Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 118

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 118
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 118

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JAMES MCDONALD, the youngest child of the family, acquired his education in the district schools near home, and since early boyhood has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Portage township. On July 3, 1886, he was married, in Mon- roe county, Mich., to Miss Elsie Watson, a daughter of Peter and Isabel (McDon- ald) Watson, who still reside in Banffshire, Scotland, where their daughter was born February 14, 1854. Four children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald- Alexander, born June 11, 1887; Lucy, born April 19, 1889, died March 1, 1891; Cecelia, born January 15, 1891; and

Ronald, born March 31, 1893. In his political views James McDonald is a Dem- ocrat. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, while his wife was reared in the Presbyterian Church. He is a wide-awake, progressive agricul- turist, an honorable, upright man, and is highly esteemed by his friends and neigh- bors.

OSEPH MILLER (deceased) was, during his busy lifetime, one of the prominent and successful grape- growers of Middle Bass Island, Ot- tawa county, and was one of the four original purchasers of that Island. He was born March 23, 1823, in Baden, Ger- many, son of Joseph and Anna Marie (Locherer) Miller, who were also born in the Fatherland, where they died.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood and educated in the Father- land, where from early life he was en- gaged in grape growing, an industry fol- lowed by his father and grandfather be- fore him. In 1854 he came to America, settling in Erie county, Ohio, where he resided three years, and in 1857 removed to Middle Bass Island, of which he was a continuous resident from that time for the remainder of his life. On May 14, 1861, in Sandusky, Erie county, Joseph Miller was united in marriage with Helena Rehberg, who was born at Plau, in Meck- lenburg-Schwerin, Germany, April 8, 1843, daughter of John and Christina (Bohndorff) Rehberg, and their children are as follows: Anna, born February 10, 1862, is the wife of Henry Burggraf; they have three children-Carl, born De- cember 4, 1888; Arnold, born November 28, 1890; and Ruth, born May 19, 1894. Mary, born March 30, 1864, was united in marriage with Ferdinand Sloat on Sep- tember 4, 1888; they have had two sons -Gregor J., born June 11, 1889; and Frank Clyde, born July 25, 1892; they reside in Sandusky. Eliza, born Septem-

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ber 4, 1868, was married to Charles Bretz. November 12, 1890, and they have had two sons-Sherman Carl, born August 25, 1891; and Leslie Joseph, born December 25, 1893. Nellie J., born January 1, 1877, and Herman Joseph, born July 30, 1878.

The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Miller were as follows: William, who re- sides on the Island; John, who passed all his life there, dying May 5, 1888; Mary, wife of Albany Kubagh, of Sandusky; and Helena (Mrs. Miller). Mr. John Reh- berg was again married, taking, for his second wife, Mary Prool, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, March 4, 1813, and they had children, as follows: Frederick, who lives in Sandusky; Henry, born October 4, 1854, who was united in marriage April 9, 1876, on Middle Bass Island, with Mina Kapphengst, who was born in Mecklenburg, May 7, 1853, and they have had one child-Clara, born February 22, 1889. Henry commenced in the hotel business in Middle Bass, in 1890; and Louis, who was born February 9, 1858, and died December 11, 1882.

Mr. Miller passed away June 24, 1884. In his political views he was a Democrat. He was repeatedly called to offices of re- sponsibility and trust in his township, which he filled with fidelity and acknowl- edged ability, and the memory of his noble character will long be cherished. His widow, who is regarded highly in the community and admired for her many virtues, is now residing on the homestead.

R USSEL ELLITHORPE, one of the well-known and enterprising farmers and fruit growers of Ca- tawba Island township, Ottawa county, is a representative of one of the honored early families of the county, and his brothers, George and Cyrus, are also extensive fruit growers of the vicinity. The latter was the first white child born on Kelley's Island, where our subject's

birth occurred September 22, 1834, and he is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Neal) Ellithorpe.

When about two years of age Russel Ellithorpe went with his parents to Dan- bury township, Ottawa county, but in 1 840 located in Catawba Island township. His advantages for securing an education were quite limited, he only being able to at- tend school during the winter seasons, as his services were required in assisting in the cultivation and improvement of the farm during the summer months, and the schools of that early day were not as good as they are at present. Besides his farming interests, for twenty years he en- gaged in fishing on Lake Erie during the spring and fall, but of late years his chief occupation has been that of fruit grow- ing, his time being mostly taken up in the cultivation of his extensive and productive orchards. For over forty-seven years he has been a constant resident of Catawba Island, during which time he has achieved an enviable reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and his pleasant, genial tempera- ment has made him hosts of friends.

At Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, November 10, 1856, Mr. Ellithorpe was united in marriage with Almeda Tilliton, a daughter of Obdic and Lydia (Wonnell) Tilliton, the former of whom was a native of New York State, and the latter of Maryland; they became early settlers of Danbury township, Ottawa county. Two children were born to our subject and his worthy wife, one of whom still survives, namely: James, born March 10, 1857. Eugene died at the age of two years, four months. For ten years Mr. Ellithorpe had served in the capacity of trustee of Catawba Island township, and is an act- ive worker in the ranks of the Repub- lican party, which he always supports by his ballot. Socially he belongs to Ca- tawba Island Lodge No. 2783, Knights of Honor. He and his brothers are among the few remaining pioneers of Catawba Island who have been spared to see the

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primitive forests and log cabins give way to the productive orchards and beautiful homes that now adorn this picturesque section of Ottawa county.

James Ellithorpe, the only surviving child of our subject, is one of the ambi- tious and energetic agriculturists who are doing much to still further improve the great fruit-growing interests of Catawba Island, and ranks among the prominent and respected citizens of the community. His boyhood days were spent upon the homestead farm, and he now lives near the home of his father. He was married in Michigan October 8, 1886, to Miss Lydia Burns, and four children blessed this union-Leavitt, born July 12, 1887, who died February 6, 1888; Vernon R .. born October 30, 1890; Ettie M., born January 28, 1893; and Eola A., born July 21, 1894. Mrs. Ellithorpe was born in Wood county, Ohio, April 30, 1858, and is a daughter of Andrew and Rosena Burns, who were early residents of Port Clinton, Ottawa county, and passed away when their daughter was but a child.

H ENRY BORDT. Among the younger members of the sturdy farming population of Riley town- ship, Sandusky county, is Henry Bordt, who was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, October 18. 1873, and is the son of August and Mina Bordt.

Angust Bordt was born in Germany, February 18, 1843. In 1866 he was united in marriage, in the Fatherland, with Mina Mikewilt, who was born March 3, 1841, in Germany. In 1872 they came to America, locating in Townsend township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where they lived some seven years. They have had two children, namely: Carrie, who was born October 25, 1869, married Christian Olmes, and has had three children --- Alma, Otto, and Laura (they live in Riley town- ship); and Henry, the subject of this sketch. From Townsend township Au-

gust Bordt moved to Riley township, where he bought forty acres of land, and in 1885 he built a new house and barn.

Henry Bordt was reared in Townsend township, always lived at home and re- ceived a common-school education. He was early inducted into the pleasant paths of industry, frugality and virtue, and in 1890 he bought forty acres of land ad- joining his fathers's farm. He attends the Lutheran Church, and is a Democrat in politics.

B F. ROGERS a well-known shoe- maker of Clyde, Sandusky coun- ty, where he is now serving as justice of the peace, was born in the town of Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., August 3, 1830, and is a son of Joel and Betsy (Ellis) Rogers. His father's birth occurred in Phelps, N. Y., near Bulltown Springs, and by occupation was a farmer, also carrying on carpentering and joining. In 1830 he came to Ohio, it requiring three weeks to make the trip from Buffalo, N. Y., to Huron, Ohio, by water. He located at Hartland, Huron Co., Ohio, twelve miles east of Norwalk, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1854, when he was aged sixty-one years. In politics he was a supporter of the Democratic party. The mother of our subject, who was born in 1798 in New Canaan, Conn., died on the 4th of July, 1888. She had a sister who died a year later at the remarkable age of 103 years and one week. At the age of ninety- nine years she did the cooking for a re- union, and our subject has a piece of poetry she recited when a centenarian.

The paternal grandfather was a shoe- maker of New York. He wedded Mary Kuntz, a native of Germany, and he served through the Revolutionary war under Gen. Washington. One of his sons was the father of Randolph Rogers, the famous sculptor. He died in Rome, leav- ing a son and daughter, who are both at-

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tending college at Ann Arbor, Mich. The Rogers family is of English descent. the great-grandfather of our subject having come from England to the New World. The maternal great-grandfather was also a native of England, and the grandfather, who was a great jumper and athlete, and was a soldier during the struggle for inde- pendence.

In Hartland, Huron Co., Ohio, B. F. Rogers, subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood days, attending the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he began learning the shoemaker's trade with his uncle, A. G. Ellis, at Fitchville, Huron county, where he remained for nine years. He then for one year had a shop of his own in Wakeman, that coun- ty, but at the expiration of that time again worked for his uncle, with whom he re- mained for a year, but the following win- ter was employed at his trade in Clarks- field, Huron county. He then entered a drug store, and for one year studied medi- cines and drugs, after which he went to Michigan, where he continued his studies with the brother of the professor of sur- gery in the Homeopathic College of Cleveland, Ohio. He was there pre- pared to enter college, but, becoming tired of the profession, he returned to Clarks- field, resuming work at his trade.

In that place Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Miss Myra Buck, who was reared in Norwalk, Ohio, and to them were born four children: Emma, who married Alfred Barber, of Norwalk, and has one child-Florence; Belle, wife of E. M. Keller, of Pomona, Cal. ; Hattie, the widow of I. Boone, is a resident of California, and has two children-Effel and John B .; Grant C. died in 1877, at the age of eleven years. In 1876 the mother of these children passed to her final rest, and September 1, 1877, Mr. Rogers wedded Miss Belinda Malcom, of Ruggles, Ashland Co., Ohio. Her father is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. By her marriage she has three children-

Malcom, Lillie and Archie. After his first marriage Mr. Rogers removed to Norwalk, Ohio, where he worked at his trade during the Civil war, but later be- came a resident of New London, Huron Co., Ohio. In 1869 he located in Clyde, where he deals in shoes, and is also en- gaged in their manufacture. He does general repairing, and all the work which he turns out is of first-class order.

For the last five years Mr. Rogers has served as justice of the peace, and during the entire time has never had a case reversed in common pleas court. In politics he is deeply in sympathy with the Republican party. He has been a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity since No- vember 16, 1855, and is now a Royal Arch Mason, while he has been connected with the I. O. O. F. since February 16, 1870. He is liberal in his religious views, and is a member of the Universalist Church. Mr. Rogers is practically a self-made man, well endowed mentally, and by his own physical exertions has made his life a success.

ANSTED, one of the prosperous representative farmer citizens of Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, is a native of same, born March 15, 1855.

His parents, John and Mary (Upp) Ansted, were of Pennsylvania birth, from which State they migrated to Ohio, set- tling on a farm in Sandusky county, where the father died when their son Jacob was fourteen years old. The latter had then to assist in the support of his widowed mother on their eighty-acre farm, and when he came of age he purchased forty acres from her, in the cultivation of which he has since devoted his care and atten- tion. His mother for her second husband married Absalom Dank, a native of Ger- many, and they are living on the remain- ing forty acres of the original eighty-acre farm in Washington township.

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Mr. Ansted is still single, is a Demo- crat in politics, in religious faith a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and enjoys the respect and esteem of the community in which he lives.

OHN BENDER, who owns and operates a fine farm in Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born in Rice township, that county, March 29, 1846, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Druckmiller) Bender.

Daniel Bender came from Perry coun- ty, Ohio, and settled in Rice township, Sandusky county, in 1844, where our subject was born, and when the latter was one year old the mother died. Daniel Bender for his second wife married Miss Caroline Honeywell. The family after- ward removed to Branch county, Mich., settling near Coldwater, where the father died at the age of fifty-seven. On account of the early death of his mother, John Bender, being then an infant of one year, was placed, for rearing, in the hands of Peter Albert and wife, who were cousins of his father. Here he received loving care and grew up to manhood, attending the district schools at intervals, and he remained with his foster parents until eighteen years of age, when he went to work on a farm by the month. He saved his money, and a few years later married Miss Caroline Kiser (a sister of Christian Kiser), a native of Germany, born June 6,. 1848. They settled on land Mr. Ben- dler now owns, commencing in a small way; but success smiled upon their efforts and they were soon able to purchase more land. Mr. Bender is now recognized as one of the leading, successful agricul- turists of the township, owning 279 acres of land as good as any other in the State. In December, 1894, he sank an oil well on his farm, and the company to which he belongs have put down three wells, all of which are producing and promise to be fairly successful ventures. Ile and his

wife have nine children: Christian, who married Rebecca Engler; Saloma E., wife of Frank Stine (they have one child); Charles; Ella, now Mrs. John Mairer; Lavina, who was married July 3, 1894, to Frank Fetterman; Emma; Frank, and Wesley.

Mr. Bender started in life with no en- dowment save a strong pair of hands and his own good judgment; to-day he is in- dependent. Much of the land he now owns cost him $100 per acre. He is an unofficious, unassuming man to meet, but his worth as a neighbor, friend and citizen is well appreciated in the community. In 1889 he was elected township treasurer, and has held that office by re-election to the present time. Politically he is a Democrat.

W ILLIAM CANTY. Among the business men of Gibsonburg, Sandusky county, who have made a reputation for straight dealing and honest work, will be found the subject of this sketch, who is the pro- prietor of the boiler shops in that city.

Mr. Canty is a native of Illinois, hav- ing been born at Pana, that State, June 8, 1862. He is the son of Thomas and Julia (Fogerty) Canty, the father being born in County Limerick, the mother in County Kerry, Ireland. Both emigrated to America when young, and settled in Pana, Ill., where they married. The father died in that city when fifty-eight years of age, and the mother, who sur- vives him, makes her home in Tiffin, this State. This worthy couple were devoted members of the Catholic Church, as are their children of whom the following record is given: John is the owner of a boiler shop in Tiffin, Ohio; Thomas, who makes his home in Chicago, Ill., is a traveling agent for the Hartford Life In- surance Company; William, our subject, comes next; Edward, a machinist, lives

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in Chicago; James is a foreman in the Big Four shops at Milton, Illinois.

William Canty grew up to manhood at his home in Pana, Ill., and when nine- teen years old went to Maryville, Mo., where he worked as an engine wiper for six months. He then moved to Tiffin, this State, and learned the trade of a boiler maker with his brother. He was then for six months fireman on the Wa- bash railway. Returning to Tiffin, he worked in the boiler shop for a year when he again went to Pana and worked at his trade for five months. Alternating be- tween this place and Tiffin for some time, he fired on the Ohio & Mississippi Valley railroad one year, and worked in the boiler shops in Tiffin for three years, when he was married, in two years thereafter, August, 1890, moving to Gibsonburg. Here he opened up a boiler shop with a partner, but in April, 1893, purchased the whole concern and is now carrying it on himself. He has established a good business and a reputation for industry and honesty, and has the confidence of the community as a skilled workman.

Mrs. Canty, who before her marri- . age was Miss Agnes Cathcart, was born in Tiffin, December 21, 1863. Mr. Canty is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the Catholic Knights of St. John, at Tif- fin; in politics he is a Democrat. He is a fine specimen of physical manhood, strong and muscular, and will probably live to a good old age as his maternal grandparents both lived to be over one hundred years old.

C B. WHITE, M. D., physician and surgeon, Fremont, Sandusky county, is a native of Ohio, hav- ing been born in Bellaire, Bel- mont county, December 11, 1839, a son of R. B., and Eliza A. (Ray) White, both of whom were of Irish descent. The father, who was also a physician of prominence, practiced in Monroe (of which county he 51

was a pioneer), Washington and Noble counties, Ohio, and died in the latter county in 1878. The mother, who came to Ohio from Lancaster county, Penn., is still living, and makes her home in West Virginia.

The subject proper of this review was reared in eastern Ohio, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools of Monroe and Noble counties. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Noble county, Ohio, for three years' service, in Company K, Twentieth O. V. I., was mustered in at Columbus, Ohio, and assigned to the army of West Virginia. He participated in some important battles, among which may be mentioned those of Carnifax Ferry, second Bull Run, South Moun- tain, Antietam, Haines' Bluff, Jackson and siege of Vicksburg, at which latter he received a severe scalp wound. After an honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, our subject returned to his home in Noble county. In 1865 he re-entered military service, and held the rank of second lieutenant of Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-fourth, O. V. I., until the close of the war, receiving a final honor- able discharge in June, 1865, and again returning home, after which he was en- gaged for some time, along with his brother, in a general mercantile business at Flint Mills, Washington Co., Ohio.

Later he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Henshaw, of Ellenboro, W. Va., and after taking a course of clinics in the Cincinnati General Hospit- al, he, in 1873, entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of that city and attended a course of lectures. After practicing at a distance for a time, he returned to Cincinnati in 1878, took a full course at the Eclectic Medical Institute, graduating with honor. The Doctor has practiced medicine in Pleasant Valley (W. Va.), Clayville (Va.) and Salineville (Columbiana Co., Ohio), at which latter place he was associated with Dr. Sutzer, and thence came to the Western Reserve. He also practiced

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three years in Ringgold county, Iowa, in the city of Fremont since 1880, and al- together has built up an enviable reputa- tion in his profession, in which he has shown a commendable interest. He studied and practiced under a general allopathic practitioner, three years. Dr. White holds and has held various posi- tions of honor and trust in the commu- nity. He is a member of the Sandusky County Board of Pension Examiners, medical examiner for the National Union, and surgeon for the Union Veterans Union; is one of the commissioners for visiting the charitable institutions of the county. He is a member of the National Union, of the State Eclectic Society, and holds certificates from the National Eclec- tic Society and from the Iowa Eclectic Society, also from the Hospital of Clinics, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. White was married in Wood coun- ty, W. Va., in 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Ullum, and their children are: John, a plumber, who is married and has two children; Eliza Ellen, wife of Philip Lowry, of Huron county, Ohio (they have one child); Willie Delilah, wife of James Powers, East Prairie, Mo .; and Thomas, who at present is attending Fre- mont High School. Mrs. White died at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, December 30, 1885, and in 1888 Dr. White married, at Fremont, Ohio, Miss Hortense Ickes, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ickes, the former of whom is deceased, the latter residing on the old homestead north of Fremont. Mrs. White was elected National Presi- lent of the Women's Veteran Relief Union. The Doctor, in his political pref- erences, is a Democrat, and he is held in the highest esteem and regard.

A DAM MAURER, proprietor of a livery and feed stable at Helena, Sandusky county, where he also conducts a thriving teaming and draying business, is a native of that coun-

ty, born September 19, 1858, in Wash- ington township.

Up to the year 1888 our subject con- tinued to reside with his parents, James and Marie Maurer, and then, his mother having sold the farm of 120 acres in Washington township, which had been left her at the death of her husband, she and her son Adam moved into the town of Helena, same county, where Mr. Maurer established his present business. He is also to some extent interested in oil wells, and by diligence and close atten- tion to business has succeeded in securing a wide patronage for his livery, etc. Mrs. Marie Maurer, mother of the subject proper of these lines, was born in Ger- many of well-to-do and respectable farm- ing people, who came to the United States several years ago.

In his political preferences our sub- ject is a stanch Democrat, but is no office seeker, preferring to devote all his time to his business. He is a man of good standing in the community, and although popular and well-liked is still living in a state of " single blessedness."

B ENJAMIN EPLER. Among those steady-going, hard-working men who are pillars of strength in the community in which they live, and, by their lives, set before the young examples of temperance, industry, fru- gality, virtue and faith, is Mr. Epler.

Benjamin Epler, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, married Barbara Smith. They were both born in Penn- sylvania, and lived and died there, leaving two children to mourn them, namely: Henry, whe married Emma Fought, by whom he has one child, and is a farmer in Pennsylvania, and Benjamin, Jr., who was born July 3. 1839. Our subject was united in marriage October 11, 1851, with Elizabeth Unger, who was born in Penn- sylvania December 21, 1828, and they have had seven children, of whom we

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have the following record: Rosie married Joseph Slates, a farmer in Michigan; they had six children. George is a farm- er in Michigan; he married Frances Callahan, and they have had three children. Sally married David Witzler, and has had three children; they live in Helena, Sandusky Co., Ohio. Samuel, who lives in Michigan, married Etta Ring, by whom he has had two children. John married Hannah Ickes, and they have had one child. Henry died at the age of nineteen years. Katie is unmarried and lives at home. Mrs. Ep- ler's parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Schneider) Unger, were farming people, and lived in Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 118

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