Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 75

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 75
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 75

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1836, and is a son of Peter L. and Eliz- abeth Keightley, who were both natives of England, born in Boston, Lincoln- shire, in 1814, the former the son of John and Margaret Keightley, the latter the daughter of George and Sarah Winter, who, as well as their parents, were also born in Boston, England. In 1837 Mr. Keightley's parents left Canada, removing to the township of Van Buren, near Ship- shewana, Lagrange Co., Ind., where they are still living, and are worthy and re- spected members of the community. Our subject is the eldest in their family of four children; Jennie is the wife of J. C. Cook, residing in Lagrange county, Ind. ; Edwin W., is a prominent member of the legal profession, and makes his home at Chicago, Ill., and Anna is dead.

George W. Keightley was only one year old when his parents located in In- diana, and he recalls, many times, of hav- ing when a child seen the Indians, who had not been removed from that lo- cality. His boyhood days were there spent on the farm. His primary educa- tion, which he commenced at the age of ten years, was received in the district schools of the county, and at the age of seventeen he entered the Academy at Ontario, Ind. On completing his literary course, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and during the years 1856 and 1857 he taught in Ottawa county, Ohio. The following year, having been elected to the office of surveyor of Lagrange county, Ind., he returned to that State, and efficiently filled the position for four years; during the latter part of his service he was also engaged in the survey of that part of the line of the Cincinnati & Chi- cago Air Line railway that lies between Logansport and Valparaiso, Indiana.

In 1862 Mr. Keightley commenced the study of law in the office of Robert Parrot, at Lagrange, Ind., with whom he read for nearly two years. He went to Philadelphia, however, in the spring of 1864, and entered the Military School of

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that city, which he attended some six weeks, at the expiration of that time go- ing to Washington, D. C. He passed the required examination of the United States Military Board, of which Maj .- Gen. Casey, was president, and soon af- ter, having received a commission as first lieutenant, was assigned to the Forty- first United States Colored Troops, and he remained in the Union service during the war of the Rebellion from that date to the close of the war. He participated in the capture of Fort Harrison, near Richmond, Va., and spent the winter of 1864-65 in the trenches at Dutch Gap Canal, and was with his regiment on the marches and in the engagements from Petersburg to Appomattox in the spring campaign of 1865. He was mustered out in November, that year.

After receiving his discharge from the army Mr. Keightley went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan, from which institution he was a graduate in 1866, and soon after commenced the practice of his profession at White Pig- eon, St. Joseph Co., Mich. In Septem- ber of the same year, however, he came to Elmore, where he has since been con- stantly engaged in the practice, and to- day ranks among the leading professional men of Ottawa county. He has always taken an active part in public matters, giving his time and assistance to all en- terprises having for their object the ad- vancement and welfare of the town and county, and is a citizen whom Elmore may be proud to claim.

In Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio, on September 21, 1866, Mr. Keightley was married to Miss Lois Mathewes, a daugh- ter of John and Rachel Mathewes, and two children have come of this union: Blanche, born February 20, 1873, and Edwin M., born April 4, 1875, both of whom are still living. Mr. Keightley has ever taken an active part in educational affairs, and for ten years held the position

of school examiner. For many years he has been a member of Robert H. Caldwell Post, G. A. R., and is a past commander of the same.

He is a leading and representative man of Ottawa county, and merits and receives the warmest confidence and es- teem of his fellow citizens, who elected him prosecuting attorney of Ottawa coun- ty three times, which office he filled to the satisfaction of all concerned, and when he retired from office the opposition press said of him, in noticing the change: " We desire to compliment Mr. Keightley by saying that without exception he made one of the most intelligent, industrious, careful officers the county ever had. His record for the terms he has discharged the exacting duties of the office is without a blemish. He elevated the dignity of the office, and has always dared to do his duty, at all times commanding the respect of the court, the bar and the community."

H ENRY KAHLER. Among the early pioneers who fought their way through the many dangers and hardships incident to a pio- neer's life, none are deserving of more prominent mention than the parents of this gentleman-Otto and Rachel (Nails) Kahler, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to America and settled in Dan- bury township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, at an early date, there residing for many years. The father's death occurred in Carroll township May 2, 1891, the mother dying in Danbury township on September 17, 1880.

The subject of this sketch was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, December 4, 1846. His boyhood days were spent partly about the farm, partly in the pub- lic schools of his native land, and since his arrival in America he has been active- ly engaged in agricultural pursuits. On November 20, 1872, Mr. Kahler located in Danbury township, where he remained

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some five years. In 1880 he removed to Carroll township, where he has since con- tinued to reside, ranking to-day among the prominent and successful farmers of that county. Mr. Kahler was married in Germany in 1870 to Mary Kulow, who was born February 25, 1853, daughter of John and Dora (Daunk) Kulow, both natives of Germany, the former of whom passed away in Germany June 24, 1867; the mother is still living at the advanced age of seventy-three years, and resides with her son-in-law, Mr. Kahler. To this union were born nine children, as follows: Minnie, September 7, 1871 (died August 23, 1874); Charles A., De- cember 24. 1874; George, March 28, 1875 (died in infancy); Edward, May 2, 1876; Habbetta M., January 29, 1878; John H., January 26, 1879; William T., July 17, 1882; Herman T., October 30, 1885; Cora J., August 21, 1894. Politic- ally Mr. Kahler is a strong and active supporter of the Democratic party. The family are devout adherents of the Lu- theran Church, and enjoy the respect and esteem of the community in which they reside.

J ACOB C. CLAPPER, contractor and builder, of Madison township, San- dusky county, also a well-known agriculturist, was born in Bedford county, Penn., December 12, 1840, and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Cashman) Clapper, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. The father acquired his education in the schools of the neigh- borhood, and learned the trade of a watch inaker in his youth, but also followed farming in early life. He was married in Bedford county to Miss Cashman, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: John, a soldier of the Civil war, now deceased; Susie, wife of Andrew Biddle; Henry, a lumber manufacturer; Jacob C .; Eva, wife of David Koons, a

farmer of Madison township; Mary, who died in childhood; and Elizabeth, wife of Eli Strayer, a farmer of Pennsylvania. In 1877 the parents of this family came to Ohio and bought ten acres of land of our subject, but later made their home with their daughter, Mrs. Koons, where the mother died in 1879, at the age of sixty- six, while the father passed away in 1884, at the ripe old age of eighty years.

The school privileges which our sub- ject received were very meagre, for schools in his boyhood days were widely scattered, and the advantages in that re- spect were not of the best. At the age of fourteen years he began to earn his own living, and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that he may truly be called a self-made man. He began work as a farm hand for $7 per month and board, being thus employed during the summer and autumn months, while during the winter he worked for his board and the privilege of attending school, of which privilege he gladly availed himself. He would arise early in the morning and work late at night in order that he might pursue his studies through the day. He thus managed to spend three seasons in school, and throughout his life has taken advantage of every opportunity to increase his knowlege until he is now a well in- formed man. For four years he continued to work as a farm hand, his wages being increased as he gained added strength and facility, and to his parents he gave his earnings, saving only enough to clothe himself. He was ambitious to make the best of life, and at the age of eighteen he began serving a three-years' apprentice- ship to the carpenter's trade. During the first year he received $7 per month for his services, and an increase the two suc- ceeding years. He then resolved to start out in business for himself, and in 1861 came to Ohio, locating in Fremont, were he was employed for a time. He then went down the river, and obtained em- ployment at building a sailing vessel.

Jacob. C. Clapper

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Subsequently he returned to Fremont, where he followed his trade until 1863.

In that year Mr. Clapper enlisted in the government service, to build bridges, and was thus employed at Nashville and Stevensville, Tenn., Bridgeport and sev- eral other places during the Civil war. When the war was over, and his services were no longer needed, he again went to Fremont, where he followed carpentering for a year. During that time he came to Madison township, and purchased a tract of improved land of eighty acres, for which he paid $2,250. He borrowed the money to make the first payment upon the place, giving ten per cent interest for the

same. He then rented the farm while he removed to Defiance, Ohio, where he be- gan contracting and building, being asso- ciated with two partners, who cheated him out of $550 on their first contract, and then left him. Nothing daunted, however, he resolved to engage in business alone, and met with a fair degree of suc- cess, thus continuing operations until 1875, when he removed to his farm in Madison township, Sandusky county. He at once began the improvement of his place, and to-day has one of the most highly cultivated and best equipped farms in the township, supplied with good build- ings, the latest improved machinery and a fine orchard. He was the first in the township to engage in the cultivation of grapes, and in the new enterprise met with success, at first receiving seven cents per pound for his fruit. He erected a splen- did frame dwelling, second to none in the township for architectural beauty, the lumber for the same being made from timber which grew on his own farm, buy- ing only the window sashes and doors for the building, which was erected at a cost of $2,000. He has paid off all indebted- ness upon the place, besides adding many good improvements to it, and the farm with its buildings is a monument to his thrift and enterprise. He now carries on general farming, and in addition still en-

gages in contracting and building with good success.

In September, 1871, at Defiance, Ohio, Mr. Clapper was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Block, of Defiance county, and five ohildren were born to them, all of whom are still living, namely: Rainred J., who was born July 22, 1872, was educated in the public schools of Madison township, and also in select school, and took a course in a business college of Toledo, since which time, with the exception of one year in a store at Helena, he has been engaged in the drug business in Gibsonburg, Ohio; Spencer S., born August 15, 1874, is now engaged in farming and operating in oil; Boyd, born August 11, 1876, is working on the farm and going to school; George H., born No- vember 20, 1878, follows farming; and Daisy E., born July 12, 1880, is at school. The mother of this family died December 3, 1881, and Mr. Clapper remained single for eleven years. He was married Sep- tember 22, 1892, to Sophia Ickes, widow of John Rosenburg, who was a gunsmith of Elmore, Ottawa county.

For some years Mr. Clapper has held the office of school director, and is still serving in that position. He has been clerk of the board for some time, and has done effective service in the interest of education, being devoted to all that per- tains to the advancement of the cause of education. In politics he is a stanch ad- vocate of the Republican party, and the family adhere to the United Brethren Church. He belongs to that class of rep- resentative American citizens who push aside the barriers that obstruct the path to competency, and climbing over obsta- cles reach the desired goal.

C HARLES F. FRESE, senior mem- ber of the firm of C. F. Frese & Co., Graytown, Ottawa county, and among the foremost business men of the county, was born at Wood-

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ville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, August 10, 1853, a son of Henry and Louisa (Heil- bron) Frese.

Henry Frese and his wife, Louisa (Heilbron), were both born in Germany, in 1813 and in 1815 respectively, and in 1838 came to America, settling in Wood- ville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where Mr. Frese died in 1853. They had seven children, three born in Germany-Henry, Louis and Charlotte-and four in Amer- ica-May, Augustus F., Charles F. (the subject of this sketch), and Louisa-all of whom are living in Ohio, excepting Henry, whose home is in Minnesota. The mother remained a widow some six years, and was then married to R. Berle- man, and six years afterward they moved to Toledo, where Mrs. Berleman died April 6, 1893, at the age of seventy- eight.

Shortly after the birth of Charles F. his parents moved to Toledo, where he lived until 1869, at which time he struck out in the world for himself. Locating first at Elmore, Ohio, he remained there two years as clerk for C. H. Damschroe- der & Co .; then, at the age of nineteen, took a trip to Minnesota, where he re- mained six years, and in 1877 returned to his native State, in perfect health from his western trip, and ready for active business. Coming at once to Graytown, Ohio, he entered the store of Ames & Frese, at that place, as clerk, and held that position until 1882. In the mean- time Mr. Ames had sold his interest to A. F. Frese, his partner, the latter hav- ing been elected to the Legislature of Ohio in 1882, and Charles F. Frese pur- chased a half interest in the business of his brother. He is now at the head of the firm; is one of the well-known and highly-esteemed business men of the county, is practical, a man of modern ideas, and vastly popular. In addition to his mercantile interests he has invested quite extensively in landed property, which he carefully superintends and directs.

Like many other good men, he became tired of traveling life's pathway alone, and consequently, on July 27, 1893, he united himself in marriage with Miss Amanda Elizabeth Steffens, of Gypsum, Ottawa Co., Ohio. Mr. Frese and his estimable wife are pleasantly located in a comfortable home at Graytown.

Mrs. Amanda E. Frese was born at Gypsum, Ohio, November 1, 1875, where she lived the greater part of her life until her marriage. She acquired a liberal education in the public schools of her native town, and also took up the study of instrumental music. Her father, Henry Steffens, was born in Germany January 25, 1837; came to America at the age of fourteen, and settled in Gypsum, Ohio, where he now lives. On February 22, 1866, he was united in marriage with Dorathy Dittmer, of the same nativity, born January 23, 1847, and they have had four children-two sons and two daugh- ters. Henry Steffens' father, Herr Jo- hans Steffens, was born July 15, 1807, and died November 26, 1837. The ma- ternal grandmother of Mrs. Frese, Sophia (Huelse) Dittmer, was born May 5, 1805; died October 19, 1866; and the maternal grandfather was born in Germany in 1801 ; died in 1847. Mrs. Frese's great grand- parents on her mother's side were born in Germany, the great-grandfather in 1760, and the great-grandmother in 1785. Mrs. Frese's ancestry is therefore here traced back one hundred and thirty-five years.

J AMES FERRIS. This gentleman has been a resident of Ottawa coun- ty since before its organization, and for the last forty years has been a resident of Benton township, where, as a progressive farmer and valuable citizen, he is well and favorably known.

An Ohioan by birth, he is a native of Clark county, born November 18, 1829, son of Andrew and Desire (Larnard) Fer- ris, both of whom were New Englanders,

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the father born about 1776 in the State of Connecticut. They were the parents of ten children, all now deceased but two -- James, and Lewis, who lives near Topeka, Kans. The mother died July 23, 1832, and was buried in Clark county, Ohio, and in about 1837 the father came to Ottawa county, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1858; he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Elmore.

James Ferris spent his boyhood in his native county, attending the log school- house of the district, where he obtained all his education. When about thirteen years of age he hired out to do farm labor at four dollars per month, afterward re- ceiving eight and, later, ten dollars per month, and at the early age of sixteen he rented a farm, which he continued to work for seven years. Meantime, when twenty-one years old, he purchased eighty acres of land of ex-Gov. Wood, and shortly afterward traded this tract for the farm whereon he now lives, consisting of ninety-six acres, lying in Section 30, Ben- ton township, of which at that time only twenty acres had been cleared. A little log house, 12x 12, was the only building on the tract, and Mr. Ferris lived therein until he had erected a more substantial dwelling, in which he lived for fifteen years. His stock of agricultural imple- ments in those days was materially differ- ent from the outfit he now uses; he had a plow with wooden mould-board instead of the modern sulky plow, with steel mould-board, and a yoke of oxen for a team. Wagons were a luxury. Having none of the modern conveniences for handling hay, they used a forked brush with limbs bent down, onto which they would roll a bunch or two of hay and haul it to the stack; another way was to take a long grape-vine, wrap it around a bunch of hay, and draw it to the stack. In com- paring the old and new methods, the great improvements in farming which have been made in recent years for economizing and

saving both time and labor are really striking. In 1852, when the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad was in pro- cess of construction through Benton town- ship, Mr. Ferris engaged in getting out ties, and later, in 1853, he assisted in the grading of this road between Elliston and Graytown. After the grading was com- pleted, he hauled ties for the Railroad Company, as well as all the timber for the old Graytown bridge over the Tou- saint creek. In connection with general farming, he has paid some attention to fruit growing, especially apples and peaches, and he has one peach tree which has borne fruit for the past forty years. Mr. Ferris has certainly done one man's share in the development of Benton town- ship's agricultural interests, and he has also taken an interest in local public af- fairs, taking a loyal pride in the welfare and prosperity of his community. When Ottawa county was erected he was a resident of Harris township, and saw the officials when they were making their tour of the county to locate the county seat; for ten years he served faithfully as treas- urer of Benton township, during part of which time there were only twelve or fif- teen votes within its limits; now there are nearly six hundred.

In 1853 Mr. Ferris was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Brayton, of Harris township, and she was his constant ad- viser and helper until her death, in April, 1895, husband and wife uniting their ef- forts to secure a good home for them- selves and family; and the fine farm, cleared and improved with good fences, buildings, etc., shows that their labor was not in vain. To this union were born nine children, viz .: Stephen, born Feb- ruary 2, 1854; Ezekiel R., born October 30, 1857; Evelyn F., born October 9, 1859; Asa I., born August 19, 1861; Mary C., born April 24, 1864; Augustus L., born March 13, 1866; James, born February 28, 1868; Cora E., born Sep- tember 26, 1870; and Christina, born

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May 1, 1873. Of these, Stephen died September 15, 1870, and Evelyn F., on September 22, 1879. One daughter, Christiana Mrs. Shoemaker) lives in Graytown. Mr. Ferris has always taken an interest and pride in the success of his children, helping them as much as possi- ble on their start in life, for having him- self commenced unaided he realizes to the full the advantages of such help to a be- ginner; they have, however, made the most of their abilities and opportunities, and industry and ambition are prominent characteristics of the entire family. The eldest living son, Ezekiel R., left home for Kansas with but ninety dollars, which he paid for arranging papers for his prop- erty out there; during the erection of his house he was boarding seven miles from the place, and frequently, at the close of a hard day's work, he would lie down on the ground and sleep until morning; he is still living in Kansas; he is a farmer, and has 320 acres of land. Augustus L. Fer- ris, the sixth child, like others of the family, is a great lover of books, and he always carries one in his pocket, improv- ing every leisure moment. In his boy- hood he worked on the farm in summer and attended district school in the winter, making the most of his time in and out of school, and by reading and study fitted himself for the profession of teaching, now holding a three-years' certificate in Ottawa county; the State of Ohio issues only one grade of certificate higher than this. At the age of twenty he commenced teaching in the county, and after three terms of teaching learned telegraphy, at which he worked for several years. In 1892 he returned to his profession, ac- cepting his present position of principal of the Graytown schools. It may be said that this young inan has made a success of everything he has undertaken, and he has a bright future before him. On Sep- tember 15, 1892, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Eisenman, of Gray- town, and to this union has come one

child, Harold Brayton, born August 17, 1893. Four children of the Ferris family are teachers, and excellent ones, and they may be said to have taken the same part in the intellectual advancement of the county as their father has in its agricul- tural development. One daughter, Mary, remained at home, assisting in the house- hold duties, until seventeen years of age, when she set out to fit herself for teach- ing, and she became one of the best teach- ers in the county. Cora was the only member of the family who enjoyed the privilege of attending high school. She began teaching when sixteen years of age and taught eight years, when she married Charles Hess, of Gypsum, Ohio.

Mrs. Elizabeth E. (Brayton) Ferris was born October 18, 1831, in Huron county, Ohio, where she spent her girl- hood, and met Mr. Ferris after coming to Ottawa county. Asa Brayton, her father, was born about 1798, in Vermont, and her mother was a native of New Jersey, born in 1796; they had three children- two sons and one daughter (Mrs. Ferris)- of whom, one son died while serving in the Mexican war. Asa Brayton met his death in the service of his country, he and his brother having entered the war of the Rebellion, and he was shot at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. One of Mrs. Fer- ris' cousins, Mathew Brayton, was stolen by the Indians when seven years old, and grew up among them, marrying the daughter of an Indian chief, by whom he had two children. Two brothers of Mr. Ferris' grandmother were scalped by the Indians.

H ENRY CROLL is recognized as one of Ottawa county's foremost agriculturists, not only as a large landowner, but also for the very able manner in which he conducts his extensive farming business.

Mr. Croll is the son of Jacob and Martha (Schu) Croll, and was born Janu-

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ary 14, 1843, in Germany, where he lived until fourteen years of age, during which time he acquired a liberal education in the German language. This, together with three months' schooling in this country, was all the education he received in the schoolroom; but he has gained, in the broad school of experience, a practical business education which, coupled with patience and perseverance, has enabled him to accumulate a large property and make a handsome home. In 1857 he came to America with his parents, the family settling in Erie county, Ohio, where they remained about eighteen months, thence removing to Benton town- ship, Ottawa county, where the father purchased fifty-two acres in Section 36. This he cleared with the help of his sons, and subsequently selling it to Valentine Fulkert, removed to Wood county, Ohio, where he and his wife both passed the re- mainder of their days.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 75

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