History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 115

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 115

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Abraham Stiger and wife set out for America on the day following their mar- riage, taking passage on a slow-going sail- ing vessel that required 75 days to make the harbor of New York. From there they went to Lycoming county, Pa., early in the twenties, and resided there for some years and then went to Illinois and in Cook county made a purchase of five lots in the swampy village of Chicago, along the slug- gish river. Mr. Stiger built a house for his family but the climate proved detrimental to their health and they remained but two years. The land that he once owned is now valued at many thousands of dollars, this being the site of the Northwestern Railroad station, Chicago, a busy section of the second largest city in the country. In 1844 Mr. Stiger brought his family to Bucyrus and here he resided until his death on June 15, 1860. While living in Pennsyl- vania he engaged in farming and was also a charcoal burner but he had artistic talents and these he put to use after locating per- manently at Bucyrus. He was a member of the German Reformed church, while his wife, late in life, united with the German Methodists. They had four daughters and one son born to them: Mary, who is the wife of John D. Alcott, of Milwaukee, Wis.,

and has one son; Jacob W .; Catherina, de- ceased, who was the wife of Dennis Man- ning, also deceased; Minnie, who is the widow of John G. Carpenter, and resides in the city of Chicago; and Rosina, the widow of Oliver C. Carpenter, formerly of Chi- cago, who has three sons and two daugh- ters.

Jacob W. Stiger received his early school instruction from Miss Anna McCracken, who taught in a little building that then stood on the site of the present Park Hotel, at Bucyrus. When sixteen years of age, not being subject to military service as had his father in his youth, he was ready to learn a trade and chose harnessmaking, which he learned under John Sins, one of the early business men of the place. In 1857 Mr. Stiger left Ohio and traveled through the West, working at his trade, until the death of his father recalled him home. He spent some time in Chicago and two years at St. Paul, Minn., and a short period at Free- port, Ill., and then he went back to Bucyrus and started into business here in his trade line and was prospering when the Civil War broke out. On July 16, 1861, he en- listed for service in Co. E, 34th O. Vol. Inf., of which he was commissioned a corporal, and served with this regiment for 21 months, when he received his honorable discharge at Cincinnati. He returned then to Bucyrus and resumed his harness and saddlery business, in which he continued until 1876, when he became a farmer in Scott township, Marion county, and in 1882 he purchased a farm in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits until 1910, when he re- tired. He owns an entire block on the edge of the city, in the midst of which stands his fine residence, surrounded by beautifully laid out grounds.

Mr. Stiger was married in Marion county, O., May 3, 1864, to Miss Ellen M. Monnett, who was born there Jan. 22, 1843, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Hannah (Belt) Mon- nett. Mrs. Stiger is a cultured and edu- cated lady and prior to her marriage was a teacher. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stiger: Charles W., who is

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president and manager of the Motor Device Company, an important enterprise of Chi- cago, and who married Louisa Rathbone, of Peoria, Ill., and has two children-Marion and Charles W .; Gertrude M., who is the wife of Ira B. Chadwich, superintendent of the T. & O. Railroad at Bucyrus, and has one daughter, Arnie Louise; John R., who was graduated from the law department of the State University at Columbus, and who became a member of the law firm of Hills & McCoy, Chicago, and died there in 1898, when aged but 28 years; Arnie C., who is the wife of Oscar F. Cretcher; Thomas A., who is engaged in the practice of law at Everett, Wash., and who married Anna Raymond and has two children-Louise and Thomas Raymond; and Cora, who is the wife of Prof. Augustus Goldsmith, who is an instructor in music in the public schools at Bucyrus. Every educational ad- vantage possible were afforded the above family and all were creditably graduated from one or more institutions. Mr. and Mrs. Stiger are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. At their hospitable home both friend and stranger find wel- come and courteous greeting.

EMANUEL AUMILLER, one of the best known citizens of Bucyrus, O., resid- ing at No. 354 Warren street, has long been numbered with the, leading men and sub- stantial citizens of Crawford county. He is the owner of numerous valuable farms in this county together with improved land in Nebraska. He was born in Holmes town- ship, Crawford county, O., Oct. 5, 1838, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Boyer) Aumiller.

The Aumiller family originated in France and from that country the great-grand- father of Emanuel Aumiller came to Amer- ica with a body of British soldiery during the Revolutionary War. After reaching the colonies he became impressed with the righteousness of their cause and, through a clever subterfuge, managed to escape from the English troopers and later became a loyal and useful soldier in the Patriot army. It is supposed that he died in Pennsylvania,

and it is certain that his son, John Aumiller, died in that state. The widow of John Aumiller came to Ohio and when an old lady went to Indiana and died at the home of her son, George Aumiller, in Elkhart county. She had but two sons; George and Daniel, both of whom were born in Union county, Pa., the latter in 1810. In 1828 the sons accompanied their mother to Ohio, covering the distance to Crawford county with a two-horse wagon and camping by the roadside on the way to rest. For some years they all lived together on a farm that George purchased near Bucyrus, but the latter subsequently moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, and there became a man of independent fortune.

In 1831 Daniel Aumiller entered eighty acres of wild land in Crawford county and to the development and improvement of this land the rest of his life was more or less devoted. He married Sarah Boyer, who was born in 1819, in Union county, Pa., and she survived her husband for 18 years, dying at the age of eighty-two. She was an estimable woman and a devoted member of the Evangelical Association. They reared their family of eleven children to man and womanhood and seven of these survive.

Emanuel Aumiller was the second born and the second son of the family. He took advantage of the rather meager educational opportunities offered children in his day in the neighborhood of his father's farm and very early became accustomed to the work of the farm. Mr. Aumiller continued to operate his land himself for many years, af- ter which he relieved himself of some of his responsibilities and retired to Bucyrus. In addition to his handsome place in this city, he owns 200 acres of improved land in Holmes township, three farms of 112, 80 and 78 acres, all in Bucyrus township, and 480 acres in Nemaha county, Neb.

Mr. Aumiller was married in Holmes township to Miss Lucy A. Heller, who was born Dec. 1, 1841, and died at her Bucyrus home, Sept. 14, 1906. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which her husband also belongs. Mr.

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and Mrs. Aumiller had two sons, Daniel and Jesse E. The former is a prominent farmer in Bucyrus township, married Maria Miller and they had an adopted daughter. Jessie E., who was born in 1873, died in 19II. His second wife is a resident of Chi- cago, Ill., and their two children, Lucile and George E., both died young. Mr. Aumiller is a Republican in politics.

HENRY J. STUMP, who is a leading citizen of Whetstone township, and the owner of 135 acres of valuable land here, was born in this township, Jan. 23, 1867, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Hein- len) Stump.

Isaac Stump was born. in Pennsylvania and came to Crawford county in young manhood, where he subsequently married and engaged in farming for a number of years. He and his wife now live retired in this township, their home being a short dis- tance west of the one occupied and owned by Henry J. Stump. Isaac Stump is a staunch Democrat and in former years was quite active in politics and public affairs in his township and served both as trustee and treasurer. He and wife are members of the German Reformed church. They have five children, namely : Esther, who is the wife of Emanuel D. Sherer; Sarah, who is the wife of Daniel W. Hurr; Henry J .; Amanda, who is the wife of Edward D. Zimmerman; and Emma, who was married (first) to Charles Lepp, and (second) to Simeon G. Kurtz.

Henry J. Stump attended the public schools of Whetstone township and worked with his father on the home farm until his own marriage, after which he engaged in farming on the home place on shares and three years later rented farm land from his father for about ten years. He then pur- chased 74 acres from his father, which he put in fine shape, subsequently buying 61 acres more, all together making about as large a farm as he cares to handle. He raises the general crops of the locality, has fine orchards and garden and grows his own stock, not the fancy kinds, but never- theless of good grade.

On Jan. 10, 1889, Mr. Stump was married to Miss Elma D. Rorick, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Heinlen)- Rorick, for- merly well known farming people living in Whetstone township but now retired resi- dents of Bucyrus. They had the following children : Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of John Snyder; William, who is de- ceased ; Charles ; Elma D .; Henry ; Amanda, who is the wife of Morris Roberts; Anna, who is the wife of John Baumonk; and Ora and Rosa, both of whom are deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Stump have two daughters: Chloe E., who is the wife of William M. Wingert and has one son, Layton; and Ber- nice, who attends the township schools. Mr. Stump and family are members of the Reformed church. He is a Democrat in pol- itics and for four years served in the office of township trustee and for two years was supervisor.

J. GEORGE HIPP, a well known and re- liable business man of Bucyrus, O., a builder and contractor here for many years, was born in this city, on what is now South San- dusky avenue, Oct. 26, 1858, and is a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Brand) Hipp.

Sebastian Hipp was born in Wurtemberg, Germany and was 19 years of age when he took passage on a sailing vessel for the United States and after a voyage of many weeks was safely landed at Castle Garden, New York City, and from there came to Bucyrus. Here he followed the weaving of the beautiful German bedspreads which many Americans would pay large prices to obtain at the.present day and those who are fortunate enough to possess them, treasure them with care. He was an expert in this line of manufacturing and knew how to blend his colors and bring out the beauty of the pattern. Like many other old in- dustries, machinery soon replaced hand work to such an extent that the latter be- came unprofitable. He later became inter- ested in a woolen mill at Butler, O., and still later moved to Mansfield, where he now resides, being in his 85th year. He was married at Bucyrus to Elizabeth Brand, who was born in Baden Baden, Germany

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and was a child when her people came with her to America. The parents of Mrs. Hipp located at Bloomville, Seneca county, where she grew to womanhood and about that time they came to Bucyrus, where they later passed away. Mrs. Hipp died at Mansfield, O., March 7, 1909. She was a devoted member of the German Reformed church.

J. George Hipp is the eldest of a family of nine children, one of whom died in in- fancy, eight reaching maturity. He at- tended school at Bucyrus and then learned the carpenter trade and subsequently went into building and contracting. He has al- ways been a steady, hard-working man, practical in everything and well merits his reputation for reliability. Mr. Hipp handles a large amount of work in his line at Bu- cyrus.

Mr. Hipp married Miss Elizabeth Beal, whose birth in Bucyrus township preceded his own by 24 days. She is a daughter of Isaac Beal, once a well known farmer of Bucyrus township, and they have the fol- lowing children :. Raymond C., who fills a very important position, being head of the claim department of the John Deere Manu- facturing Company, of Atlanta, Ga .; Rufus B., who is a commercial salesman for George B. Barrett Jewelry Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa .; Mary Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the Bucyrus High School; Naomi C., who is a member of the class of 1912, Bucyrus High School; and Martha L., who is also a student in the High School of this city. These young ladies all take part in the pleasant social life here and with their parents belong to the German Meth- odist Episcopal church.

JOHN GEBHARDT, president of the city council of Bucyrus, O., and formerly sheriff of Crawford county, has long been prominent in public affairs in city and county. He was born two miles north of Bucyrus, Sept. 6, 1859, and is a son of Adam and Susan (Brand) Gebhardt.

The parents of Mr. Gebhardt belonged to old families of Baden, Germany. The father, Adam Gebhardt, was born at Ep- 48

ping, in the above province, Sept. 15, 1815. He was early left an orphan and from the age of 15 years depended entirely upon himself, for a number of years doing farm labor in Germany and also being driver of a stage. He was married in Germany to Elizabeth Whittmer. In 1848 the country became so disturbed with revolutionary ideas that peaceful labor became difficult to secure and thus he and family turned their thoughts to America and finally started for the United States. In those days the in- spection of sailing ships was not very thor- ough and the one on which this party em- barked sprung a leak when along the Irish coast and it became necessary to stop until repairs could be made. Thus the voyage consumed 68 days but the tired passengers were finally landed safely at New York. Their journey was not yet over, however, as they intended to locate in Crawford county, O., which entailed a further water trip as far as Sandusky and a wagon journey before Holmes township, Crawford county, was reached. Adam Gebhardt secured 160 acres situated two miles north of Bucyrus, of land almost new, his being the second transfer from the Government. There he spent a laborious life, working early and late to de- velop his land and make improvements. He died on this farm August 17, 1897. He was a worthy member of the German Lutheran church and was a man of whom his neigh- bors ever spoke kindly. His first wife died six months after reaching America, leaving two daughters: Eva, who died in 1911, who was the wife of Philip Whittmer, of Pauld- ing county, O., and left a large family ; and Elizabeth, who died some thirty years since. She was married first to Jacob Defenbaugh, and second to John Frey, both of whom she survived.

Adamı Gebhardt's second union was with Susan Brand, who was then living at Bloomville, O. She was born at Fortsheim, Baden, Germany, July 12, 1827, and was brought young to the United States by her parents, Christian and Elizabeth (Mussel- man) Brand. They located in Seneca county, O., where she was reared. Mrs. Gebhardt survives and is a typical pioneer

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woman, one of those whose courage and resourcefulness added so much to the com- fort and happiness of the home in the early days when privations had to be faced on every side. She tells in an interesting way of many expedients resorted to by careful housewives of her day and has cooked many a satisfying meal on coals from burnt logs in the open, and has done it all the year round. She is a member of the Mennonite church. Personally she is greatly beloved, her sympathy and neighborly kindness never failing when trouble falls on those within her reach. Five children were born to this second marriage, as follows: Cath- erine, who died in 1906, who was the wife of John C. Krauter, and left three sons and five daughters; Caroline, who is the wife of Wil- liam Krauter, a farmer in Bucyrus township. and has five children; Jacob, who lives in Oregon; John; and Susan, who is the widow of August Michileus, and who re- sides at Bucyrus and has five children.

John Gebhardt grew up on the home farm, which yet belongs to the family, and obtained his education in the local schools. In 1893 he began to cry sales and from his first effort it was predicted that he would be unusually successful as an auctioneer, which judgment was later confirmed and undoubtedly he has a greater popularity along this line than any one else in this part of Ohio. He is a general auctioneer and it makes no difference to him what kind of property is for sale, as his knowledge is extensive, his ready flow of wit can be ap- plied alike to any commodity and his voice can be modulated to suit any occasion. Af- ter coming to Bucyrus in 1893 he was asso- ciated with John Snavely in the meat mar- ket business in which he continued for about five years. For six months afterward he devoted himself entirely to auctioneering and then purchased a market business of his own, which he conducted until 1901, when he was elected sheriff of Crawford county and served most acceptably through two terms. For more than 21 years he has been a member and during the greater part of the time vice-president of the Crawford County Agricultural Society and both in

city and county is recognized as one of the live men of this section. He has served on the school board and is now president of the city council in his second term.

Mr. Gebhardt was married at Bucyrus to Miss Emma Caroline Vollrath, born April 27, 1862, a daughter of F. August and Caro- line (Ashbaucher) Vollrath, natives of Ger- many, who lived and died on their farm in Cranberry township, Crawford county. Mrs. Gebhardt is one of a family of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhardt have two children: Janet Susan, born Nov. 20, 1882, who is the wife of Louis F. Ronfeldt of Bucyrus; and Cleo Edward, who was born May 24, 1886. He has been connected with the Bucyrus City Bank since he was fifteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Geb- hardt are members of the German Lutheran church.

MICHAEL D. BAIR, farmer, owning 90 acres of good land in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., was born in this town- ship, Oct. 26, 1860, a son of John and Re- becca (Shearer) Bair. The father of our subject, John Bair, was a native of Stark county, Ohio, where he spent his life in farming. He was a Republican in politics and was affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church. As above intimated, he married Rebecca Shearer, who was born in Whetstone, Crawford county, and they be- came the parents of seven children, namely : George W., Samuel M., Rachel Ann, who married George Ness; Michael D., subject of this sketch; Adam, now deceased; Sadie J., also deceased, who was the wife of John Seifert, and Lilly, wife of Lawrence Mc- Michael. Samuel M. resides on a farm in Whetstone township, which is a part of the old Bair homestead.

Michael D. Bair acquired his education in the common schools and then took up farm- ing, which he has since followed as an oc- cupation. After starting in for himself, he rented a farm for eight years and then bought his present tract of 90 acres from the Bair heirs. He has convenient and substan- tial buildings, does general farming and keeps enough stock for his own use. In

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politics he is a Republican and for the last six years has served the township as school director.

He was married Dec. 19, 1886, to Clara Shumaker, a daughter of John and Cather- ine (Dickerhoof) Shumaker, who were for- merly farming people in Polk township. Mrs. Shumaker has passed away but Mr. Shumaker, Mrs. Bair's father, is living in Galion, being now retired from the active business of life. He is a Democrat and in religion a member of the German Lutheran church, as was also Mrs. Shumaker. Their children were as follows: Belle, wife of Ira Morrow; Clara, who is now Mrs. Bair; Mary, wife of Frank Tracht; and Andrew, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Bair have on son, Andrew W., who was born Oct. 18, 1893, and who lives with his father on the farm. The family attend the Eng- lish Lutheran church, and are people well known and respected throughout this lo- cality.

JAMES THROUPE, a highly respected citizen of Bucyrus, O., who now lives retired from active business, for 35 years held the responsible position of general foreman of the shops connected with one of the largest industrial concerns of the country, the American Clay Machinery Company, at Bucyrus, O. He was born at Bradley, in Yorkshire, England, October 28, 1830, but in his erect carriage and robust health, he might be credited as much younger. He comes of sturdy Yorkshire folk, his parents and grandparents living there into old age. He is a son of John and Maria (Sugdin) Throupe.

John Throupe was born near Stilson and Bradley, England, in 1800, a son of William Throupe, and he had one brother, William, who lived and died in Yorkshire. John Throupe was a miller and operated a grist mill, utilizing water power for the same. He married Maria Sugdin, a daughter of Jonas and Maria Sugdin. Her death oc- curred in England in 1880, when aged about eighty years. She was a devout member of the Church of England. To John Throupe and wife ten children were born and almost

all lived to marry and rear children of their own. Of this family James is the only sur- vivor.

James Throupe was reared in his native shire and attended the village school. He left home for America when eighteen years of age, but previously had learned the ma- chinist trade and, while he believed the United States would offer him a better in- dustrial opportunity, he had no idea of coming to this country empty handed and helpless. In 1848, when he boarded the sailing vessel, the Benjamin Adams, for the harbor of New York, he scarcely antici- pated the discomforts that attended the long voyage of six weeks on a stormy sea, but finally safely reached port and started for Ohio as his objective point. From Cleveland he went to Alliance and about the first work he found was sawing wood to feed the engines that were then used on the old Fort Wayne Railroad. Within two years, however, he had a remunerative posi- tion in the railroad shops and after eighteen months at Alliance he came to Bucyrus and, in connection with a Mr. William Burkhart, started a repair shop which was the nucleus or beginning of the present American Clay Machinery Company. Afterward he be- came general foreman and as mentioned above, for many years afterward was con- tinued in that position and was one of the most valued and trusted employes. Al- though for a number of years sadly handi- capped by an accident, he nevertheless pos- sessed the efficiency, the unerring eye and the executive ability that made his services very valuable. During the Civil War he was enthusiastic in his support of the Union cause and when General Grant accon1- plished the surrender of Vicksburg and the citizens of Bucyrus proposed a celebration in honor of this victory, Mr. Throupe was given charge of the cannon used on the oc- casion. Through a premature explosion an accident occurred which caused the break- ing and subsequent loss of Mr. Throupe's right arm. This accident was deplored by the whole city and checked the festivities.

Mr. Throupe was married at Bucyrus to Miss Helen Kirkland, who was born in

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Liberty township, Crawford county, in 1838, and died at the family home here, January 19, 1882, at the age of 44 years, 6. months and 18 days. She was a daughter of Robert and Roxy (Stone) Kirkland, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in America. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Throupe, all but five of these dying when young, the others being as follows : Martha, who is the wife of Theodore Rhuark, a farmer in Jefferson county, and has two children, William and Blanche, both of whom are married, the former being the father of Elwood and Louis; Frances, who is the wife of Elijah Clark, an engineer on the T. & O. C. Rail- road, residing at Bucyrus, and has two chil- dren, Victor and Ruth, the former of whom is married and has one son; Ida, the widow of Samuel Rule, who resides with her father, and has two children, Orvie and Nina; Jay, who is unmarried, and lives at Columbus; and Carrie, who is the wife of Benjamin Nickler, a farmer residing in Lib- erty township, Crawford county, and has six children-Martha, James, Edward, Rob- ert, May and Roy.

JAMES W. GAMBLE, who has been of- ficially connected with the law and order department of Bucyrus, O., for some years and at present fills a responsible position as merchants' watchman, is a well known and respected citizen whose reliability, effi- ciency and courage has been put to the test on many occasions. He takes a just pride in the implicit confidence that is placed in his fidelity by those whose property and in- terests he has guarded so faithfully, some- times endangering his life in so doing.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 115

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