USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
W. H. GATES
595
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
in the courthouse for sixteen years and throughout that entire period utilized his opportunities to promote his learning and to make his services of value. In 1869 he joined his brother-in-law, B. F. Nelson, in a drug business, which they conducted until 1872, and in August of the latter year Mr. Gates joined Mr. Nelson in a newspaper enterprise, with which they continued until 1879, Mr. Gates thus becoming one of the publishers and editors of the Ashland Press. In the latter year, however, he sold out to W. T. Alberson and W. G. Heltman and in 1882 went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he occupied a clerical position in the office of the supreme lodge of the Knights of Honor, a beneficial insurance organization. He resided in Louisville until 1884, when the offices of the order were removed to St. Louis and Mr. Gates went to that city and continued as "auditor of assessment accounts" until September, 1891, when he returned to Ashland. In January, 1892, he bought a third interest in the Ashland Press, becoming a partner of W. T. Alberson, who owned the remaining two-thirds. On the 1st of January, 1895, he purchased Mr. Alberson's interest and became sole owner of the property and of the paper which is conducted under the name of the Ashland Press Company, all of the stock being now owned by members of his family. Mr. Gates still continues in this business and keeps abreast with modern journalism in the conduct of the paper.
In Ashland on the 13th of October, 1875, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gates and Miss Anna M. Baird, of this city. They became parents of three children : Howard Baird and Ralph Wick, twins, who were born August 8, 1878; and James Edgar, who was born December 2, 1879. Ralph W. died when only six weeks old. Howard Baird was married in October, 1903, to Miss Eva Shinn of Ashland, and they have two children, Dorthea and William Shinn, who are with their parents in Joplin, Missouri. James Edgar Gates is still at home and is active in connection with the publication of the Ashland Press.
In politics Mr. Gates is a democrat and has been in all of the political contests since 1865 as party worker but not as a seeker for office for himself. He was elected township clerk of Montgomery township in April, 1871, and served for one year, which ended his political career as far as office holding is concerned. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry and is likewise identified with the Mystic Shrine. He joined the Masons in 1867 when twenty-one years of age. Reared in the Lutheran faith he has attended the Presbyterian church since his marriage, his wife being identified therewith.
WILLIAM S. FISHER.
William S. Fisher, who throughout his entire life has manifested an aptitude for successful management of important business affairs, is now the president of the First National Bank of Loudonville and also one of the prosperous merchants of the city. His life record began in Reading, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of July, 1835, his parents being Abraham and Susanna (Schumacher) Fisher, both of whom were natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, where they
596
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
spent their entire lives as farming people. The ancestors of the Fisher family came from Holland and resided in the state of New York for some time but eventually a removal was made to Berks county, Pennsylvania, by William and Sophia Fisher, the parents of Abraham Fisher. They continued residents of that district throughout their remaining days.
The Schumacher family came from Switzerland and is one of the oldest in the state of Pennsylvania, having been established there prior to the Revolution- ary war. Jacob Schumacher, with several companions of German birth, arrived from Cresheim, Germany, on the ship America, August 16, 1682, and were of the party that colonized Germantown, Pennsylvania. Jacob Schumacher was made sheriff of Germantown in 1690. He was identified with the Society of Friends or Quakers and in 1715 the Changton Monthly Meeting issued a certifi- cate recommending Jacob Schumacher, a merchant, and his family to the Philadelphia and his death occurred in 1722. Unto him and his wife Margaret
Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. It was about this time that he removed to were born four children: George, Thomas, Susanna and Jacob. From 1682
to the present time the Shoemaker family has been represented in Pennsylvania, many of the name being prominent in the official life of their various communi- ties and in business affairs. The old stone mansion which was erected in 1768 is still standing. It was built by Henry and Carl Shoemaker, sons of Jacob Shoemaker, Jr., who removed from Germantown to Shoemakersville about 1765. It was in that home that the birth of our subject occurred. Unto the marriage of Abraham Fisher and Susanna Schumacher there were born five children : William S .; Charles, now deceased; Tamson, deceased; and Emma and Margaret, who are residents of Berks county, Pennsylvania.
William S. Fisher continued to make his home at the place of his nativity until 1860, when he came to Loudonville, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and assisted in its cultivation and improvement until 1855, when at the age of twenty years he decided to try his fortunes elsewhere and secured a clerkship in a dry goods store in Berks county. He continued to thus serve until 1860, when he removed to Loudonville and was again employed as a salesman until the spring of 1865, when he purchased a half interest in the store of J. C. Larwill. The relation between them was maintained until the spring of 1880, when the partner- ship was dissolved and Mr. Fisher began business alone, conducting his store with gratifying success for six years. At the end of that time he admitted his
son, W. H. Fisher, to a partnership and in 1909 the business was further reorga- nized on the admission of his son, C. M. Fisher, to the firm. The three are now partners in the enterprise, which is conducted under the style of W. S. Fisher & Sons. They carry a large line of dry goods, carpets, cloaks and wall paper and enjoy a growing and profitable trade. Mr. Fisher owns a good business block, two stories in height and thirty-nine and a half by one hundred and eighty feet. It is built of brick and is one of the substantial business blocks of the city. One-half of the building is now occupied by a hardware store. For forty-four years Mr. Fisher has figured as one of the leading merchants of Loudonville and no other statement need be made concerning his business integrity and his spirit of enterprise, for the fact that he has so long occupied a place in mercantile circles here indicates that his course has been a most com-
597
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
mendable one and that he has kept abreast with modern business methods in all things. Moreover he is equally prominent and honored in financial circles, having since 1903 been the president of the First National Bank of Loudonville, which was organized in that year. He had previously been identified for a number of years with a private bank of this place and at different times has been a stockholder in many enterprises which have not only proven a source of indivi- dual profit but have been factors in the commercial growth and business develop- ment of the community. In 1860 he was interested in the first attempt to develop the oil fields and he was also connected with the Queen Manufacturing Company. He possesses firm determination and undaunted enterprise and these qualities have enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and make steady progress toward the goal of success.
Mr. Fisher was married in the spring of 1868 to Miss Minnie Ullman, who was born in Loudonville and is a daughter of Adam Ullman, represented else- where in this work. They have become the parents of five children: William Howard, who is in partnership with his father ; Emma, the wife of D. H. Graven, cashier of the First National Bank of Loudonville; Susan, the widow of S. D. Yates, a resident of Loudonville; Mary, at home; and Charles Montgomery, who is also associated with his father in business.
In his political views Mr. Fisher has ever been an earnest democrat, support- ing the party since casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He has served as a member of the city council, was a member of the board of education for fifteen years and at one time president of the board. He is a member of Zion's Lutheran church and in his religious belief is found the motive power of his honorable, upright life, making him a man whom to know is to respect and esteem.
JOHN HEICHEL.
John Heichel, now living retired in Jeromeville, was for many years closely associated with agricultural interests in this part of the county. IIe was born April 13, 1836, on a farm in Mohican township about one and one-half miles out of Jeromeville, a son of Michael and Katharine (Albert) Heichel. The father was born either in Germany or Pennsylvania and it is definitely known that his parents were natives of Germany. The mother was born in the Keystone state and they were married in Pennsylvania. In 1833 they removed westward with their four children and settled upon a farm now owned by John Heichel, both spending their remaining days upon that place. Michael Heichel at one time owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, which came into the possession of the subject of this review by purchasing the interest of the other heirs in the property. In the family were eleven children, of whom two, Luther and Philip, died in infancy. The others are Joseph and Susan, both deceased; Michael, who served for three years in Mclaughlin's battalion of cavalry ; Jacob, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mrs. Katharine Austin, deceased; John, of this review; Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mrs. Josephine
598
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Roberts Graham, who was married twice and is now deceased; and Philip, who died at the age of two years.
John Heichel spent his entire life until within a year ago upon the farm where his birth occurred. It comprises one hundred and thirty-eight acres of land on section 15, Mohican township, on the Wooster road, and is a well improved farm property, having upon it fine buildings and all modern equipments. His en- tire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits save for a period which he spent as a soldier in the Civil war. After the outbreak of hostilities he enlisted at the first call for troops, becoming a member of Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for ninety days. He was offered a first lieutenancy but when he arrived at the meeting place he found that his brother had enlisted so that he felt that his duty was to remain at home and care for his aged mother. At one time he was a member of the Grand Army Post, but it disbanded on account of lack of members.
In the year 1864 Mr. Heichel was united in marriage to Miss Maria Hamlet and unto them were born six children: William E., living in Creston, Ohio; Thomas J., a resident of Ashland; Jennie Bell, the wife of G. D. Myers, of Ashland; James Ray, residing in Ashland; Anna May, the twin sister of James and now the wife of H. D. Schroll, living on her father's farm; and Maggie, the wife of C. L. Landis, of Wooster. Two brothers, Thomas and Ray, are in the hardware business in Ashland, while W. E. is in the same business at North Baltimore, Ohio.
Mr. ITeichel belongs to the Christian church, with which he has long been identified, and for many years he has served as one of its elders. His political. allegiance is given to the democracy and his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office. He has served as town- ship treasurer, was one of the township trustees for six years and was appointed on the jury commission for five years. He is now one of the trustees of the Childrens Home in Ashland, having been thus connected therewith since its organization. His life has at all times been an upright, honorable one, his interests centering in the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the community. His influence is always found on the side of justice and right and his life record is one which has gained for him the unqualified regard of his fellowmen.
LEONARD B. RICHARDS.
Leonard B. Richards, a veterinary surgeon, who is known far and wide throughout the state as an expert dehorner of cattle and who for many years has been a resident of Nova, is a native of Orange township, where his birth occurred September 9, 1844. His parents, Wesley and Mary Jane (Ogden) Richards, came from the Keystone state with their parents in the early '30s and settled in Wayne county, where they were united in marriage, shortly after which they went to Orange township, where they remained until 1845, when they removed to Nova. Wesley Richards was a progressive farmer who, when he took up his claims in this section, had to clear away the forests before
599
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
he could get sufficient land upon which to plant his crops. Inspired with the aggressiveness and industry of the pioneers, he overcame all discouragements, let nothing interfere with his progress and finally developed one of the finest and most productive farms in this section of the country. He died January 14, 1875, at the age of fifty-eight years and his wife died November 3, 1893, at the age of seventy-six.
On his father's farm Leonard B. Richards was reared, engaging in the daily routine of agricultural life during the summer months and in the winter attending the district schools, where he acquired his education. After complet- ing his studies, he remained on the farm for a time and then became apprenticed to a carriage-maker with whom he learned the trade, which occupation he fol- lowed as a journeyman in Nova. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade and has ever since been engaged in this business in connection with that of carriage- making. Moreover he is a veterinary surgeon, has a very extensive and successful practice and is regarded as one of the highest authorities upon dis- eases of animals, being particularly well versed upon the ailments of horses. When the question of dehorning cattle was first discussed a veterinary surgeon came from a western city and dehorned a savage animal, the operation proving successful in completely taming the beast and, this incident appearing almost miraculous in the eyes of Mr. Richards, he became deeply interested and subse- quently took up the business, which he has since followed. In course of time the dehorning of cattle was called to the attention of the humane society, the members of which decided the practice to be cruel and Mr. Richards was warned by the officers of that organization to discontinue his operations. How- ever, disregarding the warning, it was necessary to again notify him but he still persisted in his practice, whereupon the society decided to prosecute him at which he was placed under arrest by officer Albert Sheets and after a series of delays the case was finally brought up to trial in the common pleas court at Ashland, where able legal talent was employed on both sides. When the case
was first brought forward the defendant was the object of intense and bitter feeling but as the case progressed and it had been shown that the dehorning process was of benefit to the animals the feeling began to change toward Mr. Richards and after five days had been spent in arguing the question, while seventy-five witnesses, among whom were experts from all over the country, were examined and more than forty witnesses for the prosecution, including scientific and medical experts, the defendant was finally discharged and it fell to the county to pay the costs of the suit which amounted to seven hundred dollars. From that time dehorning cattle became common and Mr. Richards estimates that he himself has performed that operation in the case of more than twenty thousand animals and in this line of business he is acknowledged throughout the state as an expert. A horned animal in the section in which Mr. Richards resides is now very seldom seen. He is a man who has always been fond of horses and, being a special admirer of the animal he always has on hand one of good points for his own use and has done much toward improv- ing the grade of horses and also of cattle throughout the township. He is known everywhere particularly on account of his veterinary experience and skill and is numbered among the township's most substantial citizens.
600
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
In November, 1866, Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Melissa Bell, daughter of John and Marilda (Mead) Bell, of Ripley, Huron county. Her father was a minister of the gospel, a tanner and also an agriculturist, and a man whose influence for good was highly spoken of throughout the county. To this union have been born nine children : Rena Bell, Leonard E. and Josephine, all deceased; Colonel D .; Daisy, now the wife of Samuel Lane, of Chicago, Illinois; Clayton, of Rome, Ohio; Edith; John B., of the village of Ashland; and Loa U., the wife of Edward Damm, of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania.
In politics Mr. Richards gives his allegiance to the republican party, has always been a prominent factor in the affairs of the community and although he has never held public office he has upon many occasions been urged to become a candidate for political honors. He is always in line with any movement pur- posed to better local conditions and, being a man of extraordinary ability he has done much toward developing public interests.
JOHN LUTZ.
John Lutz, who for forty-five years has resided continuously upon his present farm on section 3, Mifflin township, is a representative of that valued class of citizens that Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, has furnished to this district. It was in that county that his birth occurred January 18, 1836, and after spending the first fourteen years of his life there, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. He is a son of John and Sarah (Beemer) Lutz, both natives of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster and Bucks counties respectively. On coming to Ohio they settled in Milton township, Ashland county, where their remaining days were passed, Mr. Lutz giving his time and energies to general farming and thus providing a comfortable living for his wife and children. His death occurred July 7, 1873, at the age of seventy-one years, six months and nine days, while his wife died May 11, 1875, at the age of seventy- five years and eleven days.
Their children were as follows: Samuel, deceased; Elias, who has also passed away; John, of this review; Emanuel, who died while serving in the Union army in the Civil war; Katharine, who is the widow of James Cehner and resides in Butler township. Richland county, Ohio; Sarah, who became the wife of H. L. Hiffner but both are now deceased; Anna Marie, who died in childhood ; IIenry, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Andrew, who passed away in this state when twenty-one years of age.
Coming to Ohio with his parents. Mr. Lutz lived for some time on the old home farm, which was established a mile north of his present home in Milton township. When twenty-four years of age he was married and for a year thereafter lived with his father, after which he spent three years in Weller town- ship, Richland county. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Mifflin township, where he has since resided, making his home on his present
601
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
farm on section 3 since 1864. Year after year he has tilled the soil, cultivated his crops in a most careful manner and the farm today is a valuable tract of land of one hundred and forty-seven acres under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Lutz sold one-half of his farm to his son and both are numbered among the representative agriculturists of the community. The home place is improved with good buildings, the latest machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place indicates the thrift and industry which characterizes the owner.
In was in 1859 that Mr. Lutz was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Keever, who was born in Milton township, on the 27th of June, 1839, and died on the 21st of September, 1905, at the age of sixty-six years. She was a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Baum) Keever, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, although they were married and spent their remaining days in Ashland county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lutz were born three children: Henry, whose place adjoins his father's farm; Amanda, the wife of Henry McQuete, of Blooming Grove township, Richland county; and Alice, who is the wife of Ed Sheller and lives with her father, Mr. Sheller operating the farm.
In his political views Mr. Lutz is a republican but while he believes in the principles of the party the honors and emoluments of office have had no attrac- tion for him. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Lutheran church at Mifflin. He has now reached the age of seventy-three years and his life has ever been an honorable and upright one, gaining for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated, He has lived quietly, never seeking notoriety of any kind, but his genuine worth has given him a firm hold upon the affections of those with whom he has come in contact.
I. LEROY MILLER.
I. Leroy Miller, secretary of the Faultless Rubber Company, is a young man of business enterprise whose well directed labors are carrying him into important relations with the commercial interests and development of his adopted city. He was born in Manchester, Summit county, Ohio, March 19, 1875, and is a son of Henry H. and Mary J. (Baxter) Miller. The father was a native of Summit county, Ohio, while the mother came to this state with her parents from the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the family home being established, following their arrival in Ohio, at Marshallville, Wayne county. They afterward removed to Canal Fulton, Stark county, where Mary Baxter was living at the time of her marriage to Henry H. Miller. The father was a painter by trade, carrying on business along that line throughout his entire life save for the period of his service in the Civil war when, in response to the country's call for troops, he offered his services to the government. He joined the army for three years, participated in a number of important engagements and was wounded in the battle near Stone Run, carrying the bullet in his leg to his grave. He died in 1894 when fifty-eight years of age. His wife still survives and now makes her home in Manchester, Ohio.
602
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
No event of especial importance occurred to vary the routine of life for I. Leroy Miller in his boyhood and youth which was largely devoted to the ac- quirement of an education in the public schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the jeweler's trade with the firm of Frank & Laubach at Akron. A year later the firm made an assignment and Mr. Miller returned home. He then continued his studies, attending school for two years more when he took up the profession of teaching and for six years was identified with educational work. In 1900, however, he reentered the commercial field, becoming associated with T. W. Miller in the undertaker's supply business, while later he continued his associations with T. W. Miller in the Faultless Manufacturing Company. In March, 1907, the general offices of the company were removed to Ashland and on the 1st of April, following, I. Leroy Miller came to this city and on July 1, 1907, was elected secretary of the company, in which capacity he is now serving, proving a capable officer in the control of the important and growing interests of the house.
In March, 1899, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Nellie E. Grove of Summit county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Alvira (Grubb) Grove. The father was one of the well known farmers of Summit county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children, Vernon Leroy and Richard Grove. Mr. Miller is liberal in his political views but is in sympathy with the independ- ent movement of the times toward clean politics and honor in office. He is a member of the Dutch Reform church and occupies a position as one of the rep- resentative business men in Ashland, enjoying the respect and good will of the public throughout the years of his residence in this city.
W. E. PAULLIN.
A history of Lake township would be incomplete without extended mention of W. E. Paullin, a large farm owner and influential citizen of the community in which he resides. Although devoting his time and energies principally to agricultural pursuits, he has yet found time to participate in other lines of activity and has become a prominent figure in the business and political circles of this township. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred March 22, 1853, at Lake Fork, Mohican township, Ashland county. The Paullin family was founded in this country by the great-grandfather of our subject who, on leaving Holland, established his home in Pennsylvania, where Isaac Paullin, his son, was born and reared. The latter married Elizabeth Hepler, also a native of Pennsylvania, and about the year 1823 removed with his family to Ohio, settling near Hayes- ville, Ashland county, where he engaged in business as a shoemaker and gunsmith. Prior to his removal westward he gave valuable aid to his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. His remaining days were passed in this county, his death occurring when he had reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years, while his wife passed away when seventy years of age. Their family consisted of the following children: William; Samuel; John ; Daniel ; Zedekiah; Isaac ; Peter ; and Mrs. Elmyra Fry. Zedekiah, the father of W. E. Paullin, was born
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.