Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 39

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 39
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 39

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).

An incident is related of this period of his life which reveals the character of the

Fr. Dohn

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boy, and was an index to his future suc- cess. He was called into the office of his employer one day and informed that, if he did not quit attending a revival meeting which was then in progress, he would be discharged. He debated the matter with his conscience, and decided that if he at- tended the meetings only after his duties at the store were finished, he would be doing nothing wrong. He was, however, reported by a fellow clerk, who, perhaps, thought in this way to curry favor with his employer, and was summarily dis- charged. It was not long, however, be- fore his employer discovered that he had made a serious mistake in discharging an employe who would sacrifice his position to his sense of duty, and he accordingly sent for him, acknowledged his error, and asked Mr. Dohn to resume his former re- lations. This he did, and remained, as has been stated, until the failure of the business. At that time his employer said to him: " You have been a faithful clerk, and my mistake was in not taking you in as a partner, and discharging the man who reported you, and who has been in- strumental in bringing about my mis- fortunes."

Mr. Dohn soon afterward went into business for himself, and remained in Waukesha two years longer, when he re- moved to Depere, in the same State, and there carried on a successful business some eight years. In 1873 he sold out his es- tablishment in Depere, and removed to Gibsonburg, forming a partnership with Mr. Farmer, under the firm name of Farmer & Dohn. This partnership con- tinued five years, when a third partner was admitted to the firm. This change proved disastrous to the business, and re- sulted in the withdrawal of Mr. Dohn, he then devoting his time to the duties of postmaster, which office he was holding at the time. In 1883 the firm of Sanders, Dohn & Co. was formed, for the purpose of manufacturing lime. This partnership continued until August 7, 1888, when Mr.

Sanders sold out to J. C. Smith, who was the company part of the concern. The firm now became known as Smith & Dohn. They carried on the manufacture of lime with great success for over five years, mean- while engaging in various projects for the development of the city, and the good of the community, such as laying out ad- ditions to the city, and sinking gas and oil wells. They always employed a large number of men, who were promptly paid, and in this way encouraged industry and thrift.

Mr. Dohn was married, in 1875, to Mary E. Crouse, who was a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born August 14, 1845. Her parents were Jacob and Eliza (Eaton) Crouse, the former of whom was born in Lancaster, Penn., in 1821, and came west when a young man, locating first in Seneca county, and afterward liv- ing for a time at New Haven, Huron county. He finally returned to Seneca county, where he now resides with one of his sons. Mrs. Dohn's mother was born in Pennsylvania, in 1822, and died in Melmore, Seneca county, in 1893; she was a Presbyterian, as was also her hus- band. This worthy couple were the par- ents of five children: Carrie, who married Charles Benham, and now resides in Fort Scott, Kans .; Ella, who married Jacob Gannon, and lives at Tiffin, Ohio; Frances, wife of E. Z. Bartlett, residing at Toledo, Ohio; Clan, who lives in Mel- more, Seneca county, and Mary E. (Mrs. Dohn).

To Mr. and Mrs. Dohn were born four children: Frederick, who is men- tioned farther on; Carrie, Eva, and Blaine, who died when four years old. Mrs. Dohn still retains her interest in the firm of Smith & Dohn, and is a woman of great intelligence and excellent busi- ness capacity. She is highly respected in the community.

In closing this sketch of the career of one of Gibsonburg's most esteemed citi- zens, reference must be again made to his

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devotion to the religious faith which he first professed in 1857. From that time until his death he was one of the oldest and most faithful members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and the firm ad- herence to what he believed to be right, and which was so strongly manifested in his early days, was carried out in his life, both in business and every-day affairs, so that he commanded the respect and es- teem of the entire community. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Gibsonburg, all the business houses being closed and draped in mourning as a token of sorrow at his decease.

To the foregoing memoir of this exem- plary man should be added a few words regarding his son, Frederick Dohn. He graduated with honors from the high school at Gibsonburg, in 1892, and in the autumn of that year he entered the North- western College, at Naperville, Ill., with the intention of completing a college course. In this ambition of his young life, however, he was disappointed; his father's illness called him home, and be- fore reaching the age of seventeen he was in full management of his father's exten- sive business, in which capacity he still continues. In business ability and in integrity of character he is following in the footsteps of his father, and he is an active member of the M. E. Church, and an earnest worker in the Sunday-school. His friends speak of him as a young man of thorough reliability, and marked busi- ness qualifications.

C HARLES F. JOSEPH, one of the successful and substantial farmers of Kingsway, Rice township, San- dusky county, was born in Ger- inany, September 4, 1851, and is a son of George and Catherine (Brisoscher) Joseph, who were born February 9, 1812, and August 11, 1815, respectively.

George Joseph was born in Germany,

married Catherine Brisoscher, in the Fatherland, and came to this country in 1855 with his wife and three children. They settled in Sandusky township, San- dusky county, where he was for ten years engaged in farming; they then moved to Rice township, in the same county. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are as follows: Catherine mar- ried Jacob Zorn, by whom she had five children, and, after his death, wedded Martin Hoffnian, a butcher by trade, by whom she has had four children, and they live in Baltimore; Mary is the wife of David Lehrman, a farmer in Kansas, Seneca Co., Ohio, and they have seven children; Charles F. is the subject of this. sketch. Mr. Joseph died in 1872, and was buried in Sandusky county. His widow still survives, and is living with her son Charles; she was born August II, 1815.

On November 4, 1872, Charles F .. Joseph was united in marriage with Caro- lina Engler, who was born in Rice town- ship, Sandusky county, August 22, 1857. They settled where they now live, and have had nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Minnie C., August 1, 1873, lives at home; George H., April 21, 1875, is a farmer; Lora A., October 6, 1879: John F., March 3, 1881; Frank T., August 15, 1882; Carl W., February 10, 1884; Moses R., Sep- tember 8, 1885; Edwin C., November 23, 1887; and Gertie C., January S, IS89. Mr. Joseph was supervisor for two terms and trustee fortwo terms, both of which offices he now holds. He has been successful, worked hard for his money, saved it, and bought sixty acres of land, which is now worth one hundred dollars an acre. He raises more wheat than any other kind of grain, and also. raises hogs, horses and Jersey cows. In early times the Indians camped on the land which is now his farm, and he has. a large collection of Indian relics which he prizes highly. In politics he is a Demo-

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crat, and attends the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, of which he is a deacon, and has been for the past eight years.

H ERMAN H. GERWIN, one of the oldest pioneers, and a prominent agriculturist of Madison township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, was born in the town of Bohmte, Hanover, Germany, July 23, 1844, and is a son of Ludwig and Sophia (Hunte) Gerwin, whose fam- ily numbered seven children, of whom four are yet living.

The father was born in Hanover, Ger- many, in 1799, and was a contractor and builder by occupation, also, engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and in the undertaking business. He followed these pursuits in his native town, and at the same time owned and superintended a farm. In 1826 he was inarried, the lady of his choice being also a native of Han- over. A brief record of their seven chil- dren is as follows: Dora, born in Han- over, is the widow of Casper Ernsthau- sen. John Henry, a carpenter and joiner, of Toledo, Ohio, died June 8, 1892; his wife died June 8, 1895, leaving a family of three children.

Sophia, wife of Henry Schomburg, died in Toledo leaving one son, Lewis, who is treasurer of the Mer- chants Savings Bank of Toledo. Fred- erick is engaged in repairing cars in the employ of the Ann Arbor Railroad Com- pany at Toledo. William, who died Oc- tober 9, 1895, was a farmer of Woodville township, Sandusky county. Christopher died in Germany. The father of this famn- ily emigrated to America in 1853, and lo- cated in Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he engaged in farming for seven years. His death occurred in 1861, at the age of sixty-one. His wife survived him some sixteen years, and departed this life in 1877. They were worthy people, highly esteemed by all who knew them.

Mr. Gerwin, the subject of this sketch, attended school in his native county for a

year and a half, and then removed with his parents, in 1853, from his old home to the New World. They came direct to Ohio, and located on a farm in Wood- ville township, Sandusky county. Our subject pursued his studies in the schools of Toledo for a period of eighteen months, after which he returned to his father's home, and assisted in the labors of the farm; also attended school in the neigh- borhood for two winters. He continued to aid in the cultivation of the fields on the old homestead until 1863, when he went to Toledo, and served an appren- ticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed until 1872, re- moving then to Gibsonburg, where he em- barked in contracting and building. He did a successful business there, employ- ing a number of men, erecting many fine structures both in that place and in Mad- ison township, Sandusky county. While thus engaged, through economy and thrift, he managed to save enough to purchase some real estate in the city of Toledo, which he afterward sold, and bought prop- erty in the town of Gibsonburg. In 1877 he abandoned his trade, and returned to. agricultural pursuits, trading his real es- tate in Gibsonburg for a farm of forty acres in Madison township, a small por- tion of which was under cultivation. He soon cleared the remainder, erected there- on a substantial dwelling, good barns and other necessary outbuildings, set out a fine orchard, and made other general improve- ments, all within the short space of six years. He then sold and purchased sixty acres of land, forty of which was im- proved. It was not long until the re- mainder was under cultivation, and en- closed with fences. Three years later he again sold, and removed to Washington township, where he purchased fifty-six acres of improved land. He spent three years on that farm, remodeling the dwell- ing and barn, digging ditches, laying tiles, and continuing the work of improvement until he sold in 1889. In that year he be-

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came owner of seventy-five acres of im- proved land, and on selling half of this bought seventy-two acres of an adjoining farm, making a total of 101 acres, which he is to-day cultivating. He is progres- sive in a high degree, and has carried for- ward the work of improvement along vari- ous lines until he is now the owner of one of the finest farms in Madison township. He also carries on stock raising.

On November 4, 1869, Mr. Gerwin was married in Pemberville, Wood Co., Ohio, to Miss Christina Berlekamp, and this happy union has been blessed with six children: John, was born February 16, 1871, and died December 25, 1872; Cora S., born June 29, 1874; Mary K., February 3, 1878; Carl W., February 12, 1881; Herman H., January 22, 1887; and Lewis William, August 13, 1889.

John Berlekamp, father of Mrs. Ger- win, was born in Germany, and in 1851 crossed the Atlantic, locating in Seneca county, Ohio, where he farmed for two years. He afterward removed to Wood county, and purchased 120 acres of land, continuing its cultivation up to the time of his death. He was married in Ger- many to Mary Beimdick, and their chil- dren were: Katarina, wife of Henry Koh- rig, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; Mary, wife of David Hummell, also a farmer, living on the old homstead in Wood county; Christina, who was born in Germany, December 18, 1847, and is the wife of our subject; Henry, who died in Germany; Louisa, wife of William Hagemizer, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; Emma, who married Henry Bude- myre, of Wood county, and is deceased; and Frank, who died in that county in October, 1878. John Berlekamp passed away February 6, 1893; his wife died eighteen years previous, in 1875.

Mr. Gerwin is a self-made man. Through industry and strict attention to business he managed to acquire a start in life, and through his perseverance and en- egry he has won success, assisted by his

wife, who has indeed been to him a faith- ful companion and helpmeet, sharing with him in the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity, which have checkered his pathway. He is a member of Gibson- burg Lodge, No. 687, I. O. O. F., and in religious belief is a Lutheran. On questions of national importance he votes with the Republican party; but at local elections supports the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations.

W ILLIAM H. HINELINE was born October 3, 1835, in east- ern Pennsylvania, and is a son of Hugh and Rebecca (Latick) Hineline, who were born respectively, February 11, 1802, in Pennsylvania, and July 13, 1808, and were married in the Keystone State, October 22, 1825.

Hugh Hineline was a merchant, but sold out in 1855, came to the State of Ohio, and bought 160 acres of land. He was justice of the peace for seventeen years, and also trustee. He died March 3, 18-, and left fourteen children to the care of their mother, who passed from earth August 18, 1891. The names and dates of birth of their children are as fol- lows: Anna M., July 24, 1827; Sycus, October 31, 1829; Jacob, March 11, 1831; Elizabeth M., November 19, 1832; Sarah A., March 23, 1834; William H., October 3, 1835; Alida, July 1, 1857; Abel T., September 16, 1839; Hugh E., October 15, 1841, died July 21, 1894; Simon P., November 2, 1843; Francis, October 22, 1845; Kahudeis, August 7, 1847; Rebecca, April 19, 1850, and John, April 7, 1855.

William H. Hineline conducted a hotel in Wood county from 1860 until 1862, when he enlisted as a soldier. He con- tinued in the service three years, being in the South the greater part of the time, went with Sherman to Atlanta, Ga., and from there marched to Tennessee, where he took an active part in several battles.

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He was taken prisoner in eastern Tennes- see, spent two weeks in Libby Prison, and was then transferred to Belle Isle, and kept there seven months. He was released on May 17, 1864, came home on a furlough, and remained three months. Joining the One Hundredth Regiment, O. V. I., he again engaged in the service, was with Sherman at Atlanta, and took an active part in a great battle at Franklin. Afterward he returned to Sandusky county, Ohio. In February, 1888, our subject was united in marriage with Rosa C. Meoder, who was born January 1, 1867, and they have four children, namely: Cleta V., Leona A., Sarah A. and Bertha E. Mr. Hineline deals in cattle and horses, and is prosperous and well-to-do. He votes the Democratic ticket, has held several minor offices, and been trustee and school director. His parents lived with him until their death, and the old home- stead of 160 acres was left to him.

ACOB REEF, a progressive business man of Sandusky county, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Woodville township, and in the manufacture of lath and paling.

He was born in Bowville, Switzerland, February 28, 1854, and is a son of John Reef, who is also a native of that country, where he was employed as a day laborer. He wedded Mary Soldt, who was born in the same country and they became the parents of six children: John, who makes his home with our subject; Mary, wife of Andrew Widmer; Elizabeth, who died in childhood; Lucy who lives with her broth- er Jacob; Frederick, engaged in milling, and the subject of this review. In 1863 the father brought his family to America, taking up his residence near Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he purchased twenty acres of land on which he con- structed a log cabin. While cutting down a tree near his house he met with a very severe as well as painful accident, which

resulted in the loss of his life after only one year's residence in the New World. His widow afterward married again, her second union being with Conrad Myers, a farmer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, who died in 1879. Mrs. Myers is now living with her son Jacob, who like a dutiful son tenderly cares for her in her declining years. The children at the father's death were left to provide for their own support, for no inheritance came to them.

Our subject was only nine years of age at that time, and being forced to earn his livelihood he had little opportunity to pursue an education. For several years he worked only for his board and clothes. He then spent two years on the farm of his step-father and at the age of seven- teen began learning the carpenter's and joiner's trade, working the first seven months for the small sum of $7 and his board. He thought this rather unprofi- table, so started out to secure day's labor at his trade, and soon found employment. When he could not follow carpentering he took up any pursuit that would yield him an honest living, and thus worked for ten years, and then operated his moth- er's farm for a year. He next removed to Wood county, Ohio, where he culti- vated a rented farm of forty acres for three years, when, through industry and economy, he was enabled, in connection with his brother-in-law, to purchase one hundred acres of land. The tract is lo- cated in Woodville township, Sandusky county, the purchase price being $5, 500, and each brother paid $1,000, going in debt for the remainder. After a year Jacob Reef bought out his brother-in-law, and continued the work of improving the land, erecting barns and other necessary outbuildings, planting orchards, and ad- ding all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. He placed fifty acres under cultivation, and then, having more than he could conveniently manage, he sold twenty acres, and to-day has one of the

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most highly cultivated farms in Wood- ville township. In 1895 his barn and stable were destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $1, 500; but with characteristic en- ergy he rebuilt, and now has one of the finest barns in the township. There are also upon his place two good oil wells which have yielded to him a handsome profit, and which are now owned and operated by the Ohio Oil Company. There are also indications of oil on other parts of the farm. During the past year, Mr. Reef has engaged in the manufactur- ing business. He built a sawmill, and is now making laths and fencing, the new enterprise proving a profitable one. In this he is associated with his brother. He is a man of excellent business ability, whose foresight and keen discrimination have proved important factors in his prosperity.

On February 15. 1883, Mr. Reef was married in Sandusky county to Miss An- nie Widmer, daughter of John Widmer, a farmer of Bradner, Wood Co., Ohio, and they have three children: Rosie L. M., born January 4, 1886; George W., born December 20, 1889; and Emma P .. born January 13, 1894. Mr. Reef has held the office of supervisor for two terms, and has discharged the duties of the position in a most creditable and ac- ceptable manner. In politics he is a stalwart Republican. His success is not the result of propitious circumstances, but has come to him through industry, energy and honorable dealing. He has not only paid off all his indebtedness, but now has a highly cultivated farm with improved stock and other valuable property. His life has indeed been a busy and useful one, and his career is above reproach.

J OSEPH HOOVER. Of the many genial, whole-souled men of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, perhaps no one is better or more favorably known than Mr. Hoover. A

Union soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and a man whose high personal qualities make lighter the burdens of life for others, he is deservedly given a place in this volume. He is a son of George and Marguerite Hoover, and was born August 14, 1840, in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania.

Samuel Hoover, the paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, and died there; his father caine to America while a boy. By occupation Samuel Hoover was a car- penter. His son George was born in Fayette county, Penn., and grew up a farmer. In 1839 he married Marguerite Hilliard, and they had three children, namely: Joseph, whose name introduces this sketch; Eli, who died in Illinois, and Harvey, who was a member of the Sec- ond Virginia V. I., and was killed in the engagement at Cedar Mountain. George Hoover died in Pennsylvania in 1846; his widow is still making her home in Pennsylvania, and some of her relatives are living in Fayette county, Ohio.

Joseph Hoover was reared in Penn- sylvania. He enlisted in Company A, Sixty-second Pennsylvania V. I., in 1863, according to the records; but the date given is erroneous. The true records were destroyed by fire, and those com- piled to take their places were not made perfectly accurate. His company first went to Washington, and from there to the front, and were in Meade's army be- fore Richmond for some time. He was in some of the most famous battles of the war, among them those of Gettysburg, Cedar Mountain, Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania Court House, May 12, 1864, where a minie ball completely shattered his right forearm, and made a gunshot wound through the wrist of his left arm. Ampu- tation of the right arm was made neces- sary, while the left hand is almost use- less. He was mustered out May 18, 1865. It is a remarkable sight to see Mr. Hoover write with two pencils at the same time;

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he fastens one to his right arm by means of a rubber band, takes another in his left hand, and then writes very legibly with both. Mr. Hoover resided in Pennsyl- vania in 1867, and on March 16, of that year, he came to the Buckeye State, lo- cating in Erie county. In the following year he went to Groton Center, in the same county, and remained for several years. On September 22, 1874, he was there united in marriage with Mrs. Rosanna Fleming, who was born March 22, 1842, and they have had one child- - Eunice A., born July 21, 1876. She is an accomplished and brilliant performer on the piano, and renders selections on the violin and organ with intuitive skill. A gifted young lady, she adorns the home as only a beloved daughter can.

Mrs. Hoover's parents were Robert and Sarah (Price) Howey, and her maiden name was Rosanna Howey. Mr. Howey died on April 4, 1850, in Pennsylvania, his native State, and his widow makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hoover. On November 13, 1859, Miss Rosanna Howey was united in marriage with James H. Fleming. Three of their children-Marion, Frank and John-live in Groton township, Erie county; and Grant, the youngest son, was killed January 13, 1891, at Dana's crossing, while three companions were killed by a Lake Shore train. Mr. Flem- ing died in Groton township, March 17, 1872. Mrs. Hoover's brother, John Howey, was a private in Company G, One Hundred and First O. V. I., in the war of the Rebellion, and her brother-in- law, John Fleming, was captain of Com- pany G, same regiment. They were both wounded in the engagement at Stony River, Tenn., December 13, 1862. A ball passed through private Howey's right arm, shattering four inches of the humerus, and then, striking the left arm of Capt. Fleming, passed through and found lodg- ment in the lining of his coat. Capt. Fleming was taken prisoner, and for three

months lay in Andersonville, at the end of which time he was exchanged and re- turned home. While his coat was being taken off the ball dropped from the sleeve, evidence that the coat had not been removed from the arm for a period of almost four months-a noteworthy fact. The wound had not been cared for from the time it was received until Capt. Fleming returned home. As before stated, Mr. Hoover's brother Harvey was killed at Cedar Mountain. So, all told, the number of casualties in this family has been considerable. A. B. Howey, a brother of John Howey, was a private in Company G, One Hundred and First O. V. I., having enlisted in August, 1862, and was discharged with the rest of the regiment at the close of the war.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 39

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