USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 50
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S. L. KARTH.
S. L. Karth, who conducts an extensive hardware business in Ashland, was born in this city, July 21, 1875, a son of Henry J. and Margaret (Shopbell) Karth. His father was born in 1842, while his mother, a native of this place, was born in 1852, their marriage having occurred in the year 1870. When in his third year, Henry J. Karth was brought by his parents to Ashland county, where he received a meager education in the district schools and where, when he became of age, he bought a farm, on which he is still pursuing general agri- culture, his farm containing fifty acres, four and one-half miles north of the
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village of Ashland. The land is highly improved and kept continually under cultivation. He has held a number of township offices among them being road supervisor, in which capacity he served for several years. He is not affiliated with any secret societies or fraternal organizations, preferring rather to live within the comforts of his home circle. A democrat in politics he has always been loyal to that party while his religious faith allies him with that Christian sect, known as the Dunkards.
In the common schools S. L. Karth acquired his preliminary education, subsequently becoming a student at Ada College, this state, from which he was graduated in 1897, receiving diplomas for completing the work of a scientific course and also a commercial course. His first work was done upon his father's farm, assisting in the daily routine of agricultural life, and in 1898, the year following his graduation, he entered the employ of the Union Hardware Com- pany, with which firm he continued for three years, at the expiration of which period he purchased a quarter interest in the McCreedy Hardware Company, remaining as a member of the firm for the period of a year when he sold out and started in the same business for himself at his present location. He has since been carrying on an enterprise of large proportions. His store is in every par- ticular modern, a special feature of his business being an apartment devoted to all kinds of farm implements and fertilizers. He is always ready to accomo- date his country trade, keeping on hand at all times the articles which they are most likely to demand, and adjoining his store he has a livery and feed barn. So great has been his success that his volume of trade since the first year has brought up his receipts from thirteen thousand dollars until last year he trans- acted a business amounting to forty thousand dollars, which was nineteen thousand dollars in excess of the business he transacted during the previous year. In 1908, he admitted his brother, I. J., to a partnership, the firm name being known as S. L. Karth & Brother. Ilis great success he attributes to good management and the careful and honest treatment of his customers.
On the 29th of March, 1900, Mr. Karth wedded Miss Ethel Fluke, a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Fluke, residents of this county and to this union have been born: Opal Lucile, Harold, deceased, and Lois Elizabeth. Mr. Karth votes the republican ticket, believing firmly in the wisdom of its principles and in the advisability of the policies it advocates and during campaigns his influence and vote are not wanting in behalf of the candidates of his party. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and also to the Methodist church and enjoys the confi- dence and respect of his fellow citizens.
FERNANDO RICE.
Fernando Rice, who for many years was engaged in general farming and stock raising in Sullivan township, is the oldest living representative of a family who were among the earliest and most prominent pioneers of this section. He was born here January 9, 1836, a son of Perez and Lucy (Chamberlain) Rice, both of whom were from New England families who came to this state about the
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year 1813, settling in what is now called Sullivan township. They made the long tedious journey to the west by canal to Buffalo, New York, thence by boat to Cleveland and from that place by wagons, in which they also carried their household goods to this township. Upon their arrival here they found the country thickly covered with timber and far removed from any place where they might obtain provisions. Consequently they experienced all the difficul-
ties, privations and hardships of pioneer life. Their neighbors were few and in like circumstances and all joined together cheerfully in the task of making themselves comfortable. The first work was to cut down trees and prepare logs for the erection of cabins in which they might find shelter from the varying weather. By their hard labors and perseverance the new country was soon cleared and put into shape for cultivation and presently their hearts were lightened by the appearance of the harvest and from year to year they were attended by prosperity until from amid comfortable circumstances they could look back over the past, realizing that their youthful energies had been well
spent. They are to be numbered among those to whom the present generation is indebted for the roads which they cut through the forests and for many of the bridges which now span the streams and marshes. Perez Rice departed this life in the year 1844, his wife surviving him forty-three years, her death occur- ring in July, 1887. In their family were six children, three of whom survive, namely : Olivia, who became the wife of Henry Rogers; Ruvina, who wedded Edgar Rogers, of Troy township; and Fernando. The elder son, Rosolvo departed this life January 2, 1908.
On the land on which his people located Fernando Rice was reared and participated in the experiences of pioneer life, assisting the other members of the family in the work of making ready portions of the land for cultivation and in the tilling of the soil on those portions which had already been cleared. During the winter months he attended the log schoolhouse, where he acquired his education. He resided for sometime on his father's property and his present home was formerly his great uncle's, the farm covering in the neighborhood of six hundred acres, all being in one plot except where it is cut by public roads. He lias given much attention to stock raising and to this end has developed considerable grazing land, his fields for this purpose being as fine as there are in the county. For about twelve years he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, for which he gained a wide reputation, but gave up this enterprise in the year 1873 and turned his attention principally to stock breeding. He raises cattle and sheep and usually ships many carloads to the markets throughout the state. His sons are also interested in farming and each has his own modern home, located near the old homestead and they also have their own barns, outbuildings and other conveniences with which to carry on their work.
On November 10, 1862, Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Stowell, daughter of William and Mary (Shaw) Stowell. Her father came from Plainfield, Massachusetts, to this state in the fall of 1850. Prior to that time he had been engaged in the mercantile business in his native state, but upon coming here, followed the occupation of farming. In his family were three children, namely: William H., Venila and Lydia. To Mr. and Mrs. Rice have been born six children. Stowell W. and Stanley F. are farmers.
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Corinne, the eldest daughter, who was graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, taught school for several years, including five years at Oberlin University. She subsequently attended the law department of Chicago University from which she was graduated and, admitted to the bar, is now practicing law in Chicago, Illinois. Blanch L., who is highly cultured and who for several years was connected with the schools in McGregor, Illinois, and Windom, Minne- sota, became the wife of Frank Williams, of Montana. Walton P. is a farmer. Celestine is a graduate of Oberlin University and for several years past has been connected with the schools of Decatur, Illinois, as a teacher. The three sons who are united in marriage, are engaged in farming on the home place.
In politics Mr. Rice is a republican and since he cast his first vote fo. Abraham Lincoln in 1860 he has been loyal to that party. He is in favor of public improvements, especially good roads and an excellent school system. He has served as township trustee, to which position he was elected when twenty-one years of age and for a number of years has been an efficient member of the district school board. Together with the members of his family he attends divine services at the Baptist church of which he is a trustee and a liberal supporter. Mr. Rice is a man of excellent character, whose example has always been for good and he merits the confidence and respect of his neighbors and is accounted one of the most valued citizens of the county.
J. F. WELTY.
J. F. Welty, well known in the business circles of Ashland, for many years was connected with the Freer Brothers clothing establishment but is now auditor elect of Ashland county. He was born in Jeromesville, August 28, 1859, a son of William and Rosanna (Eichelbarger) Welty. His father, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1827, came to this county with his parents before the city of Ashland was incorporated. The family settled in Hayesville, where he was reared and where the grandfather of the subject of this review, Samuel Welty, operated a harness manufactory in which William Welty was employed, learning the trade of harnessmaking under the instructions of his father. After becoming a journeyman he followed the occupation for some time, subsequently giving it up in order to engage in the hotel business, and for a period of thirty years was one of the most popular innkeepers of Jeromes- ville, where he is now living retired.
At home under the supervision of his parents J. F. Welty was reared, ac- quiring his education in the public schools of his native city and also in the Hayesville Academy, and when in his twenty-first year he left the parental roof and, coming to this city, secured employment as a salesman in the clothing es- tablishment of Freer Brothers, with whom he has since remained with the exception of two years spent in the employ of Hull & Dutton, of Cleveland, and four years spent as a traveling salesman. During his experience as a salesman for Freer Brothers he became thoroughly familiar with every phase of the cloth- ing business and today has the reputation of being one of the most efficient men
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in that line of business in these parts. His success as a salesman won him wide popularity and this position acted as a medium to bring him in contact with the people with whom he was held in such favor as to justify him in running for the office of county auditor, to which office he was elected in 1908 to become an incumbent in October, 1909.
On September 23, 1908, Mr. Welty was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Van Devander, of this city. He is a stanch democrat politically, and a strong and able advocate of its principles, and the prominent place he occupies as a follower of democracy is manifest in the fact of his being nominated for the responsible office, the duties of which he will presently assume. Well known socially, and also among the fraternal organizations, he belongs to the Colonial Club of Ashland, and to Jerome Lodge, No. 655, K. of P. His long experience in business circles has developed within him that degree of mature judgment and administrative ability which will admirably serve him in performing the responsible duties of county auditor.
JOHN A. HENDERSON.
John A. Henderson, a retired thresher of Savannah, Clear Creek township, was born July 25, 1848, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a son of David and Mary (Philips) Henderson, who came to this country in 1854, making the voyage on the sailing vessel, Aurora, the trip requiring nine weeks, most of which time the passage was delayed by a severe tempest. Landing at the mouth of the St. Lawrence river they continued their journey by boat to Cleveland, Ohio, and thence by wagon to Clear Creek township, this county, where they made their home. David Henderson was a stone mason by trade and plied his craft, in connection with carrying on general husbandry, until death terminated his work. His life was one of great usefulness as was also that of his wife. Both having been members of the orthodox Scotch Presbyterian church, they exerted a telling influence for good throughout the community by their upright and industrious lives. Two sons, the subject of this review and Robert P., are still residents of Savannah, their brother George having passed away before attaining manhood.
John A. Henderson spent his boyhood days with his father upon the farm, there engaging in agricultural duties and acquired his education in the district schools of his native village, subsequently pursuing a course of study in Savannah Academy. Upon completing his education he at once took up the occupation of threshing, which for an uninterrupted period of forty-two years he followed with splendid success, his financial standing becoming better from year to year until finally he was justified in retiring from the active duties of life and is now living in the village of Savannah, enjoying some of the fruits of his many years of honest application.
On December 25, 1872, Mr. Henderson wedded Miss Mary Ann Walker, daughter of Theodore and Margaret Ann (Adams) Walker, also natives of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who came to the new world in 1854 on the sailing vessel, Jean Boyd. They disembarked at New York harbor and immediately
JOHN A. HENDERSON AND FAMILY
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continued their journey by rail, canal boat and wagon to their destination in Troy township where Mr. Walker plied his trade as a stone mason and at the same time followed the occupation of farming. He was a man well known throughout the community, being noted for his honesty and enterprise and at the same time for his exemplary life, having been influential in doing much toward heightening the moral and spiritual life of those with whom he associated. To Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have been born five children, namely: Robert M., and Theodore N., twins; Stella, a very popular and successful school teacher ; David A .; and Carl S. Robert M. is married, as is also his twin brother, Theodore N., both of whom follow the occupation of farming, while David A. takes care of his father's business as a thresher. Carl S. is also married and lives in Savannah.
Mr. Henderson is popular in local affairs, having served the township as constable for nine years and assessor for two years. For the past twelve terms he has been justice of the peace and during that period has also been performing the duties of notary public. For many years he officiated as a member of the district school board and at present is a member of the village council, in which he exerts a wide influence in bringing about movements designed for the betterment of the community. In politics he has always been a republican, active in the affairs of his party and. invariably at the polls on election days to do what he can to secure the election of his favorite candidates. No man in the community is more progressive in his ideas and willing to take hold of and further all plans which purport in any way to benefit the vicinity. He, with the members of his family, belongs to the United Presbyterian church, in which for over twenty years he has served in the office of elder. Mr. Henderson is remarkably intelligent and his conversational powers render him a welcome guest at social gatherings, many of which are brought together in his own home, his residence being one of the finest in the village and the rendezvous of his many friends, where they invariably meet with hospitable reception.
ANDREW JACKSON MUMPER.
Andrew Jackson Mumper, a well known representative of farming interests in Ashland county, now resides on section 3, Hanover township, where he gives his attention to the cultivation of the soil and to stock raising. His farm with its many excellent improvements constitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape, and in its midst is a beautiful country home which is one of the finest. in the county. Mr. Mumper is a native of Knox county, Ohio, his birth having occurred in Jefferson township, August 22, 1841. His parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Bryan) Mumper, were both natives of York county, Pennsylvania. The father was born September 5, 1816, and their marriage was celebrated in 1835. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Andrew Mumper, who was born near Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, and died on a farm south of Hayesville, Ohio, where he first located on coming to this county. It was a tract of two hundred and fifty acres which he brought under a high state of cultivation,
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continuing its improvement until his demise. He was a son of Michael Mumper, a native of Germany, who came to the new world about two hundred years ago and settled in Pennsylvania. £ He was then a poor boy and had not money enough to pay his passage, so that he was bound out to one who paid the sum and claimed his services until he should be remunerated for the money expended. Michael Mumper had two children, a daughter, who married a Mr. Long, and a son, Michael, who married Ann Bushholder. They had the following children : John, Andrew, Frederick, Abraham, Henry, Elizabeth, Michael, Katharine, David and Samuel.
Removing to Ashland, which was then a part of Richland county, the parents of our subject spent their remaining days in the vicinity of Loudonville. The father purchased some timber land in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, and it was while he was engaged in clearing that tract to which he devoted only a few years, that the birth of his son, Andrew Jackson Mumper, occurred. When the task was completed there Andrew Mumper, Sr., returned with his family to Ashland county and both he and his wife died in Green township, his death occurring when he had reached the age of seventy-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mumper were born eight children: William, Frances and Mary, all deceased; Andrew J., of this review; Margaret; Katharine; Joseph, deceased; and Virginia, who died in infancy.
Andrew J. Mumper spent the first six years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Ashland county, Ohio, in 1847. They located on a farm south of Hayesville in Green township, where they resided for two years and then removed to a farm in Vermillion township, which was also their home for two years. On the expiration of that period they returned to Green township and during this period Andrew Mumper assisted in the farm work as his age and strength permitted. His education was acquired in the public schools and throughout the summer months he toiled in the fields. On the 18th of November, 1861, Mr. Mumper responded to his country's call for troops and enlisted as a member of Company G, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Orlo Smith of Ashland. He was discharged in July, 1862, because of disability, and returned home, there residing up to the time of his marriage. He bought ninety acres of land in Green town- ship near the old home and for six years devoted his energies to its care and improvement. Since 1870, or for a period of almost thirty-nine years, he has resided on his present farm which comprises one hundred and twenty acres a mile and a half west of Loudonville on the Loudonville and Newville road. He has a fine home built in attractive style of architecture. It is very commodious, containing eleven rooms and is beautifully and attractively furnished. It was erected in 1883 and is one of the finest country homes in this part of the county. Mr. Mumper has made all of the improvements upon his farm and the sub- stantial outbuildings which furnish shelter for grain and stock, the well kept fences and the improved farm machinery are all indications of his life of well directed thrift and energy. He gives his time to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also to the raising of stock, both branches of his business proving profitable. In all of his business affairs he displays an
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aptitude for successful management and his energy is carefully and intelligently directed so that his labors produce the best results.
In 1867 Mr. Mumper was married to Miss Hannah Louisa Hite, who was born in Green township, Ashland county, Ohio, near Perrysville, November 3, 1844. She is a daughter of James and Katharine (Thomas) Hite, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Both died in Hanover township, Ashland county. Mr. and Mrs. Mumper have three children, namely : Mary, now the wife of A. H. Sillwill of the city of Ashland; Harry O., who owns eighty acres constituting a farm adjoining the old home place and is married and has three sons, Earl, Ralph and Irvin; Katharine, who died at the age of eighteen years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mumper are members of the Baptist church of Loudon- ville, with which they have been connected throughout the entire period of their married life. Mr. Mumper served on the building committee of the church and they have always been interested in its work and generous in its support. He likewise holds membership in Fisher Post, No. 309, G. A. R., of Loudonville. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and was one of the first jury commissioners of Ashland county, in which capacity he served for five years, having at that time three colleagues. He was also township trustee for twelve years and served on the township school board for twenty-four consecutive years. He has always been a stalwart champion of the cause of education and his labors have been very helpful in advancing the efficiency of the public schools in this vicinity. In fact he stands for progress at all times and under all conditions and the spirit of advancement which actuates him is manifest in his own business affairs as well as in relations to the public. He possesses a determination that enables him to carry forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes and at all times his business transactions are conducted in harmony with the strictest business ethics.
DAVID LONG.
For a half century David Long has been a representative of the farming interests of Lake township. He was born January 19, 1850, on the farm where he now resides and the years have witnessed his unabating energy and careful management of his business affairs so that he eventually became one of the substantial and prosperous citizens of his community. His influence, moreover, is always given on behalf of justice, truth, right and progress and his labors have been a beneficial element in promoting the welfare of the community. He is a son of John George and Margaret (Merkling) Long, and a grandson of John G. Long, who was born in Alsace, France, in 1798. He crossed the Atlantic to America in 1828 when thirty years of age and first settled in Stark county, Ohio, where he remained for ten years. He then removed to Ashland county, taking up his abode in Lake township and all his life he engaged in farming. He was a member of the Lutheran church in which he served as elder for twenty years and his life was ever in consistent harmony with its teachings. He married
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Katharine Barnhart in Alsace, France, and they have become the parents of five children : John George; Peter B., who married Saloma Kantzer; John B .; Adam B., who married Barbara Wyemer; and one child who died in infancy. The father of these children passed away in 1868 while the mother's death occurred in 1875.
John George Long, father of our subject, was born in Alsace, France, in 1822 and came to America with his father at the age of six years. He spent his remaining days in Ashland county where his time and energies were devoted to the tilling of the soil. He wedded Miss Margaret Merkling in 1843. She was born in Germany and was but three years of age when brought by her parents to Ohio. They continued to reside in Ashland county from the time of their marriage until their demise, Mrs. Long passing away February 14, 1882. in her fifty-eighth year, while Mr. Long died January 18, 1903, at the age of eighty years. He was quite prominent in community affairs, held the office of supervisor, was also school director for several years and gave his political allegiance to the democracy. He held membership in the Lutheran church and served as one of its deacons for more than a third of a century. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Katharine, who became the wife of John Peters, of Lake township; Philip, who married Paulina Merklinger and resides in Columbus; George, who wedded Christina Priest and died in Wayne county ; David of this review; Samuel, who died in childhood; John D., who died in Clinton township and Simon Peter, pastor of the First Lutheran church of Mansfield, Ohio.
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