Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 32

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 32
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 32

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).

Nelson R. Tucker came to Sandusky county at the age of sixteen, and remained in his father's family until after he was married. Among his recollections of child- hood days is a trip he once made, at the age of eight, to mill on horseback, five miles, with a sack of wheat, returning with the flour. On leaving home he

bought eighty acres of land in Washington township, but finding it too stony he sold it and bought in Sandusky township the site of his present home, where he now owns 240 acres of fertile land, which has been extensively tiled. He follows gen- eral farming and takes pride in raising the best crops of grain and grass, and the most profitable breeds of live stock. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Tucker was a decided Union man. In his earlier years he was a Democrat until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, when he joined the Republican party; subsequently he became a Greenbacker, and more recently has cast his influence with the Peoples party. He was the first organizer of the Farmers Alliance in San- dusky county, where he organized thir- teen lodges, and he served as their lec- turer. He is now one of the leading members of the Patrons of Industry of Sandusky county, and in all things that pertain to the advancement and progress of his neighborhood Mr. Tucker has ever been in the front rank. He has been in advance of his time, but on account of his enterprise and push he has succeeded in bringing the community to his stand- ard. Through his efforts was brought about the construction of the Oak Harbor and Fremont pike, which was opposed at first and is now admired.

On March 16, 1843, Nelson R. Tucker married Miranda Burgoon, daugh- ter of Peter Burgoon, one of the pio- neers of Sandusky county. Their chil- dren were: Adelia M., born July 9, 1844, and died in infancy; Barrette, born October 26, 1845, and died when eleven months old; Martha Ann, born January 17, 1848, is unmarried, and lives on the old farm; Mary E., born November 26, 1851, married John C. Parish, now deceased, and had four children-Perry, Fos- ter C., Boswell E., and Gouldie L .; Rachel T., born November 20, 1853, who married Peter Klinhaunce, and had children as follows-Nelson, Sadie, Rod-

216

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ney and Bessie; Hattie, born January 14, 1855, who married Charles Baker, and has one child-Glenn; Nellie Ida, born November 24, 1857, who married R. R. Strubble, and has one child-Carl; Julia, born December 24, 1859, who married D. B. Hartmann, and their children are -Ralph, Rollo, Roswell, Roscoe and Mabel: Charles G., born March 7, 1861, who married Minnie E. Nowlan, Decem- ber 6, 1883, and has had four children- Harry Lee, Elmer R., Mae E., and Ada; Lillie V., born January 14, 1865, who was married April 18, 1889, to G. W. Strang, and has two children-Ray and Paul; John P., born January 16, 1867, who married Fannie Hartman, and lives on the farm. Mr. Tucker was educated in the district school; he is a man of fine appearance and large physique, and an ardent member of the Peoples party. The mother of this large family passed to the home beyond February 3, 1895. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tucker were noted for their generosity, kindness and charity. They took great pleasure in lending a helping hand to everybody, and especially to people in times of need. They suc- ceeded in instilling good principles in their children. And as they pass from this life the community where they have lived realizes that they have been bet- tered by their having lived in it.

S AMUEL FOSTER, one of the progressive and prosperous agri- culturists of Washington township, Sandusky county, is a native of same, born in the village of Hessville, February 16, 1838, a son of John and Susan (Runkle) Foster.

The parents of our subject, well-to-do farming people, were both born in Perry county, Ohio, to which State the paternal ancestry came from Pennsylvania, and the maternal from the State of Virginia. In Washington township, Sandusky coun - ty, Jolın Foster, father of Samuel, pur-

chased of the government 160 acres of timber land, and removed thither in 1832. This property he set to work to clear and improve, in course of time developing a fine farm. Here our subject's mother died in January, 1855, the father subsequently marrying Mrs. Catherine (Overmeyer) Foster, widow of his brother. John Fos- ter was called from earth January 30, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, a Democrat in politics, and a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. He was one of seven children, all of whom are now deceased. His second wife died September 30, 1888.

Samuel Foster, whose name intro- duces this sketch, is one of six children: Christian, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; Samuel; Noah, a farmer of Wash- ington township, Sandusky county; Em- anuel, now a resident of East Toledo, Ohio; Lucinda (Mrs. Charles Dodd), de- ceased; and Sophia (deceased). Our subject remained at home up to the age of twenty-one years, being the mainstay of his father, and as a consequence his education was somewhat limited. On leaving home he first found employment for eight months on the farm of J. B. Mugg, in Townsend township, Sandusky county, then returning to the parental roof remained there during the winter months. In the following spring he moved to Van Wert county, this State, where he was employed some ten months, after which he again returned to Sandusky county and worked for his wife's parents (for he had in the meantime married) on their farm. For two years he farmed 320 acres of land on shares, and then bought eighty acres in Freedom township, Wood county, on which he resided some six months, at the end of that time purchas- ing the eighty-four acres in Washington township whereon he now has his home, having built a comfortable residence, be- sides commodious barns and outhouses.

On August 8, 1861, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Mary Humberger, daugh-

217

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter of Benjamin and Mary (Zartman) Humberger, and nine children were the result of this union, a brief record of them being as follows: Franklin A., born July 5, 1862, is now a farmer of Jackson town- ship, Sandusky county; William H., born December 2, 1863, is a farmer near Four- Mile house, Sandusky county; Calista, born January 28, 1866, married Edward Snavley, of Jackson township, Sandusky county; Orpha A., born February 8, 1868, married H. D. Jenning, a farmer in Michigan; Elmer, born March 20, 1870, is a farmer in Scott township, Sandusky county; Wilmer, born March 20, 1870, is now in the oil business in Madison township, Sandusky county; Adelbert, born November 16, 1874, is in Madison township, in the oil business; Grace, born March 1, 1877, died July 27, 1887; Allen J., born December 5, 1881, lives at home. Mr. Foster in politics is a Demo- crat, is a member of the school board, and also serves as road superintendent; he is identified with the Reformed Church, and is a good, substantial, well-known and honored citizen of the township in which he lives.

H ENRY HUGHES. Among the young men of Fremont who have worked their own way in the world, and by manliness, honesty and pluck achieved success, our subject takes an honorable place. He was born in Scott township, Sandusky county, De- cember 16, 1866, son of Michael and Catharine (Conolly) Hughes.

Michael Hughes was a native of Coun- ty Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America when eighteen years of age. He stopped in Philadelphia one summer, and then coming west located on a farm in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in which township he still resides; he is now fifty years of age. His wife died April 2, 1892. They had ten children, two of whom died in childhood; the living are: Henry (our

subject), Mary, Ellen, Sarah, Lillie May, Michael, William and George. Mr. Hughes is a member of the Roman Cath- olic Church, and in politics he is a Demo- crat.

Henry Hughes grew to manhood on a farm in Scott township, in the region of the Black Swamp, where he attended country schools until such time as he suc- ceeded in perfecting himself so as to be able to secure a certificate for teaching. This he obtained in 1883, and at the age of seventeen taught the summer term of the Millersville school, and for six con- secutive winter terms thereafter he was engaged for the same school. In the spring of 1888, at the age of twenty-one, he was elected assessor of Scott town- ship, and was re-elected the following spring. In the fall of 1888 he began the study of a special course of surveying and civil engineering, at the Ohio Normal University, Ada, Ohio, graduating with honor. He located in Fremont in 1890, and has since remained here, engaging in surveying and civil engineering in San- dusky and adjoining counties.

On January 2, 1894, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Mamie Quilter, an esti- mable and accomplished lady, who was born in Fremont, Ohio, daughter of Tim- othy M. and Mary (Reardon) Quilter, na- tives of Ireland. Her father is a retired grocer of Fremont, Ohio. A son, Henry Melvin Hughes, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, born January 25, 1895. Mr. Hughes was elected surveyor of Sandusky county in the fall of 1894, and in the spring of 1895 was chosen city civil engineer of the city of Fremont.

S OLOMON HUMBERGER has spent his entire life in the locality which is still his home, Washing- ton township, Sandusky county, having been born there October 19, 1840. He is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Zartman) Humberger, who were reared

218

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Perry county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents were residents of Lancaster county, Penn., and the maternal grand- parents also lived in the Keystone State. The respective families came to Ohio when the Indians were more numerous than the white settlers, and were honored pioneers, actively identified with the up- building and development of the com- munity in which they located. The father of our subject was born April 22, 1809, son of Peter and Mary (Snyder) Humber- ger, and the mother was born February 19, 1813, daughter of Jonathan and Bar- bara (Anspaugh) Zartman. Their mar- riage was celebrated in Perry county, Ohio, and in 1834 they took up their res- idence in Washington township, Sandusky county, where the father entered 160 acres of wild government land, the deed for which, signed by Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States, is still in the possession of our subject. This is the old homestead which is still owned by Solomon Humberger, and which the fa- ther made his place of residence until his death, February 25, 1864. His wife sur- vived him a little over one year, passing away July 26, 1865. The family of this worthy couple numbered ten children, as follows: Melinda, widow of David Hen- dricks, resides in Missouri, and has ten children; Margaret died at the age of four- teen years; Levina is the wife of Barn- hart Faust, of Michigan, and has ten chil- dren; Mary is the wife of Samuel Foster, a resident farmer of Washingon township (Mrs. Foster having part of the old home- stead), and has nine children; Lucinda became the wife of E. F. Whitney, and died leaving four children: Samuel, Isa- bella, Elizabeth and Barbara, all of whom died in childhood; Solomon is the subject proper of these lines.

Solomon Humberger has passed all his life on the homestead, with the ex- ception of about eight weeks, when away on a visit. He early became familiar with farm work in its various departments,

and is now a thorough-going agriculturist, successfully managing his business inter- ests and having thereby secured a com- fortable competence. Upon his father's death he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the old home place, and is now sole owner; in 1890 he erected his present commodious and substantial resi- dence. In the same year he leased his land to the Standard Oil Company, and they have sunk six wells, each of which produces at present twelve barrels of oil daily.

On March 22, 1866, Mr. Humberger wedded Miss Hetty A. Burkett, daughter of Leonard and Fannie (Cotzmeyer) Bur- kett. Nine children blessed this union: David, born January 6, 1867, who resides in Lindsey; Cora Ellen, born February 8, 1868, wife of Samuel Kretzer, who is in the oil business in Washington town- ship, Sandusky county; Ira, born June 14, 1870; Orva Allen, born October 17, 1873; William F., born October 26, 1874; Rosa, born July 31, 1876, wife of Charles Waggner; Benjamin L., born July 18, 1879; George W., born September 13, 1880, and Cornelia L., born July 26, 1884. Since attaining his majority Mr. Humberger has been identified with the Democratic party, and has been honored with several local offices, having served as school director and road supervisor, and for nine years filled the position of trustee, his long-continued service well indicating his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him-a confidence that has never been betrayed.

D OMINICK SMITH is a worthy representative agriculturist of San- dusky county, and at the same time a representative of its early pioneers. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, July 10, 1830, son of Bern- hardt and Theresa (Krimm) Smith, and there received a liberal education in the German language.

219

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In 1854 Mr. Smith came to America, and wending his way to what is now Fre- mont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, arrived there about the time of the construction of the Lake Erie & Western railroad. It was in the construction of this railway that Mr. Smith did his first day's work in Ohio, arranging with the contractor for perma- nent employment. At the end of the first month of Mr. Smith's hard labor in this capacity the contractor had left the county, and our subject, as well as the other la- borers, received no remuneration. Pen- niless and in debt for his board, Mr. Smith made his way to the neighborhood in which he now resides, and engaged to work for a Mr. John Rearick during the winter for his board. In the spring work opened on the old jail at Fremont and also in the stone quarry, and here our subject found employment and learned the trade of stone-cutting, which he followed for about ten years.

During this time Mr. Smith had be- come a warm friend of the Rearick fam- ily, especially the daughter, Barbara, with whom he was united in marriage June 10, 1857. Mr. Smith and his estimable wife, by hard labor and economy, secured a fine home in Sandusky township, four miles west of Fremont, where Mrs. Smith departed this life on December 20, 1891, aged sixty-six years, five months and ten days. She was an affectionate wife, a kind and loving mother, and a lady highly esteemed in the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith came two sons, of whom Charles L., born November 22, 1859, was married December 25, 1888, to Miss Emma Hiett, and is now on the old home- stead, caring for his father in his declin- ing years. He is a highly respected citi- zen and one of the progressive agricultur- ists of his time. He has one child, a son, Ralph W. John Smith, born April 3, 1861, received his early literary train- ing in the Fremont High School under Prof. W. W. Ross, and completed his education at Kenyon College, of which

institution he is a graduate. Since fin- ishing his college course Mr. Smith has been engaged in the teacher's profession, in which he is eminently successful. For nearly three years he was principal of the high school of Napoleon, Ohio, and for the past six or seven years has held a similar position at Findlay, Ohio. Prof. Smith is also clerk of the board of exam- iners at Findlay, in which capacity he is making his natural adaptability to his profession felt in the furtherance of mod- ern educational ideas. On September 2, 1886, he was married to Miss Addie Miller, and to their union has been born one son, Walter.

Bernhardt Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Germany in 1801, was a farmer by occupation and for four years an officer in the German army. He married Theresa Krimm, also a native of Germany, and to them were born the fol- lowing named children: Dominick, Amos, John, Bernhardt, Philip, Francis, Sardis, Theresa, Amelia, and Edith. Dominick Smith is a Republican in politics, is an active member of the M. E. Church, as was also his wife, and the entire family are noted in the neighborhood in which they live for intellectuality and respectability. Mr. Smith came to America penniless, but by honest industry and strict integrity he has accumulated a nice property and gained the confidence of all who know him. His success is meritorious, and in language stronger than pen can express shows the true make-up of the man.

OHN DYMOND, who, as a soldier on the Union side in the war of the Rebellion, was one of the "boys of '61," is well and favorably known in Green Creek and other neighboring town- ships, as well as in York township, San- dusky county, which is at present his home. He is a son of William Dymond, and was born in Devonshire, England, December 25, 1842.

220

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William Dymond was born in Devon- shire, England, in 1807. He worked at his trade, which was that of a mason, both before and after coming to America. In 1851 he crossed the stormy Atlantic and cast his fortunes in this " land of the free," which his son John showed by his courageous deeds a few years later is the "home of the brave." He first located at Bellevue, Huron county, his family coming one year later. Being of a roving disposition, he went to Illinois in 1854, locating in Rockford, where he remained but one year, returning to Bellevue, pre- ferring to live among the peaceful settlers of Ohio rather than in the crude Western society of nearly forty years ago.

In his boyhood John Dymond received a common-school education, and he was but little past nineteen when, on August 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty- ninth O. V. I. After serving for thirteen months, during which time he was in the battles of Munfordville, December 17, 1861, and Shiloh, April 7, 1862, at which latter place half of his knife was shot out of his pocket. He was discharged for dis- ability, and on recovering his health he re-enlisted, August 17, 1863, in Company B, First Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out July 25, 1865. In the fall of 1867 John Dymond was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Cupp, who was born in York township January 31, 1849, and they had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: William E., an employe of the Nickel Plate road at Colby, Sandusky county; John V., who is at home; Ada M., wife of Frank Tea, of York township; and Essy M., at present living with her grandparents in Kansas. After his marriage Mr. Dymond farmed in York township for severel years, and then in February, 1878, moved to Kansas, where the death of Mrs. Dymond occurred in September of that year. Later the be- reaved family returned to Ohio.

On May 4, 1880, John Dymond was

again married, this time to Mrs. Sophia Douglas, and they have had four children, as follows: Edward C., born April 26, 1881; Louis H., August 30, 1882; Ezra E., June 27, 1884, and Mary E., Feb- ruary 23, 1888. Mrs. Dymond is a daughter of Daniel and Ruth Jones, and was born August 16, 1847, her maiden name being Sophia Jones. Mr. Jones is now eighty-two years old, and is living with his daughter, Mrs. Jones being dead. Sophia Jones was united in marriage with William Douglas on March 28, 1867, and their children were: Emma T., wife of William Lawrey, of Green Creek town- ship; Lottie R., wife of William Spitler, of Tiffin, Seneca county; and Alvin and Celia at home. Mr. Douglas died Jan- uary 2, 1877, and in 1880 his widow mar- ried Mr. Dymond.

Mr. Dymond cast his first vote for Lincoln, then he embraced Democratic principles, and for years cast his ballot for the candidates he preferred, and ex- pounded Jeffersonian doctrines; but within the past few years he, like many others, has lost faith in the old parties, and joined the party of radical reform, the People's party. Mr. and Mrs. Dymond are both members of the conservative wing of the United Brethren Church.

S ILAS M. TEACHOUT, a well- known resident of Benton town- ship, Ottawa county, where since 1891 he has been engaged in the insurance business, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, June 23, 1831, son of James and Eliza (Haywood) Teachout.

The grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland. His father, James Teachout, a minister of the Gospel, was born about 1780, and the mother in 1800, both in New York State. The father had, by long illness, become somewhat unbal- anced mentally, and on hearing that his son was very sick he left the house and was afterward found on the beach of Lake

221

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Erie; it is supposed the news of his son's severe illness so overcame him that pro- bably he accidentally fell into the lake. The mother died in 1836. The father's health being poor at the time of the mother's death, it became necessary for him to break up housekeeping, and put the children out. Mr. Teachout, our subject, being next to the youngest child, was thus at the age of five years put out among strangers to find a home. His advantages for an education were very limited, it being necessary for him to work early in life. However, he was de- termined to secure a liberal education, to acquire which he worked by the month on farms during the summer to clothe himself, and in winter worked for his board in order that he might attend the district school. " Where there's a will there's a way."

At the age of eighteen he went into the " Weedle Hotel," in Cleveland, re- maining there one year, and then for six months worked in the "Forest City House," also in Cleveland, going thence to Buffalo, where he was employed in a res- taurant a few months. He then shipped on a steamer running between Chicago and Buffalo, on which he spent the sea- son, and, later, was porter in the " Lake House," at Sandusky about a year. Thence removing to Columbus, he con- tinued the same line of business some three years, or until 1856, in the " Neal House," when he again commenced farm- ing. After working by the month for two summers, he rented a farm which he worked two years.

In 1863 Mr. Teachout enlisted in Com- pany G, One Hundred and Twenty-third O. V. I., and served until the end of the war, participating in the battles of New- market, Mount Crawford, Lynchburg and Cedar Creek, and in other engagements. He was also in hospital five months. On the retreat from the battle at Lynchburg, two hundred miles, he with the remainder of his company was without rations for

four days, the only nourishment being coffee; when the provision wagon came the soldiers did not stop to cook their meat, but eat it raw along with their hard-tack. After his honorable discharge, May 13, 1865, Mr. Teachout returned to Ohio, and in Sandusky opened a restau- rant, which at the end of one year he sold out, moving to Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, where for some time he was em- ployed in getting out axe-helve timber. In the spring of 1867 the whole family were taken sick with fever and ague, which made it impossible for them to do any- thing for nearly a year, and when able to renew work Mr. Teachout found employ- ment in the sawmill of Doolittle & Co., with whom he remained until 1868, when he engaged in the manufacture of flat barrel hoops. This business he carried on some fifteen years, in 1883 building a shop of his own; but in 1891, the timber having become very scarce, he abandoned the business and commenced handling in- surance (fire and tornado), in which line he has since continued with gratifying success.

On May 15, 1853, Mr. Teachout was married to Miss Julia McAul, of Sandusky, Ohio, and to their union came two chil- dren: Mary Ann, born March 18, 1854, died May 10, 1854, and Albert, born July 8, 1858. On May 14, 1860, the mother of these died, her malady being consump- tion of the bowels, and is buried in San- dusky city. After her death Mr. Teach- out continued to work on farms for two years, and in the meantime, on June 22, 1861, he was wedded to Miss Sarah Mc- Namara, of Cleveland, Ohio. By this marriage there were nine children, six of whom are living, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Cornelius Walter, October 18, 1862; Delia May, Feb- ruary 16, 1866; Silas William, June 4, 1868; Lillie Maud, May 3, 1873; Myron W., April 2, 1876, and Harvey S., Feb- ruary 14, 1878. On July 17, 1881, Mr. Teachout's second wife died, and Sep-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tember 30, same year, her eldest daugh- ter passed away; they were buried in Benton township cemetery. On October 28, 1884, Mr. Teachout wedded, for his third spouse, Miss Elizabeth Gilbert, of England. This union has been blessed by one child. Mr. Teachout is therefore the father of twelve children, eight of whom are living. His eldest son, Albert, has, during the past ten years, been en- gaged in the barrel stave business in Lucas county, Ohio. Another son, Myron W., now nineteen years of age, is one of the promising teachers of Ottawa county. He is full of perseverance and determin- ation to make a success of anything he undertakes. He has the pleasant faculty of winning friends wherever he goes, and has the good-will and love of all his pupils, without which no teacher can expect suc- cess.

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 32

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