Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 116

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 116
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 116

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After his marriage Mr. Peck removed with his bride to Wood county, where he remained for two years engaged in farm- ing. Subsequently he rented a tract of land in the northern part of Scott town- ship, Sandusky county, which he cultiva- ted for three years, when he again changed his residence, locating upon a farm that adjoins his present home. There he lived for four years, and then purchased 160 acres that has since yielded a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he has bestowed upon it. At the time of his purchase much of the land was under water. and could be used for boat- ing in the summer and for skating in the winter; but by persistent effort Mr. Peck has tiled and thoroughly drained the place, which he now has under a high state of cultivation. He has also given considerale attention to the buying and selling of stock, being especially inter- ested in raising sheep and cattle, and this branch of his business yields to him good returns. Well-kept buildings add to the value and attractive appearance of the place, and to-day Mr. Peck is the owner of one of the finest homes in Scott town- ship. His sympathy is with the Demo- cratic party, and whenever possible he aids that party, but has never sought or desired official preferment.

Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Peck-Charles William, who was born September 21, 1870, and is now engaged in the oil business; Vinnie, who was born November 6, 1873, and is the wife of Frank G. Keenan, who is

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interested in the oil business in Scott township (she has one child, Bernice); Ida, who was born January 2, 1879, and is now studying music; Mattie, born Feb- ruary 5, 1884; and Goldie, born Decem- ber 8, 1887.

ESSE B. VANTINE. Although for many years the flowers have bloomed and faded over the grave of this well- known pioneer and agriculturist of Clay township, Ottawa county, his mem- ory is still fresh in the hearts of his fam- ily and of those who knew his sterling worth, and appreciated the work he had done in the improvement and progress of the community in which at an early day he made his home.

Mr. Vantine was a native of the Em- pire State, born in Cayuga county, De- cember 5, 1821. His school days were over at a tender age, and he commenced to do farm work, at which he continued sev - eral years, and also for a number of years worked upon the canals. In 1851 he came to Ohio, and purchased eighty acres of wood- land in Clay township, Ottawa county. We of the present day cannot realize what this meant. It meant living in a rudely- constructed log cabin, without a single comfort or convenience, surrounded by dense forests, where the howl of the wolf and the hoot of the owl were nightly heard; where the timid deer and the skulk- ing Indian threaded their way through the underbrush, and where roads, neighbors, and post offices were things unknown. Here the young pioneer built himself a cabin, and while clearing his land de- pended upon his trusty rifle for his subsist- ence. But one day, on returning from hunting, nothing remained but the ruins of his rude home, which with its contents had been burned. He was not discour- aged, however; another cabin was con- structed, and then, realizing more than ever the truth of the proverb that "it is not good for man to be alone," he re-

turned to the East, and on October 16, 1851, was married in Cayuga county, N. Y., to Almira Rodgers, daughter of Joshua and Jerusia (McKee) Rodgers. With his young bride Mr. Vantine once more took up his abode in the wilderness, and to- gether they worked with willing hands to make for themselves a comfortable home. It is hard to conceive of the trials and hardships endured by the young wife so far from the accustomed comforts of the East, with no companions to share her solitude and recall pleasant associations; yet these sacrifices were cheerfully made for the sake of the husband whose inspira- tion she was, and to whom she was not only a helping hand, but a constant en- couragement and sustainer. In time children came to fill their humble home with laughter and song and make the days less lonely, and as the years rolled on the forests disappeared and broad fields of waving grain, fine orchards and a hand- some dwelling, took their place. The log cabin, the scene of so much sacrifice and yet of so much true happiness, is gone forever, but the lessons there learned have borne their fruit in the busy useful lives of its occupants.

The children of these worthy pioneers, all of whom were born and educated in Clay township, were five in number, and a brief record of them is as follows: (1) Ellie J., born September 3, 1852, was the first white child born in that part of Clay township; she was married in 1871 to George White, a manufacturer of lime in Genoa, and they have five children- Mary, Bertha, Otto, Henry and Almira. (2) James B., born April 16, 1854, is a lime worker at Marblehead, Ottawa coun- ty; he was married in October, 1884, at Genoa, to Miss Carrie Walker, and they have two children, Elsie and Ray. (3) Maryetta, born April 10, 1860, is the wife of Taylor Hofman, a farmer in Clay town- ship; they have two children, Pearl and Jay. (4) J. Frank, who was born April 24, 1871, followed the occupation of a farm-

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er for a number of years, and is now in Toledo; he was married at Martin, in 1891, to Henrietta, daughter of John Bee- dee, a farmer of Clay township, and they have one child, Nettie May, born Octo- ber 13, 1892. (5) Charles F. Vantine, the youngest, is living at home.

John Beedee, the father of Mrs. J. Frank Vantine, died in 1879, from the effects of an accident, his leg having been broken by a falling tree. His wife died December 9, 1891. Their family com- prised five children, of whom the following record is given: John Beedee is married and works in a mill; Martin Freeborn lives in Lorain county, and works in the bending shops (he has one child); Loren is a cooper, living at Clay Center (he is married and has four children); Mary is the wife of Mr. Downing, who is a con- ductor on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railway at Toledo (they have one child); Henrietta is the wife of J. Frank Vantine.

During his busy life Jesse B. Vantine was very popular and highly respected by his fellow citizens. He was a stanch Democrat, and was for a number of years a trustee of the township, and was a commissioner when the town was first formed. He was also school director for several years, and served for some years as a constable. He died March 27, 1893, of consumption, contracted during the hardships of his early life. He was a faithful and devoted husband and father, and will never be forgotten by his family, who owe so much to his precepts and ex- ample. His wife survives him and makes her home on the old farm,

W ILLIAM AMES, son of Decker- man C. and Rebecca (Purdne) Ames, was born on his father's farm in Harris township, Ot- tawa county, November 13, 1843.

The father of our subject followed ag- ricultural pursuits all his life, coming to

Ohio during his boyhood. His father purchased land of the government, and le continued to operate a portion of that property until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was buried in the Guss Cemetery at Elmore, and many friends mourned his decease. In 1841 he had married Miss Purdue, who was born in 1822, and their family consisted of six children-William, Alfred, Silas, Sarah, Nancy Ann and Mary Ellen, of whom Nancy Ann was drowned in Portage river, near Elmore, while bathing; Alfred is also deceased; and Mary Ellen is now Mrs. Drake, of Michigan. The maternal grand- father of our subject, James Purdue, was born in 1787, and was a farmer and great hunter; his wife was born in 1790, and they had a family of ten children. The paternal grandmother was born in 1781, and her children were eight in number.

William Ames spent his boyhood days on the old homestead, attended the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood, and at the early age of nine years began working with a team, plowing, harrowing and doing other work on the farm. When the call for 75,000 men was issued by Presi- dent Lincoln he eagerly and quickly re- sponded, anxious to aid in the defense of the Union, but on account of his youth his father would not let him enlist. A second time he offered his services, and a second time his father prevented him from becoming one of the boys in blue, but finally, in 1863, he became a member of Company G, One Hundreth Regiment, Ohio Sharpshooters, with whom he served until the end of the war. He took part in the battles of the Wilderness, which contin- ued for seven days, Cold Harbor, Wel- den Railroad, and assisted in the destruc- tion of Petersburg, where four thousand were killed in a half hour, aiding in mak- ing the three-mile tunnel under the city. He served in the army of the Potomac under Gen. Grant, and witnessed the grand review of the victorious troops in the Capitol City. He was also in Ford's

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Theatre at the time of President Lin- coln's assassination, and saw Booth jump upon the stage after firing the fatal shot which ended the life of one of the most honored and distinguished men this country has produced.

Upon the close of the war Mr. Ames returned home, and on August 14, 1865, he was married in Elmore to Miss Emma J. Essig, of Stark county, Ohio, who was born March 10, 1838, in that county, where she lived until her marriage. She obtained her education in the public schools, and then engaged in teaching in Portage county, and for one term in Ot- tawa county. Her father, John Essig, a mason by trade, was born June 3, 1784, and died September 30, 1854. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Esther Spangle, was born May 4, 1792, and died September 23, 1877. Twelve chil- dren bless their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have always resided in Elmore, where they have a pleasant home and many friends. Their only child, Birdie, was educated in the public schools here, and for two years was a successful teacher of Ottawa county. In 1888 she became the wife of John Schling, and they now reside in Oak Harbor. William Ames is engaged in the raising of horses, and is well-known in Ottawa county, where he has spent his entire life, as a straight- forward business man. He has the warm regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

V ALENTIN MILIUS, a retired harness dealer, of Hessville, San- dusky county, was born in Nord- heim, Germany, November 29, 1827, and is a son of Francis and Johan- na (Fox) Milius, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a farmer and teamster, and died a few months after his son, Valentin, sailed for America. Our subject is the eldest in his parent's family, and of the others, Eliza- 50

beth is the wife of Adam Vance, a basket maker of Cincinnati, Ohio, and has five children; Katie is the widow of Adam Bellow, and a resident of Cincinnati; Jacob is engaged in basket making in that city; and Della is the wife of Charles Calt, living in Newport, Kentucky.

Mr. Milius was reared under the pa- rental roof, and his educational privi- leges were those afforded by the common schools. He remained in the Fatherland until twenty-five years of age, when in 1852 he bade adieu to family and friends, embarking on an ocean vessel for the New World. Landing safely on the shores of this country, he proceeded at once to Fremont, Ohio, where he began work with a Mr. Greddler in the harness business, continuing with that gentleman for sev- eral months. Going then to Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked in that city for two years, after which he spent six months in Cleveland. His next place of residence was Canton, Ohio, where he remained for four years, and in 1859 he came to Hessville, Sandusky county, where he embarked in business for himself as a harness maker. He was a good work- man, and this fact soon becoming known to the public he received a liberal patron- age, which steadily increased and brought him a good income. For thirty-four years he followed the business in Hess- ville, and then, his health failing him, he was obliged to retire from active life in 1893.

Mr. Milius was united in marriage, in 1856, with Miss Catherine Klaser, who was one of a family of five daughters, namely: Margaret, wife of Fred Nichols; Josephine; Catherine (Mrs. Milius); Mary, wife of Jacob Frick; and Phœbe, wife of John Bowler. To Mr. and Mrs. Milius have been born five children. The eld- est, Julius C., was born in Canton, Ohio, July 3, 1857; John, born in that city, Feb- ruary 18, 1859, was brought by his parents to Hessville during his infancy, and there received the educational privileges of the

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district schools; at the age of twenty-five he left home, and was employed in vari- ous ways until 1891, when he established a general store in Hessville, and on April 17, of the same year, was appointed post- master there; he was married Novem- ber 18, 1886, to Miss Cora Artz, and they have two children-Goldie, born March 16, 1888; and Ruth, born February 11, 1890; John Milius is a Democrat in his political views, and is a member of the Reformed Church. Harmon, the next of the family, was born September 16, 1861, and is a farmer of Hessville. Louis, born February 16, 1864, died in infancy; Edward, born September 10, 1867, is en- gaged in blacksmithing in Chicago.

Valentin Milius hasled a life of activity, and as the result of his energy and enter- prise is now the possessor of a comforta- ble competence, which enables him to live retired. He owns a farm comprising forty acres of valuable land, and in addi- tion has thirteen town lots in Hessville. By his ballot he supports the Democratic party, and in religious belief he is a Lutheran. His hope of bettering his financial condition by emigrating to America has been realized, and now he is numbered among the substantial and valued citizens of his locality.

C ASPAR MULLER, a farmer, of Ballville township, Sandusky coun- ty is a native of North Germany, born January 18, 1841.

John P. Muller, father of our subject, was born in June, 1801. He sold his farm of twenty-five acres in Germany, and in 1854 emigrated to America. Af- ter an ocean voyage of seven weeks he landed in New York, where he remained but a short time, then came to Ohio and settled in Ballville township where he bought fifty acres of land and followed farming pursuits about thirty-five years. His death occurred in 1889, and his wife died at the age of seventy-seven years.

They had a family of six children: Cas- par; Mary, born May 29, 1844, unmar- ried; Susan, born December 29, 1846, is the wife of Fred Weldon, a farmer and resident of Seneca county, Ohio (politic- ally he is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Catholic); Catharine, born Febru- ary, 1848, became the wife of George Buchman, a farmer and resident of Wash- ington township, in politics a Democrat, and in religious belief a Catholic; John P. (a farmer), born January 18, 1849, mar- ried Mary Foos (in politics he is a Demo- crat, and in religious belief a Roman Cath- olic); Annie, born April 9, 1852, married C. Schneider, a farmer, and they have a family of children as follows-Frank, Susan, Albert, Robert, Sarah, Edward and Hannah (politically Mr. Schneider is a Democrat, and in religion is a Catholic).

Caspar Muller remained with his par- ents until he was twenty-three years old. He then went to Pittsburg and worked eight years as a coal miner, saving $800. On returning he worked two years on a farm for Peter Kirsch, and also for other parties, and later he worked his father's farm five years. Mr. Muller then bought forty acres from N. Buchman for $3,000, and kept it three years, sold it to his brother, and bought the place he now occupies, paying for same $3,850. He is highly respected by all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and in religion he is a Roman Catholic.

OSEPH WOLF, the popular treas- urer of Sandusky county, was born in Baden, Germany, March 18, 1852, a son of Bernhard and Regina (Wottle) Wolf.

The parents who were also natives of Baden, came to America in 1865, locating in Sandusky City, Ohio, where they re- mained one year, then removing to Fre- inont, where they made their permanent residence. The father of our subject,

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born in 1819, died May 30, 1892; the mother, born in 1828, is still living at their residence in Fremont. Six children were born to them, five of whom are liv- ing, at Fremont.

Joseph Wolf attended school one year at Sandusky City, while living with his parents, and soon after coming to Fre- mont, in 1865, entered a newspaper office and learned the business of compositor so thoroughly that he finally had the me- chanical work of the paper under his charge. He subsequently engaged in the barber business, and finally embarked in the retail liquor trade, in which he re- mained until elected to the office of coun- ty treasurer, in September, 1892. He was re-elected to the office in 1894. He has served as a member of the Fremont city council two terms, and was for two years president of that honorable body. He is a Democrat in politics, a straight- forward progressive citizen, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and socially, of the Catholic Knights of America. Mr. Wolf married Miss Catharine Moore, and they have six children: Frank, Carl, Mary, Urban, Catharine and Barnhard.

A DOLPH HALBEISEN. Riley township, Sandusky county, in- cludes among its successful citi- zens a number of industrious and prosperous farmers, one of whom is Mr. Halbeisen. He was born August 12, 1845, and is a son of Nicholas and Caro- line Halbeisen.

Nicholas Halbeisen was born in Ger- many August 12, 1802, and was there united in marriage with Caroline Geshie, who was born April 8, 1814, also in the Fatherland. They came to America in 1844, and located in Ohio, in Riley town- ship, Sandusky county. Here for ten dol- lars an acre they bought land which at the present time is valued at one hundred dollars an acre. They had the following children: Barney married Millie House,

and they have had five children; they live in Ballville township, Sandusky county. Caroline married Casper House, by whom she had four children; she died in 1871, and was buried in Ballville township. Lewis is a farmer in Michigan. Adolph is the subject proper of this sketch. Au- gust, who is a farmer, married Ellen McDonald, and they live in Michigan. Lucy comes next. Amelia married Michael Bundschner, a farmer in Sandusky town- ship, Sandusky county, and they have had five children. Nicholas Halbeisen died November 12, 1861.

Adolph Halbeisen was reared to habits of industry and economy, and received a common-school education. He remained at home on the farm until the death of his father, then had the management, and saved his money. On November 12, 1 880, Adolph Halbeisen was united in mar- riage with Helen Beansack, and they have had eight children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara, January 26, 1882; Caroline, April 10, 1883; Jo- seph, April 11, 1885; Arnold, July 7, 1886; Henry, May 23, 1888; Frank, May 23, 1889; Augusta, December 10, 1890, and Ellen, September 8, 1891. Mr. Hal- beisen bought seventy-two acres of land at $110.00 per acre, as a homestead. He has held the office of school director for three years. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious affiliation a Catholic.

W ILLIAM GORDON is a worthy representative of one of the prominent families of Ottawa county. He is engaged in the practice of law in Port Clinton, where he now resides, and is serving as prosecuting attorney for Ottawa county. He is a de- servedly popular man, and a rising mem- ber of the bar.

Mr. Gordon was born in the county which is still his home, having first opened his eyes to the light of day in Salem township, near Oak Harbor, De-

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cember 15, 1862, his parents being Wash- ington and Margaret (Rymers) Gordon. His elementary education was obtained in the public schools of Oak Harbor, and he also attended the business college of Toledo, Ohio, graduating from that in- stitution May 7, 1880. He then returned to his home, and during the following seven years was employed as a book- keeper by his father, also teaching school during the winter months in the townships of Carroll and Erie, Ottawa county. In 1886 his father was elected county treas- urer, and on entering upon the duties pertaining to that office, in September, 1887, his son William became his deputy and efficiently served in that capacity un- til September, 1891. Meanwhile he de- voted his leisure time to the study of law, preparatory to entering the legal pro- fession.

On October 1, 1891, William Gordon became a student in the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and after completing the prescribed course was graduated at that institution with the class of June, 1893, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Return- ing at once to Oak Harbor, he has here since engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, and through his ability and popularity he succeeded in building up a large and rapidly increasing patronage. The people of Ottawa county attested their appreciation of his worth by electing him, on November 6, 1894, to the honor- able and responsible position of prosecut- ing attorney, he being the only county official elected on the Democratic ticket in Ottawa county. He is an earnest and able advocate, and thorough preparation of cases is manifest in the ease with which he meets an opponent and the suc- cess which attends his efforts. He was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Ohio, June 8. 1893.

Mr. Gordon is a member of Oak Har- bor Lodge, No. 495. F. & A. M., and Fremont Chapter, No. 64, R. A. M. Hc

is also a member of the board of school examiners of Ottawa county, and is deep- ly interested in the cause of education, and all that pertains to the welfare of the community. His political support has always been given to the Democratic party, and by voice as well as ballot he advocates its principles. In both public and private life he is an exemplary citi- zen, holding an enviable position in the esteem and regard of the community in which he resides. In September, 1893, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage in Port Clinton, with Miss Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Conrad Gernhard, proprietor of the "Island House," a leading hotel of Port Clinton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gordon attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gordon has spent his entire life in Ottawa county, and his genial and pleas- ant manner and genuine worth have made him very popular with a large circle of friends.

OUIS NICKEL, a successful farmer and honored citizen of Rice town- ship, Sandusky county, is a native of same, having been born April 12, 1850, and is a son of Fred and Mag- gie (Glaser) Nickel, who were born in Hessen, Germany.

Fred Nickel was foreman on a farm in Germany, saved his money, and at the age of twenty-two came to the United States, settling in Rice township, San- dusky county, Ohio, where he worked out one year. He was then united in mar- riage with Maggie Glaser (who was born July 1, 1827); bought forty acres of tim- ber land, and later sixty-seven more. In 1863 he built a new house and barn. Mr. and Mrs. Nickel became the parents of ten children, as follows: Mena, born May 10, 1848; Louis is the subject of this sketch; Julius C., born December 20, 1852, married Katie Keiser, and they had four children (she died March 9, 1891, after which he married Rosie Niskey, and

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they live in Rice township); John H., born July 2, 1854, married Lizzie Hoot, by whom he had four children, and died April 4, 1888; William P., born Novem- ber 6, 1856, married Ida Gessner, and they live in Ballville township, Sandusky county; Charles, born May 8, 1857, died young; George, born September 14, 1 862, died September 30, 1875; May L., born November 4, 1864; Amelia M., married John Klein, and they had six children; and Katie, born March 21, 1870, died October 1, 1875.

Louis Nickel received a common- school education, remained at home until his twenty-fifth year, and then bought a thresher, which he ran several seasons. In 1876 he bought fifty-nine acres of land, for which he paid $110 an acre. On May 18, 1876, he was united in marriage with Caroline Smith, who was born Sep- tember 5, 1857, and they have six chil- dren, as follows: Eliza H., born May 29, 1877; Frank E., November 18, 1880; Edwin E., December 26, 1881 ; Reuben F., August 9, 1885; Warren, July 18, 1888; and Ruth J., October 8, 1892. In 1892 Mr. Nickel built a new house, which cost $2, 100, and in 1886 built a barn which cost $1, 300. He has a fine herd of Dur- ham cattle. Mr. Nickel is a Democrat in politics, and attends the Lutheran Church. He has held several public offices, was trustee eight years, school director three years, supervisor four years, and constable three years.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 116

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