History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 112

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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years they lived on their farm in Loudon township and then retired to Fostoria, O., where they still live. They are devout mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church. Of their family of fourteen sons and one daugh- ter, Raphael M., was the fifth in order of birth.

Raphael M. Lonsway, or, as he is best known to his friends, Ray M. Lonsway, was reared in his native county and at school prepared himself for teaching, and for some years before coming to Bucyrus was a very acceptable educator in Seneca county. Since identifying himself with his present firm he has filled all the departmental official posi- tions and thus prepared himself for the work of a commercial traveler, in which he has been quite successful. Through his close attention to business he has won the appro- bation of the firm and through his pleasing personality has made many friends for him- self.

Mr. Lonsway was married in Big Spring township, Seneca county, O., to Miss Rose M. Jacoby, who was born there in 1876, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Reinhart) Jacoby, who now live retired at Cary, O. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsway have three children : Raymond, who is a very satisfactory pupil in the parochial school; and Gilbert M. and Gertrude S., attractive twin children, now in their fifth year. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsway are members of the Roman Catholic church, in which both were reared. He is identified with the Eagles, the U. C. T., of Ohio, and the D. K. U. V.

SIMEON KIESS and JOSEPH F. KIESS, retired farmers and respected citi- zens of Bucyrus, O., are sons of Jacob and Catherine (Delker) Kiess, and grandsons of Christopher and Christina (Sheets) Kiess.

The grandfather, Christopher Kiess, and his wife were both born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and after marriage lived at Stutt- gart until January, 1806, when they emi- grated to America, landing probably at Philadelphia, Pa., from that city moving to Lycoming county. There Christopher Kiess was a farmer and also taught school and for many years resided near the present city

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of Williamsport, where he died Mar. 26, 1866, when aged 88 years and 2 months, having survived his wife for a few years. They were members of the Pietist colony, a body of religionists who came to the United States in order to follow out their religious beliefs in their daily lives. To Christopher Kiess and wife the following children were born: Rebecca, born Sept. 8, 1801; Abra- ham, born Sept. 23, 1802; Catharine, born Oct. 30, 1805; William, born Feb. 26, 1808, in America; Dorothea, born Oct. 8, 1809; Jacob, born Aug. 6, 1812; Salome, born Sept. 6, 1813; Sophia, born Sept. 3, 1816; Emanuel, born July 9, 1818; and Christina, born July 23, 1820.

Jacob Kiess grew to manhood on his father's farm and continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1852, when, with his family he started for what was then the far West, Crawford county having been little settled previously in the neighborhood of Whetstone township. He secured a wild prairie farm, which, with the aid of his sons, was converted into a productive and valu- able one, and there he and wife enjoyed some years of comfort. His death on Deco- ration Day, 1882, was caused by accident while crossing a railroad track. He was twice married, first to a Miss Rote and sec- ond to Catherine Delker. To his first mar- riage two children were born : Jonathan and Lydia. To his second marriage 5 sons were born; Simeon, Joseph F., Daniel, Samuel and William C., and two daughters, Chris- tina and Mary Margaret. The mother of the last named family was born in 1813 in Wurtemberg, Germany, and was a child when her parents emigrated to America and settled in Lycoming county, Pa. She sur- vived her husband for two years and died at the home of a daughter in Kansas. Both she and husband were devout members of the Evangelical church, in which he was a class leader.

Simeon Kiess grew to manhood on the home farm in Whetstone township, having been eight years old when the long overland trip was made from Pennsylvania, where he was born Jan. 31, 1844. He remained with his father for some years and then pur-

chased the homestead and continued to carry on farming and stock raising there until 1906, when he shifted its heavy respon- sibilities to the sturdy shoulders of his sons and retired, moving then to Bucyrus. The farm contains about 400 acres, all of which, with the exception of 80 acres, has been well improved. Mr. Kiess was a very en- terprising and progressive farmer and han- dled only first-class stock and made use of improved and labor-saving machinery.

In 1867 Simeon Kiess was married in Whetstone township to Miss Catherine Kile, who was born there in 1845, a daugh- ter of Tobias and Carrie (Nipp) Kile, na- tives of Germany. They came to Ohio and after marriage located in Whetstone town- ship, where the father of Mrs. Kiess lived to be 83 years of age, surviving his wife for five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kiess the fol- lowing children were born: Sidney E., Harvey E. and Verne E. Sidney E., who operates a part of his father's farm, mar- ried Amanda Cook and they have two chil- dren-Raymond and Catherine. Harvey E., who completed his education in the uni- versity at Ada, O., is cashier of the Farmers and Citizens Bank of Bucyrus; he married Ida Sherrard, of Gibsonburg, O., and they have two children: Helen Irene and John Simeon. Verne E., who is a farmer in Whetstone township, married Rebecca Neff of Martel, O., and they have two children : Margaret and Marian. Mr. Kiess and sons are Democrats in politics and the whole family belongs to the Evangelical church.

JOSEPH F. KIESS was born in Lycom- ing county, Pa., Sept. 15, 1849, and was too young to recall the adventures incident to the long trip over the mountains when his parents came to Crawford county from his native place. He grew to manhood in Whetstone township and, with his brothers and sisters, attended the district school. When he left home he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the old homestead and still owns 390 acres of valuable land in Whet- stone township, on which he made fine im- provements. He was an extensive farmer, stock raiser and sheep grower and for years kept some 500 head of sheep. In April,

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19II, he retired, having erected a handsome residence on the corner of Lucas and East streets, Bucyrus, and here enjoys all the comforts that modern building now pro- vides. Formerly he was quite active in township affairs and served on the school board and in other offices.

Joseph F. Kiess was married (first) to Miss Rebecca Haldeman, who was born in Morrow county, O., in April, 1856, and died in her home on the farm in Whetstone township, March 17, 1901, having been a member of the Evangelical church for years. She was a young woman. when she accom- panied her parents, Rev. Christopher and Susanna (Brickley) Haldeman, to Galion, O., where both died advanced in years. Mrs. Rebecca Kiess was survived by two chil- dren: Viola, who is the widow of John Sherer, who died in October, 1910, leaving three children: Catherine R., Evelyn and Joseph N., and Winfield Scott, who man- ages his father's large farming interests. He married Sadie Cook and they have two chil- dren: Leona and William H. Mr. Kiess was married (second) at Bucyrus, Aug. 24, 1909, to Mrs. Elnora (Niebel) Heckman, who was born in Wyandot county, O., and completed her education at the Tiffin high school. In early womanhood she was mar- ried to Scott Heckman, who was born in Wyandot county in May, 1860, and died at Sycamore, in November, 1903. He left no children. The parents of Mrs. Kiess were Abraham and Catherine (Haldeman) Nie- bel, who were of German ancestry but were born in Pennsylvania. They were married in Morrow county, O., and then moved to Wyandot county, where the mother of Mrs. Kiess died. Her father resides at Sycamore and is in his 72nd year. Her one brother, Orval Niebel, is principal of the Sycamore schools, married Marcella Musser and they have one daughter, Catherine. The grand- father of Mrs. Kiess, Enos Niebel, moved from Pennsylvania to Wyandot county in 1829, and died at Sycamore, O., in May, 19II, when 97 years of age. His father was an early preacher in the Albright, now the Evangelical church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Kiess belong.

WILLIAM H. LOWMILLER, who is one of the well known and substantial citi- zens of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., residing on his farm of 150 acres, was born in Snyder county, Pa., May 19, 1840, and is a son of Adam and Cath- erine (Baker) Lowmiller.

Adam Lowmiller and wife were born in Pennsylvania, married there and reared a family of eight children, namely: Susan, deceased, who was the wife of William Straus; Daniel Henry, who is deceased; William H .; Mary, who is the wife of Reuben Treaster; Eliza Ann, deceased, who was married first to a Mr. Blaine and second to a Mr. Martin; Catherine, who is the wife of David Harmony ; and two who died in infancy. By trade the father of the above family was a weaver and afterward he was employed in a tannery.

William H. Lowmiller was reared to the age of 19 years in Snyder county, Pa., and attended school as opportunity offered but as soon as he was released from home re- sponsibilities he started for Ohio, reaching Crawford county, Feb. 7, 1859, his capital being the sum of nine dollars. He then learned the carpenter trade and became a good workman and followed it for about eight years and then turned his attention to farming. For two years he rented land and then bought his first 20 acres, which he sold to advantage two years afterward and bought 85 acres of his present farm, purchasing of Jacob Keister, his father-in- law, who had entered it from the Govern- ment in 1828. Mr. Lowmiller owes the original deed which bears the signature of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. For many years Mr. Lowmiller labored on his farm and kept adding to it and improving in many ways, but finally shifted his heaviest responsibilities to the shoulders of his capable sons, Edward C. and Jeremiah E. Lowmiller. General farm- ing is engaged in and some good stock is raised but not for sale.

On April 6, 1865, Mr. Lowmiller was married to Miss Sarah Keister, who was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, June 29, 1839, and died in June,

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1909. She was a daughter of Jacob and Salome (Wize) Keister, natives of Union county, Pa., who came to Crawford county in 1828. They had the following children : Mrs. Sarah Lowmiller, Mrs. Jacob Shu- maker, Mrs. George Wingert, Joseph, Mrs. Daniel Kehrer and Mrs. John Zimmerman.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lowmiller four children were born, as follows: Edward C., who married Clara Kiefer; Jeremiah A., who married Iva Gibson and has three children -Roland, Helen and Earl; Ellen M., de- ceased, who was the wife of Samuel Zim- merman and had two children, Orrin and Maud; and Ida E., who is the wife of Charles Gehret and has two children, Mildred and Frederick William. In addi- tion to operating the home farm for their father, the two sons of Mr. Lowmiller own a tract of 811/2 acres in partnership. The family belongs to the German Reformed church. Nominally Mr. Lowmiller is a Democrat but frequently in casting his vote, follows the dictates of his own judg- ment.

IRA B. CHADWICK, assistant superin- tendent of the Toledo & Ohio Central Rail- way Company, at Bucyrus, O., has been identified with railroad work for 26 years and during this entire period has been with the same corporation. He was born on his father's farm near Alexandria, Licking county, O., June 3, 1865, and is a son of Lucius and Anna L. (Graves) Chadwick.

Lucius Chadwick was born in Central New York, a son of Rufus Chadwick of the same state. The family is of English ex- traction. Grandfather Rufus Chadwick married Experience Brickley, In New York, and when their eldest child, Lucius, was two years old, they came to Ohio, traveling by way of the Ohio Canal, this being in 1840. They settled in Licking county and Mr. Chadwick established a tannery at Alexandria or in the near vicinity, which he conducted for a number of years. His death occurred there in 1878, at the age of 63 years, his widow surviving until 1881 They were among the organizers of the Methodist Episcopal church in their neigh-

borhood and their hospitable home was ever ready to receive traveling or visiting preachers.

Lucius Chadwick learned the tanning business with his father but later engaged in the mercantile business at Alexandria, returning, however, to the homestead when his father died. He made improvements and continued to carry on the farm until the close of his life, on Sept. 24, 1906, when his age was 66 years. In early life a Whig he later became a Republican and was a man of local importance, being mayor of Alexandria at the time of death and for- merly a justice of the peace. Lucius Chad- wick married Anna L. Graves, who was born in Licking county, O., and still sur- vives, being now in her seventieth year. Her father, V. A. Graves, was born in Masachusetts and his wife in Licking coun- ty, O. They were strong Presbyterians and were most worthy people in every way. To Lucius Chadwick and wife three children were born: Lorena, a resident of Alex- andria, O., who was a teacher for some years and who is a great Sunday-school worker; Ira B., and Albert. The last named was a merchant at Alexandria and died there in 1904 and is survived by his widow, Helen (Weed) Chadwick.

Ira B. Chadwick left school at the usual age and then learned the art of telegraphy and his first position with his present com- pany was at Corning, O., after which he was stationed at different points, in the ca- pacity of agent and operator. He climbed steadily upward through the positions of dispatcher and for two years was chief dis- patcher at Columbus and for three years was assistant trainmaster at Bucyrus, but three years later was sent back to Columbus as trainmaster and continued until July I, 1909, when he was made assistant superin- tendent of the road, with headquarters at Bucyrus, under Superintendent C. L. Gard- ner, whose headquarters are at Columbus. This long period of uninterrupted service speaks for itself.

On October 26, 1899, Mr. Chadwick was married to Miss Gertrude M. Stiger, who was born in this city, March 20, 1867, a

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daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Monnett) Stiger. Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick have one daughter, Arnie Louise, who was born Feb. 8, 1903, at Columbus. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is prominent in Masonry, belonging to the Shrine at Columbus and is identified also with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Y. M. C. A.

FRANK C. WAGNER, proprietor of a fine grocery store and doing a large busi- ness on the Public Square, Bucyrus, O., oc- cupies a site on which a grocery store has been conducted continuously for 40 years. Mr. Wagner was born at Bucyrus, Sept. 9, 1872, and is a son of Robert and Mary A. (Stiger) Wagner.

Robert Wagner was born in Saxony, Ger- many, and came to America in 1863, where he succeeded in establishing himself in business and in 1867 returned to Germany to be married to Mary A. Stiger. In 1868 they came to Bucyrus and here he followed his trade as a mechanic until the close of his life, his death occurring in the spring of 1875, when he was about forty years of age. Mrs. Wagner subsequently married Edward Meissner and they reside at Bucy- rus, no children having been born to the second union. To the first marriage there were four children, Frank C. being the youngest and the only son. One son died in infancy and two daughters survive; Clara, who is the wife of Otto Fearing, a tailor in business at Bucyrus; and Anna, who is the wife of M. A. Charlton, who is an electrician employed in the Industrial Home at Lancaster, O. They have two children : Paul H. and Susie.

Frank C. Wagner obtained his education in the schools of Bucyrus but since the age of 13 years has been identified with the grocery trade and has been connected with the grocery people who did business here since April, 1889. For ten years he was a clerk, first for L. C. Hall and later for J. E. Hall. On Sept. 1, 1899, he purchased the latter's interest and in partnership with E. A. Ditty, conducted the business for two and one-half years. In March, 1901, he

bought his partner's interest and since then has been alone. He has commodious quar- ters, his store space being 22 x 65 feet, situated at No. 156 Public Square, and he carries a carefully selected stock of both staple and fancy groceries, catering mainly to the best and most particular trade. He is one of the busy and successful business men of this city and takes pride in his justifi- able reputation for business integrity.

Mr. Wagner was married at Bucyrus to Miss Anna Schaaf, who was born and edu- cated here. They have one son, William Joseph, who was born Nov. 17, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican and is a willing party worker but desires no political advancement for himself. He belongs to Demas Lodge No. 108 Knights of Pythias.

JOHN LEWIS DIEBLER, who owns and resides on the old family homestead containing 121 acres, situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., was born here Nov. 6, 1859, and is a son of John and Magdalena (Heinlen) Diebler.

John Diebler was born in Union county, Pa., Nov. 25, 1816, and was a son of John G. and Mary M. (Wise) Diebler. In 1828 the Dieblers came from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, journeying in a three- horse wagon and accompanied by two other families of pioneers, and all settled near the center of Whetstone township, where they found fertile and well watered land. The Dieblers have been among the best citizens of this township ever since. John Diebler assisted his father on the farm and later learned the carpenter trade. He became a well known man in this section and fre- quently was elected to public office. He was one of the leading members of the Democratic party in this section and was a liberal supporter of the German Reformed church.

On Aug. 20, 1843, John Diebler was mar- ried to Miss Magdalena Heinlen, who was born in Pickaway county, O., June 20, 1822, and they became parents of the following children: Sarah R., Anna E., Rebecca L.,

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John L., Amanda S., Mary M., George and Samuel.

John L. Diebler attended the district schools with more or less regularity until he was seventeen years of age, mainly dur- ing the winter seasons, and remained at home with his father until the latter's death, when he purchased the home place and has lived here ever since. The land is fertile and under Mr. Diebler's excellent methods is very productive. He raises a good grade of stock but not for the general market, and grows the grains that do best in this sec- tion.

In 1886 Mr. Diebler was married to Miss Lydia Matilda Shumaker, a daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Kester) Shumaker, representative farming people of Crawford county, whose other children were: Sarah; Mary, wife of F. W. Sholtz; J. E .; Eliza, wife of L. F. Heinlen; Catherine, wife of George Gattner; Henry J. and J. S.

To Mr. and Mrs. Diebler two sons were born: Walter E. and Otto Milton. The former married Emma Rexroth and they have one daughter, Ernestine. The family belongs to St. John's Reformed church of Whetstone township. In politics always a Democrat, Mr. Diebler has been a loyal party worker. He has encouraged the de- velopment of the public schools and for six years has been president of the school board, and has served two terms as road supervisor.

LEWIS REITER, who has been a resi- dent of Bucyrus, O., for a half century, now lives in comfortable retirement at his home which is at No. 865 South Poplar Street, Bucyrus, and is known to a large body of his fellow citizens. He was born in Schuyl- kill county, Pa., Dec. 28, 1834, and is a son of John and Sarah (Mathias) Reiter.

The Reiters are of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, good, sensible, thrifty people. In the thirties John Reiter with wife and children came to Ohio and settled first on land east of Bucyrus, but later bought land in Holmes township, north of Bucyrus, where he de- veloped a fine farm and there spent the re- mainder of his life. Both he and wife were

members of the German Reformed church. They had seven children born to them and there are three yet living, namely: Lewis; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Brink, residing in Henry county, O .; and Sarah, who owns a home of her own at Bucyrus and lives on the corner of Oakwood ave- nue and South East street.

Lewis Reiter grew up on his father's farm in Whetstone township and afterward learned the carpenter trade and for many years followed the same after coming to Bucyrus. He was married in this city to Anna Myers, who was born in Columbiana county, O., March 4, 1836, and was young when her parents, Louis and Barbara (Amon) Myers, moved to Bucyrus. Here Mr. Myers died when aged 73 years and Mrs. Myers at the age of 86 years. They were of the German Lutheran faith. Of their nine children all survive except two, John and Rebecca, the former of whom was a retired farmer at time of decease, and the latter was the wife of Frederick Bittikofer, also now deceased. The surviving mem- bers of the Myers family are: Jacob, who is a farmer in Henry county, O .; Anna, who is the wife of Lewis Reiter and the mother of Mrs. J. J. Smith, of Bucyrus; Lewis, who, with his sister, Mrs. Mary Nedele, widow of John Nedele, resides at No. 338 South Main street, Bucyrus; George, who is a re- tired business man of this city, and resides on East Warren Street; Barbara, who is the wife of Benjamin Ernest, residing at Ridgeville, Henry county, O .; and Cath- erine, who is one of the representative busi- ness women of Bucyrus. For many years Miss Catherine Myers has successfully con- ducted a millinery establishment, for a time being associated with her sister, Mrs. Lewis Reiter, and at present with her niece, Mrs. J. J. Smith. This is the oldest millinery establishment in the city and its continued prosperity is assured as the business is still carried on according to the honest and capable methods with which it was started. It has more than a local reputation and the most fastidious people need not leave their own city in order to secure tasteful, modern and fashionable millinery. Mrs. Reiter was

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connected with the business from May 6, O., April 2, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Maria (Cassell) Lake.

1881, until 1902, when her daughter, Mrs. Smith, took over her interest. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reiter, as follows: Mary Minerva, who was born at Mansfield, O., Nov. 21, 1861; Leander, who died in 1908, at Butler, Ind., where he was engaged in business ; Annette, who conducts a large millinery business on Euclid Ave- nue, Cleveland, O .; and John L., who is a baker by trade, and who resides with his parents. Mr. Reiter has always given his political support to the Republican party.

Mrs. J. J. Smith, the eldest of the above family, was given educational advantages at Bucyrus, where she grew to womanhood, and then learned the millinery trade with Mrs. E. A. J. Cahill. Later she became in- terested in the business with her mother, and as noted above, since 1902, has successfully conducted the same. She was married at Bucyrus, to John Justice Smith, who was born here March 17, 1857, a son of John Clark and Mary (Myers) Smith. They came to Bucyrus before marriage and after- ward made this city their permanent home. Mr. Smith is the only survivor of a family of seven children, with the exception of one sister, Mrs. Myra Sites, who is also a resi- dent of Bucyrus.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Anna M., born March 18, 1894; M. Geraldine, born May 16, 1897; John Amon, born March 9, 1899; and Thomas Clark, born August 10, 1906. Mr. Smith and family are members of the Eng- lish Lutheran church. By trade, Mr. Smith is a carriage painter. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Arcanum.

CHARLES LAKE, one of the prominent and substantial business men of Bucyrus, O., who has been identified with the com- mercial interests of this city for some 56 years, is owner and proprietor of the oldest jewelry store in the State of Ohio, and the oldest established business house in Bucy- rus. Mr. Lake was born in Meigs county,

The parents of Mr. Lake were natives of Hartford, Conn. They married there and then came to Meigs county, O., acquiring a farm in Lebanon township. The father was a quiet, industrious man, a Whig in politics and a Baptist in religious faith. He died at the age of 62 years. The mother of Mr. Lake died at Hamilton, O., in her 60th year. They had but one child.

Charles Lake remained at home, assisting his father and attending the district schools, until about nineteen years of age, when he went to Cincinnati and became an appren- tice to the jeweler's trade. After serving the prescribed time he started out as a jour- neyman and located in the village of Bucy- rus. He became an employee in a store which had been founded by a Mr. Fifener, who, in 1850 was succeeded by William Burkhardt and in 1855 Mr. Lake entered into partnership with the latter and they continued together until 1865, when Mr. Lake became sole proprietor. His hand- somely appointed store is located at No. 104 Quinby Block, north side of the Public Square. He has introduced modern fittings, equipments - and conveniences and carries a large stock of first class goods, the array of silver ware, watches and clocks, china and cut glass, diamonds and other precious stones with or without setting, presents a beautiful and attractive appearance, one that would be entirely creditable in any city.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 112

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