Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 50

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 50
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 50

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& Youth, of Pennsylvania. From these he derives an income of $100 a month.

Mr. and Mrs. Ickes have had two chil- dren, one of whom, Franklin Harrison, born February 10, 1871, died July 21, 1871. Erma May was born June 27, 1882. Mr. Ickes is a Republican, and is always ready to work for the good of his party, and for the welfare of the commu- nity in which he lives. He holds the of- fice of road supervisor, and is faithful in the discharge of his duties. Both himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Church, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

J OHN HENRY NIESET is the own- er of an eighty-acre farm, pleasantly located but a short distance from the town of Gibsonburg, Sandusky coun- tv. This he purchased from his father about four years ago, and much of it he has placed under cultivation. In this por- tion of Washington township the land is seemingly unfit for farming purposes, be- ing largely covered with rocks; but Mr. Nieset has cleared fifty acres of his place which he has transformed into rich and fertile fields that now yield to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation which he bestows upon them. The patience and labor, required to clear the place, indicate two of his strongest characteristics-perseverance and energy.

Mr. Nieset is a native of Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, born June 22, 1863, and is of German lineage. His father, Andrew Nieset, was a native of Prussia, Germany, and on crossing the Atlantic made his way to Ohio, locating in Sandusky county. He married Bridget Kayler, who was born in Ohio. Our sub- ject remained with them upon the home farm until his marriage, and during his boyhood and youth aided in the labors of the fields and in the other work of the farm through the summer, while in the winter season he attended the district

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schools, there acquiring a fair English edu- cation, which has been supplemented by business experience and contact with the world, making him a well-informed man. In the county of his nativity, he was mar- ried to Miss Minnie A. Kilgus, whose peo- ple are well known in the locality. She was born January 30, 1867, and is one of a family of ten children, four of whom are yet living in Washington township, San- dusky county. Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nieset-two sons and three daughters- as follows: Louis, born February 22, 1886; Clara, March 7, 1888; Mary J., March 10, 1890; Emma M., August 24, 1891; and John Andrew, September 8, 1893.

In his political connections, Mr. Nie- set is a Democrat, having supported the men and measures of that party since at- taining his majority. In religious faith he is a Catholic, and he is one of the enter- prising young farmers of the community, to whom success will come as the reward of earnest and diligent effort. Idleness is utterly foreign to his nature, and he manages his business affairs with ability which has already made him one of the substantial citizens of the community.

V ALENTINE SHALE, a well-to-do farmer of Jackson township, San- dusky county, is a native of that section, born January 8, 1839, a short distance east of his present residence.

John Shale, the father of our subject, was born February 3, 1808, in Baltimore, Md., where he spent his childhood. In early manhood he went to York, Penn., where he learned the carpenter's trade, working for a Mr. Disler. He next went, in 1826, to Wayne county, Ohio, where he took jobs and worked at his trade on his own account, finally, in 1836, coming to Jackson township, Sandusky county. Here he bought eighty-acres of improved land for $1,000, then eighty more for $400, and other tracts, later, until he

owned 400 acres. In 1838 he married Miss Catharine Crites, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and ten children were born to them: Valentine, the subject proper of this sketch; Abraham, deceased; Isaac, who married Barbara Myers, by whom he had three children, one of whom is now deceased, and after her death wedded Lo- vina Clapper, by whom he also had three children: Jacob, who married Jane Eisen- hood, by whom he had four children, two of whom are deceased; Elizabeth, unmar- ried; Mary C., who died in childhood; Ly- dia, who married David Daub, and had six children; Mary, who married Levi Stahl, a farmer of Jackson township; William, who married Clarissa Leffler, and has two children-Amanda and Samuel; and John, who married Mary Gametsfelder, and has five children.

Valentine Shale lived with his parents on their farm until his twenty-sixth year, working by turns at the carpenter's trade, at farming during the summer seasons, and at shoemaking or cobbling during the in- clement weather. In this way he ac- cumulated property, and by successive purchases he has become the owner of a farm of 197 acres of choice land, on which he has erected substantial buildings. He was a soldier in the Civil war, and in the summer of 1864 served as second ser- geant of Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment, O. V. 1., four months at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia.

On January 14, 1864, Mr. Shale mar- ried Miss Rebecca Mowry, who was born September 18, 1836, and five children came came to their union: Alice, born January 14, 1866, who married George E. Wise, a farmer, and has one child, Stan- ley; Clara E., born May 14, 1868, who became the wife of W. A. Gossard, a school-teacher in Jackson township, and has one child, Mildred R. ; Emma R., born April 19, 1870, who became the wife of E. S. Flora, a farmer of Jackson town- ship, and died September 24, 1894; Will- iam I., born April 29, 1873, who attends

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select school at Burgoon, Ohio; and Edith L., born September 19, 1879, at school. Mr. Shale is a Republican in politics, and he has held several offices in his township, where he is highly respected. In religious connection he is a member of the Evangel- ical Association.

H ARMON HENRY TAULKER, one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens of Madison township, Sandusky county, was born in Hanover, Germany, November 26, 1838, and is a son of Harmon and Angeline (Nieman) Taulker.

Harmon Taulker was a tailor in the old country, and in the year 1841 sailed with his family for America. They came direct to Sandusky, Ohio, Mr. Taulker buying thirty acres of timberland, in Woodville township, Sandusky county, where his death afterward occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Taulker had four children, namely: Eliza, who married Henry Borcherding, a farmer, of Woodville township; Frederick, a farmer in Madison township; Harmon Henry, subject of this sketch; and Louisa, who came to America, but the family have not heard from her since her arrival, and it is not known by them what became of her. Mr. Taulker's widow married Frederick Cook, and they have had three children, all living, as fol- lows: Angeline, married to Fred Brock- sieker, and they live in Toledo, Ohio; Caroline, widow of John Bruggmeyer, lives in Toledo, Ohio, and John is a farmer in Woodville township.

When his parents arrived in this coun- try Harmon H. Taulker was but an in- fant. When old enough to attend school he received such educational advantages as the country schools near his home af- forded. After his father's death he went to the home of John Cline, a farmer in the same township, and worked for him by the day until he was fourteen years of be, when he went to live again with his

mother (who had in the meantime remar- ried), remaining there until he became of age. On March 27, 1862, Harmon H. Taulker was united in marriage with Louisa Kuhlman, and they have had three chil- dren, namely: Sophia, born October 30. 1863, wife of John Mauntler, a farmer of Woodville township; Henry, born Jan- uary 12, 1873, lives at home, attending school at Gibsonburg; and August, born January 30, 1875, also lives at home. Mrs. Taulker's parents, William and Margaret (Turenhagen) Kuhlman, lived and died in Hanover, Germany.

Mr. Taulker owns 160 acres of choice land, on which are seven oil wells. From these he derives an income of fifty dollars a month, getting every eighth barrel. His home is in the heart of the oil district, and but one mile from the center of Gib- sonburg, and he has a fine residence, with commodious and well-built barns and outbuildings. Mr. Taulker is a Democrat in politics, has held the office of trustee for six years, was township assessor for two- years, and was also school director and road supervisor. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church.

G EORGE L. REARICK, a farmer of Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born in Union county, Penn., November 2, 1834, a son of William and Mary (Hassenplug). Rearick.

The father of our subject was born in the State of New Jersey, from which he removed to Pennsylvania, later, in 1835, to Ohio, where he settled on a farm of fifty-nine acres in Sandusky township, on the line of the Western Reserve and Mau- mee turnpike. Here he worked at his trade as a chair-maker, cleared up his land, and for a time boarded the hands engaged in the construction of the pike. He died at his home at the age of seventy years. Our subject's mother was born in Union county, Penn., and became one of the:

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honored pioneers of Sandusky county, Ohio, where, after a life devoted to her family, she died at the age of eighty-four years. Children: (1) Henry, a black- smith, who died at Woodville, Ohio. (2) Susannah, who married Peter Reed, had two children, and died in this county. (3) Mary Ellen, who married Aaron Fos- ter, and had one child, Tena; this hus- band died, and she afterward married David Younkman; now living at Toledo, Ohio. (4) George L., our subject. (5) Julia Ann, who died in childhood. (6) Joseph W. and William Franklin, twins; Joseph W. married Martha Eversole, Sandusky township; William Franklin, unmarried, was a Union soldier in the Third O. V. C., during the Civil war; he was taken prisoner, and, after suffering confinement in three Rebel prisons, was sent to Richmond, Va., to be paroled or exchanged, after which all trace of him was lost.

George L. Rearick, our subject, grew to manhood in Sandusky county, and at the age of eighteen began to learn the blacksmith trade with his brother Henry, for whom he worked two years, and then became his partner in a shop at the Four- Mile House, west of Fremont. In 1877 he married Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Geeseman) Skinner, who were pioneers of Sandusky county. After marriage, Mr. Rearick and his wife set- tled in Henry county, Ohio, and remained there about two years. They then re- turned to Sandusky county, which has been their permanent residence since that time. Mr. Rearick joined the One Hun- dred days' men during the Civil war, and served in Company K, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment, O. V. I., at Fort Ethan Allen, Va .; he receives a pension for disability. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in religious faith he and his wife are members of the Reformed Church. Their children are: (1) Cynthia E., born August 28, 1858, who, after teaching school in Ohio and Michigan, married

Augustus Ritzman, March 6, 1879; they have children-Clarence, Claude, Sadie, Lester, Willie, Burton, Anna and Lilly. (2) Theresa Ellen, born January 8, 1862, married to Charles Engler, December 6, 1889; they had four children-Grace,. Vergie, George and Clifton. (3) Alberta A., born September 23, 1863, married to Charles Gillier, December 17, 1882; they had two children, one of whom died in childhood, the name of the living one be- ing May. (4) Ida M., born September 19, 1868, married to Lucas Overmyer; they have one child, Ada Alberta; the mother died in 1891; (5) William S., born October 2, 1870, who, after attend- ing the Ada Normal, and the Toledo and Sandusky City Business Colleges, is en- gaged in teaching in the public schools. (6) Delbert Hayes, born November 30, 1880, is living at home.

L EWIS DEGROFT is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Madison township, Sandusky county, and also of an honored pioneer family. He was born. July 23, 1858, to the union of Joseph and Mary (Chambers) Degroft, prominent people in their locality.

The district schools of the neighbor- hood afforded our subject his educational privileges, and from early youth he- worked on his father's farm, aiding his brother in clearing the land and placing it under cultivation. Wishing, however, to follow some other pursuit than that to. which he was reared, he at the age of eighteen began learning the carpenter's. and joiner's trade, which he followed for some time. He then returned to the old homestead, to look after the interests of the farm, which he operated for his father until the latter's death. He still contin- ues its cultivation, and gives to his mother one-third of the products for her support. He is a successful agriculturist, and the neat and thrifty appearance of.

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the place indicates his careful super- vision. In connection with farming he also operates in the oil fields, connecting pipes, etc., and doing carpenter work for the company. Industrious and energetic, we predict that his future career will be one of success.

On November 21, 1880, at Bradner, Ohio, Mr. Degroft was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Morgan, a daughter of Thomas Morgan, a farmer of Wood coun- ty, Ohio. He was born in Wales, Eng- land, April 27, 1832, and there followed the occupation of coal mining. In 1868 he crossed the water to the New World, and embarked in farming in Ohio. He was married in his native land to Miss Mary Davis, and they became parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Mrs. Jennie Degroft, Cassie, An- nie, Emma (wife of Henry Jones, a farmer), Rosa, Lizzie and Alta. The parents still live in Wood county, where Mr. Morgan is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. De- groft have an interesting family of seven children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Myrtle, February 10, 1882; Jessie L., July 10, 1883; Clayton L., December 17, 1887; Glenn M., May 7, 1890; Rachel J., June 1, 1891; Clar- ence J., November 4, 1893; and Stella B., March 24, 1895. In his political views, Mr. Degroft is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired official honors, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests. The family at- tend the Baptist Church, and are well- known and highly-esteemed people, hold- ing an enviable position in social circles.

P HILIP H. ZORN, member of the widely-known firm of Zorn, Hor- nung & Company, of Gibsonburg, Sandusky county, is prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of that city, and, with his partner, has done more, perhaps, to encourage and

foster home industries than any other man in this section of the country. He is another example of that German thrift and industry which is bound to succeed in whatever direction it trends.

Mr. Zorn was born in Nassau, Ger- many, August 21, 1831, son of John Philip and Margaret (Berbricker) Zorn. The parents came with their children to America, locating in Sandusky county, Ohio, and they both died in Erie county, at the age of seventy-six years. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom the following record is given: John P. died when about twenty-six years old; Philip H. is our subject; Charles, who was a merchant in Iowa, died when about twenty-eight years of age; Louis is a farmer, and lives in Monroe, Mich .; Fred- erick is a farmer in Montezuma, Iowa; William is a farmer in Erie county, this State; Henry, who was a carpenter, died in Sandusky county; Jacob, also a car- penter, lived in Fremont, where he died.

Philip H. Zorn came to America when a lad of eighteen, finding his way from New York to Fremont, this State, which was then known as Lower Sandusky. Here he found employment at his trade of shoemaker, and remained some five years. In 1856 he married Miss Julia Margaret Stotz, who, like her husband, was a native of Nassau, Germany, the date of her birth being June 2, 1834. To this union nine children were born, of whom the following named survive: (1) Philip H., Jr., born November 25, 1856, received a good common-school education and ob- tained a thorough practical knowledge of his father's business; he is now manager of the large mercantile firm of Zorn, Hornung & Co., of which he is a member, and was one of the organizers and president of the Gibsonburg Banking Co .; he married Miss Christina Richter, of Fremont, and they have a family of seven children- Harold, Julia, Zella, Carl, Corine, Edna and Florence. (2) Catherine was born February 25, 1860, and resides with her

Philip Lo. Zorn

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parents. (3) F. W., born March 15, 1868, is bookkeeper in his father's com- pany, and a member of the firm; he was married, May 15, 1890, to Miss Nora Ferrenburg, who was born in Pennsylva- nia, January 5, 1868, and they have two children-Freda and Ray. (4) F. A., born August 25, 1874, is now employed with the firm. The mother of this family passed from earth April 22, 1881.

In the spring of 1856 Mr. Zorn lo- cated at Three Rivers, Mich., where he worked at his trade for a few months, and then went into business for himself. After one year he sold out his interest there and removed to Hessville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, carrying on the shoe business until 1863, when he sold out to A. Hor- nung, and established a general store at Hessville. 3 This business he conducted alone up to 1866, when he took Mr. Hor- nung into partnership, the firm style being Zorn & Hornung, and they continued the business at Hessville until 1874, when they sold out, in the meantime, in 1872, opening a branch store at Gibsonburg. The branch store opened at Gibsonburg in 1872 was the nucleus around which their present extensive business has material- ized, and this has since been the center of their operations. In 1877 Henry Zorn was admitted to partnership, and the business has since been carried on under the title of Zorn, Hornung & Co., of which firm F. W. Zorn and G. W. Hor- nung have been members since 1887. Succeeding in their first enterprise, the company have enlarged and added to their general merchandise business un- til now they stand at the head of a series of industries which have proved of immense value to the commu- nity, and of profit to themselves. Be- sides owning one of the largest general stores in northern Ohio, they built the first creamery in Sandusky county, and are owners of a stave factory, a grain elevator, and five lime kilns. Besides all this Mr. Zorn was instrumental in the 22

drilling of the first successful oil well in the vicinity of Gibsonburg, and the firm are, perhaps, the largest oil producers in this part of Ohio, having an interest in 5,000 to 6,000 acres of oil and gas leases and 150 drilled wells. In operating these various industries they have constantly employed a large number of men at good wages, and in this way have con- tributed in no small degree to the pros- perity of the city. Mr. Zorn is a Dem- ocrat, and a member of the Lutheran Church, and he is always ready to help in any cause which has for its object the welfare of his fellowmen.

R EUBEN CLINK is a prominent agriculturist and stock raiser of Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he was born Jan- uary II, 1852. He is a son of Caleb Clink, an honored pioneer, and well- known farmer of Woodville township, who passed away in November, 1894. He also has three brothers living in San- dusky county, well-known and influential citizens.

In the district schools near his home Reuben Clink acquired his primary educa- tion, and in early boyhood began to work upon his father's farm. He was early in- ured to the labors of farm life, and to his father continued to give the benefit of his services until he had arrived at man's es- tate. He was then married, and operated his father-in-law's farm five years. When that period had passed he removed to the place which is still his home, comprising 138 acres of rich land, eighty acres of which are under cultivation. The im- provements upon the place have all been secured through his efforts, the work of clearing has nearly all been done by him, and to-day he is in possession of one of the finest and best equipped farms of the neighborhood. Well-kept fences divide it into fields of convenient size, and a fine orchard and vineyard add materially to

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his income by their heavy yields, for of late years he has engaged quite exten- sively in fruit growing. In 1886 he put up a large and substantial barn as well as other outbuildings, and recently he has erected a substantial and tasteful dwell- ing, one of the finest in the township, supplied with all modern improvements. The building alone cost $2,000, and is one of the beautiful country homes of San- dusky county, the grounds and fences being kept in first-class condition, while the lawn is ornamented with beautiful shrubs and trees which add to the attract- ive appearance of the place.

On November 21, 1875, Reuben Clink was united in marriage with Adie Tucker, daughter of Thomas Tucker, who was born in New York, where he followed the occupation of a lumber man- ufacturer. He was there married, and of the union were born eight children-Mar- vin D., Matthew E., Charles W., Fran- cis, Elvina, Jane, Emma and Laura. The mother of this family died in New York, after which he removed to Ohio, locating in Rollersville, Sandusky county, where he married Ester Mohler, and by her he had four children-Adie, born Oc- tober 8, 1858: Nelson, born August 18, 1857, a farmer residing in Woodville township, Sandusky county; and one who died in childhood. Mr. Tucker died in Rollersville, and Mrs. Tucker remained a widow four years, when she married John Frobish. who died January 28, 1892, since when she has lived on her farm in Woodville township. Four children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clink: Tillie, born September 22, 1878; Gertrude, born September 17, 1881; Bertie, born July 7, 1885: and Oran W., born June 17, 1889.

Mr. Clink has held the office of school director in Woodville township, has been clerk of the school board, and takes a deep and abiding interest in the cause of education, and other matters that tend to advance the general welfare of the town- ship. In his political views he is inde-

pendent, supporting the man whom he considers best qualified for office regard- less of party affiliations. He and his family are connected with the United Brethren Church, and are highly es- teemed people of the community, hold- ing an enviable position in social circles.

J OHN B. MOHN, one of the public- spirited and successful farmers of York township, Sandusky county, is a native of Berks county, Penn., as were also his parents, who came of Ger- man ancestry.

He is the son of Joseph and Cather- ine (Burgert) Mohn, and was born July 20, 1839. His father, born in 1812, was a mason by trade, and he started from Berks county, Penn., for a home in Ohio in the fall of 1852, on the day when Franklin Pierce was elected President of the United States. He made the long journey in a wagon, and located first in Ashland county, where, however, he re- mained only a year. In the fall of 1853 he continued westward to Flat Rock, Seneca county, where he purchased a home and remained during the rest of his life. He worked at his trade, and lived to the age of eighty years. Joseph Mohn was a member of the Evangelical Church; in politics he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican. It is indeed notable that all the blood relations of Mr. Mohn have also been Republicans. The widow of Mr. Mohn, who was born in 1814, still lives at Flat Rock. The ten children of Joseph and Catherine Mohn were as fol- lows: Levina, who died at the age of sixteen years; Eliza, who died young; an infant, deceased, unnamed; Harrison, now a carpenter, in California; John B., sub- ject of this sketch; Sarah, who married John Terwilliger, and lives at Flat Rock ; Sebastian, a farmer and carpenter, of Clyde; Fannie, wife of John Mclaughlin ; Martin, a minister of the M. E. Church,

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now stationed in Coshocton county; Tillie, wife of Jacob Trot, of Seneca county.

John B. Mohn was a boy of fourteen when he came with his parents to Flat Rock. He worked on the farm, and at- tended the district schools. For a year he worked at masonry, his father's trade, but did not like it, and returned to farm- ing at monthly wages until his marriage, in the fall of 1861, to Miss Sarah Hassen- ger, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1843. He rented a farm and began housekeeping in York township. Mr. and Mrs. Mohn have two children, Flora and Minnie, the former married to W. A. Roach, and has one child, Chester Leroy, In 1864 Mr. Mohn enlisted in Company A, Fifty-fifth O. V. I., and served in the army of the West. He was with Sher- man in the Atlanta campaign, also in the memorable march to the sea, and he par- ticipated in the grand review at Washing- ton. Returning to his home he resumed farming. Mr. Mohn purchased his pres- ent excellent farm of 104 acres in the spring of 1881, and is engaged in grain and stock raising. In politics he is a pro- nounced Republican, and he takes an act- ive interest in county political affairs. He has served as trustee of York township four years. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, and he is also prominent in G. A. R. and U. V. U. circles. Mr. Mohn is a stanch believer in American institutions and American lib- erty, and opposed to the introduction of monarchical or hierarchical methods in state affairs.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 50

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