USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 42
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In his youthful days John Stoner divided his time between the mastery of the lessons assigned him at the district school and the work of the home farm. After attaining adult age he worked at the carpenter's trade for several years but subsequent to the death of his parents he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead place and has here since been engaged in general farming and stock raising, meeting with a well deserved and commendable measure of prosperity in both branches of his business. He is practical and progressive in all that he does and is accounted one of the leading and substantial citizens of the community.
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In 1871 Mr. Stoner was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hartman, a daughter of Henry Hartman, and they have one child, Cora, who is now the wife of J. O. Bally. In his political affiliation, Mr. Stoner is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church. Throughout the long years of his residence in this county he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends, his upright manhood and genuine personal worth having won him the regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES ENCK.
Charles Enck, stockholder and general manager of the Improved Manufac- turing Company, manufacturers of children's wearing apparel, of Ashland, and one of the energetic young business men of this city, whose brief period of commercial life has already given him high standing in the financial circles of the city, is a native of Hayesville, this county, where his birth occurred Jan- uary 3, 1880. His parents, Joseph and Julia (Wenger) Enck, were natives of Pennsylvania, reared in the city of Reading, where they were united in marriage. Subsequently coming to this county and locating in Hayesville, the father there followed the carpenter trade for a number of years, and in 1884 removed to this city where for some time he was employed as a machinist in the Myers Shops. After leaving the employ of that firm, he gave up active life and is now living in retirement. His wife entered into rest in 1907. The elder Mr. Enk is a democrat, always loyal to the candidates of his party and is also a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout the entire conflict, in which he received a gun-shot wound, causing him much subsequent suffering.
Charles Enck was reared in the home of his parents and when he was three years old came to this city, where his boyhood days were spent, during which time he received his education in the public schools. When fifteen years of age, desirous of entering the business world, he secured a position in the machine shops of F. E. Myers & Brother, where he served an apprenticeship as a machinist and for seven years was employed by this company as a journeyman. In 1903, in company with others, Mr. Enck engaged in the manu- facturing business, organizing what was known as the Improved Gaiter Company, of which he was made manager. The factory had been in operation something over three years when the present larger manufacturing firm was organized, of which Mr. Enck was made general manager, the duties of which office he is now performing with remarkable ability. The enterprise, which was commenced in a modest way, has grown to one of considerable magnitude and is now among the city's important industries, thirty-five men being employed in the factory, manufacturing a high grade of children's wearing apparel, in which the firm does an immense shipping business throughout this state and in fact throughout the entire country.
In 1902 Mr. Enck wedded Mamie Phillips, a daughter of D. A. Phillips, a wealthy contractor of this city, and the couple have one child, David P. While
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Mr. Enck is a democrat politically, loyal to his party in national and state politics, he is very liberal in his views relative to municipal matters and'casts his vote for such candidates as he judges best fitted to serve in the offices they seek irrespective of their party affiliations. He belongs to Mohican Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., and holds membership with the Disciples of Christ, being a leading factor in the affairs of the church. Mr. Enck is a worthy example of a truly self-made man. While a boy employed in the Myers & Brother Machine Shops, he determined to become independent in life, and by bringing to the surface his latent business qualities he soon found himself capable of transacting large affairs. In the manufacturing business he is meeting with a full measure of success and today justly deserves a place among the city's most, reliable and repre- sentative business men.
JOHN FLUKE.
John Fluke, numbered among the prosperous, influential and respected citizens of Ashland county, has spent his entire life on the farm in Orange town- ship on which he still resides, his time and energies having been given to general farming and stock-raising throughout his active business career. He was born on the 4th of June, 1831, his parents being Philip and Mary Summers Fluke. The father, whose birth occurred in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1791, wedded Miss Mary Summers about 1811 and unto them were born eleven children, namely: Henry, Lewis, Samuel, Philip, Catherine, Jacob, David, Eliza, Lucinda, Margaret and John. In 1816, a few years after his marriage, Philip Fluke made his way to Ohio, locating in Orange township, Ashland county, when this district was almost entirely covered with heavy timber and only here and there had a hardy pioneer ventured to establish his home. He was fully aware of the arduous labor that was before him and set to work. with determined, resolute spirit. His first task was the erection of a small log cabin for himself and his family as a protection from the inclement weather and also from the wild beasts that nightly prowled in the vicinity. He then bent his energies to clearing a tract of land on which to plant corn, so that he might raise something for the subsistence of his family. In due time his original farm was cleared of the timber but, possessed of untiring energy and laudable ambition, he in- creased its boundaries from time to time, as his financial resources permitted, until his holdings aggregated eight hundred acres of productive and valuable land. When his sons reached maturity he gave each of them a farm of one hundred acres of improved land with which to make a start in life, for he was unwilling that they should undergo the trials and difficulties which beset him in early manhood. He passed away in 1867, having survived his wife by six weeks, and their remains were interred side by side in St. Luke's cemetery. Their exemplary lives and many virtues are still held in loving remembrance by their children and relatives.
Jacob Fluke, a brother of John Fluke of this review, was born in 1820 and always resided on a farm adjoining the original homestead of the family, suc-
PHILLIP FLUKE
JOHN FLUKE
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cessfully carrying on general agricultural pursuits as a life work. On the 25th of March. 1847. he wedded Miss Mary Gordon, whose birth occurred March 28, 1827. her father being John Gordon. of Orange township. By this union there were born three children. as follows: Mrs. Jennie L. Booles, whose natal day was August 23, 1850; J. Gordon, born November 11, 1856; and Mrs. Carrie L. Norris, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 3d of June, 1857. Jacob Fluke was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the faith of which he passed away July 11. 1884. his demise being the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His farm still remains in possession of the family.
As before stated, John Fluke, the youngest son of Philip and Mary (Summers) Fluke, has always remained on the place where he was born and sinee attaining years of maturity has been engaged in general farming and stock- raising with excellent success. He has made a specialty of raising sheep and short horn cattle raising, being a recognized authority on the subject and has long been numbered among the most substantial, progressive and esteemed citizens of his native county.
John Fluke has been married twice. On the 24th of November, 1864, he wedded Miss Elizabeth McDowell, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sloan) McDowell and a representative of a prominent family of Ashland county. Three children were born to this union: James McDowell Fluke, a well known agriculturist of Orange township; Mary S., deceased; and Ethel C. The mother of these children passed away February 15, 1879, and on the 25th of February, 1880, Mr. Fluke was again married, his second union being with Miss Freelove A. Thomas, a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Thomas, of Orange township. Both the Thomas and Zimmerman families were among the early pioneers of this county, taking a prominent and helpful part in its material and moral development. Unto Mr. Fluke and his second wife have been born three children: Josiah T., Frederick W., and Orin R.
In his political views Mr. Fluke is a democrat and, though never an office seeker, is interested in the public welfare and has capably served his fellow towns- men in the position of township trustee for several years and also as a member of the school board. He formerly belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his entire life has been in harmony with his professions. Honesty, up- rightness and integrity have ever been his salient characteristics and he is now spending his declining years in peace and plenty, with the consciousness of a well spent life that has won him the merited regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
S. G. WIEST.
S. G. Wiest, a representative of commercial interests in Ashland, where he is now conducting a well appointed and profitable drug store, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1850, his parents being Jacob and Marga- ret (Gates) Wiest, also natives of the same county. The father's death there occurred in 1902, while the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty- three years.
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S. G. Wiest spent his youthful days in his parent's home and is indebted to the public school system of the state for the early educational opportunities afforded him. He also studied for a time in Pennsylvania College at Gettsy- burg and when sixteen years of age he began teaching. Believing that he might have better business opportunities elsewhere than in his native locality, he turned his face westward in 1873 and on the 24th of June, arrived in Ash- land. During the following fall and winter he taught the Ackley school in Vermillion township, this county, and in April, 1874, he entered the drug store of J. P. Harley to act as clerk and learn the business. On the 1st of February,
1878, he became proprietor of a store through the purchase of the business of Dr. G. B. Cole, then located the second door south of the building now occupied by the postoffice. Two months later, on the 1st of April, 1878, he rented a room on Main street below the Miller house, formerly occupied by Dr. W. K. Foltz and now occupied by the drug store of W. L. Rhoads & Company. In this room he placed new fixtures and modern equipment, moving his stock thereto, and conducted the business until 1880, when he sold out to E. W. Reaser. He then engaged in the manufacture of cigars in partnership with William Flinn, with whom he was associated for three years. In 1883, he purchased from C. A. Godman the drug store on Main street which he has since conducted, having carried on the business for more than a quarter of a century. He has a large and well selected line of goods and the tasteful arrangement of the store, together with his reasonable prices and unfailing courtesy in business dealings, has brought him enviable success.
In 1876, Mr. Wiest was married to Miss Belle Mansfield, of Ashland, and unto them have been born three children: John, a resident of this city; Kather- ine, the wife of Zenith Wile, of Ashland, Ohio; and Fred C., who is pursuing architectural and special courses at the University of Pennsylvania, being now in his senior year. In politics Mr. Wiest is a stalwart democrat but without aspiration for office. He belongs to Ashland Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., Ashland Chapter, R. A. M., Mansfield Council, R. & S. M., Mansfield Command- ery, No. 21, K. T., Cleveland Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and Al Koran Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cleveland. He was formerly identified with the Odd Fel- low and with the Knights of Pythias but does not keep up his connection with either organization at the present time. He possesses a genial disposition and his friends in Ashland are legion.
EBENEZER E. WHARTON.
There is a marked contrast between the fine residence which Ebenezer E. Wharton now occupies and the little log cabin in which he was born. One is an indication of his personal prosperity, the other of the condition which existed in the county at the time of his birth, a period in which the work of im- provement and civilization had been carried on only to a slight extent. As the years passed he became an active factor in agricultural circles and is now exten- sively engaged in raising cattle and sheep. He was born in this county,
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September 6, 1849, a son of James and Naney (Williams) Wharton. The former was a son of John and Mary Wharton, both of whom were natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where their four children were also born. These were James, Malinda, Mary and John Wharton. Having lost his first wife John Wharton married again and the children of that union were Thomas, Robert, Hulbert, Franklin, Minerva and Clara. It was in the year 1823 that John Wharton arrived with his family in Ohio, settling in what was then Richland and now Ashland county. All around him were the green woods, the trees stand- ing in their primeval strength. In the midst of the forest he built a little cabin and commenced to clear away the trees that he might prepare the fields for cultivation. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of land, converting it into a new farm, and with the early development of the county he was closely and helpfully associated.
James Wharton, whose birth occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, November 30, 1817, was but five years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. Ile remained with his father until he reached the age of ten years, when he started out to earn his own living. He made the attempt by working in a sugar camp, making maple sugar on shares, but he lost all that he earned in that way. He next bought a calf but that went mad and afterward bought a colt and it died. These were disheartening ventures for a boy who must depend upon his own resources for a living, but being resolute and de- termined, he persevered in the face of obstacles and at last fate smiled upon his attempts. He could always see the bright side of everything and through speculation he added largely to his resources, becoming in the course of years one of the wealthy and distinguished citizens of Ashland county. At the age of twenty-five years he purchased his first farm and kept increasing his holdings as his financial resources were augmented until he was at one time the owner of fourteen hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. He also dealt extensively in sheep and cattle, keeping on hand large flocks of sheep, owning as many as thirteen hundred head at one time, in which season his sale of wool amounted to more than five thousand dollars. He also engaged in buying and selling wool and handled sheep and cattle on a large scale. His success came as the direct result of his industry, careful management and judicious investment. He was a very influential man in his day and as financial resources increased he manifested a spirit of charity that was most generous and helpful, being always one of the first to respond to the call of the needy. His sympathy found ex- pression in ready and liberal gifts of money and no one in want ever appealed to him in vain. In matters relative to the public welfare he also took a deep interest and served his community in several positions of importance, acting as one of the county commissioners for six years, while for many terms he was trustee. His judgment and advice were frequently sought by his neighbors, friends and associates, and his opinions were considered of great value. In
1838 he married Miss Nancy Williams, who was born in 1821, and they became the parents of nine children : Mrs. Adeline Hunter, who died in March, 1891; Ebenezer E .; Mrs. Malinda Franks; John A .; Judson R .; Willard C .; Ulysses Grant; and two who died in infancy.
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Ebenezer E. Wharton pursued his education in the district schools and remained upon the home farm until he had attained his majority. He was married at the age of twenty-five years and established his home in a little log cabin, but his wife has been of much assistance to him and his industry and perseverance have enabled him to work his way steadily upward. Carefully controlling his business affairs, he has at length become financially independent and something of his prosperity is indicated in the fact that in 1903 he erected a fine residence which is one of the attractive country homes of this part of the county. All of the other buildings upon his place are kept in good repair. Like his father, he is extensively engaged in raising sheep and has made much money in this way, being now one of the best known shippers in this portion of the state. He owns four hundred acres of valuable land and his success is continually increasing. He gives much credit to his wife for her sound judgment and the ability with which she has managed the household affairs while he has carried on the work of the fields or managed his live stock interests. He is regarded as an authority upon sheep, being familiar with the best breeds and handling only high grade stock.
In 1874 Mr. Wharton was married to Miss Lillie Loretta Mccluskey, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth McCluskey, and they became the parents of four children : James A., who was born February 13, 1876, and died in 1908; Charles Edward, born March 4, 1878; Judson, born July 27, 1880; and John William, September 7, 1882. Mr. Wharton and his family attend the United Brethren church in which he holds membership, and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. and he has been a delegate to several state conventions. He is numbered among the class of citizens on whom the community depends to further its best interests, for while he does not seek or desire office he is loyal to the public good and co- operates in many measures for its advancement. His record is in harmony with that of his father and grandfather who from an early period in the development of the county took a helpful part in shaping its policy and molding its destiny.
HERBERT E. ENCK.
Herbert E. Enck, prominent in the financial affairs of this city as general manager of the M. & E. Manufacturing Company, producers of ladies' belts and children's wearing apparel, was born in Hayesville, May 28, 1877, a son of Joseph and Julia (Wenger) Enck, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Reared in the city of Reading, where they were united in marriage, they subse- quently came to this county and located in Hayesville, where the father followed the carpenter's trade for a number of years. In 1884 he removed to this city where for some time he was employed as a machinist in the Myers Shops and, after leaving the employ of that firm, he gave up active life and is now living in retirement. His wife entered into rest in 1907. The elder Mr. Enck is a democrat and has always been loyal to the candidates of his party. He is a
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veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout the entire conflict, in which he received a gun-shot wound, from which he has since endured much suffering.
The public schools of this city afforded Herbert E. Enck his education and at the age of eighteen years, being ambitious to become associated with the affairs of the commercial world and become independent in life, he secured a position in the office of F. E. Myers & Brothers, in whose employ he remained until 1903. At that early period of his career, becoming dissatisfied with working for others in a salaried position and determining not to pursue this course all his days, he resigned his position, in which he had served with great efficiency and benefit to the company, and organized the Improved Gaiter Company, launching out in the manufacturing business in November, 1903. At the organization of the firm he became general manager and transacted its affairs in an able manner until 1907, when solicitous to widen out in the commercial world he disposed of his interests and organized what is known as the M. & E. Manufacturing Company, of which he was also made general manager. In this connection he has since been performing his duties to the advantage of the interests of the business. The enterprise is constantly growing, the firm at present employing from thirty to forty operatives and supplying an immense local and out-of-town trade.
On February 22, 1907, Mr. Enck was united in marriage to Millie Ridgeley, a daughter of Frank Ridgeley, deceased, formerly a commercial salesman of this city. Mr. Enck is interested in religious work and with his wife attends divine services at the Christian church, of which he is a member and a leading factor. He is recognized as a conservative business man and the industry and aggressive- ness, which he has thus far evidenced and which have been instrumental in placing him amid his present prosperous circumstances, bid fair to put him in a still higher position in the commercial and financial circles of the city.
CHRISTIAN KUNKEL.
Christian Kunkel, who is now living retired in Ashland, was for many years numbered among the prominent and successful dry-goods merchants of the city. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 31, 1844, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Stalter) Kunkel, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, and in early manhood and womanhood went with their respective parents to Knox county, Ohio, where they were married. They made their home in that county until 1854, when they came to Ashland county, locating in Mifflin township, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1863, while the mother survived until 1869, when she, too, was called to her final rest.
Christian Kunkel acquired his education in the common schools and re- mained at home until eighteen years of age, when he came to Ashland and for two years worked in a grocery store. He next clerked for two years in a dry- goods store and at the end of that time, having carefully husbanded his resources, he purchased an interest in the dry-goods business of Brubaker Brothers, which
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however, he eventually sold. A year later, in association with Brubaker Brothers, he purchased the business of M. B. Parmely, the enterprise being then conducted under the firm style of Brubaker & Kunkel. Subsequently I. H. Good was admitted to a partnership and the name of the firm was changed to Brubaker, Kunkel & Good, while still later L. J. Miller bought the interest of Mr. Brubaker and the concern became known as Kunkel, Good & Miller. This relation continued for about five or six years, when the interest of Mr. Miller was purchased and the business was then conducted under the style of Kunkel & Good until 1902, when Mr. Kunkel retired, selling out to Mr. Sellers. Since that time Mr. Kunkel has lived practically retired, his carefully conducted and well managed business interests in former years having brought to him a com- petence that now enables him to enjoy many of the luxuries and all of the com- forts of life. He owns a valuable farm a mile east of Ashland and is widely recognized as one of the substantial, progressive and public-spirited residents of the city.
In 1866 Mr. Kunkel was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Jackson, of Ashland. By this union there have been born five children, four of whom still survive: Frank W., who is connected with the firm of Sellers & Good, dry- goods merchants of this city; Blanche, the wife of T. M. Harkness, an insurance man of Ashland; George, who follows agricultural pursuits in Montgomery township; and Carrie, the wife of William Wiley, of Ashland, Ohio. The two sons, Frank W. and George, are extensive breeders of thoroughbred fox and coon hounds and ship their dogs to all parts of the country, their kennels being - maintained on the home farm near Ashland. They began breeding hounds a few years ago on a small scale and have met with remarkable success in the venture, their business being now one of magnitude.
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