Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 88

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 88
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 88

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).

J OHN K. TEETZELL, M. D., a lead- ing physician and surgeon, whose skill and ability have won him high rank among his professional breth- ren, was born April 23, 1859, in Blen- heim, County of Kent, Ontario, Canada, son of John and Eliza (King) Teetzell.

The grandfather of our subject was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. On emi- grating to this country he landed at New Jersey after a tempestuous voyage which consumed more than three months, cross- ing the water in one of the old-fashioned sailing crafts of those days. He made his home in what was then Log Jail, now Trenton, N. J., and after an active and well-spent life passed away at a ripe old age, respected and beloved by all who knew him. The father of our subject first saw the light at Trenton, N. J., in 1819, the year in which Queen Victoria was born. When a young man he re- moved to Canada, locating in Ontario, afterward went to St. Thomas, Elgin county, Ontario, (then known as Up- per Canada), and later took up his residence at Blenheim, County of Kent, where he filled the office of sheriff for nine years. He is now spending his declining days in retirement, en- joying the fruits of his former toil. His wife, who was a native of Cornwallis, Kings county, Nova Scotia, removed to Fingall, Ontario, where their marriage was celebrated. Her death occurred in Blenheim, May 31, 1891. In the family were ten children, five of whom are yet living, as follows; Rosanna, wife of S. T. Martin, a prominent banker, and mayor, of the city of Chatham, Ontario, Canada; William H. and James D. (twins),

the former a wholesale druggist, of Chi- cago, and the latter a retired real-estate dealer, residing in Morpeth, County of Kent, Ontario; Elizabeth, widow of W. A. Smith, and a resident of St. Thomas, Ontario, and Dr. John K.

Dr. John K. Teetzell obtained both his preliminary and college education in the County of Kent, Ontario, and when sixteen years of age left home for Chicago, where he learned the drug business under the instruction of his brother, W. H. He also took a business course in Devilines Literary & Commercial College, Jackson, Mich., completed his course in pharmacy and chemistry, and during that time began reading medicine with Dr. Myar Mc- Laughlin, an eminent physician of Jack- son, Mich. In ISSo he entered the Med- ical Department of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from that institution with honor in the class of 'S4. He then took a post- graduate course in three different hospitals in New York City, a special course in surgery and a course in the diseases of women and children at the Maternity Hospital in that city. The following year he passed in recreation and travel, and in 1887, with a thorough knowledge of his profession to fit him for his life work, he entered upon the practice of medicine in Toledo, where he still retains an office. He built up for himself a large practice there, his skill and ability being widely recognized. In 1893 he removed to Genoa, where he opened a branch office, and his high reputation and thorough competency have already won for him a a large and constantly increasing business. He is a thorough student of his profession, and his brethren of the medical fraternity, as well as the public, acknowledge his superior worth, both professionally and personally.

The Doctor was united in marriage, March 17, 1881, in Crawford county, Ohio, with Miss Martha L., daughter of David and Margaret (Schultz) Burgert,

Johno. K. Lefel.M.

599

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who shares with her husband the regard in which he is held. In his political views the Doctor is liberal, and he is not con- nected with any religious organization. He does everything in his power to per- fect himself in his chosen calling, and is contemplating a trip to Europe during the year 1896, in order to perfect himself in gynecology by study in European hospi- tals. He possesses a very genial and affable manner, is an interesting conver- sationalist, and is very popular in the town in which he makes his home, and also in Toledo, where he still practices, making weekly visits to that city.

W ILLIAM JOHN SAUERWEIN is a native of Elmore, Ottawa county, born September 29, 1864, and is a son of John George and Catherine Elizabeth (Krontz) Sauerwein, early settlers of this section of Ohio.

The father was born in Hessen, Ger- many, March 19, 1818, was educated in that country, and there married Catherine Schneider. Emigrating to America, he located in Cleveland, Ohio, and subse- quently removed to Elliston, Ottawa county, where his wife died, March 18, 1862. On January 23, 1863, he married Catherine E. Krontz, of Elmore, who was born in Hessen, Germany, June 30, 1843, and came alone to America when thirteen years old, being forty-five days upon the water, during which some se- vere storms occurred. She has since spent the greater part of her life in El- more. Her grandfather, George Krontz, was born in 1788. Her parents were Peter and Catherine (Schneider) Krontz, the former born in 1816, the latter in 1813. In 1877 her father departed this life, her mother dying in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Sauerwein had five children: Mary, born November 11, 1863; William J., September 29, 1865; George October 31, 38

1867; Elizabeth, December 27, 1869; and Anna Margaret, August 31, 1872.

Our subject was obliged to leave school at the age of thirteen years on ac- count of the death of his father. He then began work in the stave factory of H. V. Becker, of Elmore, where he was em- ployed for about nine years. Since 1879 he has been an employe in the flouring- mill of C. Metsch & Co., of Elmore, and his faithful service and fidelity to duty is well indicated by his long continuance with that firm. On November 12, 1891, William Sauerwein married Miss Minnie E. Smith, of Elmore, daughter of John and Mary Jane (Logan) Smith. Her grandparents were J. B. Smith and Nancy A. (Archer) Smith, pioneer settlers of Ohio, of 1833. The former was born in Virginia, in 1786, made farming his life work, and died in 1839. His wife was born in 1788, died in 1868, and was laid to rest in the old cemetery at Elmore. Her father, at the time of his last sick- ness, owned ninety-nine slaves whom he set at liberty, at the same time giving to each a cottage and small piece of land.

John Smith, father of Mrs. Minnie E. (Smith) Sauerwein, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, May 29, 1818, and came with his parents to Ottawa county, in 1833. He was married July 7, 1839, to Amelia Wilson, who died May 18, 1856, and was buried in the old cemetery at Elmore. They had seven children: Mary Jane, born June 13, 1840; Susan, May 20, 1842; Emanuel, February 4. 1844; Jere- miah, May 31, 1846; Henrietta, in 1848; John H., January 18, 1850; and Nancy Ann, June 16, 1852. On September 29, 1857, the father of this family wedded Mary Jane Logan, daughter of James and Mercy (Sebring) Logan, and born in Pennsylvania December 11, 1834; by this marriage there are five children, as fol- lows: Sarah E., born August 23, 1858, died October 15, 1858; James L., born July 29, 1860, died March 6, 1864; David E. Ellsworth, July 12, 1862, now of To-

600

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

ledo (his wife, Alice -_ , died in 1894 leaving four children); Elta Elnora, born October 17, 1865, died April 13, 1870; and Minnie Estella (Mrs. Sauerwein) born July 26, 1871. Mr. Smith died October 12, 1886. For twenty-one years he was school director, and several years served as township trustee, proving a capable of- ficer. He accumulated a handsome prop- erty, and erected in Elmore one of its finest homes, which is now occupied by his widow and Mr. and Mrs. Sauerwein. He was a very prominent and influential citizen, enjoying the esteem of all who knew him. He was an active worker in the Christian cause, and had been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years up to his death.

Mrs. Smith (mother of Mrs. Sauer- wein) lived in her native State (Pennsyl- vania) up to the age of sixteen, receiving her education there, and thence removed to Ohio, where she has since resided, having since her marriage had her home in Ottawa county. Her father, James Logan, was born in 1802 in Ireland, came to America in 1820, and in 1834 wedded Mrs. Mercy (Sebring) McFall, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1798. She had one child, Hugh, by her first husband, and three by her marriage to Mr. Logan, viz .: Mary Jane (Mrs. Smith); Elizabeth Macfallen; and Ann, who died at the age of twenty-four. Mr. Logan was for many years as elder in the Presbyterian Church. His father, John Logan, was a native of Ireland, where he followed farming; he married a Miss Miller, a native of Scot- land. Mrs. Smith's maternal grandmother Elizabeth (Bennett), was born September 3, 1766, in Pennsylvania, and died June 25, 1855; she had nine children. Mrs. Sauerwein was born in Elmore, and com- pleted her education in the public schools of her native city in 1886. She has made a special study of instrumental music, and is a fine performer on the piano and organ. In the family are two interesting children-Erma M., born October 27, !

1892; and Olive Grace, born January 18, 1895.

In politics our subject is a stalwart Republican, but has never sought office. A prominent and active member of the- Presbyterian Church of Elmore, he is. serving as one of its elders and directors, and is also superintendent of the Sunday -. school. He does all in his power to pro- mote the work of the church and advance the cause of Christianity, and his well- spent life has won him high regard in. which his estimable wife also shares.

C ONRAD MILLER, who is widely- and favorably known in Elmore, Ottawa county, was born Jan -. uary 8, 1852, in Westphalia, Germany, where he spent his boyhood days and attended school. His ancestors. lived for some generations in that coun- try. The maternal grandfather of our- subject was born in Germany, in 1783, and was a miller by trade. The father of our subject, Simon Miller, was born in 1817, and learned the brick mason's. trade, which he followed through the greater part of his life; he died in 1876, and his wife, Minnie (Henning), who was. born in Germany, in 1818, survived un- til 1894. They were the parents of six. children: William, born in 1845; Fred, November 14, 1848; Conrad, January 8, 1852; William F., in 1855; Louisa, in- 1858; and William F. in 1861, Fred and. Conrad are the only members of this family now living.

At the age of eighteen Conrad Miller left home to learn the butcher's trade, serving a two-years' apprenticeship, and. then following that pursuit in Germany. for eleven years. He is now an expert, there being no kind of meat that he can not prepare. He was married November 5, 1876, to Miss Augusta Kroos, of Lippe- Detmold, Germany, born in that country- February 16, 1852. Her father, Fred Kroos, was there born in 1803, and died

601

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1855. He was a gardener by trade and lived at Schoedmar, Germany. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Min- ne Meyer, was born at Ahsen, Ger- many, in 1815, and died in 1870. Their family numbered six children, namely: August, who died at the age of eighteen years; William; Minnie Caroline; Fred, who died in 1889; Augusta and Henry. Of those living Mrs. Miller is now the only one in America. She remained at home until eleven years of age, and from that time until her marriage cared for herself. To her husband she has been a faithful companion and helpmeet, aiding him in securing the competence which they now enjoy.

In December, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Miller sailed for America, landing in New York in January, 1881, and coming di- rect to Ohio. They located on a farm which was their home for six months, and then removed to the village of Elmore, buying a small place, which, however, was soon sold. Mr. Miller next pur- chased four nice lots and a fine residence on Fremont street, and to-day has one of the most pleasant homes in Elmore, characterized by its neatness both within doors and without. For five and a half years he engaged in clerking in the hard- ware store of Wolf & Bendig, after which he returned to his old trade, and for eight and one-half years he has been en- gaged in the butchering business, six years for Mr. Wittie. He thoroughly under- stands his trade, and his long connection with one store indicates the faithfulness and integrity that is above question. He and his wife have many warm friends, and are widely known.

D R. HENRY JOHN HELLWIG, veterinary surgeon, Elmore, Ot- tawa county, is the son of hon- ored pioneers of Ottawa county, Justus and Elizabeth (Lang) Hellwig. He was born June 23, 1868, on the old home-

stead farm near Elliston, Ohio, and ac- quired his education in the schools of that place, after which he engaged in the operation of the home farm for eight years, carrying on the place for his mother for some years after his father's death. He there made a specialty of stock rais- ing, keeping on hand fine grades of Per- cheron horses, and from his boyhood he has always been a lover of fine horses.

In 1890 the Doctor went to New Hamburg, Canada, in order to study vet- erinary surgery with Dr. William Sterl- ing, of that place. After six months he returned home to spend the summer, and then went to Toronto, Canada, where he took a regular course in the Ontario Vet- erinary College, from which he graduated in the class of 1892. When his studies were ended he located in Elliston, spend- ing four days in each week there and three days in Oak Harbor, practicing his profession. In the fall of 1893 he re- moved to Elmore, where, in two years, he has built up an enviable reputation as a veterinary surgeon, and enjoys a very ex- tensive practice. On June 18, 1891, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Elva Hammond, of Elliston. Her father, Henry Hammond, was born in Harris township, Ottawa county, January 25, 1845, and is a thorough mechanic, having been employed by the Toledo Bridge Company for twenty years, superintend- ing the erection of the bridges after the material is prepared. He served in the army for three years, where he was wounded, January 4. 1864.

On April 11, 1866, Mr. Hammond mar- ried Emily Gyde, who was born in Ottawa county, Ohio, February 25, 1848, and for a time was engaged in teaching school in Ottawa county. Two children were born to them: Emily (Mrs. Hellwig), and William, the latter of whom is a bridge builder. The grandfather, Anson Hammond, was born in Ohio about 1820, and died in a hospital at Savannah, Ga., during the Civil war. His wife, who

602

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

bore the name of Margaretta Witty, was born in Germany, October 9, 1822, and died February 6, 1891. The maternal grandparents were William and Harriet (Meeker) Gyde, the former of whom was born in England, in 1813, and was a car- penter by trade, but also pursued the oc- cupation of farming, while the latter was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1829.

Mrs. Hellwig was born in Elliston, Ohio, January 4, 1867, and, after attend- ing the public schools of that place, was a student in the normal school of Oak Harbor. In 1884 she began teaching in this section of the State, and for six years was numbered among the successful and popular teachers of Ottawa county. Mrs. Hellwig is a member of the M. E. Church, and president of the Epworth League. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Hellwig have music-loving natures, his violin making an excellent accompaniment to her organ or piano, and in their home their friends may always be sure of a refined literary treat.

J OSEPH SLIGER, one of the repre- sentative self-made farmer citizens of Benton township, Ottawa county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born March 28, 1848, son of Henry and Anna (Hardman) Sliger.

Henry Sliger was born in March, 1818, in Bedford county, Penn., where he was reared to manhood, and on Sep- tember IS, 1842, there married Anna Hardman, a native of the same State, born November 22, 1823. To their union were born eleven children, six of whom are living, Joseph Sliger being the only one in Ohio. They came to Ohio in 1852, settling in Richland county, where Mr. Sliger cleared up a farm and made a com- fortable home for his family, living there until about 1868, when he sold out and removed to Sandusky county. Here he cleared another farm and became owner of a nice property, which he lost by sign-

ing papers to assist his friends in business. Here his wife died, and shortly afterward he went to Michigan, where he passed away April 7, 1886. Mr. Joseph Sliger's maternal grandfather, Jacob Hardman, was born about 1790 in Pennsylvania, and came thence with a team to Richland county, Ohio, where he died in 1860; his wife, who was born about 1790, died in IS56.

Joseph Sliger was a mere child when his parents came to Richland county, Ohio, where he lived until eighteen years of age, obtaining his education in the dis- trict schools. At the age of twenty-three he was married September 14, 1871, to Miss Jenette Smith, of Sandusky county, Ohio, and they settled in Sandusky coun- ty, where they remained for six years. They then came to Section II, Benton township, Ottawa county, where they bought forty acres of mill land, not a foot of which was cleared. There was no road to their new home, and they cut a road through the timber some distance to get onto their land, on which they built a frame house by addition to shelter them, and at once began clearing away the tim- ber that they might raise something for their sustenance. On going over the farm now one would not realize the work that has been accomplished by him and his faithful wife in the developing of that part of the township; the land is all cleared, not only of timber, but also of stumps, is well fenced, and equipped with comfortable buildings, and the well-kept condition of the place and all the sur- roundings gives evidence of the neatness and taste of the owners. In connection with general agriculture he is also engaged in bee culture, having at various times nearly forty swarms, from which he has sold 100 gallons of honey in a season, and for seven seasons he has also operated a threshing outfit, in which business he has made a reasonably fair success. In addition to his own home business he has done much contracting in the line of get-

603

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ting out timber for different parties. Mr. and Mrs. Sliger have always been busy, striving to make home pleasant for them- selves and their children, and their efforts have resulted in a very cheerful and hap- py home.

Mrs. Jenette (Smith) Sliger was born May 7, 1851, in Sandusky county, Ohio, where she lived until 1877, acquiring at the public schools as complete an educa- tion as the times would afford. Her mother dying when she was quite young, her help was needed in the home, and this somewhat curtailed her advantages for an education, for which she had a great desire. Her elder sister, Calesta, was a teacher and away from home much of the time, thus leaving a great deal for Mrs. Sliger to do; but this early experi- ence has of course added much to her suc- cess in managing her own home, and she has been of great assistance to her hus- band in securing the home. To Mr. and Mrs. Sliger have been born four children: Newton, August 31, 1872; Anna, June 18, 1874; Edwin, August 14, 1885, and May, May 8, 1890, of whom Edwin died when only two months old. The others are living with their parents on the farm, and have been very faithful in helping them in various ways. Special mention should here be made of Newton and Anna; they have improved every opportunity to secure an education, having adopted the profes- sion of teaching. In addition to their country schooling, Newton attended the high school at Rocky Ridge for a time, and Anna the high school at Oak Harbor, leaving when in her senior year to accept a position as a teacher, which occupation she has followed for three years, and is now among the most promising teachers in Ottawa county. Newton taught one term, and was obliged to discontinue the work on account of his health. They are truly ambitious, self-made young people, and, if health permits, they will no doubt make creditable records for themselves.

Daniel Smith, father of Mrs. Sliger,

was born in Pennsylvania July 11, 1814, and December 6, 1834, was married to Miss Jenette Holcomb, who was born June 30, 1815. To them were born seven chil- dren, four of whom are living-two sons and two daughters. Daniel Smith was one of the first justices in Sandusky coun- ty, an office he held for thirty-three years. The grandfather, Daniel Smith, Sr., was born about 1777, and in his family were thirteen children. They were among the pioneers of Sandusky county, coming to this region when it was a forest, out of which they cleared up a farm and made for themselves a comfortable home. [To the above sketch Mr. Sliger adds in the early part of November, 1895: " We are pack- ing our household goods preparatory to starting for Los Angeles, Cal., where we intend making our future home."-Editor.

R EV. ERNEST WALTER YAECKER, son of Robert and Louisa (von Weber) Yaecker, was born in Duesseldorf, Germany, May 8, 1867, was educated in the scien- tific schools of Germany, and took the theological course in the Northwestern College of Illinois, from which he gradu- ated in 1888.

Carl Yaecker, the father of Robert Yaecker, was born in Germany, February 7, 1812, and died in that country in 1890. Robert Yaecker was born April 17, 1838, in Kronenberg, Germany, and he now lives in Duesseldorf. He married Louisa von Weber, who was born in Pohlhausen, Rhine Provinz, Germany, in 1838, and they had eight children, seven of whom are now living, all in Germany except the subject of this sketch. An uncle of Rev. E. W. Yaecker was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died in Anderson- ville prison. Robert Yaecker was for a time in the hardware business, sold out and is now foreman in a large iron pipe factory. At one time he had a nice sum of money in one of the banks of Germany,

604

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

but lost much of his hard earnings in con- sequence of the failure of the bank. His wife, Louisa, died in Germany in 1871. Her parents, who were descendants of German nobility, died at an advanced age.

While in Germany Rev. E. W. Yaecker learned the trade of truss and limb manu- facturing and followed it for some time. He embarked for America in 1885, and encountered a severe storm at sea, dur- ing which the machinery of the ves- sel got out of repair, and they were adrift for half a day until repairs could be made, when the vessel proceeded on her course. Soon after reaching America our subject took up his theo- logical studies, and since his gradua- tion has been engaged in the active work of the ministry. He was first located in Cleveland for one year as pastor of the Evangelical Association (he is a member of its Erie Conference), after which he preached at Elliston, in Benton township, Ottawa county, for one year, was located for four years in Pennsylvania, and then returned to Elliston, where he has been since March, 1894. He fills three appoint- ments, all in Benton township, namely: Elliston, Rocky Ridge and Blackberry, in which there is a large membership. Since coming to Benton township he has re- ceived his naturalization papers, which were issued 1890.

On May 8, 1890, the Rev. E. W. Yaecker was united in marriage with Miss Mary Albertine Kopf, who was born Au- gust 11, 1869, in Munster, Alsace-Loraine, and they have had three children-Wal- ter Ernest, born September 27, 1891; Robert Arthur, June 13, 1893; and Henry Emerson, September 10, 1894-all living. Mary A. Kopf, now Mrs. Yaccker, came to America at the age of five years with her widowed mother, who settled in Cleve- land, Ohio, and she was educated in the schools of that city, graduating in 1883. Mrs. Yaecker has also made a study of music, and is proficient on the organ and piano. Her father, Albert Kopf, was born

in Muhlburg, Baden, Germany, in 1824, and died in the Fatherland in 1871. Her mother, whose maiden name was Ruhland, came from a wealthy family and was born at Munster, Germany; she is now living in Cleveland, Ohio, where she located upon coming to America. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kopf were the parents of three children, Mrs. Yaecker being the only one of them now living.

J ACOB S. PICKARD, proprietor of the only barber shop in Rocky Ridge, is one of the best in his line in Ottawa county. He is an Ohioan by birth, having first seen the light Au- gust 4, 1840, in Wayne county, where his early years were spent. At the age of six he was bound out, and the people with whom he lived, instead of sending him to school, kept him doing little er- rands for them, thus depriving him of even a show for an elementary education. At the age of eight years he ran away from those to whom he was bound out, and went to work for a farmer for three dollar per month, remaining with him five years. At the age of thirteen he took up the carpenter's trade with his brother, working at same one and one- half years for his board and clothes. He then went to work on a farm again for eight dollars per month, and so continued until the outbreak of the Civil war.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 88

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