History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 109

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

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 109

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Resuming practice in Ft. Wayne, he re- mained there until 1871 and then engaged in special practice in Cincinnati for a short time. In June, 1871, he located in Bucyrus, which place was his home and the scene of his professional activities until his death. Just previous to that final event he had been appointed a member of the county board of pension examiners. He was a member of Keller Post, G. A. R., had served as presiding officer of the Board of Health in past years; held membership and office in the Crawford County Medical Society and in the Royal Arcanum. He also held membership in Summit City Lodge No. 170 A. F. & A. M. of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and in Bucyrus Chapter, No. 160, R. A. M., and was Past Worthy Patron of Bucyrus Chap- ter No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star.

Dr. Fitzsimmons was married Jan. I, 1872, to Miss Ella Ryan, an adopted daugh- ter of G. L. Saulsbury, a prominent busi- ness man of Bucyrus, well known through- out the county. Mr. Saulsbury was a native of the State of New York and married there Nancy R. Dedrick. He and his wife spent their lives subsequently in Michigan and Ohio, both dying in Toledo, this State, as also their children. Mrs. Fitzsimmons was born in Ireland and in 1861 came to Bucy- rus, where she was educated and has since resided. Her father, Michael Ryan, mar- ried there Mary Cantwell, who was born in Clonmell, the walled town in Tipperary county and the scene of many early battles.

She was of French extraction. Michael and Mary Ryan had ten children, all but four of whom died in Ireland. The sur- vivors accompanied their parents to Amer- ica, the family settling first in Hartford, Conn., and there the wife and mother died in middle age. Mr. Ryan married a second time and came to Ohio, locating in Marion county, where he and his second wife died, he at the age of about 70 years. They were members of the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Fitzsimmons was the youngest of ten children and is the only one now living. Her children are three in number, namely : Ralph J., a well educated young man, died in 1909 unmarried. Nellie E. graduated from the School of Oratory at Northwest- ern University, Evanston, Ill., later was for eight years societor of the Bucyrus Forum and a city reporter for three years on the now resides in Spokane, Wash. Myra Les- evening Telegram. She is unmarried and lie is the wife of Walter M. Hubbell, as- sistant secretary of the American Clay Ma- chinery Co., of Bucyrus, O., and has a daughter, Myra Leslie (2d). The family are all members of the Presbyterian church.

Dr. Fitzsimmons' death was very sud- den and was due to heart disease, which had not previously troubled him to any great extent. He was sweeping the ver- anda of his home when he suddenly fell back and in a few moments life was extinct. We cannot sum up his character better than to quote an extract from his obituary notice in a local journal. The writer says: "Dr. Fitzsimmons was a gentleman of the old school, a man or irreproachable character and strong moral uprightness. In char- acter and personality he fulfilled in every particular the requirements of the noblest of professions and his heart was ever in his work. A man of courtly bearing and manner, he was one who justly earned the respect, confidence and veneration of old and young alike. No citizen of Bucyrus was more generally esteemed and more genuinely re- spected than Dr. Fitzsimmons. He was a man of modest tastes, with a distinct lean- ing for home life and for a period of years he has lived busily yet quietly here among

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the friends of his young manhood and of his later years. He has come to the end of the journey. The call, sudden though it was, found him fully prepared, as he had always been at all times, with a clean heart and mind, to meet his maker wherever the summons should call him. He leaves be- hind the record of a clean life worthily lived, than which a better monument to his mem- ory could never be reared."

JOHN C. CRANER, township assessor of Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., and a well known citizen, has been engaged in farming in this section for a number of years, renting land and since 1906 has owned 29 acres which are highly productive. He was born in Crawford county, Nov. 27, 1868, and is a son of Christian and Magda- lena (Shaffer) Craner.

Christian Craner was born in Crawford county and still survives, residing in Polk township, but his wife passed away some years ago and her burial was in Marion county. They had the following children : Malinda, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Sargel; Samuel W .; Francis; Cassie, who is the wife of William McCracken; El- mer J. and John C. Christian Craner has always been a farmer and is well known in the county. He is a member of the Ger- man Methodist church as was his wife.

After his school days, John C. Craner as- sisted his father and then engaged at farm work by the month and continued for about nine years, having considerable experience with all kinds of farm methods. He then rented the farm on which he yet lives and still operates but since 1906 has owned 29 acres.

Mr. Craner was married Dec. 29, 1892, to Miss Margaret Stuckman, a member of one of the well known families of this town- ship, and they have five children: Archie B., Reba, Rollin, Velma and Donald. Mr. Craner and family attend the United Breth- ren church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bucyrus and is one of the active members of the Democratic party in Bucyrus township.

WILLIAM J. SCHWENCK, prosecut- ing attorney of Crawford county, O., and a prominent Democratic politician, has been a member of the Bucyrus bar ever since he entered into legal practice in 1900. He was born in this county, Oct. 18, 1874, and is a son of Hieronymus and Anna M. (Zim- mer) Schwenck, both parents being now de- ceased. The father was a farmer and there were eight children in the family circle.

William J. Schwenck began his education in the public schools and later attended the Ohio Normal University, from which he was graduated in 1898. Subsequent to this he entered the law department of the Ohio State University and was graduated from that institution in June, 1900. Dur- ing his vacation he read law in the office of Phil M. Crow at Kenton, O., and shortly after his admission to the bar, in April, 1902, he was elected city solicitor of Bucy- rus, serving until 1906. On Nov. 8, 1910, Mr. Schwenck was elected prosecuting at- torney for the county and, as above stated, has served in this office ever since, his of- ficial record showing that he possesses in high degree those qualities which are essen- tial to the proper performance of its very important duties.

Mr. Schwenck married Miss Ruth France, a daughter of William France, who was born in Pennsylvania. They are members of the Lutheran church, and he is a promi- nent member of the Bucyrus lodge of Eagles.

M. A. WINEMILLER, treasurer and general manager of the Galion Handle & Manufacturing Company, of Galion, O., an important business enterprise of this city, is a thoroughly experienced man in this line, having been connected with manufac- turing industries since boyhood. He was born at Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, O., in 1861, and is a son of Michael and Matilda (Lucas) Winemiller.

Michael Winemiller was born in one of the Rhine provinces, Germany, and was six years of age when his parents brought him to the United States. The family located in Auglaize county, O., in the early thirties,

WILLIAM J. SCHWENCK

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where Michael Winemiller passed the rest of his life, becoming a farmer and black- smith, and dying at the age of 76 years. He was married in the same county to Matilda Lucas, who was born in Kentucky and from there came to Ohio in young womanhood and lived to be 75 years old. Her father, Israel Lucas, died while serving as a soldier in the Civil War. To Michael Winemiller and wife five sons and one daughter were born, all of whom survive and all are well settled in homes of their own.

M. A. Winemiller entered a handle factory after leaving school and worked at Win- chester, Ind., and at Attica and Piqua, O., being foreman of the plant at Piqua and manager at Attica. He was a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Winchester D. Handle Company, manufac- turing D and long handles: Mr. Winemiller was concerned in the establishing of the Galion Handle & Manufacturing Company, at Galion, in 1907, and has been treasurer and general manager ever since. This is an incorporated concern, capitalized at $15,- 000, its officers being: Anton Kahn, presi- dent; Allen Miller, J. S. Winemiller and M. A. Winemiller, with a board of five direc- tors. Employment is given to thirty peo- ple and the output of farm tool handles, about three car loads a month, are sold in England and Germany.

Mr. Winemiller was married at New Bre- men, O., to Miss Julia C. Staas, who was born in Auglaize county, O., of German parentage. They attend the Friends' church. Fraternally, Mr. Winemiller is con- nected with the Odd Fellows at Winchester, Indiana.

JOHN J. KURTZ, one of the progressive and successful farmers and stock dealers of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., owning thoroughbred stock and registered sheep, belongs to one of the old and sub- stantial families of this section. He was born in Whetstone township, Oct. 14, 1870, and is a son of John George and Catherine (Gaibler) Kurtz.

The parents of Mr. Kurtz were born in Germany and for a few years after coming

to the United States, John George Kurtz lived in Pennsylvania and then came on to Crawford county, O., being then II years of age. He followed farming all his active life and was a highly respected man. John George Kurtz was married (first) to Catherine Sherer and they had two chil- dren, Jacob and Samuel, the latter being deceased. He married (second) Catherine Gaibler who was brought to Crawford county by her parents and still survives, making her home with a daughter, Mrs. S. F. Sherer. They had the following chil- dren: Isaac; Benjamin; Mary, wife of Simon F. Sherer; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. C. H. Senn; Laura, who is the wife of C. A. Koppe; and John J. The parents of the above family were members of the German Methodist church.

John J. Kurtz attended the public schools. He has spent his entire life on the home farm, having an interest as an heir to the 200-acre tract, and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Whetstone township. He is one of the leaders in the stock industry and makes a specialty of American Delaine sheep. In addition to farming the home- stead he also manages 80 acres belonging to his wife.

On Dec. 25, 1901, Mr. Kurtz was mar- ried to Miss Matilda Sherer, the only daugh- ter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Haller) Sherer, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Sherer was a prominent man in Whet- stone township and served for many years in public office. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have one son, Harold, who was born June 7, 1903. They attend the German Methodist church. Nominally Mr. Kurtz is a Demo- crat but is somewhat independent in his political tendencies.

WILLIAM M. REID, deceased, was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., Nov. 23, 1834, and died at his home in Bucyrus, O., July 30, 1909. His parents were Rev. George and Mary A. (Foster) Reid.

Rev. George Reid was born in the north of Ireland, Jan. 7, 1812, a son of George Reid. The family came to the United

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States in 1824, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in one of the old sailing vessels that re- quired three months to make a voyage that is now completed in a week. The Reids landed on the coast of Virginia, but moved by degrees farther north, driving their teams on up through New York until they reached Jamestown, where they tarried for a time and then pushed into Ohio. Grand- father George Reid died in Wayne county. For some years the Reids lived at San- dusky and then came to Crawford county, where they secured four sections of Gov- ernment land. They were not only pio- neers but people of purpose and enterprise. Their land was speedily cleared and put under cultivation and while they flailed their first yield of wheat, they were the first to invest in a tread-mill thresher, which was then considered a wonder of agricultural machinery. The Reids brought the first grass mower into the county and were ever ready to test the utility of new inventions. The bricks with which they built their houses they burned and molded on their own farm; they tanned the hides of their own cattle and made leather and also fash- ioned their own shoes, while the women of the family were no less busy and resource- ful. From the flax raised on the farm, mothers and daughters wove linen of amaz- ing softness of texture and the heavy win- ter clothing came also from their busy looms, the wool from their own sheep. Pages might be written of the remarkable accomplishments of both the fathers and mothers of those early days and in consid- ering them, their descendants must give testimony of honor and praise.

While the settlement of a representative family like the Reids was a benefit to the county, it was particularly helpful to Whet- stone township and there it became a prom- inent factor in all affairs. Rev. George Reid was a missionary preacher and paid his own way when necessary, although in every community a pioneer welcome awaited him. He felt a special call to preach to the Indians and established a mission church in Wyandot county, the old structure being a landmark, standing in the midst of an old

Indian burying ground. With the help of his sons he developed a fine farm on which he lived until after the death of his first wife, who was the mother of his five chil- dren : Robert, who was born July 15, 1832, and died in 1860; William M .; Hugh, who was born August 10, 1837, and died in 1844; George, who was born August 30, 1841, and who now resides on his farm in Iowa; and Rachel, who was born April 3, 1843, and died in 1845. After his second mar- riage, Rev. George Reid located at Ada, O., and later, while on a visit, died at the home of his son, William M., at Bucyrus, when aged about 68 years.

William M. Reid was given somewhat. better educational advartages than many country boys of the period enjoyed, his father having him attend the district schools regularly and later sending him to Columbus to take a course in a commercial college. In the early fifties, with his brother, Robert Reid, he came to Bucyrus, where they embarked in the dry goods busi- ness together. Later, William M. Reid, about 1856, went into the general store business under the firm name of Reid, But- terfield & Co. In 1865 he became senior member of the firm of Reid, Kaler & Malic, dealers in grain, seeds and produce, and in this line continued and became a prosper- ous merchant. From early manhood he was a Republican and at different times was elected to public office and once was mayor of Bucyrus. In all his enterprises and con- nections he was honest, reliable and de- pendable and no man was held in higher esteem by his fellow citizens. He never identified himself with many fraternal or- ganizations but became interested in the Knights of Honor and was a charter mem- ber of this order at Bucyrus and belonged also to the Royal Arcanum. He united early with the Presbyterian church, in which he long served as an elder, and for twenty-one years was superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Mr. Reid was married (first) December 31, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Modewell, who was born in Crawford county, August 10, 1863, and died when aged 25 years, five

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months and nine days. Her parents were Adam and Susan (Kelley) Modewell, who were leading people of Bucyrus at that time. Mrs. Reid was survived by one daughter, Anna M., who is a teacher in Honolulu. Mr. Reid's second marriage took place at Bucyrus, August 16, 1864, to Miss Emily McCracken, who was born at Sulphur Springs, Crawford county, in 1844, a daughter of John and Sarah Marian (David) McCracken. The father was born in Wayne county, O., of Scotch-Irish pa- rentage. He came to Bucyrus and here met and married, his wife having been a school teacher here before any school-house was built, having her classes in a part of her uncle's store. Afterward Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Cracken moved to Sulphur Springs and she died there at the age of 41 years. Mr. Mc- Cracken married (second) Mrs. Huldah (Kent) Mccullough, and two children were born: Genetta, who is the widow of Robert Colmary and the mother of two children; and Jay, who died at Fort Wayne, Ind., sur- vived by his widow. To the first marriage of Mr. McCracken the following children were born: Rachel, who died in infancy ; Margaret, now deceased, who was the wife of David Lewis, also deceased; and Mrs. Reid. John McCracken died at Bucyrus, when more than 60 years of age.

To Mr. and Mrs. Reid the following chil- dren were born: Edward George, Mar- garet, Lathrop Tracy, William Thane, Charles Talmadge, Robert Scott, Susan Mariman, Lois Emily and James McCrack- en. Edward George Reid was born May 19, 1867, and was educated at Bucyrus. He succeeded his father in business and is a representative citizen of Bucyrus. On April 26, 1898, he enlisted for service in the war with Spain, becoming sergeant-major in the 8th O. Vol. Inf., the other officers being, Capt. M. A. Charlton, Lieut .- Col. (now Senator) Dick, Col. C. V. Hard, of Woos- ter, O., and Maj. Edward Follrath, of Bucyrus, O. While with his regiment at Santiago, Cuba, he was prostrated with the yellow fever and he was sent to a hosptial, where, through the efficiency of Miss Anna Wheeler, the noble daughter of General

Wheeler, who was giving her services as a nurse, he recovered his health. He was honorably discharged with his regiment in November, 1898, and resumed business, dealing in grain, hay, seeds and building materials as before the war. He is past commander of Charles Thoman Camp Spanish American War Veterans and is identified with a number of fraternal organ- izations. Politically he is a Republican and is serving as a member of the school, public parks and library boards and the Board of Health. In 1909 he was married to Miss Maude E. McCarrell and they have one daughter, Mary Emily. Margaret Reid was born June 26, 1868, and died July 1, 1870. Lathrop Tracy Reid was born April 26, 1870, and is an engineer on the L. & N. Railroad, resides at Cloverport, Ky., is mar- ried and has seven children. William Thane Reid was born December 4, 1871, and died in promising manhood, in Cali- fornia. Charles Talmadge, who was born November 19, 1873, is a commercial trav- eler with the Hess, Clark Company, resides at Ashland, O., married Virgie Laughbaum and they have two children, Dorothy and Robert. Robert Scott Reid was born July 16, 1876, and is a physician in practice at Ocean Side, Calif., a graduate of the Co- lumbus Medical College in the class of 1897. He married Millie Hoover and they have one daughter, Elizabeth. Susan M. Reid was born July 27, 1879. She is a graduate of Lewis Institute, in the department of Domestic Science, Chicago. She is the wife of J. H. Norton and they live at Riverside, Calif., and have two sons, Richard and John. Lois Emily Reid was born January 30, 1882. She is a trained nurse, a gradu- ate of the Presbyterian Hospital Training School, Chicago. James McCracken Reid was born October 8, 1885, and is a resident of Los Angeles, Calif., where he is connect- ed with the Wells, Fargo Express Com- pany. He married Gertrude Bean. Mrs. Reid and family are all members of the Presbyterian church. She is vice president of the Foreign Missionary Society at Bucyrus.

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HON. LEWIS H. BATTEFELD, who is serving in his second term as a member of the Ohio State Legislature and thereby adding prestige to the city of Bucyrus, of which he has been a resident since 1860, was born at Columbus, O., in 1842, one of a family of four children born to his parents, Lewis and Christina (Biber) Battefeld, the latter of whom was a daughter of Conrad and Christina (Utz) Biber, all of whom were natives of Germany.

At the early age of seven years Lewis H. Battefeld was left an orphan, both of his parents having died of cholera in the epi- demic of 1849. He was reared in the home of his maternal grandfather, in Cranberry township, Crawford county, and attended the country schools. After coming to Bucyrus, in 1860, he learned the trade of saddle and harness making, which he fol- lowed for 14 years, when he became inter- ested in the manufacture of brick and drain tile, in which line he continued for 35 years, building up a large business from a small beginning. There are many men so en- grossed in business that public matters have no interest for them but fortunately not all are so absorbed, there being others who have a wider outlook and more ambition. Among these may be classed Mr. Battefeld. A Democrat from principle from the time of his majority, he soon made his influence felt in Crawford county and eventually be- came a leader of his party. In 1869 he was appointed city marshal of Bucyrus and at the same time was township constable. From 1886 until 1892 he was a trustee of Bucyrus township and in 1895 took up the duties of a member of the board of county commissioners, his election having been ac- complished in the previous year, and three years later was re-elected to this office and for two years he was president of the Coun- ty Commissioners' Association of Ohio. In 1900 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held at Kansas City, from the 13th Congressional District of Ohio, having previously served in the same capacity in other political gatherings in county, state and country, and for a num- ber of years served as chairman of that im-

portant organization, the Democratic county central committee. In 1909 Mr. Battefeld was elected to the legislature and approval of his course as a statesman was shown by his subsequent re-election. He is well known all over the state and his asso- ciates and friends are men of equal promi- nence and reliability.

Mr. Battefeld was married at Bucyrus to Miss Phillipina Krebs, a daughter of Fred- erick A. and Christina (Weibel) Krebs, na- tives of Bavaria, Germany, but at that time residents of Liberty township, Crawford county. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Battefeld: Cordelia S., who died in 1886; and Lewis P The latter is a rail- road and general contractor, doing a large business at Bucyrus. Mr. Battefeld and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is identified with the Odd Fel- lows and the Elks, while Lewis P. Battefeld is a Mason.

CHARLES R. MILLER, one of the leading farmers of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., who numbers with his many substantial possessions, two excellent farms, one of 135 acres and the other of seventy acres, was born in Bucyrus town- ship, Crawford county, Aug. II, 1857, and is a son of Daniel and Maria (Lemon) Miller.

Daniel Miller was born in Seneca county, O., but spent the larger portion of his life in Crawford county, where he was a suc- cessful farmer. He was a quiet, steady, in- dustrious man, a lover of his home and fam- ily and a consistent member of the Luth- eran church. He married Maria Lemon, who was born in the State of New York and in early life accompanied her parents to Seneca county, O., where her death oc- curred and both she and husband rest side by side in Oakwood Cemetery at Bucyrus. She was a devout member of the Baptist church. They had the following children: Hannah Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Abel Dewalt; John D .; Henrietta, who is deceased; and Charles R., Frank E., Cas- sius C. and Lemon S.

Charles R. Miller remained with his

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father on the home farm until he was 21 years of age, in the meanwhile attending school in the winter months, and when he started out for himself was quite well equipped, his knowledge of farming secur- ing him remunerative employment. When the agricultural season was over he en- gaged in teaming and when spring came again resumed farming and through pru- dence and industry has become a man of independent means. He has been an active and useful citizen, giving support to the public schools and exerting his influence for the betterment of his community whenever opportunity has offered.

On Jan. 1, 1879, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Catherine Eichelberger, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Bibler) Eichelber- ger. They were farming people in Craw- ford county, O. Mrs. Miller has two brothers and two sisters: David, Noah, Polly and Betsey. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller the following children were born: Bertha May, who died when aged five months; Clara Irene, who married Curtis Stofer and has one child, Ethel Marie; Orville B., who married Mary Mullencupp, and has one child, Desta Irene; and Earl Roland, who died at the age of thirteen months. Nomi- nally Mr. Miller is a Republican but in some campaigns he is inclined to be independent, casting his vote rather for man than party. He has served as township constable and several times as supervisor and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens very generally.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 109

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