USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 56
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LEWIS M. GROESHNER.
The farming and stock-raising interests of Ashland county find a worthy and prosperous representative in Lewis M. Groeshner, of Orange township. His birth occurred in Montgomery township, this county, February 14, 1868, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Schneider) Groeshner, who sailed from Germany to the United States immediately after their marriage, taking up their abode in Wooster, Ohio, in 1854. The father, who was a cabinet maker, there worked at his trade for two years and subsequently came to Ashland, where he was engaged in cabinet making and carpentering until called to-his final rest on the 16th of April, 1895. His wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away on the 10th of October, 1908. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, namely : John H., Elizabeth, Augusta, Catherine and Lewis M., all residents of Ashland county ; and Minnie, who is deceased.
Lewis M. Groeshner obtained his education in the schools of Ashland and since early manhood has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He was actively engaged in the tilling of the soil in Montgomery township until 1901, when he came to Orange township and, with the exception of three years spent as a clerk in a grocery store at Ashland, has here since been engaged in general farming and stock raising with excellent success. His farm presents a neat and well kept appearance and in all his undertakings Mr. Groeshner has met with a measure of prosperity that entitles him to recognition among the substantial, progressive and enterprising citizens of the community.
On the 6th of June, 1894, Mr. Groeshner was united in marriage to Miss Anna Luetta Mason, a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Charlton) Mason, of Orange township. Her father, who is a prominent citizen and extensive land- owner, is the oldest man in Orange township. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two sons, Cummings E. and Virgil Henry.
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Politically Mr. Groeshner is a democrat and, though not an active party worker, has never neglected to cast his ballot at an election. Anything that tends to promote the interests of the county along material, educational and moral lines receives his hearty support and cooperation. Fraternally he is con- nected with Mohican Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now past grand and a member of the uniformed rank. He is the teacher of the old ladies' class in the Sunday school of the Methodist Episcopal church at Nankin, of which his wife and children are also devoted and faithful members. As he has lived in this county throughout his entire life, he has a wide acquaintance here and his friends know him as a man of sterling integrity and genuine worth.
THOMAS N. McKEAN.
Thomas N. McKean, proprietor of the leading transfer and storage plant of Ashland, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born February 16, 1858, and a son of Samuel and Jane (Miller) Mckean, his father also a native of that county, while his mother was born in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. Samuel Mckean's birth occurred in 1833 and in the place of his nativity he was reared, engaging in general agricultural pursuits there until 1868, when he settled upon a farm in this county for three years, later removing to the city of Ashland, where he has since resided. Upon arriving here he engaged in the drayage business, later establishing a meat business which he continued for several years and. finally engaged in the manufacture of harness, which industry he pursued until he retired from active life. He is still residing in this city. A democrat in politics he has always taken an interest in the affairs of his party and for a number of years served efficiently as constable. He belongs to the United Brethren church, of which he is a stanch adherent and, being a man whose daily life is in close keeping with the tenets of his faith, he deserves the high measure of respect in which he is held. His wife, born in 1834, came with her parents when a young woman from Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, to Wayne county, this state, where she was united in marriage and after a long life of usefulness she still survives in the enjoyment of a degree of health and vigor uncommon to those of her years.
Under the careful attention of his parents Thomas N. McKean was reared and given the advantage of an education in the public schools. Upon completing his studies at the age of fifteen years, being ambitious to start out into the business world, he secured a position as general utility boy in the Miller Hotel of Ashland, where he performed his duties efficiently for three years. Later he devoted one summer to farming, the following spring purchasing a team and entering the general hauling business here. At the time he launched out in this enterprise he only had enough money to pay for one horse and its equipment and the other horse, making up the team, he purchased on credit. This was the initial venture of his present lucrative and extensive business. Little by little, through hard work and good management, he became popular, working
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his way into the drayage business and eventually securing a large portion of the hauling laid out by the commercial establishments of the city. As time passed by and his means increased he associated with his undertaking that of storage and he now owns a first class storage warehouse, measuring twenty-four by ninety feet, the only business of this kind in the city. His trade has gradually grown to large proportions, requiring constantly eleven teams together with a number of hired hands,
On October 10, 1881, Mr. McKean was united in marriage to Miss Artha M. Markel, of this city. They have one son, Earl K., who is associated in busi- ness with his father. As to his political affiliations Mr. McKean is a democrat, always loyal to the party, particularly with respect to national and state issues. He belongs to Excelsior Camp, No. 3287, M. W. A. and is a member of the Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter and, being a man whose business relations have always been conducted on the basis of honesty, he enter- tains the confidence of all who know him and deserves mention as a leading business man of the city.
ABEL C. METCALF.
Abel C. Metcalf, who resides upon a beautiful farm in Lake township, Ashland county, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising, is a member of an old and well known family of this county. The grandfather, Josiah Metcalf, who founded the family in Ohio, came from Pennsylvania with his family and settled near Jeromeville, Ashland county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. His death, however, occurred in Michigan, at the home of his daughter. In his family were six children, George, William, Amos, Vachel, Allen and Nellie. Allen Metcalf, the father of our subject, was born June 17, 1819, on the home farm near Jeromeville, and during his early life ran a sawmill, being thus engaged until his marriage, which occurred January 18, 1844. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Goudy, was also born near Jeromeville, this county, her natal day being August 25, 1824. After his marriage Mr. Metcalf purchased a farm of fifty-eight acres in Lake township and devoted his remaining days to farming. He later purchased other farm land and at the time of his death his holdings aggregated three hundred acres. He became well known in this part of the county, serving for some time as justice of the peace, while his fellowmen, recognizing his ability and worth, called him to several other township offices. He and his wife spent their entire lives in Ashland county, where they passed away, his death occurring December 13, 1878, while she survived until February 8, 1901. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, namely: Abel C., of this review; Sarah Jane, the wife of L. S. Shearer, residing on a farm near his elder brother; William, who died in infancy ; James Henry, of Wayne county, Ohio; Martha, who wedded F. M. Dirrim, a resident of Iowa; and Sianett, the deceased wife of William T. Murrel.
On the old homestead, amid the wholesome scenes of rural life, Abel C. Metcalf was reared to manhood, early becoming familiar with the daily routine
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of farm life and assuming his full share in the work of the fields. He remained with his parents until his marriage, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, adjoining that of his father, upon which he has since resided. On this farm are two sets of buildings and in its midst is a pretty little lake called Lake Martha. When the property came into his posses- sion there stood upon it a small log cabin which subsequently gave place to a fine large house erected by Mr. Metcalf. He has also built substantial and com- modious barns and outbuildings, and the farm, known as Prairie View Farm, is one of the finest country homes in this section of the country. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, and the success which has crowned his undertakings is the just reward of unfaltering industry and untiring persever- ance. He is classed among the prosperous and successful agriculturists and influential citizens of this community.
In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Metcalf and Katharine Fulmer, a native of Lake township, Ashland county, her birth occurring June 20, 1851. She is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hoffman) Fulmer, both natives of Alsace, France. They were there married and soon afterward came to the United States, spending their remaining days in Ashland county, Ohio. In their family were six sons and five daughters, three of whom died in childhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf were born the following children: Eddie F., who was killed July 13, 1892, while in his twenty-first year, by a runaway horse; Allen J., a resident of Clinton township, Wayne county, who has two children, Leo Clayton and Katharine Freda; Fred D., residing in Cleveland; Ralph W., who occupies the other dwelling on his father's farm and has one child, Evelyn Grace; Bryon R., of Wayne county, the father of a daughter and son, Helen R. and Carl B .; Zeno P., an entomologist, who graduated from the Ohio State Uni- versity at Columbus and is now with the State Experiment Farm of North Carolina ; and Clell L., a student in the State University at Columbus. In his religious faith Mr. Metcalf is a member of the Evangelical church, is a trustee of the church property and is interested in all phases of the church work. He gives his political support to the democracy and lends his influence towards furthering the interests of that party, while on that ticket he was elected trustee of the township, which office he occupied for several years. He has also served as a school official and the cause of education finds in him a warm champion. In his citizenship he is public-spirited, being in hearty sympathy with all measures and movements which have for their ultimate aim the material, intel- lectual and moral progress of the community, while his sterling qualities have gained for him a high place in the regard and esteem of his fellowmen.
CHARLES H. BRYAN.
Charles H. Bryan was born on his present farm on section 19, Mohican township, his natal day being September 6, 1863. Here he has remained to the present time, covering the period when life was one continuous playtime, on through the age when the work of the fields claimed a part of his attention,
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while the remainder was given to the mastery of the branches of learning taught in the public schools, and still on to the time when business affairs de- manded all of his hours and energies. He was the grandson of William and Sarah (Kirk) Bryan, the former a native of Virginia while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. The grandfather came to Ohio with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bryan, who settled in Jefferson county, where he had previously entered for them a farm before their arrival. Later Joseph Bryan removed to Ashland county and entered three-quarters of a section of land on the 10th of March, 1815, and soon afterward took up his abode thereon. His son William, was married in 1819 and located on this farm in the same year, making it his home throughout his remaining days, while the great-grandfather, Joseph Bryan, took up his abode on an adjoining farm and there continued to reside until called to his final rest. Joseph Bryan had three sons, Reuben, William and Joseph, the eldest of whom died at Fostoria, Ohio, while Joseph spent his last days in Illinois. William Bryan always continued a resident of Ashland county and here he reared his family, namely : Martha, Sarah, Joanna, Wilson, Washington, Wesley and William P. The last named was the father of
Charles H. Bryan. His entire life was spent in this county, his birth having occurred in Mohican township, on the 17th of November, 1838. He was reared to the occupation of farming and continued to follow that pursuit until his life's labors were ended in death. In early manhood he worked by the month for about six years and then as the result of his careful expenditure, was enabled to engage in farming on his own account. He was very diligent in carrying on his agricultural interests, placing his business cares as the foremost feature in his life, so that his close application and persistency of purpose eventually won him a creditable measure of success. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wachtel, was born in Mohicanville, December 14, 1843, and was a daughter of Jacob and Hettie (Helbert) Wachtel, the latter a sister of Henry Helbert and a representative of one of the leading and prominent fami- lies of the county. The death of William P. Bryan occurred November 21, 1908, when he was seventy years of age, while his wife passed away April 19, 1906. They were the parents of six children : Charles, of this review; Mary, the widow of J. D. Botdorf, who resides with her elder brother; Lewis, who is also on the same farm; Harrison, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Dora D., the wife of Ira Myers, of Perry township; and Isa, the wife of Luther Jones, living in Vermillion township.
It will be seen from the foregoing record that the Bryan family is one of the oldest and also one of the best known in this part of the state. Through almost a century its representatives have resided in Ashland county, taking an active and helpful part in all measures relative to the public good, while their efforts have been equally valuable in the line of agricultural development here.
Charles H. Bryan supplemented his early education acquired in the public schools by study in the Vermillion Institute at Hayesville, and he also engaged in teaching school for one term. However he has given his attention most largely to the further development and improvement of the home farm and the estate comprises one hundred and three acres of land. The soil is rich and productive and brings forth good harvests. Everything about the place is
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indicative of the care and labor bestowed upon it and shows what may be accom- plished when intelligent cultivation is brought to bear upon the natural rich soil of Ohio. Mr. Bryan is a democrat in his political views and has filled some local offices, acting as township assessor for two years, while for six years he was clerk of the township. He is a member of the Church of God and for the past fifteen years has been an elder in the Vermillion Synagogue.
HENRY HELBERT.
Henry Helbert was eighty-two years of age on the 6th of April, 1909, his birth having occurred in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. He is one of the oldest residents of Ashland county in years of continuous connection with this part of the state, for he was brought to this district in 1835 when a lad of eight years. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Mock) Helbert, who were natives of Pennsylvania, born and reared about thirty miles west of Philadelphia. After their marriage they removed to Bedford county, that state, and eleven of their twelve children were there born, while John Helbert, their youngest, was born in Ashland. Hoping to secure a home and win success on the western frontier, they made their way to Ashland county, Ohio, in 1835, and the father purchased a tract of land north of Mohican, on which both he and his wife spent their remaining days. He built the first bank barn in Mohican township and a neighbor made the remark that Mr. Helbert would "never get enough growed to . fill this barn." However, his crops the first year were more than sufficient to utilize the capacity thus afforded. With characteristic energy he cleared his land and improved one hundred and sixty acres, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. He also bought one hundred and ten acres additional and afterward gave that to his son. Both he and his wife reached an advanced age, the former passing away at the age of ninety years and six months, while the mother was eighty years at the time of her death. Their children were as follows : Maria, the deceased wife of John Newman; William, who was a twin brother of Maria and went to California in the spring of 1849, his death their occurring two years later: Jacob. deceased; Michael, living in Vermillion town- ship ; Rebecca, who became the wife of John Garst and died in 1862; Peter, who died in June, 1908. at the age of eighty-four years in Jeromeville, where he was living retired: Kittie, who married Jacob Wachtel and after his death became the wife of Charles Cosner; Henry. of this review; Sarah, who is the widow of Henry Wachtel and lives on the old home place; Levi, deceased; Edward, a resident of Jeromeville; and John. living in Hayesville.
The family traveled westward. making the trip with a three-horse team, eventually arriving in Mohican township which was then a part of Wayne county. For a year they lived in the woods in a little log cabin and then re- moved to a farm in Tree Hollow. about a mile away from their first settlement. A year was there passed, on the expiration of which period the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land a half mile north of Mohican. This was
MR. AND MRS. HENRY HELBERT
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in the spring of 1837. The tract was covered with dense timber and in the midst of the green woods he built his cabin. Henry Helbert remained upon that farm until nineteen years of age, when he began learning the blacksmith trade, but after eighteen months was obliged to give it up as he found that he was not strong enough for the work. He then engaged in farming for his widowed sister for ten years. On the 14th of April, 1859, he was married and in the spring of 1860 removed to his present home which is situated on section 36, Vermillion township. He has erected all of the fine buildings here and now has an excellent property of one hundred and twenty acres. He likewise bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining on the south and built the buildings upon that place. He next bought one hundred and eighty acres on section 26, Vermillion township, and also purchased one hundred and fifty acres on section 27 in the same township, so that his total possessions are six hundred and ten acres in Vermillion township, all well improved with modern equipment and good buildings, some of the buildings being particularly fine. His father gave him five hundred dollars toward purchasing his place and Mr. Helbert went in debt for the remainder, but in those first few years he was most careful in his expenditures and in time was able to pay off the entire amount on the property. He has had altogether about four thousand dollars given him, but he has given much more than that to his children. His whole life has been devoted to the farm and his unremitting energy and careful management contained the secret of his success.
Mr. Helbert was married to Miss Anna Long, who was born November 30, 1836, and when two years of age was brought to Lake township, this county, by her parents, Peter and Margaret (Barnhart) Long, natives of Alsace, France. Their family numbered three daughters and seven sons, all of whom are yet living. The mother's birth occurred January 5, 1805, and the father was born October 6, 1807. In early life they became residents of Stark county, Ohio, and were there married. Peter Long was a tailor by trade and had previously followed that pursuit in Pittsburg for a time, coming to America a year before the lady whom in 1827 he made his wife. They removed from Stark county to Ashland county and for a considerable period Mr. Long engaged in farming but in the spring of 1868 left the farm and retired to Loudonville, where his remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest. While carry- ing on agricultural pursuits he also made clothes for the family. He had one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 7 in Lake township and also eighty
acres adjoining. He was a Lutheran in his religious faith and a democrat in his political belief. He filled several township offices, including that of trustee. His wife died December 20, 1875, while his death occurred January 12, 1893. They were the parents of ten children: George W., residing in Hayesville; Peter, who crossed the plains to California in 1852 with his brother George, who returned three or four years later, while Peter remained and is now living in San Jose, California ; John M., a resident of Mansfield. Ohio; Anna. the wife of Henry Helbert, whose home is in Vermillion township; Adam, living on section 7, Lake township; Mary, the wife of G. A. Showalter. of Columbus; Katharine, the widow of Frederick Smith, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Daniel, of Creston, Wayne county, Ohio; William, of Kalamazoo county, Michigan; and
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Samuel, of Van Wert county, Ohio. There has been no death among the children and the youngest was born in March, 1850.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Helbert have been born seven children: Reason Frank- lin, who married Rosella Brubaker and died in November, 1908; Jacob Andrew, residing in Loudonville; Ella, the wife of David Leidigh of Mohican township; Peter J., also living in Mohican township; Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Budd, of Ashland; Gust William, a resident of Vermillion township; and Curtis Lee, who died at the age of seven years.
In his political views Mr. Helbert is a democrat but though he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and desires the success of the party, he has never sought nor wished for public office for himself, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with good success. His entire life has been devoted to the farm and his well directed energy and unfaltering industry have constituted the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity. He and his family are widely known in this part of the county and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
GARRETT A. JOHNSON.
Garrett A. Johnson, a well known agriculturist, dairyman and stock raiser of Sullivan township, where he owns a neat and well improved farm of one hundred and fifty acres, was born on the place where he now resides, his natal day being July 17, 1852. His parents, Ambrose and Mary (Van Wagnen) Johnson, were natives of Schenectady, New York. Leaving the Empire state, the father made his way to Twinsburg, Ohio, while the mother accompanied her parents on their removal to this state about the same time. The marriage of Ambrose Johnson and Mary Van Wagnen was celebrated at Twinsburg and soon afterward, in 1842, they came to Sullivan township, Ashland county, locat- ing upon the farm where their son, Garrett A., now resides. The place was all covered with timber and their first home was a rude shanty made of boards, which afforded shelter until the trees could be cut down and a frame dwelling erected. Ambrose Johnson had been deprived of educational opportunities in his youth but possessed much more than the average natural intelligence and was moreover a man of strong, resolute character and sterling integrity. He continued to reside on his farm in Sullivan township until called to his final rest on the 28th of February, 1882, his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret. The demise of his wife occurred February 8, 1896, and thus the county lost two of its most worthy and respected pioneer settlers whose labors had contributed in substantial measure to its early development and upbuilding. They had become the parents of five sons and three daughters, of whom four sons and two daughters are yet living, as follows: Henrietta, the wife of Marcus DeMoss. of Sullivan ; Joseph O., who is a resident of Wellington ; Mrs. Mary E. DeMoss, of Oklahoma; George W., living in Ashland; Garrett A., of this review; and Charles E., who makes his home in Cleveland.
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