Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 76

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 76
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 76

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In 1865 our subject returned to Ben- ton township and married Miss Anna Fulk- ert, and from the time of his marriage up to 1873 rented a farm of his father-in-law. In that year he purchased of Mr. Fulkert the fifty-two acres formerly owned by his father, where he has since lived, and which is now equipped with large modern buildings and other substantial improve- ments, everything on the farm indicating that the owner is a nineteenth-century agriculturist, both theoretically and prac- tically. In 1876 he added forty-four acres to the original tract; in 1882, fifty acres; in 1885, seventy acres; in 1890, eighty acres, and later a farm of eighty acres near Oak Harbor. Mrs. Croll has forty acres of timber land from her father's es- tate, the whole making a grand total of 416 acres, all of which is under cultiva- tion. In addition to these extensive farm- ing operations, Mr. Croll is a dealer in all kinds of stock, selling to local dealers. As in farming so in politics, Mr. Croll is act- ive, using his influence in behalf of the Republican party, of which he is a stanch

adherent. In religious connection he and his wife are both members of the Evan- gelical Church, and their Christian char- acter and lives are indeed worthy exam- ples to their children.

Mr. and Mrs. Croll have had a family of nine children, as follows: Lizzie, born November 19, 1865; Sophia, born Janu- ary 20, 1868; William, born March 5, 1870; John, born April 14, 1872; George, born May 19, 1874; Valentine, born April 30, 1877; Katie, born November 28, 1879; Henry F., born April 9, 1882; and Emma, born December 25, 1887, of whom Lizzie was married May 3, 1883, to John Dorsch, by whom she has four children-three daughters and one son. Of these, Sophia is the wife of William Almroth, an enterprising farmer of Ben- ton township; George, died December 25, 1877; Willian, John, and Valentine and Henry are engaged with their father in his agricultural operations; John was mar- ried September 19, 1895, to Miss Eliza- beth Stick. Katie and Emma superin- tend the hoasehold work, their mother having been an invalid for several years. In addition to their home duties they find time to pursue the study of instrumental music, and in every way possible keep pace with the times, the spirit of progres- siveness being a distinct characteristic of the entire family.

Mrs. Croll was born November 5, 1845, in Ottawa county, where she lived during her girlhood days, receiving such education as was offered the youth of that time. She has seen the development of her own beautiful home, and of the entire surrounding country as well. She has always been an active thinker, keeping abreast with the times, and leaves nothing undone for the comfort and happiness of her family, training her children to lives of usefulness. From the time of her mar- riage she has taken a keen interest in her husband's business success, keeping well in mind all his transactions, even to the dates of land purchases, erection of build-

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ings, etc., and though she has been an invalid, confined to her easy chair, for some time, she is never idle, preferring to be occupied at something. Her parents, Valentine and Elizabeth (Haman) Ful- kert, were both natives of Germany, the father born in 1812, the mother in 1816; they were married in Ohio in 1844, and reared a family of four children, two of whom are now living-Mrs. Croll and her brother John.

Mr. Croll's parents were also natives of the Fatherland, where his father, who was a blacksmith by vocation, was born in 1806, his mother in 1809. They were married in 1832, and by their union be- came the parents of eight children, three of whom are living-two sons and one daughter. The father died March 24, 1879, the mother on September 21, 1887.

J OHN ELKINGTON, SR. This hon- ored pioneer, highly respected citi- zen and worthy farmer of Clay town- ship, Ottawa county, was born in England, opening his eyes to the light of day on the 20th of January, 1809, in the town of Bourton, near Banbury, Oxford- shire. He is a son of Thomas and Jane (White Elkington, who resided in that place, th . father following the occupation of a shepherd in the employ of a farmer of thet county. John acquired a limited wwucation in his native town, and began woning his living as an employe in a mill, to woch work he devoted his energies 00 1 forty years of age.

Op April 30, 1831, he was mited in ith Elizabeth Lovell, of North- Toto hire, England, and they became Je gerehits of two children: Eli, and ve - ho died carly in childhood. The wtired Bin her native land in 1842, mi Mer afterward Mr. Elkington en Ell emigrated to America, i have one son, John, born December 26, m . Of aid took up his residence 1 . 100 lo, where he worked on a olrovat fin a year or more. lle then

came to Clay township, Ottawa county, purchasing forty acres of timber land, in a locality where no roads were laid out, and where the settlers were widely scat- tered. After building a log cabin, he at once began to clear his land, undaunted by the arduous task that lay before him. He worked early and late to accomplish his labor, and in course of time his tract was under a high state of cultivation, while a comfortable dwelling took the place of the log cabin in which he and his family were sheltered in those early days. He also built barns and other necessary outbuildings, planted an orchard and made the improvements that are found upon the model farms of to-day. He had to endure many trials and hardships; but patience, perseverance and energy at length overcame these, and he accom- plished a task which would daunt the energy of many of the present genera- tion.

Mr. Elkington was married again August 23, 1851, his second union being with Mehitable Butler, who was born in New York, April 9, 1824. Five children were the fruit of this union, namely: Jane, born December 4, 1852, and died February 1, 1854; John, born October 29, 1855; Thomas, born June 17, 1857, and drowned while bathing near his home. July 20, 1878; David, born August 1, 1859; and Lewis, born May 1, 1861. The mother died August 27, 1891, leav- ing a loving husband and three children to mourn the loss of a devoted wife and faithful mother. The eldest son was edu- cated in Clay township, Ottawa county, and has always followed farming. He was married December 6, 1888, to Melissa Risley Wood, widow of David Wood, whose brother, Samuel Wood, is sheriff of Ottawa county.

John Elkington. Jr., and his wife 1891. He was elected trustee of Clay, Ottawa county, for one term on the Dem- ocratic ticket, was constable of the town-

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ship two terms, and is also school director in the special school district, and clerk of the school board. He belongs to Clay Lodge, No. 584, I. O. O. F., of Genoa, and of the Masonic fraternity, and is a prominent and highly-respected citizen. David Elkington, the second son of our subject, was educated in Clay township, and follows the occupation of bridge building in Zanesville, Ohio; he was mar- ried October 10, 1893, to Jennie Gal- lager, and they have one child. Lewis, the third son of the family, was born and educated in Clay township and follows farming on the old homestead; he married January 2, 1894, to Alice Walker, of Oak Harbor. Eli, the eldest son, died in Toledo, Ohio, leaving a family.

Our subject, John Elkington, is one of the oldest residents of Clay township, having attained the ripe age of eighty-six years. Although somewbat feeble, his mind is active and he is an entertaining conversationalist, relating in an interest- ing manner incidents of pioneer life here when he was struggling to make a home, of how he aided in erecting and main- taining the schools in the district, and served as a member of the school board for several years. He also assisted in laying out the roads and digging ditches, and in promoting the work of public progress. He is a stalwart Democrat, but not an office seeker, preferring to give his attention to his business. He has lived honestly, treating all with fairness and justice, and is widely and favorably known throughout Sandusky county, es- teemed by young and old. rich and poor alike. While devoted to the best inter- ests of his adopted land, he still retains a true love for England.

W ILLIAM A. COOPER, senior member of the firm of Cooper Brothers, general merchants and prominent citizens of Lakeside, was born in Portage township, Ottawa

county, June 22, 1853, and is a son of Caleb and Jeanette (McDonald) Cooper. He was educated in the public schools of his native township, and, on leaving the school-room, worked upon the homestead farm until 1882, when he began contract- ing and building at Lakeside, putting up the addition to the "Lakeside Hotel," and also erecting several other prominent buildings in the vicinity. In 1894, in con- nection with his brother, Ranald L., he began his present business, in which he is meeting with excellent success.

On December 18, 1877, in Portage township, Mr. Cooper was united in mar- riage with Eliza Howard, a daughter of William and Mary Howard, natives of England. Her mother is now deceased, but her father is still living, and makes his home in Jefferson county, Neb. To our subject and his wife were born four children, two of whom are yet living, Bessie and Mary. Mr. Cooper belongs to Peninsular Lodge, No. 607, K. of P., of Lakeside; and Lakeside Tent, No. 81, K. O. T. M. His political views coincide with those of the Republican party, to which he gives his support, and the family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though still a young man, Mr. Cooper occupies a high position among his fel- low citizens. Standing on the vantage ground of his past achievements, he has certainly much to hope for and look for- ward to, and with his practical business knowledge and good judgment his future is sure to be a bright and prosperous one.

Caleb Cooper, the father of our sub- ject, is a prominent and successful fruit grower of Portage township, Ottawa county. His birth occurred in Boughton, County of Kent, England, August 17. 1826, and he is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Billsby; Cooper, the former a na- tive of Northamptonshire, the latter of Lincolnshire, England. His mother died when he was quite young, and with his father and the other members of the fam- ily he migrated to this country, locating

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in Monroeville, near Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, about 1844. His father resided with his children until his death, which occurred about 1870, when he was at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In his early life he had been a stock buyer for a number of years, but later for eleven years superintended the estate of the Earl of Chelsea, in Kent, England. After coming to America he made his home with his children, and did not en- gage in any arduous duties. He had ten children, only two of whom are now liv- ing-the father of our subject; and Maria, widow of William Dey, and a resident of North Monroeville, Huron Co., Ohio. Caleb Cooper received a very limited edu- cation in the school on the estate of the Earl of Winchelsea, after which he acted as page for a clergyman for some years. On his arrival in the United States, he began agricultural pursuits, but soon after the breaking out of the Mexican war, he enlisted in the First Mich. V. I., under command of Col. Stocton, and did gar- rison duty at Cordova, Mexico, for four months. After serving for a little over seven months, he was discharged at De- troit, Mich., after which he returned to his home at Monroeville, Ohio, where he resumed farming. It was about 1848 when he purchased his preseut farm in Portage township, Ottawa county, where he has since engaged in agricultural pur- suits, but of late years has devoted the greater part of his attention to fruit grow- ing.

At Plaster Bed, Ottawa county, on November 16, 1849, was celebrated the marriage of Caleb Cooper and Jeanette McDonald, who was born in Banffshire, Scotland, January 15, 1859, and was a daughter of Alexander McDonald, a na- tive of Scotland and early settler of Port- age township, Ottawa county. Her Inother is still living, but her father is de- ceased, having passed away at the ad- vanced age of over eighty years. Mrs. Cooper died March 17, 1888, leaving four

children: Sarah, born October 15, 1850, wife of George P. Englebeck, of Des Moines, Iowa; William A. is next in order of birth; Ranald L., born July 10, 1857; and Margaret M., born January 10, 1859, still living with her father.

Mr. Cooper generally supports the men and measures of the Republican party, but is not strictly partisan, believ- ing in voting for the best man regardless of his party affiliations. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a systematic agriculturist who has met with a well-deserved suc- cess, and has acquired all his possessions by his own industry, business economy and good management. He is a quiet, peaceable, kind-hearted neighbor, re- spected by all who know him for his many noble traits of character.

OHN BOSCHEN, one of the most progressive and prosperous fruit growers of Portage township, Ot- tawa county, is a native of the coun- ty, having first seen the light July 4, 1839, in Danbury township.

His father, Claus H. Boschen, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and in 1832 crossed the Atlantic to New York. On landing in that city as he could find no employment at his trade, that of blacksmith, he went to Long Island, where for four months he was engaged in farm labor at $4.00 per month. Return- ing then to New York City, he met an old friend who was then engaged in the manufacture of candy, and worked with him for some time, finally buying his employer out and continuing in the busi- ness until his removal to Ohio, in 1835. Locating in Danbury township, where he was one of the earliest settlers, he car- ried on agricultural pursuits there up to the time of his death, which occurred April 13, 1883. He married Elizabeth Shook, who was born in Pickaway coun- ty, Ohio, and in 1825 settled in Portage

John Baschen

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township, Ottawa county, with her par- ents, John and Susanna Shook, who in pioneer days migrated from Pennsylvania to Pickaway county, Ohio, living there until coming to Ottawa county. The father was a teamster, and during the war of 1812 carried provisions across the Alleghany mountains for the army. Mr. and Mrs. Boschen became the parents of four children, all yet living, namely: John; Susanna, wife of William Tankey, who lives near Elmore, Ottawa county; Mar- tha, wife of Henry Schweck, who is liv- ing on the old homestead in Danbury township; and Mary E., who makes her home with her sister Martha.

Our subject was reared a farmer boy, and acquired but a limited education in the district schools of his native town; but he had ample training at farm labor, and since his boyhood days has success- fully followed agricultural pursuits. He has also operated a threshing machine for nine years, and a cider-mill some twelve years, while for the past fourteen years he has been extensively engaged in the culti- vation of grapes and peaches, and owns and operates one of the most productive fruit farms in the township.

On April 7, 1861, in Danbury town- ship, Ottawa county, Mr. Boschen was united in marriage with Miss Laura J. Rouse, who was born in that township August 3, 1841, and is a daughter of George L. and Mary (Knapp) Rouse. Three children graced this union: Norma S., born August 6, 1863, who died Sep- tember 2, 1883; Bennie F., born Decem- ber 14, 1866, died May 12, 1889; and Mattie A., born April 1, 1868, married June 1I, 1887, to Sherman Shook, and they have two children-Bennie B., born March 5, 1888, and Ethel, born June 21, 1889. Mr. Boschen has efficiently filled the office of township trustee four terms, and though frequently tendered numerous other positions of trust has always de- clined to serve, preferring to give his time to the duties of his farm and the enjoy-

ment of his home. Politically, he votes with the Democratic party, and, socially, he is connected with O. H. Perry Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M., of Port Clinton, and he is a member of Sandusky City Chapter. He is a man of untiring energy and perseverance. Favored with but few early advantages for mental culture, he made the most of his opportunities, has became well-informed and the posses- sor of a handsome competence. He is an ideal self-made man, and, having earned what he possesses by hard labor and economy, thoroughly understands its true worth.

R ANALD L. COOPER, a member of the firm of Cooper Brothers, general merchants, of Lakeside, Ottawa county, and the youngest son of Caleb and Jeanette (McDonald) Cooper, was born in Portage township, Ottawa county, July 10, 1857.

He spent his boyhood days upon the homestead farm amidst the surroundings of a comfortable home, and received the advantages of a liberal education in the public schools of his native township. On completing his studies, he was engaged as a salesman in general mercantile establish- ments in Port Clinton and Gypsum, Ohio, and also in Victor, Iowa, until 1881. From that year until 1883 he was em- ployed as a clerk by the Lake Shore & Michigan, Southern Railroad Company, at Sandusky, Ohio, and for the next five years then served in the same capacity with the Lake Erie & Western railroad, at Lima, Ohio. In 1889 he was appointed freight agent for that company at Lima, which position he filled until the latter part of November, 1893. In the follow- ing year he formed a connection with his brother William A., and they are now conducting a successful general mercan- tile establishment.

In the city of Sandusky, Ohio, on No- vember 13, 1883, was celebrated the mar-

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riage which united the destinies of Mr. Cooper and Miss Flora A. Boor, a daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth Boor, both natives of Pennsylvania, and three chil- dren have come to bless their union: Ran- ald L., born March 22, 1886; Hazel, born January 1, 1890, and Kenneth, born De- cember 13, 1892.

Mr. Cooper is connected with several civic orders in Lima, Ohio, belonging to Lima Lodge, No 91, Knights of Pythias; Criterion Council, No 1162, Royal Ar- canum; and Ottawa Council, No. 125, Na- tional Union. His political preferences are with the Republican party, which he always supports by his ballot, and with his family attends the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He holds a high position in social as well as business circles, and gains the confidence and regard of all with whom he comes in contact.

C HARLES INGRAHAM, of the firm of F. Ingraham & Co., gen- eral merchants, of Curtice, Otta- wa county, and a popular citizen of that thriving town, was born in On- tario, La Grange Co., Ind., October 28, 1847.

He is a son of Dwight and Mary (W'ykel) Ingraham, the former a native of Huron county, N. Y., the latter born near Philadelphia, Penn. They were married at Middleburg, Ohio, in 1844, and became the parents of three children: Vesta, born May 7, 1846, now the wife of Christian Linderman, and living near McComb, Ohio; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Emma, born September 8, 1852, now the widow of Albert S. Burtch, and living with her mother in Sturgis, St. Joseph Co., Mich. During his life Mr. Ingraham was engaged in the coopering business, and was a prominent and highly- respected citizen of Sturgis, St. Joseph Co., Mich., where he died October 30, 1865; his widow is still living in that county.

Charles Ingraham, the subject of this sketch, was but a year old when his par- ents removed from Indiana to Michigan. He received a fair education in the public schools of Sturgis, Mich., and learned the trade of a cooper with his father, follow- ing that occupation some twenty-five years. In 1870 he moved to Clayton, Lenawee Co., Mich., and there worked at his trade for six years. He then went to Toledo, and became identified with the firm of H. C. Haskins & Co., wholesale dealers in fruit, in which he continued five years. He then became the secretary of the Toledo Fruit Co., in which he was a stockholder, remaining with that com- pany for one year. In 1894 Mr. Ingraham came to Ohio, settling in Curtice, where his son Frederick had established himself in business some three years previous, and has been engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, also owning large farming interests in Lucas county. He has been twice married, the first time in Ontario, Ind., in October, 1868, to Catherine Olive Tyler, a native of New York State; of this union, one child, Frederick Dwight, was born, in Ontario, Ind., April 10, 1869. Mrs. Ingraham died in Sturgis, St. Joseph Co., Mich., February 15, 1874. The second marriage of Mr. Ingraham took place at Bronson, Branch Co., Mich., October 31, 1876, to Miss Emma Louise Moore, a native of that State, and they became the parents of three chil- dren: Pearl, born in Centreville, Mich., July 20, 1878; Nellie, born in Sturgis, Mich., July 14, 1880; and Lulu, born in Clayton, Mich., April 25, 1886.

Mr. Ingraham has recently been elect- ed treasurer of Allen township, and his well-known business ability and undoubted integrity give the assurance that he will fill the position with credit to himself and with fidelity to the best interests of his community. Politically, he is a stanch Republican; and socially, he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity (although he is not at present affiliated with any lodge),

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and is a member of Adrian Command- ery, at Adrian, Mich. His family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly respected by all who know them.

E RNST FRANCK, better known to the residents of Ottawa and Sandusky counties as "Squire Franck," has for the past forty- five years been an honored and respected resident of this section of the State. He was born August 10, 1824, in the extreme northern part of Wurtemberg, Germany, son of John Christian and Augusta Wil- helmina (Smitt) Franck, also natives of Wurtemberg, where they spent their en- tire lives, the father passing away in 1847, the mother in 1846.

The subject of this review acquired his primary education in the district schools of his native town, and from 1839 until 1843 attended the Polytechnic School of Stuttgart. In 1843 he entered the Univer- sity of Tuebingen, where he spent three and a half years, in 1847 graduating for State service in the branches of forestry and finance. He served in those departments until 1850, in March of which year he crossed the ocean to America, coming di- rect to Ohio. He located in Salem town- ship about a mile and a half from the site of Oak Harbor, on the land where he'still has his residence. He has lived to see Oak Harbor grow from an insignificant village of two or three log cabins to an important and flourishing town, which he himself laid out. Mr. Franck served as county engineer for thirty-eight years- during which time he platted all the towns in Ottawa county-and for thirty-three years as county surveyor, and the greater part of the roads and ditches and town- ships have been laid out and platted by him or under his supervision. In 1856 he was appointed justice of the peace, and for more than thirty-eight years has faith- fully performed the duties of that office

with a painstaking fidelity that has won for him the unlimited confidence and re- spect of the people he has so efficiently served. Mr. Franck is an excellent type of the sturdy old pioneers of Ottawa county, to whom too much credit can not be given for the improvement and ad- vancement of the country. He has seen the dense forest replaced by fertile fields, and has himself been instrumental in ef- fecting these changes. In his long life and early pioneer experiences he has an interesting history, and could relate many a tale of hardships and dangers endured by the early settlers of these counties that the present generation does not realize. He has a host of friends whose confidence he well merits, and he is one of the best known residents of Ottawa county. In manner he is modest and unassuming, but his sterling worth is recognized, and he has the esteem of young and old, rich and poor. Since becoming a citizen of the United States, he has been a sup- porter of the Democracy.

Mr. Franck has been twice married; first time, in Salem township, in 1851, to Miss Mary Wheeler, daughter of John and Nancy Wheeler, natives of Connec- ticut and early settlers of Ottawa county. Mrs. Franck died February 10, 1854, and the three children of that marriage have # also passed away; the eldest, Rudolph E., born March 13, 1852, died August 14, 1894; the other two (twins) died in in- fancy. In the fall of 1854 our subject married Louisa, daughter of William G. and Regina Franck, natives of Germany, who spent their last days in Salem town- ship, Ottawa county. The family born of the second marriage numbered ten chil- dren, to wit: Wilhelmena Augusta, born December 7, 1855. now the wife of Dr. S. D. Allen, of Oak Harbor; Caroline Feodora, born April 15, 1857, now the wife of John Eckhoff, of Oak Harbor; Herman, born January 29, 1859, died May 16, 1870; Julia Louisa, born March 10, 1861, now the wife of William Camp-

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 76

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