History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 119

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 119

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Levi Beach was 15 years of age when his father died. He attended the district schools and then remained on the home farm work- ing for his mother until he was 21 years old, when he left to make his own way in the world as there were younger sons who could carry on the farm. He was the third born in the following family: Rebecca, wife of John Price; Mary Jane, wife of Lewis Kra- ner; Samuel; Laura, wife of Andrew Mey- ers; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Nungesser; and Charles. At different times Mr. Beach owned farms in other sections, a valuable one in Ohio and another in Indiana, both

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of which he sold to advantage. Farming and practical and is considered one of the has been his main business in life and he most capable agriculturists of Liberty town- ship. carried it on very successfully for many years.

In 1872 Mr. Beach was married to Miss Matilda Albright, who is a daughter of Henry Albright and a sister of Isaac Al- bright, the latter of whom resides at New Winchester. To Mr. and Mrs. Beach have been born four children : John H., who mar- ried Amanda Wise, and has two children- Florence and Carl; William Lewis; Oliver Francis, who married Ollie Holtzhouse, and has one son, Francis Layton; and Charles, who is a merchant at New Winchester, and who married Daisy Katsimeyer. Mr. Beach and sons are Democrats in their political views.

WILLIAM G. GWINNER,* general farmer and a well known citizen of Liberty township, Crawford county, O., resides on the old family homestead, six miles north- east of Bucyrus. He was the second born in his parents' family of eight children. His father, John Gwinner, was born in Germany and was a young man when he came to Ohio, where he married Matilda Scott, a native of this State. All their children sur- vive with the exception of the youngest. who died in infancy. Emma B., the eldest, married C. Bear, and their two children died in infancy. James A. married Zela Smith and they live at Bucyrus and have three children; Ernestine, Eldin and Cath- erine. Isaac J. married Elizabeth Stribe and they live at Sulphur Springs and have four children : Velma, Benjamin, Lucile and Florence. Rachel married George T. Timp- son and they live at Bucyrus and have three children : Nellie, Dorance and Alice. Cora married Israel Fritz and they live in Whet- stone township and have had five children: Agnes, Stella, Della, Hazel and Velma C., Della being deceased.

William G. Gwinner attended the district schools in boyhood and has followed farm- ing and stock raising ever since. He has a large acreage under cultivation as he oper- ates both his father's land and an adjacent property. He has always been industrious

Mr. Gwinner married Miss Hulda E. Wil- son, a daughter of Richard Wilson, of Craw- ford county, and they have six children, namely: Charles H., a farmer in Liberty township, who married Lulu M. Crum, and have two children-Charles E. and Joseph- ine M .; Carrie E., who married Ross W. Spade, and lives in Liberty township; Will- iam T., Russell M., Ruby D. and Rose M., who still reside at home. Mr Gwinner and family attend the United Brethren church. Mrs. Gwinner was born in Crawford county and had the following brothers and sisters : Edward, who is in business at Bucyrus, and who married Letta Schroll and has four children-Sherman, Arnie, Nellie and Stephen; Evaline, who is the wife of Will- iam Mahaffey and lives in Marion county, O., and has four children-Lester, George, Pearce and Mary; Augustus, a resident of Bucyrus, who married Daisy Winters and has two children-Evaline and Archie; Nancy, who is the wife of Joseph Albright, of Attica, Ind., and has one son, Wilson; John, who is deceased; and Mrs. Gwinner. Both the Gwinner and Wilson families are well established and highly respected ones in Crawford county.

JOHN J. FAUSER, one of the enterpris- ing and successful farmers of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., who resides on his valuable farm of 110 acres, was born in this township, May 21, 1873, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Hager) Fauser.

The Fauser family is an old and respected one of Crawford county, of German extrac- tion. Both parents of John J. Fauser were born in this county and now live in com- fortable retirement at Bucyrus, where they are among the liberal supporters of St. John's Reformed church. Their family con- sisted of the following children : Anna, who is the wife of Eli Dinkle; Emanuel; Harry ; Emma, who is the wife of Frederick Hou- ser; John J .; and George, the last named being a nephew but was reared as a son

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and the family has never known any dif- ference.

John J. Fauser obtained his education in the public schools and afterward assisted his father until he was 28 years of age and then rented his present farm from his father and in 1911 purchased it. He has devoted himself to general farming ever since and raises enough stock for his own use.

On Dec. 25, 1900, Mr. Fauser was mar- ried to Miss Elsie May Guinther, a daugh- ter of George and Malinda (Rorick) Guin- ther, who are well known people of Marion county, O., and live on their farm there. Mrs. Fauser has one sister and four broth- ers, namely: Lottie, who is the wife of Leo Heinlen; and Ezra, William, Cornelius and Emil. Mr. and Mrs. Fauser are members of St. John's Reformed church of Whet- stone township, and for six and one-half years he has served as Sunday-school su- perintendent and as a member of the church choir. For the past five years he has been, general secretary of the Crawford county Sunday-school Association. Nominally he is a Democrat, but is frequently inclined to use his own judgment concerning issues and candidates. He has never accepted any of- fice except that of school director, in which he served two terms.

HUGH LISSE,* proprietor of the Galion Creamery, at Galion, O., is one of the enter- prising business men of this city and a much respected citizen. He was born in Ger- many, March 9, 1869, and his parents were Adam and Anna (Zunack) Lisse. They spent their entire lives in Germany, where the mother died in 1900, at the age of 59 years and the father in 1910, when in his 70th year. He was a machinist by trade. They were members of the Roman Catholic church.

Hugh Lisse obtained the public school education that every German boy receives and then learned the tinner's trade. He came to the United States in 1891 and took charge of a distillery and brewing plant, for his brother-in-law, Charles Coppe, situated at Cardington, Morrow county, O., where he remained until 1908. in the meanwhile

having become its owner, about 1893. After disposing of the brewery he came to Galion and conducted a cafe at No. 105 East Main street, until October, 1910, when he became owner and proprietor of the Galion Cream- ery. This plant had been established here in 1905 by J. E. Brinnon and since it has come under the business management of Mr. Lisse, has developed into a prosperous enterprise. He ships for eastern markets and handles local goods and the high grade of butter produced finds ready sale.

Mr. Lisse was married in Marion county, O., to Miss Elizabeth .Ranroth, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1870, and came to America with her parents and to Marion county, O., in 1889. Her father, Mangus Ranroth, now lives retired, in Ma- rion county, his age being 87 years. The mother died in 1904, in her 69th year. They belonged to the Roman Catholic church. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lisse, namely: Frank, who is a stu- dent in the Galion High School; Gertrude, who attends the parochial school; and George, Anna, Robert and Paul. The fam- ily belongs to the Roman Catholic church. In politics Mr. Lisse is a Democrat.

DAVID ZIEGENFUS, general farmer and a well known citizen of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., residing on his finely cultivated farm of 96 acres, was born in Whetstone township, Nov. 1, 1843, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Kem- erer) Ziegenfus.

Philip Ziegenfus and wife were both born in Germany and both came when young to America, their marriage taking place in the United States. For many years he was a respected man and hard-working farmer in Whetstone township, Crawford county, where both he and his wife died, their burial being in the Whetstone cemetery. They were good Christian people and members of the Reformed church. They had three children, two of whom died in infancy.

David Ziegenfus was the only one of his parents' children to reach mature years. In boyhood he attended the district schools and later assisted his father on the farm and

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inherited the same when his parents passed away. He thoroughly understands the sci- ence of farming and pursues those methods which he has proved to be most profitable, and raises, in good part, what is necessary for family use, including cattle and stock.

In 1876 Mr. Ziegenfus was married to Miss Eva Ribble, who was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, a daughter of John and Rachel Ribble, well known peo- ple in Crawford county. To Mr. and Mrs. Ribble the following children were born: Catherine, who is the wife of Peter Howe; Eva, who is the wife of David Ziegenfus; Lena, who is the wife of John Huffman; Christina, who is the wife of Jacob Mee- nick; Mary, who is the wife of John Glower ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Daniel Haag; and Peter. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegenfus have had four children, namely: Magdalena; Elizabeth, who is the wife of M. E. Otter- man; Mary, who is deceased; and Jennie. Mr. Ziegenfus and family are members of the Reformed church. He is a Democrat politically and served one term as school director and one term as township super- visor.

JACOB WHITEAMIRE, who is a pros- perous farmer and respected citizen of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., owns 15472 acres of very find land and de- votes it to general agriculture. He was born March 7, 1850, at Galion, O., a son of Michael and Margaret (Bacht) White- amire.

Michael Whiteamire and wife were born in Germany. He was a small farmer there and after marriage resided on his own land until after the birth of four children and then embarked with his family for the United States. They came immediately to Galion, O., where their youngest son was born and the father died six months afterward. His widow was thus left in a strange country with a helpless infant and four other young children, these being: John, George, Peter and Catherine, the last named in later years becoming the wife of Jacob Stump.

Jacob Whiteamire was as carefully reared as was possible by his good mother and

went to school until lie was about 15 years of age, when he started to work on farms by the month. For five years he worked in this way in different parts of the county and then for four years rented land, at the end of which time he was able to buy 76 acres of his present farm, to which he later added 40 acres and subsequently 381/2 acres more, all of which has been secured through persistent industry. It is excellent land and responds to the careful cultivation it receives.

On Oct. 5, 1873, Mr. Whiteamire was married to Miss Christina Cook, who is a daughter of John and Sarah (Diebler) Cook, and they have the following children: Ida Ellen, born Dec. 20, 1874, who is the wife of William Hurrell and has three children -James E., Alma A. and Ethel G .; Emma Amanda, born Jan. 15, 1876, who is the wife of Jay Hurrell and has one son, Eugene Edward; John Wesley, who was born March 14, 1877, and who married Amanda Beach and has two children-Floyd H. and Gertrude A .; Wilson Edward, who was born July 28, 1884, and married Ida Beach ; Jessie Lawrence, who was born Nov. 5, 1886; Harvey Sylvester, who was born Aug. 2, 1888; and Sarah Alma, who was born Sept. 4, 1890. Mr. Whiteamire and family attend the German Reformed church. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Whiteamire has frequently been urged to accept public of- fice and has served with general satisfaction as school director and as road supervisor.

SAMUEL A. TUPPS, who belongs to one of the best known families of Whet- stone township, Crawford county, O., re- sides on his well improved farm of 140 acres. He was born Aug. 22, 1869, on the old family homestead which is now owned by his brother, Calvin D. Tupps, and is a son of Jechonias Tupps, who reared a large and highly creditable family.

Samuel A. Tupps had public school ad- vantages and afterward followed farming for others until prepared to purchase land for himself. When he started out wages were low and sometimes he received only a fraction of what is paid at the present time.

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When 21 years old he rented 170 acres from his father and later IIO acres and subse- quently bought the II0 acres. A disastrous fire destroyed his dwelling and he then sold 80 acres of his first farm and purchased his present one on which he has carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising and addition- ally is interested in buying and selling lum- ber in Crawford and Marion counties.

On Aug. 16, 1890, Mr. Tupps was mar- ried to Miss Ella M. Whiteamire, who was born in Crawford county and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Guinther) White- amire. The father of Mrs. Tupps is de- ceased but the mother survives. They had the following children: Sarah, who is the wife of Isaac Meyers; Simeon, who is de- ceased; Ella, who is the wife of Samuel A. Tupps ; and Edward and William. Mr. and Mrs. Tupps have four children : Zeno, Flor- ence, Lester and Velma. Mr. Tupps and family attend Trinity Lutheran church. Or- dinarily Mr. Tupps votes with the Republi- can party but sometimes occasions arise in which he uses his own judgment irrespect- ive of party.

ISAAC ALBRIGHT, who now lives re- tired in his comfortable home at New Win- chester, O., is one of the representative and substantial citizens of Crawford county and is the owner of three fine farms situated in Whetstone township which aggregate 400 acres of valuable land. He was born in Whet- stone township, Ang. 30, 1856, and is a son of Henry and Sovena Albright, pioneers in this section and people of high standing. Henry Albright was married twice and the children born to his first union were: Isaac; Natilda, wife of Levi Beach; Agnes, deceased, who was the wife of George Kober; and an infant son that died. To his second mar- riage three children were born: Charles H .. George F. and Ida May, all of whom are de- ceased.

Isaac Albright attended the district schools in boyhood and then assisted his father on the homestead until the latter's death, when he purchased the property and for many years carried on general farming and stock raising.

In 1877 Mr. Albright was married to Miss

Rebecca Diebler, who died Sept. 9, 1906, and was buried in the Whetstone cemetery where rest the ashes of many of the former residents of this section. To that marriage the follow- ing children were born: Lyda, who married Charles Nelson and has two children-Laura and Mildred; Alta, who married Francis N. Neuman, and has two chlidren-Viola and Harold; Ezra C., who married Clyde Low- ery, and has one son, Myron; Warren W., deceased, who was killed by a stroke of light- ning; Roy, who married Alta Love and has one son, Doran W .; Maggie, who married Harry Fauser, and has two daughters-Helen and Ethel; and Eva and Gertrude at home. Mr. Albright's second marriage was with Mrs. Maggie (Gracey) Loyer, widow of Henry Loyer and daughter of James and Sarah (Evans) Gracey. The parents of Mrs. Albright were born in Ireland, and Mr. Al- bright is the eldest of their children, the others being: Mary, wife of George Kight- linger; David, deceased; and Rebecca, the wife of Isaac Wolfe. Mrs. Albright is a member of the United Brethren church, while Mr. Albright was reared in the Reformed church. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is identified with the F. O. E., belonging to the lodge of this order at Bu- cyrus.

CURTIS E. HILDEBRAND,* postmas- ter and general merchant at Brandywine, O., is a leading citizen of this pleasant vil- lage and is a member of one of the old and prominent families of Liberty township, Crawford county, O. He was born on his father's farm in Liberty township, in 1888, and is a son of John and Ida May (Shell) Hildebrand.

On both sides Mr. Hildebrand comes of German ancestry, but the families have been of America during several generations, the Hildebrands belonging to Ohio and the Shells to Pennsylvania. Both parents were born in Liberty township and still reside there. Their family consisted of two chil- dren: Curtis E. and Flossie, the latter of whom resides at home.

Curtis E. Hildebrand attended the pub- lic schools of his native township and re- mained as his father's assistant on the home

ISAAC ALBRIGHT

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farm until he embarked in the mercantile business at Brandywine. He carries a large and well selected stock and supplies the needs of a large surrounding territory. On April 25, 1910, he was appointed postmas- ter and attends to his public duties in addi- tion to managing his business. He owns considerable property here, including his store building and comfortable residence, and takes much interest in the development of the place.

Mr. Hildebrand married Miss Lucy Li- menstoll, daughter of Henry and Sophia Limenstoll, who have other children, namely : Christian John, Daniel Reuben, So- phia, Lydia, Sarah, Anna Martha and Ja- cob. Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand have an at- tractive little daughter, Helen Beatrice. They are members of the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Hildebrand is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Order of Owls.

GEORGE M. KUHN, one of Whet- stone township's most respected citizens, resides on his valuable farm of 90 acres and has spent his entire life, with the exception of four and one-half years, in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O. He was born at Bucyrus, O., Oct. 31, 1844, and is a son of Christian and Sophia (Stoll) Kuhn.

The parents of George M. Kuhn were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and after marriage they came to the United States. By trade the father was a tailor and for two years worked as such in New York and then came to Bucyrus and continued for a time in the tailoring and clothing busi- ness and then engaged in farming. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His family consisted of the following children : Hannah, wife of John Birk; Lewis; Fred; George M .; John; and Matilda, wife of Abraham Shearer.

George M. Kuhn attended the district schools when he was young and afterward assisted his father on the farm until he was 24 years of age, at which time he married and later purchased the homestead of 80 acres, to which he added ten more. He car- ries on general farming and raises stock and

poultry for home use. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as school director and road supervisor and has been twice chosen to administer on estates.

On Sept. 19, 1868, Mr. Kuhn was mar- ried to Miss Mary Keifer, who was born in Germany and died June 26, 1912, aged one day less than 61 years. She was a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Shock) Keifer, the former of whom was a black- smith and farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Keifer the following children were born : Elizabeth, who married Lewis Kuhn; Margaret, who married Fred Muntz; Catherine, who is the wife of Jacob Carg; Louisa, who married Henry Lowmiller; Jacob ; Lydia, who is the wife of Oswald Fritch; John, and Mary, who was the wife of George M. Kuhn.

Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn had eight children : Christian, who married Laura Neff and has two children-Isabella and George; Freder- ick, who married Ida Brown and has five children-Marie, Vera, Paul, Virgil and Ell- wood; Elizabeth, who has been a teacher, and a very successful one, since she was 17 years old; Anna, who is stenographer and bookkeeper for a Cleveland hardware firm; Charles Edward, who is mail clerk on the P. & W. Railroad; Elma, who is a clerk in a store at Mansfield, O .; and Edna and Ma- bel, who are at home. The family attends the Lutheran church.

SAMUEL A. ZIMMERMAN, who car- ries on general farming on his valuable tract of II0 acres, which is situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., was born in Polk township, Crawford county, April 28, 1871, and is a son of Peter and Philissa (Eichhorn) Zimmerman.

Peter Zimmerman was born in Whetstone township, where his father, Daniel Zimmer- man, was an early settler. He followed farming all his active life and still owns a farm of 95 acres in Polk township, but lives retired with his second wife, at Galion. They are members of the First Reformed church in that city. He married sisters, first, Philissa Eichhorn, who died in 1875 and rests in the Fairview Cemetery at Gal- ion, and married second, Catherine Eich-

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horn, both of them being daughters of Adam Eichhorn, an early settler in Craw- ford county. To his first union two sons were born: Frederick and Samuel A .; and to the second, a son and daughter-Wal- ter, and Lottie who is deceased.

Samuel A. Zimmerman obtained a com- mon school education and before purchas- ing land for himself, assisted his father for two years, after which he bought his pres- ent farm in Whetstone township, from Mag- gie J. Shearer. He does general farming and keeps good stock, carefully keeps his buildings repaired and his farm machinery sheltered and has the reputation of being one of the very successful agriculturists of this section.

On Oct. 19, 1891, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Lowmil- ler, who died Oct. 10, 1904, her burial be- ing in the Fairview cemetery at Galion. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Kester) Lowmiller, who were early set- tlers in Whetstone township. Mrs. Zim- merman was an admirable woman and was a devoted member of the First Reformed church at Galion. To Mr. and Mrs. Zim- merman four children were born: Ada, Or- lando, Melvin and Maud May, the eldest being deceased. Mr. Zimmerman is a mem- ber and liberal supporter of the First Re- formed church at Galion. He is a Demo- crat in politics like his father, and has served three years on the township school board.

CARL HENRY HENKEL,* attorney at law and city solicitor of Galion, O., was born in this city, Oct. 25, 1880, and is a son of Henry C. and Wilhelmina (Sames) Henkel.

Henry C. Henkel and wife were both born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and were brought to America by their parents when young. They were reared at Galion and married here and the family has long been a highly respected one in this section. Henry C. Henkel followed the mason trade during his active years and now, at the age of 70, lives retired. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. His wife died in September, 1908, at the age of 56 years.

Their two children survive, Carl Henry and Clara E., the latter being the wife of Henry E. Lemon, of Galion.

After completing the public school course, Carl Henry Henkel entered the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1901, before he had attained his majority and afterwards was admitted to the bar and has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. He has been a very active Democrat and on .many occa- sions his party has recognized his efficiency and, in addition to serving as a delegate to state conventions, in 1908 he was sent as a delegate to the National Democratic Con- vention.

Mr. Henkel was married to Miss Olive Barr, who was born at Galion, Feb. 14, 1880, a daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth (Chand- ler) Barr, natives of Ashland county, O. Mr. and Mrs. Henkel have two children: Ja- nette E. and Oliver C., aged respectively eight and five years. They are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Henkel is iden- tified fraternally with the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Elks and Independent Order of Foresters and has served as a high state official in the last named organization. Both professionally and personally, Mr. Henkel stands high in his native city and his influ- ence may be confidently counted on in fur- thering public spirited movements that are for the purpose of advancing the general welfare.

JOHN A. NOBLIT, an experienced and successful general farmer of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., where he owns 120 acres of well-cared-for land, was born in this township, Sept. 12, 1863, and is a son of Robert and Susanna (Albright) Noblit.

Robert Noblit and wife were born in Pennsylvania, his birthplace being in Dau- phin county. They came to Ohio and set- tled in Whetstone township, Crawford county, and through frugality and industry accumulated a large property, the father owning at one time as much as 300 acres of fine land. He was a Democrat but was

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never a politician. Both he and wife were bler) Cook, old and responsible families of members of the German Reformed church this section. and are worthy people in every relation of life. The following children survive them: John A., Samuel; Mary Jane, wife of Ben- jamin F. Holshouse; Sylvia, wife of Charles Crisinger; and Isaac.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 119

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