Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 22

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 22
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 22

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).

148

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Fremont, Ohio, was an earnest and pleasing talker; every word and action had power and weight that exerted an in- fluence upon the jurors." The Adams county (Neb.) Democrat, also speaking of his able argument at the same trial, said: "Of Mr. Dudrow, of Fremont, Ohio, it may be said that during the trial he won the good opinion and admiration of our people by his manly, eloquent and logical argument to the jury, and by the able manner in which he conducted the part of the case assigned to him." From 1883 till 1888 Mr. Dudrow practiced law in partnership with H. R. Finefrock, and since 1891 he has been associated with his father-in-law, Basil Meek, and John W. Worst.

On November 21, 1878, Mr. Dudrow was united in marriage at Clyde, Ohio, with Miss Mary E. Meek, daughter of Basil Meek, and who for several years had been a teacher in the Clyde public schools. In his political predilections our subject is a Democrat, and has three times been elected to the office of city solicitor of Fremont, his services in that capacity covering a period of six years. Besides his residence on Birchard avenue, Fremont, he owns a 300-acre farm in Townsend township, and he is considered one of Sandusky county's most useful, progressive citizens.

H A. VAN EPPS. Thirty years have passed since the "cruel war" waged between the North and South was ended, and even the youngest of the men who served their country in those dark days are growing old. But they never tire of the stories of camp life, of forced marches through the burning heat and deadly swamps of the South, of hair-breadth escapes and desperate encounters, or of the dreary days in Libby Prison, or the lingering hor- rors of Andersonville and Belle Isle. A few more years, and these stories will be

handed down by their descendants, for the old soldiers will have answered to their last roll call, and will have passed beyond, happy in the thought that they leave behind them a government united and at peace. While they live, how- ever, it is our privilege to honor them for their noble deeds, and to show our grati- tude for the bravery and zeal with which they defended the homes and institutions so dear to us.

It is, therefore, with pleasure that we are enabled to give the record of the veteran whose name opens this sketch, and whose recollections of the war are always listened to with delight, especially at the camp-fires and reunions of the "boys in blue." Mr. Van Epps is a ready writer, and portrays most vividly the scenes which were enacted under his personal observation, especially the story of Grierson's raid, in which he was an active participant. The limits of a bio- graphical sketch will not permit an ex- tended account of Mr. Van Epps' life during the war, but the following brief story of his career will prove of interest to his many friends and acquaintances.

H. A. Van Epps was born in Middle- bury, Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 8, 1842, and came of good old Knicker- bocker stock. His father, Charles Van- Epps, was born on the Mohawk river, N. Y., and removed to Middlebury, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1806. He was a carpen- ter by trade, and subsequently engaged in farming; in politics he was a Democrat. He died in Middlebury in 1854. Our

subject's mother, whose maiden name was Betsy Wilson, was born in Middle- bury in 1812, and died in 1893 at the good old age of eighty-one years. She was the mother of children as follows: Elizabeth, who married H. M. Choat, and lives in Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y .; Jane, who died when ten years old; Charles, who lives on the old homestead in Middlebury, and is fifty-five years old; H. A., our subject; Fayette, deceased

149

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

when quite young; Delphene, who lives in Darien, N. Y., and is unmarried; George, who died when fourteen years old. Mrs. Van Epps' father was a na- tive of Vermont, of sturdy Yankee ances- tors, and held the rank of colonel in the war of 1812.

The subject of our sketch grew to manhood on the home farm in Middle- bury, assisting his father in agricultural pursuits and obtaining his schooling in the district schools and Wyoming Academy. In March, 1861, he went to Carroll county, Ill., where he was engaged in farming. When the call to arms sounded throughout the land the patriot blood in his veins responded, and laying aside all personal considerations he enlisted Sep- tember 5, 1861, in Company B, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, for the three-years' ser- vice. When the three years had expired the Rebellion was still unsubdued, and on February 10, 1864, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and re- mained until the close of the war, being honorably discharged November 12, 1865, after a continuous service of four years and two months. During this time he received several well-earned promotions. In 1863 he was made a corporal, in 1864 a sergeant, and April 20, 1865, he was appointed second lieutenant.

During these four years Mr. Van- Epps followed his regiment through a considerable portion of Missouri, Tennes- see, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. He was in sixty-three engagements, great and small, among which were the follow- ing: The siege of Corinth, in the spring of 1862; battle of Corinth, in October, 1862; Iuka; Coffeeville; Colliersville; Lynnville; West Point; Okalona; Sum- mersville; siege of Port Hudson; fight at Clinton, La .; Campbellsville, Tenn. ; Shoal Creek, Franklin and Nashville, when Hatch's brigade, of which he was a member, captured three forts or re- doubts. He was also with his regiment when following Hood on his retreat from

Nashville to the Tennessee river, a dis- tance of 125 miles. This was a terrible experience, the marches being made through rain, sleet and snow, and when the weary soldiers reached Gravel Springs no food was to be obtained, and for two weeks they lived on parched corn.

Mr. Van Epps also took an active part in the famous "Grierson Raid," from La Grange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, La. He, with his company, was detached from the balance of the command and remain- ed alone for five days in the very heart of the Rebels' country, during which time, it is estimated, they traveled four hun- dred miles, being in the saddle night and day and enduring untold hardships. While on picket duty at Coldwater, Tenn., guarding a bridge eight miles from camp, the enemy charged upon his company, capturing all but five of them-himself among the number-who made their es- cape by running across the fields. They finally reached camp at Colliersville, giv- ing the alarm in time to save the entire command from being captured, as the enemy shortly made their appearance, ex- pecting to take the Union soldiers by sur- prise. They met with a warm reception instead, and were badly defeated. While acting as sergeant Mr. Van Epps com- manded his company for five months, and at the second day's battle before Nash- ville, while engaged with the enemy in the woods, his captain, who at the time was acting-major, fell mortally wounded; under Mr. Van Epps' leadership his little band held the Rebel line in check while the dying officer was removed from the field. Mr. Van Epps served under Gens. Rosecrans, Denver, Hatch, Grierson, Wilson, Thomas, Banks and McPherson, in different divisions and army corps. While escaping almost miraculously any serious accident during his long term of service, he was not without some mishaps. While on drill in the summer of 1864, he was thrown from his horse and received a severe injury from which he has never

150

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fully recovered. He was taken with the measles while at Bird's Point, Mo., and was removed to the hospital at Mound City, Ill., and also spent about five weeks in the hospital at Town Creek, Ala., suf- fering from fever.

After the war was over Mr. Van Epps returned to his home in New York, where in 1867 he was married to Miss Ellen Bailey, who died July 16, 1872. To this union three children were born: Gertrude E .; Leona M., and Elmer A. Mr. Van- Epps was married, the second time, to Miss Isadora Cornell, who was born at Lin- don, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1847. Two children have been born of this marriage -Ethel A. and Ernest C. Our subject followed farming with success in New York until he sold out and came west. Locat- ing in Fremont, in 1881, he purchased the Starr flouring-mills. These he remodel- ed to the roller process, adding the latest improvements, and also erecting fine ele- vators. He carried on these mills, doing a large merchant and domestic business, until the close of the year 1893, when he disposed of this property, and the follow- ing April purchased the flouring-mills and warehouse at New London, Ohio, and is at present operating the same. During his residence in Fremont he made many friends and was considered one of the sub- stantial business men of the town. He served four years in the city council, and he is past commander of the G. A. R.

W ILLIAM DRIFTMEYER, a sub- stantial and prosperous farmer of Madison township, Sandusky county, was born November 26, 1816, in Hanover, Germany. His parents, Louis and Isabelle (Tichen) Driftmeyer, rope makers by vocation, lived in Ger- many and died there, the mother in 1822, the father in 1843.

In early life William Driftmeyer re- ceived a good German education. He worked out by the day till the age of

twenty-one years, and in 1842 he came to America, immediately after landing coming to Ohio and renting forty acres of land in Madison township, Sandusky county, on which he lived one year. Then he bought forty acres of timber land, twelve of which he sold, and cleared the remainder, later buying forty acres, then twenty, then another forty, all timber land, which he cleared.

On January 31, 1843, William Drift- meyer was united in marriage with Mary Cook, a daughter of Henry Cook, and they have had eight children, of whom William, born July 16, 1844, died at the age of seventeen; Henry, born October 21, 1845, lives in Washington township, Sandusky county; Mary, born November 26, 1847, married John Michael, a farmer of Michigan, and they have had two children; Eliza, born August 6, 1850, married Fred Demschroeder, of Wood- ville township, Sandusky county, by whom she has had four children; Sarah, born November 11, 1852, married Will- iam Helambrecht, a farmer, and they have had six children; Frederick, born May 5, 1855, married Mary Wendler, by whom he has had two children, and lives in Washington township; Sophia, born De- cember 30, 1857, married Henry Kilgus, and they have had two children, of whom one is deceased; and Louis, born Febru- ary 2, 1862, married Minnie Friar, whose parents, Henry and Rebecca (Sam- sell) Friar, live in Madison township. Mrs. William Driftmeyer's parents lived and died in Germany.

Mr. Driftmeyer laid out the road which separates Washington township from Madison and Woodville townships. The first oil well in Madison township was drilled on his land, and on the land upon which he makes his home in that township he has six good oil wells that yield six hundred barrels monthly; and on a thirty-seven-acre tract in Washington township he has two wells that will aver- age two hundred barrels each month. Mr.

Hm. Driftmeyer Age 19 yers

151

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Driftmeyer is a Republican in politics, and has been repeatedly honored with public office, having been trustee for two years, and road supervisor and school director for many terms. In religious affiliation he is a member of the German M. E. Church of Elmore.

J H. CLAUSS, president and man- ager of the Clauss Shear Company, Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in New York City June 4, 1855. His parents were Henry and Jennette (Flersch) Clauss, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America, sojourned for a time in New York City, finally locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where they now re- side.

J. H. Clauss was reared in Cleveland, where he received somewhat limited school privileges. His business experience from the time he was fourteen years old was that of apprentice in a German printing office, porter in a wholesale millinery house, and bookkeeper for a brass manu- factory. He did not like to work for others, so after attaining his majority he began business on his own account as manufacturer of cigar boxes, in Cleveland. This he carried on some four years, after which he sold out, and seeing a chance at Elyria, Ohio, went there and invested what means he had in the Shear Com- pany in that city. Seeing that the con- cern was not on a safe footing, he manipu- lated affairs so that he became secretary and treasurer, and finally full manager. The business thrived under his control, and he remained there until August, 1887, when he sold out the boiler, engine, and a part of the fixtures of the plant, and removed the rest to Fremont, Ohio, here meeting with unprecedented success in the history of shear manufacturing; but a check was put upon his prosperity for a brief period by his entire factory being burned to the ground on January 17, 1889. With his characteristic enterprise Mr. 10

Clauss at once resolved to rebuild, this time with brick, the former having been a frame structure. The dimensions were: Main building, 165x40 feet; two wings, each 96 x 40, all three stories high, with a basement and engine room 60 x 40. The building of this was accomplished from January 17 till March 4, in the short space of forty-six days, and is said by authority to have been the most ex- peditious work of like magnitude ever ac- complished. The building is located on East State street, on the right bank of the Sandusky river, and is one of the hand- somest plants of any kind to be found in Ohio. The magnitude of the Clauss Shear Company is not appreciated until we realize that it is by far the largest con- cern of the kind in the world. They give employment to 250 men in the shops, have twenty traveling salesmen in the United States, two in Canada and seven in Europe. They have a branch office at Kansas City (Mo.), in New York City, in Toronto (Ontario), and in London (Eng- land). The building-up of this vast indus- try is due entirely to the business sagacity and enterprise of J. H. Clauss. He has pushed the trade into all parts of the world. By the erection of this vast manu- factory in Fremont, Mr. Clauss has con- tributed largely to the city's growth and prosperity. Aside from this he also mani- fests a leading spirit in all social and local affairs. He has just completed an elegant new residence on Birchard avenue, which is considered not only the finest in Fre- mont, but one of the finest in northern Ohio. Mr. Clauss is a stanch Republi- can, and a Scottish Rite Mason of the Thirty-second Degree.

W ENDEL SPRANG and wife are among the wealthiest and most prosperous residents of Green Creek, Sandusky county. Their success in life is due to frugal habits, unfailing industry and sagacious judg-

152

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ment in farming. For the latter quality Mr. Sprang is indebted to his wife, for when he came to Sandusky county he was wholly ignorant of farming life, and from his efficient helpmeet he received his first instructions in rural pursuits. That the teachings were sound may be judged from the signal success that has attended the lives of this devoted couple.

Mr. Sprang was born in Grafenhausen, Baden, Germany, September 19, 1833, son of Thomas and Euphemia (Meyer) Sprang, who in 1852 emigrated to Amer- ica, locating near Sandusky, where he bought a small piece of land and worked as a laborer. He died in 1877, aged sixty-nine years, and his wife, who was born September 15, 1810, died October 3, 1880. They were members of the Roman Catholic Church, and had seven children, four of whom lived to maturity, as follows: Philip, who was killed by a falling tree at Wolf Creek; William, fa- tally crushed by the cars at Mansfield; Wendel; and Mary E., wife of Godfrey Young, of Green Creek township. The paternal grandfather of Wendel Sprang was killed at his home in Germany, in 1813, by Napoleon's French soldiers, dur- ing their retreat from the disastrous Rus- sian campaign; the soldiers had demanded food which he was unable to supply.

In 1858 Wendel Sprang was married, in Brownhelm township, Lorain Co., Ohio, to Anna Margaret Mary Jaeger, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 31, 1835, daughter of Adam John and Anna Do- rothea (Schellhouse) Jaeger. Her pater- nal grandfather was by birth a Frenchman. Mrs. Sprang was only three years old when she came to America with her parents, who settled in Brownhelm town- ship, Lorain Co., Ohio, where her only brother, John Henry Jaeger, now lives. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sprang settled in Sandusky City, and began house- keeping with a capital of $150. Mrs. Sprang sewed for two shillings a day, and Mr. Sprang worked in a stave factory for

75 cents a day, one-half of which amount was payable in store goods, and Mr. Sprang says he would have preferred to work for 50 cents per day in cash. Thus they lived for two years, at the expiration of which time they had $250, which they deemed a sufficient sum to begin farming with. Coming to Green Creek township, Sandusky county, they bought twenty- five acres of land at $19.00 per acre. reserving $50, with which to build a house and " start on." It seems remarkable that with this small start the couple could make much progress in life; but to-day they own 250 acres of fertile and well- improved land. During the first season Mrs. Sprang cradled all the wheat, while Mr. Sprang bound it. Mr. Sprang had done no farm work up to that time, and his wife with good humor tells many amusing stories of how she had to teach him. When the Lake Shore road was under construction he chopped and hewed ties in the woods, and she loaded them on the wagon and hauled them to the roadbed. Mrs. Sprang also assisted him in sawing with a cross-cut saw. She laughingly remarks that if it were neces- sary she could do the same work now, so excellent is her health and robust her strength. It is no wonder that with a helpmeet like Mrs. Sprang his success has been so great. Mr. and Mrs. Sprang have one son, John H., and two grand- sons, Henry W. and William Harrison. In politics Mr. Sprang is a Democrat. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church, and his wife is a devoted Lutheran; but they have never permitted their differences of belief to mar their domestic harmony nor cast a shadow upon their common, interests.

P HILIP BRADY, who is numbered among the leading and influential farmers of Clyde, Green Creek township, Sandusky county, is a native of County Wexford, Ireland, born

153

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1824. His parents, Terrance and Mary (Clear) Brady, were both born in County Wexford and were of old Celtic stock. The father died on the Emerald Isle, after which the mother came to America, where her death occurred at the age of seventy years. They were farming people of Ireland, where the grandfather, Patrick Brady, also carried on agricultural pursuits, and for genera- tions the family occupied the same home- stead.

Our subject is one of a family of eight children, comprising six sons and two daughters, and the eldest sister still occupies the ancestral home. In order of birth they are as follows: Ellen, still a resident of Ireland; Thomas, who died in Clyde, Ohio; Patrick, who makes his home in Wisconsin; Mary, who was the wife of Matthew Nolan, and died in this country; Michael, a resident of Clyde; and Martin Philip and James. Philip, the subject of this memoir, grew to man- hood in his native land, with such meagre school and other advantages as were available to him. Like so many of his countrymen who love the greatness of American liberty, he resolved to cast his fortunes under the flag of the young re- public, and make it his adopted land. Accordingly at the age of sixteen he em- barked for the Western World. He took passage on board a ship leaving Ross, Ireland, and in due time reached Quebec, Canada. He found his first employment in the New World with farmers in Lower Canada, but subsequently came to the United States, where he worked on the railroads, or at any employment which he could find.

Desiring to become a permanent resi- dent, Mr. Brady purchased five acres of land near Clyde, Ohio, and by frugality and thrift soon became the owner of a good home. This he subsequently sold, and then bought a tract of uncleared and unimproved land north of Clyde. Here he found in the densely wooded

land ample field to exert his energy and industry; but stubborn nature yielded, and Mr. Brady is now the proud proprietor of an excellent and well- tilled farm. It has now all been cleared, and there is no better land to be found anywhere in the county. His old log house, which he erected many years ago, is still standing as a relic of the times that were, and a memento of the hard- ships of pioneer life. At Elyria, he wed- ded Miss Mary Keating, a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and to them have been born eight children, as follows: Mary is the wife of John Furlow, of Buck- ley, Wash., and they have two children -John and Eustatia; Ella is the next in the family; Joseph is a resident of Buck- ley, Wash .; Maggie is the wife of Grant Andrews, a merchant of Millersville, San- dusky county, and they have two children -Mabel and May; John, Philip, Jr., Kit- tie and Martin complete the family.

On his arrival in the New World, Mr. Brady had only a few shillings left; but by enterprise, industry and economy he is now one of the well-to-do citizens of San- dusky county. He is a man whose honesty and integrity are above question; is of a happy, genial disposition, and thoroughly enjoys a good joke. In his political views he strongly adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and he and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

G RANT FORGERSON, a substan- tial farmer and public-spirited citizen of Rice township, San- dusky county, was born in that county, February 22, 1829. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Hull) Forgerson, who were born March 30, 1795, and Feb- ruary 1, 1810, respectively, the father in Orange county, New York.

Thomas Forgerson worked for his fa- ther, Sidney Forgerson, in New York State, and in 1819 came with him to Fre-

all

154

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, the father buying a home here which he occupied till his death in 1830. On July 5, 1827, in Sandusky county, Thomas Forgerson was united in marriage with Mary Hull, and five children were born to them, as follows: Grant, the subject of this sketch; Dorcas A. and Wilford N., born August 2, 1832; Christina, born December 10, 1835; and Thomas, born February 17, 1841. In 1830 Thomas Forgerson moved to Rice township, and in 1833 bought 124 acres of land, where he lived up to the time of his decease. He was township clerk and trustee, and for four years was school director.

In 1844, at the age of seventeen years, Grant Forgerson entered the Mexican war as a drummer boy in Company C, Fourth O. V. 1., in company with his uncle, Isaac Swanck, who was quite up in military tactics. He and his com- rades started from home in wagons, being conveyed to Maumee City, thence jour- neying via canal to Cincinnati, and from there to New Orleans. Reshipping, they crossed the gulf to Brazos Island, and went up the Rio Grande river as far as Matamoras, where they remained six weeks, then proceeding to Vera Cruz and on to Pueblo, Mexico, where they were stationed until the close of the war, Mr. Forgerson being in the service for about a year. There are few men who, like himself, have engaged in actual warfare before reaching the age of eighteen years, and he can relate many interesting experi- ences which he underwent during his serv- ice. After the war he came back to Rice township, and then going west remained two years, again returning to Rice township. On January 1, 1854, he was united in marriage with Nancy Park, who was born in Ohio April 29, 1835, and they had four children, namely: (1) Mary E., born October 8, 1854, married Joseph Young, and they live in Rice township; (2) James G., born Oct. 29, 1856, mar- ried Clara House, and seven children were

born to them, as follows-Mabel, Janu- ary 26, 1883, Hattie, June 6, 1884, Jes- sie, December 22, 1887, Addie, January 26, 1889, Clara, July 9, 1890, Laura, February 19, 1892, and Scott, November 15, 1894; (3) Addie, born Feb. 24, 1861, married Frank Foster, and they live in Fremont, Sandusky county (they have three children, namely: Louis, born June 19, 1884; Achiel Grant, born December 28, 1886, and 1da, born March 28, 1893); (4) Ida N., born February 1, 1861, died November 17, 1861, and was buried in Rice township.

Grant Forgerson is engaged in gen- eral farming, having 166 acres of land worth one hundred dollars an acre. He was clerk of Rice township for two years, and school director and supervisor for twelve years. In politics he is a good Republican, and in religious affiliation be- longs to the Presbyterian Church, as does his entire family. In 1861 Mr. Forger- son became a member of the I. O. O. F. at Fremont, joining Croghan Lodge No. 77, and he has passed all the Chairs; he is also a member of the Knights of Honor, Lodge No. 95. He is a gentleman of mild manners, is widely known as an en- tertainer, and, it is almost needless to add, his friends are numerous.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 22

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