USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 37
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JOSEPH BENJAMIN BENINGHOF.
The roster of county officials in Ashland county bears the name of Joseph Benjamin Beninghof, who is now capably filling the position of sheriff. He is also well known in business circles by reason of the bakery business. He was born in Mifflin, Ashland county, February 28, 1858, of the marriage of Jacob and Mary L. (Ritzheim) Beninghof, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, born in 1804, came to the United States in 1836, attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the business opportunities of the new world. He located in Wooster, Ohio, where he was married in 1838, and in the same year he came to Ashland county, taking up his abode on a farm in Vermillion township. Five years later he removed to Mifflin township where
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he resided up to the time of his death, on the 7th of April, 1877. He was a democrat in his political views and in religious faith was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife who was born November 3, 1814, came to the United States on the same vessel on which Jacob Beninghof was making the voyage. They became acquainted on the trip and the friendship thus formed eventually led to their marriage. The death of Mrs. Beninghof occurred May 3, 1890.
The youthful days of Joseph Benjamin Beninghof were passed on the home farm and he acquired his education in the district schools. At twenty- two years of age he began farming on his own account and for eight years continued to cultivate rented land. In the spring of 1888 he removed to Ash- land and accepted a position in a produce house with which he was identified for four years. He then accepted a position in the machine shops of the Myers Pump Works, and for sixteen years he was identified with this industry, during fifteen years of which time he did contracting in the shops. He then left there and declared himself a candidate for the office of sheriff of Ashland county. With three opponents in the field he was nominated by a good majority, and at the election had no opponent. In September, 1908, following his nomination, he purchased a half interest in the bakery business with which he is now con- nected. He has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and is recognized as one of its leaders in this locality.
On the 3d of November, 1886, Mr. Beninghof was married to Miss Ada A. Mercer, a daughter of Levi Mercer, of Ashland, and unto them were born a son and two daughters, Guy M., Helen L. and Marcia M. The son is a graduate of the Ashland high school and of Berkey & Dyke Business College of Cleveland. and is now employed as clerk in the office of his father.
Mr. Beninghof is a member of the Lutheran church. He is also connected with the Masonic Lodge, No. 151, at Ashland; with Chapter .No. 67, R. A. M .; Montgomery Lodge, No. 355, K. P .; Excelsior Camp, No. 3287, M. W. A .; Home Aerie, No. 792, F. O. E .; Copus Council, No. 60, Jr., O. A. M .; and Ashland Lodge, No. 178, Protected Home Circle. As sheriff of the county his official ser- vices are giving uniform satisfaction while his business record has won for him the favorable regard of all.
HON. SPARKS BIRD.
There are comparatively few men who can claim as long a continuous resi- dence in this locality as can Hon. Sparks Bird, who was born June 23, 1835, on the farm in Lake township which is now his home. At that time this section of Ashland county was a part of Wayne county and it bore many evidences of frontier life, for there were many sections on which the native forests had not been cut while the homes were log cabins or small frame dwellings. His parents were Sparks and Eliza (Long) Bird, both natives of Pennsylvania. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Colonel James Bird, a son of Edward Bird, who was a native of Scotland, born March 10, 1725. He came to
MR. AND MRS. SPARKS BIRD
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America in July, 1747, and established himself in business in Philadelphia as a merchant. In 1748 he married Sarah Hippen and afterward removed to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. In 1755 he entered the colonial service to lay out the public road from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to the Ohio river. He served as a captain in Braddock's campaign in that year, for the French and Indian war was then in progress, and in 1756 he built Fort Grandoillet and was in command of Fort Augusta later in that year. On the 3d of December, 1757, he was promoted to the colonelcy of the Augusta regiment and commanded the Second Battallion of General Forbes' army in the expedition against the French and Indians at Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburg. In 1759 he was sent by Colonel Bouquet with a detachment of two hundred soldiers to complete the cutting of the Braddock road east of Uniontown, down the Redstone valley of the Monongahela river near the present site of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He remained in the colonial military service until the Americans, aroused by the restraint of their liberties on the part of the British government, rose in rebellion, and he took an active part in the ensuing conflict. Hostilities were inaugurated in April, 1775, and on the 18th of September of that year he was commissioned colonel of the Fourth Battallion of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, and during the following year served with his command in New Jersey, covering the retreat of the patriot army. He valiantly aided the cause of inde- pendence, making a splendid record as a brave and honored soldier.
The grandparents of Sparks Bird were John and Cassandra (Johnson) Bird, the former a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Dauphin county, that state. On their removal westward they located first in Ohio but subsequently went to Illinois where their last days were passed. He was a member of St. Clair's army during his campaign in the western part of the state. John Bird was killed by a three-year old colt which he was breaking, when eighty-five years of age. His wife also died in Illinois. She was a daughter of Colonel Richard Johnson who was born in 1743 and served as colonel in the Revolutionary war while his last days were passed in Jefferson county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Bird were born the following children : Reason; Sparks; Johnson; Mrs. Ann Drummond; Frederick, who died in childhood; William, who died in this county at the age of sixty-four years; Mrs. Elizabeth McClurg; Maria Ora; Mrs. Fannie Cochrane; John; and Thomas, who enlisted from Illinois in the Union army and died in the Civil war. He also had a son, Johnson Bird, in the service.
Sparks Bird, Sr., was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1796, and in 1799 accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Jefferson county, Ohio, residing with them until eighteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. He made his way to Wooster, Ohio, where he joined his uncle, General Rezin Bell, in whose employ he engaged in plowing on the present site of some of the best buildings of Wooster. For three years he remained in the service of General Bell and in 1818 arrived in Ashland county, then a part of Wayne county, and entered from the government the farm upon which his son now resides, securing one hundred and sixty acres constituting the southeast quarter of section 7, Lake township. He was in Michigan for six months surveying and when returning home on Lake Erie was
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driven ashore in a snow storm and all were nearly drowned and frozen, but happily all escaped. He afterward returned to the east and was employed in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and in Jefferson county, Ohio, until 1822, when he again came to Ashland county. Here he cleared a small tract of land. and planted an orchard after which he again went to Pennsylvania. On his return to this county he was accompanied by his brother William and made permanent settlement here in 1823, continuing his residence in Lake township until his death, which occurred July 6, 1884. In 1833 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Long, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. She died, however, June 23, 1835, at the birth of their son Sparks. In 1840 the father married Charlotte Austin, who died in December, 1860. In 1864 he wedded Rachel Finley who passed away in 1882. There were two children of the first marriage : Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Ithamar Covert and died in 1896 on a farm adjoining the old homestead; and Sparks, of this review.
As Sparks Bird was an only son he remained at home with his parents and assisted in the operation of the farm until he had reached the age of thirty-six years. His education was acquired in the early schools of the county and in his youth he was trained to habits of industry and economy which in later years brought forth rich fruit. He left Ohio in 1871 and went to Bourbon county, Kansas, where he purchased four hundred acres of land and carried on farming until 1874. He then returned, after selling his farm, and has since lived in the neighborhood of his present home. Here he has one hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land on section 7, Lake township. It is a well improved property with good buildings, all of which have been erected by Mr. Bird. His residence is a commodious one built in an attractive style of architecture and the barns and sheds furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. Mr. Bird carries on general farming in which he meets with substantial success and he is also the president of the Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company of Holmes county which was organized in 1878 and which now carries seven million dollars in risks. Mr. Bird has been the president for the last ten or twelve years and the success of the company is attributable in no small degree to his efforts and capable management. He has also done considerable probate business, settling many estates and is one of the trustees of the Children's Orphans Home of Ashland county. He is eminently practical in all that he does whether in the public service or in the control of his private business affairs and his labors have brought him richly merited success.
On the 10th of September, 1857, Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Miss Mary Finley, who was born December 13, 1837, in Lake township, a daughter of John and Sarah (Beard) Finley. Her death occurred April 13, 1870. There were six children of this marriage: Charlotte, who is employed in the library of the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan; John E., who died in Loudon- ville in June, 1905, at which time he was serving as village clerk; Edwin S., a twin brother of John, who died in Ashland in 1888, just after taking the oath of office for a second term as county recorder; William, who died on the home farm in April, 1906; Sarah, the wife of George Heffelfinger, of Mohican town- ship; and Mrs. Nora Crow, a widow residing in Loudonville. On the 30th of April, 1871, Mr. Bird was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary
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Siess, a native of Mohican township and a daughter of Frederick W. Siess. They have three children: Frederick, of Mohican; Burton, living in Lake town- ship; and Lilly, the wife of John Lavengood, who resides upon her father's farm in a second residence which stands on that place.
Mr. Bird has led a busy and useful life and the only interruption to his active connection with farming interests came at the time of the Civil war when, in response to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted on the 1st of October, 1862, as a member of Company E, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Dan Timmons. On the 4th of June, 1864, he was transferred to the Fourth Ohio Veteran Battallion and was mustered out as sergeant major at Columbus, July 19, 1865. He took part in many important engagements including the battle of Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, the sixty days campaign to Fredericksburg and to Petersburg. He was also in the battle of Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg and the engagements at Deep Bottom and Hatchers Run. He was also present at the time of the surrender of Appomatox which brought the war to a victorious close. He had been wounded at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, and was in the field hospital for a time but as soon as possible returned to active duty. At length he received an honorable discharge and two days after his return was again in the harvest field where he cradled wheat and barley. He is now a member of Fisher Post, G. A. R., of Loudonville and the present com- mander. He also belongs to Loudonville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party until 1873 since which time he has voted with the democracy and for the past four years has served as assessor of Lake township; which position he is still acceptably filling. His life record in all of its various phases has been a most creditable one. He has been a most busy man and a useful factor in the community by reason of his association with the public service and with measures and movements relative to the public good. His personal worth and his progressive citizenship both entitle him to an honorable representation in this volume.
WILLIAM HENRY BRUBAKER.
William Henry Brubaker, of the Ashland Hardware Company, the principal establishment of its kind in the city, is widely recognized as a representative and successful business man. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, March 14, 1862, his parents being Daniel and Anna (Barr) Brubaker, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in early life went with their respective parents to Richland county, Ohio. The Barr family subsequent- ly came to Ashland county, where the mother of our subject was living at the time of her marriage to Daniel Brubaker. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker located on a farm near Fleming's Falls, on which the father resided until called to his final rest in 1866. The mother then took up her abode in Milton township, Ashland county, where she owned a farm, and made her home
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thereon for ten years, on the expiration of which period she came to Ashland, here residing until the time of her demise in 1880.
William Henry Brubaker was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. At the early age of sixteen years he began his mercantile career as a clerk in the hardware store of Beer & Sheets, of Ashland, and though the concern underwent various changes, he steadily continued in its employ and in 1883 became a partner of W. A. Beer under the firm style of W. A. Beer & Company. In 1887, there was an- other change in proprietorship and Mr. Brubaker and H. A. Thomas became the partners in the enterprise, conducting business under the firm name of Brubaker & Thomas. In 1893 the Ashland Hardware Company was organized by Mr. Brubaker, J. W. Lemon and L. M. Helbert, while on the 1st of January, 1908, C. R. Winbigler purchased the interest of Mr. Helbert. The store is one of the most modern and best conducted establishments of its kind in any city of the size of Ashland in the entire state and the success which has attended the enterprise is attributable in large measure to the unflagging industry, keen dis- crimination and excellent business ability of him whose name initiates this review.
Mr. Brubaker has been married twice. In 1883 he wedded Miss Maggie Stahlhaver, of Ashland, Ohio, by whom he had three sons, two of whom survive, Harry E. and Carl M., both at home. In 1895, Mr. Brubaker was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife and later he was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna Reaser, of Ashland.
In his political views Mr. Brubaker is a stalwart democrat and has served for four years as a member of the city council. He is at present a member of the board of cemetery directors and also belongs to the volunteer fire department of this city, acting as treasurer of the organization. Fraternally he is con- nected with Ashland Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., Ashland Chapter, R. A. M., and is likewise a member of the Colonial Club of this city and of the recently organized Ashland Commercial Club. In all life's relations he has been true to his obligations and duties and is greatly esteemed in Ashland, where he has lived for many years.
D. S. SAMPSEL, M. D.
In a history of the medical profession in Ashland, it is imperative that mention be made of Dr. D. S. Sampsel, inasmuch as his ability, energy and laudable ambition has carried him into important relations with the public in this connection. The spirit of progress has characterized his entire record and his close study and broad experience have made him a most capable practitioner. A native of Stark county, Ohio, he was born in Nimishills township, on the 17th of April, 1848, his parents being David S. and Lydia (Brown) Sampsel, natives of Columbiana and Stark counties, respectively. The father was born in 1821 and represented one of the old families of Columbiana county, into which his parents removed on leaving their old home in Union county, Pennsylvania.
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David S. Sampsel, Sr., was one of five brothers, all of whom were physicians, and at one time there were forty-two members of the medical fraternity in the family. The brothers of Dr. David S. Sampsel, Sr., were : Dr. Nicholas Sampsel, of Delaware, Ohio; Dr. J. B. F. Sampsel, of Ashland; Dr. P. W. Sampsel, of Elyria, Ohio; and Dr. William Henry Sampsel. All are now deceased, the last named having died in California.
In the county of his nativity Dr. D. S. Sampsel, Sr., read medicine under the direction of Dr. Beymer and later was graduated from the St. Louis Medical College. He entered upon active practice in Louisville, Stark county, Ohio, and was there married. Subsequently he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained for a short time and then went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, but in 1851 returned to this state and located in Ashland, where he remained in active practice for a period of forty-four years, or until the time of his demise, which occurred December 10, 1893. He was an able and learned man not only in the strict path of his profession but in other lines of knowledge as well. In early life he read law, was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice for two years. He was an able public speaker, possessing marked oratorical power and was always active in the ranks of the democracy, not only addressing the public upon the issues of the day during campaigns, but also serving in various official positions. For three terms he was mayor of Ashland and gave to the city a business-like administration characterized by reform and progress. In all of his work in behalf of the municipality he was practical and his labors proved resultant factors. Under his administration the first street paving was done and stone sidewalks were laid. There has probably never been a citizen in Ashland who has done more real valuable service for the city than Dr. Sampsel. He was also spoken of as the most active resident that Ashland has ever had and his record was at all times an honor and credit to the county which honored him. Highly gifted by nature, he used his native talents and acquired ability for the benefit of his fellowmen and for the adoption of higher ideals in all those depart- ments of activity which constitute essential factors in the public life. At the time of the Civil war, constrained by a spirit of lofty patriotism, he put aside all business and personal considerations and went to the front as captain of Company K, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was injured while crossing the river on a log at the battle of Bull Run and was therefore com- pelled to resign, after which he returned home and resumed his professional duties in Ashland. He was several times a candidate for congress on the democratic ticket but the republican strength in this county has always been too great to permit of the election of democratic candidates. In all personal relations he was honored and respected by all who knew him and he still has a firm hold upon the affections of those who knew him in life, for by them his memory is cherished and the recollection of his good work remains as an inspira- tion to all who were associated with him. Four of his sons followed in his pro- fessional footsteps, namely : Dr. D. S. Sampsel of this review; Dr. J. B. F. Sampsel, now deceased; Dr. W. H. Sampsel, living in Ashland; and Dr. C. B. Sampsel, of Chicago, Illinois.
In taking up the personal history of Dr. D. S. Sampsel, whose name intro- duces this record, we present to our readers one who, like his honored father,
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is widely and favorably known in Ashland. Reared at home, he continued his education through successive grades until he became a high-school student here and later spent two years in Notre Dame College, of Indiana. In Febru- ary, 1864, prior to his sixteenth year, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was immediately dispatched with his regiment to Richmond, Virginia, arriving in time to take part in that en- gagement. He served for one year and was then honorably discharged at the close of the war, after which he returned home. In 1870 he took up the study of medicine under the direction of his father and Dr. S. Glass, who were then practicing in partnership, under the firm style of Sampsel & Glass. In further pursuit of a professional education, he entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1871 and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1874. Returning home, he practiced for five years in partner- ship with his father, after which they severed their business relations and Dr. Sampsel of this review established an independent practice. He is today one of the leading physicians of Ashland county, with comprehensive knowledge of the principles of medical science and at all times correct in his application thereof to the needs of his patients. He continues his researches along medical lines with the result that his powers are constantly expanding and, as he demon- strates his ability, his patronage is continually growing. .
On the 20th of September, 1897, Dr. Sampsel was married to Miss Edith A. Strickler, of Salem. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served for six years as health officer of Ashland, while for the past twelve years he has been president of the United States pension examining board at this point. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Re- public and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in both organiza- tions has held office. He was also formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge but is not affiliated therewith at the present time. In more strictly professional lines he is connected with the Ashland County Medical Society and his standing among the members of the medical fraternity is indicated by the fact that he was for two years honored with the presidency.
HARRY S. KAUFFMAN.
Harry S. Kauffman, secretary and treasurer of the Kauffman Manufactur- ing Company and a potent factor in making this one of the leading industrial concerns of the town, was born June 30, 1873, in Ashland, a son of Jacob J. Kauffman, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of John E. Kauffman. Reared at home he acquired his educatiou in the public schools and also pursued a business course in the Ashland College and in the Oberlin Business College, becoming thus well qualified to meet the onerous duties of commercial life. From his eighteenth year he has held a position in the office of the Kauffman Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of bed springs. The enterprise is now an extensive one and with the business Harry S. Kauffman became familiar in every detail, so that he was well qualified
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to assume the duties of secretary and treasurer when he was admitted to a partnership in 1901 and the company was reorganized and made a stock com- pany. His official connection has remained unchanged to the present time. The business discernment and enterprise of the young men who are now at its head have made it a growing and important industry, the trade relations of which are constantly expanding. The produce of the firm now finds a ready sale on the market and the business management of the house is a factor in the constantly increasing trade.
In 1894 Mr. Kauffman was married to Miss Ethel Bentz, a daughter of William Bentz of Ashland, who is now a commercial salesman for a Cleveland house. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman have been born a son and daughter, William J. and Helen. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Kauffman is a republican in his political views. In all that he does and in every relation of life, he is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress that enables him to overcome obstacles and difficulties that would seem an un- surmountable barrier to others. He forms his plans carefully and is determined in their execution and thus he has been recognized as one of the valued and representative men in manufacturing lines in his native city.
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