Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 111

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 111
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 111

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Jacob Sampsel remained on his father's farm until the age of eighteen, receiving a common-school education, and after leaving home worked at odd jobs. On March 10, 1859, he was united in mar- riage with Louisa Long, whose parents were of Pennsylvania ancestry, and they have had a family of seven children, as follows: John F. is a farmer in Perry county, Ohio; Samuel is a mason in Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio; Jeremiah works in the oil districts in Sandusky county; John is similarly employed; Ella married William Cross; Mary married Frank Adeline, a farmer in Wood county, Ohio; and Cora married Frank Cary, a farmer in Wood county. Mr. Sampsel has several oil wells. In politics he is a

Republican, and in religious affiliation a member of the United Brethren Church. He is well liked in the community where he has had his home so many years.

J OHN MEEKER, one of the highly- esteemed farmer citizens of Carroll township, Ottawa county, is a na- tive of same, his birth having occurred in Carroll township, November 27, 1838, and he is a son of John and Nancy (Lind- sley) Meeker.

The father of our subject, who was born December 27, 1802, was united in marriage April 23, 1835, in Essex county, N. J., with Miss Lindsley, who was born in Morris county, that State, January 20, 1814. In 1837 they located in Carroll township, Ottawa county, where they re- mained honored residents the remainder of their days, the father dying December 31, 1848, and the mother December 16, 1878. To their union came five children- Sarah Jane, born July 11, 1836, who is the wife of Ira P. Russell; John, subject of this sketch; Smith M., born January I, 1841, who is a resident of Carroll township; Amy, born June 8, 1843, who died September 9, 1874; and Gilbreath, born February 27, 1844, who died Jan- uary 24, 1845.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and received a limited education in the old log schoolhouse of the district, and he has a vivid recollection of this institution, with its puncheon seats and the hickory rod wielded by the stern-visaged school- master. After completing his school days, which certainly had not been numerous enough to keep him away from the farm to any great extent, he settled down to a practical farmer's life, and in that honor- able occupation he has spent his useful life. On November 27, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophronia Ogden, daughter of Jeptha Lindsley and Margaret (Covers) Ogden. Mr. Meeker and his amiable wife attend the United

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Brethren Church, and are honored and respected in the community for their ster- ling worth and generous hospitality. In politics he is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and is a strong believer in its principles. One great fact is apparent in the history of Mr. Meeker, and that is that his success and prosperity have been accomplished by hard, earnest labor, good management and care, which qualities are numbered among his chief characteristics. In addition to general agriculture, he en- gages in fruit-growing, and his well-stocked farm and neat and attractive surroundings bespeak industry and thrift, and in all his dealings he is the soul of honor.

IRA P. RUSSELL, brother-in-law of Mr. Meeker, is a prominent agriculturist of Carroll township. He was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., October 15, 1835, and is a son of William Peckham and Sarah Ann (Webster) Russell, both of whom were natives of the Empire State, the father born in Wayne county, Febru- ary 9. 1810, and the mother in Caze- novia, Madison county, May 22, 1815. They removed to Ohio in 1837, locating in Knox county and there remaining until the fall of 1840, when they came to Port- age township, Ottawa county. Here they resided for five years, in September, 1845, returning to New York; but in April, 1847, they again came to Ottawa county, this time locating in Erie town- ship, where the mother died May II, 1849. In their family were two children -- Ira P., and Charity Ann, who was born March 17, 1838, and died in De- cember of the same year. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Russell was again married, and subsequently removed to Carroll township, where he resided un- til October, 1880, going thence to Sugar Ridge, Wood Co., Ohio, where his death occurred June 15, 1885.

The advantages afforded Ira P. Rus- sell for securing an education were very meagre. At the age of seventeen years he left home, going to Chautauqua, N. Y.,

where he spent three years in master- ing the mason and bricklayer's trades, at which he worked in various cities of the Union until 1857. In that year he located in Carroll township, where he has since carried on agriculture with excellent success with the exception of four years spent in Clay township, Ottawa county. On March 19, 1857, in Carroll township, Mr. Russell wedded Sarah Jane Meeker, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, July 11, 1836, and they have become the parents of two daughters. Nancy Eliza- beth Ann, born in February, 1859, was married March 25, 1877, to Albert H. Conkey, who died on the 13th of Septem- ber following; on August 25, 1891, she was united in marriage with Charles H. Veler, and to their union has come one daughter-Lillie A., born January 30, 1892. The second daughter of Mr. Rus- sell, Amy Corena Josephine, was born May 14, 1870, and was married March 17, 1890, to Charles H. Veler; she passed away March 19, 1891.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Rus- sell has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but he is in no sense an office seeker, and, though many times solicited to accept positions of trust in both county and township affairs he has always felt that his time could be best spent in attending to the duties of his home and farm. He is possessed of a most retentive memory, recalling with wonderful accuracy details and dates of incidents which occurred during his life- time from his earliest days, thus permit- ting him to live over again the happy days of his past life. Socially, he is liberal, frank and genial, and in business matters is scrupulously honorable in all transactions.

S AMUEL COVERS, a prominent and successful farmer, and the oldest living settler in Carrol town- ship, Ottawa county, was born in Perry county, Ohio, August 14, 1827.

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His parents, Adam and Elizabeth (Shoop) Covers, were both natives of Westmore- land county, Penn., of German ancestry, the former born in 1790, and the latter in 1794. In 1834 they located in Carroll township, Ottawa county (which was then a part of Sandusky county), and there made a permanent home, the father dy- ing in 1842, and the mother, who long survived him, passing away in 1880. Of their family of eight children, four are still living-Susan, widow of F. B. Whip- ple, residing in Carroll township; Sarah, wife of Jackson Shasteen, living in Defi- ance county, Ohio; Samuel; and Louisa, wife of George W. Green, of Carroll township.

Our subject was only seven years old when he came with his parents to Carroll township, where he was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys, and his limited education was obtained in the primitive log schoolhouse of those early days. Since his earliest boyhood he has engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has made a success of his chosen calling. On December 14, 1849, in Carroll town- ship, Mr. Covers married Betsy Ann Gor- don, a daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Meeker) Gordon, who were natives cf Butler county, Ohio, where Mrs. Covers was born October 10, 1827. This union was blessed with ten children, of whom John, born August 16, 1850, makes his home in Carroll township; Louisa, born September 10, 1852, married William Fizer, and died November 11, 1891; Maria, born November 4, 1854, became the wife of Hiram Frost, and was drowned in the Tusany river by the capsizing of a boat; Adam, born November 16, 1859, lives on the old homestead; Susan was born August 30, 1864; Sarah was born December 13. 1866; and Samuel was born February 13, 1868. The mother of this family passed away on August 6, 1891. They attend the United Brethren Church. In his political views, Mr. Cov- ers is a stalwart Republican; for the past

fifteen years he has been constable in the township, and for two terms was town- ship trustee. Socially he is a member of the Grange.

OHN BOWLAND, mayor of Genoa, Ottawa county, and postmaster at that place, is a man whose life record is proof that a person's en- vironments do not necessarily limit his possibilities, and that the working out of his future, for good or evil, lies in the hands of any young man who possesses brains and strength of character enough to make up his mind what he will be, and to bend all his energies to that end.

Mr. Bowland was born in Harris township, Ottawa county, August 3, 1851, and was the son of John and Diana (Par- rott) Bowland, who were also natives of Ohio. His father died a month before our subject was born, leaving the mother with her family of little ones dependent on her for support. When the Civil war broke out in 1861 her three eldest boys enlisted, serving throughout the struggle, and the younger children were obliged to do what they could to earn their daily bread.' The mother had in the meantime re- moved from Harris township to Clay township, and here the subject of this sketch began work on a farm at the early age of fifteen years. His education was necessarily very limited, but his quick in- tellect gathered up and put to use what book learning he had acquired, and con- stantly absorbed whatever could be gained from reading and observation. Until the death of his beloved mother, which took place April 17, 1875, he proved a faithful, devoted son, working cheerfully and untiringly, and, with his brothers, ministering to her every want.

After spending a number of years upon the farm, Mr. Bowland went into partnership with his brother Thomas in the manufacture of hoops, carrying on this business both at Martin, Ottawa county,

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and in Henry county. He also was in the same business by himself for several years and up to 1890. Mr. Bowland was married August 25, 1875, to Miss Mary Eyre, daughter of George and Sarah Eyre, who now reside in Genoa, and of this union three children have been born: Errett G., March 18, 1877; Bertha M., March 16, 1883; and Walter, September 19, 1889. The eldest son of this inter- esting family attended the public schools of Genoa, and also attended the High School at Columbus. This was followed by three terms in the High School of Genoa, from which he was graduated with honor June 4, 1895. He is a young man of fine intellect and a worthy son of his father, whose assistant he is in the post office. The family attend the Chris- tian Church.

The early struggles of Mr. Bowland taught him lessons of perseverance, fru- gality and industry, which have borne fruit in the success that has attended his career. His genial disposition and sym- pathy with his fellow men have rendered him exceedingly popular with all classes, and they have showed their appreciation of his sterling worth by bestowing on him numerous responsible offices, all of which he has filled with dignity and to the sat- isfaction of the public. In 1877 he was elected constable of Clay township on the Democratic ticket, holding the posi- tion two years. In 1881 he was ap- pointed assessor for the township, the term being one year, and both in 1883 and 1884 was re-elected by a large vote. In 1887 he was elected city councilman for a term of two years and polled a large and popular vote. Mr. Bowland was elected assessor for the third time in 1889. For a term of two years he filled the office of guard of the Penitentiary at Colum- bus, this State, remaining in that city for two years. At the end of this time he returned to Genoa and was elected mayor of the village by acclamation, his popularity being so great that opposition

was useless. He was re-elected in the spring of 1895, and is filling the office with great ability. On June 20, 1893, he received the appointment of postmas- ter at Genoa, and merits the high com- mendations he has received for the man- ner in which he discharges the duties of that responsible position. On May 6, 1895, Mr. Bowland received his com- mission from the Governor of Ohio as notary public for Ottawa county, and in addition to his numerous public duties he is carrying on a real-estate and insurance business. He is a member of Clay Lodge, No. 584, I. O. O. F., at Genoa.

With all his energies devoted to the important trusts held by him, Mr. Bow- land still finds time to interest himself in anything which will promote the wel- fare of his town and county, and lends a helping hand wherever needed. He has won the respect and esteem of his fellow men by his integrity of character and his spirit of enterprise, and is well deserving of all the honors received at their hands.

L F. GAHN, M. D., who is suc- cessfully and extensively engaged in the practice of medicine in El- more, Ottawa county, and who is prominently identified with the interests of the town, was born January 15, 1849, in Columbus, Ohio, and is a son of Rev. C. and Margaret (Artz) Gahn.

Rev. C. Gahn was born in Prussia, in 1818, and spent fifty-seven years of his life in the ministry, becoming promi- nent in the M. E Church. He held some of the best appointments in the State of Ohio, was located in Cincinnati for six years, was presiding elder of the Cincinnati district for four years, and then again served as pastor in that city for a number of years. He then retired to his farm in Sandusky county, where he died at the age of seventy-five. His wife was also born in Prussia, and their marriage was celebrated in 1836. To

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them were born six children, five of whom are living. The ancestors of the family were originally Scotch, and lived on the Isle of Man.

The Doctor accompanied his parents on their various removals during his child- hood, and completed his literary educa- tion in Cincinnati. In 1871 he began the study of medicine in the University of Michigan, where he remained one year, thence going to the Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1873. On completing his studies he lo- cated in Elmore, Ohio, where he has lived for the past twenty-one years, one of its most honored and esteemed resi- dents. The doctor was for two years mayor of the town, was president of the board of education for three years, and a member of the village council for two years, and has always been prominent and active in support of all interests that are calculated to advance the general welfare. In his political views he is a Republican; in religious faith he is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor has met with excel- lent success in his profession, and for several years has given special attention to chronic diseases, having a very extensive office practice. He spends Monday of each week in his office at Elmore, and the remainder of the time in his office at No. 625 Adams street, Toledo, where he has a very large patronage.

The Doctor married Miss Ettie Knight, who was born in Port Clinton, Ohio, in 1848, and who, for several years prior to her marriage, successfully engaged in teaching in Elmore. Three children have come to them-Grace, born November 26, 1876; Harry, born April 26, 1881; and Lloyd, born August 27, 1883. The daughter graduated from the Elmore high school in 1893, and is now one of the promising teachers of Ottawa county, having taught in Harris township for two years with marked success. The other children are now pursuing their studies in

the Elmore public schools. The family is one widely and favorable known in the county, and the Doctor and his wife have a wide circle of warm friends.

F RED TEBBE was born in Han- over, Germany, April 6, 1830, and is a son of John Henry and Inseline (Garager) Tebbe. The . father worked as a laborer in his native land, and in October, 1844, emigrated to America, hoping to better his financial condition. He came direct to Sandusky county, Ohio, and secured a position as a farm hand in Washington township, in which capacity he was employed until February 29, 1848, when he was taken ill, and the sickness terminated his life. His first wife died in Germany in 1831, after which he married a lady of the same name, who accompanied him to America, and died in Sandusky county during the Civil war. There was one child by this union, William, who is living in Stony Ridge, Wood Co., Ohio. The children of the first marriage were Fred, our sub- ject, and Mary, who became the wife of John Winkey, and died in Toledo, Ohio.

The gentleman whose name begins this sketch was a youth of fourteen years when he came to America. During the first ten months of his residence in Ohio he was employed in Wood county as a farm hand, by the month. He then re- moved to York township, Sandusky coun- ty, where he worked seventeen years by the month. He was industrious and lived frugally, and with his savings during that period he was enabled to purchase sixty- nine acres of timber land in Washington township, Sandusky county, of which all is cleared with the exception of fifteen acres.

Mr. Tebbe was married November 29, 1860, to Miss Mary Strausmeyer, who was born August 2, 1838, a daughter of Henry and Lizzie (Bushes) Strausmeyer, who were also natives of Germany. To

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this marriage have come eight children- Lizzie, born September 18, 1861, deceased in infancy; Eliza, born April 22, 1863, is the wife of Fred Morates, and with their two children they reside in Madison town- ship, Sandusky county; Mary L. was born February 28, 1865; Caroline, born April 5, 1868, is the wife of Henry Stein, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio, by whom she has two children; Isabella, born April 2, 1871, Sophia, born October 28, 1873, Casper H., born February 20, 1877, and Ernest, born April 12, 1880, are still at home. Mr. Tebbe is a supporter of the Democratic party, and a member of the Lutheran Church.

J OSEPH SHERCK, who for four years, or from April, 1882, to April, 1886, served as mayor of Bellevue, was born November 10, 1828, in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania.

John and Magdalena (Kreider) Sherck, parents of our subject, moved from Penn- sylvania to Seneca county, Ohio, locating in Thompson township October 1, 1834. In 1868 the family migrated to Michigan, locating in St. Joseph county, where Mrs. Magdalena Sherck died in 1882. The father also died there about the year 1889. They reared a family of twelve children (our subject being the second). of whom five are yet living.

Joseph Sherck received a primary edu- cation in the district school of Thompson township, and afterward worked on the home farm, where he grew to manhood. On August 19, 1851, he married Barbara A. Decker, the eldest child of Jacob and Susanna (Billman) Decker, the former of whom was the son of John and Julia Ann (Royer) Decker, who came in 1816 from Union county, Penn., to Wayne county, Ohio, and thence, in 1830, to Seneca county, where Mrs. Sherck was born. To her marriage with Joseph Sherck came two children, namely: Mary A., Mrs. Sherck Miller, of Seneca county, and 48

Charles M., who is now working with his father, as grain dealer at Bellevue. From the time of his marriage until 1873 Mr. Sherck worked on the farm, and in 1860 purchased the 160 acres in the center of Thompson township, Seneca county, known as the Sherck homestead. While on this farm he was elected justice of the peace, and served in that position for nine years. In 1873 he moved to Bellevue, Sandusky county, and established a saddle and harness house, which he conducted until 1884, when he engaged in the grain trade. To day he operates the large ele- vator at Bellevue, and carries on a most extensive business in grain, seed, coal, plaster, salt, water-lime, etc.

Mr. Sherck can trace his ancestry back 300 years, and for a century or more can claim this country as the family home. Prominent in Masonic work, he is a mem- ber of the Lodge, Chapter and Council at Bellevue, and of the Commandery, K. T., at Norwalk, Ohio. In religious affairs he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal Church. An active, enterprising business man, one who has taken a full part in the development of Bellevue, he enjoys, as he merits, the confidence of the com- munity.

S TERLING C. LEONARD. Among the young men whose steady-going industry and solid worth have contributed materially to the prosperity of northern Ohio, and to their own advancement toward a com- petence, is S. C. Leonard, of Riley town- ship, Sandusky county. He was born March 31, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Clark) Leonard, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, Octo- ber 2, 1833.

Joseph Leonard was for some years in the employ of different railroads in Illi- inois and Texas. On March 16, 1865, in Illinois, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Clark, who was born in Penn-

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sylvania. January 16, 1836, and their children were: Sterling C., the subject of these lines; and Joseph W., born August 27, 1867, and Frederick, born November 10, 1873, both of whom died young. After his marriage Mr. Leonard lived in Illinois for a period of about eight years, until his death, which occurred April 25, 1874. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Joseph Leonard was the daughter of Joseph R. Clark, who was born in Pennsylvania January 27, 1806, and on March 24, 1833, was united in marriage with Emily Welsh, who was born October 2, 1812. They lived in Pennsylvania, and had a family of twelve children, as follows: William, born March 13, 1834, married Sarah Bell, by whom he has five children, and they live in Riley township, Sandusky county; Elizabeth is the mother of our subject; Joseph and Rebecca (twins), born July 16, 1837, died young; Leander; Joseph, born December 25, 1841, died May 6, 1850; Mary, born April 18, 1844, married Henry Heberling, and has had four children (they live in Scott township, Sandusky county); Amelia, born January 4, 1846, married Charles Ralph, by which union there have been seven children; Lucretia, born in July, 1847. died young ; Sarah, born Novem- ber 9, 1849; James, born November 2, 1851, lives in Montana; and Clara, born August 31, 1855. Joseph R. Clark was county commissioner eight years, and jus- tice of the peace for eighteen years.

After her husband's death Mrs. Joseph Leonard moved to Pennsylvania, where she was united in marriage with Nathan Cleaver, a Quaker, and they lived in Pennsylvania until his death, which oc- curred June 25, 1887. The widow then came to Sandusky county, Ohio, and bought forty acres of land in Riley town- ship, which she now rents to her son, our subject, who works this farm in ad- dition to his own, and has just com- pleted the erection of a fine grain barn and carriage house on same. She

makes her home in Fremont, Sandusky county.

S. C. Leonard worked for his mother until his twenty-sixth year, and then bought ninety-six acres of land in Riley township, which cost him five thousand dollars. The farm was in very poor con- dition, being badly run down both as to soil and fencing, and he at once set to work to put things in good working or- der-an arduous task, indeed, but one in which he has succeeded well, his farm be- ing now one of the most productive and valuable in the county. Among the other numerous improvements he has made is the tiling of the land, which makes it first-class for cropping, and he now raises fine crops; he is putting in new fences, and, like the thorough-going, up-to-date farmer which he is, is leaving nothing un- done which will enhance the value or im- prove the appearance of the place. With such a good start Mr. Leonard certainly has a bright future before him, though his evident efficiency and business ability alone would be an assurance of success. He is genial and sociable in disposition, and is well-liked and highly esteemed by all who know him. In politics he is a Democrat.

B M. REED, of Green Spring, now infirmary director of Sandusky county, for many years justice of the peace, and the frequent recipi- ent of electoral favors from his appreciat- ive fellow citizens, was born in Cumber- land county, Penn., September 27, 1830, son of John and Mary E. (Manley) Reed.

John Reed was born in Berks county, Penn., September 4, 1805. His father, John Reed, Sr., was a stone mason by trade and a farmer by occupation, the son of an emigrant from Germany during the last century. John Reed, Jr., was a plas- terer by trade. In 1832 he came to Ohio, settling at Huron, Erie county, where his wife and family joined him four years later.

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In 1838 he removed to New Haven, Hu- ron county, where he lived until his death, December 31, 1882. In Ohio his principal occupation was farming. In politics he was an ardent Whig and Republican suc- cessively. His wife Mary E. (Manley), was born September 18, 1807, and died at New Haven May 1, 1884. John and Mary E. Reed had three children: B. M., subject of this sketch; Margaret E., born May 8, 1841, who married William Hugh, of New Haven, and died there in 1891, leaving three children-Frank, May E. and John; and Samuel F., born May 19, 1848, a farmer at New Haven.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 111

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