Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 35

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 35
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 35

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).

Nine children have blessed the mar- riage of William A. and Phebe S. Mugg, a brief record of whom is as follows: Nina, born December 31, 1857, is the wife of James Ungerman; they reside in New Richland, Minn., and have four children-Carl, Nellie B., Hazel and Vera. Clarence M., born January 14, 1859, married Laura Carr, and is the father of two children-Ethel and Wayne. N. Russell, born March 31, 1861, mar- ried Maggie Matthews, and they have two children-Madeline and Maurice. Mabel, born April 26, 1863, died in 1883. Alice, born September 10, 1865, is the wife of

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A. R. Pickett, of Clyde, and has two children-Harold and Gladdon. Moina, born March 12, 1868, is the wife of N. Greenslade, of Bellevue, and they have one child-Russell M. Amy B., born February 19, 1870. is one of the popular young ladies of this section, devoted to her parents and the home. James G., born October 14, 1872, was married Jan- uary 1, 1895, to Anna Needham, of York township. Florence, born May 25, 1877, is attending school.

Mr. and Mrs. Mugg started in life with only about such means as the aver- age young couple of that day possessed, but their success has been marked. If the accumulation of a large estate and the rearing of a numerous and honorable family is aught of satisfaction, while still in the meridian of life, then Mr. and Mrs. Mugg should be among the happiest of mortals. The landed property of William A. Mugg exceeds in quantity that of any other individual in Sandusky county. The finger of Time has touched them lightly. If Mrs. Mugg is as young as she looks she is yet in the high noonday of life. She is an active member of the Grange, and de- servedly prominent in the social affairs of the township. Mr. Mugg possesses a hardy constitution, which he has never abused, but which, through proper physi- cal exercise, he has maintained in its Inaximum degree of health. In politics he is a pronounced and uncompromising Republican. In the commercial and financial spheres he takes high rank. He is a master of the science of finance, and was one of the organizers and is now vice- president of the First National Bank of Clyde.

J OIN VICKERY. From absolute poverty the subject of this sketch has risen to a position of affluence and honor. The condition of a pen- niless English farm laborer he has ex- changed for the proprietorship of large

landed interests in York township, San- dusky county. And in this happy trans- formation of his material situation he gives due credit to the opportunities of the American citizen. Mr. Vickery often goes over the past in retrospect, and com- pares the possibilities of the poor man in England with his opportunities in Amer- ica. From his own experiences and ob- servation he concludes that American citizenship is a priceless boon.

Mr. Vickery was born in Devonshire, England, in May, 1829, son of Robert and Rachel (Randall) Vickery. His father, who was a laborer, died before his recollection, leaving six children: Eliza- beth, whose husband, Mr. Lowrey, was killed by a railroad accident at Clyde; William, who died in York township; Robert, of Fremont; John, subject of this sketch; Richard, of York township; and Ann, who died in England. At an early age John was bound out, receiving, until he attained his majority, only his board and clothes for his services, and, Mr. Vickery says, they were poor clothes at that. After he became of age he worked for a farmer for four years at wages amounting to only II cents a day and his board; and this, too, was the highest wages paid for that class of labor in the locality where he lived. At the age of twenty-five years he resolved to seek his fortunes in the New World; so in 1854 he bade good-bye to his friends, and to his sweetheart and crossed the ocean. He came via Quebec, and was $17 in debt for his passage when he reached Sandusky City. He began work for a farmer near Bellevue, and remained in his employment fifteen months. But his purpose now was to get himself estab- lished in life. Renting a place, he began farming on his own account, and at Belle- vue he soon after married Miss Jane Parker, whom he had wooed and won in England. The household prospered, but the mother was called away after she had given him three sons: Thomas, now a

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prosperous farmer of York township, married; John, who assists him on the farm, and James P., a schoolteacher and farmer of York township. In 1866 Mr. Vickery purchased the farm of 120 acres which he now owns, and continued to farm it until in 1889, when he bought twenty acres near Colby, and retired on ample means. In 1881 he had purchased another tract of 120 acres in York town- ship, and gave it to his sons in 1887, after having paid $8,000 on the same. The twenty-acre tract at Colby he has given to his second and present wife, who was Miss Mary Bichler. Mr. Vickery has served his township three years as trus- tee, and is now road supervisor of his dis- trict. In politics he is a stanch Republi- can, and in religious faitlı a member of the United Brethren Church. He is a man of sterling integrity and principles, and one of the most highly respected cit- izens of the community in which he lives.

M R. STIEFF. In three distinct fields of industry the subject of this sketch takes high rank. He is a farmer of acknowledged ability; he is a mechanic whose superior it would be difficult to find anywhere; he is a salesman whose value has been ap- preciated by more than one large manu- facturer. Mr. Stieff has with rare felicity bunched all these available attributes into one occupation, that of a salesman for agricultural machines. He is at home among the farmers, and thoroughly un- derstands their needs. His mechanical skill has enabled him to meet any diffi- culties in setting up the complicated farm machines of to-day. His persuasive ar- guments cap the climax of the two, and enable him to make satisfactory sales. By trade Mr. Stieff is a blacksmith.

He was born in Lancaster county, Penn., May 19, 1855, son of Michael and Sarah (Rinehold) Stieff. Michael Stieff was also a blacksmith. He was a native

of Berks county, his wife of Lancaster county. Both died at their home in the latter county within a year, at the ages of fifty-six and fifty-two years respectively. Their children were as follows: Eli, of Lancaster county; Sarah, wife of Moses Goshert, also of Lancaster county; Annie, wife of Abraham Krall, of Lebanon coun- ty, Penn .; George, who died at the age of twenty-two years in Lancaster county; M. R., subject of this sketch; and Martha and Lizzy, who both died in Lancaster county, in infancy.

Our subject was early in life thrown upon his own resources. He entered the car shops in Reading, Penn., but labor troubles soon after disorganized the force, and he was obliged to seek employment elsewhere. With 200 others he was dis- charged in 1873 at the time of the great failure of Jay Cooke & Co. He came to Ohio, and found work on a farm in Seneca county. Subsequently he secured em- ployment in a carriage shop at West Lodi. then at Fireside, and later still at Belle- vue. While at Fireside, he began sell- ing reapers, mowers, etc., for the Excel- sior Co., and he was with that company four years. Then, in 1889, he accepted a position with the Champion people to travel for them. His territory embraced Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Min- nesota, and South Dakota. From March to September he was on the road; then during the winter months each year he worked in the shops, in all capacities proving a most valuable employe. His skill in setting up machines was unsur- passed, and as a salesman he was highly gifted. In 1894 he voluntarily quit their employ on account of a slight deafness, though solicited to remain, preferring to return to his farm and family, and handle machinery in a local way.

Mr. Stieff married Miss Kate Miller, and to them seven children have been born: Cloyd, George, Edna, Elva (deceased), Delrie (deceased), Orlin (deceased), and Ray. Mr. Stieff is distinctively the archi-

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tect of his own fortune. He owns a good farm property, and is one of the most skillful mechanics in the State.

J ACOB BOWE is one of the five Bowe brothers now living in Scott township, Sandusky county, where he was born June 6, 1837, and where he has spent the greater part of his life.

At the age of twenty-four years, our subject commenced life for himself, his father giving him as a start, ninety-two and one-half acres of land situated in Section 7. Mr. Bowe is by trade a black- smith, and for fifteen years of his early life he spent much of his time in his shop; but he finally sold and purchased eighty acres of land in Section 16, which, with 160 acres previously bought, made an excellent farm of 240 acres. Later he sold eighty acres, the remainder being the 160 acres where he now lives. He then purchased 160 acres in Section 17, one-half of which he sold to J. C. Fisher, the other half to J. C. Foriter. In 1890 Mr. Bowe purchased lots in Gibsonburg, on which he built a pleasant home, living there for three years and then returning to his farm.

On December 23, 1861, Mr. Bowe was married to Miss Mary A. Bowers, who was born September 8, 1836, in Scott township, daughter of Hartman and Annie Bowers; she obtained her educa- tion in her native township, where she lived most of the time until her marriage. To this union have been born seven chil- dren, as follows: Emma C., September 23, 1862; Mary C., January 4, 1864; Anna C., April 23, 1865; Henry H., Jan- uary 15, 1867; Amelia E., April 25, 1869, Wallace W., June 7, 1872; and Jacob F., December 7, 1873; of whom, Emma died June 6, 1878; Henry H. died January 12, 1870, and Anna died March 8, 1891. Mary is now Mrs. George Richard, of Madison township; Wallace and Jacob are working the home farm, though at !

present (fall of 1895) Wallace is suffering from the effects of a bicycle accident, having broken his collar-bone in two places; strange to say he rode his wheel over two miles after receiving the injury. Wallace and Jacob attended the Gibson- burg High School for a time, after which Wallace was a student at the Normal at Ada. While at Gibsonburg Jacob made a thorough study of telegraphy. Polit- ically Mr. Bowe and his sons are Demo- crats; they are also members of the Lutheran Church.

In February, 1890, Mr. Bowe made a new departure in his business by leasing several acres of land to the Sun Oil Com- pany of Pittsburg, the lease providing that at the end of the year the company was to have four wells down, which was practically accomplished. On March 20, 1890, he also leased the other eighty acres, and he now has on the 160 acres of land thirteen wells. He received $3, 000 bonus when the ground was leased, and now has one-eighth of all oil produced, his share of the oil netting him $10 der day, with- out one cent of expense. The oil pro- duced on this farm is pumped through pipes to the city of Toledo, some thirty miles away.

George Bowe, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in 1802 in Alsace, France, and came to America in 1832, settling in New York State, near Buffalo, where he remained three years. Thence he came to Ohio, where, in Scott town- ship, Sandusky county, he entered 210 acres of land, one-half for his sister and the balance for himself. In the winter of 1834-35 he married Catherine Wegstein, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1813, daughter of Michael Wegstein, and to them were born ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are: George, Jacob (our subject), Frederick, Henry, Michael J., David and Mary C., of whom Frederick and Mary C. have been dead some years; the others are still living. Mr. Bowe was an old pioneer of

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Scott township. He owned at one time 600 acres of land, which he divided among his children, thus giving each a start in life which they have appreciated and made the most of, becoming well-to-do men, highly esteemed by all who know them. His wife died July 9, 1891, and was buried in the Bradner cemetery. Her father, Michael Wegstein, was born about 1779 in Baden, Germany, where he was mar- ried. In 1832 he started with his family for America, but while on the sea his wife took sick and died, and was buried in mid-ocean. In his family were six chil- dren, only two of whom are living. One son, Michael, was killed at the battle of Shiloh; he was captain of Company H, Seventy-second O. V. I.

Mr. Bowe's paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Bowe, set out for America at the same time as his parents; the grandmother, like the maternal grand- mother, died on the sea and was buried in mid-ocean. The grandfather settled near Buffalo, where he died. In their family were four children-Margaret, George (father of our subject), Magdalena and Jacob, all now deceased. Margaret and Jacob remained near Buffalo, the others coming to Ohio. Magdalena was married near Buffalo to Jacob Zimmerman, who died in Scott township about 1885.

J OHN HENRY KUHLMAN, one of the pioneer and prosperous farmers of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born October 27, 1838, in Hanover, Germany. His parents, Har- mon and Clara (Foughthouse) Kuhlman, followed the vocation of milling in their native land, and in 1842, when John Henry was but four years old, sold their business and came to America. Remain- ing a single day in New York, they set out for Woodville township, Sandusky county, Ohio, and bought and settled upon a forty-acre tract of wild land.

The father, Harmon Kuhlman, was a

man of rugged frame, well fitted by na- ture to bear the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and never until shortly be- fore his death did he experience any ill- ness. Partially losing his eyesight, he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., for treatment, and died while there. His widow still lives in Woodville township, at a ripe old age. Five children were born to Harmon and Clara Kuhlman: John Henry; Car- rie, wife of Fred Taulker, a farmer in Madison township; Amelia, wife of Charles Burman, a retired farmer of Woodville; Annie, who died young, and William, who lives on the old homestead. Our subject owns 236 acres of land, situated in the oil belt, and leased for drilling purposes.

Until in quite recent years John Henry Kuhlman, subject of this sketch, remained at the home of his parents. He was edu- cuted in the public school at Woodville; but in the days of his youth the town school was inferior to the district school of to-day. He was married February 22, 1862, to Mary Klein, daughter of John J. Klein, a farmer of Woodville township. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman, as follows: Carrie, born March 23, 1864; John, a minister; Henry, deceased; George, Minnie, Charles, Will- iam, Eliza and Edward. In 1893 Mr. Kuhlman moved to Woodville village, and there erected a magnificent home, sparing neither cost nor pains in its con- struction. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been honored by election to vari- ous township offices. He is one of the founders of the German Lutheran Church.

F RANK WELKER, the genial and popular proprietor of the " Empire House," Clyde, Sandusky county, one of the most excellent country hotels in the State, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, July 20, 1849, and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Burger) Welker.

The father of our subject was a na-

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tive of Pennsylvania, born in 1808, and in his earlier years he learned the stone- mason's trade. On coming to Ohio he settled in Stark county, and after his mar- riage took up his residence in Hancock county. In 1864 he moved to Clyde, where his death occurred the following year. His wife, who was born in 1812, still survives him, and is now living with her son Frank. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children who grew to mature years, to wit: (1) N. B., who joined the army soon after the break- ing out of the Civil war, becoming a mem- ber of Company A, Twenty-first O. V. I., in which he did service under Gen. Sherman; at the battle of Atlanta, in 1864, he was wounded, and died a few days later, his remains being interred in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn. (2) G. W., a plasterer by trade, resides in Findlay, Ohio. (3) W. W. died at Mount Clemens, Mich., and his remains were brought back to Clyde for interment. (4) E. E. is engaged in ci- gar-making in San Diego, Cal. (5) Maria J. is the wife of John Mungen, a resident of Fort Wayne, Ind. (6) Frank, our subject, comes next in order of birth. (7) R. R. makes his home in Columbia county, Ind., where he is engaged in the restaurant business.

Frank Welker has spent his entire life in the State of his nativity, and since the age of fifteen has made his home in Clyde. After pursuing his studies in the public schools of this place for two years, he became connected with railroading. He first went upon the road as a news agent, and then became a brakeman on the Lake Shore & Michigan . Southern railroad. His next undertaking was as proprietor of the "Empire House," at Clyde. In 1886 he purchased the hotel, which for ten years previous had been vacant, entirely remodeled it and built a new addition. Soon it was ready for oc- cupancy, and to-day it is one of the most popular hotels in the smaller cities of

Ohio. In his work here Mr. Welker is ably assisted by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Julia Gosslin. The hotel is neat and well kept, has the reputation for setting the best table of any country hotel in the State, and the earnest efforts of the proprietor and his wife to please their patrons has made it very popular with the public.

Mr. Welker is one of the ten stock- holders who own the Clyde Driving Park, and has two fine trotting horses, "Katie C." and " Silver Leaf," superb specimens of the noble steed. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, and he is a popular, genial gentleman, one who wins friends wherever he goes, and well merits the high regard in which he is held.

N ORMAN E. ELLSWORTH, com- monly known as "Col." Ells- worth, one of the most popular citizens of Sandusky county, now makes his home in Clyde. He was born in Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Ind., on March 20, 1845, and is a son of James and Jemima (Wortley) Ellsworth.

In 1821 James Ellsworth, father of our subject, was born in Penn Yan, N. Y., one of a family of three children, the others being Aaron and Phœbe, both of whom are now deceased. The former on coming west located at Castalia, Ohio, but his death occurred at South Bend, Ind., where he was serving as county auditor of St. Joseph county; he was one of the prominent Republicans of that community. From New York the father of our subject first emigrated to Ohio, but later became a resident of Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Ind., and at the time of his death, in 1853, was serving as swamp land commissioner for that State. He

was a stalwart Democrat. His wife, who was born near Bellevue, Ohio, in 1819, died in 1860. They were the parents of five children, namely: George, deceased in infancy; Florence, who died in child-

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hood; Norman E., our subject; Fred D., a merchant of South Bend, Ind .; and James, who died in boyhood in Mish- awaka, Indiana.

Until reaching the age of sixteen, Norman E. Ellsworth remained in In- diana, a part of his time being passed at Mishawaka, the remainder at South Bend, at which time he entered the Union army. On August 17, 1861, he became a member of Company I, Ninth Ind. V. I., and was assigned to a division in West Virginia under Gen. Rosecrans, but later was sent to Nashville, Tenn., where he became a member of the army of the Cumberland under Buell. He participated in the battles of Greenbrier, Buffalo Mountain and Pittsburg Landing, where he was taken ill and sent to St. Louis, Mo. At that place he was dis- charged on account of disability, after which he came to Clyde, where for ten months he lived with his maternal grand- mother, Abigail Stone. Mr. Ellsworth then enlisted in Company F, Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and was detailed as hospital steward of Kilpatrick's division of cavalry, which was a part of Sherman's army. He went with the command on the march to the sea, and was all through the Car- olina campaigns. With the cavalry he remained until he was mustered out in August, 1865.

Mr. Ellsworth was married in Jan- uary, 1866, to Miss Jemima Baker, who was born in Sandusky county, in 1844, and by her marriage has become the mother of eight children: Elizabeth, Florence, Nellie M., Fred, Norman, Jr., George M., Seth P. and James B., all but one of whom are still at home. Since the close of the war Mr. Ellsworth has been engaged in farming and fruit grow- ing, and for four years was connected with the lumber business. His farm is located on one of the rich sand ridges near Clyde, where it may be truthfully said there can be more vegetation grown to the acre, and at the same time a

greater variety of cereals and fruits, than in any other part of the United States. Mr. Ellsworth is a man of good business ability, intelligent and enterprising, and is widely known for his genial disposition and greatness of heart. As before men- tioned, he usually goes by the name of "Colonel," and is popular with all classes of people. He has ever been actively interested in the growth and prosperity of the community in which he resides, and does all in his power for its advance- ment. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, while, socially, he holds membership with Eaton Post No. 55, G. A. R., and Harnden Com- mand No. 37, U. V. U.

P HILIP DORR was born March 17, 18II, in Leinsweiler, in that part of Bavaria, Germany, known as the Rhine Palatinate, and died June 18, 1886, at Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio.

He received a good education in the schools of his native place, and learned the trade of shoemaker. In 1837 he took passage for America on a sailing vessel at Havre de Grace. The voyage was a long and most perilous one; fierce storms drove the vessel from its course; some of the passengers and crew were washed over- board, the salt water ruined most of the ship's provisions, and it was eighty days after starting that the nearly famished crew and passengers landed in New York. From that city Mr. Dorr proceeded at once to Erie, Penn., and after a short sojourn there moved to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he lived two or three years. In August, 1841, he came to Lower San- dusky (now Fremont), opening a shoe- shop on State street, east of the river, afterward removing to the Deal corner, northeast corner of Front and Garrison streets, where his property was destroyed by fire. He next removed to a room nearly opposite, on Front street, and, later

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increasing his business, he and Edward Leppelman purchased land adjoining the present building of the First National Bank, and built frame stores. These were burned down, and in 1856 they erected the brick block which now occupies the ground. Here Philip Dorr carried on a successful trade in boots and shoes for many years, and after his death was suc- ceeded by his sons under the firm name of Dorr Bros., they still continuing the business.

In June. 1843, Philip Dorr was mar- ried to Miss Anna Meyer, who was born in Unter Endingen, Canton Argau, Switz- erland, March 18, 1815, the youngest daughter of Jacob and Fanny Meyer. She came with her parents and family to America in 1829, stopping a short time at Philadelphia, and thence removing to Franklin, Penn., where the parents died. She afterward came to Sandusky City, Ohio, living there until her mar- riage, when she removed to Lower Sun- dusky (now Fremont). Mr. Dorr died May 28, 1873. Three sons survive their par- ents: Fred H., J. Louis and Henry S.

D R. D. P. CAMPBELL. Green Spring is the most celebrated place in Sandusky county. Here a great volume of green-hued wa- ter strongly saturated with valuable medi- cinal qualities gushes forth from the rock- bed below the surface. From prehistoric times the spot has been noted for its heal- ing virtues, and here was the favorite haunt of the Seneca tribes; here its chiefs met in councils of war or peace, and here the sportive Red men gamboled amidst the gorgeous coloring of the lavish and unceasing waters. The springs have bene- fited many thousands of invalids, and to no one man perhaps is the public more deeply indebted for the privilege of en- joying this medicinal boon than to Dr. D. P. Campbell, a leading physician and

surgeon at Green Spring, and one of the proprietors of Oak Ridge Sanitarium.

Dr. Campbell is a native of New Hampshire. His early literary education was obtained at Pittsfield Academy, near his native home. At its completion he received special instruction in the classics and in mathematics, under Profs. Foster and Goss, the latter being his cousin, who were among the ablest instructors in the New England States. Dr. Campbell be- came a teacher, and for three years was superintendent of the public schools in Bedford, N. H. He then became inter- ested in the sanitarium work, and was successively associated with sanitariums at Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y .; then with Dr. Dio Lewis in his select school at East Lexington, Mass .; with Dr. Hero, at Westboro, Mass .; with Dr. W. T. Vail, at Hill, N. H. ; with Dr. Martin, at Waverly Place, N. Y., with Dr. R. T. Trall, of Philadelphia, 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 35

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