USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 73
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government. He does not seek nor desire office, however, preferring to give of the Colonial Club, also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Methodist church-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His long residence in Ashland county and his many sterling traits of character have brought to him a wide and favorable acquaintance here and many friends ex- extend to him the hospitality of their homes.
C. L. SMITH.
C. L. Smith, who conducts the largest livery stable in the city of Ashland and is also engaged in the buying and shipping of horses, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 24, 1860. His parents, George and Johanna (Mortz) Smith, were natives of Germany, who, on emigrating to the new world in 1848, took up their abode on a farm in this county. Here the father is still living at the advanced age of seventy-eight years but the mother was called to her final rest on the 26th of April, 1907. Unto this worthy couple were born twelve children, all of whom still survive.
C. L. Smith remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and was then engaged in the operation of a rented farm for three
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years. Subsequently he worked for the Ashland County Agricultural Society at Ashland for a period of six years, at the end of which time he became pro- prietor of a livery, feed and sales stable, which he has since conducted with a gratifying and well merited measure of success, having a first-class line of vehicles of all descriptions. He likewise buys, sells and ships horses of various grades and is numbered among the substantial and representative business men of his native county.
In 1891, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Wortman, a native of Ashland county and a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Keller) Wort- man, whose family numbered six children. The father passed away in September, 1893, but the mother still survives and now makes her home with our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children: Mildred May, whose birth occurred September 9, 1894, and is now attending the high school at Ashland; and Don W., born December 21, 1897.
Politically Mr. Smith is a democrat and has served as alderman for several years. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 85, at Ashland, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also identified. They own a fine resdence on Claremont avenue and are widely and favorably known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives.
ELZA N. FRIDLINE.
Elza N. Fridline, one of the enterprising, progressive and prosperous agri- culturists of Perry township, was born in this township on the 16th of November, 1873, his parents being Ludwick and Elizabeth (Buffmeyer) Fridline. The paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Fridline, came from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, to Ashland county, Ohio, in 1821, the grandfather entering one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry township which still remains in possession of the family. Conrad Fridline devoted his time and energies to farming and stock raising with gratifying results and reared a family of five sons and five daughters, namely : David, who is now deceased ; Ludwick, the father of our subject; Samuel, who served in the Union army during the Civil war and passed away May 26, 1898; Harrison and Jacob, who likewise defended the interests of the government during the Civil war and died from the effects of wounds received at Vicksburg; Polly, who is also deceased; Sarah; Catherine and Susan, who have likewise been called to their final rest; and Lydia, who is the only child of her father's second marriage.
Ludwick Fridline, father of Elza N. Fridline, also followed general farming and stock raising throughout his active business career and became the owner of four hundred and fifteen acres of rich and valuable land, being widely recognized as one of the substantial and influential citizens of his community. His political allegiance was unfalteringly given to the republican party and he was active and helpful in the promotion of all measures calculated to advance the general welfare. He was moreover a man of high character and a great Bible student,
LUDWICK FRIDLINE AND FAMILY
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his life being in harmony with his professions as a member of the United Brethren church, to which his family also belonged. His demise, which occurred on the 1st of March, 1907, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his many sterling traits of character had endeared him to an extensive circle of friends. His children were thirteen in number, namely: Harry; Irvin; Jacob; Sarah, deceased; Mary; Grant; Alvin; Elzora and Emma, who have also passed away ; Elza N., of this review ; Elizabeth, who is likewise deceased ; Clara ; and Alonzo. The mother also yet survives.
Elza N. Fridline spent his youthful days on his father's farm and obtained his education in the country schools. He is now successfully and energetically cultivating one hundred and twenty acres of the old home place in Perry town- ship and in addition to tilling the fields also engages in the raising of stock and likewise grows potatoes, meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity in his undertakings.
On the 21st of October, 1905, Mr. Fridline was united in marriage to Miss Leah McClain, a daughter of Maze and Lydia (Donaldson) McClain, of Ver- million township. They now have one child, Pauline.
Politically Mr. Fridline is a stalwart republican and is active in the local ranks of the party, having served as central committeeman for two years and also as a delegate to county conventions. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the United Brethren church, of which he is a local minister, having supplied many pulpits during the past ten years. He was
president of the Perry Township Sunday School Association for four years and has always been actively and helpfully interested in the Sunday school, now serving as superintendent and also as a class leader. He is likewise president of the board of trustees of his church and has been a frequent delegate to state Sunday school conventions. He belongs to the Washington Grange and is now secretary of the Ashland County Farmers Institute of Jeromeville. Although still a young man he has already won for himself an enviable place in the public regard as a citizen of worth and value, and in this county, where he has spent his entire life, the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
ALONZO FRIDLINE.
The farming interests of Ashland county find a worthy representative in Alonzo Fridline, who is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Perry township, the fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He was born in Perry township, February 19, 1880, a son of Ludwick and Elizabeth (Buffmeyer) Fridline, and extended mention of the family is made in connection with the sketch of Elza N. Fridline, a brother of our subject, which is given on another page of this work.
In the acquirement of an education Alonzo Fridline attended the common schools and since putting aside his textbooks has given his entire time and
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attention to the development and improvement of the old homestead farm, which was entered by his grandfather, Conrad Fridline, in 1821 and has been in posses- sion of the family continuously since. Here he makes his home with his mother and sister Clara. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place indi- cates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner and in the conduct of his general farming interests Mr. Fridline has gained a measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of his native county.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Fridline has given his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the United Brethren church. For almost nine decades the name of Fridline has been prominently and honorably identified with the agricultural development of this county and he whose name introduces this review has ever fully sustained the creditable reputation of his father and grandfather. A young man of social, genial nature, he is popular with a large circle of friends and enjoys the esteem and regard of all with whom he has been associated.
JACOB SMITH.
Jacob Smith, who since 1882 has been connected with the business interests of Loudonville as a grocery merchant, was born four miles southeast of Lou- donville, in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1854. His parents were Michael and Katharine (Peters) Smith, natives of Alsace, Germany, who emi- grated to the new world immediately after their marriage, the father being at that time twenty-one years of age. Both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives on farms within five miles of Loudonville, his demise occurring on a place of two hundred and seventy acres which he owned in Lake township. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, namely : Mary, who is the widow of Valentine Derr and resides near MeZena, Ashland county; Katharine, who is the widow of John Bernhart and makes her home in Loudonville; Caroline, the wife of S. P. Carr, residing near Mansfield, Ohio; John, of Loudonville ; George, deceased; and Jacob, of this review.
When twelve years of age Jacob Smith removed with his brother to Lake township. Ashland county. his parents taking up their abode here two years later. At the age of sixteen years our subject began learning the shoemaker's trade, following the same at Perrysville for four years. On the expiration of that period he located in the village of MeZena. in Lake township, and estab- lished himself in the shoe and harness business. likewise serving as. postmaster there for several years. In his undertakings he met with success and was rec- ognized as the leading business man of the little town. In 1882 he came to Loudonville and purchased his present store, having since conducted an ex- tensive and profitable trade as a grocery merchant. He is likewise a stock- holder in the Farmer's Bank of Loudonville and in the telephone company, being widely recognized as a substantial, progressive and representative citizen of the community.
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In February, 1875, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Emma Long, a native of Lake township, Ashland county, and a daughter of Peter B. and Salome (Kantzer) Long, who were born in Alsace, Germany. They were mar- ried, however, in Ashland county and both passed away on a farm of eighty acres in Lake township which is now in possession of Mr. Smith. They had a family of thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children, as follows: Edward L., a dentist of Loudonville; Nettie S., the wife of Dr. J. M. Hyde, of Walnut Creek, Ohio; and Clyde, at home.
Politically Mr. Smith is a stanch democrat and has been called to serve his fellow townsmen in positions of public trust. He was a member of the council for six years and also served on the board of education for a similar period, the cause of public instruction finding in him a warm friend. Fratern- ally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, which he joined in 1882, and in 1887 he became a charter member in the Knights of the Maccabees. His entire life has been spent in this portion of Ohio and he has made steady pro- gress in the business world, being recognized as a man of strict integrity and worth and one whose success in life has been honorably gained.
GEORGE HARTMAN
George Hartman, a retired agriculturist now residing in Ashland, was born in Milton township; Ashland county, Ohio, on the 14th of July, 1843, his parents being Henry and Barbara (Albart) Hartman, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The father crossed the Atlantic to the United States in the early '30s, taking up his abode in Ashland county, Ohio, where he was married in 1840. Being a tailor by trade, he fol- lowed that occupation for several years in this county and later purchased land here, both he and his wife maintaining their residence in Ashland county until called to their final rest. Unto this worthy couple were born four children, namely : George, of this review; Katherine, the wife of John Stoner, of this county ; Elizabeth, deceased; and II. A., who makes his home in Milton township.
George Hartman supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in Hayesville College and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when he began the operation of a rented farm, being thus engaged for three years. At the end of that time he bought a tract of land of ninety-eight acres on section 23, Milton township, which is still in his possession and on which he successfully and energetically carried on agricultural pursuits for thirty years. When his well directed labor and capable business management had brought him a comfortable competence he determined to retire from the active work of the fields and in 1900 built a hand- some residence at No. 72 Clarmont street in Ashland, where he has since made his home. He also owns a tract of land of five and one-fourth acres within the city limits and is widely recognized as a substantial, enterprising and public- spirited resident of his native county.
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On the 11th of February, 1869, Mr. Hartman was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Wertman, whose birth occurred in Milton township, October 30, 1850, her parents being Solomon and Rebecca (Ohls) Wertman, natives of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Wertman came to this county in 1830, locating in Milton township, where they continued to reside until called to the home beyond, the father passing away in 1895 and the mother in 1904. Their family numbered five children. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, as follows: John F., whose natal day was March 24, 1870, and who is now married and lives in Indiana; Norma J., born April 25, 1871, who is the wife of L. E. Meckling, of Galena, Ohio; Henry E., born March 14, 1873, who is a farmer of Ashland county; and Mina, born July 18, 1875, who is the wife of Joseph Freer, of Richland county, Ohio.
Politically Mr. Hartman is a stanch democrat and has served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years, his decisions being ever strictly fair and im- partial. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Lutheran church of Ashland and are widely and favorably known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives, their genuine personal worth having won for them the kindly regard and esteem of all with whom they have been associated.
GEORGE W. EAGLE.
General farming and stock raising occupies the time and attention of George W. Eagle, who lives on section 22, Mohican township. He has resided in this township continuously since 1870 and is one of the county's native sons, for his birth occurred in Lake township on the 11th of April, 1862. His parents were George W. and Elizabeth ( Austin) Eagle. Both the Eagle and Austin families were of English lineage. "The paternal grandparents were William and Rebecca Eagle, natives of Virginia, who were among the first settlers in this county, establishing their home about two miles below Lake Fork. For some time William Eagle resided in this locality, where he became the owner of two hundred acres of rich land which he brought under a high state of cultivation, converting it into productive fields. Following his death his widow removed
to Illinois, where her last days were passed. Their son, George W. Eagle, was
born in Mohican township in March, 1823. When a young man he spent five years in Indiana, but the greater part of his life has been passed in this county and during most of the time he was a resident of Mohican township. He made general farming his life work, owning and cultivating two hundred and eighty- five acres of land. Ile married Elizabeth Austin, who was born in Plain town- ship, Wayne county, Ohio, in October, 1830, a daughter of John and Susan (Newman) Austin, natives of England and of Mohican township, Ashland county, respectively. Her father came from England with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Austin, and spent his remaining days in Ashland county, Ohio, his remains being interred in the Jeromeville cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Eagle were widely known in this section of the state, their many
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good traits of character winning for them the high regard of all who knew them. Mr. Eagle was a life-long democrat with firm belief in the principles of the party. His religious faith is that of the United Brethren church and in his daily life he closely adhered to its teachings. He passed away August 11, 1893, and is still survived by his widow who now lives among her children. In their family were eleven children: John, whose home is in Mohican township; Charles, also of the same township; Celestia, the wife of John Shutt, of Jackson township; Emma, who died at the age of forty-eight years; Laura, who is the widow of Nelson Cameron and lives in Mohican township; George W .; Edward, deceased ; William, whose home is in Sturgis, Michigan; Elsie, deceased; Mary, the wife of Thomas Heffner, of Mohican township; and one who died in infancy.
George W. Eagle spent his youthful days under the parental roof. He was a lad of eight years at the time of the removal of the family to Mohican township, and with its agricultural development he has since been associated. He re- mained with his parents until his marriage and then began farming for himself on the tract of land which he has since cultivated. Ile has sixty acres on
section 22, constituting a well improved farm with good buildings which are new and substantial. He erected his residence in 1899 and his barn, which is
a bank barn forty-five by sixty-eight feet, in 1903. During the past twenty years in addition to cultivating his own place he has also planted one hundred and thirty acres adjoining which belongs to his mother. Everything about the place presents an attractive appearance, the farm presenting an air of neatness and thrift, owing to the excellent condition in which it is kept by Mr. Eagle. His labors are of a most practical as well as progressive character and as the years have gone by he has won gratifying success in the management of his affairs.
In September, 1883, Mr. Eagle was united in marriage to Miss Katie Pearce, who was born in Mohican township on the 11th of July, 1864, and is a daughter of Leander and Katie (Wolf) Pearce, both of whom are natives of this county. Their family numbers nine children: Floyd; Alla, the wife of E. F. Kelbey, of Marshville, Wayne county, Ohio; Clyde, who for the past two years has lived in Oklahoma; Gladys; Fern; Chloe; Bryan; Adair; and Ray. Mr. Eagle has always stood loyally in support of the interests which are for the welfare of the community and his influence and support are factors in promoting general progress and improvement. Ilis long residence in the county and his upright life has gained for him the good will and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact and he is one of the native sons and representative citizens of Ashland county who well deserves mention in this volume.
MARTIN W. CLARK.
Martin W. Clark, well known as an extensive and successful dealer in live stock in Ashland, was born in Pennsylvania, August 14, 1841, and was the third in a family of six children whose parents were Jesse and ITattie (Shirk) Clark, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, the former born in 1809 and the latter in 1812. The father made farming his life work,
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carrying on general agricultural pursuits in the Keystone state until 1870, and though in later years he met with success, he faced many hardships and pri- vations in early life. His parents died during his childhood when he was too young to know anything of them, and was bound out to a farmer. At the age of fifteen he started out in life on his own account, having in the meantime had but meager educational privileges. He possessed courage and determination, however, combined with willingness to work, and as the years passed he met with substantial success, his business dealings being at all times characterized by undaunted enterprise and unfaltering business integrity. In the year 1870 he left Pennsylvania and came to Ashland county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm of ninety-five aeres, upon which he spent his remaining days. His at- tention was largely given to live-stock interests and he was one of the best judges of draft horses in this section of the state at that day. He dealt exten- sively in horses, always having some for sale when a prospective purchaser called. He never engaged in raising stock but bought and sold continuously and in addition to dealing largely in horses he also bought, fed and sold many cattle annually. While this constituted the principle feature of his business, he also gave considerable attention to the raising of the cereals best adapted to soil and elimate. Ile became recognized as one of the enterprising and reliable business men of his community and the most envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily was it won and so well used. He died in the year 1891 while his wife passed away in 1897. Their children were: David S., who was born May 14, 1836, and died October 30, 1876; Mrs. Fannie Esbenshade, who was born September 2, 1839; Martin W., of this review; Peter S., born April 17, 1844; Mrs. Susanna Snavely, born May 2, 1846; and John S., born May 20, 1853. The parents held to the faith of the Mennonite church and Mr. Clark gave his early political support to the whig party.
Martin W. Clark was reared on the old home farm in Pennsylvania and pursued his education in the public schools. Ile was a young man of twenty years when. in response to the country's call. he enlisted in an Ohio regiment. lle did this contrary to his mother's wish, however, and as he had not yet attained his majority his father secured his release and brought him home, after he had been with the army for three weeks. Not long after he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account, and for ten years engaged in general farming. since which time he has largely concentrated his energies upon the business of dealing in stock. He keeps cattle, sheep and hogs, and has dealt in these continously to the present time. being now in partnership with his brother. John S. Clark. They ship on an average of two carloads of stock each week. principally to Pittsburg and the New Jersey markets. Like his father, Mr. Clark has a wide reputation as an excellent judge of stock in the district over which he buys. He does all the buying and shipping for the firm and his judicious investments are an element in their success.
On the 6th of November. 1863. Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Jemima W. Hess. a daughter of Christian and Charity (Plank) Hess. Their children are Mrs. Elnora Miller. Jesse. David E .. Mrs. Elizabeth Grindell, Mrs. Jennie Nelson. Ira W. and Floyd HI. They also have nine grandchildren.
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They have provided their children with good educational advantages, most of them having been students of the Ashland high school.
In politics Mr. Clark is a stalwart republican. He has served as township trustee for two terms and in 1876 was a candidate for county sheriff, but as Ashland is a strong democratic county, he met with defeat, although he ran far ahead of the ticket, a fact which indicated his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him. He served on the federal jury of the United States, which met in Cleveland, on the Lake Front case, being on duty there for seven weeks, during which time two of the jurors died while the remaining ten finished the work. Mr. Clark has ever been a warm friend of the cause of education and has served as clerk of the school board. He is interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the community. His life has been an active and useful one, crowned with success and with the regard of his fellowmen.
JOHN F. MANG.
John F. Mang, the owner of a well improved farm of seventy-nine acres on section 5, Green township, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on the 20th of September, 1857, his parents being Henry and Hedwig (Kilaver) Mang, both of whom were natives of Germany but were married in Mansfield. There the father resided until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, first serving as a musician. Ile returned home on a furlough and then again went to the front in defense of the Union and was killed in battle, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. By trade he was a blacksmith. Unto him and his wife were born four children, namely : John F., of this review; Maggie, the wife of Sam Mock, of Wood county, Ohio; Lizzie, the deceased wife of Leslie Cribbs; and a son who died in infancy. Sub- sequent to the death of her first husband Mrs. Mang was again married, her second union being with Frank Myers, by whom she had two children : Katie, the wife of Curtis Shambaugh, of Mansfield; and Lena, the wife of McClure Jones, of Richland county. Mrs. Myers passed away when her son, John F., was about fourteen years of age, her demise occurring in Mansfield.
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