Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 114

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 114
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 114

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Aaron Becker was only seven years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. As soon as old enough he began to earn his living by work as a farm hand, but continued to make his home with his parents until his twenty-fourth birthday, when he was united in marriage with Jane Heisen, the wedding being cel- ebrated June 5, 1858. He then removed with his bride to Washington township, where he purchased thirty acres of land, the greater part of which was covered with timber. He worked early and late in order to clear this for cultivation, and when he had greatly improved it sold at

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a good profit. Then investing his money in 120 acres, for which he paid $40 per acre, he began the cultivation of the farm which has since been his home. The place has doubled in value, owing to the care and labor he has bestowed upon it. He has erected new barns, made other excellent improvements, and now has a model nineteenth-century farm, an ideal country home, the neat and thrifty ap- pearance of which indicates his care and supervision.

To Mr. and Mrs. Becker have been born children as follows: Mary, wife of William Myerholtz, a farmer residing in Woodville township, Sandusky county (they have seven children); Jacob, an ag- riculturist residing in Washington town- ship, Sandusky county; Lizzie, wife of William Amsted, a farmer residing in Michigan, by whom she has two children; John; Sophia, wife of Neal Wilson, a resi- dent farmer of Michigan, by whom she has one child; Phœbe, wife of Frank Schock, a farmer of Washington township, who has one child; William, at home; George; Christina, wife of John Yeasting, of Woodville, and the mother of one child; Emma and Louis, at home; and Ellen who died in 1882.

Mr. Becker votes with the Demo- crats, and for two years has served as road supervisor, but has never been a pol- itician in the sense of office seeking. pre- ferring to give his time and attention to his business interests. He holds member- ship with the Lutheran Church. A man of good business ability, of sound judg- ment, enterprising and progressive, he has through his own efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence, and may truly be called a self-made man.

G EORGE MILLER has been an eye witness of the greater part of the development of Scott town- ship, Sandusky county. He has seen the forest trees fall before the wood- 49

man's axe, and in their place spring up fine fields of golden grain. The oil indus- try has also been largely developed, and the work of progress and improvement along various lines has been carried for- ward until the county to-day ranks among the best in the State.

George Miller, who is numbered among the representative citizens of Scott town- ship, was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 5, 1820, and is a son of Peter and Eleanor (Stoaks) Miller, pioneers of Sandusky county. His maternal grand- father was born about 1750 and died in 1826, the grandmother, who was born about the same time, passing away a few years previous. The father of our sub- ject was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1783. He was numbered among the early settlers of Hancock county, Ohio, and his death occurred in 1858, that of his wife in 1840. They were parents of seven children: Jacob, Elizabeth, Cath- erine, Peter, Mary, George and John, of whom George (subject of this sketch), Mary and Catherine are the only ones now living.

When our subject came to Scott town- ship, Sandusky county, no roads had been made or fences built. He followed a trail which led him near his farm and than carried his household goods on his back to the log cabin in which he and his wife, who is still living, began life in the west. He cleared forty acres of land, erected good buildings upon his farm, and as the years have passed acquired a competence which now places him in comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Bates, of Scott township, whose father was born in Stark county, Ohio, about 1785, and her mother, Mrs. Hannah Bates, in 1793. They had eleven children, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children, the eldest of whom, Susan, died about 1881; she married John Thompson, by whom she had two children, and after his death

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she became the wife of Jesse Miller. Adam, the second of the family, was born October 19, 1844, and on February 3, 1866, wedded Miss Catherine Miller, daughter of William and Harriet (Stine) Miller; her father was born August 26, 1820, on the old Gettysburg battleground, was a minister of the United Brethren Church, and died in Kansas, January 23, ISSO; her mother, who was born Decem- ber 29, 1819, died January 23, 1895. Adam Miller enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio V. I., in 1864, and served until the close of the war. He is now for the third term serving as trustee of the township; in his political views he is a Democrat, and he is numbered among the highly-respected citizens of Sandusky county. To him and his wife have come two children- Emma, born October 3, 1868, now the wife of Thomas Earl, of Scott township, and Maggie, who was born November 17, 1870, and is the wife of Fred Hummell, by whom she has three children.

Mr. George Miller has passed the age usually allotted to man. His life has been a busy and useful as well as a long one, and all who know him have for him the highest regard.

R EUBEN KELLER, a substantial farmer of Riley township, San- dusky county, was born Decem- ber 13, 1838, and is a son of Joseph and Lydia (Owner) Keller, who were born in Pennsylvania in 1806 and in 1800, respectively.

Joseph Keller was united in marriage with Lydia Owner in Pennsylvania, and was the proprietor of a saw-mill there which he operated until 1835, when he moved west, settling in Sandusky county, Ohio, and buying eighty acres of land in Sandusky township. There were born to them eleven children, as follows: Eliza- beth, who died young; Philip married Susan Olmstead, they have had three

children, and live in Michigan; John mar- ried Phoebe Bashier, they have had three children, and live in Illinois; Peter died young; Julia married Jacob Shannon, they have had five children, and live in To- ledo, Ohio; Zerechia died young; Elida married Martin Siegler, they have had two children, and live in Sandusky coun- ty; Joseph and Susan died young; Reuben is the subject of this sketch; and Henry married Miss Wolcott, they have had three children, and live in Toledo, Ohio.

Reuben Keller was early trained to habits of perseverance and industry, re- ceived a common-school education, and worked for his father until he was twenty years of age. He was drafted into the Southern army in 1863, and served two years, ran away at Vicksburg and returned home. In 1866 Mr. Keller was united in marriage with Miss Bauman, and they had one child, Clarence, born in 1867. Mrs. Keller died the same year. In 1871 Mr. Keller for his second wife married Sarah Cherry, after which he settled in Riley township, bought eighty-two acres of land and engaged in general farming. They have had six children, as follows: William (born November 22, 1870), Emma L. (deceased in infancy), John, Nellie C., Nettie L., and Jennie.

Mr. Keller is a Democrat in politics, and has been honored with public office, having been school director for three years, and supervisor three years. In religious affiliation he attends the Luther- eran Church.

G EORGE T. DANA, farmer, Green Creek township, Sandusky coun- ty, was born in Genesce county, N. Y., December 4, 1829. He was a son of Daniel H. and Philinda (Tiffany) Dana.

Daniel H. Dana was a native of Ver- mont, and early in life he moved to New York State, where he was engaged in the

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lumber business. In 1832 he made a trip west, looking up lumber and other inter- ests, in his travels discovering what is known as Green Spring, and on account of the favorable location, he determined to make it his home. He took up land, and owned a large tract now occupied by the village of Green Spring and vicinity. He cut the first road near Green Spring, put up the first log house in the place, engaged in mercantile business, and built up a large trade. He owned three stores at different points, the main one being located at Green Spring. He was an Old-line Whig in politics, and a sturdy pioneer. He was born in 1797, and died in 1881. He was a man of remarkable physical strength and endurance. He was an uncle to Charles A. Dana, the far- famed editor of the New York Sun. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was at one time minister to Spain.

Our subject is one of six children: Marian, single, living at Green Spring; George T .; Sarah, who died young; Jane, maiden lady, living at Green Spring; and Harry and Franklin, who both died young. Mr. Dana is highly-esteemed and regarded for his intelligence and business ability. He was a child when he came with his parents into the forests of Ohio, grew up to manhood at Green Spring, and received meagre educational advantages. Being the only son he engaged in business pur- suits at an early age, and became discip- lined in a variety of occupations. He mar- ried on November 23, 1868, Miss Sophia Abels, who was born in Easton, Penn., December 7, 1846. Their children are: (1) Philinda, a popular and bright young lady of that vicinity, who graduated from the Fremont public schools, and has been a teacher in the same for the past four years; she is regarded not only as an es- timable woman in society, but as one of the most successful teachers; she is a member of the teachers' reading circle. (2) Grace Tiffany, wife of Scott Stahl,

an attorney at law, of Port Clinton, Ohio. (3) Maud, living at home, and (4) Marian, born August 10, 1876, died July 27, 1877.

Since the early days in this region Mr. Dana engaged in stock buying for a number of years, and, in this capacity, was located at Bellevue for three years. He next managed the grain warehouse of Mr. Woodward, at Clyde, for one year. From 1862 to 1876 he was engaged in the lumber business in Fremont and vicin- ity with N. C. West. They had several sawmills, and did an extensive business in the way of buying up timber land and sawing and shipping lumber, operating in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. On account of failing health, Mr. Dana finally with- drew from this business, and located on his farm in Green Creek township, where he still resides. In politics Mr. Dana was originally an ardent Whig, and since the organization of the party has been an un- compromising Republican. His family are members of the Presbyterian Church, while the ladies are members of the For- eign Missionary Society.

C YRUS HINELINE is one of the native sons of Sandusky county, his birth having occurred July 3, 1868, on the old home farm of his father, Theo. Hineline. The latter was born October 26, 1831, in Pennsyl- vania, where he was united in marriage with Hannah Rafferty, who was born July 24, 1832.

In 1853 they came to Ohio, locating in Rice township, Sandusky county, where Theo. Hineline purchased 136 acres of land, for which he paid $3.010. He was a generous man, deeply interested in the welfare of the community, and gave land on which was erected a schoolhouse, and also a tract for cemetery purposes. În 1892 he erected a new residence, and still makes his home upon a farm where he first located, and where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

makes a specialty of raising wheat, and has a yield averaging about eight hundred bushels each year. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer, and his well- directed efforts have brought to him mer- ited success. During the Civil war lie was drafted into the service, but being in ill health, and in consequence unable to go, he sent a substitute. He was a poor man when he came to Ohio, and in his earlier years, in connection with farming, he followed plastering and brick laying. He worked hard to secure a start, and his life has, indeed, been a busy and useful one, characterized by honorable dealings in all transactions. He served as con- stable for two terms, was township trustee for nine years, and was school director for the long period of twenty years. He was also elected justice of the peace, but after serving for a short time resigned. He is recognized as one of the most prominent and influential farmers of the neighborhood.

In the Hineline family were four chil- dren: (1) Maggie E., born November 24, 1854, is the wife of Henry M. Hetrick, and they have four children-Lottie, born December 1, 1880; Clarence, born March 4. 1883; Gertrude I., born in 1887; and Oscar T., born in 1889. (2) Mary E., born January 30, 1860, died in childhood, and was buried in Fremont, Ohio. (3) Ida E., born March 19, 1865, is the wife of Dr. W. L. Stierwalt, and they have two children-Hannah E., born in 1888; and Mildred M., born May 3, 1894. (4) Cyrus, subject of this sketch. The father of this family also has three brothers who are yet living: Henry, born January 4, 1827, married Sarah Blocker, and they had a son, Morgan, now deceased; Ru- dolph, born May 10, 1830, married Anna Nulf, and had three children - Elrin, Freeman, and one that died in infancy; and Carlie P., born July 15, 1835, mar- ried Catherine Reed, and had three chil- dren Henry, who died in childhood, Frank and Mary.

Cyrus Hineline, whose name opens this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and to his father gave the benefit of his services until his marriage. He wedded Miss Sarah Garn, who was born in Rice township, Sandusky county, in 1869, and their union has been blessed with two children-Oliver, born June 12, 1888; and Rudolph R., born April 7, 1892. Mr. Hineline has always followed the pur- suit to which he was reared. At the time of his marriage he purchased half of the old home place, and built thereon a good residence. He now carries on general farming and raises mixed stock. His business is well conducted, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indi- cates his careful supervision. He takes no active part in public affairs, aside from faithfully performing his duties of citizen- ship, giving his political support to the Democracy. In religious belief he is a Catholic.

P HILO S. PEARCE. Among the representative and honored citi- zens of Catawba Island township, Ottawa county, none stands high- er than does the subject of this record. He is a New Englander by birth, having first seen the light in New Fairfield, Fair- field Co., Conn., and is a son of Ambrose and Evaline (Barnum) Pearce.

Ambrose Pearce was born in New York City, October 20, 1805, and was a son of David Pearce, whom he accom- panied to Connecticut when about twelve years of age. There he followed farm- ing in New Fairfield township, Fairfield county, until his death, which occurred at his home June 22, 1879. His wife was a native of that township, born January 14, 1808, and they became the parents of seven children, only four of whom are still living: Harriet Ann, born April 26, 1828, is the wife of Eli Jennings; David,

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born May 21, 1832, died October 8, 1867; Ira, born December 13, 1835; George N., born December 17, 1838; and Philo S., our subject. The family is of English ancestry.

In the usual manner of farmer boys Philo S. Pearce passed the days of his boyhood and youth, during which time he attended the district schools of his native township and county, and, with the excep- tion of the four years spent in the Union army during the late Rebellion, he has followed farming throughout his entire life. In September, 1861, Mr. Pearce enlisted in Company A, Eleventh Con- necticut V. I., and served until Decem- ber, 1865, during which time he partici- pated in eighteen engagements, among which was the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Petersburg, New Richmond, Wilderness, Roanoke Island, Newbern, N. C., Cold Harbor, Va., South Mountain, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. He was mustered out December 21, 1865, and finally discharged at Hartford, Conn., a few days later. He then returned to Dan- bury, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he re- mained for about eighteen months, at the end of which time he went to New York, locating in Allegany county, and was there engaged in the mercantile bus- iness until 1875. In March of that year he sold out and came to Catawba Island township, Ottawa county, where he has since made his home.

Here Mr. Pearce was married October 27, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Ora L. Barnum, who was born on Catawba Island September 5, 1849, and is a daughter of John and Jane (Rams- dell) Barnum, who were among the very earliest settlers of Danbury township, Ottawa county, having come here when it was a part of Sandusky county. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce became the parents of five children, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are Thaddeus B., who was born September 6, 1870, and resides in Bay township, Ottawa county; Arthur

D., who was born October 2, 1873, and is still under the parental roof; Lena J., who was born December 3, 1882; and Ambrose, who was born January 19, 1886.

John Barnum, the father of Mrs. Pearce, was born at New Fairfield, Fair- field Co., Conn., May 31, 1822, and was a son of Eben and Rebecca (Meade) Barnum, also natives of the Nutmeg State. He became one of the first set- tlers of Catawba Island, then known as Van Rensselaer township, in 1843, and was one of its prosperous farmers for forty-two years, until his death occurred, March 21, 1885. In Danbury township, Ottawa county, in January, 1847, he mar- ried Jane Ramsdell, a daughter of Jacob and Sallie Ramsdell, and a member of a pioneer family of the county. They had two children-Jacob, born October 12, 1847; and Ora L., the wife of our subject. Mrs. Barnum died on Catawba Island, May 6, 1872.

Mr. Pearce is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Ottawa county, and by energy and perseverance has accu- mulated a fair share of this world's goods. His orchards are among the best culti- vated and most productive, and by his sterling ability and amiable disposition he has won for himself a host of friends.

W ILLIAM A. GREGG is a native of New Hampshire, born in Hillsboro county, August 11, 1825, and is a son of William and Sophia (Weston) Gregg. His pater- nal grandfather was born about 1765, reared a family of four children, and passed away in 1830. The maternal grandfather was born in 1750, and died in 1825, while his wife, who was born about 1757, was called to the home be- yond in 1832, both reaching an advanced age. The father of our subject was born in 1794, the mother in 1800, and in their family were five children. He was a drover by occupation,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Our subject spent the first thirteen years of his life in his native place, and then removed to the southern part of New Hampshire, where he remained until the discovery of gold in California in 1849. With the hope of securing a fortune on the Pacific slope he made his way to the Golden State, and embarked in mining, which he followed with success for eight- een months. Then, tiring of the wild life of that far western country, he re- turned to the old Granite State, and learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for some time.

In 1851 Mr. Gregg was united in mar- riage with Miss Nancy J. Foster, of Ver- mont, and with his wife he came to Ohio, locating in Scott township, Sandusky county, which was then a comparatively new region, in which the work of progress and development had not long since begun. One child came to bless their home, Frank, who was born in 1852, and is now married and living in Indiana. In May, of that year, the mother died, and in 1854 Mr. Gregg was again married, his second union being with Miss Harriet Henline, of Freeport, Ohio. Nine chil- dren were born of this union-Charles E., who is a resident of Pennsylvania; Elsie, wife of D. Peterson, of Bradner, Ohio; Hattie, wife of T. Lake, of Pember- ville, Ohio; Sadie, deceased; William, who married Kate Ashbrook, of Bradner, Ohio; Lettie, wife of L. Keller; Schnyler, who is engaged in the oil business; Grace, and Roscoc, at home. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in June, 1884, and the daughter, Miss Grace, is now keeping house for her father.

In February, 1864. Mr. Gregg re- sponded to the country's call for troops, and continued in the service until the cessation of hostilities. He participated in the battles of Selina and Columbus, and has ever been a true and loyal Amer- ican citizen, whether in times of peace or war. On his return he resumed farming, and to-day is the owner of a valuable

property which is under a very high state of cultivation, and yields him a handsome income as the result of his arduous toil in earlier days.

A WEHRLE, the most extensive grape grower, and the proprietor of one of the largest wineries in Ohio, as well as the oldest settler on Middle Bass Island, Ottawa county, was born in Baden, Germany, December 8, 1831.

The parents of our subject, Andrew and Mary (Mueller) Wehrle, were born and died in Germany. They had a fam- ily of seven children, three of whom are living, namely: Andrew, the subject of this sketch, who is the only one of the family who came to America, and Rosa and Monica, who still reside in their native land. Andrew Wehrle was reared to man- hood on his father's farm, received his education at the public schools in the neighborhood of his early home, and in 18 52 came to America. On reaching New York he at once proceeded to Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, where he resided for about two years, and in 1854 removed to Middle Bass, engaging in farming and fishing.

In July, 1854, at Sandusky, Erie county, Andrew Wehrle was united in marriage with Miss Mary Mueller, who was born in Baden, Germany, in November, 1832, and they have had four children (three of whom are now living), as fol- lows: Andrew, born March 9, 1855, now a wholesale coal dealer in Sandusky, Erie county; Louisa, born October 2, 1856, wife of George W. Reibling, residing in Detroit, Mich .; Charles, who died in in- fancy; and Herman, born December 19, 1858, who is a partner in his father's business.

In 1859 A. Wehrle, Joseph Mueller, William Rheburg and George R. Cald- well purchased all of Middle Bass Island and planted it in grapes. In 1865 Mr.

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Wehrle built a winery and engaged in wine making, in 1871 building the large and commodious premises to which he has been making additions year by year, until now his winery has reached a capac- ity of five hundred thousand gallons, and ranks among the largest in Ohio. Be- sides this he has a large and spacious hall which is liberally patronized during the summer months by pleasure parties from all portions of this and adjoining States. His residence, situated on a slight emi- nence, and fronting on the lake, is one of the handsomest and most imposing in Ot- tawa county; the grounds are tastefully laid out in lawns and flower gardens, and all the surroundings betoken culture and refinement. Mr. Wehrle became a citi- zen of the United States October 16, 1857, and in his political views is a Re- publican. For twenty-nine years he has held the position of postmaster, having been appointed October 21, 1866, and having served efficiently ever since, and for twelve years he also held the office of township trustee.

In addition to his grape-growing inter- ests Mr. Wehrle is identified with several concerns. He is president of the San- dusky and Island Steamboat Company, a large stockholder in the steamer " Ar- row," manager and part owner of the steamer "American Eagle," and owns ex- tensive wharf and warehouse premises. He stands prominent among the enterprising and most prosperous business men of Ot- tawa county, and has been so intimately connected with all enterprises, not only of Middle Bass Island, but of the county generally, that his name is closely iden- tified with it; in fact very little has been planned or projected by the community without his counsel and aid. He is a man of remarkable vitality and strong and ro- bust constitution. With willing heart and hands he has made a success of life, and accumulated a snug fortune, and his many sterling qualities have won and retained for him the respect and esteem of his

neighbors and large circle of acquaint- ances.

HERMAN WEHRLE, youngest son of A. and Mary Wehrie, and a partner in his father's business, was born December 19, 1858, and was educated in the public schools of Middle Bass Island, Ottawa county, and in the Buckeye Business Col- lege, Sandusky, Erie county. Since com- pleting his education he has been con- nected with his father's business, and in 1888 was admitted as a partner. On June 6, 1892, in St Louis, Mo., Herman Wehrle married Katherine M. Rauer, who was born in St. Louis June 27, 1860, daughter of Jacob and Kunigunde Rauer, who were both born in Germany. No children have been born to this marriage. In political affiliation Mr. Wehrle, like his father, is a Republican.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 114

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