USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 60
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 60
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J. G. Kinhbride Toledo. O.
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This gave the Kirkbrides a chance to buy all the surrounding land, some thousand acres in extent, and here they drilled fif- teen wells, forming at the same time what is known as the Alphonso Oil Co. Just prior to this our subject leased sev- eral hundred acres in Perry township, Wood county, where a number of gas wells were drilled, which to some extent supply the city of Toledo with gas.
Mr. Kirkbride next invested in a half interest in the Damschroeder property of 175 acres, and here they drilled a dry hole. This property they still hold, be- lieving it to be a good oil country. Mr. Kirkbride purchased twenty acres of the Graver farm, on which he put down five wells, and then followed an unique and remarkable experience in his oil business well worthy of record. A certain well seemed to contain nothing but water, and many a speculator turned his back on it and derided it; yet Mr. Kirkbride believed it would ultimately yield oil, and for eight weeks he pumped incessantly, but got nothing except water for his pains, during which time he and the well were the butt of many a jest. However, at the end of about two months, oil began to manifest itself, and the well all at once commenced to produce oil at the rate of 100 barrels per day, and in less than two more months not only paid for all the labor expended on it, but also for the cost of the twenty acres of land. This was the first attempt in the county, by any oil producer, to ex- haust the water and ultimately reach oil.
The Kirkbride oil territory was next en- larged by the purchase of the George Mil- ler farm of eighty acres which they held an entire year before drilling. They leased surrounding property, and on the Morgan farm drilled a test well which pro- duced 300 barrels per day; this was also made a "mystery" well until some 700 acres adjoining could be secured by lease. With everything in their own hands they now put down twelve wells on the Miller farm, also three on the Morgan farm, and 26
at the end of one year they leased the Benjamin Jones farm in Sandusky county, as well as the Myers farm. On the lat- ter they drilled three wells, one of them, which " came in " November 9, 1894, be- ing the first large well drilled in the county, producing 1,400 barrels per day for nine- teen days! Six days after this well " came in," or November 15, 1894, Mr. Kirk- bride completed the largest oil well in the world, known as the " Kirkbride Gusher." This was on the Jones farm, about five miles west of Gibsonburg. When the Trenton rock was pierced, in boring, the well began to throw up a column of oil some 200 feet high, so that houses and land were covered with oil, deep ditches along the roads being filled to overflow, and still the oil continued to flow. Mr. Kirkbride believes that when the well started, and for some time thereafter, it must have produced at the rate of 60,- ooo barrels per day, running at full flow. It took them four hours to get the well under control and the tanks erected, but of course they could not get the oil away as fast as the well would produce it. Gradually declining in yield, at the end of some four months the production was less than one thousand barrels per day, and the once Mammoth has dwindled down to an humble twenty-barrel-per-day well! Last, not least, Mr. Kirkbride bought twenty-seven acres of land from Henry Schmucker, in Woodville township, on which he has five wells, one of which is in one respect like the great well we have just given an account of, in being what Mr. Kirkbride calls a "crevice well." This produces 100 barrels per day, but had to be pumped for two weeks before any- thing except water came. At this writ- ing (November, 1895) Mr. Kirkbride owns and leases about ten thousand acres of oil territory, and is operating, in all 200 wells. He attributes his great success to two things, to-wit: First-he thoroughly un- derstands every detail of the business; and, Second-he keeps out of the Ex-
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changes ;- in a word he gives his time and attention exclusively to the production of oil and not to speculation therein.
On January 5, 1880, Mr. Kirkbride was married to Miss Mary A. Edwards, and six children have blessed their union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Joseph Edward, February 23, ISSI: Margaret Mabel, July 31, 1883, died January 12, 1887; Thomas F., June 24, 1885; Mary Alice, December 25. 1887; Annie Geneva, August 14, 1889; and James William, October 21, 1891. Mrs. Kirkbride was born, in 1857, in Liverpool, England, daughter of Thomas and Mar- garet (Molland) Edwards, the former of whom (now deceased) was a sergeant in the English army, and the latter is now a resident of Boston, Mass. Mrs. Kirk- bride received her education in her na- tive city, whence she emigrated to Nova 'Scotia, later moving to Boston, Mass. In 1890 Mr. Kirkbride took up his residence n Toledo, where on Collingwood avenue he has an elegant home, he himself being the designer and architect of the building. He and his amiable spouse are noted for their hospitality, geniality and cordiality, and live in the unqualified esteem and re- spect of a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances.
N ATHAN DODGE (deceased), who was a carpenter and a farmer by occupation, and one of the most popular citizens of Middle Bass Island, Ottawa county, was born in Gainesville, N. Y., December 15, 1822, and was a son of Elijah and Lorena (Thayer) Dodge, who were both born in New York State.
When Nathan Dodge was but a youth his parents removed to Carlisle, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, received his education, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until later in life, he removed to Wisconsin, locating in Windsor. Dane county, and there for
seventeen years engaging in agricultural pursuits. On August 3, 1847, Nathan Dodge was united in marriage in Strongs- ville, Ohio, with Mary I. Carpenter, daughter of Caleb and Susan (Haines) Carpenter, and born in Strongsville, Ohio, June 4, 1826. They have had eight children, six of whom are living, as fol- lows: Ellen Maria, born July 13, 1848, now the widow of L. R. Webster, and re- siding on Put in Bay Island, Ottawa county; Jennie, born April 9, 1850, wife of James H. Crowley, residing in St. Louis, Mo .; Louis C., born April 15, 1852, living on Middle Bass Island; James E., who is captain of the steamer "Ina," born February 17, 1854, and re- siding in Put in Bay Island; Emma C., born April 30, 1856, wife of Louis Edli- son, and residing in Los Angeles, Cal .; John B., born March 22, 1858, a resident of St. John's, Mich .; Edith L., who be- came the wife of Robert L. Harris, and passed away at Nordhoff, Cal., March 6, 1894; and Harvey C., deceased at the age of five years.
About 1865 Mr. Dodge removed to Middle Bass Island, where he resided dur- ing the remainder of his days, dying Oc- tober 9, 1870. He was a man of high moral qualities, and his character was be- yond reproach. His kindness of heart and unselfish generosity were proverbial wherever he was known, none appealing to him in vain in a worthy cause. Many instances of his acts of kindness might be cited, showing his characteristic regard for the happiness of others. His great industry, unquestioned integrity, and un- impeachable moral character won for him hosts of friends, who with his widow and sorrowing family mourn their loss.
A NDREW SCHIELE (deceased) was a native of Wurttemberg, Germany, born in 1819, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth. The public schools there af-
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forded him his educational privileges, and he there also learned the trades of both baker and blacksmith. Thinking to ben- efit his financial condition by crossing the Atlantic to the New World, he bade adieu to his native land in 1850, and sailed for the United States, locating in Toledo, Ohio, where for fifteen years he worked at the baker's trade, also keeping a restau- rant. In 1865 he took up his residence on Put in Bay Island, where he spent his remaining days. He here de- voted his time and energies to the culti- vation of a vineyard and the manufacture of wine, and did a good business, becom- ing one of the well-to-do residents of the community.
Mr. Schiele was married in Toledo October 7, 1851, to Justina Kirnberger, born in Wurttemberg, Germany, June 21, 1830. They became the parents of ten children, five now living, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Louis, July 2, 1856; Robert, December 26, 1858; Frank, September 15, 1860; An- drew, February 8, 1862; and Edward, February 22, 1869, all still living in Put in Bay. The father of this family was called to his final rest April 29, 1880, and many friends mourned his death, for he was a highly-respected man, recognized as one of the prominent residents of the community. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, to which his widow also belonged.
ANDREW SCHIELE, JR., was born in Toledo, Ohio, and when a child of two and a half years was brought by his par- ents to Put in Bay Island. He was edu- cated in the district schools, and since leaving the school-room has followed the business in which his father engaged, that of fruit growing and wine making. He is an enterprising, thrifty young business man, carefully managing his interests, and in his undertakings is meeting with good success. He was married April 25, 1893, to Marguerite Duennisch, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Beck) Duen-
nisch, who were natives of Germany. Her father is now living in Venice, Erie Co., Ohio, where her mother died in 1886. Mrs. Schiele was born at that place, July 27, 1869, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child- Elsie Marie, born November 17, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Schiele are well-known people of the community, and their friends are many. Our subject is now serving his second term as township trustee, to which position he was elected by the Re- publican party. He and his wife attend the Lutheran Church.
G AVIN WATSON (deceased) was for over forty years one of the honored and respected citizens of Danbury township, Ottawa coun- ty, where his widow still makes her home. He was a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, January 19, 1822, and was a son of James and Margaret Watson, who were also natives of that country. He was reared to manhood, educated and learned the trade of stone cutting in his native land, where he remained until 1850, when he came to America. After residing in New York for a short time, he removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., remaining there until the spring of 1851, at which time he became a resident of Danbury township, Ottawa county, and here con- tinued to make his home until his death, which occurred January 3, 1892. For some time after locating in the township he worked at his trade, but later was principally engaged in farming, which he carried on with good success.
On June 3, 1851, in Danbury town- ship, Mr. Watson was married to Mrs. Margaret Tynan, widow of William Tynan, and daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Johnson. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are still liv- ing: John, born June 10, 1855, makes his home in Chicago, Ill .; William, born August 25, 1857; and Margaret, born
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July 19, 1863, married January 13, 1886, to Henry Baxter, of Danbury township, and has one child-Pearl, who was born March 20, ISS9. By her former marriage Mrs. Watson was the mother of two chil- dren, namely: Elizabeth, now the widow of David Jameson, and making her home in Danbury township; and Jane. who is an invalid and lives with her mother.
During his residence of over forty years in Danbury township, Mr. Watson won the esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and was num- bered among the valued citizens of the community. His character was beyond reproach, and his many virtues and pleas- ant ways gained him a host of friends.
WILLIAM WATSON, since the death of his father. has assumed the management of the farm, on which he has made many good and useful improvements. He is a live, progressive business man, highly es- teemed as a friend and neighbor.
C HARLES H. HOUTS. This gen- tleman, who is one of the oldest pioneers of Ottawa county, and a prosperous agriculturist and fruit grower of Clay township, has also a rec- ord as a soldier in the late Civil war of which he may well be proud. The par- ticipants in that struggle for the preser- vation of the Union are growing percep- tibly fewer as the years roll on, and it will not be long ere none are left to tell the story. We who hear it from the lips of those who took an active part in its victories and defeats are fortunate indeed.
Mr. Houts was born in Scott town- ship, Sandusky Co., Ohio, August 1I, 1842, son of John and Rhoda (Schroggy) Houts, the former of whom was born in 1813. in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Columbiana county, Ohio. When seven months old he was brought to Ottawa county, and in his boyhood he attended the public school at Port Clinton, after- ward assisting his father in the work upon
the farm. When the call for men for three-years' service in the Civil war was made, the patriotic youth responded by enlisting January 4, 1864, in Company G, One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, under the command of Col. Patrick Sleaven. He was in many bloody battles, where he saw thousands of men dying on the field, and learned from experience the horrors of war. Among the notable engagements in which he took part were: The battle of Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., May 5 to 9; Resaca, Ga., May 13 to 16; Dallas, Ga., May 27 to June 4; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 9 to 30; Utay Creek, where they lost one hundred men, August 6; Atlanta, Ga., July 29 to September 2; Columbia, Tenn., November 24 to 28; Franklin, Tenn., November 30, and Nashville, Tenn., December 15 to 16, all in 1864. In all these engagements Mr. Houts was so fortunate as not to receive even a scratch, although his comrades fell all around him, and indeed throughout the whole campaign he enjoyed the best of health, with the exception of an attack of measles which kept him in the hospital for a week or two. He received his dis- charge after brilliant victories at Salis- bury, N. C., on July 17, 1865.
After his return from the army Mr. Houts sailed on Lake Erie and Lake Huron for six years. He then took up the trade of a carpenter and joiner, at which he worked six years, during three of which he was in partnership with Sam- uel Wisner, under the firm name of Houts & Wisner, carrying on the business of contractors and builders at Port Clinton. Subsequently he engaged in farming, working for six years on a farm near Port Clinton, after which he came to Clay township, rented a farm, and worked thereon for five more years. By hard work and frugality during all this time he managed to save enough money to buy a farm of his own, and in 1888 purchased eighty acres of land near Clay Center, which was partly under cultivation. Here
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he went to work with a will, spending every spare moment in beautifying the place. He rebuilt the dwelling house and all the barns, and made other needed im- provements, and to-day is enjoying the fruit of his labors in a pleasant, comfort- able home.
Mr. Houts was married, December 31, 1868, at Port Clinton, to Caroline P., daughter of J. R. Heim, a merchant of that place, and they have one child, John Richard, born October 17, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of Clay township, and worked on the homestead farm for several years. He was married December 20, 1893, to Lillie M., daugh- ter of Frederick Sutton, Esq., of Martin, where the couple now reside.
John Houts, the father of our subject, was born near Strasburg, Penn., and came to Ottawa county when quite young, locating near Port Clinton. Here he was married in 1836 to Rhoda Schroggy, and to them five children were born, as fol- lows: Henry, born in 1841, died when quite young; Charles H., our subject, born in 1842; Mary A. born in 1844, is the widow of William Britten, who was killed in a stone quarry at Marble Head (she has three children); James, born in 1846, at Port Clinton, is married and lives in Michigan (he has two children); one died in infancy. The mother of our sub- ject was one of the first school teachers in Port Clinton. She died there in 1848. In 1853 the father married again, taking for his second wife Amanda Mommeney, of Port Clinton, and five more children were added to the family, viz .: John, who is an engineer on a vessel on Lake Erie; Rosie, deceased; William, who lives in one of the Western States; Clara, living in Kansas; and Ida, married and living in Cleveland. Mr. Houts passed peace- fully away at the home of his son Charles, in Clay township, March 11, 1894, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years and two months, beloved and respected by all who knew him.
J. R. Heim, the father of Mrs. Charles Houts, was born at Baden, Germany, March 4, 1821, and came to this country when a young man, living for some years at Plasterbed, this State. He then re- moved to Port Clinton, where he was engaged in the hotel business for a num- ber of years, subsequently buying a farm near Port Clinton, on which he lived until his death, which took place January 4, 1886; his wife preceded him to the bet- ter land, dying May 7, 1869. Mr. Heim was married in 1847 to Pauline Moos, and they became the parents of twelve children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Caroline, November 7, 1848, now the wife of our subject; John R., born January 26, 1850; Adam, March 30, 1852, died March 30, 1892; Christine, February 17, 1854; Maria B., September 12, 1855; Magdelena, September 26, 1857; Catherine P., July 11, 1859; August, Au- gust 9, 1861; William C., March II, 1863; Edward C., February 22, 1865; Clara E. J., March 14, 1867; and Chris- toph L., May 7, 1869, died September 1, same year.
Our subject in politics is a stanch Democrat, and an admirer of President Cleveland. He was a trustee of Clay township for several years, and a school director and member of the board of edu- cation at Genoa. He was clerk of the board for two years, and held the office of trustee three years in Portage town- ship. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also of Clay Lodge, F. & A. M., at Genoa. He is a man of influence, well liked, both in public and private life.
S TULL BROS (J. H. AND WILL- IAM W.), former merchants and manufacturers, Fremont, Sandus- ky county, were born in Rice township, Sandusky county, Ohio, sons of Jacob and Katie (Rang) Stull.
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Jacob Stull, Sr., was born in Hatmat, Alsace (France), and came with his par- ents to America when fourteen years old, locating in Waynesburg, Penn. Eight years later he, with his parents, brothers, sisters, and others migrated by wagon to Rice township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, a distance of several hundred miles. Katie Stull was born in Baden, Germany, and came with her parents to America, settling in Rice township, Sandusky Co., Ohio. In 1837 she and Jacob Stull were married. Both are now deceased, she having died August 25, 1866, at the age of forty-five years, five months, four days, he dying February 4, 1873, aged fifty-eight years, one month, twenty-nine days. They were respected and loved by all who knew them, and their remains now rest in Rice township. They had five children: Christina, Mary, Sarah, Jacob H. and William W. Of these Christina married Joseph Lambert, in 1865, and now resides in Rice township; the names of their children are: Emma, Rutherford, Pearly and Homer. Mary married Hugo Gross, in 1866, and died March II, 1888; he lives near Lansing, Mich .; the names of their children are: Emma, Ida, Clara, George, Frank, Ollie and Arlin. Sarah married J. H. Diedler, in 1871, and lives in Fremont, Ohio; the names of their children are: Laura, Florence, Lillie, Jennie, lvin and Irvin. Jacob H. married Julia Flora, in 1886, and lives in Fremont; they have one child, Arlin. William W. also re- sides in Fremont, Ohio. In 1868 Jacob Stull, Sr., married his second wife, and they had one child, Emma, who in 1894 married Rev. Will M. Waller, and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stull Bros. (J. H. & William W.), the subjects proper of this sketch, were quite young when their parents died. Jacob H. staid for a time with his sister Sarah, and William W. with his sister Mary. After this, their time was occupied serving on farins, canvassing and attend-
ing school. In this manner those young lives passed away their precious time of their early "teens," being steadily en- gaged in the rugged discipline of labor, battling with Nature for subsistence. They afterward attended the Fremont High School, and later the Port Clinton Select School. Subsequently Jacob H. attended the College at Oberlin, Ohio, and William W. the Ada Normal School, Ada, Ohio. After having acquired suffi- cient mental discipline, they entered the profession of teaching, and Jacob H. pur- sued that for nine terms in the country, and William W. for seven terms. They then embarked in the retail grocery busi- ness in Fremont. Ohio, under the firm name of Stull Bros. They were engaged in this business for three years. While doing this they encountered a difficulty in the usual method of keeping accounts, and set to work to devise something bet- ter; the result of which was the now well- known "Simple Account File," which they invented and patented, the patent having been taken out in May, 1886. Having unlimited faith in their invention, they sold out their mercantile business and commenced the manufacture of the " File." This new enterprise, at its be- ginning, was not a success-rather uphill work-but they continued in the business. Jacob H. was then chosen manager of the concern, while William W. was chosen their traveling agent. During the sum- mer months he traveled over Ohio, Indi- ana and Pennsylvania by wagon, and the balance of the time in other States by rail, selling Files and appointing agents. At the expiration of three years, owing to the increase, of the business, he was obliged to stay at home. Their business continued to increase, until, by their push and business ability, they extended the sale of the File to all parts of the United States. In 1891 they sold the right to "manufacture and sell " the File west of the Mississippi river, and in 1892 the territory east of the Mississippi river.
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These two sales netted them a handsome sum.
Stull Bros. in religious connection, are members of the M. E. Church, and in politics they are Republicans.
J OSEPH DEGROFT (deceased), who was one of the prominent and pro- gressive agriculturists of Madison township, Sandusky county, and one of its early settlers, was born in Cumber- land county, Penn., November 25, 1814, and was a son of Joseph Degroft, a na- tive of the same county, who died when our subject was only a year old.
Our subject received but a limited ed- ucation in the schools of his native town, and worked at different kinds of employ- ment from the early age of twelve years until he reached manhood. He received at first only forty cents per day for his la- bor, and continued working in this way until 1850, when with his family he came to Ohio, locating in Madison township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, all covered with timber. His first work here was to build a house, and he erected a log cabin upon the site from which he cut away the trees in order to make room for the building. He began life in true pioneer style here, and from the wilder- ness developed a highly-cultivated farm. He first planted corn and wheat, and con- tinued the work of improvement with the aid of his sons until he became the owner of one of the most valuable farming prop- erties in this section of the county. Often before roads were constructed he had to carry on his back to Pemberville a sack of corn and wheat which he had ground into grist in order that the family might have food. He also traveled through the woods and over the muddy roads to Fre- mont-a distance of twenty miles-lead- ing his horse, and there did his milling and marketing. He would then not reach his home until after midnight; but the pioneer days with their hardships
passed, the log cabin was replaced by a substantial frame residence, barns were erected and the work of improvement carried forward until he became the own- er of a model farm and the possessor of a handsome competence.
Mr. Degroft was married on New Year's Day, 1849, in Cumberland county, Penn., to Mary Chambers, and of the ten children born to them, seven are still liv- ing: (1) Mathew, born March 7, 1840, in Cumberland county, was educated in the public schools of this locality, and here follows farming; he is married and has six children. (2) John, born November 5, 1841, in Cumberland county, was edu- cated in Madison township, Sandusky county, and with his family resides on a farm in Michigan. (3) Joseph, born June 5, 1845. in Pennsylvania, is a contractor and builder, and resides on the homestead with his mother. (4) Shannon, born Oc- tober 14, 1847, in Cumberland county, Penn., is married and has three children; he followed agricultural pursuits in Mad son township, Sandusky county. (5) Thomas, born November 25, 1850, in Madison township, was for some years engaged in the practice of medicine, but is now in the railroad business in Cali- fornia. (6) Catherine, born May 4, 1855. in Madison township, is the wife of Charles Sohnley, of Toledo. (7) Lewis is an honored citizen of Sandusky county. Alfred and Charles both died in infancy, and one girl also died in infancy.
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