Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 65

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 65
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 65

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).

W ILLIAM SCHOCH, retired farm- er, now a resident of Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in Snyder county, Penn., October 18, 1832, a son of Daniel and Mary (Romich) Schoch, who were both of Ger- man descent.

Daniel Schoch was born in Pennsylva- nia, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade. In 1835 he moved to Seneca county, and two years later came to Riley township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he followed farming, and died at the age of sixty-two years. The mother of our sub- ject was born in Pennsylvania, and de- parted this life in Sandusky county, at the age of eighty-one. The father was a member of the Lutheran Church, the mother of the Reformed Church. They had eleven children, as follows: Michael (a farmer), Daniel (who operated a saw- mill), Henry (a farmer), Samuel (a farmer), and Edward, are all five now deceased; William, our subject, comes next; then Frederick; after them, Lydia, wife of H. Swarm; Elizabeth, wife of A. Stein; Catharine, wife of J. Parker; and Mary Ann, wife of C. Livingston.

William Schoch, the subject proper of these lines, attended the country schools, and was reared to manhood in Riley town-

ship, on his father's farm. On April 22, 1860, he married Miss Lena Shoemaker, who was born in Germany, July 12, 1837, and their children are: (1) Lydia Ann, born September 7, 1861, was married to Charles Hirt, which union was blessed with one son-Willie. Mr. Hirt dying after the birth of his son, his widow was married to E. S. P. Bingman, by whom she had two children-Vergie and War- ren. (2) Emma J., born December 28, 1862, who married Francis Earl, and they have three children-Ada, Lena and Myr- tie. (3) William, born March 21, 1864, and died at the age of sixteen. (4) George Samuel, born November 9, 1868, married Clara Martin, and they have one child-Maud M. (5) Charles Frederick, born March 6, 1870, married Ella Thurn, and they have three children-Lester, Ray, and Mable.

Mr. Schoch, our subject, was for many years one of the substantial farmers of Riley township, where he still owns land. He recently retired to Fremont, where he bought town lots, and where he now resides.

J OSEPH A. STOUT. Our national prosperity is largely upheld by the integrity, frugality and virtue of large numbers of the citizens of the Republic. Among those who by their praiseworthy example have been an en- couragement and a help to others, and whose work has contributed its mite to bring forth the rich inheritance locked up within a fertile soil, and to conserve the forces of the nation, is the worthy subject of the brief sketch here given. He was born August 11, 1847, and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Stout.

Jonathan Stout was born September 18, 1820, and early trained in those cor- rect principles so well exemplified in his own life and in that of his son. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Gilbert who was born in 1826. Working by the

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day, he saved his money with an eye to larger results in the future, and finally bought land, for a home in Riley town- ship, Sandusky county, where other re- solute and persevering men have also laid the foundations of a competence.

Joseph A. Stout worked by the month on the farm, saved his money, as had his father before him, and bought forty-six acres of valuable land in Riley township, to establish a home upon it, and by its cultivation gain a livelihood, and more. On October 10, 1871, he was united in marriage with Clara Daniels, and they have five children, as follows: Maria, born August 4, 1873, married Frank McCleary on November 18, 1891, and they have had one child (they live in Riley town- ship); Bertha was born March 13, 1880; Isaac, December 19, 1881; Emma, July 5, 1886; and Jessie, July 18, 1888. Mr. Stout carries on general farming, not depending upon the success of one crop, or one line of agriculture or stock raising, alone. Heis a Democrat, in politics, and has been repeatedly honored by his fel- low citizens with public office, having served as trustee three years, as constable two years, as school director three years, and as supervisor five years. He is well and favorably known in the community, is much liked and very popular. The family attend the United Brethren Church.

C ASPER FOOS, retired farmer and a resident of Millersville, Jackson township, Sandusky county, was born February 20, 1826, in Al- sace, France (now Germany), a son of Casper and Mary (Toeppe) Foos. The parents of our subject came to America in 1842, and settled near Rochester, N. Y., where the father's death occurred in 1882, when he was aged seventy-eight years; the mother died seven years later at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Foos was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics he was a Democrat.

Casper Foos, the subject proper of these lines, who was one of a family of nine children, remained at home until his. nineteenth birthday, when he started out for himself. He worked at different places, and at various employments for two years, and then secured a paying po- sition in a distillery, where he was em- ployed seven years, saving his earnings. In 1855 he moved to Jackson township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and there bought forty acres of land, and engaged in farm- ing pursuits. Five years later he bought one hundred acres more, where he now resides.

On April 25, 1849, Mr. Foos married Miss Adeline Horchelar, of Rochester, N. Y., daughter of John H. Horchelar, now deceased, as is also her mother. The children of Casper and Adeline Foos were as follows: Martin (1), Mary, An- thony, John, Louis and Martin (2). In politics Mr. Foos is a Democrat, and has held several offices, being popular and well-liked in the community. In religious faith he is a member of the Catholic Church.

C LARENCE L. BOWLUS. The use of steam and electricity as motive powers for the conveyance of passengers in masses, and the use of bicycles for individual transit, have made vast inroads upon the domain of liverymen, yet the busy public can not yet afford to do wholly without the serv- ices of the noble horse in connection with an easy carriage, especially on country roads, and those who cater to the public in this line of business deserve their share of liberal patronage and recognition. As a rising young man of enterprise and push, prepared with latest livery outfits to acommodate the traveling public, in Fremont and vicinity, we present the subject of this sketch.

Clarence L. Bowlus, liveryman, whose place of business is opposite the "Ball

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House," Fremont, was born in Sandusky township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, January 13, 1875, a son of Warren A. and Caro- line R. (Engelman) Bowlus. Warren A. Bowlus was born in the same locality, August 25, 1850, a son of Henry Bowlus, who was born September 27, 1810, and in I 828 came with his father, Henry Bowlus, Sen., from Middletown Valley, Freder- ick Co., Md., to Sandusky county, Ohio, where the latter entered 320 acres on the borders of Muskallonge creek, in Sandusky township, which he made his permanent residence. The father of Henry Bowlus, Sen., and the great ancestor of the many Bowlus families in Sandusky county, was Nicholas Bowlus, who, in 1735, at the age of five years, came to America, and lived and died in Frederick county, Md., where many of his descendants still re- side.

Our subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools and in the Fremont High School. He brings to his chosen vocation the freshness and vigor of early manhood, which betoken a successful business career.

M ORITZ A. GESSNER, a pros- perous farmer of Riley town- ship, Sandusky county, was born July 24, 1863, a son of Dr. Louis and Elizabeth Gessner, old residents of northern Ohio.

Dr. Louis Gessner was born in Ger- many April 6, 1804, studied inedicine, graduated in Switzerland, and practiced in Germany. Coming to this country, he first engaged in the practice of his profession in Buffalo, N. Y., coming to Fremont, Ohio, in 1838. On July 8, 1858, Dr. Gessner was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lhair, who was born in Germany March 17, 1825, and they had four children, as follows: Ida, born October 8, 1859, married William Nich- ols, and they live in Sandusky county; Laura, born February 24, 1861, married

Louis Balsixer, and they had seven chil- dren (she died March 9, 1890, and was buried in Ballville township); Moritz A. is the subject of this sketch; and Minnie, born September 10, 1867, married Charles Marks (they have had three children, and live in Riley township). In 1861 Dr. Gessner discontinued the practice of medi- cine, and moved to Riley township, where in 1838 he had bought 160 acres of land, giving five dollars an acre for it. Here he made his home the remainder of his life.

Moritz N. Gessner received a com- mon-school education, and worked for his father until the death of the latter, who left him eighty acres of land. On Janu- ary 13, 1886, in his twenty-third year, our subject was united in marriage with Christina Baker, who was born Novem- ber 2, 1866, and they have had two chil- dren-Louis F., born March 24, 1887, and Gertie S., born October 16, 1888. Mr. Gessner is a member of Fort Ste- phenson Lodge No. 225, A. F. & A. M. In religious connection he is a member of the Lutheran Church; in politics he is a stanch Democrat, and on April 1, 1895, was elected trustee of Riley township.

J OACHIM MEYER. Among those of foreign birth who have become prom- inent in agricultural circles in San- dusky county, is numbered this gen- tleman, a native of Germany, who was born on the 29th and baptized on the 30th of July, 1836. He is a son of John Meyer, who died two months before his son's birth, and in consequence our subject knows but little concerning his ancestral history. The father was a sheep raiser and farmer, and the family was not in very affluent circumstances, so that Joa- chim was early forced to earn his own living. As soon as he had attained a sufficient age he began work as a farm hand, and was thus employed for a num- ber of years in Germany, there continu-

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ing his labors until 1867, when, with his wife and mother, he came to America, sailing from Hamburg on the 14th of Oc- tober. His brother had come to the United States the year previous, and lo- cated in Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio.

After three months' sailing on the ocean, Joachim Meyer and family landed at New York City, and after a few days there passed, came to Sandusky county, where he has since made his home, cover- ing a period of about twenty-eight years. He had no capital, at that time, but de- termined to succeed he eagerly worked at anything that he could find to do which would yield him an honest living. By in- dustry and frugality he at length acquired some capital, and with it purchased the farm on which he now resides. He began its cultivation, placed acre after acre under the plow, and has now one of the best farm properties in that section, the rich and fertile fields yielding to him a golden tri- bute in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

In November, 1866, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Dora Witten- burg, who was born on the 28th and bap- tized on the 30th of July, 1838. She was a most estimable lady, also a native of Germany, in which country her parents died. Mr. Meyer has a family of five children-one son and four daughters: Mary, who was born on the ocean, is the wife of Mr. Banard, of Fremont, and they have two children; Albert is at home; Sophia is married to Ed. Smitke, and re- sides in Fremont; Louisa makes her home in the same place, and Emma completes the family, which is well and favorably known in the locality where they live. Mr. Meyer was a member of the German army, in Mecklenburg Schwerin, serving as a dragoon from the year 1857 to 1863. The first three years were spent in the garrison at Ludwigslust, one of the chief cities of Mecklenburg, the remaining three years were spent at his home, but subject to be called into military ranks and do

military service at any time; hence not until the year 1863 did he receive a dis- charge from military duty, and such hon- orable discharge was granted on the 24th of October, 1863. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and by his ballot sup- ports the Democracy. He leads a busy and useful life, and with his family shares the high regard of their friends.

J OSEPH E. BOOP, a well-to-do farmer of Sandusky township, San- dusky county, was born in New Ber- lin, Union Co., Penn., January 6, 1851, a son of Samuel and Hannah (Spet- ler) Boop. They had a family of thirteen children, Joseph being the youngest one now living.

When he was six years old his parents sent him to school, and at the age of eight years his uncle, William Watson, wished to have the lad with him on the farm, in the capacity of chore boy, to do work such as driving cows to the fields, feeding chickens, and riding the drill to plant corn, which was Joseph's first experience of farm life. In the fall of that year he became anxious to go home and see his parents, and his uncle thought it would be better on account of the boy being thereby enabled to attend school. In the fall of 1859 his father and mother made a trip west, visiting relatives in that part of Ohio, then known as the " Black Swamp, " and returned home after being satisfied with their visit. They were so well pleased with the country that they concluded at once to make their home in Ohio, so, on March 20, 1860, Joseph and his parents, and the other members of the family, landed in Fremont (known in earlier days as Lower Sandusky), settling on eighty acres of land lying four miles west of Fremont, known as the "Baldwin farm." The parents lived on that farm five years, then sold it, and located on a farm of 111 acres nearer to Fremont, along the Maumee

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pike. After Joseph landed in Ohio his school days were but few, as his father needed his help very much. During the Civil war of 1861-65, Joseph and his brother would be out in the fields plow- ing, and when they would hear of a train of soldiers coming through from Indiana or Michigan, they would tie the horses to the fence and run to Fremont to see the "boys in blue," and hear them shoot "old Betsy Croghan."

Joseph well remembers his early boy- hood days, of how he would help to log, burn brush, and get the land ready for the plow. In the year 1861 Joseph was working for Charles Reorick at four dollars per month, and after hav- ing served the required time-ten months -he went home, and in 1869 he worked for Edward Deemer on a farm, receiving $17 per month. Returning home, he in the year 1872 hired out again on a farm to Henry Bowlus, for nine months at $23 per month, if satis- faction was given. After nine months had expired he returned home again to assist his aged mother, his father having died in the fall of 1872. In 1874 he again hired to Warren Bowlus, and on October 20, 1874, he set out on a trip to California, in company with his mother, to visit a brother who had gone there in 1851. There they remained three months, at the end of which time his mother de- sired to return, and on the way back they visited relatives in San Francisco, Wis- consin, Illinois, and Iowa. They settled in Sandusky township.

On the 16th day of November, 1876, Mr. Boop married Miss Elizabeth Faust, who was born in Washington township, Sandusky county, Ohio, October 16, 1857. She died September 15, 1891, the mother of five children: Emma G., Irvin T., Ada P., Vernie May and Edith V. For his second wife, our subject married Feb- ruary 16, 1892, Miss Mary Mehle, also a native of Sandusky township, born May 19, 1862, a daughter of Frederick and

Sophia (Smith) Mehle, who both lived in Sandusky township. Mr. Boop is one of the prosperous men among the younger element in his township, owns a well-im- proved farm, and he and his wife are genial and sociable. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith is a member of the Reformed Church.

S OLOMON EMCH, a successful farmer, was born in Woodville township, Sandusky county, Jan- uary 19, 1854. He remained at home until his twenty-first birthday, then worked out by the day, being employed at different places for about six years, un- til the time of his marriage.

On March 18, 1880, Solomon Emch married Caroline Schreiner, who was born in Troy township, Wood county, September 24, 1859, and they have be- come the parents of three bright children -Bertha, born December 5, 1880; Eddie, born December 15, 1882, and Charles, born March 27, 1889. After his marriage Mr. Emch rented a farm from his cousin, which he worked for about eleven years. He then bought forty-five acres which cost him $4, 200. In 1894 he leased his land to an oil firm, and they put down three wells, which are in operation daily. Mr. Emch is very popular, is an honest, npright man, has always worked hard and saved his money, is a good manager and provides well for his family.

E DWARD SCHWARTZ, funeral director and embalmer, Fremont, Sandusky county, was born at Williamsville, Erie Co., N. Y., January 26, 1851. His father, Joseph Schwartz, was born in Alsace, France, in 1816, came to America in his youth, lo- cated in western New York, married Miss Theresa Batt, and worked at shoemaking and farming. About the year 1853, he removed to Ballville township, Sandusky

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Co., Ohio, where he bought a farm, whereon he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. His death oc- curred in 1859. Our subject's mother, who was also a native of Alsace, born in 1831, came with her father, Joseph Batt, in her childhood, to the New World. In crossing the Atlantic Ocean they were one hundred days at sea, their ship having been driven about by adverse winds and disabled by storms, so that they were obliged to put into the harbor of Cork, Ireland, for repairs. The family settled on a farm in western New York, where the parents lived to celebrate their golden wedding, surrounded by a numerous pos- terity, and died a few years later at an advanced age.

The children of Joseph and Theresa Schwartz were: (1) John, who died in childhood; (2) Joseph Schwartz, Jr., born February 29, 1844, in Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y., who came with his parents to Ballville township, Sandusky county, when nine years of age, grew up to farm work, attended country schools, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, O. V. I., in the spring of 1862, served during the war, and was honorably discharged, February 10, 1865; on May 12, 1868, he married Miss Veronica Schmittuz, of Fremont, and they have six children; Mr. Schwartz is a leading member of various social orders in Fremont, and has held positions of honor and trust; he is secretary of the Fremont Water Works, and of the German Aid Society; he is an official member of Eugene Raw- son Post, No. 34, Department of Ohio, G. A. R., and of S. A. J. Snyder Com- mand, U. V. U. (3) Magdalena M. Schwartz became the wife of John Snyder, a farmer and carpenter, now living at Charlotte, Mich. (4) John Schwartz, a blacksmith, married Miss Magdalen Feuerstein, and resides at Williamsville, N. Y. (5) Mary A. Schwartz died in child- hood. (6) Edward Schwartz is the sub- ject proper of this sketch. (7) Frank X.

Schwartz, an engineer, married Miss Veronica Brunier, of Fremont, and re- sides at Lima, Ohio. (8) Louis Schwartz, a blacksmith, married Miss Elizabeth Epp, and resides at Fort Wayne, Ind. (9) William H. Schwartz died in child- hood. (10) Mary C. Schwartz, wife of Joseph Neinhaus, a laborer at Buffalo, N. Y., died in 1886.

Our subject, Edward Schwartz, made his home with his parents until the death of his father, in 1859, when he went to live.with his uncle, John Daul, proprietor of a brewery at Williamsville, N. Y., where he attended school. Three years later he returned to Ohio, and lived with his mother about four years. About the year 1866 he came to Fremont, and be- gan to work at cabinet-making. In 1869 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he re- mained about four years, thoroughly learn- ing his trade. In 1873 he returned to Fremont, and soon after went into part- nership with his brother in the furniture business, on State street. In 1878 he sold out, and has since that time con fined himself exclusively to undertaking and embalming, in which particular line he excels. He was one of the first men in the State of Ohio to take up this art as a profession, having graduated from the Embalmers' School at Cincinnati in 1883. He was elected third vice-president of the Ohio State Undertakers' Association, in 1893, and now holds the position of first vice-president of the same. He is also a member of various social organizations, in some of which he holds official posi- tions. He is exalted ruler of Fremont Lodge, No. 169, B. P. O. Elks; president of Edna Council, No. 64, N. U .; treas- urer of Dickinson Tent, No. 21, K. O. T. M .; and treasurer of Onoka Tribe, No. 140, I. O. R. M.

Edward Schwartz was married May 18, 1874, to Miss Mary Eichel, of Fre- mont, who was born in Ottawa county, Ohio, July 2, 1854, daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Eichel, natives of Germany,

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and their children are: Edward L., steno- grapher at the " Boody House," Toledo, Ohio; Frances M. E., assistant book- keeper at the Christy Knife Works, Fre- mont, Ohio; Hilda C., and William H., at home attending school.

S AMUEL T. WOOD, the popular and efficient sheriff of Ottawa county, was born in Seneca coun- ty, Ohio, February 28, 1841, and is a son of David and Patience (Rolfe) Wood, both natives of Greene county, N. Y., the father born May 25, 1803, the mother born March 7, 1806, and died in Seneca county, Ohio, March 8, 1848. The father passed away in Clay town- ship, Ottawa county, August 10, 1888. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom still survive, namely: Dor- cas, wife of T. P. Taylor, who is living in Genoa, Ohio; Mercy, wife of John Tiplady, who is living in Clay township, Ottawa county; Samuel T .; Louisa, wife of William Armstrong, of Genoa, Ohio; Felinda, wife of Albert Sponable, a resident of Hastings, Mich. ; and Francis V., who is located in Fremont, Ohio. The second in the family of ten children was Mary J., who married Michael Tomp- kins (now deceased), and died in Genoa, Ottawa Co., Ohio, November 13, 1876; Elizabeth A., the third one of the chil- dren, died at Genoa, October 24, 1854; and George, the eighth child, born in September, 1846, died in infancy.

Our subject was educated in the dis- trict schools of his native county, and his boyhood was passed upon the old farm amidst the surroundings of a comfortable home and the care of kind indulgent par- ents. When about thirteen years of age he removed to Clay township, Ottawa county, with the family, and continued to aid in the farm work until after he had attained to manhood, when he began farming in his own interest. For over forty years he was an honored and re-

spected resident of Clay township, where his agricultural pursuits by their success proved his energy and perseverance, while the high estimation in which he was held by the people of the county bore its tribute to his sterling qualities and upright, honorable principles. On November 6, 1894, he was elected sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket, and, abandoning the pursuit he had so long followed, he on January 7, 1895, took possession of the office, removing his family to Port Clinton.

In Fremont, Ohio, September 28, 1865, Mr. Wood married Maria E. Jones, a native of Ohio, who was born in Pick- away county, January 29, 1842, a daugh- ter of Noah and Ruth Jones. Her moth- er still survives at the advanced age of ninety-one years, and resides with our subject in Port Clinton, being probably the oldest living resident in Ottawa coun- ty, and undoubtedly one of the most in- telligent and interesting old ladies, having a most remarkable memory for dates and events. She was born in Pendleton coun- ty, Va., June 20, 1804, and is a daughter of Uriah and Catherine (Loother) who were also natives of Virginia. In , 1805 the mother and children removed to Pickaway county, Ohio, and six months later was joined by the husband, who at the time of the first removal was serving as sheriff of Pendleton county. Here he passed away in 1812. His widow con- tinued to reside in Pickaway county, Ohio, until 1850, when she removed to Fairfield county, this State, where her death occurred in 1858. In 1826 the mother of Mrs. Wood was married to Noah Jones, and to their union came nine children, as follows: Benjamin F., born July 14, 1827, now living in Findlay, Ohio; Uriah, born August 28, 1829, now residing in Columbus, Ohio; Rebecca, born March 28, 1832, now the wife of William Adams, of Lithopolis, Ohio; John W., born August 10, 1834, is living at Burnips Corners, Mich. ; Daniel W.,

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 65

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