USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 58
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On the old home farm of his father Loren E. Heifner was reared and the district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. In early manhood he engaged in teaching for a few terms and did excellent work in that connection. He was about seventeen years of age when he began to learn the machinist's trade in the shops of the Cowan Pump Company, and for a few years he was employed in that capacity, but when about twenty-one years of age he returned to the home farm. At one time he was employed in a small mill but through an accident lost a finger and then turned his. attention to telegraphy. For eight years he was connected with the Erie Railroad Company as an operator, at the end of which time he resigned and entered the services of the F. E. Myers Company as traveling salesman, having the entire state of Illinois as his territory for ten years. He developed the entire state and has been with the company continuously since, except for a brief period when he represented the Red Jacket Manufacturing Company with Ohio as his territory.
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He has made substantial progress since starting out in the business world for himself and has ever been found reliable, energetic and diligent.
On the 3d of July, 1888, Mr. Heifner was united in marriage to Miss Laura D. McGuire, a daughter of George W. and Fanny (Carpenter) McGuire, of Fulton county, Illinois. Unto them have been born seven children: Lovie F., who is engaged in teaching in Sullivan; Cloyd M., who follows farming; Fanny L., who is attending high school in Mansfield; Lydia A .; Eliza M .; Jennie M .; and Laura Daisy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heifner are members of the Reformed church, in the work of which he has taken an active and helpful part. He served for some years as deacon and was then elected elder, which position he has filled for a number of years. He has also been an earnest and effective worker in the Sunday school, in which he has served as teacher and chorister. His
political allegiance is given to the democracy and he takes an active interest in the work of the party. He believes in good roads, the employment of competent In fact he teachers and the utilization of progressive ideas in school work. favors all public improvement and stands for continued and substantial advance- ment. He has never sought nor desired public office, however, but gives the weight of his influence on behalf of justice, reform and improvement. He belongs to Wadsworth Lodge, No. 119, I. O. O. F. and to the Iowa Traveling Men's Association, and to the Illinois Commercial Men's Association. Wherever he goes he wins friends because of a genial disposition, deference for the opinions of others and a kindly spirit, combined with the substantial qualities of perseverance and industry which insures success in business life. Aside from his commercial interests he is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of fine land on which he carries on general farming and also stock raising, making a specialty of pure blooded Jersey cattle. In this line he is meeting with success and is recognized as one of the representative business men of his community.
EMERSON L. LEIDIGH.
Well known among prominent pioneer families of the county is the one of which Emerson L. Leidigh is a representative. He was born September 2, 1863, on the farm which is now his home. He has always resided here and the place of one hundred and sixty-four acres covers the northwest corner of section 29, Mohican township. His parents were Levi and Mary Elizabeth (Snyder) Leidigh. The father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of February, 1819, and he traveled life's journey until the 19th of July, 1887, when he passed away in Mohican township. He came with his parents from Pennsylvania to Ohio when sixteen years of age, settling first at Jerome- ville and his remaining days were passed as a farmer in Mohican township. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 29, and was also the owner of one hundred and eight acres in Green township. Year by year he carefully tilled his fields and carried on the farm work until his labors brought to him substantial success. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was a member of the Reformed church of Mohicanville. He was a
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son of Peter and Elizabeth (Butt) Leidigh, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and spent their last days in Ashland county. It was on the 12th of April, 1860, that Levi Leidigh wedded Miss Mary Elizabeth Snyder, who was born April 16, 1838, about a mile west of MeKay, her parents being David and Mary (McMannis) Snyder.
Emerson L. Leidigh, whose name introduces this review, has always resided upon the farm which is now his home. His boyhood days were devoted to the acquirement of an education in the public schools and to the work of the farm, alternating with the pleasures in which youths of the period indulged. As he attained manhood he determined to devote his life to general agricultural pur- suits and, remaining on the old homestead, is now engaged in the cultivation and improvement of a good tract of land of one hundred and sixty-four acres on section 29, Mohican township. It is supplied with all of the equipments and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century. There is a large barn up- on it eighty-four by one hundred feet. In fact this is one of the largest in the county and furnishes ample shelter for hay and also for a large number of stock. It is forty-eight feet to the highest point and has no equal in this respect in the county. It was built by Mr. Leidigh in the spring of 1906. The residence was erected by the father and was remodeled by Emerson L. Leidigh and contains eleven rooms, being one of the fine homes of the county. The place is appropriately named the Fairview Stock Farm, for upon it he raises high grade stock of all kinds, this department of his business constituting an important element in his success.
On the 19th of April, 1894, Mr. Leidigh was united in marriage to Miss Arbie Hoatman, who was born in Jeromeville on the 2d of July, 1876, and is a daughter of John J. and Minerva (Bunyon) Hoatman. Mr. and Mrs. Leidigh now have one son, Ralph E., who was born January 2, 1896. In his political views the father is a democrat, giving stanch and unfaltering support to the principles of the party. He is an alert, enterprising business man, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities and winning his success through honor- able and persistent effort.
JOHN OBRECHT.
John Obrecht is well known as a successful general farmer and stock raiser, handling thoroughbred cattle and sheep. He was born in Sweidraheim, Alsace, Germany, May 7, 1872, and arrived in Loudonville, Ohio, with his parents on the 30th of October, 1881. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Jacobs) Obrecht, who were also natives of Alsace. The mother died in Lake township, this county, in August. 1885, at the age of thirty-eight years, and about ten years ago the father returned to Germany and now makes his home in Strassburg. In their family were five children: Jacob, a resident of Missouri; John, of this review; Mary, the wife of Albert Fry, of Canton, Ohio; Maggie, also living in Canton ; and Edward, who resides in Vermillion township.
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John Obrecht was a lad of nine years at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world. They lived for a year and a half in Loudonville and then removed to a small farm in Lake township. Mr. Obrecht of this review afterward worked out by the month as a farm hand until the time of his mar- riage in 1890, after which he engaged in farming on the shares for eleven years. At length he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Lake town- ship and eventually sold that property and in 1904 purchased his present farm, comprising one hundred and twelve acres on section 31, Vermillion township. This is about four miles south of Hayesville and six miles north of Loudonville on the Loudonville and Hayesville road. It is a well improved property, supplied with good buildings. Here he carries on general agricultural pursuits, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and he also raises considerable stock. He has on hand some thoroughbred Shropshire sheep and four registered Durham cows.
Mr. Obrecht was united in marriage to Miss Minnie B. Garst, who was born in Lake township, July 24, 1871, and is a daughter of William and Caroline (Windbigler) Garst. Mr. and Mrs. Obrecht now have four children: Zella, the wife of D. S. Hissem, of Vermillion township; Iba; Glenn; and Ruth. The family are identified with the German Reformed church of Mohican and Mr. Obrecht gives his political allegiance to the democracy. He has always remained a resident of Ashland county since coming to the new world and is one of the worthy citizens of foreign birth who, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of American liberty and in sympathy with republican institutions, is active in his championship of everything relating to public progress here.
THOMAS H. BEATTIE.
Thomas H. Beattie, mayor of Savannah, and one of the most popular men of the county, prominent in local affairs, was born January 28, 1861, in Butler township, Richland county, and is the son of James and Susanna (Bryte) Beattie. The grandparents came to America from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with all the members of their family excepting James who, then in his fifteenth year, was bound out to a merchant and could not leave his native land but later joined the family when they had been in this country about two years. The family located in Richland county, where James Beattie was united in marriage and taught school until 1863, when he removed to Pioneer, Williams county, this state, there engaging in the mercantile business. Later he removed to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he took up farming. Of that county James Beattie, was elected treasurer, the duties of which office he efficiently performed for four years. His death occurred September 15, 1900, while his wife entered into rest September 15, 1885.
The early days of Thomas H. Beattie were spent in assisting his father in the duties of the farm and while engaged in husbandry he availed himself of the educational advantages of the district schools and when he was seventeen years of age left home and came to Ashland county, where he worked on a
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farm for his uncle, Thomas Bryte, in Clear Creek township, at the same time attending school at Pioneer, Williams county. After completing his education he followed the profession of teaching until he was twenty-one years of age, at which period of his life he settled down to husbandry, and for fourteen years rented his uncle's farm, which consists of one hundred and sixty-six acres,
which he later purhased and of which he is now the owner. His farm is highly improved, well drained and continually under a high state of cultivation and constitutes one of the best tracts of land for general agricultural purposes in this portion of the county. In addition to producing hay and the various
grains he takes an interest in stock raising, making a specialty of stock feeding, which has become one of the most lucrative departments of his business. He pursued his occupation with unremitting energy until 1903, when he removed with his family to the village of Savannah, where he has since been practically retired although he has not entirely given up his activities referential to his farm but still superintends the various departments of that work.
On December 25, 1890, Mr. Beattie wedded Miss Emma Plank, daughter of Levi and Margaret (Filson) Plank, of Montgomery township, her parents having come from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, immediately upon their marriage, bringing with them all their belongings. Her father was a prosper- ous farmer who met with such success as to finally become an extensive landowner. He and his wife passed away some years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Beattie have been born two children, namely: Beatrice and Donald. Although Mr. Beattie has been a very busy man, with the affairs of his various enterprises, yet he has found time to devote to public matters since he considers it the duty of every individual to take an interest in all things pertaining to the weal of the commonwealth. He has rendered the township a number of useful services, having for a period of six years performed the duties of town- ship trustee and he has also served efficiently for a number of terms as a member of the board of education. His excellent administrative qualifications are well known throughout the community, and in 1904 he was elected mayor of Savannah, since which time he has served continuously in a most efficient manner in performing the duties of that honorable office. He has done much toward stimulating civic pride and has been instrumental in securing many much needed public improvements such as sidewalks and better streets so that at the present period the village of Savannah is in many respects in these lines the superior of any town of its size in this state. Politically Mr. Beattie is a republican, always loyal to the candidates of his party. Aside from his- business and political interests he also espouses the cause of education, is a member of the board of trustees of Savannah Academy and all matters pertain- ing to educational interests command his hearty support. Together with the members of his family he attends divine services at the church of the Disciples of Christ, is active in its affairs and is a large contributor toward the several departments of church endeavor. In every sense of the word Mr. Beattie is a man of affairs, superintending liis large farm, taking an interest in public concerns and also, in connection with admirably performing the duties of his office as mayor, he is active in the financial affairs of the Ashland Savings Bank, of which he is a stockholder. His conservative business judgment is recognized
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throughout the community and his opinions are frequently sought in financial and commercial matters and, on account of his wide experience and excellent success, they generally carry much weight. He owns an elegant residence in the village which is large and modern in its appointments and here he makes his home surrounded by everything conducive to pleasant life.
MORENZO C. ROSS.
Morenzo C. Ross, energetically and successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising on his place of one hundred and four acres in Orange township, was born in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, on the 22d of September, 1861. His parents, John and Catherine (Bird) Ross, were natives of Holmes county, Ohio, but removed to Minnesota in the early days of its development, the father, who was a carpenter by trade, being attracted to the new country by reason of the great opportunities offered for work as a builder. . They took up their abode in the vicinity where afterward occurred one of the most horrible Indian massacres on record and on one occasion they were driven from their home, being obliged to hide themselves in the surrounding woods and thickets for two weeks. In 1865 they returned to Ohio, first locating in Montgomery township, Ashland county, and afterward coming to Orange township, where they con- tinued to reside until they passed away, the father following carpentering and also engaging in farming to some extent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ross are still kindly remembered by many who knew them, being people of many excellent traits of character and winning the warm regard and esteem of those with whom they were associated.
Morenzo C. Ross supplemented his preliminary education, acquired in the district schools, by a course of study at Smithville Academy and at Ashland College. Subsequently he was engaged in teaching for three years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired and winning wide recognition as a successful and progressive educator. When twenty-two years of age he was married and brought his young bride to the farm which has since remained their home with the exception of the years 1896 and 1897, when they resided in Ashland, Mr. Ross being there engaged in the hardware business. On severing his connection with that line of activity he returned to his farm of one hundred and four acres in Orange township and has since devoted his attention to the pursuits of general farming and stock raising with well merited success. His land is admirably adapted to the raising of potatoes, to which he gives especial attention. The farm is well watered and improved, presenting in its neat and thrifty appearance the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
On the 16th of February, 1884, Mr .. Ross was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Saddler, a daughter of Rev. William and Emeline (Wolfe) Saddler, of Orange township, the father being the pastor of Maple Grove church of the Dunkard faith for a number of years. The church is among the earliest in this section of the state and has wielded a wide influence for good, many of the
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most substantial citizens of the community holding membership therein. Rev. Saddler died some years ago but his memory is still cherished by those with whom he came in contact and many whose lives he helped to brighten and uplift. His widow still survives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross have been born four sons : Frank E., Walter, Ray and Harold.
Mr. Ross gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has been called by his fellow townsmen to various positions of public trust and responsibility. He has been township trustee for two terms, has acted as a member of the board of education and in 1903 was chosen justice of the peace for Orange township, in which position he has continued to the present time, his decisions being ever fair and impartial .. He has also frequently been a delegate to county, district and state conventions and is a public-spirited citizen whose aid and influence can be counted upon in any movement or measure instituted to advance the general welfare. In citizenship, in public office, in home and social life, he is a man worthy of the confidence and good will which are uniformly tendered him.
GEORGE C. McCONNELL.
George C. McConnell, who is now living a retired life after having been identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Sullivan township for a number of years, is a native of Jackson township, where his birth occurred August 2, 1841, and a son of Thomas and Margaret (Miller) McConnell, his father having been a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Baltimore, Maryland. Both came to Ohio with their parents, in 1833, and settled in Orange township. Both families made the journey by wagon and on horseback, bringing along the family cow, which was one of the most important accessories to their wagon train. The entire country was then in a primitive state, being thickly covered with woodland, and upon their arrival here their first work was the erection of a log cabin. After providing this shelter they at once began clearing off the land, cutting roads through the forests, bridging the swamps and marshes, and in constructing such buildings on their property as were necessary to the agriculturist. They were an industrious and enterpris- ing people, who, being ambitious to succeed, worked with untiring energy and from year to year increased their prosperity until they became extensive land- owners and were numbered among the influential and substantial farmers of the county. Thomas McConnell was well known as a breeder of fine stock and par- ticularly of sheep. His sturdy qualities of character enabled him to wield a strong influence for good in the community. He departed this life in March, 1876, his wife surviving him thirty years, her death occurring in August, 1906. In their family were two sons and three daughters, namely: George C .; Thomas M., who served during the Civil war in Company B., One Hundred and Seventy- eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and lost his life in the service; Rachel, who be- came the wife of Cromwell Marsh, residing in the state of Washington; and Adeline, who is the wife of M. Frink, of this township. The fifth child is
deceased.
GEORGE C. McCONNELL
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In the district schools of the county, George C. McConnell acquired his edu- cation and there enjoyed many happy experiences which his memory still retains, and to which he delights to revert.
He recalls with pleasure the fact that he was one among the boys who were chosen to stand guard at the schoolhouse door for the purpose of keeping out the snakes. While they were of a harmless variety their presence was not wanted by the schoolmaster as they were a means of doing anything but preserv- ing the good behavior of the pupils and in order that the reptiles might be kept within their own territory, it was customary to have the older boys take turns in standing at the doorway to prevent them from entering. He had not long completed his studies when the Civil war broke out, and in 1861, at the first call for volunteers, he enlisted in Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which regiment he served three months. He participated in the first battle of the war which took place at Philippi, West Virginia, and after the engagement he assisted the surgeon of the regiment in the first operation performed upon a wounded Confederate soldier who had been taken prisoner. On the 5th of October, 1862, he reenlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out in June, 1865, as second lieutenant. His regiment participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, and at Decatur, Alabama, in October, 1864, he was struck by a piece of shell and twice by bullets from sharpshooters, both bullets having been fired within a few minutes of each other and striking him almost in the same place, but as the bullets had come from a great distance and had practically lost most of their force they did little damage.
After the war Mr. McConnell engaged in farming and the dairy business in Jackson township, where he remained for five years, his first dwelling house being a log cabin. He then removed to this township December 2, 1885, and located on the farm he now cultivates. In 1894 he took up the grain and elevator business in the village of Sullivan, and for the subsequent five years handled a large trade in hay and grain, at the same time cultivating his farm and attending to his dairy and stock interests. Since the year 1899 he has continued to live on his farm but has withdrawn from active life and does little but superintend his farm work and take care of his financial interests. His farm contains three hundred and twenty-five acres of excellent land, all of which is highly improved and well drained. It is provided with a comfortable home, substantial barns and outbuildings, with every rod of fencing in excellent repair, and in fact the premises are equipped with every convenience with which to make his farm thoroughly modern.
On February 12, 1865, while at home as a recruiting officer, Mr. McConnell was united in marriage to Miss Charlotta Whitcomb, daughter of Horace and Jane (Toms) Whitcomb, her father having been a native of Vermont and her mother of Auburn, New York. Mr. Whitcomb came to Sullivan township in 1835, preceding his wife by three years, and here he followed general farming and stock raising until his death, in June, 1886. His wife departed this life March 19, 1905. To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have been born five children, namely : Thomas H., deceased; Horace E., of Milford Center, this state; Curtis M., of
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Woodstock, Ohio; Morris W., of Detroit, Michigan ; and Addie May, who became the wife of Leroy Taylor, the couple residing here.
Mr. McConnell is a democrat and has taken an active part in politics and frequently officiated as delegate to county, district and state conventions. His intelligence and good judgment, together with his knowledge of public affairs, have made him very useful in the community and he has served twelve years as township trustee and for many years as a member of the board of education. He has always been an advocate of public improvements and foremost among those in favor of promoting every movement having for its object better roads
and a better school system. Mr. McConnell is a comrade of Fuller Smith Post, No. 356, G. A. R., of which he has been commander for thirteen years and the organization has made him a delegate to almost every state and national encamp- ment. Amid all his business affairs and various experiences he has always found time to perform his religious obligations and attends divine services at the Congregational church, of which he and his family are members and liberal supporters. He is very fond of travel in which he finds entertainment and recreation and has ample means with which to gratify his longings. Mr. McConnell is one of the most highly respected men of the community and a man whose association is both pleasurable and instructive and his home is known throughout the county for both its culture and hospitality.
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