Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 33

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 33
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 33

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).

On February 25, 1877, Silas M. Teach- out became a member of the First Presby- terian Church of Graytown, Ottawa Co., Ohio; on September 11, 1877, he was chosen and ordained ruling elder of that Church, since which time he has been a consistent Christian, and a large share of the time he has been a faithful worker for Christ in the Sabbath-school and other Christian work.

J MARION HAWK. Most soldiers of the great Civil war look back upon their army experiences with fond memories. There were thrilling ad- ventures, imminent dangers, deeds of heroism, hair-breadth escapes, that rise in their recollections like living pictures, and too often, to look on the other side, scenes of sadness and distressing death. It is doubtful if there is in Sandusky coun- ty a surviving sollier of the war whose career during the momentous struggle was more thrilling than that of J. Marion Hawk, now a leading farmer and citizen of Green Creek, his native township.

He was born March 31, 1845, and is

the son of Joseph and Sarah (Tillotson) Hawk, the former of whom was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1814. His father, Conrad Hawk, a native of Penn- sylvania, was an early pioneer of Pick- away county, later, about 1824, settling with his family in Green Creek township, Sandusky county. Joseph was about ten years old when he came to Green Creek township, and he was a lifelong citizen there, dying in 1889. He was twice mar- ried, first time to Sarah Jane Tillotson, by whom he had four children: William, who died in Michigan; Maria, who married Joseph King, and died in Green Creek township; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Baker, of Green Creek township; and J. Marion, subject of this sketch. The second wife of Joseph Hawk was Martha Harris, by whom he had the following eight children: Sarah, wife of H. G. Gib- bons, of Clyde; Alva; Mary, wife of B. Snyder, of Fremont; Charles and Ida (twins), the former a resident of Oregon, the latter the wife of S. Sherwood, of Fremont; Byron; Anna, wife of Cyrus Harnden, of Clyde; and Etta, wife of Cyrus Kessler, of Cleveland. The mother of this family is still living.

J. Marion Hawk, usually known as Marion, was reared on the farm, and dur- ing his boyhood attended the district schools. He was barely sixteen when Fort Sumter was fired upon, and between impetuous patriotism for his country's flag, and the love of excitement, he was eager to enlist, but his father frowned upon his wishes. Yielding to his impulses, in the fall of 1861, Marion ran away from home and enlisted in Company D, of the gallant Third Cavalry Volunteers. He remained with the regiment for three years and nine months, during which long period the history of the regiment was his history. It was in constant and perilous ser- vice throughout Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. While on his way home in the fall of 1864 he and a number of comrades were taken prisoners at Columbia, Tenn.

Г. М. НАслов

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They were escorted to a prison at Cahaba, Ala., and thence were transferred to the stockade at Macon, Ga., where they re- mained two months. While here he, with a few companions, attempted an escape. They had tunneled over 100 feet, and were almost ready to escape, when a Con- federate officer noticed the string attached to a small pan used in drawing out the dirt, and pulled. The prisoner in the tunnel, thinking it was a companion, cried out: "No, wait; it is not full yet." "You had better come out," drawled the officer, and the countenance of the grimy tunneler fell when he emerged and beheld the grey coat. All the work had been in vain.

When removed from the Macon stockade to a train, Mr. Hawk and sev- eral others felt that the dreaded Ander- sonville was their destination, so eight of them resolved to escape. They were in a stock car, near the front end of the train, and surrounded by three guards, but knocking down the guards they jumped from the swiftly moving train. A Rebel guard on a following car aimed his musket at Mr. Hawk, but, noticing the gray jacket which he wore, and which he had traded for as a protection in a pos- sible emergency like this, the guard re- frained from shooting. The train passed by and the eight prisoners made the best of their newly-found liberty. They tramped through tangled swamp and inire until nearly sunset, when the ominous blast of a horn told them that the South- erners were in pursuit. They separated, five starting one way, three another. Mr. Hawk and his two companions reached the edge of a swamp. Beyond, the water was deep, and the baying of the bloodhounds grew louder. Recap- ture was certain, and to climb trees was the only means of safety against the dogs. The two companions climbed trees upon the dry land, but Mr. Hawk, to give the "Johnnies" all the trouble possible, waded a long distance into the swamp, till it was waist deep, then climbed a tree

himself. This was February 2, 1865, and the weather was raw and chilly. He heard the "Rebs " arrive, and take away the two companions. After dark he de- scended, waded ashore and tramped on alone quite a distance, when a light ap- peared. Approaching, for he was hungry and tired, and ready to meet any human being, he found on investigation that the light was in a negro shanty. Gaining ad- mission, he was asked if he was one of the escaped Yankees whom the Confed- erates were pursuing with bloodhounds, and he admitted that he was. The col- ored man fed him, and assured him that if he would take dirt from a grave and rub it on his feet and clothes the scent of the bloodhounds would be destroyed. They urged him to take the precaution, and two darkeys procured some of the magic mold. Though skeptical, he tried the charm, and somewhat refreshed con- tinued on his weary journey north- ward all that night, and until three o'clock the next day, when the bay- ing of hounds and the blast of horns in- formed him that relentless pursuers were on his track. He was then in an open, rolling country, and knew that further flight was useless. Selecting a scrub oak, large enough to bear his weight and keep him beyond the fangs of the hounds, he climbed the tree and awaited the inev- itable. Soon the bloodhounds were leap- ing, and howling, and gnawing at the base of the tree. Their howls were hid- eous and deafening. Three elderly men appeared on horseback and requested him to descend. He complied, where- upon the dogs became uncontrollable and Mr. Hawk quickly regained his lofty perch. The old gentlemen finally si- lenced the hounds, and the escaped pris- oner frankly admitted his identity. Upon the return journey he was permitted to ride each of two horses alternately, but not the third, which was a superior ani- mal, and Mr. Hawk thus lost an oppor- tunity to make another break for liberty,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

for he had resolved to risk the shotguns of the old men if once mounted on the fast horse. But though each of the three old gentlemen walked alternately they kept the best horse to themselves. Stop- ping at night at a farmhouse, Mr. Hawk was left without a guard; but the blood- hounds, let loose outside, deterred him from attempting to escape.

Mr. Hawk was forthwith sent to An- dersonville, and there met his seven late companions, all of whom had preceded him. He saw the notorious Capt. Wirz, and was imprisoned there about two months. Luckily Mr. Hawk did not fare so badly as many of his compatriots. He and four other prisoners had a tent and kept a peanut stand; also bought corn meal from the Rebel guards and sold it to the prisoners. At the end of two months he had $6 in greenbacks and about $600 in Confederate money. Prisoners were being exchanged every few days, and the Rebel officials were compelling the prison- ers to pay for the privilege of being placed on the exchange list. By giving up all their money and other effects Mr. Hawk and his companions finally got out. They were placed on a cattle car and sent to Vicksburg, where they were exchanged. Here, with about twenty-two hundred other passengers, mostly Union soldiers, but in- cluding a few Confederates and a few women, he boarded the ill-fated "Sul- tana." The history of that steamer is well known. It blew up about eight miles above Memphis, April 27, 1865, and over seventeen hundred passengers were lost. Mr. Hawk was on top of the boat near the pilot house when the explosion oc- curred. Putting on his clothes he rolled up his blankets, and looking around for some means of escape he saw a stateroom door lying loose, and took possession. The scene was horrible beyond descrip- tion. There were mangled dead and dying lying about, and hundreds were wailing, who must choose between a death by fire or water. Watching his oppor-

tunity Mr. Hawk shoved off with his door. He swam bravely for a while, but was seized with cramps in his legs, and got badly tangled in the vines and debris of the river drift. Finally reaching shore he made his way northward, and was hon- orably discharged from service May 15, 1865.

He returned to his father's farm, and was married, in 1870, to Miss Mary A. Bower, who was born in Sandusky City March 21, 1850. Her parents were na- tives of Baden, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk have three children: Franklin M., born August 6, 1873; Irma G., born Au- gust 10, 1876; and Ruth E., born June 7, 1885. Mr. Hawk owns 104 acres of good land, and is decidedly one of the best farmers in his township. He is tall of stature, well informed, and socially, a leader. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a prominent member and now chancellor commander of the K. of P., and is also past colonel of the U. V. U.

A J. CASTLE, one of the substan- tial farmers of York township, Sandusky county, has won ad- miration by his sure and steady rise to comfort, possesses unquestioned integrity, and has acquired a modest competency by his own unaided efforts. He was born in Erie county December 26, 1841, a son of John and Rhoda (Mc- Gill) Castle.

John Castle, the father, was born in Lycoming county, Penn., in 1800, son of David Castle, of Scotch-Irish extraction. When a young man John Castle migrated to Groton township, Erie county. Here he married Rhoda McGill, who was born in Groton township in 1813, of New Eng- land parentage. John Castle in 1852 re- moved to Thompson township, Seneca county, and four years later he came to York township, Sandusky county, where he lived until his death in 1867. He was a man of tall stature and hardy constitu-

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tion, and had been sick less than two days when he died. He threshed the day he became ill and died during the follow- ing night. In politics John Castle was a Republican. In early life he was a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, but later he be- came connected with the U. B. Society near his home. His wife survived until 1881.

A. J. Castle, the subject of this sketch, remained with his father, attending the common schools, until he was eighteen. He then began farm work by the month until August 22, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty- third O. V. I. The regiment was as- signed to the Eighth Corps in West Vir- ginia, and served three years. Mr. Castle participated in the battles of Winchester (Va.), Newmarket, Piedmont, Lynch- burg, Snicker's Ford, Berryville, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, High Bridge and others. He saw Gen. Sheridan on his famous ride to Winchester, Va .; was mustered out in June, 1865, returned home and resumed farming, working also in a sawmill. Including his military serv- ice, Mr. Castle worked for sixteen years for monthly wages.

In 1880 he was married to Miss Alice Moyer, who was born in Sandusky county October 14, 1856, daughter of Samuel and Eve (Kline) Moyer, both natives of Union county, Penn. The father, who was of German ancestry, was born in 1804, the mother in 1810. They married in Pennsylvania, and about 1853 migrated to York township, Sandusky county. Later Samuel Moyer removed to Michi- gan, where he died in 1876; his wife after lived in Kansas, whence she returned in May, 1895; a few weeks later she was stricken with paralysis, and died at the home of Albert Streeter August 2, 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Castle four children have been born: Mabel, Carmi, John and Rhoda. After his marriage Mr. Cas- tle rented a farm and continued to till the land of others until three years ago, when

he purchased a fertile farm of forty-three acres. He is engaged in general farming and in raising vegetables, especially cab- bages. In politics he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the U. B. Church. Mr. Castle was in 1894 elected trustee of the township. He has many friends, and bears the reputation of being an un- usually successful farmer.

G EORGE WALTERS, a promi- nent and substantial farmer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, is a native of that county, born February 3, 1855, and is a son of Louis and Anne (Hinnes) Walters.

Louis Walters was born in Witten- berg, Germany, in 1809, received his education in his native town, and en- gaged in farming. When but a young man he came to the United States, lo- cating first in Virginia, where he drove teams for a livelihood. In Wheeling, Va., on February 12, 1834, Louis Walters married Anne Hinnes, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and they had the following children: Rosina, born in Febru- ary, 1836, wife of Edward Switzkeble, a farmer of Michigan; John, born in 1838, and died in Libby prison during the Civil war; Louis, born in 1840, now a farmer in. Michigan; Peter, born in 1842, who also resides in Michigan; Rebecca, born in 1844, wife of Henry Clockems, of Michigan; Wesley, born February 14, 1853, and burned to death in the fire on the homestead, in 1894; David, a farmer; George, the subject of this sketch; and Mary, born August II, 1858, now the wife of Albert Windler, a farmer of Ohio.

Louis Walters remained in Virginia three years, and after his marriage came to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he bought eighty acres of land. all in tim- ber, and inhabited by wolves, deer, and other denizens of the forest. Having

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built a log cabin for himself and family, when there were only two other settlers in the neighborhood, he went to work with a stout and willing heart to make a farm from the wilderness. The trees soon gave way before the axe in the the hands of the hardy woodman, and the stumps and gnarled and interlacing roots of the forest monarchs were sup- planted in a short time by stalks of corn and waving fields of wheat. While the summer sun was still high in the heavens he garnered the golden grain, and when the leaves took on the brilliant hues of the declining year he threshed out, with swinging flail, the myriads of kernels, the bounty of the harvest. And this he bore for many miles, on bended back, with toiling feet, to the mill that ground for those who brought, and then returned, while autumn winds sighed through the woodland, sometimes when wintry blasts blew keen and chill. And thus bread was provided for himself and family. Many were the hardships he endured while laboring to make a farm and home for his family. There were no

roads or ditches, and he often had to wade through the water that stood in places on his land. But from year to year the good work was continued, with ever-increasing facilities, until the eighty acres were cleared, and most of the superfluous water drained off with suitable ditching. He erected a good dwelling house, built a barn and outhouses, planted a fine orchard and made various other improvements, event- ually finding himself the possessor of one of the finest and best cultivated farms in the township of Woodville. Mr. Walters was a stanch Republican, and always took a deep interest in the political affairs and school matters of the township. He died on the homestead in July, 1893, at the ripe age of eighty-four years, lamented by a large circle of friends, and by his sorrowing wife and family. His widow, who is still living, resides

with her son David, who is caring for her in her old age.

George Walters attended school in Woodville township, worked with his brothers on his father's farm, helped to clear the homestead, ditch the land, plant the orchard, and in the general routine of daily toil. His father divided the farm between him and one of his brothers, and he attended to its culti- vation and built a very fine dwelling house. In 1894 this was destroyed by a fire, in which he lost all his household effects, and, saddest of all, his brother was burned to death. The property lost was valued at over $3,000, but there was an insurance of $2,000. Mr. Walters is now constructing a fine dwell- ing house on the ruins of his old home, at a cost of $2,400, and when completed it will be one of the finest in the town- ship.

On December 29, 1882, George Wal- ters was united in marriage with Helen Nuhfer, daughter of Anthony Nuhfer, and they have had two children: Frank, born September 29, 1883; and Carroll, born February 27, 1891. Mr. Walters has two oil wells on his farm, which is one of the best cultivated in the neigh- borhood. He is an industrious, hard- working man, an enterprising citizen, is much respected, and has many friends.

OSEPH JORDAN is highly respected as one of the most industrious and prosperous citizens of York town- ship, Sandusky county. It is the theory of Mr. Jordan that if each mem- ber of society will carefully attend to his own affairs, the great body politic will fare well. He thinks that human char- acter in the main is sound and honest, and therefore does not need officious in- spection. Acting on this opinion and be- lief he has assiduously applied himself to the work that lay before him, and the re- sults have been gratifying to himself and

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a source of commendation for his many friends.

Mr. Jordan was born in Thompson township, Seneca county, in September, 1835, son of Adam and Sophia Jordan. Adam Jordan was born in Union county, Penn., in 1807, and his father, who was of French ancestry, was a native of the same county. The grandfather lived to the age of only forty, but the grand- mother attained the ripe old age of ninety- seven years. About 1836 Adam Jordan migrated with his family from Pennsyl- vania to Thompson township, Seneca county, and later he came to York town- ship, Sandusky county; he was a member of the Lutheran Church, and died in 1862. His wife, who was born in 1817, lived until 1869. Their children were as fol- lows: Sarah, wife of U. Weaver, of Lucas county; Martin, also of Lucas county; Lucy (now the widow of John McCauley), of Bellevue; Joseph, subject of this sketch; Mary Ann, unmarried, liv- ing on the old homestead; George W., who also lives on the old homestead; Hannah, a maiden lady; James, of Belle- vue; and John, who died aged twenty-six years.

Joseph Jordan grew up in York town- ship, and in his youth worked on the home farm. He also thoroughly learned the trade of brick burning, and followed that occupation some eighteen or twenty years in Sandusky county, part of the time at Fremont. Mr. Jordan is in a great measure self-educated. In 1858 he was married at the age of twenty-three years to Miss Hannah Gamby, who was born in Huron county in 1836, and six children have been born to them: Adam, Samuel, Alice, Clara, Minerva and Irvin. Of these, Adam married Susan Spriggs, and lives on an adjoining farm (he has one child-Carmi); Samuel died at the age of twenty-seven years; Alice is also deceased; Clara is the wife of George Parker; Mi- nerva is at home; Irvin is married to Miss Gertrude Diment. Mr. Jordan after his

marriage lived for a time in Green Creek township, then purchased his present farm of 104 acres in York township, and has lived there twenty-one years. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and in local politics he votes rather for the man than for the party.

A NDREW PFEIFER, a prominent farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, was born in Hesse, Germany, December 11, 1856, a grandson of Andrew Pfeifer, and son of Conrad Pfeifer and Elizabeth (Simon) Pfeifer. Conrad Pfeifer was born in Hesse, and was by occupation a railroad man. He was killed by acci- dent, at his employment, at about the age of fifty. Mrs. Elizabeth (Simon) Pfeifer was born in the same locality, and died in Germany at the age of sixty. She was the mother of six children: Adam, who now lives in Germany, and is a railroad man; Henry, a farmer in Fulton county, Ohio; Catharine, who married Fred Schaffer, and now resides in Huron county, near Norwalk; Andrew, the subject proper of this sketch; and Elizabeth and Conrad (twins), the latter of whom was drowned when thirteen years of age.

Andrew Pfeifer came to America at about fifteen years of age, landing at New York City, whence he proceeded di- rectly to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he found employment as a laborer on a farm, at which he continued six years. Having judiciously saved his earnings, he rented a farm, purchased the necessary equipments, and commenced doing bus- iness for himself. He farmed in Erie county about nine years. In 1881 he married Miss Katie Strack, who was born in Germany January 6, 1853, a daughter of Philip Jacob and Marguerite (Gross) Strack, the former of whom was a laborer in Germany, and died at the age of sixty- eight; the latter, now eighty years of

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age, resides at Sandusky City. Six of their children grew to maturity: Philip, who lives at Sandusky City; a daughter who married William Gross, of Bellevue; William, living in Sandusky City: Chris- tian, of the same place; Margaret, who married a Mr. Wise, and lives in Belle- vue: and Katie, wife of our subject.

The names and dates of birth of the children born to Andrew and Katie Pfeifer are as follows: Katie M., Oc- tober 21, 1883; Henry E., May 9, 1885; Frederick A., April 6, 1887, George A., December 15, ISS8; Charles A., April 14, 1891; and William J., March 29, 1894. The two eldest were born in Ox- ford township, Erie Co., Ohio, the others in Green Creek township, Sandusky county.

In 1887 Mr. Pfeifer purchased 160 acres of land in Green Creek township, near Green Spring, which he has worked to good advantage up to the present time. With a farm of more than the average in size and fertility, rendered still more productive by careful cultiva- tion, Mr. Pfeifer bids fair to become one of the most substantial men in his com- munity. Mr. and Mrs. Pfeifer are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and for peo- ple of their years, having the greatest portion of life still before them, they have been unusually successful.

E DWARD JESCHKE was born in Pomerania, Germany, May 25, 1858, and is a son of August and Augusta (Runje) Jeschke, both of whom were born in Germany, and came to America in August, 1874.

August Jeschke, although quite old, still follows his trade of blacksmith, and does an amount of work every day that many a younger man might emulate. Charles, born January 24, 1846, and Ed- ward, the subject of this sketch, are the only ones remaining of the five children

of Mr. and Mrs. August Jeschke, who are at present living with their son Charles.

Edward Jeschke received a common- school education in his native land, which he left for the United States in the spring of 1873. Coming at once to Townsend township, Sandusky county, which is still his home, he worked at the blacksmith's trade for several years, He then opened a store and saloon in Vickery, Townsend township, which he continued until "local option " was carried in the township, pro- hibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors. In November, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Bena Mapus, who was born March 28, 1861. Of their nine children, seven are still living, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Mary, July 6, 1881; Hannah, October 23, 1883; Fred, April 17, 1885; Pearl, June 1. 1887; August, December 14, 1888; Charles, November 12, 1890; and John, January 30, 1894, all living at home. Mr. Jeschke now represents the Stang Brewing Co., of Sandusky county, at Gibsonburg. In politics he is an ardent believer in and defender of the Democratic doctrine.

D ANIEL I. GARN, a citizen of Fre- mont, Sandusky county, was born in Union township, Bedford Co., Penn., March 31, 1844. His father, Christian Garn, was born February 13, 1799, in the same locality, and, in the fall of 1826, married Catherine, daughter of Henry Ickes, a native of the Keystone State.

Our subject was one of a family of ten children: (1) Catherine, born April 6, 1828, who married Solomon Mauk, and their children were-George, Louisa, Christian, Joseph, Hannah, Jane, Will- iam, Frank and Annie; politically the sons were Democrats, and in religious affiliation the family were members of the Reformed Church. (2) Susan, born in October, 1829, married to Edward Conrad, a mason by trade, who was a member of

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the Reformed Church, and in politics a Democrat; they had children as follows- Elizabeth, John, George, Joseph, Daniel, Abner, Edward, Mary and Levi. (3) Mar- garet, born October 1, 1831, married Adam Briggle, a farmer, member of the Reformed Church; the result of their union was children as follows-Hannah and Daniel. (4) John I. was born October 27, 1833, probate judge of Sandusky coun- ty, Ohio, in politics a Republican, and a member of the Evangelical Association; the names of his children are: Jane, Hannah, Delilah, Mary, Catherine, Minnie and John C. (5) Jacob died in childhood. (6) George, born 1838, a farmer in Jack- son township, married Elizabeth Walters, and they had two children-William and Emma; he was a member of the Evangel- ical Association, and in politics was a Democrat. (7) Hannah, born February 27, 1841, married John Kisaberts, a farmer of Seneca county, Ohio; he was a mem- ber of the Evangelical Association, polit- ically a Republican. (8) Daniel I., sub- ject of this sketch; and two that died in infancy.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 33

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