History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 111

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 111

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J. LEW GUGLER, who is prominent in the commercial life of Galion, O., and pro- prietor of one of the largest mercantile es-

tablishments in Crawford county and iden- tified with numerous other successful busi- ness enterprises of this section belongs to that large number of prosperous business men who can claim this city as their native place. He was born in a log cabin in 1864 that still stands on North Union street, and is a son of Louis and Louisa (Hessenauer) Gugler.

The parents of Mr. Gugler were born, reared and married near Heidelberg, Ger- many, and came to the United States in 1848, on a sailing vessel that required 70 days to make the passage but nevertheless safely landed its voyagers in the harbor of New York. From there Louis Gugler and wife made their way to Galion, O., where Mr. Gugler engaged in work at his trade, that of cooper, for 40 years, and his indus- try would have been rewarded by a com- fortable competency had not his faith in some friends induced him to endorse notes which he subsequently had to meet. His death occurred when he was aged about 67 years. His widow survived until 1904, she being aged 73 years. They assisted in · founding the German Methodist Episcopal church at Galion, Mr. Gugler being an of- ficial for a long period.

J. Lew Gugler was educated in the Galion schools and at one time had as his tutor Jacob Menser, a well known character. When fourteen years of age the youth com- menced his business career and it was with the fixed purpose of sometime being at the head of a mercantile establishment of his own, starting in the dry goods store of D. W. Swaner. His ambition has been real- ized, although many years of work and fi- delity to employers went before and he has had many handicaps at one time or another. He spent ten years of service in dry goods stores in Mansfield, O. His determination and energy enabled him to overcome all difficulties and at length, in 1893, he em- barked in business with a partner, under the firm style of Gugler & Davis, which was continued until 1903, when Mr. Gugler be- came sole proprietor. He has a fine loca- tion with an 180-foot frontage at No. 121 East Main street. His stock is large and

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varied, including dry goods, cloaks, ready- to-wear goods, carpets and rugs and house furnishings, handling the finest fabrics and catering to the most exclusive of the city's buyers. He is a man of ideas and has in- troduced many pleasing features which are not to be found in every establishment. Mr. Gugler has found also that it is better to do a strictly cash business and he was the first merchant in the city who established and kept to this safe and, in the end, most satisfactory system. Mr. Gugler has dem- onstrated his business ability along still other lines and is a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Savings Bank Company; also of the Galion Iron Works Company, and of the Galion Building and Loan Association, and is a stockholder in numerous other concerns.

Mr. Gugler was married to Miss Ida C. Hugo, who is justly proud of her descent from the great French writer, Victor Hugo. She was born at Mansfield, O., but was mainly educated at Detroit, Mich. They have two children, a daughter and a son, Mildred Dorothy, who is aged 14 years; and Robert Hugo, who is a school boy of 9 years. An older child, Helen Louise, died when 5 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Gugler are members and generous supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Gugler being a member of the official board. He has always been an ardent Republican and in 19II was elected a member of the school board in a city of 8,000 that always gives a Democratic majority of from 500 to 1,000. He was one of the organizers of the Com- mercial Club and is a director and an active member of the renowned "Galion Boost- ers," who never tire of working for Greater Galion.

JOHN F. FISCHER, formerly a trustee of Tod township, Crawford county, O., and one of the honest, reliable and respected citizens of this section, resides on his finely improved farm of 100 acres, which is situated nine miles northwest of Bucyrus, O. He was born in Germany and is a son of Emanuel and Mag- dalena (Rilling) Fischer.

Emanuel Fischer and wife were born in

Germany and when they came first to Craw- ford county, O., he bought a tract of 20 acres west of Bucyrus, to which he subsequently added 16 acres and followed farming there until the close of his active life, his death oc- curring in 1897, when his age was 72 years. He married Magdalena Rilling, who was born in 1840 and still survives. Of their ten chil- dren, six grew up and five of these are living.

John F. Fischer went to school in the country near his father's farm, first in Pennsylvania, and after 1884, when the family came to Crawford county, in the neighborhood of Bu- cyrus. He then secured farm work and for six years was engaged by the month as a farm hand, in this way gaining a very thorough knowledge of every phase of agricultural life. For the next three years he rented land and put into practice what he had learned when working for others and succeeded so well that he took a larger farm on the Tiffin road. He remained there one year and afterward, up to 1901, lived on other farms in the town- ship, being a good tenant on all. In the above year he purchased first 80 acres and then added 20 acres, which together constitute his present farm of 100 acres in Tod township which he has so improved that it is one of the best and most attractive in this part of the township.

Mr. Fischer married Miss Sophia Streib and they have three children: Mary, who is sixteen years old; Clara, who is eleven years old; and Jerome, a bright boy of seven years. Mr. Fischer and family are members of the Lutheran church. His political sentiments have always been Democratic.

WILLIAM MAGEE, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest man living that was born in Crawford, county, O., is widely known and universally esteemed, possessing traits of character which have endeared him to those with whom he has associated in any way during his long and worthy life. He was born on his father's farm in Crawford county, Sept. 19, 1827, and is a son of James Washington and a grandson of Alexander MaGee.

Alexander MaGee was born in Ireland and came to America in early manhood, set- tling in Washington county, Pa., prior to

MR. AND MRS. JOHN F. FISCHER

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the Revolutionary War. He acquired 400 acres of land in Washington county and lived on the same into old age, a well pre- served man possessing all his natural facul- ties except his eyesight, which faded some years before his death. The family has been one of unusual longevity. He mar- ried in Pennsylvania an excellent woman who belonged to an old Presbyterian fam- ily of Washington county, and the following names of their children have been pre- served: Alexander, John, William, James Washington and Nancy, the last named be- coming the wife of John Ramsey.

James Washington MaGee was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1789, and grew to manhood in his father's house. In those days a source of income was open to sturdy young men in the business of hauling freight over the mountains, there being no great transportation lines yet constructed, and James Washington MaGee made nu- merous trips of this kind. Having thus earned the capital he was anxious to invest it in land and in 1821 came to Ohio, then the far West to Pennsylvania, and in San- dusky township, Crawford county, entered 160 acres of land for himself and also 160 acres for each of his three brothers-in-law, a one-quarter section for William Moder- well, another for John Clemens, and another for John Magars. Having thus ensured a little settlement in the wilderness he, with the other families, in 1823 came with their wagons and ox-teams, to Crawford county. Here all established themselves and lived out long and useful lives and all have de- scendants in the county. James W. MaGee cleared and improved his farm and re- mained on it a contented man during the rest of his life, his death occurring April 14, 1850. His father had been a Federalist and he was a Whig. In the latter part of his life he united with the Presbyterian church. On May 10, 1814, he was married in Washington county, Pa., to Miss Ann Moderwell, who was of Scotch parentage, but was born in Pennsylvania. She was born February 21, 1792, and in loving trib- ute to her her son, William, declares that when she died on October 12, 1852, there

passed from earth the best woman that ever lived. She was a devoted Christian wife and mother and not only her family loved her but the whole neighborhood. Mr. Ma- Gee can conceive of no higher type of wom- anhood than was this beloved mother. Nine children were born to James W. and Ann McGee, as follows: Eliza, who died at the age of 70 years, leaving two children : Mary A., who died at the age of 21 years ; Robert, who was survived by children, Isabel and John, both of whom are deceased; Sarah I. and Margaret E., twins, the former dying at the age of 16 years and the latter when aged 19 years; and Ethalinda, who died when aged 18 years.

William MaGee passed his boyhood and youth on the homestead farm and as oppor- tunity was afforded attended the district school. He was industrious and provident during his active years and accumulated a large amount of property, the greater part of which he has given to his children in order to witness their enjoyment of it, but he still retains a farm of 116 acres, which lies in Bucyrus township. On Oct. 10, 1850, Mr. MaGee was married to Miss Margaret Jane Cleland, who was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, O., Nov. 3, 1828, and died at her home in Bucyrus, Feb. 14, 1899, an estimable woman in every re- lation of life. The following children were born to them : an infant, deceased, who was born September 13, 1851 ; Rachel Ann, born March 31, 1853, who is a widow living at Los Angeles, Calif .; and William Wallace, who was born August 28, 1856, and now has charge of his father's farm in Bucyrus township. He married Amanda Dirmeyer and has had two children: James, who died in childhood; and Florence A. When five weeks old a niece, Rachel Emma Ann Cle- land, lost her mother and she then became a member of the household of Mr. and Mrs. MaGee. She grew up a dutiful and loving daughter and for eleven years was the chief dependence of her adopted mother, Mrs. MaGee, the latter of whom was an invalid for thirteen years, being afflicted with creeping paralysis. Since then she has been equally dutiful to her uncle and adopted

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father, Mr. MaGee. On May 13, 1911, she was happily married to Ray H. Furister, who was born June 17, 1878, in Michigan, a son of the late A. J. and Susan Viola (Hodges) Furister. In his views on public matters Mr. MaGee is in sympathy with the cardinal principles of the Republican party. He has always been a Presbyterian in re- ligious faith.

VICTOR MCDOUGAL, owner and pro- prietor of an important industry at North Robinson, Crawford county, O., a plant for the manufacture of brick and drain tile, is an experienced man in this business and since purchasing this plant in June, 1909, has worked his machinery to its fullest ca- pacity every season. Mr. McDougal was born Dec. 22, 1876, near New Washington, O., and is a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (King) McDougal.

The father of Mr. McDougal was born in Auburn township, Crawford county and the mother in Pennsylvania. The latter sur- vives and resides at New Washington, but the former died Jan. 22, 1908. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served three years in Co. K, 45th O. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged. Afterward he followed agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His children were: Adrian, Warren, Vic- tor and Inez, the last named being deceased.

Victor McDougal attended the common schools of Cranberry township and spent two years in the New Washington High School, after which he went to Cleveland and in one of the great machine shops of that city learned the trade which he fol- lowed for three years. On account of im- paired eyesight Mr. McDougal was obliged to give up his trade in which he was ac- knowledged to be a skillful workman, and then turned his attention to tile making, this being an industry that demanded less eye strain than work as a machinist. For two years he was in the tile plant of Wil- liam Seitter and for two years more was with the Milliron Bros., and then went into the business for himself, purchasing his present well equipped plant from P. R. Fate.

During his busy season he gives employ- ment to eight men and has a satisfactory local market for his brick and tile. He has invested in other property here and owns a comfortable residence.

On June 14, 1905, Mr. McDougal was married to Miss Blanche Burd, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Burd, farming people in Seneca county. Mrs. McDougal has one sister, Elsie, who is the wife of Monroe Stephenson. Mr. and Mrs. McDougal have three children: Homer R., Richard and Norris. Politically he is a Republican, fra- ternally belongs to the Maccabees, and he and wife attend the United Brethren church at North Robinson.

WILLIAM R. WISE, who, in associa- tion with his brothers conducts a furniture and undertaking business at Bucyrus, O., is a representative business man of this city. The Wise family was known in Clearfield county, Pa., in the days of George Wise, the grandfather. He died there and later his widow came to Crawford county, O., accom- panied by her sons, and afterward to Val- paraiso, Ind., where she remained during the rest of a long life.

William Wise, father of William R. Wise, was born in 1824, in Pennsylvania, and was twelve years old when his mother came to Crawford county. About 1845 the sons, William, Adam, Jacob, John and Henry, returned to Crawford county from Indiana and all settled on farms in the county. Wil- liam located first in Bucyrus township, but afterward moved on a farm nearer the vil- lage and still later became a resident of the hamlet, where he started a cabinetmaking shop. He had but the tools of his trade, none of the present machinery for the mak- ing of furniture having yet been invented, and even the black walnut coffins were all made by hand. He was one of the first in this section to purchase machinery and had the enterprise to keep abreast with the times, and in 1847, in partnership with Christopher Hoenstein opened a large shop at No. 215 East Mansfield street, Bucyrus. This continued until 1865, when the firm name became William Wise, and later Wil-

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liam Wise & Sons, located at Nos. 215-17 S. Sandusky street. He first admitted his son, Preston, who died in 1890, and his death occurred October 14, 1901. Since that time the business has been conducted by the surviving sons: William R., George L., Fred A. and Joseph D., all of whom have been practically brought up in it. This firm carries a large stock of furniture and house furnishings and a complete line of under- taking goods, including two funeral cars and an ambulance. The present business house was erected in 1884 and additions made in 1895, the present frontage being 33 feet with a depth of 160 feet. Every de- partment of the business is carefully at- tended to and the patronage is heavy. Old methods, in so far as business integrity is concerned, are still maintained, confidence in the name of Wise having been secured a half century ago.

The late William Wise was a leading member of the English Lutheran church at Bucyrus for thirty years. He gave political support to the Republican party but ac- cepted no offices. For some years prior to his death he was a member of the fra- ternal organization, the Knights of Honor. He was married in Crawford county to Eliza Jane Deardorff, who was born in 1827 and died in 1888. Her father, Emanuel Deardorff, was an early settler in Craw- ford county, a tanner and farmer, who spent his last years in comfortable re- tirement in Bucyrus. None of his sur- viving children reside in this county. To William Wise and wife eleven children were born, two of whom died young. One daughter, Lizzie, died in 1902, and one son, Preston, in 1890. A daughter, Millie, who died February 1, 1910, was the wife of Ed- ward Vollrath, an attorney at Bucyrus, and was survived by three sons and two daugh- ters. The surviving members of the family of William and Eliza Jane Wise are: Mar- tha, who is the widow of Rev. George Hindle and resides at Wooster, O., with her large family ; Bessie, who is the wife of Seth Hodges, who is at the head of the U. S. Express Company at Cleveland, O., and who has one son, William Preston; Wil-

liam R., the subject of this sketch; George L., who married Fannie Shaw and has one daughter, Mary; Fred A., who married Maybell Beard and has two daughters, Helen and Frances V .; Joseph E., who mar- ried Olive Greyer, formerly a successful teacher of music at Bucyrus, and has one son, William.

William R. Wise was reared and educated with his brothers in the city schools, and also with them had the practical training under their father that provided them with a business as soon as they were able to take responsibilities on themselves. He was married at Bucyrus to Miss Stella Lauck, a daughter of George Lauck, who for many years before his death was a merchant here. Mr. and Mrs. Wise have two children: Eleanor C., who was born April 18, 1901 ; and Virginia, who was born July 29, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are members of the Eng- lish Lutheran church. He belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the Order of Ben Hur. He and broth- ers are all Republicans. From their father they have inherited musical talent of a high order and frequently they take care of the musical service as well as the practical work of funerals, this usually being more than satisfactory. Mr. Wise and brothers are all graduate embalmers.

JEFFERSON I. SMITH, ex-auditor of Crawford county, O., who has been active in Democratic councils in this county for many years, is engaged in the insurance business at Bucyrus and represents some of the leading life companies of the country. He was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, April 24, 1863, and is a son of Fred- erick and Lucy A. (Shupp) Smith.

Frederick Smith was born in Litenberg, Saxony, Germany, April 1, 1815, later at- tended a trade school and became a stone mason. Between 1835 and 1840 he came to America, voyaging on an old sailing ship that was tossed on the Atlantic ocean for sixty days before making harbor at New York. From that city he made his way to Columbus, O., where he secured work at his trade and helped to build the stone

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bridge there and presumably secured the capital by this labor which he subsequently invested in 160 acres of land in Lykens township, Crawford county. It was then an unbroken tract of timber and presented a hard task to its new owner, who imme- diately went to work to clear it. Before his death, in 1877, he had cleared 100 acres of his place and had acquired cattle and stock and was considered a substantial resi- dent of his township. He was an intelligent and interested man in public matters and somewhat of a leader in Democratic poli- tics in his section. In Germany he belonged to the Lutheran church but later in life united with the Evangelical Association.

Frederick Smith was married first at Co- lumbus, O., to Christina Lippman, who was a native of Germany and had come to the United States when a young woman. She died in Lykens township, leaving four chil- dren, all living except the eldest. Mr. Smith chose Lucy A. Shupp for his second wife. She was born in 1830, in Dauphin county, Pa., and after her parents died she came to Ohio and was reared in the home of her brother, the late Michael Shupp. She died in 1890, in Holmes township, Crawford county. She was a woman of many virtues, a sincere Christian and a member of the Evangelical Association. There were ten children born to the second marriage, the seventh in order of birth being Jefferson I., of Bucyrus. The others were: Cornelius W., who resides with his family at Bucy- rus ; Matilda, who died when aged 38 years ; Katherine, who is the wife of Jacob Meck of Holmes township; Frederick, who re- sides with his family at Bucyrus; Henry W., who lives in Holmes township; Lucy A., who died when aged 28 years; Emma J., who is the wife of Abraham Schifer, liv- ing in Crawford county, and has eight chil- dren; and Serepta, who is the wife of Clar- ence H. Flickinger, of Holmes township.

Jefferson I. Smith attended both the com- mon and high school and afterward taught school very acceptably for some time, after which he went into newspaper work. For 12 years he was the able editor of the New Washington Herald and during this time

aroused interest in other sections in north- west Ohio, being ever loyal to his own part of the state. In 1897 he was appointed deputy auditor of Crawford county and served under Auditor J. F. Kimerline through the latter's term, and in 1901 was elected auditor and served the county in that important office until 1909. He is still officially connected with county affairs in a special way but his main business is life insurance and he maintains his office at Bu- cyrus.

Mr. Smith was married in Wayne county, O., to Miss Linnie Breneman, who was born there in 1860 and is a daughter of J. H. and Lydia (McNary) Breneman, early settlers and continuous residents of Wayne county until their deaths. Mr. Breneman was a shoemaker by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, Russell Breneman Smith, who was born Aug. 23, 1894, and is a student in the class of 1912 in the Bucyrus high school. Mr. Smith and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias and at- tends both lodges at New Washington.

WINFIELD S. KIESS, who, as his father's representative, successfully ope- rates one of the large farms of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., 390 acres of very valuable land, belongs to a well known and highly respected family of this section. He was born in Whetstone town- ship, Oct. 12, 1880, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Haldeman) Kiess.

Joseph Kiess came to Ohio from Lycom- ing county, Pa., and now lives retired at Bu- cyrus. He married Rebecca Haldeman, who was born at Galion, O., and died March 19, 1902. They had two children : Winfield S .; Viola, who married J. A. Shearer and has three children, namely : Catherine, Eve- line, Joseph. The father of the above fam- ily has always given political support to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Evangelical church, to which his wife also belonged.

Winfield S. Kiess attended the public schools and afterward the Ohio Northern

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University, at Ada, O. His business has been farming but during six winter terms he made use of his decided musical talent, being director of music during that time in the public schools of both Whetstone and Liberty townships. His present farm, known as the Joseph Kiess homestead, not only now engages all his time and atten- tion but makes it necessary for him to keep two hired farmers and also to utilize the services of a boy, all the year round. Mr. Kiess is very enterprising, keeps thoroughly posted as to crops, stock and other matters pertaining to his business, and is numbered with the most reliable farmers of this part of the county.

In October, 1904, Mr. Kiess was married to Miss Sadie Cook, a daughter of Philip and Rachel (Neff) Cook, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Cook, who is a retired farmer now living at Bucyrus, married Mary Lust for his second wife, and three children were born to them; Minnie, Bessie and Ethel. To his first marriage the fol- lowing children were born: Ella, wife of William Ronk; Sadie, wife of Winfield S. Kiess; Clara, wife of William Hosterman; Emma, wife of Clarence Kelly; and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Kiess have two bright little ones, Leona and William. They attend the Evangelical church. Politically Mr. Kiess is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Maccabees. Although his father still owns this farm, its entire management and direction is in the hands of Mr. Kiess.

RAPHAEL M. LONSWAY, who very efficiently represents the well known firm of Dostal Bros., brewers, in the commercial field, all over Ohio, has been identified with this Bucyrus business house since 1902, when the present owners succeeded Frank Dick. He was born December 6, 1875, in Seneca county, O., and is a son of Emanuel and Magdalene (Houck) Lonsway.

Emanuel Lonsway was born in Seneca county, of Canadian parents and of French ancestry. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and then married Magdalene Houck, also a native of Seneca county, who was of German ancestry. For a number of

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 111

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