Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 99

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 99
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 99

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. and Mrs. Damschroder have nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Henry L., June 5, 1864; John Henry R., October 10, 1866; Clara, April 26, 1869; Dora Louise, January 27, 1871; Bertha H., January 12, 1874; Augusta F., June 24, 1876; Nellie, Jan- uary 1, 1879; Charles F., May 14, 1881; and Edwin Frese, March 27, 1883. They have a fine home on Main street, and the elder children aid the father in carrying on their excellent store. Mrs. Dam- schroder is also daily found at the store, and is of great assistance to her husband in his business. He is an energetic and progressive business man, and their suc- cess is the just reward of their own efforts. While of German parentage, Mr. Damschroder is a loyal American, believing fully in the principles of our government, and, although his business interests are extensive, he yet finds time to keep well informed on the subjects of the day, and to materially advance the interests of town and county. He is eminently public spirited, and no citizen of the community is held in higher regard or has more warm friends.

A UGUSTUS HELLWIG is one of the most enterprising young men of Benton township, Ottawa coun- ty, of which he is a native, having been born September 9, 1870, on the farm which he now superintends, son of Justis and Elizabeth (Lang) Hellwig.

Justis Hellwig was born February II, 1837, in Germany, where he was edu- cated. In 1854 he came to Canada, where he lived until he was twenty-three years old, in 1860 removing to Benton town- ship, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where, in 1861, he and Mr. Fred Kewit purchased 160 acres of land in Section 19, which they divided equally between them. In 1864 Mr. Hellwig bought the portion belonging to Mr. Kewit, becoming the owner of the entire tract. On March 30, 1862, he was

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married to Miss Elizabeth Lang, of Can- ada, and the young couple settled on their new farm, then a wilderness, on which Mr. Hellwig had worked one year, keeping " bachelor's hall." They moved into a log cabin until a better house could be erected, and, by hard toil, he and his faithful helpmeet succeeded in making for themselves one of the finest homes in Ot- tawa county. They cleared off the farm, fenced it, put on the buildings, put out fruit trees and made it a really modern farm, continuing its improvement up to Mr. Hellwig's death, which occurred March 19, 1880. Mr. Hellwig was treas- urer of the township eleven years, and for several years was township trustee, also serving as real-estate assessor one term. Politically he was a Democrat.

To Mr. and . Mrs. Hellwig were born nine children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Anna G., January 21, 1863; Catherine Elizabeth, October 14, 1864; George F., September 15, 1866; John Henry, June 23, 1868; Augustus G., September 9, 1870; John Ernest, October 13, 1872; William E., January 1, 1875; Emina Augusta, December 9, 1876, and Carl F., May 22, 1878. Of these, Emma died May 29, 1877; Catherine on March 23, 1880; Anna on December 9, 1880, and George on November 29, 1887. John H. was married in June, 1891, to Elva Hammond. of Elliston. Mrs. Hellwig was born February 1, 1838, in Canada, where she was educated, living there until her marriage, from which time she was a faithful wife and kind mother. Since her husband's death she has continued to con- duct the farm, and has erected a large barn and made other improvements, prov- ing her ability in many ways to manage an extensive business. Her father, Detrick Lang (maternal grandfather of our sub- ject), was born about 1800, in Germany, and was by trade a wagon maker. He was killed at the raising of a barn. His wife, Margaret (Bates), was born about 1805, in Germany, and they were the

parents of four children-two sons and two daughters-Margaret, Casper, Eliza- beth and Peter. John Hellwig, paternal grandfather of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was born about 1804, in Germany, and married Anna Hetrick, who was born in that country about 1806. They were the parents of seven children, only one of whom is now living. John Hellwig died in 1864, his wife in 1865.

Augustus Hellwig attended the public schools of Elliston, completing his stud- ies at the age of twenty. After his father's death the farm was left to the supervision of the mother and her older son Augustus, who remained on the place, working for his mother until 1893, when he took the management of it himself. He now superintends all the business of the farm, owns horses and machinery, and is carrying on a modern farming busi- ness on 160 acres of fine farming land, doing all the work with the aid of only one man, hired by the month. In addition to his farming interests he is also a stock- holder in the Graytown Elgin Butter Co., of Graytown, Ohio. His output of crops annually is about thirty-five acres of wheat, forty acres of hay, and twenty-five acres of corn. He is also successfully engaged in raising fruit, principally apples, pears and plums.

On November 28, 1895, Mr. Hellwig was married to Miss Emma T. Krieger, of Graytown, Ohio, who was born July 24, 1868, at Klein Ehrenberg, Province of Brandenburg, Germany, where she was educated. In 1882 she came to America with her parents, locating at Graytown, Ohio, where they moved on a farm and there lived until Mr. Krieger's death, in i892, after which the family re- moved into Graytown. In Germany Mrs. Emma T. (Krieger) Hellwig's father, William Kreiger, was a shepherd. He was born at Brandenburg, Germany, Sep- tembe r25, 1825, and was married in 1860 to Louisa Shertz, who was born Decem- ber 24, 1837, also at Brandenburg. To

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them were born five children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Har- man G., October 25, 1861; Bertha A., May 2, 1863; Mary L., December 27, 1865; Emma T., July 24, 1868; Augusta W., August 6, 1873. William Krieger died March 24, 1892, near Graytown. Harman G. died, in 1868, at Branden- burg, Germany.

Politically Mr. Hellwig is a Democrat, and a zealous worker for the success of his party. In religious affiliation he is a member of the Lutheran Church of Ellis- ton. In addition to his ability as a busi- ness man Mr. Hellwig is also an able mu- sician, and is the leader and instructor of the Elliston Cornet Band, one of the best in the county. The children of this fam- ily are all musicians, but at present he is the most devoted to it. He is a highly- respected young man, both in social and business circles, and his uprightness in every way has gained him universal good will.

A LFRED G. WITTE, one of the most successful business men of Elmore, Ottawa county, is pos- sessed of the true spirit of Wes- tern progress and enterprise. He is numbered among the native sons of Otta- wa county, his birth having occurred in Harris township, October 17, 1861, and he has always lived in that locality. His primary education, acquired in the com- mon schools, was supplemented by a course in the high school of Elmore, at which he was graduated in 1878. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and on the 31st of October, 1882, went to a home of his own.

Ludwig Conrad Adolph Witte, pater- nal grandfather of our subject, was born in Guitersloh, Germany, in 1783, and in 1813 he was married to Katherine Ost- haus. They had a family of eight chil- dren-five sons and three daughters:

Henry, Ludwig, Fred, William, Charles, Johanna, Dora and Katherine. Charles Witte, the father of our subject, came to this country in 1854, and was married at Elmore, Ohio, in 1858, to Fredericke Frank, by whom he had eight children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Clara, January 9, 1859; Alfred G., October 17, 1861; Emma, October 26, 1863; William, January 4, 1865; Ernst, March 23, 1870; Bertha, February 5, 1873; Edmund, March 12, 1878; and Franciska, September 9, 1880, died De- cember 30, 1881.

William Godfrey Frank, maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Oren, Germany, January 6, 1792, where he was reared. At the age of twenty-one he joined the German army, and served as a sergeant of riflemen in the struggle against Napoleon Bonaparte. He par- ticipated in four battles, namely, those of Strassburg, Sens, Montereau and Epinal, receiving medals for bravery, all, how- ever, on account of his political opinions, being subsequently taken from him except one, which his daughter still has in her possession. At the battle of Epinal he was captured, and was held prisoner one year, when he was released, the war hav- ing ended. During the time he was in the army he was married to Regina Kober, and three daughters were born to them: Caroline, Louisa and Fredericke. The last named who is the mother of Mr. Witte, was born July 13, 1836, in Stutt- gart, Wurtemburg, Germany, where she lived till sixteen years of age, at which time she came to America. In 1858, at Elmore, Ohio, she married Charles Witte, as above related.

On October 31, 1882, Alfred G. Witte, our subject, married Miss Evelyn Pratt, of Elmore, daughter of Kellogg and Cor- delia (Billings) Pratt. She was born No- vember 14, 1859, in Harris township, Ottawa county, and completed a course in the Elmore schools in 1877. Her fa- ther was born in New York, August 18,

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1819, and was married March 31, 1847. For three years they lived in New York, after which they spent a year in Pensau- kee, Wis., whence they removed to San- dusky county, Ohio. Two years later they came to Ottawa county, and the father purchased a farm in Harris town- ship. About 1870 he bought a home in Elmore, where he lived until his death, December 14, 1878. Mrs. Pratt was born in New York, April 10, 1830, and by her marriage became the mother of four chil- dren: (1) Emma, born July 18, 1851, was married in May, 1878, to Arthur Harrison, and they have one child-Ellen, born November 3, 1878. (2) Mary Eliza, born March 9, 1858, has for seventeen years been a successful teacher, and for the past four years has taught in Elmore; she ob- tained her education in the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and in Oberlin College. (3) Mrs. Witte is the next younger. (4) Elnora, born October 17, 1870, is a grad- uate of the Toledo Music School, and is now teaching music.

Abner Pratt, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Witte, was born in 1788 and died in 1850. His wife, Rhoda (Billings) Pratt, was born in 1786 and died in 1864. They had twelve children, of whom ten reached mature years. Augustus Billings, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Witte, was born about 1773, and was the eldest in a family of six children. When a young man he went on a whaling expedi- tion and was taken as a prisoner to France, where he remained two years. In 1803 he was married to Clarissa Eng- lish, of Medina county, N. Y., who was born in 1781, and they became the par- ents of seven children-six sons and a daughter-two of whom are now living. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Witte's mother was born about 1748, and married Lucina Farrington, who was born about the same time. Her grandfather, John English, served for three years in the Rev- olution, and was with Gen. Washington during the memorable winter at Valley

Forge. During the war for Independence he married Desire Bagley.

Mr. and Mrs. Witte, for five years after their marriage, lived upon a farm, our subject purchasing a tract of land and also operating that which belonged to his father. He then rented his place and removed to Elmore, where he is en- gaged in the meat business. He runs two wagons in the country, supplying the Genoa market and also an extensive home market. In addition to his business in dressed meats, he buys and ships cattle, sheep and hogs, and has an extensive trade. He is a lover of a fine horse and a dealer in thoroughbreds. His business has been a very profitable one, and in ad- dition to his farm and market he owns a fine home on Toledo street. Four chil- dren came to bless the home, of whom Jack, born May 23, 1877, died March 19, 1891, and was buried in the Gus ceme- tery ; the others are Bertha, born August 24, 1883 ; Florence, born November 3, 1884; and Carl, born March 6, 1886. The parents are widely and favorabiy known in the locality where they live, and have a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Witte is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat, and is serving as a member of the coun- cil of Elmore, while as an official and private citizen he gives his support to all interests that are calculated to prove of public benefit.

H ART BEARSS, a leading and in- fluential citizen of Ottawa county, residing on Catawba Island, claims New York State as the place of his nativity, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day, in Putnam county, October 14, 1840. He is descended from one of the early families of that region. His grandparents, Joseph T. and Annie Bearss, had a family of thirteen children, of whom eight are still living, namely: Mary, widow of George W. Bailey; Gid-

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eon H. ; Louisa, widow of William Shep- herd, and a resident of Wood county, Ohio; Joseph T., of Ottawa county, Ohio; David, who is living in Lucas county, Ohio; Orson, a resident of Bureau county, Ill. ; Lucinda, wife of Ashabell Burke, of Portage township, Ottawa county; and Flora, widow of Wheeler Porter.

Gideon H. Bearss, the father of our subject, is a retired fruit grower, and the oldest surviving pioneer settler of Catawba Island-a man honored and revered by all who know him. He was born in New Fairfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., August 3, 1815, and is a son of Joseph T. and Annie (Hubble) Bearss, who were also natives of the Nutmeg State. Like many boys of that day he had very limited advantages for procuring even a primary education, the duties pertaining to farm life requiring all his time in his boyhood days. In IS31, when sixteen years of age, he left home and went to Putnam county, N. Y., where he learned the trade of shoemaking, following that business for thirteen years. In 1844 he removed to Ohio, locating on Catawba Island which at that time was known as Van Rensselaer township, and was an almost unbroken wilderness. Here he entered land and made a home for his family, willing heart and hands soon enabl- ing him to convert the raw land into a fruit- ful farm. In peace and contentment he has here lived for over fifty years, and now in his declining days he has given over the care of the farm to his children, while he is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Many a lesson might well be learned from his well-spent life, which shows what can be accomplished by in- (lustry, integrity and perseverance in a land where merit is not hampered by caste or class.

Gideon Bearss was married in Putnam county, N. Y., October 6, 1835, to Betsy Turner, daughter of Adam and Eunice (Rockwell) Turner. She was born in that county, July 12, 1809, and died on Ca- tawba Island, March 23, 1878. They

became the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy; George Henry died at Chattanooga, Tenn., while nobly aiding in the defense of the old flag, and the cause it represented; Clarasia became the wife of Henry Wonnell, of Portage township, Ottawa county, and has also passed away, leaving our subject the only surviving member of the family. The father has served for many years as town- ship trustee, and has acceptably filled other local offices. He cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Har- rison, and was a stanch supporter of the Whig party, until the organization of the Republican party, with which he has been identified since its inception.

When a child of only four years Hart Bearss came with his parents to Catawba Island, whereon he has since resided, and during this period has witnessed its devel- opment from a wilderness into fine farms and fruit orchards, dotted with beautiful residences. He received a limited educa- tion in the village school of his day, and for over forty years has been connected with the fishing business, but for the past six years has devoted his entire time and attention to the cultivation of fruit. He has to-day one of the finest orchards on the Island, and the excellent variety of fruit which he raises finds a ready sale on the market.

On May 29, 1863, on Catawba Is- land was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bearss and Miss Catherine Rogers, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 26, 1844, a daughter of Thomas and Verlinda Rebecca (Wheeler) Rogers, the former a native of England, and the latter of Maryland. About 1859 they lo- cated on the Island where they continued to live until called to the home beyond, the father dying in October, 1870, and the mother October 6, 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Bearss were born five children: Alvertes, born June 29, 1863, married to Kate Gron October 30, 1889; Gusta Amelia, born October 23, 1865, the wife

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of Oliver H. Elliott, of Elyria, Ohio; George H., born January 15, 1868, killed August 15, 1887, by a fall from the Poughkeepsie (N. Y.) Bridge; Jennie L., born November 12, 1871, now the wife of William Freer; and Carrie E., born October 26, 1874, the wife of William F. Leinbach, operator on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, at Marble Head Junction, Ottawa county.

Mr. Bearss has served as trustee of his township for four terms, and has filled other offices. He is a worthy mem- ber of Port Clinton Lodge, No. 341, F. & A. M .; Catawba Island Lodge, No. 2783, Knights of Honor; and during the Civil war he joined the one-hundred-day men of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth O. V. I., doing guard duty at Point Lookout, Md. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, is a wide-awake and progressive citizen, and one of the most esteemed residents of Catawba Is- land. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife and daughter Jennie are worthy members, and all who know them hold them in high regard. They have just completed their handsome dwelling on the old farm.

E LIJAH LATTIMORE, who is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, is a native of the town- ship in which he still resides. He was born February 5, 1833, on the old place in Bay township, Ottawa county, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Stan- ley) Lattimore, both of whom were na- tives of England, and located in San- dusky county, Ohio, July 4, 1824. In March, 1829, they took up their residence in Bay township, which at that time was an almost unbroken wilderness.

The father had come to America when a young man, and had settled first in Georgetown, D. C., four miles from the city of Washington, where he fought

the British troops during the war of 1812. After the close of that struggle he engaged in vegetable gardening for about four years. Subsequently he removed to In- diana, where he was married, and in April, 1824, he started from that State on a journey to Ohio, traveling with his own team. During the third day of the jour- ney, while his horses were hitched to a tree by the roadside, eating their noon- day meal, a wind storm arose which blew down the tree and killed both horses. In consequence he was obliged to hire teams to convey himself and family on their way. From 1829 until October, 1857, they were continuous residents of Bay township, Ottawa county, at the lat- ter date removing to Rice township, San- dusky county. The father died there August 29, 1869, and the mother's death occurred in Port Clinton, October 27, 1876.

Our subject received but limited ed- ucational privileges, pursuing his studies in an old log schoolhouse, but his train- ing at farm labor was not meagre. From his early boyhoood he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and thorough- ly understands the business in all its details. He was married in Port Clinton, April 5, 1860, to Christina McRitchie, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Richardson) McRitchie, both of whom were natives of Scotland, the former born April 13, 1801, the latter in 1809. They located in Bay township, Ottawa county, at a very early day in the history of this locality, becoming residents in 1836. From that date until his death, Mr. McRitchie was prominently identified with its growth and development. He passed through all the trials and hard- ships of pioneer life, but lived to see this become a fertile region, inhabited by a progressive class of citizens. He died De- cember 15, 1888, and his wife crossed the river of death January 2, 1887. Their family numbered seven children, as fol- lows: George, born November 15, 1839,

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was killed in the war of the Rebellion, near Atlanta, Ga., June 14, 1864, while nobly serving in defense of his country; William, born August 29, 1845, died September 22, 1847; John, born January 24, 1848, died September 24, 1850. The other members of the family are still liv- ing: Margaret, born in Perthshire, Scot- land, April 13, 1834, is the widow of William L. Cole, and is now residing in Port Clinton, Ohio; David R., born in Perthshire, February 4, 1836, is a lead- ing agriculturist of Bay township, Ottawa county; Christina, born in Bay township, February 6, 1842, is the wife of our sub- ject; and Mary E., born in Bay township. September 26, 1851, is the wife of W. A. Wonnell.

Nine children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lattimore, to wit: Robert John, who was born March 28, 1861, and is still living on the old home place; I. Elmer, born February 16, 1863, died February 23, 1865; Mary Ida, born March 26, 1864, died August 10, following; Maggie Belle, born November 18, 1865, now the wife of H. D. Lockwood, of Plasterbed, Ohio; Elizabeth Jane, born January 25, 1868, the wife of H. L. Hineline, of Port Clin- ton; Harry E., born June 25, 1871, died August 3, same year; Mattie Adell, born January 16, 1873, now the wife of Frank Mackey, of Bay township, Ottawa county; Addie May, born July 27, 1875; and Amos, born January 16, 1881.

Mr. Lattimore, recognized as a valued citizen, has been honored with a number of public offices of trust. In 1864 and 1865 he served as county auditor; was county commissioner for two successive terms; served as township treasurer some ten years; was township assessor ten ycars; land assessor one year; and has filled other local positions. He supports by his ballot the men and measures of the Democracy. Socially, he is connected with Port Clinton Lodge, No. 627, I. O. O. F., and Lake Erie Encampment, and has filled every office in both; he is also a

member of the Knights of Honor, and his family attends the Method'st Episcopal Church.

R UDOLPH HARTMAN was born in Germany September 21, 1825, a son of John H. and Clarissa Hartman, and died August 28,

1895. He was one of two children, the other being Eliza, who married Henry Myers, and died December 21, 1894, near Elmore.

The father of our subject came to America in 1830, locating in Woodville township, and, having no money, he bor- rowed a few dollars to buy twenty-five acres of land, which was then worth ten shillings ($1.25) per acre. The pioneer forests were then unbroken, the streams unbridged, and they had to go on foot to Lower Sandusky for supplies, and carry their articles by hand or on their backs, as the woods were impassable for horses or vehicles. Mr. Hartman bought a large coffee-mill, in which he and the neighbors used to grind their grain into meal for bread. Wild deer roamed at will in the woods, and could be seen in large herds; but those early Germans were not used to firearms, and had neither money nor guns, so the deer were at first left untouched. The simplest fare was then a luxury to these pioneers. Food was often scarce, and it was not an unusual thing for people to go hungry for want of it.

When the father died Rudolph bought his sister's interest in the estate. He learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked in Wood and Sandusky coun- ties, and in the early days he also oper- ated a threshing machine, and by working over a wide extent of territory made some money. He owned 350 acres of land in Woodville township and eighty-five acres in Wood county, on which there are twen- ty-five oil wells in operation. He received $10,000 for the oil lease of his land, be- sides one-sixth of the oil. Mr. Hartman

Rudolf Hartman

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fully appreciated the abundance of wealth that had been placed at his disposal, and he thoroughly educated his family, and started his children well in life. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith a member of the Lutheran Church. He always took an active part in develop- ing the educational interests of his com- munity.

On February 2, 1851, Rudolph Hart- man married Miss Anna Marie Louisa Sielschott, who was born September 10, 1834, in Germany. Their children were: John, born June 12, 1853, died May I, 1864; Henry, born February 19, 1856, died April 22, 1864; Mary C., born De- cember 25, 1851, died January 2, 1852; William, born August 25, 1859, died Oc- tober 22, 1860; Frederick, born Septem- ber 22, 1861, married Miss Lizzie Bruns, and they have two children-Oscar and Lydia; Louis, born July 21, 1864, mar- ried Minnie Bruns, and they have three children-Otto, Carl and Alma; Louisa, born July 18, 1866, married John Swan, and has three children-Lydia, Mabel and Clarence; Sophia, born July 1, 1871, married William Leopold, and has one child-Arthur; George, born July 3, 1874, has been educated in the German and the public schools; Henry, born February 28, 1880. Mr. Hartman was a man of in- telligence and moral worth, a kind hus- band and father, an enterprising citizen and an obliging neighbor.

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 99

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