the oldest living settler on Put in Bay Island, Ot- tawa county, was born October 5, 1814, in Saxony, Germany, where he was educated and reared to manhood.

Our subject learned the trade of shoe- making in his native country. In 1840 he came to America, on July 27 of that year, landing at Baltimore, Md., whence he shortly afterward proceeded to Pitts- burg, Penn., and after a brief residence in that city removed to Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, where he resided and followed his occupation of shoemaking for twenty- seven years. In Sandusky, Erie county, on January 3, 1843, Christian Engel was united in marriage with May N. Beylen, who was born in Switzerland August 8, 1819, and they have had eight children, of whom six are living, namely: John, born January 15, 1845; Christian P., born December 10, 1846; Louis; Charles; Emma, widow of Henry Pfeiffer, and Hugo. Two of the sons, John and Christian P., were attached to the Seven- ty-second O. V. I., and served all through the war of the Rebellion. Louis also served in the United States army for three years. May N. Beylen, now Mrs. Engel, came to America, in 1832, with her parents, Nicholas and Mary Ann (Eagan) Beylen.

In 1868 Mr. Engel removed to Put in Bay Island, of which he has ever since been a resident, and where he engaged extensively in the culture of grapes. He was for two years overseer of Sandusky

Cemetery, and also served as councilor of Sandusky City for one term. In his political views he is a stanch Republican.

On December 1I, 1889, C. P. Engel was united in marriage, in Sandusky, with Bina Federsen, who was born in Ger- many March 31, 1869, and they have had one son, Herbert, who was born Febru- ary 22, 1891. The parents of Mrs. Chris- tian P. Engel, Christian and Mary Feder- sen, were born in Germany and are now residents of Kelley's Island, Erie Co., Ohio.

A M. GROVER (deceased) was a native of the Empire State, his birth having occurred September 8, 1822, in Livingston county. There he resided until 1834, acquiring his education in the public schools, and during his early youth he learned the trade of a ship carpenter. In 1834 he came to Ohio, living in Sandusky county, near Clyde, and while there located he fre- quently worked at his trade on Catawba Island, but not for a number of years later-in 1858 -- did he take up his resi- dence here. He became one of its valued citizens, and devoted his whole time and attention to the cultivation of fruit, rank- ing among the most prominent fruit grow- ers of the day. He was an energetic and enterprising man, one whose careful man- agement of his business interest and his honorable dealing won him a well merited success.

While residing in Sandusky county, Mr. Grover was united in marriage, on December 24, 1847, with Miss Lavina Davis, a daughter of Daniel D. and Sarah (Prentiss) Davis. Five children graced this union, of whom four are living: Thoret was drowned while skating on the lake, December 24, 1874. Those who still survive are Archie N., who was born No- vember 4, 1860; Emma T., born June 4, 1865; Ada B., born June 2, 1867; and Herbert D., born July 6, 1873. Mr. Gro-

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ver was interested in the welfare of the community, and gave his support to all worthy objects which were calculated to advance the general welfare. His busi- ness engrossed much of his attention, and he met with very fair success in his un- dertakings. His excellencies of character won him the high regard of those with whom he was brought in contact, and his departure was deeply mourned. Since the death of her husband and eldest son, the duties pertaining to the farm and or- chard have been ably carried on by Mrs. Grover and her eldest surviving son, ARCHIE N. GROVER, a young man of more than ordinary business tact and enterprise, who is one day destined to rank among the most prominent and influential resi- dents of Catawba Island. The members of the family hold an enviable position in social circles. Their home is noted for its hospitality, and they have gained for themselves a circle of warm friends in the community.

J OHN J. GEIGER. It is men of like character to John J. Geiger who build up a city. He is pushing, en- terprising and aggressive, and sees in the prosperity of the community in which he lives his own prosperity. Of whatever he undertakes he makes a success, because, first, his judgment prevents him from espousing a business that has no possibilities, and secondly, his native energy is sufficient to carry his enterprise to a successful issue.

Mr. Geiger was born in Huron county, Ohio, April 14, 1849, son of John and Catherine (Grabner) Geiger. The father was born in Baden, Germany, May 12, 1819, and at the age of twenty-one emi- grated to America. For several years he worked by the month at Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, and during that time he learned to burn brick. Then, starting a yard of his own at Milan, he made brick on an ex- tensive scale, the building material of the

large schoolhouse in Norwalk being of his manufacture. Several years later he farmed a place between Milan and Nor- walk for one season, then traded his prop- erty for a farm in Sherman township, Huron county, which he occupied for about sixteen years, and where all his children were born. Finally selling out, he moved to Peru township, where he lived twenty-six years. In 1891 he re- moved to Fremont, his present home. Mr. Geiger in religious faith is a Roman Catholic. His children are as follows: John J., subject of this sketch; Lawrence, a farmer of Brown township, Huron county; Mary, wife of Alvin Smith, for seventeen years a resident of Peru town- ship, and now of Fremont; Frank, a farmer, of Peru township, Huron county; Mathias, a farmer of Sandusky county; one child who died in infancy.

John J. Geiger, the eldest child, grew up on the farm and received a fair educa- tion. At the age of twenty-two he started out in the world for himself. He worked out for two seasons by the month. His marriage to Miss Mary Wilhelm occurred in 1873, and for two years he operated his father's farm. Then purchasing a farm of 149 acres, in Riley township, Sandusky county, he there engaged extensively in general farming and was very successful. Each year he raised from 1,000 to 1,500 bushels of wheat, and both for the neat- ness with which his work was done and for the accruing financial profits he was considered one of the best farmers in the county. In 1881 he moved to Clyde, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in many real-estate operations on his own account, and has been uniformly successful. At present he owns some good property in the city, and his business is now one of the most extensive in Clyde. In connection with a mercantile business he is handling several patent rights, one of which is a " check hook; " but his main patent, and one, perhaps, in which the city is chiefly interested, is a fastening for

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steel roofing. It overcomes the chief ob- jection to the use of steel for roofing, the contraction and expansion from changes in temperature. The improvement has been introduced in Clyde, and has satisfactorily withstood the test of time. The work is now being introduced in many neighbor- ing cities, and one of the possibilities for Clyde in the near future is the formation of a stock company for the manufacture of the roofing in that city.

The family of Mr. Geiger consists of five children: Annie, Edward, Alfred, John and Mamie. He owns an excellent home on one of the best streets of Clyde. In politics he is a Democrat, and in re- ligious belief a Catholic. He is justly regarded as one of Clyde's best business men.

J M. JONES. This well-known citi- zen of Gibsonburg, Sandusky coun- ty, is of Welsh descent, and pos- sesses many of the traits of that vig- orous, level-headed people.

His parents were Benjamin and Han- nah (Morris) Jones, and of his father's fam- ily the following record is given: Benja- min Jones was born March 9, 1823, in Caermarthen, Wale's, and was the son of James Jones, who was born in 1796. James Jones married Hannah Davies, who died in Wales, and, when his son Benjamin was eighteen or nineteen years old, he left his native country and came to America, settling in Morrow county, this State. After he remained here for about eight years he removed to Wisconsin, driving the entire distance with a yoke of three-year-old steers, and locating in Iowa county, their post office being Dodgeville. Here the father died at the good old age of eighty-two years. He was a con- sistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. James Jones were the par- ents of four children: James, who was born April 1, 1817, came to America and settled in Delaware county, this State,

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 109

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