Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 112

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 112
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 112

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The subject of this sketch in his early boyhood attended the schools at Huron, but from the age of eight to fifteen he was without educational advantages at New Haven. He then attended one year at Plymouth, and the following year, 1846, his father and several neighbors built a log schoolhouse and hired a teacher. B. M. Reed remained at home until the age of twenty-two, in the meantime learning the plasterer's trade. He went to Attica, Seneca county, in 1852, and followed his trade there for three years. Farming for a season in Bloom township, near Bloom- ville, he followed his trade for a time in Tiffin, and in December, 1857, came to Green Spring, working at his trade at fre- quent intervals. In 1860, while working in a mill, he lost his arm by a circular saw accident. Though unfitted to himself enter the military service of his country, he was filled with the war spirit, and did great good in arousing patriotic sentiment and procuring enlistments. He returned to sawmilling, crippled as he was, at Green Spring, and in Branch county, Mich. ; then followed painting at Green Spring until there elected justice of the peace, in 1881. Mr. Reed is now holding his fourth com- mission in that judicial capacity, and his third commission as notary. He was elected mayor of Green Spring, and served four terms-eight years-in that magiste- rial office. He has served three years as

township trustee, and in 1894 was re- elected to that position. In 1893 he was elected infirmary director for Sandusky county, assuming the duties of the office January 1, 1894. In politics Mr. Reed is a Republican.

In June, 1858, he was married to Me- lissa M. Vail, born in Tompkins county, N. Y., September 26, 1839. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed nine children have been born, as follows: Addie M., born November 3, 1859, wife of Fred Rall, of Green Spring; Mary E., born June 17, 1861, wife of P. W. Hess, of Clyde; Alice, born March 13, 1863, wife of N. E. Dennis, and mother of two children-Lena and Arthur N .; Edward W., born November 4, 1865, now employed at the Insane Asylum, To- ledo; Lela M., born December II, 1867, died March 26, 1868; Steward F., born October 19, 1869, employed at the Insane Asylum, Toledo; John R., born April 30, 1872, cigar manufacturer, Green Spring; Nellie H., born October 8, 1875; Eddie Lee, born July 6, 1878, died November 9, 1879.

J ACOB LEJEUNE, an old resident and prosperous farmer of Riley town- ship, Sandusky county, was born in Alsace, Germany, March 29, 1837, and is a son of Michael and Anna (Nye) Lejeune, who were from Germany, and were born in 1801 and 1813, respectively.

Michael Lejeune was a soldier in the old country for seven years. He came to America in 1852, bought forty acres of land in Riley township, and lived here the remainder of his days. In politics he was

a stanch Democrat. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lejeune were members of the Catholic Church. His death occurred in 1855, and that of his wife in. 1878. They had a family of five children, as follows: Stephen, born in 1830, died in 1836; Peter, born in 1835; Lena, born in 1839, married Ellis Young, and they have had thirteen children (they live in Sandusky City, Erie

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Co., Ohio); Anna, was born in 1841, married Peter Bautersall, a farmer of Ballville township, Sandusky county, and they have four children; and John, born in 1843, died in 1879.

Jacob Lejeune had a good German and French cducation, was early trained to habits of economy and industry, and spent much of the time in his younger days working out by the month. On June 30, 1860, he was united in marriage with Caroline Weber. In 1862 he went to Fremont, Ohio, and was there vari- ously employed for seven years. Going from there to Riley township, he bought forty acres of farm land, on which, with his wife, he made his home, adding then another forty acres. Their children were as follows: Michael, born September 27, 1862, married Caroline Weltine, and they have had four children (they live in Riley township); John, born October 4, 1864, married Elizabeth Weltine, and have had one child (they live in Green Creek township); Anna, born January 5, 1867, married John Schock, a farmer, of Fre- mont, Sandusky county, and they have had four children; Lena, born June 17, 1869, married George Hemmer, and they have had one child (they live in Riley township); Jacob, born September 23, 1876; Eva, born February 18, 1879; Lud- wig, born September 23, 1883; George, born February 8, 1886; Katie, born De- cember 4, 1888, died in infancy; Joseph, deceased in infancy ; and Tony and Frankie who both died young.

Mr. Lejeune is a Democrat in politics, was roadmaster for six years, and school director for six years. In religious affilia- tion he is a member of the Catholic Church.

W ILLIAM F. LOCKWOOD, ex- judge of the court of common pleas, who resides on Put in Bay Island, Ottawa county, is one of the most influential residents of

this community. He was born in South Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Conn., April 1, 1822, and is a son of and Sarah (Daskam) Lockwood, who were also natives of Connecticut. There the father died, in Fairfield county, and the mother's death occurred in Toledo, Ohio, in 1873.

The Judge received a common-school education in his native county, and when fifteen years of age went to New York City, where he became a clerk in a whole- sale grocery store, filling that position for a period of three years. He has since been dependent upon his own efforts, and the success of his life is due entirely to his resources. In 1840 he came to Ohio, and the following year settled in Elyria, Lorain county, where he became a law student, in the office of Hamlin & Bliss. In 1842 he was admitted to the bar in Medina, Ohio, and at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession as a partner of his old preceptors in Elyria. During the same year he was a candidate on the Whig ticket for the office of prose- cuting attorney, but was defeated by H. A. Lenney, the Democratic candidate. In 1844, however, he was elected to that office, which he capably filled for four years, being re-elected in 1846. In 1852 he was a delegate from his congressional district to the Whig National Convention, which met in Baltimore, Md., and nom- inated Winfield Scott as a candidate for the Presidency. The same year he was the candidate of his party for Congress, but the Democratic nominee, Harvey Johnson, of Ashland county, won the election. His abilities, however, were recognized in 1854 by his election to the office of probate judge of Lorain county, to succeed Philemon Bliss. In 1856 he was a candidate before the Republican convention for the nomination for judge of the court of common pleas, but Judge Carpenter of Akron became the nominee. By reason of impaired health Mr. Lock- wood resigned his office of probate judge,

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and in the spring of 1857 removed with his family to Nebraska, locating in Omaha, where he resided for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to Da- kota City, where he made his home until his return to Ohio in 1867. Mr. Lock- wood was one of the federal judges for the Third District in the Territory of Ne- braska, receiving his appointment from President Lincoln, and serving from April, 1861, until its admission as a State into the Union in 1867, when he was nominated by President Johnson as United States District Judge for the dis- trict of Nebraska; the nomination, how- ever, was not confirmed by the Senate. In 1867 Judge Lockwood was appointed State Judge by President Johnson, and served eight years. He was the Demo- cratic candidate for Congress in the Toledo district in 1870, but was unsuc- cessful in the contest, for the Republicans were in the majority there. In 1878 he was recommended by the bar of Lucas county for the office of common pleas judge, and his personal popularity and superior ability was attested by his ratifi- cation by both the Republican and Demo- cratic Conventions. He was subsequently elected and honorably filled the position for five years. While engaged in the private practice of his profession he had a large clientage. He is a man of su- perior legal attainments and more than ordinary mental ability, as the large number of important positions he has so creditably filled well attest. There is little need of comment on such a rec- ord as his, as it speaks for itself. It is a record of which he may well be proud, for while his ability excites the admira- tion, his fidelity to duty commands the respect of all, and he enjoys the esteem of all who know him. In both social and public life he is held in high regard, and deservedly occupies an exalted position. During the past thirty years the Judge has made his home at his beautiful residence close to the shore of Lake Erie, on Put

in Bay Island, where he spends the sum- mer months, and during the past four years he has wintered in Toledo.

Judge Lockwood was married in Ely- ria, Ohio, December 25, 1848, to Miss Mary A. Nichols, a daughter of Reuben and Asenath Nichols. They have four children-Mary Frances, born November 25, 1849, who is the wife of T. H. B. Davis, president of the Middleton Silver Plate Company, and a resident of San- clusky City, Ohio; Edith, born March 17, 1856, who is the wife of Maj. D. W. Lockwood, of the United States Engineer Corps; Clara E., born October 25, 1858, wife of George Hoyt Pomeroy, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; and Maud A., born July 28, 1868, died April 1, 1870.

Reuben Nichols, the father of Mrs. Lockwood, was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1787, and in 1811 married Miss Asenath Center, of the same town. His parents were Jacob and Sallie Nichols, natives of Massachusetts, who had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of whom Reuben was the youngest. All lived to be from eighty- four to ninety-six years of age, except one who died in early life from the effects of an injury. In October, 1827, Reuben Nichols left New Hampshire with his fam- ily, and started for the wilds of the West to seek a home. On reaching Pike Hol- low, Allegany Co., N. Y., the family made a halt, while the father proceeded to Lorain county, Ohio, on horseback, and secured a farm six miles south of Elyria. He then returned to his family, and they reached the new home March 28, 1828. They first located at Butternut Ridge, then a scarcely broken wilderness, where they remained for nearly two years, and in 1830 went to Elyria, where Mr. Nich- ols purchased the old " Eagle Hotel." In 1832 he began the erection of the "Man- sion House," which he conducted until selling out in 1839. At that time it was one of the finest hotels west of Buffalo, N. Y. On disposing of that property he

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removed his family to Oberlin, Ohio, in order to better educate his children. In 1842 he returned to Elyria, where he spent his remaining days, passing to his rest in 1871, at the age of eighty-four, an honest, upright and just man. He was a life-long Democrat. His wife died in No- vember, 1870.

F RANK R. LONG, an enterprising young farmer of Ottawa county, was born in Harris township June II, 1874, and is a son of John Wesley and Caroline (Guernsey) Long. John W. Long was born in. Harking Hills, Logan Co., Ohio, September 8, 1828, and on coming to Ottawa county located on a farm in Section 8, Harris township, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 4, 1892. He here cleared and improved a farm, erected good buildings upon it and made a com- fortable home for himself and family. In 1852, he married Caroline Guernsey, of Benton township, Ottawa county, and they became the parents of four children -Arthur Leroy, born February 26, 1855; Irving C., born September 4, 1857; Julia Agnes, born January 25, 1871 ; and Frank, R., subject of this sketch. Irving and Frank are the only ones now living, and the former resides in Paw Paw, Mich., where he is engaged in painting and pa- per hanging. He is married and has three children. Arthur died October 26, 1856, and Julia A. passed away March 31, 1872. The children and father were laid to rest in the old cemetery of Elmore.

Mrs. Long was born January 8, 1836, in Lorain county, Ohio, where she spent her girlhood days and ob- tained her education. At the age of fifteen she came with her parents to Ben- ton township, Ottawa county, and for somne years prior to her marriage was there successfully engaged in teaching school. She is now living on the old home place with her son.

The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, William Long, was born August 15, 1797, of Irish descent, and died in 1884. He married Margaret Smith, who was born February 22, 1803, and died Au- gust 7, 1887. The maternal grandfather, David Guernsey, was born in New York July 4, 1810, and at the age of fourteen came to Ohio, where for many years he followed his trade of carpentering. He is now living in Illinois at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and his wife, Achsah (Cross), has reached the age of eighty-one, having been born March 17, 1814. Her parents were Elisha and Susan Cross, the former of whom was born in Vermont in 1781, and died in 1851, while the latter was born in 1778, and died February 22, 1848.

We now take up the personal history of Frank R. Long, who is one of the progressive farmers of his native county. He was educated in the district schools and in Elmore, and completed his edu- cation in 1891, since which he has had charge of the old home farm, which is pleasantly and conveniently located a mile and a half from Elmore. He is a young man of good business and execu- tive ability, and his genuine worth has won him a host of warm friends who esteem him highly. His political support is given to the men and measures of the Democratic party.

OHN SMITH is one of the worthy citizens that the Emerald Isle has furnished to Ottawa county. He was born in County Monaghan, in 1832, and is a son of Patrick and Alice Smith, who, emigrating to America, landed in New York on June 27, 1850. In November of the same year they re- moved to Ohio, locating in Marble Head, where they spent about a year, and then took up their residence about two miles west in Danbury township, Ottawa county, where the father was engaged in

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agricultural pursuits for many years. He passed away in April, 1878, preceded to the grave by his wife, who died about 1866.

The subject of this sketch acquired a common-school education in his native land, and also attended school at Marble Head. His first independent effort in life was work in a quarry at Marble Head and on Kelley's Island, and in this way, through industry and'economy, he pur- chased his present farm with the money obtained at his previous labor. Since his settlement here he has carried on agri- cultural pursuits, and is now extensively engaged in fruit growing, raising fine va- rieties of all kinds of fruits adapted to this climate. He successfully manages his business interests, and his enterprise and perseverance have brought him a handsome competence which he well de- serves.

Mr. Smith was married in Sandusky City, November 27, 1857, to Miss Ann Rielly, a daughter of Edward and Alice (Burns) Rielly, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland. The father died in the land of his nativity, and the mother, who is still surviving at the age of eighty- three years, makes her home with her brother Patrick, in Danbury township, Ottawa county. Mrs. Smith was born July 20, 1835, in County Monaghan, Ireland. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with eight children -Mary E., born July 18, 1858, who is the wife of George Julian, a resident of Fremont, Ohio; Edward, born February 2, 1860, who makes his home in Lake- side, Ohio; Thomas, born April 25, 1862, who is living in North Dakota; John G., born July 6, 1864, who died February 18, 1892; Alice J., born January 12, 1867, who is the wife of George Bope, a resident of North Dakota; Francis H., born July 6, 1869, who is located in North Dakota; Hugh P., born August 16, 1872, who lives at home; and Rose A., born July 10, 1877. Mr. Smith affiliates

with the Democratic party, and has sev- eral times filled the office of township trustee, discharging his duties in a cred- itable and acceptable manner. He is a progressive and loyal citizen, actively in- terested in whatever pertains to the welfare of the community, and is an honored resident of Danbury township, one who justly merits the high regard in which he is held.

S AMUEL BURKETT is a worthy representative of one of the hon- ored pioneer families of the Buck- eye State. He was born in San- dusky county, on his father's farm in Washington township, January 1I, 1860, and is a son of Edward and Catherine (Ockes) Burkett, the former a native of Perry county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Grandfather Burkett was one of the first settlers of Perry county, and secured a tract of government land, upon which he carried on farming. Upon his death, his widow and her son, Edward. then a child of ten years, came to Sandusky county, locating near Hess- ville. Subsequently he removed to Madi- son township, where he purchased forty- nine acres of timber land, the greater part of which he succeeded in placing under cultivation before his death. He was familiar with all the experiences and hard- ships of pioneer life, and always bore his part in the upbuilding and development of the locality with which his lot was cast. His death occurred April 21, 1884, and his wife, who survived him several years, passed away July 7, 1891, and was laid to rest in Washington township.

Samuel Burkett was one of a family of twelve children, and was born and reared on the farm which is still his home. He received a good common-school edu- cation, and early became familiar with the duties of farm life, giving his father the benefit of his services until after he had attained his majority. When quite

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young he was obliged to shoulder an axe and help to clear away the timber and prepare the fields for cultivation.

On December 25, 1888, Mr. Burkett was united in marriage with Miss Edith Kuntz, a daughter of David and Eva (Clapper) Kuntz, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and had a family of twelve children, namely: Charles, Henry, Frank, Edith, Emma, Jacob, Evangeline, David, Daniel, Cleveland, Winfield, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Burkett have but one child - William, who was born December 1, 1889, in Madison town- ship, Sandusky county. They are well- known people of the community, and have the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Burkett is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of road supervisor. His land is now leased to the Ohio Oil Com- pany, and on it are three good wells, which net him a monthly income of $35.

C HRISTIAN LOSLI. Among the successful young farmers of San- dusky county who have here spent their entire lives is the gentleman whose name introduces this record. Our subject was born in Washington township, Sandusky county, July 13, 1866, and is a son of Christian and Anna (Weber) Losli, both of whom were born in Switz- erland, and, in 1854, sailed for the New World, landing in New York City. For about two weeks they remained in the Eastern metropolis, and then came direct to Sandusky county, Ohio, where they are still living. They located upon forty acres of land, upon which their son Chris- tian now resides. At the time it came into the father's possession it was covered by a dense forest, but soon the sound of the woodman's axe was heard, and one by one the sturdy trees fell under his ringing blows, and the land was plowed and planted, until to-day, with the exception of five acres, it is all under cultivation,

and the hard labor of former years is now requited by good harvests. The parents are living with their son Christian in the enjoyment of good health, the father hav- ing reached the advanced age of seventy- eight years, while the mother has passed the sixty-sixth milestone on life's journey. They are both members of the Evangel- ical Church, and since becoming an Ameri- can citizen, Mr. Losli has been a sup- porter of the Democratic party.

In taking up the personal history of Christian Losli, Jr., we present to our read- ers the life record of one who is both widely and favorably known in this local- ity-a native son of the county, and one that the community numbers among its valued citizens. Hiseducational privileges were limited, but he made the most of his opportunities, and by experience and ob- servation in later years he has become a well-informed man. He possesses good business ability, industry and energy are numbered among his chief characteristics, and he is a wide-awake and progressive man. Since old enough he has managed the home farm, and yet devotes his ener- gies to its further cultivation and improve- ment.

On March 20, 1886, Mr. Losli was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa Sea- bert, a native of Germany, who came to America with her mother when a child of four summers, her father having died in his native land. Two children now brighten the home of this worthy couple, and are the delight of parents and grand- parents. They are Freddie, born March 18, 1887; and Emma, born June 18, 1890. Mr. Losli is a member of the Evangelical Church. Politically he follows in the footsteps of his father, voting the straight Democratic ticket, and has been honored with the offices of road supervisor and school director. He is a loyal citizen, de- voted to the best interests of the commun- ity in which he makes his home, and he well deserves representation in this vol- umę,

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AMES BAKER, a prominent and successful agriculturist of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, was there born August 28, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cleve- land) Baker, both of whom came to this county during childhood, and were mar- ried in Green Creek township. The fa- ther, whose birth occurred in Seneca Flats, N. Y., in 1802, was a son of Sam- uel Baker, with whom he came to this county, where they are numbered among the pioneer settlers. The mother of our subject was born in Seneca Flats in 1803, and by her parents was brought to San- dusky, where she made her home until her death which occurred March 13, 1889, when she was aged eighty-five years, four months and four days. She was a mem- ber of the Mormon Church. Mr. Baker departed this life April 3, 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years, four months and twenty-two days. In their family were eight children who grew to maturity-four sons and four daughters-namely: Samuel (deceased), who was a farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county; Clark C., who also died in that township; Keziah, who was the wife of William Hoel, and died in Green Creek township (she had been twice married, her second husband being Edwin Gittins); Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Solomon Knauss, who died in 1865 (she lives in Coldwater, Mich.); Napoleon, who passed away in Green Creek township (he was twice mar- ried, and left a widow and children); Abi- gail, who was the wife of Franklin Short, died in 1864, leaving one child; James is the next in order of birth; and Jemima, wife of Norman Ellsworth, of Clyde. One child died in infancy.

In Green Creek township, Sandusky county, James Baker passed the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and was able to attend the common schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired a good education. On attain- ing man's estate he was united in mar-

riage August 17, 1868, with Miss Alice Hayes, who was born on Christmas Day, 1842, in Ballville township, Sandusky county, Ohio. Unto this worthy couple have been born eight children, one of whom-Samuel-died in childhood; those living are Ella, born January 27, 1871, became the wife of Elmer Hughes April II, 1889, and they have two children -Alice and Lloyd; Mr. Hughes was born in Green Creek township, September 3, 1866, and in that township still resides; in politics he is a Republican. Joseph, the next of the family, was born February 17, 1873. The others are: Elizabeth, born March 27, 1875; Ellsworth, born December 16, 1877; James, born January 7, 1879; Anne, born January 30, 1881; and Clarence, born January 3, 1883.

Mr. Baker is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres in Green Creek town- ship, where he is engaged in general farm- ing, raising all kinds of produce, including melons. He has the place brought under an excellent state of cultivation, improved with all modern conveniences and access- ories, and he is accounted one of the lead- ing farmers of the community. He has always taken a prominent part in educa- tional matters, and has given his children good school privileges. He is a worthy representative of one of the prominent families of the county, where he has many warm friends. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 112

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