Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 9

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 9
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 9

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).

Mr. Birchard's gifts to the city are estimated at $70,000, or about one-fifth of his estate. In addition to these gifts made during his lifetime he made in his will bequests to Oberlin College, to Home Missions, to the Fremont Ladies' Relief Society, and to the Conger Fund, a fund designed for the relief of superannuated preachers.

Mr. Birchard was benevolent to a degree and in a manner known only to

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his most intimate friends. Aid in neces- sity was extended to many when none knew it except the recipients, and per- haps a friend whom he consulted. Mr. Birchard was especially devoted to the fine arts, and during his eventful life made a fine collection of oil paintings, which will eventually form one of the chief at- tractions of Birchard Library. Among them is an oil painting of his favorite horse, "Ned."

In May, 1857, Mr. Birchard became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Fremont, and he remained in its com- munion the remainder of his life. He contributed constantly to its incidental and benevolent funds. He also contrib- uted $7,000 to the erection of the new edifice now occupied by the congregations. In this he took especial satisfaction. He also aided other congregations without distinction of denomination. He gave most satisfactory evidence of sincerity in his religious experience, and died in per- fect composure of mind. He had talked much with his friends concerning death, and seemed to be altogether ready. He was one of the marked characters in the early history of the country, and his life was fortunately spared to a ripe old age. Of him it may well be said, as the faith- ful steward he received the gifts of for- tune and gave, in his turn, freely as he had received. He died January 1, 1874, aged seventy-three years. His funeral was attended by the largest concourse of citi- zens ever assembled on such an occasion in this vicinity. As a testimony of respect to the deceased all the stores and shops of the city were closed from one o'clock un- til four, in the afternoon, when he was laid to rest in Oak Wood Cemetery.

1844.

R EV. PATRICK O'BRIEN, pastor of St. Ann's Congregation, Fremont, was born at Piltown, County Wexford, Ireland, February 20, He arrived in America on April

15, 1857, being at that time only thirteen years old.

Like all young men of his age and na- tionality, seeking a home in the New World, our subject applied himself as- siduously to the task. The American Civil war, as the reader well knows, com- menced in 1861, and our subject having imbibed that spirit of patriotism which is so characteristic of his race, handed down to him by his undeniable Celtic ancestors, donned the blue, enlisted in the Northern army for the purpose of assisting the Re- public in preserving the life of the Union. Owing to ill health he could not render his adopted country that assistance for which he had hoped; however, he did his duty as a loyal subject of " Uncle Sam, " to the best of his ability, actuated by the purest patriotic motives, until by reason of ill health, he was discharged from the or- ganization in which he had enlisted. Af- ter his return from the service he resumed his studies, and very soon realized that his vocation was that of a priest. He was encouraged by his parents and friends in this idea, and attended college with a view of studying for the sacred ministry. Fi- nally, Bishop Rappe received him into St. Mary's Seminary, at Cleveland, Ohio, as a student, and in a short time the stu- dent became master of philosophy and theology, and the late lamented Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilmour, D. D., bishop of Cleve- land, ordained him priest July 21, 1872.

Father O'Brien has been recognized by those who know him as one of the ablest priests in Ohio, and especially in oratory he is unsurpassed anywhere in this section. He has had charge of the largest congregations in the diocese of Cleveland; was for some years pastor of the Immaculate Conception parish in Toledo, Ohio, one of the largest English- speaking congregation in that city. He

was transferred from the Immaculate Conception parish to St. Francis De- Sales, on Cherry street, Toledo, and re- mained there a short time, when he was

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

again transferred to the pastorate of St. Patrick's Congregation of Cleveland, the largest congregation in the diocese. While pastor of St. Patrick's he built one of the finest schoolhouses in the State, which is an ornament not only to the city of Cleveland but to the State of Ohio.

Owing to the hard work that he was compelled to do at St. Patrick's, our sub- ject was broken down in health to a cer- tain extent, and, procuring a leave of ab- sence, he traveled abroad extensively, making a flying trip to Ireland on his way to Rome and Jerusalem. During his absence he wrote very interesting letters on his travels abroad, which were pub- lished in the leading journals of this sec- tion. While visiting in the Holy Land he encountered a severe rain storm, and the result was that he contracted rheuma- tism, and it was on this account that he asked to be relieved from the charge of St. Patrick's, and to be sent to a place where he would not be required to do so much work. His request wns granted, and he was transferred to St. Ann's, Fre- mont, Ohio.

While Father O'Brien is a celebrated poet, patriot and writer, perhaps his principal work outside the priesthood is that which he gives to the temperence cause. He has been identified with the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America since its organization, or nearly so, and has held many prominent offices in the Union. He is to-day president of the C. T. A. U., of Ohio, and at a recent convention held in New York City was chairman of the committee on resolutions, and drafted the resolutions which created so much discussion at the National con- vention. He is a thorough American in every sense and meaning of that word, and is respected and has always been respected by Protestants and Catholics alike. He was assigned to the pastorate of St. Ann's, Fremont, Ohio, in 1893, and he has been a valuable accession to the roll of the prominent pastors and citizens, and both

he and the temperance and other organ- izations of St. Ann's have done a vast amount of good in the community.

S AMUEL DOLL. Among the active spirits, which the oil and gas dis- coveries in Sandusky county have brought to the front in business circles, the name of Samuel Doll stands prominent. He is a widely-known pio- neer of Jackson township, and in the spring of 1892 he organized the S. Doll Gas & Oil Co., of which he is now vice- president. The company has leased a large amount of land, and is pushing the new industry with energy and dispatch, and with marked success, having opened fourteen or more wells, the majority of which have produced gas in paying quan- tities.

Mr. Doll was born in Jackson town- ship, March 3, 1835, son of John and Catherine (Dayhoff) Doll. The father was born, in 1797, in Bedford county, Penn., married in that State, and in 1834 migrated to Ohio, settling in Jackson township, Sandusky county, where he re- mained until his death, in 1865. He was a Democrat in ante-bellum times, but during the closing years of his life he voted the Republican ticket. His wife, Catherine Dayhoff, was a native of Mary- land, and died in 1875 at the age of sixty-four years. A large family of chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doll, as fellows: Two who died in infancy; Joshua, who enlisted in the army during the Civil war, and died in Tennessee; John, who married Margaret A. Sprout, and died in 1890, leaving four children-Ralph P., Nancy, William and Emma; Daniel (deceased), who married Adeline Kennon and had six children-Alice, Byron D., Elmer, John, Peter and Nettie; Samuel, subject of this sketch; Mary E., who became the wife of Solomon Warner, of Jackson township, and has had seven children-Emma, Laura, Elsie, Charles,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Chauncey, Estelle and Blanche; Sarah A., who died young; Noah, a resident of Neosho county, Kans., whose children are Alfred, Chalmer, Edith, Henry and Mary; one who died young; Susan, wife of Isaac Hite, of Jackson township, and mother of the following children-Doro- thy, William, Francis, Irvin, Milan, Edward, Lee, Verna and Franklin; and Jacob, who enlisted in the fall of 1864, and died at Camp Chase, Ohio.

Samuel Doll was reared in the pioneer wilderness of Jackson township. Educa- tional facilities were meager, and the ambitious boy or girl must perforce stimu- late his or her waking mental powers by poring over books beside the log blaze in the home cabin. Education was ob- scured, or wholly ignored. Other needs were pressing. The clearing of the land was the prime consideration, and the lad who could swing the ringing axe the lustiest was the hero of the day rather than the pale-faced youth who could spell down the entire school. Mr. Doll amply filled the requirements of that day, as he does, too, at the present time. He was a young man of almost gigantic stature, and of unusual strength and activity, and even to-day, though he has turned his six- tieth year, he can do more physical work than many a man at forty. He was mar- ried in 1859, to Mary Hummel, who was born in Scott township, April 12, 1839, daughter of George J. Hummel, a native of Germany, and to this union were born eleven children, as follows: A. J., born June 6, 1860, who married Emma J. Beau- man, and has a family of two children -John F. and Jay; Mary C., wife of J. F. Hartman, and mother of three children- George. Clark and Vera; Harmannus, born September 2, 1861, died in infancy; John, born in 1862, died November 7, 1872, Lucy M., wife of William Hey- Inan, of Sandusky county, and the mother of two children-Cecil and Veva; Eddie, who died in 1872, aged four years, nine months and twenty-seven days; George,

who died November 12, 1872, aged two years, one month, twenty-two days; Elsie, wife of F. B. Rollins; Orville and Arvilda, twins; and Estella. Mrs. Doll died Jan- uary 21, 1889. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a devout member of the United Brethren Church, where Mr. Doll also worships. Mr. Doll served in the Union army during the summer of 1864 at Fort Ethan Allen, near Washington, and he is now a member of Manville Moore Post, G. A. R., Fremont. He is a prominent member of the P. of I. Our subject devoted his life exclusively to farming up to the time he entered the oil business, and now owns a large and well-cultivated farm, which he has always tilled with signal profit and success.

G EN. RUTHERFORD BIRCH- ARD HAYES, the better part of whose life is so closely inter- woven with the history of this en- tire nation-whether we speak of him as General, Governor, or President-was born at Delaware, Ohio, October 4, 1822.

He was descended from George Hayes, a native of Scotland, who came to Amer- ica in the latter part of the seventeenth century, settling at Windsor, Conn. Ruth- erford Hayes, of the fifth generation from this George Hayes, was born, in 1878, in West Brattleboro, Vt., and in 1813 mar- ried Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington, in that State, "a lady of fine intellect and lovely character." In 1817 the family moved to Ohio, the trip being made in a covered wagon and consuming forty-seven days, and in the town of Delaware they settled. Here in July, 1822, Mr. Hayes died, leaving a wife and one daughter, and in less than three months the future president of the United States was born, a posthumous child. The estate and management of the family affairs were en- trusted to Sardis Birchard, Mrs. Hayes' brother, then a young man, who took a loving interest in his sister's welfare, and

R. B. HAYES.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

became very fond of his young nephew, taking him under his immediate charge. The lad received his early education at the common schools, attended an academy at Norwalk, Ohio, and in 1837 went to Isaac Webb's school at Middletown, Conn., to prepare for college. In 1842 he gradu- ated from Kenyon College, valedictorian of his class. During this school period he spent a large part of his vacation time at the residence of his uncle at Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), Ohio; in the meantime his sister had married William A. Platt, of Columbus, and the mother made her home in that city. Having con- cluded to make the profession of law his life work, Mr. Hayes commenced study in the office of Thomas Sparrow, of Col- umbus, Ohio, and was graduated at the Law School of Harvard University, in 1845, on May 10 of which year he was admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio. He began practice at Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) where, in April, 1846, he formed a partnership with Hon. Ralph P. Buckland (now also deceased).

In 1849 he opened a law office in Cin- cinnati, where he soon attracted attention through his ability and acquirements, and where he successfully pursued the prac- tice of his profession till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In 1856 he declined a nomination for judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. Two years later he was appointed city solicitor of Cincinnati, and served until April, 1861. On the organization of the Republican party, he at once became one of its active supporters, being attracted thereto by his strong anti-slavery senti- ments.

At the outbreak of the war, he was elected captain of the military company formed from the celebrated Cincinnati Literary Club. In June, 1861, he was appointed major of the Twenty-third O. V. I., and in July following his regi- ment was ordered to West Virginia. Gen. Hayes' very gallant and meritorious mili-

tary career has been overlooked in the prominence given to his political life. An examination of his record in the army shows that such brave, gallant and able service has rarely been equalled, even in the annals of war.

In August, 1864, while fighting under Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Gen. Hayes was nominated by a Republican district convention, in Cincinnati, as a candidate for Congress. He was elected by a majority of 2,400. The General took his seat in Congress December 4, 1865, and was appointed chairman of the Library committee. In 1866 he was re- elected to Congress. In the House of Representatives he was prominent in the councils of his party.

In 1867 he was the Republican can- didate for governor of Ohio, and elected over Judge Thurman. In 1869, he was re-elected governor of Ohio over George H. Pendleton. In 1872, despite his fre- quently expressed desire to retire from public life, Gen. Hayes was again nomi- nated for Congress by the Republicans of Cincinnati, but was defeatad.

In 1873 he returned to Fremont, and the next year inherited the considerable estate of his uncle, Sardis Birchard. In 1875, notwithstanding his well-known desire not to re-enter public life, he was again nominated for governor of Ohio, and, although he at first declined the honor, he was subsequently induced to accept the nomination, and after a hard-fought canvas was elected over William Allen by a majority of 5,500! This contest, by reason of the financial issue involved, be- came a national one, and was watched with interest throughout the country, and as a result he was nominated for the Presidency on the seventh ballot of the National Republican Convention which met at Cincinnati June 14, 1876. The doubtful result of the election in three Southern States threw the whole country into a state of anxiety which continued until inauguration day; but Gen. Hayes

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was declared elected by the highest author- ity in the government, and on the 4th of March, 1877, he took his seat in the Presidential Chair.

The administration of President Hayes, although unsatisfactory to ma- chine politicians, was a wise and conserv- ative one, meeting with the approval of the people at large. Throughout, his administration was intelligently and con- sistently conducted with but one motive in view-the greatest good to the country, regardless of party affiliation. That he was eminently successful in this, and was as wise, patriotic, progressive and benefi- cial in its effects as any the country has enjoyed, is the judgment of every intelli- gent person who gives it an unbiased study.

On the expiration of his term, ex- President Hayes retired to his home in Fremont, Ohio. Here he died January 17, 1893, of neuralgia of the heart, deeply lamented not only by relations and friends, but by the entire nation, whose welfare he had ever at heart. That he was pre- eminently a soldier, his career as such, his interest in the Grand Army, the Loyal Legion, the Union Veterans Union, and all other organizations associated with the army, prove beyond peradventure. As a lawyer he was successful; as a congress- man he was popular; as Governor and President he revealed the statesman. He was never idle-wherever duty called there was he ever to be found, and in this re- spect the many claims upon his time made him almost ubiquitous.

Gen. R. B. Hayes was the recipient of the degree of LL. D. from Kenyon, 1868; Harvard, 1877; Yale, 1880; and Johns Hopkins University, 1881. He was commander-in-chief of the military order of Loyal Legion; was first president of the Society of the Army of West Vir- ginia. He was president of the John F. Slater Education Fund, and one of the trustees of the Peabody Fund-both for education in the South. He was also

president of the National Prison Reform Association, and a trustee of a large num- ber of charitable and educational institu- tions. After leaving the Presidency, Mr. Hayes was actively engaged in education- al, reformatory and benevolent work, and became president of many societies and associations, the chief object of which was the welfare of his fellow-men. Indeed, his life from beginning to end was a very busy one, and no less beautiful.

On October 30, 1852, Gen. R. B. Hayes was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Webb, who was born August 28, 1831, in Chillicothe, Ohio, at that time the capitol of the State, daughter of Dr. James and Maria (Cook) Webb, and descended, on both sides of the house, from Revolutionary stock. Miss Webb was instructed by the university profes- sors, preparatory to entering the Wes- leyan Female College at Cincinnati, and it was while attending this institution that Mr. Hayes made her acquaintance. Mrs. Hayes first became known to the outside world during the Civil war, and in the army, among volunteer soldiers, she found ample opportunity for the exercise of her rare faculties in making people happy. Upon learning of the severe wound re- ceived by her husband at the battle of South Mountain, she hastened east and joined him at Middletown, Md. As soon as he was able to be about she would spend a portion of each day in the hos- pitals, cheering and comforting the wound- ed of both armies with delicate attentions and tokens of sympathy. Eminently social and domestic, her residence, "Spiegel Grove," was seldom without visitors, and was always, in every station, mistress of her own household. The fol- lowing named children were born to Gen. and Mrs. Hayes: Birchard A. Hayes, of Toledo; Webb C. Hayes, of Cleveland; Rutherford P. Hayes, of Columbus, and Fannie and Scott R. Hayes, of Fremont. Eight years of beautiful private life were granted Mrs. Hayes, years which were

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

filled to the brim with joy and occupa- tion. On June 21, 1889, she was stricken with apoplexy, resulting in paralysis, and on the 28th her soul took flight. She took an interest in all charities, and was a leader among the originators of the Sol- diers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home in Ohio. She was also a member of the Womans' Relief Corps of the State of Ohio. To her husband and herself the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fremont is largely indebted for its beautiful Church edifice.

T AYLOR FULLER, president of the Peoples Bank at Clyde, is a business man of recognized and deserved prominence among the diversified interests of Sandusky county. He is one of those sound, conservative men, whose judgment is rarely if ever at fault. He possesses a mind of those qualities which thoroughly grasp the sub- ject it engages itself upon, determines its relation to extraneous matters, and finally passes unerring judgment upon the con- sequences of given conditions. He is thoroughly conversant with the principles which rule in the commercial world. Men like him are needed in every com- munity to give voice to sound business principles, and to give proper direction to enterprise and industry.

Mr. Fuller comes of sterling pioneer stock. He was born in Townsend town- ship, Sandusky county, March 29, 1840, son of William and Emma M. (Levisee) Fuller. William Fuller was one of the hardy and respected pioneers of Sandusky county who, perhaps, met with more than his share of severe hardships and misfor- tunes, but whose strength of character conquered every obstacle and bore him safely on to eventual comfort and af- fluence. William Fuller was born in Hawley, Mass., January 23, 1799. His father was Jason Fuller, a native of Con- necticut, where he was born May 24,

1767. When a young man Jason Fuller moved to Massachusetts, and there mar- ried Philanda Taylor. In 1816 he moved with his family to what is now Livingston county, N. Y., and here his wife died two years later, aged forty-nine years. Jason Fuller died October 25, 1819, at the home of his son William, in Milan town- ship, Huron county. He had been a

farmer through life. Both he and his wife were honest, upright people, and members of the Baptist Church. They had eight children, as follows: Cynthia, who married, in Massachusetts, Silas Pratt, moved in 1824 to Sandusky county, Ohio, and died here; Rachel, who mar- ried Amos Hammond, in New York State, and died in Michigan; Philanda, first wife of James Morrill, died in Massachusetts; Electa, second wife of James Morrill, died in Kansas; William, father of Taylor Ful- ler; John, who married Rhoda Powell in Green Creek township, and died in Ne- braska; Betsey, who married Ichabod Munger in New York State, and died in Michigan; Thomas, who married Margaret Ewart in New York, and died in Michigan.

William Fuller remained in his father's family until February, 1818. He then started alone and afoot for the wilds of Ohio, arriving thirteen days later in Milan township, Huron county, where his father, his eldest sister and his youngest brother joined him two weeks later, and took pos- session of a tract of land for which Jason, the father, had previously negotiated. William engaged to clear ten acres as a compensation for his time during the two remaining years of his minority. In July of the same year he returned to New York and to Massachusetts on business. While at the New York home his mother died, before the father could arrive. Here William Fuller married Mehetable Botsford, November 7, 1818, and in Feb- ruary, with his wife and his father, re- turned to Ohio with a yoke of oxen and a sled, the journey consuming twenty-two days. His father died in the following

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

autumn, and William continued to re- side in Milan township until 1824, cul- tivating and clearing land which his father had negotiated for, but had never purchased. In 1823 William Fuller purchased forty acres in Green Creek township, Sandusky county, and in the spring of 1824 moved to the little place and began to clear and improve it. But misfortunes overtook him. He was taken ill in June, and was unable to work until late in August. Through the fall he suffered with ague. During the following summer he could do scarcely any work. In August, 1826, his oxen ran away, throwing his eldest child from the cart, and killing him. The same month his wife and youngest child died. Leaving his two remaining children in the care of his sister, Mrs. Hammond, he returned to New York State and worked there four years. He, in Livingston county, married Cynthia Havens, May 15, 1831, and with her returned to his home in Green Creek township. In 1834 he bought wild land in Townsend township, and again began a pioneer career. Death entered his household January 23, 1835, and again took away his wife. Left with four chil- dren to care for, he could not well break up housekeeping, and on July 6, 1835, he married Marcia M. George, a native of New York State. She survived her mar- riage just one year. Mr. Fuller was again united in marriage October 19, 1837, this time to Emma M. Levisee, who survived him. She was born in Lima, N. Y., March 24, 1818, daughter of Aaron and Anna (Lyon) Levisee.

Aaron Levisee was born in New Jersey, June 19, 1774, son of James Levisee, who had previously moved to that State from Connecticut. Aaron was the eldest child of a family of nine children. His boy- hood was passed in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He acquired a fair edu- cation, followed the seas three years as clerk of a sailing vessel, then taught school. While teaching a terin at

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 9

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