Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 98

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 98
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 98

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).

A LEXANDER SCRYMGER, a rep- resentative agriculturist, and one of the most popular men in Clay township, Ottawa county, was born in the State of New York, Novem- ber 26, 1839.

Our subject grew up on the farm, ob- taining what meagre education could be derived from the district school of those days, and assisting his father, until the Civil war broke out, and the youth of the country responded with alacrity to the call for help. In August, 1862, he enlist- ed in Company K, One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, in which regiment he served three years, during which time he took part in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, and Limestone Station, all in Tennessee, besides in several minor engagements. He spent six months in the terrible prison of Belle Isle, enduring many hardships and sufferings. In 1865 he received his discharge, and, returning to Ottawa coun- ty, resumed the peaceful occupation of a farmer. In 1867, Mr. Scrymger was mar- ried to Miss Alice Frayer, and three chil- dren have come to them: William, born February 16, 1869; Ida, born January 4, 1872; and Maud, born August 1, 1878. Mr. Scrymger remained in Bay township until 1877, when he came to Clay town- ship, and purchased fifty-three acres of

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land. This he has brought to a high state of cultivation, having a fine orchard, fruitful fields and a fine dwelling house, with all necessary barns, outbuildings, etc.

Mr. Scrymger is widely known through- out the county as an able business man, progressive in his ideas, with a fund of sound common sense, and withal as a man of genial disposition. His popular- ity with all classes of men is well-known, and has been shown by his election, in the fall of 1886, to the office of county commissioner, on the Democratic ticket, by a large majority of the popular vote, and his re-election on the same ticket. During his administration several im- portant public works were carried through such as the building of bridges, dykes, and other much-needed improvements, on which achievements Mr. Scrymger is en- titled to a large share of the credit. He also held the office of trustee of the town- ship, for three years, and has filled other minor positions. He is an active mem- ber of his party, and in every respect is one of the leading men of his township.

N ICHOLAS FOX is a fruit grower and proprietor of a flour and feed store at Put in Bay, Sandusky county. Among the most prom- inent and influential residents of this lo- cality there is probably no one more worthy of mention in this volume than the gentleman whose name is here re- corded.

Mr. Fox was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, September 22, 1839, and is a son of John Adam and Eva (Parr) Fox, who were also natives of that country, and there spent their entire lives, the former dying in January, 1871, while the latter survived until April 24, 1878. By occu- pation the father was a farmer and weaver, and these two pursuits he successfully fol- lowed in his native land. In the family were ten children, five of whom became residents of the United States, namely:

Andrew, who died in Brenham, Texas, in 1878; John A., who resides on Middle Bass Island; Nicholas, subject of this sketch; George A., who died in Texas, in 1887; and Catherina, who died in Brenham, Texas, in 1886; of the remaining five members of the family two died in in- fancy, and the others reside in their na- tive land.

Nicholas Fox was reared and educated in Germany, and resided upon his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, aiding in the labors of the field and becoming fa- miliar with farm work in all its depart- ments. In 1863 he bade adieu to home and friends and crossed the broad Atlantic to America, reaching New York City on the 29th of December. Aftera month he pushed on toward the West, and selecting Put in Bay as a suitable place to make his home purchased a good farm, and at once be- gan the cultivation of grapes, having had considerable experience in that line of business in his native land. He now has extensive and valuable vineyards, and by energy and perseverance has acquired the success which crowns his efforts.

In Sandusky City, Ohio, November 9, 1869, Mr. Fox married Miss Wilhel- mina Buddenhagen, a daughter of Charles and Marie (Wardo) Buddenhagen, and born in Mecklenburg, Germany, July 15, 1851. To this marriage have come four children, as follows: Henry, born August 2, 1870, is the present mayor of Put in Bay Island, a notary public and agent for the Detroit & Cleveland Steam- ship Line; George A., born April 19, 1872, is also a member of the firm of Fox & Sons, of Put in Bay Island; Louisa, born November 28, 1875; and Andrew N., born January 28, 1885. In his polit- ical views, Mr. Fox is liberal, voting for the man rather than for the party, and he has never sought office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business in- terests. In addition to his vineyards and store he is the owner of the finest dock and warehouses on Put in Bay Island,

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and he carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes. He would be a desirable acquisition to any community, and Ottawa county numbers him among its valued citizens.

H ENRY SETHMAN, a successful and enterprising fruit grower of Danbury township, Ottawa coun- ty, is a native of that township, having first seen the light of day in the old log house which stood on the land now occupied by his handsome and im- posing residence. His birth occurred September 18, 1856, and he is a son of Carsten Henry and Mary (Muller) Seth- man, both now deceased.

The father of our subject was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, Sep- tember 12, 1822, and there he was reared and educated. Besides being engaged in farming, he carried on a hotel, and also operated a distillery. In 1847 he emi- grated to the New World, and after reach- ing New York City there engaged as a clerk in a grocery store for about a year and a half, when he embarked in the grocery business for himself. On dispos- ing of his store in 1855 he located in Danbury township, Ottawa county, in September, and followed farming with good success. He here made his home until within a few weeks of his death, which occurred January 12, 1890, at the residence of his daughter Sophia-Mrs. Charles A. Smith-of Lansing, Mich. The mother of our subject was born in Hanover January 9, 1830, and in 1847 came to the United States. For a year after her arrival in this country she made her home in Baltimore, Md., but at the expiration of that time she went to New York City, where she married Mr. Seth- man. She passed away at her residence in Danbury township November 1, 1886. In the family were seven children, as fol- lows: John H., born January 31, 1853, died February 14 of the same year; John |

D., born October 5, 1854, died Decem- ber 26, 1867; Henry is the next in order of birth; Diedrich, born January 9, 1858, died May 27 following; Claus D., born July 9, 1860, died January 26, 1876; Sophia, born June 29, 1867, is the wife of Charles A. Smith, of Lansing, Mich .; and Mary M., born April 8, 1870, died April 15, 1870.

Henry Sethman remained under the parental roof, assisting in the labors of the home farm, where he has spent his entire life engaged in the cultivation of the land, but now gives his attention more particularly to fruit culture. His education was acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood, and by sub- sequent reading and observation he has become a well-informed man. On No- vember 15, 1887, he wedded Miss Henri- etta Weigman, daughter of James and Mary E. (Smith) Weigman, the marriage ceremony being performed in Holt, Ing- ham Co., Mich. By this marriage there is one son-Clarence Henry, born March 4, 1890. Mrs. Sethman's father was born at Mud Creek, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and her mother on the Sethman homestead. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weig- man resided for a number of years in Sandusky county, and later removed to Lansing, Mich., where they and the grand- parents of Mrs. Sethman now reside. She is the eldest in their family of four children, and was born in Holt, Mich., July 14, 1870; the others are Charles A., born June 29, 1873, and died June 29, 1888; Henry, born September 21, 1875; and an infant yet unnamed.

Mr. Sethman is a valued member of Oliver H. Perry Lodge, No. 341, F. & A. M., of Port Clinton, Ohio. In politics he is an earnest supporter of the princi- ples of the Democratic party, and he and his family are Lutherans in religious be- lief. He is a typical illustration of a practical farmer, his well-tilled fields and well-kept fruit orchards showing thrift and a thorough acquaintance with his oc-

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cupation. His residence is one of the finest and most attractive in the county, and after a day of toil in his extensive orchards he knows how to enjoy an even- ing of rest amidst his home comforts, brightened by his faithful and loving wife and their little, interesting son. [Since the above was written we have received the lamentable news of Mr. Henry Seth- man's accidental death, which occurred on Thanksgiving Day, 1895. He was handling a revolver in the kitchen of his own house, and by some means one of the cartridges exploded, the bullet enter- ing the left side below the heart. He screamed, " Oh, Will, I'm shot!" and fell to the floor a corpse. The funeral was held on the following Sunday afternoon, under the auspices of the Masonic frater- nity of Port Clinton .- Editor.

F RANCIS M. O'CALLAGHAN, a well-known farmer and trader of Allen township, Ottawa county, and a veteran of the Civil war, is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in Dublin April 4, 1840. His parents, William and Henrietta (Walker) O'Calla- ghan, were both born in Ireland, and his paternal grandfather, Andrew O'Calla- ghan, was a clergyman of the English Church.

William O'Callaghan was what is known in the old country as a country gentleman, and was the owner of a large estate in and near Dublin. He was the father of fourteen children. In 1850 he emigrated to this country, when our sub- ject was a lad of ten years of age, but the climate not agreeing with him he returned to Ireland and from there went to Liver- pool, England, at which place he died. Francis M., our subject, was one of the family who decided to remain in America, and he lived for eight years in Detroit, Mich., carning his own livelihood, and at the same time attending school and fitting himself for business, About this time a

tumor made its appearance on his face, causing him great suffering, and he con- cluded to go back to Dublin, and have an operation performed. This he did, and after remaining abroad one year returned to this country, coming to Ohio and en- tering the brewing business at Toledo, at which he worked for three years, for the next three years engaging in the con- fectionery business. In the spring of 1861 the call to arms was heard, and all over the North volunteers gladly sprang to the defense of the "stars and stripes;" our brave young Irishman was not lacking in love for the country of his adoption, whose institutions he appreciated, and on October 5, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixty- seventh Ohio Infantry, and took part in many desperate conflicts. Among these were the battles of Winchester, Deep- bottom and Fort Wagener, S. C. In the latter engagement he was severely wounded, being shot through the neck, and was sent to a hospital, where he re- mained for a year. He received his dis- charge January 17, 1865, after a service of over three years. When the war was over Mr. O'Callaghan spent several years as a sailor on the great lakes. He helped to construct a vessel called the "Rough and Ready," of which he was mate for about two years, and then built the " Raven," which he commanded for five years, carrying freight, etc. Giving up his life on the water, our subject next turned his attention to trading in Lucas county, this State, and also farmed to some extent. After two years of this oc- cupation he came to Williston, Ottawa county, where he bought twenty acres of land, built a comfortable residence and other buildings and made numerous im- provements. Here he has since made his home and is known as a successful trader and prosperous farmer.

Our subject was married October 31, 1867, in Lucas county, this State, to Elizabeth H -- , and to them have come fourteen children; Olivia G., born

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May 12, 1869, is the wife of Charles Fishback, an employe of Harte & Co., Cleveland; Frances, born November 12, 1870, married William Rath, of Willis- ton, and has one child, Eddena S .; Edith May, born May 25, 18-, is the wife of Francis Watson, of Williston, and has one child, Freddie; Julia E., born August 18, 1876; Henry M., born April 30, 1878; Edward F., born March 1, 1881; Arthur W., born December 18, 1882; Agnes H., born December 29. 1884; Laura B., born March 4, 1889; Marion, July 21, 1892. Those deceased are Robert C., born February 15, 1872, died May, 1872; Maudie C., born January 2, died in June, 1876; Geneva, born Septem- ber 3, 1891, died April 30, 1894. Mr. O'Callaghan is a Democrat and a warm supporter of President Cleveland. The family are all members of the Episcopal Church, and are well and favorably known throughout the community.

W ILLIAM GRANT ELWELL, of Erie township, Ottawa coun- ty, a thorough and experienced railroad man, is a son of Thomas Franklin and Ellen (Mananay) Elwell, and was born in Ottawa county, Ohio, July 22, 1862.

Thomas Franklin Elwell was born in New York State March 30, 1822, was married September 5, 1841, and died October 22, 1866. His wife was born September 26, 1824, and died September 27, 1893. They had ten children born to them, as follows: Arthur, June 20, 1842; George F., January 22, 1844; An- genette, March 12, 1846; Alice E., Octo- ber 23, 1848; Amanda L., July 18, 1851; Rosetta, June 26, 1854; Ross J., June 26, 1854; Martha E., August 19, 1858; Will- iam Grant, July 22, 1862; and Zelpha, September 2, 1864. All but two are liv- ing; Zelpha, who died August 8, 1887; and Amanda, March 24, 1893.

William G. Elwell lived in Ottawa

county until his marriage. He received a liberal education in the public schools of Lacarne, Erie township, Ottawa coun- ty, and in 1879 began the study of teleg- raphy with C. F. Hosford in the Lake Shore railway office at Lacarne, where he remained for one year. He was then baggageman at Oak Harbor, Salem town- ship, Ottawa county, for one year, after which he returned to Lacarne and com- pleted his study of telegraphy in 1882, accepted the position of night operator at Marblehead Junction, in Danbury town- ship, Ottawa county, which he held for some time, and then for eighteen months was out of office work. From Marble- head Junction Mr. Elwell went to Rocky Ridge, Benton township, where he was night watch for two years. He then accepted the position of night operator at Shawville, in Ridgeville township, Lo- rain county, which he held some six months, after which he went to Lacarne, and was night operator there for four years. He was next promoted to the position of station agent at Lacarne, Ohio, and con- tinued in that capacity for two years, being further promoted to be station agent, oper- ator, and agent of the United States Ex- press Co. at Rocky Ridge, which positions he now holds. For about fifteen years Mr. Elwell has been connected with the Lake Shore road as an efficient operator and a thorough railroad man in all lines of his work.

On July 26, 1892, William G. El- well married Miss Lena E. Beebe, of Lakeside, Danbury township, Ottawa county, the ceremony being performed by Rev. T. S. Ayers, in the auditorium at Lake Side. Since their marriage they have resided at Lacarne and Rocky Ridge, and they have had one child, Lucy Maude, born October 6, 1893. Mrs. Elwell is a daughter of Bela B. and Lucy (Farnsworth) Beebe, of Lakeside, where she was born December 14, 1869. When she was one year old her parents moved to Defiance county, Ohio, where

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they lived four years. They next re- moved to Seneca county, and after living there six years returned to Lakeside. Mrs. Elwell obtained her education at Lakeside and at Ada, completed her liter- ary work at the latter place in 1888, and in the fall of the same year began teach- ing at Catawba Island, Ottawa county, where she remained eight months. In November, 1889, she took charge of the school at Lacarne, and held that position four months, after which she went to Lakeside as clerk in the Cobb Bazaar, remaining there through the summer va- cation. In the fall of 1890 a position in the public schools at Lakeside was offered to her, which was accepted, and she re- mained three years, during which time she was married to Mr. Elwell.

Mrs. Elwell's father, Mr. Beebe, was born in December, 1833, in Lorain county, Ohio, where he lived until 1865. On May 1, 1860, he was united in mar- riage with Lucy Farnsworth, who was born January 15, 1843, in Defiance, Ohio, and they had three children and adopted one child. The names and dates of birth of the children are as follows: Miles H., April 1, 1861; Charles L., August 26, 1866; Lena E. (Mrs. Elwell), December 14, 1869; and Bertha Belle, December 2, 1878. They are all living. Charles is in Detroit, Mich., and Miles is in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Beebe served three years in the war of the Rebellion, from 1862 to 1865, and after returning from the war located for a time on Catawba Island, Ottawa county, thence going to Lakeside, where he now lives. Mrs. Elwell's mother married William Jackson, No- vember 12, 1891; and lives in Allegan county, Michigan. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Elwell, Oliver Farnsworth, was born June 18, 1796, and died in 1882. His wife, who was Edna King, was born in 1810, in Vermont. They were married in Boston about 1825, and had twelve children, nine of whom sur- vived them.

R ODERICK MORRISON. Among the prominent men of Gibsonburg, or, indeed, of Sandusky county, as well, stands Roderick Morrison, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Morrison is of Scotch parentage, and a Canadian by birth, having first seen the light Octo- ber 22, 1855, in Oxford county, Ontario.

George and Henrietta (MacIntosh) Morrison, his parents, were born in Scot- land in 1809 and 1819, respectively. They were married in 1841, came to Canada from Scotland on their wedding tour, and locating in Oxford county remained there until 1883. when they removed to Bruce county, where they died, the mother in 1885, the father on December 9, 1893. They reared a family of seven children: Elizabeth, Catherine, Hector, Donald, Hugh and Mary, of whom, Hector is a resident of West Virginia; Donald is a Presbyterian minister in Michigan; Hugh is an attorney in Ontario.

R. Morrison, the subject proper of this review, grew to manhood on the home farm in Canada. In 1877 he came to the United states, entering the oil business in Butler county, Penn., but soon turned his attention to the lumber business, in its relation to the oil industry. After con- tinuing in this business in Butler and Mc- Kean counties for ten years, he moved to Findlay, Ohio, where for four years he continued his business in connection with the oil and gas interests of that section. In 1893 the great oil fields of Sandusky county were being opened, and Mr. Mor- rison, with a keen eye to business, settled in Gibsonburg, where he has since done a large business in the lumber trade. In addition to his home interests he also car- ries on the same business in Woodville, Sandusky county. He is also connected with the Gibsonburg Banking Co., of which he is the vice-president, and is everywhere known and esteemed, not only as a thorough business man, but also as a Christian gentleman. Politically, he is a Democrat, in religion a Presbyterian.

DaMorrison

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In Bradford, McKean Co., Penn., on August 22, 1882, Mr. Morrison was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Casey, who was born in Roulette, Penn., September 26, 1861, a daughter of Jo- seph J. and Honora (Moran) Casey. She received her education in part in her na- tive town, in part in the public schools of Coudersport, and after completing her schooling was for four years a successful teacher in the public schools of Potter county, Penn. Mrs. Morrison's father was born, in 1833, in Ireland, came to America when eighteen years old, and was married in 1860 to Miss Honora Moran, of Pennsylvania, who was born in July. 1839. To this union were born eight children: Catherine (Mrs. Morrison); Sarah (Mrs. L. L. Forsyth, of Gibson- burg); William J. (deceased); May B. and Alice, both of whom are teachers in Pennsylvania; Anna F., for sometime a teacher, now bookkeeper for the Gibson- burg Banking Co. ; Lawrence D., a teacher in Pennsylvania; and Iva F., a student. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Morri- son (James Casey), was a native of Ire- land, born in 1796, and about 1820 wed- ded Miss Belle Canon. For many years they lived in Ireland, where they reared a family of seven children, two of whom are now living. Later they moved to Scotland, and thence emigrated to Ameri- ca, settling in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Casey died in 1868, Mrs. Casey surviving until 1875, when she too passed away, at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Morrison's maternal grandfather, Law- rence Moran, was a native of Ireland, born about 1795, and his wife, Cath- erine (Moran) Moran, was born about 1805; they emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, rearing a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have a fine home in Gibsonburg, and are esteemed by all who know them, for their social, business, intellectual and moral worth.

C HRISTOPHER H. DAM- SCHRODER, one of the most prominent factors in com- mercial circles in Elmore, Ottawa county, and an enterprising and wide- awake merchant, was born in Toledo, Ohio, January 1, 1840, son of Christo- pher and Mary (Myerholts) Damschroder.

The father was born in Hanover, Ger- many, in 1813, where he was for many years foreman of a large plantation, re- ceiving, however, only $16 per year. At the age of twenty-one he emigrated to America in order to avoid service in the German army, but during the year after his arrival he had a severe attack of cholera. Later he went to Toledo, and, after working on the Ohio canal and the Ohio railroad for a time, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years. In 1844 he removed to Wood- ville township, Sandusky county, and engaged in farming, which he fol- lowed with excellent success, accumu- lating a property valued at $125,000. In 1838 he wedded Mary Myerholts, who was born in Germany in 1818. Her father, John F. Myerholts, was born about 1795, and served in the memorable battle of Waterloo, as did the paternal grandfather of our subject; both spent their last days in America, and were buried in the old Damschroder cemetery. When a young girl, the mother of our subject worked out by the week, and gave her earning for the support of her younger brothers and sisters. On different occasions she walked to Fremont, purchased a bushel of pota- toes and carried them home, walking through the mud. Such were the experi- ences which fell to the lot of the early pioneer. She has lived, however, to see the country develop from a wilderness into one of the best counties of the State, and also to see her children, for whom she struggled hard, now in a prosperous condition.

Our subject was only four years old when his parents removed to Woodville

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township, Sandusky county, where he lived until twenty-one years of age. He attended the district schools of the neigh- borhood, which were held in log build- ings, and in this way and through his own efforts has secured a liberal education, which has enabled him to become one of the successful business men of Ottawa county. In 1859 he started in business for himself as a salesman in the store owned by his father and J. H. Blinn. At the end of two years the father purchased his partner's interest and built a store on his farm near Woodville, of which our subject had charge for several years. In 1864 he removed his stock of goods to Elmore, establishing a store in what is now a part of the " Elmore House," there remaining two years. He then spent three years on the opposite side of the street, after which he purchased the stock of Beach & Wilson, where he continued for sixteen years, when he built the hand- some brick block that he now owns and occupies, and where he has been located for eleven years. He carries a full stock of general merchandise, and his annual sales amount to $15,000, being one of the largest trades in the county.

In 1863 Mr. Damschroder wedded Mary Frese, daughter of Henry and Louise (Heilbrant) Frese, and born Oc- tober 15, 1844, in Woodville, where she lived until her marriage at the age of eighteen years. Her father was born in Germany, in 1813, her mother in 1815, and in 1838 they came to America, locat- ing in Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where Mr. Frese died in 1853. Five years later his widow married R. Berleman, and about 1865 they removed to Toledo, Ohio, where her death occurred April 6, 1893, when she was aged seventy- eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Frese had seven children: Henry, Lonis, Charlotte, Mary, Augustus, Charles and Louise, all of whom, with the exception of Henry, are living in Ohio, his home being in Min- nesota.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 98

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