USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 63
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Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Leech, who was born in Mohican township, July 12, 1840, a daughter of Gilbert and Elizabeth (Shearer) Leech, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf was celebrated on the 28th of November, 1867, and for more than forty years they traveled life's journey happily together but were separated in the death of the wife on the 4th of October, 1908. Three children had been born
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unto them: Mary Gertrude, who was born September 1, 1870, and died in November, 1890; Elza L., who was born May 24, 1876, and operates the home farm of his father ; and Zora, who was born January 1, 1883, and is the wife of D. L. C. Buchanan of Albion, Ohio, by whom she has one child, George.
Elza Metcalf wedded Dora Obrecht and they have three children, Marie, Florence and LaClair. The family is one of the prominent and widely known in the county and Mr. Metcalf is one of the foremost representatives of agricul- tural life in this portion of the state. He has not reached his present prosperity by leaps and bounds, but through that steady progress which ultimately reaches the objective point. He early learned to correctly value his own capacities and powers and to judge discriminately all those things which make up life's con- tacts and experiences. In all of his business affairs he has manifested sound judgment, knowing when and where and how he should exercise his energies, and as the years have gone by his success has come as the merited reward of earnest, honest labor.
WILLIAM ATEN.
William Aten, who throughout his active business career has been identified with the agricultural interests of Montgomery township, was born on the farm where he still resides, his natal day being August 24, 1836. His father, John Aten, was a native of New Jersey, where his birth occurred October 1, 1795. The grandfather had entered three hundred and twenty acres of land in Ashland county, Ohio, which afterward was divided between his three sons, and immedi- ately after his marriage John Aten made his way to this state, taking possession of his portion of the property-one hundred and six acres-about 1825. This farm has ever since remained in the family and is now owned and occupied by
William Aten of this review. John Aten, the father of our subject, was educated in the common schools and always followed agricultural pursuits as a life work, also rearing his sons to the occupation of farming. He assisted in clearing his land of the timber and as the years passed brought the property under a good state of cultivation and improvement. His first home was a little cabin, while subsequently he lived in a log house and afterward erected a frame dwelling. He was a man of unfaltering industry and integrity and his labors proved an important factor in the early development and upbuilding of this county. He helped to lay out the roads and in fact was always found as the champion and supporter of every movement or measure calculated to advance the general welfare. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and in religious faith he was a Presbyterian. On the 5th of February, 1824, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Jeffrey, whose birth occurred in Maryland, January 10, 1803, and the record of their children is as follows: Henry, a resident of Wyandot county, Ohio; John, of Richland county, Ohio; Richard, who makes his home in Wyandot county, this state; William, whose name initiates this review; Aaron, living in Los Angeles, California; and Samuel, of Wyandot county, Ohio.
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William Aten attended the district schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and has always resided in Montgomery township on the farm whereon he was born, having devoted his time and energies to the work of the fields through- out his entire business career. By reason of his energy, industry and close application he has met with a most gratifying and commendable measure of prosperity in his undertakings and is now the owner of three hundred and three acres of rich, productive and arable land in this county. He has added many excellent improvements to the home farm and in 1904 erected a handsome and modern residence, which is attractively located on an elevation and situated within three miles of Ashland. The dwelling is built of lumber taken from Mr. Aten's farm. The success which he now enjoys is entirely attributable to his own well directed labor and enterprise and he is widely recognized as a substantial, respected and representative resident of his native county.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Aten chose Miss Catherine Doty, by whom he has the following children : Joseph M., Eugene E., Minnie J., Myrtle M. and Samuel T. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and in religious belief is a Presbyterian. Throughout his entire life, or for almost three-fourths of a century, he has been a resident of this locality and is a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, the name of Aten having long figured honorably in connection with the agricultural development of this section of the state.
DAVID W. LEIDIGH.
David W. Leidigh is a representative of one of the oldest and best known families of Ashland county. The name has ever stood as a synonym for re- liable and progressive citizenship and the members of the family have on the whole been closely associated with the agricultural development and progress of this part of the state. David W. Leidigh was born November 28, 1860, in Mohican township, on a farm adjoining his present home. His parents were Peter and Rebecca (Snyder) Leidigh. The paternal grandparents were Peter and Eliza- beth (Butt) Leidigh, who were natives of Pennsylvania but spent their last days in Ashland county, whither they came in pioneer times and were identified with the early development of this part of the state. Both had been married pre- viously and had children by the former marriage, Mr. Leidigh having had four children by his first union, while Mrs. Leidigh had seven children. By their marriage there were born four children: Katharine, the wife of John Karnes; Sarah, who became the wife of Zebulon Metcalf; Levi; and Peter. Peter Leidigh was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born January 20, 1824, and when a youth of fourteen years he accompanied his parents to Jeromeville, where they established their home in 1838. He spent his remaining days in Mohican township as a farmer, owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres in the home place, while he also had another farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He won success by untiring diligence and determined purpose
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and was recognized as one of the leading and influential agriculturists of the community. It was on the 25th of November, 1855, that Peter Leidigh, Jr., was married to Rebecca Snyder. She was one of Ashland county's native daughters, her birth having occurred in Green township, May 30, 1834. Her parents were David and Mary (McManus) Snyder. They, too, were among the pioneer residents of this part of the state, sharing in all the hardships and privations incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier. At the time of their arrival they found here a district largely wild and unimproved. The forests stood in their primeval strength and only here and there was the sound of the woodman's axe heard, indicating that the work of development and progress had been begun. The early homes of the settlers were largely log cabins and it was an arduous task to cut away the trees, grub up the stumps and prepare the land for the plow, but with characteristic energy these worthy pioneer people continued their work and the result is seen today in the splendid farms for which Ashland county is justly noted. Peter Leidigh, Jr., devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life and thus provided for his family. He died at the old home in Mohican township, May 2, 1885. He was a member of the Reformed church, in the work of which he took a most active. and helpful part, serving for sometime as one of the elders. His wife also belonged to the Reformed church in Mohican and displayed in her life many traits of Christian character.
David W. Leidigh, their only child, has always resided in the neighborhood in which he now makes his home. He was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the public schools, wherein he acquired his education" and through the vacation periods he worked in the fields. He is now the owner of the old home farm in addition to the farm upon which he now resides. They are adjoining properties, aggregating three hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting the south half of section 30, Mohican township. In 1898 he erected a commodious and pleasant residence containing ten rooms. There are other good buildings upon the place, including a large barn, forty by eighty-six feet. On the old homestead are the buildings which were erected by his father, includ- ing a residence of eight rooms and a barn thirty-six by one hundred feet. Every- thing about the place indicates the careful supervision and practical, progressive methods of the owner, who has kept in touch with the advancement in methods of farming and is now successfully engaged in raising both grain and stock. His whole time is devoted to his farm and his extensive interests are capably managed, bringing to him well merited and gratifying success.
On the 25th of December, 1883, Mr. Leidigh was married to Miss Ella Helbert, who was born in Vermillion township on the 19th of July, 1863, and is a daughter of Henry Helbert, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Two children grace this marriage: Bessie, now the wife of Clarence Arnhold, of Mohican township; and Theron, at home. The parents hold membership in the Reformed church of Mohicanville, of which Mr. Leidigh is an elder. His entire life has been upright and honorable, in consistent harmony with his professions. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction but is always straightforward and honorable
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in his dealings, his record proving that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and loyalty, have called him to local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. His record is in harmony with that of an honored and prominent pioneer family and cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers, for he has an extensive circle of friends in this county.
ADAM ULLMAN.
Adam Ullman is now in the eighty-fifth year of his age, but although he has long since passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten he remains a factor in the business life of Loudonville, although to a large extent he has shifted the burdens of his earlier years to younger shoulders. He is. yet known, however, as a merchant and banker and in matters of business his judgment is sound, his discernment keen. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his powers and opportunities and his life record shows what may be accomplished through persistent and earnest effort by one who is actuated by laudable ambition. No history of Loudonville would be complete without the record of Adam Ullman. He was born in Alsace, Germany, November 26, 1824, his parents being John and Katharine (Herzog) Ullman, who were like- wise natives of the same district. Coming to America when their son Adam was three and a half years of age, they ultimately landed in New York after a voyage of seventy-two days on a sailing vessel. They then proceeded westward to Buffalo, New York, where they spent ten days, and from that point sailed to Cleveland, Ohio. A few days were there passed and then on the canal they con- tinued their journey to Massillon and soon afterward made a location between that city and Canton, where the father purchased twenty acres of land. There were seven German families that had come to the new world at the same time, the heads of these households being Jacob Clouse, George Lewenguth, Michael Derrenbarger, Christman Young, Peter Lambert, John Ullman, and Jacob
Muchler. Most of these men had large families and each secured twenty acres and, according to the old German custom, they erected their bake ovens, so that the locality became known as "Bake Oven," and is so called today. After five years the seven families sold out and came to Loudonville in 1833. The Butler Hotel, a brick building, is the only structure that was here at the time. John Ullman entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government in Washington township, Holmes county, Ohio, about a mile and a quarter south- east of Loudonville. There he built a log cabin and began clearing his land. His persistent labor enabled him soon to cut down the trees, grub up the stumps, and prepare the fields for cultivation and year by year he continued the work of improving his farm. His wife died at Bake Oven and her grave was made in Canton, Ohio. Before coming to Ashland county Mr. Ullman was again married his second union being with Katharine Derrenbarger. Although a
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mason by trade he followed farming during the greater part of his life and was closely associated with the agricultural development of this part of the state. His death occurred in Holmes county, when he was seventy-four years of age. By his first marriage he had five children and by the second marriage there were nine children. Those of the first union were George, now deceased; John, Margaret and Peter, who have also passed away; and Adam.
Adam and Peter Ullman were twins and, as stated, were in their fourth year at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world. Adam Ullman was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life and resided with his father on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Loudonville and established a grocery and saloon, conducting the place alone for six years. At the end of that time he sold out and started for California, in 1852, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. He went only as far as Louisville, Kentucky, however, and then returned. He spent the two suc- ceeding weeks on construction work on the Fort Wayne Railroad, now a part of the Pennsylvania system. At the end of that time he entered the employ of Aaron Yammel, a dry-goods merchant, who was conducting business on the site of the Farmers Bank, of which Mr. Ullman is now one of the chief owners. H remained with Mr. Yammel for two years and then secured a situation in the store of Taylor and Larwill, general merchants, with whom he remained through the ensuing decade. During that time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting the farm adjoining that upon which he was reared and which had formerly been owned by his mother-in-law. In order to make the purchase he wisely saved his earnings and his industry and careful expendi- ture enabled him to make the last payment before he gave up his clerkship. In 1862 he began business on his own account as proprietor of a general store, which he conducted most successfully for twenty years, or until 1882, when he traded this and other property for a six hundred acre farm in Wyandot county, Ohio, valued at forty-five thousand dollars. It was regarded as the finest farm in the county and Mr. Ullman held it for some time, but subsequently disposed of it. He still owns two good farms, however, near Loudonville, and from his real-estate interests derives a substantial and gratifying income. Various business interests have felt the stimulus of his cooperation and have benefitted by his sound judgment. For about ten years he was engaged in the clothing business with Jacob Stitzel and then sold his interest to his son, who still con- tinues in the enterprise under the firm style of Stitzel & Ullman. On the 6th of May, 1882, he and his son, Adam C., established a banking business under the name of the Farmers Bank of Loudonville, of which Mr. Ullman has since been the vice president. From the beginning this has been regarded as one of the reliable moneyed concerns of the county, having back of it gilt edge securities, while the business is conducted along safe and conservative lines. In June, 1903, with other members of the family, he erected the Ullman Hotel, which is an excellent hostelry for a town of this size. In all of his business affairs he has displayed keen sagacity and intelligent appreciation of opportunities. He has utilized all the chances which have come to him for the successful conduct of business affairs and his energy and careful management have brought to him substantial and gratifying prosperity.
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Mr. Ullman made preparation for having a home of his own when twenty- one years of age, through his marriage to Miss Barbara Lambert, a native of Alsace, Germany, her parents being among the seven families that came to the United States in 1828 when the Ullmans crossed the water. For fifty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Ullman traveled life's journey happily together and were then separated by the death of the wife, who was born May 10, 1824, and passed away in 1901. In their family were eight children: Caroline, the deceased wife of Michael Scheff; Margaret, who died at the age of fourteen years; George A., former county treasurer and now a banker and manufacturer of Ashland; Minnie, the wife of W. S. Fisher, a merchant of Loudonville; Adam C., deceased ; Mary, the wife of Frederick Arnholt, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Adolph P., who is the junior member of the firm of Stitzel & Ullman; and Normanda, the deceased wife of Herbert Bean.
In his political views Mr. Ullman has always been a democrat, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party and its principles. He has filled the offices of township treasurer, township trustee, a member of the village council and also village treasurer, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and for twenty years served as a member of its vestry. For long years he was most active in the church work but is now largely leaving its activities to younger men. Mr. Ullman is now in his eighty- fifth year and is the oldest resident of Loudonville in the years of his connection with the town, and also the oldest business man here. For seventy-six years he has lived in the village, closely associated with all of its interests, and events which are to others matters of history are known to him through personal experience.
JACOB KETTERING.
Jacob Kettering, who is numbered among the successful and enterprising agriculturists of Green township, was born in Knox township, Holmes county, Ohio, April 1, 1841. His parents, Melchor and Christina (Price) Kettering, were both natives of Canton Pirmasens, Germany, the father's birth occurring July 25, 1815, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 10th of January, 1815. They were married in this country and both passed away on the farm on which their son, J. F., now resides, Melchor Kettering dying October 10, 1887, at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 14th of April, 1893, when seventy-eight years of age. The record of their children is as follows: Henry, deceased; Jacob, of this review; Katharine, the wife of John Kaylor, of Wisconsin; Adam, who makes his home in Loudonville; Lany, the wife of Jacob Wolf, of Viola, Kansas ; Elizabeth, the wife of Jonas Etzwiler, of Green township; John, who died in early life; and J. F., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.
Jacob Kettering was reared on the old homestead place in Holmes county, remaining under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and came to his present farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres on
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sections 23 and 26, Green township, situated two and a half miles northwest of Loudonville. In addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in stock raising and his indefatigable energy and untiring industry have brought him a well deserved measure of success in his undertakings.
On the 7th of April, 1864, Mr. Kettering was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha Hunter, whose birth occurred in Green township, Ashland county June 22, 1845, her parents being David and Katharine (Scholes) Hunter. A sketch of the father, who was a son of William and Jane (Steel) Hunter, Is given on another page of this work. The mother of Mrs. Kettering, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, was brought to this county by her parents, Joshua and Harriett Scholes, in her childhood days. Unto David and Katharine (Scholes) Hunter were born twelve children, of whom three died in infancy and one in childhood, and Mrs. Kettering is now the only surviving member of the family. By her marriage she has become the mother of the following children. David
W., is at home. Emma J. is the wife of Earl Culler, of Ashland, Ohio. Adam
wedded Miss Cora Brenschule and resides in Ashland. Charles F., a graduate of the Ohio State University, is an electrician and inventor of considerable ability, commanding an excellent salary as an employe of the National Cash Register Company. He was united in marriage to Miss Olive Williams, by whom he has one son, Eugene Williams, and makes his home in Dayton. Daisy, the wife of Charles F. Hyde, of Cleveland, has one child, Frances.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Kettering has given his political allegiance to the democracy and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public honor and trust. He served as township trustee for five years, as county commissioner for six years, has likewise been a member of the township board of education and acted as jury commissioner for two terms. He is a faithful and consistent member of the Evangelical church of Loudonville and has an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the county who esteem him for his genuine personal worth and good traits of heart and mind.
WILLIAM D. OTTER.
The Otter family since the year 1867 has been influentially connected with the progress of Ashland, and its members have been among those who have con- tributed largely to its present development and assisted in bringing about those changes which have given the city prominence in business and financial circles. Perhaps no citizen within its confines is more aggressive in his aspirations to see the city attain to greatness in all departments of enterprise than William D. Otter, and the energetic part which he takes in promoting and originating move- ments for its betterment is recognized throughout the vicinity. He holds a high place in commercial circles as proprietor of the Hotel Otter, which is the leading establishment of the kind in the city, being very popular and widely known throughout the state, its patronage being generally confined to the highest class, its service having won the establishment a reputation which is equal to
W. D. OTTER
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
any and surpassed by none within a wide radius. He was born here February 27, 1863, a son of Frederick William and Catherine (Micheal) Otter. His father, a native of Colburg, Prussia, born in 1834, came to the United States in 1861 and upon arriving in this country plied his trade as a locksmith and also followed that line on coming to this city, where he later purchased a brewery which he operated until he repaired to Wooster, where he, also bought out a brewery which he ran for four years. At the expiration of that period he returned to this city and engaged in the saloon and restaurant business, in which he continued until he departed this life, January 19, 1874. A democrat politically, he was a stanch supporter of the principles of his party and always loyal to its candidates. Mrs. Catherine Otter, a native of Alsace, Germany, born February 26, 1823, was first united in marriage to John Herbrand and immediately after her marriage she removed to the United States with her husband, landing in New York city. where they remained for a time and then removed to Buffalo, from which place after a brief period they repaired by boat to Cleveland, and thence by wagon to this city, where her husband departed this life in 1861. To them were born eight children : John Sidney O .; Charley deceased; Jacob, deceased; Frank and Paul, twins, the former residing in Mansfield, Ohio, the latter being deceased; Anna, deceased; Clara, deceased; and Delia, who is single and resides at home. Mrs. Herbrand later was united in marriage to Frederick William Otter, by whom she had one son, William D. Mrs. Otter has been identified with the restaurant business here since the year 1867, and still survives at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
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