History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 106

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

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then moved into Champaign county, where he died in 1902, after passing his 91st birth- day, having been born in 1811, of Swiss- German parentage. The mother of Mrs. McFarland died in middle age. Both par- ents were members of the German Re- formed church. At the time of death, Mr. Baker was one of the oldest Democrats in Champaign county and was a well known man.

Forest R. McFarland is an only child and he was carefully reared by good parents and taught to be thoughtful for others and to be kind and courteous in his demeanor, and these habits have not been detrimental to his advancement in business or social life. After graduating from the local High School he spent one term in the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, O., and after- ward taught school until he received his ap- pointment to his present position, as men- tioned above.

In 1900 Mr. McFarland was married at Bucyrus to Miss Caroline Albright, who was born and reared here and in 1898 grad- uated from the Bucyrus High School, after which, until her marriage, she was a teach- er. She is a daughter of George W. and Jemima (Scott) Albright, prominent fam- ilies in Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have three children: Martha Marguerite, who was born May 13, 1902; Isabelle Jemima, who was born January 6, 1906; and Agnes Georgiana, who was born August 8, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is an official in the same and in the Sunday school.

OSCAR K. SHARROCK, a contractor and prosperous citizen of Bucyrus, O., was born in a log hut near Iberia, Morrow county, O., September 6, 1849. His par- ents were Joseph and Mary (Woodside) Sharrock, and he is a great grandson of James Sharrock, who came to this country as a captain in the English army during the early years of the Revolutionary period, probably about 1776 or 1777. While in charge of a party succoring the wounded on a field of action, after the battle, he as-

sisted a wounded American soldier, whom he recognized as an old schoolmate. Their acquaintance was renewed, they talked about the war and the causes of difference between the colonies and the mother coun- try and Captain Sharrock finally became convinced that the cause of the colonies was a just one. He accordingly took an early opportunity of terminating his rela- tions with the English army and, with some others, joined the Americans, serving under Washington and Lafayette against his former comrades. The principal scene of his military activities, while in the Amer- ican army, was in New York State and he was engaged chiefly in patrolling the de- batable ground between the advanced posts of the two armies, which was overrun and ravaged at frequent intervals by marauders of semi-military character from both sides. While engaged in these duties, he met and married Constance Williams, who was a sister of David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre. They resided in New York State but later, after the war, settled in New York City, where Capt. Sharrock acquired a quarter section of land in the heart of the city, in the vicinity of Wall Street. Here they both died when well ad- vanced in years. They had a large family consisting of eleven sons and one daughter. Ten of the sons were sea captains, the ex- ception being Benjamin, grandfather of the direct subject of this sketch, who was the second in order of birth.

Benjamin Sharrock, above referred to, was born probably before the close of the Revolutionary War in a log cabin in New York State. He contributed to the military record of the family, serving under Jackson at New Orleans in the War of 1812-15. At its close he returned home to New York State, but soon after, and before his mar- riage, removed to Ohio, settling in Guern- sey county. Here he married a Quakeress by the name of Cotwell, of Quaker City in that county. This act seems to have been displeasing to his parents, as we are told that he was disinherited because of it. His father James had previously forfeited valu- able property in England on account of his desertion of the Royal cause, which fact

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does not seem to have made him act gen- erously towards 'his son. However, the latter exercised his right to select his own wife, perhaps reflecting philosophically that "true love never does run smooth." Ben- jamin was a farmer by regular occupation and also a preacher, being known as Rev. Benjamin Sharrock. In 1821 he came with certain others to Crawford county, where he had a very large tract of land, a part of it being secured from the Government and State for services as a surveyor, he having laid out some of the earliest roads in north- ern Ohio. His last years were spent quietly near Iberia, Morrow county, where he was a prominent citizen, being also widely known throughout this section. He had made a careful study of Indian life and na- ture, and was respected by the Indians, whom he had always treated justly. He died November 16, 1879, at the remarkable age of 104 years and was buried at Iberia, in Morrow county. Shortly before his death he walked from near Iberia to four miles west of Bucyrus. The stone that marks his grave is a mill stone that he cut in 1820 for the mill he owned at Rockford, this county, and which was a famous old time grist-mill. Benjamin Sharrock was a remarkable man in more than one respect. He never used intoxicating liquors, though their use was almost universal during his earlier years, and though he attained so great an age, he never used glasses to aid his sight; moreover at the time of his death he still retained all his teeth, these last two facts, together with his age, indicating a wonderful vitality. His wife, who had passed away some vears before him, was the daughter of a pioneer settler of this part of Ohio, who also was familiar with Indian life and customs and who was a well known citizen.

Rev. Benjamin Sharrock and wife were the parents of quite a large family, of whom Joseph, father of our subject, was the second born. The latter first saw the light in Guernsey county, O., November 4, 1814. When two years old he accompanied his parents to the vicinity of Sandusky, where they remained for a while. He was mar- ried in Morrow county to Mary Woodside,

who was born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1818. This marriage took place several years before the Sharrocks located in Craw- ford county. Joseph and his wife became the owners of a fine farm in Bucyrus town- ship, consisting of nearly 300 acres of good land. Here they spent the rest of their lives, Joseph dying in 1893 and his wife in 1883. They were regular attendants at church, though not members and were quick to support any good work. Joseph Sharrock was a man of musical talent and for a number of years took a leading part in musical entertainments throughout the county. He was a Democrat in politics.

The children of Joseph and Mary Shar- rock were six in number, as follows: (I). Gardner accidentally shot himself April 3, 1874, when 32 years old. (2). Garrett is now a farmer in Crawford county. (3)- Charles died two years ago at his home in Bucyrus, O. (4). Oscar is the direct sub- ject of this article and will be further re- ferred to herein. (5). Benjamin is a resi- dent of Golden City, Mo. (6). James is a resident of Morrow county, Ohio.

Oscar K. Sharrock, whose birth has been already narrated, had some difficulty in ob- taining an adequate education, as his father was opposed to his spending too much time over his books or at school. Without the latter's knowledge, however, and by dint of earnest application, with the friendly as- sistance of a Miss McCracken, he acquired a fairly thorough knowledge of the or- dinary branches of study, so much so that for a time he followed the occupation of teacher. He continued to improve himself educationally, adding to his stores of knowledge and giving particular attention to language and rhetoric, also devoting much thought to public questions. His ability as a speaker and debater became known, and with it there grew up a demand for his services on the lecture platform. In this sphere of intellectual activity he has made a name for himself throughout this section, having lectured on subjects of his- toric interest, two of his most noted lec- tures being on the subjects of Benedict Ar- nold and the Expansion of the United States, on the latter subject he taking the

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affirmative proposition that "It was right for America to expand." On the platform Mr. Sharrock has an agreeable and sym- pathetic voice of commanding volume, and an easy delivery that never tires his audi- tors but holds their attention to the end. As a contractor in the line of his regular business he has been successful and is a thoroughly skilled mechanic and a reliable man of business.

He was married in Liberty township to Miss Cynthia A. McMichael, a daughter of David and Margaret (Anderson) Mc- Michael and a grand-daughter of Daniel and Mary (McDowell) McMichael. Grand- father McMichael was born in Ireland and came to America about 1794, when 16 years of age. His family locating in Westmore- land county, Pa., he there married, his wife, Mary being a native of Scotland. Soon after their marriage they moved to Ohio and settled north of the Sandusky near where Bucyrus is now located. He en- tered 160 acres of land at a point up the river and built a saw and grist mill-one of the first in the county. Of his eight chil- dren, David married Margaret Anderson, daughter of John Anderson, a pioneer in that locality. On his father-in-law's death David McMichael moved to the latter's farm, where he subsequently resided, dying Nov. 3, 1857 and leaving a widow and seven children-Rebecca J., Daniel L., John A., George W., Maria, Cynthia and David-of whom. George W. and Maria removed to Nebraska. Daniel McMichael, Mrs. Shar- rock's grandfather, built the first white man's cabin in Liberty township and was the third settler in the county. Mrs. Shar- rock was well educated and was for a num- ber of years a teacher in the public schools.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock are as follows: (I). Walter Scott, was edu- cated in Crawford county and is a steam en- gineer by occupation. He resides at home with his parents. (2). J. Wayland, who is a clerk in a hardware store in Bucyrus, mar- ried Bessie Souder and has a son, Jack B. (3), Maude Estella, was educated at Ohio Northern University and was employed for some years as a teacher. She is now in Cuba and also travels Southern territory as

representative of the Crescent Mfg. Co. of Seattle, Wash. She is unmarried. (4). Mirian Thorne, a cultivated young woman, educated at Ohio Northern University, is residing at home. (5). Ross C., graduated from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., in the class of 1909 and is a civil en- gineer and assistant surveyor residing in Bucyrus. He married Lurlie Snavely and has a son, Harold C. (6). Mabel B. is the wife of Harry Ehrick, of Bucyrus and has a daughter, Thelma Norine. (7). Ralph Beaumont, who resides at home, is attend- ing high school and will graduate in the class of 1913. It will thus be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock have a promising family who are contributing to the good citizen- ship of the state and upholding the family reputation, of which fact they may well be proud.

S. L. FRENCH, general farmer and well known citizen of Crawford county, O., re- siding on his well improved farm of seventy acres, situated in section II, Cranberry township, belongs to one of the old county families of substantial character. He was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, Jan. 14, 1864, and is a son of John and Eliza- beth Jane French, who reside in Cranberry township, on a farm that adjoins that of their son, on the north.

S. L. French received primary instruc- tion in Cranberry township and afterward attended school at New Washington and was a member of the class of 1883, the first one graduated from the New Washington High School. Afterward he took a course in the Ohio Normal School at Ada, O., and then became a teacher, both in Cranberry and Auburn townships. Mr. French then visited the Northwest and resided at Fort Stellacoom, Wash., and for four years was leader of the orchestra engaged to play at the Insane Asylum. He also played in orchestras in hospitals for the insane in Jacksonville, Ill., Columbus, O., Blackfoot, Idaho, and for three years directed the orchestra at the Toledo, O., State Hospital. After coming back to Crawford county in 1895 he bought property in Cranberry townships, parts of the old Robert Robin-

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son and Curtis farms, improved the same and has here carried on a general agricul- tural line ever since. Mr. French follows progressive methods, keeping himself well informed through attendance and interest in the Grange and other agricultural bodies and agricultural literature, and his success proves that his system is entirely practical and again demonstrates that an educated man often makes the best farmer. The loca- tion of his property gives it excellent drain- age and the Northern Ohio Railroad run- ning through it has proved to be of advan- tage.

At Tacoma, Wash., on Jan. 12, 1893, Mr. French was married to Miss Lena Unkrich, who was born at Fairfield, Ia., a daughter of Henry Unkrich, and they have four chil- dred: Helen, who is a student in the New Washington High School; and Florence, George and Jeanette, all of whom were born in Cranberry townshin. Dail Robison, a young man of 20 years, has lived with the family since he was four years of age. Mr. French and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. French is a Democrat. In some local organi- zations he has been interested to some de- gree and is on the directing board of the Crawford County Fire Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. French are members of Cran- berry Grange No. 1435, also of the Craw- ford County Pomona, the Ohio State and National Grange. Many years ago he joined the Knights of Pythias and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge. Mr. French and family are representative people of this section.

ADAM SHUNK, deceased, was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Bucyrus, O., for many years. He was the founder of one of the large manu- facturing houses here, the plow company which bears his name, and he was also a citizen whose sterling worth could not fail of being appreciated. He was born in Som- erset county, Pa., March 23, 1797, grew to the age of 21 years on his father's farm, developed into a man of great usefulness to his family, community and generation and died October 30, 1892.

As a youth Adam Shunk had no edu- cational opportunities. He dutifully per- formed the labors assigned him on the farm as long as he remained at home, but, when the age of maturity set him free, he de- voted himself to work as a carpenter, having constructed his own tools. He was deft of hand from childhood and it is said of him that a wagon, perfect in all its parts, was made by his boyish fingers, when he was not more than eight years of age. He never served an apprenticeship to any mechanical trade, his aptness in the use of tools being a natural faculty. His work of 21 years, in his native section, compared favorably with that of other carpenters, but this work did not entirely satisfy himself and a part of his time and all his leisure was given to experi- menting. In 1843 he purchased a patent right to manufacture a certain kind of plow. In the following spring he opened his plow plant at Xenia, O., and while engaged there he also conducted a grocery store and for a time he worked at Canal Fulton. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Shunk came to Bucyrus, and with the capital he had at command built a brick shop and started into the manufacture of plows. There are yet business men of Bucyrus who recall the beginning of this enterprise and others who know of its ex- pansion, while the active business men of today point with pride to the Shunk Plow Company as an example of the commercial importance of this city as a successful manu- facturing center. In his day Mr. Shunk made all the different patterns of plows that he manufactured. The business has been developed until not only the Shunk New Model Steel Plow is manufactured but the plant also turns out: the Handy Steel Farm Wagons, steel plows, combination plows, contractors' plows, single shovel plows, potato diggers, steel plow shapes and steel plow beams made to pattern, gas en- gine trucks, steel scraper blades, corn har- vesters and other steel implements.

Mr. Shunk was twice married, first. in 1816, to Miss Mary Banfort, of Somerset county, who died in 1844, and second, in 1845, to Miss Catherine Bauch, of Spring- field, O. Children were born to both unions, the survivors of the second being:

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Francis, Nelson F., Isaac, John Q. and Katie. daughter, Ernestine; Enomah and Harry The Shunk Plow Company is owned and J. G. operated by Nelson F. and John Q. Shunk, Mr. Rexroth was a prominent man in township politics and was frequently elected to office, serving four years as township clerk and fifteen years as constable. He was a valued member and comrade in several fraternal organizations, belonging to the Eagles and the Royal Arcanum. With his family he belonged to the German Re- formed church in Whetstone township and gave it liberal support. the former of whom lives at No. 421 Mans- field Street, and the latter at No. 603 Rens- selaer Street. They are men of business en- terprise and are worthy citizens. Should they claim the honor, they are entitled to membership in that organization, Sons of the American Revolution, their grand- father having served under General Wash- ington. In many ways Adam Shunk was a very remarkable man and his fellow citi- zens of a younger generation remember his wonderful activity in business even into old age. From the age of seventeen years he had been a faithful member until death of the English Lutheran church.

HENRY P. REXROTH, deceased, for many years was a well known citizen and successful farmer in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., where he was born April 4, 1859 and died in December, 1909. His parents were John and Mary Ann (Geb- hart) Rexroth, who were early settlers in this section, locating in Whetstone town- ship when they came from Germany. They had five sons and one daughter, namely: George, J. J., Daniel, Samuel, Henry P. and Mrs. Guinther.

Henry P. Rexroth was reared on his father's farm and obtained a district school education. Farming was his main business through life but he also was a veterinary practitioner. He was able to leave a valu- able farm of 120 acres, well cultivated and well stocked, to his family, and his widow and son continue to operate it, carrying on general farming and raising Duroc Jersey hogs.

In 1882 Mr. Rexroth was married to Miss Margaret Nungesser, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Helfrich) Nun- gesser, and they had children born to them as follows: Bertha, who is the wife of John Eyler, and has four children-Marguerite, Russell, Harry and Glenn; Mary, who is the wife of Emanuel Fauser, and has two children-Miriam and Wilbur; Carrie, who is the wife of Harry Kurtz; Emma, who is the wife of Walter Diebler and has one

JOHN M. DOSTAL, a member of the firm of Dostal Bros., brewers, at Bucyrus, O., was born at Iowa City, Ia., and is one of the representative business men of this city. His parents were John P. and Johanna (Cerny) Dostal.

John P. Dostal was born in Bohemia, in 1840, and died April 17, 1912. When a young man he accompanied his parents to the United States and they all located at Iowa City, Ia. He had his own way to make in the world and the success which re- warded his efforts was remarkable, consid- ering that he had to contend with a strange language, unaccustomed people, little cap- ital and unknown customs. He became a brewer and at Iowa City continued in busi- ness until he accumulated a fortune of $100,000. When laws went into effect that limited his business he moved his plant to Aurora, Ill., in 1882, and continued until he sold out to the Aurora Brewing Company. In 1890 he embarked in the brewing busi- ness at Denver, Colo., and his old plant is now owned by the Neff Bros. Brewing Com- pany. At Iowa City he married Johanna Cerny, who was born also in Bohemia and accompanied her parents when young, to Iowa City, Ia., where she was reared. She is a member of the Roman Catholic church, as was her husband. In politics John P. Dostal was a Democrat. Two sons and four daughters were born to them.

John M. Dostal was educated at the Jesuit College, at Prairie du Chien, Craw- ford county, Wis., and both he and brother, George A. Dostal, learned the brewing busi- ness with their father. The present plant, which occupies six acres at Bucyrus, was

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established many years ago, the Dostal Bros. taking charge in September, 1902, suc- ceeding Frank Dick, who had succeeded the Donenwirths, the builders. The Dostal Bros. have made the business a prosperous one, introducing new methods and install- ing modern machinery. Employment is given to from fifteen to twenty employes and the capacity, which is sold entirely in Ohio, is about 20,000 barrels annually. The firm of Dostal Bros. is made up of John M. and George A. Dostal. The latter is widely known in musical circles and at the present time (1912) is a member of an operatic company touring the country. He early displayed musical talent and three years ago completed his musical studies at Rome. He married Miss Gertrude E. Madden, of Chicago, Il1.

John M. Dostal was married February 14, 1912, at Columbus, O., to Miss Mar- garet McCaffrey, of that city. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is identified with the Elks, the Deutsche Gesellschaft and the Eagles and is a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Elks.

ALVA FRENCH, a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Galion, O., now living retired after many years of agricul- tural life, occupies his comfortable residence . which stands at No. 645, Cherry Street, Galion. He was born at Otsego, N. Y., April 15, 1839, and is a son of Sampson and Betsey (Seward) French.

Sampson French was born in Massachu- setts and his wife in Connecticut, both fam- ilies being old ones in New England. They were married in New York and their home continued to be in Otsego county until 1847, when they came to Ohio and settled in what is now Morrow county, purchasing land in Washington township and there spent their lives, both passing away before the Civil War. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were of the same class of people as the Shermans of Ohio and were friendly with that family and also with the older Garfields. For fourteen years Sampson French was a jus- tice of the peace and was an influential man in many directions. While he lived in New

York he followed his trade of cloth weaver and fuller, to some extent, and owned a woolen mill, while he was also a millwright and owned a saw mill. He was, in fact, one of the well equipped, resourceful men of his time and his useful activity covered many fields. Eight of his children reached matur- ity and all of his six sons and two daughters married and had families of their own. The two survivors are: Alva and Calvin. The latter is a retired railroad man now living at Binghamton, N. Y. He is a veteran of the Civil War, during which he was once a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., an expe- rience which typifies the horrors of war.

Alva French remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the family farm until 1860 when he entered the railroad employ. He enlisted in Co. C, 180th O. Vol. Inf., in September, 1864, and was made color bear- er, under Capt. Moses Abbott, and was hon- orably discharged June 1, 1865, in the mean- while having participated in the battle of Wise's Fork, N. C. After the war he re- sumed railroad work, which he had pre- viously been connected with to some de- gree, and for ten years was with the Big Four and Erie Railways. He then went back to Morrow county and purchased 58 acres of desirable land and devoted himself to its cultivation and improvement until 1912, when he retired and came to Galion.

In 1862, Mr. French was married in Mor- row county to Miss Lydia A. Elder, who was born and educated there. She is a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Noyer) Elder, who were born in Bedford county, Pa., but were married in Ohio and were early settlers in Morrow county, the Elder lands having been secured from the Govern- ment by the grandfather of Mrs. French. This family is one of the best known in Morrow county, a long-lived people, thrifty and virtuous.

Mr. and Mrs. French have three children, one son and two daughters: Chauncy C., who succeeded his father in the manage- ment of the Morrow county estate; Abbie, who is the wife of J. F. Nichols, residing at Galion; and Carrie, who is the wife of Korah Mountz, of Morrow county, and has two children : Ralph and Edith Marie. Mrs.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 106

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302